Weekly Recap: Dreams and Writing

It is interesting how the mind works. I have taken a sabbatical from my novel for over three weeks now. No particular reason why, other than everything else going on in my life  has been more interesting. On the positive side, I have tackled some issues that needed serious attention. Household accounts are now more up to date, a tree and several shrubs have been planted, and my house is a lot cleaner (I have a new iRobot Roomba :-).

I am also back on Weight Watchers, which really isn't a diet in my book, but a lifestyle change that enforces eating a healthier, lean diet. I have never joined this organization for real, but found their books and figured out the system. It really works, although it too required some serious attention in the beginning. I have since pulled out the recipe books, charts, and points book. As a result, my husband and I have been slowly shedding pounds, about two pounds weeks.

However, I am still two and a half chapters away from finishing, a rewrite that incorporated new plot details and a change to two secondary characters, one that I had actually eliminated in one draft. My dreams reflect this. I have been dreaming a lot lately, something that happens a lot when you are dieting I guess. At any rate, I had a dream last night that made me realize my novel is still very much a part of my sub-conscious.

Apparently, I have been working through the role and importance of the character I had once deleted. In my dream I met an actress (best keep her identity a secret for now), and suddenly---in a blink, I saw her playing the role of Meagan in my book. Well, okay, that means my book makes it to the big screen, but this was a dream, right? 

I am still recording my writing and exercise hours. Holding myself accountable continues to have a positive effect, whether it shames me into being more prolific or applauds my success. I am human after all, and like everyone else, I have my ups and downs. All said, I am over the hump and moving forward again!

How do you deal with roadblocks in your writing career? Do you stop and clear the paths of distraction or climb over it? 

Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl

The Peanut Butter Sandwich: An American Tradition

Ever since reading about peanut butter and zucchini sandwiches in Deborah Wiles's adorable Love, Ruby Lavender (MG), I have been intrigued with peanut butter

sandwiches  in general. The peanut butter sandwich has been around for as long as I can remember. I ate them as a kid, my own kids ate them, and now my grandchildren do. And since March is National Peanut Month, I thought it would be fun to talk about this simple easy-to-make sandwich, because from what I can tell, it has long been an American tradition.



Believe it or not, peanut butter was once a delicacy in the United States. In the early 1900s, you could only find it in fancy New York City tearooms, where it was served on crackers with pimentos, nasturtium, cheese, celery or watercress. But as far back as 1896, Good Housekeeping magazine had suggested that women grind peanuts into a spread for bread. Later that year, another magazine, Table Talk, printed a recipe for a peanut butter sandwich. However, it was not until the late 1920s that peanut butter became affordable and, therefore, available to the general public. Peanut butter soon became a staple and quite popular with children. During WWII, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich was added to military rations. It had come a long way from the tearooms of New York.

Common peanut butter sandwiches in my kitchen:

Peanut butter and...
- jelly (or jam, preserves, marmalade)
- honey
- pickles
- bananas
- potato chips

Peanut butter and zucchini, on the other hand, opens up a way to add more vegetables to the diet. My husband volunteered for the experiment. Well, to be precise . . . he went along, since he prefers I do most of the cooking. Here is what we have tried so far:

- Peanut butter and sliced apples (with peelings). I added sliced almonds one day, and after being assured the 'crunchy part' was edible, he liked it.
- Peanut butter and cucumbers. He liked it.
- Peanut butter and left-over salad. Hmm....this was a bit of a stretch, but it too was good. The salad had leaf lettuce, kale, yellow pepper, broccoli and carrot slaw, dried cranberries and walnuts.

After that last one, I decided the possibilities were endless. Candidates for research include fresh:
- zucchini (have not tried yet; it grows here like weeds during the summer)
- parsley
- grated carrots
- mint
- spinach and other greens
- pineapple slices
- sliced strawberries
- blueberries
- other berries

And from the tearoom list above, I may try:
- pimento
- nasturtium
- cheese
- celery
- watercress

From online, here are some more to try:
- raisins
- bacon
- chocolate 
- maple syrup
- hazelnut-chocolate spread
- marshmallows

I am a really big fan of nuts, so I would add other nuts to any of these combinations.

Any other ideas out there? Are you a peanut butter "nut" too?



Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl
[History Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_butter_and_jelly_sandwich].