Once a month, a good friend and I get together to watch a 007 flick and enjoy some buttery, sea-salted, oil-popped popcorn (none of those air-popped Styrofoam-textured kernels for us!). We also consume brownies or cheesecake or organic chocolate, depending upon whether I’m in a baking mood and whether she’s been to town and our “local” health food store (a 90 mile round trip or thereabouts) which fortunately has a divine selection of organic chocolate bars.

Last night was popcorn & organic chocolate — this lavender, milk chocolate concoction unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. Almost like eating melt-in-your-mouth perfume. Amazing.

The combo of chocolate and popcorn always makes for a fabulous supper. Granted, she eats dinner before she comes over, but I save my appetite for the good stuff, always making sure to take my wheatgrass and enzymes before savoring our popcorn-and-chocolate bonanza (my vitamin and dietary habits crack her up).

We’ve been watching the James Bond movies in order. We started with Dr. No last year and have worked our way up to The Spy Who Loved Me (which I’ll post a review of when I get around to it) .

We’ve only skipped one month to catch James Coburn in Our Man Flint.

So hip are we.

So do you and any of your girl friends (or guy friends) have any neat “date” nights or traditions? Do share!

Tags: 007, chocolate, movies

Nothing fancy today… just getting my feet wet.

But after debating for months I finally decided to start blogging, with the hope of keeping fans and readers more up-to-date on what I’m working on story-wise, as well as sharing my thoughts — goofy though they may be — on such far-reaching, mind-titillating topics as 007 (yes, James Bond…I’m a fan of both the books & the movies and over time will offer reviews of them all),  the writing life of a health-challenged author who strives to feel better every day and make sure every book is better than the last, and I’ll also be posting reviews of my “Keeper Shelf” — those books that have been in my possession ranging up to 20 years or more, that I considered top of the tops. There’s a ton of traditional Signet Regencies on that list, but also a large number of books in other genres. Lastly, I’m sure there will be the occasional recipe or chocolate fix, or better still — little tips on living well and being happy. Because as far as I’m concerned, there is so much crappola going on in the world around us I think it’s really important when our own corner of this wonderful world is as pleasant and peaceful and smile-engendering as we can make it. That’s what I strive for– in my life, and with my stories–pleasantness and peace and contentment. All good qualities I think may sometimes be overlooked.

For several years now, I’ve attempted to update my Lair every other month or so and share all my writing news and best kitty pictures all at once but sometimes I’m woefully late. I think trying a blogging format, where I can post smaller snippets more frequently, and organize them according to topic, will prove a more efficient way to share what’s going on.

For the next few days, as I wade in a little deeper — and because Alyssa and I have a fabulous release coming out next week — I’ll be posting frequently as I get into my groove, but eventually, I’m not sure how often I’ll add things. I thought about posting just whenever I feel like it, I’ve also thought about attempting to do it on the “5’s” (i.e., on the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th and so on…). I also might try doing it once a week, say on Thursdays…

Haven’t made up my mind yet, but I do think every single day is more ambitious than I’m up for right now, but if you have an opinion I’d love to hear it. Are you someone that enjoys going to a blog every single day? Or is once a week or twice a month good enough?

Share your preference if you have it and have a wonderful day! Larissa

Tags: 007, book releases, Keeper Shelf, peace & contentment, Regencies, writing