My Christmas "Excuse"

Last week, I was non-stop busy with entertaining company, a day with our youngest grandson, Christmas cards and our annual Newsletter, final house decorating, early shopping, Etc., Etc., Etc!

All that should excuse me from totally forgetting to do a blog post, right? But, there's one more happy reason that my attentions were elsewhere: our newest book, Imagination and Dreams Are Forever debuted for sale early in the week, and R.J. and I were both busy promoting it everywhere. By now, it should be available on the Theme Park Press website, and I know you can purchase it on Amazon.

Tomorrow, on FB Live (at 3 pm, CST), R.J. and I will be showcasing the book, and reading some passages from it to entice buyers. Please join us for that; it will be our Christmas broadcast, and we have lots to share.

I WILL do another post at the end of this week, so come back on Saturday for another blog. I've put a post-it under my computer screen to remind me!

Just Our Way

Early each morning, R.J. and I spend about an hour, in our living room, listening to music, drinking our coffee, and just talking - about all manner of topics both important and not so. We've discovered it is the best way to recharge our creative energies.

R.J. can always make me laugh, help me see new solutions to any problem I struggle with, and is forever my cheerleader and confidant. He claims I do the same for him. As far as our daily schedules go, for work and commitments, one day is never like another, so having that morning time together is the spark that ignites us - much more so than a quick cup of coffee and a hurried kiss, as we head off in different directions.

I realize that our special careers, which allow us to work from home, is not what most couples enjoy. And, without sounding like a boring teacher advocating life's best solution, let me make it clear that, in describing the start to our days, I'm not trying to say this is the only way to be productive, or have the perfect marriage!

No, my purpose, in this new launch of my blog, is that I will sometimes describe aspects of our lives that are unique for us, hoping that, by doing so, you will know me a little better.

I welcome your comments about my thoughts - and please share with me some of the ways you inspire yourselves each day.       

My Own Idea of Thankfulness

I didn't take a picture yesterday, of the members of our family around our dining table - at least not a photograph that you could view. Instead, the picture I do have is a mental one - and a thankful one.

Let me give you a word picture: there were 8 of us able to get together for Thanksgiving, and, before we began the sumptuous dinner we had all helped prepare, we joined hands - not simultaneously - but with smiles and some remarks of "what are we doing?" I explained that I wanted everyone to say what they were thankful for. I'm aware that this is not original to the holiday, but the responses from each of us certainly were!

They ranged from the last to arrive before dinner being thankful we had saved some appetizers for him, to a very quick blessing so that we could start passing food. Others were more traditional, such as being thankful for their children or the love of their partner. I said I was able to enjoy the day because of all the help I had with the meal.

I watched all the faces of these special people in my life, laughing or smiling as each took time to respond in their own unique way. And that's my own idea of thankfulness, having them all there, sharing their own brand of happy with me. That image will never dim.   

This Is "My Expanded Blog" - Enjoy!

After many months of ruminating about how I could make this blog more open and interesting - I went through several titles changes, thought about what parts of my life I wanted to share, what thoughts I had that might be of interest to my followers, and on and on - I consulted my creative other half, and working together, I finally untangled my brain and am happy with what I'm about to write here as we go forward.

First of all, I decided that my original title would stay because, after all, I am a published writer, and my "musings" are basically anything I think about and want to write about and share. I did come up with what I feel better expresses my intention with my work. My new subtitle definitely does that (I do have a crazy life and I want you to enjoy it with me!)

My posts will be at least one a week, and will include subjects of my writing life, my theatre life, my Disney life, my family life, etc., etc. etc.  There are so many facets of what creativity in a life style have given, and continue to give every day.

Please come back and visit often, and PLEASE send me your comments, remarks, or critiques. I sincerely want to know what my readers/followers think of my writings, and you also inspire ideas for new avenues to explore. There is a place to comment at the end of each post, and you can indicate whether you want your remarks published for all to read - or not. I look forward to how you can make this blog even better!

Lastly, on the Facebook Live show that my talented artist husband does every other Thursday (just go on FB and search "Randy Jack Ogren" - every other Thursday at 3 pm CST), I appear with him, once a month, to share stories and answer questions from our Disney followers. I am starting a new item on there with today's Live by occasionally sharing one of my favorite recipes. On the days that I do that, my blog will have the full recipe in print for anyone who wants it.

So! After that long-winded explanation, here is the recipe that will be on our show. It is one that I've been making for about 40 years, for special dinners, and my family - especially my husband - loves to have for Thanksgiving dinner:

Scalloped Corn Supreme

1 15 oz. can of cream style corn
1 cup milk
1 well-beaten egg
1 cup cracker crumbs (either saltines or Ritz type)
1/4 cup minced onion
3 Tbls. chopped pimiento
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup buttered cracker crumbs

Heat corn and milk. Gradually stir in egg. Add next four ingredients and a dash of pepper. Mix well. Pour into an 8-inch round baking dish. Sprinkle buttered crumbs over it. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Serves 6. 

Have a great Holiday, and I'll be back here next week with - well who knows?!
 

This is the Week!!!

Be ready, loyal readers - this is the week I am going to launch my updated, revised, enlarged and more interesting blog!
My last post in March explained what was going to happen, and I certainly didn't expect it to take over six months to get to this point. I will spare you all the myriad of reasons that I was prevented from doing this!
Just keep checking back, because by Saturday, November 23rd, I will post a new title for my blog (still same blogspot address to access me) and present lots of information on what you'll be seeing here.
Thanks for your patience; I promise it will be worth it!

Something New Being Created!

To my loyal readers - and hopefully some new readers:

Months ago, I posted that I was going to rework this site. I am doing that, but it is taking much longer than I anticipated because I've been adamant that what I change and add will make it better, more attractive for my followers, and open it up to new paths as well.

That journey is almost complete. It is taking more time because it is the second project I'm busy with at the moment; the first being a new book my husband and I are collaborating on (the third in a trilogy of books on our careers at Walt Disney World, and its history).

Please keep checking back for the finish of my labors, and the launch of a much better site. The projected date should be no later than May of this year. And, again, thanks for your patience. I promise it will be worth the wait!