No More Waiting

The sun is cresting up over the mountain ridge behind my house. The chickens are pecking merrily in their yard. The cats have had their breakfast and are grooming themselves to spotless perfection. The dogs are wrestling, working out their pent-up energy from a long night's rest. The bees are abuzz, gathering nectar and pollen from any and every available source. I'm eating yogurt, enjoying the freshness permitted by a house whose almost every window is now open (admittedly, a bit chilly at this hour, but I'll gladly suffer in silence).

It's a good day, friends. It's made even better by the fact that today marks the official launch date of the first two books in my Homemade Living series. While those who pre-ordered will have already received their copies and Barnes & Noble stores, too, have had the books up on their shelves for several weeks (B&N is my publisher's over-arching parent company), today is the official launch date. From local, independently owned mom and pop shops to public libraries and beyond, the Homemade Living series is now bona fide. Certified. Fully legitimate. Yours for the purchasing.

How bizarre to think that this whole endeavor began with a suggestion from a trusted friend (who would go on to become my editor) almost two years ago. I was leaving a reliable job, ready to take a leap of faith into the unknown. I left behind a steady paycheck, an office full of beloved co-workers, and any semblance of a regular schedule. When I was younger, I aspired to be a stay-at-home writer. Having no idea how that's achieved, however, kept me from pursuing such a career path. Little did I know that the seed had already been planted. It just needed time to germinate and come to fruition.

It's been a wild ride, full of surprises. And there's more to come, with two books ("Home Dairy" and "Keeping Bees") slated for next spring. If the first two books prove successful, fingers crossed, future books might be in the works, as well.

A big, mushy, sincerely heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who has contributed to the realization of this series. A similar high-five and robust digital hug to all of you who stop by small measure regularly. This process has made the world seem a lot smaller than it sometimes appears to be. And, for a now stay-at-home writer tucked down a dusty lane in a forested cove, that means the world.

*If you enjoy the books, I invite you to share your literary love with the world! Seriously. Any reviews you feel compelled to offer, whether on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powells, or Good Reads, are more than welcome!