When the temperatures warm and it looks like spring might actually arrive, I just want to be outside watching things grow. Creativity speaking, my energy switches to gardening and flowers and our yard. Or small projects I can do outdoors in a patio chair.
Neurographic art is a great project for outdoors. You don’t need a lot of things to do it. It can be as simple as a using just a pen and paper. So many other art and craft things can be done outside. Embroidery, cross stitch, tie dye, refurbish a patio table, paint some small rocks. The possibilities are endless.
Wanting to spend time in the sunshine, means less time spent in my office. A good spring office cleaning of my office was much needed. There were stacks of paper that needed filing or recycling. A jumble of things that needed to find a home.
Until next time…
I hope you get a chance to get outdoors this weekend! I’ll be working in our yard. What’s everyone else doing?
Tropes are an interesting concept but, while I have my favourites, I don’t chose books according to trope. I think that’s a slippery slope. For me, anyway. I like variety. I love reading the beginning of a book and recognizing hints at different tropes. Usually a book has more than one. Sometimes they are have a bigger influence and help shape the the base of the plot. Or sometimes they are more like a plot point. Either way there are so many different and interesting tropes that it’s too restrictive to chose to read just a few. This way you might find one you haven’t encountered yet.
There are lots of things I love about the Always Been You trope. The main characters history together is an important part of the story. Eventually we learn what went wrong during an earlier relationship. Was it a matter of immaturity, different life goals, familial interference, a major misunderstanding. The possibilities are endless. But despite the reason why it didn’t work, in the end, they’ve never loved someone like they love each other, even if they’ve had other satisfying partnerships. They always find their way back to each other.
This trope has the potential for great angst and big emotion and I’m here for it all.
And who doesn’t want to believe in the concept of soul mates? Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty all met theirs and a lot of us were fed those fairy tales for dinner. You don’t need to believe in that kind of relationship is necessary in real life to want to read about that possibility for fictional characters.
Some of my favourite It’s Always Been You books:
The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid (Canadian Romance Author) A standalone contemporary M/M Romance Read my review HERE.
Him by Elle Kennedy (Canadian Romance Author) and Sarina Bowen The first book in a short series. contemporary M/M Romance
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto A contemporary Romance You can read my review HERE.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune A contemporary romance You can read my review HERE.
Face The Fire by Nora Roberts The third book in the The Three Sisters Trilogy. A contemporary, supernatural romance
Until next time…
Leave a comment on anything you like! Book recommendations. You’re favourite tropes.
So, my very favourite romance author who just happens to be Canadian released a new book. I loved everything about The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid.
The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid From Carina Press
Categories: Romance / Contemporary Romance / MM Romance / Hockey Romance
Blurb:
After moving back to his hometown ten years ago, Riley Tuck thought he had left his major league hockey career—and his broken heart—far behind. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes, it brings ex-teammate and former best friend with benefits Adam Sheppard back into his life.
Coming to the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia, might have been a mistake. Adam’s not sure he’ll ever win back Riley’s trust after the way they left things—and the attention he’s getting as a huge hockey star isn’t exactly helping. Yet the chemistry that crackles between them is undeniable, even now.
As Adam helps Riley navigate his grief, long-buried feelings start to resurface. But they’ll have to square off with their complicated past if they’re going to have a real shot at a new beginning.
It’s Always Been You is one of my very favourite romance tropes! I’ll be talking more about about this trope next week. This book is full of heart wrenching history between to best friends shown in flashbacks which Reid is an expert at writing. But maybe the best thing about this book is the ages of Adam and Riley who are both in their early 40s. Their ages lend credence to the trope. It makes for a more mature story that is both sweet and sensual. The amount of work Adam puts into making reparation for the hurt he inflicted years earlier is…just…swoon. This slow burn, second chance romance is also full of wonderful secondary characters and takes place in an interesting fictional town in the province of Nova Scotia. I couldn’t put it down even though I was trying to savour it and make it last longer. Highly recommend.
Until next time…
What romances have you read that are written by a Canadian author and set in Canada? I love to know what to read next?
We’re heading into a federal election here in Canada. There is a lot of information out there and ensuring I’m thinking critically as I filter through it is proving to be a challenge. There’s a meanness out there that’s spreading from south of our border. A sense cruelty. Of intolerance. The use of threats and humiliation as bargaining tactics.
Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
Shoulders down.
Relax my jaw.
But then what? What else can I do to regulate myself?
Creativity is one of the ways I quiet my brain. I want to remain soft and empathetic in the face of learning or in times of turmoil. I don’t want to become numb or get angry. I don’t want to stick my head in the sand and ignore current events or pretend everything is fine.
I can’t fix the world and we are not built to carry the weight of it.
That is not to say I will do nothing. I will consciously choose where to direct my energy. I will remain grateful while acknowledging times are hard. I will find joy in the small moments of quiet, of connection and I will celebrate the simple things.
I will make art.
Lately, I’ve been doing more neurographic art doodles. And finally I finished a tree of life macrame project I started during Covid. I’m also still working on my origami skills. Whew, origami is hard!
And I will listen to Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan over and over again.
Welcome to February and the tariff wars nobody asked for. The American political right’s cruel attack on trans people. The suggestion Canadians want to be the 51st state. Sigh. Seems the seeds of chaos have been sown away and powerful people’s egos are in play.
Feel angry? Me, too! And it’s okay to be angry. But we also need to clear our heads of the noise for a few moments.
And Breathe.
For real. Don’t forget to breathe.
Big, deep belly breaths of air in and long slow releases of air out. And keep writing even if it’s angry. Make art using a black crayon. Using your hands to stitch, sew, or knit resistance pieces.
And Breathe.
Plan your garden. Rearrange your furniture. Bake a cake. Chop vegetables and make soup. Paint your fingernails.
And Breathe.
Will everything be perfect? No. But the constant flood of information might be a bit more manageable.
Today is a bonus episode. I mean, post. I might be spending a little too much time listening to podcasts. Where’s that wide eyed unblinking emoji when you need it?
Today is January 23rd and it’s also National Handwriting Day. I’m not much for paying attention to ‘special days’ on the calendar because there seems to be one for everything. But Handwriting Day? I can get behind this one. Especially because there are so many creative benefits to handwriting.
For me, one of the biggest creative benefits of putting pen to paper is the fostering of ideas. One of my favourite ways to work through a story thought is to start listing the what-if possibilities. I usually aim for ten ideas. This way you can move past the obvious and perhaps find a different angle. It allows me to slow down and think.
Handwriting improves our memory. It has more mediative benefits than keyboarding. It’s very individual and can change with our moods creating for an emotional outlet. It activates your senses: the sound of pen on paper; the pressure of pressing down, seeing the words come to life. Those things connect different parts of our brain together and create a stronger memory than typing.
Also, you can make things pretty and have special pens, even glittery ones. You can colour code things. You also don’t have to be precious about it or have a fancy pen, to reap the benefits of handwriting. You can just hastily jot down notes in your messiest scrawl.
Until next time…
Do you use pen and paper to work through things? Make a to-do list? Or journal? Maybe you love to send handwritten notes to friends? I want to hear about it all.
January is an excellent month to recommend a book that has a lot of flowers in it. Not only does it have plenty of blooms to remind a person of summer, it’s definitely steamy. Forget Me Not by Julie Soto will warm you right up.
Ama Torres is an optimistic wedding planner who doesn’t believe in marriage. But weddings? They’re amazing. Elliot Bloom is a brooding florist who hates owning a flower shop…until a certain bright-eyed, donut-loving workaholic shows up at his door.
Once upon a time, they collaborated on events by day, and by night, Ama traced the intricate flower tattoos etched along his body. Then Ama shattered his heart and never spoke to Elliot again.
Now they’re working on an event that could make or break both of their careers—except neither of them has gotten over what happened two years ago. Things are not helped by the two brides, who see the obvious chemistry between Ama and Elliot and are determined to set them up, not knowing their complicated history. But as the wedding takes on a life of its own, Ama and Elliot are about to discover that some things can survive a complete catastrophe . . .
A Ramble of Thoughts:
Forget Me Not is a contemporary romance told in a dual timeline and that is one of my favourite things about this story. The present day is told in Ama’s perspective and the past (what unfolded two years ago) is told in Elliot’s point of view. It was a very unique way to explain what went wrong in their past relationship and show how they are able to reconnect in the present.
Another of favourite things about this book is Ama and Elliot’s creative chemistry. There is plenty of work related talk in this book and I loved it. I remember reading in Stephen King’s memoir that people love to read about other peoples jobs. And it’s so true for me. Ama is an up and coming wedding planner of high profile weddings and Elliot is a talented florist who taps into his architectural training to create elaborate floral arrangements. They work together to create one of a kind weddings, even if it’s against Elliot’s will. Because Ama is a force.
This book is funny and serious and charming and entertaining. Some would say it’s got grumpy/sunshine vibes. But I think it’s got more of an opposites attract kind of energy. There are lots of people in this book and I’m here for it. Julie Soto creates a world where people, work, live and love. It’s full and rich and colourful. Definitely recommend! I’ve gone on to read her second book, Not Another Love Song, and I fully enjoyed that one too.
Until next time…
What have you been reading? Do you love a book that gives you insight into peoples jobs?
My creative intentions for 2025. Write, read and paint. Plus a few more.
My grandmothers, who were very different but very practical women, made incredibly beautiful things like music, art, gardens and food. Pleasures that brought them fulfilment and joy. My maternal grandmother was a talented choir director, singer, and painter. My paternal grandmother was a wonderful cook and a passionate gardener of both vegetables and flowers. My mom is a painter, a choir member, a knitter, among other things. My dad is a woodworker. My sister is an art teacher and painter. My brother is also a woodworker and gardener.
You could say that I come by the need to be creative naturally. But the truth is, we all carry creative intentions within us. It is a part of us. We either tap into it or we deny it. And I don’t think it’s a stretch to say tapping into your creative interests is very therapeutic. Like exercise, our creative pursuits are a tool we can tap into to improve our mental health. I think we need to talk more about creativity and its benefits.
I checked the calendar and apparently It’s January 13th. We are entering this new year’s third week. The world seems to be in turmoil. We’re stressed, and more. But tapping into our creativity is a way to express emotions that are often bottled up or suppressed. Creating something is a way to release those emotions by giving us a nonverbal way to process those thoughts. Now seems like an excellent time to lean in because these days I’m having all the thoughts all the time.
My 5 Things to Remember About Creativity (from an amateur with no professional qualifications whatsoever)
You don’t have to be ‘naturally good’ at something to try it. It’s not a competition. It’s not a race. It’s not about perfection. Allow yourself to be imperfect. Allow yourself to try. And to quit.
Seek out inspiration. From art galleries. From documentaries. From books. From nature. Honestly, I get a lot of ideas from scoping out crafts for kids. Go to your local library. Follow artists on social media. Take a class. Listen to a podcast.
Put down your phone. I know. I get it. I spend too much time on my phone too. It’s easy. The pretty aesthetics. The funny memes. The inspirational reels. The entertaining viral videos. The recipes! I read something recently about letting ourselves get bored. Turns out that boredom leads to increased creativity, among other positive things.
It doesn’t have to be a big something. It can be a small. It can be a 3 x 3 inch square of paper and BIC pen and a quick doodle. It can be a seed you plant in a tiny pot. It can be writing a haiku. It can be a pot of soup. Or an apple pie. It can be learning cursive writing (for the young ones out there). It can be origami. (This is what I’m doing right now. To understand how it’s going, see No. 1.)
Realizing that being a perfectionist is not a good thing. Let go of harsh self judgements. Kick those impossibly high expectations to the curb. It’s not that easy, believe me, I know. But it can be a work in progress. Give yourself some grace. You don’t need to be perfect at something to reap the benefits of doing it.
I hope every one of you have some kind of creative project on the go. Or are at least thinking of something you want to try this year. If that is the case, I hope you give that thing a go. Or that you do more of the ones that bring you joy.
Until next time…
Do you have any creative things you want to try? Are thinking of trying? Or have already started? Let me know.
I just used what was in my cupboards for toppings. It’s a great way to use up the last bits of things you have hanging around. But you could make it pretty and Christmasy without too much effort.
I have my favourite Christmas treats. Mostly they are childhood comforts that my Mom still makes this time of year. Family favourites like scuffles, fudge, apple bars, lemon tarts. Things we only had at Christmas time. I think baking things for people is my Mom’s love language.
So, forget the hustle, hustle, hustle of performance culture and take care of your mental health by doing what you can with what you have.
