Friday 23 September 2016

This Wonderful Spanky Life!

Yesterday was the Equinox, and now the nights will be longer than the days. Our beautiful, long, hot summer is at a close. Today is warm and sunny with a brilliantly clear blue sky, so we are still "living easy", but by 7.30 in the evening, it is dark. 

The best thing that happened to me this summer was meeting up with a whole cluster of my blogging girl friends. It still brings tears to my eyes that over the years I have made such very good friends via the blogs. These are special friendships, that take time and effort to establish but a nicer bunch of women I couldn't hope to meet.

The high spot was meeting a dear friend who travelled all the way from the other side of the pond. In fact, it was this friend who arranged the entire meeting - wonderful venue and all! Our own dear Ella!

As you can imagine, we all talked ourselves hoarse! We all felt as if we had known each other forever. You can probably guess that some extraordinarily interesting gifts were exchanged! Here is a selection.





Jaye Peaches gave us all a copy of her latest book. It is brilliant! Jaye is such a clever writer! (And it turns out we came from the same village as children! - you cannot imagine what a coincidence that is. I wonder what the odds on that happening are?) If you've not read any of her books, I can recommend them.



Ella and Sam stayed with us for a while. It was SO NICE! We all got on wonderfully! She even made us some of her special burritos, and our son gave them 11 out of 10!

Dan had a wonderful time when we were alone, trying out those new implements. The wooden spoon has my name on the other side! (A personalised spanky spoon!) I don't care for wooden spoons. They are very unforgiving. But although they are less rigid, I think the silicon implements are the worst. Guess which one Dan liked best? Yes. The large lilac coloured spatula! To be honest, I think I liked that best too. It lights the kind of fire you can feel for a very long time afterwards! (Thank you, Ronnie, dear!)

However, Dan said he still likes our wooden paddle with the holes in it best of all. If he has to choose an implement, that is the one he goes for. I threatened to look for more of them when we are next on our travels! I know for certain they would go to good homes.



Now for my other exciting bit of news I want to share with you. My new book, Ami and the Midnight Geese, will shortly be out on Amazon.



Some of you might already have read it on Bethany's Woodshed. Bethany wanted to combine my first book with my new story, so you may have read the first part before, but I can assure you that the second part is the Ami you know and love to laugh at, in full force! I hope you will also be able to guess who the couple are who are written into the latter part of the book. I always promised that if I got the chance I would write her into a story!

I am beginning to get used to my laptop, but I need to set up lots of stuff on it that I had to hand on my old computer, and the flat keyboard and lack of mouse are driving me insane. However, I will get to grips with it all, no doubt. Any hints on laptops would be welcome!

See you later Alligators!

 

26 comments:

  1. The same small village! It is amazing.
    Thank you for your kindness and show out. I'm really looking forward to your book too, the title is so intriguing.
    Wood is mean. Wood with holes in it is even meaner!
    In a while, crocodile :)

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    1. Thank you, Del Fonte, and I really do look forward to meeting up again before too long.

      Hugs
      Ami

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  2. Hi Ami, I have been following the adventures of the girls meeting and this post add one more delightful piece to the picture. I think that,in comparison to silicon, wood is nice and leaves a warm even burn.
    I too dislike laptops with a vengeance (and don't get me started on tablets) so when forced to use one always attach an external keyboard and mouse....so much easier. At home I even use an external monitor for which my old eyes thank me.

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed hearing about our little meet-up.

      I, too, like wood, but I do feel it needs using with care. If I had money for the number of times I said to Dan "Too high, too high!" I would be a rich woman!

      I so hope I will get used to my laptop soon!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  3. Looks like not only did you all make lasting friendships.... The spanking exchange continues!
    I read your book on Bethany's and highly recommend it! I laughed at the antics of you and of course your goofy friend! The humor had me howling out loud!
    Wish I could join you in some of those hilarious escapades!

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    1. The spanking exchange most certainly continues. Beware!

      Thank you for all the good advice you gave me on what a Scot would say!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  4. Lucky you...meeting blogging friends in real life! Not so sure about the gifts, not a fan of wooden spoons or silicon...OUCHY!! You new book sounds like a fun read...
    hugs abby

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    1. Hi Abby! It was SUCH fun! And the implements simply added to it!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  5. Such lucky ladies to get to meet up with one another. I'm sure Dan is going to have fun testing out all those weapons of m'ass destruction. LOL

    Good gravy...my TBR list is getting huge...so many prolific authors out here!

    Guess we're gonna have to arrange a conference call and walk you through your computer setup. Just let me know when.

    Hugs and blessings...Cat

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    1. We were so very lucky that we could all be there! Oh yes, Dan has had fun alright!

      Thanks for everything Cat! Such fun talking with you the other weekend!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  6. Hi Ami, I'm so happy for you all that you were able to meet in person, and such wonderful gifts! ... I think lol. I'm with you on wooden spoons and silicon. I bet Dan enjoyed himself testing them out lol.

    Congratulations on your upcoming book release, that is wonderful news, looking forward to reading this :)

    Hugs
    Roz

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    1. Dan most certainly did enjoy himself. Maybe too much!

      Thank you for your good wishes.

      Hugs
      Ami

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  7. Can't wait to read the new book. Nice to hear all about meeting up with our blogging friends. Wish I could have been there - maybe someday.

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    1. Thank you, Leigh. I sincerely hope you Ray will make it over here one day!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  8. These blogger get togethers sound absolutely wonderful. It's so great that you can finally connect in person to those you've been 'talking' to for so long. Looking forward to reading he new book!

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    1. It was wonderful. We laughed and talked so much! They are all wonderful women!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  9. Ami your get together with the other blogger friends sounds wonderful. Not sure about those gifts, ouch. Looking forward to reading your new book when its released.
    hugs Lindy

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    1. It was a lovely lunch, and the gifts were all hilarious! And fun to use as well!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  10. I really did enjoy meeting everyone. A lovely day. Look forward to reading your book.

    Happy Dan liked my pressie. Can't say I'm too keen on your gift:)

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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    1. Wasn't it just great?!

      You mean, "wood versus silicon"? Ha!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  11. I was so excited when Ella invited me to the London lunch. It was good to meet you all and catch up with Jan again. As Ronnie says, it was a lovely day.
    I'm looking forward to reading your book, I really enjoyed the first one and am happy to hear it has been incorporated into the new release.
    Rosie xx

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    1. Hi Rosie!

      It was a brilliant day! It was so good to meet you and we will do it again!

      Hugs
      Ami

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  12. Lovely post...so glad you ladies had the opportunity to meet - a memory you will remember forever. :-) Can't wait to read your book... Hugs

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  13. How wonderful that you were able to get together and enjoy each other's company. Isn't it great when a plan comes together.

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    1. I am so glad Ella planned it all. We had SUCH a good day!

      Hugs
      Ami

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