I treated myself to a R&R day today.  Thanksgiving and a round of shopping wore me out, I suspect.   So, Netflix came through with two movies, one of which was Miss Potter.  I highly recommend this movie.  Michelle mentioned it at Magical a few days ago.  Until then, I hadn’t heard of it.  It’s the story of Beatrice Potter, and the storyline and scenery are stunning. 

Watching this movie, I realized how difficult females had it back then.  No one took them seriously, really.  Everyone assumed that well-to-do females should marry well, and not embarrass the family.  Beatrice was way ahead of her time.  I found myself cheering her spunk, and intuitiveness.  She cared about her books, and had definite ideas how she wanted it to all go down; right down to contract points, and illustrations.  I adored her spirit! 

When I saw where she ended up– I’d love to go into detail but don’t want to be a spoiler– I knew it was a grand place to be.  So in the spirit of Miss Potter, have you experienced a tug and pull with those around you concerning a path you desperately wanted to take?  Looking back, I can see two such instances clearly.  Evolving into the person you were meant to be, and following your dreams.  Two very important journeys we all take, I think. 

I live in a small town as most of y’all know.  It’s my inspiration for stories, and I’m tucked away in a holler.  I was starting to panic yesterday, though.  I couldn’t find a Cajun turkey breast.  Okay, my youngest served this a few years ago to her in-laws and it was a huge hit.  Since I have no desire to goose a bird at 7:00 a.m. next Thursday, this boneless, packaged delicacy seemed right up my alley.  And never mind that I’ve never been totally satisfied with my past globblers.  I make a mean dressing with trimmings but cold, raw meat isn’t exactly my thing.  So, what do I do?  Living away from the hub, I’ve learned to call first.  You won’t find me scattered out there, running from store to store.  Just isn’t going to happen.  So yesterday, I’m calling all the big chains in town.  A few had never heard of them, a couple hadn’t seen any recently.  Okay, at this point I’m seeing this guy named, Mert, sitting in the back, staring at his shoes while I chat.  I really wanted to ask him, “Would you please look?”  But, I decided this place wasn’t going to get my business anyway.  I was beginning to wonder if it was going to be another cold, naked bird on Thursday morning. Just me and ol’ Tom doing the tango.

Oh a whim, which is usually how I travel, I called my favorite small town store, The Pig.  You could’ve blown me over when the lady in the deli said, “Sure, we carry Cajun turkey breasts, honey!  We have three now.”  Duh, I just went there two days ago for my weekly shopping, and hadn’t seen them.  Of course, I was poking my nose in the freezer section cause the store is small.  I hadn’t seen an official turkey stand.

Well, I’m here to tell you, I came home today like a proud mama with her 9 lb Cajun boy under my arm.  And, he’s beautiful, and I’m still smiling thinking of how he’s already “cooked”, and that I won’t have to get up close and personal at an ungodly hour next Thursday.  He cost me, but he’s so tender and delicious I won’t lose any sleep over the bucks spent.  I had a sample too, before closing the deal.  YUM.

Who would’ve thought?  Piggly Wiggly had my turkey fare while the big, bad boys in town were sleeping.  Yep, it’s going to be a mighty fine Thanksgiving!  What about y’all, turkey, ham, or are you goin’ Cajun this year?   

I’ve been gone for a week, and now it’s time to recharge.  For all of you that have followed the new addition to our family my new grandson, Johnathan, is perfect!  And now home again, I know today will be all about unpacking and getting those brain cells activated again.

When I regroup, I have several things that are mandatory.  I’m on my sofa with a cozy blanket.  I’ll eventually unpack and start laundry, that’s a given.  I lit several candles and the fireplace.  It’s getting chilly in TN, and that’s a welcome relief after the wierd weather pattern we were having.  I’m sure at some point, I’ll pick up a new book that came in the mail while I was gone.  It’s titled, THE THREE ONLY THINGS, and I’ll be sharing it with y’all either here or at Magical when I’m done.  I’ll be reading the last few comments from my editor on my debut book, and getting those back to her this weekend.

With the holidays coming up, and big family preparations in the wind, I thought it’d be fun to chat about how y’all recharge. It’s important to have fun, but equally important to listen to your body.  So, after the turkey is prepared and the fun day is over, what’s the first kindness you do for you?

This week has been pretty darn exciting!  Wow, the planets must be busy out there.  First off, Marcia Colette sold her first book to Parker Publishing.  One of my Magical partners, Edie, posted it today at Magical Musings.  We’re so happy for you, Marcia!  And on a personal note, my youngest daughter called to let us know the newest addition to our family  is ready to be picked up in Guatemala early next week.  So, I’ll be making a quick roadtrip with my firstborn to watch all the little pumpkins while she’s gone.  That makes our count to five grandkiddies now, and Christmas this year is going to be really fun!  I just feel so blessed. 

Another pearl is that I’m finishing line edits on my debut novel, and I must say I love the process.  It’s probably because I have such a great editor.  Margaret, I love ya! And soon, my next novel for Tiger Publications will be on the table to begin the editing process.   Also, I received news of my PAN approval from RWA last night. 

These are the little gifts that have come my way this week.  From time to time I’ll share them with you in a Little Pearl post.  It’s my way of staying in gratitude, and sharing all the great news with my friends!   What little pearls have come to you this week?  I ‘d love to hear them and celebrate with you.