Tuesday, November 10

Flowers, Fish & Friends ... and GIVEAWAYS!

I must tell you what & who I have been INSPIRED by lately. And it's the reason I've been lagging in my blog posts of late. I took on a design project that has been taking up quite a bit of my time. So, in every free moment, I've been trying to enjoy this gorgeous fall weather with my kids:
They've been "collecting" all the "fallen" flowers in our yard and on outings. I've been the honored recipient of these valued treasures!

And we have ONE chrysanthemum plant from last year that has truly thrived! This vibrant bush is almost as tall as my kids! (if you know the stories of my black thumb, then you know why I'm especially thrilled about this - one out of three ain't bad!)
Along with my unusual work hours, comes shortcuts in the dinner department. Well, my foodie husband whipped up a low-fat, low-carb meal for us recently - Halibut with his HOME-GROWN cherry tomatoes and herbs. Yummmmm! (recipe at bottom)
And now for the exciting project I've been designing. A great friend of mine, Laura Contreras-Rowe, has just authored a TRULY inspiring book:Aim High: Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic & Latina Women is a compilation of mini-biographies of 33 amazing women. Women who have "aimed high" and overcome assorted obstacles to fulfill their dreams and goals. Successful, prominent women who you have heard of, or will be soon! As I read their stories, I am so inspired! The book is targeted to young Hispanic girls, but the more non-Hispanics who have read it, including several that are not so young!, the more we realize that it's an incredible tool to motivate and challenge girls of any background, race or age. This definitely needs to be on many Christmas gift lists!

Aim High is being printed as I type, and I can't wait to have the final book in my hands. It's a hardcover "coffee-table-style" book, full of colorful photos and fabulous design! Tee Hee! The author, my friend Laura, has had national press and is already setting up her book tour. I'm honored to be a part of this inspirational project.

For more information about Laura and her book, or to pre-order, you can visit here. She'll be rolling out the new site, www.aimhighbook.com any day!

AND ... you can win one here! Please leave a comment with your email address, and one lucky, random winner will receive one autographed copy of Aim High when they're available (probably right after Thanksgiving). You must have a US mailing address. Giveaway ends midnight MT Nov. 16th.

AND ... I just received something really cool from DaySpring - something else I designed that I can give away! SOOOOO, that'll be coming up shortly, too!! Stay tuned!!


Halibut en Papillote:
Wash and dry the fish fillet. Set aside. Cut a large rectangle of baking parchment and place on a cookie sheet. Put the fillet on it and top with:
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp medium-grind black pepper
- 1/8 C fresh Italian Parsley - chopped
- 1 large green onion - chopped
- 1 C sweet cherry tomatoes - cut in half
Drizzle over 1 tsp olive oil. Top with another piece parchment, folding edges together to seal and make a packet. Cook in preheated oven 400 degrees until the fish is tender (up to 18 minutes for a thick fillet).
You can also do this with individual fillets, like tilapia, making a packet for each person.

20 comments:

Beth Ann said...

What a cool book. My email address is 1981baw @ gmail.com

Heather Anne said...

What a neat project to be a part of - I love the title! Your cover art is so vibrant and alive! Great job!

shana said...

Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Shana
kirbyandshana {at} gmail {dot} com

Debbie Petras said...

That recipe looks so good. I think I'm going to try it out. What a great book and title. I've missed reading your posts.

Hugs to you,
Debbie

Hannah said...

Email me at tauntsociety@gmail.com.

If I win I am going to give this book to my future sister-in-law. She will love it!

dymphna said...

As a hispanic woman myself I would love to read of other hispanic women who have inspiring stories...I would also love to share this book with the other women in my life...

Molly Anne said...

Your mum is gorgeous! I'm impressed you still have so many flowers blooming. Your kids are very sweet to be showering you with flowers.
Oh my...that fish (and everything) looks wonderful!

Mandi Arrington said...

I would love to be able to win that book! Sign me up!
bettyboopin21@hotmail.com. I could always use advise on how to be motivated!

Melissa said...

that halibut looks delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe =) can't wait to try it!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

That chrysanthemum plant is beautiful and so is the flower "collection"..so sweet!

I love inspirational books and this sounds wonderful!

Halibut is one of my favorite fish to eat. Nice recipe!

catss99 said...

Please enter me, this looks really cool. Thanks for the giveaway!
Amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

The Garrido Family said...

Sounds like a great book for such a time as this! My e-mail address is dnsgarrido@msn.com Thank you!

Karen M. Peterson said...

What an awesome book, and how cool that you got to be a part of it!

apeekatkarensworld@gmail.com

And thank you so much for visiting last week on my SITS day!

Lacie @ Creative Attempts said...

I don't think I have ever craved fish this early in the morning :) Happy SITS saturday sharefest

Sharon said...

Ok if those are your fallen flowers, then WOW! Your garden must look great, black thumb or not (Don't feel bad. I kill lucky bamboo. how des anyone do that?)

That recipie has my mind whirling of how many great things my soon to be hubby will say about it when I make it for him! :)

And what a great sounding book. I would love a chance to win a copy, and, not only that but I'd love to pass it on to friends after. Inspirational words are hard to cme by sometimes.

Thanks for dropping by my place earlier. Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

(scelliott(at)hotmail(dot)com)

Livin’ The Yeh Life’s said...

How exciting! You amaze me with all the different hats you wear. Can't wait to meet you!

Cindy said...

This is awesome. I can never have enough of these books. I'm trying to win this one for my mom, who never graduated high school and has been depressed for some time... I'm sure these stories will inspire and change her life

My address is:
1133-111 Centerville Turnpike
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

my email: cyntaro@regent.edu

Ms. Witi said...

If its not too late I would love to be put in the drawing for the book.

Email me at dlrocks09@yahoo.com

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

The information here is great. I will invite my friends here.

Thanks

Doreen said...

Fantastic book! I have been searching for just such an inspirational tool to share with my two nieces. And, we ARE Hispanic, so this would be perfect. Thank you for posting this. Good luck to the winner!
- doreen at scrappydee417@yahoo.com

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