Good stories come out of the busyness life provides...if we're paying attention
I whined to a writer friend last week that I take on too much and can't say "no" enough. His response: "you’ll probably agree all your “yes’s” – though hectic and sometimes overwhelming – are very life affirming while enriching you with things to write about."
Okay, fine Lyle, you are so right! (P.S. His book is coming out soon and it's a good one! I'll...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Love all year long contest
Writing Contest!
I'm participating in another writing contest for my completed manuscript. I'm super pumped about this contest because it's all about LOVE! Got to love me some LOVE!
I'd appreciate you taking a moment to read over my 750-word love scene and let me know if I can improve my writing, scene, hook, etc. Basically I want to know if you want to read more! Or if there are any glaring mistakes.
The rules: To enter this contest, you should post a love scene from a finished manuscript on your blog this Sunday, June...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Christie Koester - Graphic Designer
What? Christie does other things besides write?
Enter in Graphic Designer
Most people know me as Christie Koester, writer. Yes, writing is my passion, however, I do enjoy learning computer software programs and playing around with photos, graphics, colors, etc. I do like to design. After all, I'm a graphic designer by day. I didn't really go to school for it, but somehow design keeps falling into every position I've been in....
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Oatmeal Buttermilk Cinnamon Pancakes
Oatmeal Buttermilk Cinnamon Pancakes for my birthday!!!
makes 20 pancakes
(recipe found on Kitchen Daily.com)
My husband made me bday pancakes!! So good!!
Let me tell you...these pancakes are a little taste of heaven. OMG! It was my bday this week and Karl got up extra early (which tells me a lot because this guy loves to sleep) and made me pancakes.
AND not just ANY pancakes...semi-healthy pancakes!! What a guy. I'm one lucky gal! Oh,...
Tomato Couscous
Tomato Couscous
serves 4
(recipe found in Good Housekeeping May 2011)
Tomato Couscous
1/4 c. sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed), finely chopped
12 oz. green beans, trimmed
1 c. Israeli (pearl) couscous
1 pt. grape tomatoes
1/2 c. pitted Kalamata olives
1/2 c. packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 lemon
2 TBS Champagne vinegar
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper
1 can (15 oz) no-salt-added pinto beans, rinsed, drained
1. In...
Saturday, June 4, 2011
My favorite local wine of the month
Delicious local red wine I'm sipping right now
When I first started drinking wine, I loved Riesling. So much so that my mom had to go out and get me a cool Riesling picture for our living room from Kohl's. (She's seriously the best.) Then I jumped over to loving even sweeter whites. Enter Moscato.
Then we got married and gave everyone in our wedding bottles of Cab Sauv from Matthew Fox (they were seriously $2.99 but REALLY...
Beef Ragu
Beef Ragu
serves 6
(recipe found in Good Housekeeping May 2011)
Beef Ragu
Salt and pepper
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lb lean (93%) ground beef
1 lg carrot, finely chopped
1 lg. stalk celery, finely chopped
1 sm. onion (4 to 6 oz), finely chopped
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground coriander
Pinch crushed red pepper
1 can (28 oz) no-salt added-fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 pkg (13.25 oz) whole-grain penne
1 c. packed fresh...
Tarragon-Citrus-Crusted Salmon
Tarragon-Citrus-Crusted-Salmon
serves 4
(Recipe found in Good Housekeeping May 2011)
Tarragon-Citrus-Crusted-Salmon
1 lemon
3 navel oranges
1TBS Dijon mustard
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp sugar
Salt and pepper
1 seedless (English) cucumber, cut in half and thinly sliced
8 oz very thinly sliced red cabbage (about 4 c.)
1/4 c panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 TBS packed fresh tarragon...
