Losing Fear

“Lose Your Fears” Digital Print Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

To live a creative life
we must lose our fear
of being wrong
j.c. pierce

What are you afraid of most? As artists and creatives, we often explore our own fears, as well as those of our audience, pushing it further than most, beyond that barrier that keeps others from taking action.
Being a creative person is playing at the edge of fear, pushing ourselves, even if we take the chance of being wrong, the chance of not reaching the desired outcome, the desired emotional connection. It takes bravery to be a creative person, an artist, and author.
Embrace your fears, and overcome them.

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Book Review: Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone

Title: The Cinderella Princess (Royal Holiday Book 1)

Author: Melissa McClone

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 2nd, 2015

Rating: 5/5 Stars

I recently began reading the Royal Holiday Series by Tule Publishing, which features short romances from different authors, but with a royal theme.
The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone is the first one in the series and got me hooked on it from the start. While this story is a modern-day fairytale – do not read this, if you want the most realistic version of contemporary romance – it was set beautifully and the now.
I love how the main female character, Emily Rodgers is not a weak character at all (a theme that repeats itself in this series and makes it even more appealing to me), instead she is a woman with her own career, her own ambition, and her own skills. She is not looking for a prince, yet finds him in Luc, who is as charming as he is wounded.
While I would have read a longer story by this author, I am glad she kept it short, anything beyond the length of the book would have made it drawn out.
Very nicely done!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me for free by the publisher via NetGalley, in return for a honest review.

Contrast

Image “Contrast” by Claudia H. Blanton

tiny yellow bird
the darkness embraces us both
finally, I’m home

Contrast is everywhere, it is our constant companion right up there with change and death. I am not trying to sound morbid because all three actually show us the beauty of what surrounds us. Without contrast, there would be nothing highlighted, nothing boasted out of the sometimes dreary day to day existence. Some things shine brighter in the midst of darkness, then they would in a sea of light.
I love playing with the concepts of contrast, change and death in my art as well as my writing.

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Not Your Little Princess – A Haiku

“Vintage Flower” copyright Avalon Media

No rescue needed
my life isn’t a fairytale
strong women survive

Copyright Claudia H. Blanton 2015

Morning Coffee – A Flash Fiction

Hands shaking, she knew she would never take another step for granted. Too many years, too many battles past through and won, did not leave her without scars, but they did not leave her broken. Not yet, not at this time, when she had one more thing left to do. Dropping the crushed pill into the cup of coffee, she placed a well rehearsed smile on her face, and a cheer in her voice, as she straightened her spine. “Honey, your coffee is ready!”

Authenticity, Book Promotions And Sticking With My Own Darn Voice

looking honestly
at authentic reflection
taking off the mask

Have you ever done or written something because you think it would be what is expected? Something that might make for a good promo, but is absolutely not you? And has it left you with the same hollow feeling than it does when you go to regular nine to five, a feeling of obligatory motion, but no authentic connection?

That is how I have been feeling writing the A to Z challenge this month. Not the content, I love the content of herbs and spices, but I wrote all of these parts a few weeks ago, long before this challenge started. I wrote it in conjunction with my book, when it felt right, when it felt powerful.

But I do not think about spices every day. Once I make myself a mason jar filled with the mixtures I need, I pretty much forget about them. There are other things to think about. Like creating stories through words or images.

So copying and pasting the individual herbs for you here was a motion I went through, thinking about the result of it being a good book promo. And it bored me to death. Instead of showing you my face, my authentic self, I gave you what I thought was the right thing to do.

Well, guess what, it wasn’t. And it stops today. I will write again whatever feels right at the moment, allowing you to hear me speak through a day’s event, a thought about a book, an uplifting message. I abandoned the ship of A to Z Challenge and offer you instead, that if you want to read that guide, you can subscribe to me, and I will send it to you. Free, all of it, in a few days. No strings attached. We both benefit from that much more than if I continue to bore myself and my readers.

I think, I will benefit you more this way. Benefit you, by sharing a story as it develops, write about what moves me, shakes me, scares me, rather than give you something in a neat little-themed box.

Don’t get me wrong, I see the merit in a challenge like the A to Z Challenge. I just don’t see the merit in it for this space. And hope to give you something more valuable in return. Authenticity.

You can have the entire PDF of the A to Z Guide to Herbs and Spices by subcribing to my newsletter below. It will arrive in your email April 30th. Thank you

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Saffron – An A to Z Challenge Post

S is for Saffron:

The world’s most expensive spice, this highly valued culinary addition is so powerful that only a few strands are needed to flavor and color an entire dish. Most imported saffron originates from Spain. The ground variety loses its flavor and is often not real saffron.

Matches well with: risotto, soup, tomatoes, mussels, paella and rice

Healing properties: effective in treating mild Alzheimer’s, appetite suppressor, anti-depressant

Magical Properties: healing, love, and to control the weather. Keep saffron sachets in your home to bring happiness. 

If you enjoyed this post, why not check out my book “Mixing Spices: A Flavorful Guide To Creating Awesome Herb And Spice Mixes” available on Amazon now.

Rue – An A to Z Challenge Post

R is for Rue

More extensively used in the past, this herb is still a part of Ethiopian cuisine, especially the leaves and berries of the plant. It was used extensively during the Roman times, and still holds on to some popularity in Mediterranean countries, despite its bitter taste. Added to flavor grappa.

Matches well with: eggs, cheese, fish.

Healing properties: no significant healing properties can cause discomfort. Used to be considered protection against plagues and pestilence.

Magical Properties: protective, wards off unwanted advances

Earth Day – A Haiku

Screaming frustration
a little too late to win
one day not enough

We dedicate one day — one stinking, single day — a year to take care of something that we should be taking care of every day. You might say, this is better than nothing, but in the big picture of it all, it is nothing. This day is simply an attempt to make ourselves feel better, to give ourselves a pad on the back for talking about our future and taking some action toward a better tomorrow for our planet.

But, I am frustrated because I know many, who will make up for that one day they actually did something for Mother Earth, by polluting it worse the next. Earth Day is fine in the classrooms, but in everyday life, every single day needs to become our Earth Day, and every day we need to do our best to lessen the damage we have done to the only place we ever will call home.

Quassia – An A to Z Challenge Post

Q is for Quassia

Quassia or Jamaican wood is often added to sodas and bitters, but should be approached with caution. While it has been used as a digestive and to treat anorexia, it has reduced fertility in animal studies.

Used as a contact insecticide as well (which makes you second guess drinking a soda containing this stuff). It is also effective in killing mosquito larvae in ponds, while not harming the fish.

This post was a part of the A to Z Blogging challenge. If you have not checked out some of the wonderful bloggers who are participating, you have missed out. Find them here and on Twitter under the hashtag #AtoZChallenge, and send them some love!

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