Diane Estrella

DIANE ESTRELLA…… (peep peep)….writer.

Diane Estrella — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 10:48:15 +0000

I’m sure many of you don’t know, (because I’ve hardly ever confessed to it) that I am one of those writer “wannabe’s.”

Why is this you ask?

Why have I never mentioned it or why do I want to be a writer?????

Second question first…. Why do I want to be a writer?

Hmmmmm. I guess it’s just something I like. Do I love it to the point of live and breathe it, die without it? …….. um, no. I’ve read many other bloggers where this is the case and I pray for each and every one of you that has this desire, to keep stretching, YOU WILL MAKE IT! To know my personality however, you would realize that very little excites me to these extremes and it takes a lot to even get me to LOL or shout out accolades until it has been well formulated in my mind. I have actually been critiqued for my “non-reactions” to things.

No, I just like to write. In college my professor said I was good, but I attributed his praise to actually handing in a paper and it being on time. Low standards in my opinion. Then I found blogging and decided that it is fun and others seemed to like it, so why not give it a go???

Next, first question last….. Why have I never mentioned it?

As odd as this seems, I am embarrassed by it. Not the fact that I want to be a writer. I’ve had other lofty career ambitions…. gas jockey, cider jug filler, nun….. No, my life is an open book (no pun intended) and I am happy to share the most embarrassing and degrading moments of it for your viewing pleasure.

Unfortunately for me, the first bloggers I ever found were romance writers, self-help book writers, true novelists of incredible girth and substance….. and me….. squeak, squeak (little mouse in the corner here), I want to be a children’s writer. I can not weave a beautiful love story, take a character through peaks and cliffs of deep emotional torment, or profess to have any expertise on how to help you, during my own moments of self-helplessness.

In my mind, the bar of writing was high, much too high for me to aim for….. so I wall-flowered it in a corner and tried to encourage you all in your dreams.

But FINALLY, a light bulb went on in my mind and I just decided, I need to be proud of how I was made….. what makes me tick. My child-like dreams and ambitions should be embraced so that I can mold and sculpt the minds of your children and mine through my brain’s inner workings. Friends do entrust me to babysit their children, so I guess I’m not too wacko.

So, there you have it. Confession time has come. All of you are my witnesses, please sign below on the dotted line and I encourage you, just as I hope you will encourage me, to be who you are created to be and if you need to, stop being a wussy like I used to be. Hugs!!!

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

Diane Estrella — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:16:32 +0000

I was so happy to have the opportunity to read another one of Andy Andrews’ books. The Heart Mender was the first time I was introduced to Andy and The Boy Who Changed the World is his first effort with writing a children’s book.

The book tells how each of us, children included, can make a difference. Not just a difference, but be someone that can impact the world. The choices we make and the goals we set, can and do influence others. One decision we make can have a “butterfly effect,” whereas a single small change in one area can have a much larger effect somewhere else. It’s a wonderful and awe-inspiring message to realize what one person can do!

Unfortunately, my ten year old daughter did not fully understand what the author was trying to convey. I had her read the book and she said it was “good.” I then asked her if she understood what the book was trying to show her. She opened the book to what she knew was the jist of the story but did not see how that could be relate-able to her life. I tried to explain it to her so she’d “get it.” I totally get it, love it and try to live it, but it was beyond what she could see for herself right now.

Definitely a book we will keep to re-read and explore again.

Booksneeze sent me the above book for review purposes. It will allow me to keep the book. I have no other connection to and have received no other compensation from Booksneeze.

Raw(e) “Back to School”

Diane Estrella — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:07:51 +0000

Found a lovely blog, Sailor and Company, with a lovely family and LOVELY photography to behold. She holds a weekly “Raw(e) photo” contest for braggin’ rights. Wanna join in on the fun?

This week the theme is “Back to School.” Can these book-bags be any heavier???

So as not to play favorites, I’ll pick the lockers as my favorite for the week.

Now it’s your turn.

Post your back to school photos HERE and join the fun.

Remember:

NO EDITING AT ALL! (That’s why it’s “raw”)

You have until 5pm Friday.

MicroFiction Monday!

Diane Estrella — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:51:56 +0000

Welcome to Microfiction Monday,

where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.

I decided to join in on Microfiction Monday over at Stony River. “Microfiction” means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop’s fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute.
We are invited to write a story about a select picture in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation).

Here’s this week’s picture:

Sal was thankful he remembered to do two things that morning… turn off the iron & put on clean underwear.

Mom would have been so proud.

Anyone else feeling brave enough to join in?

Callouses

Diane Estrella — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:43:15 +0000

I did a lot of weeding recently. I am so green thumb challenged. Read here to see my previous Garden Dis-Abilities…..

Momma always told me to wear gloves when doing outdoor work. Call it laziness for not wanting to walk to the barn and find some, or laziness because I’m not even sure if I bought any in the first place….. either way, laziness people!

Well, guess what, Momma was right. Whenever gardening, and especially raking, WEAR GLOVES! Ugly blisters and then callouses formed on my hands. OUCHIE!!!

The hard outer shell is covering up the soft, sore center. A self-protection of sorts to guard that which was hurt on the inside.

Are there callouses on your hands? On your heart?

A lot of times we put up a hard outer shell to protect our soft, tender insides. Sometimes they are necessary…… and sometimes we need to let them heal over. Eventually, healing will begin and a soft place can form again.

Where are your callouses? Do they have an opportunity to heal???

Fresh & Sassy Salsa Recipe

Diane Estrella — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:07:30 +0000

What to do….. what to do? Still have bunches of fresh tomatoes that need to be used up? Here is a great way to tingle those taste buds and enjoy one of the last hoorahs of Summer.

Fresh and Sassy Salsa

1 1/2 lbs. plum tomatos chopped

2 to 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

1/2 med size red or white onion chopped

1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chile peppers, drained

3/4 cup of taco sauce or tomato sauce

1 TBSP lime juice

1 tsp. salt

Combine in a bowl and let sit 30 min. at room temp and serve.

Makes 3 cups

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My friend Marissa gave me this prized recipe. Let us know how it turns out please!

Raw(e) Yellow!

Diane Estrella — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:57:59 +0000

Found a lovely blog, Sailor and Company, with a lovely family and LOVELY photography to behold. She holds a weekly “Raw(e) photo” contest for braggin’ rights. Wanna join in on the fun?

This week the theme is “Yellow.” We recently went to a local museum and I saw this gorgeous fish. Trying to capture the shot was hard with all that swimming around!

Gotcha!

********

This one’s my favorite.

Now it’s your turn.

Post your yellow photos HERE and join the fun.

Remember:

NO EDITING AT ALL! (That’s why it’s “raw”)

You have until 5pm Friday.

Back to School Giveaway Winners!

Diane Estrella — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:39:24 +0000

I am always amazed and humbled by the talented participants who join in for these giveaway weeks. I want to personally thank each giver and congratulate each winner. Please continue to think about these artists and use them for your future purchases and gift-giving needs. I used Random.org to select the winners. Hip, hip, hooray to the following lucky ducks:

Splashes of Serenity winner -SHELLEY

Kendra Springer CD winner -KAT

DC Woodcrafts winner -KAREN LANGE

The Outnumbered Mom winner -NEED A NAP 2

Cerra on etsy winner -NANCY

MicroFiction Monday!

Diane Estrella — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:15:09 +0000

Welcome to Microfiction Monday,

where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.

Here’s this week’s picture:

What do you mean only 25 more miles? I won’t make it 25 more feet! Pull this car over now!

When I say I gotta go, I REALLY mean I gotta go!

Anyone else feeling brave enough to join in?

Cerra on etsy Giveaway-CONTEST CLOSED

Diane Estrella — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:48:42 +0000

Cerra is a full-time wife and mama to an almost 2 year old toddler. She is also an entrepreneur who started crafting as a young girl and hasn’t stopped since. She joined, and starting selling on Etsy in 2007, originally selling only her postcards, then expanding to coasters, magnets, supplies and other miscellaneous goods before finding her true passion in postcards and hand-sewn felt goodies.

She began doing linocuts during junior high thanks to an amazing art teacher who encouraged her during a pretty dark time in her life. All of her linocut prints are limited edition runs, with the blocks being destroyed after less than a hundred prints are hand-pulled.

Bitten by the photography bug in the mid-1990′s, her postcards were designed some years later, in response to a need for non-generic tourist cards. She has them professionally printed for durability and clarity.

Her felt products, which originally started as toys for her son and gifts to others, are hand-sewn from eco-felt. This means that you reduce your environmental impact while supporting an independent business.

The feelings that came from creating have been a reliable source of comfort to Cerra throughout the years – something she hopes to pass onto her son by leading through example.

Here are just some of her creations:

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish – 7 piece fishing set

7 piece set, whole and segments of orange – felt play food

If you wish to purchase any of her products, Cerra has also offered 10% off to anyone who mentions this giveaway while doing the check-out process at etsy. She’ll refund you back through paypal!

Here is Cerra’s lovely giveaway below:

A set of 4 postcards – “seasons of colour” and one of her Linoleum block prints.

In order to qualify for this great giveaway, leave me a comment below with your favorite item from Cerra’s store. (one entry)

For two additional entries, sign up to follow EtsyCerra on twitter. Leave me a comment that you’ve joined her.

There are four other giveaways being offered this week, check them out here: Splashes of Serenity, Kendra Springer, DC Woodcrafts, and Outnumbered Mom. All winners will be announced August 30, 2010.