by Angela Smith | Feb 8, 2014 | Introspective
I first started researching how to make homemade cat food when my cat, Calypso, was diagnosed with diabetes. I managed to change his diet from the kibble to canned easily enough, but his sugars still weren’t going down. Checking his blood sugar and giving him insulin weren’t near as hard as I feared, but even that wasn’t giving him the quality of life he deserved.
Years ago, I made homemade ferret food, so I wasn’t too concerned about making my own cat food. I was mostly concerned my cats wouldn’t eat it, especially finicky Riley.
I used the site by Lisa A. Pierson, D.V.M. www.catinfo.org, gathered my ingredients, and changed it up a bit.
For instance, I don’t like the idea of feeding raw food, especially chicken, to my animals, but I didn’t want to boil or bake. I doubled the recipe, since I have 3 cats and didn’t want to spend every few days in the kitchen. I used 6 lbs. of chicken thighs and doubled the recipe for hearts and liver. I added them all to a crockpot to cook overnight. For one, I like how a crockpot tenderizes the meat and bone and yet still keeps the fat that she suggests you keep and for two, it’s simple and I love my crockpot!
Doesn’t look too appetizing, huh?
The next morning, it was ready to grind. I don’t have a meat grinder and didn’t go out and buy one, but I felt my Ninja blender would do the trick. And it did.
TT was my taste tester. She got to lick the blender bowl (once the blades were removed) and gave her approval.
Because I used thighs with the bones and the first batch didn’t blend too well, I added the bone to the leftover broth and boiled it in an attempt to soften them. It boiled for at least 30 minutes while I prepared everything else.
Afterward, the bone did blend pretty well. If you decide to make your own cat food, don’t be afraid to use your hands! I blended the bones separately and dug through each batch after the blender, and dug through the entire mess again to make sure there were no bones that hadn’t blended. I removed anything suspicious.
All the bones but this blended well, and some that I threw away. I used a meat cleaver to break these up, since they crumbled pretty well, and I removed anything else that seemed too rough.
I added the ingredients the vet suggests, i.e. Taurine, Vitamin E, B Complex, and fish oil and used my hands to mix it all in a big bowl (unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of it all). Again, see www.catinfo.org for the ingredient list.
She says to cook the egg white lightly and use raw yolk, but I cooked the white, then added the yolk afterward to cook it a bit, too. Again, I don’t like feeding raw food to my animals.
And wallah! After two hours of blending, adding, mixing, etc, I had my first batch of homemade cat food! I separated them into four large containers to freeze some. I’m not exactly sure yet how long each will last.
TT definitely approved! And again, she got to lick the bowl. But she didn’t stop there, she licked my hands and cannot wait for tonight’s dinner! Calypso had a sample, too, and gave his approval. We’ll see how he does when he realizes it isn’t a snack but his actual dinner.
Because Riley is the finicky one, I decided to chop up her kibble in the blender to sprinkle on top. Not sure how that’s going to play out just yet. Stay tuned for the results.
by Angela Smith | Jan 28, 2014 | Introspective, Relationships, Writing
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Sex. It’s a part of love or at least it should be, in my opinion. So why is it so hard to write about?
My biggest concern when writing sex scenes is my thoughts on who is going to read it. I know it’s crazy, but once I do get out of my character’s head and back to reality, I think about my aunts, uncles, cousins, sister, and friends who will read what I wrote. To me, it’s my character’s POV but I know in reality, my family will realize I wrote that because they don’t understand how it to be inside a character’s head. Hopefully, they’ll be in the POV and won’t even think about me writing this, LOL. But it’s still a thought, a dread, a fear of writing that particular scene that keeps me doubting on how to (or even if I should) write it.
Sex, even creative sex, is a magical part of a relationship, which is why I like to include it in my stories. Some books have a lot of sex, some books have a little sex, and some are spicier than others. Most of the time, we don’t talk about it with others. But when you’re writing about it, it feels like others are going to think these terrible thoughts about what kind of person you must be. Writers, am I right?
In talking with several writers, I realize there are many different approaches to writing a sex scene, and many different opinions regarding the writing and reading of sex scenes. One writer even said she didn’t think they were as necessary today, and the popularity of sex scenes was fading.
I disagree. Personally, I like them when they aren’t long, arduous, or graphic. I like a little shock, but I prefer to read about the emotive part of the sexual experience. With the build-up of tension between two characters that are falling in love, closing the door on a sex scene doesn’t feel right to me. Of course, there are some novels where a sex scene wouldn’t move the story forward, and that’s perfectly okay.
I have written some sweet stories with absolutely no sex (none yet completed or published at this time but maybe hopefully in the future). However, my romantic suspense stories always have some sex scenes as long as it moves the story (and the relationship) forward. There’s no point in having a sex scene just to have a sex scene.
Also, I believe writers are afraid of writing sex scenes. Partly because of what I just admitted to you about family, and partly because they have no idea where to start. That’s when, as a writer, you have to get out of your head and get into your character’s head. Don’t overthink it. And remember, there’s always a rewrite and plenty more rewrites.
What about you? How do you feel about sex scenes in a romance novel?
by Angela Smith | Jan 20, 2014 | Introspective
It’s a new year, and my new year has started with getting my first round of edits sent to my editor so that we can stay on target with my March 17 release date. What better way to start the New Year than with a new publishing contract, right?
Because my birthday is twenty days after the New Year, I rarely start contemplating my new goals (forget resolutions!) until after my birthday. That gives me a few weeks to ease into the new year without feeling guilty. And right now, my goals are pretty much what they’ve always been: write, exercise, eat healthy, spend more quality time with family, travel more, laugh more, and continually learn something new. I’m always open to learning.
But because I am touting my author tagline as “Solving the mystery of love with romance novels”, my goal for this blog is to feature more posts about love and relationships. I believe in love, but I also believe love is work, just like anything else. Being single is work, so why not work just as hard at being married as you would if you were single? My plan is to offer my love and relationship advice on the last Tuesday of the month.
This year I will celebrate my twenty-year anniversary to the love of my life. Doesn’t mean we don’t irritate each other (at least once a week) but we do continue to enjoy each other more than we irritate each other. There’s a lot of love advice out there, and I don’t always agree with some of it, but I have plenty of my own advice I could share about love and relationships. So this year, I hope to do just that.
I have no idea what we’re going to do for our 20th year anniversary. Any ideas? I have six months to plan it, so I better start now!
I will also continue to post guest posts of authors because it’s a treat for me to help others as they bring their dreams to fruition.
My husband thinks I should share more about my writing experiences. Lord knows I have enough that could potentially help others as they trod along a path of writing and publication. So my plan is to share more of my writing and publication experiences.
Lastly, I have a full-time job that takes away from my writing career, and it’s not something I can do anything about at the moment. It’s not that I don’t love my job, but I love my writing better. Unfortunately, right now I don’t get a choice in the matter. So my job sometimes makes it difficult to write and post as often as I would like. My biggest goal this year is to make time to blog, but the writing must always come first! And, because life is too short to worry, I have to make time for myself and my family. I’m working on a schedule and hope to be better about blogging.
We’re already over two weeks into the New Year, and it’s been great so far! It’s going to be a big year in a lot of ways:
• My sister turns forty. She has recently moved and is not close by, so I need to come up with something bit (and fast) to make her day special.
• I celebrate my 20 year anniversary.
• My 2nd book is being released in March.
• I will attend RWA Nationals this year, since it’s in Texas.
• I will attend the XGames this year, since it’s in Texas (and hubby and I are huge fans).
• We wanted to start building a house, but not sure that’s going to work out. Might just do some remodeling and definitely must replace our roof!
Cheers to 2014, and Happy Birthday to Me!
by Angela Smith | Jan 15, 2014 | Introspective
In five days, I’ll be celebrating my birthday. It’s not a huge, decade birthday but it’s getting closer to that big hump that I don’t feel like I dread anymore.
Why?
Because I was diagnosed with T1 Diabetes so long ago, I am grateful every morning for waking up with my health still intact. And yes, a lot of my health is because I mostly eat right, exercise regularly, and practice positive thinking.
I don’t think I’d get near as far as I have in life without my positive thinking.
I don’t dwell on what could have or should have happened. I look forward and don’t think about what might go wrong. I do what I can to take care of myself and get so mad when others who haven’t been diagnosed with a horrible disease take life for such granted.
My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes, and I’ve been researching ways to help him overcome without having to resort to insulin shots. So much good information out there! Who would have thought it would be that easy to check a cat’s blood sugar? Of course, he loves whatever attention he can get, so he doesn’t mind a little bit more. But it’s been a challenge for sure!
I’ve been working on some goals for the upcoming year, and some goals for this blog that I plan to share very soon, as soon as I get my first round of edits complete and submitted to my editor! Lots going on with that, and many early mornings and late nights before work to get that round complete. Two nights left, so we’re down to the end of the wire! I have lots of things I can discuss and entertain blog readers with, but just don’t have time to do it with my busy lifestyle! I hope to make the time very soon.
It’s Hump Day, and I get to enjoy a holiday and a day off for my birthday in 5 days. I will also have my first round of edits sent off and will be able to relax and enjoy a (hopefully) sunny birthday. So how should I celebrate? Comment to win a digital copy of my first book, Burn on the Western Slope! And if you’ve already read it, I have more surprises in store soon!
by Angela Smith | Dec 9, 2013 | Introspective
What’s in it for me?
It’s sad that so many people feel that way now. What’s in it for me? This holiday season, as I question the gift of giving, I have many answers for the question What’s in it for me?
For instance, as an author, I sometimes retweet promos on other authors that I really don’t know. I also host authors on my blog on books I might not have read. What’s in it for me? The fact I have helped someone else, a fellow author, an artist, who has worked hard to get their creation, their book, noticed. It might not even be a book in the genre I like to read, or a book that I’d like if I did read it, but some of my followers might read it or notice it. It’s a gift for me because I love to help support my fellow authors, and it’s a gift for that author because even if one person notices it, that’s a big deal!
This also has to do with non-authors. How many of you are creating something? Whether you’re making a quilt or a gingerbread house, your creation matters.
Sometimes it’s the gift of giving a small donation so a child you’ll never meet is given renewed hope.
Sometimes it’s the gift of giving a smile, a minute out of your day to chat with someone who just wants to feel important in this big bad world.
Family can be the most loving and the most critical. They want the best for you and swear they’ll support you, but many don’t follow through. Why? Is it because they’re scared of you succeeding? Because they’re just too busy in their own lives to pay attention? Are they, in fact, jealous because you’re stepping out and doing something courageous? Or do they think you’re aiming way too high? (I believe there’s no such thing in aiming way too high!)
I know it’s not just me because I’ve had several discussions with many authors on how their family isn’t supportive, or claims to be supportive but doesn’t follow through. And I don’t like to talk about myself, so I can be in a room full of hundreds of family members at a reunion, and if each one of those family members were to buy my book, it would help my sales tremendously. But getting out there, talking about yourself and your book is frowned upon on so many levels.
Authors are people. We have many private break-down sessions during moments when our art, our creation, is getting the best of us. Sometimes, we wonder what it’s all about, then we remember that it’s about creating something we love, even if we’re the only ones who love it. We do want to be noticed, we want to know that what we’re doing matters, but ultimately we’re doing it because we love it, even if no one else in the world cares.
The gift of giving is crucial at all times of the year. Just giving a few minutes of your time to notice, listen, pay attention to someone who really needs you at the moment. Not just at this holiday season but during the entire year, year after year.
by Angela Smith | Dec 8, 2013 | Introspective
After nineteen and a half years of marriage, it’s gotten hard to buy gifts for my husband.
I mean, there’s always the knife he wants or the newest game he hasn’t bought yet. But it’s hard to find that something really really special. Find something? Who am I kidding? Knowing what that something special is—that’s the almost impossible part.
To me, the best gift is something from the heart. Yes, I used to do the “coupons”: free backrub, free foot massage, etc. etc. After twenty years, that gets old, too. I’ve done the events: monster truck shows, etc.
So what do you buy someone you know as well as you know yourself? Someone who has everything they could possibly want or need?
(Same thing goes for my grandmother!!! And other impossible-to-buy for family.)
I believe the best gift is an event. It’s funny, I was asking a friend back in June what in the world to get my husband for his birthday, and she said the best gifts are memories.
Memories.
The best gift I can remember ever getting as a child was when my sister and I opened our presents that Christmas morning (I couldn’t tell you anything about what they were), then my grandfather wanted us to come outside because he had something to show us. My grandfather was a carpenter, and he’d been building another storage building! We already had two, and he had an outdoor kitchen (he loved to garden), but he needed another one. Come to find out, we go outside that cold Christmas morning to find a huge ribbon on the building we thought was supposed to be another storage building. It was a playhouse! That memory still brings tears to my eyes (I lost my grandfather shortly after, and the house has since been sold).
As we grow older, we still love those surprises. And I know there’s something, something out there that can and will surprise my husband. And it’s going to be just as much fun planning that special memory as it is making that special memory.
