Mama Diaries

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

The What the Fluff? Challenge

First of all, I'd like to thank you all for the warm welcome you gave guest author, Elaine Kaye, last week. I'm sure she appreciated it!

At my house, we're always up for a challenge. The latest involved our giant German Shepherd, Schultz. It's called the "What the Fluff?" challenge. What you're supposed to do, is stand in a doorway, holding up a sheet so that it covers you. You lower the sheet and say, "one." Then you raise it. You lower it again and say, "two." And raise it. Then you say, "three" and drop the sheet as you run away. The dog who is watching gets confused, thinking you disappeared. The reaction you get is supposed to be funny.

Here's an example:


Well, Schultz must be too smart for this challenge. My daughter did it. But instead of being confused, the large quadruped used his big sniffer to track her down. He found her, no problem. Guess you can't fool a German Shepherd!


Before I go, I'd like to let you know that I'm a guest on Linda's blog. Please stop by and visit!

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Guest Author, Elaine Kaye

Today I have guest author, Elaine Kaye at my pad. She's Chrys Fey's mom. She's celebrating the release of her new book, Halloween Ride. This is the third book in her Gregory Green series. Gregory Green is a cool little kid who has a teddy bear named Sammy. This is the story of the original Sammy which was the inspiration for the series:


We were living in Okinawa, Japan at Kadena Air Base. One day, we went to a gigantic community yard sale, and I spotted a boy Cabbage Patch Doll. At the time, my second son was only a year old, so I got the doll for him, and he just loved it! My son didn’t go anywhere without his doll…Sammy.

Many years later, the doll was having some problems. His body was getting torn, and his head even came off! I found a doll pattern and gave Sammy a new body. Suddenly, Sammy was an all-new doll. No longer was he a short, plump doll. Now he had long arms and legs, like a real little boy. I had to buy infant clothes for him and make some by hand. With the longer arms and legs, Sammy could really come to life when my son and I played with him. He could hug and even cross his legs!



I had so much fun playing with Sammy that I started to invent stories about a little boy (like my son) who had a stuffed teddy bear named Sammy, and that bear would come to life to have adventures with his boy, just as my son would have adventures with his doll.

At my dining table, I wrote the first story, now titled Pea Soup Disaster. After that, I wrote several more. I illustrated, lamented, and bound them into little books for my kids to enjoy. Eventually, I brought them to my kids’ schools to read them to classes. And I would bring Sammy on those visits to help illustrate the story. The children just loved him.

We still have the original Sammy, although his head is not currently on his body. He’s had a long life, and he shows it. His nose is cracked but still attached, and my son had given him a little gold stud earing, after he had his own ear pierced. And that earring is still in his little plastic head.



After I published Pea Soup Disaster, I ordered a brown teddy bear from Build-a-Bear workshop. Now I have Sammy the teddy bear!


NEW RELEASE:


BLURB: One Halloween night, Gregory and his teddy bear Sammy go trick-or-treating, hoping for lots and lots of candy. But Sammy is scared of everything and is constantly asking, “What’s that?” Gregory gets annoyed until one of those things turns out to be a flying broomstick. And this broom wants them to go for a ride. Where will it take them?

*Story picture book ages 4-8.

Ebook 99 CENTS:
Amazon / Nook / Kobo

Print:



ALSO ON SALE FOR 99 CENTS!

Pea Soup Disaster: Amazon / Nook / Kobo


Doctor Mom: Amazon / Nook / Kobo




ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Elaine Kaye is the author of A Gregory Green Adventure series. She first created Gregory Green after her son, who loved her homemade pea soup.

Kaye has worked as a library assistant and teacher's assistant in elementary schools in the Sunshine State. She currently lives in Florida, but she has called Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan home.

She is a grandmother of three boys.




GIVEAWAY:

Enter here to win a signed paperback copy of Pea Soup Disaster, a hand-stitched bookmark, and a pea pod key chain! Open to all from September 16, 2018 – October 1, 2018!




Monday, September 10, 2018

A Big Thank You and Breakfast Concoction

First of all, I'd like to give all of you a huge thank you for making the launch of Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China successful!  I truly appreciate all the shares, the participation in the blog fest, the great comments, and the sales! You guys rock!

Here's a book trailer if you'd like to have a look:


Now for the story.

My boy, Bubba, has a creative streak, as I'm sure you know. His creativity often manifests itself in the kitchen.

The other day I found a dirty skillet sitting on the stove. I couldn't figure out what the heck the remains were.

"Dude," I said. "What was this?"

He walked over, peered at the crusted-over slop and grinned. "Eggs with chocolate syrup and bananas!"

I grimaced. "Seriously?"

He nodded.

"So, how was it?"

"Delicious. The best stuff ever. Ten out of ten stars!" 


What do you think? Would you try that concoction? What was the weirdest concoction you've ever eaten or made?

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Where in the World Blog Fest and IWSG

Today is the big day! The release of my new book, Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China! It has taken ten long years to finally see it in print. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we're having a party. A Where in the World Blog Fest.    





Participants will answer the following question: If you could go through the Earth and end up in another country, where would you go?

I would go to New Zealand. I've heard it's amazingly beautiful. Since I enjoy hiking and nature, I'm sure I would have a great time there. If I could, I'd get on a boat and take a little side trip to Australia. I would like to see a concert at the Sydney Opera House, dive the Great Barrier Reef, and hold a koala bear. All those things are on my bucket list. My plan is to visit both of those places for my fiftieth birthday. What about you? Where would you like to go?




Page Count: 93 
Digital Price: 3.99 
Print Price: 7.95

BUY LINKS:

BLURB: Squirt doesn’t believe Bubba can dig a hole to China. But when the hole swallows them, the kids find themselves in Xi’an, China, surrounded by Terracotta Warriors.

It gets worse when the ghost of the first emperor of China appears. He tells them they can’t go home until they find his missing pi. The kids don’t know where to begin until they meet a girl and her grandmother who promise to help find the pendant.

Soon they realize they are being followed. And they are no closer to finding the missing pi. Will Bubba and Squirt ever make it back home?



About the Author: Sherry Ellis is an award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis, her husband, and their two children live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Author Links:

Here's the other participants if you'd like to read their answers:
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I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for all of their support through the years. All of the wonderful comments, all the visits to other blogs where I've been a guest, and sharing news about my book releases on social media. You are all amazing! I feel so fortunate to be part of such a caring and supportive community! 


Speaking of supportive groups, it's time for the IWSG monthly post.

This month's question is, Which path to publishing have you used and why? I have used both traditional and self-publishing options. Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China is traditionally published. This is my preferred choice. I held out for so long because I really wanted to see it published that way. Self-publishing is fine, but you really have to rely on your own marketing efforts and the help of friends to share the news. It's also rather expensive. Yes, you control everything and keep all profits, but I think when you have a traditional publishing house behind you, you can reach more people and potentially sell more books.

What about you? Do you have a preferred publishing path?

And lastly, I am a guest on  the Hands-On-Book Blog. If you have a moment, please stop by and visit.

Thanks so much for visiting during the Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China book birthday celebration!