We had one of those weekends where you seem to fit more into two days then you are typically able to
fit into an entire week.
On Saturday, we piled into the car early and headed down to St. Andrews for a 10 a.m. departure for whale watching.
We haven't gone for about 3 years and it was a wonderful trip - 3 hours out on the ocean, which means you will sleep like a baby that night (note to self - win lottery, buy ocean-side house in St. Andrews). We saw many porpoises, seals, bald eagles and of course whales. Right now, the minke whales are feeding just off Deer Island and Campobello Islands and they put on quite a show. There are no words to describe the thrill one feels when you are THATCLOSE to a whale, so I won't even try, but we felt very blessed.
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| sitting on the boat with the thinker... |
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| the shyer child... |
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| this is a Minke whale of the net - am having a bugger of a time uploading the video Barry took of one we saw! |
After whale-watching we grabbed a quick lunch at the Algonguin Hotel (best club sandwich ever) and then headed off to St. Stephen to see our friend Evelyn. You met Evelyn last summer and she was waiting for us with tea and cookies. She'd made an extra bag of cookies for our 19 year old son to bring home with him, so she got some extra hugs for that one!
Yesterday, we went to see Guardians of the Galaxy. I cop to absolutely loving all of the recent spate of Marvel movies and this one was equally good. You laugh and gasp your whole way through and it is the definition of a swell summer blockbuster.
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| I'm not going to lie - you're likely going to love the raccoon best... |
In the evening, I decided to make my own pasta again. I haven't tried this for several years; the first (and last) time, using the recipe that came with my Kitchenaid pasta roller attachment, was a disaster.
But not this time. This time, I had Luca Manfé, he of MasterChef fame.
I had quite a crush on Luca while watching MasterChef last summer, so when his new cookbook came out I picked it up. Luca's pasta dough recipe was everything that Kitchenaid's was not (either that or the stars were aligned for me) and the pasta dough worked out perfectly. I made his broccoli rabe ravioli and it was amazing. Well done Luca (and Wendy!)
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| do you like the chef's coat and glass of wine? I only wear my chef's coat for cooking! |
what's up this week? well a hair cut, and am starting a new writing course which I am very excited about. I continue to soldier on with the writing, and am starting to get some nice feedback. Five literary agents have asked for my full manuscript, and while that in no way guarantees representation, it does indicate that the book is good enough now that I am getting interest. It is a long road, but then, I knew it would be and I continue to work really hard on my writing and editing.
How about you? Anything exciting on tap this week?
xoxo wendy
5 agents? That's fantastic Wendy - make sure that your book tour comes east.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a busy weekend since I was 34! Hubs works so it's always just me mooching about on my ownsome. I cant imagine what it's like to have the buzz of a family around,it must be wonderful.
Thanks Tabs - though as you know, they may all pass - it is a long and interesting road! You cannot convince me that that you have not had a busy weekend since you are 34! ;-) I have seen those marvelous places you visit! As for the buzz of family - you are right - it is quite wonderful!
DeleteWhile the weekend and nature watching looks wonderful - how exciting that 5 different agents want a full manuscript!!! Are they all local? Have you tried sending to Oz and the UK too? Fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeletewell i guess none are technically local - 3 are in the U.S. and 2 are from Toronto, which is a further away from us than NYC! have not tried UK yet or Oz, but may!
DeleteHi Wendy, congratulations on the progress you're making with your manuscript, that's good news indeed. Love your chef's jacket - that must really get you in the mood for cooking!
ReplyDeleteWe are in our new house, still with many, many unpacked boxes. We'll get there eventually. Let me know if you will be coming to Ottawa for that writing conference in October - we will be in the UK and Germany from 29 September to 14 October.
oh good for you in the new house! we probably won't make it to that conference now, but that seems just as well as i think the dates are in conflict with yours! how are you liking the new house?
DeleteOh, that's too bad. The house is an adjustment - it's unlike any we've lived in before, quite modern, not your typical Canadian suburban design, but we're enjoying it.
DeleteYay, I cannot wait for your book to be published!!
ReplyDeleteAnd hurray for the pasta -- I am very impressed! I bought a pasta machine when I first became a homeowner, and after a first glorious success, I had several straight miserable failures, and there is little worse than cleaning up a big pasta making mess when there is not even any pasta as a reward. Boo. Into the trash went the pasta machine. I have decided that is one thing I best leave to the pros.
And yay for the whales too!
Sounds like you have had a wonderful week. Sending you a virtual clink!
thanks! i put away my pasta roller as well, but am emboldened and will try again soon!
DeleteOne day I'll tell you about my whale watching trip...glad YOU had a good time. And I second the yay on the interest for your book. What great reassurance that your hard work will pay off. Have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteuh oh - am wondering if this is a Hunter story... ;-)
Deletethanks for the kind words!
Hello Wendy,
ReplyDeleteThis all sounds so very exciting and promising. Your weekend looks to have been packed with interest. It is a lifetime ago that we went whale watching but we still remember the thrill of the open sea, the surf and the sheer majesty of whales. What fun!
And, such good things to eat both out and in. You look totally professional in your chef outfit, we should only have pasta in our hair to show for our efforts of preparing it at home. Your final result looks and, we are sure tasted, delicious!
And, joy of joys, agents chasing you for your novel. How thrilling is that! The road to being published is definitely not for the faint hearted but you are obviously determined and work hard at honing your writing skills. We wish you every success!
Jane and Lance, I think I hid the flour in the hair very nicely!
DeleteAs for your kind words, I would not yet describe the agents as "chasing me" so much as I would describe them as being "mildly wooed by my whilst under the influence!" I have no doubt I will eventually be published, by whom and when? That is the question...
Your Saturday trip sounds lovely! I love how your kids are the spitting images of you and Barry!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the literally agents! I can't wait to buy your book! I am so proud of you and your hard work and progress. So inspirational:)
Thanks A! I will continue to keep you all up to date on things, but it is for sure a long journey!
DeleteHaving been born back East only a stone's throw from the Long Island Sound, the one thing I do miss is the ocean. Lake Michigan is nice but there are no whales and on the far shore is only another Midwestern state. I can't imagine a better day than being out on the ocean within arm's reach of whales on patrol.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep my fingers crossed for one of those agents being a good fit!
Thanks GSL! I once lived in Saskatchewan and I can tell you I missed the coast more than I can say! We have never lived more than an hour from the ocean and it really does seep into your soul!
DeleteWhale watching is exhilerating...we see them frequently near San Juan Island and often off our Dallas Road waterfront but they are not Minke whales they are Orcas.
ReplyDeleteWendy I am impressed and excited about your manuscript and possible book deal. I didn't realize that you wrote anything other than your blog.
Congratulations and good luck.
Thanks Leslie! Orcas! Wow - we only saw one at the Vancouver Aquarium when we lived on Vancouver Island, but now I would never go see a whale in an aquarium. It is so funny how we have all changed - and good! No deal yet = is a long tedious process, but I am working on it! Yes, my dream has always been to write middle grade and young adult fiction!
DeleteWendy, you make me laugh, we have the whole weekend (which sounds great) the longest ever strip of pasta - "quick, get the camera, just look at THIS!" Then, oh, so casual, " five literary agents have asked for my full manuscript." What!! FIVE!! None of this 'weekend melange' title. It should be "GUESS WHAT FOLKS. FIVE literary....."
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Can't wait to see you in print.
Oh you made me laugh! Believe me, when it is a real deal I will be crowing - it is mostly just heartening - one wonders if one will ever be good enough for legitimate literary agents to even ask to see the whole manuscript!
DeleteSounds busy enough to me - the wale watching looks and sounds amazing! Congrats on the interest from the agents - fingers and toes crossed that one of them pick you up…. it definitely sounds promising.
ReplyDeleteLastly, the pasta looks yum. I had no success with that kitchen aid recipe either. I ended up with a Jamie Oliver pasta dough version and it worked perfectly. I might get the recipe out this weekend now I think about it - have a lot of eggs to use up. xx
Sounds like a perfect weekend! Congrats on the manuscript! Wishing you success!
ReplyDeleteI spent a lot of time with my Toronto friend, who is visiting family & friends for another 2 weeks.
The whale watching trip sounds amazing, we would all love that. Well done on all the interest for your manuscript, it must be good! Lots of success to you.
ReplyDeleteWow, 5 agents! Fingers crossed for you. Your day looked and sounded idyllic. I love whale watching. Love your chef jacket!!! I need a navy one as my white one is trashed. xo~J
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the agent front. A nail biting process but with a nice payoff. If you come to TO to meet with any, we will have to connect. Enjoy the rest of the summer: it's going by so fast!
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