The Ameri Brit Mom

Fear Fighting Book Launch

I have the unique opportunity to help another author whose first book is launching this January. Her name is Kelly Balarie and her book is called Fear Fighting. I received my pre-release copy of the book this weekend and I’ve struggled to put this book down.

Fear Fighting is a faith-based book about awakening courage to overcome your fears.

It is a twelve-chapter book full of scripture and practical steps to defeat fear with courage and bravery. Within the very first chapter of the book I found myself wanting to draw closer to God and refocus my spiritual life. It’s so easy to be choked by the stress and pressures of our culture, but

“God is ready to hit us with unfathomable new perspectives-ones that redefine our past, present, and problems if we will only stop, receive, and consider.” (page 21)

This book promises to help you on a journey to:

-cultivate unstoppable faith by harnessing God’s Word and promptings

-usher in lasting peace through prayer that reduces panic, blood pressure, and stress

-discover clear and immediate action plans to exchange worry for God’s greater gifts

-implement daily bravery decrees to stand armed throughout the day

-participate in a twelve-week study guide to foster new courageous habits.

I’m excited to share more with you in the future about this book as I continue to make my way through its pages. As a member of the launch team I did not receive any compensation for this post, although my pre-release copy of the book was free. If you are interested in joining other readers on a journey to fight fear pre-order your copy of Fear Fighting here.

The Ameri Brit Mom

Christmas Crack

A few weeks ago I was dreading the Holiday season as it applies to being gluten-free. Inevitably I would receive invitations to parties with tables filled with baked goods. (Cake, why must you tempt me so?) I’ve been on the prowl for a good gluten-free recipe to use as my go to this season. I’ve tried cookie and cupcake recipes, but I’ve been hard pressed to find one I really like and that I’d be willing to share with others.

This weekend we hosted a game night. This is a somewhat new thing in our family, but we are hoping to form a habit with some of our friends where we get together and play games once a month.

I spent days trying to find a recipe for a Christmas snack to offer at game night. Then, my sister solved my problem when she offered, “Why not make Christmas Crack?” I felt so silly. I was trying to think of some elaborate, brand new recipe when Christmas Crack has been a favorite for years. I love to make and eat this treat every year and all it needed was a small tweak to make it gf friendly.

It was a huge hit at the party by the way. Luckily, I saved back a bag for my family to munch on throughout the week, because my festive Christmas tin was empty by the final hand of Dutch Blitz.

Below is the recipe for gluten free Christmas Crack. Feel free to add pretzels if you are not confined to a gf diet.

Ingredients:

-1/2 box of Rice Chex cereal

-1/2 box of Cheerios

-2 bags of Nestle white chocolate chips

-1 bag of M&Ms

-Wax paper

Directions:

Lay two long sheets of wax paper across a table
Dump bags of white chocolate chips into a large bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave (in 20 second increments being sure to stir after each set of 20 seconds and DO NOT LET THEM BURN.)
Once the chocolate is smooth and completed melted through, quickly add both cereals and the candy to the bowl. Mix to cover all evenly.
Pour the contents of the bowl onto the wax paper. Spread the contents into a thin layer.
Let sit for 20-30 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened.
Break the mixture into small, bite sized pieces and place into a festive Christmas tin or large Ziplock bag.

This stuff is called Christmas Crack for a reason, people–it’s pretty addictive. Eat at your own risk and enjoy!

The Ameri Brit Mom

Writing Groups and Someone to Read Your Drafts

This week in my chapter updates from Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott I have decided to discuss my personal experience on the two topics of Writing Groups and Someone to Read Your Drafts. For me, these are two crucial elements for a writer. Here is a look at some of my experience in these two areas:

Writing Groups

One of the first ways that I made my writing public was through a writing contest. I did not win that contest, but it was through that endeavor that I learned to accept criticism. My story wasn’t returned with gold stars from the judges. It hurt at first because I was sure that my story was the best. A week after the contest I ended my membership with the writing group that put on the contest and went back into writing seclusion. I liked my bubble because I liked my own work. The only problem–I’m a terrible editor of my own work.

Fast forward a couple of years and I’ve come along way in receiving negative comments. I’ve written a book, many short stories, articles, and have a wealth of ideas. I’ve conducted research, read several books, and feel like I’ve blossomed in my writing. I’ve had the opportunity to receive feedback on my writing in several different ways which has strengthened my writing all the more.

I rejoined the writing group that had hurt my feelings. This time I was determined to use the negative comments to make me stronger. Immediately I was welcomed back. The feedback I received from some pieces I submitted were both constructive and positive. I was able to see things I still needed to focus on, but this time around it didn’t hurt my feelings. I’m stronger now and I know that every negative comment makes me that much stronger as a writer.

I’m currently enrolled in another contest through the same writing group. My story is in workshopping phase right now which means I’m getting several comments and suggestions a day from others in the group. The comments range from

“Very engaging story with real as life POV and characters. I enjoy a story that makes me see and feel without much work and this was a good one.”

and

“You have a powerful story on your hands here, well done! I was immediately drawn in and enjoyed the fast pace.”

“The style you’ve chosen tends to be heavy on the telling, which for the most part works, but in the first line I think you could create an image for us, to increase reader engagement.”

A year or two ago I would have totally been crushed by the third comment. I would have wallowed in self-pity thinking that my aspirations as a writer were finished. But today I see this comment as a fellow writer’s advice to strengthen my own writing. I’m not hurt. I’m empowered.

There’s something about joining a writing group that really does help us grow. We develop thick skin and are constantly educated in writing from others who are walking that path alongside us. The final draft for my essay is due this week and I will excitedly share it with you once it is finished.

Someone to Read Your Drafts

Just like it is helpful to find a group of writers in which you all critique in a safe environment it is also helpful to have one or two go-to readers to provide quick, and constructive feedback.

For me, my person is my sister.

Morgan is an English major wrapping up her undergraduate. She has already fixed her eyes on grad school and is intending to go on to further study English with the aspiration of becoming a college professor. When she was in high school I used to edit all of her papers. She would send them to me and I would put on my teacher hat and fix, edit, and suggest.

The tables have turned now. Instead of the being the respectable editor of our relationship she has become that editor for me. As someone who spends 75% of her time in English classes, working in the writing center at her school, or reading, Morgan has become my expert eye. I send her pieces that I plan to submit. She looks over it and we discuss it together.

In a couple of hours we are meeting for coffee at one of our favorite work spots and working on writing and editing together. These are days I really enjoy. We sip on coffee, talk about family drama, and do some writing. With coffee, gossip, and writing what could be better, right?

As a writer it is crucial to have a person or two like Morgan. Someone to read your work and respond honestly will help you to grow and communicate much more effectively. I’m pretty happy about having my person.

The Ameri Brit Mom

Five Minute Friday: Joy

This week the topic for the Five Minute Friday link-up post is Joy. What is a link-up? Essentially a link-up is when you join other bloggers and write on a similar topic. You share your blog posts with one another and begin conversations via a host site. You can head over to Kate Motaung’s page to check out other entries from inspired bloggers. Here’s my five minutes of uninterrupted, unedited writing on this week’s topic:

joy-600x600

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

It’s been a week. Not one of those overly productive, exciting, or joyful weeks. It’s been a week of falling behind, hearing bad news, hurting for people I care for, and hurting for myself. At times I’ve been tempted (and even given into) the notion of closing myself off from the rest of the world, shutting off social media, and refusing to face the issues at hand. To be honest, it was absolutely wonderful, that is until my reintroduction to reality when I had to face it all again.

I don’t know if you’ve had a week like me, but I’m sure several of you reading my post have struggled a bit this week. It doesn’t make it easier that everywhere you go you are reminded that this is the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year…”

We’re human and part of that gig is that sometimes we hurt. We get wounded and we have emotions that get triggered. The world can be a place full of hurt, but one thing this world will never be able to take away from us is our joy.

If you click my link to Kate’s page above it will take you to an inspirational Guest post for the link up written by a man named Andrew who is literally on his deathbed writing about having joy in all circumstances. My struggles are nothing compared to this man’s, yet he’s the one who seems to have his perspective aligned. I’m so thankful that he chose to point his readers to James 1:2-3 today.

Joy is all about our perspective. If we choose to wallow in our pain and suffering then our joy will be stolen faster than an unlocked Lamborghini with the keys left in the ignition. Joy is remembering that the fight is not ours. We don’t possess the powers to defeat this world on our own, but when we enlist the power of the Almighty God who formed this world in the palms of his hand then we have the power to conquer the world thousands of times over.

Each time that we face a struggle we should look at it as an opportunity to learn more and grow closer to God. Our attitude should be one that says, “I may not understand right now, God, but please show me why I am going through this and teach me to have joy despite this pain.”

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”(Psalm 30:5)

The Ameri Brit Mom

Dressing and Educating: Days 69-73

Day 69: November 28, 2016

Monday after a long Thanksgiving break is rough. Not only was I physically exhausted long before usual, but today was also a tragic day for my city. At just after 9:30am a man of Somali descent crashed his vehicle into a crowd of pedestrians on the campus of Ohio State University. He emerged from his vehicle armed with a knife and began to stab people around him. Luckily, within minutes a security guard responded and neutralized the suspect quickly.

Although the fatality numbers were limited to the suspect it was still a tragic day as many students and faculty members of the nearby college were overcome with fear as they went to work and/or school. As a city the reality of threats and radical behavior have become real and security has been increased as a result. It was a strange day and I spent much of my off-periods tuned in to local news and browsing social media to ensure that my friends were all safe. It was such a strange and emotional day.

I was wearing a pair of LulaRoe OS leggings, a navy dress, beige cardigan and boots.

Day 70: November 29, 2016

I came in ready to start some new content in my classes today. In English, I introduced the Young Adult novel that my classes will be reading for the next several weeks. Not a Drop to Drink was written by Mindy McGinnis and last school year she visited with our students who had just finished reading her book. Every year the students leave my introduction lesson excited for this post-apocalyptic novel.

In Honors World History, I introduced the Industrial Revolution unit with a discussion of primary sources about the Agricultural Revolution in England. We discussed the Enclosure Movement and how it led to urbanization and the dawn of the industrial age.

I was wearing a silver sweater from Kohls, black pants from The Limited and black TOMS.

Day 71: November 30, 2016

This morning the Guidance Department at my school took my English classes to the computer lab to complete a survey about their needs and goals. As a result, I had some unplanned free periods to catch up on grading, planning, and data crunching. I was beyond grateful for this time as I was feeling a little overwhelmed about everything I needed to do outside of the regular activities of the classroom. As a teacher these types of days are golden!

In History, we spent more time investigating sources about the Enclosure Movement. Students were asked to decide if it was a positive or negative era in British History using evidence from the provided sources. We held an informal Socratic seminar where each student had the opportunity to voice their opinion and respond to the others in the class.

I was wearing navy slacks from Old Navy, a mint green scarf, matching camisole, a silver sweater and my favorite Sperrys.

Day 72: December 1, 2016

I officially ended my tutoring group for Air Make up testing today. For the past month I’ve been staying several days a week for an extra hour and a half to tutor students who failed last year’s state tests. It’s been a very positive experience and has helped me as a teacher as I’ve taken the opportunity to examine the tests at a greater length.

In English today we continued reading Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis. We discussed the mood in the beginning of the story. In Honors World History, students were assigned reading last night and so we addressed the reading through questions and class discussion.

Today I wore a new sweater/tunic from The Limited, a blanket scarf, khakis and black boots.

Day 73: December 2, 2016

TGIF!

In English, my students were introduced to a new writing assignment. Once a quarter I assign them a writing prompt on Vantage, an online writing tool that my school has purchased for the past three years. Students are able to submit writing on this site and receive feedback and space to improve that writing. This is a valuable tool when utilized alongside class material and instruction. I always set a deadline for the writing to be finished and take the highest score for each student as they are able to submit their writing numerous times during the allotted window. This time around they are writing an argument and were given three prompts to choose from.

In Honors World History, we started our Friday as we usually do by watching CNN Student News and discussing worldwide news stories. Then, we jumped into our curriculum and reviewed the content from the week. I also introduced a new project in that class. Students were given three options for an Industrial Revolution project. They could write a story, make a poster, or create a presentation.

Today I wore a printed tank from Stitch Fix #6 , a cardigan from Stitch Fix #3, jeans from Stitch Fix #8 , and ankle boots.

Which outfit was your favorite this week?

The Ameri Brit Mom

Holiday Door

Our family tradition is to deck the halls on Black Friday.

We spend the weekend following Thanksgiving putting up the tree and setting out our annual decor. Each year we like to buy one or two new pieces to add to our collection and we also enjoy decorating our front door.

This year we decided to take on a painting project. My daughter is pretty artistic and loves any excuse to use paint, and my husband is fairly crafty as well. We went to the nearest craft shop and purchased everything we would need to make giant ornaments to be hung on the front door. Each of us completed our own giant bulb which we made from Wilton cake boards. We went with a simple color scheme of red, green, and blue and each of us chose a different inspiration for our creation.

Once dry, we fastened the bulbs to the door using 3m hooks and red ribbon. We wanted them to all dangle at different heights so we varied the length of the ribbon to give it that look.

I really love my front door. It may not be a page out of the Pottery Barn catalog, but we took the time to put each of our personalities into the finished product. I love my unique front door this holiday season.

The Ameri Brit Mom

Beef Roast (Paleo)

Many of you know that I am married to a British man. One meal that those British men love is a nice pot of roasted meat and potatoes. Roast dinners are a staple in England appearing on many household tables every Sunday evening and nearly every special occasion. If ever asked, “What should we have for dinner?” My husband almost always replies with “Roast Dinner!”

Since I have been restricting my diet to a Paleo/Caveman one there are many meals I am having to say farewell to, but luckily a beef roast doesn’t have to be one of them.

Currently, there is a lot of debate in the nutrition world about whether or not potatoes are allowable in the Paleo diet. I have done some reading and I have decided to be inclusive of the starchy vegetable myself, but if you have a problem with potatoes then you can always substitute them for sweet potatoes. For me, Paleo isn’t about recreating a caveman lifestyle, but about making sure I’m sticking to a diet rich in vegetables and meat. The Paleo diet is one that reduces sugar intake and removes all processed foods for the purpose of stripping the human diet down to its origins. Eating as many Paleo-friendly foods as possible will help your digestive tract, energy levels, and will also aide in weight loss.

Here is my personal recipe for a simple beef roast.

Ingredients

2 lbs beef steaks or chuck roast

3-4 russet potatoes (or sweet potatoes if you opt to avoid white potatoes)

2 cups fresh or frozen green beans

1 cup water

Directions

Preheat over to 350 degrees.
Chop the potatoes, leaving the peels on, into 1 inch cubes.
Place your meat into the bottom of a cast iron pot or roasting tin.
Add potatoes to the top of the meat.
Place green beans on top of the potatoes.
Pour water over top mixture. Cover.
Place in the oven for 1.5 hours. Make sure meat is cooked and vegetables are tender before serving.

It’s a foolproof Paleo recipe!

The Ameri Brit Mom

Index Cards and Calling Around

This Saturday I’m multi-tasking. My husband is away at a coach’s training for our daughter’s first basketball season and I’m working on writing while heating up a healthy breakfast and entertaining my Christmas-anxious daughter.

Saturday mornings are my favorite. I pour myself a few cups of coffee and sit at the kitchen table where the natural light from the window helps me to wake up. I’m never more productive than on a Saturday morning, and that’s why I like to start it reading a little bit about writing. Today I started the final section of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Over these last few Saturdays of 2016 I will be reading about “Help Along the Way.” Here’s a look at the two chapters I read this morning:

Index Cards

Writers are observers. We are note takers and list makers. As we live our lives we notice things that others do not. We are also human. Our memories are only capable of retaining so much. So as we observe, we lose most of those thoughts and descriptions to our own minds. Anne Lamott describes in this chapter about how she attempts to keep the thoughts and memories that she wants to include in her writing.

She uses index cards.

Her home is full of stacks of cards. Some are lined with vivid language while others contain just a word that triggers an entire memory.

I use a small notebook and my phone. I keep the notebook in my purse along with an arsenal of pens for any occasion. As I hear dialogue or witness a scene I jot them down for future use. If I’m being honest, I haven’t been a great observer lately. I’ve been caught up in my own life and my own thoughts. This chapter was a great reminder that I should always be recording notes. When I’m stuck in traffic-write. When I’m shopping at the mall-write. When I’m in school listening to the bogus reasons my students couldn’t finish their homework-write.

Whenever we face “writer’s block” we can turn to these thoughts which are already recorded and use them for inspiration.

Calling Around

Writing is not an individual activity. Sure, you spend many hours alone stringing words together, but the process of collecting those words is not a solo venture. As an individual I have a limit to the knowledge I possess. There are things I just cannot imagine or name for that matter. That’s why it is so important to live in community. Being a part of the world of friendship gives us access to information outside of ourselves. We have friends with extensive knowledge about World War II concentration camps, friends with vocabulary rich in cooking terms and analogies, friends with experiences in losing a spouse, friends with experiences in surviving a car accident. It is in these people that many of our stories are born-not our own minds.

It’s easy to seclude ourselves as writers and think that in order to “get things done” we need to be left alone with our craft. That expectation couldn’t be further from the truth. Individually, we are no where near as effective or knowledgeable as we are within our community. Writing isn’t about relying on ourselves. It is actually about relying on those around us for almost all of our inspiration and help as writers.

The Ameri Brit Mom

Dressing and Educating: Days 67-68

Day 67: November 21, 2016

As we draw near to Thanksgiving Break both of my classes were wrapping up major units of study. In English each of my students created an online presentation about a book that they have read independently over the last month and a half. During today and tomorrow they will each get a chance to present their books for the class. In Honors World History, my students prepared for a test over the French Revolution with a friendly game of review basketball. Nothing is more fun (and competitive) than a little basketball before a test!

I wore a skirt from The Limited, a black tshirt from Primark in England, and black Lula Roe leggings with boots.

Day 68: November 22, 2016

A nice short school week was brought to a close today. It was a school-spirit day so I dressed in my Viking gear. As a teacher today I was wrapping up grades. In English we finished presenting books. In History the students took a test. Second quarter interim grades were also due before I could head out to enjoy the break. It was a very busy day, but worth it!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

The Ameri Brit Mom

Tragedy In Times Square (Part 2)

The month of November is coming to a close.

Although I did not participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), I did decide to focus this month on creative writing. As a part of that goal I have developed the premise for two new YA novels: Tragedy in Times Square and The Walk from Winleigh. I have also joined an online critique group which has already helped me grow so much as a writer. My group is participating in a contest in December so you will hopefully see my piece from that contest in the early days of 2017!

All in all, it has been great to shift my focus back on to fiction writing. I love to blog and write about my life, but my first passion in writing is fiction.

Last week I introduced you to Clara, the main character for Tragedy in Times Square.

This week, I want to introduce you to her Uncle Mark in the second installment of this story. As always, I welcome critique and feedback although I also have brought this piece to my critique group and received feedback there as well. Enjoy!

Tragedy in Times Square (Part 2)

by Lauren Sisley

“Wait here…” I motioned to Aspen to stay in place as I began to move toward Mark.

“Where are you going, Clara?” Aspen asked. She was just as surprised and freaked out as I was. Mark stopped by a tree fifty feet in the distance. He was leaned to one side of the tree as if waiting for me to meet him.

“I’ll be right back. I want to check this out.” I strode past Aspen and toward the small tree and the unexplained figure of my deceased uncle.

With each step I could feel my heart thudding. It felt as though it may escape my chest. It was on it’s way up to my throat. I tried to swallow back the lumps forming in my throat as I walked. This is what fear does to the body.

As I approached the tree I was careful not to break eye contact with Mark.

He held a hand out to me silently. On impulse I reached my hand out to fill his. I watched as my hand cut the air where I should have made impact with his. There was nothing there. My face wrinkled in disbelief as I watched.

“Hello, Clara.” His voice was soft and gentle.

“Uncle Mark?” I questioned and he nodded in response. “But, you’re…”

“I am, Clara, you’re right.” I was beginning to feel like I had lost my sanity. I became aware of the others approaching on the street and how odd it must look to see a girl talking to no one under a tree.

“How are you here?” I asked with a shaky voice.

“That doesn’t matter. It’s why I’m here that’s important.” I began to look him over from head to toe. It wasn’t like the movies. He wasn’t illuminating there under the tree. He looked real. For someone that I never met he was so familiar. He resembled my mother in a great way, but also was familiar because his face filled the frames of countless photos around my house and my Grandmother’s home in Albany.

“Why?” I couldn’t even mutter a full sentence. This was such a surreal experience.

“I’m here to help you and your mother, Clara.” His eyes turned to a sad expression. “Nothing makes me more sorry than the way she is hanging on to me.” He spoke as though he had been present over the years-like he had seen the way she mourned him with ever fiber of her being.

“So why did you come to me?” I asked confused about my role in all of this.

“Because, Clara, there is no one on this Earth more important to your mother than you. You are the reason she has held it together. Her love for you is deeper than you can imagine.” Mark was going on about my mother’s love, but after the morning I had experienced I found it hard to accept his words as truth. “If anyone can help her it is you.”

“Do you really think so?” I asked unsure of my own standing with Mom.

“Yes, absolutely. Plus, I never got to meet you in person.” He winked at me.

“Now you have.” I smiled back still unsure of this whole situation.

“And you are as wonderful and beautiful as I had hoped you would be.” A tear fell from my eye. I pretended to lean back and look at Aspen so that Mark wouldn’t see me wipe the droplet as it escaped my eye. “Who is your friend?” Mark asked gesturing toward Aspen sitting alone on the curb a few buildings away.

“That’s Aspen. She’s my best friend.” I couldn’t help but smile as I spoke about her. Aspen had proven to by loyal and caring time and time again. Both of us were looking at her now and Aspen could sense it.

“Ready to catch a movie?” She called out to me from where she sat.

“Just a minute.” I returned her call.

“It’s fine, Clara, go enjoy your birthday.” Mark smiled.

“But, you haven’t had a chance to tell me anything.” I pleaded.

“Oh, do not worry. I will be around for awhile.” He gave a slight grin. “I’m here until the mission is complete.”

“What does that mean?” I was confused.

“It means you will see me again. I won’t waste any more of your precious birthday. I will be back again soon.”

“But, how will you find me?” I asked with a worried expression.

“Clara, you of all people should know that I am always with you. It’s never been a matter of finding you, but more a matter of whether or not you would see me.” Something within myself confirmed his words. I had always been taught that the people who have passed never really leave us. Even though I had never met Mark I grew up under the impression that Uncle Mark was watching over me. Mom and Dad had relayed that message on numerous occasions. This isn’t quite what I thought they had meant.

“So I will see you again soon?” I wanted this answer before I would walk away.

He nodded. “Happy Birthday, Clara. I am so proud of you.” He gave one last bright smile as he turned and faded from my vision.

I turned toward Aspen who was patiently waiting for me, and I began to walk in her direction.

“Is everything okay?” She asked. I moved my finger tips which were freezing cold toward my face where a stream of warm tears were gathering. I nodded to reassure Aspen as she embraced me. I crumbled in her arms and began to cry aloud.

“It was Mark.” I sobbed.

“Did something remind you of him?” Aspen was reaching for a way to make sense of what just happened.

“No, he was here.” I realized how insane I had sounded and prepared myself for laughter or jokes from Aspen. I should have known better.

“What did he want?” She said supportively.

“To help my mom and to wish me a Happy Birthday.” I was still crying pretty hard. I saw a few other pedestrians pass us pretending not to notice my meltdown.

“Well, that’s not so bad, Clara. There’s no need to be upset.” Aspen was soothing. If anyone else had been witness to this event in my life I would have been the butt of jokes forever, but Aspen held me with an embrace that communicated understanding. She didn’t judge me or poke fun of the fact that I was claiming to have seen and spoken to my dead uncle. In that moment my gratitude for her friendship emerged to a new level.

“Thank you, Aspen.” I said as I began to gather my composure. “Let’s go see that movie.” I smiled as we broke free from each other’s arms and began to walk toward downtown.

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