tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102819602008-07-13T16:31:13.293ZAnna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comBlogger430125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-67070045693581900292007-05-22T21:03:00.000Z2007-05-22T21:14:23.412Z

Guess what? We have a new place to be! My New Website! Go see, bookmark, link, and tell me what you think on my new blog!

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-62877038619758028532007-05-20T10:25:00.000Z2007-05-20T10:46:20.295Z

For one reason or another, I never got around to going public with some excellent news. I'm delighted to announce that my second book, Dangerous Lies, will be published by Medallion Press in 2009. Let's celebrate by looking at one of the inspirations for Alan.... Mmmmmm. I've sold my second book! Can you believe it?!? As you know, Run Among Thorns (available June 2008) is Jenny Waring and

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-69189033557984414892007-05-17T20:30:00.000Z2007-05-17T20:32:36.661Z

Money can't buy happiness. But it can buy cake. Close enough.

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-31916151139744757982007-05-14T20:13:00.000Z2007-05-16T06:23:15.780Z

I've been a naughty girl. A naughty, naughty girl. And wearing them makes me feel even naughtier. Excellent *rubbing hands*.

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-67477244003595146052007-05-07T07:07:00.000Z2007-05-14T19:52:12.593Z

I have no excuses. I don't even KNOW why it's taken me so long to post again. On the plus side, we now have the benefit of my brother's (that's Commodore "SuDoKu" Lucia to you) photos, too. Anyway. Shall I re-commence? One of the wonderful things about a canal holiday, is how close you are to England's and (Wales'!) gentle wildlife. As we embarked, the sunlit waters lapping softly at the

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-30867218556147992822007-05-03T06:03:00.000Z2007-05-03T06:21:16.922Z

Let me start by saying this. A narrowboat holiday is no place for vanity. By day two you're resigned to wearing the same clothes for the rest of the week, usually zipped into a tatty waterproof. And you don't care.... Here Lock Master 2 "My Hair! My Beautiful Hair!" Scamans is modelling the latest narrowboat fashions. Hey, Lock Master 2? Duck! We had a wonderful time. We had a

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-30557597948974438832007-04-20T21:10:00.000Z2007-04-20T21:12:04.045Z

So I survived the fast-diesel loaner. My own car, however, is still languising in pieces in a garage... poor dear is still cutting out and they can't figure it out. So, once again, we're going on holiday on our old, decrepit, only-bought-it-to-do-short-journeys-in Micra. Happily most of our holiday will be spent on a boat. Doing less than 4mph. This is a pace I can go with.

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-12638423590146162892007-04-19T14:40:00.000Z2007-04-19T14:48:42.008Z

Today's Learning is this: I should never own a fast car. Don't worry, I haven't had an accident, or even a near miss. Honest. Only the garage leant me this courtesy car for the day, while they fix my Megane. It's not as if it's a Subaru or anything - it's only a Renault Clio. But after years of driving a diesel, and a few weeks of driving a 998cc Micra, I was... enjoying myself. Enjoying

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-53125435510403944872007-04-18T06:56:00.000Z2007-04-18T07:01:20.360Z

I adjusted to life without blogging when my computer was defunct, and now I'm struggling to get back into the routine... please excuse some fairly random and irregular musings.... So, smoothies. I am moved to broadcast a request for your favourite smoothie recipes after experimenting with a pear, strawberry and raspberry smoothie, with yoghurt and apple juice. Interesting. I was slightly put

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-38816990387916159282007-04-14T07:32:00.000Z2007-04-14T07:44:05.791Z

I think I misled people. In my rushed confusion I implied we were going on holiday this coming week... it's actually the week after! Must arrange cat sitter... Thanks for the good holiday wishes! I'm very excited. :-D I also have a completely blank blog-brain, so excuse me that. I'll leave you with this view of the canals in autumn...

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-43897804131622054132007-04-11T10:26:00.000Z2007-04-11T10:37:43.475Z

The computer's back and appears to be holding... but I'm still likely to be scarce for a while, I think. I have 2.76 GB of files to sort through and either restore to my newly wiped hard drive, archive, or delete. Oh joy. And I'm about to attempt to fit about a month's worth of day job into one week. And then we're *bliss* on holiday. So, since I have my eyes firmly on the priorities of life

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-8816648618070493312007-04-05T13:53:00.000Z2007-04-05T13:55:39.494Z

This house is about to have a baby in it for the very first time.... Julie is battling the M6 as we speak, bringing herself and her fecklet for a long weekend. On Saturday, I will have TWO big Harlequin M&B talents in my house, when Michelle and her daughter visit, too! Hooray!

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-67076902011495406822007-04-04T06:27:00.000Z2007-04-04T06:41:01.109Z

... better than I ever did. But my computer's still not fixed. In fact, they can't find the problem yet. I wonder if, in my regular communications with the IT shop, I'm injecting enough of the earth-shattering panic and soul-searing withdrawal I'm experiencing? The computer in my car is still not fixed, either. So when we've had that done (after Christmas) and finished paying for it (

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-50107868190736540972007-03-22T12:30:00.000Z2007-03-22T12:38:44.524Z

Computer's kaput. Computer is in the shop. Computer is lucky I'm not kicking it repeatedly in the USB port. Now be good until I get back, you hear? In the meantime, muse on the slogan I saw emblazoned across a passing White Van. "Who's Van is This!!!" Bizarrely, it was actually the lack of a question mark that first gave me chills. The mangling of "Whose" took a little longer to filter

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-30760371575536013962007-03-21T07:35:00.000Z2007-03-21T07:40:15.137Z

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-21535864886745199592007-03-19T08:39:00.000Z2007-03-19T08:40:38.953Z

It's odd, isn't it? Green is the colour of Go. Red means stop, danger. So why are there so many words that mean red, and so few usable ones that mean green? Think about it. Say you're describing a pool of blood – it could be crimson, vermillion, scarlet, claret, burgundy... Now say you're describing new grass. It's... green. Light green. It's not pistachio or jade, lime or couleur de

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-79250464819356473192007-03-18T09:27:00.000Z2007-03-18T09:28:54.950Z

IT'S SNOWING! IT'S SNOWING!!! please let it lie... please let it lie... please let it lie....

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-40759140409696169712007-03-15T08:03:00.000Z2007-03-15T08:04:40.502Z

I have a new Trick! I've long struggled with resting when I need to, when there's so much I want to do... It's especially hard when I have a day off and want a lie-in. Now, we're not talking about student level lie-ins, I hasten to add. Even dozing till 8am would be good. But inevitably I'm half awake at 7am and immediately thinking that I ought to be doing something. So what's my new

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-85728880541699306512007-03-13T22:25:00.000Z2007-03-13T22:30:22.680Z

Loreth was talking about spring being on the way in her neck of the woods. It's not quite with us here. A couple of weeks ago, I was down in Shropshire, visiting Mum and Dad. They have spring - the blackthorn blossom is out, misting the hedges in white froth. The hawthorn is about to burst into vibrant green leaf. The daffodils are out, and the crocuses are gleaming like amethyst teardrops

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-17985837974015696962007-03-11T12:28:00.000Z2007-03-11T12:31:25.042Z

Well lookee there. I have a post up at Romancing the Blog today.

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-65658776296559747512007-03-11T12:21:00.000Z2007-03-11T12:27:21.147Z

... cake. There. Part of my Valentine's gift to Husband, a special meal involving Beef Wellington (a smidge too rare and therefore not completely photogenic!) and Victoria Sponge. The residential was lovely, thank you! Chief memories are sitting in a tent by candlelight, while the darkened woods outside dripped with rain, reflecting on the day, and making trifle from leftovers, served in a

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-38199672553750091972007-03-07T07:31:00.000Z2007-06-19T07:38:08.580Z

The Wardrobe Rides Again Brother would like to point out (in reference to our Valentine's Day activities) that things Husband and I might do for each other that come under the 'gutter mind' heading are indeed still practical and useful. However, if Husband continues to point at discarded items of clothing and growl awfully, "Put that in your new wardrobe!" when I am stripping for him, all such

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-69026514317632771792007-03-02T08:38:00.000Z2007-03-02T09:15:42.630Z

Last night I dreamed about my new wardrobe. This isn't as wierd as it sounds. No, wait. It IS as wierd as it sounds, but there are mitigating circumstances. Every year, for Valentine's Day, Husband and I do stuff for each other (get your minds out of the gutters, now). Practical, useful stuff. Last year he dug the garden for me. This year he converted our old airing cupboard into a

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-77775624398371906322007-03-01T16:48:00.000Z2007-03-01T16:54:02.109Z

There's a really fascinating bit on the Medallion Press website at the moment about cover art. You'll need to click on 'Editor's Corner'. They're showing some of the covers that never made it on to a book, and talking about why. Go see!

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10281960.post-52661987523993886402007-02-27T09:25:00.001Z2007-02-27T09:25:54.160Z

In honour of the soul-healing Ian Dury song, some Random Reasons to be Cheerful:- 1) Acupuncture. The only time needles leave me smiling. 2) Strawberries. 3) Proper, tea-pot brewed, leaf tea. 4) Herdwick ewes, in their rough and grizzled grey fleeces, stamping their feet at interlopers. 5) Borrowdale. 6) Lindor chocolate eggs. 7) University Challenge & Top Gear (Husband and my only two

Anna Luciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13069551559749215187noreply@blogger.com