Tag: events

Inspiration Happens When There’s No Time to Write

Those periods in your life when there is no “thyme” to write, may just be one of those times when inspiration happens for your next season of writing. Your next season may include getting over a writer’s block, burnout, a new blog series, an article for your next blog, the next book, the next series, the next book in a series, or a short story to name just a few. We are all in a different place in our journeys.

writing, inspiration, time, events, characters, Thyme for Writers, books, articles, short stories, graduation, Washington, D.C., Georgetown School of Medicine, army, residency, neurosurgery, radiation, Radiological Health Sciences
Inspiration for Your Season of Writing
No “Thyme” to Write

My last article let you know that for the month of May, there was just no time to write, and I wasn’t the only one. Kathryn Ross, who is a monthly contributor to Thyme for Writers with her series, The Write Spice became a new grandmother and had no “thyme” for the month of May either, but she will be back in June.

writing, inspiration, time, events, characters, Thyme for Writers, books, articles, short stories, graduation, Washington, D.C., Georgetown School of Medicine, army, residency, neurosurgery, radiation, Radiological Health Sciences
Graduation
Graduation

For me, the month of May included three graduations and a pinning ceremony. Wow, talk about inspiration… .

writing, inspiration, time, events, characters, Thyme for Writers, books, articles, short stories, graduation, Washington, D.C., Georgetown School of Medicine, army, residency, neurosurgery, radiation, Radiological Health Sciences
Congratulations JC!

The first two graduations were local and only one day apart:

  • My Son graduated with a Masters of Science degree in Radiological Health Sciences, and
  • his very special lady graduated with her bachelors in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.
writing, inspiration, time, events, characters, Thyme for Writers, books, articles, short stories, graduation, Washington, D.C., Georgetown School of Medicine, army, residency, neurosurgery, radiation, Radiological Health Sciences
Hooding of Victoria by Her Grandfather
writing, inspiration, time, events, characters, Thyme for Writers, books, articles, short stories, graduation, Washington, D.C., Georgetown School of Medicine, army, residency, neurosurgery, army, Captain
Pinning Ceremony

One week later we all traveled to our nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C. for my daughter’s graduation from Georgetown School of Medicine. My father who graduated from Georgetown School of Medicine 59 years earlier hooded her. It was a beautiful ceremony, a very special time in our lives. We also attended her pinning ceremony where she was promoted to captain and pinned by her dad (my husband). The next leg of her journey is her Neurosurgery Residency — she was one of two army selected (one of 3 military).

Talk about inspiration… . One thing I can guarantee is that these beautiful events in my life which gave me no “thyme” to write, did provide inspiration for my next season of writing — another book (yes, that story is brewing), articles, and more… .

writing, inspiration, time, events, characters, Thyme for Writers, books, articles, short stories, graduation, Washington, D.C., Georgetown School of Medicine, army, residency, neurosurgery, Georgetown School of Medicine
Victoria with Her Grandparents

What is your inspiration?

(C) 2018 Karen Van Den Heuvel Fischer

When Life Happens and There’s No Time to Write

writing, publishing, story, fiction, novel, mistakes, writing mistakes, Thyme for Writers, journey, Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado, agents, editors, craft, skills, writers conference, tools, titles, story, how-to books, heroine, hero, Jeff Gerke, Jayne Ann Krentz, Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Save Thyme with Writers’ Conferences
Karen with Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jayne Ann Krentz

Maybe you’ve attended conferences, read books, listened to the best and you’ve got an organized system to manage your time. Perhaps time management is still an issue for you. Regardless, there are times when life happens and there’s no “thyme” to write.

Thyme for Writers

The idea for Thyme for Writers happened a year ago. I wanted a place where writers and book lovers could go for a bit of inspiration, direction, encouragement, fun, and excitement, but I didn’t have a name for it. I brought my idea to my incredible writers group, and within minutes, Candee Fick came up with the name, Thyme for Writers, tying into my theme, adding spice to your life.

wedding, wedding planner, books, Hidden Bloodlines, wedding budget, Stanley Hotel, Christmas, Christmas wedding, budget, checklist, timeline, organization, organization tips, library
Loveland Public Library
Author Showcase
Candee Fick
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Author Candee Fick

As a techno-idiot, the idea of me ever being able to manage and create a website was a pipe dream … until Candee. She is an incredible resource, writer, and friend. If you’re at that place where you need either writing, computer, or web help, check out her invaluable resource, The Author Toolbox. I have steadily improved and decreased the time I spend uploading and formatting all my posts, whether written by me or my amazing guests, but it still takes time.

Kathryn Ross
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The Write Spice: Writing Tips for Flavorful Words
By Kathryn Ross

Kathryn Ross has added invaluable insight to writers by tying in the benefits of certain spices and oils to a writer’s life and the writing process. She is a monthly guest on Thyme for Writers with her series, The Write Spice. Kathryn is a new grandma, and for the month of May, she has no “thyme” to write. Congratulations Miss Kathy! We’ll miss you this month, but catch up with you next!

Thyme for Writers has grown with a readership I never could have imagined and I am looking forward to its continued growth! With the exception of last Thursday, I have posted every Thursday since its start August 31, 2017. Since I don’t want to disappoint my readers, I wanted to give you a heads up that I may only have 2 posts for the month of May. Alas, I have 3 graduations:

wedding, time, medical student, white coat
White Coat Ceremony
  • My daughter is graduating medical school and will start her residency in neurosurgery;
  • My son is graduating graduate school in radiation physics; and
  • My son’s very special significant other is graduating with a bachelor’s in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.
wedding, wedding planner, books, Hidden Bloodlines, wedding budget, Stanley Hotel, Christmas, Christmas wedding, budget, checklist, timeline, organization, organization tips, library, military discount, veterans, savings, cost savings, Our Lady of the Mountains, Estes Park, Colorado, University of Colorado, photographer, videographer, Laura Grace Petersen, Jackson Dorfman
J.C. & Jane

Yes, I’m a very proud Mama, and for the month of May, chances are … I’ll have less “thyme” to write. Since time management is critical in every aspect of life, especially for writers, there will be future posts on the topic. Stay tuned… .

(C) 2018 Karen Van Den Heuvel Fischer

Good Food Is a Key Ingredient for a Great Wedding

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Heart Health & Magnesium

Good food is a key ingredient for a great wedding or any event for that matter. After all, a happy stomach brings lots of pleasure and good times. As a dietitian, healthy, delicious food prepared in a clean environment where sanitary food preparation procedures are maintained is critical. Just as critical is ensuring that there are no issues for those with food allergies, sensitivities, and preferences.

The Stanley

The Stanley enjoyed a good reputation in years past, and when we stayed there years ago, they lived up to that reputation. However, you can imagine my horror when last summer the news reported that they failed more than one health inspection. With plenty of time before the wedding, I arranged a meeting with my newly assigned wedding planner to discuss my concerns. And yes, I attended the meeting with a rather long list.

Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, CO, wedding, wedding planner, books, Hidden Bloodlines, wedding budget, Stanley Hotel, Christmas, Christmas wedding, budget, checklist, timeline, organization, organization tips, library, military discount, veterans, savings, cost savings, Our Lady of the Mountains, Estes Park, Colorado, University of Colorado, photographer, videographer, Laura Grace Petersen, Jackson Dorfman
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado

The wedding planner put me at ease when she revealed that:

  • the chef was let go,a new 5 star
  • chef was brought in,they revamped the program to as
  • sure compliance, andthey passed subsequent inspections
  • with flying colors.

All good news, however, with the exception of a buried blurb, the news did not find that newsworthy enough to give it the same exposure. I love good news, don’t you?

The Menu

For those receptions held at a hotel, conference center, restaurant or another similar venue, you are given limited menu options based on the plan you choose. As the number of selections increase, so does the cost. However, you have the opportunity to tailor the menu to your budget.

Good food, weddings, events, menu, vegetarian, food allergies, peanut, shellfish, food restrictions, vegetarian, Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, reception, delicious meal, delicious, fuel, wine, ingredient, chef, food preparation, sanitary, health, budget
Food Restrictions

Quite a few of my guests had either food allergies or other dietary restrictions and it was important to me that there would be no issues. I provided a list of food allergies and other restrictions and was assured there would be no problems. Although a vegetarian entree was not an option on the “menu” for my vegetarian guests, it was upon request.

Wedding Day
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Head Table
Photo – Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

As we decorated the Music Room on the morning of the wedding day, the chef made a point to meet with me. He went over the list of allergies and other food restrictions and assured me there would be no issue with cross contamination (a common problem with peanut and shellfish allergies). He was true to his word and the meal was delicious.

Our guests had a happy stomach and used that delicious meal as fuel to dance the night away… I’m sure the wine didn’t hurt either… .

wedding, wedding planner, Hidden Bloodlines, wedding budget, Stanley Hotel, Christmas, Christmas wedding, budget, checklist, timeline, organization, organization tips, library, military discount, veterans, savings, cost savings, Our Lady of the Mountains, Estes Park, Colorado, preferred vendor lists, vendors, D.J., Disc Jockey, Sound Junction, Gary Liebowitz
The Dance Train – Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

Any dining out suggestions for those with dietary restrictions?

(c) 2018, Karen Van Den Heuvel