Are you in a book club?  So am I, and this week I wrote about mine for the Reading Group Guides blog.  You can read my entry right here.  Enjoy. 

If you’re in a book club, I’d love to know what you’re reading this month, so please leave a comment if you’d like to share.  My own group is finishing a discussion on Kathryn Stockett’s The Help.  We’ll begin The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows next month. 

And while we’re on the subject of comments?  I’ve gotten several queries on how to comment on my blogs, which you are always encouraged to do.  It’s easy, but not as obvious as it ought to be.  Under each blog’s title you’ll find the word ”comments” in small red letters.  Just click there, and comments associated with that post will appear.  You’ll also find an easy form at the bottom to make your own.  Please do, since I love hearing from you.

All your comments come to me to be okayed, just so we can eliminate that strange sub-human species known as spammers who find joy in creating problems for other people.  In the future, though, once you comment a time or two, your comments will show up immediately.

Why?  Well, sometime in the very near future I will be switching my blog to a different blogging platform that allows for this. We’re hoping the change will be seamless.  WordPress will offer me a chance to put links beside my blogs of other sites I hope you’ll enjoy, recipes, the links to my Facebook page and more.  I’m looking forward to it.  We’re not expecting glitches, but this IS the internet, right?  So if there’s a problem, it won’t last long.  Just get a cup of coffee or herbal tea, then check back.

And I began my CatchUp with book clubs, so will end with them.  This week I had the opportunity to do two speaker phone conversations with groups in Wisconsin who are not only reading my Shenandoah Album series, but making quilts from my Quilt Along With books to give to charity.  The conversation was a pleasure and an honor.  To schedule one for your own group?  Go here to my website and fill in the form.  I do these for love, not money, and I’ll look forward to talking to you, as well.

I’ve been cleaning my study.  Today I discovered that the table behind my desk is white.  Earlier in the week I learned the desk itself is brown, chipped Formica.  I said hello to these old friends, who’ve been smothered by paper piles I hadn’t cleared away for longer than I care to commit to print. 

They are safe with me, these vintage relics.  The desk has been in our family since we bought it second hand in the 1970s when the Talon Zipper Factory left our little Pennsylvania town.  It’s been to New Orleans and Cleveland and now here to Northern Virginia, used by various family members and still far too useful to replace with something sleek and lovely.  Every book I’ve written has been written on this desk.  There is just the slightest chance that if I moved on to something new, I might never be able to write again.  It’s just possible the desk is magic.  Who’d want to chance it?

I’m not only “attached” to my desk and to far too many things in my too-small office.  I am attached to a host of items in my kitchen.  My oldest son is not afraid to point this out to me.  When he shrieks over a pan from the 1950s I explain that his grandmother made brownies in that pan.  He sits me down and points out that he knew his grandmother, that even though she’s been gone many years he still remembers her well.  His grandmother would NOT want me to keep that pan.

Fast forward to this week.  My husband, who would rather pull out his fingernails than go to a mall, turns into a wild man at Costco.  On Monday as he was throwing everything in sight into our cart, he spied a set of half-sheet baking pans and in they went.  I explained that new pans were great, they’d complement my jelly roll pan.  He said no, they were to REPLACE the jelly roll pan.  Hadn’t I looked at it recently?  Dented, blackened, well used.  He’s afraid the aforementioned oldest son will never visit again if he catches sight of it.

I explained that the new pans were not quite the same size, but no matter.  When we got home, he pulled out the jelly roll pan and showed me every dent, every flaw.  And finally, he convinced me. Into the trash went the jelly roll pan.  My sad, rejected jelly roll pan.  I couldn’t watch.

That night in bed I realized that the pan in question is my focaccia pan.  How would I now bake focaccia?  Would I be forced to change my recipe?  And would the new pans hold enough oats when we make mueseli?  Then, of course, there are roasted vegetables.  Are the sides of the new pans high enough to contain this favorite of our weekly menus?

I resolved to sneak the pan out of the trash the next day, and decision made, went back to sleep.  Then, before dawn, I was awakened by the weekly garbage pickup, apparently on steriods this morning. I’d waited too long.  My pan was now history.  Judging how long it would take me to run outside in my pajamas and scare the crew, I pulled the covers over my head and mourned.

An hour later I sadly dragged myself out of bed to discover that the garbage truck had only taken the recyclables.  Of course the truck would be back.   Very soon.  Unfortunately I was still in my pajamas, whereas my husband was on his way out the door to walk the dog.

How do we know for certain we are loved?  We ask the impossible.  We ask the ridiculous.  We know we can because we’ve done it before.

The pan is back in my kitchen now.  Gleaming, smiling.  My husband is shaking his head, but for his efforts?  I smell a pan of rosemary focaccia in his future.  Baked in the pan that’s absolutely perfect for it.

I want you to enjoy what I’m enjoying right now.  Happy autumn wherever you are.

When I decided it would be fun to use my blog as a contest venue this past year, I had no idea how rewarding it would be.  Not only did many of your participate, I had the good fortune to read all your entries, as did my assistant, the Marvelous Marna, who collated all the answers for us.  Your task was simple, and not so simple.  I asked you to comment on any blog with “happiness” in the title and tell us what made you happy.  Simple because you only needed to write a few lines.  Not so simple because isolating what makes us happy isn’t as easy as it sounds.

I suppose it’s not surprising that there were many similarities in your wonderful responses.  I think it’s fair to say mostly women read this blog, and mostly women responded.  It’s also not surprising that readers who stop by here have lots in common.  If you want details of aerospace engineering or hikes in the Himalayas, this isn’t your blog.  If you want to read about books and an author’s personal journey and interests, you’re in the right place.

We do share interests, you and I.  We are made happy by many of the same things.  Looking over the list, I found three birdwatchers, a hobby I’ve yet to take up because I can never find anything with binoculars. King Kong could be panting and drooling right in front of me, and I’d have no success locating him.  So until I overcome this obvious handicap, the birdwatchers and I will be happily celebrating different joys in life.  Otherwise, please know that I nodded along.

Above and beyond everything else, you mentioned good books–often mine in particular–and reading.  Of course you know this thrills me no end.  Seventy-three of you responded this way, and I salute each and every one of you.

Fifty-one of you mentioned children and grandchildren.  Mother of four and grandmother of one here.  I understand.

“Family” was happiness for thirty-one of you.  Combined with the above, that’s eighty-two, and if we add husbands (twenty-three) who figured just below pets (I’m not making this up) at twenty-six, we have one hundred and five people who mentioned someone in their family–not including Fido and Fluffy, who are, in my humble opinion, family members, too.

Crafts and creative endeavors of all kinds were important.  Twenty-eight of you mentioned them.  Since I spent last night blocking scarves and sweater pieces, and will today finish my block of the month quilted stockings, I can only say “you bet.”

Friends were important to your happiness, just as they were important to the women of Happiness Key, whose search for happiness started this entire blog series.  Eighteen of you mentioned them.

Water destinations (beaches, rivers, lakes) were important to thirteen of you.  Again, the women of Happiness Key would tell you they agree.

On more serious notes religious faith was important to the happiness of many of you, as were health and surviving serious illnesses.  Helping others featured prominently.  Leisure time activities like traveling and vacations, music, gardening, swimming, make you happy.  Saving money, eating well, chocolate (amen!), and a clean house found places on the list.  Sunshine received seven votes, but rain got three, running and dancing in it and just listening to it fall.  I love those images.

Are you nodding along?  If you were one of the commenters, are you saying to yourself, “I meant to mention that one, too?”  Because it feels that way after reading your responses.  Even with all our differences, we have so much in common.  You spoke with many voices, but your responses were of a kind.  The simplest things make you happy.  No one mentioned expensive jewelry, a twenty bedroom mansion, dining with the stars.  We love our family, our pets, the pleasures of a good book, the friends we’ve cultivated.  We love sunshine and even rain, the feel of yarn running through our fingers, the pleasures of tiny quilting stitches.

Thank you, every one of you, for taking the time to share your joys here.  I wish continued happiness to all of you, but I’m not worried.  You find happiness in the things you already possess. I am sure that whatever your futures hold, that will continue. 

For the past six months I’ve had the distinct pleasure of blogging about happiness, and more important, reading your comments on my “happiness” blogs.  Next week I’ll share with you the unscientific survey that my assistant Marna and I did of your wonderful and evocative contributions.  We saw patterns, but that was no surprise.

Looking back over those blogs, I find that I’ve never really told you what makes me happy.  Not in so many words, at least.  It only seems fair that after asking you to share, I should do the same.

Driving through cold rain this morning to the local outdoor Falls Church Farmer’s Market, I realized just how happy I was.  No question I would be soaked and chilled very soon, but I was going to one of those special places in my life.  I am a huge fan of farmer’s markets.  Like lemonade stands, I feel it’s almost a sin to pass one without buying vegetables from the people who worked so hard to produce them.  All week I’ve thought of the fabulous crabcakes at Chris’s booth, and the fragrant Virginia apples, which make me believe in apples after a Florida childhood of the tasteless grocery store variety.  (But let me tell you about our citrus fruit!)

I parked and was indeed soaked by the time I made it to the first tent.  No matter.  By the time I had finished shopping, I had a canvas bag filled with wonderful things, including two end of the season heirloom tomatoes.  We will eat well. 

All the way homes as I dripped water on my steering wheel and shivered, I was still unreasonably happy .  No surprise.  I’d already managed, somehow, to accomplish so many of the things that make me happy in one feel swoop, albeit a wet and cold one.

I left work behind.  I bought food I’ll enjoy cooking and eating all week long.  I supported a favorite cause, family farms, that deserve our support.  I pitted myself against the weather and won.  I came home to a warm house, a happy dog, a grateful husband.  I knew I had more to look forward to today, as well.  Writing this blog, time quilting and listening to the end of an audio book, riding the exercise bike as I watched the end of a Miss Marple mystery.  Little things, surely.  But that’s what happiness seems to be made of.  The small moments piled one on top of the other.  The wisdom to appreciate them. 

That last, wisdom to appreciate them, is probably most important of all.

A different pleasure this week?  Sending prizes to everyone who won one in my recent giveaways.  (Determined in random drawings.) And the winners were?

2nd Runner Up in the Beach Bag Giveaway:  Anne, of Suffolk, VA, who said:  I am happy quilting with my friends, being with my children and grandchildren, blue skys, being with my husband, the sunshine, I could go on and on!  (The winner and first runner-up were announced last week.)

The Facebook contest to determine which Happiness Key character you were most like?  Lisa of Brookston, IN who was most like Wanda; Carolyn, of Cocoa, FL, who was most like Janya; Lauretta, of Santee, CA, who was most like Tracy, and Cindy, of Mendenhall, MS, who was most like Alice.  Congratulations to all.

Congratulations, too, to all three US readers who wanted copies of the gorgeous French translations of Whiskey Island or The Parting Glass.  Each will receive one.

And finally a round of applause (and a copy of Happiness Key) to Amber of Rising Sun, MD, who, in an impromptu Facebook Page contest this week, correctly guessed the brand new title of the third novel in the Happiness Key trilogy, to be published in 2011.  And the title?

I’ll save that for another blog.  But luckily, it makes me very happy. Add that to my list.

In plenty of time for the spookiest holiday of the year, Casey Daniels, whose Pepper Martin mysteries are a must read for anyone who loves paranormal mysteries, is visiting Southern Exposure today. 

  I first met Casey when I was part of a writer’s group in Cleveland, Ohio.  We’ve stayed friends through the years and are still brainstorming buddies. 

This time of year it is always a treat to visit Casey’s house.  While other people collect Christmas decorations, Casey’s attic is filled with Halloween goodies.  This, of course, is only a fraction of the fun.

Not only are the Halloween decorations out now, so is Casey’s latest book in her wonderful Pepper Martin series.  Here’s Casey to tell us all about it. 

1–You’ve written in more genres than anyone I know, Casey. Start by telling my readers your writing history.

2–What made you decide to write the fabulous Pepper Martin series? What’s the draw of cemeteries? And am I right or don’t you offer cemetery tours in Cleveland, where the books take place.

3–For all who don’t know, Pepper is a cemetery guide, and somewhere along the way, ghosts began to demand she solve their mysteries, since they were no longer able to do it themselves. This is such a great idea. Can you tell us about the newest book, just released?

4–You’re a long time Clevelander. I love the story about the “field trips” your dad, a detective on the Cleveland police force, used to take you on. Will you share that here?

It’s been quiet at Southern Exposure. I arrived home from Europe all set to do the final read through and editing of Fortunate Harbor, next summer’s Mira and the sequel to Happiness Key, which is at your bookstore now.  Since my husband went on to Greece, I had a quiet house, and nothing on my schedule.  I was ready to roll.  Then Nemo, the family four-legged, ate something he shouldn’t have.  What?  When?  Who knows.  He’s a beagle.  For those who know beagles, that’s all I need to say.

Nemo seems to be feeling better, and despite obstacles like sleepless nights and late evening vet visits, Fortunate Harbor is in New York waiting for my publisher’s keen eye and steady hand. 

I’m free.  Free!  And thrilled to announce it here.

I’m not free for long, of course.  Very soon I delve into A Truth for a Truth, my next Ministry is Murder novel.  Since I love Aggie, we’ll have a great reunion.  But for now, I’m on my own for a few days, feeling rested, creative and full of smiles.

To celebrate, I’m baking bread.  This is nothing new, I bake all our bread.  But this morning it feels special.  I have plenty of time to play with the recipe, add this and that, and enjoy the experience.  I also have plenty of time to share my favorite recipe with you.

I found my recipe for Oatmeal Bread at Yankee Magazine online a couple of years ago when I had several cups of leftover oatmeal.  Since then it’s become my standard, the bread I go back to time and time again.  It’s healthy and delicious, plus it cries out for creativity. 

Today I’m using 2 cups of cooked Wheatena instead of oatmeal, adding a cup of chopped Virginia apples–fresh, not dried–and a small handful of chopped walnuts.  I always use King Arthur’s white whole-wheat flour but since this bread looked a bit heavy, I substituted a cup of unbleached white for some of the wheat.  I used molasses today, but honey or maple syrup are good, as well.

If I don’t have leftover cereal, I love using the instant flavored hot cereal packets, like oatmeal with less sugar or Quaker’s Simple Harvest.  I put three in a 2 cup measure, add boiling water, stir and cool.  I’ll use less sweetening if I do this.  But the variety of flavors makes a variety of breads.

I often add chopped dried apricots, cranberries or blueberries.  I often add chopped nuts or seeds.

In other words, I never make this bread the same way.  I add whatever inspires me at that moment.  The original recipe came from Yankee magazine, but I make it my own.

Writing is much the same.  There are recipes a novelist has to follow.  Among other ingredients we need characters, plot, setting, theme, suspense, a climax and conclusion, plus an opening that guarantees our readers will continue reading.  If we write in one genre only, we have a recipe we use time and time again, because a certain result is expected.  We can’t set out to make bread and end up with beef stew.  But every book turns out differently, because even though some elements stay the same, the possibilities for creativity are enormous.

I never tire of making bread.  I never tire of writing novels.  I never wake up in the morning and say “same old, same old.”  Because each loaf and each book is a new, fresh challenge. 

Do you bake bread?  Do you want to share your favorite recipe here?  Comment away please.  I’ll look forward to seeing your own brand of creativity and read your recipes with pleasure.

Oh, and if you have a solution to keeping a dog from eating everything in his path?  Pass that along, too.  Nemo might not appreciate it, but Emilie certainly will. 

I love to make people happy.  I also like to find out exactly how to do it.  So when I decided to give away a beach bag filled with goodies from my major characters in Happiness Key, I asked you to comment on any blog with “Happiness” in the title and let me know what makes you happy. 

I received nearly two hundred terrific responses.  Some comments brought tears to my eyes, because it seems bursts of happiness and gratitude can sometimes come in the midst of tragedy.  Of course some comments made me laugh, since a good sense of humor seems to be a prerequisite for visitors to this site.  I noted themes emerging and so your answers were tabulated to share in another blog. Stay tuned.

Now it gives me great pleasure to tell you that in a random drawing of all commenters who entered, Patricia, of Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania won the beach bag and all its contents. 

Here’s what Patricia said in her comment:  “Being with my husband and our good friends makes me very happy. Other happiness bringers include reading, photography, crafts/sewing, walking, swimming — in short, life is good.”

And of all the themes, that last was the one I took away from your wonderful responses.  “Life is good,” really summed it up, even, for some of you in the midst of difficult situations.

Mary, of Fort Mill, South Carolina won a follow-up prize of a signed copy of Happiness Key and a pewter Happiness Key chain.  Mary said: “What makes me happy is having a good book to read and when I finish to have a quilt to work on. Also, traveling with my husband to “parts unknown” in our camper, spending time with granddaughter and daughter.” 

Mary’s comment very much mirrored others, with books, crafts, family, and travel high on the happiness list.  I couldn’t agree more–and I was glad to see a quilter among the winners.

We have another follow-up winner, who has not yet responded.  So be sure to check your email, just in case. 

Next up, winners of the Facebook contest, to find which Happiness Key character you were most like.  I’ll post that next time, but we’ve sent emails to the winners.  “Alice” and “Wanda” have yet to respond.  Again, check email, just in case.

This was so much fun.  Thanks to all of you for responding with such enthusiasm.  I feel like a winner myself.  After all, I’m the one who read every single comment.