Using metallics in your home (link)

Frankly, some of these rooms look a little sterile, but I loved the sparkly granite walls, though I'd like to know how they did that--and how rough they are: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/make-a-statement-with-metallics/pictures/index.html?nl=HGI_022614_featlink2_&sni_mid=121969&sni_rid=121969.324.504873&c32={4E6771C7-C8B2-491F-8AC7-73EFF9F12E8E}

Landscaping (link)

Check out this beautiful landscape in Texas; it's full of beautiful flowers and crape myrtles. It's also drought tolerant, which is often a good idea: http://my.hgtvremodels.com/rate-my-remodel/Landscaping/Colorful-Texas-Front-Yard/detail.esi?oid=23883048&nl=HGRM_022514_featlink4_rate-remodels-texas-yard&sni_mid=122062&sni_rid=122062.405.377512&c32={4E6771C7-C8B2-491F-8AC7-73EFF9F12E8E}

Home and garden ideas

There are some great makeovers in the March issue of Southern Living. (I love those before and after pictures.) Yes, filling a niche with a bookcase is always a good idea.

The gardening section focuses on herbs and veggies, and the food section reminds me that I haven't had any gelatin salads and desserts for a while. We used to have corn and tomato aspic, as I recall. I'll have to look for canned tomato aspic next time I shop; the cucumber-tomato aspic sounds tangy. They've added some honey recipes also.

Speaking of shopping, I came across an article/ad in the travel section that was about Batch so I ordered the seasonal package (March, April, May); it's a surprise box of southern-sourced goodies. I love fun surprises; I'll have to share what was in each box when they arrive (first full week in the month). They only gave hints on their website: http://batchnashville.com/

Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!

The Doorway and Other Stories on sale now!

I'm taking advantage of the Kindle Countdown Deal, and my reprint collection, The Doorway and Other Stories, is on sale for two more days at $1.99:

His mother named him Grief; his aunt & uncle raised him until his aunt died. Find out what he had to do then in Home Not.

The Doorway: Nessa stumbles into the time corridor while helping a friend.

Guard Dog is the sequel to The Doorway (They have coats like steel wool.)

Royal Guardians: An ex-queen and her companions land in Florida after they escape from her palace during a volcanic eruption.

Tired of your human body? What's it like to be a cat? Read Stray Cats.

The Trees of Home is about real tree houses, unicorns, and hostile mermaids--and a mother looking for respect from her family--so she takes them on a vacation they won't forget.

The freeps in What Price a Friendly Freep resemble tribbles...

My genetic engineering short story, Carnies, is included in The Doorway and Other Stories.

The Princess Quest first appeared in Kings of the Night II anthology.

Old Rex, aka DA's daughter's dead dog, is one of 14 stories in The Doorway and Other Stories.

Pilot's Course was 2nd in the Andre Norton division in the 1995 FFWA FSW competition.

In Too Tight, Petals, a model, finds that her new dress is a little too clingy.

Authors' Showcase: Detour Trail

My western adventure/romance, Detour Trail, is up on Authors' Showcase: http://dapholivier.wordpress.com/

Home decorating ideas

I found bright pink toilet paper in the March issue of HGTV Magazine--well, among other things. It comes in other colors too. I had thought that we weren't supposed to use colored paper products because of the dyes, but I guess, as with newspapers, they've fixed that problem. There's also a column on the time and tools needed to put furniture kits together. Been there, spent lots of hours on that. (Some parts are missing! Don't you just hate that?! But I discovered that it's a common problem; they usually send you the parts--screws, whatever--without any questions.)

The magazine's regular columns, such as How Bad Is It? are really helpful. Using wire hangers is Pretty Bad, btw. Oh, and I appreciated the What's the Difference page when I finally discovered the difference between a slow cooker and a Crock-Pot. (One has capital letters. Duh.) There are also good articles on organization and wall decor, home makeovers, house colors (exteriors), and more. I really appreciate this magaine.

Water features

We don't have room for a large water feature or a firepit at our new house in town, which is a lot smaller than our five acres in the country, but that doesn't stop me from looking; and I found a lovely fountain in the March issue of Birds & Blooms. It takes just a few feet on a wall, and it includes four different-sized and colored pots in a row. It's called Colorful Pots Fountain, and it's found at overstock.com. I haven't looked it up, or I'd post a link. There are other fountains featured also.

Strike Three book cover!

I've been working with my editor on the Strike Three book cover. (It'll be out this year, btw.) We're up to version #4 now, and I think this'll be the one. Thank you, Carol!! You can see all four covers on my writing blog because they won't load here: http://pagadan.wordpress.com/ .

Joy's Facebook movie!

Well, the Facebook movies are actually slide shows, but I think mine is colorful and fun. See for yourselves:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1399819303607713

American Bungalow (magazine)

I picked up the Winter 2013 issue (#80) of American Bungalow at Books-A-Million recently. It's full of beautiful photos of bungalows and Arts & Crafts and Mission homes and products. I haven't enjoyed a magazine this much in a while; and using art glass as cabinet doors is fantastic! (page 52) I love using salvaged material when you build and remodel.

Home and furnishings ideas and more

I recently got the March issue of Country Living; I always enjoy the home decorating ideas, and I love Hoosier cabinets and old tables. (We don't have our Hoosier cabinet any more, but our house is full of old tables. We had to restore a couple of them by adding a leg and a drawer--one each.) I confess that I would refinish that worktable in this issue.

The variety of Windsor chairs is interesting; I actually like the metal one. The Real Estate Sampler focuses on log homes. [There are lots of dismantled log cabins available, btw.] And there are also appetizing recipes, collectible ideas and appraisals. And I love their American profiles; this month's profile focuses on Kater-Crafts Bookbinders, a family business restoring books the old-fashioned way in Pico Rivera, California.

Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!

How good are you at arranging furniture: (link)

Check out these examples of furniture arangement and learn about measuring, scale, depth, and balance: http://www.hgtv.com/living-rooms/7-furniture-arrangement-tips/pictures/index.html?nl=HGI_012914_featlink3_&sni_mid=116866&sni_rid=116866.324.547298&c32={4E6771C7-C8B2-491F-8AC7-73EFF9F12E8E}