Berkshire Women Writer's Event

Berkshire women writers group has events taking place around the county this month. Today I visited the Great Barrington Library and took part in a workshop led by Marilyn Oser. She shared with the group her experience in self-publishing. She gave us a lot of great information as well as some scary statistics. Did you know 78% of self-published books don't even sell more then 100 copies? And 13% sell only between 100-200 copies. It really helped us all reevaluate our expectations in treading into the world of self-publishing, especially as she gave details on how much work goes into editing, formatting, cover art and all the other things that need to be taken care off when publishing your own book. If you're interested in hearing more about it let me know and don't miss the women Writer's group event tomorrow at the Lenox library about writing for blogs and social media.

Book of the Week 3/13/2014

Today I wanted to share with you a wonderful local author Ruth Bass and her equally wonderful book Sarah's Daughter.

The story is about a young girl named Rose who takes on her mother's responsibilities after her mother dies in a tragic accident. She cares for her two younger siblings and the housework while trying to stay in school. Her heavy drinking father offers little support and at the climax of the book threatens to take her out of the school she loves and away from the teacher who gives her the support and encouragement no one else does. The book is set in the 1800's in a rural New England town very reminiscent of Richmond MA where the author resides and where I grew up. I loved it's transporting quality that took me back to what time would have been like for my grandmothers and great grandmothers growing up in a similar setting.

So this weekend get cozy and settle in with this great book because as we can see spring not yet upon us, but don't worry it is coming I promise.

Also if you like this book the sequel is called Rose, and I hear there is a third book in the works!

The Berkshires now has Ulta!

If you don't know what Ulta is you're probably not a female, or at least not a makeup obsessed female. I unfortunately am. So I was thrilled when I discovered the beauty salon was coming to allendale shopping center in Pittsfield. Then the waiting began, it seemed to take forever! But it's finally open and I figured I'd give you my review.

I seem to have developed a love/hate relationship with them. I was there just before opening on day three with all the other crazy women and teenage girls hoping for a gift card that they were offering to the first 100 customers. I was also itching for a bare minerals kit that they had on special for the grand opening. Well I got my $5 gift card but no bare minerals kit, they were all out. Seriously?! It's the first thing on day three of your opening! Can you say bait and let down? How many kits did you have, twelve? Okay fine, whatever moving on. On trip two to the store I was on the hunt for their Ulta makeup sample bag, which you could get if you spent $19.50 on Ulta makeup. With their 3.50 off coupon I spent $16.50 but surprise, no sample bag. They were all out but would have more in stock two days later which I did go back and pick up and it was great bag with surprisingly decent colors. So for $16.50 I received $88 worth of makeup not bad.

Now on to the salon. With my $5 gift card opening weekend I also received a coupon for a free $32 haircut. Whoo hoo I am all about the free. So I went today to get my "Free" haircut and surprise, the only one available was more expensive Sabrina, her haircuts cost $42 which means my "free" haircut will cost $10. I could have made a different appointment with a different hairstylist but my coupon was going to expire in three days and it was the only time I had to get it done (Yes, this was partly my fault I did procrastinate a bit) Anyway, I am now expecting a great haircut for my extra $10, but I was a little disappointed. Sabrina was quick and efficient, however I don't think it's the greatest cut I've ever had, also, she didn't put any extra product it in. My hair needs product, at least something to give it a little extra bounce. Oh well, it looks like it's back to Hair Express for me. Especially since the hairstylists arent answering the phones and making appointments while they cut your hair which I thought was odd. Oh and while listening in on the phone conversations I can also report that Sabrina doesn't do any of the special deals so you'll have to make sure someone else is on to get any of those. I swear this place should be called strings attached because just about everything has a long list of stipulations, come prepared.

Eating Healthier

My husband and I have been trying to eat healthier the past few months. It all started because we both had been having a few stomach problems and decided to try The Plan diet by Lyn Genet Recitas. It's based on the incredible idea, that hey, we're not all exactly alike and that our bodies each react differently to different foods. So even perceived "healthy" foods may not be nessecarily healthy for you. The diet is a little extreme especially for the first three days because it requires cleansing your system so you can begin reintroducing different foods into your diet to see how you react to them. Breakfast is flax seed granola which we gagged down only because you can add in blueberries. Lunch is carrot ginger soup which was fine the first day, nauseating the second, and was enedible by the third. Dinner is sautéed kale and veggies with chicken being thrown in by the third day. Now I'm not going to say this was easy but I think it's the best thing my husband and I could've done for ourselves health wise. It taught us a lot about what we should be eating and what we shouldn't. We knew beef didnt always agree with us but the book pointed out that as long as you only eat it once a week you shouldn't have any problems. Hubby learned by cutting out processed food especially food with high fructose corn syrup and other unatural things his stomach problems disappeared. It really got us to back to basics. I learned how to make a lot of things homemade so I could cut out all the chemicals and preservatives that food today seems to be chalked full of. We've also started eating natural, hormone and antibiotic free meat. Yes it's more expensive, but that forces us to cut back to just a pound of meat a week and after watches the fabulous documentary Forks over Knives I wish we could cut it out all together, however hubby's not quite on board yet with that so we'll just take baby steps for now.

Review of the Old Forge

It's a little bit out of the way and it can get crammed full but the Old Forge restaurant is worth the trek. They offer almost every kind of beer imaginable including great seasonal selections. Be warned, it does get busy on weekends and the hostess situation is a bit unorthodox, as everyone huddles in the entryway eyeing one another, unsure who was first and what protocol is, a waitress will appear, demand names and take off again. She will suddenly reappear, call out a few names that sometimes she remembers correctly, sometimes she doesn't and without any further instructions take off, expecting the called upon groups to instinctively know to all follow her to their tables. And once you are finally seated the ambience is somewhat lacking as the place is overcrowded and just too busy, so after all of this why am I recommending this restaurant? Again the beer selection but also the food has always been good. Though the salad bar is a little overly simple and disappointing so don't bother and go for one of their very savory and hearty dishes.

Review of Patrick's Pub

Patrick's Pub has been located in downtown Pittsfield since 1985. It's interior retains a lot of the historical architecture. Since my husband and I have moved within walking distance it's become one of our favorite places (It's a big plus not having to park since parking is limited) We love to sit in the restaurants front windows and watch the traffic go by. The food has always been good and the chef's specials are always unique and enticing. Their chicken wings are our favorite wings in Berkshire county. In the local chicken wing war between Patrick's and Old Forge in, we personally think Patrick's wins every time.

Book of the week

   Working at the local library has given me opportunity to discover some great books. I thought I might share with you my discovery each Friday so you'll be all set for some great weekend reading. 

     This week I have to recommend Counterculture Through the Ages: From Abraham to Acid House By Ken Goffman and Dan Joy.  I just happened to pick it up at work today. It has a fascinating beginning starting with Prometheus being a counterculture icon for breaking from the expected and stealing fire from the gods. I also never considered Abraham from the Bible being a counterculture revolutionary because he broke from the norm of the day and followed a monotheism god, turning his back on idols and choosing to live like a nomad. The book also make the point that Abraham's descendants the Jews have continued this counterculture tradition by living apart from the mainstream. There are many others considered, including the more obvious Thoreau and the Beats, but who knew the troubadours of the dark ages were so counterculture? I certainly didn't. I hope you get the chance to pick up this great book.