~ Author !! Author !! ~

I've been up to something.......
And what might that be, you ask?

Well I've been up to my ears in a labor of love.

I am thrilled to say that I have published my first novel.

Isn't she lovely????
(Special thanks to my wonderful graphic designer:
Nicole Spence of Covershotcreations.com)


I wrote my first book when I was thirteen.
I gladly exchanged the bulk of my sunny days that summer for
afternoons on the back porch at a make shift table surrounded by pens, pencils, and paper.
And I marveled as I watched the little character I had dreamed up take shape and come to life.
That was my first foray into writing, not to be my last.

I always knew I would write a real book one day.
I was positive there was one rattling around in there somewhere.
I assumed that I would write after I retired, when I had 'time.'
Ah yes, the elusive "TIME" that goes hand in hand with "TOMORROW".
But I should have known that all good things come to you in their OWN time.
So imagine my delight when this little idea fell from the cosmos and landed in my lap,
 just begging to be told.

My inspirations come on like a tidal wave.
They wash over me in their entirety. Be it decorating a room, or writing a poem.....it comes to me completed. That is the way my creativity works. Always has.
So I shouldn't have been surprised that while soaking in my
 inspiration chamber ( the bubble bath)
this story came to me,start to finish; title and characters included.
I could barely scramble out of the bath fast enough to start taking notes of everything
as it was spilling out of my brain. And from that moment on it was a mad obsession to get it down on paper.
I have been Exhausted & Exhilarated
I have laughed out loud
and worried myself silly
with countless hours spent at the computer......

(Mr. Wonderful snapped little pic of me toiling away.)

not to mention drove Mr. Wonderful to the brink ! Yikes!!
But he has borne it all with such patience.

I've been working working working

for months and months now;

Nurturing this little baby.

And now I am prepared to send it out into the world.

I have done all I can. 

And now I must step back and see

if it has wings to fly.

And now here it is for all the world to see.

check it out on  Amazon



Speaking of working....
I have been busy burning the proverbial candle at both ends for months
as I continued to work full time and spent every free minute writing.
And I think NOW is a good time to take a step back.
Now that my book is done, I would like to take the time to enjoy it.
Writing it is only half the story, for there is still much to be done with promotion.
So something's gotta give! Ha ha
SOOOOO
 this is a fond farewell, for now, my friends.
Thank you to all of you dear and wonderful people
who took the time to stop by for a visit or two
to my little 'Dressed Up Cottage'
I loved each and every minute.
I will still make time to stop by and visit all my favorite people in the world and see what you are up to.

And if you are so inclined
please stop by and visit me at terrileeauthor.com
or on Facebook
or Twitter @terrileeauthor

I would still love to hear from you!


Wish me well

~ You've Got Mail ~

As a lover of history and pieces of furniture with a story

you can imagine how thrilled I was when Mr. Wonderful produced this 

antique gem.

We were blessed to inherit 100 beautiful acres of Ozark land steeped in history.

The little town of Graydon Springs MO was a stop on the rail line on the way to Kansas City 

for many many years.

There was a hotel that boasted mineral springs where people came to 

'take the waters', which was very popular at the turn of the last century.

The hotel burned down long ago.

And there's not enough left to feed the imagination about the life that was. 

The large store building which housed the Post Office

is still standing on our property. But only just barely.....nothing left but the shell of the 12" thick walls.

But we were lucky enough to find this Post Office box

which my darling hubbs restored.

The Post Office operated out of this location from 1890-1940

The Hubbs had a clever idea of mounting the Post Office Box in the wall 

looking into his study from the hallway.

It's hard to get good clear pictures in the dark hallway. Sorry.

Just think of all the letters sent back and forth from families and friends from across the country.

And all the visiting that took place as townspeople came to the local post office to see if there was anything waiting for them in their little numbered slot.

This is an old picture from the 60's  taken from the railway, noting Graydon Springs.
That little building is NOT the store building I've been talking about.

When was the last time you received a letter from a friend?

~ A Perfect Afternoon ~

A Perfect Afternoon?

A dreary and rainy Saturday spent curled up on the sofa watching 

Anna Karenina

with your best friend.

Gail and I were looking forward to this chick day for sometime.
In our little corner of the world.....Anna Karenina didn't hit the theaters.
So.....we planned our own screening when it came out on DVD.
It was visually stunning. A beautiful and tragic love story.
And when one is watching a tragic love story
it is good to be fortified with.....
Pizza

of course we made short work of that

and plenty of snacks!!!

While we're here at Gail's house I thought I would show you around
just a little bit.
Her house is a lovely oasis of calm, perfectly nestled into
the trees as if it sprang organically from that spot.

If it hadn't been raining so hard I would have taken some pictures outside.
But we'll just have to be content with the indoor tour today.


Upon entering you are greeted by a gorgeous fireplace
which pretty much sets the tone for the room

and then there are lots of things to look at that always
give me a bit of that ZEN feel.

This little sign is not exactly TRUTH in advertising....but let's not quibble

One of her prized possessions;
A lovely china hutch, refinished by her father
and filled with family heirloom dishes.

OOOOH, did somebody say dishes????

Gail is a medical transcriptionist who works from home.
I can't think of a prettier room to be cocooned in all day long.

Her father is a world- famous 'modeler'  and built this model
of a home that Gail loves for her birthday.
My pictures don't begin to do it justice.

Speaking of world famous.
Gail and I have a world famous friendship.....

Here's to you old buddy old pal.........
Love ya to pieces.

~ A Tisket, A Tasket ~

A Tisket

A Tasket

I'm just crazy 

about Baskets!!!

I have baskets for everything...
I even have baskets to hold baskets!!!!

This is Lizzie's basket for her toys.
Now if only we could train her to pick up all her toys and put them back in there.

This little chest is perfect to hide more toys...this time for
the Grand-kids!!

As you can see one basket is not enough for me.
And I'm still spilling out of my confines.

Baskets to pretty things up on the laundry room shelf

Double duty; looking pretty
and storing my chargers in the pantry

This darling little picnic basket found at the parish garage sale
used as storage for Lizzie's food. 

One of my favorites....I've always been a sucker for a picnic basket

Ever since I fell in love with 'The Wizard of Oz'

Baskets are great not only picnics but...

Perfect for days by the pool.

Hmmm.....looks like someone else 
likes baskets.


A Tisket, A Tasket
What's in YOUR BASKET ????