What's Up Wednesday

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme, started by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk, geared to help readers and writers touch base and let them know what's up. If you want join in, you can find the link widget on Jaime's and Erin's blogs!

{Another beach photo from our Outer Banks trip. Le sigh!}

What I'm Reading

Now that my revisions are finished (for now!), I've been digging back into my reading pile. Wahoo, reading! My elementary school teachers would approve, methinks. I just started Butter by Erin Jade Lange, and I finished an adult sci-fi novella yesterday, Angel of Europa by Allen Steele. This book is a mystery set on Jupiter's moon Europa so I was hooked by the concept alone. (Space nerd alert! 'Tis me!) Due to its short length, I finished it in a few hours and I did enjoy it, but I felt like many of the female characters were stereotypes, either the sexy vixen man-eater or the tight-lipped, prudish nun. The writing and setting did suck me in though.

What I'm Writing

I've been taking a wee break since I sent in my manuscript on Monday evening! My brain is happy for a little reprieve, but I'm hoping to bang out a few chapters in my middle grade fantasy project. I re-read the first few pages after setting it aside for a month and I still like it! Fingers crossed this feeling stays for awhile.

What's Inspiring Me Right Now

As silly as it may sound, nature! I loved strolling down the beach when we were at the Outer Banks last week; there's something so calming and grounding about those ocean waves. I've also been watching Ken Burns' documentary on national parks, and so I've been dreaming about visit Glacier National Park or Crater Lake. One of my favorite family vacations was exploring Yellowstone and the Great Tetons back when I was in high school. I loved how small I felt amidst those majestic mountains, and how big my heart swelled every time I looked at them. 

What Else I've Been Up To

Going to the farmer's market! I know that sounds a little lame, but I look forward to the fresh crisp produce all week. After I get back from shopping, I've started a little ritual where I slice up the fruit (right now it's honeycrisp apples, tiny plums, and the sweetest nectarines you'll ever eat) and Justin and I make a lunch out of it. The apples coupled with aged gouda cheese are soooo tasty!

So what have you been up to lately?