A Year by the Sea

Doesn’t that sound like a fabulous thing to do?

Spend a year by the sea. Ahhhh…

Sign me up. My bags are packed. I’m ready to go…

But I have a few obligations and responsibilities I have to tend to before I can go. I’m guessing you do too.

So short of leaving, you can read the book…

A Year by the Sea: Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman

Joan Anderson is the author of that book and she is one of my favorite authors. I saw her almost a decade ago on Oprah and went right out and got the book. I still love the tagline of the book because I know that is really who we all are — unfinished women.

Since then, she has published 4 more books and I have devoured them all and given some of them as gifts.

On Wednesday night I had the privilege of attending a Borders event called “Getting Better All the Time: Women and Writers in Conversation.” If you’re in Atlanta, I’m sorry you missed it.

She was an absolute delight! Warm, funny, sincere and truthful – all the qualities I love in a women at any age.

My friend Wendy and I were so glad we made the trek downtown. It’s still an effort to get out and do things like this that feel selfish to many women but are really the things that lift us up and keep us going when we’re tired and overwhelmed.

Of course, having dinner after we left Borders was an added bonus!

I was sad that I forgot to snap a picture of us with Joan (our new friend whom we now feel like we can call by her first name).

I did, however, snap pictures of our desserts at The Cheesecake Factory.

I chose the LEMON RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESECAKE
Raspberry Vanilla Cake, Creamy Lemon Cheesecake, Raspberry Lady Fingers and Lemon Mousse

Wendy went for the CARAMEL PECAN TURTLE CHEESECAKE.
Pecan Brownie and Caramel Fudge Swirl Cheesecake, Topped with Caramel Turtle Pecans and Chocolate

Obviously, we were both counting calories. Not.

I can’t wait to dive in to her new book this weekend. Just the title makes me smile…

Second Journey, The: The Road Back to Yourself

And I love the tagline of this one too. “The Road Back to Yourself” It’s like she wrote it just for me.

My personal recommendation is to start at the beginning and read every one of Joan’s books. Or go wild and read the new one first. Read them out of order. Just read them!

Do something for yourself this weekend – eat some cheesecake and curl up with a good book! Make every weekend Mother’s Day…you deserve it!

P.S. If you click on the purple text link of the book titles, it will take you right to Amazon.com and you can order the book and have it delivered to your door!