Lake Hill

Breather Time

Margareta-Admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 07:35:38 +0000

Breather Time

Margareta-Admin Wed, 10/10/2018 - 6:35 pm

There are times in your life when you just have to have a breather. Take a step back and contemplate the world around you … where you are going … what you are doing. A sabbatical, I suppose one could call it.

Such a time arrived in my life mid last year, after all the promo, touring, talks and appearances that come with the release of a new book, in this case my latest novel, Lake Hill. And this is why you have barely heard from me since then. It was time for a break. Mentally, physically and emotionally I was wrung out from the rollercoaster ride that comes with writing seven novels, running a farm, raising three kids and endeavouring to be a good wife, daughter, sister and friend.

Roll on until now, and I cannot even BEGIN to tell you what a journey it’s been over the last eighteen months. I thought I was going to have some quiet time, lots of down time to … I guess … contemplate my homestead here on the hill, my farm, family and …. well, navel. (I actually DID do that and ended up cutting sugar and carbs from my diet and OMG, did that nearly kill me and then revive me, if that makes any kind of sense :) )

To try and encapsulate it all in a nutshell, together my daughter and I have been to cattle camps (yes, there is such a thing), show camps, each started a Hereford (her) and Speckle Park (me) stud. I’ve taught myself new things like how to crochet (and made a single bed blanket!), and with the assistance of others, learnt how to bake new stuff such as sour-dough bread.

Sourdough Bread

I’ve also skilled up on how to be the best poolside mum, learning a new language in swimming events (State titles, Country titles, Sprint titles, Open titles, qualifying times, qualifying events, qualifying meets … who the hell knew?)

North Alaska

Add in the boys of the family and we’ve all been on an epic family adventure to Canada and Alaska driving across British Columbia, The Yukon, Alberta and Saskatchewan in an RV (Chevy Chase, eat your heart out!), swagged it across National Parks along the Great Dividing Range (Okay, the kids swagged it, H & I, had a comfy camper trailer bed) and last but not in the least, we’ve been tackling the dry conditions (Don’t be fooled by the calf-high green grass in the south, we in the north and eastern parts of Gippsland are in drought too).

In the big scheme of things, our farm is small and we don’t rely on it for our sole income, and for that, particularly this year, I am grateful. But it doesn’t make the decisions any easier on what cattle to keep, to sell, to join, if we join them at all. We’ve worked hard with our ‘girls’ to ensure we have a quiet herd. Each and every one of them has a place in our hearts. But we want to do the right thing by our stock and our business. Thus, the decisions are tough ones. Most of you reading this would know how this feels. And I mention it at all, just so you know we are all in this together and I’m thinking of all who have to make these decisions and more.

But back to the sabbatical.

Make Your Mark, Margie Warrell

I read a book. (Famous last words, those ones … ;) )

It came to me by way of serendipity, as do most of the weird and wonderful things in life. Written by a woman with vivid blue eyes, bright red lipstick and wearing an eye catching multi-couloured blouse I admired which made me look further and find out who she was.

Margie Warrell, is the inspirational author of ‘Make your Mark – A Guide book for the Brave Hearted.’ A woman with a passion for empowering people to live and lead with courage, Margie is an international authority on leading a brave life. With experience working with organisations from NASA to the United Nations featuring in her CV, whilst remaining a down-to-earth Aussie with rural roots, she seemed to speak my language. And then I found out Margie originated from Gippsland … and my husband’s family knows her family (we’re all country people so of course they do …;) ). And then there was that lovely blouse. She was ticking lots of boxes.

Sitting poolside while my daughter swam her way through her (very) early morning training sessions, I read and worked my way through Margie’s book, first with a degree of cynicism and then with a growing realisation my work – family - life balance was wayyyyyy out of whack. There was so much more I wanted out of life than just writing books.

It was time for change.

Canada was a big one. This epic ‘once in a lifetime’ FAMILY holiday was incredible fun (particularly the family dive into a glacial lake while the eldest filmed our ‘five up’ running jump, just so the kids have the evidence mum can NEVER again say it’s too cold to go for a swim.) A cattle stud x TWO (how the heck she talked me into that one I DON’T know), plus more land to run our stock (although I am currently running at a kangaroo:cow ratio of 50:1), and a breeding program that’s incredibly exciting. But the biggest winner of all was time to spend with my beloved husband, and kids. To have as much fun and laughter together that we could squeeze in, before these younger teenage kids of ours wander off on their own lives of discovery.

Eighteen months on and it was time to go back and revisit Margie’s book. Develop a new list of priorities and ideas. And this is where I come back to this blog. For the first time in what seemed like ages, I actually felt like I wanted to write.

Thank you for allowing me the time to be silent, to contemplate, wander and gather my thoughts, my family, my life.

I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you for your love and support. The messages I have received via email and FaceBook, the conversations at Farm walks, over drench drums at the Ag store, on the pool deck and beside the milk fridge in the local IGA; “How’s it doing, Margareta? Got any new books on the go?’

The answer is still no, but I am tinkering, which is always a good sign.

2019 is looming and whilst we desperately need rain, I have taken to finding one beautiful thing in every day.

Today’s is the fact I felt like writing to you.

Margareta xo

Tags

Lake Hill

Breather

Pause

Slow Down

Autumn's been lovely this year... but goodness where did that cold wind come from!

Margareta-Admin — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 07:06:16 +0000

Autumn's been lovely this year... but goodness where did that cold wind come from!

Margareta-Admin Thu, 01/06/2017 - 5:06 pm

Brrrr … June has arrived and winter has slammed into us with a vengeance here in Southern Victoria. The wind is icy and days overcast and grey. It was such a sudden change! The week before last we were getting dreamy, calm, warm and clear autumn days, the weather you hang out for all year – then, WHAMO!, the icy tendrils of winter hit. It was like a slap in the face, just when the dogs and I were getting into the swing of fencing in the sun.

Guess it had to come sometime. didn't it?! And at least the wind hasn’t started howling again yet (but now I’ve said that …!)

So with cold, sleet and sometimes snow now here, scarves are a constant piece of my daily apparel. I have to admit I’m gathering these things at a rate faster than my middle son eats chocolate cake. Or my eldest son scoffs down jelly slice (and that’s pretty darn slick). I'm falling in love with silk having discovered, via my late great aunt, that despite its appearance of being light and quite insubstantial, it is also INCREDIBLY WARM! I think its worth every cent you shell out (Yes, I know, but it's SILK!) and has fast become my winter “go-to” wear. Which brings me to this captivating and very helpful link I found the other day on some different ways to wear scarves. If you’re like me, I had a limited way to tie the things. Not any more. It’s totally worth a look. Brrrr …)

Stay warm in the south as we all try and get used to winter’s chill. Be thankful in the north you don't live down here!

Love

Margareta x

Pickle Yarn

I’ve also invested in some ‘Pickle Yarn’ from one of my favourite yarn shops, Say! Little Hen. I plan to crochet myself a nice scarf from this divine hand-dyed 100% wool. I’ll let you know how I go.

Last Sunday I was in Traralgon at the Latrobe Literary Festival and I just want to thank those readers who came out on a really disgusting day (picture rain hammering down so hard the author on stage had to talk REALLY loud) to hear about my writing life and the journey books have taken me on. Not to mention us ALL getting to hear from the three other fabulous authors in attendance. It was a fantastic day and full credit goes to the organisers from the Latrobe Shire. It’s rare, we, in south-east rural Victoria, get access to such an event.

Next week, on Tuesday June 6, 2017 and as part of my lazy LAKE HILL tour around Gippsland, I’ll be at the Trafalgar Community Centre, Princes Hwy Trafalgar, from 11am chatting about LAKE HILL! You can find out more details here.

On the same day (Tuesday June 6, 2017) I’ll also be at the Korumburra Library (165 Commercial St, Korumburra) from 2pm chatting about LAKE HILL. Details here.

I’d love to see you in either place, and there’ll books on hand to purchase, should you like me to sign one for you.

Next Thursday evening I'll also be at the Collins Bookstore in Traralgon (3/74 Seymour St, Traralgon) from 5-6pm to sign books or just say hello! I’ll also be doing a talk on LAKE HILL over dinner at MOMO on the same night. Limited tickets are available so for details contact Allyra instore or phone her on 51762506.

That’s nearly it for this week. But before I go, I might just end off with a “here and now” ramble for a bit of fun.

Loving // My new hand dyed sock yarn which is going to be scarf yarn by the time I’ve finished crocheting with it.

Eating // Hot tomato soup with crusty bread, just the thing for the start of winter.

Drinking // My favourite tea – Earl Grey but trying to cut out the sugar. It’s a struggle.

Feeling // Happy we’ve got a start on repairing the fence the kangaroos have wrecked on our new agistment block.

Making // A casserole called ‘Devilled Beef’ from my new Sally Wise ‘The Complete Slow Cooker’ recipe book. It smells yum!

Thinking // About how sad I am the LAKE HILL book tour is winding to a close and how many wonderful readers I have been able to catch up with over the last few weeks. It’s like catching up with one BIG literary family! Also, I keep remembering a line I read the other day, which went something like … ‘Be grateful for what you have and be nice to people.’ That’s about it in a nutshell, isn’t it?

Dreaming // Of a warm beach, in the tropics with crystal clear water and a cocktail like a midori splice in my hand. (What was that about being grateful for what you have?

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Collins Bookstore Traralgon & Dinner at MOMO

Margareta-Admin — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 07:03:57 +0000

Collins Bookstore Traralgon & Dinner at MOMO

Margareta-Admin Thu, 01/06/2017 - 5:03 pm

Date & Time

Thu, 08/06/2017 - 5:00 pm

Event Address

Collins Bookstore, Traralgon - 3/74 Seymour Street, Traralgon

Join me at the Collins Bookstore in Traralgon (3/74 Seymour St, Traralgon) from 5-6pm where I'll be signing books. Come and say hello!

I’ll also be doing a talk on LAKE HILL over dinner at MOMO on the same night.

For details contact Allyra instore or phone her on 51762506.

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Wrapping up the Lake Hill Book Launch

Margareta-Admin — Fri, 05 May 2017 07:15:00 +0000

Wrapping up the Lake Hill Book Launch

Margareta-Admin Fri, 05/05/2017 - 5:15 pm

First up, I want to thank you for all your good wishes on the launch of LAKE HILL from the very bottom of my heart. For those of you who have bought my new book already, huge appreciation for investing your time and money in my words, and for those of you making lists for a Mother’s Day present, maybe you could suggest LAKE HILL? ;)

What an incredible night we had at the LAKE HILL Launch! IT WAS A SELL-OUT! We couldn’t fit another person in the room and I can’t even BEGIN to tell you how much fun it was. So many people, such a lovely space to gather, divine wine and pizza, books being signed and on their way to new loving homes … it was a mecca of goodness, and we all had a fantastic time. Huge thanks go to Liz and Trevor from Collins Booksellers, Sale along with Catherine & Al at Blue Gables Winery for organising it all.

Lake Hill Launch Crowd

Here’s a few photo’s of the night, where my mate and rural journalist Jeanette Severs and I had a chat. We succeeded mightily in not falling off ‘the stage’ laughing and disappearing into one of the surrounding hay bales. We discussed LAKE HILL and the inspirations behind the book, chuckled ourselves silly over sex scenes and Lee Kernaghan (Yes! It jolly well came up AGAIN! Hangs my head in shame …)

Jeanette Severs and I

The East Gippsland Field Day’s were also a huge success, with many of my Lardner Park regulars visiting the Just Books stall to get their books signed. These wonderful and supportive readers are creating ‘a signed set’ and I am starting to get to know them well. There were new babies (Carmen, so lovely to meet your gorgeous little girl), Dad’s and kids being dragged to field days kicking and screaming (so not) for their wives to get their books signed. One lovely fellow, Bill, even advised me on which cattle crush to buy. Sure enough, he was right, so if you’re reading this, Bill, I followed your advice and the crush will be delivered on Monday. Thanks so much!

From this week onwards, I’m on a lovely road trip around my home ground – Gippsland – over the next little while, plus throwing in a couple of pre-Mother’s Day book signing at two city bookstores, so it’s going to be a busy, but fun time.

We kicked off the journey in Heyfield on Wednesday where over 40 people turned up for THE most DIVINE afternoon tea and listened to me chat about the inspirations behind my new book, and how to “never say never. We only get one life. Get out there and tick your bucket list while you can.”

Next week I can be found chatting and signing books in two places. First up will be THE best café in Gippsland (in my (not so) humble opinion!), the stunning Café 3847 & Co in Rosedale, where some ideas for my café in LAKE HILL originated. You can understand how delighted I am to be holding a book launch there! This in on Wednesday night (May 10) at 7pm. Booking can be made with Andrea and Mark at the Readers Emporium, Traralgon (phone: 51764620).

On Thursday evening (May 11) from 7.30pm I will be at the Onyx Café, 61 Breed Street, Traralgon, chatting about LAKE HILL. Booking for this event can also be made with Andrea and Mark at the Readers Emporium, Traralgon (phone: 51764620).

Think, Mother’s Day treat. Think, new book to read. Think, I can get it signed by Margareta! I would adore seeing you there.

And can I just quietly add here that I was shouting with joy and dancing around in my horse paddock on Friday morning, when I received the news that despite LAKE HILL not being officially released until Monday May 1, IT HAD ALREADY GONE TO REPRINT!

OMG, the horse, dogs and chooks thought I’d gone nuts!

For those of you who have already downed the book like a delicious hot chocolate, can I ask you to post a review? That’s if you enjoyed it, I guess … ;)

Reviews at all sorts of places (LibraryThing, GoodReads or your online retailer / private blog) really help authors with their books, and we sincerely appreciate it when readers take a few minutes to comment on our work, which might encourage others to pick up LAKE HILL or any other book you have read recently and enjoyed. (Let me know via the contact page above and we'll happily link to your review as well!)

Until next week, Happy Reading!

Love and many, many thanks,

Margareta

Tags

Lake Hill

Launch

East Gippsland Field Day

Just Books

Gippsland

Jeanette Severs

Lake Hill Release - an update on events and ... stuff

Margareta-Admin — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 05:04:24 +0000

Lake Hill Release - an update on events and ... stuff

Margareta-Admin Wed, 26/04/2017 - 3:04 pm

Our book launch for LAKE HILL is a sell-out! Thank you to everyone who has responded in any way to the invitation to help celebrate the arrival of my seventh book! It should be a fabulous night!

SO, if you aren’t at the book launch to get a signed copy, where can you get LAKE HILL?

At any good book store, is the short answer! And if you can’t see it, ask for it and the bookstore can order it in. It’s that easy!

I’ll also be at the East Gippsland Library in Bairnsdale TOMORROW Thursday April 27 at 2pm and then again at 5.30pm, chatting about LAKE HILL. Elaine from Just Books, Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance, will also be there, with plenty of books for sale, which I can sign for you.

I’ll also be at the East Gippsland Field Days, Aerodrome Road, Bengworden with the lovely Elaine and team again on both Friday April 28 (9am-3pm) and Saturday April 29 (9am-4pm). So come and say hello, and purchase your copy of LAKE HILL, which I can sign especially for you. Or perhaps you might like to buy and give any of my books as a gift to mum for MOTHER’S DAY? I can sign them for her too. We will also have some lovely matching bookmarks. What a nice gift for that special mum in your life.

Next week on Wednesday May 3, I’ll be at the Heyfield Library (42 MacFarlane Street, Heyfield) from 2pm chatting about LAKE HILL. Bookings are essential. Ph: 51482644. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be having a chat at one of my own local libraries. Especially Heyfield. The library there is as lovely as Cath, who runs it. Better till it’s only a 15-minute drive down the road. Awesome. What? I still haven’t told you about my new car??? I’m such a tease …

Over the coming weeks I’ll also be at Rosedale, Traralgon, Trafalgar, Korrumburra and Moonee Ponds, just to name a few places. Details of events are now going up onto my events page.

You’ll also see the cover for LAKE HILL hanging out on the huge light walls in the airports across Australia (I KNOW! I’m going to have to drive the 5 hours to Tullamarine just to see it myself!). So, if you happen to see a fellow traveller pick my book up at the airport, or in any bookstore or BIG W or Target or any newsagent that has novels on the shelves, could you possibly give me a good shout out? Shove them in the direction of the counter whilst telling them you know the author and she’s a really nice farmer from up in them there hills in East Gippsland who tells a reasonable yarn; makes you laugh, cry and curse and well, she really loves chocolate, so unless you buy the book, her chocolate fund will be very poor … where was I...

Last newsletter I chatted about my back titles as eBooks, (they’re all still on sale). But for those of you who are audiobook lovers, the pre-order links for LAKE HILL are here as well. The LAKE HILL audio book will be released concurrently with the print and eBooks. Yahoo! (All dairyfarmers who love to listen to audio while milking or truck drivers, take note!)

And if you follow my Facebook page we’ll be running a competition for a free book very shortly. Plus a VERY special little something from Sarah at http://www.saylittlehen.com/, one of my favourite blogs. Get on board and come and like my page if you haven’t already!

So as you can see from the above, things are very busy and I reckon by about midday Saturday, I’ll be a needing a Tim Tam and a half shot cappuccino! Someone? Anyone?

Love

Margareta x

Tags

East Gippsland Field Day

Heyfield Library

Rosedale

Traralgon