We're talkin' Turkey (as in the country)

... actually, they speak Turkish in Turkey, the language in which What Happy Couples Do is going to be published (translated) next!

Yes, you're reading this correctly. A publisher in Turkey is publishing our sweet little WHCD for the loving couples of Turkey! Of all the places in the world, who ever would of thought partners in Turkey are into belly button fuzz and bare-chested hugs. Or, maybe they aren't ... but will be soon! We don't know many other details yet, except the publisher's name (which we can't pronounce, of course) and the fact that we can now say: "What Happy Couples Do, now in 2 languages and available all over the globe." Seriously. That is a fun sentence to utter. And because we've had inquires from a Brazilian press as well as a Spanish press, that number might soon grow. We'll keep you (cross-culturally) posted, as always.

Finally, doesn't this news give your soul a little boost, reminding all of us that love and happiness know no boundaries and are - quite certainly - universal quests?

For now, a little author-love needs to go out yet again to Steve who makes all these deals seem like 'aint nothin' but a day's work." Gotta love ya, Deger.

And, at last, a toast to the estimated 60 million people of the world who speak Turkish! May you all read lots of books ...

All the Sweeter

For those of you regular readers of our blog (bless you), it's not news that volume two, What Happy Parents Do: Ninety-Three Cents and A Little Humpty-Dumpty -- The Loving Little Rituals of a Childproof Marriage is about to launch! On its way from the printers, it will be arriving soon in stores everywhere. [A quick little aside: Speaking of "every where," anyone have an intimate connection with the buyers at Target in books and/or wedding gifts? Wouldn't our little pair be just perfect in their new section featuring wedding/baby/engagement showers/gifts/events?!]

Back to the topic at hand:

To make the soon-to-be release of WHPD all the sweeter (is that possible?), our delectable editor Steve Deger has just hired Jane Wesman Public Relations of NYC to handle the press, focusing this time around on big media (Today Show, NPR, USA Today, NYTimes, iVillage, etc!)

Seriously, check out the books Jane Wesman Agency has represented! Holy cow. Authors like Stephen Covey (The 8th Habit) and other impressive dudes (and dudettes) we admire for making a splash with their concepts and writing. http://www.wesmanpr.com/front.html

That's the news for today. Hopefully the news tomorrow (and during August-December) will be about What Happy Parents Do!

Calling All Sisters ... !

This is my amazing sister, Lynn! Can you tell how much my kids love her, their dear "aunt lynny" (!)

We know there are gagillions of other sister-pairs/trios/quads/quints out there who share unique ways of loving and staying bonded like only sisters can!

If you are one of them ....

... call us, e-mail us, and/or post a blog comment, telling us about the really cool, creative, and special activities you and your sister(s) share.

Do you get together regularly?

Do crazy things repeatedly?

Have your own language?

Have an annual get away?

Have an inside joke? (be sure to tell us the punch line!)

Have a favorite treat?

Do something unique for birthdays or celebrating?

Do something only the two of you know about?

Have a unique way to stay connected, time and again, over the years and miles?

We want to hear from all you sister out there who embrace each other (in small or big ways), over and over again, as if you were your own little culture ... of 2, 3 or 4. Calling all sisters, sistas (best girlfriends), and sistahs (however you define those women in your life who are precious like sisters are designed to be)!!! Talk to us!

Another Voyageur

When I (Anna) was 17, I had the thrilling opportunity to spend a month canoeing in the Canadian wilderness--300 miles north of the boundary waters--with eight other young women. Whenever summer rolls around, I crave an early morning paddle, the warmth of the campfire, the smell of the woods, and even putting on those wet boots each morning. I'm so glad I shared this experience with some of my dearest friends, Kelsi and Maureen, who are also like sisters to me (pictured with me above).

Brent and I decided to be guides for the program after our sophomore year of college. We each went on separate journeys with 16 and 17 year olds in tow. That experience was also incredible; sincerely one of my proudest moments. The picture above represents the first time we'd seen each other after coming off trail. We were stinky. My eyebrows hadn't been groomed in a month. And I soon learned Brent hadn't even washed his hair during the whole trip. Eeeeew. But this was definitely one of the most romantic moments of my life!

My sweet, 16 year old brother-in-law, Kyle, will leave on his voyage this Sunday. As I was writing Kyle's care package letter (for him to read in the middle of the trip), I dug out one of my favorite books, Paddle Whispers, by Douglas Wood. While reading, I became so lonesome for the woods it made my heart literally ache. This particular passage really struck me this morning, before I bathe for the day:

"But if I have it figured right, there are only about two hundred and ninety steps to go on this portage trail, and at the end of it is a cold, blue lake that's going to feel about one thousand times better than the best shower I've ever had."

I'm so excited for Kyle to experience this feeling!

A little inspiration

A number of our friends and family tell us they have been gifting What Happy Couples Do to every newly-married and engaged couple they know. One family friend of Anna's has given dozens of our books in the past few months alone. It's wedding season, our favorite time of year!

In response, this particular woman we speak of has received many thank you notes, like the one above applauding our book for it's "source of inspiration" for the recipient-couple as they journey into married life.

The feeling is mutual; each couple who shares their story is inspiring to us!

Thank you readers, fans, supporters, interviewees, website-submitters, ritual-doers ... all of you creative and loving couples that keep us wanting to know more, write more, and learn more about marriage and what makes us - as couples - stay happily connected.

French Toast at the Swannie Cafe

You know those friends who are like family? The friends who love you unconditionally, even though they don't have to. I (Anna) am fortunate to have many of them. Michelle
(pictured with me above) and I are definitely like sisters. Two main things Michelle and I have in common: 1. We love to laugh and 2. We're pretty laid back.

We share many rituals, but one of our favorites is french toast at the Swannie Cafe (which happens to be located in her parents' kitchen!). Michelle's dad, Rick, has been making us his famous french toast since high school. No matter how hard I try to replicate it, it never tastes the same. Whenever I come home I ask Michelle when our "reservations" are. Michelle's mom, Ann, sets the table so it's special each time. And, without fail, we take a picture like the one above. Predictability. Stability. Fun. What more could I ask for in a friendship (or a ritual)?

Short Leash Indeed

My (Anna's) friend Tom emailed me this article today: http://www.slate.com/id/2192282/pagenum/all/#page_star. I can't stop thinking about it, so I thought I'd share it with all of you. Inspired by a recent NY Times article about a Buddhist couple who, in their ten years of marriage, have never been more than 15 feet apart, another happily married couple decided to give it a whirl. The article details their one day experiment of being 15 feet apart or less. My favorite part was when Dave wrote, "We're only 8 feet apart—way within the rules—but I can't see her. It freaks me out. I've been looking at her nonstop for nine hours: Not seeing her for five minutes makes me jittery. What's she doing over there?"

It might not be practical for us to do this every day, but it might be an interesting experiment for couples to try. My husband and I live in a pretty small house, so there are days when we are approximately 15 feet apart the whole day. That said, being at work or school together EVERY day, all day would be a whole different story. Maybe we'll have to try it out! Hunny .... ?

Gold Ribbons

Once again, Carol and I have been spoiled by our editor, Steve! He surprised us with advance copies of our new book, What Happy Parents Do (coming to stores in August). Nestled in the package was another surprise: A custom-printed gold ribbon with the inscription "What Happy Parents Do 1st Place (tie) Author Award!"

That Steve, he never misses an expression or nuance! You see, when he told us, many months ago, that the Parents edition would sport a gold ribbon page marker, Carol's spontaneous e-mail response was: "Funny, but when you (Steve) said 'gold ribbon', I pictured 'first place'! It must be the old competitive swimmer in me, always hoping for winning more ribbons."

Thanks Steve, for honoring the ribbon-seeking side of our souls. How many times will you make us remark, "We're the luckiest authors on the planet!"?

And the book? It's another work of art, thanks to Fairview Press. Can't wait for it to be on the shelves so you can enjoy it too!

Whew

We're thrilled if you're saying "Whew. A new blog post finally!"

We've been saying "whew ... the semester is finally over!" Don't mistake the sentiment; we love what we do. Shaping young minds, educating the future, discussing dialectical theory & relational messages & the circumplex model of family functioning to a captive audience of 18 year olds. It's beautiful. But also beautiful are cycles, including the magical academic calendar and yearly cycle (translation: Summer vacation!) With spring comes last day of classes, final exams, graduation, receptions, parties, happy hours, and many sweet notes from students thanking us for making an impact. And with spring comes a collective "whew" as we - students and professors - transition into a collective summer mood, enjoying up-close time with our gardens, children, friends ... back porches, front stoops, neighbors ... books, beach bags, and laptop computers (working on some new books ... TBA soon!)

Can you see the "whew" on my face in this photo as I pose happily (front row, green clogs, pencil in my hand ready to grade all of those final papers). This was the last day of class in COMM222 (Interpersonal Communication). Loved this group. And my group of family communication students (although we forgot the camera on our last day). In case you're wondering: Yes, that is a big Fat Lorenzo's pizza box in the back row. You have to have a final-day-of-class-pizza-party. I love college.

Pete's Pizza

While Carol was receiving sweet gifts from her children, I spent Mother's Day with my mom at my brother's restaurant, "Pete's Pizza." She requested to spend the day side-by-side, mother and son, at the restaurant he's owned for nearly a year. My dad made her an apron that said, "Pete's Mom" and she made two batches of her famous lasagna for the lucky customers (and workers!). It was so fun for us to see my brother in business mode. He's hosted two Brownie Troops teaching them how to make pizza and he proudly displays their thank you notes on the wall. If you call Pete's Pizza, you'll be greeted by the friendliest voice, followed by efficient service and delicious pizza. I may be a proud sister, but I never lie about my pizza. Check them out!


Pete's Pizza
4902 Highway 12
Maple Plain, MN 55359
(763) 479-2221

Mother's Day is "Hear"

That was the title of the book my 8-year-old authored for and about me, presented lovingly next to a bowl of oatmeal and a chocolate chip scone in bed yesterday morning. Also on the tray were 3 homemade gift certificates (from the whole gang): 1) a certificate to spend an entire day with said 8 year old (doing whatever she wants); 2) a certificate to go to a spa (I like the sounds of that); and 3) while at the spa, my husband and son will hire a professional "mouse extractor" (the child-friendly way to say mouse-killer) to "extract" the little guys who have made our home theirs this winter ... and now spring ... and forever more if we don't get a professional in here soon.

Back to the book. Here it is in total (no edits):

Title: Mother's Day is Hear!

Mother's day is hear. The big parade is hear! And my mom is the leader and the baton twirler.

Finally it's time to go to church, the special mothers day saramony. All the moms are dressed so nice. My mom is the nicest.

Mothers day is over and I wish it was still going on. But my mom is a vary happy mom just like she always is.

The End.

[Translation: My mom used to be in the rifle twirling squad and so naturally she could lead a parade while twirling a baton. And my mom spends a lot of her lame salary on clothes. And my mom is always smiling, even when she's crabby.]

Hope you found a way to honor your unique and lovely mother, whatever her special talents (or disposition)!