AN UPDATE ON GOOFY THE GOOSE

Spring has certainly arrived in Texas. Everything has turned green in the last two weeks. Trees are budding out, wildflowers are blooming and the temperature is much warmer, which is a relief from the brutal winter we had.

Saturday was beautiful with a nice eighty five degrees. It was so nice my husband decided to put on his bathing suit and wash his dirty, muddy truck. Goofy the goose entertained him all the while squawking with his smoker’s quack. The wild geese haven’t returned to the lake so Goofy is still a nuisance, but a lovable one. It was the kind of day to be outside, but I wasn’t. I have a deadline that keeps me tied to my computer. I was stuck on a scene so I went outside and I had to take these pictures. After a break, I was ready to write again. I find I’d rather write in yucky weather, especially when it’s raining. I like to read when it’s raining too. When it’s pretty, I’m tempted to go outside—too tempted.

How’s the weather in your area? Writing, reading or fun weather? Hope Old Man Winter has gone to sleep.

Linda

http://www.lindawarren.net/

Aug '11 - The Texans Secret

Welcome Spring

Spring? I'm sure y'all are thinking I'm a little late here. Supposedly Spring came to North America several weeks ago. According to the calendar, the vernal equinox was March 20th. According to my nature-watching friend, Spring arrived with the first robin in her yard in early March, while another claims Spring popped up with the first purple crocus.

But for me, Spring officially arrived on March 31st with the first pitch of the Cardinals baseball season. aahhh The smell of the grass, the sun on the field, the thud of the ball hitting leather gloves, and the crack of the bat. Those signal the end of winter to me.

I even played hooky from doing my line edits (shhh) to go to the game yesterday. But don't tell Johanna, okay?

I've been tempted many times to write a baseball book, or two, or several. :) One of our American authors put one out a few years ago, so I know the editors wouldn't automatically turn down the idea.

I'd love to combine two of my favorite things, a love story and baseball. So I'm wondering... Do you readers like books with baseball players as heroes? Would they be interesting or would you see "baseball" and feel reluctant to read it, or maybe even downright uninterested because of the setting?

Thanks for the feedback. Play Ball!!

Megan

Megan Kelly The Marriage Solution, May 2011

www.megankellybooks.com

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April Recipe - an Easy Favorite

I love a good, tasty, easy recipe I can make in a hurry. I also like a recipe I can make without turning on the oven, but in this case, I'll make an exception. There's nothing to compare with cheese melting and potato chips toasting on top of a bubbly casserole. My friend Kara Lennox (http://www.karalennox.com/) spent the weekend with me in Texas after attending the "Dreamin' in Dallas" conference. Kara wrote numerous books for Harlequin American and moved to California over a year ago. She now writes for Harlequin Superromance. We took a drive to the lake with another writer friend, Rebecca Russell, and then it was time to come home and fix some dinner. Sunday night I made Paula Deen's Hot Chicken Salad, a delicious casserole type dish that is a snap to mix together and bakes in only 20 minutes. I usually have all the ingredients I need in my refrigerator and on my shelves. I'd like to give you my version of the dish, since I modified it for (1) a single can of chuck white chicken, and (2) eating for two and maybe a little left over.

Victoria Chancellor's Version of

Paula Deen's Hot Chicken Salad

1 - 10 oz. can of chuck white chicken, drained
3/4 c. diced celery
1/2 c. sliced or slivered almonds
2 T minced onion or 2 t dried minced onion
3/4 c. reduced fat mayonnaise
2 t. lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 c. (more or less) crushed potato chips (I use Baked Ruffles.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl mix together the first seven ingredients. Spoon into a 2 quart (approximately) casserole OR into three small individual casserole dishes. Sprinkle cheese, then potato chips, on top. Bake for 20 minutes, until cheese melts and potato chips are toasty. The hot chicken salad will remain a little crunchy from the celery and almonds. Note: You can also make this with panko bread crumbs rather than potato chips if you prefer.

Enjoy!