Happy Valentine's Day!

Ah, Valentine's. The day our thoughts turn to chocolate and hearts and flowers and chocolate and love and chocolate and romance...and the authors here on the Harlequin American Romance Blog wish their readers an abundance of all those things!

On Saturday I celebrated at a luncheon with fellow romance writers in my local chapter of Romance Writers of America. This is always a special occasion and I look forward to it every year. This year was really fun because I was on the decorating committee.

I filled my favorite vintage milk glass bowls (I have three of them) with red carnations to use as centerpieces. With the black and white table linens, black-and-white printed paper, votice candles, and chocolate hearts wrapped in red foil, I was going for understated yet elegant. What do you think?

Do you do something special to celebreate Valentine's Day? If so, please share the love!

Until next time,
Lee
The Wedding Bargain (January 2011)
Visit Lee's website!

Winter Planning by Megan

In the midst of Winter, with storms ravaging cities coast to coast, my DH and I have been struck with cabin fever. He even had a day off work because the snow and ice were so bad, which is remarkable enough to...well, remark on. Most of that day he spent preparing our tax return (boooo) and the rest cleaning. While I was trying to answer emails, preparing for a special program for our RWA writing chapter, and balancing the Program budget. It's very distracting to sit while people are tidying around you. lol This does not bode well for the future when he retires. I'll have to think on this.
In the meantime, the project we've taken on is more fun. Planning our summer vacation. Ahh, the lure of heat (but not too much!), warm breezes, and exploring a new place. I was leaning toward a spring trip to Destin, Florida, just because I'm so antsy to go somewhere else, but it doesn't work with the kids' school schedules. We had thought of the glorious National Parks of Utah this summer, but the desert in summer? I wouldn't last ten minutes. I'm now rooting for the mountains of Colorado, and my husband, who loves it there, might be swayed, but he and the kids also want to go somewhere different. So far, my DH has planned a family fishing trip!
Help! I need a destination idea. Beautiful scenery for them, motels with air conditioning for me. National Parks, state parks, wildlife areas. (Are you sensing a trend?) Or a favorite city that's tolerable in the summer months. And, remember, I'm from St. Louis, where the summers are typically in the 90's with 100% humidity, so I'll need a break from that heat I so long for now. Where would you suggest? Where have you/your family been that took away your breath? Where's your dream vacation? Any ideas will be appreciated.
My husband thanks you, my children thank you, and I thank you.

Megan Kelly
The Marriage Solution, May 2011
www.megankellybooks.com

Texas-Style Super Bowl Party Recipes

We always have a Super Bowl buffet of finger foods and easy to serve items so we can nibble our way throught the big day. It's very important to have time to see the commercials that run during the Super Bowl. I love them! So much, in fact, that my hero in the July, 2011 "Brody's Crossing" Harlequin American Romance, The Texan and the Cowgirl, gets to star in a 2012 Super Bowl commercial. Okay, it's fictional, but it's a good idea!

I haven't made this first recipe yet, Bacon-Apple-Jalapeno Pop 'Ems, but it looked good to my daughter, April Renno, so I'm posting the link. We're going to try it on Sunday. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/bacon-apple-jalapeno-pop-ems-recipe/index.html

In Texas we like our blackeyed-peas, and since the real Black Eyed Peas are entertaining during halftime at the Super Bowl, here's a recipe we call Texas Caviar. You can serve it with any type of crackers or chips, or as a side dish to barbecue or almost anything. (Have you tried the seasoned baked pita chips? They are great and wonderful for dips.)

Texas Caviar
2 cans (15 or 16 oz each) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 or 16 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (11 oz) corn or equivalent of defrosted frozen or fresh corn
1 large red onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup (or a little more to taste) cilantro or Italian Parsley washed and chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Cumin Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

Mix all ingredients and let marinate in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Makes 8 - 10 servings (or more if you use as a dip.)

Cumin Vinaigrette: Combine 2/3 c apple cider vinegar, 1 T. Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 t. ground cumin, 1 t. minced garlic, 1 t. ground blackk pepper and 1/2 t. salt. Whisk in 1/2 c. olive oil.
(Victoria's Note: Cumin contains tumeric, which has been shown in some tests to reduce dementia, so this is actually a health food dish, especially when you consider that blackeyed-peas are a traditional good luck food served on New Year's Day!)


You can't go wrong fixing a Crock Pot full of queso. Use a brick of Velveeta and two cans of Rotel tomatoes with green chilis, or substitute "real" cheese for half of the Velveeta. Add everything in a big microwave bowl and "nuke" it until it's hot, stirring often. You can also add 10 - 12 ounces of browned sausage or up to one pound of browned lean ground beef to the hot queso.

From my Facebook friend and high school classmate, Barbie Kinney, I have this meatball recipe we are trying on Sunday. I'm not sure of the name of the recipe, but several people have mentioned it as the "one with the grape jelly."

Easy Meatballs
1 pkg frozen meatballs or make you favorite meatballs from scratch, about 2 pounds of meat
(I make my meatballs from lean beef/eggs/breadcrumbs/salt & pepper, roll them into small balls, and bake on aluminum foil, sprayed with PAM, in a 400 degree oven until browned. Turn once. Much easier than frying!)
3 bottles Heinz Chili Sauce
1 c. grape jelly

Warm meatballs in Crock Pot/slow cooker if not already hot, stir together chili sauce and jelly, pour over meatballs and warm.

From another Facebook friend and former classmate, Jan Caffee Lewis, here's a suggestion. "I love [the] spinach dip on the back of Lipton's vegetable soup mix. Put in Hawaian bread [make a bowl] (cutting up some pieces to dip too!). Put out some veggies and yum yum." Note from Victoria: Spinach dip goes well with the Texas staple, tortilla chips, also. I love the blue corn ones with flaxseed from Target.


Since we're talking about a Texas Super Bowl, you can't go wrong with barbecue, either. Buy some shredded/chopped beef or pulled pork barbecue at your favorite place to make Barbecue Soft Tacos. You can also get it prepared in the meat section of your grocery. Serve it with flour tortillas to make barbecue soft tacos. Provide shredded cabbage and/or lettuce, shredded cheese, corn relish, salsa, and anything else that would make a yummy taco. Keep the beef warm in a slow cooker.

Last but not least, here's an idea from Memphis that involves barbecue beef or pork. My friend Becky Russell and I did a girl's road trip last summer to my hometown of Louisville, KY, up to Indianapolis, and over to her hometown of Carey, Ohio. Our first night we stopped in Memphis and ate at B.B.King's on Beale Street. Becky had some delicious and unusual nachos. Here's how they were made (I think!)

Barbecue Nachos
Multi-color tortilla chips (red, white/yellow, and blue)
Shredded or chopped barbecue
Barbecue sauce (slightly sweet - not too "vinegary")
Sour cream
Shredded Mild Cheese

On a large plate or platter, layer tortilla chips, barbecue and cheese. Drizzle with sauce. Repeat until you have a nice mounded platter. Warm in oven until cheese melts. Drizzle with sour cream. (Note: I believe the restaurant used a pastry bag or a squeeze bottle for the barbecue sauce and sour cream because of the excellent "presentation.") You can also add pinto or red beans to this dish, or serve the sour cream on the side.


I hope these recipes give you some ideas for having a Super Bowl party or family buffet. If you don't feel like cooking, you can always get a pizza and cut it into squares or triangles to make it fancy. Have fun and I hope your team wins (although I'm cheering for the Packers.)

Super Bowl Party Recipes - Coming Soon

The monthly recipes will be up soon. I have all of them in a little pile beside my computer, but we had a family medical crisis this morning with my 92 year old father-in-law, delaying the input of the recipes. I thought you might enjoy some Texas treats since the Super Bowl is in my "backyard" this year. I will get those up very soon this afternoon and apologize for the delay.

A Few Things I've Learned...

On Saturday, it will be my daughter’s 18th birthday. We won’t be home~we’ll be in Orlando, Florida. She and I and some friends of ours are all going to Universal Studio’s Harry Potter World. I’m very excited about this trip for a couple of reasons:

1) I get to spend time with my daughter, who isn’t around much now and will be around even less when she goes off to college in August.
2) I love the Harry Potter series. I read all but the last one aloud on car trips. (I had a great sorting hat voice, if I do say so myself). As a writer, I never cease to be amazed at what a fellow writer can dream up. As a mom, thinking about the books brings back memories of a far different time in our lives.
3) Orlando is warm. Okay, maybe not sitting-out-by-the-pool warm. But it’s a far cry from Cincinnati’s weather. Tonight’s low? 8*.

Mainly I’ve been excited because it’s given me something to think about besides, well…that my daughter is eighteen. (how did that happen?) When Lesley goes off to school, I know it won’t be the end of our relationship. But things will probably change at little bit. They did for my son and me.

However, I would like to think I’m a little bit smarter now. After all, she’s taught me a lot. So, with that in mind, here’s one more list…of things I’ve learned from my daughter:

1)It’s okay to laugh. A lot.
2)It’s okay to change your mind. Again.
3)Sometimes texting really is the best way to communicate.
4)Chi Hair Straighteners really are worth the money.
5)Haagen-Dazs Chocolate ice cream can make any day better.
6)It’s a perfectly fine dinner, too.
7)A girl can’t have too many cute coats. Or shoes.
8)Or purses.
9)Boyfriends are great to have…for three months.
10)Shopping is a necessary way to expend energy.
11)Telling someone you have PMS and to leave you alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
12)Girls. Love. Dads. No matter what.
13)Everything changes~Always. Even if you’re not ready.

So tonight when we hop a plane to Florida and get ready to explore Hogwarts in person, I plan to thoroughly enjoy my time with her. I’m ready to laugh, go shopping, eat ice cream, and maybe even be warm. And, I’m willing to bet that Lesley might even teach me something else…

Anyone else care to share what you’ve learned from one of your kids?

Shelley Galloway

JANUARY WINNER

In case you missed it ESTELLA was the January winner of free books from Lee McKenize and Cathy McDavid.

I posted it early by mistake, my bad.

Please leave a comment, if it's only to say hi, and your name will go into the drawing for free Harlequin American books in February.

Thank you and stay warm. It's bitterly cold in Texas.
Linda

www.lindawarren.net
Her Christmas Hero - Dec '10

You Say It’s February?

I’m muddled up in writer time again. Is it really the first of February?

I ask not because our cool, rainy Southern California winter has finally yielded to an unseasonable dose of sunshine with temperatures nearing 80, but because I tend to get confused between real time, writing time (in the book I’m currently working on) and current-release-book time.

In an unusual confluence of circumstances, these seem to be more or less the same. I’m not sure when that last happened. Here’s what I mean:

Item one: It really is the first of February (I think).

Item two: I have a February release, Officer Daddy. It’s the latest entry in my Safe Harbor Medical series within the Harlequin American line.

Item three: Officer Daddy actually starts in February. It doesn’t stay there, because it involves an unplanned pregnancy as well as a bit of a mystery, and I have to follow my obstetrician heroine, Nora, through her early months of gestation. It ends in April.

Item four: I’m currently writing another book in the series that also starts in February. It’s not the book that follows Officer Daddy – that’s Falling for the Nanny, due out in June – or the one after that, tentatively entitled The Surgeon’s Surprise Twins and due in October. It’s the book after that. By this time, Nora has happily given birth and is on maternity leave from Safe Harbor.

So while I’m fairly sure that this month is February, I’m still trying to straighten out which February.

On top of all that, I’m re-editing one of my Regency romances from many years ago so I can make digital copies available to Kindle and Nook readers. A Lady of Letters will be the fourth Regency I’ve posted – of six that I sold – and it takes place in early March. Well, that’s almost February.
Whew.

Wherever you are, I hope your weather’s bright and cheery for Valentine’s Day. Because as we romantic souls know, that’s what’s really important about this month.

JANUARY WINNER!!

CONGRATULATIONS Estella! You’re the January winner. To receive your free autographed books please contact Lee McKenzie and Cathy McDavid through their Web sites.

To enter the contest simply leave a blog comment and your name will go into the drawing. Simple and painless. And FREE BOOKS!

So check back often and be sure to leave a comment. Good luck!

Top 10 Things that Get Me Through January

It has been a long, dark, dreary, cold, snowy month, much more so than usual for my little slice of the South. As I write this, we're under yet another winter storm warning with a predicted 2-4 inches of snow on the way. Sigh. But the end is in sight. There's something about changing the calendar over to February that makes me happy. January is my least favorite month, and this one has been a stinker. And even if it's still cold and wintry in February, in my mind I'm thinking, "Spring is just around the corner!"

But I've managed to get through January fairly well considering I'd much rather be in South Florida where they never see snow. Here's are my coping mechanisms, in no particular order:

1. Exercise! I have some ambitious weight-loss and fitness goals for this year, so I'm exercising regularly. Side benefits including improving my mood and keeping me warm. :)

2. New TV shows -- There are returning favorites (White Collar, V, Supernatural) and new programs (Off the Map, Fairly Legal).

3. Reading RITA entries. I have eight to judge, and I read them while I'm on the treadmill or snuggled under the covers at night. The first one I read was really good, and this second one is also really good so far. I love getting off to a good start.

4. Re-watching the Harry Potter movies and re-reading the Harry Potter books. Yes, in preparation for the movie series finale this summer.

5. Work. I cranked through a first draft of an American manuscript this month and have also done some freelance work. Keeping busy makes January fly.

6. Couponing. My sister is a whiz at getting deals at the grocery. That, combined with a fascination about the extreme couponers (you know, those people who can get a cart full of food for like $1.50) has me learning more about saving on our grocery bill. I still have a lot to learn, but I learn a little more each day.

7. Connecting with friends and readers through Facebook and Twitter. When I sign on to either, I always find something interesting.

8. Planning for a trip to Texas in March. I have to go to Austin for the RWA board meeting, so I'm tacking on a trip to see a good friend in San Antonio and a research trip through the Hill Country for the trilogy I'm working on for American.

9. Daydreaming about someday being able to live in a Florida beach community. I simply adore the idea of being able to go walking on the beach and listening to the waves every day.

10. Curling up on the couch with the hubby to watch football or movies.

Are you a fan of winter, or do you slog through it on your way to spring? What gets you through the winter months?

My Progress Box

Shortly after I quit my day job to write full time, several of us would-be authors started holding weekly get-togethers where we’d look over each other’s work and bemoan the state of our yet-to-be-discovered talent. These meetings usually involved plenty of wine along with our whine, but—amazingly—I almost always walked away with at least one piece of useful information. One night, in particular, the take-away was an invaluable hint for keeping track of my writing progress: Use the printer.

Such a simple idea, really. At the beginning of each book, I place an empty wire basket on one corner of my desk. And, at the end of every writing day, before I check my email one final time and start fixing dinner, I print out the pages I’ve written that day. I don’t read them, not necessarily. Instead, I pile them in the wire basket. And as I watch the pile grow, I remind myself that I’m moving forward.

By the end of the third chapter, the basket usually overflows, so I transfer the growing stack to an empty cardboard box. Which I leave in plain sight. On the days when my writing goes well, I rarely look at it. On the days when the writing feels more like slogging through quicksand (and believe me, we all have those days), the box serves as a reminder that I’m moving closer and closer to giving my characters the happily-ever-after moment they deserve.

I have to admit, as the writing progresses, the box gets messy. By the time the manuscript is finished, the carton is full. It overflows during revisions, and guests start questioning my housekeeping skills. Edits and polishing can require a second box. But at last the time comes when the final edits have been completed, the characters I love have fallen in love with each other, and it’s time to say good-bye.

Then, and only then, is it time to empty the box and prepare for the next story. And that’s what I did last week after turning in the final edits for my June release, The Daddy Catch. I emptied the box, bagged up the papers for recycling, and placed a new, empty basket on the corner of my desk. Soon, I'll start filling it with pages for my next Harlequin American Romance.

Inspiration

Authors are often asked where they get their ideas and inspirations, and every time I’m asked that question, I have to say there’s a different answer for every book. Jess Bennett, the heroine in The Wedding Bargain, appeared in Firefighter Daddy as Rory Borland’s best friend. As soon as I met her, I knew she needed a book of her own.

Jess barely ekes out a living at The Whiskey Sour, the bar she owns in San Francisco’s South of Market neighbourhood, so it didn’t seem likely that she would own a car. So I gave her a little red Vespa instead.

Jess had a bit of a rough upbringing, so she needed a hero who would sweep her off her feet and give her the fairy tale ending she truly deserved. Enter Michael Morgan, CEO of Morgan Estate Winery. I fell in love with him the moment he strolled onto the page. It took Jess a little longer. While on a winery tour of Napa Valley (gotta love research!) I fell in love with the Andretti Winery, and it became my inspiration for Michael’s family home.


And since every fairy tale ending could very well include a fairy tale wedding, Jess would have to have the perfect gown. It had to be timeless, elegant, and not too fussy. If she was going to get married, this was the dress.

I hope you have as much fun reading Jess and Michael's story as I had writing it! Happy reading!

Until next time,
Lee
http://www.leemckenzie.com

How Long is a Series?

I've created two fictional Texas towns for my Harlequin American Romances: Ranger Springs, in the Hill Country (for information on the area see http://www.texashillcountry.com/), and Brody's Crossing, northwest of Fort Worth where West Texas begins. Each of them have their own geography, but more than that, they are inhabited by a steady cast of secondary characters who (hopefully) enrich the stories of the heroes and heroines. As I've mentioned in the past, some of these characters come from snippets of stories my Texas in-laws have told about growing up in the area southwest of Fort Worth. This is my father-in-law's homestead near Dennis, Texas on the Brazos River.

One of the frequent questions I get from readers is this: How many books will be in my Brody's Crossing series? The answer is . . . I have no idea! Perhaps my editor has an opinion on how long the series will continue, based on reader interest, but I'm not sure. (Authors don't get sales figures from our books for quite a while after they are released.) As long as I enjoy writing about these characters and don't run out of interesting plots that ring true for this particular town, I see no reason to end it. As soon as I have no more ideas, I'm sure I will move on to another spot, perhaps even (gasp!) another state.

In 2011 I'm very excited about the whole writing experience. I have finished the edits on both books, Suddenly Texan (May 2011) and The Texan and the Cowgirl (July 2011) and now I'm waiting impatiently to see the cover art. At the end of June the Romance Writers of America conference will be in New York City, a place I love. I've already reserved my hotel room; my husband and my daughter will have to "duke it out" to see which one of them is going with me, because they both love NYC.

In the past few years I haven't scheduled any booksignings, but I'm looking forward to having one (at least) at the Wal-Mart near our weekend house in Mineola, TX (http://www.mineola.com/.) They carry Harlequin American Romances and since I spend so much time (and money) there when I'm in East Texas, I just know they'll want to schedule an event! Because I mention Graham, TX (http://visitgrahamtexas.com/ ) so much in my Brody's Crossing series, I may see if I can go there for a booksigning. In nearby Weatherford, there is a very supportive independent bookstore and radio program that may be interested. I see several fun events in my future!

Perhaps I'm keeping myself busy and excited because I'm having one of those "milestone" birthdays next month. "A rolling stone gathers no moss" is the old saying that seems most appropriate to me at the moment.

I hope you feel equally excited about your prospects in this new year. Our careers and personal lives are often uncertain, but having something exciting to anticipate is very important as we move forward. Best wishes for a great start to 2011.

Happy New Year!

Here I am, wishing you all a happy new year, and the first month of that year is already more than half over. Hard to believe, isn’t it? I hope you had wonderful holidays and that your 2011 has gotten off to a great start.

This is the time of year I, along with most of the population, like to make resolutions.

You know what the number-one goal is, don’t you? Of course, you do. Say it with me:

“LOSE WEIGHT!”

I’d recently attended a workshop where the speaker announced how many people actually follow through on the resolutions they set for a new year. The answer:

Two percent.

That’s right.

Two.

And I’m proud to say I can’t be counted among them.

Last year, I went for the weight-loss goal, among others. In 2010, I lost almost two pounds. :-) That’s not so wonderful, is it? But it’s much better than going in the opposite direction!

Fortunately, I made more progress with my writing goals.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a blog on goal setting (http://bit.ly/f4F8k4). It must have been even more of a challenge than I'd planned, as many readers stopped by the blog that day but only a couple of them left comments. Either everyone was recovering from Christmas and getting ready for New Year’s Eve or else the idea I’d presented was more than people wanted to take on.

Or maybe the problem was that the post involved homework. :-)

Whether or not those people who read the blog entry have found time to do the homework, I hope they’ve taken a look at their goals. I have, and it’s been worth it. Among my aims for this year, I’ve vowed to lose weight—of course!—and to do a heck of a lot of writing.

As of yesterday, I’m down 1.3 pounds. That’s well on the way to beating last year’s goals already. But I’m taking the weight loss a week at a time.

As for the writing, I’m working on that every day.

How about you? Have you set any goals for yourself this year? If so, how are you doing with them?

All my best to you,

Barbara

~~~~~~

Barbara White Daille
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com

Calendars

Calendars help people manage their personal schedules, time and activities. They also remind us of friends' and family members' birthdays. Each New Year I look forward to buying a kitchen calendar. I have a huge, boring utilitarian calendar on my office desk—serves as a blotter, coaster, and keyboard pad. The calendar I keep in my kitchen is the one that "Inspires" me. When I say "Inspire" I'm not referring to inspirational quotes or words of wisdom. I'm referring to "Visual Inspiration". Pictures that serve as the inspiration for my next Harlequin American Hero. When I saw the hero on the cover for my February release, Roughneck Cowboy, my first thought was that the guy should be on a calendar!

Below are examples of the types of "Inspirational Calendars" that have been found in Marin Thomas's kitchen through the years.

Firefighter Calendar


Cowboy Hunk Calendars

Hockey Heroes Calendar

Movie Star Calendars




What type of Calendar inspires you the most?

Marin Thomas
Roughneck Cowboy *Men of the West* Feb 2011
The Bull Rider's Surrender *E-HQ Weekly Read* March 2011
Rodeo Daddy *Rodeo Rebels* April 2011
The Bull Rider's Secret *Rodeo Rebels* July 2011
Riley's Story (w.t.) *Rodeo Rebels* Dec 2011www.marinthomas.com

Spring, where are you???

(Daughter boating in the backyard. Spring, where are you???)

Maybe it's the winter doldrums of beige Oklahoma consuming me with wanderlust, or maybe just the post-holidays blahs. Either way, I've fallen in love all over again not with a hunky Navy Seal, but a TV show called International House Hunters. My favorite episode features a couple and their small child relocating to Dubai. Something about the concept of living in a chrome and glass high-rise with a resort-style pool at my disposal sounds irresistibly decadent. Even better, the husband's company funded it all!!

Don't get me wrong, we have a great house, but the recent addition to our family of a squirrel having taken up residence in the kitchen, combined with a plumbing leak, combined with carpets needing to be cleaned has made me long for that old promise Calgon bath beads used to make about "taking me away"!! LOL!!

On the flip side, the couple who moved from Canada to Hungary didn't seem nearly as content. (At least I think it was Hungary.) They ended up with a half-constructed shell they're unable to get a construction loan on in order to complete. Now stuck indefinitely in a cramped apartment, I'm thinking their adventure didn't turn out so grand.

This is what keeps me running to good books or movies as opposed to actual real estate agents when I'm looking to get away. Knowing our luck, Hubby and I would end up with a house wackier than the one we already have!! Can't you just imagine . . . We take off for somewhere crazy-exotic like say, Cairo, only to find our oasis infested with cobras and reeking of camel poo??!!

Ugh. Guess I'll keep trying to catch our squirrel, call a plumber and pray for Spring!!

How about you? Craving a winter escape?

Keep Those Cards and Letters Rolling In!

A lovely email from a fan arrived recently and got me thinking about how much a kind word or compliment can make a difference to your day.

During the long 20 years it took to achieve publication, I imagined all sorts of things happening, but not once did I think about fan mail. These cheerful missives have the knack of arriving just when I need a boost, whether because I’ve had a lousy day, or worse still, I’ve been staring at my computer screen, reading my latest manuscript and wondering why on Earth I imagined I could write.

I’m consumed by the certain knowledge that I’ve wasted 20 years of my life working towards a career that crashes and burns before I’ve even completed my first series for Harlequin American about the magnificent O’Malley Men.

And then into my inbox pops an email from someone saying they’re delighted to have discovered me, or professing to love my stories, my quirky characters, thanking me for tackling a topic that’s dear to their hearts, or having them sitting on their seats at the climax and wanting to know when my next story is coming out.

Wow! Heady stuff and so welcome and appreciated that I reply immediately to thank them. These letters are lifesavers that I treasure. I’ve decided to frame the best ones (which come to think of it, is all of them!) and mount them on my study wall to gaze at when I’m feeling down or doubting myself.

I’m sure other authors get a similar buzz from receiving fan mail. I’ll bet the senders have no idea what a difference they make in our daily lives.

So thank you every last wonderful person who has taken the time to write or email an author and tell us you love our stories. You may love what we write, but we love what you write just as much!

I’m giving away a copy of my latest in the O’Malley Men series, “Colorado Cowboy” to a commenter who tells me what makes their day.

Till next time!

CC

Games People Play by Megan

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good end to 2010 with many fun times and happy memories with family and friends.
As I get older, I'm more perplexed by what to do for entertainment at parties and get-togethers. Granted, we're a story-telling family on both sides, and my friends are interesting people I love to listen to. But it's always nice to have a backup activity.
I was the youngest, and therefore the least experienced, the least savvy/conniving, the least intelligent. But I grew up loving games, even though I rarely won. I played Solitaire when I couldn't get my siblings on board. We loved Monopoly (until someone actually read the rules--no money on Free Parking! what's with that?) and sometimes I could get my sibs involved in a game of Rummy. If we left the house, we went bowling, but my brothers were involved with baseball and football, so it was sometimes hard to corral everyone.
The computer has opened up waaaaay too many games (web sudoku anyone?) and I've had to cut myself off from some on FaceBook. But my dear daughter drew me into playing Family Feud so she could win points when I didn't do well. Makes me laugh, but I have to admit, she's earning us more points than I could alone. We sometimes make time for Scrabble together; I love Farmville; and sometimes I'll drop over to Wheel of Fortune or Word Drop. Sometimes WordSearch, but I'm not a fan of timers. I used to have Boggle on an older computer, but I wouldn't let myself put it on my writing laptop.
So I'm on the hunt for something fun for adults to play. I've enjoyed a few games of Apples to Apples, but I'm looking to branch out. Trivia Pursuit used to be a favorite, but I haven't played in years and I hear there's a new version/set of questions. Anyone know about it?
Anyone have a game they enjoy? A cherished family game that has held up through the years?
Cheers,
Megan Kelly
www.megankellybooks.com

Favorite Recipes for January

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Did you have time to read any good books when you weren't shopping, cleaning, entertaining, and cooking? I hope you had some time for yourself during this busy time.

We had ham for Christmas dinner and I still have some left over. Tonight I'm making something very simple that will use most of the ham I have left. It is appropriately called "End of the Line Ham Casserole" from Dottie18 and received four stars on allrecipes.com. Since it's cool during the day and cold at night here in Texas, this will be good to warm us up.

1 can condensed cream of celery soup
1/2 cup milk
black pepper to taste
2 potatoes, sliced
1 onion, sliced
2 cups cooked ham, diced
2 T grated parmesan (or other favorite) cheese
(Note: I may add some shredded cheddar just because we love cheese!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In an 8 x 8 (greased or sprayed) casserole dish, combine soup, milk and pepper. Layer potato slices, onion slices and ham on top. Cover and bake one hour. Remove cover and sprinkle with parmesan or other grated cheese. Bake uncovered another 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.



If I have any more ham left, I'm thinking of making this classic Pasta Carbonara dish with shredded or thinly sliced ham instead of bacon. I love Pasta Carbonara in restaurants and even the Lean Cuisine meal! I usually fix a Caesar salad (I love Ken's Lite Creamy Caesar dressing) and have a very light dessert with something this hearty.

1 lb dry linguine
8 oz bacon (substitute ham) diced
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3 large egg yolks
1 cup (4 ounces) grated parmesan, plus more for garnishing
3/4 t black pepper

Cook linguine according to package directions, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water. In a large skillet over medium high heat, fry the bacon (or saute ham) until crisp. Transfer to paper towel lined plate. Spoon off and discard all but 2 T of the bacon drippings. (Note: If you use ham, you probably won't have many drippings, but cooking the onion in the skillet will deglaze the pan.) Return skillet to medium heat, add the onion, and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Working quickly, returned the drained pasta to the pot along with the pasta water, bacon, and onion. Place the pot over low heat and cook, tossing frequently, until heated through. Removed from heat and quickly add the egg yolks one at a time, stirring after each addition. Add the parmesan cheese and pepper and stir until sauce thickens slightly. Divide among bowls. Top with additional parmesan.


I hope these two dishes will inspire you to use up all your leftovers and stay warm with a full tummy! Happy eating, happy reading, and most of all, Happy New Year! Please come visit my author page on Facebook and "Like" me there. Thanks.

Wishing Y'all Lots of 'Bests'

So, there I was, half-walking-half-running on the treadmill this morning, thinking about food, when I got to thinking about my relatives’ coffee cake.

We hosted my husband’s family this Christmas, and in the midst of cooking and baking and shopping, we ate my sister-in-law’s mother-in-law’s coffee cake. Mardy’s MIL had sent it to her for Christmas; so of course, she brought it with her to our house. Mardy’s kids proclaimed it the ‘Best Coffee Cake in the World’. I had to admit it was really pretty good. But the best? Between you and me, I wasn't so sure.

Of course, I think the reason it was so tasty to my niece and nephew had far less to do with the ingredients and far more to do with the love and memories it drummed up. Most foods are like that, I suppose. I can hardly look at a pork chop without gagging. (bad experience with pork while pregnant!) But I absolutely love steak.

Steak dinner was my family’s Sunday dinner growing up. For me, it’s still my favorite meal. It has to have essential ingredients, of course: New York Strip, Baked potato, Pillsbury Crescent rolls, and green salad with Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing. That’s it. Every birthday and Mother’s Day, that’s what I ask for, and I’m always so happy to dig into my ‘best’ dinner.

Tonight, we’re having Beef Stroganoff, in honor of it being my son’s last night here before he goes back to college. That’s his favorite dinner, which is actually kind of a surprise, because I wouldn’t say I make it all that well. My daughter would tell you her ‘best’ dinner is chicken pie. My husband? Grilled hamburgers. (That was his family's Sunday meal)

I have to tell you-last week, when my relatives were here, we ate every last crumb of that coffee cake. Actually, by the time my relatives left I was thinking that it had to be one of the best coffee cakes, ever. Of course, I have to guess that that has to do far more with the fun times we had and less to do with the cake.

But, all things considered, I hope next Christmas, Mardy brings it again.

What about you? Anyone have a favorite food or dinner…just because it brings you happy memories?

This year, I hope all of you have plenty of meals that are the ‘best’, and that you have time to enjoy each one. After all, you can always get on that treadmill…

Shelley Galloway

DECEMBER WINNER!!

CONGRATULATIONS Winter Peck! You’re the December winner. To receive your free autographed books please contact Laura Marie Altom and Linda Warren through their Web sites.

To enter the contest simply leave a blog comment and your name will go into the drawing. Simple and painless. And FREE BOOKS.

So check back often and be sure to leave a comment. Good luck!

Start of a happier, healthier year

Welcome to 2011. Pry open those bleary eyes, pour a cup of coffee or chocolate or hot soup, and see if you can remember what I blogged about one month ago. Drawing a blank? Okay, here’s a hint.

Stuffing.

My husband is eating healthier these days, and he’s ruled out the delicious, fat-and-pork-sausage filled stuffing he’s made for years. The recipes he came across this year failed to excite us. He did fix one for Thanksgiving and it was edible, but nothing to blog about (in a favorable fashion, anyway).

So I put out the call for recipes. And you responded – if your name is Linda. She asked me not to use her last name, so I won’t.

Fortunately, Linda’s response really covered the bases, so I’m sharing it with you. It’s a family recipe based on sage and bread, and stuffs a 26-36 pound turkey. You can cut down on the ingredients for a smaller turkey.

My husband planned to try it for Christmas using some variations, such as substituting commercial cubed stuffing for bread. However, our niece and nephew turned out to be gluten-intolerant, so my sister-in-law made a gluten-free stuffing instead.

Here’s the recipe, in Linda’s words, lightly edited:

Rub the turkey cavity with a little salt.
Get out a very large bowl.
Take 1 large loaf sliced white bread - I get the big sandwich loaf. A whole wheat would do just as well but a rye wouldn't squish. Tear it into hunks about two inches or so; don't measure. At five in the morning, I just rip it all up fast.
Dump the following on top of the bread:
About half a cup of water. Damp but not soggy so the bread will squish.
Add 1 egg, sprinkle 1 tbsp sage, 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Peel, core and chunk 1 big apple and 1 med onion (I food process the onion) and add to bowl.
Add 1-2 cups of raisins. Some in the family add chopped nuts, chopped water chestnuts, chopped celery, cooked giblets, chopped apple pears, etc.
Now squish it all together with your hands. Really squish it to work the sage and apple and onion through the whole works. If it doesn't squish, add a little more water or another egg. If it's soggy, add more bread.
Pack the stuffing into the turkey. Merry Christmas!

Jackie’s note: For safety reasons, never stuff the turkey the night before. Also, make sure the inside of the turkey including the stuffing is thoroughly cooked, because there’s raw egg in there.

We’ll be trying this next Thanksgiving. Thanks, Linda! And a wonderful New Year to all my readers.

Crystal Clear

Perhaps it's the time of year and the soul-searching it always seems to bring. Perhaps it's just me being contemplative for the sake of being contemplative. But, either way, I find myself thinking of ways I can be better in the new year...

A better mom.
A better significant other.
A better friend.
A better writer.

Because I want to be better. Not better than you. Not better than someone in another room. Just better than I've ever been.

Thoughts are starting to swirl for each and every area, special things that'll let my kids know (even more) how much I love them, creative ways to let my friends know how much I treasure them, goals I want to achieve in my writing, etc.

That said, I'm still open for ideas. Particularly surrounding #2. And since all of us love romance, I can't imagine there'd be a better place to set up a few chairs and invite a little brainstorming on this particular topic.

So here's my question for all of you...

What are some creative ways to let your sweetie know how much he means to you?

~Laura

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Our family has traveled north this Christmas to spend the holidays together in Maryland. This Christmas morning, as always, I am the first one up. The first of many pots of coffee has been brewed. Our traditional sweet rolls are in the oven. And I'm waiting for the pitter patter of feet, both large and small. Once I hear those, pandemonium is sure to begin. Before that starts, I wanted to wish you and yours the merriest of Christmases, the happiest of holidays, and to add my heartfelt wishes that the New Year brings us all health, wisdom and success.

Happy holidays, and some recipes

It's Christmas Eve, my second favorite day of the year.

My favorite...yes, you guessed it...is Christmas!

I am so excited about tomorrow, and it's not about the presents, although I know there will be many. Too many, perhaps.

But the moment I live for is the one when my family sits around the dinner table, gives thanks for being together, and celebrates what a wonderful and privileged life we have.

Food is a big part of our holiday festivites so I thought I would share this year's dessert recipe - Eggnog Cheesecake - with you. Trust me when I say it is de-licious!

And of course we all know that calories consumed on Christmas Day don't count!

Eggnog Cheesecake

Crust
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons melted butter
Combine crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325 F for 10 minutes. Let cool.

Filling
1-1/2 pounds (750 grams) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs
2 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
In a food processor (or mixing bowl) beat cream cheese, sugar, cream and flour until smooth. Beat in eggs, rum and nutmeg. Pour over crust. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 250 F and bake for another 45 minutes or until edge is set and set and the centre still jiggles slightly. Turn oven off. Run a sharp knife around edge of cake, put it back in the oven and let it cool in the oven for 1 hour. Remove to rack and cool completely.

To serve, remove from pan and drizzle with melted semisweet chocolate.
Serves 10 to 12.

Today on my personal blog I'm also sharing a recipe for a wonderfully easy recipe for a festive couscous salad. I'm serving it with chili tonight at my family's Christmas Eve get-together.

With best wishes for a joyous and happy holiday,
xoxo
Lee

Writing Advice

I'm posting writing advice on my author page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Chancellor . Please stop by if you use Facebook and "Like" my page. Click on "Notes" to see what I have posted so far. I've included information about query letters, getting published, research, etc. and I'll continue to post more workshops and writing "goodies" from my files and experiences.

Happy holidays!

'Tis the Season to be Thankful

As we near Christmas day, I'm taking this opportunity to tell everyone how thankful I am for my wonderful nieces and nephews in Louisville, KY. As many of you know from my Facebook posts, my older sister (actually, my only sister) Peggy fell and shattered her ankle in late October. Since then she's been in the hospital, had extensive surgery, and then recovered in a nursing home for weeks. At one point doctors thought her leg might not be saved. Her husband John is a diabetic with numerous medical problems and had to enter the nursing home with her since no one could care for him at home.







Even their cat, Bitsy, had to relocate but found a temporary home with a friend.






Now, thanks to lots of hard work from my nephews and nieces, Peggy and John are settled into an apartment as their home is not wheelchair accessible, and she won't be able to walk for many months. My husband and I drove from Texas to Kentucky last week and have been helping, as much as possible, to get them settled into the apartment. Having familiar items, furniture, art, etc. is very important to Peggy and John. Yesterday I spent the day hanging their favorite prints so they could see them, getting my sister's greeting cards and birthday list organized, and sneaking a favorite dessert in for us to share while my brother-in-law was at a doctor's appointment for five hours with my nephew.


I would like to think that I would do the same wonderful job as John G., Laura, Bek and John T. if I had to, but I'm not sure that's true. My nieces and nephews have done a tremendous job coming together to care for Peggy and John. They've made tough decisions (the family home must be sold) and performed many little acts of kindness to make their parents more secure and comfortable. Listening to their tribulations with Medicare, Adult Protective Services, and the Veterans Administration has made me realize how difficult growing older can be. I have no idea how people could exist for long without a caring family to do the hard work, fill out all the forms, and actually become the parents when their own can't perform that role any longer. It's a sobering and amazing realization.





My hope for the holidays is that you have a wonderful time with your family, however that family is pulled together, by blood or common interests or love. Hold fast to them and pray that they will always be strong and well, or if they are not, that they will have the benefit of a loving family to surround them. Be thankful for the time you have with them, this season and always.
(This photo, me beside our little Christmas tree at our lake house in Mineola, TX while our dog looks on.)




Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone.

'Tis the Season

‘Twas a week before Christmas, and all through the house…

Yes, I’m late. It can’t be helped. This past week has been loaded with things to do. Sunday was writers' group holiday party, Tuesday was critique group, Wednesday was Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, Thursday was last chance to get titles for September book ready to send, Friday (last night) was oldest granddaughter’s performance in local ice show (she's the wooden soldier, below), and added to all of it is a January 3 deadline on that same September book, the sixth set in Desperation, Oklahoma. I am running behind. And now we’re down to that very last week before Christmas, and I’m hoping it at least begins to calm down.

I actually did sit down on Thursday and try to write this blog post. As you can see, that didn’t happen. Daytimes are filled with a 3-year-old grandson and his 1-year-old sister. It’s amazing how much time they consume. Type a few words, then run and find out why Payton is screaming, only to find that Jaxon took the book she was looking at or wouldn’t let her on the sofa or… Choose something, anything that can be used for torture.

But I do have my shopping done, which is a miracle. Well, all but three gift cards for three daughters and hungry sons-in-law, and I’ll pick them up Monday. Nothing is wrapped, but I did buy wrapping paper and ribbon! The tree is decorated…several times, since Jaxon and Payton seem to think everything needs to be moved around on it at least a dozen times each day. School will be out for the other three grands starting Wednesday, and guess whose house they’ll be at on weekdays for the duration of the holidays? And that deadline still looms.


So forgive me for being late today, but now that you’ve reached the end, be sure to take with you...

Merry Wishes and Blessings for this Wonderful Holiday Season!



Happy holidays!

Christmas is right around the corner and New Year’s just down the road. Hard to believe the year is almost over, isn’t it?

I hope 2011 brings you all the good fortune you can handle—and then some.

I’d like to take this post to say thanks to my fellow Harlequin American Romance authors here at the blog and to all the readers who have stopped by to chat and swap stories.

I'd also like to say how thankful I am for my own good fortune. With FAMILY MATTERS out just this past October, 2010 has been a wonderful year for me. The book garnered some great reviews and an award nomination. Even better, it has reached new readers who have written to me to say hello.

With A RANCHER’S PRIDE due out in May 2011, I’m looking forward to fabulous times ahead, too.

Hope to "see" you again soon. Meanwhile...

Best wishes for

a wonderful holiday season

and

a happy and healthy new year!

As always,

All my best to you,

Barbara

~~~~~~

Barbara White Daille
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com

Old West Christmas Dinner

Thanks to the North Pole West, http://www.northpolewest.com I thought it would be fun to share a few Wild West Christmas Dinner Menus. Show these to your guests and they won't complain about the food at your table!

Christmas Dinner Menu Camp Desolation,1848
Recorded by Thomas E. Breckenridge, member of Colonel John Fremonts 4th expedition west.

Fried Mule Mule Chops Boiled Mule Stewed Mule Scrambled Mule
Shirred Mule French Fried Mule Minced Mule
Damned Mule Mule on Toast(without toast)
Short ribs of Mule with Apple Sauce (without Apple Sauce)
Beverages: Snow Water
"It really makes no difference how our meat was cooked. It was still the same old mule".


Booth Family Christmas Dinner, Four Mile House, Denver, Colorado 1883

Stewed Oysters Boned Turkey Stuffed Ham
Mashed Potatoes Candied Sweet Potatoes
Fried Celery Turnips Beets
Gelatin with Fruit Nuts Plum Pudding
Baked Lemon Pudding Fruit Cake with candied oranges
Coffee


Christmas Dinner Fort Custer, Montana
Troop G 1st US Cavalry 1889

Oyster Soup Macaroni Soup
Lobster Salad Franch Slaw Shrimp salad
Vegtables Roasted Potatoes Steamed Tomatoes
Chow Chow French Mustard Worchester Sauce Pickled Cucumbers
Pickled Onions Broiled Prairie Chicken Roast Porterhouse Beef, natural sauce
Venison, applesauce Pig Turkey w/cranberry sauce Oyster Dressing
Mince Pie Cranberry Pie Apple Pie
Preserved Peaches Preserved Pears Apples Raisens Nuts
Tea Coffee Chocolate


Christmas Dinner Fort Conger, Artic Circle
Greeley Expedition 1881

Mock Turtle Soup
Potatoes Green Corn Green Peas Asparagas
Roast Beef Fricassed Guillemot
Spiced Musk Ox Tongue Tenderloin of Musk Ox
Crab Salad
Ice Cream Grapes Cherries Pine-apples Coconut Pie Plum Pudding, wine sauce
Dates Figs Nuts
Candies Chocolate
Coffee Eggnogg


Wherever and however you celebrate this Holiday Season remember it's not the food that matters but the people--friends, family, neighbors--that you celebrate with!
Happy Holidays!

Marin
Roughneck Cowboy *Men of the West* Feb 2011
The Bull Rider's Surrender *E-HQ Weekly Read* March 2011
Rodeo Daddy *Rodeo Rebels* April 2011
The Bull Rider's Secret *Rodeo Rebels* July 2011
www.marinthomas.com

I love the holidays. No, really I do.

Or at least I’m trying to. Up until three years ago, my husband worked in retail. So from Thanksgiving until Christmas all he heard every day were Christmas songs. By the time he got home if I had Christmas music playing, he grimaced until I turned it off. He hated it. But he’s beginning to come around now that he’s in a different field. He even went shopping with me tonight. Not at a mall mind you, but shopping and that’s a big deal for him.

Funny thing is, I’m the one who hasn’t been in the Christmas spirit this year. Even with a brand new granddaughter, the holiday mood has escaped me. So back to my earlier comment, I’ve been playing lots of Christmas music to try to get in the spirit. At home and in the car. I took my mom and her sisters to a live Vocal Majority Christmas performance that was wonderful. We got into a discussion after Vocal Majority as to what the best Christmas song is. One started out with how O Holy Night makes her tear up. Her twin likes Silver Bells because it makes her smile. My mom chose White Christmas because it reminds her of WWII. I have quite a few favorites, but The Christmas Song is topping my list this year. You know, ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’. I’m also fond of Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow because of the romantic element.

So tell us what your favorites are and why. Do they remind you of a special person or Christmas memory?

If you have time, please stop by the Harlequin Community Open House tonight. The Harlequin American chat is from 7:00 – 8:00 EST. Hope to see you there.

http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/cafe-social/2010-annual-open-house-author-list

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday!

Can I please have an extension on my Christmas shopping/decorating deadline?

Poor Daisy looks frazzled, too!! LOL!!

So I've been writing and doing laundry and paying bills and have to confess, I forgot about Christmas. Thanksgiving is usually my favorite holiday, but this year was a little rocky--long story. Hubby and I got home and collapsed. And apparently, stayed that way!! LOL!! Not only are there no presents under our tree, but no tree, let alone our usual two!! No Christmas village or giant Santa on the bar, guarding my favorite candy dish.

Yesterday, I shot into action by at least purchasing one gift. But then I got home from the ordeal and you guessed it--collapsed!! I didn't get Christmas cards written or gifts ordered for any of my long distance friends. I did manage a lovely pot of gumbo for dinner, but that was due to starvation!!

Today, I've really got to get with the holiday program. But then I also need to do my line edits. And wish my dad a happy birthday. And make sure everything's in order for our son's college transfer. And pay more bills. I'm ready to collapse, and I haven't even started!! LOL!!

I'm thinking what I need is a list--maybe several. One to manage everyday life and another for Christmas. Better yet, with all three kids home, I need to delegate. Like little elves, they can lug boxes up from the scary basement and run errands and if I really yell, get the gigantic pile of clothes a certain daughter left in the middle of the living room all hanging up and pretty in her room. Alas, she just crawled out of her cocoon to get ready for work. Rats, I lost an elf before hitting the starting line!!

Maybe instead of fretting about Christmas, I need to take a deep breath and be thankful all the kids are home and in full messing mode!! If we only have one tree, the world won't end. Maybe the true list I need to make is one listing all of our blessings. As for the rest, maybe Santa will bring me a holiday deadline extension. And if you're wondering about my elves, I just lost another one!! Don't you feel sorry for the only one left?!

All right, people, be honest, are you all ready for Christmas?

Life is Just a Box of Teabags!

Last week amongst my list of goodies to purchase at the supermarket was the tea my husband favors.
Twinings Russian Caravan smells like smoked camel dung, evoking memories of a bygone era when the great camel caravans roamed the Russian Steppes or the Silk Road. Since timber was heavy to carry and in many places, scarce, the nomads cooked over fires fuelled by camel dung. Good idea since it was no doubt in plentiful supply, however, the thought of drinking something that smells like it, is enough to turn my stomach.
Being the dutiful wife, I’m happy to lug a packet or two home when he needs to restock, brew up a cuppa and perhaps dream of a past life when he too drove camels or whatever across those ancient roads. Only problem is I couldn’t find the loose leaf variety he prefers. In fact not only could I not find Russian Caravan in loose leaf form, nor could I find any type of tea that wasn’t packaged in tea bags!
When I questioned the manager he explained that tea bags sold better and lasted longer than leaf tea.
Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve been to Sri Lanka, seen the vast fields where tea, aka Camelia chinesis grows under the blazing tropical sun, seen the gaily dressed ladies picking the newest tips of the plants, seen them dry it, chop it into tea leaf size and then pack it into old-fashioned tea chests to be shipped to wherever in the world they package tea. All every lovely and informative…
Until our guide cheerfully informed us that since the invention of tea bags, production had increased 25%!
My ears pricked up at this bit of fascinating information. How, I wondered, could this be?
He indicated the tea dust covering the floor which consisted of tiny remnants of the leaf tea that didn’t make it into the tea chests. “We sweep it up and put it in the tea bags.”
Being a practical person, I thought this seemed like a goodish sort of idea.
Until one of the workers hawked and hawked and then coughed up an enormous amount of phlegm and spat it on the floor.
Since any number of respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, are endemic to Sri Lanka and just about anywhere else in the third world that produces tea, one could deduce that sweeping up phlegm-laden tea dust and putting it into bags is not only a bad idea, in spite of its thriftiness, but violated every hygiene standard known to mankind.
So as I watched them sweeping the floors and carefully collecting the tea dust into huge plastic bags for placement into tea bags and shipment direct to a store near you, I swore I’d never drink tea from bags. Never mind that the water that’s usually poured over the tea bags has been boiled—facing the prospect of death by tuberculosis, swine flu or even ebola for all I know—was a health risk too far.
So as I stood in the supermarket aisle debating whether it was worth risking my husband’s long-term chances of living a healthy life against how much I’d get in insurance if he succumbed to a teadust-laden disease, I remembered that long-ago trip to Sri Lanka and wondered just how did they impart that scent of camel dung to the tea? Perhaps a lump or two of dung was added to the tea chest or dropped on the floor prior to packaging?
And what other monstrous things were added to the original tea leaves to give them such flavours as Lapsang Souchong (sounds like a dog breed), Lady Grey (her remains?) Earl Grey (his remains!) Touareg (toe nails of North African nomads?) Buddha’s Tears (yuck!) Gunpowder (say what?) Golden Monkey (doesn’t bear thinking about!) and finally, White Monkey Paw, which I really don’t want to think about!
I wonder if Prince Charles drinks Prince of Wales tea? Which reminds me of something I think I read in the memoirs of Ronald Reagan. Prince Charles spent a night in the White House and next morning his morning cuppa arrived… with a tea bag in it. Himself inspected the item and asked what it was. Apparently he’d led such a sheltered life he’d never had to rub shoulders with a lowly tea bag before.
So the next time you’re at the supermarket and about to reach for that box of tea bags, ponder a moment: just how much does your health mean to you.

To celebrate the release of the third novel in my O’Malley Men series, Colorado Cowboy, and to win a copy, tell me your most grossly enlightening moment. I have three copies to give away!
Til next time,
CC

Addicted

To Love, of course, but unfortunately for my writing, I've become addicted to games too. I thought my chocolate addiction was bad, and I almost cried when I had to give up real Pepsi for diet soda. But games? Oh, baby. Sign me on
.
I just found the free online sudoku. I played all day Saturday. Now, that sounds like an exaggeration. Y'all know me and know I like to tell a tale in a dramatic way, with humor if possible. But this is the honest truth.

I'd planned on a writing day, where my dear husband was gone and my dear son was ignoring me, er, playing on his video, er, doing his homework. I'd even made a schedule, for pete's sake, of how much I'd write this week. After all, I'd just read my first chapter at critique group and felt pretty pumped up by the feedback.

But after finding the game (at which I stink, btw, but that only spurs me on for some reason), I really did nothing else. Wait! Not true. I made lunch and chased a strange dog from the neighbor's yard (note to self: don't answer the phone when trying to play sud--er, write), and answered some emails, but that was it. Not a lick of writing. I didn't even open the document.

I had planned to hide my addiction. I was going to write this entry on how great family is at all times of the year, but especially at the holidays. Then they came in from different parts of the country and gave me a wicked cold, which dampened my enthusiasm a bit. I thought about writing about hitting the deer that jumped in front of our car -- had it stood still and not jumped INTO the road, we'd all have been fine, but alas, the car is still at the collision shop, so I can't quite get into a spirit of fun about the incident yet.

In the hope that confession will take away the guilt and the allure of playing, I'm spilling the truth instead. No more sudoku!

However, today, there on my FaceBook page was a little square showing a new (to me) game I love: Wheel of Fortune. Turns out I'm good at it. (Words, who'd have thunk it, right?)

So, it's time for y'all to step up and confess. What games do you play? And more vital, how do you stop? I'm not ready for an intervention yet, but a little advice would be appreciated.

Enjoy the holidays!
Megan Kelly
www.megankellybooks.com

Monthly Recipes

My late mother-in-law, whom we called "Sudie," loved Christmas and

always fixed a wide variety of family recipes that my husband and

father-in-law looked forward to all year. She passed away in 2005 and we still miss her very much, especially during the holiday she loved best. I thought I'd share some of her recipes.

Appetizer: Garlic Cheese Roll

1 lb. sharp yellow cheese (cheddar) grated fine

1 small package cream cheese

1 c. chopped nuts (I believe she always used pecans, since we are in Texas!)

1 pod or more (to taste) garlic, minced fine

Paprika and chili powder

Mix cheese & cream cheese together until smooth and evenly blended; add garlic and blend again. Add nuts. You may then need to refrigerate depending on the temperature of your ingredients and kitchen. On waxed paper, roll mixture into one or more "logs" and even out the ends. Roll log(s) in a mixture of paprika and chili powder. (I believe she used more paprika than chili powder. I'm sure my daughter would recommend smoked paprika.) Roll the log up in waxed paper until ready to serve with crackers.

Sudie would always make two or three extra cheese rolls and send them home with my husband, who would slice them and eat with crackers for a snack or a meal, if I was busy.

Wild Rice Dressing

In a large bowl, mix:1 3/4 c. prepared (cooked) wild rice (Save 1 c. of water from cooking rice.)Note: This is NOT the wild rice mix, but 100% wild rice.

1 large onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

3/4 c. diced celery

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. dried sage

2 T. oil

1 slightly beaten egg

To this mixture add:

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 c. water kept from cooking rice

Pour mixture into one large (about 11 x 17) or two small (about 8 x 8) shallow dishes and bake at 375 degrees until liquid is absorbed and dressing firms up a little. It will not be "solid" like
cornbread dressing. The recipe doesn't specify how long to bake it and I can't recall, but I would plan about 40 - 45 minutes.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

NOVEMBER WINNER!

CONGRATULATIONS MJFredrick! You’re the November winner. To receive your free autographed books please contact Rebecca Winters and Laura Bradford through their Web sites.

To enter the contest simply leave a blog comment and your name will go into the drawing. Simple and painless. And FREE BOOKS.

So check back often and be sure to leave a comment. Good luck!

Do You Have a Great Stuffing Recipe?

For years, my husband has made a fabulous stuffing every Thanksgiving and Christmas. It involved hot sausage and raisins and plenty of delicious taste … and fat.

He’s now on a healthy eating plan, plus we have some dear ones who don’t eat pork. For Thanksgiving, he tried out a new recipe involving oranges, which sounded great at the recipe level but turned out a bit sour. He added currants and raisins and some sugar, which brought it up to the level of palatable, but it fell short of his standards.

Do you have a great stuffing recipe that you can vouch for? Especially one that’s moderate to low in fat and doesn’t involve pork? I would love to have it, and I’ll share as many as I have space for with readers next month (assuming I receive some – hope hope!). Rather than post these, since they might run long and I might miss them, please email me at jdiamondfriends@yahoo.com. I hope we can find one for my husband to make this month for the holidays!

Meanwhile, I hope you’ll enjoy my December release, The Holiday Triplets. It’s book three of my Safe Harbor Medical series, but it stands alone, so you don’t need to have read the previous two (The Would-Be Mommy and His Hired Baby). There’s a fourth entry coming up in February, Officer Daddy.

Wishing you a great holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year, and I’ll look forward to hearing from you!

Checkin' His List

My oldest was born just three days after Christmas which meant she was just shy of one when her first holiday season came around. Aside from the traditional shape sorter, chubby blocks, and fabric dolls that made perfect gifts for that age, books made it into her stocking and under the tree, too.

The same held true for my youngest who was just shy of three months when her first Christmas rolled around. Granted, she hadn't even reached the book-chewing stage, but still she got books. Lots and lots of books.

Books meant cuddle time.
Books meant quiet time.
Books meant the kind of special one-on-one time with each girl that I will forever hold in a special place in my heart.

Fast forward fifteen years with the one, and twelve years with the other and the one staple under the tree each year is books. Sure, they represent slightly different things at this point in their lives, but they are no less special now than they were then.

Books offer an escape.
Books offer a place to learn.
Books offer a chance to slow things down and regroup.

And giving books gives me an excuse to roam around in the bookstore for hours on end...

Ah yes, the truth is out (don't tell anyone, okay?). :)

So how about you? Do you give books for the holidays?

~Laura

P.S. I'm holding a sort of holiday contest on my alter ego's website. Each week, from now until Christmas, my blog readers have a chance to win a book for their best friend. Curious? Visit www.elizabethlynncasey.com/blog/posts

Thankful

I have a lot to be thankful for this and every year. Most immediately--because I'm writing this the morning after Thanksgiving--I'm grateful for the wonderful food and hours of laughter shared with my friends yesterday. Here are some other things I'm thankful for:

1. Having a husband who is also my best friend. He supports, encourages and pushes me and somehow knows exactly when to offer just what I need.

2. Having a good sense of humor. Most of what life throws at me is funny, even if I don't think so at the time.

3. Having a good imagination. Even though this gets me into trouble at times (I hate to fly, because I can always come up with the worst-cast scenario for every bump, jostle and shimmy that plane makes), it has led me into writing and opened up worlds.

4. Having a great family. No matter what, they're there. How cool is that?

5. Having fabulous friends. We laugh, cry and sometimes even scream together. I couldn't get through life without them and they know it.

6. Having good health. So far, so good, but I don't take it for granted and I exercise every day. (Even though I hate it, lol.)

I'm sure there are a hundred other small things to be thankful for, among them would be caffeine, chocolate and wine.

What are you thankful for?

Shop or Sleep, That is the Question

At around 5 this morning, I heard our neighbors pulling out of their driveway. My first thought was, I wonder if they're going shopping for Black Friday. For the last several days, the ads for Black Friday sales that started at the unholy hour of 4 a.m. have been everywhere. 4 a.m.? Seriously? That's prime sleeping time in my book. :) Plus it was cold. I'm not standing in a line when it's 20-something degrees unless I can be guaranteed a 52-inch flatscreen for 100 bucks or 50% off the new driveway I'm having poured soon.

I've never really been a Black Friday shopper. The thought of all those lines, the crowds, the mad dashes to get the few items available at the advertised super-low price just don't appeal to me. I'd rather go to the stores when I can shop leisurely or order presents online. But that got me to wondering...if you love the madness of Black Friday shopping, why?

So, dear readers, are you shopping today? If so, did you get any great deals? Or do you want to wait for calmer shopping conditions?

And let's pretend Santa is listening...What do you want for Christmas?

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday, dear hubby and I braved five hours’ worth of heavy traffic in our trek north to Tallahassee for a weekend of family, food, and football. Because it’s Thanksgiving weekend in the United States. Officially established as a national holiday by President Lincoln in 1863, it’s a day when we remember the first thanksgiving of 1621. That year, after a brutal winter, the Pilgrims threw a feast to give thanks for their survival. Nearly four centuries later, the day before Thanksgiving has become the busiest travel day of the year as families across this country gather together.

Today, there will be parades to watch, turkeys to roast, the laughter of family and good friends. We’ll give thanks for those who are with us, say a prayer for those who are not, eat, catch up on one another’s lives. And, after the dishes are cleared and the leftovers are stored, someone will break out a guitar, another will reach for a fiddle. My sister will pick up her mountain dulcimer, and there will be music.

Happy Thanksgiving.

What I love most about the holidays is...

ETA: The winner is...

Virginia C

Congratulations, Virginia! Please email me via my website and send your mailing address!

***

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love everything about the holidays. I've also had a lot of wonderful things happen in the past month and have much to be thankful for, so it already feels a lot like Christmas. So I hope you'll help me celebrate by posting a comment here, because I have stuff to give away.

What exactly am I celebrating?

First there was the fabulous cover for The Wedding Bargain (January 2011).

Then I learned that my December 2007 American Romance, With This Ring, is being reissued next month, along with Michele Dunaway's Bachelor CEO, as a Mills & Boon Desire in Australia and New Zealand. Here's the cover.

This is my first foreign sale and I'm very excited!

And then RT Book Reviews gave The Wedding Bargain a fabulous 4-star review. Here's what they said:

"McKenzie's tale evolves with sincerity and sizzling passion as two wary individuals fall hard in this touching story."

Color me happy, happy, happy!

Okay, so enough about me.

What's in this for you?

Well, for starters I'm giving away a copy of Firefighter Daddy (July 2010).

The book will be personalized for the winner to keep, or simply autographed so it can be re-gifted. This is one of those times when I am totally cool with re-gifting.

The winner will also receive a festive, handmade polka dot garland. How fun is this?

I do have a thing for polka dots, but this was not made by me. It's from Love Monkey.

In addition to these two prizes, I reserve the right to throw in a few other goodies, at my discretion.

Now for the big question...what do you have to do for a chance to win?

Simply post a comment that finishes this sentence:

What I love most about the holidays is...

The name of one commenter will be drawn from my hat and posted here...at the end of THIS post...on Friday...the day after Thanksgiving. Check back then!

Happy reading! Happy Thanksgiving! Happy holidays!

Until next time,
Lee
LeeMcKenzie.com