Social Networks

Back to website

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Wednesday's Words

The holidays are upon us and this year, I'm determined not to get stressed out. I'm planning ahead, shopping early, pacing myself. Don't you find that at times, there's so much to do around this time of year, that you don't find time to simply enjoy the season?

Well, this year, I am going to enjoy everything. I'll make time to go to holiday shows, see my niece's holiday chorus performance, decorate the house at my leisure, cook and bake in advance when I feel like it. It's taken me years to learn how to do this -- but I have a plan in action and it's working. I managed to gear down. I have nothing pressing to do workwise in December. I'm not killing myself finishing a deadline. I'm not going to teach classes after mid-December and I'm not going to do last minute shopping. My hubby has agreed. We're going to do late-night shopping at the malls to avoid the rush. We actually tried this last Friday night when our mall stayed open until 11PM. We went out at 8:30 and shopped without crowds and a big fuss until after 10PM. Most people aren't aware that our malls stay open very late during Christmas time, but it's the way to go.

I love to shop at unique places. A few weeks back I bought Christmas gifts in the scenic town of Ojai -- I found some great gift-buying ideas there and we lunched at a little English pub and had tea sandwiches. Very relaxing and fun. In the next few weeks, I plan on making a shopping trip to Solvang, a Swedish community that again, is a fun place to visit, eat and enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere. They have wine-tasting cellars, great bakeries and shops you can't find anywhere else. That's my idea of mixing business with pleasure this holiday season. Hope you find a way to de-stress this holiday season as well. It makes all the difference!

Monday, November 28, 2005

Monday's Musings

Did you all have a great Thanksgiving! We made two turkeys and tons of side dishes as well as some incredible desserts. Trying NOT to eat it all is the hardest part. But it was a fun day with our extended family. The weather cooperated so we played outdoor games -- bocce ball (an Italian bowling game of sorts) and a bean bag toss. My hubby gave out prizes for the winners and nothing makes our competive family more eager than knowing there is a prize at the end of the game!

But this blog is really about the early Christmas decorations going up this year. It's not even December yet! I know the stores and malls have a monopoly on getting out their Christmas decs right after Halloween for goodness sakes! But our neighbors have already put up massive lights, the newest giant inflatable snow globes (have you seen them? They are wonderful!) and their holiday scenes. Wow! Is this true in your neighborhoods too? Or are my California neighbors simply getting into the holiday spirit before everyone else this year? Last week we had 80 degree weather, so maybe they needed something to get into the mood. But this week it's in the chilly 60's. Cold for southern Californians! Well, whatever it is, our decorations won't go up until it's offically December. It's my husband's firm and fast rule. I guess we'll be behind the Jones'.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Wednesday's Words

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL MEAL WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

SEE YOU BACK ONLINE NEXT MONDAY!

GOBBLE! GOBBLE!

Friday, November 18, 2005

Friday's Finds

We just made some adjustments to our website. Look and see my great new February Historical cover that's up there! I'm so happy with it. I really love the colors, the scene and the back cover description. It fits the story so well.

And Congratulations to the winner of my Autumn in the Air contest for 2005, Cindy Marciel! The goodies are on the way. And the new contest is up and running for 2006, so don't delay, sign up to win. I'll be gathering new prizes and posting them up in January -- but an autographed RENEGADE WIFE will certainly be in the list of new prizes!

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Wednesday's Words

Thanksgiving isn't even upon us yet and already I'm thinking about Christmas and all the shopping and decorating I intend to do. In our neighborhood, I'm amazed at how many homes are decorated with Christmas lights, reindeer, Santas in a bubble and much more, already! This is the earliest I've seen decorations go up EVER. Wow, people must really be in the holiday spirit. Or, with the soaring temperatures here in CA reaching record heights, maybe they are trying to compensate. :)

The shopping malls keep reminding us it's the holiday season and we're all aware that we should start on our Christmas lists soon, if we are to get in the great one-day sales! I'm not a shopper by any means and I do make lists so that I'm not going crazy in the stores, but last year I did a good deal of my shopping online. It worked out great as long as you do it early enough to get the goods in proper time. It's easier to navigate some of the sites and buy, then fight the crowds in the malls. This year I'm sure I'll do both, but as our kids get older, it's harder and harder to find the right gifts for them. My hubby said to put the fun back into our gift-giving, this year we're all going to get one "toy". Either a game, puzzle or something different that we can open up and enjoy on Christmas day. I like the sound of that!

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Tuesday's Thoughts

It's the middle of November already and here in California we're having our Santana Winds and very warm weather. Yesterday it was in the mid 80's. Today the temps should soar even higher with those warm winds. It's hard to believe it'll be Thanksgiving soon!

For those of you that haven't entered our contest, today's the last day. We'll be picking a winner tonight! So don't delay. There are some great prizes in the package that go along with a copy of Like Lightning and The Courting of Widow Shaw. There's still time to enter!!

Monday, November 14, 2005

Monday's Musings

Had a great weekend, meeting up with my high school friends and catching up on news! It's funny how much more your lasting friendships mean to you when you get a little bit older. Some of the girls I've known since grammar school! But it was a nice surprise to get together at the last minute to have lunch -- all of us living in different areas and doing different things in our lives.

And now, as promised here's another great recipe for Thanksgiving. This one is borrowed from one of the Harlequin Hussies -- our online chat group -- and it's a nice alternative to regular cranberry sauce.

THANKSGIVING CRANBERRY MOLD

2 CANS JELLIED CRANBERRY SAUCE
1 BOX ORANGE JELLO (LARGE)
12 OZ SPRITE OR 7 UP


COOK CRANBERRY SAUCE , STIRRING UNTIL BARELY BOILING AND MELTED.
ADD JELLO POWDER – STIR UNTIL BOILING BARELY
TURN OFF HEAT
PUT IN FRIDGE FOR 20-30 MIN TO COOL
PUT SPRITE IN AND STIR
POUR INTO JELLO MOLD WITH NON-STICK SPRAY
UNMOLD IN HOT WATER – IF RUNNY- PUT IN FREEZER FOR A FEW MIN.

It makes a colorful addition to your table when you surround the mold with fresh leaves and orange or lemon slices. Try it! And enjoy. Let me know what you think! (Do I sound a little like Martha Stewart?)

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Thursdays Thoughts

Shanghaied Groom, my latest historical is happily winging its way to my publisher. So, with this year's work completed, my focus is on the holidays. I love to bake and will share some of my favorite holiday or any day, recipes with you.

This is one is easy, but a little time-consuming since there's a few stages. But you'll love the outcome. They're pretty and so delicious!

NUT CUPS (Great for the holidays!)


1 PKG. CREAM CHEESE 3 OZ.
1/4 LB. BUTTER OR MARGARINE
1 CUP FLOUR

MIX WELL AND CHILL. THEN SHAPE INTO 24 BALLS - ABOUT ONE TSP. AND MOLD INTO CUPCAKE TINS (SMALL ONES)


FILLING

3/4 CUP NUTS (WALNUTS)
1 CUP SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE MORSELS
2 EGGS
1/2 CUP SUGAR


BEAT EGGS AND SUGAR WELL. ADD NUTS AND CHOCOLATE CHIPS. FILL WITH MIXTURE - ABOUT 1 1/2 TEASPOONS INTO EACH CUP

BAKE AT 375 FOR 20-25 MINUTES OR UNTIL FILLING IS GOLDEN BROWN. REMOVE FROM TINS WHILE WARM ON PAPER TOWELING. PUT INTO PAPER CUPS AND SPRINKLE WITH POWDERED SUGAR

Hint: Be sure to use cooking spray for the muffin tins.
Sometimes those smaller paper cups are hard to find. If you can't find them, they are pretty without them too, just be sure to sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Enjoy!

Anybody care to share their favorite recipes?

Monday, November 07, 2005

Monday's Musings

It's done! It's done! SHANGHAIED GROOM is finished. I'm feeling a great sense of accomplishment with this book. It's the fastest I've completed a longer book and though I didn't rush through it, I worked super long hours to finish it. And I'm happy with the result -- that's the most important thing. My goal for this week is to do a thorough read-thru, make sure all details are correct and in place, edit any errors and off it goes. That's the easy part. On a nice day, I'll print out and do the read thru all at once in my backyard. It means sitting for more than 4 hours, but that's my way of knowing for sure that the book flows from scene to scene, from chapter to chapter. While working on it, I only see small segments at a time and often I wonder, is this tone and theme consistent with the earlier scenes?

And I'm off to print out review copies of RENEGADE WIFE to send to various review sites. It's hard to believe but Feb isn't that far off and most reviewers need at least 60 days to read and post a review. And I received the cover art and I love it. I'll try to post the new cover soon -- for all to see! I've gotten the nicest covers lately. Not one complaint in that department!