Carla Neggers's Blog, page 28
February 1, 2013
The Swift River Valley
Here’s a photo we took of the Swift River Valley on a gorgeous autumn day. Four picturesque New England towns were razed to create Quabbin Reservoir in the 1920s and 1930s. I grew up on the western edge of Quabbin. It’s truly a beautiful area, and the setting for SECRETS OF THE LOST SUMMER and now THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE.
January 28, 2013
My Favorite Library contest
To celebrate THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE and my librarian heroine, Phoebe O’Dunn, I’m inviting readers to tell me, in 100 words or less, why their favorite library deserves to win $1000. The winning library will receive $1000 and a collection of my books, and the winning entrant will receive books and a basket of New England goodies. I love libraries! Please enter the “My Favorite Library” contest today.
Happy reading,
Carla
January 16, 2013
Academy Awards time! What’s your favorite classic Hollywood gown?
To celebrate the publication of That Night on Thistle Lane, I’ve nominated some of my favorite Hollywood gowns. Click here to vote for your favorite! On Oscar night I’ll announce Your Favorite Hollywood Gown of All Time.
Tell your friends and let’s have fun!
Carla
January 14, 2013
Vote for Your Favorite Vintage Hollywood Gown of All Time
In keeping with the theme of That Night on Thistle Lane, I thought it would be fun to host a poll to find out what vintage Hollywood gown is readers’ favorite of all time. After all, Phoebe O’Dunn, my story’s librarian, had her favorite gown from the cache she found in a secret room of her New England library. That gown worked magic for her. She wore it to a Boston masquerade ball and met a handsome swashbuckler.
So I’ve nominated my favorite gowns, worn over the years by legends of the big screen. Click here to vote for your favorite, and on Oscar night I’ll announce Your Favorite Vintage Hollywood Gown of All Time.
Have fun and pass the word!
Carla
January 7, 2013
Easy Applesauce Spice Cake Recipe
Easy Applesauce Spice Cake
2½ c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. baking powder
1½ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. cloves
2 c. sugar (I often use a bit less)
1½ cups unsweetened applesauce (homemade if possible!)
½ cup water
½ cup butter (preferably unsalted)
2 eggs
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
¾ cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 8″ or 9″ round cake pans or one rectangular pan. Mix first 7 dry ingredients in medium bowl. Blend sugar, applesauce, butter, eggs and water in large bowl. Add dry ingredients and combine on low mixer speed just until blended. Turn mixer to high speed for about 3 minutes. Add optional walnuts and/or raisins by hand.
Pour batter into pans and bake. Plan on about 30-35 minutes for 9-inch layers and a bit longer for 8-inch layers; 50 to 60 minutes for a rectangular pan.
When cool, frost with maple frosting (recipe below) or your favorite cream-cheese frosting.
Maple Frosting
¼ cup butter (preferably unsalted)
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
Blend together butter, syrup, vanilla and about a third of the sugar. Alternate milk and sugar. Use as much milk as needed for consistency.
October 22, 2012
On the southwest Irish coast
We came upon this waterfall on the Beara Peninsula in July. I can still hear the rush of water. So calming!
October 16, 2012
A peaceful Irish waterfall
I’d love to be sitting on a rock, listening to the flow of a peaceful Irish waterfall. The one in THE WATERFALL (set in Vermont) is beautiful, but it is the site for some troubles for Lucy Swift and Sebastian Redwing! And one does have to be careful about getting too close to slippery rocks…but the sound of water flowing over rocks, the smell of the woods…ahh…
October 13, 2012
Irish waterfall
In celebration of the reissue of THE WATERFALL, here’s another waterfall photo we took on one of our hikes. I can almost hear the water rushing over the rocks! So relaxing. This is in Gleninchaquin Park on the Beara Peninsula in southwest Ireland. A beautiful spot!
October 12, 2012
Waterfalls!
THE WATERFALL will be back in print in a couple of weeks with a gorgeous new cover. It’s set in Vermont but to celebrate I’m collecting photos Joe and I have taken of waterfalls in New England and Ireland. This one’s on the Beara Peninsula on the southwest Irish coast.
.
October 11, 2012
Vaughn Sherman: SASHA PLOTKIN’S DECEIT
When I was in Edmonds, WA, last week, I had the great privilege of having lunch with Vaughn Sherman and his lovely wife. Vaughn is a smart, charming man with a rich and fascinating past and many interests and talents. I know him as a fellow novelist. He’s the author of SASHA PLOTKIN’S DECEIT, a brilliant Cold War spy novel that draws on his real-life experience with the CIA. It’s a gripping story with a genuineness and authenticity that I found incredibly compelling.
The weather in Edmonds was stunning for our lunch on the waterfront!
