Mary Quast's Blog, page 4
June 25, 2024
#TastyTuesday - Strawberry Fun
I stopped at the local farmers' market and found some large strawberries. Hmm... strawberries!
Dip them in chocolate!
I managed to get the berries home and cleaned before the boys noticed. I dipped some in chocolate to take for a picnic. Some went into the freezer to use later.
When the boys sixth sense kicked in and they began to forage in the fridge, I popped some into the blender with a scoop of ice cream and a cup of milk to make smoothies.
Today's romance tip:
On hot days, keep large strawberries in the freezer. Tease your honey when he gets home from a hot day at work. Keep some for later at night too! The coolness of the berry against hot skin... the sweet smell tickling the senses... the caress of a tongue that laps up the juice left behind.
Dip them in chocolate!I managed to get the berries home and cleaned before the boys noticed. I dipped some in chocolate to take for a picnic. Some went into the freezer to use later.
When the boys sixth sense kicked in and they began to forage in the fridge, I popped some into the blender with a scoop of ice cream and a cup of milk to make smoothies.
Today's romance tip:
On hot days, keep large strawberries in the freezer. Tease your honey when he gets home from a hot day at work. Keep some for later at night too! The coolness of the berry against hot skin... the sweet smell tickling the senses... the caress of a tongue that laps up the juice left behind.
June 23, 2024
a Superior Reunion
Nothing is better than old friends who haven't been together in years have a reunion and time feels as if it never passed.
A sign of true friendship is how it endures through time.
Lucky for us, Trish organized such a reunion on the beautiful shore of Lake Superior.
With such an incredible view yoga outside was spiritual and the walk was refreshing.
A sign of true friendship is how it endures through time.
Lucky for us, Trish organized such a reunion on the beautiful shore of Lake Superior. With such an incredible view yoga outside was spiritual and the walk was refreshing.
June 21, 2024
#FirstPageFriday: Eagle Dance
Featuring the first page of a book on Friday is a great way to kickstart a weekend.
Blurb: Dyami Schafer, a Native American from the Chippewatribe in Michigan leads a lonely life due to his large size and unusual appearance.When his nesting instinct sets in, he turns to Madame Eve and 1 Night Stand tohelp him find his spirit mate or at least a woman who enjoys dancing and acceptshim as an eagle shifter.
Amanda Collins never recovered from unrequitedlove and memories of a Chippewa boy. She believes a simple night with a NativeAmerican man will make her forget the past so she can move on with her life.
MadameEve partners them for a 1 Night Stand in the magical Rose Cabin at the PoconosMountain Resort. During a blizzard they learn one must step into the past before dancing intothe future. Will the Spirit of the Eagle carry them?
Here is the first page: Chapter One
Frilly snowflakesfell, decorating the sleeve of his Carhartt jacket. A pair of the crystals landedon the hard material, molded together to form a larger, even more beautifuldesign.Notwo flakes are the same, yet they manage to find a mate. Is my design toodifferent, that I’ll never find my match? Dyami sighed,his breath releasing in a puff of white and releasing the negative vibesteasing the edge of his mind. He straightened and stretched stiff back muscles.Everything in nature happens for a reason.Over a few beersseveral months earlier, he’d celebrated his own pity party with a friend. He’dvented his frustration of women staring at him with fear or disgust and had reachedhis limit of tolerating loneliness. His large size and dark, Native Americanfeatures often intimidated strangers. Women of his tribe whispered of his peculiareyes and often walked away, repulsed. Unfortunately, hisnesting instinct had also recently kicked in. He wanted a good woman who wouldaccept and love him for the rest of his life. His drinking buddy had mentioned anelite dating service, 1Night Stand, that set up blind dates that often led to alove match. Dyami’s spirit nurtured the seed of hope at the recommendation andpersuaded him to fill out the paperwork for a date.Then, a week earlier,he’d stood on his porch, drinking his morning coffee, when a hawk flew overhead.His people considered hawks to be messengers, and he’d wondered about thesignificance of the creature’s visit. With an impatient heart, he went inside, checkedhis email, and discovered a message from Madame Evangeline, the owner of 1NightStand.Following a dayof work, he’d driven almost seven hundred miles in poor weather to meet hisdate. He’d planned to arrive at his destination with vim and vigor, notexhausted. Eventually, he’d given in to his fatigue and spent the night in acheap hotel along Interstate 80. Now, standingand waiting for his date, he watched a plow rumble on the road and the world growwhite and admired the serene landscape. Giant evergreen boughs were laden with heavysnow, much like the mental weight he carried. The trunks stood strong, bearingthe spirits of the earth. Crisp air filled his lungs. Around his neck hung a pendantwith a small eagle mounted on an arrowhead representing his lineage. Claspingit, he closed his eyes. The rough edges dug into his palm, yet gave himcomfort. Some of the legends of his culture were true; such as those telling ofpeople born with a totemanimal or a spirit guide. His ancestors had been blessed by the Great Spirit.In every generation, one man be born not only with a spirit animal residingwithin his soul, but also the gift of shifting from man to that of his spirit animal.
Buy now on Amazon.
Blurb: Dyami Schafer, a Native American from the Chippewatribe in Michigan leads a lonely life due to his large size and unusual appearance.When his nesting instinct sets in, he turns to Madame Eve and 1 Night Stand tohelp him find his spirit mate or at least a woman who enjoys dancing and acceptshim as an eagle shifter.
Amanda Collins never recovered from unrequitedlove and memories of a Chippewa boy. She believes a simple night with a NativeAmerican man will make her forget the past so she can move on with her life.
MadameEve partners them for a 1 Night Stand in the magical Rose Cabin at the PoconosMountain Resort. During a blizzard they learn one must step into the past before dancing intothe future. Will the Spirit of the Eagle carry them?
Here is the first page: Chapter One
Frilly snowflakesfell, decorating the sleeve of his Carhartt jacket. A pair of the crystals landedon the hard material, molded together to form a larger, even more beautifuldesign.Notwo flakes are the same, yet they manage to find a mate. Is my design toodifferent, that I’ll never find my match? Dyami sighed,his breath releasing in a puff of white and releasing the negative vibesteasing the edge of his mind. He straightened and stretched stiff back muscles.Everything in nature happens for a reason.Over a few beersseveral months earlier, he’d celebrated his own pity party with a friend. He’dvented his frustration of women staring at him with fear or disgust and had reachedhis limit of tolerating loneliness. His large size and dark, Native Americanfeatures often intimidated strangers. Women of his tribe whispered of his peculiareyes and often walked away, repulsed. Unfortunately, hisnesting instinct had also recently kicked in. He wanted a good woman who wouldaccept and love him for the rest of his life. His drinking buddy had mentioned anelite dating service, 1Night Stand, that set up blind dates that often led to alove match. Dyami’s spirit nurtured the seed of hope at the recommendation andpersuaded him to fill out the paperwork for a date.Then, a week earlier,he’d stood on his porch, drinking his morning coffee, when a hawk flew overhead.His people considered hawks to be messengers, and he’d wondered about thesignificance of the creature’s visit. With an impatient heart, he went inside, checkedhis email, and discovered a message from Madame Evangeline, the owner of 1NightStand.Following a dayof work, he’d driven almost seven hundred miles in poor weather to meet hisdate. He’d planned to arrive at his destination with vim and vigor, notexhausted. Eventually, he’d given in to his fatigue and spent the night in acheap hotel along Interstate 80. Now, standingand waiting for his date, he watched a plow rumble on the road and the world growwhite and admired the serene landscape. Giant evergreen boughs were laden with heavysnow, much like the mental weight he carried. The trunks stood strong, bearingthe spirits of the earth. Crisp air filled his lungs. Around his neck hung a pendantwith a small eagle mounted on an arrowhead representing his lineage. Claspingit, he closed his eyes. The rough edges dug into his palm, yet gave himcomfort. Some of the legends of his culture were true; such as those telling ofpeople born with a totemanimal or a spirit guide. His ancestors had been blessed by the Great Spirit.In every generation, one man be born not only with a spirit animal residingwithin his soul, but also the gift of shifting from man to that of his spirit animal.
Buy now on Amazon.
June 20, 2024
#Thursday13 - Relax & Reduce Stress
1. Stretch like a cat. Have you even noticed a cat curled up in a ball and then how she wakes with a yawn and a wonderful yoga stretch? Try it!
2. Take a walk… with your honey if possible so you can steal a few kisses too. Otherwise enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet to let your mind rejuvenate.
3. Soak in the tub. Place a few lavender candles around and grab a glass of wine. Don’t forget to lock the door.
4. Chocolate! That is my cure-all! Works for everything.
5. Bask in the sun. Take a few moments or a half hour if you can to let the sun caress your face. Take a few deep breaths, relax, and just enjoy being.
6. Grab your comfort food… chocolate, ice cream, cheesecake… and then invite me over.
7. Get a massage. Whether you go to a local spa or pay your child $5 to rub your feet. But if you ask your honey while holding some whipping cream…
8. Candles and incense work for me and I find them to be inspiring at the same time. Carefully select your scents tho. Lavender is known for its relaxing properties as well as rosemary and mint aid with stress.
9. Music! Turn up your tunes. Pop in something you listened to as a teen or at college that brings back fond memories. Dance & sing! Put on those white socks and slide across the floor. My kids die of embarrassment when I dance & sing while cleaning the house. But hubby likes it when I grab him for a spin.
10. Get a dose of cuddles and snuggles. If your honey isn’t around, grab one of the kids or pets or even a best pal for a little snuggle time.
11. Walk in the rain and jump in the puddles. Take some time to find your inner child.
12. A good stiff drink. Maybe even try Sex on the Beach or a Screaming Orgasm.
13. Laugh! Laughter is the best medicine. Laughter combined with some good luvin’ is nice too. Try this: take some whipping cream and your neckid body… cover your body in the important parts and walk into a room your honey is in. Just make sure the kids aren’t home when you do this.
Hmmm…. I think I need to make a list of 13 things to do with whipping cream.
For more fun Thursday 13 lists, CLICK HERE .
June 17, 2024
Do You Know a Writer?
This started out as a #Thursday13 but I ran out of points.
Things you should know if you are acquainted with a writer.
1. It's not that I'm anti-social. It's just that I'm currently writing at least three books in my head. It's hard to mentally outline and talk at the same time.
2. I'm not staring at your ear because I'm a stalker with a weird fetish. You just did something that gave me an idea for my WIP.
3. I'm not talking to myself. I'm PLOTTING.
4. You mangled the spelling of that word and yes, it will eat at me FOR HOURS.
5. Please don't reference any mainstream, highly successful novels unless you know for sure that they are free of typos and weak writing. And make sure there are no adverbs in it. Otherwise, you'll set off a literary hissy fit of epic proportions.
6. James Patterson is the Antichrist. Don't ask me why. Because I'll tell you. Ad nauseum.
7. IT IS NOT A F***ING HOBBY!
8. Yes, I'm neurotic. I'm a writer, duh. (Yes, this is borrowed.)
1. It's not that I'm anti-social. It's just that I'm currently writing at least three books in my head. It's hard to mentally outline and talk at the same time.
2. I'm not staring at your ear because I'm a stalker with a weird fetish. You just did something that gave me an idea for my WIP.
3. I'm not talking to myself. I'm PLOTTING.
4. You mangled the spelling of that word and yes, it will eat at me FOR HOURS.
5. Please don't reference any mainstream, highly successful novels unless you know for sure that they are free of typos and weak writing. And make sure there are no adverbs in it. Otherwise, you'll set off a literary hissy fit of epic proportions.
6. James Patterson is the Antichrist. Don't ask me why. Because I'll tell you. Ad nauseum.
7. IT IS NOT A F***ING HOBBY!
8. Yes, I'm neurotic. I'm a writer, duh. When have you ever met a sane writer?
9. Meet my delicate artist ego. Stroke it. Praise it. It will purr for you. Then it will cry. Then it will accuse you of being disingenuous. Then it will tell you to go to hell. Then it will beg you to like it. Then it will be aloof. Then it will curl itself into the fetal position and suck its thumb until you stroke it again.
10. Don't ask where I get my story ideas. How the crap should I know? It's not like I have a storage locker....
9. Meet my delicate artist ego. Stroke it. Praise it. It will purr for you. Then it will cry. Then it will accuse you of being disingenuous. Then it will tell you to go to hell. Then it will beg you to like it. Then it will be aloof. Then it will curl itself into the fetal position and suck its thumb until you stroke it again.
10. Don't ask where I get my story ideas. How the crap should I know? It's not like I have a storage locker....
June 16, 2024
Watering The Grass - A Father's Day Reflection
After a long, hot day of work my dad enjoyed sitting on the front porch, smoking his pipe and watering the lawn. On hot evenings, he'd let my friends and I run through the stream of the hose to cool off. You see, growing up in the 70's, we found fun in everything we did.
As I grew older, I would simply sit next to my "old man" and chat about life. He wasn't one to be be forthcoming and share, but if I asked him questions he would open up. I love listening to tales of his childhood and would hand on every word when he told stories of his time in the South Pacific during WWII. The man was always calm and cool but had a mischievous streak which I see in my sons today.
Dad was called upon in 1994, to be a good Marine and guard the pearly gates of Heaven when I was only 27.
While sitting on the steps on my deck, watering my grass, I think back to a simpler time when I sat next to my dad. Closing my eyes, I smell the damp grass and pipe smoke.
Happy Father's Day in Heaven to Uncle Jack (r) and Dad (l).
As I grew older, I would simply sit next to my "old man" and chat about life. He wasn't one to be be forthcoming and share, but if I asked him questions he would open up. I love listening to tales of his childhood and would hand on every word when he told stories of his time in the South Pacific during WWII. The man was always calm and cool but had a mischievous streak which I see in my sons today.
Dad was called upon in 1994, to be a good Marine and guard the pearly gates of Heaven when I was only 27.
While sitting on the steps on my deck, watering my grass, I think back to a simpler time when I sat next to my dad. Closing my eyes, I smell the damp grass and pipe smoke.
Happy Father's Day in Heaven to Uncle Jack (r) and Dad (l).Summer Book Recommendation
Pippa Grant is one of my favorite authors and have read everything she's written. I found one of my old banners from when Real Fake Love was released. It's summertime and baseball is in full swing. If you haven't read this one yet, you definitely should. This romcom is a must for summer reading.
BLURB
If people have polar opposites, Luca Rossi is mine.
His butt is in the baseball hall of fame. Mine’s comfortably seated in the hall of lame.
When he’s not snagging fly balls out in center field, he’s modeling in shampoo commercials. I once jammed my own finger while stirring cookie dough, and sometimes I forget shampoo is a thing.
He’s a total cynic when it comes to love.
I make a living writing love stories.
But after my latest broken engagement (no, I don’t want to talk about how many times that’s happened), it’s clear he’s exactly the man I need.
If anyone can teach me to be the opposite of me, it’s him.
The first thing I want him to teach me?
How to not fall in love.
And as luck would have it, he’s in desperate need of a fake girlfriend to get a meddling grandmother off his back.
We couldn’t be more perfect together, because the last thing Luca Rossi will ever be is the next man to leave me at the altar.
Or will he?
Real Fake Love is a line drive straight to the heart featuring a grumpy athlete, a jilted bride, a fake relationship, and the world’s laziest cat. It stands alone and comes complete with sibling rivalry, the world’s most awkward shower scene, and a sweetly satisfying happily ever after.
PURCHASE LINKS!
Free in Kindle Unlimited!
April 30, 2024
Expressing Love With Art
Writing a poem or a personal note for a friend is love. Many lyrics are a love song writen by a musican with words coming from the heart. Artists throughout history have created paintings for the one they love.
I enjoy viewing art created by friends; it makes me happy. When I wear a scarf my mom knitted, I feel loved.
Recently, I painted a couple of Taylor Swift inspired watercolors for my new grandaughter's nursery. (Her momma loves TS.)
I also did the middle painting of an olive branch. (Her name is Olive.)
Find a creative way to express your love this week.
I enjoy viewing art created by friends; it makes me happy. When I wear a scarf my mom knitted, I feel loved.
Recently, I painted a couple of Taylor Swift inspired watercolors for my new grandaughter's nursery. (Her momma loves TS.) I also did the middle painting of an olive branch. (Her name is Olive.)Find a creative way to express your love this week.
April 9, 2024
Ah, Spring
Flyboy and I enjoyed a lovely morning drinking coffee on the deck and a romantic interlude. No...not that kind. We'll save that for skinny dipping in the pool later. Besides, Reyka was keeping on eye on us.
It's nice to simply be together. Listening to the birds, watching the backyard wildlife and planning our day can be a moment of love.
April 8, 2024
Chocolate is Love
Last summer while attending a family reunion, I spent a morning with my sisters-in-law in the rural town of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Imagine my joy when I found locally made chololate!
I love lavender infuse foods and drinks, often using the herb in my cooking, so I had to try Lavender Latte.
This bar provides 2oz of love
Smooth, dark milk chocolate with floral notes and the richness of coffee.
Visit www.tcchocolate.com
I love lavender infuse foods and drinks, often using the herb in my cooking, so I had to try Lavender Latte.
This bar provides 2oz of love
Smooth, dark milk chocolate with floral notes and the richness of coffee.
Visit www.tcchocolate.com
