Sharon Wray's Blog, page 35

A Halloween vs. Christmas Showdown

I love Halloween. It’s one of my favorite holidays mostly because of all the wonderful memories I have of trick-or-treating with my friends, going to sweet & fun Halloween parties (remember those?), and then as a mother who couldn’t wait to take her babies trick-or-treating and threw sweet & fun parties for them as well. But, I’m also a romance writer who writes holiday stories. And while I still have a sweet & fun Halloween novella (His Wildest Sunflower in the Love & Coffee anthology), available for sale here, I also have a Christmas novella releasing today. So yay for that!

Because of the way the market works, today is the day that holiday novels and novellas hit the street. Maybe for the same reason that stores have moved their Halloween stuff to the clearance rack and put up their fake Christmas trees already. Regardless of the why, I have to put aside my Halloween thoughts for the day and tell you about the Let’s Get Naughty Vol. 2 Anthology, and my story called The Brightest Christmas Star. Whether you prefer to read holiday stories during their season, or you must read ahead, I hope you enjoy both of these new stories set in my Kingsmill Courtships novella series.

Let’s Get Naughty Vol. 2

If you think it’s too soon to get on Santa’s naughty list…think again. It’s time for Let’s Get Naughty Volume 2! So cancel your plans and spend this holiday season with 26 romance authors who have teamed up to bring you delicious holiday treats.

This holiday collection will have it all: fake relationships, second chances, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, workplace romance, age gap, CEO’s, bikers, and falling for the best friend’s brother. And one woman who decides, on a whim, to make a wish on a Christmas star.

Get your copy now! The Brightest Christmas Star

When her Christmas wish unexpectedly comes true, everything changes.

Sophie Sinclair, a woman who’s never experienced a real Christmas, is a true Santa skeptic with Scrooge-like tendencies. Yet now that she’s found the love of her life in Kingsmill, VA, a town deep in the Shenandoah Mountains, she’s determined to belong in this tight-knit community as herself, not just as the sheriff’s girlfriend. So when Santa’s parade is canceled due to a shocking theft, she volunteers to run the parade. She’s determined to save the town’s Christmas tradition.

With only 48 hours until the parade begins, she discovers there’s no money, no volunteers, no Santa, someone has set the church on fire, and a winter storm is on its way. She also has another worry. Her boyfriend Ben Mosby, the town’s bad boy-turned-sheriff, is hunting a member of an outlaw motorcycle club. An arsonist who’s armed, dangerous, and searching for Sophie.

In the midst of Kingsmill’s traditional holiday chaos, Sheriff Ben Mosby’s heart is divided between duty and love. He’s determined to make all of Sophie’s holiday dreams come true. But when an outlaw MC brother arrives, threatening their festivities and everyone he loves, his protective instincts demand a dangerous manhunt during a massive snowstorm.

Sophie fears failing her newfound community if she cancels the parade, especially now that the outlaw biker is looking for her, so she makes a desperate wish on the town’s Christmas star. Except, since she doesn’t believe in Christmas magic, things don’t happen the way she expects–and she could lose everything.

Buy now!

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Prep & Plan: Disaster Review

Since I began this blog series almost two years ago, a lot of unhappy things have happened in the world. Things that prove that any one of us, at any time, may have to deal with a disaster and be forced to rebuild our lives. Like I’ve mentioned before, being ready for emergencies has nothing to do with crazy TV shows about people hiding in underground bunkers or building tree houses in the Ozarks. The kind of Prepping & Planning I’m talking about is a no-nonsense, no-stress way of evaluating risk and your family’s readiness in the face of unexpected emergencies. And these unexpected emergencies can be anything from a flat tire 100 miles from home or a burst pipe that is flooding the house on Christmas Eve. (both of these have happened to me!).

In light of everything going on in the world, I think it’s time to review and/or make a new disaster plan. But first, we need to do some “thinking” work. So today’s post is about reviewing what disasters we want to plan for. We’re not worrying about the “how” yet. First we need to focus on what has happened to us in the past and what could possibly happen to us in the future.

First, mentally review the family/pet emergencies you’ve dealt with in the past. Include broken toes, house flood, frozen/burst pipes, fire, identity fraud, serious illness, unemployment, loss of insurance, injured pet, etc. Don’t relive and dwell on the things that have happened! We’re not doing an emotional purge. Just remember them so you can jot them down.

Then think about about the disasters/bad things that have happened or could happen in your neighborhood, surrounding area, county or state. This can include pandemics, wild fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, civil unrest/riots, hospital closures, wars, forced evacuations, etc. But be realistic–not every place in the country gets hit by hurricanes or tsunamis or blizzards. Now let’s grab a cup of coffee or tea, a few cookies (these are nice!), and a notebook so we can begin our review.

Let’s Begin a Disaster ReviewPast Disasters – Grab a notebook, choose a new page, and title it as Disasters Review. Then, on that page, write down all of the family/pet emergencies you’ve dealt with over the years. If you have a lot of things on your list, write them down in columns so you can read them but also fit them in the section. Leave extra space so you add things later as you think of them.Future Disasters – Below that list, list any other disasters that could happen, even if they haven’t yet.Natural disasters (tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, landslides, flooding, etc.)Accidental disasters (frozen/broken pipes that flood your house, a house fire, electrical emergency, broken clothes dryer, etc. )Wars/Evacuations (I hate to even add these disastrous events, but they happen.) People You’re Responsible For – On another notebook page, draw a straight line to divide the pad in half vertically. (does not have to be perfect!) In one column, list the children and animals that live in your household or that you are responsible for in an emergency (like if your mother lives down the street).In the second column, write down any other kids or people who spend time in your home. You never know–a storm may hit and their parents may not be able to get home for a while. So while we won’t take them into consideration for long-term planning, note who they are (ages, etc) and how often they visit and for how long.What You Require – Turn to another page and make a list of everything you would need to restart your life. If you had to start over, what documents and other things would you need? Where are they now?Things like birth certificates, credit card numbers, insurance information, etc.Keys to all your cars, safety deposit box, etc.Pet vaccination records, etc. as you may need them to take a pet into a shelter with you.We’ll review these things next week and discuss how/where to store them so you have access to them in an emergency. For now, take your time and write down everything you can think of.Ask everyone else in your family what they need and want.What You Want – Turn to another page and write down everything else you can think of, besides people and pets, you would want to save if you had to evacuate your home quickly.Would you grab your purse or laptop? Cellphone? Jewelry, silver, or other heirlooms? Photographs?One of my best friends once told me that when she would hide in her tornado shelter (built into the garage of her Alabama home), she would sit on all of her photo albums, clutching her cell phone and her cats. Those are the things that are important to her.

Next week we’ll begin to break this all down, starting with a Home Emergency Binder. If you’re interested in more information about disaster preparedness, check out Ready.gov’s Make a Plan. Although it’s a HUGE site and can overwhelm even the most sophisticated planner, it’s a great place for general information. But, if you want to begin more simply, just write down everything in your notebook while drinking a cup of tea or coffee (or a glass of wine). And don’t stress. The entire point of this blog series is to help move you into a mindset where preparedness becomes second nature. A mindset where this all becomes easy, just like brushing your teeth or taking a walk.

Until next week, stay safe and enjoy the lovely fall weather. It will be over before we know it!

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The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Spiced Peach Cake

In less than two weeks, I have company coming for my Sleep Hollow-themed feast that we’ll eat before heading out to our local Halloween Haunted Trail event.

I’m basing this party on the Van Tassel Feast that Washington Irving wrote about in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I recently collected a bunch of recipes for food described in the book, and today’s recipe is for one of my favorite autumn desserts: Spiced Peach Cake. Even though it’s mid-fall, the last of the harvest peaches are still ripe, luscious, and on sale at the local farm stands before they close for the winter. And the addition of fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves adds a nice, warm flavor that counteracts the sweetness. Some of the other recipes I’m making for dinner are Ham and Cheese Hand Pies and Roast Chicken in a Pumpkin. And, if I have time, I may also make this Ginger Cake. I wish you all could join me for dinner!

PrintSpiced Peach CakeThis is an easy, delicious cake that uses up the last of the fall peaches. It's great served with whipped cream and/or vanilla ice cream. And you can even eat it for breakfast. Course DessertPrep Time 20 minutes minutesCook Time 1 hour hourServings 8Ingredients1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup almond flour1 Tablespoon baking powder1/2 tsp kosher salt1 tsp cinnamon1/2 tsp ground ginger1/4 tsp grated nutmegdash ground cloves3/4 cup salted butter softened1 cup granulated sugar2 large eggs1 tsp vanilla extract1/2 cup ricotta cheese3 small peaches pit removed and sliced thinly2 Tablespoons Powdered sugar for dustingInstructionsPreheat the oven to 375° F. Grease the bottom and insides of an 8-inch springform pan with butter and lightly dust it all with flour. Place the pan on a piece of parchment paper and trace around the circumference. Cut out this circle and trim it to fit into the inside bottom of the pan. Set aside.Use a medium bowl for the dry ingredients. Whisk the flour, almond flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg until it's all blended. Set the bowl aside. Use a large bowl for the wet ingredients. With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is fluffy and a pale yellow. Then, one at a time, beat in the eggs until they are mixed in–but do not over beat the eggs.Gently, with a spoon, stir in the vanilla. Once the oven is preheated, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the batter is well mixed. But do not over beat. Then, gently fold in the ricotta cheese until the ingredients are just combined. Pour the thick batter into the prepared springform pan. Working quickly, arrange the sliced peaches on top of the batter in a circular pattern and gently press them into the batter so they adhere.Put the pan into the oven and bake for 1 hour. Check for doneness with a knife – insert it into the cake. It's done when the knife comes out clean and the cake is a nice, golden brown. Place the cake on a baking rack and cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Once the cake is cool, dust it with powdered sugar and serve. This remains of the cake can be covered and refrigerated for up to 5 days – but it won't last that long.

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The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

I love reading seasonal books–books that offer an emotional reaction that suits whatever season we’re in. And this time of year, I have a list of favorite books that includes The Witch of Blackbird Pond. This book, which won the Newberry Award in 1959, was written by Elizabeth George Speare, one of only six children’s authors to win two Newberry awards during their lifetime. And despite the title, this story is not about witchcraft. It’s also not a book just for children. This book, which takes place in 1687 in Puritan New England, is about the power of love over fear and how empathy can conquer bigotry.

Elizabeth George Speare (1908 – 1994) was a native New Englander who was born in Melrose, Massachusetts and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Smith College. In 1930, she earned her Master’s Degree in English from Boston University. She taught English at a number of private high schools in Massachusetts before marrying Alden Speare and moving to Connecticut. Although a lifelong writer, she didn’t pursue publication until her two children entered middle school. Her first book, Calico Captive, (one of my favorites) was finally published in 1957. It was about a New Hampshire family kidnapped by Native Americans in 1754 and taken to Montreal, Quebec and held captive for years. Although this book sold well, it was her second novel, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, that won all sorts of awards, including the Newberry Medal.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is about a young woman named Kit who must leave her home in Barbados (after her grandfather dies and a 50-year old man tries to marry her) and returns to Wethersfield, Connecticut to live with her aunt, uncle, and two cousins. It’s a tough transition for Kit. She had a lot of wealth and personal freedom (and plenty of sunshine) in Barbados and now finds herself living in a Puritan community with its stringent rules and hard life filled with daily chores and the constant fear of hunger and weather. Like many children’s books, this one carries themes that kids may intuit but that adults can understand at a deeper level. As Kit learns to live in this harsh environment, devoid of sunlight, heat, love, and even kindness, she is forced to face her own prejudices and fears while also teaching others to recognize theirs as well.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but this story takes place only a few years before the Salem Witchcraft Trials (1692), during a time when superstition and fear ran rampant in the face of the never-ending threat of hunger and death from the elements. When Kit first arrives, she is immediately accused of witchcraft because she can swim (she grew up on a Caribbean island!). She struggles to fit in with the harsh daily routines and unexpectedly meets a woman named Hannah who has been shunned by the community and lives along a nearby pond. Hannah has been forced to live on the outskirts of town, on Blackbird Pond, because she is a Quaker and refuses to attend the Sabbath services required of all the townsfolk. Because of this refusal, many believe she is a witch.

As Kit learns to navigate this new world, she tries to find a place for herself by teaching other girls in this town to read. She also forges a deep friendship with Nathaniel, the son of the captain of the Dolphin, one of the ships that routinely supply this small village. But when Nathaniel (who is falling in love with Kit) is expelled from the village for setting up lit jack-o-lanterns in the home of William Ashby (a rival for Kit’s affection), Kit and Hannah stand up for Nathaniel (as well as for other injustices like the closing of Kit’s school) and things go downhill from there. Both women are accused of witchcraft and must escape. While Hannah does escape on the Dolphin, Kit returns to her aunt’s house. You see, her cousin Mercy is lame and also being accused of witchcraft because she “suddenly” learned how to read (Kit taught her).

The book follows the trials of Kit, Hannah, Nathaniel, and Mercy, and along the way deals with very real and very current issues of bigotry, prejudice, the value of education and the force of love and forgiveness. While it begins in Mid-April, much of the book takes place in the fall with the stress of the impending winter causing people to worry about how they’re going to survive the winter. I guess that’s why this story has such a “Fall Feel” about it. The witches aren’t real (of course) but the fears of shorter days and a weak harvest are real and add to the overall tension of the story. Even though I adored this book when I was a kid, I can honestly say I love this book even more now that I’m an adult. I still worry for all of the characters–emotionally, physically, and spiritually– and the last few chapters are so tightly written that the pages fly by.

It’s no surprise that this book has been in continuous print ever since its first publication. The themes of coming home, growing up, finding love and acceptance, offering gratitude and forgiveness, and overcoming prejudices of all types are so universal, this book is considered one of the top 100 books for children. Elizabeth George Speare is consistently named one of America’s 100 most popular authors for children, and in 1989 she received the Laura Ingall’s Wilder Medal for her contributions to American children’s literature. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do, and luckily it is now available in all formats, including e-book, paperback, and audio. And if you enjoy this story, leave a review. Even authors who are no longer with us need reviews!

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A Haunted History & A Halloween Tea

If you ever find yourself in Leesburg, VA, head south on Route 15. A few miles down the old Algonquin and Iroquois route, turn left into Oatlands House and Gardens. Oatlands, founded in 1798 on 3,408 acres, was once owned by the Carter and Eustis families and is now operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It’s also listed on the National Register for Historic Places. The mansion, which wasn’t completed until 1804, is one of the best examples of Federal estate architecture in the country.

Oatlands Mansion

Now claiming 417 acres of farmland and gardens, it’s a refuge in one of the fastest growing counties in Virginia. Besides the mansion which can be toured daily, there’s a carriage house with a gift shop and a wonderful open area where they serve weekend teas. The estate also houses one of the country’s oldest, still-in-use greenhouses and a sunken, walled garden in the Colonial Revival style (including a bowling green, rose garden, kitchen and herb garden, reflecting pool, and numerous dependencies) that rivals anything in Charleston or Savannah.

Jack-o-lanterns from the Oatlands garden.

There’s so much history that I won’t even try to put it into a blog post. But I will say that my favorite things about the property are the interpretive tours and weekend seasonal teas. The annual Witches Brew Tea and the nighttime Paranormal tours are two events my family and I look forward to every year in the fall. And for those who enjoy ghost tours, the house and carriage house are both haunted. If you visit, make sure you wear good walking shoes. The gardens and home are beautifully kept, but there are lots of moss-covered steps and uneven paths through the hidden gardens. So if you’re looking for a fun Fall/Halloween event, sign up for the Halloween tea, visit the autumn gardens, and maybe stay for the ghost tour after dark. You won’t regret it! Since I can’t take you with me on my next trip, I’ve included a photographic tour of our weekend at Oatlands. But before you visit, check the website for opening/closing dates and times. The property’s visiting hours change with the seasons.

Halloween Tea Party in the Oatlands Carriage House.Oatlands Carriage House.Parterre garden and late autumn hydrangeas.Trees in full fall color at Oatlands.Oatlands Mansion at dusk.Oatlands Memorial GardenOatlands Reflecting Pool.Oatlands Fall Rose garden.Oatlands Hidden GardenOatlands Pumpkin FieldOatlands DependencyOatlands GreenhouseOatlands gardens and dependencies.Oatlands Greenhouse

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An Early Christmas Cover Reveal

On November 1, I have another Christmas release coming out! This story, The Brightest Christmas Star, will debut in the Let’s Get Naughty Anthology Volume 2. I’m especially excited about this novella because it continues the love story between Sophie Sinclair and Ben Mosby who reunited in His Wildest Sunflower which came out a few weeks ago and is still available in the Love & Coffee Anthology. The Let’s Get Naughty Volume 2 anthology is available for preorder for .99, but the price will go up after release day. It will also be available in paperback on release day.

Upcoming Novella Release on 11/1/2023!The Brightest Christmas Star

When her Christmas wish unexpectedly comes true, everything changes.

Sophie Sinclair, a woman who’s never experienced a real Christmas, is a true Santa skeptic with Scrooge-like tendencies. Yet now that she’s found the love of her life in Kingsmill, VA, a town deep in the Shenandoah Mountains, she’s determined to belong in this tight-knit community as herself, not just as the sheriff’s girlfriend. So when Santa’s parade is canceled due to a shocking theft, she volunteers to run the parade. She’s determined to save the town’s Christmas tradition.

With only 48 hours until the parade begins, she discovers there’s no money, no volunteers, no Santa, someone has set the church on fire, and a winter storm is on its way. She also has another worry. Her boyfriend Ben Mosby, the town’s bad boy-turned-sheriff, is hunting a member of an outlaw motorcycle club. An arsonist who’s armed, dangerous, and searching for Sophie.

In the midst of Kingsmill’s traditional holiday chaos, Sheriff Ben Mosby’s heart is divided between duty and love. He’s determined to make all of Sophie’s holiday dreams come true. But when an outlaw MC brother arrives, threatening their festivities and everyone he loves, his protective instincts demand a dangerous manhunt during a massive snowstorm.

Sophie fears failing her newfound community if she cancels the parade, especially now that the outlaw biker is looking for her, so she makes a desperate wish on the town’s Christmas star. Except, since she doesn’t believe in Christmas magic, things don’t happen the way she expects–and she could lose everything.

Preorder now! ↦New Christmas Novella coming 11/1/2023!Let’s Get Naughty Vol. 2

If you think it’s too soon to get on Santa’s naughty list…think again. It’s time for Let’s Get Naughty Volume 2! So cancel your plans and spend this holiday season with 16 romance authors who have teamed up to bring you delicious holiday treats.

This holiday collection will have it all: fake relationships, second chances, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, workplace romance, age gap, CEO’s, bikers, and falling for the best friend’s brother. And one woman who decides, on a whim, to make a wish on a Christmas star.

Preorder for .99 Now!

Click here to learn more about the Kingsmill Courtships contemporary romance novella world, including publication schedules and future release dates.

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The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Roast Chicken in a Pumpkin

Last week I decided to plan a dinner party for friends before attending our local Halloween Haunted Trail later in October, and I decided to base this party on the Van Tassel Feast that Washington Irving wrote about in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. So I collected a bunch of recipes for food described in the book, and today’s recipe is one of my favorites. It’s unusual yet delicious. It’s a small whole chicken, with a few veggies, roasted in the oven while inside a whole pumpkin. When the chicken is done, you just slice through the roasted pumpkin to free the meat and veggies inside. Then you serve a slice of roasted pumpkin along with the chicken. It’s not just delicious, it’s fun!

PrintRoasted Chicken in a PumpkinThis is a fun recipe to make as well as serve. The trick is to get a small chicken that's a bit smaller than the pumpkin so the bird fits within the pumpkin's cavity. This is so easy to make and all the vegetables come out tender and savory. It also makes the kitchen smell like fall! Course Main CoursePrep Time 30 minutes minutesCook Time 3 hours hoursTotal Time 3 hours hoursServings 6Calories 419kcalIngredients1 large pumpkin1 4-pound whole chicken1 large Vidalia onion chopped3 cups potatoes cut in 1-inch pieces1 cup baby carrots1 large lemon cut in half2 cloves garlic minced1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon fresh rosemary crushed1 teaspoon fresh thyme crushed1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon fresh thyme½ teaspoon black pepper¼ teaspoon allspice1/8 teaspoon cinnamon2 teaspoon salt4 sprigs fresh thyme4 sprigs fresh rosemaryInstructionsPreheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Keep one rack in, at the lowest position.Cut a round top out of the pumpkin. Clean out all the strings and seeds.In a medium bowl, mix together the carrots, onions, and potatoes. Place have of the vegetables in the bottom of the empty pumpkin.Squeeze half of the lemon over the vegetables. Then sprinkle the minced garlic, salt, and pepper over the vegetables. Clean out the inside of the chicken. Rinse the chicken and dry it, inside and out, with paper towels. Place the other half of the lemon and the sprigs of thyme and rosemary into the chest cavity.In a small bowl, stir together the garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, onion powder, black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, and salt. Pat the seasoning over the outside of the chicken, including the breast and legs. Put the chicken inside the pumpkin, neck down and bottom up. Make sure the lemon and herbs are looking up, not down. Tuck the rest of the vegetables around the chicken. Use a bit more salt and pepper on top and cover the chicken with the pumpkin lid.Place the pumpkin in a large roaster (or on a large baking sheet) and put in the oven on the lowest rack. Bake for 3 hours or until the chicken breast registers 180 degrees F.Take the pumpkin out of the oven and place on a heat-proof surface. Gently remove the lid, making sure you face it away from you so you don't get burned by the steam. Place the pumpkin on a carving block and then, with a sharp knife, cut the sides of pumpkin until the chicken is revealed. Serve the chicken immediately with the vegetables and a slice of roasted pumpkin.

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Blackberries Rule the Day… Until They Crumble.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite activities around this time of year was picking blackberries. I loved everything we made with them from jams and crumbles, to syrups that covered our pancakes on Christmas morning. But looking back now, I realize it was more than just eating all the blackberry-laden treats. My love for this activity was tied directly to my love for this season, especially the month of September. And the season’s appeal probably stems from not just the weather change, which in the mountains of New Jersey was a huge relief since we didn’t have air conditioning. Summertime was almost unbearable with its humidity and bugs. So when the cooler air showed up, along with shorter days, living in an old house became much more bearable.

But back to the blackberries… I think my love for this season came directly from all of the stories that go along with it. From the tales of St. Luke’s Little Summer straight through to All Saints Day, this time of year carries with it tons of folklore and fairytales. Many of my favorite books are also set in this season or, at least, evoke the feelings that come from crisp days, colored leaves, and longer nights. One of my favorite September stories comes from the legend of St. Michael and the day known as Michaelmas.

The legend says that on (or around) September 29, St. Michael–Heaven’s greatest angel–defeated the angel Lucifer. At the end of a great battle, St. Michael banished Lucifer and tossed him out of Heaven. When Lucifer fell, he landed, bottom first, onto a thorny blackberry bush. In anger, he spat and stomped on the bush, cursing its fruit. (He may have also done some other nasty things to the poor bush, but I hope not!) Since blackberries naturally sour in late September due to the changing weather, I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that today is also National Poisoned Blackberry Day. As the old Irish proverb says, “On Michaelmas Day the devil puts his foot on blackberries”.

There’s also a wonderful poem called Blackberry Picking, about the charm of children picking blackberries by Seamus Heaney. It’s still under copyright so I won’t post any of the lines here, but it’s worth a read. The poem evokes the memories of sticky hands covered in blackberry juice, the anticipation of pies and tarts for teatime, and the disappointment they feel when they realize the devil has beaten them to their “byre” and poisoned all the berries. Michaelmas, traditionally, was also the day of the year that leases would end and begin, rents were due, and servants were hired or fired. Since all of the harvests were usually in by this date, it was also the time that debts were paid off and land was bought or sold. In the English-speaking world, this was also the time that magistrates were elected and law schools and universities would begin their terms. Our own rule of having elections in early November is tied to these old traditions. 

Since the Fall Equinox marks the time on the calendar that the nights get darker and longer and the days turn colder and shorter, the celebration of Michaelmas is associated with the idea that we need protection during the darker months. Many used to believe that negative forces grew stronger in the darkness so starting on September 29th, after the harvest was in, families built stronger defenses to protect themselves. These protections included physical protection (fences, etc.) and making sure they had enough food put away for the winter. 

But St. Michael’s protection also extended to financial issues. In Britain, a fattened goose was eaten to protect families against financial losses during the winter. There used to be an old English saying that goes like this: “Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day, want not for money all the year. ” This was such a popular tradition that some people called Michaelmas “Goose Day”. In some parts of Britain, people still attend “Goose Fairs” instead of harvest festivals. Regardless of how they celebrated, Michaelmas used to be one of the most important days on the calendar because it ensured the health and wealth of the family into the new year.

Yet, beyond the stories, blackberries are still delicious and fun to eat by the handful or in baked desserts. Below is one of my favorites, a Blackberry, Pear, and Apple Crumble. It’s a perfect dessert or snack for this time of year while you’re sitting by a fire reading your favorite fall-themed books!

PrintBlackberry, Pear, and Apple CrumbleThis is a basic crumble that can easily be adapted for different fruit and for vegan diets. I love to make this in September with slightly sour berries because it's a nice contrast to the sweeter pears and apples. I also try to use Macoun apples (which are hard to find) because they're sweeter without being mushy or mealy. It's fun to serve this warm with vanilla ice cream and/or whipped cream!Course DessertPrep Time 35 minutes minutesCook Time 30 minutes minutesServings 6Calories 395kcalIngredientsFilling2 pears peeled and cut into 1" chunks2 apples peeled and cut into 1" chunks3 cups fresh blackberries washed and stemmed1 Tablespoon lemon juice3 Tablespoons coconut or turbinado sugar1 Tablespoon arrowroot powder2 teaspoons ground cinnamonTopping1 3/4 cups rolled oats1/3 cup maple syrup1/2 cup pecans chopped1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon ground cardamom2 Tablespoons flour wheat, spelt, or almond1/3 cup coconut oil1/4 teaspoon sea saltInstructionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9" baking dish or pie plate, or you can use 6 ramekins.In a large bowl, gently stir together the apples, pears, and blackberries. Sprinkle the cinnamon, sugar, and cardamom over the fruit and stir gently.Stir the lemon juice into the fruit mixture and stir gently. Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared baking dish(es).In a medium bowl, stir together all of the topping ingredients. Once well mixed, sprinkle over the fruit evenly.Bake the crumble for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the type of baking dish). It's done when the fruit is bubbling and the top is golden brown.Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes. This is best served warm.

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Sarah Munro’s Quick Fire Cider

A few years ago, I published a traditional Fire Cider recipe. But since this year has been speeding by and shows no sign of slowing down, I began to research faster ways to make some of my favorite home remedies. After a few tries and tweaks, I’m happy with the recipe below. For those of you new to this series, Sarah Munro, the heroine in ONE DARK WISH, the second book in the Deadly Force series, is an 18th century historian who inherited a collection of colonial-era herbal and homeopathic remedies. And, in this blog space, I’ve been sharing her recipes with you all.

The original recipe for Fire Cider is a traditional, homeopathic colonial-era vinegar-based tonic infused with ingredients that have been purported to help kill viruses and build up the immune system naturally. There are many variations on this recipe and they almost always include garlic, turmeric, oranges, lemons, onions, honey, and a few other ingredients that have immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. The dosage is 1 Tablespoon a day during the fall and winter months. If anyone in my family is feeling sick, I give them an extra spoonful. Despite how it sounds, it actually tastes great.

Sarah Munro’s Quick Fire CiderIngredients:1/4 cup horseradish root powder1/4 cup raw honey1/4 cup ginger root powder1/4 cup dried organic minced onion2 Tablespoons dried rosemary leaf2 Tablespoons dried lavender1 Tablespoons turmeric root powder3 teaspoons garlic powder2 teaspoons black peppercorns2 teaspoons astragalus root powder1 teaspoon. dried orange peel6 star anise pods 4 whole bird’s eye chilis (or small Asian chilis)1 lemon, washed and sliced4 cups raw apple cider vinegar (with Mother)Directions:Wash and sterilize a quart-sized glass jar with a tight-fitting 2-part lid, such as a canning jar.Add all of the ingredients into the jar, layering one on top of the other. Fill the jar with the apple cider vinegar until all the ingredients are covered and jar is full. Leave a 1/4 inch of space at the top. Place a square of parchment paper over the top and then put on the 2-part lid. The paper will prevent an interaction between the vinegar and the jar lid if it is metal.Shake well but gently and store in a cool, dark cabinet for 2 weeks. But don’t hide the jar because it needs a good daily shaking.After 3 weeks (or at least 2 but not longer than 4), strain the liquid from the solid ingredients using a cheesecloth over a bowl. Pour the liquid into another quart-sized sterilized jar and store in a cool, dark cabinet or the fridge until gone.To use: take a Tablespoon every day with your morning juice. Or add this vinegar to your salad dressings and other recipes. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT WILD PLANTS, FORAGING , AND MAKING HERBAL REMEDIES:

I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).

It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.

If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.

Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.

Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.

Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.

Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.

I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!

The post Sarah Munro’s Quick Fire Cider first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The post Sarah Munro’s Quick Fire Cider appeared first on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Ham & Cheese Hand Pies

I love this time of year, and I especially love the stories that come along with the darkening days and cooler nights. One of the stories I love the most is the Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, both the original story as well as the Tim Burton film that came out in 1999. One of the things the film got correct was the Van Tassel feast Irving describes early on in the book. I wrote a blog post about it here, and it includes the passage about the feast (in the public domain) and a recipe for Dutch Apple Pie. I’ve reposted the open source passage below:

“Fain would I pause to dwell upon the world of charms that burst upon the enraptured gaze of my hero, as he entered the state parlor of Van Tassel’s mansion. Not those of the bevy of buxom lasses, with their luxurious display of red and white; but the ample charms of a genuine Dutch country tea-table, in the sumptuous time of autumn. Such heaped up platters of cakes of various and almost indescribable kinds, known only to experienced Dutch housewives! There was the doughty doughnut, the tender oly koek, and the crisp and crumbling cruller; sweet cakes and short cakes, ginger cakes and honey cakes, and the whole family of cakes. And then there were apple pies, and peach pies, and pumpkin pies; besides slices of ham and smoked beef; and moreover delectable dishes of preserved plums, and peaches, and pears, and quinces; not to mention broiled shad and roasted chickens; together with bowls of milk and cream, all mingled higgledy-piggledy, pretty much as I have enumerated them, with the motherly teapot sending up its clouds of vapor from the midst—Heaven bless the mark! I want breath and time to discuss this banquet as it deserves, and am too eager to get on with my story. Happily, Ichabod Crane was not in so great a hurry as his historian, but did ample justice to every dainty.”

Since our local Haunted Halloween Trail (this event is the basis for my novella One October Night and is available in a breast cancer anthology here) is the Saturday before Halloween (Oct 28), I’ve decided to throw a dinner party before the trail and I’m going to serve dishes inspired by the feast passage in Sleepy Hollow. And today’s recipe is for Ham & Cheese Hand Pies. Basically, they’re ham and cheese turnovers with frozen puff pastry dough instead of homemade. They are pretty easy to make and I hope you enjoy them!

PrintHam & Cheese Hand PiesThese hand pies are easy to make, and you can easily change the filling and add whatever meats, veg, cheeses, or fruits you prefer. This recipe makes 8 pies, but I've found that people will eat at least 2 each. So this recipe really serves four, unless you're serving these as an appetizer or as part of a larger buffet dinner.Course Main CoursePrep Time 20 days daysCook Time 25 days daysServings 4Calories 527kcalIngredients1 sheet puff pastry dough thawed2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard2 1/2 ounces gruyere cheese thinly sliced4 ounces ham thinly sliced and cut into 1/2 inch lengthsInstructionsPreheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.On a lightly floured counter, roll out the puff pastry dough into a 12" square.Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 equal parts, 3" x 6" each.Spread 1/4 teaspoon of the mustard onto half of each of the dough rectangles. Leave a 1/4" dry edge around each rectangle.On the half of each rectangle, layer 1/8 of the cheese slices and ham strips.With a pastry brush, brush all the edges with water. Fold the dough in half, covering the ham/cheese. Pinch the edges together with a fork. Gently move each hand pie to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Cut a few slices in top of each hand pie.Bake for 20-25 minutes until they are browned and the edges are crispy and the cheese bubbles out just a bit. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Or cool on a rack and store in an airtight container in the refrigerate They can be served cold or hot. They will last 2 days in the refrigerator.

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Ham & Cheese Hand Pies first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Ham & Cheese Hand Pies appeared first on Sharon Wray.