Sharon Wray's Blog, page 63

Prep & Plan: Week Seven

We’ve been so busy the past few weeks and Thanksgiving is coming up fast. So today I just want to touch on two topics with little homework. And I’ll add a recap at the bottom of the post.

The last two weeks we changed directions because of the supply chain issues. We reviewed what we needed to buy for the next four months to get us through winter–clothing, shoes, winter wear, food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and household goods. Normally, before we do these things, we’ve already decluttered and cleaned the house. That way there’s plenty of room to bring in new items. But since we stocked up (or are still stocking up) before doing all the pre-work, we now need to figure out where to store all the new things.

For the clothing, check the closets and dressers. When you were reviewing what you had and what you need, did you clean out older things to discard or give away? If so, hopefully you have space to store all the new clothes. If not, do not despair! You could store the new things in a laundry basket that can be tucked within a closet, a canvas bin or milk crate that can be tucked beneath a desk. Or in present boxes that can be slipped under the bed. The key thing here is not to store things in plastic bags as new clothes can get moldy quickly, and please don’t spend any money on storage bins. This type of storage is not a permanent solution. You’re only storing things away until we finish cleaning out the closets and drawers. And now that you’ve bought what you need for the winter, you also know how much space you need.

Depending on your time and situation, you may also want to wash the new clothes before you put them in short-term storage so they’re ready to wear once the weather changes.

Now onto food storage. Again, I could write a book about this but we don’t have time for that right now. If you’ve bought what you need and it fits into the pantry, awesome. We’ll be doing a thorough clean of the pantry this winter so we can clear out what you don’t need then. But what if you have no room for the things you bought to get you through the winter? Again, don’t despair. I have a few short-term solutions that may work.

First, it’s important to remember that the biggest issues with food storage is temperature control and pest control. During the winter, mice (and other awful things) will seek warmth and food. So if you have food stored improperly, they will find it. Also, certain foods don’t like swings in temperature. So that eliminates storing food in garages, attics, and basements that have no climate control. Second, you want to eat what you bought first so you’re always rotating your stock to prevent food from expiring.

So here are a few ideas for short-term food and toiletry storage. (Long-term food storage is another thing and we’ll discuss that in a later post). If you have a spare bedroom, or a dining room you’re not using, or even a large closet (like under the stairs), you could store your non-perishables there. Stack cans on a shelf in an unused closet, or place them in low plastic bins to store under the bed. If it’s truly short-term, place the food in packing boxes and stack them in the dining room. Be creative but safe. And remember—this is a short-term solution so please don’t spend money on storage bins, etc. If you need plastic bins, check with grocery stores or thrift shops. They toss a ton of plastic storage containers that can be cleaned and used temporarily.

For paper products, I often store them under my bed until I can make room in the garage cabinet. Luckily, paper products are not as affected by climate although mice do love to use paper products for nesting. Can you store TP in individual bathroom cabinets? Fit a few rolls of paper towels beneath a sink or in your china cabinet? Again, be creative since we will find a permanent storage solution when we have more time.

Cleaning supplies are a bit harder. They need to be kept away from children and pets, and some of them have temperature issues. First, separate those items that have to be kept at a stable temperature. Second, for those products that are stable, store in the garage or storage shed or attic in plastic bins (see above note about free bins). If you don’t have that kind of storage, you’ll have to make room in a closet. These things can’t be stored beneath beds (fumes do leak and you don’t want to breathe them in while you sleep) and must be secured away from kids and pets. Also, the liquid containers tend to leak so they need to be stored in plastic bins if not on a shelf. You could also store them on a laundry room shelf, or in a bathroom cabinet with a child-proof lock (if necessary). And always store similar products together. Never mix ammonia and chlorine, or baking soda and vinegar. You could end up with chemical reactions that really want to avoid. Like I mentioned above, these are harder to store but I’m sure you can be creative. Again, this is a temporary solution. And, this winter if the shelves are empty you’ll be happy you put in the work now.

Quick note about Holiday Shopping! Obviously we’re concerned about supply chain issues, and you may have already begun shopping for the holidays while prepping for winter. If that’s the case, great! If not, I just want to say you may want to start shopping now. Usually I wait until after Thanksgiving, but I am seeing shortages and long shipping times. So if you can afford the time and money, consider shopping now. Below are a few apps and websites that help you compare prices and sales:

Blackfriday.com ~ Keeps track of all the Black Friday flyers and deals both in stores and online.

Best Christmas Deals Facebook Group ~ Great FB group that discusses all sorts of shopping deals including how to spot scams.

The Frugal Living Website ~ Great website for tips on how to shop frugally.

Freeshipping.org ~ Aggregator site that keeps track of which sites/stores are offering free shipping.

Popcart ~ Shopping extension that pops up a window if it finds what you’re looking at at that moment for a lower price on a different site.

CouponFollow ~ Coupon aggregator site

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and I’ll see you after the holiday!

Recap for weeks 1-6:

In Week One, we are using our three legal pads to do our homework. First, we’re doing a whole house assessment. This includes a light clean up/decluttering so we can evaluate the details of each room: how many interior/exterior doors, how many windows, type of electronics, proximity to water/bathrooms, etc. This is an enormous project so please take all the time you need. This first step is crucial to setting up a plan.

Week One’s second assignment was to make a list of all the possible disasters that could happen in your area. Anything floods to hurricanes to blizzards to riots. On the second half of the page, keep a list of the disasters that have happened to you or your family personally. Keep this list on your refrigerator or someplace where it would be easy to add to. This will be an ongoing list we’ll use later on when we begin long-term planning.

Week One’s third assignment was to start a meal list–listing every meal you eat in a month. So this is ongoing homework until you feel you have a good idea of what meals and foods/snacks you eat and drink every day, every week, every month. (this is not a grocery list!)

Week Two’s first assignment was to make a list of all the cleaning supplies you use in every room of the house. And note those products you love and don’t love. 

Week Two’s second assignment was to schedule when you’re going to do a deep review and clean of each room. And don’t forget to set up meals and rewards ahead of time!

Week Three’s assignment: Figure out your menu for the next month or two (depending on the holidays you celebrate and all the things/visitors you have planned). Make an ingredient list and, from that, make a shopping list. Don’t forget to include any cleaning supplies that you might need (from last week’s list), especially any specialty or seasonal items like silver polish and Lysol.

Week Four’s assignment: Review the 

 2021 Thanksgiving Planner and Thanksgiving Portion Planner and decide what needs to be done when. Begin budgeting and food shopping for non-perishable items.

Week Five’s assignments: Think longer term about non-perishable food and household products (cleaning, paper products, etc). Make a list of what you need for the next four months to get you through the worst of the winter. Collect coupons and check prices and make a plan for how and when you’re going to purchase these things before the stores run out.

Week Six’s assignments: Go through the clothes in the house and make a list of what you need for each person and pet for the winter. Check outerwear as well as underwear. Socks, T-shirts, boots, etc. Wash and repair things that need it. Collect coupons and check sales flyers and make a plan for when you’re going to purchase/barter/thrift for these things.

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Pardon My Turkey

Deep in the mountains of Blacksburg, VA, there is a quiet place set aside for two very special guests.

Presidential pardoning of turkeys is a strange, and fairly new, tradition. Since the Lincoln presidency, the White House has been receiving Thanksgiving turkeys from private donors (since 1861) and from the National Turkey Federation (since 1947). The first recorded pardoning of a turkey was by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The 40 pound turkey arrived at the White House with a sign around its neck that said. “Good eating, Mr. President” to which the President supposedly responded, “Let’s keep him going.” While the President never used the word “pardon”, a Washington Post article at the time did use the word “reprieve.”

Years later, President Reagan joked about pardoning a White House turkey as a way to divert attention from the Iran-contra hearings but it wasn’t until George H.W. Bush, in 1989, officially pardoned his turkey. President Bush said, “…let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy. He’s granted a presidential pardon as of right now — and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.”

At the time, pardoned turkeys were sent to Frying Pan Park in Virginia. But, a year later, the turkeys were sent to Gobbler’s Rest, a special barn at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. Every president since then has pardoned two turkeys and sent them to Gobbler’s Rest which is open to the public.

A few years ago, when my son was a Pre-Vet freshman at Virginia Tech, he took me to Gobbler’s Rest. It’s a very unassuming circular barn on a quiet farm, deep in the mountains. I was surprised to discover that the barn was unlocked and unguarded and anyone could go in and pet the turkeys at any time. That day, two turkeys (Peas and Carrots) were living in a modern “wattle” and they each had a presidential seal on their gate. Nearby, I saw two blue turkey carriers (like a dog carrier used on an airplane) plastered with multiple Seals of the National Turkey of the United States.

I wasn’t that surprised that the turkeys ended up at Virginia Tech. The university has a well-known vet school and the school’s mascot is a Hokie–a low-flying turkey. And, yes, turkeys can fly. But they fly so low, you have to be careful while driving around because they will fly right into your windshield. I know this from experience!

Anyway, as I was petting the turkeys, I asked my son, “How long do turkeys live as pets?”

He shrugged. “About 12 years or so.”

“Huh.” I went over to a nearby hose to wash my hands. “Don’t you think it’s strange?”

My son handed me a grungy towel. “What’s strange?”

“There are only two turkeys here.” I waved my hand around the room at all the empty wattles. “It’s March. And the only turkeys here are from last November. So what happened to the previous year’s pardoned turkeys?”

His eyes widened. “That’s a really good question!”

As we left the barn, I asked, “Virginia Tech supposedly has the best college food in the country.”

My son nodded. “The food is farm-to-table. And a few weeks ago, we had turkey.”

Our gazes met and we both laughed because we were thinking the same things. Maybe the turkey wardens release the older turkeys when the newer turkeys arrive. Maybe the older turkeys were adopted and sent to other farms. Or, just maybe, the pardon is only good for a year before they end up as food for hungry underclassmen.

Still, if you are ever driving through the mountains of Blacksburg, VA, stop and pet the turkeys. They’ll be happy to see you!

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Sarah Munro’s Warming Muscle Rub

It’s November and with all the work with getting ready for the holidays, as well as the changing weather, I’m feeling achy and stiff. Add in a busy day at the pumpkin patch or apple orchard, and I’m worn out by dinnertime. But I don’t like the muscle rubs available in the stores. I don’t like the smell or the consistency. Luckily, Sarah Munro (the heroine of ONE DARK WISH, book 2 in the Deadly Force series) has been collecting 17th and 18th centuries herbal recipes and had this updated version of a warming muscle rub.

The peppermint oil is a natural muscle relaxant and painkiller that also stimulates blood circulation. Eucalyptus oil is a natural analgesic that has anti-inflammatory properties and improves circulation by helping to open veins. Clove oil, also a natural anti-inflammatory agent, increases blood circulation and can even reduce headaches. Add these ingredients to melted beeswax pellets (found at Amazon and other natural food stores) and you can make a wonderful, organic muscle rub that will help ease your autumn achiness and get you back on your feet faster.

Sarah Munro’s Warming Muscle RubINGREDIENTS:1/4 cup olive oil1/4 cup coconut oil1 Tablespoon beeswax20 drops of each of essential peppermint oil20 drops of each of essential eucalyptus oil20 drops of each of essential clove oil1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepperSaucepanTwo heat-proof glass bowlsKitchen funnelCoffee filterAirtight salve storage container DIRECTIONS:

Add two inches of filtered water to the bottom of a saucepan and place on the stove. Place the heat-proof glass bowl into the saucepan to act as a double-boiler. Turn the heat to medium. Stir the olive oil, coconut oil, ground ginger and ground pepper the olive oil, coconut oil, ground ginger and ground pepper into the pyrex bowl.

Let the water boil and reduce temp to a simmer. Slowly stir the spices into the oil and stir continuously for 20 minutes. Slowly stir in the beeswax and heat until the beeswax melts. While the beeswax melts, place the funnel over the second glass bowl and then line the funnel with the coffee filter.

Once the beeswax is melted, carefully pour the oil mixture through the funnel and coffee filter to strain out any impurities. This will take a long time so be patient. Once all the wax goes through the filter, add 20 drops each of peppermint, eucalyptus, and clove oil to the mixture. Stir until it’s mixed but do it quickly as it will cool. Once the mixture is combined, pour into a small airtight container. Seal the container and let it rest at room temperature for four hours before using.

To use: when your muscles feel tight, rub a small amount of the rub on any painful muscles. The heat will start to work quickly! 

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!

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A Gilded Age Thankgsiving

To recap the story we all know, in 1620, 106 religious separatist (Pilgrims) set sail from England on the Mayflower. After 66 very difficult days, they landed off the coast of Cape Cod.

They’d hoped to reach Manhattan Island, but the winds had other ideas. After setting up a colony farther south, near Massachusetts Bay, winter appeared and most of them died. That spring, with the help of a Pawtuxnet native named Tisquantum, the remaining settlers were able to plant corn, fish, forage, collect maple sap, and hunt. This was a remarkable gift of kindness considering that years earlier Tisquantum–aka Squanto–had been kidnapped by a sea captain and sold into slavery. After escaping to London, and learning English, Squanto was able to find his way home again. If it wasn’t for Squanto, historians agree that the settlers never would’ve survived another winter. In gratitude, the settlers and Native Americans served a feast that lasted three days.

There are enough written sources describing the first Thanksgiving feast that we know there were turkeys and other fowl, fish, corn, deer, fruits, nuts and breads. We also know that the celebration took place sometime between September 21 and November 9. (Queen Elizabeth pinged between the Julian calendar and the Gregorian calendar so sometimes exact dates from this time period are hard to pinpoint).

But that traditional feast, which resembles our own feast today, took an interesting turn during the Victorian and Gilded Ages. For some reason, the meal around the turn of the twentieth century became an event of epic proportions and beauty. First, eating dinner in a restaurant or hotel was all the rage and everyone wanted to be seen in the poshest places. Restaurants and hotels would have lavish menus and offered ten course meals. Even for the less-well-to-do, the meals were much fancier than we eat today. Quite a feat, too, since refrigeration was still a strange idea to many people. After dressing in formal clothes, people would attend lavish meals at the most expensive places (if they could get a reservation). Once seated, this is the typical menu they would have been served:

Oysters on the half-shell with cocktail sauce in pepper shells

Elaborate vegetable plates with radishes, celery, salted nuts, & carmalized nuts

Clear consommé soup with tapioca served on the side

Filet of flounder with pimentos and olives served with dressed (vinegar) cucumbers

Roast turkey & giblet gravy

Cranberry jelly in small, individual molds

Creamed chestnuts & glazed sweet-potato

Cider frappé in turkey sherbet-cups

Quail in bread croustades with dressed lettuce.

Blazing mince pie

Cheese with almonds & graham wafers.

Angel parfait in glasses, small cakes, & coffee

I have to be honest. I don’t know what all of those dishes are. But this kind of Thanksgiving lasted until the Great Depression. As the economy went into a downturn, so did the way people feasted. It wasn’t until after WWII, during the 1950s, that what we consider the “more typical” Thanksgiving dinners came into being. Mostly thanks to the Good Housekeeping magazines and cookbooks. Now, of course, our feasts are as varied as our backgrounds. And it’s such a joy to see so many different types of foods and recipes that people include in their meals.

As an aside, I was researching Creamed Chestnuts and what I found wasn’t at all pretty or appetizing. But I did find a recipe for Creamy Chestnut Soup with a homemade chestnut puree. I tried it a few times, adapted it, and below is the recipe that my family ended up loving. I hope you enjoy it as well!

Sharon Wray

Yields Serves 8

The Hungry {Romance) Writer: Creamy Chestnut Soup

This is an adaptation of an old Epicurious recipe and a recipe I found on the Olive and Mango blog. I made a few changes, but I do agree with the original recipes that making your own chestnut puree is the way to go. Commercial purees are too sweet or leave a woody flavor behind.

20 minPrep Time

35 minCook Time

55 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces2 Tablespoons unsalted butter1 large shallot, roughly chopped1 medium carrot, peeled and roughly chopped1 small leek cleaned thoroughly, roughly chopped1 stalk celery, roughly chopped2 cloves garlic6 cups chicken stock2? cups unsweetened chestnut purée (recipe below)1 bay leaf1 sprig fresh thyme½ cup heavy cream½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmegKosher salt and white pepper, to tasteChopped chives for garnishChestnut Puree2 2/3 cups chestnuts (skins on)3 cups water

Instructions

Chestnut PureePreheat the oven to 450?F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.With a sharp knife, score the the chestnuts in a cross pattern.Place the chestnuts on the baking sheet pan and bake for 20-30 minutes.Remove the baking sheet and lay on the stove or a towel on the counter. Working quickly and using a small towel, quickly peel the warm chestnuts.Place the peeled chestnuts in a saucepan and add water.Place the saucepan on the stove and turn the heat on high. Cook and stir the chestnuts until the water has evaporated and chestnuts have softened, about 15=20 minutes. They must be soft enough to blend in a blender or food processor.Place the soft chestnuts in a food processor or blender, add in two Tablespoons of water, and blend until smooth. If it's too thick, add a bit more water.Place a sieve on top of a large bowl. Pour the chestnut puree into the sieve and press down until all the puree has gone through the sieve. This may be hard, but it is worth it!Use the smooth puree in soups and baked good.Store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, in the refrigerator, for up to two weeks.SoupLine a plate with paper towels and set aside.In a large stockpot over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp, about 10 minutes.Transfer bacon to the paper towel–lined plate. Let the bacon cool on the counter. Will be used for garnish later.Keep 1 teaspoon of the bacon fat and pour off the rest.To that stockpot with the bacon fat, add butter, shallots, carrots, leeks, and celery. Brown the vegetables, stirring occasionally. Three minutes in, add the garlic and continue cooking for another 2-4 minutes. Vegetables must be soft and beginning to caramelize.Add the stock, chestnut purée, bay leaf, and thyme to the stock pot and bring to a low boil.Reduce the heat to medium. Add a cover, but skew it slightly, and simmer for about 20- 30 minutes, or until all the vegetables are soft enough to blend.Remove from heat and set on a counter on top of a towel. Let the soup cool slightly. Discard the bay leaf and thyme sprig.Using an immersion blender, puree until smooth.Return soup to the stockpot and turn the heat to medium-low.Slowly stir in cream, nutmeg, Kosher salt, and white pepper. While stirring slowly, cook the soup until it thickens, about 5 more minutes.Add more broth if you prefer a thinner soup.Crumble the cooled bacon.Serve immediately and garnish with the bacon and chives.7.8.1.2198https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/a-gilded-age-thankgsiving/ { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "url": [ "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/the-hungry-writer\/a-gilded-age-thankgsiving\/" ],"name" : "The Hungry {Romance) Writer: Creamy Chestnut Soup","description" : "This is an adaptation of an old Epicurious recipe and a recipe I found on the Olive and Mango blog. 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NaNoWriMo Check-In & Fun

NaNoWriMo Week 2 has ended, and we’re halfway through the month. I’m not going to talk about word count or anything else about our manuscripts.

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Today I want to talk about something we often don’t do while on any deadline, whether it be NaNo, our editor’s, or our own. That thing is having fun. Last week we talked about self-care, which is hugely important, but fun is also important. And yes, fun is different than self-care. But when I have fun, I don’t want to spend a lot of money–especially this time of year with all the entertaining and gift-buying, etc. So here are a few ideas to get you away from your keyboard and out in the world.

Watch a movie–either alone or with a friend. Put on a Hallmark Christmas movie, or a horror flick. Something that will get your mind off of your WIP and make you laugh, cry, or hide beneath the blankets. Throw in a huge bowl of buttered popcorn and your favorite drink and pretend you’re twelve.

Host a pot-luck dinner with friends. Have your friends bring over their favorite foods, open some wine or beer or your favorite beverage, and hang out like when you were in high school. If you have a fire pit or a patio, sit outside while the weather is still nice.

Play sports outside. Grab your friends to throw a football or hit a baseball. Maybe go for a run with your running buddy. Just do something that moves your body and gets you breathing in some fresh, fall air.

Pick apples, have a picnic, and drink cider. Although Halloween is over, many farms still have apples that need to be picked and cider that needs drinking. Bring a picnic and enjoy one of the last fall days outside.

Go for a hike in the woods. If you live in a state where there are woods, hike the local trails before all the trees lose their leaves. If you have no woods, I’m sure you have something just as lovely. A park or a desert setting. Anything that gets your heart pumping while taking in the beauty of a late fall afternoon.

Cook a meal or bake a cake. If you like to cook or bake, do so. Pull out your favorite recipes and start your dough rising and get that crockpot going. The best part of having cooking or baking as one of your hobbies is that you always have something awesome to eat when you’re done.

Hobbies. If you have any hobbies (scrapbooking, thrifting, sewing, woodworking, etc), pick a project to work on during NaNo. It sounds counter-intuitive, but having a separate project to work on helps keep your mind and soul balanced. It can also be motivation to finish your words so you can get back to your hobby.

Whatever you choose to do, do it with a happy heart and no guilt. Your book will get written, regardless if you hit the magic 50K number. But ending November with a hunched back and crooked fingers serves no one–not you, not your family, and not your characters. So do yourself a favor by stepping away from your WIP and having some fun!

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The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Sweet Potato Casserole

This month on the Hungry {Romance} Writer, I’ve been sharing some of my family’s favorite holiday recipes. And today’s recipe is a Sweet Potato Casserole with an extra-special topping.

This recipe came from my sister-in-law in Charleston. Instead of the marshmallows, this casserole has a crusty topping of butter, coconut, brown sugar, and pecans (which are optional). It’s easy to make and can be made a few days before the feast. If the kids have to choose between sweet potatoes and turkey, they’d always choose the sweet and crunchy casserole. It makes a lot and tastes even better the next day. If you want to separate out the servings with and without pecans, you can always make individual portions in ramekins.

Sharon Wray

Yields 8 ramekins or 1 casserole dish

Serves 8-12 servings

0The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Sweet Potato Casserole

My sister-in-law from Charleston gave me this recipe years ago and it has become a family favorite. You can substitute canned yams for the sweet potatoes, but just make sure to drain them well or else the casserole will be too mushy. The pecans are optional but if you use ramekins you can add the nuts for whoever prefers them. And this casserole can be made up to two days ahead of time. If I do it ahead, I don't add the topping until right before I'm ready to bake it. It also makes for great leftovers!

30 minPrep Time

40 minCook Time

1 hr, 10 Total Time

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Ingredients

Casserole3 cups cooked sweet potatoes (about 4)1 cup sugar1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature1/2 cup milk2 eggs1 teaspoon pure vanillaTopping3/8 cup salted butter, chilled1/2 cup flour1 cup pecans (optional)1 cup shredded coconut1 cup brown sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Grease a 9x13" pyrex glass casserole dish or 8 ramekinsIn the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix until well blended. There may be some potato lumps, but that's okay.Spoon theIn the bowl of a food processor, combine all of the topping ingredients (pecans are optional) and pulse until it forms a crumby topping.7.8.1.2189https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-sweet-potato-casserole/ { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "url": [ "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/the-hungry-writer\/the-hungry-romance-writer-sweet-potato-casserole\/" ],"name" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Sweet Potato Casserole","description" : "My sister-in-law from Charleston gave me this recipe years ago and it has become a family favorite. You can substitute canned yams for the sweet potatoes, but just make sure to drain them well or else the casserole will be too mushy. The pecans are optional but if you use ramekins you can add the nuts for whoever prefers them. And this casserole can be made up to two days ahead of time. If I do it ahead, I don't add the topping until right before I'm ready to bake it. It also makes for great leftovers! ","prepTime" : "PT30M","cookTime" : "PT40M","recipeYield" : "8 ramekins or 1 casserole dish","datePublished" : "2021-10-13 04:45:58","recipeInstructions":[ { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Preheat oven to 350 degrees F." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Grease a 9x13\" pyrex glass casserole dish or 8 ramekins" }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix until well blended. There may be some potato lumps, but that's okay." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Spoon the " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In the bowl of a food processor, combine all of the topping ingredients (pecans are optional) and pulse until it forms a crumby topping." }],"keywords" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Sweet Potato Casserole","recipeIngredient" : ["3 cups cooked sweet potatoes (about 4)","1 cup sugar","1\/2 cup salted butter, room temperature","1\/2 cup milk","2 eggs","1 teaspoon pure vanilla","3\/8 cup salted butter, chilled","1\/2 cup flour","1 cup pecans (optional)","1 cup shredded coconut","1 cup brown sugar"], "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/December-Blog-Post-Images-2.png" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Wray" }, "nutrition": { "@type": "NutritionInformation", "servingsize": "8 serving"},"@type": "Recipe"}

Welcome to Sharon Wray’s Amazon bestselling Deadly Force  romantic suspense series  where ex-Green Berets meet their match in smart, sexy heroines who teach these alpha males that Grace always defeats Reckoning.

Her bestselling debut book  EVERY DEEP DESIRE,  a sexy, action-packed retelling of  Romeo and Juliet,  is about an ex-Green Beret determined to regain his honor, his freedom, and his wife. It’s available at:   Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iBooks  |  IndieBound |  Kobo |   Google  |  Books-a-Million  |  Audible

Her second book,  ONE DARK WISH , a passionate redemption of Othello with a HEA, is about an ex-Green Beret who must give up the woman he loves in order to redeem his honor and save the life of his men. It’s available at:  Amazon  |   Barnes & Noble  |  Books-a-Million  |  iBooks  |   Google  |  Kobo  | IndieBound  |  Audible

Her third book, IN SEARCH OF TRUTH, is about an ex-Green Beret desperate to win back the woman he loves and save the men he betrayed, even if he must make the greatest sacrifice. It’s available at: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | iBooks|  Google | Kobo | IndieBound | Audible

Prep & Plan: Week Six

Last week we pivoted a bit from the timeline for this series in order to deal with supply chain issues. After reviewing the types of food we like to eat and the cleaning and household/toiletry supplies we prefer, we made notes about what we would need for the next four months. Then we looked at coupons and other cost-saving apps in order to figure out a plan to purchase these things as cheaply as possible within the next few weeks without breaking our budget. 

Today I’d like to continue on this theme of addressing the supply chain issues by working on the clothes, shoes and other household items we need for the winter. And next week we’ll address how to store all these things. 

When I began this series, the idea was to have all the space cleared and ready before we did any stocking up. But due to changes in the world, our timeline here has shifted. While I hate not sticking with my original outline, I also know from experience that prepping and planning has to be a flexible activity. After all, we’re planning for the unexpected so that means we need to be able to shift quickly out of cognizant dissonance and into problem-solving mode. And that’s what we’re doing today. 

Now that you have an idea of the amount and kind of food, cleaning supplies, paper goods, and toiletries you need (including any baby items), let’s look at what we require for our physical bodies for the winter. This is especially important if you have children since they grow so quickly and randomly. 

If you are in charge of the buying of clothes and shoes in the household, then you probably already know what each family member needs. Still, it doesn’t hurt to do a quick look in drawers and closets to double check. Last week I wanted to buy my husband a package of his favorite socks. I still can’t find them. Luckily he has enough to last for a while. Still, I now wish I’d purchased a second package in September. Now that we’re not sure when the supply chain issues will be fixed, we need to think clearly and unemotionally about the clothing needs of our families. It doesn’t matter if you’re a family of one or twenty. Someone needs to take charge so it might as well be you. 

First, count how many people are in your family. Then list your animals. Then divide that number by four. If you have four people, divided by four, then you need 1 page from your household legal pad. (see week 1) Divide each page in half, and use both sides. Each family member or pet gets a half of the page. Now it’s time to invade their privacy. 

Working from the inside out, check drawers and closets for the following items:

Underwear/bras/T-shirts

Tights/Socks (heavy and light, depending on climate in the winter)

Pants/jeans/leggings

Pajamas/robes

T-shirts/long sleeve shirts

Fleece/pullovers/sweatshirts

Sweaters

Dresses (if you need them in winter)

Winter Coats

Hats/scarves

Gloves

Snow boots

Snowsuits/pants

Rain boots

Duck boots

Sneakers/Other shoes

What does each member of the family need to get through the winter? Can you hand down clothing from an older child to a younger child? Does everyone have a decent winter coat that fits over layers? Does everyone have some sort of waterproof boots or shoes? Can something be washed or repaired or fixed? Or can you donate it? Are all the gloves/mittens in pairs?

If you have the time, I suggest you take out/discard/set aside anything you find that you no longer need. Clothing that is too small, too stained, etc. Either throw it out or set it aside to be thrifted or dropped off at Goodwill. This will not only help declutter, it also makes space for anything new you purchase. Once you go through this exercise for every person/pet in the house, you’ll end up with a list of things you need to get or replace, and maybe a pile of things that need to be washed or repaired. 

Now is the time to wash everything that needs it, or send it to the cleaners. The same goes for anything that needs repair. Do you have a coat you love with a broken zipper? If you can’t fix it, an alteration specialist (like at a dry cleaner) can do it for much less than buying a new coat. 

If you have the time and stamina, I also suggest you check each bedroom to see if any sheets or blankets or pillows need to be replaced or repaired. While the best bedding sales are in February, this year you never know—you might end up grabbing a new down comforter or a fabulous set of towels on Black Friday. 

You now have your finalized list of clothing and shoes and soft household goods you’re going to need for winter, and it’s time to look for sales. Just like we did last week, check Sunday coupons, store flyers, and coupon apps. Also, this is a great time of year to go thrifting. Thrift stores are especially great for children’s clothing, but I’ve also found lovely table linens and even new, cotton pillowcases with the tags still on them.  

Each department or big box store has apps that let you download coupons. I’m not going to list them here because there are way too many. But I do suggest you check in with the Blackfriday.com site because it allows you to compare ad and sales flyers from stores (online and brick-and-mortar) around the country. Don’t forget eBay and Etsy and Facebook Marketplace, although sometimes shipping costs can be an issue. 

You can also get together with your neighbors and do a clothes swap. Pick a day and a house and have friends bring a set amount of items (you can do just clothes or shoes or winter outerwear, to keep it simple) and then trade amongst yourselves. If you were going to give it away anyway, you might as well try to trade for it. And if you can do it over wine and apps, that is so much more fun!

I’d like to say a word about having garage sales and selling things online, like on Facebook Marketplace. If you are the kind of person who can organize that kind of selling, go for it! I’ve done garage sales and FB Marketplace many times. But, as organized as I am, I am not efficient enough for that type of selling. So you really have to know yourself. For me, garage sales are totally stressful and I hate them and I’d rather give everything away. My husband and kids are the opposite and make money off of things I would’ve tossed. I have great respect for people who can manage the secondary market well. I wish I had that talent. And if you are good at things like that, go for it! There’s a growing market for used items and it’s a great way to make some extra cash. 

Speaking of cash, now that you have your list and your coupons/know your sale days, review your budget and make a plan to acquire what you need. Either by buying, trading, or bartering. The options are endless. But with your list, you won’t be swayed to get things you don’t need. Meaning, you won’t waste money. And that’s the greatest gift we can give ourselves during such stressful, uneasy times. 

Next week we’ll talk about short-term storage and… talk about early holiday shopping.

In the meantime, here is the RECAP:

In Week One, we are using our three legal pads to do our homework. First, we’re doing a whole house assessment. This includes a light clean up/decluttering so we can evaluate the details of each room: how many interior/exterior doors, how many windows, type of electronics, proximity to water/bathrooms, etc. This is an enormous project so please take all the time you need. This first step is crucial to setting up a plan.

Week One’s second assignment was to make a list of all the possible disasters that could happen in your area. Anything floods to hurricanes to blizzards to riots. On the second half of the page, keep a list of the disasters that have happened to you or your family personally. Keep this list on your refrigerator or someplace where it would be easy to add to. This will be an ongoing list we’ll use later on when we begin long-term planning.

Week One’s third assignment was to start a meal list–listing every meal you eat in a month. So this is ongoing homework until you feel you have a good idea of what meals and foods/snacks you eat and drink every day, every week, every month. (this is not a grocery list!)

Week Two’s first assignment was to make a list of all the cleaning supplies you use in every room of the house. And note those products you love and don’t love. 

Week Two’s second assignment was to schedule when you’re going to do a deep review and clean of each room. And don’t forget to set up meals and rewards ahead of time!

Week Three’s assignment: Figure out your menu for the next month or two (depending on the holidays you celebrate and all the things/visitors you have planned). Make an ingredient list and, from that, make a shopping list. Don’t forget to include any cleaning supplies that you might need (from last week’s list), especially any specialty or seasonal items like silver polish and Lysol.

Week Four’s assignment: Review the 2021 Thanksgiving Planner and Thanksgiving Portion Planner and decide what needs to be done when. Begin budgeting and food shopping for non-perishable items.Week Five’s assignments: Think longer term about non-perishable food and household products (cleaning, paper products, etc). Make a list of what you need for the next four months to get you through the worst of the winter. Collect coupons and check prices and make a plan for how and when you’re going to purchase these things before the stores run out.

Week Six’s assignments: Go through the clothes in the house and make a list of what you need for each person and pet for the winter. Check outerwear as well as underwear. Socks, T-shirts, boots, etc. Wash and repair things that need it. Collect coupons and check sales flyers and make a plan for when you’re going to purchase/barter/thrift for these things.

That’s it for this week! There’s still a lot of work to be done in the homework assignments, but hopefully you’re coming along and getting it all done!

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A Romance Writer’s Favorite Thanksgiving Movies

After the dinner is cleaned up and the pies are eaten, one our family’s favorite ways to spend the rest of the evening is to sit outside and eat s’mores by the fire pit and then come in and watch a holiday movie.

While holiday movies now play from July-December, Thanksgiving movies are usually a one-and-done kind of thing. It doesn’t help that there aren’t that many Thanksgiving-focused movies out there. But I have compiled a list of family-friendly movies that revolve around Thanksgiving, even if only in a November-y kind of way. I hope you enjoy them!

Blurbs and Links courtesy of Amazon:

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles ~ “An uptight businessman teams up with an irritating know-it-all blabbermouth to find any means possible to make it home for Thanksgiving when a major snowstorm strands then in the Mid-West.”

This classic John Hughes movie with Steve Martin and John Candy will make you laugh and cry and I promise, by the end, you’ll be grateful for all of your blessings. And you’ll never look at holiday travel the same way again!

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving ~ “Two slices of toast, a handful of jellybeans, some pretzels – not quite what comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving dinner. It’s not what Peppermint Patty imagines either, but that’s what she gets when she invites herself over to Charlie Brown’s house for a turkey-day feast. After chastising “Chuck” for providing such a meager meal, she ends up eating more than her words and gains a few pounds of emotional sustenance. She also learns a little bit about the true meaning of the holiday. And you will too.”

Too charming for mere words. This is a classic animated film because it makes your heart sing. And I have no doubt that you’ll yearn for jellybeans and toast at your next feast.

Miracle on 34th Street ~ “A department store Santa is out to prove he’s the real Claus in this spirited 1947 holiday classic.”

Although considered a Christmas movie, this movie opens on Thanksgiving day with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. A lovely story about the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to have a child-like faith.

Dutch ~ “A snobbish rich kid and his mother’s new working-class boyfriend find themselves on a road trip from Atlanta to Chicago just before Thanksgiving. Dutch is on a mission to forge a relationship with the snotty Doyle and will do almost anything to make it home in time for dinner.”

An adorable movie from the 1990’s that will make you laugh and keep you wondering, until the very end, if these two will ever become the family they both so desperately want.

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving ~ “Set in the late 1880’s, a widowed mother of four struggles to keep food on the table. The oldest daughter sends a letter to her estranged and very wealthy grandmother urging her assistance, much to her mother’s disapproval.”

This movie is based on Louisa May Alcott’s short story of the same title. When Mary, the mother, tries to put on Thanksgiving for her three children, despite the fact they have no money, miracles abound.

The Blind Side ~ “Oscar-winners Sandra Bullock and Kathy Bates, and country singing star Tim McGraw headline this deeply moving adaptation of the Michael Lewis bestselling book.”

This movie is based on the true story of a homeless teen. While not technically a Thanksgiving movie, it has a wonderful Thanksgiving scene that will make you appreciate the true meaning of eating at the table as a family. It’s one of the best scenes of the movie.

Sweet November ~ “A power-suited ad executive (Keanu Reeves) and a free-spirited pet groomer (Charlize Theron) share a life-altering romance.”

A super-cute rom-com about a woman who invites a man she met at the DMV to spend the month of November with her. A request that changes his life forever.

 American Experience: The Pilgrims ~ “A documentary film by award-winning director Ric Burns, The Pilgrims chronicles the deep history, origins, and critical first decade of the first permanent English colony in New England.”

This documentary is a re-creation of the story about the “First Thanksgiving” and the founding of the first English colony in New England.

The New World ~ “This romantic epic brings to life the tale of Pocahontas and her relationship with adventurer John Smith set during the turbulent beginnings of America.”

The movie follows the mythical love story of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. It’s set against the backdrop of Virginia’s Jamestown settlement which makes it a great family movie for Thanksgiving night.

Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade ~ “The annual Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade has to cut costs or it’s going to be cancelled this year. When the city brings in consultant Henry Baldwin to analyze the books, he goes toe to toe with parade manager Emily Rogers who thinks Henry only cares about dollars and cents and doesn’t understand how much the parade means to the city.”

A Hallmark Thanksgiving movie that’s quite good. It’s a sweet romance about a woman who handles Chicago’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade and the cute, wealthy man hired to handle the finances. Can they work together to save the parade? Will they fall in love and live Happily Ever After? (The answer to both questions is yes!)

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Sarah Munro’s Cinnamon Honey Cold Remedy

Fall is my favorite time of year, but it’s also the time when my family begins to get sick. The colds and coughs begin in November and last through March.

Home herbal cold remedies have been around for centuries, and Sarah Munro (the heroine of ONE DARK WISH, book 2 in the Deadly Force series) has a recipe that was commonly used in Colonial America. It’s a simple recipe of honey and cinnamon that has been updated by using pure Ceylon cinnamon. Research has proven honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is a powerful source of antioxidants that can help reduce cough and cold symptoms. Although controversial, raw honey is also known to be a natural humectant–it draws moisture from the air and can bring it to your dry throat. The honey coats your throat, preventing bacteria from growing and can soothe already sore throats. It also provides some relief from coughing.

Cinnamon offers antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory properties. But the Ceylon cinnamon, which this recipe recommends, has less coumarin than Cassia cinnamon which is the cinnamon more commonly found in pantries. If you have no liver or kidney issues, the levels of coumarin don’t really matter. But this time of year, if you find yourself eating a lot of cinnamon in teas, home remedies, on your oatmeal or in your desserts, you may want to switch to Ceylon cinnamon. It has a milder, slightly sweeter taste and I now prefer it in my baking. It’s more expensive because Celyon cinnamon is grown in Sri Lanka and it’s sold in larger quantities, but one bag could last for years if stored properly. Celyon cinnamon is available at Amazon and other natural food stores.

Sarah Munro’s Cinnamon Honey Cold RemedyINDGREDIENTS:1/4 cup raw honey*1 Tablespoon Ceylon cinnamonDIRECTIONS:

In a small glass bowl, stir together the honey and cinnamon until it forms a paste. Scrape the bowl and pour the mixture into a sterilized glass canning jar with a two-piece lid. Cover tightly and set aside for use. It will last at room temperature for up to four months. This makes 12 teaspoons, enough syrup for four days for one person.

To use: When you first feel a cold coming on, take one teaspoon of syrup up to three times a day until the symptoms cease. The honey and cinnamon have antiviral properties that help fight infections, relieve coughs, and boost your immune system to fight off colds faster. It can be taken at any point during a cold but has the most effect at the first signs of illness.

*Do not give any kind of honey to children under 1 year of age and only use pasteurized honey for children up to the age of 16.

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!

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Sarah Hale’s Thanksgiving

Sarah Hale is an author best known for her children’s rhyme “Mary had a little lamb.” But, what many don’t know, is that she is the reason why we celebrate Thanksgiving as a national holiday every November.

Sarah Josepha Hale was born in 1788 in Newport, New Hampshire. Her progressive parents believed that both men and women should be educated so they made sure that Sarah continued to go to school long after most girls left. Sarah married a gifted lawyer named David Hale who supported all of her creative and educational endeavors. Unfortunately, he died leaving her a widow with five children. She began to write and sell poetry to support her family and her first book, Poems For Our Children, was a modest success. But inside that book was the famous rhyme “Mary had a little lamb” which has become one the most beloved of all children’s rhymes.

In 1837, she became an editor of the well-known magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book. Her essays, and works with other authors, made her one of the most influential female voices of the 19th century. And she used her voice to advocate for things like women’s education and child rearing. She was a staunch New England abolitionist and wrote often about the evils of slavery. She also used her contacts to raise money to preserve historic buildings including George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon and the Bunker Hill monument. Both of which are still open today.

Sarah Hale was heavily criticized for her belief that women should take control of the domestic realm and not involve themselves in politics. Yet, while she was not a suffragette, her influence and essays played a part in opening up educational opportunities for women and changing the laws about women being allowed to own property.

Despite all of her success, Sarah Hale is most well known for a letter she penned to President Abraham Lincoln in 1846. After writing many essays on the subject of making Thanksgiving a national holiday (which was only celebrated in the northeastern states), she wrote such a persuasive letter to President Lincoln that, despite the stress if being in the middle of the Civil War, he signed “A National Day of Thanksgiving Praise” into law. While President Lincoln codified the holiday, we have Sarah Hale–a visionary writer of rhymes and essays–to thank for it.

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