Selena Robins's Blog, page 18
February 9, 2015
Authors significant others tell what it’s like to be in love with an author. Plus Gift Cards #giveaway!
To express our love and gratitude to readers, bloggers, authors—-everyone who’s as passionate about books as we are, we are giving away 13 GIFT CARDS.
For your chance to win a gift card, please see contest rules below.
Have you ever wondered what an author’s significant other endures living with their creative partner?
If so, you’re in for a real treat, as 13 authors’ significant other share their thoughts on this topic.
We each polled our significant other, asking this question:
What’s it like living with an author?
Jasmine Aziz author of SEX AND SAMOSAS
Jasmine’s partner in love & crime: “I love dating an erotic author — reading her book aloud and an oral presentation mean two different things…”
Sheryl Babin author of THE HUNT FOR SNOW
Mr. Babin: “Being married to a writer is an interesting proposition. First and foremost, it’s a wonderful position to be in because it means we don’t necessarily need a second income! The flip side of that is…. we don’t have a second income! In all seriousness, a writer is an interesting creature in that their brains are constantly working and in some imaginative state. For my wife, that usually carries on well into the night long after I’ve gone to bed. When I get home from work, I do everything in my power to decompress and shut my brain down, while my writer wife usually has her brain firmly planted in hyper-drive! It’s a challenge sometimes, but one I’ve grown to love and embrace. Being married to a writer also means finding unfinished or forgotten items that have fallen victim to the proverbial “shiny object”. Yep, never a dull moment when you’re married to a writer.”
Caryn Moya Block author of AERIAL MAGIC
Husband Michael: “Being the spouse of a romance writer keeps me on my romantic toes, always trying to surprise or spark her, but at the same time, it is also critical to give her space to stir the creative juices, because it is her romantic creativity that I love the most.”
Leah Braemel author of FEEDING THE FLAMES
Mr. Braemel (aka Gizmo Guy): “I won’t say that living with a writer is always fun – many a night I have rolled over only to find the other side of the bed vacant –– ‘the characters started talking to me… I had to let them work it out…’ I think there is a very fine line sometimes between the creative and the insane.”
Tilly Greene author of HORSE
Husband: “What is it like to be married to a romance writer? Fine, well, impoverished, but I have fun when she asks for title help. She laughs, says they’re too naughty even for erotic romances, and never uses them – should I feel hurt?”
Alexandra Isobel author of ROMANTIC HEART BEATS
Mr. Isobel: “In a word? Annoying. She constantly walks around with her head in the clouds – like life is one big romance novel. Then when something happens, she looks around as if to say, this can’t happen to me, I’m just a character in a book. Annoying.”
Kelly Jamieson author of PLAYING DIRTY
Mr. Jamieson: “I love being married to a romance writer. Who else comes home to be greeted with; ‘Can you tie me up?'”
Celia Kenney author of VENUS RISING:
Husband (Paul Kennedy): “It would be great to marry a writer; their creativity spills out into all aspects of life. It’s even greater when the person you marry turns into a writer before your eyes.”
Jenni Marts author of the PAGE TURNERS SERIES
Husband Todd: “Being married to a romance writer means that my wife now considers pajamas pants and t-shirts to be her writing “outfit” and that we get weird looks in restaurants when she starts conversations like, “But what kind of poison do you think would kill someone and not leave any trace?”
Alisa Mullen author of THE GOODBYE TRILOGY (Book Two coming in March)
Mr. Mullen: ️”I honestly can’t believe how much work goes into Alisa’s writing. She is so dedicated to her stories and her readers. I wish the Indie world was like bands where people support one another. Nevertheless I am so proud of her.”
Selena Robins author of WHAT A GIRL WANTS
Mr. Robins (aka Mr. Rugged): Being married to you is like eating chocolate chip cookies, you can’t get enough you just keep going back for more.
Me: That makes no sense. Try again.
Mr. R: Being married to an author means that when you try to get metaphorical, she edits you.
Me: Give it another shot.
Mr. R: There’s a party going in inside my wife’s head, I hope to be invited some day when I’m too drunk to realize where I am.
Me: You don’t drink!
Mr. R: Exactly.
Angelisa Stone author of #TRIPLE X
Mr. Stone: “I love being married to a writer; it definitely has its perks. I can always tell when she’s just written a sex scene. I reap those benefits–again and again.”
Angelisa’s Sister: “I’m so proud of her all the time. I brag about her constantly to all of my friends. However, I have said on numerous occasions, ‘I’m going to tell you something, but it better not end up in a book.”
Michael John Sullivan author of the THE GREATEST GIFT
Mrs. Sullivan: “Living with you is like living with two different people. There’s you with the children. And there’s you with your work. You smile a lot with our children. You torture yourself with your writing.”
PRIZES:
12 Amazon Gift Certificates ($5.00 each)
1 Gift Card from All Romance (ARe) ($5.00)
Every commentator will receive Alexandra Isobel’s Romantic Heart Beats
CONTEST RULES:
Share your thoughts, or ask a question in the comment section, and your name will be entered in the draw to win one of 13 gift cards.
We would more than appreciate you sharing the link on Twitter and Facebook as well, and thank you in advance for your support and most especially for sharing your love of reading with us.
Winners will be contacted via email, on Sunday, February 15th.
Filed under: Author Interviews, Uncategorized Tagged: Author Spouses, February, Fiction Writing, Love, Marriage, Relationships, Romance, Valentine's Day
February 2, 2015
Pucker up, baby
Kiss. Smooch. Peck. Smmmmmmmack. Necking. First Base. Making Out. Tongue Tango—-whatever you want to call the delicious union of two sets of lips, meeting to pack a powerful, intimate union between two people, kissing will never go out of style.
Butterfly kisses. Chocolate kisses. Eyelash kisses. Nibbling—-so many and so much fun to give and receive. Whatever your pleasure, it’s all good….real good.
A few facts about kissing:
There are over 100 nerve endings in your lips that stimulate passion, and that melt all over feeling.
Why is the letter “X” used to symbolize a kiss? Historically, people who could not write their name, made an “X”on documents. To pledge their honor, they painted their lips and kissed the document next to the “X”.
Kissing unleashes endorphins, makes your heart beat faster, allowing more oxygen to reach your brain, putting you in a state of euphoria.
Kissing lowers the levels of cortisol (stress hormone), making you feel relaxed, secure and an overall feeling of well being.
Some of my favorite quotes on kissing:
“Kissing is a means of getting two people so close together that they can’t see anything wrong with each other.” ~Rene Yasenek
“Always remember this: ‘A kiss will never miss, and after many kisses a miss becomes a misses’.” ~John Lennon
“A kiss is a secret which takes the lips for the ear.” ~Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac
“Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you, tomorrow I’ll miss you.” ~Paul McCartney
“The best things in life are unseen. That’s why we close our eyes when we kiss, laugh and dream.” ~Unknown
“Kissing is like drinking salted water: you drink and your thirst increases.” ~Chinese Proverb
“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.” ~Ingrid Bergman
Filed under: Selena's Musings, Uncategorized Tagged: contemporary romance, Kissing, Kissing quotes, Love, Romance, Valentine's Day
January 26, 2015
Tic Tack Tao
Treat me nice, I’ll treat you better. Treat my family and friends like crap—I’m Italian I know people.
When in doubt. Google. When in a confused state of doubt. Use Snopes.
Every woman needs that friend who is the she in her nanigans.
If you have absolutely nothing to worry about, watch Doctor Oz for 15 minutes.
Sing into your hairbrush as if it were going to be seen by millions on YouTube. Only don’t really upload it on YouTube.
People oblivious to the drama-mamma’s latest drama are not hiding their heads in the sand, they’re allergic to unnecessary drama, bullshit and whiners.
Best anti-wrinkled ever. Sunblock.
How to look years younger without surgery. Smile.
If the grass is greener on the side, it’s because that grass has been weeded, seeded, watered, nurtured and the dog poop has been picked up, without muss, fuss, lots of love, fun and without any bitching or complaining.
Walk away from people who collect souls just so they can smear them with their toxic negativity. You don’t want to be part of their collection.
Keep your friends close. Run away from bat-shit crazy.
If you want to leave footprints in the sands of time, remove your shoes, because barriers will only protect you from living and not leave your mark.
Live well. Laugh often. Love always.
Filed under: Selena's Recipes Tagged: Life, Living well, Positive thoughts 
January 24, 2015
20 Years After the Glass Slipper
Re-posting for the new followers and there is the fact that I am busy in the editing/writing cave and haven’t had time to write a new blog. If you’ve read this already, I hope you re-enjoy it, if you haven’t read it as of yet, ENJOY! :)
Cinderella married Prince Charming and they lived happily ever after.” – The End -
There wasn’t an epilogue written for this fairy tale/romance. As children and even adults, are we to assume that happily ever after meant that after twenty years of marriage, Cinderella still wears a diamond tiara, crystal embedded Louboutin shoes, a Vera Wang ball gown, dines off of Wedgwood china and dances around the castle with her handsome prince every night after dinner?
Personally, I don’t buy that interpretation of happily ever after.
I picture Cindy favoring a pair of Nike’s (pink of course). As a busy mom with a lot of running around to do, her favorite outfit now consists of black, comfy yoga pants and a T-shirt that said, “Bite Me Step-Monster.” Much more conducive to her lifestyle than the corset and ball gown her Godmother had conjured up for her.
No doubt Cindy and Charming argued as to why the hell the Crank-Step-in-laws were invited to break bread with them at Thanksgiving; when all Charming wanted to do was crack open a beer, put his feet up and catch a polo match on the royal tube.
Crowned Dude worked hard for his monarchy and money. After twenty years the palace was in need of major repairs and a paint job (white glitter is so 1697). With the stress of the recession and palace union giving the royals a run for their jewels at the negotiating round table, this hero needed major kick-back time during the holidays. He didn’t want to deal with nasty-step-in-laws. However, he didn’t complain (much) and plastered on the suave smile that earned him his name.
One of their happy-ever-after, loving conversation’s may have even gone something like this after 20 years:
Cindy: “I’m throwing that cape out. It doesn’t fit you and we need more closet space.”
Charming: “How about dumping those glass slippers. They don’t fit you anyway.”
Cindy: “Are you saying I have cankles?”
Charming: “What the hell are cankles?”
Cindy: “Fat ankles, you idiot.”
Charming looks down at her ankles.
Cindy glares. “Why are you looking at my feet?”
Charming: “So about that closet. I can build you a new one.”
Cindy: “You think that damn swagger is going to get you out of this? Newsflash. That’s getting old. And so are you!”
Charming: “I’ll tell you what’s old. Your Step-monster and those butt-ugly daughters of hers sponging off of us.”
Cindy: “I agree!”
Charming: “I’ll order a hit on them.”
Cindy: “Ah, my hero.”
Charming puffs out chest.
Cindy rolls her eyes.
They put the slippers on E-bay and continue with their happy ever after.
As romance writers, it is up to us to create a hero and heroine that the reader will not only love and root for while we put them through angst, conflicts and unbearable challenges, but we create characters that instill the belief that this couple is going to survive and celebrate a golden anniversary when the reader finishes their story.
Happily ever after isn’t a fairy tale, or a fantasy vision of a couple always looking their best, and being happy 24/7 with each other. That is never my intent when writing a love story. Sure, there is the fantasy aspect of the romance, the escapism with heroes we can drool over. However, when it comes to the long-term relationship and their happily ever after ending (for me) in a romance novel and in real life–it doesn’t have a fantasy ending.
It means that after the initial euphoria of falling in lust followed by an all-consuming love, it turns into a more realistic approach to being able to ride the big wave together, battle demons, handle the baggage and still remain friends, in love and committed to the relationship.
My goal is for the reader to believe with all her heart that the hero and heroine of the story will work through in-law problems, unexpected illnesses, PMS, difficult pregnancy, colic, sleepless nights, a leaking roof, a leaking diaper, death in the family, and financial problems.
Through all this, the couple will support each other, laugh and cry together, and work as a unit to get through the many stresses that life throws at people when they least expect it. A happy ever after ending means that the writer has created two characters who not only have fallen deeply in love, but will give the reader the assurance that when the book has ended, the reader knows these two people will not only remain loving, but they will have a strong friendship that will last through the years, that they truly like each other and enjoy each other’s company (even if they get on each other’s nerves at times).
It’s reassuring the reader that after all the angst and conflicts this couple deals with throughout the story, that these two will always remember to celebrate what brought them together in the first place.
Happy ever after means that when you’re in severe physical pain, and it’s the middle of winter, and you had stupidity refused to refill the pain medication, your husband trudges out into the freezing cold in search of a 24 hour Pharmacy, fills out the prescription and returns home with not only the pain medication, but with a bottle of your favorite bubble bath. (Hey, I thought I was Wonder Woman and could deal with the pain after my elbow operation I had to endure. Thankfully, my husband has never uttered… “I told you so.” He’s a smart man)
Happy ever after means that even though a couple has a hectic schedule, after twenty years of marriage, they still take a moment to send a text message to say, “I’m thinking about you,” or perhaps send a naughty message (only make sure you have the correct phone number when doing that. I’m not admitting to anything, I’m just saying.)
So what is your definition of happy ever after?
Filed under: On Writing, Selena's Musings Tagged: Cinderella, Happy Ever After, Romance novels, writing romance
January 12, 2015
Welcome to a town where the inhabitants don’t give a rat’s ass.
If this curse word offends you, then please do not read on.
If the word does not offend you, then please click on CONTINUE READING link and it will take you to the blog post.
Welcome to the town of Whothefuckcares, where the villagers save their sanity in a happy-ever-after-reality-way because they choose to not give a rat’s ass about things that other towns, villages and cities seem to obsess over.
Of course there are disagreements and difference of opinions in the town of Whothefuckcares, it’s not perfect after all, but it’s perfect for them.
They have this system where everyone expresses their views, each person listening to each side, and yes they do bicker and even have loud throw downs, but it’s all discussed in a respectful manner.
Once they resolve their differences they get the fuck over it and move on.
The town’s rules and motto are listed in the courtyard as a reminder for the inhabitants but more importantly for the curious out-of-towners who visit Whothefuckcares to discover the villagers’ secret to living a drama-free existence.
Rumor has it that the Whothefuckcares townfolk drink a sugar-plum-fairy magical potion and eat sparkly mushrooms to maintain an even keel. That’s an urban legend and false. Just check Snopes.com.
The Town’s Motto and Rules
1. Don’t be a jerk/douchebag/fuckhead/bigot/murderer/rapist/thief.
2. DO NOT tolerate people. Tolerance is for annoying things that are inevitable and we have no choice but to put up with them. For example: idiots—hey, every village has at least one, the town of Whothefuckcares is not immune. As long as the village idiot’s stupidity doesn’t harm anyone, or cause damage, then really who the fuck cares? We tolerate things like crappy weather, the Toronto Maple Leafs, obnoxious hockey teams, and mid-season finale of Outlander.
Respect people’s differences. Learn from them. Live and work together with an open mind. Who the fuck cares about who they love, don’t love, what they wear, eat, believe in, don’t believe in. Care about your own body and soul and where it’s headed, that should keep you busy enough.
3. Realize that everyone is different on the outside, but they are all the same on the inside—we are all gross and disgusting on the inside—intestines, organs, guts—ever see a gorgeous skeleton?
4. Hate is not a recreational sport in the town of Whothefuckcares. If you enjoy hating, then drive right on through, there’s no vacancy.
5. If you’re an environmentalist, fine, hug a tree, make out with a branch, who the fuck cares? If you’re part of PETA, fine, dance with a polar bear and skinny dip with the dolphins. Please keep in mind that people who don’t talk to leaves and enjoy eating meat have the same opportunity to express themselves, just do your own thing because in the end, who the fuck cares.
6. If someone fucks up royally, it is THEIR fault. THEIR responsibility, not their mothers-, not their shitty childhoods, not their teachers, not the little asshole who threw them in the mud in nursery school, not their religion, not McDonald’s for supersizing their McFatty meals, because nobody fucking cares about all that. The blame for fucking up is on THEM and THEM alone. End of story.
7. If someone wants decorate a Christmas tree, a bush, hang a picture of Popeye in their window, or choose not to decorate anything, it’s all good. Does it make them happy? Does it harm anyone? No. Then go for it, because really, who the fuck cares?
8. If one chooses to live a meaterarian, vegetarian, vegan, peanutarian, fastfoodarian, celeryatarian lifestyle and it’s legal and they enjoy those foods, and are not harming anyone else, then eat and chase it down with a tall glass of who the fuck cares.
9. Pray, send white light, don’t pray, believe, don’t believe, embrace spirituality, don’t embrace spirituality, meditate, don’t meditate, whatever brings one their own inner peace is acceptable in the town of Whothefuckcares.
10. If you’re a staunch feminist, maninist—any “ist” or “ism”, it’s all cool, however, one must never force it on anyone else. When it doubt, refer to the town’s name—Whothefuckcares.
11. When you fill your grocery cart ask yourself; can someone in my community, family, or neighboring town use a little of this? Answer is almost always yes. Give a little. Even if it’s a loaf of bread or a bag of apples, it’s all good. Keep this cycle going. Everyone will eat. In the town of Whothefuckcares , generosity and empathy is something they really fucking care about.
12. No fighting and name calling when discussing if Kim Kardashian’s ass is real, if Beyonce is pregnant, what Angelina Jolie is wearing to lunch or if the housewives are real or really insane. If one gives two fucks about these faux celebrities and A-listers and enjoys viewing and discussing these topics, then it’s their choice, because really who the fuck cares?
13. Who the fuck really cares if someone wants to wear white after labor day, or stripes with polka dots, or wear orange shoes with purple pants a yellow scrunchie and blue eyeshadow? Okay, the aforementioned is not my fashion thing and probably not most of you out there reading this, but for those who want to do this; who the fuck cares?
14. The town folk of Whothefuckcares all have one thing in common—-compassion. They do not participate in mean-spirited online memes, making fun of people who shop at Walmart, or anyone with any physical or mental challenge, they give a lot of fucks about this issue.
15. Politics. You’re left. You’re right. You’re in between. It’s your choice. You vote how you want, but you never slam someone who doesn’t lean your way. Whichever way you vote or whatever politician you support, it’s your business because really, who the fuck cares what you do?
16. All citizens who reside in Whothefuckcares must read. Books. Magazines, comics, backs of cereal boxes, appliance manuals, blogs, tweets—these are all acceptable, the main thing is that they must read. Romance novels are mandatory of course.
17. LOVE. Everyone deserves to give love and receive love. It doesn’t mean they all have to be married or in a boy/girl relationship, it doesn’t even mean that it has to be a romantic love. Love has many facets to it.
Love a pet, parents, siblings, neighbors, friends, nature—just love and do what is right for you, your mental and physical health, and what makes you happy. You’re not harming anyone…then go out and live, laugh often and love always.
Don’t worry about what others think, because really in the end: Who. The. Fuck. Cares!
Filed under: Uncategorized
December 30, 2014
It’s time to get lucky!
It’s the time of the year when we say goodbye to the past and welcome in a new year. Many revelers will be popping the cork and toasting 2015 with champagne, but for millions of people around the world, specific foods are enjoyed to summon good health and prosperity for the next twelve months.
Whether you are like me (and don’t buy into lucky charms, rabbit’s foot or the superstitions surrounding luck to bring you prosperity and blessings) or if you do believe—it’s all good, as we all have different thoughts on this, but one thing we can agree on, I’m sure, it’s fun to have some fun with folklore.
Taking a glance at some of the places around the world, discovering what traditional foods are eaten to celebrate the New Year.
Italy
Lentils
Lentils (soup or served in a salad) are considered to bring prosperity because of their coin-like appearance, plus they plump up after cooking, which folklore says gives you a year of abundant fortune.
Chiacchiere (Italian honey balls)
Chiacchiere (fried dough, dipped in honey and sprinkled in powdered sugar) is a popular recipe for New Year’s Day in Italy and Italian homes around the world. These delicious treats can be shaped any size, however, for New Year’s they’re made into dough balls, or shaped like a doughnut to symbolize coming full circle.
Germany
Sauerkraut, Stuffed Cabbage, Cole-Slaw
In Germany it is said that cabbage will bring many blessings and wealth.
Makes me wonder if the slang word “cabbage” to mean money came from this tradition.
I love all kinds of vegetables, but ones in the cabbage family are not my favorite. I stuff grape leaves instead, and grapes are a sign of good fortune and green, so I’m covered.
China, Japan & other Asian Countries
Long Noodles
It’s customary to enjoy long noodles in some Asian cultures as it signifies longevity and slurping them brings you extra luck.
It’s important to keep them long, so having them in a stir fry would be appropriate.
Dumplings
Gold ingots were once China’s currency. In Chinese kitchens stuffed dumplings resemble those ingots, signifying hope for a fortunate new year.
However, there is a disclaimer with this dish as superstition warns against counting the dumplings. Also, if there is any discourse between family members, this must be resolved before the dumplings are cooked.
Tastier than handing out an olive branch, as I don’t think one can eat an olive branch.
Spain, Cuba, Portugal, Hungary, Austria
Pork
There may be other cultures as well as those listed in the title that believe pigs symbolize progress, because pigs always move forward, and they push their snouts forward along the ground when scrounging for food.
If you’re a vegetarian, no problem. One can consume food that is shaped like a pig (cookies, crackers and if you’re real talented, vegetable or fruit shaped little pigs).
Mexico, Spain, Philippines
Round Fruit
The most popular round fruit to eat on New Year’s Eve are grapes. Although any round fruit on New Year’s Day works as well.
In Spain, Mexico and Philippines it is tradition to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, representing good fortune and health for each month of the new year.
However, you can have 13 if you’d like, because in some European cultures and in the Philippines, 13 is a lucky number.
Turkey
Pomegrantes
Pomegrantes are one of my favorite fruits to eat in the winter. Pomegrante juice with a splash of vodka is a tasty (and filled with antioxidants) cocktail as well.
Pomegranates signifies good luck for many reasons. The color red represents the heart, which brings you love. They are abundant with round seeds, a sign of prosperity, and they are chock full of great nutritional value, which brings you good health
Europe and Southern USA
Greens
Green is the color of money, except in Canada, ours is multi-colored, but we do have a few green bills. People in southern USA and all over Europe love to eat a variety of greens on New Year’s day for prosperity. The belief is, the more green you eat, the more cash will come your way.
My favorites are bok-choy, Swiss chard, rapini, broccoli, romaine lettuce, leaf lettuce–actually, besides cabbage family greens, I love them all year round. J’ve never won the lottery, but my tummy is quite pleased.
Southern USA
Corn Bread
The golden color of corn resembles gold nuggets.
More prosperity!
Canada
Chocolate
I decided chocolate will be Canada’s traditional food for the new year. You’ll have to help me spread the word around for this one.
Chocolate is good any time of the year, and it will balance out your life, especially if you have one in each hand.
Cover all your bases
One could create a menu to cover all your bases. For example: a stir fry, with lentils, sausages, green vegetables and long noodles, with a side of green salad, corn bread, followed by a platter of fruit, chocolate and Italian dough balls for dessert.
Even if you don’t win the lottery and strike it rich after trying a few of these dishes, you’ll have won the: let’s have something different to eat on New Year’s Day win-fall.
Filed under: Selena's Musings Tagged: Europe, Good luck food, Italy, New Year, traditions
December 22, 2014
It’s the most bakeable time of the year.
It’s the season for last minute shopping, last minute cards to be sent out, and the most fun of all—last minute baking,
Sharing a few recipes to complement your sweet table. These can be enjoyed any time of the year, so if you don’t have time before Christmas, you can whip them up for New Year’s, PJ Weekends, any time is a good time to bake and fill your home with the sweet essence of home-baked goodies made with love.
Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel Cookies
Ingredients:
15 Kraft Caramels
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup peanut butter (you can use chunky peanut butter for more texture if you’d like)
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. table salt
2 cups milk chocolate chips (in my experience, Hershey’s milk chocolate chips are the tastiest)
Sea Salt
Directions:
Slice each caramel in half. Put on a microwaveable dish, and microwave for 15 seconds. Remove, roll each caramel slice in a ball, then flatten. Place on a plate and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk butter and brown and white sugars together until creamy. Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla and mix until everything is well combined and smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and table salt, then add the chocolate chips and mix together.
Slowly fold in the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture, until everything is combined.
Put the cookie dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
When oven is ready, drop tablespoon-size balls of cookie dough onto cookie sheet, and press each cookie down to slightly flatten.
Bake for 9-10 minutes until set and very light in color. They will appear under-done.
Remove from oven and while cookies are still hot, press a caramel in the middle of each cookie, then sprinkle the caramel with a few grains of sea salt.\
Let cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Store at room temperature in a cookie tin.
If you can manage to make them last, they are good for 5 days in the tin.
Italian Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
4 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups flour
4 tsps. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
2 cups icing sugar (confectioner’s sugar), sifted
6 tsps.lemon juice, freshly squeezed from a lemon
Colored sprinkles
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 F
Line baking sheet with parchment paper or grease your cookie sheet.
Place a piece of wax paper underneath your cookie cooling wracks.
In a bowl sift icing (confectioner’s) sugar, and add lemon juice. Mix well together, until smooth, and not too watery. You can thicken it with more icing sugar if you need to. Set aside, while you make your cookies.
In a big bowl bowl cream together, eggs, butter, vanilla extract and sugar, until creamy.
In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, salt together and mix well.
Slowly add flour mixture to creamy mixture, and knead well to form a non-sticky dough.
Sprinkle working surface with some flour, and turn dough onto your surface and roll the dough to form a log.
Slice into two inch pieces, then twirl into shape.
Place each cookie on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and let sit for 2 minutes, then dip each cookie into the lemon icing sugar bowl, and top with sprinkles. Then transfer onto a cooling rack.
Maple Pecan Tarts
Ingredients:
1 cup pure Maple Syrup
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
3 large eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/3 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped (you can toast them ahead of time, or use them as is)
48 miniature uncooked tart shells, or 24 large tart shells, or if you want to make a pie, 1 uncooked pie shell. You can purchase pre-made ones (saves time) or you can make your own.
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350
Tip: To keep the edges of any pie or tarts from burning, place a small bowl of water in the corner of your oven. Just use a oven-proof glass bowl, add about 1 cup of water and put in the corner. Helps to add moisture and not burn your crust. I do this for cakes as well, and makes cakes nice and light.
In a bowl add: maple syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, lemon juice and vanilla, mix well until smooth and creamy.
Distribute pecans evenly to each tart shell.
Fill tarts with creamy mixture to the top.
Bake tarts for 18 – 20 minutes (for pie, bake for 45 – 50 minutes)
They’re done when you insert a toothpick in the center and it comes out dry.
Best wishes from our home to yours.
Whatever special holiday you are celebrating;
May you be dashing through the snow (or sand or grass) with laughter.
May your star on your tree, the twinkling lights in your world shine bright with blessings.
May your bells jingle with music, whether you can carry a tune or not.
May your homes be filled with warmth, love, laughter, candy, good health, kindness, p eace and harmony for you, your families, friends, community, country during the holidays and throughout the year….the world is always a better place when it’s filled with love, laughter and light.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa,
Happy Pancha Ganapati, Bright Yuletide
Happy Holidays to all!
Filed under: Holidays Tagged: Chocolate Chips, Christmas Baking, Holiday baking, Italian Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, Pecan Tarts
December 13, 2014
Fabio – The Chef who set his Grandma’s kitchen on fire
This charismatic celebrity chef hates cilantro.
At seven-years-old, he set fire to his grandmother’s kitchen.
He explains why he reviewed his own cook book on Amazon. Bravo to him, I say.
He gives us insight into reality television.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Fabio Viviani (Top Chef Contestant) on the phone. I wish I could have taped our conversation so you could all appreciate his wit, tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, infectious laughter, and warm personality all wrapped up with a delightful accent.
Here is a transcript of our conversation, (excluding all the laughter we both shared) plus a delicious easy-to-follow risotto recipe.
Selena: Fabio, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to to talk to me today. If you hear clicking, it’s because I’m typing at the same time we are chatting.
FABIO: Thank you, Selena. If you hear barking, that’s my dog. Please excuse the other noise too. My friends are here as we are making a Christmas breakfast American style. Hash browns, sausages, eggs, truffles, quiche.
Selena: You were one of my favorites on Top Chef. You were funny, easy going and your food looked scrumptious. I was disappointed when you left as I’m sure a lot of your fans were. It was a hamburger that sent you and your knives packing, have you made another hamburger since?
FABIO: Sure. I don’t know what those judges were talking about, my burger was delicious. Since that infamous hamburger episode, I have created another recipe to make the perfect Hamburger, not like the one i did on Top Chef.
(The link to the hamburger recipe is at the end of the interview.)
Selena: Do the chefs have a feeling that they will have to face the judge’s table with the possibility of being told “pack your knives and go?”
FABIO: They don’t really know. We know if our dish is good or not. The quick fire and the elimination contest on Top Chef, well, you know, it’s not what I do for a living, I didn’t freak out during the show. Now, if I had to do Dancing With the Stars, then I would freak out.
Selena: How does it feel to stand in front of the esteemed judges as they either praise or tear down your culinary creation?
FABIO: I take critique as an opinion, I don’t take it personal. If someone comes into my restaurant and says they don’t like this dish, they want it made a different way, well, I just tell them; that’s how we make this dish. It’s their opinion and they are all entitled, but I’m not going to change how a dish is made. Hey, I say, how about you don’t order it and get something else instead.
Selena: (As I said, above, it’s really too bad this wasn’t tape recorded, because in saying this, he did not have any hint of arrogance, it was all tongue in cheek and said in a warm manner. I would bet, the customers love him even when he tells them he’s not about to change anything on his menu.)
Selena: I’m Italian as well, however there are two things that are common to Italians that I absolutely do not like. One is oregano and the other is coffee. Do you have any food that you dislike?
FABIO: Not sure if you’re Italian, Selena. Cilantro. I hate Cilantro. I hate it so much that I would like to hang the person who invented it. If you don’t add enough or put one extra leaf of Cilantro it ruins your whole dish. I’m not a big fan of Peanut Butter. Otherwise, I eat pretty much eat anything.
Selena: What advice would you give someone who is going to be on a reality show?
FABIO: First piece of advice: Please, don’t cry on national television. No, don’t do it. Ever.
Keep your mouth shut and don’t say what you’re thinking out loud all the time. My filter is medium to large mesh—not a good idea sometimes. Okay, most times. Good thing they edited a lot of our disagreements, because what you saw was only a small clip of what really goes on when we disagree with a judge or a guest judge.
Being on Top Chef was a great experience. A lot of positive came out of meeting everyone on the show, networking with different people and making new friends.
Selena: Do all the contestants get along?
FABIO: Yes. They’re all good people, good chefs. We don’t hang out as we are all very busy but when they come to town we get together.
Selena: When did your love affair with cooking start?
FABIO: When I was seven years old, I set my grandma’s kitchen on fire by mistake. She said she better teach me to handle fire on the stove before I burn the whole town down. My grandmother taught me how to have a passion for food, cooking with simple ingredients.
Selena: As you know, I’m a romance author, sexy hero’s are part of the romance genre. What do you think about a hero who is a chef? Are chefs sexy?
FABIO: W ell, I think I’m beautiful. My Mamma thinks I’m the best chef and the most gorgeous. But this is a tricky question. Let’s see, chefs sexy? They are passionate and that could be sexy. They make delicious food and that’s sexy.
Selena: Speaking of your Mamma, what does your family in Italy think of you being on Top Chef?
FABIO: They didn’t really understand the concept of the show. The show doesn’t air in Italy so they didn’t see it. When they visited me here I had taped some episodes and showed them. They were proud of me, you know, money, glory and as long as I’m happy in what I’m doing then they’re happy.
Selena: I got a smile at your Amazon page, where you give yourself a five star review. Good for you. Most fiction writers hesitate to even go to Amazon and look at reviews let alone give ourselves a pat on the back, which I think is admirable.
FABIO: Well did you not think my book deserved 5 stars?
Selena: Absolutely, I love your cook books. I share a lot of recipes on this blog so I know first hand how hard and challenging it is to write down the correct ingredients and instructions so that readers will find them easy to follow.
FABIO: Thank you for the compliment. See, that’s why I gave myself 5 stars. Don’t worry about what people put on Amazon, it’s an opinion and every one has one and you can’t please them all anyway.
Selena: Totally agree with you. No matter what you write in a book, it’s so subjective that it’s virtually impossible to please every single reader – or cook in your case.
So much fun talking to you, Fabio, I wish we had more time, and it’s too bad I don’t have the technology to have this conversation on audio for my readers, I think they would have enjoyed your wit and especially your infectious laugh.
FABIO’s CRANBERRY RISOTTO Recipe:
Ingredients
4 oz of fresh or frozen cranberries
2 tbsp of butter
4oz of diced pancetta
half onion diced till caramelized
2 handfuls of rice
4 cups of stock
1 tbsp of cranberry sauce
salt and pepper
shaved parmesan
Directions:
Cook 4oz of fresh or frozen cranberry in 2 tbsp of butter with 4oz of diced pancetta and half onion diced till caramelized, sauté 2 handfuls of rice in it and add little by little about 4 cups of stock, add also 1 tbsp of cranberry sauce towards the end and a pinch of salt and pepper, top with shaved parmesan. Enjoy!
Filed under: Recipes Tagged: Christmas Recipe, Cooking Shows, Fabio Hamburger recipe, Fabio Viviani, Italian cooking, Reality TV, Risotti, Top Chef
December 12, 2014
Forty-six things I’d tell my younger self…
Great blog piece by Jasmine Aziz. I am sure we can all relate to some of these on Jasmine’s list.
Re-blogging this witty and insightful post from Jasmine’s blog.
Originally posted on jasmine aziz:
I recently turned forty-six. Of course being a retired vibrator seller I like to say “I’m forty-sex” really fast and then watch people’s reactions.
I’ve noticed that ever since I passed the forty year mark most women immediately react by telling me to lie about my age. “Oh, you mean you’re just twenty-five”, they say.
I never want to be twenty-five again! But I won’t lie, it would be nice to have their metabolism the next time I’m at an all you can eat dessert bar.
I’m very proud of my age. I’m proud of what I have done and what I have learned. I’m not saying I’m wise and mature. Mature is always a stretch for me. I have however gained some insight into life and more importantly, to how I react to life. That got me to thinking about what I would tell a younger version of myself.
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Filed under: Uncategorized
December 7, 2014
Christoph Fischer on defying writing genres.
Please join me in welcoming, Christoph Fischer, author of beautifully written novels, filled with layers of lyrical prose, history, family dynamics, real life challenges and love.
Thank you for sharing a part of your writing journey with us, Christoph for the kind words about my blog and writing. Coming from a talented and established writer as yourself, I am humbled.
*~*
Thanks for inviting me, Selena. I’m grateful to be here on your beautiful blog. It’s wonderful to come to a place that is open to a variety of genres and writers without restriction. It is this openness and genre defying that I want to talk about.
I’m an impulsive writer and work best when I follow the direction which my ‘muse’ or inspiration takes me to. This comes as both, a blessing and a curse. Readers may get to like a certain aspect of my writing and be disappointed when the next book takes a different direction. Having a label could be very helpful to establish a sound reader base as it offers a reliable and predictable brand.
At the same time, this could turn the writing into something formulaic and repetitive and in extreme cases to a soulless and uninspired affair. I have deliberately avoided labels and niches, mostly because of the impulsiveness of my writing in the hope to keep it genuine, fresh and interesting and hope that readers will like the underlying current and personality of the writer of the stories.
I wrote my historical novels out of a curiosity and fascination with the chosen times and places. “The Luck of the Weissensteiners” and “Sebastian” covered the World Wars and allowed me to mentally process topics related to my family roots in Czechoslovakia and Austria.
“The Black Eagle Inn” let me examine Germany after World War 2.
After that my mind turned to other issues and I worked on contemporary novels that dealt with problems such as Alzheimers’ (“Time To Let Go”) and mental health (“Conditions”).
I couldn’t help myself. Mechanically doing research and constructing another historical novel after “The Black Eagle Inn” wouldn’t have worked for me at the time.
Since then, I had the ideas for a medical thriller (“The Healer”) and for another historical novel (“In Search of a Revolution”, set in Finland between 1918 and 1950). Both will be released in early 2015.
When I write a new novel, I encounter a similar impulsive pattern. I come up with plans and strategies for my characters, locations and key scenes but the plot will not always yield to my demands. The novel (and the ‘muse) itself will determine pretty much the way the story unfolds on their own terms. I would love to construct a great series with a fool proof formula but sadly, I don’t think I could pull it off (unless it ‘just happened’). Again, I hope this adds something personal and genuine to the books.
So coming to your blog today is visiting a good friend with a similar outlook, a woman for whom writing seems to be an expression and whose writing comes directly from the heart – a quality shows in all of your work.
The Luck of the Weissensteiners (Three Nations Trilogy Book 1)
In the sleepy town of Bratislava in 1933 a romantic girl falls for a bookseller from Berlin. Greta Weissensteiner, daughter of a Jewish weaver, slowly settles in with the Winkelmeier clan just as the developments in Germany start to make waves in Europe and re-draws the visible and invisible borders. The political climate in the multifaceted cultural jigsaw puzzle of disintegrating Czechoslovakia becomes more complex and affects relations between the couple and the families. The story follows them through the war with its predictable and also its unexpected turns and events and the equally hard times after.
But this is no ordinary romance; in fact it is not a romance at all, but a powerful, often sad, Holocaust story. What makes The Luck of the Weissensteiners so extraordinary is the chance to consider the many different people who were never in concentration camps, never in the military, yet who nonetheless had their own indelible Holocaust experiences. This is a wide-ranging, historically accurate exploration of the connections between social location, personal integrity and, as the title says, luck.
Sebastian (Three Nations Trilogy Book 2)
Sebastian is the story of a young man who has his leg amputated before World War I. When his father is drafted to the war it falls on to him to run the family grocery store in Vienna, to grow into his responsibilities, bear loss and uncertainty and hopefully find love.
Sebastian Schreiber, his extended family, their friends and the store employees experience the ‘golden days’ of pre-war Vienna and the timed of the war and the end of the Monarchy while trying to make a living and to preserve what they hold dear.
Fischer convincingly describes life in Vienna during the war, how it affected the people in an otherwise safe and prosperous location, the beginning of the end for the Monarchy, the arrival of modern thoughts and trends, the Viennese class system and the end of an era.
As in the first part of the trilogy, “The Luck of The Weissensteiners” we are confronted again with themes of identity, Nationality and borders. The step back in time made from Book 1 and the change of location from Slovakia to Austria enables the reader to see the parallels and the differences deliberately out of the sequential order. This helps to see one not as the consequence of the other, but to experience them as the momentary reality as it must have felt for the people at the time.
The Black Eagle Inn (Three Nations Trilogy Book 3)
The Black Eagle Inn is an old established Restaurant and Farm business in the sleepy Bavarian countryside outside of Heimkirchen. Childless Anna Hinterberger has fought hard to make it her own and keep it running through WWII. Religion and rivalry divide her family as one of her nephews, Markus has got her heart and another nephew, Lukas got her ear. Her husband Herbert is still missing and for the wider family life in post-war Germany also has some unexpected challenges in store.
Once again Fischer tells a family saga with war in the far background and weaves the political and religious into the personal. Being the third in the Three Nations Trilogy this book offers another perspective on war, its impact on people and the themes of nations and identity.
Time to Let Go
Time to Let Go is a contemporary family drama set in Britain.
Following a traumatic incident at work Stewardess Hanna Korhonen decides to take time off work and leaves her home in London to spend quality time with her elderly parents in rural England. There she finds that neither can she run away from her problems, nor does her family provide the easy getaway place that she has hoped for. Her mother suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and, while being confronted with the consequences of her issues at work, she and her entire family are forced to reassess their lives. The book takes a close look at family dynamics and at human nature in a time of a crisis. Their challenges, individual and shared, take the Korhonens on a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
Conditions
When Charles and Tony’s mother dies the estranged brothers must struggle to pick up the pieces, particularly so given that one of them is mentally challenged and the other bitter about his place within the family.
The conflict is drawn out over materialistic issues, but there are other underlying problems which go to the heart of what it means to be part of a family which, in one way or another. has cast one aside. Prejudice, misconceptions and the human condition in all forms feature in this contemporary drama revolving around a group of people who attend the subsequent funeral at the British South Coast.
Meet flamboyant gardener Charles, loner Simon, selfless psychic Elaine, narcissistic body-builder Edgar, Martha and her version of unconditional love and many others as they try to deal with the event and its aftermath.
ABOUT CHRISTOPH FISCHERChristoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.
Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. In May 2014 he published his first contemporary novel “Time To Let Go” in May. He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.
Where to connect with Christoph:
Website
Blog
Goodreads
Amazon
Google +
Filed under: Interviews, Uncategorized, Writing Life Tagged: Alzheimers, Christoph Fischer. writing, Fiction
