Louisa Edwards's Blog, page 12
November 2, 2010
Holidays Are Coming!
Now that Halloween is over, I'm distracting myself from my looming birthday by focusing on Thanksgiving. Sadly, I never get to cook Thanksgiving dinner because my husband's family always ALWAYS always gets together for that particular holiday. So I have a lot of frustrated turkey dinner plans in me.
This year, though, it looks like Christmas is going to be at my house--with both my parents AND Stinger's parents--so the menu is all up to me! And I'm already planning, because culling through cookbooks and recipes is half the fun.
And then this arrived in my email inbox yesterday, and gave me a whole new set of ideas. Smoked goose! Sounds so delicious. And no-fuss easy-peasy! Which isn't actually what I want for Christmas dinner (I kind of love making a big old fuss for that meal, doing something complicated and over the top) but there will be other nights this holiday season where I'll have a house full of guests to feed, different people in and out, and oh yeah...a book to write! So I'm keeping this little idea stashed in my back pocket for those days.
What about you? With the holidays coming up, do you start flipping through magazines and watching the Food Network to get new ideas for things to serve? Or does your mouth start watering for the old favorite dishes you have every year?
This year, though, it looks like Christmas is going to be at my house--with both my parents AND Stinger's parents--so the menu is all up to me! And I'm already planning, because culling through cookbooks and recipes is half the fun.
And then this arrived in my email inbox yesterday, and gave me a whole new set of ideas. Smoked goose! Sounds so delicious. And no-fuss easy-peasy! Which isn't actually what I want for Christmas dinner (I kind of love making a big old fuss for that meal, doing something complicated and over the top) but there will be other nights this holiday season where I'll have a house full of guests to feed, different people in and out, and oh yeah...a book to write! So I'm keeping this little idea stashed in my back pocket for those days.What about you? With the holidays coming up, do you start flipping through magazines and watching the Food Network to get new ideas for things to serve? Or does your mouth start watering for the old favorite dishes you have every year?
November 1, 2010
When a Recipe Goes Bad
Yesterday I tried to make a new recipe for a casual get together with friends, and it was a total fail. What I wanted to make was this Tipsy Maple Corn, a sort of grown-up version of Cracker Jacks with bourbon and maple in the syrup, plus crispy pancetta augmenting the salt of the peanuts. Sounds great, right? And I'm sure it is, if you can manage not to let the warm syrup shrivel your popcorn, and then burn the whole thing when you're trying to crisp it back up in the oven.
I, however, was not so skillful. My corn was sad. And a little nasty. But I had friends coming over to watch Clue! and Young Frankenstein (our traditional Halloween movies) and I had to serve them SOMEthing. Luckily I'd also planned to make Ina Garten's foolproof hit, a homemade French onion dip that always gets raves. (If you want to try that one yourself, I highly recommend it, but cut the oil and butter in half--you don't need as much as she calls for.) So once I cut up some cucumbers and washed the carrots and snap peas, we had savory snacks taken care of.
And for the sweet stuff, I decided to adapt the Tipsy Maple Corn into a sundae. Starting with the recipe's reduced bourbon, maple syrup, and butter concoction, I added extra sugar and cream to thicken it up. Then poured it over vanilla ice cream with the crispy pancetta and the dry-roasted peanuts as toppings. Success! Totally fun and delicious, I'd make this sundae again anytime. I'm almost glad I failed at the other recipe.
Anyone else have stories about salvaging a recipe screw up?
I, however, was not so skillful. My corn was sad. And a little nasty. But I had friends coming over to watch Clue! and Young Frankenstein (our traditional Halloween movies) and I had to serve them SOMEthing. Luckily I'd also planned to make Ina Garten's foolproof hit, a homemade French onion dip that always gets raves. (If you want to try that one yourself, I highly recommend it, but cut the oil and butter in half--you don't need as much as she calls for.) So once I cut up some cucumbers and washed the carrots and snap peas, we had savory snacks taken care of.
And for the sweet stuff, I decided to adapt the Tipsy Maple Corn into a sundae. Starting with the recipe's reduced bourbon, maple syrup, and butter concoction, I added extra sugar and cream to thicken it up. Then poured it over vanilla ice cream with the crispy pancetta and the dry-roasted peanuts as toppings. Success! Totally fun and delicious, I'd make this sundae again anytime. I'm almost glad I failed at the other recipe.
Anyone else have stories about salvaging a recipe screw up?
October 21, 2010
This is Thriller
One of my favorite things about my new hometown, Austin, is the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. This local chain of theaters not only serves an extensive menu, plus beer and wine, at your seat, they also host fun events like quotealongs, where you say the lines along with your favorite movies like Spaceballs and Shaun of the Dead; Master Pancake shows, where a comedy group provides hilarious commentary, a la Mystery Science Theater 3K, and singalongs.
Tonight, I'm going to my first singalong! They've done Pop Princess and Diva singalongs before, as well as Grease and other movie musicals--all of which I'd probably be better at. But the one tonight is a Michael Jackson singalong, and I'm going! Supposedly, they show videos with the words at the bottom of the screen, so you don't have to be a huge, rabid fan to have a good time. Plus, I think they might be teaching us the entire Thriller dance, in honor of Halloween! Here's hoping, anyway.
I'll try to snap some pictures--apparently, costumes are optional but encouraged, and some people go All Out, which I can't wait to see.
I've had Remember the Time stuck in my head for two days, so we'd better sing that one. What's your favorite Michael Jackson song?
Tonight, I'm going to my first singalong! They've done Pop Princess and Diva singalongs before, as well as Grease and other movie musicals--all of which I'd probably be better at. But the one tonight is a Michael Jackson singalong, and I'm going! Supposedly, they show videos with the words at the bottom of the screen, so you don't have to be a huge, rabid fan to have a good time. Plus, I think they might be teaching us the entire Thriller dance, in honor of Halloween! Here's hoping, anyway.
I'll try to snap some pictures--apparently, costumes are optional but encouraged, and some people go All Out, which I can't wait to see.
I've had Remember the Time stuck in my head for two days, so we'd better sing that one. What's your favorite Michael Jackson song?
October 20, 2010
Blog Tour: Borders True Romance
Hey gang! Come chat with me over at Borders True Romance today, we're talking about all my favorite things: food, love, and romance--and telling stories about our most sensual meals! Plus, I'm giving away awesome Recipe for Love swag, including his-and-hers aprons, the cutest little set of red rubber spatulas, the ever-popular red-stemmed champagne flutes, and of course a signed copy of Just One Taste! It is not to be missed, so get on over there.
October 19, 2010
I'm Back! With a Book Recommendation...
Sorry it's been so long, guys! I got swamped with the move to Austin, unpacking the house, a book deadline, a book release, a blog tour, and writing a free read for all of you. Not that I'm making excuses! LOL
Anyway, I'm going to do better with the blogging (although if you really need/crave your daily dose of ME, my favorite internet hangouts are my official reader page on Facebook, and of course, Twitter) and today I'm here with a recommendation of a great read for you!
Well, two actually. See, the thing is, I resisted steampunk romance for a long time. I was sure it wasn't for me. I mean, pseudo-Victorian England combined with gadgets and weird technology? Or, as wikipedia so eloquently puts it, "an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history."
Okay, so maybe it sounds a tiny bit intriguing. I mean, I enjoyed the new Sherlock Holmes (not as much as I wanted to, but that had more to do with the story than the fun steampunk elements) and that Wild, Wild West movie, right? And you have to admit, the fashions are kind of fetching. Google it to see what I mean.
So I thought, fine. I want to know what all the fuss is about. I'll read Iron Duke, the first book in Meljean Brook's new steampunk series, the one everyone's raving about, and then I'll at least know whether I like it or not.
And holy aviator goggles! I totally loved it. Fast-paced adventure, crazy intricate worldbuilding, and above all, the perfect level of heartwrenching emotion and passion--which, let's be honest, no matter the subgenre, those are the things I read romance for.
Now I'm hooked! And the timing couldn't be better, because there's another steampunk novella that everyone is buzzing about, and it just came out today. Kristen Painter's Miss Bramble & the Leviathan is next up in my steampunk explorations, and I absolutely can't wait.
See if this blurb doesn't make you want to go buy it immediately:
The last thing she planned to steal was his heart.
The Company. Military institution, protector of Praeton and the nation of Grand Isle. Dirty rotten thief.
When Pandora Bramble steps aboard the Company's premiere airship Daedalus it's not for the exclusive VIP tour. It's to secure proof that the Company stole the regulator valve her father designed—even if it means tearing the engine apart. Foiled by the unexpected appearance of a handsome crew member, she despairs of ever getting another chance—until he kisses her.
Captain Theolonius Hatch, sentenced to engine room duty for refusing to take part in the Company's fleet week activities, never dreamed a woman like Pandora existed. Her brains match her beauty, a combination that adds up to more trouble than he ever expected.
As Pandora allows Theolonius to sweep her into a whirlwind courtship, her wildest dreams come true. As do her greatest fears, leaving her to decide what matters most. Loyalty…or love.
The clock is ticking.
Oh man, I can already see that I'm getting NO work done today. If you want to read along with me, click here to download your own copy!
Anyway, I'm going to do better with the blogging (although if you really need/crave your daily dose of ME, my favorite internet hangouts are my official reader page on Facebook, and of course, Twitter) and today I'm here with a recommendation of a great read for you!
Well, two actually. See, the thing is, I resisted steampunk romance for a long time. I was sure it wasn't for me. I mean, pseudo-Victorian England combined with gadgets and weird technology? Or, as wikipedia so eloquently puts it, "an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history."
Okay, so maybe it sounds a tiny bit intriguing. I mean, I enjoyed the new Sherlock Holmes (not as much as I wanted to, but that had more to do with the story than the fun steampunk elements) and that Wild, Wild West movie, right? And you have to admit, the fashions are kind of fetching. Google it to see what I mean.
So I thought, fine. I want to know what all the fuss is about. I'll read Iron Duke, the first book in Meljean Brook's new steampunk series, the one everyone's raving about, and then I'll at least know whether I like it or not.
And holy aviator goggles! I totally loved it. Fast-paced adventure, crazy intricate worldbuilding, and above all, the perfect level of heartwrenching emotion and passion--which, let's be honest, no matter the subgenre, those are the things I read romance for.
Now I'm hooked! And the timing couldn't be better, because there's another steampunk novella that everyone is buzzing about, and it just came out today. Kristen Painter's Miss Bramble & the Leviathan is next up in my steampunk explorations, and I absolutely can't wait. See if this blurb doesn't make you want to go buy it immediately:
The last thing she planned to steal was his heart.
The Company. Military institution, protector of Praeton and the nation of Grand Isle. Dirty rotten thief.
When Pandora Bramble steps aboard the Company's premiere airship Daedalus it's not for the exclusive VIP tour. It's to secure proof that the Company stole the regulator valve her father designed—even if it means tearing the engine apart. Foiled by the unexpected appearance of a handsome crew member, she despairs of ever getting another chance—until he kisses her.
Captain Theolonius Hatch, sentenced to engine room duty for refusing to take part in the Company's fleet week activities, never dreamed a woman like Pandora existed. Her brains match her beauty, a combination that adds up to more trouble than he ever expected.
As Pandora allows Theolonius to sweep her into a whirlwind courtship, her wildest dreams come true. As do her greatest fears, leaving her to decide what matters most. Loyalty…or love.
The clock is ticking.
Oh man, I can already see that I'm getting NO work done today. If you want to read along with me, click here to download your own copy!
September 29, 2010
Blog Tour: Plot Monkeys
I'm hanging out with a group of my favorite authors today! It always makes me a little fangirlish and gleeful when the Plot Monkeys let me come play in their jungle. Come chat with us about home cooked meals and the best way to christen a new house! You could win a signed set of the Market trilogy...
September 23, 2010
Blog Tour: The Romance Dish
Hey guys--still in the process of moving in (boy, is it ever a work in progress) but I'm taking time out from unpacking boxes and washing sheets today to talk about the unbearable hotness of chefs over at the Romance Dish! I know, what a great break, right? It's making me happy. So come on over and share your thoughts on what makes a chef such a perfect romantic hero...there could be a signed book in it for you, or some awesome Recipe for Love swag!
September 19, 2010
Come Chat with Me!
Don't miss my chat tonight at 9:00 PM (EST)! I'll hanging out at one of my favorite spots on the intertubes, Writerspace, answering reader questions about Just One Taste and the Market trilogy, and giving away books. Come on by! There will probably be a few appearances by special, secret author guests...
September 17, 2010
Blog Tour: Romance Reader at Heart
I'm over at RR@H today, talking about how very true it is that opposites attract--especially in romance novels! Some of the greatest pairings of all time have been total odd couples, but that only adds to the fun tension and sparky chemistry between them.
So who are your favorites? Comment for a chance to win a signed copy of the entire Market trilogy!
So who are your favorites? Comment for a chance to win a signed copy of the entire Market trilogy!
September 14, 2010
Blog Tour: Night Owl Romance
I'm over at Night Owl Romance today, talking about heroes! Reminiscing about my first--the dangerously seductive Mr. Rochester--and how all my heroes take some little part of that character. I guess it's true, you never forget your first...
Come tell me about your favorite heroes, and your comment will enter you in the drawing for a signed copy of Just One Taste, a Tastebook full of recipes, and an adorable market tote!
Come tell me about your favorite heroes, and your comment will enter you in the drawing for a signed copy of Just One Taste, a Tastebook full of recipes, and an adorable market tote!
