C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 154

Wishing you all a Happy New year by Marian Lanoeutte

To the New Year!

2012 was a year of joy and sadness for me and my family. My nephew Paul who fought the good fight against MD lost his battle on Thanksgiving.  He confronted his deasease with humor and strenght. In October, another young man who questioned everything and lived to learn lost his life at the age of 38, my nephew Brian. May both Paul and Brian rest in peace. In our state we experienced a great tragedy–the death of 27 people, mostly children.

The joy came with my first release If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery in September and will be followed up in January with Burn in Hell  A Jake Carrington Mysteryand As the World Ends.  I am right now working on book three in the series, Mated for Life. Going forward in 2013 pertaining to work, I hope to complete three novels this year that are already outlined.

If nothing else this year, the tragedy in Newtown taught us that we still care for each other. From all around the world, words and tokens of sympathy and strenght were sent to the town to honor the dead. In all this outpouring I saw hope for a better future and I have a renewed faith in mankind.

Remember, a smile is free and it can enrich a stanger’s life tenfolds. Share yours.

Please have a Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year!

Filed under: romance

Looking Ahead by Gerri Brousseau

After reading Toni Kelly’s wonderful blog yesterday, I not only reflected on what happened in my life in 2012, but it got me thinking about my expectations for the coming year. A lot of wonderful things happened for me in 2012. I signed contracts for three novels, one of which was released in August, and had my very first book signing, but the greatest, most joyful and life changing event for me was the birth of my first grandchild. She is a total joy, and Christmas with my son and his family was this year was magical and totally delightful.

Now, as in as much as Toni reflected on this past year, I’m thinking about the wonderful things that are going to come about in 2013. I won’t be making any resolutions because, like most, I generally am not “resolute” about them. I would rather make short term goals that I can work toward. When thinking about things I would like to do in 2013, some that come to mind are not the usual. Yes, I would like to write a wonderful novel, I would like to lose some weight, exercise more, eat healthy, save some money, etc. etc. but in addition to that, I would like to reach out to others, smile at a stranger, pay a kindness forward, spend time with family and friends and remind them that I love them and let them know how important they are to me. To make a conscious effort to think and speak positively, eliminating those dreaded “cuss” words from my vocabulary (adding a cuss jar may aid my save some money goal). I would also like to keep the magic of the Christmas season in my heart all the year through. Impossible? Maybe so, but I will work toward these goals one day at a time. And now, I ask you … do you make New Year’s Resolutions or set goals? If so, what are they?

Filed under: romance

A Look Back at 2012

Yesterday, I sat around with my family–both new and old editions–drinking cider, eating tortilla soup and picking at left over Hummingbird cake. We probably spent an hour just trying to decide what to do in the early evening (as we celebrate Christmas dinner on the 24th), debating between watching The Dark Night Rises and playing monopoly, each of which can be seemingly endless. As they continued to debate, I stepped aside and decided to right this blog.

I couldn’t help but think “Wow” when I actually thought about the fact that 2012 was coming to an end. So much has happened in this year. My little boy was born. My first novella, Irish Dreams, was published. My second work but first novel, currently titled Blood Eternal, was contracted. The summer Olympics, a presidential election and the fiscal cliff played out or are still playing out as I write. And, most importantly, we survived the end of the world as many believe the Mayans predicted—although according to my research it seems to be merely the end of one cycle and the start of another.

2012 was a great, fast, sad and happy year for me. For many others, it was all these and/or more. As we come to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of you and yours a very Happy New Year and may this current year end on a good note.  For those writers out there, aim to discover more in 2013, both about yourself and your abilities. Set realistic goals and next steps as you grow in your craft. Take care and Happy Writing this next year!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

Happy Holidays!

No matter your religious preference or cultural upbringing, please, please practice tolerance this holiday season. Especially in the wake of tragedy and a long year of political unrest. Put your differences aside and let today be about love and unity.

~ Leia Shaw

Filed under: romance

Yule & Christmas Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.  In many ways, so are you.

Yule is a word that comes to us from the Norsemen.  It indicated a Midwinter celebration with feasting and later became associated with Christmas.  Wikepedia (the wise) tells us that “the Saga of Hákon the Good credits King Haakon I of Norway with the Christianization of Norway as well as rescheduling the date of Yule to coincide with Christian celebrations held at the time. The saga states that when Haakon arrived in Norway he was confirmed a Christian, but since the land was still altogether heathen and the people retained their pagan practices, Haakon hid his Christianity in order to receive the help of the “great chieftains.” In time, Haakon had a law passed establishing that Yule celebrations were to take place at the same time as the Christians celebrated Christmas, “and at that time everyone was to have ale for the celebration with a measure of grain, or else pay fines, and had to keep the holiday while the ale lasted.”

That’s a lot of ale!   Whether you have ale or not, may your home be warm and cozy and filled with good food and drink and people you hold dear.   Happy Yule,  Merry Christmas, and Joyous Kwanzaa!

The week ahead for:

Aries

Hobbits love to organize.  After your celebration, organize photos and shelves.  Make your life more orderly and stress less.

Taurus

Salamanders are fire spirits.   Light a candle and think of one not at the table this year.  Toast in their honor.  Have happy memories!

Gemini

A lone wolf will become your friend.   This person will broaden your horizons and opportunities.

Cancer

Pixie dust is messy.  A little more cleaning before company arrives is in order.  It will be worth your efforts.

Leo

Goblins know the best deals are after the holidays.   Get a prized item after the celebrations die down.

Virgo

Trolls can be annoying and naysayers.  Ignore them.  Better things are coming your way.

Libra

Even in the dead of winter, the chickadee sings with joy.  Be the chickadee and others will appreciate your efforts.

Scorpio

A shy elven friend gives you a gift that will help you throughout the year.

Sagittarius

Hell hounds can be adorable.  Be sure to have a lot of snacks around.

Capricorn

The faery folk have brought you into their circle to cheer you.  Fun can be contagious.

Aquarius

Gnomes love to dance.  Get out your dancing shoes and expect fun.

Pieces

Wind sprites are blowing but no matter.  Pull out the blankets and sweaters and be of good cheer.  The New Year will be exciting for you.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Christmas, Norse, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

Christmas Jukebox

Free at Smashwords, 99¢ at Amazon

by C. Margery Kempe

I admit to being a bit of a Grinch: while other people are pounding the Xmas drum to beat the band, I tend to keep quietly to myself. Yule is an important time for me to think about renewal and just about every culture has holidays to welcome the return of the light (much as that might differ timewise in different hemispheres), but with red & green items going on sale sometimes as early as August–

Well, I don’t much feel the spirit of the season.

I do get won over eventually: once my birthday has passed and Yule, too, I can get into the mood for a few seasonal songs. While I admit that my favourite Xmas album is A John Waters Xmas, I do like some more traditional fare, too.

Here are my faves: what are yours?

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

and the very best

 

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, Kit Marlowe

A Wish for Joy

There’s so much to say! Sometimes thoughts race in my head like some kind of mad competition.

I’m still suffering from a lingering sadness over the shooting in Newtown, CT.  The university I work for has established a scholarship in the memory of their graduate,  teacher Victoria Soto who died protecting her students.  For those interested in donating, please, visit:  http://www.easternct.edu/advancement/victoria_soto.html

Thinking of all those lost ones, makes me hold my own dear ones closer.  My granddaughter Penelope has been learning about new things.  I loved watching her as the tree was decorated and odd things were brought out.

These are little tap dancers to Christmas music.  They work alone or can be hooked together and dance like the Rockettes.  Okay, maybe not just like the Rockettes but their synching is fun to watch as well as the solo parts.   Penelope found them fascinating.  There’s Penelope with her Grandpa.  I think he taught her that.

Oops, least I forget, wasn’t the world supposed to have ended?  I guess not.  I was amused last night when I was visiting one of the virtual worlds and someone from New Zealand popped on and announced, “It’s Dec. 21st in New Zealand, and we’re all still here.”   Smiles!  Meanwhile, in England, bless their dear Druid hearts, there was a celebration of the Winter Solstice at sunrise at Stonehenge.



Now that is a wonderfully inspiring photo, especially considering the world was supposed to end.  Thanks to Spiritual Networks on Facebook for the photo.  At some point in my life, I really want to attend one of those.

Wait a minute!  A lot of people were expecting the end of the world because of the Mayan calendar.  What if it did end, and then begin again in a blink of an eye?  Something completely unexpected!  A new beginning!  A chance to wish for joy and the opportunity to create it!

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Emotions, romance, Settings, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Baked Alaska for the Holidays! by Marian Lanouette

                                                                                                                                             Picture courtsey of Bing

I first had this recipe on our honeymoon  and loved it. I make this for special occassions now. The recipe below is taken from James Beard’s American Cookery book. I love this book for all its great recipes.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS RECIPE IS, YOU CAN USE A STORE BAKED CAKE IF YOU’RE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME! If you use the store bought cake, jump to the meringue instructions.

Ingedients: Cake

1 cup shifted all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup shortening

1/2 milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 quart brick vanilla ice cream

Meringue

3 egg whites

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degress for cake–butter and flour a 9-inch square pan

Cake recipe: Sift the flour with the sugar, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Add the shortening and milk. Beat 1 1/2 minutes at low speed until well blended and thick. Add the egg and the vanilla. Beat 1 1/2 minutes more. Pour mixture into the pan and bake at for 20 or 25 minutes, or until cake springs back withn lightly touched in the center.

Cool. Place the cake on a cutting board or cookie sheet and cut strips 2 inches wide from each side of the cake, and discard them (right, I snack on these. )

Pre heat oven to 450 degrees for meringue

Make a meringue by beating the egg whites until they hold soft peaks, then beat in the sugar a tablespoon at a time until the whites are thick and glossy.

Place the ice cream brick on top of the cake. Completely cover it and the cake with the meringue. Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes, or until delicately brown.

Optional: I sprinkle a little rum on top and then light it on fire for presentation!

Serve at once.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES FROM MINE. BE SAFE!

Filed under: romance

Twas the Day Before Christmas by Gerri Brousseau

When I sat down to try to come up with something clever to write today, I happened to remember this poem I had done last year. Honestly, I don’t think I could come up with anything I like more, so today I’m going to revisit my old poem.

Twas the day before Christmas, and I’m off to the mall;

To buy one last gift for my old Uncle Paul.

The traffic was horrid, found a space near the door;

And headed on in to my favorite store.

The pickings were slim, the shelves nearly bare;

And I wondered why I had even gone there.

The pushing, the shoving, not one word was kind;

And that was just in the Santa Claus line.

Made my way to the store, through the crowd I did drift;

Each person was grabbing for that last minute gift.

When I finally got home, it had started to snow;

Which gave the white lights on the house such a glow.

Made my way through the door, Uncle’s package in tow;

When hubby caught me standing beneath mistletoe.

He gave me a smooch, and a glass of red wine;

I smiled and knew it would all turn out fine.

When the kids went to bed and were finally asleep;

I set out the presents, the pile knee deep.

I sat back and smiled, with no rhyme and no reason;

Knowing it must be time and the season.

When family and friends all gather ‘round;

No warmer a feeling could ever be found.

Our home full friendship, laughter and love;

Is truly God’s greatest gift from above.

So as all hustle through the pace of the season;

Remember all of the important reasons.

We gather together, the memories we’re making;

The joy in our hearts, good cheer for the taking.

As you read my poem, with your heads I am messing;

But I wish each of you the exact same blessing.

One wish I would make with all of my might;

A Merry Christmas to all; And to all a good night.

Happy Holidays to you, dear readers, friends and fans.

Filed under: romance

The Circus

I went to the circus this weekend. Nothing huge but it was a nice show, full of very talented animals, strong people who could bend in ways I can only imagine and adventure-seeking thrill riders who did tricks on motorcycles. I’m purposefully being vague here because my intention is not so much to describe the acts but more so my thoughts as I watched these uniquely talented “actors do incredible things.

So much work goes into a circus. That was my main thought as I watched it being set up about a week before it opened. On top of that, the feats the attempt and complete are so risky and so unique that I couldn’t help but wonder how much time they dedicate to learning them. On top of that, I imagined they had to be very passionate about the lifestyle they lead because I don’t remember ever meeting a circus acrobat who did what they did for millions of dollars.

I began to put it all together: hard work, dedication, risks, passion time and not much money… wow that sounds like your average writer! Why do we do it? Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to ask one of the performers why they did what they did for a living and whether they enjoyed it. I guess I figured they must because with so many traits similar to writing, it absolutely has to be some sort of passion. Many people I know think I’m a glutton for punishment just because I do want to spend so much time writing and giving myself headaches about the rejection, editing, publishing, etc. It’s not punishment if you love it and unfortunately, not many people out there have found this sort of passion.

So there you have it, send me to the circus and I come back with deep, philosophical sort of thoughts. Imagine if I had gone somewhere serious!  Happy Writing to you all this week.

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life