Sherry Morris's Blog, page 32

Recipe: Peanut Butter & Jelly Cake

 My professional chef husband baked this for us.
Photo by me via my cell phone.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Cake
1 box white cake mix plus required ingredients to bake it
1 stick butter
1 cup chunky peanut butter
2 cups confectioners's sugar
3 tbsp. milk
3/4 cup grape jelly

Preheat oven to 350 (325 for convection ovens)
Butter and flour a 9" square pan. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour again.
Prepare cake mix as directed on box. Fill pan 3/4 full (discard leftover batter or bake in small pan for snacking).
Bake 30 - 35 minutes, test with toothpick in the center. When it comes out clean, cake is done.
Cool cake in pan 10 minutes, then remove it and cool it on a wire rack until it is room temperature.
Use a serrated knife to slice the top 1/4 inch off cake. Snack on what you cut off.
Slice the cake in half horizontally, so you end up with your two "slices of white bread".
In mixing bowl, combine butter and peanut butter, beat smooth. Add milk and confectioners' sugar gradually and beat until it is light and fluffy.
In small bowl, whisk grape jelly until it is smooth and spreadable.
Spread peanut butter frosting all over one slice of your cake.
Spread grape jelly on top of peanut butter frosting. Slather it on good, to the edges.
Place other slice of cake on top.
Slice into sandwich sized servings.
Refrigerate until eaten.

Recipe: Hearty Meatloaf

Sherry's Hearty Meatloaf

Main loaf:
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 half medium onion, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/4 c. potato chip crumbs (any flavor)
1/8 c. bread crumbs (fresh or processed)
1 egg
1 tbls. granulated garlic
1 tbls. oregano
1 tbls. cumin
1 tbls. parsley
1 tsp. onion salt
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tbls. Worchestershire sauce

For layering:
4 slices ham luncheon meat
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices American cheese

For topping:
1/4 c. tomato sauce
1/4 c. ketchup
1 tsp. Worchestershire sauce
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (350 for convection ovens)
Mix all ingredients for the main loaf in a large bowl with your hands
Spread one third of main loaf on the center of an ungreased  large rectangular pan. Keep two inches on either long side of the pan empty, so you have a stripe down the center with meat. Top with Swiss cheese slices, they can over lap if need be. Make sure there is a border of meat around the outside edges of the cheese. Press one third of main loaf on top of cheese, careful to cover it. Place the ham down the loaf, then place the American cheese on top of the ham. Cover with remaining main loaf mixture. Carefully mold the meat into a log shape, tucking the cheeses and ham inside. Drizzle topping ingredients on top of meat. Smooth with spoon.

Bake 1 hour and 30 minutes. Serves a crowd or a family of four with two days of leftovers.

Book Review: Thousand Dollar Pharaoh

"THOUSAND DOLLAR PHARAOH by Sherry Silver is an enjoyable romp that combines elements of mystery and suspense with a passionate romance between US Secret Service agents Chloe Lambert and Mike Taurus. Chloe is a particularly fun character with grit, a big heart, and a taste for adventure. In this book, she is put through a gamut of crises. She is shot by a mysterious assailant in Egypt and then tasked with guarding First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt when she returns stateside. As she travels across three contents with a loyal Egyptian sand cat in tow, she must also juggle her overwhelming feelings for fellow Secret Service agent, Mike Taurus. She married him in multiple ceremonies, but now it looks as if the government has insisted that they annul their nepotistic relationship...

...One of the best aspects of THOUSAND DOLLAR PHARAOH is its adventurous, fast-paced, globe trotting plot. Both Mike and Chloe are up for anything and experience multiple moments of tension and suspense throughout the story. Their love and passion for each other is the thread the ties all of the other elements of the story together. One of these elements, the time period of the 1940's, is one that I don't often seen in historical mysteries and I loved all the details -- descriptions, language, and historical characters -- that Sherry Silver used to bring the colorful era to life.

THOUSAND DOLLAR PHARAOH is a fast-paced, intricately layered mystery-suspense-romance with a strong, sassy heroine who shines through it all."--Review by: Christy Carlyle of Night Owl Suspense


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Tales by Sherry Silver

Novels

Hundred Dollar BillThe year is 1945. Roosevelt is President. World War II is coming to a head. Thieves, spies and other wise guys are working everywhere…including in branches of the U.S. government.Chloe Lambert is a sweet little thing whom mothers love to love and sailors love to pinch. She's also a sharp-tongued Secret Service agent—a Secret Service agent who has been framed for murder by a band of counterfeiters.Mike Taurus, also an agent, is tough as nails, cool as ice and devilishly handsome. He also has a past with Chloe. As the two of them make a mad dash from Washington, D.C. to Miami Beach, they'll stop at nothing to solve this monumental caper. It's a made-for-the-movies adventure that Alfred Hitchcock could only wish he'd dreamed up himself!
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Thousand Dollar PharaohSacrificing her heart…for her country She never thought she would have to sacrifice this much for her country… In 1945, a beautiful undercover secret service agent has a dangerous assignment. United States thousand dollar bills are turning up all over the globe. Bodyguarding the widowed former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, Chloe must tread lightly and include her in what the first lady views as a thrilling cozy mystery. Can she protect Mrs. Roosevelt, unmask the counterfeiting ringleader and throw the swift fist of justice while traveling from Egypt to Washington to London with a royal mummy’s severed arm and a peculiar sand cat? Agent Chloe Lambert takes a bullet for her country and suffers the government's inexcusable intrusion into her private affairs. She will stop at nothing to complete this mission… Buy Thousand Dollar Pharaoh:Kindle
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The Immaculate DeceptionAfter her SUV meets the business end of a deer, Oh-Donna is pulled into an exciting dreamland far away from her peon job and selfish siblings--where mystery, murder and romance take over. Her debonair angel takes her time traveling through the sordid pasts of her Secret Service Agent mother and her genius medical researcher father--who was obsessed with Marilyn Monroe. Oh-Donna discovers she is the first baby born from an ovarian transplant. She must sleuth out the dark secrets of her D.N.A. and close an unsolved murder.Buy The Immaculate Deception:Kindle
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The Master ManipulatorAfter her father's death, socialite Tammy Payne returns to her suburban Washington, DC apartment to find she's been evicted. Realizing her black sheep sister Donna had control over the finances and must have cut her off, Tammy storms Donna's Virginia townhouse. Something is not right. The dog is emaciated. Donna is on the couch, in a coma. What Tammy doesn't realize is that Donna is in a special dreamland far from her miserable life, peon job and selfish siblings. A debonair dream weaver is romancing Donna through her family's sordid pasts, where mystery, romance and equality abound. Their pompous brother, Judge Perry Payne, has a family secret. He is playing both sisters against themselves in a dirty diabolical scheme which will net him billions--if it works out in the end.Buy The Master Manipulator:Kindle
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Books A Million Fully Involved FireHave a tall drink of water handy to put out the fire when you read Fully Involved Fire, a poignant story of the after effects of September 11th.  Johnny Newman is one of New York City’s finest; the Fire Department's most eligible bachelor. He’s been in love with his best friend’s widow for years. Johnny feels he has given her enough time to get over Brandon, but will his playboy reputation ruin his chances?

Susan Cervini is caught up in trying to locate a missing cousin through a website for an aging pop star. When Susan begins to have irrational feelings for her best friend, Johnny, she is afraid she will ruin their friendship, but she can’t seem to stop feeling an overpowering need for his touch. Can they have a torrid affair and go back to being friends, or will the feelings they have for each other change Susan’s mind about love and marriage again?

Johnny Newman is a real American hero; strong in his beliefs, dedicated to helping others, and loyal to the woman he loves above all others. He is sexy but unaware of his appeal, chivalrous without being conscious of it, and a wonderful friend; the way he unselfishly dedicates himself to Susan’s needs. She is a very caring woman who is afraid of losing again. Her restoration of faith was a long and hard journey but was well worth the wait. Her love for Johnny is a beautiful thing to behold, culminating in a climactic coming together.Buy Fully Involved Fire:
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CreateSpace InappropriateBy day, Sandra plucks trash off Cocoa Beach, points tourists to the restrooms and sometimes discovers dead bodies. By night, she’s a cozy mystery author wannabe. Sandra has an aversion to cops, one homicide detective in particular. They have nothing in common except pheromones. She was eighteen the first time he kissed her and the last. Five years ago, he answered his cell and ran off to work, leaving her panting on the kitchen table with a hurricane looming.

Lieutenant Hottie is married to his career. He moved up the ranks early and engrossed himself in bringing murderers to justice. Serious relationships are out of the question, he’s too busy and not interested. The only woman he wants is off limits. He has built a wall around his heart and won’t let himself be hurt again.

Sandra is attending a writers conference aboard private rail cars. It was organized by the wife of a popular televangelist. The writers are traveling alongside devout Christians on their cross-country crusade. Sandra's loving but hyper-critical mother has finagled a ticket to ride. The morning before departure, Sandra finds a dead sailor on the beach. On the train, Sandra must keep her lips off Lieutenant Hottie and unmask the murderer before another soul derails.

All aboard! Buy Inappropriate:
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Persuasive LipsIn World War II Washington, Miss Della Davis toils on the night shift in the President's typing pool. She likes the quiet as she goes about transcribing sensitive documents into an embarrassingly erotic government code. She also likes a certain Secret Service Agent Jones, who frequents her lonely office with a debonair smile and a sack of hamburgers. But Della wants more. She yearns for intrigue and danger. To be a woman for her country. Agent Jones has one thing on his mind--to make Della forget about her career and yearn only for him. He sets up an elaborate sting. Will she take the bait or are women the smarter sex?
Devil in the Deep Blue SeaSail off with Jeanie in this women's fiction with a paranormal twist. She is a shy child of the 70's, aching for attention. Surviving a near-drowning incident while babysitting with a friend, Jeanie tells no one. She buries the incident deep within her. Fifteen years later, Jeanie is married with a little girl of her own. She makes sure to dote on her own daughter, giving her all the love and recognition that her inner child still craves. Flying on a lavish vacation with her elderly mother, there is mechanical trouble. Jeanie must finally come face to face with the Devil in the Deep Blue Sea.

Borrowing eBooks and Audio Books from your Public Library

I have finally figured out how to borrow ebooks and audio books from my library. I'm so excited about this new technology. Okay, so it's not new, but I'm of an age where I didn't grow up with a personal computer, eBooks weren't invented and audio books were on cassette tapes. I'm a self-taught on a need-to-know-basis technology woman.

I had a first generation Kindle, which I loved, except when I read it for too long of a stretch and it froze up on me. The fix was a paper clip jammed in the reset hole, which was fine, until I was on a long distance train and had no paper clip. I did beg one in the lounge car from a lovely young business woman. I sold my  Kindle shortly thereafter because I was salivating over reading magazines on the NOOK Color. I loved that but they changed their magazine formats and I didn't take to the new layout. It was fun to play games in full color, but I longed for the cell phone connectivity of my old Kindle, which let me buy new books anywhere, without a wifi connection.

I recently treated myself to a Kindle Touch 3G Wifi. I am over the moon with it. It weighs much less than the Nook, I only have to charge it once every five days instead of daily like the Nook, and I don't need a wifi connection to buy a new book. I can get one anywhere, any time. Including on the train. Amtrak does have some wifi train routes and wifi in their stations, but they limit how much bandwidth or juice or whatever you can use. They won't allow large downloads, so I couldn't download a new magazine on the train with my Nook. But I can get one anywhere on my Kindle, which uses 3G technology.

I finally was able to figure out the steps to borrowing eBooks and audio books from my library. I signed up for an Overdrive Media account from my library's website. I downloaded the software and was able to have free eBooks sent directly to my Kindle. Audio books are more involved, I have to download them to my PC then transfer them via cable link to my Kindle, but it's worth it not having to drive to the library to pick up and drop off the scratched CDs that sometimes don't play. The selection is limited. But there are some bestselling books from last year along with some I've never heard of but sound interesting.

Home Office Anti-Procrastination

I finally did it. I couldn't cram one more paper in our old metal four drawer filing cabinet which we've moved through six houses. I went to Suze Orman's site, printed the list of how long to keep what and started shredding. It took me from morning until 6 PM, when I had to stop to go to CPR class. By the way, if you've never taken a CPR class or if it's been a long time and your certification has expired (as had mine) take a class, save a life. I've performed it twice with good outcomes.

Anyhow, after class, I returned to the file cabinet. And finished! I had to leave the six piles of settlement documents on the floor, until I could buy some expanding file folders to neatly package them. Apparently, you only need to save the proof that your lien has been released for former properties. I elected to save the title insurance and most of the settlement papers. I did get rid of the loan applications and homeowners association documents.

Suze says you only have to save three years of tax returns, six if you under reported your income by 25%. I certainly haven't under reported my income, but I saved six years anyhow.

I saved significant health event bills/reports and shredded the rest.

I still have every paycheck stub I've received, but since my retirement is deferred, I elected to save them, just in case my employment history was wiped from the books. I didn't dare shred any of hubby's. I let him know they were there and he indicated he might go through them some day and save some of the significant raises.

We now have two half-filled drawers, one empty drawer and the bottom drawer has room for a couple more home purchases.

Five bags of shredded paper went to the recycling center.

Today I caught up on correspondence I'd been putting off, sometimes for years! It just took one morning to get everything checked off my list.

I ended the afternoon by making an appointment at the hair salon and calling our internet/cable/phone provider, asking to be rebundled. I'd done this last August and save a few dollars. Today they were able to save me $8.88 per month and threw in three free months of two premium channels. I saved over $100 for the year, just because I called and asked.

It feels wonderful to be rid of the clutter and dread. Is there something you've been putting off? Just do it. You'll not regret it.

SINC Central Virginia Chapter

Today I finally made it to my first meeting this year of the Central Virginia Chapter of Sisters in Crime, an organization to further the careers of female mystery writers.
Jeb Hoge and John DeMott gave an informative presentation on social media. Bottom line:  All writers need to at least have a Facebook Fan Page. This is separate from any personal pages you have. And remember to keep it that way. You should never post anything on public social media that you would not say in person at a gathering where you do not know everyone. Keep it positive. We all have bad days, but don't air your ire or angst here. 
They also recommend writers try Twitter. Posting in 140 characters is not for everyone. Some people don't 'get it'. That's fine. I personally love Twitter and am very comfortable there. It's great for ADD. No big time commitment.
Mr. Hoge and Mr. DeMott further recommend you add one more social networking site to your promotion. Sample as many as you like until you find one that fits. Or is at least tolerable. 
Take away message:  "Perfection is not required. Participation is." or something like that...Find something you can not just post to, but visit and interact. Statically posting to Facebook and Twitter and never going in to see if anyone commented and establishing a dialogue with them is not going to be effective. People will stop bothering with you. Engage your readers and enjoy yourself.

A Calm Mount Laundry

I frequently Tweet "I'm climbing Mt. Laundry. Can I throw anyone a rope?"

Let's face it. No matter how often we do laundry, there is always a pile. I have a family of four and three of them wear regular clothes plus uniforms. Not the kind that goes to the dry cleaners. The kind that ends up on Mt. Laundry.

Do you have a washer and/or dryer? Let's stop right there and everyone who answered affirmatively please count your blessings that you do not have to make a regular schlepp to a Laundromat, the communal laundry in your basement or complex or to a friend or relative's home.

Most of us who live in planned communities cannot have a clothesline outside to air dry our laundry.

I have a small laundry room which is the breezeway between the garage and kitchen. It's just wide enough for the washer and dryer to sit side by side and about that deep. Hubby lovingly reconfigured it years ago, so the doors line up down the middle. Then he built me a platform for my front loading washer and dryer to sit up on, so I don't have to sit on the floor and tug laundry in and out of the machines. He hung cabinets over them. I need a step-stool to reach into them but that's okay because he's filled them with guy stuff.

Last year, I coaxed him to hang a closet rod on the other side of the room, with a shelf above. I use the shelf for bleach, extra fabric softener, stain remover and bulk household goods like napkins, paper towels and lysol. He's also stowed paint cans up there. It's nice because I can hang the clothes right out of the dryer, instead of trekking upstairs, dumping them on my bed and sifting through.

A few months ago, I measured and bought tall plastic laundry baskets to line up in two rows under the hanging clothes. All of our dirty stuff goes in here. No more sorting laundry in the kitchen or family room. What a concept.

Hubby is a bit miffed the the laundry room is now just for laundry. I got rid of all of his miscellaneous guy stuff that was on the floor.

I am quite content that the laundry room is now just for laundry. Sometimes I feel all I accomplish in a day is laundry. Washed, dried, folded and hung with love. For my family.

What is your laundry situation like?

Eleanor's Entrance Excerpt

Thousand Dollar PharaohBy Sherry MorrisExcerpt: "You do not interrupt me when I am speaking, Miss Lambert. You show up a day late for your testimony, wearing a Halloween getup and harlot makeup. I don't even believe you are injured. Bailiff, whack her arm with your slapjack."Chloe leapt up. "No! That's barbaric. We're in the United States Federal Court in 1945. How dare you!""I sentence you to twenty-four hours in jail for contempt of court. Bailiff, remove this witness. And I hereby order a medical examination as well as a psychological examination. Court is adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning." He banged his gavel. Chloe's face contorted in defiance as the no-nonsense guard allowed her to step down from the witness box. The courtroom audience clambered to their feet and chattered, thrilled with the spectacle. As the jury filed out, Chloe knew her goose was cooked. How in the bejeevers would she ever get past the medical exam? It wouldn't even get that far. As soon as they strip-searched her, she'd be arrested. Oh wait, she already was. Think, Chloe girl...think. What to do, what to do, when your foot is stuck in the glue... The bailiff firmly gripped her left elbow as he escorted her through the parting crowd. Out in the hallway reporters hollered, "Miss Lambert, what's with the getup?" "Is your arm really paralyzed?" "How much do you charge per hour?" The bailiff used his other arm to grab that guy by the collar. "None of that in this courthouse, mister." Then he jerked him loose. "Come on, miss. Step lively."The courtroom audience followed them down the corridor. It was odd him taking her out this way. Odd indeed. Parading her like a circus oddity. Circus. Laughter, the elephant. Chloe smiled at the fond childhood memory. Wait a minute and focus, girl. "I need to use the ladies' room.""Fine."He led her down the corridor to the ladies' room and pushed the door open. "You are not coming in here with me," she insisted."Rules. I'll turn around.""That will not be necessary," said Eleanor Roosevelt.Chloe turned and smiled at the widowed First Lady. "I need to freshen up myself, and I'll not have you in there with me. I'll keep an eye on the young lady," Eleanor declared.The guard shrugged and threw up his arm. The two ladies went in. The door swung closed.Chloe surveyed the room. Dingy green painted concrete cinder-block walls, dingy green fixtures and floor. Even the fluorescent lighting cast a green glow. No window. A supply room with the door ajar, two toilet stalls, two sinks, two shelves, two mirrors, two used bars of white soap. A stack of sanitary napkins on a folding chair stuck in the corner. Not too sanitary. And a trash can. Chloe quickly peeked underneath the stalls. "This one is empty, Mrs. Roosevelt." She moved on and discovered no legs under the second stall. "You go first, dear. How are you, Chloe? I'm so sorry to see you've sacrificed so dearly for our country."Chloe stepped inside the second stall. "Oh, I'll be all right. I just need to get through this stupid contempt-of-court incarceration and back to the mission."Hanging the carpet bag on the door hook, Chloe wiggled out of the sling. Struggling with her right arm, she finally gave up and emerged. "Mrs. Roosevelt, could you please help me here?""Certainly." She stepped over to Chloe. "Pull the arm out of the sleeve. All the way.""Beg pardon?""The arm. Pull it all the way out of the sleeve."The former First Lady pinched the sari fabric with one hand and wiggled the mummy's severed arm out of Chloe's sleeve. Eyes bugging, she kept her composure as best she could until Chloe told her to pull the glove off. Eleanor gasped at the skeletal finger bones.Chloe worked her own arm from inside the sari through the sleeve until her hand came through. She took the blue glove from Mrs. Roosevelt and put it on, wincing as she slipped her own arm into the sling. Chloe plucked the mummy's arm from a speechless Eleanor and placed it inside the carpet bag, petting Nefertiti before closing it."Mrs. Roosevelt, we go back a long way. From that summer at the beach when—""When you saved my husband from the riptide. What is it you need, dear?""Will you keep this bag for me? I can't explain it in prison. And my cat, Nefertiti, needs a temporary home. It should only be for twenty-four hours. How long will you be in town?""I'm a guest at the Willard Hotel for the remainder of the trial. I shall accept it on one condition.""Anything." Chloe scrunched up her face, having no clue what she had to barter for."Tell me whose arm I'm hiding.""Nefertiti's.""I know the cat's name is Nefertiti.""So is the lady who owned that arm.""Chloe!" Eleanor gasped, a little unsteady on her feet.Chloe whispered, "Follow this—" The guard pounded on the door.Mrs. Roosevelt called out, "One moment, sir.""Counterfeit United States thousand-dollar bill minting plates are hidden in Nefertiti's sarcophagus in the Valley of the Kings. Royal mummies are identifiable by their bent right arms. They've bashed her face in something terrible. There was a fight. I woke up with a bullet in my arm and this arm next to me. I didn't desecrate her mummy. I switched the bodies and appropriated the arm, making it harder for the counterfeiters to find the plates and currency. I'll return it when I lure the perpetrators back for the sting."The door shoved open. "Now, Miss Lambert. We're leaving now." The guard burst into the ladies' room.Chloe looked at her and whispered, "Please?"Mrs. Roosevelt snatched the bag and squeezed her way past the guard, smiling her toothy grin and holding her head up high as the crowd parted for her.

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Thousand Dollar Pharaoh
She never thought she would have to sacrifice this much for her country… In 1945, a beautiful undercover secret service agent has a dangerous assignment. United States thousand dollar bills are turning up all over the globe. Bodyguarding the widowed former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, Chloe must tread lightly and include her in what the first lady views as a thrilling cozy mystery. Can she protect Mrs. Roosevelt, unmask the counterfeiting ringleader and throw the swift fist of justice while traveling from Egypt to Washington to London with a royal mummy's severed arm and a peculiar sand cat? Agent Chloe Lambert takes a bullet for her country and suffers the government's inexcusable intrusion into her private affairs. She will stop at nothing to complete this mission…  Read Excerpt | BUY Kindle | Eternal Press