Colleen Houck's Blog, page 40

October 15, 2014

Beauty Blender: The little egg shaped make-up miracle

What is a Beauty Blender?  I asked myself that same questions and started to research it,  watch videos, and read testimonials about how this little pink egg shaped make-up sponge applicator gives you an airbrushed finish to your face.


beauty blender beauty blender out of package


 


I’m a skeptic, but I also love to try things out see if all the hype is true.   I ordered mine on Amazon with some free shipping from Prime, and it was on my door in a couple days.


20140530_123836[1] 20140530_124144[1]


 


I followed the instructions and rinsed it out first saturating the sponge and then squeezing as much water out as possible.  Look how big it gets!   I have always used  up & up™ Latex Free Cosmetic Rounds from Target to apply my foundation.  They are inexpensive and you get a whole pack of them for just a few dollars.  So the $ 19.95 price for a single pink Beauty Blender seems a little hard to swallow. But…I’m a little addicted to trying out new things.  So I threw away my circle sponge, which needed to be replaced anyways, and opened the little canister excited to test it out.cosmetic roun Before shot (below) with all my 40 years, sun spots, redness, and wrinkles taken in the sunlight so you can see each and every flaw.  Ugggh!


Before

Before


I applied my favorite foundation on the sponge for one side of my face, and directly on the skin in polka-dots on the other side of my face (think chicken pox with Calamine lotion) to see if either technique made a difference. calamine-lotion-for-chicken-pox-776


I didn’t think so.  Next, I stippled (bounced gently) the Beauty Blender all over my face (like they tell you to) and blended it down on my neck lightly to avoid the harsh make-up line at my jaw like I used to as a teenager just learning about make-up.  The Beauty Blender is very soft (apparently the knock-offs aren’t), and the wide base make it easy to apply my make-up with speed.  I really to like the shape and the pointed tip is great for getting under my eyes to cover up the dark circles.   I also notice that I used less make-up than normal.  So there’s a few pennies in my pocket.


After

After


1 Week later...getting the hang of it.

1 Week later…getting the hang of it.


 


1st excuse my big nose it’s hard to avoid.  2nd I think you could see the difference a little better with a HD camera, but my fragile pride is glad I don’t own one.  Whew!  The original “after” pictures was taken right as a cloud covered the sun which gives me a faded out look, like Lois Lane in the original Superman movies when they softened her as she aged.  I think it was by putting Vaseline on the camera lens.   So I took another one a week later with my  weeks worth of experience in my pocket.  I’ve decided the Beauty Blender does do a much better job of buffing out imperfections, and it soft on my face.


 


So…yes, it lives up to the hype.  Is it worth $ 19.95?  Well, that depends on if it lives up to the next test.  These little pink eggs are rumored to last for 3 months.  Some of the videos say it last even longer is you wash it regularly.  Which you should to keep it hygienic anyways.  The company actually recycles them when you send it back to them.  You can get them in white, black, pink, and sometimes purple.  The little package they come in are designed to be a pedestal to hold the Beauty Blender when it’s drying and not in use. I let it dry laying down on a clean shelf in my medicine cabinet to avoid sink clutter.  You can use it for liquid foundation, concealer, cream blush, eye shadow, etc.  I think I’ll stick with just using it for foundation and concealer though.


There is a short video from the creator of the Beauty Blender on this link that explains how to use it, why she created it, and how to care for it. Here are some other videos. They all have different opinions which I love.


Make 101:Beauty Blender


Beauty Blender vs. Sonia Kashuk from Target


How to clean the Beauty Blender


If you have tried one of these magic pink eggs let me know.  Did you love it? How long did yours last?   Let me know Tweet me@CollenHouck and @shara_lane.


 


*Now they have super cute little Beauty Blenders.  Micro Mini Beauty Blender at Sephora so help make you make-up application even more precise.  I haven’t tested them but I can tell you after 3 month my original pink Beauty Blender is doing great and I love the way it feels and how even my foundation and concealer is blended.

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Published on October 15, 2014 12:12

October 11, 2014

Falling for October

books on table in woods


October is the month of apple festivals, family picnics, pumpkin carving, fireside cookouts, bountiful harvests, crisp days and bright fall colors. The summer evenings have gone to sleep while the air is growing wild with energy welcoming the October eves.

When the pretty leaves carpet the ground and a chill is carried on the wind it’s time to dress in flannel and scarves and cozy socks. The apples and leaves, chimney smokes and pumpkin pies potpourri the air. The sun sets, the fire roars and hot soup, fresh bread and cider are laid on the dinner table. Now this, this is when autumn has settled in and I feel most alive!



When you think of the fall season, it’s hard not to get excited about the holidays, the decoration boxes coming out again, the smells of cinnamon, nutmeg and spice and all the delicious foods! Then you have the cozy blankets, when you curl up with a good book by the fire.


There is such beauty at this time of year with the bright colors and fog reaching over the mountains. Just outside the window when I was living in Portland, Oregon there was a beautiful little stream at the base of tall pines and brightly colored trees. Here’s a picture (sorry its bad lighting),


3 mos 015


I now live in Tucson, Arizona at the moment and on October 1st, this is what the landscape looks like,


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(My middle child, Lex insisted on being in the pics)


It’s not hard to choose which one I’d prefer. I’m not saying the dessert doesn’t have its own beauty, because it does, I’m just saying I really really really miss the beauty of the changing leaves (to name one).


fall leaf


It’s been said there’s no place more beautiful than New England in Autumn. I mean, just look at the pictures, could you argue?


Autumn in New England New England train beauty of the earth


autumn-in-new-england-jersey1


If I could take a walk here, I’d get lost in its beauty with every step. How about you? Doesn’t it just provide great scope for the imagination? My walks wouldn’t be walks, they’d be, as Henry Thorough puts it, “sauntering”. His exact words were, “I have met with but one or two persons in the course of my life who understood the art of Walking, that is, of taking walks- who had a genius, so to speak, for sauntering.”


 


He has described going for walks in more detail in his essay entitled, Walking. Here’s a quote from the essay,


“But the walking of which I speak has nothing in it akin to taking exercise, as it is called, as the sick take medicine at stated hours—as the Swinging of dumb- bells or chairs; but is itself the enterprise and adventure of the day. If you would get exercise, go in search of the springs of life. Think of a man’s swinging dumbbells for his health, when those springs are bubbling up in far-off pastures unsought by him!”


For those of you who might not know who Henry Thoreau is, here’s a quick introduction.


Henry_David_Thoreau


Henry David Thoreau lived from 1817-1862, born and raised in Concord, MA. He was an American poet and author, a philosopher, a surveyor and a historian. He’s famous for several essays and a book entitled “Walden”. He lived simply and loved nature. In his essay entitled, October, or Autumnal Tints, he gives an achingly beautiful fall scene. He writes as though the reader was his walking companion at that very moment, and allows the reader to feel as though they were with him. He goes beyond gorgeous descriptions to making statements about perception itself, not as an abstract subject, but as an ever present, concrete example. He writes in a way that teaches the reader how to see as opposed to what to see. It’s a how to perceive manual so to speak.


Let me show you. Here are some excerpts of his essay,


October, or Autumnal Tints


“October is the month of painted leaves. Their rich glow now flashes round the world. As fruits and leaves and the day itself acquire a bright tint just before they fall, so the year nears its setting. October is its sunset sky; November the later twilight…


The Red Maple


 By the twenty-fifth of September, the Red Maples generally are beginning to be ripe. Some large ones have been conspicuously changing for a week, and some single trees are now very brilliant. I notice a small one, half a mile off across a meadow, against the green wood-side there, a far brighter red than the blossoms of any tree in summer, and more conspicuous. I have observed this tree for several autumns invariably changing earlier than its fellows, just as one tree ripens its fruit earlier than another. It might serve to mark the season, perhaps. I should be sorry, if it were cut down. I know of two or three such trees in different parts of our town, which might, perhaps, be propagated from, as early ripeners or September trees, and their seed be advertised in the market, as well as that of radishes, if we cared as much about them.


At present, these burning bushes stand chiefly along the edge of the meadows, or I distinguish them afar on the hill-sides here and (l there. Sometimes you will see many small ones in a swamp turned quite crimson when all other trees around are still perfectly green, and the former appear so much the brighter for it. They take you by surprise, as you are going by on one side, across the fields, thus early in the season, as if it were some gay encampment of the red men, or other foresters, of whose arrival you had not heard.


Some single trees, wholly bright scarlet, seen against others of their kind still freshly green, or against evergreens, are more memorable than whole groves will be by-and-by. How beautiful, when a whole tree is like one great  fruit full of ripe juices, every leaf from lowest limb to topmost spire, all aglow, especially if you look toward the sun! What more remarkable object can there be in the landscape? Visible for miles, too fair to be believed.


The Elm


 Now, too, the first of October, or later, the Elms are at the height of their autumnal beauty, great brownish-yellow masses, warm from their September oven, hanging over the highway. Their leaves are perfectly ripe. I wonder if there is any answering ripeness in the lives of the men who live beneath them. As I look down our street, which is lined with them, they remind me both by their form and color of yellowing sheaves of grain, as if the harvest had indeed come to the village itself, and we might expect to find some maturity and flavor in the thoughts of the villagers at last. Under those bright rustling yellow piles just ready to fall on the heads of the walkers, how can any crudity or greenness of thought or act prevail?


Fallen Leaves


 Down they have come on all sides, at the first earnest touch of autumn’s wand, making a sound like rain…A queen might be proud to walk where these gallant trees have spread their bright cloaks in the mud…The frost touches them, and, with the slightest breath of returning day or jarring of earth’s axle, see in what showers they come floating down!… It is pleasant to walk over the beds of these fresh, crisp, and rustling leaves. How beautifully they go to their graves!


 


Let your walks now be a little more adventurous; ascend the hills. If, about the last of October, you ascend any hill in the outskirts of our town, and probably of yours, and look over the forest, you may see well, what I have endeavored to describe… Objects are concealed from our view, not so much because they are out of the course of our visual ray as because we do not bring our minds and eyes to bear on them.”


As I mentioned earlier, I LOVE the fall season! The Autumn feeling I get warms me from the rose in my cheeks to the tinkle of my toes and reaches to my heart of hearts. I love Autumn because the colors are stunning. The air is refreshing. The drinks are warm, the atmosphere is amazing. The movies are scarier. My walks are longer. The ground crunches beneath my feet. The songs are soothing. The clothes are comfier. The pumpkins greet you at every door. The blankets are plentiful, the candles are fragrant, the chimneys smoke.


Just a few of my favorite things,


The trees, the colors, the weather!


The soaps and candles, all the smells of cinnamon, nutmeg and spice!


Hot chocolate and apple ciders, cinnamon rolls and pumpkin bread!


Reading poetry and great classics, pondering and exploring nature!


Cozy socks, blankets, fires, and warm drinks!


Halloween costumes, jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin pies and parties!


Flannel, fall colors, and fall fashion!


Romance!!!!!


flannel fall woods cozy socks by fire girl lying on grass with fall leaves


All of this has made me want to go out for pumpkin pie and cider! Stay tuned for my upcoming blog that will teach you how feature recipes featuring pumpkin! Also, STAY TUNED for the Young Adult (YA) Scavenger Hunt winners coming up!!!! You won’t want to miss it!!!!


Till next time~


Linda Louise Lotti


 

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Published on October 11, 2014 05:00

October 7, 2014

HALLOWEEN CONTEST

“Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen, Voices whisper in the trees, ‘Tonight is HALLOWEEN!'”


-Dexter Kozen



 


happy-halloween-black-cat-with-pumpkin-wallpaper


It’s here, it’s finally here! Halloween is just about my favorite holiday because it represents so many wonderful things. The cooler weather, the beautiful fall colors, the foods and spices, warm candles and smoking chimneys. Let’s not forget the parties, carnivals, costumes and treats!


So before I mention the awesome Halloween Contest, I thought it’d be fun to learn just a little history behind Halloween and its costumes.


It seems that some of the first documented costumes originated from the Celts. In addition to sacrificing animals to the gods and gathering around bonfires, Celts often wore costumes, animal skins and masks, to confuse spirits or perhaps to avoid being possessed, according to the American Folklife Center at the U.S. Library of Congress.


By wearing masks or blackening their faces, Celts are also thought to have impersonated dead ancestors. In an early form of trick-or-treating, Celts dressed as spirits and are believed to have gone from house to house engaging in silly acts in exchange for food and drink—a practice inspired perhaps by an earlier custom of leaving food and drink outdoors as offerings to supernatural beings.


Tribes in ancient Rome, what is now Germany and France, held riotous ceremonies whee they donned the heads and skins of wild mammals as costumes to connect with animal spirits.


Halloween Arrives in America


European immigrants brought Halloween to the United States, and the celebration really gathered steam in the 1800s, when Irish-American immigration exploded.


Anoka, Minnesota, may be home to the United States’ oldest official Halloween celebration. Beginning in 1920, the city began staging a parade and bonfire. As the years have gone by, Halloween customs and traditions have become mainstream and a time of fun for both young and old.


Look at some of the early costumes,


Children_in_Halloween_costumes_at_High_Point,_Seattle,_1943


Halloween-children


a-history-of-costumes-vintage-halloween-photo-L-I00TAD


As you can see, some of the early costumes are still pretty dark (devils, witches, demons, and masked animals).


Now it’s time to announce this months Halloween Contest!!!



contest


Houck’s First Annual


Book Character Costume Contest!


Here’s the low down,


1- Pick a costume based on a character from a book


2- Take a picture with you in costume


3- Submit the picture to me at lindalouiselotti@colleenhouck.com


or tweet picture to me at @LindaLouiseLott (must be atleast 18 years old or have permission to share your picture on Colleen Houck’s website)


4- “Dead”-line is November 2nd, 2014


The winner of this months contest will receive a


1st Edition Tiger’s Curse Collectors Book


Tiger T-Shirt


Tiger Bracelet


Treat (candy)



Check out these costumes for ideas (can you identify which ones are me and Colleen?)


Professor from Harry Potter

Professor from Harry Potter


Hagrid and Harry Potter

Hagrid and Harry Potter


Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice


 


Bert and Mary Poppins

Bert and Mary Poppins (that’s me!)


Olivia the Pit

Olivia the Pig


Hunger Games

Hunger Games


Star Trek (that's our mom!)

Star Trek (that’s our mom!)


Tigers Curse (Colleen at a book signing)

Tigers Curse (Colleen at a book signing)


The Frog Prince

The Frog Prince


Captain Hook

Captain Hook


Charlotte's Web

Charlotte’s Web


“The Swamp” Miss Viola Swamp from Miss Nelson is Missing


Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction


Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland


 


I hope these give you some ideas! Have fun with this one and stay tuned for lots more spooktacular Halloween blogs this month!


puholloween


~Till next time,


Linda Louise Lotti

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Published on October 07, 2014 13:02

October 6, 2014

HOUCK BOOK CLUB-OCTOBER

BOOK FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER- DEFIANCE SERIES



Defiance_hc_c



 


If you didn’t get a chance to read last month’s pick, Earthbound Series by Aprilynne Pike it’s not too late to check it out. For those of you who participated in the live chat on Goodreads with authors Aprilynne and Colleen Houck, thanks! It was so much fun! For October’s book selection, Colleen has chosen…



 


DEFIANCE TRILOGY

by her friend C.J. Redwine


Defiance_hc_c


Here’s a little teaser of book #1,



“Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.


At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.


As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.”



The SECOND is DECEPTION,



DeceptionCover2 



and the THIRD is DELIVERANCE,


Deliverance hc c



Introducing C.J. Redwine


cjredwine2.md


 


Colleen first met C.J. at the Authors After Dark Conference in Savannah, Georgia back in 2013. They bonded over reader panels and have been friends ever since.


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063


Here’s a little about C.J.,


“I love fairy tales, Harry Potter, and Sherlock. I’m the author of the Defiance trilogy, a post-apocalyptic fantasy from Balzer + Bray. I live in Nashville with my husband and children. If the novel writing gig ever falls through, I’ll join the Avengers and wear a cape to work every day.“


To learn more about C.J. Redwine and her books, go to cjredwine.blogspot.com. 



I’m very excited to check out her series and I look forward to discussing it at the end of the month with all of you on Goodreads for the live chat. 


So everybody who wants to join us, go get your hands on this book and if you’ve already read it then awesome! You can start leaving your questions right away (but don’t share spoilers just yet).


 


Join Colleen Houck and C.J. Redwine for a live chat on October 27th, from 5-6pm (pacific time) on Goodreads! 

For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY during the live chat! Colleen will be choosing one luck participant on the live chat to win a complete set of the Defiance trilogy!! You won’t want to miss this one!


Stay tuned for the 8th edition of THE MODERN INK SOCIETY featuring guest blogger- C.J Redwine!


Happy reading everyone!


~Till next time,


Linda Louise Lotti

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Published on October 06, 2014 11:44

October 2, 2014

Fall 2014 YA Scavenger Hunt!

Welcome to the 9th YA Scavenger Hunt!





Hello! I am Colleen Houck,
your hostess for this leg of the hunt.


About Me



I have two dogs, a poodle named Bitsy & a dachshund named Murphy.
If a dessert doesn’t have chocolate in it, I don’t consider it dessert.
This year marks my 20th wedding anniversary.
Writing is my second career.
I like boy bands.






You are currently hunting on

TEAM INDIE!


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Looking for my exclusive bonus content? You’ll have to keep searching.


Somewhere on this blog hop, I’ve hidden the name and cover of the first book in my brand new Egyptian series. You’ll get to read the book description to finally learn what it’s all going to be about and get an exclusive excerpt from it as well! Shocking reveals are just around the corner. Before you go looking for it, check out the amazing author I’m hosting.


But, first, a few rules.




SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE RULES
 
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on TEAM INDIE, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!)

HINT: THE SECRET NUMBER IS HIGHLIGHTED IN PINK!
 

Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.


Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.


On this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating YA author, you also get a secret number. Add up the numbers, and enter it for a chance to win a major prize–one lucky winner will receive at least one signed book from each author on my team in the hunt! But play fast. This contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until noon PST on Sunday, October 5th!

There are SIX contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of TEAM INDIE but there is also a RED TEAM,  GOLD TEAM, ORANGE TEAMBLUE TEAM, & GREEN TEAM! Check out each team for a chance to win six different sets of signed books!


If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.






Now that all the technical stuff is out of the way, I’ll introduce the author I am hosting on this hunt.






I am super excited to be hosting…
CLARA STONE!



MG_3750-1

 


 


CLARA’S BIO: Clara Stone lives in the beautiful city of Boise, ID. Unlike what most believe about Idaho, it’s more than a sack full of potatoes. When she’s not writing, you’ll catch Clara reading YA and NA books, mostly romance, and enjoying time with her family. She is a proud CW TV addict.


 


Colleen here-I too am a CW addict. My current favorite CW show is Arrow. I read somewhere that he has 14 different types of arrows. I could be wrong, but I think it’s 14.
 
 
 

The book Clara is showcasing in the YA Scavenger Hunt this season is


FOREVER KINDA LOVE







Colleen here-Sorry. Got a little distracted staring at that cover. Whew! I just love a man with broad shoulders, don’t you? Just in case you’re as deeply curious about the story now as I am. You’re in luck. Here’s some info on it.
 
 
Life’s. Little. Surprises. The last thing seven-year-old Carrigan “Ace” Casper foresaw was an eight-year-old Heath Lovelly walking into her life the day her mother died. From that moment on, Heath sticks by her side, slowly becoming her strength, her confidant, and her entire world. What she doesn’t know is, she’s his saving grace, too.
Ten years later, Ace is handed another crippling challenge that threatens everything in her almost perfect life. Only, this time, she doesn’t turn to Heath, hiding the truth instead. But Heath knows Ace too well and won’t back down easily. He’s ready to do whatever it takes and will stay by her side until she accepts that their love is the kinda love worth fighting for.
Will he be her forever triumph or her unexpected downfall? Two lives. One story. And an unexpected journey to falling in love.

 


Colleen here-I love the name Heath. Sigh. Where was I? Oh, yes. But, wait. There’s more.


 


TOP SECRET BONUS MATERIAL STRAIGHT AHEAD!


Sneak Peek Into Fierce Kinda Love, Lovelly #1.5-The Forever Kinda Love Novella


which you can add to your TBR list on Goodreads!




 He stares back, the earlier smile in his eyes completely vanished. He jumps to his feet and saunters forward, carrying all of his over six foot body toward me. I gulp, and for the first time in my life, my palms sweat from nerves. I don’t know if it’s because of his godly good looks or because I can’t read him. And I pride myself in my ability to read people like the back of my hand.I study him and his appearance, which, by the moment, I’m starting to adore even more. His pressed, white button-up shirt stretches across his chest, and the loose tie around his neck hangs over his unbuttoned collar. His face stays stoic and calm, but there’s something in his hazel eyes that makes me nervous. He doesn’t exactly scream bad boy, but I know there’s something in him that sizzles just under the surface, a wildness.He runs his fingers over his perfectly-combed, golden locks. He extends his arm for a handshake, the nerves on his forearm popping as he does below his rolled up sleeve. I stare at it and blink.


“Pleasure to meet you,” he says, his voice incredibly warm, but amused.


When I look up at him, his lips stretch wide in a wicked grin that shines right to his eyes. And I feel light on my feet, like I’m on cloud nine or something.


“Hudson, Blake. Blake, Hudson.” Hope introduces us, reminding me we aren’t alone.


“Blake,” Hudson says, like he’s tasting my name on his tongue. “That’s an odd name for a girl. Don’t you think, Hope?”


That brings me back to earth and lands me on my butt, figuratively speaking. Of course.


“Hudson!” Hope squeals disapprovingly, backhanding him across his chest.


I glare at him, sharply, thinning my lips. “Remember this moment, golden boy. Because karma is mighty pissed, and she pays back with interest.”


I don’t give either of them a chance to respond before I pivot on my feet and head toward my team.


Wesley comes to my side, meeting me halfway to the group, and leans down, asking,  “What did you say to them? He looks like he got hit by lightning.”


I throw a glance over my shoulder and smile at the stunned expression on Hudson’s face. He looks at me like he’s seeing stars in middle of the day.






Are you as interested in this book as I am?


Here’s how you can your hands on him. I mean, it!


You can buy Forever Kinda Love on AMAZON



 


You can also get in touch with Clara Stone via Snail Mail:

P.O Box 2652

Eagle, ID 83616

 


Or on her Website, Twitter, or Facebook pages


and sign up for  her  Newsletter so you’ll never miss out


o n any important  book  news or updates.





And don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, Clara Stone, and many more! To enter, you need to write down my favorite number, find all the other numbers on TEAM INDIE add them up, and you’ll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!


 


Thank you so much for visiting my website! While you’re here don’t forget to enter the bonus contest I am running exclusively during the YA Scavenger Hunt. For an extra bonus entry, leave a comment on this blog post and answer the following: What is the number one thing you’re attracted to when you meet someone for the first time? Is it the eyes, the broad shoulders, the hair, the swagger, the confidence, the sense of humor or something else? I look forward to reading your answers! Have fun! Ten winners will receive copies of the first book in my series, TIGER’S CURSE along with a copy of the prequel novella in the series, TIGER’S PROMISE. One lucky winner will be getting my entire Tiger series! 


AND…just in case you don’t want to take any chances on winning we’re also offering a fantastic deal on my e-novella in the Tiger series, TIGER’S PROMISE! During the YA Scavenger Hunt you can download the e-book for just 99 cents. You can buy it for that price now on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and Apple!


Good luck everyone!



Tiger series


Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win,


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Ready to move on to the next link in the hunt? Then head on over to visit author Rachel Morgan’s page.


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Published on October 02, 2014 09:27

Temporary Host Site for Alexandra Monir- YA Scavenger Hunt

WELCOME TO THE 9TH YA SCAVENGER HUNT!







Hello! I am Alexandra Monir,
your hostess for this leg of the hunt.

 


alexandra monirAbout Me



I am an author and recording artist in my twenties. SUSPICION is my third novel published by Random House. My debut was the popular time-travel romance, TIMELESS, followed by the 2013 sequel, TIMEKEEPER. I currently reside in Los Angeles, where I am working on my 4th Random House novel, while also composing and recording original music. My music can be found on iTunes, and you can visit my website at www.alexandramonir.com. Follow Alexandra @TimelessAlex.








You are currently hunting on

TEAM ORANGE!


orange team



Looking for my exclusive bonus content? You’ll have to keep searching as it is hidden somewhere on this blog hop! Before you do, check out the author I’m excited to be hosting!


But, first, a few rules.




SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE RULES
 
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on TEAM ORANGE, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!)

HINT: MY SECRET NUMBER IS HIGHLIGHTED IN ORANGE!
 

Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.


Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.


On this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating YA author, you also get a secret number. Add up the numbers, and enter it for a chance to win a major prize–one lucky winner will receive at least one signed book from each author on my team in the hunt! But play fast. This contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until noon PST on Sunday, October 5th!

There are SIX contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of  ORANGE TEAM, but there is also a RED TEAM, TEAM INDIEBLUE TEAM, GOLD TEAMGREEN TEAM! Check out each team for a chance to win six different sets of signed books!


If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.






Now that all the technical stuff is out of the way, I’ll introduce the author I am hosting on this hunt.




I am super excited to be hosting…
SKYLAR DORSET!



skylar dorset


SKYLAR’S BIO: In Selkie’s family, you don’t celebrate birthdays. You don’t talk about birthdays. And you never, ever reveal your birth date.


Until now.


The instant Selkie blurts out the truth to Ben in the middle of Boston Common, her whole world shatters. Because her life has been nothing but a lie—an elaborate enchantment meant to conceal the truth: Selkie is a half-faerie princess. And her mother wants her dead.


To learn more about Skylar Dorset and her books, check out her website at skylardorset.com.




Oh, and did I mention  my favorite number is 2???


TOP SECRET BONUS MATERIAL STRAIGHT AHEAD!





Hello All! Here’s a missing scene from a different POV from my novel, THE GIRL WHO NEVER WAS, set right after the narrator Selkie’s quasi-boyfriend sends her away for her own good. You know how that goes. ;-)


Spinning an enchantment takes no effort and no time, if you are Benedict le Fay. Hiding Selkie Stewart is something Ben does without thinking. Sometimes Ben thinks he does little else. He hides her from herself, and that is, he is realizing, terribly unfair to her, if you are a faerie who still worries about fairness, which Ben is thinking he might be. Because hiding Selkie, losing who she is, is a terrible tragedy.


 


But with bells chiming menacingly all around him, Ben thinks it his only option. It is his first instinct, with Seelies closing in and suns being torn out of skies. If you are Benedict Le Fay, you do it because you think of nothing else you can do, and so you hide Selkie Stewart.


 


And that means Ben has to erase himself from her memory, but it’s a worthy sacrifice. What is more important than keeping Selkie Stewart safe? Knowing that she’s alive, somewhere, being Selkie, even if she isn’t yet sure who that really is?  


 


There is nothing more important than Selkie being alive and safe. Including being safe himself.


 


With Selkie safe, Ben stops running. He waits. Ben sits in the middle of the wildflowers all around him and enjoys the sunshine with his last few minutes of freedom. To the extent he has a choice in this, he wants to exercise it, and he’s doing it now: He wants to be captured here, in the middle of this cheerful, pretty world where he last saw Selkie. So he sits and listens to the chiming bells approaching.


 


The Seelies appear in the span of an eye-blink. They are very fast, if you are keeping that sort of time. If you are keeping another sort of time then they never move at all.


 


Ben looks at them, at the amassed crowd of them, tall and slender and cool, pressing in all around him. He is surrounded, and he could jump to another world if he wanted to, but they would follow, and there’s no point. So he lifts himself lightly to his feet and bows a little bit in greeting.


 


The Seelies don’t seem to find him charming.


 


“She was just here,” says one of them, stepping forward, toe-to-toe with him.


 


“Who?” asks Ben innocently.


 


The Seelie smiles at him then, the most chilling and terrifying smile. Ben doesn’t shudder, but it’s a close thing. “You know exactly who.”


 


Ben collects himself and considers his answer. “I think you’ll find my knowing her never happened,” he decides finally. And then he smiles back.  


 


The Seelie’s smile stays in place, cold and very unamused. “You think you’re clever, don’t you? You think you’ll withstand anything to keep her safe. You think you’ll be able to counter anything we might try to do. Because you are Benedict Le Fay.”


She says his name with intent, and it feels like it slices Ben cleanly down the middle, but he refuses to let himself wince. He stands there and looks at the Seelie, and he doesn’t say anything. But he keeps smiling.


 


“Yes,” the Seelie hisses at him, coming even closer, peering into his face.


 


Ben struggles to stay impassive, not to react.


 


“Arrogant,” says the Seelie. “Just like your mother. She thought the same thing, that she could fight us on her own terms, that she could win. You see how that turned out. Oh, wait. That’s right. You didn’t see how that turned out, did you, Benedict Le Fay? You never knew your mother, did you?”


 


Ben doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t let himself say anything. He doesn’t want this Seelie to think she’s getting the better of him.


 


“You’re very quiet,” says the Seelie. “Your mother never stopped talking. Your mother was full of words. Powerful things, words. Bad things to throw around unthinkingly. She was a reckless faerie, your mother. You are quieter but you are no better. And, like her, you will be your own downfall.”


 


Ben takes a deep breath and reminds himself: Selkie is safe. What did the rest of it matter?


 


Then the Seelie leans forward and whispers directly in his ear. “You think she won’t come after you? Is that really what you think? Foolish faerie. We know your weaknesses better than you can imagine. Yours. And hers. She will come. All you have done is delivered her directly to us. For that, we will make you a most honored guest at Tir na nOg, Benedict le Fay.”


 


Ben barely feels the naming. Because he is busy thinking of the enchanted sweatshirt he’d left with Selkie, which he’d intended to keep her safe but which would, eventually, trigger her memory of him. It had been his way of protecting the prophecy, and of making sure that Selkie eventually remembered exactly who she was.


 


But maybe it had been an enormous mistake…


 


 





Ready to move on to the next link in the hunt? Then head on over to visit author Vanessa Barneveld’s page.


LINK TO NEXT BLOG

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Published on October 02, 2014 09:27

September 27, 2014

Hennas with Amalie Howard author of Alpha Goddess

 


 


A little about Henna, Alpha Goddess, & East Indian culture!


with Guest Blogger Amalie Howard


alphagoddess1__thumbnail


 


When I wrote Alpha Goddess, Mehndi—the Indian term for decorative henna—was an important part of my protagonist’s character, and a crucial symbol to the goddess that she becomes. The Mehndi artwork on the model’s hands on the Alpha Goddess cover was a complete representation of that evolution. To me, it was very authentic. In the novel, Mehndi is a clear symbol of my protagonist’s past and who she is—and when it appears on her skin, she understands that she isn’t just an ordinary girl … that she is something more. The artistic visualization of the girl’s hennaed hands against her face on book’s cover as if they were a mask or a shield was a perfect metaphor for her double life.


Alpha Goddess 9781626362086


 


The decorative use of henna has been traced back to Egyptian times, and has been used by many desert peoples in Asia and Africa as a way to keep cool. Henna is an herb and has also been known for its medicinal qualities. The tradition of using Mehndi in Indian culture has had a long and vibrant history. For thousands of years, in celebration of many events, including, holidays, births, and weddings, Indian women have adorned their hands and feet with intricate henna designs.


 


During an Indian wedding, relatives and friends of the bride get together on Mehndi night before the wedding. The bride gets intense henna patterns drawn on her hands, feet, forearms, and shins while her relatives sing traditional songs and dance to entertain everyone. It’s a very festive occasion. Early religious Mehndi traditions originated as a way to awaken one’s inner light, and were meant to symbolize the inner and outer suns drawn on the palm. Even though Mehndi has become mostly decorative in modern times, it is still said to ward off bad luck and create positive energy. In some parts of India, the groom may also wear intricate henna designs.


 


Some of the Mehndi traditions and superstitions I can remember from my own upbringing were really interesting. For example, the darker the Mehndi comes out, the more the groom will love you. Or if the cone drops to the floor during the application, it is considered a bad omen.  Many times, the henna artists will draw the initial of the groom’s name in the bride’s hand hidden within the swirls of Mehndi, and she has to find it. If she does, it’s a sign of good luck. If she doesn’t, well, you can imagine that she’ll keep looking until she does. No one wants that kind of karma hanging over your head!


 


I was so thrilled to be able to celebrate the use of Mehndi during my launch party at Anderson’s Book Shop in Larchmont. Margie Nugent, an experienced henna artist, attended the Alpha Goddess launch party and provided henna designs to dozens of excited guests. She has agreed to answer a few questions about the henna process for those interested in learning more!


henna Amalie Howard


How do you make henna and is it all natural?


Henna is made from the powdered leaves of a bush (Lawsonia Inermis) that grows in dry arid countries. The powder is mixed with an acidic liquid (ex. lemon juice) and essential oils 
(ex. lavender) then applied to the skin in a paste form. A stain is produced on the outer most layer of the skin.


How long does it last?


It can last up to 2 weeks, maybe longer, depending on how it is cared for. Since it is a stain, it will exfoliate from the top layer of the skin so you want to keep it moisturized with a natural oil to maintain it longer. The stain will vary person to person because of individual chemistry. The longer you keep the henna on the skin when it is applied, the darker the stain will be. When the henna paste is removed, the color will be orange and can take a full 24 hours to oxidize and reach its full color.


How did you learn to do authentic Indian designs?


I learned Indian designs from studying information found on the Internet, and by attending conventions and henna shares. One of my Favorite Indian Henna Artists is in California. Her name is Neeta Sharma, and she is my lifeline when I have questions. I think the best way to learn is through apprenticeship.


Are there any fun superstitions you’ve heard along the way about wedding henna?


I have heard a few, but since it is not my culture I have to believe them until I am taught otherwise. It is said the Goddess Lakshmi resides in the henna, and the darker the stain the better the blessing on the marriage. The artist may hide the groom’s initials or name in the henna for the groom to find. I have also heard that when the bride leaves her parents home and goes to live with her husband’s family after the marriage, her mother will come check her daughter’s stain to see if the in-laws are working her too hard in the household. 5. How long does a typical Indian wedding application take? The actual bride could take up to 6 hours or longer depending on the density of the design and the size. The trend right now is up to the elbows front and back, and up the calves. While she is being hennaed she must be cared for since she shouldn’t disturb the henna while it is drying. The artist may return the next day to embellish with crystals and gold paint. On the night of henna, family and friends will receive henna for blessings and good luck for the bride.


Henna2 Amalie Howard


Margie NugentWww.makingfacesparties.com


Margie@makingfacesparties.com   914.714.8069


 

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Published on September 27, 2014 11:43

September 24, 2014

MODERN INK SOCIETY

FEATURING GUEST BETH REVIS


Finding Inspiration Through Travel


Welcome to the seventh session of


THE MODERN INK SOCIETY!


at-vintage-typewrite



 


“Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – JRR Tolkien


“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust


 



 


Introducing Beth Revis!


profile pic


Finding Inspiration Through Travel


“One of the most common questions an author gets is, “where do you get your inspiration. It’s a hard one to answer, because, of course, the answer is: everywhere. Everything. Anything.


Inspiration for a character, a setting, a detail—a whole novel—can be in anything. The way you feel after a long day at work can be inspiration. That guy you hated in junior high. Your best friend. Your first kiss.


I have learned to seek inspiration. To find the story in everything. And the place where I have most often discovered stories has been through travel.


I first travelled to Malta, a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, as a sophomore in college. It was my first time leaving North America, and although I travelled with a group of educational majors from North Carolina universities, it was still a little scary.


1


Malta was a totally different world to me. It wasn’t culture shock, not really—Malta’s official language is both Maltese and English, so I could read and understand everyone. And Malta is heavily influenced by Europe, and America is Euro-centric. But there were perspectives that I didn’t understand, world views different from mine, traditions that weren’t my own.


2


Little things about Malta stuck with me—years and years after going there. The eyes painted and carved on the ships. The boats—known as luzzu—are brightly colored and sport eyes as part of a tradition dating back to ancient Phoenicia.


LUZZU BOATS


The food—I can still taste the food! Pastizzi were my favorite!


Malta_Pastizzi


The rocky ground, the dusty limestone buildings.


3


All of these things stayed with me, and found their ways into my latest book, The Body Electric.


perf6.000x9.000.indd


Although set in the far future, a science fiction novel, the roots of this novel started more than a decade ago, when I first encountered Malta. Bits and pieces of my life are in every story I write. Solar glass, a key feature of Shades of Earth, is from a glass- blowing demonstration I saw in Venice.


sHADES of earth


The city in The Body Electric is based loosely on New York, and the feeling I get when I’m there. Travel changes you. It shapes you. In big ways and small, the things you discover when you travel worm their way into your life’s story—and into your novels if you’re a writer.”



Thank you Beth for sharing a bit about yourself and where some of your inspiration comes from. It’s always exciting to learn about the background of their stories and where their ideas came from. For those of you who’d like to learn more about Beth Revis go to bethrevis.com.


Also be sure to check out her newest novel, The Body Electric coming out on October 6, 2014! You won’t want to miss it!


Stay tuned for YASH just around the corner starting on Thursday October 2nd and ends on the 5th!


yash


Lots of chances to win books and discover new and exciting YA novels!


 


~Till next time,


Linda Louise Lotti


 


 


 

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Published on September 24, 2014 13:35

September 20, 2014

YA Scavenger Hunt Fall 2014 Authors

Hello Everyone!


It’s that time again. We have less than two weeks until the YA Scavenger Hunt begins. I hope you reserved plenty of time for this one because there isn’t just one team or two or even three. This time we have 6, that’s right, I said 6 YASH teams which means more prizes, news, and fun for all you readers out there! So let’s get started!


TEAM RED INCLUDES:


 


 


 TEAM GOLD INCLUDES:


WMS_teaser


 


TEAM GREEN INCLUDES:



 


TEAM ORANGE INCLUDES:



 


TEAM INDIE INCLUDES:



 


TEAM BLUE INCLUDES:



 


There are so many books here I don’t even know where I would begin. I hope you all are as excited as I am! The YA Scavenger Hunt begins at noon pacific time on Thursday, October 2nd and runs through Sunday, October 5th. That means to get through the entire hunt you’ll need to go through 1.5 teams per day!


Leave a comment below to tell me which team you are the most interested in checking out!

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Published on September 20, 2014 11:03

September 19, 2014

Mr. Kadam’s Spice Kitchen

  kitchen
Welcome to Mr. Kadam’s Spice Kitchen

featuring the spice


Cinnamon



cinnamon-for-the-heart


Welcome back to Mr. Kadam’s Spice Kitchen! Last month he shared some of his wisdom on both medicinal and culinary uses of the spice ginger. In addition to being the royal military adviser to Houck’s fictional character King Rajaram, Anik Kadam has a passion for spices and cooking. For those of you unfamiliar with who Mr. Kadam is, you can learn more in an earlier blog from August (or you can check out Houck’s New York Times bestselling Tiger’s Curse Series).


For this month, he’d like to share the spice CINNAMON!


First, he’ll share some history and uses of the spice and at the end he’ll share 2 recipes that are simply DELICIOUS!!!


So, without further delay, introducing Mr. Kadam.



To understand and fully appreciate cinnamon (in the voice of Mr. Kadam), we must first explore its properties and origins. As you may already know, cinnamon is one of the more popular spices due to its sweet, warm and strong flavor rendering it suitable for a wide variety of dishes. How many of you actually know where cinnamon comes from?


For those who might be lacking in this area, may I have the honor of enlightening you. Let’s begin with a little history.


The cinnamon spice has been a highly prized spice since biblical times for both medicinal and culinary properties. This delightfully sweet spice stick is traditionally obtained from the inner bark of a cinnamon tree. The Cinnamomum trees, which when dried, rolls into a tubular-form, known commercially as “quill.”


cinnamon sticks


This evergreen bushy tree is native to Sri Lanka and 80% or more cinnamon is exported from this island. It is also grown in many other countries including Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.


cinnamontree92


There are two types of trees, Cassia and Ceylon. Ceylon Cinnamon is more expensive than Cassia Cinnamon. The taste of Ceylon Cinnamon is much lighter and sweeter than its Cassia counterpart, and its levels of coumarin are almost non-existent, making it much better in taste and safer to ingest.


Cassia Cinnamon Tree


cassia-cinnamomum-cassia


Ceylon Cinnamon Tree


tree cinnamon


When a cinnamon tree is around two years old, cultivators cut the plant back to the size of a stump and cover it with soil. This technique causes it to grow like a bush, with new shoots emerging out of the sides by the following year. It’s these shoots that are used to make cinnamon. Once cut, the shoots are stripped of their bark and the peels are set out to dry in the sun. 


Stripping-Cinnamon-Bark-Public-Domain-Licensed


Here is a picture of Dzao women transporting fresh cinnamon bark.


Vietnam_6605_2780-Edit1 dzao women transporting fresh cinnamon bark


Now let’s talk about some of cinnamon’s health benefits. Did you know that cinnamon has the HIGHEST strength of anti-oxidants of all food sources in the world? That’s right, and cinnamon also has anti-diabetic, anti-septic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used by dentists at one time as a local anesthetic and is used in gum treatments.


To name a few specific health benefits, cinnamon has been shown to; have anti-clotting action, by preventing platelet clogging in blood vessels, also aids in digestion by increasing gastrointestinal enzyme secretions, and is a good source of potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, niacin, and pantothenic acid.


So, as you can clearly see the cinnamon stick has many health benefits.


Now, I’d like to move on to perhaps your favorite part of this session. Two of my favorite recipes. I have shared one of these before and you may remember but if not, then please, enjoy! My two recipes using the spice cinnamon are,


Heavenly Apple Bake


and


The Best Cinnamon Rolls Ever


My motto for desserts is that they are therapy for a bad day, for a good day, for any day!


Thank you for being a virtual part of my 3rd edition of Spice Kitchen! I hope you enjoy these delicious confections.


Back to you Linda. . .



Thanks Mr. Kadam, the following is an excerpt from a previous blog, enjoy!!! . . .


Did you know that STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS? Coincidence? I think not! Do you ever have a bad day where things just get worser and worser and you want to crawl under your covers and hide or even run away to escape it all? I know I have. It’s hard to scrape your wounded soul from the depths of despair sometimes but if any of you have a mother like mine, sometimes that gentle nudge to get up and carry on comes in the form of sweet baked treats fresh from mama’s kitchen. That sweet spice that fills the air somehow dulls the pains and lifts you off your tear stained pillow. When mom opens your door and invites you to share a warm, sweet dessert in the kitchen, you can’t help but feel a little better. When you are served that glass of ice cold milk and a plate of tasty goodness, the tears stop and you can almost find your voice again. Next you share a few moments in silence while you fill your mouth with warm heaven and your mother pats your back gently and you’re finally able to talk about your troubles. That is the moment you know that somehow you’ll get through the bad day.


You may have heard the quote, “I’ve never met a problem a proper dessert couldn’t fix”, and I believe there is a lot of truth to that. Nothing feels better than when you aree welcomed home by a deliciously cooked meal or the smell of cookies or bread baking in the oven. While the smells intoxicate your taste buds and you can’t wait to bite into whatever’s cooking, it’s more about the hands that have prepared the food. Whether it’s your mother, father, spouse, or friend that cooked it, the food was prepared from the heart with kindness and love. There’s also the times when we fall and scrape our knee or come home crying because someone was mean to us at school, or when we try our best at something, that we are sometimes treated with a hug or a smile and a special outing for an ice cream cone, a lollipop, or a cookie. That, my friends, is why a dessert can be so therapeutic.


My mother is not the greatest cook in the world, but there are a few things she makes REALLY well and her cinnamon rolls is one of them. Here’s a recipe that is very similar to hers but has been improved upon slightly by myself via trial and error.

Best Cinnamon Rolls Ever


cinnamon-rolls


Dough                                                            



1 Cup warm milk
2 eggs, room temp.
1/3 Cup butter, melted
4 ½ Cups all-purpose flour
1 Tsp. salt
1 package yeast (2 ¼ Tsp.)

 


Filling                                                             



1 Cup brown sugar, packed
2 ½ Tbs. ground cinnamon
¼ Cup butter, softened

Spread for Dough                                          



1/3 Cup butter, softened

Icing



3 Ounces cream cheese
¼ Cup butter
1 ½ – 2 Cups confectioner’s sugar
1 Tsp. pure vanilla extract

 


1st Set of Steps for Dough


Dissolve yeast in small bowl with milk. Let proof.


In large bowl combine sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and yeast


mixture. Mix well. Add in flour and knead dough for 5


minutes until dough is soft and form in ball shape.


Place dough in greased bowl and let rise in warm area


covered with towel until doubled in size (about 1 hr.).


 


2nd Set of Steps for Filling


Combine sugar, cinnamon and butter in small bowl


and set aside.


3rd Set of Steps for Rolling Dough and Baking


When dough has risen, roll out on floured surface in


rectangle shape and about 1/4 inch thick. Spread butter


on dough, then sprinkle with filling mixture. Roll into


log shape. Cut into equal portions (I use dental floss,


it works great!). Place on lightly greased pan, cover with


towel and let rise for 30 minutes. For bigger rolls, this


recipe makes about 12 on a 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees F.


for 18-20 minutes.


4th Set of Steps for Icing


Combine cream cheese, butter, powder sugar and vanilla in


tall mixing bowl. Mix on high until smooth and creamy in


texture. *You may add a few teaspoons of milk or water if


too thick. Once rolls have cooled slightly, spread icing


over rolls and enjoy!! Best if served warm!


Heavenly Apple Bake (recipe from mrfood.com)


Heavenly-Apple-Bake-OR


What You’ll Need:

1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
3 apples, peeled and cored, sliced 1/4-inch thick (2 cups)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

What To Do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

 
Press cookie dough into a 9- x 13-inch baking pan, completely covering bottom of pan.

 
In a medium bowl, mix apples with lemon juice, 2 tablespoons sugar, and the cinnamon, and distribute evenly over cookie dough.

 
In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar, the flour and butter, and mix with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple mixture and bake 30 minutes, or until top is golden.

NOTE: The smell of apple desserts baking in the oven is, well, heavenly!



 


My little angels thoroughly enjoy cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven. If the idea of eating hot cinnamon rolls or heavenly apple bake sounds just perfect, try your hand at making these in your own kitchen. 


 


Happy eating!


Till next time


~ Linda Louise

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Published on September 19, 2014 13:42