Kate Collins's Blog, page 101

Looking Back Over 2016

by Maggie Sefton



For my post Cozy Chicks Blog post today, I thought I would start of the New Year of
2017 by reviewing some memories of 2016 in photos.


All four of my daughters plus granddaughter Natale at her High School graduation this past June.  (I used to be taller.  Honest.  :)  )


I hope everyone had a happy or restful or colorful or exhausting New Year's Eve and
New Year's Day.  Since I had just returned from a week plus holiday vacation with friends and


family Back East, I really, really enjoyed choosing relaxation over exhausting for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.




I'd like to take another Caribbean cruise this January or February like I did last year.  A great way to escape Old Man Winter.  Plus, I actually got a lot of writing done.  








Daughter Serena, who's a Doctor of Internal Medicine and a NASA Astronaut finally got a "ticket to ride."  She will be joining a crew on board the International Space Station sometime in 2018.   Yay, Serena! 






I will definitely attend the Novelist's Inc conference this Fall, as I have done the past several years.  It's held in a great hotel right on St. Pete's Beach in on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  


I'm hoping all of you have some ideas for new ideas for new activities or endeavors you would like to explore in 2017---even if that new idea is learning how to relax more.  Scheduling extra  



time for yourself duiring the day, even if you use that extra time to take a nap.  Studies tell us that taking a short nap during the day helps us mentally.  So, share with us some of your new ideas.  I absolutely love hearing what new things our Readers and Fans are trying.

I wanted to add some more photos to this post, but Blogger got glitchy and refused to let me choose from Downloads.  So----I will post those photos next week.  :)  Meanwhile, start enjoying the New Year, Everyone!      

DAMIAN, THE CAT WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS

By Mary Kennedy
                                                        
 With a nod to the great author and animal welfare advocate, Cleveland Amory, I'm calling this blog, The Cat Who Came For Christmas. Cleveland Amory wrote a wonderful book with the same title and I hope everyone reads it.  I'm fortunate that I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Amory and we talked about the issues we both care so much about--the plight of animals in roadside zoos (or even big, mainstream zoos), the dreadful suffering of animals used as "entertainment," the pet overpopulation, weak animal cruelty laws and slap-on-the-wrist penalties for animal abuse, lack of spay/neuter facilities, and the unfortunate tendency for many people to think of animals as "disposable."                                                            When Damian showed up at my door a few days before Christmas, I naturally thought of Cleveland Amory. What was Damian's history? Was he lost, abandoned? As you can see from the photo, he is well fed, has glossy black fur and he's a friendly guy. I asked everyone in the neighborhood if they knew where he lived. I drew a blank! I called local animal shelters to see if anyone had reported missing him. No luck! Here's what I've done so far. I've been feeding Damian twice a day on my front porch (which unfortunately is not shielded from the elements.). He turns up at 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. Like clockwork! What does he do the rest of the day? I have no idea. He disappears for parts unknown and comes back in all kinds of weather, even the pouring rain. (which tells me he doesn't have a reliable food source.) So here's my new plan. I lured him onto my glassed in sun porch today for breakfast. He wasn't too happy with me and initially resisted. Once he got in, I closed the door.  However, he's since settled in and seems content to lounge around on the heated porch, watching the birds and squirrels.  Is he dreaming about his own home, and wondering how to get back there? I have no idea. Anyway, he's secure out there, and I plan on taking him for a vet evaluation, neutered (if he hasn't already been), get his shots and see if he has a microchip.                                                        
 After that, who knows? I'll keep everyone posted but just wanted you to meet Damian, the Cat Who Came For Christmas. (and stayed!) Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, now it's back to work for all of us. Mary Kennedy 

My most unusual present

by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett

The thing about the holidays is ... you never know quite what will happen.

My sister-in-law, Carolyn, LOVES to knit.  She has knitted Mr. L socks; me hat and scarf; little white ghosts for Halloween, and now ... an ALLIGATOR!

Yes, a quite frightening alligator.  The tag on the package she sent from Florida say, "This may BITE."  Whoa!

And, wow -- how cool is this scarf she knitted?


Our boy, Fred, went NUTS when he discovered our Christmas Crock. He kneaded the gator's back and then flew across the room and bounced off the walls a couple of times.  (Whew! We're always glad when he finally calms down.)

What was the most unusual thing YOU got for Christmas???

There Is #Music...And Then There Is Music! by Karen Rose Smith

by Karen Rose Smith



I'm a child of the 60s. My mom loved 40's music. She also played the piano and so did I. My dad taught himself how to play the guitar and the organ. Music was a part of our everyday lives. My mom and I would sing together as she or I played. When she put 40's music on the radio or the stereo, a twinkle would come to her eyes. When I watched my mom and dad dance together to ballads at weddings, they were in sync and shared something special--mostly memories from the music.

I don't think music is the same any more. I had a crush on the Beatles and had the wonderful experience of seeing them perform at Dodger Stadium. I started writing by listening to their music and making up stories to go with it.  SHE LOVES YOU. I SAW HER STANDING THERE. IF I FELL. I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND. HOLD ME TIGHT. So it's no wonder that my sleuth, Caprice De Luca, is a fan of 60's music (as well as retro fashion) and always has a Beatles song for her phone's ring tone.

I appreciate most that rock beat from 50's and 60's music that makes you want to dance. It brings back those weekly dances at our high school in summer when our lives were ahead of us. But the lyrics were emotional too. LAST KISS J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers. LEADER OF THE PACK by The Shangri-Las. YOUR HUSBAND, MY WIFE by the Brooklyn Bridge. I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU BABY by Chad & Jeremy.  Just to name a few.

I listen to contemporary music. I navigate iTunes. I watch THE VOICE and appreciate the young talent. I probably lean toward country music because of the emotion behind it. I love Kelly Clarkson's PIECE BY PIECE and STRONGER and IT'S QUIET UPTOWN. But I still have my vinyl albums. And now I can play them. (I hear vinyl is coming back!)

For my birthday last week my husband gave me this turntable so I can play my vintage vinyl 45s and 33s as well as current CDs.  (My cat Zoie Joy was examining it for me.) I can also make a CD from the vinyl.  I will learn how to do it!

I like vintage. I like original. I like oldies but goodies. And now I can let them inspire me all over again.

Do you like oldies music?  What are your favorites?

Up is fun...Down sucks.

Duffy Brown here wishing you a fantastic 2017!!

Okay, you put up the Christmas decorations now the big question is when to take them down. First off all it’s not nearly as much fun to take them down. Fact is, it’s a pain in the neck because it’s a lot of work and this means the holidays are over. Sob!
I start decorating the Friday after Thanksgiving and kind of put the decorations up in sections. Cut the tree on Friday and put up the outside decorations. Decorate the tree on Saturday with the family and then do each room the rest of the week tossing decorations that look tired and replace with new and just thinking how nice everything looks.
But taking down I do all at once. When I get in the mood it all comes down and out the door at once. I do this Jan 2. To me the holidays are over and the decorations look tired.

But then a few weeks later when driving around I see that some people keep their wreath up or a strand of lights or maybe a little lit tree on the porch and that looks really nice esp when it’s so dark and gloomy at night. And it kind of makes Christmas last a little longer.

So what about you? When do you start taking stuff down? Do you leave up a little tree? A strand or two of lights? A wreath on the door?

Enjoy the Holidays!

by Maggie Sefton



Here are some Gingerbread men my granddaughters 18-year old Natale and nearly 10-year old AnaSofia made in Vienna, VA.



Sorry to be tardy this Tuesday morning.  I had a late return last night from my holiday trip to my hometown area Back East in Northern Virginia.  :)  Much fun with old friends and family. . . and way too much delicious Food.





Oh, my!  Was there ever food.  Here's a photo of a favorite Christmas Eve dinner vegetable----Cuban Fried Bananas.  Plantains, cut while still hard and fried in olive oil, then smashed flat and  fried again.  Delicious.  :)  

5 COOL WAYS TO GIVE AND THEY WON'T COST YOU A DIME

By Mary Kennedy                               
                                                           
Tis the season of giving and I'd like to share five really cool ways you can give to people (and animals) in need. And best of all, it won't cost you a dime. Here goes, I do these 5 things every year.  I hope you'll adopt one of these ideas yourself--or all of them!                                                           1. Save your amazon boxes, fill them with clothes or household items for Goodwill and your postman (or woman) will pick them up and take them to your nearest Goodwill. It's called a "Give Back Box." This is so brilliant... and a great initiative from Amazon and Goodwill. Can't wait to purge my closet and attic, and stop breaking down Amazon boxes for recycling. https://consumerist.com/2016/12/21/goodwill-has-a-use-for-that-pile-of-amazon-boxes-in-your-garage/ This offer is good until December 31st so don't throw out those boxes! And yes, you can get a receipt, the article tells you how.                                                            2. Save your little hotel samples of soap, shampoo and conditioner every time you travel. Once a year, drop them off at your nearest homeless shelter.
                                   3. Save your airline blankets--you know, those thin, dark blue blankets that you thought weren't useful. Your local pet shelter can line cat beds and small dog beds with them. I do this every time I fly and other travelers give me their blankets to donate.                                                         4. My favorite stationery store often has "buy one, get one free" sales on post-its, ball point pens, notepads, paper, etc. magic markers, etc. I save the "free" one in a special "Teacher Gift Bag" every time I shop. You'd be surprised how it builds up over the course of the year. I learned that many teachers have to buy supplies for themselves and their students, and the money comes out of their own pockets. Each year, I drop off my "Teacher Gift Bag" at the principal's office at the local middle school. They really appreciate the supplies and it's a way of showing them a little gratitude for all that they do.                                                                                       5. Finally, give a little of your time over the holidays to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Even if you can't go to help them serve the holiday meal, they will be thrilled if you offer to help them set up the night before, or clean up the day afterwards. They rely heavily on volunteers and there is a LOT of work to go around. Have a wonderful holiday, if you have any special way of giving back, please share. Mary Kennedy

THE PERFECT HOSTESS GIFT FROM THE HARPER SISTERS

By Mary Kennedy
                                                          

Two characters from my Dream Club Mysteries have taken over the blog today! If you're reading the series, you'll remember the Harper sisters, the octogenarian neighbors who run a flower shop in Savannah.
                                                      
                                                         
  Minerva Harper: Down in Savannah, we take "visiting" seriously! I remember when Rose and I were growing up, we spent many a Sunday afternoon calling on friends and relatives. We wore our Sunday best, with white gloves and black patent leather shoes, so shiny you could see your reflection in them!                                                                                          Rose Harper: And the one thing Mama drummed into us was to always bring a hostess gift. Of course, she also told us to mind our manners.  Cookies were always a good choice. We used to make cookies on rainy days and stock the freezer with them. And then on Sundays, we'd whisk them out, put them in a pretty container (Mama loved yard sales!) and take them with us.                                                            Minerva Harper: Sugar cookies were always a good choice, and scones were another favorite. It seems everyone liked a home-made treat.                                                             Rose Harper:  Home-made jam was another popular hostess gift. We made jars and jars of peach jam, strawberry jam and blueberry jam in the summer months.                                                            Minerva Harper: And everyone loved Mama's glazed pecans. We could never make enough of them!                                                          The recipe is so simple, I hope you try it.  People just don't seem to go visiting like they used to, but we guarantee you will be a welcome guest, if you bring a nice little box of Mama's glazed pecans. Have a great holiday! See the recipe below, brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and a cup of pecans. Why, I bet you have all that in your pantry right now!  If you have an idea for a hostess gift, you'd like to share, please let us know. Rose and Minerva Harper.  Ingredients
2 teaspoons butter2 tablespoons brown sugar2 teaspoons light corn syruppinch of salt1 cup pecans
  Directions: Melt butter in a skillet, add the brown sugar and corn syrup; stir until combined.
Add the pecans and cook, stirring constantly for five minutes.
Make sure all the pecan pieces are covered with syrup.
Spread on a baking tray covered with parchment paper and cool.
You might want to double the recipe; these are delicious and will go fast!
Yield: 6 servings

In The Christmas Spirit

by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett

Merry Christmas.  Happy Hanukkah. Happy Kwanza. Happy Saturnalia. Basically -- have a HAPPY whatever-you-celebrate with friends and family this coming weekend/week no matter what your holiday persuasion.

My characters from  the Lotus Bay Mysteries (Tori Cannon, Kathy Grant, Anissa Jackson, and Noreen Darby) wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The holidays change over the years. When I was little, it was all about Santa. If my brothers and I weren't good -- or quiet, or go to bed on time (if not early) -- then Santa might not come. Then later, when we were older, we didn't expect him to come at all--but the presents still came.

Growing up, it was just the five of us ... but then when I was a teenager, we suddenly started celebrating the holiday with my mother's half-sister and her family. And that continued for many happy years until my aunt's health began to decline, so Mr. L and I started hosting Christmas for my parents, Mr. L's mother, and my younger brother and his wife and daughter.  These days, it's just Mr. L, me, my brother and sister in law. But we still have good, food, nice drinks, and fun presents. (I can't wait to see my brother's eyes when he opens his presents this year!)

A big part of the holidays is the food.  This year, I haven't make any holiday goodies, and I didn't make much last year, either. Too many calories. But we're going to have prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, rutabaga, and squash for dinner.  (My brother makes the best squash -- and he never eats a bite. Doesn't like it.  Go figure! Sorry about the peas in the picture -- couldn't find one with squash or roasted potatoes.)

How will you spend this holiday weekend?

Do You Remember Old Fashioned Christmas Decorations? by Karen Rose Smith

By Karen Rose Smith


Do you remember old fashioned Christmas decorations?

My favorite ornaments when decorating our tree as a child were the glass painted balls.  They were painted in many colors, or frosted, or had rainbow centers that caught the light.   I still have two of those large balls and use them in my Christmas decorations. 



 We have a "wall tree" because of our four felines so I find other ways to decorate with shiny ornaments, some from the past. 

I remember the special lights on the string that bubbled after they were lit for a while.  They were my favorites. Lights of old heated up too much, so twinkle lights were born and now LED. I have a strand of blue ones in my office that I leave lit long after Christmas.


When I was a little girl one of the most fun aspects of setting up the tree was decorating it with tinsel after the ornaments were hung. I liked to toss it in the branches and let it stribble over others.

My mom was much more sedate about it and would hang the strands separately on each branch. Tinsel started out being a crinkled silver material and developed into bright silver strands then shiny red, green, blue and gold strands too. 

There was a restaurant we used to dine at near Christmas that decorated scenes with angel hair. It was wispy and hard to arrange but it was beautiful when the light shone through it. We used it in our home on a train layout around a mirror that was supposed to be a lake. 

And then there were the store fronts. Our downtown in York, Pennsylvania had three major department stores--Bon Ton, Jacks, and Bears.  All the windows were decorated with mechanical toys, similar the the photo below. One of our Christmas traditions for my mom and me was to go "downtown" after school on a Friday night to preview the windows that were all color and lights. 

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Share what YOU remember about old fashioned Christmas decorations!