Kate Collins's Blog, page 102
December 20, 2016
Christmas in Savannah...dog style
Bruce Willis here...the canine version of BW...from the Consignment Shop mysteries by Duffy Brown.I’m counting down the days till Christmas here in Savannah. I can almost taste those yummy table treats now. Turkey here I come!! Let me tell you there is nothing better than a Southern cooked turkey.
The whole house smells like heaven and the real treat is the pumpkin pie. I don’t get the pie part but did you know that pumpkin is good for dogs!! When Auntie KiKi makes the pies she always puts aside a scoop for me.
It’s been one heck of a year with dog-mamma Reagan ending up in the swamp with the alligators and dog-daddy Walker on the run for killing some guy found dead in a bathtub. But now that things are back to normal they suddenly aren’t again.In Savannah there are two things guaranteed to get folks talking...weddings and funerals. Reagan’s agreed to marry Walker so that’s good and we’ll be one happy family. And our neighbors, Annie Fritz and Elsie Abbot, have stepped up their business as professional mourners to assure one and all a memorable send off.
Okay, all this seems like a good plan except now bodies are going missing, the sisters are accused of knocking off people for profit and Reagan needs to find the killer to save our friends. And as if that’s not enough her wedding plans are getting hijacked by everyone with an opinion. Fuchsia bridesmaid dresses? Gold shoes? Biscuits and gravy for the reception? They want me to wear a doggie tux and be the ring bearer. It’s enough to scare a dog half to death. I tell you this is one heck of a way to end a year with bodies popping up where you least expect them to be and crazy wedding plans.
This is crazy Christmas in Savannah, so what’s going on for Christmas in your neck of the woods? Are the lights up? Presents wrapped? I sure hope there aren’t any dead bodies under your tree. What ever happens have a howling great Christmas.
December 19, 2016
Maggie's Chocolate Mint Fudge
by Maggie SeftonToday, Tuesday, December 20th, I'm sharing my chocolate mint fudge recipe. Daughter Maria (former Naval Officer) calls it "Weapons Grade." It's wickedly good, folks, so give it a try.
Meanwhile, today I'm actually on an airplane heading Back East to Northern Virginia to spend the Christmas holidays with three of my daughters and my dearest childhood friends---Diane and Nancy and their husbands, Les & Tom. Daughters Christine and Maria already live in the Northern Virginia area, and daughter Melissa is traveling down from New York City to join us. I'll be staying with Diane and Les and enjoying holiday activities----especially Nancy's & Tom's annual Christmas Eve party.
Every year Nancy chooses a new "theme" for the party, and this year it's THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Consequently all the gifts we bring for the gift exchange have to mesh with that famous musical. And if our gift doesn't fit in with the theme, then we have to sing one of the songs, like "Climb every mountain. . ." This year, I'm bringing a thermos along with a bottle of aged Tequila---40 years+. I expect spirited exchanges with that gift. I brought that expensive aged Tequila for the exchange a few years ago, and that gift was grabbed back and forth over and over by other guests who wanted that special treat. :) What, may you ask, does Aged Tequila have to do with the Sound of Music? Well, I figure that if you really expect to "Climb every mountain" then you had better have a thermos with something "sustaining" to sip while you're climbing. :) Chocolate Fudge has been a favorite of mine ever since I was a child. I’ve seen various recipes posted over the years in newsletters, magazines, cooking shows---everywhere there are chocolate lovers. As a young mother years ago, I wanted to put my own stamp on my favorite chocolate treat. Since I loved the flavor of mint and chocolate together, I decided to substitute peppermint flavoring for vanilla. Family and friends have loved it ever since. And it’s always the highlight of my Christmas Holiday Gift Boxes. Enjoy! J
MAGGIE’S CHOCOLATE MINT FUDGE
One medium-to-large jar of marshmallow crème1 can evaporated milk1 stick of butter (use regular salted butter and NOT a butter substitute)3 cups granulated white sugar1 teaspoon salt2 12-oz packages of semi-sweet chocolate chips/morsels1 Tablespoon of peppermint flavoring
Makes 2 8x8” pans of fudge (also needed---aluminum foil to line pans)
A large thick-bottomed pot is recommended in order to keep the fudge from overcooking. Before starting: Line 2 8x8” pans with foil. Grease lightly with butter, not oil or margarine.
Place marshmallow crème in pot over medium heat, then stir in evaporated milk, stirring slowly. Cut stick of butter into 8 pieces and drop into simmering mixture. Stir in salt. Adjust heat to medium-high and add sugar, one-half cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. Continue stirring as sugar mixture starts to bubble. Cook for five minutes, no more, STIRRING CONSTANTLY. I cannot emphasize this enough.
Remove from heat and immediately stir in the packages of semi-sweet chocolate chips/morsels, one package at a time, stirring vigorously. Add peppermint flavoring, stirring well until blended. Pour fudge into the two pans. Let cool on counter for several minutes, then place pans in fridge to set up and cool completely.
December 18, 2016
OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL...
By Mary Kennedy
We all remember the popular Christmas song that begins with the words, "Oh, the weather outside is frightful..." And it ends happily with the upbeat hope, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."
Well, that's a lovely sentiment, but what happens when it doesn't snow? When the streets are coated with a thin sheet of ice, a drizzling rain makes everything soaked and gray, bleak skies look like something out of an Ingmar Bergman film?
If you live in the Northeast corridor, as I do, this is what was facing you this morning (and still is.) Here is the view from my home office, which is actually a large (and very cluttered) corner bedroom. In good weather, it's sun-filled and filled with a golden light. Today...not so much. Take a look.
Not very inspiring, is it? I think a ton of white stuff would be preferable to this! It's just not the kind of weather that makes you want to bundle up in a nice parka, boots and mittens and go for a long bracing walk. (I'm so glad my pal, Lorraine Bartlett, told me be about DVD's on "house-walking." A great way to get exercise when you can't face going outdoors.) Here's another view from my office, not very inspiring, I'm sorry to say.
Even the kitties deserted the windowsills, they can't bear looking out at this stuff, either! It's much nicer to cuddle and sleep inside, away from the drizzly stuff and the slushy stuff.
They've even deserted their beloved sun porch. I guess the view of the backyard is just too depressing. I put the heat on out there, but no one was tempted. Here's the sun porch last week, before this deluge of slush! It's usually a big favorite with the cats. The perfect spot to relax, sleep, cuddle and just chill. But today it's like a ghost town.
There's one bright spot. My Christmas cactus has started to bloom. It definitely adds a bright spot to the sunroom, and adds a bit of color.
What do you on these dismal days? Do you huddle inside, catching up on chores? (or maybe binge watching your favorite Netflix show? Or reading the latest release in your favorite cozy series). Or do you brave the elements and walk a couple of miles? Do you head for the kitchen and bake some cookies? Invite a pal over for cocoa in front of the fire? The possibilities are endless, but I find myself longing for sunny days in Florida. With any luck, I'll be there in a few weeks, and all this slush will just be a memory! Here's the view from the deck of the Ft. Lauderdale condo. It inspires me...I'd love to know how you deal with these gray days, please share your secret!
Mary Kennedy
We all remember the popular Christmas song that begins with the words, "Oh, the weather outside is frightful..." And it ends happily with the upbeat hope, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."
Well, that's a lovely sentiment, but what happens when it doesn't snow? When the streets are coated with a thin sheet of ice, a drizzling rain makes everything soaked and gray, bleak skies look like something out of an Ingmar Bergman film?
If you live in the Northeast corridor, as I do, this is what was facing you this morning (and still is.) Here is the view from my home office, which is actually a large (and very cluttered) corner bedroom. In good weather, it's sun-filled and filled with a golden light. Today...not so much. Take a look.
Not very inspiring, is it? I think a ton of white stuff would be preferable to this! It's just not the kind of weather that makes you want to bundle up in a nice parka, boots and mittens and go for a long bracing walk. (I'm so glad my pal, Lorraine Bartlett, told me be about DVD's on "house-walking." A great way to get exercise when you can't face going outdoors.) Here's another view from my office, not very inspiring, I'm sorry to say.
Even the kitties deserted the windowsills, they can't bear looking out at this stuff, either! It's much nicer to cuddle and sleep inside, away from the drizzly stuff and the slushy stuff.
They've even deserted their beloved sun porch. I guess the view of the backyard is just too depressing. I put the heat on out there, but no one was tempted. Here's the sun porch last week, before this deluge of slush! It's usually a big favorite with the cats. The perfect spot to relax, sleep, cuddle and just chill. But today it's like a ghost town.
There's one bright spot. My Christmas cactus has started to bloom. It definitely adds a bright spot to the sunroom, and adds a bit of color.
What do you on these dismal days? Do you huddle inside, catching up on chores? (or maybe binge watching your favorite Netflix show? Or reading the latest release in your favorite cozy series). Or do you brave the elements and walk a couple of miles? Do you head for the kitchen and bake some cookies? Invite a pal over for cocoa in front of the fire? The possibilities are endless, but I find myself longing for sunny days in Florida. With any luck, I'll be there in a few weeks, and all this slush will just be a memory! Here's the view from the deck of the Ft. Lauderdale condo. It inspires me...I'd love to know how you deal with these gray days, please share your secret!
Mary KennedyDecember 17, 2016
The Cozy Chicks Spotlight on...Karen Rose Smith
Spotlight Saturday by Karen Rose Smith
The Christmas season is full of memories, wonderful baking aromas, family and friends gathering around. It's also a time when hope is more than a dream and forgiveness is possible. I try to incorporate all of this into a romance that surrounds the holidays. As my couples find true love and their happily forever-afters, I hope you can share their joy and let the magic of Christmas touch you too.
The best of the season to all,
Karen Rose Smith
In the Comments, please tell me why you like to read holiday romances!
From *** USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR***KAREN ROSE SMITH
Three holiday-themed romances
THE DAD WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
Contemporary romance/marriage of convenience/Christmas
Five-year-old Jakie is hanging mid air on a harness, practicing for the Christmas pageant and Faith Hewitt, his foster mom, can't reach him. Seconds later Nick Clark appears as if he was sent by the angel Jakie is trying to be. Nick lowers Jakie to safety and Faith is hit by her attraction to Nick that she thought evaporated years ago.
Faith had a crush on Nick in high school. But they ran in different crowds and he married a beautiful cheer leader and prom queen. But the gossip mill in Winding Creek worked well and Faith heard that marriage didn't last long before they both left town.
Now Nick was back at least overnight and stranded by a snow storm. He owns a toy store now but isn't in tune with the joy of the Christmas season. She offers her spare room and he accepts. When Nick learns Faith wants to adopt Jakie but that adoption is threatened, he steps up and offers a marriage of convenience.
But is it convenient? Or does the past interfere too much?
Christmas is a time of love and forgiveness. Maybe Faith and Nick can find the spirit of Christmas together.TOYS AND BABY WISHES
Contemporary romance/Christmas
Joshua Flannigan owns successful toy stores and is protective of the aunt who raised him. When he returns from a backpacking trip to find his aunt's new "friend" Alexandra Kittredge helping her make major life changes, he's suspicious of Lexa's motives. After all, she looks more like a model than a job counselor!
Soon Josh realizes Lexa's sincerity and compassion for others runs her life. Protective of her younger sister who is pregnant, Lexa intends to adopt Dani's baby. But is that really the right move for both of them? Is her compassion blinding her to her sister's actual needs? And what is the secret Lexa is keeping that will affect her life as well as Josh's?
On Christmas Eve, Lexa and Josh find a lifetime of happiness can be just a jingle bell away!
WISH ON THE MOON
Contemporary romance/Christmas
Laura Applegate Sanders' world is turned upside down when Mitch Riley appears on her doorstep with the news her estranged father is about to undergo heart bypass surgery. For the past few years, Mitch has been her father's partner in the jewelry business Laura once dreamed of sharing--until her father disowned her when she married Doug Sanders, an artist with no money and few prospects.
Mitch loves and respects Laura's father as he never could his own. His dad was a drunkard and a gambler who died leaving his wife and two sons destitute when Mitch was fourteen. Knowing how much it would mean to Ray Applegate to see his daughter again, Mitch takes it upon himself to travel to Ohio to ask Laura to come home. To his surprise, he learns she is a widow with a four-year-old daughter, Mandy.
Mitch is prepared to dislike Ray's rebellious daughter because of the pain she caused Ray. But when he meets her, her self-confidence and the love she feels for her daughter throw him for a loop. In self-defense he clings to the image of Laura that Ray has fostered, that of an irrepressible, spoiled rich girl.
After getting to know Laura, Mitch finds her irresistible and their passion takes their relationship to a new level. But Mitch has been betrayed in the past. His lack of trust in Laura causes him to back away to the old life that has left him alone. Soul-searching leads him back to Ohio to admit to Laura his life won't be a happy one until she is in it permanently. A few days before Christmas he returns to Laura's doorstep to give her a ring he designed especially for her. Laura accepts his proposal, eager to find happily-ever-after with him.
NOW AVAILABLE!
HOLIDAY FOREVER-AFTERS on Amazon
HOLIDAY FOREVER-AFTERS on Barnes and Noble
The Christmas season is full of memories, wonderful baking aromas, family and friends gathering around. It's also a time when hope is more than a dream and forgiveness is possible. I try to incorporate all of this into a romance that surrounds the holidays. As my couples find true love and their happily forever-afters, I hope you can share their joy and let the magic of Christmas touch you too.
The best of the season to all,
Karen Rose Smith
In the Comments, please tell me why you like to read holiday romances!
From *** USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR***KAREN ROSE SMITH
Three holiday-themed romances
THE DAD WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
Contemporary romance/marriage of convenience/Christmas
Five-year-old Jakie is hanging mid air on a harness, practicing for the Christmas pageant and Faith Hewitt, his foster mom, can't reach him. Seconds later Nick Clark appears as if he was sent by the angel Jakie is trying to be. Nick lowers Jakie to safety and Faith is hit by her attraction to Nick that she thought evaporated years ago.
Faith had a crush on Nick in high school. But they ran in different crowds and he married a beautiful cheer leader and prom queen. But the gossip mill in Winding Creek worked well and Faith heard that marriage didn't last long before they both left town.
Now Nick was back at least overnight and stranded by a snow storm. He owns a toy store now but isn't in tune with the joy of the Christmas season. She offers her spare room and he accepts. When Nick learns Faith wants to adopt Jakie but that adoption is threatened, he steps up and offers a marriage of convenience.
But is it convenient? Or does the past interfere too much?
Christmas is a time of love and forgiveness. Maybe Faith and Nick can find the spirit of Christmas together.TOYS AND BABY WISHES
Contemporary romance/Christmas
Joshua Flannigan owns successful toy stores and is protective of the aunt who raised him. When he returns from a backpacking trip to find his aunt's new "friend" Alexandra Kittredge helping her make major life changes, he's suspicious of Lexa's motives. After all, she looks more like a model than a job counselor!
Soon Josh realizes Lexa's sincerity and compassion for others runs her life. Protective of her younger sister who is pregnant, Lexa intends to adopt Dani's baby. But is that really the right move for both of them? Is her compassion blinding her to her sister's actual needs? And what is the secret Lexa is keeping that will affect her life as well as Josh's?
On Christmas Eve, Lexa and Josh find a lifetime of happiness can be just a jingle bell away!
WISH ON THE MOON
Contemporary romance/Christmas
Laura Applegate Sanders' world is turned upside down when Mitch Riley appears on her doorstep with the news her estranged father is about to undergo heart bypass surgery. For the past few years, Mitch has been her father's partner in the jewelry business Laura once dreamed of sharing--until her father disowned her when she married Doug Sanders, an artist with no money and few prospects.
Mitch loves and respects Laura's father as he never could his own. His dad was a drunkard and a gambler who died leaving his wife and two sons destitute when Mitch was fourteen. Knowing how much it would mean to Ray Applegate to see his daughter again, Mitch takes it upon himself to travel to Ohio to ask Laura to come home. To his surprise, he learns she is a widow with a four-year-old daughter, Mandy.
Mitch is prepared to dislike Ray's rebellious daughter because of the pain she caused Ray. But when he meets her, her self-confidence and the love she feels for her daughter throw him for a loop. In self-defense he clings to the image of Laura that Ray has fostered, that of an irrepressible, spoiled rich girl.
After getting to know Laura, Mitch finds her irresistible and their passion takes their relationship to a new level. But Mitch has been betrayed in the past. His lack of trust in Laura causes him to back away to the old life that has left him alone. Soul-searching leads him back to Ohio to admit to Laura his life won't be a happy one until she is in it permanently. A few days before Christmas he returns to Laura's doorstep to give her a ring he designed especially for her. Laura accepts his proposal, eager to find happily-ever-after with him.
NOW AVAILABLE!
HOLIDAY FOREVER-AFTERS on Amazon
HOLIDAY FOREVER-AFTERS on Barnes and Noble
December 16, 2016
Time to give myself another holiday treat!
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Just in time for the holidays, I've written a new Blythe Cove manor story you may want to read. Why? Because I wanted to read this story.
It's starting to become a tradition for me to write a Christmas story for myself. It started back in the 1980s. I started writing a holiday story based on a TV show I loved. Many years later, while I was working on the early books in the Jeff Resnick series, I wondered how Jeff and Richard celebrated their first Christmas together when Jeff was a teenager. (Need I say it was a disaster?) That story hung around for about five years without being finished. (The First Noel, which eventually found its way into Evolution: Jeff Resnick's Backstory--a collection of stories that chronicle their rocky relationship.) In fact, I wrote another Christmas story for Jeff while The First Noel went nowhere. ( Bah! Humbug . Another Christmas disaster for Jeff. That poor guy just can't get a break.)
My first "cozy" story wasn't a book, but a Christmas short story called We're So Sorry, Uncle Albert. Can a family get away will killing their skin-flint uncle at Christmastime? I don't remember what time of year I wrote it; I just remember submitting it to Kindle Shorts and being rejected. They did eventually take it, but the editor there told me they were desperate for content and that I really didn't have much of a future as a writer. (Glad I didn't listen to HIM. BTW, this was before they came out with Kindle readers.)
One year, I didn't have time to write a Christmas story before the holiday. Three weeks later, I went on a cruise where I not only wrote the story I'd been thinking about for four months ( Blue Christmas ), but finished a Booktown Mystery (I think it was Not The Killing Type , but I could be wrong.)
In October, I wrote a story for my Lotus Bay series (Christmas at Swan's Nest). I thought I'd be Christmas'd out by then, but ... nope. All of a sudden Blythe Calvert (from the Blythe Cove Manor series I share with authors Kelly McClymer and Shirley Hailstock) started nagging me to write her latest ... adventure isn't the right word, since Blythe seldom actually leaves her home ... experience. Yeah, that works for me. And voila!
AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
All is quiet at Blythe Cove Manor as its proprietress, Blythe Calvert, anticipates a peaceful holiday along with her cat, Martha. But then a taxi pulls up and drops off a troubled, runaway teen looking for a safe haven. Can the magic of Blythe Cove Manor heal this young girl’s aching heart?
Kindle US
Kindle Worldwide
iBooks
Nook
Kobo Smashwords
What do you do during the holidays as a treat for yourself?
Just in time for the holidays, I've written a new Blythe Cove manor story you may want to read. Why? Because I wanted to read this story.It's starting to become a tradition for me to write a Christmas story for myself. It started back in the 1980s. I started writing a holiday story based on a TV show I loved. Many years later, while I was working on the early books in the Jeff Resnick series, I wondered how Jeff and Richard celebrated their first Christmas together when Jeff was a teenager. (Need I say it was a disaster?) That story hung around for about five years without being finished. (The First Noel, which eventually found its way into Evolution: Jeff Resnick's Backstory--a collection of stories that chronicle their rocky relationship.) In fact, I wrote another Christmas story for Jeff while The First Noel went nowhere. ( Bah! Humbug . Another Christmas disaster for Jeff. That poor guy just can't get a break.)
My first "cozy" story wasn't a book, but a Christmas short story called We're So Sorry, Uncle Albert. Can a family get away will killing their skin-flint uncle at Christmastime? I don't remember what time of year I wrote it; I just remember submitting it to Kindle Shorts and being rejected. They did eventually take it, but the editor there told me they were desperate for content and that I really didn't have much of a future as a writer. (Glad I didn't listen to HIM. BTW, this was before they came out with Kindle readers.)One year, I didn't have time to write a Christmas story before the holiday. Three weeks later, I went on a cruise where I not only wrote the story I'd been thinking about for four months ( Blue Christmas ), but finished a Booktown Mystery (I think it was Not The Killing Type , but I could be wrong.)
In October, I wrote a story for my Lotus Bay series (Christmas at Swan's Nest). I thought I'd be Christmas'd out by then, but ... nope. All of a sudden Blythe Calvert (from the Blythe Cove Manor series I share with authors Kelly McClymer and Shirley Hailstock) started nagging me to write her latest ... adventure isn't the right word, since Blythe seldom actually leaves her home ... experience. Yeah, that works for me. And voila!
AN UNEXPECTED VISITORAll is quiet at Blythe Cove Manor as its proprietress, Blythe Calvert, anticipates a peaceful holiday along with her cat, Martha. But then a taxi pulls up and drops off a troubled, runaway teen looking for a safe haven. Can the magic of Blythe Cove Manor heal this young girl’s aching heart?
Kindle US
Kindle Worldwide
iBooks
Nook
Kobo Smashwords
What do you do during the holidays as a treat for yourself?
December 15, 2016
Hello from Karen Rose Smith, the new Cozy Chick
by Karen Rose Smith
I'm so excited to be joining The Cozy Chicks. I'll be blogging about many subjects from every-day goings on to my writing life. But today I wanted to introduce myself to you. (And my cats!)
Senior cat London
Zoie JoyMy friends would call me a crazy cat lady. My husband of 45 years and I have four inside cats (London, Zoie Joy, Halo and Miss Paddington) we rescued and now we're also "caring for" a stray brother and sister who have been coming to our outside feeder since a year ago.
Bonnie & ClydeTheir ears were clipped and they were feral. My husband dubbed them Bonnie and Clyde. She's a dark tortie and he's a yellow tabby. Finally they will come inside the basement to eat and Clyde will let me pet him. But they are still afraid of feet and sudden movement sends them scurrying. Caring for cats is probably the one area of my life when I actually have patience…to a degree.
Besides caring for our cats, I like to raise plants—petunias, geraniums, snapdragons and heirloom tomatoes—and tell hubby where to plant them in our gardens. Arthritis and fibromyalgia are daily battles for me. In the winter starting seedlings keep me on my feet. I have grow lights in the basement and heat pads that help them thrive until spring. And I wield a mean cane when I plant zinnia seeds exactly where I want them around the patio around Memorial Day.
I come from an Italian background and cooking around my grandmother, mom and aunt taught me how to create recipes. I enjoy including new ones in each of my mysteries. From main dishes to baked goods, I try to keep recipes simple yet inventive. An old fashioned apple pie can still be my pride and joy.
One of my hobbies I began long ago and just picked up again recently is watercolor painting. I enjoy it during breaks in my writing schedule. My subject matter now? Cats.
Halo & Miss Paddington
And then there is writing. My 97th novel will be released in 2017. After writing romance for 20 years, I turned to women's fiction and mysteries. My 6th Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery was released this month. I'll have a new series, Daisy's Tea Garden Mysteries, starting in 2018.
It will be so fulfilling to get to know you. Please feel free to comment and ask questions whenever you'd like!
Hubby and me!
I'm so excited to be joining The Cozy Chicks. I'll be blogging about many subjects from every-day goings on to my writing life. But today I wanted to introduce myself to you. (And my cats!)
Senior cat London
Zoie JoyMy friends would call me a crazy cat lady. My husband of 45 years and I have four inside cats (London, Zoie Joy, Halo and Miss Paddington) we rescued and now we're also "caring for" a stray brother and sister who have been coming to our outside feeder since a year ago. 
Bonnie & ClydeTheir ears were clipped and they were feral. My husband dubbed them Bonnie and Clyde. She's a dark tortie and he's a yellow tabby. Finally they will come inside the basement to eat and Clyde will let me pet him. But they are still afraid of feet and sudden movement sends them scurrying. Caring for cats is probably the one area of my life when I actually have patience…to a degree.Besides caring for our cats, I like to raise plants—petunias, geraniums, snapdragons and heirloom tomatoes—and tell hubby where to plant them in our gardens. Arthritis and fibromyalgia are daily battles for me. In the winter starting seedlings keep me on my feet. I have grow lights in the basement and heat pads that help them thrive until spring. And I wield a mean cane when I plant zinnia seeds exactly where I want them around the patio around Memorial Day.
I come from an Italian background and cooking around my grandmother, mom and aunt taught me how to create recipes. I enjoy including new ones in each of my mysteries. From main dishes to baked goods, I try to keep recipes simple yet inventive. An old fashioned apple pie can still be my pride and joy.One of my hobbies I began long ago and just picked up again recently is watercolor painting. I enjoy it during breaks in my writing schedule. My subject matter now? Cats.
Halo & Miss PaddingtonAnd then there is writing. My 97th novel will be released in 2017. After writing romance for 20 years, I turned to women's fiction and mysteries. My 6th Caprice De Luca Home Staging mystery was released this month. I'll have a new series, Daisy's Tea Garden Mysteries, starting in 2018.
It will be so fulfilling to get to know you. Please feel free to comment and ask questions whenever you'd like!
Hubby and me!
December 13, 2016
Chicks and Friends...the best time ever!!!
Last night Chicks and Friends got together for our Christmas bash. If you missed it, that’s a shame because we had a blast!!! 
The Chicks agree...there is nothing better than getting together with readers, all of us together at one time and getting to know each other like friends do. It was a chance to chat with you all and for the Chicks to say Thanks for your support and friendship through the year. 
Last night we talked for two and a half hours that just seemed to fly by. We shared cookie recipes, menus for Christmas dinner, what Christmas shows we love and what Christmas songs we know by heart. I have a whole new batch of cookies to make for the holidays and a list of shows I keep forgetting about. I so need to see Die Hard again especially since Bruce Willis...the canine Bruce Willis...is in my Consignment Shop series.We introduced our newest Chick, Karen Rose and chatted about her books, and all of our books and what’s coming up next year.
And it wasn’t just all talk either. What’s Christmas without presents!!! We gave away books, totes and key fobs and goodie bags galore to say Thank You to our readers for being there for us. Thanks to everyone who came to the party last night and joined in the celebration. We love getting to know you better and you all are the best!!
December 12, 2016
Holiday Recipes: Gingersnap Cookies
by Maggie SeftonToday, I'm continuing my Holiday posts of favorite recipes. Several of these
favorites I've included in the Kelly Flynn Mysteries over the years. Today's choice was entitled "Aunt Helen's Gingersnaps" in one of the mysteries and was one of Kelly Flynn's Aunt Helen's special recipes. It's still one of my favorite holiday recipes which I make every year for my own family. Give these holiday cookies a try. I promise you'll enjoy them. :)
This is my family’s favorite holiday cookie. They’re meant to be soft and chewy, not crispy. I’ve loved gingersnap cookies since I was a child and always made a batch every Holiday season. Once I had a family of my own, I tried a new Gingersnap recipe every year, searching for “the perfect one.” Finally, I gave up searching and started tinkering with some of my old favorites and added my own special touch: grated lemon peel. Lots of it. J I hope you like them as much as we do. Enjoy!
AUNT HELEN’S GINGERSNAPS
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons ground ginger2 teaspoons ground cinnamon2 teaspoons baking soda½ teaspoon salt1 ½ sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar1 large egg, room temperature¼ cup unsulphured molasses2 Tablespoons freshly grated lemon peel¼ to ½ cup granulated white sugar
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Cream butter and brown sugar together in a medium bowl, mixing well for at least two minutes until well-blended, pale and fluffy, scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Beat in egg, then molasses and lemon peel until blended. Slowly add half the flour mixture, mixing with wooden spoon just until blended, then add remaining flour, mixing in well.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 15 minutes. Then take out and roll rounded tablespoons of dough into 1 ¼ inch balls (approx.). Roll balls in granulated sugar and place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets(s). Bake just until puffed and cookies look dry---anywhere from 9 minutes to 14 minutes, depending on your oven. (Do not overbake or cookies will become hard). Carefully remove with metal spatula to wire rack to cool. Makes approximately 32 cookies.
I usually double this recipe when I make it, because those amounts are easier to work with. But--be prepared to make a lot of cookies. J
December 11, 2016
WOULD YOU WALK A MILE FOR A COOKIE? (YOU MAY HAVE TO!)
By Mary Kennedy
Not trying to be the Grinch who stole Christmas, but a flurry of holiday parties (with too many goodies) has me in a tizzy. I started analyzing how many luscious treats I was devouring and yowsers--the calorie count was in the stratosphere. No worries, I told myself, I'll simply step up the exercise (I normally walk 4 miles a day but I can easily increase it.)
That would solve the problem, right? Calories in, make sure I get enough exercise to account for them, and everything balances out. But wait, not so fast! I read an alarming article about how much exercise I would have to do to compensate for those Christmas goodies. The news was shocking!
The chart above shows how much you would have to exercise to burn off two cookies. Horrors! I would have to walk a solid 90 minutes just to burn off two chocolate chip cookies. And who eats just 2 chocolate chip cookies? Those things are addictive, like potato chips. Not saying I would devour the whole stack below, but if truth be told, I bet I would eat 4 or 5. Easily!! A plate of cookies, a cup of tea and a cozy mystery. Before long, the plate of cookies would disappear!
At 450 calories a slice, fruitcake is another offender.
Don't care for it, you say? Good for you, you would have to run for 46 minutes to burn off the calories in just one slice! Eggnog? At 343 calories a cup, you would have to run for 35 minutes. (although I did think I spied a "low cal" eggnog in the supermarket the other day.)
The list goes on, and the numbers are not good, my friends. Feel like munching on a Gingerbread Man? 200 calories and 21 minutes of running.
Hot chocolate? Yes, it's delicious but at 193 calories (without marshmallows), get out your running shoes because you'll be running for 20 minutes for each cup you drink. And if you add marshmallows, (doesn't everyone?) you'll have to add an additional 2 minutes to that number for each marshmallow.
One piece of fudge (one inch!) at 90 calories isn't much of a bargain, because you would have to run for 9 minutes to burn if off.
And who eats just one piece of fudge? (answer: people with remarkable, enviable self control, that's who!)
If you're looking for a caloric bargain, you can reach for a candy cane. That's ONE candy cane. At 40 calories, it only takes 4 minutes of running. to account for it.
You see where I'm going with this, right? You don't have to restrict yourself to carrots and celery sticks. But choose your treats wisely this holiday season so you'll be able to get into those cool leggings you got as a Christmas present. Indulge in moderation and have a great holiday!
Mary Kennedy
Not trying to be the Grinch who stole Christmas, but a flurry of holiday parties (with too many goodies) has me in a tizzy. I started analyzing how many luscious treats I was devouring and yowsers--the calorie count was in the stratosphere. No worries, I told myself, I'll simply step up the exercise (I normally walk 4 miles a day but I can easily increase it.)
That would solve the problem, right? Calories in, make sure I get enough exercise to account for them, and everything balances out. But wait, not so fast! I read an alarming article about how much exercise I would have to do to compensate for those Christmas goodies. The news was shocking!
The chart above shows how much you would have to exercise to burn off two cookies. Horrors! I would have to walk a solid 90 minutes just to burn off two chocolate chip cookies. And who eats just 2 chocolate chip cookies? Those things are addictive, like potato chips. Not saying I would devour the whole stack below, but if truth be told, I bet I would eat 4 or 5. Easily!! A plate of cookies, a cup of tea and a cozy mystery. Before long, the plate of cookies would disappear!
At 450 calories a slice, fruitcake is another offender.
Don't care for it, you say? Good for you, you would have to run for 46 minutes to burn off the calories in just one slice! Eggnog? At 343 calories a cup, you would have to run for 35 minutes. (although I did think I spied a "low cal" eggnog in the supermarket the other day.)
The list goes on, and the numbers are not good, my friends. Feel like munching on a Gingerbread Man? 200 calories and 21 minutes of running.
Hot chocolate? Yes, it's delicious but at 193 calories (without marshmallows), get out your running shoes because you'll be running for 20 minutes for each cup you drink. And if you add marshmallows, (doesn't everyone?) you'll have to add an additional 2 minutes to that number for each marshmallow.
One piece of fudge (one inch!) at 90 calories isn't much of a bargain, because you would have to run for 9 minutes to burn if off.
And who eats just one piece of fudge? (answer: people with remarkable, enviable self control, that's who!)
If you're looking for a caloric bargain, you can reach for a candy cane. That's ONE candy cane. At 40 calories, it only takes 4 minutes of running. to account for it.
You see where I'm going with this, right? You don't have to restrict yourself to carrots and celery sticks. But choose your treats wisely this holiday season so you'll be able to get into those cool leggings you got as a Christmas present. Indulge in moderation and have a great holiday!
Mary Kennedy
December 9, 2016
Well, are you coming?
The Cozy Chicks would be pleased as holiday punch if you'd join us for our annual holiday party.
WHERE: Our Facebook Group Page. (Haven't joined? Well, what are you waiting for? Click this link, and join the group!)
WHEN: Tuesday, December 13th, from 7 to 9:30 pm (although a few of us might hang around later).
Click this link to RSVP our invitation!
WHO: Us, of course, The Cozy Chicks. Lorraine Bartlett, Duffy Brown, Mary Kenned, Mary Jane Maffini (Victoria Abbott), Maggie Sefton, Karen Rose Smith -- and we hope ... YOU!
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT: Virtual holiday goodies (think recipes and pictures), pictures, and prizez -- like Cozy Chicks goody bags, totes and lots more!
Hope to see you there!
