Kate Collins's Blog, page 194
May 20, 2014
Growing Tomatoes
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
I'm getting ready to plant my garden here in southeastern Wisconsin, and as always, tomatoes play a starring role in the plot plan.
Selecting my tiny plantings got me thinking. What would we do without tomatoes? Without ketchup, salsa, pizza sauce, Campbell’s tomato soup? I can't even imagine it!
(trivia warning) Did you know they originated in the Andes, growing wild in South America? And all this time, I was crediting the Italians!
Growing up, my grandmother picked them juicy ripe in the garden and we dipped them in a bowl of sugar. I say yum, you probably say ick.
Anyway, the first photo is a Mr. Stripey heirloom. The second is a Jet Star. Two new kinds I'm trying this year.
You might say to-mah-toe and I might say to-may-toe, but we all agree that they add flavor to our lives no matter the pronunciation.
What’s your favorite tomato? And what food would you miss most without them?
I'm getting ready to plant my garden here in southeastern Wisconsin, and as always, tomatoes play a starring role in the plot plan.Selecting my tiny plantings got me thinking. What would we do without tomatoes? Without ketchup, salsa, pizza sauce, Campbell’s tomato soup? I can't even imagine it!
(trivia warning) Did you know they originated in the Andes, growing wild in South America? And all this time, I was crediting the Italians!
Growing up, my grandmother picked them juicy ripe in the garden and we dipped them in a bowl of sugar. I say yum, you probably say ick.Anyway, the first photo is a Mr. Stripey heirloom. The second is a Jet Star. Two new kinds I'm trying this year.
You might say to-mah-toe and I might say to-may-toe, but we all agree that they add flavor to our lives no matter the pronunciation.
What’s your favorite tomato? And what food would you miss most without them?
May 19, 2014
LAST DAY of the Cozy Chicks Contest
Heads up, Everyone! Today is your last chance to enter the Cozy Chicks Contest celebrating our release of the 2nd edition of our cookbook, THE COZY CHICKS KITCHEN. It's easy to enter for a chance to win a prize from our Cozy Chicks swag site----a CC mug, tote bag, apron, or mousepad. Just email us at cozychicks@gmail.com today. That's it. That's all you have to do. Each of the Chicks is drawing a name from all of the ones submitted on each day as the prize recipient. You can see here the great selection of Cozy Chicks swag you have to choose from. :) Meanwhile, I thought you all would enjoy learning which fictional sleuths influenced the Cozy Chicks in our youth or as adults:
Jennifer Stanley/Ellery Adams----Encyclopedia Brown was her favorite as a child until high school when Ellery Queen took top spot.
Deb Baker/Hannah Reed----loved Trixie Belden as a youngster.
Lorraine Bartlett/Lorna Barrett----swears she had no favorite childhood sleuths because she always read biographies.
Mary Kennedy----loved Nancy Drew as a child and Miss Marple as she grew up.
Mary Jane Maffini/Victoria Abbott----preferred the Nero Wolfe mysteries from the "Golden Age of Detection."
Leann Sweeney----loved Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Carolyn Hart's Annie Darling. Then the Perry Mason mysteries captured her.
Kate Collins----I think Kate mentioned Sherlock Holmes.
As for me----I read Nancy Drew mysteries when I was in elementary then switched for a couple of years to the Greek myths (go figure). Then in high school, like Leann, I discovered Perry Mason and I was hooked. I read them all.
Now, your turn. Who were your favorite sleuths? Tell us----AND----don't forget to send us an email sometime before today is over.
May 18, 2014
Which Type of Cook Are You -- A, B, C, or D?
by Kate Collins
I know people who love nothing more than spending hours in the kitchen cooking gourmet meals. They will go to great lengths to produce meals worthy of the Iron Chef prize.
And then I know people who don't know how to turn on their ovens.
I'm an in betweener. I can cook and bake well, and when I do, I'm proud of it. I just don't enjoy it.
Actually, what I dislike about it is the cleanup. If I had someone to come in behind me and take care of the mess, I would spend more time creating wonderful meals.
When my kids were home and my husband was alive, I cooked a lot. Now not so much, and when I do, I make a huge pot of it and freeze a bunch of little meals.
So, in honor of the cookbook that the other Cozy Chicks and I put together -- our newly revised edition with brand new recipes in it -- I'm doing a survey.
What kind of cook are you:
A: I love to cook and will spend hours creating a gourmet meal.
B. I cook well but don't really enjoy it.
C. I would rather eat out than spend time in my kitchen.
D. I'm not a good cook at all but my family tolerates me.
I'll be interested in the results. I have a hunch most people will fall in the B range, but I may be surprised.
Don't forget to enter your name for one of our cute giveaways. Just send an email to us here: cozychicks@gmail.com
I know people who love nothing more than spending hours in the kitchen cooking gourmet meals. They will go to great lengths to produce meals worthy of the Iron Chef prize.
And then I know people who don't know how to turn on their ovens.
I'm an in betweener. I can cook and bake well, and when I do, I'm proud of it. I just don't enjoy it.
Actually, what I dislike about it is the cleanup. If I had someone to come in behind me and take care of the mess, I would spend more time creating wonderful meals.
When my kids were home and my husband was alive, I cooked a lot. Now not so much, and when I do, I make a huge pot of it and freeze a bunch of little meals.
So, in honor of the cookbook that the other Cozy Chicks and I put together -- our newly revised edition with brand new recipes in it -- I'm doing a survey.
What kind of cook are you:
A: I love to cook and will spend hours creating a gourmet meal.
B. I cook well but don't really enjoy it.
C. I would rather eat out than spend time in my kitchen.
D. I'm not a good cook at all but my family tolerates me.
I'll be interested in the results. I have a hunch most people will fall in the B range, but I may be surprised.
Don't forget to enter your name for one of our cute giveaways. Just send an email to us here: cozychicks@gmail.com
May 17, 2014
Welcome to our Pet Party!
Welcome to the party!
By Mary Jane Maffini aka Victoria Abbott and Daisy and Lily and Peachtree
I love being part of the Cozy Chicks. Since late last year when I joined, I have found friendship, collegiality, wisdom and fun with my smart and talented cozy sisters.
They may murder on the page but they are wonderfully kind in their relationships. So Daisy and Lily, my miniature dachshunds, would like to invite you to our pet party. Peachtree (Victoria's pug) will be along later. Come in and meet everyone. Don't forget to check out the swag announcement at the end of the blog.
This week we're whooping it up celebrating the second edition of the Cozy Chicks Kitchen and the launch of our zazzle store.
I thought a great way to celebrate would be to introduce you to our pets. Without further ado, here are the rulers of our Cozy Chicks home. It was so hard to pick which adorable pet to start with that I drew names out of a hat!
Here at Lorraine's home (or the Bartlett Spa) the 'residents' are catching up on much needed rest under their own sunlamp.
They all have beds under a lamp with a 200 watt light bulb and they spend the days (winter & summer) under there toasty warm. They are from left to right to center, Fred, Chester, and Betsy. I think I know who's in charge around there. Room service too, I bet.
Maggie invited us to the vet's office with her. You can see who owns this pooch, but how funny is this picture? Dogs and vets, always tricky to pull off..
Katy is Black short-hair Border Collie in Maggie's arms and below is Max, the Blue TickCoon Hound/Black Lab mix
Max sitting on the part of his anatomy that's
most at risk in vet's office. See that innocent expression? He's hopingthey won't notice him.
We never forget our beloved pets and we thank Kate Collins for sharing this photo of her much-loved calico cat Cali who passed away two years ago at fourteen. She was gorgeous (as is Kate). She was born to luxuriate on that carpet too. What a glamor-puss! She showed up at Kate's door starving and abandoned, and then look how life turned out.
Here's Leann's Rosie, the super smart, super hyper mini-labradoodle (named for Leann's first series). I like that mysterious glow. Hope someday to give Rosie a pat or two.
Leann also has scaredy cat silver tabby ragdoll Wexford (for Ruth Rendell's police detective), Marlowe a sealpoint ragdoll sweetheart who has epilepsy (named for Philip Marlowe). As many of you know, Marlowe was very ill. Leann was sick with worry and we all worried with her, but Wexford was there for him too.
Deb says there was a time when the kids were growing up that she had 12 sled dogs, 2 border collies, and 2 cats, all at the same time. This is Lightning, the last of that happy bunch, who passed away last year, but had a wonderful summer in the sun first.
Here are Ellery's babies: Finnegan, Jasper P. Jenkins, Sherlock Holmes, and Doctor Watson. All males. All rescues. You may see some of their antics over at her Facebook page from time to time! I notice that Sherlock and Dr. Watson are guard cats with a mirror to expand their view. Nice work if you can get it, guys.
Speaking of cats, our Mary Kennedy has eight! Here's Oliver GoodCat, who was abandoned but landed on his feet at Mary's. She also has FurFace, Eliza, Calpurnia, Clyde, Henry, Oscar and Shadow. Below is lovely 'shy Calpurnia'. Isn't she pretty? And three others in their kitten days. Aren't they adorable? Every blog needs a kitten or three.
Must you go? We loved having you here. And Peachtree the Pug (who looks a lot like Walter in the Victoria Abbott books ) has just arrived in her tutu.
Don't you feel all warm and furry now? Don't forget to put your name in for the giveaway draw. All you have to do is email us at cozychicks@gmail.com
By Mary Jane Maffini aka Victoria Abbott and Daisy and Lily and Peachtree
I love being part of the Cozy Chicks. Since late last year when I joined, I have found friendship, collegiality, wisdom and fun with my smart and talented cozy sisters.
They may murder on the page but they are wonderfully kind in their relationships. So Daisy and Lily, my miniature dachshunds, would like to invite you to our pet party. Peachtree (Victoria's pug) will be along later. Come in and meet everyone. Don't forget to check out the swag announcement at the end of the blog.
This week we're whooping it up celebrating the second edition of the Cozy Chicks Kitchen and the launch of our zazzle store.
I thought a great way to celebrate would be to introduce you to our pets. Without further ado, here are the rulers of our Cozy Chicks home. It was so hard to pick which adorable pet to start with that I drew names out of a hat!
Here at Lorraine's home (or the Bartlett Spa) the 'residents' are catching up on much needed rest under their own sunlamp.
They all have beds under a lamp with a 200 watt light bulb and they spend the days (winter & summer) under there toasty warm. They are from left to right to center, Fred, Chester, and Betsy. I think I know who's in charge around there. Room service too, I bet.
Maggie invited us to the vet's office with her. You can see who owns this pooch, but how funny is this picture? Dogs and vets, always tricky to pull off..
Katy is Black short-hair Border Collie in Maggie's arms and below is Max, the Blue TickCoon Hound/Black Lab mix
Max sitting on the part of his anatomy that's
most at risk in vet's office. See that innocent expression? He's hopingthey won't notice him.
We never forget our beloved pets and we thank Kate Collins for sharing this photo of her much-loved calico cat Cali who passed away two years ago at fourteen. She was gorgeous (as is Kate). She was born to luxuriate on that carpet too. What a glamor-puss! She showed up at Kate's door starving and abandoned, and then look how life turned out.
Here's Leann's Rosie, the super smart, super hyper mini-labradoodle (named for Leann's first series). I like that mysterious glow. Hope someday to give Rosie a pat or two.
Leann also has scaredy cat silver tabby ragdoll Wexford (for Ruth Rendell's police detective), Marlowe a sealpoint ragdoll sweetheart who has epilepsy (named for Philip Marlowe). As many of you know, Marlowe was very ill. Leann was sick with worry and we all worried with her, but Wexford was there for him too.
Deb says there was a time when the kids were growing up that she had 12 sled dogs, 2 border collies, and 2 cats, all at the same time. This is Lightning, the last of that happy bunch, who passed away last year, but had a wonderful summer in the sun first.
Here are Ellery's babies: Finnegan, Jasper P. Jenkins, Sherlock Holmes, and Doctor Watson. All males. All rescues. You may see some of their antics over at her Facebook page from time to time! I notice that Sherlock and Dr. Watson are guard cats with a mirror to expand their view. Nice work if you can get it, guys.
Speaking of cats, our Mary Kennedy has eight! Here's Oliver GoodCat, who was abandoned but landed on his feet at Mary's. She also has FurFace, Eliza, Calpurnia, Clyde, Henry, Oscar and Shadow. Below is lovely 'shy Calpurnia'. Isn't she pretty? And three others in their kitten days. Aren't they adorable? Every blog needs a kitten or three.
Must you go? We loved having you here. And Peachtree the Pug (who looks a lot like Walter in the Victoria Abbott books ) has just arrived in her tutu.
Don't you feel all warm and furry now? Don't forget to put your name in for the giveaway draw. All you have to do is email us at cozychicks@gmail.com
May 16, 2014
"I'll Have What She's Having"
by Mary Kennedy
Remember the famous diner scene in When Harry Met Sally? Meg Ryan put on quite a show as she sat across the table from Billie Crystal. A woman at a neighboring table watched her in amazement and said to the waitress, "I'll have what she's having." It's one of the most famous movie lines of all time.
Which brings us to the topic of food. And recipes. And cookbooks.
This is a sneaky way of introducing today's blog which is about the new Cozy Chicks Cookbook. (Mary Jane Maffini and I are the newest Cozy Chicks, and believe me, we are thrilled to have our recipes included in this second edition.). If you'd like to enter our Cozy Chicks contest, just send an e-mail to cozychicks@gmail.com with cookbook in the subject line. Yes, there's still time to enter!
I thought it might be fun to post one of my recipes from the book. It's called "Hot Artichoke Dip" and Taylor Blake and her sister Ali love to serve it with crackers, bagel chips or toast points when they entertain in the Dream Club Mysteries. It has three ingredients and is fool-proof!
Ingredients:
one (14 oz) jar of artichokes, drained and chopped
one cup mayonnaise
one cup grated parmesan cheese
Mix and place in greased baking dish. Bake 375 for 15 or 20 minutes. Serve hot! Hope everyone enters our fun contest! And let me know if you try the artichoke dip, I think you'll love it.
Mary Kennedy
Remember the famous diner scene in When Harry Met Sally? Meg Ryan put on quite a show as she sat across the table from Billie Crystal. A woman at a neighboring table watched her in amazement and said to the waitress, "I'll have what she's having." It's one of the most famous movie lines of all time.
Which brings us to the topic of food. And recipes. And cookbooks.
This is a sneaky way of introducing today's blog which is about the new Cozy Chicks Cookbook. (Mary Jane Maffini and I are the newest Cozy Chicks, and believe me, we are thrilled to have our recipes included in this second edition.). If you'd like to enter our Cozy Chicks contest, just send an e-mail to cozychicks@gmail.com with cookbook in the subject line. Yes, there's still time to enter!
I thought it might be fun to post one of my recipes from the book. It's called "Hot Artichoke Dip" and Taylor Blake and her sister Ali love to serve it with crackers, bagel chips or toast points when they entertain in the Dream Club Mysteries. It has three ingredients and is fool-proof!
Ingredients:
one (14 oz) jar of artichokes, drained and chopped
one cup mayonnaise
one cup grated parmesan cheese
Mix and place in greased baking dish. Bake 375 for 15 or 20 minutes. Serve hot! Hope everyone enters our fun contest! And let me know if you try the artichoke dip, I think you'll love it.
Mary Kennedy
May 15, 2014
Help us Celebrate our 2nd Edition!
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
When the newest additions to the Cozy Chicks came on board (Hi, Mary Jane and Mary), we took the opportunity to update our cookbook, The Cozy Chicks Kitchen. We replaced 15 of the recipes with 30 new ones, and literally from soup to nuts!
The Cozy Chicks Kitchen 2nd edition is now available in both ebook formats and as a trade paperback. (See the links to buy at the top left corner of our site.)
Reviews? We've got them! Not only do we have 21 five-star reviews on Amazon, but two top review blogs and Mystery Scene magazine reviewed the book.
This fabulous collection of recipes is to die for. Because the Chicks are scattered around the country and have lived in an assortment of places, the recipes often have a regional flare and variety. If you want your own "killer collection of recipes," you'll love this book. Oh, and while you're at it check out the Chicks and see if they are cooking up some new mysteries!
--Feathered Quill Reviews
The kitchen is the ideal room in which to cook up the perfect murder scheme. So mystery-themed cookbooks are a natural. And this year's entry, The Cozy Chicks Kitchen, is a no-brainer, given the ongoing popularity of culinary cozies. The Cozy Chicks serve up a whole book's worth of tempting treats, marvelous meals, sinful snacks, and, of course, decadent desserts pulled from their own novels. And even if they only pass through the kitchen to use the phone to order out, cozy fans will enjoy the asides and insights by the authors as they introduce their favorite recipes.
--Mystery Scene Magazine
Recipes from seven authors that offer a variety of delicious meals and snacks for you and your family to try. With all the choices they offer, it's so hard to pick which ones to try first, but when you do, you'll be glad you did. Also, in the back of the book you'll find the list of contributing authors, along with the book titles each has available for purchase and their personal websites where you can find out more about them. I'm so glad I stumbled across this cookbook because I've added a few new recipes to my everyday cookbook that I use.
--Night Owl Reviews
We're giving away a copy of the cookbook. To enter, just send an email with Cookbook in the subject line to us at CozyChicks(AT)gmail.com. Tomorrow we'll announce the winner's name.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: And the winners are Deb R. from Kitchener, Ontario and Zaida A. from Miami,Florida.
When the newest additions to the Cozy Chicks came on board (Hi, Mary Jane and Mary), we took the opportunity to update our cookbook, The Cozy Chicks Kitchen. We replaced 15 of the recipes with 30 new ones, and literally from soup to nuts!The Cozy Chicks Kitchen 2nd edition is now available in both ebook formats and as a trade paperback. (See the links to buy at the top left corner of our site.)
Reviews? We've got them! Not only do we have 21 five-star reviews on Amazon, but two top review blogs and Mystery Scene magazine reviewed the book.
This fabulous collection of recipes is to die for. Because the Chicks are scattered around the country and have lived in an assortment of places, the recipes often have a regional flare and variety. If you want your own "killer collection of recipes," you'll love this book. Oh, and while you're at it check out the Chicks and see if they are cooking up some new mysteries!--Feathered Quill Reviews
The kitchen is the ideal room in which to cook up the perfect murder scheme. So mystery-themed cookbooks are a natural. And this year's entry, The Cozy Chicks Kitchen, is a no-brainer, given the ongoing popularity of culinary cozies. The Cozy Chicks serve up a whole book's worth of tempting treats, marvelous meals, sinful snacks, and, of course, decadent desserts pulled from their own novels. And even if they only pass through the kitchen to use the phone to order out, cozy fans will enjoy the asides and insights by the authors as they introduce their favorite recipes.
--Mystery Scene Magazine
Recipes from seven authors that offer a variety of delicious meals and snacks for you and your family to try. With all the choices they offer, it's so hard to pick which ones to try first, but when you do, you'll be glad you did. Also, in the back of the book you'll find the list of contributing authors, along with the book titles each has available for purchase and their personal websites where you can find out more about them. I'm so glad I stumbled across this cookbook because I've added a few new recipes to my everyday cookbook that I use.
--Night Owl Reviews
We're giving away a copy of the cookbook. To enter, just send an email with Cookbook in the subject line to us at CozyChicks(AT)gmail.com. Tomorrow we'll announce the winner's name.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: And the winners are Deb R. from Kitchener, Ontario and Zaida A. from Miami,Florida.
The May 2014 Report
* * * * * * * * * *Welcome to Dru's Cozy Report: May 2014. This month we have three recently released new series for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
* * * * * * * * * *
Murder at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison
Series: Honeychurch Hall #1
Publisher: Minotaur
What a great read! This mystery immediately grabbed my attention and was hard to put down. I love the comfortable tone that took me to a place in aristocratic Europe, reminding me of a modernized Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs rolled into one solid plot that that kept me in suspense, as I had to find out what was going on with this eclectic and quirky cast of characters. The interjection of comedic exploits kept the story light with some laugh-out-loud moments and I loved the interactions between Kat, her mother and the inhabitants of Honeychurch Hall. The author did a great job in delivering a wonderfully crafted and action-filled drama that was entertainingly delightful and I’m looking forward to the next exciting adventure that awaits Kat and Iris.Kat Stanford is just days away from starting her dream antique business with her newly widowed mother Iris when she gets a huge shock. Iris has recklessly purchased a dilapidated carriage house at Honeychurch Hall, an isolated country estate located several hundred miles from London.
Yet it seems that Iris isn’t the only one with surprises at Honeychurch Hall. Behind the crumbling façade, the inhabitants of the stately mansion are a lively group of eccentrics to be sure—both upstairs and downstairs —and they all have more than their fair share of skeletons in the closet.
When the nanny goes missing, and Vera, the loyal housekeeper ends up dead in the grotto, suspicions abound. Throw in a feisty, octogenarian countess, a precocious seven year old who is obsessed with the famous fighter pilot called Biggles, and a treasure trove of antiques, and there is more than one motive for murder.
As Iris’s past comes back to haunt her, Kat realizes she hardly knows her mother at all. A when the bodies start piling up, it is up to Kat to unravel the tangled truth behind the murders at Honeychurch Hall.
Visit Hannah at hannahdennison.com
The Pickled Piper by Mary Ellen Hughes
Series: Pickled and Preserved #1
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
I enjoyed this freshly-made story that was as sweet as the small town our heroine lives in and as sour as the murders that landed in her path. The author did a great job in pacing this light-hearted whodunit and setting up the mystery with enough suspects to keep me turning the pages, as I had to know who was behind it all. I liked that this tome teased me with clever twists that enhanced the delivery of this mystery as I followed the path of the killer. I like that the crime solving aspects of this story was a collaborating endeavor, led by Piper and their friends, lending a hand to clear Nate’s name. I love the small-town atmosphere giving a sense of close-knit family. Piper and her friends are very likable and I’m excited about their next adventures in this pleasantly delightful debut series.After her dreams of romance are crushed, Piper Lamb decides to pursue her dream of opening her own shop of pickles and preserves, called Piper’s Picklings, in the idyllic small town of Cloverdale. But she isn’t in town long before she encounters a barrelful of trouble.
The Cloverdale Fair offers Piper a sweet opportunity to promote her business. With her new assistant, Amy, she sets up a booth centered around an eye-catching display of the ever-popular dills in an old-fashioned barrel of brine.
But things soon turn sour when fairgoers witness a fight between Amy’s boyfriend, Nate, and town council blowhard—and bagpipe player—Alan Rosemont. When Rosemont is found floating in Piper’s barrel, Nate becomes the prime murder suspect. With Amy’s boyfriend in a pretty pickle, there’s no time to dillydally. But as Piper searches for the real killer, she needs to be careful to preserve her own life…or she may end up a pickled Piper herself.
Visit Mary Ellen Hughes at maryellenhughes.com
All Things Murder by Jeanne Quigley
Series: Veronica Walsh #1
Publisher: Five Star
I like this book with its short chapters that had a nice flow in that you didn’t lose your place as the story moved along. The author did a good job in setting the pace and the tone in this light-hearted drama that hooked me immediately as I wanted to know what’s going to happen next. Veronica is not your typical amateur sleuth, which sets her apart from the others. There was a mixed bag of suspects and I enjoyed narrowing down the list with the clues that the author presented with some interesting twists. I got a sense of living in a small town in this comfortably written whodunit and it was fun. Boasting a likable cast of characters and good dialogue, this was a good read and I can’t wait to see where we go next with Veronica and her friends.Emmy-winning actress Veronica Walsh is accustomed to role-playing. Over her thirty-two-year career on the soap opera Days and Nights, her character has been a businesswoman, wife (multiple times), mother, prison inmate and fugitive. None of that prepared her for the role of a real-life sleuth.
When Veronica cannot land a new part after the soap's cancellation, she returns to her Adirondack hometown for what she hopes is a temporary visit. No sooner does she arrive than Veronica finds herself in a swirl of turmoil, with her neighbor at the center. In the span of a few hours, powerful businesswoman Anna Langdon extends an invitation to Veronica to discuss a business proposal, ends a short romance with Veronica's high school beau, threatens to evict one of her retail tenants and thwarts a deal to build a mall on local farmland. Veronica receives an unexpected welcome-home present when she finds Anna's body the next morning, the cast-iron skillet used to kill her lying at her feet. Soon Veronica is chasing leads with the help of friend Mark Burke and her former co-star Alex Shelby.
Twists straight from a soap script, including two leading men vying for her attention, entangle Veronica as she gathers clues. Will Veronica solve the case, or will the killer be as elusive as an acting job? And will she play the heroine or the damsel in distress?
Visit Jeanne at jeannequigley.wordpress.com
May 13, 2014
Season's Over
by Maggie SeftonNow's the time of year when television shows say "So long" to their audiences
and disappear from the small screen until the following Fall------or, in some cases, next January or February. And---in true dramatic fashion---they leave in the midst of an unpected event or a surprise twist in the plot. We novelists understand why the TV writers do that. It's successful. It keeps viewers talking and wondering about the characters and storyline throughout the hiatus. However, as an audience member who has a few dramatic and/or suspense series, it's hard to wait. Remember how shocking it was when last year's 2013's last episode of DOWNTON ABBEY concluded. Shock. "Oh, no! Not. . . . "
On Monday night, one of my new favorites, THE BLACKLIST, signed off after several surprising plot turns------and a very Bad Guy who escaped and is out there with murder on his mind. PERSON OF INTEREST has a season finale tonight, Tuesday, and it's hard to imagine what new surprises J.J. Abrams has up his writer's sleeve. This storyline has surprise and plot twists woven throughout as a regular feature. ELEMENTARY has had several surprises during this season, keeping audiences guessing. And now-----Jack's Back. Jack Bauer from the popular series 24 has returned with a new adventure. So, we have someone else to worry about. :)
You'll notice I'm particularly drawn to the action adventure series, but not exclusively. DOWNTOWN ABBEY is a fantastic historical family drama. And so is the new Masterpiece Classic offering,
MR. SELFRIDGE. Both set in England after the turn of the 20th Century. Also, the convoluted plotline of REVENGE keeps surprising audiences with plot twists. Of course, some of the newer shows that appeared in the "off season" may return to intrigue us. One I liked was ALMOST HUMAN, a sci-fi, futuristic adventure.
Those are some of my favorites, now what about you folks? Which series or programs captured your interest this season?
May 11, 2014
Mothers Day Wrap with a Little Meow
by Kate Collins, writing on Sunday p.m.I hope everyone had an enjoyable Mothers Day weekend. In my house, the "relaxing" day my daughter had planned for us was washed out when she arrived here from Chicago and half an hour later, her tire went flat! Talk about timing. I thank God it didn't happen when she was on the highway coming here or on her way home in the dark.
My son came in from Indianapolis Saturday, bringing with him his 2 year old cat Ramses, a delightful little guy who was formerly living in a barn. What a large, sweet personality for a little cat. He has the loudest purr I've ever heard -- and I've owned many cats. I've posted a few photos of him. The second one is why I tell my son to trim his claws! AACK.
All is well now. Three of four tires have been replaced (God bless Walmart Tire Center for being open on Mothers Day), food is on the grill, and finally we'll have a chance to relax for a while.
But not for long. Big things are happening this week. Watch for it on my Facebook page.the Cozy Chicks Facebook page, or any of the Cozy Chicks' pages. You're going to love what's coming!
And stay tuned for news from me the following week.
I'm so excited!
Did you have a good weekend?
