Kate Collins's Blog, page 218

When Nature Attacks

By Heather
So there I was sitting on the deck, peacefully minding my own business and drinking my coffee. The morning was chilly while sunbeams tried to poke through thick haze. I was cozy warm from being wrapped in my robe and the heat of the coffee.
Birds chattered. Squirrels bounced from tree to tree. Geese squawked as they flew overhead. The sound of water burbled in the distance. The scene of the crime.
Mr. W and I talked about how peaceful it was being surrounded by nature, and how glad we were that we had taken a big leap of faith to move here.
Then it happened. Nature attacked.
Something landed on my neck.
Gone was that peaceful feeling as I Freaked Out, trying to swat whatever it was away, forgetting all about the coffee in my hand, which now covered my white robe and a good portion of the deck.
I could barely register Mr. W’s words – something about a tree.
Oh.
Wait.
It had been just a leaf, fluttering down, that happened to land on me.
Perhaps I needn't have freaked out quite so much, after all. Huh. Live and learn and don’t cry over spilled coffee, right? (Except it was really good coffee.)
We had quite the laugh over it, but secretly I think that if it happens again...I’d react the same way. Don’t tell, okay, but sometimes the nature I love so much freaks me out. Especially when it attacks.
Have you had a harmless encounter with nature lately? 

Four is my new favorite number!

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

And so I've been juicing for a week.  Not 24/7 juicing, just for breakfast, and I've lost four pounds.

FOUR POUNDS!  I've never lost four pounds in one week in my life, and for the most part, I haven't been too hungry. Remember Oprah brought out a cart of meat when she lost 68 lbs?  Well, when I think of a pound--I think of butter.  So I've lost 16 sticks of butter in a week.  : )

I found that spinach is a lot more palatable than (mature) kale, and that carrots can make the mixed juice quite nice.  I posted my juicing journey on Facebook and have gotten a few suggestions for juice (baby kale, for one).

One of the hardest parts for me with juicing is ... finding enough room in the fridge for all the veggies.  And I need a plan.  I've watched a number of videos and they suggest you clean and prepare (cut) enough of your veggies to juice for a week.  (I make juice every other day--enough for two days at a time.  It's supposed to have a fridge shelf life of three days.) 

I'm surprised at how negative some people can be about the whole juicing thing, but I'm going to continue with it for a while to see what happens. Except for the work involved, I can see this as something I could do for the foreseeable future.  Will I plateau like with a conventional diet?  Probably--it seems like one always does.  But I went in this more for staying healthy rather than just as a weight-loss gimmick.

So far, so good!
===========
P.S.  Dark Waters is now available for pre-sale for Nook.  Release date is October 1st.

Outlining the next few weeks

by Julie

I turned in the fifth Grace (Manor House Mystery) at the beginning of September and I've just received final galleys of HOME OF THE BRAISED (White House Chef #7) to proofread. They'll need to be sent back soon.

There are two big projects looming, one of which I can't discuss. The other is plotting a storyline for WHChef #8. At this point, I have no title, and only the barest of ideas for a setup. I know there are many writers in this world who don't outline because "If the writer is surprised, then the reader will be, too." I get that. I also know that I like to have a finish line in sight as I'm writing. Helps me understand why each of my characters is doing what he or she is doing.

The thing is, even though I outline (lightly), the story invariably turns out differently than I originally imagined. Happens every time. And the past several books have delivered whoppers of changes. I'm okay with that. I think it's organic and I enjoy the process (even as I'm tearing my hair out), but I still like to have a plan in mind before I start out.

This is actually the hardest part for me. I like to come up with interesting characters, new situations, and  bumps in the road (for my characters) that they don't see coming. But it's hard thinking like a criminal sometimes. Most of the time, if I'm being honest.

The next couple of weeks will be spent with me pacing my house, snacking too often, and jotting notes that I'll promptly forget when I finally sit down to write. My brain is a jumbled mess, which is probably why I seek the structure of an outline.

Thing is, in day to day living, I'm not a structured person at all. I'm a pantser (as in flying by the seat of my pants) through and through. I go with the flow. Always. But when it comes to writing, I turn into a detail-driven dervish. (How's that for alliteration?)

What about you? Are you structured and detailed? Or do you mostly go with the flow?

Sixty, Single, and Soloing

by Deb Baker (aka Hannah Reed)

Solo camping, that is. I had such a fun time camping with friends that I put together my own gear and
last weekend took off for what would be three days by myself in a state campground. I was a little anxious. What if the tent wouldn't go up? What if the propane stove wouldn't fire up? Lots of what ifs.

So I decided to make reservations at a park within an hour's drive. Just in case I had to bail.

The tent went up, the stove started up, all my fears were alleviated. Except the ones I hadn't even considered.

"Pick a site near other campers," 'they' told me. "Think safety."

So I selected a site very carefully. How was I supposed to know that a bunch of dads and a kazillion boyscouts would be right next to me?  (note for the future - avoid group camp sites.) The kids made noise all day and the dad's took over in the evening.

The next issue was bathrooms. Women like to have them nearby. Although the campground map didn't show exactly how far from my site to the toilets, I was smart and picked the closest one possible. Geez, they really are right there, I sort of thought while pitching my tent. The first night wasn't too bad, but the wind must have changed by morning, because the aroma...yes, they were pit toilets...was as bad or worse than what this little guy can dish out. (Note for the future - flush toilets only)

Did I mention the abundance of wildlife? Isn't he cute?

Oh, and the temperature plummeted to 41 degrees by early morning. While I made coffee on my trusty camp stove, and even through the fog, I could see my breath. That's always fun. Actually, I could still see it several hours later.

I made it twenty-four hours. Then, after the weather report predicted rain throughout the next night, I bailed. And watched it pour buckets from the comfort of my home - all that night and far into the next day, and decided to call it quits for this year.

Can't wait to go again in 2014.
The Irish/Scottish/Whatever the heck I am, don't give up when they are challenged.
Stay tuned.

Into the Woods and Near the River

by Maggie Sefton


This photo shows the Potomac River near the mouth, where it empties into the 
Chesapeake Bay.

Right now, I'm no longer in Northern VA.  Monday of last week, I drove down into what 's referred to as the Northern Neck of Virginia.  When you look at a map of Virginia, it's the section of land that sticks out into the Potomac River.  The Potomac is wider at that point as it winds down to empty into the Chesapeake Bay. That section of land which extends is called the Northern Neck.  I'm staying at a really pretty house/cottage surrounded by woods on all sides and two blocks from the Potomac. I'm relaxing and burrowing into my revisions for the 3rd in the Molly Malone trilogy which will be out September of next year.  I promised my editor I would get this manuscript to her by the end of the month.  This July disappeared in conference travel and August was eaten up by all sorts of non-writing related and VERY time consuming business matters.  Life happens, as they say.

I'm told there's a large herd of deer that live in the woods bordering the property.  And a family of bald eagles live at the top of a tall tree in the woods across from the property.  I've already spotted several of the eagles soaring overhead.   All sorts of cranes, too, since we're SO close to  big, fast-moving water---i.e.  the Potomac---as well as numerous lakes and ponds.  I startled a beautiful Blue Heron as I drove down the wooded road to the area.  Lots of wildlife around, so you have to be careful along those wooded roads.  Deer can jump out.  Same thing happens in Colorado.  

I've been sitting outside on the wide decks and the yard and working----while I watch the wildlife.  :)  I was delighted to hear all sorts of birds singing and chirping early in the morning, in a tree right beside the deck.  My favorite bright red Cardinals (Virginia State Bird) and I swear I saw an Oriole, yellow and black, singing away.  Brought me back to my childhood.     I've also met several of the neighbors who live along the block beside the river, as well as my super-helpful and friendly neighbors across the wide grassy yards, Gloria & Ray.  Lots more yard to mow.  :)

Have you taken a "restful" vacation or retreat lately?  Where did you go?  Birds?  Wildlife around?  :)

Oh Summer, Where Art Thou, Summer?

by Kate Collins

I'm just a bit bummed today. Where I live, we had a dose of fall weather this weekend, and that makes me sad. I'm all about sunshine and warm temperatures and flowers -- of course -- and picking tomatoes and sitting outside in the evenings with neighbors -- and that is all about to stop because AUTUMN IS COMING. Yuck.

I don't think I'd mind it so much if it didn't mean that winter would follow, because I do love the fall colors.  Did I mention I'm all about sunshine and warm temperatures?

When I was raising my children, I didn't have time to dwell on the changing seasons. It wasn't until I lost my husband that the short days and long, lonely nights of cold weather really started to bother me. It's different when you're alone. That cozy feeling of being in a warm house on a snowy night disappears.

I know some of you love autumn and have no problem with winter -- and I envy you. Short days and long, dark, cold evenings do not make me happy. They make me want to hibernate. They make me want to sit instead of move, and that's not healthy.  It makes my jeans fit way too tight.  Why don't those cold, long evenings bother everyone? I want to know what it is about winter that some of you like. Give me something to hang on to besides the holidays.

Are you a summer or winter person? Or maybe you just simply aren't bothered by any season, and if so, I envy you, too! How do you manage?

The September 2013 Report

* * * * * * * * * *
Welcome to Dru's Cozy Report: September 2013. This month we have five new series.

Murder, Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan is the first book in the new "Amish Quilt Shop" mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, September 2013

When Angela Braddock inherits her late aunt’s beautiful Amish quilt shop, she leaves behind her career and broken engagement for a fresh start in Holmes County, Ohio.

With her snazzy cowboy boots and her ornithophobic French bulldog, Angie doesn’t exactly fit in with the predominantly Amish community in Rolling Brook, but her aunt’s quilting circle tries to make her feel welcome as she prepares for the reopening of Running Stitch.

On the big day, Angie gets a taste of success as the locals and Englisch tourists browse the store’s wares while the quilters stitch away. But when Angie finds the body of ornery Amish woodworker Joseph in her storeroom the next morning, everything starts falling apart.

With evidence mounting against her, Angie is determined to find the culprit before the local sheriff can arrest her. Rolling Brook always appeared to be a simple place, but the closer Angie gets to the killer, the more she realizes that nothing in the small Amish community is as plain as it seems.

I like it. Angie's homecoming is marred when she finds a dead body in her shop and when she becomes the prime suspect, what else is Angie to do but put the pieces together and find a killer?

This very enjoyable read had everything from a well-designed plot that kept me enthralled in all facets of discovery; a strong heroine determined to make it on her own; a supporting cast that stands on their own; the smoldering of a romance that is yet to come and a good ole mystery that you can sink your teeth into. The author did a good job with presenting plenty of suspects that kept me guessing and it wasn’t until that aha moment when I knew exactly who the killer was and I couldn’t wait to see if my hunch was correct. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this delightfully charming debut series.

Isabella Alan is the pseudonym for Amanda Flower and you can visit her at www.amandaflower.com

FTC Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher with the request for a review.
Bran New Death by Victoria Hamilton is the first book in the new "Merry Muffin" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2013

Expert muffin baker Merry Wynter is finally ready to turn her passion into a career. But when a dead body is found on her property, she’s more worried about cooking up an alibi.

Merry is making a fresh start in small-town Autumn Vale, New York, in the mansion she’s inherited from her late uncle, Melvin. The house is run-down and someone has been digging giant holes on the grounds, but with its restaurant-quality kitchen, the place has potential for her new baking business. She even has her first client—the local retirement home.

Unfortunately, Merry soon finds that quite a few townsfolk didn’t like Uncle Mel, and she has inherited their enmity as well as his home. Local baker Binny Turner and her crazy brother, Tom, blame Melvin for their father’s death, and Tom may be the one vandalizing her land. But when Tom turns up dead in one of the holes in her yard, Merry needs to prove she had nothing to do with his death—or her new muffin-making career may crumble before it starts.

Upon arriving in the town where she has inherited a castle from her uncle, Merry tries to get the mansion ready for sale, but all that changes when she finds a dead body on her property, this amid persistent rumors of wrong-doings. What's a woman supposed to do but try to solve the murder and the mystery surrounding her uncle's life.

This was a great read that I enjoyed immensely. I love the tone and the flow of this cleverly written storyline that had me deeply engaged in the goings on in Autumn Vale. The mystery was alluringly good as the author provided a bevy of suspects that kept me on my toes. Merry is a wonderfully created character and is surrounded by a cast of odd and eccentrically quirky people who add tremendous dimensions to this terrific whodunit. With a great setting, that being a castle in upstate New York, and great dialogue, I look forward to more exciting adventures with Merry and her friends.

Visit Victoria at www.victoriahamiltonmysteries.com

FTC Disclosure: The publisher sent me a copy of this book, in hopes I would review it.
Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry is the first book in the new "Family Skeleton" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2013

Most families have skeletons in their closets…

Moving back into her parents’ house with her teenage daughter had not been Georgia Thackery’s “Plan A.” But when she got a job at the local college, it seemed the sensible thing to do. So she settled in and began reconnecting with old friends.

Including Sid. Sid is the Thackery family’s skeleton. He’s lived in the house as long as Georgia can remember, although no one, including Sid, knows exactly where he came from and how he came to be a skeleton.

Sid walks, he talks, he makes bad jokes, he tries to keep Georgia’s dog from considering him a snack. And he manages to persuade Georgia to let him leave the house. But when she takes him to an anime convention—disguised as a skeleton, of course—he sees a woman who triggers memories of his past.

Now he is determined to find out how he died—with Georgia’s help. But their investigation may uncover a killer who’s still alive and well and bad to the bone...

Georgia is on the case when Sid sees someone from his past and wants her to get some answers, but all is lost when she is murdered which sends Georgia and Sid on a search for answers.

I like it. This is uniquely creative concept that was both playful and humorous in the telling of this intriguing mystery that hooked me from the start. Who is Sid? Who’s behind the murder? How does the Thackery family fit into the scheme of things? This will be answered in this light-hearted whodunit filled with amusing banter and a great cast of characters in this wonderfully crafted debut series. There’s no bones about it, I can’t wait for the next book in this exciting series.

Leigh Perry is the pseudonym for Toni L.P. Kelner and you can visit her at www.leighperryauthor.com

FTC Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book, in hopes I would review it.
Going Through the Notions by Cate Price is the first book in the new "Deadly Notions" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2013

A retired schoolteacher—and yes, daughter of an F. Scott Fitzgerald fan—Daisy Buchanan has finally found her calling in the quaint village of Millbury, Pennsylvania. While her husband endlessly renovates their old house, Daisy happily presides over Sometimes a Great Notion, a quirky shop that sells sewing bits and bobs, antiques, and jewelry.

Daisy has her eye on an antique dollhouse and a classic Singer Featherweight at the local auction—until her friend and mentor, auctioneer Angus Backstead, is led away in handcuffs. It appears he bashed in the head of a drinking buddy who stole a set of fancy fountain pens. Daisy’s sure the sprightly old-timer couldn’t have done it. But if Daisy can’t stitch together the bidder truth—and soon—Angus will be going once, going twice...gone forever.

Knowing her jailed friend and mentor is innocent; Daisy begins her own investigation in search of a cunning murderer who is hiding in plain sight.

I like it. This was a good story that held my interest from beginning to end. The mystery was good and I liked that I felt like I was a part of the scene as Daisy went about solving the clues to the murder. I enjoyed the camaraderie that existed in their little village with each clue that Daisy uncovered helping to narrow down to the big reveal. The author did a good job in keeping me on my toes throwing me off my track with a couple of red herrings here and there, overall a good job in delivery a finely tuned piece of work. With a great supporting cast, engaging dialogue and a small town atmosphere, I can’t wait to dive into the next book in this pleasantly appealing series.

Visit Cate at www.cateprice.com

FTC Disclosure - The publisher sent me a copy of this book, in hopes I would review it.
Clammed Up by Barbara Ross is the first book in the new “Maine Clambake” mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, September 2013

Summer has come to Busman's Harbor, Maine, and tourists are lining up for a taste of authentic New England seafood, courtesy of the Snowden Family Clambake Company. But there's something sinister on the boil this season. A killer has crashed a wedding party, adding mystery to the menu at the worst possible moment.

Julia Snowden returned to her hometown to rescue her family's struggling clambake business--not to solve crimes. But that was before a catered wedding on picturesque Morrow Island turned into a reception for murder. When the best man's corpse is found hanging from the grand staircase in the Snowden family mansion, Julia must put the chowder pot on the back burner and join the search for the killer. And with suspicion falling on her old crush, Chris Durand, the recipe for saving her business and salvaging her love life might be one and the same.

Trying to save her family’s business, Julia opens up the island for a private wedding that is later marred when the best man is found dead. Jeopardizing what she has negotiated with the bank, Julia takes matters into her own hand by looking for a killer before her family's business boils over.

The author did a great job in developing a mystery that grabbed my attention from the beginning, as I could not put this book down. The storyline was cleverly presented and the dialogue engaging. With a wonderful cast of characters led by a determined Julia, I can see this series on the bookshelves for years to come. I have never been to a clambake before but after reading “Clammed Up”, it is definitely on my bucket list. This is a great read that will have you salivating for more in this delightfully delectable whodunit.

Visit Barbara at www.maineclambakemysteries.com

FTC Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author.
And check out these other September releases

Celebrate Fall with Harry Potter's Butter Beer!

By Ellery Adams

Last year, we took a trip to Disney and Universal Studios. The highlight of our vacation was the Harry Potter ride (scary and wondrous at the same time) and our first heavenly taste of butter beer. I immediately bought souvenir cups in the hopes that I could replicate the buttery, sweet taste at home.

I tried several recipes, but they all fell short.

Many months later, I found the perfect recipe for this magical brew. I was so determined that this would be the one that I dashed out (not on my broom, alas) to buy a candy thermometer. And then I followed the recipe and served my drooling children two mugs of butter beer (click here to follow the link to the recipe as listed on tablespoon.com).

To celebrate fall and to give the trolls a pick-me-up following the start of school, I made butter beer. It was delicious and sweet enough to be served as a dessert. My only recommendation would be to halve the amount of whipped cream. We all thought it was too much and overshadowed the butterscotch flavor of the enchanted drink.

So here's to fall! Here's to magic! And here's to experimenting over your own cauldron! Cheers!

Have you ever cooked a recipe from a work of fiction? 

Just the Juicy Parts, Please!

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

I recently watched the documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead on YouTube.  (Of course, now it's gone, but I did find it on Hulu (with commercials). But it's still worth watching.) In it, an Australian named Joe Cross goes on a 60-day juice diet and lost 82 lbs.

Joe is the leading crusader for juice fasting, and his story is pretty compelling.

Suffice to say, my juicer arrived on Wednesday.  A Hamilton Beach juicer. My goal?  To lose weight.  Any amount of weight.  I don't think I could do the 10-day juice fast, but Joe recommends that people try to add one glass of veggie/fruit juice to the daily food intake and I thought I'd give it a go.  I'm not a big fan of breakfast, so I decided to try juicing for breakfast.

Yesterday, I went to the local Farmer's Market.  I figured (and boy was I right) that I could get the fruits and veggies I needed (and brother do you need a lot) a lot cheaper than at the grocery store.  Since I had to go out yesterday morning, I ate my usual (of late) lunch of a big bowl of salad greens (with herbs--loads of cilantro--yum yum!) and after returning from the market, made juice.

Boy, that juicer is LOUD.  I mean I'm thinking of getting headphones like guys wear at airports to drown out jet engines. It also makes fast work of fruits and veggies, spitting the juice out one side while disgorging the roughage out the other. Here's the recipe:



Ingredients 1 cucumber4 celery stalks2 apples6-8 leaves kale 1/2 lemon1 tbsp gingerDirectionsWash all produce wellPeel the lemon, optionalJuicePour over iceEnjoy!
I did not have any real ginger, and not being a fan of ginger, put in only a 1/2 teaspoon of ground gingers.  (I will definitely get a piece of the real stuff for next time.)

After I washed all the vegetables, I cut the outer skin from the lemon.  I've watched enough videos on juicing to know that it's bitter and I didn't think I'd like it.  The kale was the hardest to stuff into the tube, and it didn't seem to mince it as much as everything else,  I'm going to try cutting it up next time.  Putting celery in was kind of scary.  I'm going to cut that into smaller pieces next time, too.

And the verdict?  The green juice looked exactly the way Joe makes it.  And the taste?  Horrific. Really awful. Disgusting, even.  But I drank it.

I wondered if I'd be starved in an hour, but oddly enough ... I didn't even start to feel hungry until almost five hours later.  That's pretty good for a 14 ounce glass of veggie juice.

My goal is to drink at least five glasses of this stuff a week.  There are lots of recipes to try, but apparently green juice is the best if you want to lose weight.  (My neighbor gave me a big bag of peaches from his yard. I'm going to look up a a juice recipe to use them up.)

Can I do five glasses a week?  I'm sure going to try.  I'll let you know how it goes.

(BTW, I've already lost a pound since yesterday.  Intrigued?  Watch the video (link above) or at least the trailer, below.)

And the logo-less winner is:

by Julie

Last week I talked about shopping for a new fall purse. I was lucky enough to have one of my daughters home to help me on my quest.

As I mentioned in the comments, I prefer solid color purses and the one I brought home is pictured below, next to my bright yellow summer purse.



I haven't transferred contents from the summer purse to the fall one, yet, but I plan to do that soon. It's  been super hot here and the yellow still feels appropriate.

Yep, the sage green purse is a little bigger than I'm used to. It's more a tote than a purse, wouldn't you say? We'll see how that goes. Up until now -- if you don't count the extra large briefcase-y looking things I haul around at conferences -- that yellow one was about the biggest I'd ever carried. There will be some adjustment ahead of me, I can tell. Like when my husband asks for his reading glasses at a restaurant and I have to pull a Mary Poppins dig to find them.

As to the brand -- I wound up with another Kelly & Katie. I really like their style and I love the fact that there's no logo. Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Now, I'd like to pose another question. I brought this purse home and realized, belatedly, that I'd recently purchased a patterned dress in that same shade of green. And then, a couple of days later, another dress I'd ordered arrived. Also that same shade of green.

This sort of thing has happened before. I get attracted to a certain color, or certain shade of color, and suddenly my wardrobe palette shifts. It always dawns on me after I've picked up a few pieces, never before. What's up with that? I was in a bright pink phase for the longest time and now I've started to gravitated toward grayed greens.

Does this happen to you?