Kate Collins's Blog, page 230
May 24, 2013
Feeling Like A Farmer
By Ellery Adams
I love to garden, but until this year, I've stuck to mostly flowers and plants. Sure, I've thrown in the occasional herb (rosemary, basil, and lavender) and I've tried to add plants to ward off mosquitoes (like catnip, citronella, horse mint, and marigolds) but I've never given fruit or vegetables a go.
One of the reasons why I didn't try was because I didn't want to deal with watering all those plants. The summers get hot and dry here in central VA and container plants require daily watering.
However, when both of my kids begged me to plant something they could "harvest," I decided to give farming life a try. I use that term loosely, because farmers are awesome folks who work tirelessly to bring the rest of us fresh food, but when my kids and I planted those potatoes, raspberry bushes, cantaloupes, baby watermelons, and strawberries, I was feeling pretty darned salt-of-the-earthish.
Are these plants going to flourish? I have no clue, but the potato plants have sprouted leaves and the strawberries have been bearing fruit for weeks now, so I'm feeling pretty positive. Next up? String beans and cucumbers because we might actually be daring enough to make our own pickles (tune in next year for that story!)
I know many of you don't have space for fruit and veggie plants, so I wanted to post pics of some creative space problem solvers. And here's a pic of my own farmhand harvesting a strawberry (it went right into her mouth actually!)
Are you growing fruit or veggies at home? Which ones and have you enjoyed any yet?
I love to garden, but until this year, I've stuck to mostly flowers and plants. Sure, I've thrown in the occasional herb (rosemary, basil, and lavender) and I've tried to add plants to ward off mosquitoes (like catnip, citronella, horse mint, and marigolds) but I've never given fruit or vegetables a go.
One of the reasons why I didn't try was because I didn't want to deal with watering all those plants. The summers get hot and dry here in central VA and container plants require daily watering.However, when both of my kids begged me to plant something they could "harvest," I decided to give farming life a try. I use that term loosely, because farmers are awesome folks who work tirelessly to bring the rest of us fresh food, but when my kids and I planted those potatoes, raspberry bushes, cantaloupes, baby watermelons, and strawberries, I was feeling pretty darned salt-of-the-earthish.
Are these plants going to flourish? I have no clue, but the potato plants have sprouted leaves and the strawberries have been bearing fruit for weeks now, so I'm feeling pretty positive. Next up? String beans and cucumbers because we might actually be daring enough to make our own pickles (tune in next year for that story!)
I know many of you don't have space for fruit and veggie plants, so I wanted to post pics of some creative space problem solvers. And here's a pic of my own farmhand harvesting a strawberry (it went right into her mouth actually!)Are you growing fruit or veggies at home? Which ones and have you enjoyed any yet?
May 23, 2013
Down came a spider ...
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
On way too many nights, I seem to lie awake for hours on end. Sometimes I stare at the ceiling ... and often I open a book. Many times it's the SAME book: The Egg and I. It's one of my "comfort reads" and has been since I was a tween. (One of our elderly neighbors loaned me the book on a hot summer day when I was BORED to tears. I liked the book so much, she gave it to me.)
So there I was the other night, reading yet another chapter in the book when -- EKKKK! A spider dropped down from the ceiling and DROPPED ON MY HAND!!!!!
Well, I admit it. I'm a chicken. I did what any self-respecting woman would do: I SCREAMED! That awakened Mr. L and all three of our cats, who were slumbering in heavenly peace. Three cats bolted upright and Mr. L started almost upright. "What's going on? What's going on?"
Well, when I screamed, the spider went flying onto the floor. I leapt out of bed and grabbed a tissue from the box, trying to squash the little bugger, who was one of those black spiders that like to run REALLY, REALLY Fast, and this little (well, actually--the size of a Buick)guy ran around and around in circles. I screamed a few more times and finally squashed the thing.
Whew!
I looked around and then got into bed. We all settled down once again and I turned the page in my book.
Less than five minutes later -- IT HAPPENED AGAIN! Another spider DROPPED ON ME!
Scream. Leap out of bed. Scream. Grab tissue ... yada yada yada.
My tiny son (also known as my cat Fred), jumped down from the bed and this time fled...for the rest of the night.
After I dispatched this arachnoid to to spider heaven, I got into bed and remembered a part of the book where Ms. MacDonald recounted her nightly trips to the outhouse. She could either bring a lantern with her (she was recounting her days during the late 1920s on a Chicken Ranch) and attract all kinds of insects, bats, etc., or sit in the dark and wonder what in the world was crawling over her.
I turned off the light and it took a LONG time before I fell back asleep ... but at least if anything dropped from the ceiling, I didn't know about it.
How do you react to surprise visits from icky bugs?
On way too many nights, I seem to lie awake for hours on end. Sometimes I stare at the ceiling ... and often I open a book. Many times it's the SAME book: The Egg and I. It's one of my "comfort reads" and has been since I was a tween. (One of our elderly neighbors loaned me the book on a hot summer day when I was BORED to tears. I liked the book so much, she gave it to me.)
So there I was the other night, reading yet another chapter in the book when -- EKKKK! A spider dropped down from the ceiling and DROPPED ON MY HAND!!!!!Well, I admit it. I'm a chicken. I did what any self-respecting woman would do: I SCREAMED! That awakened Mr. L and all three of our cats, who were slumbering in heavenly peace. Three cats bolted upright and Mr. L started almost upright. "What's going on? What's going on?"
Well, when I screamed, the spider went flying onto the floor. I leapt out of bed and grabbed a tissue from the box, trying to squash the little bugger, who was one of those black spiders that like to run REALLY, REALLY Fast, and this little (well, actually--the size of a Buick)guy ran around and around in circles. I screamed a few more times and finally squashed the thing.
Whew!
I looked around and then got into bed. We all settled down once again and I turned the page in my book.
Less than five minutes later -- IT HAPPENED AGAIN! Another spider DROPPED ON ME!
Scream. Leap out of bed. Scream. Grab tissue ... yada yada yada.My tiny son (also known as my cat Fred), jumped down from the bed and this time fled...for the rest of the night.
After I dispatched this arachnoid to to spider heaven, I got into bed and remembered a part of the book where Ms. MacDonald recounted her nightly trips to the outhouse. She could either bring a lantern with her (she was recounting her days during the late 1920s on a Chicken Ranch) and attract all kinds of insects, bats, etc., or sit in the dark and wonder what in the world was crawling over her.
I turned off the light and it took a LONG time before I fell back asleep ... but at least if anything dropped from the ceiling, I didn't know about it.
How do you react to surprise visits from icky bugs?
May 22, 2013
Contest on Facebook
by Julie
I've teamed up with three other cozy authors and we're offering you a chance to solve a puzzle to win books and chocolate or one of two $25 gift certificates to a bookstore of your choice. But don't delay, the contest ends tonight!
Here's how it works:
Simply visit my author page, HERE, and click on the "May Contest" tab up at the top on the far right. All the rules for entering are there.
Kate Carlisle, Sally Goldenbaum, Juliet Blackwell and I are hoping you enjoy this fun chance to win. And maybe even find a new author or two in the process.
Today is your last day to enter, so don't wait!
Good luck!
I've teamed up with three other cozy authors and we're offering you a chance to solve a puzzle to win books and chocolate or one of two $25 gift certificates to a bookstore of your choice. But don't delay, the contest ends tonight!
Here's how it works:
Simply visit my author page, HERE, and click on the "May Contest" tab up at the top on the far right. All the rules for entering are there.
Kate Carlisle, Sally Goldenbaum, Juliet Blackwell and I are hoping you enjoy this fun chance to win. And maybe even find a new author or two in the process.
Today is your last day to enter, so don't wait!
Good luck!
May 21, 2013
My War With Genetics and Prescription Meds
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
Six months ago I'd had it. Talk about bad genes - high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, osteopenia. I'd been on meds for the first two for several years. "You can't fight genes," I was told. "You'll have to take these for the rest of your life."
There were the side effects, all the med switches, blood tests to make sure my liver wasn't being damaged.
So six months ago, I stopped taking the cholesterol pills. My doctor was NOT happy with me. He made me sign a liability waiver.
I started getting more exercise (not as much as I should) and eating a more plant-based diet. Several vegetables at each meal, some nights meat-free.
My doctor decided to prove his point with a blood test. I was ready for the challenge. And passed! I no longer have high cholesterol, close to the edge, but not in the red.
My next step is to take it to the next level. 5 days a week I'm going to dump the meat, poultry, dairy and go for losing the high blood pressure meds too.
Pre-diabetes and osteopenia, prepare to die!!
How about you? Are you a vegetarian? Has it made a difference in your health?
And if you aren't...I'm inviting you to join me.
Six months ago I'd had it. Talk about bad genes - high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, osteopenia. I'd been on meds for the first two for several years. "You can't fight genes," I was told. "You'll have to take these for the rest of your life."There were the side effects, all the med switches, blood tests to make sure my liver wasn't being damaged.
So six months ago, I stopped taking the cholesterol pills. My doctor was NOT happy with me. He made me sign a liability waiver.
I started getting more exercise (not as much as I should) and eating a more plant-based diet. Several vegetables at each meal, some nights meat-free.
My doctor decided to prove his point with a blood test. I was ready for the challenge. And passed! I no longer have high cholesterol, close to the edge, but not in the red.My next step is to take it to the next level. 5 days a week I'm going to dump the meat, poultry, dairy and go for losing the high blood pressure meds too.
Pre-diabetes and osteopenia, prepare to die!!
How about you? Are you a vegetarian? Has it made a difference in your health?
And if you aren't...I'm inviting you to join me.
May 20, 2013
Gone Walkabout
by Maggie Sefton
I know you've seen these doggie photos before, but they're really appropriate
for today's post. My two dogs--Super Smart Border Collie/Black Lab KATY, aka Naughty Girl, and Goofy Blue Tick Hound/Black Lab MAX, aka Follow-Katy-Anywhere--went "walkabout" a few days ago. I spent the entire afternoon and evening searching for and worrying about my lost doggies. Whenever Katy gets a chance to go walkabout, she grabs it. Max simply follows her lead.
That morning I was at Lambpun knitting shop (immortalized in the Kelly Flynn Knitting Mysteries) and the adjoining outside cafe enjoying brunch with three visitors to Fort Collins, CO. Beautiful sunny weather and temps, consequently I didn't even hear the message that my lawn mowing guy sent. He was distraught because the dogs had managed to get out the fence gate. He thought he'd pushed that heavy metal latch down all the way, but when he finished cutting the grass, he looked around and dogs were gone. Apparently Naughty Katy had watched him and realized the gate wasn't securely latched and set about to open it. She probably told Max to help her push up the latch. Katy can talk him into anything. Lawn guy drove around neighborhood but couldn't find them. Even his wife came out to drive around.
By the time I noticed the phone message, the dogs had been gone for two
hours or more. Longer than they'd ever been gone before. Whenever Katy has slipped past a slowly closing garage door or a wind-opened front door and run away grinning at me with that "catch me if you can" expression, I jump right in my old Explorer (doggie car, snow car, gardening hauling, etc) and drive around trying to find them and coax them into car. I usually can convince Max to jump inside but have to enlist a stranger's help to grab Naughty Katy. She'll run up to strangers while taunting me.
This time I drove around the neighborhood and kept stretching the boundaries. A college girl said she
saw them heading toward the last street separating the neighborhood from the foothills, which rise up to Horsetooth Reservoir. They'd NEVER gotten close to the boundary streets, so I was really worried.
Wondering if they'd been hit by a car. I called the CSU Vet School Small Animal Clinic to see if anyone had brought in injured dogs. I saw kids coming home from junior high/middle school and stopped them in clusters, offering a cash reward if they found my doggies.
Finally, tired and hungry, I went home and grabbed dinner then headed to the Humane Society. There the two miscreants were, looking sheepish in separate "cells" which sported doggie cots and blankets. Katy did her usual "Who me? routine, while Max was mortified. "Jail!! I'm never following Katy again!" Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
I've heard all sorts of stories about other doggies and kitties who went walkabout after I posted on Facebook. Did any of your pets ever go wandering?
I know you've seen these doggie photos before, but they're really appropriate for today's post. My two dogs--Super Smart Border Collie/Black Lab KATY, aka Naughty Girl, and Goofy Blue Tick Hound/Black Lab MAX, aka Follow-Katy-Anywhere--went "walkabout" a few days ago. I spent the entire afternoon and evening searching for and worrying about my lost doggies. Whenever Katy gets a chance to go walkabout, she grabs it. Max simply follows her lead.
That morning I was at Lambpun knitting shop (immortalized in the Kelly Flynn Knitting Mysteries) and the adjoining outside cafe enjoying brunch with three visitors to Fort Collins, CO. Beautiful sunny weather and temps, consequently I didn't even hear the message that my lawn mowing guy sent. He was distraught because the dogs had managed to get out the fence gate. He thought he'd pushed that heavy metal latch down all the way, but when he finished cutting the grass, he looked around and dogs were gone. Apparently Naughty Katy had watched him and realized the gate wasn't securely latched and set about to open it. She probably told Max to help her push up the latch. Katy can talk him into anything. Lawn guy drove around neighborhood but couldn't find them. Even his wife came out to drive around.
By the time I noticed the phone message, the dogs had been gone for two
hours or more. Longer than they'd ever been gone before. Whenever Katy has slipped past a slowly closing garage door or a wind-opened front door and run away grinning at me with that "catch me if you can" expression, I jump right in my old Explorer (doggie car, snow car, gardening hauling, etc) and drive around trying to find them and coax them into car. I usually can convince Max to jump inside but have to enlist a stranger's help to grab Naughty Katy. She'll run up to strangers while taunting me.
This time I drove around the neighborhood and kept stretching the boundaries. A college girl said she
saw them heading toward the last street separating the neighborhood from the foothills, which rise up to Horsetooth Reservoir. They'd NEVER gotten close to the boundary streets, so I was really worried.
Wondering if they'd been hit by a car. I called the CSU Vet School Small Animal Clinic to see if anyone had brought in injured dogs. I saw kids coming home from junior high/middle school and stopped them in clusters, offering a cash reward if they found my doggies. Finally, tired and hungry, I went home and grabbed dinner then headed to the Humane Society. There the two miscreants were, looking sheepish in separate "cells" which sported doggie cots and blankets. Katy did her usual "Who me? routine, while Max was mortified. "Jail!! I'm never following Katy again!" Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
I've heard all sorts of stories about other doggies and kitties who went walkabout after I posted on Facebook. Did any of your pets ever go wandering?
May 19, 2013
What is this Duck Dynasty?
by Kate CollinsI feel like Rip Van Winkle: I just woke up after being asleep for 20 years. What the heck is Duck Dynasty? And why is it so popular?
I actually had to look it up so I'd know what it is. Here's what Wikipedia had to say:
Duck Dynasty is a reality television series on A&E. It shows the lives of the Robertson family, who became wealthy from their family-operated business, Duck Commander, operated in West Monroe, Louisiana, which makes products for duck hunters, primarily the duck call named Duck Commander. The Robertson men, brothers Phil and Si, and Phil's sons Jase, Willie, and Jep, are known for their long, flowing beards.The business began in a dilapidated family shed, where Phil Robertson spent 25 years making duck calls from Louisiana cedar trees.[1] His son Willie is now the CEO of the company.
Okay, so now I know what it is. Can someone tell me why it's so popular?
May 18, 2013
Choices Coming! Watch Out!
by Leann
The day my book came out, May 7th, 21013, we broke ground on what will be our new home. This week, we have a nice big hole in the ground with important things like re-bar in place. (I don't know much about re-bar except that is very, very important.)
I also have another bestseller. The Cat, The Mill and The Murder made the now shortened NY Times Bestseller list (used be 35 titles and now it's 25). I showed up on what is called the "extended list"--the books that are selling well enough to be listed but do NOT appear in the print edition of the NY Times on the Saturday. It can only be found online next week. But for me, it's there. It's real. I am grateful. (And here's a pic I took of the list
off my computer.) What's better, though, is how many people love this book. It was written during a time when my husband had cancer surgery and my 3 senior kitties all died so it is a special book. Emotional? Oh yes.
Onward, though! Now, I not only have to focus on writing my next book, I have so many choices to make--and much to learn--concerning the new house. We went to the plumbing and lighting store yesterday and I left tired and bewildered. And weighed down by a dozen catalogues! And these don't
even have sinks or appliances or flooring or tile. Thank goodness we've picked brick, Hardie board and windows already. We do have to choose things like bathtubs and showers so the plumbing is configured in the right place. Lights and fans, too, for the electrician. And all by next week! Yikes. Then comes countertop surface and cabinet choices.
I will do my best to enjoy the process. This is the last time, our last house, our retirement dream home. Despite trying to educate myself by watching HGTV, I still have much to learn. Undermount, drop-in, slide-in, alcove ... all bathtub terms! I need to understand the differences. I thought I would be making all these decisions myself but no, I can't just go to Lowes and say "I'll have one of those and one of those." I need the guidance of those at the plumbing store and the lighting experts. But it's all good. Or that's what I keep telling myself.
Seems my summer is planned. What about you? Plans, small or large? What are you looking forward to?
The day my book came out, May 7th, 21013, we broke ground on what will be our new home. This week, we have a nice big hole in the ground with important things like re-bar in place. (I don't know much about re-bar except that is very, very important.)
I also have another bestseller. The Cat, The Mill and The Murder made the now shortened NY Times Bestseller list (used be 35 titles and now it's 25). I showed up on what is called the "extended list"--the books that are selling well enough to be listed but do NOT appear in the print edition of the NY Times on the Saturday. It can only be found online next week. But for me, it's there. It's real. I am grateful. (And here's a pic I took of the list
off my computer.) What's better, though, is how many people love this book. It was written during a time when my husband had cancer surgery and my 3 senior kitties all died so it is a special book. Emotional? Oh yes.Onward, though! Now, I not only have to focus on writing my next book, I have so many choices to make--and much to learn--concerning the new house. We went to the plumbing and lighting store yesterday and I left tired and bewildered. And weighed down by a dozen catalogues! And these don't
even have sinks or appliances or flooring or tile. Thank goodness we've picked brick, Hardie board and windows already. We do have to choose things like bathtubs and showers so the plumbing is configured in the right place. Lights and fans, too, for the electrician. And all by next week! Yikes. Then comes countertop surface and cabinet choices.I will do my best to enjoy the process. This is the last time, our last house, our retirement dream home. Despite trying to educate myself by watching HGTV, I still have much to learn. Undermount, drop-in, slide-in, alcove ... all bathtub terms! I need to understand the differences. I thought I would be making all these decisions myself but no, I can't just go to Lowes and say "I'll have one of those and one of those." I need the guidance of those at the plumbing store and the lighting experts. But it's all good. Or that's what I keep telling myself.
Seems my summer is planned. What about you? Plans, small or large? What are you looking forward to?
Unhappy Endings and Pretty Bows
By Heather
As much as I love true crime shows, there are some I wish I hadn't watched. The ones where the murderer/culprit is unknown, where a body hasn't been found, where the story has no definitive conclusion and no happy (at least somewhat happy) ending.
I love definitive conclusions and happy endings. Wrap up that ending with a nice pretty red bow, and I'm happy camper.
I'm the same with books. I don't like coming up with my own ending to a plot left hanging. I want answers! I want comeuppance for killers, and I want some semblance of life-is-going-to-be-okay for the protagonist. No loose ends. No figuring it out for myself.Apparently I passed this trait on to my daughter. When she read The Piano Lesson for English class she ranted for days about the ending. Or lack of one. I haven't read the book (or seen the movie) so I can't judge for myself, but she was pretty upset, so I'm guessing that ending had no pretty bows.
As a writer, I'm a bit of a hypocrite. Kind of. I write series, so my endings almost always have an open plotline to feed into the next book. Only a few times have I written cliffhangers, and whoa boy, did I hear about them from readers. So, I'm guessing my daughter and I aren't alone with our love of nice tidy endings.
I think I'll steer clear of The Piano Lesson and write my own endings to those true crime stories (I prefer happy endings) and hope that there aren't any loose ends dangling in my future.
How do you like your endings? Open? Or nice and tidy?
May 16, 2013
Springtime recipe for a delicious dessert
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
Don't you just love spring? Warmer weather, spring flowers, and seasonal fruits and veggies that aren't around all year.
Something I love is rhubarb. It wasn't always so, but when I was a teen, we had a HUGE stand of rhubarb and I was bored one day so I made a batch of rhubarb chutney. (The recipe happens to be in The Cozy Chicks Kitchen.) It was a huge success and ever since then, I'm been a fan.
Mr. L enjoys Rhubarb Crumble. (What's the difference between a crisp and a crumble? Not much. Crisps often have oatmeal as an ingredient. I usually make crisps, but call them crumbles ... just because I like to!) So what was on the menu yesterday? You got it!
First, I picked the rhubarb from my mother's yard. (I keep threatening to transplant it to my yard, but ... well, I write books for a living and I often get distracted ...
(SQUIRREL!)
... and the next thing you know I'm on Pinterest (oops) or updating my mailing list or ... (you get the picture).)
Next up, I chopped the rhubarb.
Since I decided to take a break between prep and baking, I made the crumble and stuck it in the fridge for 4-5 hours until I was ready to turn on the oven. (Stuffed pork chops! YUM!) I mean, why turn on the oven twice in one day ... especially when it was in the high 70s already?
Here's the recipe, which just happens to be in Recipes to Die For: A Victoria Square Cookbook. (Page 105 for those of you with the paperback edition.)
Ingredients:1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed1 cup all-purpose flour3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats½ cup melted butter1 teaspoon cinnamon4 cups sliced rhubarb1 cup granulated sugar2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350°. In mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, oats, butter, and cinnamon; mix together until crumbly. Press half of the brown sugar and oats mixture into a buttered 8-inch square baking dish. Top with the sliced rhubarb. In a saucepan combine the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and the water and vanilla. Cook together until the liquid is clear, then pour over the rhubarb. Top the rhubarb with the remaining crumb mixture and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Serve warm, and if desired, with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Yield: 4-6 servings.
Ready for the oven!
And here's the finished dessert. Mmm-mmm good! Sweet and yet so very tart. Yum!
So, do you think you'll try it (or have you got a variation on the recipes)?
Don't you just love spring? Warmer weather, spring flowers, and seasonal fruits and veggies that aren't around all year.
Something I love is rhubarb. It wasn't always so, but when I was a teen, we had a HUGE stand of rhubarb and I was bored one day so I made a batch of rhubarb chutney. (The recipe happens to be in The Cozy Chicks Kitchen.) It was a huge success and ever since then, I'm been a fan.Mr. L enjoys Rhubarb Crumble. (What's the difference between a crisp and a crumble? Not much. Crisps often have oatmeal as an ingredient. I usually make crisps, but call them crumbles ... just because I like to!) So what was on the menu yesterday? You got it!
First, I picked the rhubarb from my mother's yard. (I keep threatening to transplant it to my yard, but ... well, I write books for a living and I often get distracted ...(SQUIRREL!)
... and the next thing you know I'm on Pinterest (oops) or updating my mailing list or ... (you get the picture).)
Next up, I chopped the rhubarb.
Since I decided to take a break between prep and baking, I made the crumble and stuck it in the fridge for 4-5 hours until I was ready to turn on the oven. (Stuffed pork chops! YUM!) I mean, why turn on the oven twice in one day ... especially when it was in the high 70s already?
Here's the recipe, which just happens to be in Recipes to Die For: A Victoria Square Cookbook. (Page 105 for those of you with the paperback edition.)
Ingredients:1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed1 cup all-purpose flour3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats½ cup melted butter1 teaspoon cinnamon4 cups sliced rhubarb1 cup granulated sugar2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup water 1 teaspoon vanillaPreheat oven to 350°. In mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, oats, butter, and cinnamon; mix together until crumbly. Press half of the brown sugar and oats mixture into a buttered 8-inch square baking dish. Top with the sliced rhubarb. In a saucepan combine the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and the water and vanilla. Cook together until the liquid is clear, then pour over the rhubarb. Top the rhubarb with the remaining crumb mixture and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Serve warm, and if desired, with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Yield: 4-6 servings.
Ready for the oven!And here's the finished dessert. Mmm-mmm good! Sweet and yet so very tart. Yum!
So, do you think you'll try it (or have you got a variation on the recipes)?
May 15, 2013
Two months until Grace Takes Off!
by Julie
I don't think I've yet mentioned here that GRACE TAKES OFF comes out July 2nd. I have to admit, I think this is the best cover Berkley has come up with yet. I love it because it evokes the scene I'd envisioned, exactly, and the cover art includes elements from the mystery. I'm so pleased with this cover! Actually, thrilled is more like it.
In any case, I know our Cozy Chicks blog is read far and wide, but for anyone in the Chicago area, I will be having a launch party at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, IL on Sunday, July 14th. We always have a lot of fun at these parties (and snacks!), so if you're in the area, mark your calendar. I'd love to see you!
I'm also planning to be at Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago, June 8-9. Grace Takes Off won't be out yet, but hundreds of thousands of eager readers will be. Printers Row is so much fun every year. Even when it rains!
Show of hands: Who here is near the Chicago area?
I don't think I've yet mentioned here that GRACE TAKES OFF comes out July 2nd. I have to admit, I think this is the best cover Berkley has come up with yet. I love it because it evokes the scene I'd envisioned, exactly, and the cover art includes elements from the mystery. I'm so pleased with this cover! Actually, thrilled is more like it.In any case, I know our Cozy Chicks blog is read far and wide, but for anyone in the Chicago area, I will be having a launch party at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, IL on Sunday, July 14th. We always have a lot of fun at these parties (and snacks!), so if you're in the area, mark your calendar. I'd love to see you!
I'm also planning to be at Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago, June 8-9. Grace Takes Off won't be out yet, but hundreds of thousands of eager readers will be. Printers Row is so much fun every year. Even when it rains!
Show of hands: Who here is near the Chicago area?
