Kate Collins's Blog, page 307

The Strange Thing in the Garden

By Heather Webber/Heather Blake

Strange things are growing in my yard. I first noticed this a week or so ago when I was sitting on the kitchen window bench, admiring all the spring flowers sprouting. The hyacinths and daffodils. The columbine is budding and the hosta's fronds are spreading. Everything's coming back to life, and it couldn't make me happier. It was a long winter.

But then I noticed something...strange. On the mulch. Something orangish, that definitely wasn't a plant or shrub. It needed investigating.


I poked it (with a twig), I prodded, I leaned in close. Whatever it is (I'm still not exactly sure), it's a beautiful color and reminds me of sea coral. I'm guessing it's a fungus of some sort, and I should probably dig it (and its friends—they travel in packs) up, but I kind of like it. It's pretty. So it can stay as long as it's not hurting anything else (if it goes near my beloved columbines, all deals are off).

How about you? Any strange things growing in your yard?

Read This if You Dare! (You will get the willies)

I was driving my oldest troll to school last week and heard the most unreal tale on the radio. Because we'd just moved and I'd been giving certain pieces of furniture to Goodwill and the Salvation Army, I was most interested in the disc jockey's lead in which was, "A second-hand furniture horror story." In this case, I can see why he called it a horror story! You see, a friend have given this woman (we'll call her Eve just for fun) an oversized chair. The chair was delivered, Eve watched TV in it until bedtime, and then she and her son hit the sack for the night. In the early hours of the morning, Eve's son got up to use the bathroom. There, curled up behind the toilet, was a very large SNAKE!The police were called and Eve and her son repeatedly assured the responding officer that they did not own a snake! When the officer asked them if they'd had any deliveries as of late, Eve realized the snake must have been hidden inside the second-hand chair.
OMG – she or her son sat on that chair all night watching TV with the snake somewhere under the cushion. (Are you creeped out yet?). Her friend indeed owned a large boa constrictor and it had gotten out of its cage and sought warmth by the bathroom's vent. So watch out if someone gives you a piece of furniture. There might be more under the cushions than loose change! What's the last second-hand item you received and loved or hated?

Tales With Tails

by Deb/Hannah

That's my panel assignment for Sunday at Malice Domestic.

Tales with Tails: Roles Animals Play in Mysteries. Sandra Parshall is moderating for Rebecca Hale (cats), Linda O. Johnston (dogs), Linda Lombardi (sloth at a zoo), and moi (?).

At first I thought I'd been selected for this panel based on the cover of Mind Your Own Beeswax (which btw should be available for purchase even though its official pub date is May 3rd). That's Ben, a tough K-9 defender, and Dinky, a scruffy little mutt. They are part of the 'story' but not in a really big way. They aren't the focus.

"So what should I talk about," I asked Heidi Cox, librarian extraordinaire. "Dogs?"

"Animal, vegetable, mineral," she reminded me. "Everything falls into one of those categories."

"So you're saying my honeybees are animals?" Well, they kind of do have tails, not in the traditional sense, but still…

Heidi nodded. "Talk about honeybees and the role they play in the tale."

So that's what I'm going to do. I think. Even though they don't really have tails.

What do you think? Ben & Dinky or honeybees?

Virginia Blossoms and. . .Recipes

Even though I grew up here in Northern Virginia (Arlington), I'm always pleasantly surprised to see the opulence of Spring here. :) Everything is in bloom. Azaleas---pink, lavender, white, orange, deep rose pink. Dogwood trees---pink dogwood and snowy white dogwood blossoms. Gorgeous. Crabapple trees, fluffy pink bunches of blossoms. White apple blossoms. And---can't forget the pink cherry tree blossoms. Strolling beneath the rows of cherry blossom trees winding around the Tidal Basin.

Virginia and Washington, DC, right across the Potomac River, are redolent with blossoms. If you have a chance to visit this vicinity during Springtime---do yourself a favor and come. Treat yourself. You will not regret it.



Now----here are more Appetizer Recipes! Hot and Cold, dips and rollups, and Pizza is a popular theme. Enjoy!


Laura Smoot -- Pizza Roll: 1 package refrigerated Crescent Rolls (I use Pillsbury); 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; Pre sliced pepperoni (I use Hormel); Preheat oven to 325. Open crescent rolls and carefully lay them out on a cutting board. Press together where the pre-cut lines are so you have one large rectangle. Lay pepperoni out in a single layer all over the crescent rolls. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Carefully roll the the crescent roll into one large roll keeping pepperoni and mozzarella inside. Slice roll into 1/2" pieces and place on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle each one with a little mozzarella. Bake for 10 min and enjoy.


Matt Hatfield -- Hot: 1 pkg. Philadelphia Cream Cheese; 1 lb of Sausage (I prefer homemade sausage) but this is your selection; 1 can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. 1. Fry Sausage in pan as if you were frying ground beef. Cook thoroughly. 2. Soften Cream Cheese in a microwavable bowl. 3. Combine sausage and cream cheese. 4. Grease cookie sheet. 5. Roll out crescent rolls, placing about a tablespoon of cream cheese and sausage in each roll. 6. Roll each crescent with cream cheese/sausage filling with both ends closed. 7. Bake at 350° for about 20-25 minutes (until golden brown).


Sara Studebaker -- PIZZA DIP: PIZZA DIP. Soften cream cheese. Spread on the bottom of a shallow baking dish about 8" square. You'll need about 2 cups of your choice of pizza toppings (chopped pepperoni, onion, mushrooms, green peppers, etc) -- mix with a can/jar of pizza sauce then pour the mixture over the cream cheese, spreading it out to the edges and distributing the toppings around. Bake at 325 degrees until the sauce starts to bubble. Sprinkle about 2 cups of shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese; return to oven and bake until the cheese is melted
Serve with bread, crackers, etc -- your choice.


Heather Johnson -- COLD DIP: One packet of cream cheese, 8oz., softened (I use the block of philly's)One regular size can of refried beans, 10oz approx.One jar of salsa, 16oz approx. (I use mild, but you can use whichever you prefer) Approx. 2 cups of shredded cheese (I prefer Kraft's 4 cheese mexican, but anything sold preshredded will work) One bag of tortilla chips Optional: Chopped tomatoes, scallions or sliced black olives. 1. Mix cream cheese and refried beans together, I prefer using an electric hand mixer, my aunt does it by hand. Spread completed mixture in bottom of cake pan. 2. Spread salsa evenly over cream cheese/refried bean mixture. 3. Spread shredded cheese evenly over salsa. 4. Optional step: Tomatoes, scallions or olives can be added on top of the cheese for decorative purposes. Serve cold with bag of tortilla chips. I try to make this ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, I think it brings out the flavor better.


Liz Veronis -- Tzatziki Dip w/raw vegetables: Tzatziki dip with raw vegetables.Mix thoroughly: 8 ounces of plain, whole milk Greek yogurt (American yogurt requires draining excess liquid through cheesecloth). 2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced, with excess liquid squeezed out. 2 tablespoons olive oil. juice of 1/2 lemon. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill.
3 cloves garlic, peeled. Some recipes call for salt and pepper to taste, but we are salt-free. Refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour.


Traci Kisbaugh -- Triscuit Melts (Super Easy): Triscuit Melts--Easy..put Triscuits on a plate, sprinkle shredded cheese on them...microwave long enough for the cheese to melt, then eat.


Debra Czarnogursky -- Cold Pizza Dip: 1 package softened cream cheese; bottle chili sauce;
package mozzarella cheese (shredded); tomato (diced); scallions (sliced). Spread softened cream cheese on round platter, pour chili sauce on top and spread evenly. ( I like to leave a small area uncovered by sauce to look like pie crust) Next garnish with shredded mozzarella, tomato and scallions. Serve with tortilla chips, the scoop kind work the best or your favorite dipping chip.

Oh, For A Comfy Dress Shoe!

by Kate Collins

I have a mystery writers' conference coming up soon, and my biggest concern in packing for it is what shoes to take. Silly, isn't that? But I need travel shoes that come off easily at the airport, and casual but nice shoes to go with the outfits for daytime, and a pair of dress shoes for the awards banquet.

And there's the rub. Literally. Ouch!

It seems that every pair of dress shoes I own are made to be worn for a minimum of an hour, sitting down, not walking the hallways of a hotel, or standing for long periods of time. They hurt, but I wear them anyway, and then I end up with blisters. The question is, why don't I get rid of them?

I have two pairs of black pumps that I haven't worn in years because they are both half a size too small. I own a pair of white and tan heels that are chic and stylish, but are too high and kill my toes. I have a pair of silver dress heels with a back strap that won't stay on. All three pairs sit in my closet mocking me.

My stepdaughter compares an ill-fitting shoe to a bad relationship with a cute guy. It's not going to work out, no matter how much you squeeze.

I finally ordered a pair of dance shoes, the kind the women wear on Dancing With The Stars. If they can cavort in them, surely I can walk around for one evening They are strappy and black, with a 2 ½ inch heel, and padded insoles. I'm really crossing my fingers, hoping they work, otherwise, those of you going to Malice Domestic will be able to spot me immediately. I'll be the one limping bravely down the hallway with a wad of bandages in my fist.

Do you hang on to shoes way too long? Is there a pair in your closet right now that you know you need to donate, but can't? The sofa is open. Let's do shoe therapy together.

I've Never Dressed For Success

by Leann

When you are a nurse, clothes don't make the woman. Washable stuff, preferably able to handle really hot water, is the rule. Even when I was a school nurse and did not wear a uniform or scrubs (makes little ones think about SHOTS too much) I had to choose easy to wash clothing or I'd be buying new clothes every week. Kids are messy. Really messy. And they like you to be messy, too.

I haven't been working as a nurse for six years now, but I was glad that I did not need a new wardrobe in the writing field. I've been known to work in my pajamas on more than one occasion. I don't try to make that a regular deal, however. Getting up, getting dressed, going to work are important, even if you work from home.

Next week, I am going to a convention and neither pajamas nor jeans and T-shirts really work. Do to my illness I've lost a good deal of weight (and you DO NOT want to lose weight that way). In other words, the business casual section of my closet (which is actually the dressy section if I'm being truthful) is depleted. But I have been very reluctant to invest in clothes because I am hoping that I will miraculously get well and need all those clothes. I did a little organizing trick where I put all my things after they were washed on the hangers with the curved part of the hanger facing the wrong way. Then, if I wore something and washed it, thenthe next time, I would hang it the correct way. This is a good technique to see what you are wearing on a regular basis.

Guess what? Most of my hangers were still facing the wrong way after more than a year. These clothes simply don't fit! Shopping is not my favorite pastime, but I needed things for the convention. My shipment from Coldwater Creek's online store arrived this week and I now have pretty shirts and even one skirt (really not a fan of skirts) for the convention. They are a little dressy and actually fit. But I also have two giant trash bags filled with clothes for charity. Perfectly good clothes, but this closet purge is all part of accepting the illness. Not how I wanted to do it, but I will enjoy the fun part of being almost dressed for success.

What about you? Have you cleaned a closet lately? Let go of things you haven't worn in years?

Writing for fun, but no profit

By Lorna Barrett / Lorraine Bartlett / L.L. Bartlett

Earlier this week I read a novelette by one of my favorite authors.  Me.

Does it come as a surprise to find out that I'm my own biggest fan?  Not as a narcissist thing, it's just, I write the kinds of fiction I love to read.  And I happened across a story I wrote over 20 years ago, something I thought needed a lot of polish, and discovered that despite the relatively minor writing flaws, I still LOVED the characters.

It's been a stressful month getting ready for the upcoming Malice Domestic conference, and doing lots of things that circle around writing, but aren't actually writing.  (Mostly promotion.) That's why I took a break and read that story.

Yesterday morning, I woke up very early with an idea for a companion story to my novelette from years ago.  I wrote down the barest of ideas and thought that would be the end of it.  But as I went through my day (dentist and bad-haircut appointments, laundry, and so forth), that idea kept nagging at me.  I should have sat at the laptop and worked on my current project.  The paying one.  But instead, I used my word quota for the day working on a story that will probably never see print--or a reader other than myself.  It's not even in my genre.

I had fun--but there'll definitely be no profit.

Don't get me wrong, I love writing cozy mysteries, and I would dearly love to jump back into my 5th Jeff Resnick novel (started more than five years ago), but novels are great big stories, and this one--not so much.

This is fun.  A lot of fun.

I'm going to work on it in between doing other stuff for the next week or so--just for fun, but after the conference, I must jump back into the paying project (which is behind schedule, although I reread the work I'd done so far, and it's coming along nicely).

What are you doing when you should be doing something else?

April Showers Bring...

By Heather Webber/Heather Blake

It never fails that April showers bring tornado nightmares. At least for me. I can count on them beginning in March and they go all the way through fall. Not every night, but enough for me to think building a storm cellar might be a good idea.

When I lived in Massachusetts, we never had to deal with tornadoes. Just lots of snow. Hurricanes once in a while (but at least those have a lot of warning). Nor'easters. That kind of thing. I'd take all that over tornadoes any day.

We had our first tornado warning the other night. The sirens started blaring around one in the morning. Baby Girl was at a sleepover and actually called home to make sure we heard the sirens and were taking cover (how sweet is that?), and son #2 was also at a sleepover but only called by accident (bum dialed) just before the sirens went off (not so sweet but kind of amusing).

Thankfully, no tornadoes touched down in our county, but there were some to the south and to the north. The devastation of a tornado is truly the stuff of nightmares. Everyone here is safe and sound, and we're counting ourselves lucky.

I'm really hoping that for the rest of this month, April showers simply bring those May flowers. As for the rest of the storm season...that storm cellar is looking better and better.

Cooking With Alan

I collect cookbooks.

Hundreds fill up seven large bookcase shelves. Mostly, they're alla-jumble, but every so often I get ambitious and think about organizing them.

Then the question becomes, "How?"

I could sort by ethnicity, country, or culture. I've got books specializing in Chinese (Yan Can Cook), Japanese, French (Julia Child, natch), Mexican, Spanish, Hawaii, Caribbean, German, Jewish, and soul food cuisines.

Or how about food type? Entire books on single foodstuffs—chicken breast, chocolate, garlic, salsa, burgers, pasta, omelets, and grains. The Totally Crab Cookbook. The Soy of Cooking. Chili Madness. A Passion for Potatoes.

Maybe divide into the four food groups: cake (Let Them Eat Cake), chocolate, desserts, garlic.

I've got books devoted to specific cooking equipment—grill, slow cooker, microwave, bread machine, dehydrator. Even one called The 9x13 Pan Cookbook.

I could have a whole section on healthy cooking. Or vegetarian meals. Or something called Tassajara Cooking (admittedly, that would be a small section).

I've got illustrated books and classic books (Joy of Cooking) and omnibus books and diet books and famous chef books (Jacques Pepin, Paul Prudhomme), and even humble, small books (The World's 100 Best Recipes).

I do have a few favorites, books I keep going back to: Southern Living's Our Best Recipes, Nikki & David Goldbeck's American Wholefoods Cuisine, and The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook (the only freebie I felt "worthwhile enough" to carry back home from BEA last year).

I have a lot of cookbooks, but here's the kicker: I rarely even use recipes! Mostly, I just leaf through them when I'm hungry, or when I "somehow" end up with a large amount of an unusual food (you know, if I score a 20-pound bag of rutabagas at Costco. Come on, you've all been there!)

All this sorting by cookbook "genres" got me thinking about fiction genres.

Obviously, in my cookbook conundrum, there's a lot of overlap between groups. A cookbook full of chicken recipes could go in the food type group, or the main dish group, or the low-fat group. But it's got to go somewhere, just like a novel in the bookstore.

Too bad there just can't be a genre/group called "Good book."

Anyone else collect cookbooks? Anyone have a good recipe for rutabagas?

Thanks so much to all the Cozy Chicks for inviting me here today! Always a pleasure! Hope to see some of you at Malice!

The first book in Alan Orloff's Last Laff Mystery series, KILLER ROUTINE, is now available, at your favorite booksellers and on-line. His debut mystery, DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD, came out last April and was nominated for the Best First Novel Agatha Award. For more information about Alan and his books, please visit www.alanorloff.com

Ellery's Mystery Cozy Contest - Answer

Many congrats to Sarah Stevens of Sandwich IL for guessing that Ellery's Mystery Cozy was Julie Hyzy's Grace Under Pressure. Thanks for playing and tune in next month for a new mystery cozy!