Kate Collins's Blog, page 54
September 12, 2018
Pull Out The Throws!
by Karen Rose Smith
This time of year, I search my closets for afghans and throws. I know where the light throws are stored because I change them every week or so and wash them to keep cat hair to a minimum. But for fall and winter, I prefer the afghans my mom knitted and crocheted or the furrier throws that keep us warmer in the winter.
After my mom retired from teaching, she had multiple physical issues. Her favorite hobbies were reading romances and knitting or crocheting. And those afghans she created, now anywhere from 25 to 40 years old, are still in terrific condition in spite of washing. Besides keeping me warm while I'm watching TV on the sofa or napping, they bring back cherished memories or my mom that I'm afraid in time I'll forget.
In recent years, I've enjoyed the warmth and beauty of Dennis Basso throws. They are soft fluffy fur and they can be carefully washed.
A bright cotton throw brings color to my office. A Southwestern throw reminds me of the places in the West I like to visit so much.
This weekend, I turned on the heat for the first time since Spring. It's time to pull out the throws!
This time of year, I search my closets for afghans and throws. I know where the light throws are stored because I change them every week or so and wash them to keep cat hair to a minimum. But for fall and winter, I prefer the afghans my mom knitted and crocheted or the furrier throws that keep us warmer in the winter.
After my mom retired from teaching, she had multiple physical issues. Her favorite hobbies were reading romances and knitting or crocheting. And those afghans she created, now anywhere from 25 to 40 years old, are still in terrific condition in spite of washing. Besides keeping me warm while I'm watching TV on the sofa or napping, they bring back cherished memories or my mom that I'm afraid in time I'll forget.In recent years, I've enjoyed the warmth and beauty of Dennis Basso throws. They are soft fluffy fur and they can be carefully washed.
A bright cotton throw brings color to my office. A Southwestern throw reminds me of the places in the West I like to visit so much.This weekend, I turned on the heat for the first time since Spring. It's time to pull out the throws!
September 11, 2018
All Things Pumpkin
Duffy Brown here and I love all things pumpkin. I’m a pumpkin addict. The fist nip in the air meaning the temp falls into the 70 and I start thinking pumpkin. I don’t even have to wait for October to go all pumpkin and I definitely do not have to wait for Halloween. Pumpkin time does not end at Halloween but continues onto Thanksgiving.Get Lethal In Old Lace here
That gives me two and a half months of pumpkin!
So why pumpkin?
First of all I love the color! There is not a more prettier fall color than the pumpkin orange color. It’s such a happy color. Not like blah autumn green or puke rust yellow but bright pumpkin orange!
And what are some of my fave pumpkin things? Well, there’s the actual pumpkin of course and all the things you can do with it. Carve it, hallow it out and make a vase, leave it alone and use them all over the house for fall decorations.
Did you know if you put Vaseline on your pumpkin it makes them last longer! Eep a good idea for those outside pumpkin decorations. But the pumpkin doesn’t even have to be a real pumpkin to be terrific. There are adorable ceramic pumpkins, pumpkin flags, pumpkin doormats... You get the picture.And then there are all things pumpkin. Pie, cake, cookies, candles. Starbucks has a terrific pumpkin spice coffee, then there’s pumpkin spice tea and ice cream. I love pumpkin spice ice cream.
So what about you? Are you a pumpkin addict? Love all things pumpkin? And what is your fave pumpkin thing?
September 10, 2018
Forgive the Delay
by Maggie Sefton
Due to sudden circumstances, I won't be posting today. I'll explain next week. Don't worry. All is well up in the International Space Station with Astronaut daughter Serena and all her comrades. They are busy as usual studying various scientific experiments.
Due to sudden circumstances, I won't be posting today. I'll explain next week. Don't worry. All is well up in the International Space Station with Astronaut daughter Serena and all her comrades. They are busy as usual studying various scientific experiments.
September 9, 2018
REMEMBER WHEN SUMMER LASTED FOREVER?
By Mary Kennedy
If you're like me, you probably have lovely childhood memories of summer. Certain "flashbulb moments" that put you right back in the scene--a trip to the beach, a backyard barbecue, fireworks on the Fourth of July with an "American flag cake."
Summer seemed to stretch out forever! School ended in late May or early June and September seemed light years away. There was no hurry to enjoy summer's fun; the first few vacation days were often spent catching up with old friends and catching up on sleep.
But after a few days, summer began in earnest.
I spent all my summers in Westchester, New York and a trip to the ocean (Rockaway or Jones Beach) was a must. Here's a vintage photo of Rockaway, and it brings back memories. Sometimes we could hardly find a spot to put down a towel!
The ocean was always freezing and tended to be rough. I learned to swim at Rockaway (yes, in spite of the powerful undertow) because my father insisted "if you can swim at Rockaway, you can swim anywhere."
Another must was a trip to Playland--funny how when you're young, you relish the idea of being terrified! I preferred the tamer ferris wheel and merry-go-round to the roller coaster rides.
A trip to Beacon on the Dayliner boat was the high point of my summer. It seemed so adventurous at the time! We brought a picnic lunch to eat at Bear Mountain and occasionally they had live music on the boat. To an eight year old, it was just as exciting as a transatlantic crossing!
Of course, the lazy summer days also provided plenty of time for reading. I made weekly trips to the library and read Anne of Green Gables, Albert Payson Terhune and Seven League Boots by Richard Halliburton. I wanted to visit all the exotic places he visited--to me, he was an earlier version of Anthony Bourdain!
How about you? Do you have childhood summer memories that have stayed with you over the years?Please share them!
Mary Kennedy
If you're like me, you probably have lovely childhood memories of summer. Certain "flashbulb moments" that put you right back in the scene--a trip to the beach, a backyard barbecue, fireworks on the Fourth of July with an "American flag cake."
Summer seemed to stretch out forever! School ended in late May or early June and September seemed light years away. There was no hurry to enjoy summer's fun; the first few vacation days were often spent catching up with old friends and catching up on sleep.
But after a few days, summer began in earnest.
I spent all my summers in Westchester, New York and a trip to the ocean (Rockaway or Jones Beach) was a must. Here's a vintage photo of Rockaway, and it brings back memories. Sometimes we could hardly find a spot to put down a towel!
The ocean was always freezing and tended to be rough. I learned to swim at Rockaway (yes, in spite of the powerful undertow) because my father insisted "if you can swim at Rockaway, you can swim anywhere." Another must was a trip to Playland--funny how when you're young, you relish the idea of being terrified! I preferred the tamer ferris wheel and merry-go-round to the roller coaster rides.
A trip to Beacon on the Dayliner boat was the high point of my summer. It seemed so adventurous at the time! We brought a picnic lunch to eat at Bear Mountain and occasionally they had live music on the boat. To an eight year old, it was just as exciting as a transatlantic crossing!
Of course, the lazy summer days also provided plenty of time for reading. I made weekly trips to the library and read Anne of Green Gables, Albert Payson Terhune and Seven League Boots by Richard Halliburton. I wanted to visit all the exotic places he visited--to me, he was an earlier version of Anthony Bourdain!
How about you? Do you have childhood summer memories that have stayed with you over the years?Please share them!
Mary Kennedy
September 8, 2018
Those women can BAKE!
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
I was speaking with my hairdresser the other day (got my roots done -- I'm YOUNG again!) and she was telling me that her husband doesn't like to eat. She has to remind him to eat.
A person who doesn't like to eat??????????
I smell cake/cookies/muffins/Yorkshire pudding and I gain weight. Therefore, I live vicariously through my characters who love to bake. Among them: Katie Bonner, Kathy Grant, and most recently Tricia Miles. These ladies are baking up a storm--and they can do it and not get fat because they have an audience they can feed. Katie has her vendors at Artesans Alley, Kathy has been experimenting with recipes for her B&B and feeding her friends Tori, Anissa, Noreen and Paul. Tricia has her employees, Pixie and Mr. Everett (and when you read A Killer Edition , which will be out next year, this will become really obvious.)
But I like to bake, too. And the other day my neighbor, who has a huge garden, put out a little stand for veggies his family can't eat. It's so cute with a colorful umbrella to shade the veggies during the day. And I picked up a zucchini, tomato and a chili pepper. The zucchini was too big for stir fry, but I knew when I picked it up it was destined for zucchini muffins.Who's my audience? Mr. L. He loves baked goods for breakfast and this will be my second batch of zucchini muffins this summer. In fact, I will need to make a double batch because it is such a big zucchini. That doesn't worry me! Here's my recipe.
Zucchini Muffins
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
2 cups finely shredded unpeeled zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried currants or chopped raisins
Preheat oven to 350° In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Combine the egg and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the zucchini, walnuts and currants. Coat muffin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners; fill three-fourths full with batter. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
Yield: 12 muffins
Who do you bake for? (And care to share a recipe, too?)
==========================================
Recipes to Die For: A Victoria Square Cookbook,
was the first companion book I did for my New York Times bestselling Victoria Square Mystery series. In it, Katie Bonner shares her favorite recipes, and those of her vendors and the merchants on Victoria Square, plus each contributors signature drink and anecdotes about their lives on Victoria square.Treat yourself today!
Amazon (trade paperback)
Kindle | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | Kobo | iBooks
What's in the oven?
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
I was speaking with my hairdresser the other day (got my roots done -- I'm YOUNG again!) and she was telling me that her husband doesn't like to eat. She has to remind him to eat.
A person who doesn't like to eat??????????
I smell cake/cookies/muffins/Yorkshire pudding and I gain weight. Therefore, I live vicariously through my characters who love to bake. Among them: Katie Bonner, Kathy Grant, and most recently Tricia Miles. These ladies are baking up a storm--and they can do it and not get fat because they have an audience they can feed. Katie has her vendors at Artesans Alley, Kathy has been experimenting with recipes for her B&B and feeding her friends Tori, Anissa, Noreen and Paul. Tricia has her employees, Pixie and Mr. Everett (and when you read A Killer Edition , which will be out next year, this will become really obvious.)
But I like to bake, too. And the other day my neighbor, who has a huge garden, put out a little stand for veggies his family can't eat. It's so cute with a colorful umbrella to shade the veggies during the day. And I picked up a zucchini, tomato and a chili pepper. The zucchini was too big for stir fry, but I knew when I picked it up it was destined for zucchini muffins.Who's my audience? Mr. L. He loves baked goods for breakfast and this will be my second batch of zucchini muffins this summer. In fact, I will need to make a double batch because it is such a big zucchini. That doesn't worry me! Here's my recipe.
Zucchini Muffins
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
2 cups finely shredded unpeeled zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried currants or chopped raisins
Preheat oven to 350° In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Combine the egg and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the zucchini, walnuts and currants. Coat muffin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners; fill three-fourths full with batter. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
Yield: 12 muffins
Who do you bake for? (And care to share a recipe, too?)
==========================================
Recipes to Die For: A Victoria Square Cookbook,
was the first companion book I did for my New York Times bestselling Victoria Square Mystery series. In it, Katie Bonner shares her favorite recipes, and those of her vendors and the merchants on Victoria Square, plus each contributors signature drink and anecdotes about their lives on Victoria square.Treat yourself today!
Amazon (trade paperback)
Kindle | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | Kobo | iBooks
September 7, 2018
Grape Expectations: Not what you expect
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
YAY! Today my 4th Tale From Blythe Cove Manor, set on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard, is out.
With the advent of Labor Day, the "season" on the island is now over, but you don't have to wait until the end of next May to visit. It's waiting for you right now in this series of stories about a unique bed and breakfast, and its hostess, Blythe Calvert. The place? Blythe Cove Manor ... where just a little magic awaits all its guests.
Young heiress Dolly Madison arrives on Martha's Vineyard with an agenda to discover and taste the great wines of this picturesque island off the coast of Massachusetts … only to learn there are none. What she will find, however, is far more compellingÑand could just change her life.
Kindle US | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | Smashwords
YAY! Today my 4th Tale From Blythe Cove Manor, set on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard, is out.
With the advent of Labor Day, the "season" on the island is now over, but you don't have to wait until the end of next May to visit. It's waiting for you right now in this series of stories about a unique bed and breakfast, and its hostess, Blythe Calvert. The place? Blythe Cove Manor ... where just a little magic awaits all its guests.
Young heiress Dolly Madison arrives on Martha's Vineyard with an agenda to discover and taste the great wines of this picturesque island off the coast of Massachusetts … only to learn there are none. What she will find, however, is far more compellingÑand could just change her life.
Kindle US | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | Smashwords
September 5, 2018
Carrot-Grape Salad Recipe And A Variation
by Karen Rose Smith
My carrot, grape and pecan salad that I attributed to Tessa (Daisy's kitchen manager) in MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES is an easy recipe for a summer picnic or a fall dinner. I created this recipe for friends who like healthier, lighter fare and decided to share it with my readers.
When I had a book signing and tea service at Sweet Remembrances/Rosemary House in Mechanicsburg, PA, the chef developed recipes from my book to list on the menu. Tessa's Carrot Salad became part of the second course when they scooped it onto a Crostini! The only alteration was slicing the grapes in half. I hope you enjoy the refreshing salad as much as my family does.
Tessa's Carrot Salad
3 cups grated carrots
2/3 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 tablespoons light mayonaise
2 1/2 tablespoons light sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 cups seedless green grapes (washed and well-drained)
Mix together carrots and raisins in a medium bowl. Mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice and honey in a small bowl and pour over the carrot mixture. Stir well. Add chopped pecans and grapes.
Serves six.
My carrot, grape and pecan salad that I attributed to Tessa (Daisy's kitchen manager) in MURDER WITH LEMON TEA CAKES is an easy recipe for a summer picnic or a fall dinner. I created this recipe for friends who like healthier, lighter fare and decided to share it with my readers.
When I had a book signing and tea service at Sweet Remembrances/Rosemary House in Mechanicsburg, PA, the chef developed recipes from my book to list on the menu. Tessa's Carrot Salad became part of the second course when they scooped it onto a Crostini! The only alteration was slicing the grapes in half. I hope you enjoy the refreshing salad as much as my family does.
Tessa's Carrot Salad
3 cups grated carrots
2/3 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 tablespoons light mayonaise
2 1/2 tablespoons light sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 cups seedless green grapes (washed and well-drained)
Mix together carrots and raisins in a medium bowl. Mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice and honey in a small bowl and pour over the carrot mixture. Stir well. Add chopped pecans and grapes.
Serves six.
September 4, 2018
Perfume…in or out
Do you have a fave fragrance that you buy every time? A fragrance that people associate with you?My sister-in-law has a perfume that she’s worn for probably 30 plus years. I got into her car thinking gee this cars smells amazing. Really it smelled just like Caroline. To me it’s her signature fragrance.
Personally I never buy perfume for myself but my kids give it to me. Most of the time the fragrances are fine but I seldom ware them and they end up going bad. But then my middle daughter bought me Cleopatra. It is my fave fragrance by far.I get so many compliments on it. Everyone loves it and so do I. I think this is my signature fragrance though I’m sure lots of gals ware it too.I think the reason I ware it is that is actually makes me feel pretty. It’s not heavy but definitely a fragrance. When I’m feeling a bit down or tired or just feeling over all frumpy I give myself a spritz and it does seem to perk up my spirits.
Men of course love perfume on women. At least my husband always did. And it is sexy and feminine so I suppose that’s the reason why.So what about you? Do you have a special fragrance you love? Do you always buy the same fragrance or do you mix it up? Do you ware a fragrance that suits your mood...one for fun, one for a romantic nigh
September 3, 2018
"Who Are You People?"
by Maggie SeftonFor those of you who are interested in checking out an introduction to the novel featuring the Kelly Flynn characters,
