Kate Collins's Blog, page 76
November 16, 2017
House Beautiful or House With Kittens
by Karen Rose Smith
When we adopted two rescue kittens this summer--Zander and Freya, we thought we knew what we were in for. A few years ago, we had taken in a pregnant feline, nursed her through pregnancy and found fur-ever homes for two of her three kittens and we kept one along with her. However, every kitten has a unique personality.
Thank goodness we don't have an open concept house. We have rooms with doors where we can corral kittens for a day or night or even weeks. We have six inside felines now and one of them, our senior London who is blind, has to be separated from the rest.
When we brought the kittens home, they were only a pound. We decided on two so they'd have each other to play and keep company with. I kept them in an upstairs bedroom for two weeks. The first week I spent each day with them so they'd bond with me. My husband stayed there at night. After two weeks, we allowed them downstairs in one room so they could get the lay of the land. But as soon as Zander was able to climb a tall screen, we extended their daytime area to the downstairs, though at night, they still stayed in the upstairs bedroom.
Now they have full run of the house most of the time, barring closed doors to feed separately or to give older cats a respite at night. Kittens run EVERYWHERE. They play with EVERYTHING. Two can get into more trouble than one.
We decided long ago that we'd do our best to train the cats to scratch on scratching posts and learn the word "no." But kittens and cats will be who they are. It's either House Beautiful or a House With Kittens. Kittens and even adult felines who play result in turned up throw rugs, pillows flying to the floor, toys--here, there and everywhere. But that is also the joy of having kittens in the house to make us smile, laugh, and saw "Awwww" several times a day.
Kittens or a pristine house? I choose kittens.
When we adopted two rescue kittens this summer--Zander and Freya, we thought we knew what we were in for. A few years ago, we had taken in a pregnant feline, nursed her through pregnancy and found fur-ever homes for two of her three kittens and we kept one along with her. However, every kitten has a unique personality.
Thank goodness we don't have an open concept house. We have rooms with doors where we can corral kittens for a day or night or even weeks. We have six inside felines now and one of them, our senior London who is blind, has to be separated from the rest. 
When we brought the kittens home, they were only a pound. We decided on two so they'd have each other to play and keep company with. I kept them in an upstairs bedroom for two weeks. The first week I spent each day with them so they'd bond with me. My husband stayed there at night. After two weeks, we allowed them downstairs in one room so they could get the lay of the land. But as soon as Zander was able to climb a tall screen, we extended their daytime area to the downstairs, though at night, they still stayed in the upstairs bedroom.Now they have full run of the house most of the time, barring closed doors to feed separately or to give older cats a respite at night. Kittens run EVERYWHERE. They play with EVERYTHING. Two can get into more trouble than one.
We decided long ago that we'd do our best to train the cats to scratch on scratching posts and learn the word "no." But kittens and cats will be who they are. It's either House Beautiful or a House With Kittens. Kittens and even adult felines who play result in turned up throw rugs, pillows flying to the floor, toys--here, there and everywhere. But that is also the joy of having kittens in the house to make us smile, laugh, and saw "Awwww" several times a day.Kittens or a pristine house? I choose kittens.
November 15, 2017
Foreign Travel...in or out
Thanksgiving...so much to be thankful for and when you get to my age you realize just how lucky you are. I honestly think that I am probably in the 1% happiest people alive.When I travel abroad friends ask me, Aren’t you afraid? Look at the world! You can’t possibly really think about going to London? Greece? Are you out of your mind!
Big airports are a target, crowds are a target, with all the unrest anything can blow up.I’m not making this up, so many of my friends when I ask are you planning a trip and they say, Just not outside US.I always say, Hey, If I get blown to smithereens somewhere just think what a great story it would make. “Nana, wasn’t she the one who bit the big one on her way to ride camels in Egypt and visit the pyramids?”
I know that’s a little flippant but I’m a woman on my own, no one depends on me so my life is truly my life. Traveling abroad is fantastic. I have a friend, a fellow writer, and the one criteria we use when planning a trip is...they can’t speak our language.We are after adventure! Granted we travel a lot with Viking Cruises and they take care of so, so much but it is travel outside the US and Mary and I always take extra days to be on out own, a true adventure for sure.
So what about you? I’m sure you have tons and tons to be thankful for. Even if this year was the year from hell in some ways, there is always something, some way, you were blessed.
When my husband died it was truly hell on earth but the thing that I was thankful for was that that death made me and my children
closer still and we NEVER take each other for granted. It drove home in the most profound way that you do not take each other for granted and you must live life to the full.So after all my ramblings here, my question to you on this Thanksgiving, the most traveled holiday of the year, how likely are you to travel overseas if you had the chance?
November 13, 2017
It's Bridal Gown Time. . . Again
by Maggie SeftonCozy Chicks Blog devoted readers and fans will remember, no doubt, all of the bridal gown fittings and photos of daughter Serena's wedding preparations and her beautiful wedding in the Texas Hill Country nearly four years ago. So, I sincerely hope you folks won't be bored because Mother of the Bride Maggie is at it again.
This time, the bride is my youngest daughter Maria---the former Naval Officer who served in four Hazardous Duty tours during the ten years she was on active duty. On the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier for two years in the Persian Gulf and Operation Iraqi Freedom. On land, in Basra, Iraq and again in Baghdad and also in Afghanistan as well as central command CENTCOM.
Back in 2009, Maria switched from active duty to full-time Defense Department stateside duty, and all of us in the family were quite happy when that shift was made. During those long years, Maria developed many good friendships with fellow Defense Department co-workers.
And last year, she became engaged to one of these wonderful co-workers, John. Their wedding will be on December 30th in Washington, D.C. And, of course, I will have several posts leading up to that event. :)
But for today, I'm simply going to post several photos of Maria in her beautiful wedding gown which all the family gathered to see during her gown fitting here in Northern Virginia last Friday. You will see several other family members reflected in the large mirrors, so enjoy trying to figure out who they are. :)
Allie and Emma who will have a new "Maria Mom" very soon. :)
November 12, 2017
HELPING THE ANIMALS ON THANKSGIVING
By Mary Kennedy
My own cat, Calpurnia, wants to remind everyone that pet food donations are needed more than ever over the holidays. Animal shelters have had to tighten their belts as the end of the year approaches,. They may have used up their grant money and it's difficult to attract new donors in the midst of holiday festivities.
There are several easy ways you can donate pet food to needy animals. For example, did you know that many recipients of Meals on Wheels dinners, "save" part of their food for their pet? I was horrified to learn this when I worked with low income seniors.
It seemed incredibly sad that they had to go without food to make sure their beloved pet had enough to eat. I decided to include a "pet food donation" bag when collecting canned goods for holiday meals.
It's easy to do. There are many opportunities to donate food in your town. You can start with local food banks and offer to collect and drop off pet food. You can easily branch out to schools, libraries and community organizations that are already collecting food for the needy.
When you think of how many people have pets, you will see that your gift will be appreciated. In some cases, it's even vital for the pet to remain in the home and not be turned over to a shelter.
Try talking to the manager of your local pet store and see if he or she will give a discount when you explain that you are collecting pet food for a worthy cause.
Pets everywhere will thank you and so will their owners. No pet should have to go hungry, and no low income person should have to give up their beloved pet because they can't afford to feed him.
Make sure this is a happy Thanksgiving for pets everywhere!
Mary Kennedy
My own cat, Calpurnia, wants to remind everyone that pet food donations are needed more than ever over the holidays. Animal shelters have had to tighten their belts as the end of the year approaches,. They may have used up their grant money and it's difficult to attract new donors in the midst of holiday festivities.
There are several easy ways you can donate pet food to needy animals. For example, did you know that many recipients of Meals on Wheels dinners, "save" part of their food for their pet? I was horrified to learn this when I worked with low income seniors.
It seemed incredibly sad that they had to go without food to make sure their beloved pet had enough to eat. I decided to include a "pet food donation" bag when collecting canned goods for holiday meals. 
It's easy to do. There are many opportunities to donate food in your town. You can start with local food banks and offer to collect and drop off pet food. You can easily branch out to schools, libraries and community organizations that are already collecting food for the needy.
When you think of how many people have pets, you will see that your gift will be appreciated. In some cases, it's even vital for the pet to remain in the home and not be turned over to a shelter. 
Try talking to the manager of your local pet store and see if he or she will give a discount when you explain that you are collecting pet food for a worthy cause.
Pets everywhere will thank you and so will their owners. No pet should have to go hungry, and no low income person should have to give up their beloved pet because they can't afford to feed him.
Make sure this is a happy Thanksgiving for pets everywhere!
Mary Kennedy
November 10, 2017
It's Tutu Much
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
You know about Victoria Square thanks to the Victoria Square Mysteries. Artisans Alley takes center stage in those books, but the merchants--and their businesses--are just as intriguing. They all have stories to tell ... and that's what the Life on Victoria Square companion series is all about.
There are at least ten different businesses on Victoria Square in the little village of McKinlay Mill, NY. Upcoming stories will include the Square's candy store, Sweet Sue's Confectionery, Booth's Jams and Jellies, Sassy Sally's B&B, the Angel Shop, and The Perfect Grape. But this forth story, concerns the new dance studio that is located in the Square's anchor, Artisan's Alley. The title? "It's Tutu Much."
Bullies come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Dana Milton finally opens her own dance studio on Victoria Square and one of her Broadway Babies (age 8) is a classic tyrant. Can Dana teach her students about respect for one another—and when it’s time to stand up for oneself, or is it all tutu much?
Kindle US | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords
The other stories in this companion series are (in order): Carving Out A Path, A Basket Full of Bargains, The Broken Teacup. You can find out more information on them on my website, including background information and videos. Just click this link.
So settle back and really get to know the merchants. Learn about their lives, and how life on Victoria Square affects them. It might just make a profound impression on you, too!
You know about Victoria Square thanks to the Victoria Square Mysteries. Artisans Alley takes center stage in those books, but the merchants--and their businesses--are just as intriguing. They all have stories to tell ... and that's what the Life on Victoria Square companion series is all about. There are at least ten different businesses on Victoria Square in the little village of McKinlay Mill, NY. Upcoming stories will include the Square's candy store, Sweet Sue's Confectionery, Booth's Jams and Jellies, Sassy Sally's B&B, the Angel Shop, and The Perfect Grape. But this forth story, concerns the new dance studio that is located in the Square's anchor, Artisan's Alley. The title? "It's Tutu Much."
Bullies come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Dana Milton finally opens her own dance studio on Victoria Square and one of her Broadway Babies (age 8) is a classic tyrant. Can Dana teach her students about respect for one another—and when it’s time to stand up for oneself, or is it all tutu much?Kindle US | Kindle Worldwide | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords
The other stories in this companion series are (in order): Carving Out A Path, A Basket Full of Bargains, The Broken Teacup. You can find out more information on them on my website, including background information and videos. Just click this link.
So settle back and really get to know the merchants. Learn about their lives, and how life on Victoria Square affects them. It might just make a profound impression on you, too!
I should be doing something else
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
When a writer has a contract for a book/series, that book/series must comes first.
I'm a hybrid author. That means I write for a traditional publishing house, and for myself. I have (rather vague) plans for what I should be doing in my "down time." I handed in my latest Booktown Mystery last month, and thought I'd be well underway with the next Lotus Bay Mystery. (Well, I have two chapters down and a lot of notes...but that's it so far.)
Instead, I wrote another Life On Victoria Square story. (I'll talk about that tomorrow in my spotlight feature.) Good, now I'll be able to write Lotus Bay (and percolate ideas for the next Jeff Resnick book, which I want to start in January).
But ... then I started thinking about Christmas. My Christmas present to myself is that I get to indulge in writing a Christmas story. Gayle Trent and I have done just that -- YULE BE DEAD, Victoria Square Mysteries #5 -- but that was over the summer and it's sitting in a file up in the Cloud waiting for the final polish, and I'm going to do that next month. But for the past few years, I've let myself write a Christmas story just for the fun of it. And that's what I'm doing now.
I'm writing about characters from my Jeff Resnick Mysteries: Jeff's brother Richard, and his wife Brenda, and their first Christmas together.f It doesn't fit in the series. It doesn't even fit in the companion series, Jeff Resnick's Personal Files. What am I going to do with it?
What I would like to do is have yet another companion series: BRENDA Saves the Day!
Ideally, it would be a series of funny stories. There's just one problem with that. I don't write funny. I can write "amusing," but funny? That's just not my forte. You want funny? Read Mary Kennedy's Talk Radio Mysteries. They're laugh-out-loud funny.
So what am I going to do with this story? I don't know. I haven't written that much. In fact, I started writing it from Richard's point of view and then decided it wasn't work, so I rewrote what I had from Brenda's POV. I'm not sure where it's going, but I'll have fun along the way, even if it isn't a funny story.
The best part is ... it gets me in a Christmasy mood. Yeah, yeah, we've got six weeks to go, but this is a fat-free indulgence and it makes me happy.
What do you do that makes you happy? (And it doesn't have to be fat-free, either.)
When a writer has a contract for a book/series, that book/series must comes first.I'm a hybrid author. That means I write for a traditional publishing house, and for myself. I have (rather vague) plans for what I should be doing in my "down time." I handed in my latest Booktown Mystery last month, and thought I'd be well underway with the next Lotus Bay Mystery. (Well, I have two chapters down and a lot of notes...but that's it so far.)
Instead, I wrote another Life On Victoria Square story. (I'll talk about that tomorrow in my spotlight feature.) Good, now I'll be able to write Lotus Bay (and percolate ideas for the next Jeff Resnick book, which I want to start in January).But ... then I started thinking about Christmas. My Christmas present to myself is that I get to indulge in writing a Christmas story. Gayle Trent and I have done just that -- YULE BE DEAD, Victoria Square Mysteries #5 -- but that was over the summer and it's sitting in a file up in the Cloud waiting for the final polish, and I'm going to do that next month. But for the past few years, I've let myself write a Christmas story just for the fun of it. And that's what I'm doing now.
I'm writing about characters from my Jeff Resnick Mysteries: Jeff's brother Richard, and his wife Brenda, and their first Christmas together.f It doesn't fit in the series. It doesn't even fit in the companion series, Jeff Resnick's Personal Files. What am I going to do with it?
What I would like to do is have yet another companion series: BRENDA Saves the Day!Ideally, it would be a series of funny stories. There's just one problem with that. I don't write funny. I can write "amusing," but funny? That's just not my forte. You want funny? Read Mary Kennedy's Talk Radio Mysteries. They're laugh-out-loud funny.
So what am I going to do with this story? I don't know. I haven't written that much. In fact, I started writing it from Richard's point of view and then decided it wasn't work, so I rewrote what I had from Brenda's POV. I'm not sure where it's going, but I'll have fun along the way, even if it isn't a funny story.
The best part is ... it gets me in a Christmasy mood. Yeah, yeah, we've got six weeks to go, but this is a fat-free indulgence and it makes me happy.
What do you do that makes you happy? (And it doesn't have to be fat-free, either.)
November 8, 2017
Karen Rose Smith's Romance Developed into a TV Movie!!!
by Karen Rose Smith
I couldn't be more excited. When my editor at Harlequin told me that Brain Power producers had bought His Country Cinderella to make into a movie, A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS, I couldn't believe it. This was a dream come true. During my entire twenty-five year career, I have dreamed of seeing my hero and heroine on the screen. At first we didn't know if the project would go forward. But then I received the script.
When a book is made into a movie, it's not exactly the same. My hero and heroine have the same qualities they did in the book--compassion, integrity, and the ability to fall in love. Jeannette, who is a single mom, has a little girl instead of a little boy. (I think girls play better!) Zane is still a country singer. Several scenes are similar to the book's scenes. However, this wasn't a holiday book and now it is. And I love that because Christmas stories have that extra sparkle.
Of course, I googled the actors and actresses and found they had many credits. Greyston Holt is a Canadian actor, known for his role as Ray Prager Jr. in the TV series Durham County, as Emerson Hauser in the Fox series Alcatraz, and as Clayton Danvers in Space series Bitten. He began playing the guitar in high school.
Bea Santos is Jeannette, a single mom who acted in Murdoch Mysteries (2008) and Coconut Hero (2015), as well as Stockholm (2018).
Greg Vaughan who plays Billy, Zane's agent, was born in Texas. He has acted in Malibu Shores, and Beverly Hills 90210. He has played Dan Gordon on Charmed, as well as Diego on The Young and the Restless, the role of Lucky Spencer on General Hospital, and guest roles on Will and Grace.
Michelle Morgan who plays Zane's agent in the movie, is a favorite actress of mine best known from the Heartland series.
Deanna Carter is a country singer. She plays Jolene, a good friend to Zane and Jeannette. Her voice brings Christmas magic to the movie.
The movie was shot in beautiful Alberta where the weather even cooperated and snowed at the proper time!
Dreams do come true!!!
Trailer for A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
I couldn't be more excited. When my editor at Harlequin told me that Brain Power producers had bought His Country Cinderella to make into a movie, A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS, I couldn't believe it. This was a dream come true. During my entire twenty-five year career, I have dreamed of seeing my hero and heroine on the screen. At first we didn't know if the project would go forward. But then I received the script.
When a book is made into a movie, it's not exactly the same. My hero and heroine have the same qualities they did in the book--compassion, integrity, and the ability to fall in love. Jeannette, who is a single mom, has a little girl instead of a little boy. (I think girls play better!) Zane is still a country singer. Several scenes are similar to the book's scenes. However, this wasn't a holiday book and now it is. And I love that because Christmas stories have that extra sparkle.
Of course, I googled the actors and actresses and found they had many credits. Greyston Holt is a Canadian actor, known for his role as Ray Prager Jr. in the TV series Durham County, as Emerson Hauser in the Fox series Alcatraz, and as Clayton Danvers in Space series Bitten. He began playing the guitar in high school.
Bea Santos is Jeannette, a single mom who acted in Murdoch Mysteries (2008) and Coconut Hero (2015), as well as Stockholm (2018).
Greg Vaughan who plays Billy, Zane's agent, was born in Texas. He has acted in Malibu Shores, and Beverly Hills 90210. He has played Dan Gordon on Charmed, as well as Diego on The Young and the Restless, the role of Lucky Spencer on General Hospital, and guest roles on Will and Grace.Michelle Morgan who plays Zane's agent in the movie, is a favorite actress of mine best known from the Heartland series.
Deanna Carter is a country singer. She plays Jolene, a good friend to Zane and Jeannette. Her voice brings Christmas magic to the movie.
The movie was shot in beautiful Alberta where the weather even cooperated and snowed at the proper time!
Dreams do come true!!!
Trailer for A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
What’s On Your Plate?
You might think Thanksgiving is the same everywhere you go but it’s not. If you travel across the country and you might see a hearty dish of mac and cheese where your beloved sweet potato casserole should be. Sometimes you can chalk it up to family tradition, but there's a unique connection between certain Want to know which dishes even count as "Thanksgiving foods"? Five Thirty Eight published a poll earlier this year asking for the most popular Thanksgiving dishes. Okay, turkey won the number one spot but after that, the responses went all over the place depending on the region where each person lived.
Out West it’s SaladNot talking about your leafy greens but more fruit salad, potato salad or our favorite, roasted butternut squash salad. I never heard of this but I need to try it. I love butternut squash. Then there’s something called frog eye salad…gross!.. Snickers salad! I’m in on this one.
Northeast: SquashWhen it comes to using up that fall harvest, the Northeast has got the edge. There are so many delish recipes. Even though they're near the home of America's most famous potato rolls, this region doesn't eat a whole lot of bread. But read on to find out who does.
Southeast: Mac and CheeseWisconsin is the Dairy State, but the Southeast takes the lead when it comes to serving up gooey, creamy macaroni and cheese on Thanksgiving Day.
Central South: CornbreadIt wouldn't be a southern Thanksgiving without a slice of warm, buttery cornbread—or corn casserole. In fact, there are so many delicious southern Thanksgiving dishes, next week in honor or Auntie KiKi I’ll put together a collection of them.
Great Plains: Green Beans and Casseroles
...or you put them together for green bean casserole. This is an attempt at eating healthy (gotta get your vegetables in somewhere!).Great Lakes: Rolls and BiscuitsMidwesterners really like their rolls, and who can blame them? Pass the carbs...that’s me!!
Stuffing, Anyone?Like turkey, this dish is pretty universal. The difference, however, is that people in the South typically don't call it "stuffing"...unless it was actually baked inside the bird. Nope, to half of the country, this dish is referred to as "dressing."
Time for Pie!!Every part of the country serves pumpkin pie. But the Midwest or West, you might also be serving a cherry pie, too. The South is sweet potato pie and pecan pie, whereas New England and the Middle Atlantic stick to apple. So how does your family compares. What region of Thanksgiving are you?
November 6, 2017
Close to Home and Outer Space
by Maggie SeftonI'm pretty sure I gave a shout-out to all Cozy Chicks Blog readers and followers several months ago when my daughter Serena received what I call her "ticket to ride." Apologies to the original Beatles. Serena is a Doctor of Internal Medicine and is with NASA. She's also a NASA Astronaut. Early this year she finally got the "word" from NASA that she will be going up to the International Space Station on NASA Expedition 58 and 59 which is scheduled for launch in November 2018. She will then reside in the ISS with her fellow astronauts for six months.
NASA makes sure all the astronauts six-month tours start and end on varying dates, so there are no interruptions in the work they do on the ISS. I'm always amazed at all the scientific experiments that universities and other research organizations around the world send to the ISS for a six-month study. Lots of research studies are going on up there.
I promise that I will keep all the Cozy Chicks Blog readers and followers updated on all the happenings as those days draw closer next year. :) And you folks can chalk this post up to a Proud Mother Bragging.
November 5, 2017
A great soup for Fall!
By Mary Kennedy
I'm always on the lookout for a new soup, and this one is terrific!! I bet you have everything you need on hand and you can make it today. I cook mine in the crockpot.
Ribolitta1 onion, chopped3 carrots, chopped3 stalks celery, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced¼ c. olive oil1 or 2 small zucchini, chopped- not the giant ones3 c. greens, shredded- I like arugula or spinach, can also use chard1 can (19 oz.) white beans, drained1 can (19oz.) or 2cups tomatoes- 3 c. chicken broth (I use Better Than Bouillon low sodium paste.) In the soup aisle, in a jar.Salt and pepperRed pepper flakes (optional)
Sauté onion, garlic, celery and carrots in olive oil until soft. You can use PAM if you are watching calories. I also use the minced garlic that comes in a jar--easier!
Add everything else except beans, including stock. Stir, cover, and cook over low heat for about an hour.
Add beans and cook for about 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper. Toss in some home-made croutons. This will thicken the soup and give it some taste and texture. I started making my own croutons from left-over baguettes the I buy at the supermarket. Delish!
Bon appetit! Mary Kennedy
I'm always on the lookout for a new soup, and this one is terrific!! I bet you have everything you need on hand and you can make it today. I cook mine in the crockpot.
Ribolitta1 onion, chopped3 carrots, chopped3 stalks celery, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced¼ c. olive oil1 or 2 small zucchini, chopped- not the giant ones3 c. greens, shredded- I like arugula or spinach, can also use chard1 can (19 oz.) white beans, drained1 can (19oz.) or 2cups tomatoes- 3 c. chicken broth (I use Better Than Bouillon low sodium paste.) In the soup aisle, in a jar.Salt and pepperRed pepper flakes (optional)
Sauté onion, garlic, celery and carrots in olive oil until soft. You can use PAM if you are watching calories. I also use the minced garlic that comes in a jar--easier!
Add everything else except beans, including stock. Stir, cover, and cook over low heat for about an hour.
Add beans and cook for about 15 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper. Toss in some home-made croutons. This will thicken the soup and give it some taste and texture. I started making my own croutons from left-over baguettes the I buy at the supermarket. Delish!
Bon appetit! Mary Kennedy
