Lisa Carter's Blog, page 3

Two Minute #Video—Why Kayaking Might be Your Perfect New Hobby

For more behind the scene photos about Hometown Reunion, visit Pinterest.

Behind the Scenes Inspiration from Hometown Reunion

One of my favorite Eastern Shore places—the Island Creamery on Chincoteague Island, Virginia—

 

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For more behind the scene photos about Hometown Reunion, visit Pinterest.

Daytime Dreaming in a Treehouse

As a child, I had a favorite dogwood tree that I climbed. I spent many a summer day in its highest branches looking out over my yard to the forest and into the sky dreaming dreams of my future.

This spot high above the rest of the world was my special place well into my teens. I climbed the tree just before I got in the car and drove away to college for the first time.

I climbed the tree one final time—the day before I got married.

Did you have a special childhood spot? A secret place that was all your own?

Here are a few treehouses that inspired Darcy’s treehouse in Hometown Reunion—

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For more behind the scene photos about Hometown Reunion, visit Pinterest.

Southern Pimento Cheese #Recipe

This is a quick, Southern go-to lunch item. A lot of Southern cooks keep a batch of pimento cheese ready in the refrigerator—just in case somebody drops by around lunchtime.

Ingredients:

New York Sharp Cheddar block[image error]

4 oz jar of pimento

Mayo

Directions:

1. Finely shred half of cheddar block into a large bowl. Do not use pre-shredded cheese which contains too much moisture. I slice the block into sections and use a handheld rotary shredder. I got mine at Target. My aunt is still using the shredder she bought in France sixty years ago.

2. Dump the pimento with juice onto a plate and mash (don’t you love the fancy cooking terms?) the pimentos “to release the flavors.”

3. Combine shredded cheese, pimentos, and mayo (1/3 to 1/2 cup??? experiment till “looks right”)

4. Refrigerate. Spread onto bread for sandwiches (the traditional Southern way) or use crackers.

A flavorful Southwest version might include adding some cayenne and jalapenos.

Enjoy.

For more recipes and behind the scene photos of Beneath a Navajo Moon, visit http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/beneath-a-navajo-moon/.

Kayaking Inspiration for Hometown Reunion

In researching Hometown Reunion, it was a lot of fun learning about kayaking. To celebrate finishing the novel, my family and I actually took a kayaking adventure in the beautiful tidal marshlands on the Eastern Shore.

Have you ever kayaked? Where were you?

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This is the Onanock, VA harbor

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For more behind the scene photos about Hometown Reunion, visit Pinterest.

For the Love of Swings—Inspiration for Hometown Reunion

[image error]As a child, I loved to swing. Higher and higher. Faster and faster. The closest thing I could get to flying. Soaring into the wild, blue yonder.

What did you like to do as a child?

Here is the tree swing inspiration for Hometown Reunion—

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In the future, I can picture Darcy reading to Brody in the swing.

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Love this idea

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I imagine Darcy sitting in her childhood swing one last time on the day of her wedding.

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For more behind the scene photos about Hometown Reunion, visit Pinterest.

Three Minute Kayaking #Video on Virginia’s Eastern Shore

Time to take a coffee break and enjoy the tidal marshlands of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

For more behind the scene photos about Hometown Reunion, visit Pinterest.

A Vast and Gracious Tide official book trailer

I hope you’ll join me on a grand adventure to the Outer Banks of North Carolina as Caden and McKenna find so much more than they could ever imagine in this beach happily-ever-after story.

 

 

For more behind the scene info on A Vast and Gracious Tide, visit Pinterest.

Chasing Bubbles—Inspiration from Hometown Reunion

I still love to blow bubbles. And it is so fun to watch the look of wonder on children’s faces as they run to catch them. I think if everyone made it a daily practice to either blow bubbles or crayon color in a coloring book, we would all be less stressed and more happy.

What do you think?

 

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For more behind the scene photos about Hometown Reunion, visit Pinterest.

Quick Lasagna #recipe

This recipe is so quick and easy. Five minutes preparation time. One hour to bake.[image error]

You could make your own spaghetti sauce if you’re a purist. But why? Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Ingredients:

•1- 2 jars spaghetti sauce

• 6 cooked lasagna noodles

• 1 (15 oz.) container of Ricotta cheese

• 2 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese

• 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

You could also layer in other favorite additions, such as hamburger, spinach or sausage.

Directions:

Spread 1 cup (or more as needed) of spaghetti sauce to cover bottom of 2-quart baking dish.
Top sauce with 3 cooked noodles, Ricotta cheese, 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and 1 cup suace.
Top with remaining 3 noodles and sauce.
Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.
Top with remaining Mozzarella cheese. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy.

For more recipes from The Deputy’s Perfect Match, visit Pinterest.