Edith Maxwell's Blog, page 163

The Best of Thanksgiving–Leftovers Edition

[image error]Hi Wickeds. Everyone knows Thanksgiving includes the famous feast, but one of my favorite holiday traditions is the day and even the weekend after the big event when we have that best part of the Thanksgiving holiday–leftovers.

So spill it, Wickeds. What is your favorite after-Thanksgiving treat? Besides revenge, what is the dish best served cold?

Jessie: I love to make an open-faced stuffing waffle sandwich. You spread leftover stuffing onto a preheated waffle maker and bake until hot and crispy. Then you make a sort of turkey salad filling. I mix some mayo, a spoonful of cranberry sauce and a dollop of chipotle in adobo sauce together with chopped, leftover turkey. I pile it onto the stuffing waffle and eat it with a knife and fork. Delicious!

Julie: Jessie, I need to try that this year! It sounds delicious. I love it all. We make roasted root vegetables that are great all for the next meals, and work well in sandwiches too. I make GREAT candied yams, but they rarely make it to the left over stage, and are best warm. And of course, the desserts are better the next day, especially when you have room to really enjoy them.

Liz: My Thanksgiving dinner is usually comprised of sides since I don’t do turkey. I love to make lots of roasted veggies , which are good either warmed up or added to salads. And also, pumpkin pie!

[image error]Edith: Pie for breakfast! I always make three kinds, and usually two pumpkin pies, so we have leftovers. Yum. And I love my mother’s bread stuffing: torn up bread, onions and celery sauteed in loads of butter, poultry seasonings like sage and rosemary, and chopped walnuts. I like it so much I can eat it cold the next day.

Sherry: I love to make a casserole of leftover stuffing, turkey, and some gravy. It’s heaven. It’s something my mom always did and her stuffing is the best.

Barb: Pie for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving is a favorite of my kids and their families. I usually make an “extra” apple pie and leave it home when we go to my sister-in-law’s. But my favorite is a turkey sandwich, the best part of Thanksgiving dining for me.  Toasted white bread, mayo, turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Yum!

Readers, which leftovers are your favorites? Leave a comment for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Murder Flies the Coop by Jessica Ellicott!

Thank You to Family Members

Hi Wickeds. When we’re together, we talk a lot about family. I’m wondering, on this Thanksgiving Eve, if there’s a special family member you’d like to express your gratitude to or for. Maybe someone a little further out in the circle–in-law, aunt, uncle, cousin? Let’s hear your stories.

[image error]Edith: My aunt Jo (Joan, pronounced Joann) Maxwell Reinhardt was my father’s younger sister and was always my favorite. She was tall and elegant while still being down to earth. Her meals and baked goods were to die for, and she had a ready tinkling laugh. She made you feel like you had all her attention, to the point of her mouth almost moving with the words you said. I had a permanent welcome in her and my uncle Dick’s lovely San Francisco row house. Jo still seemed so young when she died nearly ten years ago at age 82, and I miss her greatly – although I see glimmers of her in her three sons, my cousins – and I’m grateful for the unconditional love she offered me.

Julie: I’m so blessed in the family department. Tomorrow I’ll be spending the day with my sister’s family, and her in-laws. I love these get-togethers. Pat Spence, my brother-in-law’s sister, and I are SO alike. We love our shared nieces fiercely, are huge Star Trek: The Next Generation fans, both bring crafts to work on during the day, and love to laugh. I’m going to give her a shout-out here.

Liz: My grandfather was my favorite person ever, from the time I was a kid and he used to sit for hours listening to me play the piano (badly, I’m sure) or give him a private dance recital (which was also terrible, since I got kicked out of dance). He was a detective, and I have to credit my love for all things crime to him. It’s hard to believe he’s been gone for 17 years – I still wish I could spend an afternoon with him listening to his stories.

Jessie: I am always overwhelmingly grateful for my younger sister. She is one of those people is loyal to the marrow, generous to a fault and has never seen a glass that wasn’t at least three-quarters full. She is a faithful friend, fierce mother and a bright light that never seems to flicker. Truly I am blessed to be associated with her.

Barb: This is a hard one, because I have many wonderful relatives. Since we’re going further afield in this post, I would like to say how grateful I am for Marilyn Mick. She is my husband’s brother’s ex-wife’s cousin’s wife. In other words, we’re not related. But she has been an absolute stalwart of support for me. She’s often hosted our family holiday parties, and hosted my daughter’s bridal shower and her baby shower. She’s been a supporter of my books and writing life, a sharer of friends and traditions, a thrower of Super Bowl parties, and a friend and confidant. I am so grateful.

[image error]Sherry: My Aunt Pat isn’t a blood relative but my mom’s sorority sister. She was beautiful, interesting, funny, and oh, so full of life. They lived in Arizona, very far from me in Iowa so each visit was extra special. Everyone should have an Aunt Pat in their lives. Aunt Pat always told the story of one of their visits when I was in high school. I was supposed to clear the table and do the dishes but told my mom that I needed to talk to Aunt Pat. The picture of us is the last time I saw her — she died unexpectedly six months later. But it’s a perfect example of how fun it was to be around her — the cigars are cookies.

Hey readers, today Liz is giving away an ARC of Murder She Meowed and a JJ’s House of Purrs tote bag to two commenters! Who is your special not so close family member?

The Detective’s Daughter – Room Enough

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Kim in Baltimore watching The Closer instead of writing.  [Don’t tell!]

For twenty-five years the kitchen table served as my office. You could say I was a traveling writer. Every time my family ate a meal, all my writing – notebooks, pens, computer, thesaurus- was moved to an unoccupied chair or the seldom used dining room table.  It was while shuffling my belongings to that very table that I came up with my idea.

I decided that day to claim the dining room as my own. My husband had the garage and my children each had their own bedroom. I deserved a room of my own, too. With the help of my family, I set out to change our neglected dining room into my writing studio. [image error]

Over the past three years this room has become my sanctuary. I come here to think, write,  and read as well as meditate, do yoga and work on my collages and mosaics. The blush-colored walls and crystal chandelier lend an air of romance to the room. An old mantle piece and bamboo screens add charm. Mementos of trips and retreats along with candles line my desk.

I’ve created a happy place to work and dream. I am a firm believer [image error]that everyone needs a room of their own.

Dear readers, do you have a special place in your home where you can relax? Please share a comment below and you will have a chance to win Into The Woods, an anthology which includes my latest short story, In the Darkness of the Woods.

Puppy’s First Christmas

Jessie: In New Hampshire where there several inches of fresh snow blanket the ground.

[image error]Back in September one of my sons adopted a puppy. It is wriggly, piddly and exasperating. It is also adorable, cheering and impossible not to love. While I have had  dogs many years ago I have never had a puppy under my roof. I am both looking forward to the gift giving season and feeling a bit baffled by it too.

When I was a child my mother had a pet Pekingnese named Juanita who loved Christmas with a desperate passion. She would lie beneath the tree and snuffle the presents as soon as they started to appear. She, herself,  was a Christmas present  to my mother and one that was a delight to all the family. It went without saying that she would have gifts of her own to open along with the rest of us.

Juanita usually received gifts of doggy treats as she did not have much interest in toys. Sampson, my son’s puppy is a dog of wider ranging tastes. He seems enamoured of all manner of rawhide, crunchy treats, chewy treats, plastic water bottles and a stuffed alpaca named Paco. He races after balls and pounces on a stuffed toy shaped like the Millenium Falcon. He likely has more gear than he needs already.

But I can’t help but feel he needs a few things of his own under the tree. Like Juanita I am sure he will wish to be included, and rightly so. What I wonder, dear readers, is if you have any suggestions for me as to gifts a young pup would enjoy? Should I knit him a sweater? Do dogs really appreciate waterproof booties? What about those toys that you put treats into for them to wriggle out after much effort is expended? Any wisdom you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Readers, leave a comment with a gift suggestion for Sampson or a Christmas gifting memory of your own for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Murder Flies the Coop by Jessica Ellicott.

Congratulations Julie Hennrikus!

You may know Julie through her wonderful books, but Julie is also an arts advocate. We were so thrilled that Julie was named a 2018 Champion of Artists by the Massachusetts Artist Leaders Coalition. You can read more about Julie and her work in the arts here.

Julie received the award last Wednesday morning and we couldn’t be happier for her.  Here’s a picture of her certificate: [image error]

We wish we could have been there to see you presented with this incredible achievement.

[image error]Photo by Sylvia Stagg Giuliano
[image error]With fellow recipients Adrienne Hawkins, Meri Jenkins, and Lou Jones.

Thank you for your dedication to the arts. We love you.

Readers: Sherry is giving away a copy of one of her books to someone who leaves a comment. Have you ever won an award? Or just say hi or congratulate Julie!

Thankful to Our Readers: Week Three Winners

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The winner of Yule Log Murder is Julie Mink. Please e-mail your snail mail address to barbaraross at maineclambakemysteries dot com.

The winner of The Death of an Ambitious Woman is Sandy Giden. Please email your snail mail address to barbaraross at maineclambakemysteries dot com.

The winners of Pruning the Dead ARCs are Michelle Filder, Sue Farrell, and Melissa Castor. Email me a jhauthors@jhauthors.com with your snail mail addresses and I’ll get them in the mail!

The winner of A Borrowing of Bones is Kay Garrett! Please email your snail mail address to Sherryharrisauthor@gmail.com

Good luck to everyone next week!

Opening Lines

Add an opening line to the following photo.

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Thanks once again to Bill Carito for being “the hand.”

Julie: Now, if they’d used the common sense that the good lord gave a goose, they would have bolted the door. But no, they didn’t want to get up and answer the door when their friends arrived.

Edith: “Gimme the knife, quick,” he whispered. “She’s got me by the back of the shirt!”

Barb: The hand model auditions were going terribly.

Jessie: After a recent spate of fires hotel management implemented an unorthodox, some might say excessive, new guest safety education program. The simple solution was for someone to call their attention to the evacuation plan mounted on door.

Sherry: The magician’s disappearing act wasn’t going as planned.  This is the last time he was going to use his mother-in-law to book his shows.

 

[image error]Readers: Give us your opening line for a story based on this photo, or just say “hi” to be entered to win a hardcopy of Barb’s first published mystery, The Death of an Ambitious Woman. The giveaway is open to all geographies.

Gratitude is My Attitude

by Julie, making the lists for the Thanksgiving desserts in Somerville

[image error]I’ve talked about my online business school for performing artists that I’m starting. While I feel that the work of helping artists get over the obstacles in their path is my calling, it doesn’t make marketing the school and working on getting students any less daunting. I’ve decided to start doing videos on YouTube about arts issues (including building mailing lists, creating a landing site for audiences, and helping folks fall in love with the arts), but in order to get a dedicated URL I needed 100 subscribers. I had 18. My business coach told me to put it out there on Facebook, and ask folks to subscribe. Within four hours I’d reached the goal.

I felt like George Bailey at the end of It’s A Wonderful Life.

Here’s what I understand now more than ever. Gratitude is everything. I have expertise in arts management, but that makes me no less grateful to the folks who want to learn from me. I work hard at writing good books, but that makes me no less grateful that folks want to read them. Grateful.

Kindness is a core value, and I try to exercise it. Nevertheless, I’m humbled that it is returned to me tenfold everyday by folks. Grateful.

I have been blessed to work with many artists over the years. But to be named a Champion of Artists by the Massachusetts Artists Leadership Coalition? Beyond grateful. Humbled.

Finally, there are the Wickeds. Folks often comment that we seem to like each other, and that’s because we do. But it’s more than that. These women are my support system in a million different ways, and for that I am beyond grateful. Writing and publishing are two different topics, but the Wickeds are helpful with both. My path is both easier and more fun because I have them in my life. Wicked grateful for that.

Making gratitude my attitude is a gift to myself, really. And during this month, a week before my favorite holiday, I’m making it a daily practice. My gratitude extends to you, dear readers. You have made the Wicked Authors a part of your life, and for that I am grateful.

I’m also grateful that I have a new series coming out in January, and I have ARCs to give away. Today I’ll give two commenters on the blog an ARC of Pruning the Dead.

Wicked Wednesday: Thank You to Our Life Mentors

[image error]Hi Wickeds. In the past, we’ve said thank you to some of our writing mentors. But what about life in general? Is there someone who had an influence on your life, who either gave you great advice or modeled how to be in the world or supported you at a time when you really needed it that you’d like to say something about? Let us know below.

Julie: The universe supplies me with the teachers I need as I need them. Every one of the Wickeds has acted as a mentor at one point or another. My friend Susan Able has lifted me up.  I’ve got a business coach, Sue Zimmerman, who is mentoring me as I start my online business school for performing artists. I’ve had wonderful mentors, and have tried to be a good mentor to others.

Liz: Like Julie, the Wickeds have all played that part for me at some point. My dear friend Dacia Jackson, who sadly passed away last week, was another incredible influence in my life. She was someone who loved people unconditionally. No matter the situation, she always had the wisest words and most insightful ways of looking at life.

Barb: When I was in my late twenties and early thirties, learning to be a manager and a mom at the same time, my early mentors were my female colleagues at Information Mapping, especially Kathy Schiff and Nancy Fohl. Kathy taught me so much about managing people with humor and generosity in a way that made them productive and therefore happy at work. Nancy’s kids were older than mine and she was a constant source of hard-won wisdom about parenting and work. I am forever grateful.

Sherry: I can’t mention just one person. I’ve been so lucky to have so many girlfriends that provided support through the ups and downs of life. With all the moves as an adult there always seemed to be the right women there when I needed them. Thanks to all of you!

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Edith: I’ve only known my 86-year-old friend Annie for about fifteen years, after she and her third husband became regulars at Quaker Meeting. Annie has gotten more frail over the years (and has lost her dear Richard, whom I also adored), but she continues to inspire me to be an activist, speak my mind, work on staying strong, and age graciously. If she can do it,  I surely can.

 

Readers, do you have a life mentor who was a help to you? Leave a comment for a chance to win an ARC of Julia Henry’s new book, Pruning the Dead!

The Wickeds Hit Crime Bake

Edith here, still recovering from a fabulous (and teensy bit stressful, since I was co-chair of the whole affair) New England Crime Bake.

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All the Wickeds were there once again! So, ladies, share your favorite pictures and your favorite moments!

Edith: I was so lucky to have C. Michele Dorsey as my calm experienced conference co-chair.

[image error]We had one hour to go before the end of Crime Bake, so we’re tired and happy.

Our guest of honor, the great Walter Mosley, was brilliant and entertaining and generous with his time. We awarded Kate Flora, a friend and mentor to many of us, the well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Here I am with Walter and Kate. She was delighted to have a tiara as part of the package!

Liz: As usual, the whole weekend was fabulous (great job, Edith and Michele!), and Walter Mosley was an incredible guest of honor. He has such an interesting way of looking at the world, and I felt fortunate to be privy to some of his insights. Here he is, being interview by Michele Dorsey. [image error]And of course, spending time with the Wicked gang is always the best part of this weekend, and of course seeing all our other friends from near and far! My other highlight – teaching a master class with Julie! We taught about seven steps to create an author’s life that feeds your soul. And we had a blast![image error]

[image error]Sherry: Crime Bake is always fantastic. I always love being in New England and being around New Englanders. Usually when I’m at Crime Bake I’m just an attendee but this year I also had my Sisters in Crime president role. I got to sit in on the SinC New England chapter’s board meeting and talk to them briefly, was on a panel, and sat at the head table right next to Walter Mosley. In my attendee role I went to two incredible master classes — one with Walter Mosley and one taught by Julie Hennrikus and Liz Mugavero. The panels I attended were fantastic. Then as everyone has said seeing friends and encouraging a just starting on her writing journey author. I always learn so much while I’m there. I also bought books and got them signed!

Barb: This was my most relaxing Crime Bake in years since I wasn’t on the committee or giving a big presentation. I realize my history at mystery conferences is the same as my history at conferences when I was in the educational technology industry. First you go like a sponge, taking every class, attending every session, writing notes furiously. As the years go by, you become focused on business meetings and your own presentations. Finally, you reach the stage I’m at now, where you have a list of friends you absolutely want to touch base with. I got to see a bunch of them, but only saw some others across a crowded room. Regretting that now. Next time, I may make an actual list.

Julie: I had such a wonderful time seeing the Wickeds, but like Barb I didn’t see so many folks! Edith did a great job as co-chair. Michele Dorsey did a wonderful interview with Walter Mosley. And Walter Mosley was a really wonderful Guest of Honor, laying down truth tracks about the life of a writer that both inspired and were grounding. Liz and I had a wonderful time teaching our class. I also really enjoyed talking to folks who were new to Crime Bake. It is such a great conference for writers, and it was great to see so many folks soaking it in.

Readers: Sherry is giving away one of the books she bought at Crime Bake. It’s a signed copy of A Borrowing of Bones by Paula Munier. It’s the first in a new series and Sherry loved it. Which do you like better starting a new series or staying with the tried and true? Leave a comment below or just say hi for a chance to win.