Terry Odell's Blog, page 202

Sorry About That!

Somehow, my blog and website databases got corrupted, and the only backup the host could find was for March. I apologize for missing posts. I’m in the process of moving to a new website host, and am hopeful that things will get back to normal soon.

Friday Field Trip — Coldwater Canyon Park

While I was in Los Angeles, my mom and I went down to Coldwater Canyon Park, which has been vastly upgraded since I lived there. Thought I’d share some of the landscaping with you today.

Note the butterfly. There were hummingbirds, too, but I didn’t have a long enough lens.

In case you’re wondering, the tall yellow flowers are Agave vilmoriniana — octopus agave (thanks to Hubster for identifying it), and if you want to get an idea of how tall they are, here’s my mom standing next to one.

And her...

Slipping into the Past

What I’m reading: A Month at the Shore, by Antoinette Stockenberg.

Recent reads: When Lightning Strikes, by Brenda Novak; A Stranger in the Family, by Patricia McLinn.
Reminders: The Booklover’s Bench May contest is live.

My newsletter went out this morning. If you’re a subscriber, check your inbox–there are special offers and a contest exclusively for my subscribers. If you’re not a subscriber, click the newsletter tab and sign up so you’ll get the next one. They come out quarterly.

I spent a fe...

What’s Cooking Wednesday — Morning Glory Muffins

Today’s recipe comes from Kathy Perry, a reader and book club member. Here’s what she says:

Instead of a photo of the muffins, this is a shot I took of sunrise looking towards Wilkerson Pass from South Park last summer. This recipe is from the Chocolate Turtle B&B in Corrales, New Mexico and from a recipe book I got from a shop in Santa Fe recently. It makes about 18–24

Morning Glory Muffins

Ingredients:

2 c flour

½ c sweetened shredded coconut (opt)

1 t. cinnamon

1 c chopped pecans

2 t. baking soda

1...

In the Interview Room — Karla Brandenburg

Today I welcome Karla Brandenburg to Terry’s Place. Karla writes, as one reviewer on Goodreads.com says, “the perfect blend of romance and mystery.” She recently won a Writer’s Digest Award ebook award for fiction for her novel, “Mist on the Meadow.”

Setting: real, totally made up, or based on a real place?

I base my settings on real places so I have a sense of what I’m writing about, places that jump out at me as out of the ordinary. I’m often inspired by an interesting old house, or different...

Writing For Your Audience

What I’m reading: Cover of Snow, by Jenny Milchman

Reminder: Booklover’s Bench May Contest is live.

There are those who say genre fiction is formulaic. I’m with those who say there are genre expectations. A romance must have a happily ever after; a mystery should resolve the crime. A thriller should deal with a world-threatening crisis. As I’ve been working on my next Blackthorne, Inc. book, which have been categorized as “action adventure romance,” I’m dealing with what amounts to a promise to...

Friday Field Trip — Divide, Colorado

While I’m in Los Angeles, I thought I’d share some pictures of what it’s like to live out where I do. First, here’s downtown Divide

The above view includes the Ancestral Arts gift shop (which I confess to being in only once–I think it’s geared more to the tourists on their way to and from Cripple Creek or the ski resorts.)

And Venture Foods, which means if you run out of something, you don’t have to drive half way down the mountain to get it. That was one of my “rules” when we were house huntin...

Brenda Novak’s Online Auction

I’m en route to Los Angeles for a short family visit and to attend my high school reunion. Today is the first day of Brenda Novak’s annual auction for diabetes research. I’ve donated a set of collectibles–4 out of print books. I hope you’ll bid, if not on them, then on anything else at the auction. There are always fantastic treasures to be had. Clicking the image below should take you to my donation page.

I’m en route to Los Angeles for a short family visit and ...

I’m en route to Los Angeles for a short family visit and to attend my high school reunion. Today is the first day of Brenda Novak’s annual auction for diabetes research. I’ve donated a set of collectibles–4 out of print books. I hope you’ll bid, if not on them, then on anything else at the auction. There are always fantastic treasures to be had. Clicking the image below should take you to my donation page.

What’s Cooking Wednesday — Poppy Seed Casserole

I used to make this all the time for the kids, who really enjoyed it (which meant they’d ask for it). I used ground turkey, but you could use ground beef if you wanted. Sorry, no picture because I’m busy getting ready to leave for my high school reunion and I’m not cooking this week.

Poppy Seed Casserole

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey

1/3 c. chopped onion

1/3 c. chopped green pepper

1 15-oz can tomato sauce

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

8-oz pkg. wide noodles (cooked and drained)

8-oz Neufchatel che...