Make Your Pet A Star Contest

I thought long and hard about what would be a great kick-off contest.  I even took suggestions from my readers.  I finally decided to make someone’s pet a character in my next adventure of The Returns!  After all, most of the people that enjoy my books love their pets.  I thought it would be a good way to say “thanks” for their support.
The rules are easy and it will be fun for everyone.  *I’d actually like the first thing you do is read The Returns, but that’s just a given.
The first thing you have to do is “Like” our Facebook page.  http://on.fb.me/1bfaBvY  
Second:  Send me an email at thereturns7@gmail.com with a photo of your pet and a brief letter explaining who/what you believe they were before they were “returned” as your pet.  For example, Bentley was an FBI Agent and Tucker was a Navy SEAL.  When he was a human, Pierre was a world famous designer of haute couture fashion, and computer genius, while Bones once held the Featherweight Boxing title.  Use your imagination to come up with your furry friend’s previous human life. 
That is ALL you have to do to enter!!  The deadline for entries is December 22, 2013
On December 29, 2013: I will post the three most original entries on our Facebook page.  The pet that receives the most “likes” will become a character in my new book, The Returns #3.  How exciting will that be for some lucky dog or cat? 
Don’t delay, grab your camera, and snap a picture.  Feel free to discuss with your pet exactly what they did prior to being “returned” in their current animal body.  Most are more than happy to tell you all about their human exploits.  I look forward to hearing from you. 
 
**Recipe of the Day**
Big Batch Kris Kringle Cookies
Recipe and photo courtesy of Kraft: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar                  
2 eggs
1 tsp.  vanilla
2-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp.  baking soda
½ tsp.  salt
3 pkg.  (4 oz. each)  BAKER'S White Chocolate, chopped
2 cups chopped PLANTERS Pecans, toasted
2 cups dried cranberries
Directions
HEAT oven to 375ºF.
BEAT butter and sugars in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy.  Blend in eggs and vanilla.  Add flour, baking soda, and salt; mix well.  Stir in chocolate, nuts, and cranberries.
DROP rounded tablespoonful of dough, 1-1/2 inches apart, onto baking sheets.
BAKE 9 to 11 min. or until lightly browned.  Cool on baking sheets 3 min.; remove to wire racks.  Cool completely.
Kraft Kitchens Tips
Variation
Prepare as directed, replacing 6 oz. white chocolate with 6 oz. BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate or substitute chopped PLANTERS Walnuts or PLANTERS Slivered Almonds for the pecans; or chopped dried apricots or mixed dried fruit bits for the dried cranberries.
Size-Wise
You'll know it is a special occasion when the aroma from this special treat fills the house.
Freezing Cookie Dough
Enjoy homemade cookies anytime by preparing and freezing cookie dough in advance.  For slice-and-bake cookies, shape dough into logs, double wrap in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to use.  Then, just thaw, slice and bake.  For drop cookies, shape dough into balls, and then freeze on a baking sheet.  Store in a freezer-weight resealable plastic bag until ready to use.  Place frozen dough balls on baking sheets, thaw, and bake.  For cut-out cookies, pat dough into a disk, double wrap in plastic wrap and freeze.  When ready to bake, just thaw the dough, roll out, cut into shapes, and bake as directed.
 
**PetSavers Adoptable Pets of the Day**
Are you lonesome today?  Do you wish you had someone to love, share your secrets, enjoy long walks with, and play a few rounds of fetch?  Dreyfus is more than ready to fill your needs.  He has been waiting for an “adult only” home to call his own since June 2006!  That is a long time to need a loving place to snuggle.  Dreyfus is a strong strapping male hound mix that would enjoy a fenced yard and someone who likes to play.  He promises to give you all of his love and kisses in return for yours.  If this handsome fella looks like a perfect fit for you, please contact the great people at PetSavers and arrange to bring him home for Christmas.  http://www.petsaversshreveport.org/index.php