Happy Leap Day!

Seeing as how this is the last day of February (YAY!!!) and it's also a leap year, I think we need two whoppers to celebrate!

Yeah, I know it's mainly the camera angle, but still....

 Enjoy your Wednesday!

Tasty Tuesday Black Bean Mexican Soup!

 

I reckon there's still enough left of winter to want some nice, hot soup to keep you toasty, so here's a recipe I got from Linda Wisdom a while back. Unlike Diva Donna, she didn't send me a hunk pic to go with it. So I'm adding my own! I think the is the same fellow whose eyes matched his sheets a few days ago.

 

Black Bean Mexican Soup

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of whole kernel corn, drained (fresh or frozen corn can be used) (canned can be used to but lightly rinse them if they're salty)
1 C. salsa (your favorite kind)
2 C chicken broth
2 T lime (or lemon) juice
2 dashes (or more depending on your taste) hot sauce

Combine in pot (4 qt) bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer for 5 min.
Serve with a sprinkling of (optional but I highly recommend the first two)

Shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped green onion
Dollop of sour cream

Makes about 4 servings

Monday Moons!

I've gotten so many great buns pics from Sharon lately, I hardly know where to begin.

So here are three to kick off this hind end week of February. I think I like that last pair best!

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

And here's a little something for those of you who like their hunks slightly older and hairier.
I've got a guest blog up today on Literal Addiction! Come on over for your chance to win a copy of Stud!
Enjoy your Sunday!

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

Today, I'm in the mood for cute, and he fits that description.
Enjoy your Saturday!

Okay, Tatum! Your flotation device comment is the winner! Email me with your snail mail address and I'll send your copy of Stud to you asap!
cheryl.brooks52@yahoo.com

Friday Fun!

Okay gang! The promotional period for Stud is almost over, so this will be the last round of Write Your Own Caption for a while. The one who makes me laugh the hardest and hasn't already won this month, wins a free signed copy of Stud!

Whether you believe this is for real or not, (and, personally, I don't) you've got some serious meat to work with here. Go for it!

Thursday Thoughts

These pretty little fellows have been in bloom for a couple of weeks now, but I only got around to taking their picture yesterday.

I'd have thought that with my new work schedule, I'd find more time for things of that nature, but I haven't. I have found the time to read more, and not just the chapters sent to me by my critique partners. I'm also trying to read some newer stuff, rather than the Harry Potter books over and over again when I read to fall asleep.

I'm finding more and more that I like not working nights. I never realized just how bad I felt all the time until I go back after being off that schedule for a while. Some people were meant to be night owls, and some of us aren't. I think I'm one of the latter, which is an interesting discovery seeing as how I've only been doing it since 1976.

I've even had time to watch a little television. I've been watching The Voice and Smash. And FYI, the randy director on Smash (Jack Davenport) is the guy on whom Tychar, the hero of Rogue, is based. And yes, I still think he's hot. Quite roguish, in fact.

I'm probably watching The Voice more for Adam Levine than anything, although Blake Shelton is no slouch. Still, these days I'm more of a Maroon 5 fan than I am a country music enthusiast, though I have been in the past. It goes in cycles.























Still, what makes any of this blog-worthy (at least, on my blog) is that I'm actually able to discuss a couple of TV shows now, which is something I haven't done in ages. I'm looking forward to watching Awake, which boasts Jason Isaacs as the star, another of my long-time faves, who is reportedly a much nicer fellow than many of the parts he's played. He was SUCH a badass in The Patriot, but looked damn good while doing it.














And though he was marvelously evil in the Harry Potter movies,






















I look forward to seeing him be the good guy for once.

I might even be inspired to write something new with one of these three as the hero. One never knows when inspiration will strike, so it pays to be open to it when it comes. 

Or perhaps that Playgirl site Alicia sent me to will help.... 

Remember these guys, Alicia? 

LOL! The hunks were certainly hairier in those days!

Whopping Weasel Wednesday!

The Cat Master isn't feeling so well today. Not sure I'm up to tackling this one. Looks like he's all yours! Enjoy!

Tasty Fat Tuesday Pecan Orange Bread!

Guest blogging on two sites today. Long and Short Erotic Romance and Simply Kayla's Book Reviews! Come on over and post a comment for your chance to win a free copy of Stud!

To celebrate Mardi Gras, here's a sinfully delicious recipe from our own Diva Donna!

You want something special and easy for breakfast for your sexy beast on Fat Tuesday? This is it.
Belle Oaks Inn Pecan Orange Bread!

Pecan Orange Bread

















Ingredients
- 1 can(s) pillsbury grands 8 ct. buttermilk biscuits

- 1 can(s) pillsbury grands 5 ct. buttermilk biscuits

- 1 c sugar

- 1 stk unsalted butter, melted

- 2 sm oranges

- 1/2 c confectioner's sugar

- 1/2 c pecans, chopped

- 1 pkg cream cheese

- 1 dash(es) orange extract

Directions

1. Spray a large bundt pan liberally with non-stick spray. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Pour sugar into small bowl. Zest both oranges and add to sugar. Mix to combine. Reserve oranges to juice for glaze.
3. Melt butter. Pour a small amount of butter into the bundt pan and spread 1/2 the pecans in the bottom.

4. Open the cans of biscuits. Taking one biscuit at a time, open each biscuit and insert 1 tsp. of cream cheese into the center. Press to seal. Dip the biscuit in butter and then dip in sugar-orange zest mixture, coating entire biscuit. Stand biscuit in bundt pan on its side. Repeat with remaining biscuits, creating a circle around the bundt pan.

5. Pour remaining butter over the biscuits and sprinkle remaining pecans on top.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, or until biscuits are puffed and golden.
7. Remove from oven and turn bread out from bundt pan onto desired serving platter.
8. Mix confectioner's sugar with the juice from the oranges to create a glaze. You may add a dash of orange extract if desired to intensify the orange flavor. Use as much juice as needed to create a glaze consistency you like. Drizzle glaze over bread while still warm.
9. Best when served warm, but can also be served at room temperature. Reheat in microwave for 30 seconds if desired.

Happy President's Day!

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln is credited with using the first emoticon? (a smiley face)

He is also the tallest president (6'4") and had the largest shoe size of any president (14).

I guess from that we can extrapolate that he might have been a WWW candidate.

Not sure I want to go there...

 
Here are some nice moons to take your mind off that.

And if those don't make you faint, Ana, here are some more that Donna sent me.

Thanks to Abraham Lincoln and his Emancipation Proclamation, and George Washington, who was the only Founding Father to free his slaves, these buns are FREE! 

Good news! They found Suzie's purse and the other girl's wallet near where her purse was found. Guess we should've gotten out and looked when we were there instead of just driving by. No sign of Suzie's wallet or glasses, but at least we can assume they didn't keep her ID.

Enjoy your holiday!

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

LOL! The sheets match his eyes!

And I'm sure that's the first thing you noticed!

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

Looks almost apologetic, doesn't he?

Hey, Alicia! You're the winner! Will send out a signed copy of Stud to you soon!

Friday Fun!

Leaving Gatlinburg today. :(
While we're on the road, hop on over to Night Owl Romance Blogspot for your chance to win a free copy of Stud!
But before you go, WRITE YOUR OWN CAPTION!!!!

Thursday in Gatlinburg!
Yesterday we took a drive down the road the purse thieves took, looking for Suzie's purse, but since this is what was alongside the road most of the time, I have a feeling it will never be found.

We did explore parts of the mountains we'd never seen before. This is the campground at Cade's Cove, which is probably quite nice when it isn't raining.

We had lunch at the Riverstone Restaurant in Townsend. Great food, cute waiter named Shay who took our picture for us. Sorry, no picture of him, so you'll have to settle for my description. Tall, skinny, dark curly hair, plaid shirt, nice Tennessee accent, and a good sense of humor--which is important to have when you're dealing with this bunch.

On the way back to Gatlinburg, we stopped at several gift shops, including this woodcarving place where Willy met some new friends. He wanted to bring her home, but she was too big for him and too pricey for me.

And the same goes for this bunch.

Added to the fact that none of them would've fit in the car. How do people ever get these things home?????

Thursday Thoughts

I'm being interviewed today on My Book Addiction and More! Come on over for your chance to win a free copy of Stud!

Thought for the day

Don't you wish they'd interview football players this way?????





















Now for further thoughts.... A lovely hike through the mountains was spoiled by a couple of punks who broke out windows and stole Suzie's purse out of Terri's car.

About the best part of the experience was the park ranger. Young. Cute. Very nice. Sorry there aren't any pictures, but there will be a story about him someday....

In the meantime here are a few pictures taken along the way. 

Clearly this is the one sign we should've heeded....

Willy didn't pay attention to this one...


















And fell on his dick.

After I figured out how to work the timer on my camera, I took this one.

And this is Laurel Falls!

Now see if you can spot Willy!

















Then we hiked back down the hill and found broken glass by Terri's car. And then I noticed the window was broken out. Suzie's purse was missing, along with a purse taken from another car. Fortunately, she had her phone and got her credit cards cancelled. I rode back with the park ranger, pumped him for information, and a story will, I'm sure, eventually follow. I think I'll call it Fiasco at the Falls....

The auto glass guys are supposed to come and fix the window in the morning.
After a nap, we went to Crawdaddy's for dinner and karaoke. Great hamburgers and a fun waiter. Terri and I sang Hotel California and Goodbye Earl, then I sang Desperado by myself.

We got a waving lighter on the first song, a girl told me we were real cute on the second, and I got a whistle on Desperado. Then we came home. All in all, an interesting day...

Whopping Weasel Wednesday!

Today's whopper before the Yah Yahs tickled him.....

And after.....

Tuesday in Gatlinburg!

Had a great time at the murder mystery theater last night. Great fun and the food was good too! 

LOL! And they gave us weapons!

As you can see, the play takes place all around you. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. Highly recommended!

 

I'd tell you how whodunit, but we took a solemn oath not to tell!

Tasty Tuesday Banana Pudding Squares

Happy Valentine's Day! To celebrate, here's another treat from our own Diva Donna! Might have to make this one while we're in Gatlinburg!

  

Banana Pudding Squares

Ingredients

35 nilla wafers, crushed

1/4 c margarine, melted (1/2 stick)

1 pkg philadelphia cream cheese, softened (8 oz.)

1/2 c powdered sugar

1 tub cool whip, thawed, divided (8 oz)

3 bananas (Peeled)

3 c milk cold

2 pkg jell-o vanilla flavor instant pudding (4-serving

size each)

1/2 square of baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate,

grated or I use a few minature choc. chips sprinkled on top

Directions

1. COMBINE wafer crumbs and margarine; press firmly onto bottom of 9×13-inch dish. Refrigerate while preparing filling. **I have to double the crust ingredients to get it to cover the bottom of a 9X13 pan

2. MIX cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in 1-1/2 cups of the whipped topping; spread carefully onto crust. Set aside. Slice bananas and arrange over cream cheese mixture.

3. POUR milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. Spoon over bananas. Spread with remaining whipped topping; sprinkle with chocolate (optional. **I haven’t put the chocolate on yet….I like to put a layer of Nilla Wafers on top or just leave the cool whip as the topping

4. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. Store leftovers in refrigerator (if there are any : )

5. When ready to serve cut into squares and put chocolate grated or chips on top. (optional)

Donna supplied a unpeeled Banana. Be sure to peel off that skin tight shirt before eating.

Monday in Gatlinburg!

First of all, this is where we're staying. If any gorgeous hunks have nothing better to do, drop by and see us like yesterdays' Monday Moon did.

After breakfast, we walked down to the 5D Shoot 'em Up and rode the mechanical boat/horse while blasting away at the pirates and outlaws. Fun stuff!

Then we did a bit of shopping. While we sampled the jerky, Willy was excited to finally find a potty that was just his size!

After all that shopping, Willy and I had to rest for a while. 

We met for lunch at Bubba Gump's, We sat in the same booth as we did the last time, but didn't get the same waiter. Shane was there,  though, and remembered us quite well! Our new waiter, Vasyl (vass-EEL) was very cute, although he does tend to make faces when he's photographed. He has the most fabulous accent I've ever heard in my life--he sounded like exotic chocolate. 

The food was great, and we ate way too much. I told Terri not to order the appetizer sampler!

As you can see, we probably drank too much too!

Then it was back to shopping. Willy stopped to celebrate Valentine's Day with a new friend. 

After buying some really heavy stuff at The Pepper Palace and having a lengthy and slightly strange discussion with the guy who worked there, I trudged back up the hill to the hotel and got caught up on my blogging. Along the way, Willy and I stopped to take pictures of the frozen fountain. 

Then it was back to the room to rest up before going out for dinner. But we wound up ordering pizza. Shopping is hard on a bunch of old women!