Friday Fun!

After you finish having fun with this dude, hop on over to Casablanca Authors for your chance to win an ARC of Wildcat!

Then again, he might keep you busy for a while.

Thursday Thoughts

I passed the 60,000 word mark on the Rascal manuscript yesterday. Theoretically, that means I only have another 30K to go. This is a fun one with bad guys, action sequences, dastardly plots, and rescue missions, which makes the writing of it that much easier. When the story is entirely about a relationship, the pacing is much tougher to maintain. What makes this one even more fun is that I'm truly making it up as I go along. I know we're going to go from point A to point D via points B and C, but the details are vague enough that I can still uncover a few surprises and stumble onto some "AHA!" moments.

I'm very happy to be making progress on it because the deadline is March 1. The virtual tour for Wildcat will be going on throughout February, which means that I'll be writing guest blogs in January. That leaves December to focus on writing Rascal, and December is almost here! Yikes! Scary thought! Makes me wonder how I ever kept up with all of this stuff when I worked full time. But of course, I was younger then.

However, I've still got plenty of imagination left in me, and I'm guessing this fellow does too!

Whopping Weasel Wednesday!

Here's the guy I was referring to in last week's Whopper post.

I mean, is he straight as a poker or what?

Tasty Tuesday Cranberry Pumpkin Bread!

I tried something new with my Thanksgiving leftovers this year. I had a little bit of pumpkin puree, some buttermilk left over from making something or other but not enough to do it again (you know what I'm talking about), and the remains of the whole cranberry sauce that I'd made, basically for me and Mike, which means there was a lot of it left. I usually find it, moldy and weird, in the back of the refrigerator months later. This time, I resolved to make it disappear.

But what to do with such things? I was already making my yeast pumpkin bread, which used up some of the leftover pumpkin puree from the pie, but not all of it. So I thought, why not try a different kind of bread? As the basis for this concoction, I used a recipe for banana bread and dumped all of the buttermilk, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin in it along with some extra spices, and reduced the amount of sugar the original recipe called for since there was already a fair amount of sugar in the cranberry sauce and came up with this.
Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

1 stick butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup brown sugar

To this, I added (and these amounts are very approximate):
1/4 tsp each of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg,
1/4 cup buttermilk,
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups cranberry sauce

Put in greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. This took 1 hour and 20 min in my oven. With less cranberry sauce and no buttermilk, it wouldn't take as long. The results were slightly scruffy-looking, but tasty.

Kinda like this guy.

Monday Moons!

I took a few pictures at the Starbase Indy convention. Probably should've taken more because some of the costumes were pretty awesome. These two guys are the actors who played Martok and Gowron on Deep Space Nine. They were very entertaining, but I never thought I'd see the day when two Klingons would be up on stage singing songs and telling chicken jokes.

















I mean, these two were the toughest, most ruthless Klingons ever. But they were pretty funny.

This pic of me and Sandy James was taken by fellow IRWA member, Jim Cangany, who was there with his two sons. We had a fairly decent turnout and answered lots of questions from the audience. I gave away some books and sold a full set to a lady who'd never heard of me. I was amazed that someone would fork over that much cash for an unknown author's books. But those were the only books I sold. Oh, well. Such is the life of an "expendable" writer.

Now for the moons!

LOL! This is my idea of what a naked Klingon looks like from the back!

Not sure he'd be standing next to a laundry hamper, though.

But then, I didn't expect the chicken joke, either. 

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

Kinda makes you want to nibble on something, doesn't it?

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

Sandy James and I will be hosting an informal Q & A program on the writing, publishing, and marketing of Paranormal Romance at the Starbase Indy Star Trek convention at the Indianapolis Marriott East today at 2PM. Hope to see you there!

LOL! Imagine trying to fit that into a Starfleet uniform!

Black Friday Fun!

Since I'm sure everyone is gearing up to go bargain hunting today and probably doesn't have much time to spend perusing the blogosphere, I brought in a few Italian hunks to give you an energy boost before you venture out into the Christmas shopping fray.

Ya'll stay safe out there, ya hear?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Donna sent me this pic a few days ago, and I figured, why not?

He may not be the hunkiest guy I've ever posted, but he looks like he'd be a cornucopia of fun--and there's a lot to be said for that. I'm thankful for many things this year, not the least of which are all of my wonderful friends here on the CBEB--commentors and lurkers alike.

I wish all of you a fun, safe, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Whopping Weasel Wednesday!

Twas the day before Thanksgiving....

Dunno about you, but I'm toasting bread cubes for stuffing, baking a pumpkin pie, trying to remember to take the Cool Whip out of the freezer, and, oh, yes...making those Orange Blossom Balls from the recipe I posted last week. 

Think he'd taste good rolled in coconut flakes? Or maybe dusted with powdered sugar?

Tasty Tuesday Herb Bread!

I looked in several different stores, but I never did find the kind of toasted bread cubes I usually make my turkey dressing with, so I decided to make my own. Then I got the idea to modify this recipe for herb bread from The New Book of Favorite Breads from Rose Lane Farm, (which I've had for so long, I don't think anyone could call it "new" anymore), to make it taste like more like something you'd stuff a turkey with. I won't know until Thursday if this is going to work, but OMG, the bread is awesome, and the loaves are HUGE! I took this picture sitting next to a regular loaf of bread, and you can see how much bigger it is. And as we all know, bigger is better!

Herb Bread 

















Mix together and let stand until foamy:
2 pkgs yeast  (or 2 Tbsp)
1/2 cup warm water
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp ginger

In a large bowl, mix together:
2 1/2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp sugar
4 tsp instant chicken broth powder
3 cups white whole wheat flour (a modification I made to make it a little healthier)
1/2 cup soft shortening 
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp sage (the original recipe called for summer savory)
1 tsp rosemary

Stir in the yeast mixture and 4 cups white flour and stir until the dough clears the bowl.
Spread 1 more cup of flour on the bread board and knead until you have a smooth, non-sticky dough, adding more flour if necessary. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk. Knead dough lightly, divide, and shape into loaves. Place in greased pans, cover, and let rise until again until doubled in bulk. This recipe makes two large loaves. (And when I say large, I mean LARGE!) Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 min.

To use for stuffing, cut day-old bread into cubes and spread on a cookie sheet. Bake in a 250 degree oven about 30 min until toasty.

What you do with them after that is up to you!

Monday Moons!

I took the lawn tractor out yesterday--hopefully for the last time this year--and mulched up the leaves that hadn't fallen the last time I mowed. Nothing left on the trees but the oak leaves now. I'd already cleaned the dead morning glory vines off the deck railing, so I took advantage of the warm afternoon and put the Christmas lights up before Thanksgiving. Decorating prior to Turkey Day has always been a no-no around my house, but this year I decided to break with tradition--although I suppose I could leave them unplugged until Thanksgiving night. After all, where my house is located, no one sees them but us anyway.

And speaking of things you don't usually see...

A couple of moons like these would really light up your holiday, wouldn't they?

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

Here's another one we're gonna have to clean up a bit.




Any volunteers?

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

My hunk-loving friend Sharon recently sent me a whole new file of hunk pics. Yesterday's guy was the first one.
This is the second.

Are you liking them so far?

Friday Fun!

Okay, gang. I know you have fun fighting over the hunks, but just as soon as I get this one washed off so he's not quite so slippery, I'm grabbing hold and not letting go.
This one is mine. 

And I'm keeping him!

Thursday Thoughts

Question of the day...

What would you do if you walked into your living room late one evening and found this waiting for you?

Just curious.

Whopping Weasel Wednesday!

Since Thanksgiving is coming up, I thought I'd peruse my files in search of something to be truly thankful for.

I think this qualifies.

Tasty Tuesday Orange Blossom Balls!

Since the holidays are rapidly approaching, here's another festive recipe from our own Diva Donna! I haven't tried these tasty morsels yet, but I like orange and coconut, and you know how I love balls...

Orange Blossom Balls

Ingredients
1 box (12 oz) vanilla wafers, crushed
1 can (6 oz) orange juice concentrate, thawed, undiluted.
1 cup finely chopped nuts
1 pkg sweetened flaked coconut
1 cup confectioner's sugar
Directions
Crush vanilla wafers very fine. Mix with sugar and add undiluted juice and nuts. Mix well. Shape into small balls and roll in coconut. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Or you could make them as big as these.

Your choice!

Monday Moons!

The 2012 IRWA retreat is now history. We had a great time, and some of us even got some writing done!

I didn't take very many pictures at the retreat this year. Funny how I don't realize I haven't done it until it's almost time to go. At least I remembered to take a few at the meeting after breakfast on Sunday morning, so most of us were somewhere in the dining room in these pics. There've been times when I didn't think of it until most of us had already gone home.

Kimi didn't want her picture taken. Not sure if it was because she hadn't done her hair or her makeup, but her trusty roomie, Lynne made sure she didn't get into the picture.

Mary got to meet Willy for the first time!

We also had three ladies from Chicago (who aren't in these pics) and we're hoping they can come back again next year!

Since it's Veteran's Day, I tried to find some nice "military moons" in honor of our nation's veterans, but this is the closest I could get.

Enjoy your Monday!

Sunday's Hunk of the Day!

Look closely. No matter where you go, his eyes follow you.

Do you suppose his YD will do that too?

Saturday's Hunk of the Day!

If all went well, I should be waking up at Bradford Woods this morning. If not, I could be anywhere!

But preferably I'm someplace I can find eye candy like this.

Friday Fun!

First of all, A Tale of Two Knights is now available from Amazon! It's a  fun story with an unusual twist!

Next, the IRWA retreat starts this afternoon! Can't wait! I'll probably be blogging from there this weekend, but in the meantime, in light of the Knight story going up on Amazon, I thought this looked like fun.

TGIF!

Thursday Thoughts

I'm gearing up for the Indiana RWA retreat at Bradford Woods this weekend. My chapter mates and I look forward to this event the way kids dream about Christmas. So far, the weather looks like it'll be decent--much better than the chilly drizzle we had today--but I'm all set to light a fire in the fireplace to toast marshmallows for s'mores and to burn those nasty rejection letters!

Elizabeth Raines and I are the chairpersons for retreat this year. She's done it before, but this is my first time to be in charge of the event. I volunteered because I enjoy the annual retreat so much, and know how important it is to get together with a bunch of writers in a place where you don't have to wear business suits and evening gowns.

At most big conferences, writers have to be "on" all the time. You have no idea whether that person behind you in line at Starbucks will be an agent, an aspiring author, or that editor you've been dying to work with forever. This is one reason why--aside from the traveling required--those events so exhausting. You may not even be sharing a hotel room with a person you know very well. Relaxation is most definitely not the name of the game.

A retreat should be just what the name says it is: a time to withdraw from the world and relax. No pressure, no controversy, no competition. In the past, we've hired authors from outside the chapter to speak at our retreat. To my mind, even that ruins the atmosphere. I want this to be as laid-back as a house full of writers can possibly be. It's a time to rest and recharge our batteries, to brainstorm, or to simply open our minds to let the ideas flow.

Our theme this year is "Feeding the Muse," and I'm sure we'll discover all sorts of new ways to stimulate our imaginations and WRITE THAT NOVEL! Some people listen to music, some turn to chocolate, but I've always done best by studying ordinary people to discover what makes them extraordinary, what inspires them, and what turns them on. I'm sure my Hunk Files will be a part of the discussion, so here are a few nice fellows to inspire all you writers and readers out there in Bloggerland.

So, whether you like them hairy and sleepy,

Wet and dirty...

Smooth and chocolaty,


































Or just plain gorgeous, I'm sure there's a guy in my files to inspire you!

Whopping Weasel Wednesday!

I've recently become aware that the number of hits the CBEB receives goes up significantly on Wednesdays. Why do you suppose that is? I mean, it couldn't possibly be the whoppers. Could it?

Anyway, as long as you're here--regardless of the reason--I've got a challenge for you. I'm guessing that with a tiny bit of encouragement, his YD could get even bigger. So have at him and let us know how it goes!

Enjoy your hump day!

Tasty Tuesday Chicken and Dumplings!

Last week, I ran across a recipe for old-fashioned chicken and dumplings while flipping through a cookbook that I've had forever called A Taste of Homecoming.  Interestingly enough, the original recipe came from a lady in Tennessee who is also named Cheryl, but I modified it enough to call it my own. My only wish after making it was that I had a larger stomach or more people to feed it to because it made a LOT! I'm thinking adding a bay leaf might improve it, but it was darn good the way it was, and the leftovers were just as good reheated in the microwave.

Cheryl's Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients

1 whole chicken (about 3 pounds)
1 onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 sprigs of fresh sage (or 1/2 tsp dried sage)
8 cups water
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Place the chicken and all of the ingredients listed above in large soup pot or Dutch oven (I use a 6 quart flat-bottom saucepan). Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for about an hour or until the chicken is falling off the bone. Remove the chicken and allow to cool for a bit, then remove all the bones and skin and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside. If you're using the fresh sage, you can remove it from the broth if desired.

Dumplings
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 tablespoons shortening
1 cup buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add shortening and cut it into the flour mixture with a fork. Add buttermilk and mix until moistened. Knead briefly on a floured board. Pat into 1/2 inch thickness and cut into 1 inch squares. Bring broth to a boil and add the dumplings. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring gently with a wooden spoon every two minutes or so.  Add the chicken back in, serve, and enjoy!

Or, you could forget the chicken and go for these nice dumplings instead!

Monday Moons!

Before I give you the moons, I've got to show you this. Remember that rose I picked for Thursday's post? Well, here's what it looks like now!

That's pretty close to life-size on a laptop screen, and it smells just as good as it looks. I mowed again on Friday, and the leaves are pretty much gone now. I can't recall the grass in my backyard being quite so green in November before. 

Or the waning moon being quite as crisp and clear. 

Several titmice were at the bird feeder.

The yard looks a little better, although the geothermal "molehill" is still readily visible. I'm hoping that with the leaves gone, more rain will get to it now and it'll sink back to ground level by spring. 

Peaches, Kes, and Jadzia enjoying the morning sun. We had quite a bit of frost Sunday morning, and there was even ice in Peaches's water dish. Budley cleaned out the chimney on Saturday, and he's talking about hanging up the tarps and putting firewood on the porch. Daylight Savings Time is over and winter is definitely on the way!

Better cover up those buns!