November Monday

Hip, hip, hooray! Daylight Saving Time is gone for at least a few months. Now, if Congress would just wise up and leave time where it is! For the first time since last March, I woke up at my normal time and it was light outside and I felt awake.

In other news, my college teams sucked. Oh well. For OSU, it truly is a rebuilding year. All new head coach and staff, and completely new team. It was a close game and came down to overtime and a kick. OU just…sucked. Sadly.

We got very few trick-r-treaters on Halloween. It was drizzly, damp and chilly. Most of them were big kids and I was generous with the candy. I bought a bag with 100 pieces and we probably have at least 1/3 of it left. Hopefully, Only will take it to her school so LG and I don’t munch our way through it.

I wrote every day last week. I’ve cut the random scenes in half as I’ve managed to fit them into the timeline of ARIEL’S DAMN BOOK. I really should dcide on a title. I have a long list but none of the titles seem quite right. Hopefully, further progress this week. I’m still hoping for a Christmas time release but it’s already November. Yikes! How does this keep happening?!!?? *muppet flail*

In other writerly type news, I gave in and bought a month’s subscription to a Book Brush add-on. It’s a new AI tool they’ve developed to help authors create character and scene pictures. I participated in their webinar so I got a half-price code. I’ve messed with Co-Pilot and Grok with a few of my characters and they are never quite perfect. Part of that may be in my lack of descriptive skills. We’ll see. Hey, for $10 books, it’s cheaper than the movies when it comes to entertainment. If you have a favorite scene or character, let me know and I’ll put it near the top of my list. We’ll play and have fun.

I’m on a nostalgic kick when it comes to books of late. I finished off the audio book of Andre Norton’s THE BEAST MASTER and I’ve started the follow-on, LORD OF THUNDER. I loved her books growing up. These books are SciFi, but with something of an American West feel to them, due to the planet they’re set on. Hero is a Navajo. Earth no longer exists. Storm survived the war with his team: an African eagle, a dune cat (think a hubrid sand cat and puma), and 2 meercats. The books are “old skool” and I love them.

Not much else is going on. DirecTV is still being weird occasonally. I’ve been watching a “live” (as in currently airing not streamiing) show and a graphic will come up asking if I’m still watching. Like…d’uh! And there are times I’ll waking up to music and the TV will have defaulted to some Vizio music streaming channel that I have no idea how to get to. For those who don’t know, I sleep with the TV on all night–usually documentaries on the Science Channel or National Geo. Yes, I’m weird. I will automatically wake up if an infomercial or something like extended music comes on. I have no clue why the TV does what it does and Google has not helped.

Cooler weather this week so things like spaghetti–and I plan to make the cottage cheese flatbread to got with it, shepherd’s pie, and lasagna on are on the menu. I made chili Saturday night. The leftovers will be used with tamales on Tuesday.

Okie dokie. That’s it for me. Did everyone survive Halloween? Are you Team Standard Time? Anybody got fun plans for the week?

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Happy Halloween!

Okay, technically, it is Halloween Eve, which is weird because Halloween is also an eve. Anyway, every time I see a video of a doggy daycare, I laugh and wonder how the carers and dogs do what they do. I can’t even remotely imagine Toby being this good. I thought this was was really cute because who does’t love dogs in Halloween costumes! Have a great weekend. Celebrate the return to sane time Saturday night and don’t let the ghosties, beasties, and things that go bump in the night scare you!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Purpose

Writers are wired a little differently. Oh, we look normal. Mostly. And we act normal. Usually. And we drift through the world around us with a sense of wonder. At least that’s how I look at us. Frankly, we’re an odd lot. We talk to imaginary people. We live in imaginary worlds. If we stare at you when we’re out and about, don’t take offense. We’re trying to eavesdrop on your conversation for inspiration or trying to figure out how to fit you into our latest book. Writers, tell me this isn’t true of us? And do it with a sincere face that doesn’t give away the fact you are lying through your teeth. As usual, the Universe has thoughts…

Silver, it’s the way you think. That’s your purpose.

It’s never been about what work you choose, what gifts you develop, or what niche you fill—let those be for your pleasure.

Think as only you can think. Feel as only you can feel. And watch as connections are made, lives are changed, and worlds come tumbling into existence.

Serendipitously,
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. Silver, this is why you’re here.

And yes, I’m pleased to know this is why I’m here because deep down, I know it’s true. Take that last paragraph to heart, writers. “Think as only you can think. Feel as only you can feel.” That’s our “voice.” That’s why each of us can write the same plot but it will be a completely different story. Find your voice and use it. Make the connections, change the lives, and create those worlds so that readers have a place to go.

Don’t fret, dear readers. I’m not leaving you out completely. This is a message for you, as well. Think your thinks and feel your feels. Live your lives. And enjoy reading what you enjoy reading.

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Wednesday Words: Can You Hear Me Now?

When no “notice” popped up on Thursday, I figured there would be no Thursday Threads for the week, hence I would have to go searching for something suitable. Then lo and behold, I discovered that the flash fiction challenge is celebrating it’s anniversary and would actuall come on two days–Friday and Saturday–for extra time to write and be creative. There are also lots of awards involved. The prompt is: *“Didn’t you hear me?”* I had the perfect spot for this prompt. It’s not actually time for it in the story yet, but it will come up soon so…yay!

****
“Didn’t you hear me?” Despite her best effort, Aisling hyperventilated.

Carla held her hands out in a soothing gesture. “Breathe, hon.”

“But…he’s…” She wrung her hands, eyes darting around her apartment. She inhaled sharply as something twined around her ankles. Recognizing the orange cat, she sighed then bent to pick him up. He curled into her arms, purring.

“Sit down, Ash.”

She did. The cat settled on her lap and she continued stroking him.
“I saw what I saw, Carla.”

“I’m not doubting you, hon.”

“He was all…glowy. And his ears…they were all pointy.”

The cat turned unblinking green eyes to the door. The man standing there held a finger to his mouth, shushing the animal.

“We already knew he was a Magick, Ash. Now we need to figure out which side he’s on.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, first, I’m guessing your Errol is Fae, not Elvin.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Depends. Elves are…well…elves.” Carla thought a moment. “Have you ever played Dungeons and Dragons?” When Aisling shook her head in the negative, she explained the Law/Chaos axis then added, “Elves are usually Lawful or Neutral Good. Fae cover the chart depending on which court they owe allegiance to.”

“Is this like a good witch, bad witch situation?”

Ariel stepped from the shadows. “No, this is a Seelie versus Unseelie situation.”

The women screamed. The cat went flying, giving the Fae a death glare promising retribution. Ariel smirked. He and the cat would have words. Soon.
****

On a side note, I’d “featured” Loki in the last Penumbra Papers book, GHOSTS AND THE ANCIENT STONES. I’d planned, before he crossed the rainbow bridge, on using Pete in this book. It took me awhile but I figured it out. So yes, the orange cat is Pete and there will be shenanigans. I’m not sure, but I think I’ve shared a previous snippet featuring Pete. It was a fun one too. Sort of. Anyway. There have been new words to share and new words to just add to the story. S’all good. Writers, grab the prompt and write. Readers, what have you got to say? I’m listening. 😉

Edit update: As y’all may or may not know, I get these prompts from a friend’s flash fiction contest she hosts weekly on her blog. This is the 14th year and to celebrate she awarded category winners. I am pleased to announce that I made her spit her drink out as she was reading the above snippet.

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Thursday Treats & Titles: Cottage Cheese Flatbread

I thought this recipe sounded interesting but I couldn’t find a photo of it that I could use here on the blog. The means I have to make it myself and take a picture, then manipulate the picture in Book Brush and then upload it here. That means this might be a little late as I normally set up the blog the day before. We’ll see how organized I am Monday night. Anyway, this will be interesting.

Cottage Cheese Flatbread 

Yield: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 4-6 Minutes
Total time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients
▢ 1 cup Cottage Cheese, blended
▢ 1 1/2 cups Flour
▢ 4 tbsp Olive Oil, divided for dough and finishing
▢ 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
▢ 1/2 tsp Salt
▢ 4 tbsp Water

Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, flour, baking powder, salt, and olive oil. Add water little by little until the dough starts to come together. The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too dry, add a little more water; if too wet, sprinkle in a bit more flour.
2. Once the ingredients are combined, knead the dough for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Don’t overwork it. Just enough to form a soft, uniform dough.
3. Divide the dough into 4-6 equal portions, depending on how large you want your flatbreads to be. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a thin circle or oval shape. Aim for about ¼-inch thickness. If you like thicker flatbreads, you can roll them slightly thicker.
4. Place a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Allow it to heat up for a minute or two. Place the rolled dough into the hot skillet without any oil. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown spots form and the dough puffs slightly. Flip the flatbread and cook the other side until golden and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining dough portions.
5. These flatbreads are best served warm. You can brush them with a little olive oil or melted butter for extra flavor and a shiny finish.

Serve and Enjoy.

Tips And Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the best Cottage Cheese Flatbread every time:

1. Use Full-Fat Cottage Cheese. Full-fat cottage cheese yields the best texture and flavor for these flatbreads. Low-fat versions may result in a slightly less rich dough.
2. Don’t Overmix the Dough. When mixing the ingredients, just stir until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense flatbreads, so keep it gentle.
3. Adjust the Water. Depending on the moisture content of your cottage cheese, you may need more or less water. Add it gradually until the dough is soft but not sticky.
4. Rolling the Dough. If you have difficulty rolling the dough, let it rest for a few minutes. This will make it easier to work with.

Variations
While this cottage cheese flatbread recipe is already delicious on its own, here are a few variations to keep things interesting:

1. Herb-Infused- Add a tablespoon of fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano to the dough for extra flavor.
2. Garlic-Butter- After cooking the flatbread, brush it with a mixture of melted butter and garlic. This adds a fragrant, savory kick to the flatbread.
3. Cheese Stuffed- Roll the dough around a filling of shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar) before cooking to create a cheesy, melty center.
4. Sweet- Add a touch of honey and cinnamon to the dough for a sweet variation. You can top it with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey for a light dessert or snack.

What To Eat With Cottage Cheese Flatbread
Cottage cheese flatbread pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Here are a few serving suggestions:

1. Dips- Serve with hummus, tzatziki, or guacamole for a delicious appetizer or snack.
2. Salads- Use the flatbread as a side to fresh, vibrant salads, such as Greek salad, tabbouleh, or a simple tomato and cucumber salad.
3. Soups and Stews- Pair with soups like tomato basil, lentil soup, or vegetable stew. The flatbread is perfect for scooping up the rich, flavorful broth.
4. Wraps- Use the flatbread as a base for wraps. Fill with grilled chicken, vegetables, or falafel for a quick and satisfying meal.

How Long Do They Last?
Cottage cheese flatbread is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.

To reheat, simply warm them in a hot skillet or in the microwave for a few seconds.

Can You Freeze Them?
Yes! These flatbreads freeze really well. To freeze, allow them to cool completely, then stack them with parchment paper between each piece. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 2-3 months.

When ready to use, thaw them at room temperature or reheat them in a skillet.

Geneva Pruitt might not be pretty in pink and she’s a curvy girl who enjoys her food so when she suggested this recipe, I took her at her word. I made it last night. It was pretty easy but took me a bit longer than the recipe said. If I made the dough often, I’d get the time down. It was still fast, griddled up nicely, and was tasty with our Alfredo Chicken Lasagna (bought not made.) LG ate two pieces–one with his meal and the other with strawberry jam for dessert. Hey, seems pretty lo-cal to me and full of protein. This is one I’ll make again. Gen’s mate, Jack “Wizard” Dimond likes his more savory so check the ideas above. Wiz and Gen had a meet scary. She’d left a desitantion wedding still dressed in her pink bridesmaid dress and walked right into an armed robbery at a convenience store. Wiz just happened to be filling up the tank on his Harley when it all went down. If you want to read their story, grab NIGHT WISH. Just click on a pic, scan the QR code, or click on the title. You’ll end up on the Books2Read landing page for the Nightriders series. You can find all the books there and those links will take you to all the on-line sellers where it’s available.

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Monday Mysteries

It’s Halloween Week! Halloween used to be a big deal because Only was truly convinced it was all about her. Her b-day is on Halloween Eve. We did massive decorating and her costumes were usually handmade because what she wanted to be was not always in the stores. I particularly remember her Little Mermaid costume. She had a “tail” make of sparkly green material that shaped fins but was actually a floor length skirt. It was sewn onto a top make of stretchy flesh-colored nylon because here in Okie Land, it can be 90 or a -10 windchill. Therefore, costumes must be adaptable to clothes worn underneath. The top also had two purple seashells painted on the appropriate area. We made a wig of bright orange and red yarn. Her first costume, at a year old, was Snoopy. I’m happy to report that Stormy also wore that costume for his first Halloween when he was 6+ months old. Anyway, fun times and since I’m an Autumn kind of gal, I have fond memories.

In other news, I’m at 62+K words on ARIEL’S D*MN BOOK. I had a couple of days last week when I faltered a bit but then I had lightbulb moments on Friday and Saturday. I admit that I took yesterday off. I need to catch up on X as I’d ignored it for like four days. And I was listening to a new book. I’ll be back to the keyboard today.

The book I’m currently listening to is Caitlin Rozakis’s THE GRIMOIR GRAMMAE SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION. Yes, it’s a cozy paranormal, why do you even ask? It’s an interesting premise: What happens when mundane parents are thrust into the supernatural/magical world when their pre-schooler is attacked and changed by a werewolf? Talk about a learning curve! Who knew there were secret enclaves and exclusive schools for the magically inclinced? That said, the social politics remain universal. It’s been entertaining so far so if you’re looking for something a bit different that’s not all that dark, you might give it a gander. I borrowed the audio book from my library.

The weather has been gorgeous. Warm days but not muggy, cool nights, no AC!!! I could go a couple of months with no AC or heater running. Save on those utility bills. Yippee!

No soccer this weekend. Probably a good thing since OU place Saturday afternoon and OSU played Saturday evening. OU beat Mississippi State (I’m a big surprised but yay!) and OSU, after a disappointing loss last week, brought their A game to Boone Pickens Field for homecoming. The first half was a nail-biter but then the Cowboys kicked into high gear in the second for a 57-24 victory.

Not much else happened last week or over the weekend. Life is quiet and I’m okay with that. No exciting plans for this week. I have hopes of sharing a recipe I actually made tomorrow. We’ll see if it turns out as yummy as it sounds. And no, I’m not sharing what it is in case it flops. I did laundry yesterday so I’ve renewed my housewife card for another week.

On that note, I’ll let you get back to your regularly scheduled morning/day/afternoon/eventing–depending on the time you actually read this. No serious plans for the week beyond continuing to fill in the blanks on ADB. Upward and onward to The End! Right? Right! Anybody got news to share? Y’all know I live vicariously through you, right?

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Friday Sinema: Cats

And this, folks, is what AI is for. Just sayin’…. Have a great weekend. I might–or might not–have plans. I’m waiting to find out.

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Plotting

Edit: Well…dang. That’ll teach me. When I set the blog up and scheduled it, I had the date and time right–today and 6 o’clock. Except I forgot to punch the AM button so this wouldn’t have appeared until this evening. My brain some days… Sorry for the delay. I know all of you are chomping at the bit waiting for my words of…stuff. I didn’t discover the discrepancy until I got back from peopling this morning. Anyway. Here. Better late than never, right?

You might wonder why I mentioned “plotting” in the subject/title line, especially after you read the message from the Universe. It more precisely describes a pantser. You writers know what I’m talking about. For readers who might night, writers usually describe themselves in one of two ways: Plotter or Pantser. A plotter outlines, might have a story board, and usually has copious notes to self and from research. Pantser write by the seat of their pants. They get an idea for a story and start writing, creating characters, places, plot twists and stopping to researc as they go. There are hybrids: Plantser or Plotsers. Then there are the truly weird like me: Puzzlers.

You don’t have to understand all that happens, figure out every twist in the plot, or even know why the winds sometimes blow as they do, Silver, to grasp that I do, I have, and that ultimately each and every story has a fairytale ending.

I wasn’t born yesterday -
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. Even my romantic comedies, Silver, have happy endings.

Anyway, I thought this message from the big U was apropos for writers and readers alike. I mean seriously, don’t we all want a fairytale ending? And Happy Endings are a given, according the U.

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Wednesday Words: Another Time

The weather is beautiful. The windows are open and I’m only sneezing occasionally but that’s okay. It’s worth it! I like open windows. I like the fresh air blowing through my office. Loki likes the windows open too. It’s more fun to bird watch when you can hear and smell them. Anyway. It is Wednesday. I have words. The prompt from last week’s Thursday Threads is: *“There’d be a next time.”* And guess what?!!? I know exactly where this scene fits. It’s in Chapter 19. And that’s all I’m going to say because there’s a LOT that is revealed. The fun part though is…well, just read the sippet.

****
Sinjen stared at Sade, not quite believing what he’d heard. “You did what?”

“I arrested Titania.”

“On what charges?”

“Crimes against humanity.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“Why? Did she hire you as her defense attorney or something?”

He closed his eyes for a moment and rubbed his forehead. “Where is she?”

“Probably back in Vegas. Or the Fae realm. Don’t know, don’t care.”

“You released her?”

“Of course I did. I’m not stupid, Sinjen.” Besides, she knew there’d be a next time. The thought of another confrontation with the Fae queen almost made her smile.

The vampire rubbed the back of his neck as he watched her from beneath thick lashes. “I wasn’t implying that you were.”

“The Fae are in this up to their eyebrows. Titania is a royal bitch. Ariel isn’t acting like himself. There’s a human woman who may not be human—” She paused to hit Nikos with a stare. “Though I’m not too sure of my source on that one.”

The dragon smirked. “Your source is impeccable. She is mostly human, Sade. Like you are mostly human.”

“What does that even mean? I’m human. Period. My father is human. My mother is human. That makes me human.”

Shrugging, Nikos turned his attention to Caleb. “My sense of smell is better in my true form but I picked up faint traces from the librarian.”

“Somebody tell me about this librarian and explain the hold she seems to have on Ariel.”

Nikos did so. “Ariel has been following her. Her name is Aisling Goodnight.”
****

In other progress news, I’ve crossed the 60K mark. I’d originally estimately this book to run about 65K with 20 to 25 chapter. Yeah…no. I think it will be closer to 75K and as many as 30 chapters. Only time and writing will tell. In the meanting, writers, be inspired and write if you are. Readers, have you ever not finished a book and then come back to it later and discover that whatever irked you about it originally no longer does and you’re actually enjoying the “reread”? And that sentence isn’t convoluted. Much. 😆

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Falling for Ice Cream Bread

Yeah, yeah. A couple of things here. One, yes, it is Fall. Yes, the temps are cooling off, Thus! This is the perfect time for this recipe because I bet we all have some leftover ice cream in the freezer and who wants freezer-burned ice cream next Spring? Second, talk about easy pe;asy! And yummy. And versatile. This is part bread, part snack, part dessert, all depending on what kind of ice cream you use.

Ice Cream Bread
Yield: 8 servings
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 45 Minutes
Total time: 50 min

Ingredients
2 cups Ice Cream Full Fat – any flavor
1 1/2 cups Self-Rising Flour

Instructions
1 - Preheat your oven to 350.
2 - Coat an 8 x 4 baking pan with shortening and flour or spray well with baking spray.
3 - In a medium bowl mix the ice cream and flour together until just combined. It will feel and look as though the mixture has ‘seized up’ and mixing will become very difficult.
4 - If everything is combined, though, just move ahead and place the mixture into your loaf pan.
5 - Bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6 - Remove from the pan and allow to cool before slicing.

Seriously, how easy can homemade bread be? Two ingredients. Five minutes to whip it up and 45 minutes to bake it. Eat it warm, eat cool. Toast it. Make it festive. Have fun with the flavors. It’s so easy, Shy Rourke can make it. Some of you probably remember Shiane “Shy” Roarke from NIGHT FALL. She’s former military and knows more about weapons than she does about kitchen implements. If you ask her mate, Nightrider enfoircer, Shane “Gravedigger” Cole if he likes the bread, his answer will depend on who happens to be standing around. Hint: He really likes it, even when she gets fancy and uses “weird flavors like…oh…I don’t know…mint chocolate chip.” If any of the guys are standing around, you’ll probably get a grunt in reply. I mean, seriously. Digger has a reputation to maintain, right? Right! If you’d like to read about this enemies-to-lovers/revenge love story, you can click on the title or one of the pics, or be finacy and use the QR code. The link zips you over to the Nightriders page and you can take your pick of books and on-line booksellers. What do you think? Will you fall for ice cream bread?

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