Tuesday Treats: Apple Pie Bars

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Silver James

A lot of people associate apple pies with fall and the holiday seasons. Me? I like apple pie any time, especially warm with vanilla bean ice cream. Do you need a dessert for a family pot luck? Easter, Mother’s Day? Memorial Day picnic? This recipe is quick and yummy and the crust? Yeah…this unusual crust makes these bars special!

Total Time: 1 Hr 30 Min
Prep: 35 Min
Cook: 55 Min
Serve 16 with these delicious Apple Pie Bars! Watch our video to watch how to serve a crowd with these delicious Apple Pie Bars for dessert.

What You Need
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
3-1/4 cups flour, divided
10 Granny Smith apples, peeled, sliced (about 9 cups)
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. water

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 400ºF.
2 – Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually add 3 cups flour, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Shape into 2 balls. Place 1 ball on large lightly floured sheet of waxed paper; flatten slightly. Cover with second floured sheet of waxed paper. Roll out dough to 15-1/2×10-1/2-inch rectangle. Discard top sheet of waxed paper.
3 – Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray; invert over rolled-out dough. Flip dough and pan together. (Pan will be on bottom.) Remove second waxed paper sheet; gently press dough onto bottom and up side of pan. Toss apples with combined granulated sugar, cinnamon and remaining flour; spread onto bottom of crust.
4 – Repeat rolling out of remaining dough ball to make second rectangle. Remove top sheet of waxed paper; carefully flip dough over apples. Discard waxed paper. Tuck edges of dough down sides of pan to enclose apples. Cut several slits in top crust to vent steam.
5 – Bake 35 to 40 min. or until golden brown. Cool 15 min.
6 – Mix powdered sugar and water; drizzle over dessert. Cool 30 min. before cutting into bars.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1: Size Wise – Balance out your food choices throughout the day so you can savor one of these warm apple bars.

Tip 2 : Note – The dough is rolled between the sheets of waxed paper both to help prevent the dough from sticking to the work surface and to make it easier to transfer the rolled-out dough to the baking pan.

Tip 3: How to Make for 8 Servings
Prepare recipe as directed, cutting all ingredients in half, assembling dessert in 9-inch square pan and reducing the baking time to 30 to 35 min. or until bars are golden brown. Makes 8 servings.

Click on over to the Kraft-Heinz website for a how-to video and all the nutritional details. I checked with Lennox Morgan from ASSASSIN’S MOON and she admits that she can pretty much make this recipe anywhere she can get cream cheese and Granny Smith apples. She makes the full recipe and if she’s really lucky, she gets one bar all to herself. She notes that Tex’s kids really like them too. If you haven’t read Griff and Len’s adventure, you can read MONTANA MOON for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, or grab it in digital or paperback from Amazon for your very own copy. Just click on the book cover to get a copy.

What about y’all? Apple pie only on specific holidays or is it a year-round treat?

Posted in Books, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

March Madness Monday

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Silver James

Madness is defined as doing the same thing over and over while expecting different outcomes. Or at least that’s my definition. I need to try something different. I’m gonna get right on that. Eventually.

So, there was a week and a weekend. Some stuff happened. Other stuff didn’t. End of story. Going back to bed now. Or not.

Let’s see. What did happen? Very little writing. Some health issues. A book trailer (see below). Reading. Baseball. A joint celebration of a 93 year-old Navy vet (who served on the Enterprise) and an 80 year-old army sergeant. Good cake and ice cream. Awesome veterans. Lots of social media drama. I stayed out of it. Reading/listening. Stress. Laughter. Hugs from a BIG 5 year old. (His b-day check up said he’s the size of a 7 year old. Yikes!)

Still trying to befriend (domesticate) the two feral kittens. I’ll make them house cats if I can catch one or both. Met the new neighbors while I was out feeding/calling the cats to eat. They’re…interesting. I think it’s grandfather/grandmother (but not sure about grandmother), son, daughter-in-law and grandsons. Granddad has a long beard. Son has tattoos, including on his head. They’re friendly. They wave. I wave back. They have a big trailer that makes me very curious about what they carry in it and what they do. (Not in a bad way, in an I’m-a-nosy-neighbor-who-writes way.) I suppose I could just ask…huh?

We’re coming up on opening day. I’m getting to see the starting lineup for the Cardinals in the spring training games now. Fun times. Speaking of watching baseball on TV, I wish we had a Menard’s. Just sayin’…

The NCAA basketball tournament is going on. *yawn* Round ball is sooo not my game. Nothing against it, just…not interested. OU is in it and pulled off a first-round upset. There were several of those, evidently. People’s brackets are blowing up. Which makes me sound like I care. Nope. But I have friends who do and I’m hearing about it.

I’ve been bouncing around on my reading/listening. I rated a book low because the author (who’s “facts” are problematic on a good day) got it all wrong. It made me sad because I LIKED the characters and the story line. I just spent so much time ranting (rather than, you know, actually listening to the book) about how she totally screwed the pooch on major plot points dealing with law enforcement stuff. I’m also revisiting a series that I tried several times to read the first book and just couldn’t get beyond the first several chapters because…reasons. Listening to them has eased some of the hot-button issues. There are also several upcoming books that I’m looking forward to. More about them when they drop.

And that’s pretty much my life. As I’m typing this on Sunday, I have a sty that’s all but closed my left eye. I’m headed off for hot packs. By the time you read this, it’ll either be better or I’ll still be applying hot packs. LOL Happy Monday and may this week bring you nothing but good!

Oh, and my attempt at a book trailer….

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Universal Lessons

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Silver James

Sooo…another late start. I got distracted. It happens. Real life stuff. Marketing stuff. (I’m attempting another book trailer and I’m not only having to find images but having to re-teach myself how to use the music and video programs and the lessons are slow.) And no, that’s not why–exactly–I picked this tidbit from the Universe. I mostly picked it because it reminds of of how hard, yet simple, it is to be a writer. Writing comes easy. Usually. Not always–like now when real life is being a witch. It’s the other stuff that goes with writing–the publishing, the marketing, the begging for reviews, the worry about sales and whether you can uphold your financial obligations for the month that drags on the soul and the imagination.

Discretion, dear Silver, is the better part of valor.

Spontaneity is the better part of brilliance.

And imagination is the better part of making dreams come true.

Yes you can,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Things I learned, Silver, from a bard, a scientist, and a child who went on to rock the world…. Yes you have.

Still, the Universe has faith in me so I guess it’s time to pull up my big girl panties, grab another cup of coffee and get to work.

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wednesday Words: Green Day

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Silver James

It’s hard to be green, especially when the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. If your characters are green with envy and acting like the big green monster then today’s #1lineWed theme is for you! In case you haven’t figured it out, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day (last Sunday) and the Spring Equinox (tonight) with it’s super moon, our theme is **GREEN**! I’m sharing a bit from this week’s Wolf of the Week book, ASSASSIN’S MOON. Our heroine, Lennox, “bumps” into our hero, Griffin “Abel” Caine. Sort of. 😉
****
Lennox Morgan shivered, which was just crazy. The temperature hovered close to sweltering and the humidity plastered her hair to her skin. The panic she always fought when trapped in large crowds smoothed out despite the feeling of someone walking across her grave. She was insane to have come to Rio this time of year but BeBe’s email had been so insistent. She would never understand what drove the woman to do what she did, but Len couldn’t ignore the plea for help.

She edged toward the side of the street looking for a quiet spot where she could regroup. Crowds always freaked her out now, had ever since the car bomb in the Green Zone. Baghdad had been two years ago but the PTSD still hammered her. A couple brushed past, and a sense of familiarity washed over her. He was military—from the way he carried himself and the air of command surrounding him. And he was American. Just that quickly, her nerves settled. If she screamed for help, he—or someone like him—would come. The thought made her laugh. She was being ridiculous about everything, but she felt better, more settled. She’d identified the panic’s trigger, worked through the attack, had a plan, and now she could move on.

As she braced her back against the wall of a building, she watched the sea of humanity surge past. The idea of wading back out there almost made her hyperventilate. Len refused to let that occur. She was a grown woman. She could handle this. The hair rose on her arms and she shivered again. Her trepidation dissipated, replaced by excitement. Maybe she was crazy but she found herself up on tiptoes, leaning away from the wall and straining to see into the crowd.

A man walked by and she gasped, the sense of déja vu so strong she had to grasp onto the wheel of a cart to keep from following him. She’d bumped into him earlier, she realized, but she hadn’t really looked at him. Tall, broad-shouldered, also military. Only he was…different. This man walked surrounded by shadows. She was half-way down the block before she even realized she’d started walking. Dodging around people like a broken-field running back, she strove to keep him in sight. She couldn’t stop herself. There was something about this man—dark, dangerous…hers.
****
Writers, do you have any green words to share? Readers, are you enjoying a green Spring?

*note: I got distracted last night and forgot I hadn’t finished this post. Oops. My bad. Better late than never, right?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tuesday Treats: Chicken Tetrazzini Florentine

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Silver James

I ❤ pasta. Just sayin'. And I'm always looking for "batch" meals where I get all my food groups covered–including veggies. This ooey-gooey casserole covers all the bases!

Prep Time: 25 min.
Total Time: 1 hr.
Servings: 6 servings, 1-1/3 cups each

Chicken Tetrazzini Florentine: A complicated name for an easy way to get a hot, cheesy chicken and pasta bake on the table!

What You Need
1/2 lb. spaghetti, uncooked, broken into thirds
1 pkg. (6 oz.) baby spinach leaves
3 Tbsp. butter
1 onion, chopped
1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
3 Tbsp. flour
1-1/2 cups fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (grilled sliced)
6 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA

Make It
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cook spaghetti in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water for the last minute. **Blanch instead

Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir 5 min. Stir in mushrooms; cook and stir 4 min. or until mushroom liquid is cooked off. Add flour; cook and stir 1 min. Stir in broth; cook 4 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly.

Mix cream cheese spread, milk and seasonings until blended. Drain spaghetti mixture; return to pan. Add cream cheese mixture, mushroom mixture, chicken and 3 Tbsp. Parmesan; mix well. Spoon into 13×9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover.

Bake 25 min. Top with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan; bake, uncovered, 8 to 10 min. or until spaghetti mixture is hot and bubbly and mozzarella is melted.

Y’all know the drill–CLICK HERE to get all the nutrional details about recipe from Kraft. Tait “Shooter” McCord was my Wolf of the Week over on Facebook so it’s his lady’s turn to step up and Lauren Reilly whispered that she snuck this recipe onto their dinner table and Tait ate his spinach without complaint. She’s pretty smart for a city mouse. 😉 For those of you who haven’t read their story, it’s told in MONTANA MOON, which is a crossover of my Moonstruck Wolves and Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors World. Lauren is on the run from some bad men due to her job at the Pentagon. Tait is just doing a favor for a friend by looking out for her. Yeah…about that… *bwahaha* Just click on the cover for the buy link or read it for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. It’s also available in print from Amazon. Who else likes to hide their veggies?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How Can It Be Monday?!?!

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Silver James

What does this keep happening? I mean…I just woke up and it was Monday and now it’s Monday again! *flail* So, stuff happened. For once. Yeah, yeah. You can stop laughing now. Let’s start with the family. Stormageddon is turning 5 this week. His party was Saturday. Ninja Turtles and dinosaurs. Fun times. Nothing like a horde of kids running around with turtle shells and pool noodle numchucks. And the dads. They got in on the action too. 😆 A good time was had by all, along with nachos, pizza, and green cake! Okay. the icing was green. The cake was chocolate or vanilla, depending on your flavor choice. There was also some sort of green punch. My contribution to the green theme was limes in my Route 44 Diet Coke from Sonic. Stormy even helped clean up after the party–which was held at his Big Daddy’s American Legion Post. BIG open room for kids to run amok, including a stage area with carpet. Stormy ran the vacuum up there. His parents need to encourage that at home. Just sayin’… 😉

My local RWA chapter met on Saturday, at the Post, all day Saturday. Our speaker turned up sick–it is that time of year, so we ended up just visiting and brainstorming. The morning critique crew also so a short Q&A on character emotions, based on a movie they’d all watched. I was busy setting up our new projector screen and projector for the program, which wasn’t needed. Ah well.

TV is mostly baseball and reruns/DVR. Still boring. LIVE PD is on hiatus until the end of the month but when they come back, OHP is being featured. Yay. Hometown heroes! As I’m typing this, I currently watching “The Zoo” on Animal Planet. Kinda cool look behind the scenes at the Bronx Zoo.

Writing is still mostly an exercise in frustration but I’m about to hit that damn wall and either break through or climb over on the RDR book that’s got me tied up in knots, and not in a fun way. 😛 I actually got a new opening written. We’ll see where I go from there on the first chapter. For like the 20th time. *sigh*

I mentioned baseball. We’re getting closer to opening day. Yay! Interesting side note. Rick Ankiel was a hot shot pitcher for the Cardinals who lost his stuff. It was heartbreaking to watch. The guy was a hellava athlete, including hitting–unusual for a pitcher. The Cards turned him into an outfielder, with the help of Jim Edmonds, their star center fielder. Rick eventually retired but now he’s trying to work his way back into the majors–as a PITCHER! I’m crossing my fingers! He’s a super good guy, was a hella-talented pitcher, and here’s hoping his comeback is a rollicking success.

Reading. Yeah…I picked up another Lani Lynn Vale series to listen to–from the library. Her books aren’t technically correct when it comes to things military, LEO, or fire service, which is crazy given her heroes all have those backgrounds/current employment. Drives me crazy. But I still listen. It’s like a trainwreck. Or something. There’s a lot of emotion in her books and she’s not afraid to push the no-no buttons when it comes to killing off characters. I started to say critters but I don’t remember if she’s actually harmed an animal. I’ve listened to a lot of her books and they do tend to sort of blend together. I shouldn’t admit, given what bugs me, that I do like the books and feel compelled to see a series through to the end. As long as they pop up in my library, I’ll probably work my way through her entire list. 🙄

And on that note, I’m putting this to bed, feeding the dogs, and will see y’all once daylight hits. And now…coffee!

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Friday Sinema: Good Omens

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Silver James

I’ll make a confession here. I read (and still own!) the first edition of Neil Gaiman’s and Terry Pratchet’s “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophocies of Alice Nutter, Witch.” I loved it. I “made” Lawyer Guy read it. He loved it. And it’s sat on our keeper shelf in our private library ever since. I may have to reread it. Or…wait until May when Amazon Prime rolls out their video version. I have to admit, I’m looking forward to this show because it makes my Prime payment totally worth the price! I have RWA chapter meeting (program on emotional arcs) and Stormageddon’s birthday party–all tomorrow. Something tells me Sunday will be a recovery day. LOLOL What are your weekend plans?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wednesday Words: Marching Orders

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Silver James

Beware the Ides of March! Today’s #1lineWed theme in **MARCH**. Fitting, right? I’m jumping series, leaving Special Forces: Operation Alpha for a week because there were no forced MARCHes–or any other kind–in the next book in that series. So, we’re going to visit Tait “Shooter” McCord and his “squeaky mouse”, Lauren Kelly.
****
As Tait dressed and loaded up for bear, Lauren trailed around behind him chattering questions like a magpie. She didn’t want to stay alone. She didn’t trust this Kujo guy—who named their child Kujo anyway? When would he be back? Where was he going? Was it because of her?

She marched behind him as he tossed the black duffel bag full of weapons into the passenger seat of his old Jeep Wrangler. The thing looked like a junker but it ran like an Indy car, especially off road. He cussed Black Root to hell and back for destroying his truck. The thing had been almost brand new and had all the bells and whistles. The Jeep? It barely had the basics.

“You can’t go, mouse. It’s too dangerous.”

“And staying here alone isn’t?”

“Kujo will be here before you know it. He’s one of Hank’s best. He and Chewy will keep you safe until I can get back.” Her sudden move took him by surprise as he found his arms full of curvy woman. He instinctively grabbed her ass as her legs wrapped around his waist and her arm around his neck. Then she was kissing him, and his brain went on autopilot. He turned, bracing her against the Jeep, as he took her mouth. He tasted her with the desperation of a starving man—lips and tongue and his hands pulled her core tight against his raging erection.

“You better come home to me, buster,” she finally wheezed out, breaking their kiss. “I’ve never thrown myself at any man so don’t make me regret this.”

He grinned so wide his eyes crinkled, and her heart lurched in her chest. This man was usually so solemn and serious and unreadable, but she could decipher every last one of the emotions on his face in that moment. There was something between them—something wild and intense and she had every intention of fighting for it. Opposites be damned.

Tait touched his forehead to hers. “Stay safe, Lauren.” If anything happened to her, he’d burn down the world. That wasn’t a promise, it was a fact.
****
Writers, any MARCH action in your WIP? Readers, what books are marching to the top of your TBR pile? 😉

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tuesday Treats: Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Up

Posted on March 12, 2019 by Silver James

On a budget and want something fast and yummy? This one’s for you. It’s also quick to fix when you indulge in a looooong nap on National Nap Day and forget to plan dinner (or set up your blog… 😉 )

Total Time: 1 Hr 5 Mins
Prep Time: 30 Mins
Cook: 35 Mins

Discover your family’s new favorite weeknight dish with our Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Up. Watch now to see how to prepare a Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Up.

What You Need

1 lb. lean ground beef
4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small onion, chopped
8 oz. VELVEETA, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pkg. (13.8 oz.) refrigerated pizza crust

TACO BELL® and Logo are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.
Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 400°F.
2 – Brown ground beef with bacon and onions in large skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Return meat mixture to skillet. Add VELVEETA; cook 5 min. or until melted, stirring frequently. Cool 10 min.
3 – Unroll pizza dough onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Press into 15×8-inch rectangle; top with meat mixture. Roll up, starting at one long side. Rearrange if necessary so roll is seam side down.
4 – Bake 20 to 25 min. or until golden brown.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Special Extra: Serve with your favorite condiments, such as CLAUSSEN Dill Burger Slices, mustard, HEINZ Tomato Ketchup, sliced tomatoes and/or TACO BELL® Thick & Chunky Salsa. TACO BELL® and Logo are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.

CLICK HERE for all the nutritional info and a quick how-to video over on Kraft Recipes.This is a recipe that even a woman who doesn’t know how to cook and is on a budget can fix, and one that Tucker, her country music billionaire, will heartily enjoy (if he cant have an actual bacon cheeseburger. 😉 Zoe also discovered that she can cut thinner to serve as appetizers when watching March Madness–or any other sporting event, awards show, or movie. Should I mention that “Smokey and the Bandit” is a favorite in the Tate household?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Monday After

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Silver James

Have I mentioned how much I HATE Daylight Savings Time? Especially in the Spring when we lose that hour. My system had just acclaimated to the Winter version. Now my circadian rhythms are all screwed up again. *SIGH*

So…my favorite show is on hiatus for a few weeks. I have some episodes that I missed so I can get my fix of LIVE PD between now and the 29th. The exciting news is that when the show returns, they’ll be riding with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol! *happy dances*

It’s still Spring Training. It’s baseball. And there are a few softball games being televised. I’m getting my fix. My Cards aren’t doing that hot but I keep reminding myself that it is Spring Training. The veteran players are working on stuff and the rookies are getting a look-see. And it’s BASEBALL!!!! ❤

In reading news, I finished up Jennifer L. Armentrout's Moonlight trilogy. The three books are sexy Southern Gothics and sort of make me want to write one. But I don't want to talk about writing. So…reading. I then did a quick relisten to NAKED IN DEATH before diving into CONNECTIONS IN DEATH, the latest release. Good book. The next book on my TBR mountain was WILD COUNTRY by Anne Bishop and set in her The Others world. Thirty seconds into the author's note, I realized I needed a refresher because WC has a concurrent timeline with ETCHED IN BONE. I went back to MARKED IN FLESH, book 4, because I hadn't reread it as many times as the first three books. Then I relistened to EIB. This is a series that a reader really needs to start at the beginning. All the worldbuilding is needed, along with the history of past events, and characters need their various backstories for it all to come together. LOVED this latest book, even though it broke my heart a little. Have absolutely no clue what I'll read or listen to next. Any suggestions?

And yeah, this is late. I started this last night, to pre-schedule and then I got distracted and…well…I'm finishing it up this morning and posting. Life happens. So does Daylight Savings Time. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! 😉 How was your weekend?

Posted in Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments