I think I’ve posted this version before but I still laugh and enjoy it plus, Winter dropped by for a visit this week, and there are cool scenes of NYC and Central Park in the video. My advice is “Just let it go! Enjoy your weekend!
It’s Thursday. I have thoughts. I also have to people today. I mostly stocked up for the Thanksgiving holidays so I could avoid reatail spaces during the post-holiday shopping crowd. If I don’t get out today, the pups will be without gushy food and I’d get the sad faces and a hunger for people food. I’ve considered doing an on-line-for-delivery order but I also need meat and produce and I’m pretty picky. I want to pick out my own. Anyway. That explained, the Universe also has thoughts. Tis the season for wishes and dreams.
There are only 3 things that can make your dreams come true, Silver:
Your thoughts, your words, and your actions.
Be the spark,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. They’re all you have, Silver, and they’re all you need.
Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it? Translating this into writing advice, consider your dream to be the book you are writing. What does it take? First you have to think it up–plot, characters, setting. Then you have to turn those thoughts into words and get them down on paper (or on the monitor/screen–however you work). Once the words are done, you have to take action–editing, revising, proofing, then either submitting it or publishing it yourself. Then the real work begins–marketing. And the Big U is correct. These are all we have and all we need. For you none writers, take that message straight up the way it’s written. It pretty much lays it all out in plain language. May all your dreams come true!
How can it be midweek already? No. I’m not muppet flailing. Much. First, due to Thanksgiving being on a Thursday, there were no Thursday Threads and therefore no actual prompt for this weeks words. That said, here’s a snippet that’s a bit longer than the norm but that’s okay. And while it wasn’t written from a prompt, there is a prompt I’ll share for the writers out there who need some inspiration. Ready? Here it is: *“That’s not how this works.” As a quick reference, Farez Battah is the FBI’s Buffalo field office SAC–Special Agent in Charge. He’s a bit of a PITA but unlike Toby (PITA Pup), he is not so cute. Sade’s been sent to Rochester to find out what’s going on and whether or not Magicks are invovled. Well…duh! Fae and dragons and magic books, oh my! Anyway, hope you enjoy.
****
Sade was the first person off the plane. She cleared the gate, followed the overhead signs and headed toward baggage claim—not because she had a checked bag but because that’s where the car rental counters were located. She thought it odd that Alice had not already taken care of that. As she stepped off the elevator, a Black woman, cell phone to her ear, approached.
“You Marquis?” she asked.
Sade gave her an appraising once-ver. A head shorter and stockier, the woman oozed efficiency. Hair had been lightened to show mahogony highlights and stiled in a straight, chin-length bob. She works a navy blue pinestrip pantsuit and leather pumps with low heels. She was also carrying. “You first.”
The woman snorted. “Marcella Lloyd, ASAC, Buffalo Field Office.” She flipped open her jacket to show the badge clipped at her waist.
“Then I’m Marquis. Supervisory Agent in Charge of the MAGIC Unit. I’m guessing you’re my ride.”
“SAC Battah is a little put out that you flew directly here instead of Buffalo. Let’s get your bags.”
“I have my bags and Battah can bite me. My investigation is here in Rochester.” She held out her hand, palm up. “Keys.”
Marcella blinked at her. “Beg pardon?”
Sade snapped her fingers. “Keys. I hope you had someone follow you, otherwise you’ll have to catch a bus.”
Eyes narrowed, Marcella glowered. “That’s not how this works. I’m here to pick you up and drive you to Buffalo to meet with Farez.”
“Since I outrank you and even if I didn’t, you’ll never win a pissin’ contest with me, I’ll tell you exactly how this works.” Sade was pleased with herself. She’d been on the ground a whole ten minutes or so and hadn’t resorted to cussing. Yet. Maybe Sinjen was wearing off on her. “My investigation. Not Buttah’s. Not the Buffalo Field Office. Mine. Orders straight from Director Bailey. I’ve told you want to tell Buttah if he wants to bitch.”
Marcella winced but she also didn’t reach for the keys in her pocket. “Listen—”
“No.”
Staring, Marcella finally shrugged. “Fine. Where we headed?”
This was not going the way Sade anticipated—or wanted. Her cell phone buzzed. She didn’t bother looking at the caller ID when she answered. “What?”
“Play nice, Agent Marquis. Agent Lloyd can be of assistance. Please note that you are going to the Inn on Broadway. You have a reservation.”
Sade pretended there weren’t goosebumps sprinkling her arms. “Alice, what’s going on?”
“
Nothing yet, dear. Just keep your friends close. You did you remember your umbrella, yes?”
There was a click followed by dead air before she could reply. The director’s assistant was one scary bitch.
On a sigh of resignation, Sade said, “Fine. Lead the way.”
A few minutes later, they were settled in the front seat of a standard issue black SUV, Marcella behind the wheel.
“Apparently, I have a reservation at the Inn on Broadway. You familiar?”
The other woman’s eyes widened. “Yes. It’s…five star. How—” She snapped her mouth shut before finishing that thought.
S
ade finished it for her. “I don’t have a clue. The director’s admin says do this, go here. I go there and I do that. I doubt this fancy place has government rates so I’m guessing there’s a good reason for the upgrade.”
Marcella had been punching in numbers on the vehicles GPS system. “You want the quick way by interstate or the scenic route.”
“Let’s take the scenic route. I like to get a feel for what I’m getting in to.”
****
There you have it. At the moment, this about Chapter 11 but I’m thinking it might need to be later in the book. There’s a lot going on with Ariel, Aisling, Nikos, and certain crows.
Writer’s write on. Readers, what book are you reading right now? I’ve got one more book in The Others series and I’ll need something to glom onto soon so I’m looking for suggestions.
It’s officially Christmas season. I still don’t have lights or other decorations up. It’s cold outside and I’m lazy inside. That said, I do have Christmas books! Well, books that happen around Christmas. And truthfully, today’s featured recipe and book are favorites. I had a lot of fun writing the book and I have a yummy in my tummy when I eat the dip. I don’t make it. Only does. I could make it but why would I when she does it so well. And the reason it’s called “Crack Dip”? It’s totally addictive! So, for those of you who were asking, here’s…
Hannah is of the same mind as I am. This dip is so easy she could make it but why when everyone else–including Liam–can make it for her. Great minds and all that. Anyway, you can dip chips, veggies and/or cheese cubes/sticks. Yum. You can slather on sandwiches, burgers, baked potatoes, french fries, onion rings, fried mushrooms, fried cheese sticks. You name it, this stuff is awesome dipped, dripped, spread, slathered, or whatever way you can find to use it. I know most of you have read the book but just in case some stranger stumbles in or on the off-side chance someone who follows this blog HASN’T treated themselves to CHRISTMAS MOON, just click the title I just typed and linked, or either of the pics with the cover. You’ll land at the book’s page on Books2Read where you can find your on-line bookseller of choice. Hopefully. Mix up a batch, grab your dipper of choice and a good book then settle in for a cozy time of good stuff on a cold day or night.
Hello, December. I’m not ready for you. Do not ask me anything about Christmas. No, I have not started decorating. No, I have not started shopping. Any of you people who are already done (I’m lookin’ at you, Patti!) are the devil’s spawn as far as I’m concerned. But I still love y’all.
I have very little to report. It’s cold. Like below freezing in temps and windchill. Since today is the first day of meteorological winter, I suppose the cold is to be expected. At least we didn’t get hit with the big storm and snow that hit up north.
No soccer. My Cowboys lost, the Sooners won. I don’t care that Lane Kiffin is leaving Mississippe State and heading to LSU. I do feel sorry for his son, the starting QB of his high school team in Starkville and now he’ll have to start over in Baton Rouge.
I’ve been doing a marathon relisten to Anne Bishop’s The Others series. They are odd books and slightly uncomfortable in their subject matter but I love them! They are perfect for my current headspace. Now if I could just write my own words instead of reading/listening to someone else’s. *sigh* I’m currently on the 6th book, LAKE SILENCE. This one has a bit more humor.
Okay. Like I said, not much news. We stayed in this weekend due to the cold. Hard to be interesting when there’s no excitement going on and there hasn’t been any. On that note, I’m going to figure out what I have planned for today because frankly? I have no clue. Anybody else equally clueless?
I double-dog dare y’all not to laugh while you watch this. While much of it is southern specific, I’m betting som of you Northerners recognize some of these sentiments. For anyone not in the USA, here’s a good chance to laugh at us because y’all? This is soooo dang true! All of it! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and if you’re out there among ’em for Black Friday, may the Force be with you and may the odds ever be in your favor! Have a great weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of you, for all of your support and friendship, for reading my books and my blog, for making me laugh and laughing with me, for your patience and your encouragemnt. May your day be filled with good food, family and friends, peace, and love. And books. 😉
Happy Thanksgiving Eve to all y’all in the good ol’ USA. Happy news here on the blog–for me anyway. I won last week’s Thursday Threads. Yippee. The prompt was: *”You don’t scare me.*” Again, this is just a snippet that ties in with other things going on in the story but I don’t have a specific spot for it just yet. Trust me, I will when the time comes. That said, this scene is mostly self-explanatory.
****
Aisling faced the dark entrance of the tunnel. Her frustration bubbled up and she spoke before she considered what might be hidden withing the shadows. “Come out of there.”
Something stirred in the void. “Who are you?” she demanded, while wondering if what might be the more apropos question. The feeling of being watched lessened and she imagined whatever was there retreating. Stepping closer that impenetrable darkness, she yelled, “You don’t scare me!”
Low, menacing laughter echoed back at her. She inhaled sharply and held her breath, listening, all her senses attuned to what might be happening there in the murky darkness. The words that followed held nothing but threat. “You should be.”
The words hung there almost as if they’d taken physical form. Still holding her breath, Aisling eased back suddenly craving the light that waited across the room. She put more distance between herself and the tunnel’s doorway. Leery of turning her back on the opening, she continued shuffling backwards without looking. And bumped into something solid, but not hard. Something warm. Muscled. That smiled of lilacs and sunlight and freshly mowed grass. She screamed anyway.
Ariel winced, his face screwing up as he tried to protect his eardrums. He just managed to get his hands up in defense as Aisling whirled and slapped at him. A part of his brain considering teaching her actual fighting skills. The rest of him was busy hiding his amusement.
Recognizing him, Aisling stopped flailing. “I’m not scared of you either.”
****
So there, Ariel Daoine. Aisling isn’t afraid of you either. But maybe she should be… *bwahaha* Writers, do your writing with the prompt should it spark ideas. Readers, what are not afraid of that maybe you should be?
Once upon a time, I did a lot of things with beer. I made beer batter onion rings, beer batter, fish, I drank beer. I used it in stew. I drank it. The beer, not the stew. I ate the stew. I only occasionally drink beer now so it’s not like I have extra bottles laying around. There are times, though, when I wish I did because I come across a recipe that is pretty darn simple and looks soooo tasty but…no beer to be used and I’m too lazy to put on real clothes to head to the store. Also, I’d then be tempted to drink the rest of the beer in the fridge. Too bad you can’ buy just one bottle for cooking purposes. Ah, well. Such is life. Needless to say, I haven’t actually made this recipe, though I totally plan on doing so the next time I buy beer.
Beer Bread
Yield: 12 slices
Prep time: 2 Minutes
Cook time: 45 Minutes
Total time: 47 min
Ingredients
3 cups self-rising flour
1 to 4 tablespoons sugar, to taste (every recipe says this, and most end up using 3)
4 tablespoons melted butter
12 oz. bottle of Pumpkin Ale or beer of choice at room temperature
Let’s Make It
1 – Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan.
2 – Mix the flour, sugar and the beer, stirring until fairly smooth; don’t worry about a scattering of small lumps.
3 – Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top a bit. Drizzle with melted butter.
4 – Bake the bread for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted about 1/2″ into the top of the loaf comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.
5 – Remove from the oven and let stand 5 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.
6 – To keep bread moist, slice when ready to serve. It slices best when completely cool, but feel free to slice and enjoy while still warm.
7 – Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Tips
1. Feel free to use the beer of your choice. I chose a pumpkin ale for the slight spice flavor and as it’s pumpkin season. I have made this bread with light beer in the past which works. You can also use a darker beer like a stout, which will lend the bread a more robust flavor. Just be sure to use a room temperature beer for best rising and baking.
To keep bread moist, slice when ready to serve.
2. Self-rising flour is flour that has baking powder and salt added to it and is a staple in many Southern recipes. It’s traditionally made from a softer, lower protein version of all-purpose flour for tender biscuits.If you don’t have self-rising flour, substitute 3 cups all-purpose flour and add 4 ½ teaspoons baking powder and 3/4 teaspoons salt; whisk ingredients together before adding sugar and beer.
You’ll notice that this recipe calls for Pumpkin Ale due to the season. A lot of the recipes I’ve seen call for Shiner’s Bock, which is what Cash Munro uses. Yes, I checked with my favorite retired Texas Ranger to see if he’d ever made beer bread. He made me promise not to make a joke about beer and horses before he’d talke to me. Cash is a character in MIDNIGHT CLEAR, my SciFi/Romantic Suspsense/Christmas novella. If you haven’t read it, you should–and then drop a review. It’s fun, both the story and writing a review. I realize we aren’t even to Thanksgiving yet but readers are often ready to get in the Christmas mood this time of year. You should give it a reread and a review if you already have it. Just click on a cover pic or the title to head to Books2Read to find the on-line bookseller of your choice. What do y’all think? Have you had beer bread? Would you try it if you haven’t?
This is Thanksgiving week here in the USA. Schools will be letting out, people will either be traveling or getting ready for visitors. It’s a busy time of year. In years past, for a variety of reasons, our gang and my SiL’s clan have gathered to celebrate at my BiL’s house. Uncle Fix-It has a lot of my MiL in him. She was the neighborhood mom and so everything was at her house. I eventually took over and the big dinners was at our house. Then things changed and we gather at the Fix-It’s for their convenience. (SiL is in a wheelchair.) This year, his health and work schedule is such that they just want to stay home with no fuss and no bother. I don’t blame them Her family is gathering at her mom’s house. Our family–meaning us and the Kids–are gathering here.
I was prepared to do the whole kit and kaboodle but gave the Kids their choice–the whole deal or just turkey sandwiches and pie. That’s what they picked. I don’t have to make rolls. I don’t have to do sides. I just have to roast the turkey breast, make/bake the pies, and provide the condiments and chips. Only is making her famous crack dip and a relish tray–olives, pickles, carrots, etc. It’ll be low-key, laid-back, easy prep, easy clean-up, no stress.
That said, I’ll have to send LG to the store for me this week to pick up some Cheetos. They didn’t make it on my emergency list of all the T-giving things I’d left off Friday’s list–like the turkey. 🙄 I made a run yesterday morning to add those items. I still managed to forget the Flaming Hots that Stormy loves. At least I’d remembered the paper plates and napkins.
In other news…🤔
Uhm… 🤷🏼♀️
No sports to speak of. Very little writing. It’s rainy and chilly this morning. Oh! I did get a new blender from Hamilton Beach. It comes with an auxiliary personal drink container which is very handy since I’m PO’d at Starbucks for basically discontinuing large pup cups for big dogs. I’ve been with a block of my local Starbucks twice in the past few days and I’ve refused to go there. I did make my own frappucino with the new blender. It’s designed to crush ice and blend fruit for smoothes and other solid things for like salsa and stuff.
This will be a quiet week. I have no plans to get out until after next weekend. I don’t go anywhere near grocery/retail spaces from Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday) until at least Monday, though more likely Tuesday.
On that note, I do need to start on a little house cleaning and laundry. Are you traveling, hosting, cooking this week?
NEW RELEASE
NEW RELEASE
NOW AVAILABLE
Silver James 