Tuesday Treats & Titles: Cowgirl Grape Dumplings

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Silver James

We’re just a few days away from “Holiday Season” here in the US. Thursday is Thanksgiving and then comes Hannukah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwansaa and New Year’s. Wow. Busy time of year. Lots going on with parties, family dinners, etc. Sometimes, we want to take something a little different or, in the case of those of us around here who have a touch of Native in the family, we like to pass along a yummy traditional dish. 

GRAPE DUMPLINGS
Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
1¼ cups water
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
64 ounces grape juice
Sugar to taste

Let’s Make It

Place flour in a bowl. Make a well in center of flour and crack an egg into center. Using your fingers, begin mixing the egg into the flour and add water as you go. Form the dough into a ball and roll out very thin. Cut into 1-inch squares.

In a large pot place grape juice and sugar to taste. Bring to a rolling boil. Drop dumplings into boiling grape juice. Mix 1 Tablespoon cornstarch in 1 cup water. Add to hot grape juice. Cook for a few minutes so it thickens a bit and serve hot.

Kitchen Tip:

There are two different versions I’ve seen. One uses water for the dough. They other uses grape juice. Next time I make them I’ll be trying it with the juice!

Serve warm in a bowl. You can top with whipped cream or ice cream or just eat them plain.

There’s a video of how to make these on Chickasaw-TV. THIS VERSION uses grape juice to make the actual dumplings. You should check out the video just to hear the wonderful reminiscenses by the tribal elder. She’s all kinds of awesome! I’m pretty sure all of the Five Civilized tribes have their own version but I like this one. I’m not the only one. Savannah Wolfe, the heroine in CONVENIENT COWGIRL BRIDE is Choctaw and she loves grape dumplings. Savvie proves that Indians can be cowgirls too! When she joined the Barron family, she got all them hooked on them too. You can read all about her “fake” wedding to Chase Barron and the way he roped her into making it permanent in their story. Just click on the pic or the title to head over to the Harlequin page where you can buy it from them (psst, I get more royalty that way) or find the link to your favorite on-line book seller. What about y’all? Any traditional recipes you cook up this time of year?

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Mostly Monday

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Silver James

Here in the US, this is one of those weeks. Some of the schools around here are taking an extended Thanksgiving break so those folks aren’t too worried that today is Monday. Those that are working today, Tuesday, and Wednesday, this is sort of like a Wednesday, followed by a four-day weekend. That means next Monday will be a doozie. Or is that a doozy? I can never remember how to spell that. It’s like eenie-meenie-miney-mo. Which says a great deal about nothing. Except it’s my explanation why this is a mostly Monday, but not entirely.

As per my routine, I’m off to Wallyworld. I’m making hot yeast rolls for 25 for Thanksgiving day and I’m pretty sure I’m gonna need more flour after making two batches of snickerdoodle cookies last week. I’m tempted to buy a small turkey breast because I do love me some turkey sandwiches after the fact and with 25, there’s usually not any leftovers. Thing is, my freezer and fridge are (or will be) full so no room. Maybe I’ll snag one after “Turkey Day.” We’ll see. At least the weather is supposed to be seasonable. We’ve had Thanksgiving where we wore shorts and ran the AC and others where the heater ran full blast, the logs in the fireplace crackled, and furry boots, hats, and winter coats were de rigueur. That kind of weather is supposed to blow in this coming weekend. 🥶

In sports news, Stormy’s team won their last outdoor soccer match. Yay! They’ll be moving indoors soon. That’s another yay. Easier to park and walk to the field. It’s not that we’re lazy, just old and rickety. LOL In other sports news, my OSU Cowboys came from beind and pulled out a victory. Yay! I couldn’t watch and every time I switched channels to check the score, the opposing team made a big play. Why yes, I do think I’m a jinx, why do you ask? OU also won. The Big 12 championship is shaping up to be weird. So far, Texas is the #1 team. OSU, OU, and Kansas State in a three-way tie for #2. Thing is, OSU beat BOTH OU and KSU, which means we’d play Texas for the championship. Still have one more game to play and if any of the three get beat, that changes things. It’s nail-biting season!

Speaking of Stormy, his school put on their Thanksgiving program on Friday afternoon. It was too cute. Each class sang a song or two or presented a skit. Stormy’s class did a skit about a school trip to a turkey farm. Stormy got the one speaking part–that of the farmer. He wore jeans, a flannel shirt over an undershirt, suspenders, and a Tractor Supply baseball cap. The funniest part was his boots. They were his mother’s Ariat cowboy boots. Yes, they wear the same size shoes/boots now. She may not get them back until he outgrows them! 🤣 Anyway, it was a cute program and we enjoyed it.

In reading news, I’m finishing off the newest release in Dannika Dark’s Black Arrowhead series. All the various series set in her Breed world are interesting, but I relate more to the two that involve shifters–the Seven series and the Black Arrowhead, which is set in the same area (around Austin, TX) as the Seven books and they share characters. The current book, THE CHOSEN, introduces a whole new cast of characters as Tac (secondary in THE VOW and lead in THE ALPHA) begins creating his own pack. Not sure what I’ll pick up next. I’ve got a hold on STARLING HOUSE at the library and it should pop back up ready for loan soon. Not sure I’m in the mood for it, though. It’s one of those “buzzy” books but it is a bit Gothic so we’ll see.

Writing. I’ve done some. I found another continuity BIG OOPS! and fixed it. I’m always happy when I find those problems well before the editing/revision stage because a big one like that can affect the rest of the book. Ouch. Anyway, all fixed, all better, and moving on. I’ve added a couple of more chapters and I’m over 90K words on the book. Still hoping it’ll be live in time for Christmas. 🤞🏼

That’s pretty much all the news fit to print or in anyway slightly interesting to y’all. Once Jake and I get home from Wallyworld and Starbucks, I’m back to work. At this stage of the game, I often spend more time fitting the puzzle pieces (previously written snippets/scenes) together and writing bridges to those scenes than just sitting down and pounding out words on the keyboard. It’s all part of my very weird process but since y’all seem to enjoy reading my books, I must be doing okay with my crazy ways. What’s up in your neck of the woods?

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Friday Sinema: Besties

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Silver James

I’m elbow deep in Boston Wolves so when this popped up in my Feedly blog feed, I decided to share–easy peasy without falling down the rabbit hole that can be YouTube. Sampson reminds me a bit of Jake, though I doubt Loki or Pete would 1) go hiking with us or 2) ride piggyback. LOL Anyway, this is just a sweet, feel good video about critters. I hope it brings a smile to you today. Anybody else live with dog and cat buddies? Have a great weekend!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Mystique

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Silver James

Sometimes, you just want to find someone who understands you. Am I right? I’m pretty sure that’s a prime motivation for most of my characters, and the basis for writing a romance novel. I mean, seriously, when you find the right one–and you’re lucky enough to recognize that this is the right one–you just know it. The Universe understands…

Of course, not everyone understands you, Silver.

It takes crazy to know crazy.

It takes sexy to know sexy.

And most asuredly, it takes cool to know cool.

Yeah, uh-huh, alright –
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. To everyone else, Silver, you have mystique.

I mean, just as Hannah? Speaking of crazy. Mac totally gets her. And just ask Sinjen about Sade. He sees her natural sexiness even if she doesn’t. And when it comes to cool? Who or what is cooler than any of the Wolves? Yes, I am having a big of fun with today’s musing. Words have been coming this week, though not always easily. I’m in some deep kimchi kind of territory in the storyline. There are times I’ve had to get up and walk away for a bit but that’s a good thing. A VERY good thing! That means I’m hitting some emotional stuff that’s just full of mystique. Trust me, I know crazy cool with a side of sexy when it comes to writing about Wolves.

So how are you feeling today? Crazy, sexy, or cool? Or do you just have mystique? 😉

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Wednesday Words: Where Am I?

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Silver James

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! The original 250 word snippet took the top spot in last week’s #ThursdayThreads flash fiction “contest.” Yay! When that happens, I know I’m on the right track with the story. The prompt was **Where do you want me?”** The following is basically the 250-word snippet, though I did add 10 or 15 more words to it for this. When I expanded the scene over the weekend, it was over double in size. Yay. Kathleen Gallagher and Devlin O’Reilly are my Romeo and Juliet couple in this book.

****
Kathleen didn’t want to open the door. She’d refused to answer the phone after screening the calls. Why couldn’t they leave her alone? The imperious knock rattled the front windows. She cracked the door and peered out at the two police officers.

“You need to come with us, Mrs. Gallagher.”

“Why?”

“We’ve made an arrest. There’s a press conference.”

“Tommy’s dead and buried. You don’t need me there.”

An hour later, she wore widow black and a stoney face. The chief, and other official types milled around. Alex Crenshaw, the district attorney, brushed past her and she cringed away. Every instinct she possessed urged her to flee.

“Where do you want me?” Crenshaw demanded.

The public information officer lined up everyone but Kathleen. With luck, the woman had forgotten she existed. The PIO gave her instructions then noticed Kathleen. “I want you in front of the chief and the DA. You’ll say a few words after they speak. There will be no questions.”

A moment later, the door opened and they filed out in front of the crowd of reporters. The first face Kathleen saw stood in the very back. She knew him. Her heart knew him. The man from the cemetery. The man from the restaurant. The man who silently watched over her.

When it was her time to speak, she said, “Thank you for coming.” And that was all that came out of her mouth. She immediately stepped back into line.

Once it was over, she found him waiting. “I’ll take you home.”

But she knew she was already there.
****
And there you have it. Some of you may remember why these are my star-crossed lovers, some may not, so I won’t spoil it for you. I will tease you a bit more. Dev’s future is the epilogue and it should leave you with a smile. And yes, it was a random scene that didn’t fit into “current” timeline but fit the future nicely. LOLOL Writers, I hope the prompt stirs your creative juices. Readers, where do you want to be today?

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Cowgirl’s Secret Pecan Cake

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Silver James

Have I menationed that I love pecans? I love pecan pie, pecan pralines, pecan sticky buns, pecans in my cinnamon rolls. Heck, I’ll put pecans on my ice cream. With this recipe, I can put ice cream on my pecans. This Pecan Upside Down Cake is easy to make and so very yummy, especially if served still warm with said ice cream and/or whipped cream.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hr 10 min
8 servings

INGREDIENTS

Pecan Topping
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar packed
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups pecans roughly chopped (or use pecan pieces)

Cake
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup whole milk room temperature

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350F and grease an 8” round cake pan generously with nonstick spray or butter.

Pecan Toppig
1 - Add the butter to a saucepan over medium heat and stir until melted.

2 - Add the brown sugar and corn syrup and stir until the brown sugar has dissolved.

3 - Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, and pecans until the pecans are completely coated.

4 - Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and gently spread to the edges. Set aside while you prepare the cake batter.

Cake
1 - Whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder and set aside.

2 - In a bowl (using a stand mixer or hand mixer) cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.

3 - Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides.

4 - While mixing on low speed, alternate adding the flour and milk, ending with the flour. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the excess flour around the edges so you don’t over mix.

5 - Spoon the batter into the pan (dollop some around the sides, then the middle) and gently spread evenly across the pan, working the batter the whole way to the edges

Note: Don’t push or spread with too much pressure. Disturbing the pecan layer on the bottom will affect the flip at the end.

6 - Bake for 30-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter.

7 - Place a plate or serving platter on top of the cake, then use oven mitts or a tea towel (holding the pan and the platter like a sandwich) and flip the cake immediately. Leave the pan on top for 1 minute and gently tap the pan all over.

8 - Remove the pan by lifting it straight up, and scoop out any leftover pieces of nuts in the pan back and place them back onto the cake.

9 - Serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

TIPS
1 - You can substitute walnuts for the pecans if you prefer.

2 - To cut, use a serrated knife to gently saw through the nut layer, then push down through the cake layer.

3 - Store the cake covered with foil at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Once again, I’m going old school because this recipe just says Oklahoma to me and it’s something that the Barron boys would enjoy. With two hungry mouths to feed, Jolie Davis Barron bakes this a lot. Of course, it might have something to do with the fact that her “boys” love this dessert. Cord and their son CJ beg for this especially for Thanksgiving. I can almost agree with them because while I do love me some pie, this cake is on a whole ‘nother level of yumminess. If you’d like to travel back to the early days of my career, Jolie and Cord’s story, THE COWGIRL’S LITTLE SECRET, is the second book in the Red Dirt Royalty series. They’re my Romeo and Juliet couple of the series with a bonus secret baby. What’s not to love, right? If you haven’t tried my Harlequin Desires, this is a great time to start them. Just click on the pic or the title to head to Harlequin. You can buy it direct there or find a link to various other on-line retailers. If you are interested in the series, click on Red Dirt to find the page here on my siite, with a list and blurb for all the books. Today’s question is a serious one. No, seriously! 😉 Which do you prefer, pie or cake?

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Monday’s Modus Operandi

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Silver James

Is Monday the 13th anything like Friday the 13th? Is there ever enough coffee? Especially on a Monday…or any other day for that matter. That’s just the way Monday rolls. It sneaks up on us, despite the fact that we always know it is coming. Every week. Rain or shine. Spring, summer, winter, or fall. Month after month. Why yes, I have very little to say today, why do you ask? LOL

We won’t talke about sports. ‘Nuff said.

Had a fun family dinner Saturday night to celebrate belated birthdays. We all met at Hideaway, a local pizza chain that both boys enjoyed while they were in college at OSU. Good food, including fried mozzarella sticks and batter-fried mushrooms (my fave!). Lots of laughs and conversation. The people at the next table freaked when we left because Jake came out from under our table. They had no idea he was even there. As it should be.

I’ve been doing a jumbled relisten to Dannika Dark’s Seven series. I didn’t start with the first one (SEVEN YEARS). She has a spin-off series (Black Arrowhead) with a new addition coming out. The characters are closely entwined and I wanted to refresh my memory. If paranormal romance (wolves, other shifters, mages, and other magical types) is your catnip and you haven’t read this series, I recommend it. I just finished off the last book (ONE SECOND) and am currently listening to the “bridge” novella, WINTER MOON. There are two Black Arrowhead books before the latest, THE CHOSEN, releases tomorrow. Well, technically, midnight tonight. Anyway, if you aren’t familiar, you might give this series a try. Definitely start with SEVEN YEARS. While they can sort of be stand-alone, there is a series deep plot and interconnected stories.

In writing news, I shared more character models on my FB author page over the weekend, and a snippet will post here on Wednesday. I’m making progress. I’m over 89K words now, so I have no doubts that this book will be at least 100K, if not a little longer. Still hoping it will be ready in time for y’all to give yourselves a Christmas present by buying it.

I’m off to Wallyworld, which is my Monday modus operandi. Every week. Rain, shine, snow, or sleet. Spring, summer, fall, and winter. Month after month. Why yes, I do live an exciting life, why do you ask? 🤣🤣🤣 How was your weekend?

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Friday Sinema: It’s A Dog’s Life

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Silver James

Okay. I laughed. And cheered. And totally identified with this mastiff. This would totally be me if I were a dog doing an agility course in a dog show. Just sayin’… Have a great weekend, all, and may you find something that makes your happy or laugh. Or both!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Tools

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Silver James

Building your life is like building a world. Or maybe that should be the other way around. When a writer builds a world, they also build their life around that world. We craft all sorts of things from history to societal rules. We create people who lived that history and abide–or break–those rules. We sprinkle in love and conflict because that keeps things interesting. I mean…seriously…who wants to write or read a boring book, or live a boring life. The Universe usually has ideas to share–and today, power tools.

****
If you were to be given a few power tools, plus a hammer, chisel, and axe, to craft, carve, and shape the life of your wildest dreams, Silver, I’d bet you’d be really careful with each of your bangs, buzzes, and chops.

So please use the same extraordinary care and precision when using your imagination, choosing your words, and dancing life’s dance.

You’re a light worker –
The Universe
©www.tut.com 

P.S. Every minute of every day, Silver, choose from the highest within you.
****

I do have to disagree a little. Sometimes, when you’re writing, you just need to spit it out on the page (or the up on the monitor). Thank goodness for certain power tools–computer, laptops, spellcheck. They are the things that let us writers choose the best words to tell the story that’s in our imagination. And what a dance it can become, after we build the dancefloor with all that banging. Sometimes it’s a waltz, sometimes a tango. Jitterbug and hand jive. Cha-cha and salsa. And don’t forget tap, jazz, and ballet. Who else is ready to trip the light fantastic today?

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Wednesday Words: A Whale of a Tail

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Silver James

Time just keeps tripping along and danged if it isn’t picking up speed. Am I right? We’re the first week into November and Thanksgiving (here in the States) and Christmas aren’t far away. Last week’s #ThursdayThreads prompt was **”And there might have been a tail.”** Ooh, lordy. There were a lot of ways to run with that one for sure. Writers, should you decide to be inspire, have fun! Readers, this one is pretty self-explanatory, as they have been of late. The original 250 words have now been expanded to 546. Hope you enjoy! 🤞🏼

****
The chattering women stood near the bar in Clancy’s. Maura was laughing as Ronan and his men entered through the back stairwell door.

“That was fun,” Maura said. “Even though my feet are killing me.”

“Light weight,” Shannon teased.

“Totally. I sit behind a desk most of the day, though I do hoof it to and from the train station.”

“I take it the lot of you had fun,” Sean said, reaching for Bridget. He pulled her to him for a claiming kiss.”

“We shopped,” Maura said.

“And had lunch,” Bridget added.

“An’ don’t be forgettin’ the…” Fiona snapped her fingers. “Bellinis. They might be m’new favorite drink ever.”

Finn yelled from behind the bar, “I’ll not be makin’ any of them fancy umbrella drinks for your lot.”

“Grouch,” Shannon called in return. “You make martinis for those Deluxebury bitches.”

“That’s because they pay,” Finn shot back.

“Whatever.” Shannon turned around to ignore him. She rolled her eyes. “But they tip like shit.”

“And what else didja do?” Ronan’s voice was somber.

“We shopped some more,” Maura said.

Bridget put in, “And stopped in for a few drinks to rest our feet.”

“Ignored the office drones hangin’ ’round the bar wantin’ t’flirt,” Fiona declared.

“Then we ordered a car service,” Maura explained with a lift of one shoulder, noting that the men were more intent on getting the pints Finn had drawn for them than in the women’s itinerary.

“And there might have been a tail,” Sophie added.

The men froze. One by one, they slowly turned to look at the women.

“Well,” Sophie said. “That got their attention.”

Ronan zeroed in on Maura but Callum beat him to the punch. “What do you mean, Sophie?”

She put her hands on her hips and forced the smile hovering on her lips to stay hidden. She’d dealt with her father all her life. These alpha males didn’t scare her—especially since she knew Callum would never hurt her. Unlike dear old dad. “I mean that at various times, we all felt like we were being watched. After discussing it, we came to the conclusion that you overprotective alpha hotels were the likely culprits. We all know how good at hiding this bunch can be.”

The men exchanged looks. Callum’s face was set in hard lines when he said, “It wasn’t us.”

This time, the women looked at each other. Shannon turned troubled eyes to Mick. “You didn’t have Brendan or Aidan following us?”

“No.” He bit off the word. “Aidan’s working at the garage and Brendan is driving Brian.”

All the starch leaked out of Sophie. She reached behind her, found a bar stool, and managed to perch on it. Distraught, she studied Callum. When she spoke, it wasn’t a question. “You think it was my father.”

He shook his head. “No.” Unable to stop himself, he walked over to her. She widened her knees so he could stand between them and wrap his arms around her. “Maybe. I don’t know but I’ll find out who it was, Sophie. I won’t let that old bastard or anyone else hurt you. Not ever again.”

She buried her face in his soft shirt, her voice muffled against his chest as she said, “That sounds like a promise.”

“It is.”
****

Callum and Sophie were featured on my FB author’s page this weekend so now y’all know what they look like. While they aren’t actually the main focus of this snippet, they do play a pivotal part and there are hints about Sophie’s past. I have to admit that, given the prompt, I almost went with the obvious “play on words” and “characteristics” considering half my characters turn furry with tails, but I decided to take the high road and go a different direction because…well…normally, there might have been (just ask Maura!) a tail. What about y’all? Are you enjoying seeing the characters and then getting a snippet about them? I want to keep the blog AND the FB page interesting so y’all keep hangin’ around.

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