Tuesday Treats & Titles: PB&C No-bake No-cross Pie

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Silver James

Summer has dug her fingernails in and is hanging on a bit like the hag she could become if she doesn’t let Autumn make her entrance. As a result, here’s a chill treat. Do you love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups? Love peanut clusters? Yeah, me too! And this pie hits all the right buttons for those cravings. Plus, this recipe is so easy, even Hannah could make it. Sadly, she doesn’t have the patience to wait the time needed between making and eating. That’s the one drawbakc. That said, this treat is soooo worth the wait!

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 1 hour then 3 hours
Total time: 4 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients
1 8-inch chocolate cookie pie crust

FOR THE FILLING
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup powdered sugar sifted and divided into one 1/2 and 1/4 cup
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup creamy peanut butter
4 oz cream cheese softened

FOR THE TOPPING
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chopped
1/4 cup roasted peanuts chopped; for garnish

Let’s Make It
FOR THE FILLING
1. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks have formed. Add the ½ cup sifted powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whip until stiff peaks form.  Transfer the whipped cream to a separate bowl.

2. In the same mixer bowl (no need to wash it), with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, and remaining ¼ cup of confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.

3. At a low speed, beat a ⅓ of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture just until combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the remaining whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until incorporated.

4. Transfer the whipped peanut butter mixture into the prepared chocolate cookie pie shell. Gently smooth the mixture into an even layer with a spatula. Refrigerate the pie, uncovered, for 1 hour.

FOR THE TOPPING
1. Save this step until the pie is chilled. Go have a cup of coffee and read a book for an hour. Then come back. 😉

2. Place the chocolate pieces, or chocolate chips, into a small bowl.

3. In a small saucepan, bring the ½ cup of heavy whipping cream to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, immediately remove the pan from the heat. Pour the boiling cream over the chopped chocolate. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit for one minute. Remove the plastic wrap and whisk until a smooth chocolate ganache forms.

4. Pour the chocolate ganache over the chilled peanut butter pie. Using a spatula, gently smooth the ganache until all of the peanut butter filling has been covered.

5. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts along the outer rim of the pie. Chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours before slicing.

6. Store the pie in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.

First, this pie is really yummy and easy to put together. The hard part is waiting for it to chill in the fridge before adding the topping and then serving and eating. Also, the recipe says 10 servings. Yeah, that would be skinny pieces for for like super models. The kids and the Hard Target team members do like them some PB& C (Peanut Butter ane Chocolate). Meg found this recipe and gave it a try because Dalton introduced Max to PB&J sandwiches and Tank sneaks Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to Mariska. I’m tellin’ y’all, the guys are really bad influences and probably shouldn’t be around kids. Just sayin’… 😉 Anyway, I keep hoping sales will pick up if I keep boring people with this book. That and I need to write faster to get the next book out. Should I mention that I have CROSSFIRE graphics to share? I’m such a sucky marketer. Anyway, you know the drill. Click on the pic or the title to head over to Books2Read to find your preferred on-line bookseller. And if you try the pie, I hope you enjoy it.

*🤞🏼 the “cover curse” is done with. If not, then I will start manually sharing the blog to FB since I don’t know what else to do. And yes, #TechnologySTILLHatesMe 🙄

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Menial Monday

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Silver James

So, today is full of menial tasks and errands. That’s okay. It IS Monday, yeah? First up, an twisty explanation. See, I really like the “classic” template provided here on WordPress. That’s the one I learned to use (and to use simplified code in) way back when. I always include a meme or a graphic based on what day of the week it is. Well, for some weird reason, since I released CROSSFIRE, the graphic of that cover has been showing up when the blog post is “sent” from WordPress to Facebook. It used to go to Twitter, now known as X, but when X became X, things changed so the blog post only cross-posted to my FB author page. Still with me? I told you it was twisty. Well, like one time in the past two weeks, I’ve gotten the picture I embedded to show up on FB. I can’t figure out why that keeps happening. I haven’t embedded the pic in any of those posts. I finally stopped even linking the “designated” pic to its media file in case there was something screwy there. Yeah, that didn’t work either. So now, I using the new and so-called improved template from WordPress to see if there’s some shadow coding or something in the classic version. I don’t know. I’m not a techie. I know just enough code to mostly stay out of trouble. Anyway, I have no idea how the pic will turn out, if it will turn out, or even if this post will make it over on that other platform. This is irritating and I don’t like the new-improved version because it seems to take more fiddling, especially when adding pics. Anyway, that my gritch for the morning.

And since this is menial Monday, I’m off to Wallyworld. Oh, joy. I’m just hoping they’ve gotten restocked. I mean really people! Covid lock-down is long over. The supply chain is allegedly up and running but there are sooo many times I’ve had to substitute items or hit a second store because what I want isn’t on the shelf. And don’t even get me started on the costs! Our grocery bill has almost doubled and it’s not like I’m buying filet mignon and lobster tail. Just sayin’!

In good sports news, Stormy played part of the first period in as a defenseman and most of the second period as goalie. Only and I were figuratively–and almost literally!–biting our nails. He did good, though, and when we asked him about it after the match, he said he had fun. My Cardinals took one out of three from the Padres. Eh. That said, Adam Wainwright got his 200th win, only the 3rd Cardinal pitcher to do so. This is his last year and this was his big milestone goal. And he did at home, in Busch Stadium so another big yay. As for college football, no comment.

Writing. I’ve done a BUNCH! *shakes pompoms* I read through all the chapters I’d drafted in order. Then I went through the “puzzle” scenes. I slotted some of them in to already-written chapters and got others rearranged on the timeline so I can slot them in at the appropriate places. You know what? I’m really liking this book. I’ve laughed a couple of times. I’ve cried more than once. And I’m loving the characters. There are a bunch of them so there’s lots to love. 🤣 I’m just over 75K words now, with an anticipated goal of 100K. It may turn out longer. I’ve got Chapter 20 mostly figured out and will start the draft of it once I’m back from Wallyworld. I also fixed some typos and other OOPS! during my read through so that will help the editing/revision process go faster once I’m to that point. I’m shooting for having this ready to go before the end of the year. Wish me luck! 🤞🏼

On that note, time to finish off my coffee, put on real clothes, harness up Jake and head out into the Real World. Yippee. *makes a put-upon face and twirls an index finger in a desultory whoopee kind of way* What happened in your world last week and this weekend? Hope it was all good!

PS – Happy Birthday, Daddy. You’ve been gone 28 years now but I still miss you every day. ❤

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Friday Sinema: S’all Cool

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Silver James

My how times fly when you’re having fun. Or staying busy. Or living life. It’s been over a week now since I rearranged things. I feel so much lighter. I can see things out the window. I’m doing things. I spend a little time each day adding to clearing out extraneous stuff in my office–and other spaces. I spent more time reading the WIP to catch up and writing words to fill in spots. And sometimes, I catch a tune and think, “Hey, that’s pretty cool.” So here. To celebrate Friday, have some cool. Especially since tomorrow is supposed to hit 90, which hopefully is Summer’s last gasp!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Criticism

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Silver James

National Novel Writing Month is a month and a half away. I’d like to think that I’ll be done with the Boston Wolves but yeah…probably not. I bring this up because I got an email from the local coordinator with a list of places and times where those of us here in the metro area can gather for write-ins. Some are in October as a way to get prepped and excited for the kick-off of things on November 1. Yeah, yeah, you say, but what does this have to do with today’s topic? Well, here’s what the Big U had to say. My thoughts follow.

Embrace criticism, Silver… whether from the wise or from fools.

Never have words been uttered that didn’t have meaning to those who’ve heard them.

How’s that for stopping you in your tracks?
The Universe
©www.tut.com
(Now be sure to read the P.S. below… BTW there’s always a “P.S. below,” on every single daily Note.)

P.S. Which by no means implies what you heard was true, Silver! Maybe you heard those words to test your confidence, to challenge your resolve, or to help you rethink earlier choices… only you know.

I normally don’t do the group events. I’m solitary by nature but one of the coordinators from several years ago asked me to come and be available for questions since I’d been published and all. As anticipated, I got no writing done (I’m easily distracted when there are others around for…reasons! LOL) I didn’t give a class or talk or anything. The coordinator introduced me and told those who’d gathered that I’d be happy to answer questions if they wanted to come up to me. None of the participants had been published yet so I was expecting quetions on how to find an agent, a publisher, the pitfalls of self-publishing, etc. I was surprised by the majority of conversations I had that evening. Their number one concern–and what seemed to hold some of them back from showing their work and/or trying to get published–was the fear of criticism. “What do you do about bad reviews?” “How do you handle rejections when you submit your book?” “What happens when someone hates your work?”

Yeah, we writers are an insecure lot. Heck, ALL of us are insecure when it comes to criticism–whether it’s about our work, our looks, our lifestyles, whatever. Someone is always going to dislike something about us. And that’s basically what I told them. You shrug it off. You enjoy the good reviews, the requests, and the folks who love your stuff. I don’t write to please everyone because that’s an exercise in futility. I write what I enjoy reading and I write what those who enjoy reading it want. There’s an audience out there for whatever you write. The trick is finding them. And that’s my lesson for today. Take the good, walk away from the bad, lesson learned. Yeah?

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Wednesday Words: You Need This

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Silver James

I’m back at work on the Boston Wolves. Are you excited? I am! Today, I’m sharing a double prompt for…reasons. Mainly because for once the two weekly prompts went hand in hand from the scene’s start to finish. Well, mostly the start to the finish. Not sure it’ll be the beginning of a chapter or the end. The main thing is that I’m rereading the story so far, checkout out my “puzzle pieces” and then I’m all about the new words. I’m not too worried about spoilers because as slow as I’ve been getting a new book released, y’all will have forgotten any previous scenes. Right? Are you curious about the prompts? Here they are:**”You’re going to need this.”** and **”Why do you say that?”** Thing are, once again, self-explanatory.
****
The morning had been a complete waste of his time. First it was the mix-up in the liquor order for the bar. Then there’d been a dust up on the docks and he’d made far more phone calls than should have been necessary to clear it up. Brian Boru called needing information on some possible business partners. While the old man left most of the work that came with running the organization to Ronan, he still kept his hand in the pot—usually the illegal stuff. Brian knew Ronan was working to take the mob legit—at least as much as possible. There’d always been lines that not even Brian would cross—human trafficking the biggest. The information Ronan had gathered meant he and the boys would have to deal with the gang making this new business proposal. And that meant handling it the old way.

Ronan looked up as his brother entered the office. Without a word, Mick strode to the built-in bar, snagged an Irish crystal highball glass and poured a generous splash of Irish whiskey into it. Still silent, he approached the desk and set the drink in front of Ronan.

“What’s this then?” he asked.

“Drink it.”

“And why should I be drinkin’ in the middle of the day?”

“You’re going to need that.”

He didn’t touch the glass but he leaned forward, his entire attention focused on Mick. “What’s happened?”

“Nothing. Yet.”

“Just a guess here, but I’m thinkin’ yet must be the operative word.”

“Aye, Ronan.”

“Who died?”

“No one. Yet.”

“And there’s that word again. Fine. Who needs killing then?”

Mick snorted out a laugh. “Now that ’twould be a long list, yeah?”

Ronan leveled an alpha stare on his brother. “I’ve got actual work t’be doin’, Mick. Spill it or get on with yer day and leave me in peace.”

Mick returned to the bar and poured whiskey into a second glass. He tossed it back before he faced Ronan. “It’s the Brannigan woman.”

Ronan went very still. Under his icy stare, Mick grabbed the untouched glass he’d placed in front of his brother and drained it too. Sadly, as a Wolf, the alcohol was more for show and taste than any sort of actual palliative effect. He briefly met his brother’s gaze then lowered his eyes.

“What about Maura?” Ronan’s voice was all teeth and claws.

“Someone wants her dead.”

“And why do you say that?”

“I say it because the grapevine is fairly hummin’ with it. Big money, too. It’d hav’ta be a rich pot considering she’s an assistant district attorney.”

“Who?” The word was barely understandable, far more wolfish snarl than human speech.

“I don’t know yet, but I’ve got Fitz workin’ on it. He’s already lurkin’ about the dark web peekin’ into the blackest corners.”

Callum “Fitz” Fitzpatrick was a computer genius and one of Ronan’s lieutenants. He’d ferret out the bloody wankers and then Ronan would personally hunt them down and rip out their throats.

“I can put a man on her, Ronan, but considering who she is, he can’t shadow her everywhere. We’ll find them, keep her safe.”

“Aye. We’ll find them,” Ronan promised. “Then we’ll hunt them.”

End of story.
****
This fits so perfectly into a part of the story that I was fairly bouncing when I wrote the first scene and then continued it. I know excactly where it goes and have scenes before and after it. I’m so happy to be “shipping up to Boston” once again. These Wolves have been on hold for way too long and their story is all but vibrating to leave my brain and appear on the monitor.  Writers, what project are you anxious to get back to? (And yes, feel free to use the prompts!) Readers, I’ll make it easy for you. What are you currently reading? I’m off to work. Later, taters!

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Cross Cinnamon with Chocolate for Pudding

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Silver James

We’ve hit that season where summer is fading and fall isn’t quite here but we’re starting to crave those cooler-weather flavors. Here’s a recipe that fits both the hankering for something cool and light but with the flavors we want. Plus, it’s quick. This  treat will hit the spot. Be sure to stock up on supplies so you can indulge whenever the urge hits. Because this dessert is largely sugar free, it’s a winner in my book!

Total Time: 5 Min.
Prep Time: 5 Min,
4 servings, approximately 2/3 cup each

Healthy Living: Simply add cinnamon to a chocolate classic for a weeknight delight.

What You Need
1 pkg. (1.4 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Sugar Free Fat Free Instant Pudding
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 cups fat-free milk
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP Zero Sugar Whipped Topping

Let’s Make It
1 – Beat pudding mix, cinnamon and milk with whisk 2 min.
2 – Stir in COOL WHIP.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Substitute: Prepare using COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping.

Tip 2 – Make Ahead: Desserts can be made ahead of time. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tip 3 – Nutrition Bonus: Trying to eat right? Satisfy your sweet tooth with this easy-to-make low-fat dessert.

This treat comes compliments of MY FOOD AND FAMILY. Click on over for the nutritional details. I happen to be a big fan of both cinnamon and chocolate, and anything I can whip together in five minutes to curb that craving? Oh, heck yeah! I’m totally on board. And I’m not the only one. Mariska needed soft food after a chemo treatment and was craving something sweet. Cory whipped this up because it’s quick and yummy. Turns out All the kids–including Maxim–think this is an awesome snack, and/or dessert. Cory shared the recipe with Meg and the two of them have been known to whip up their own servings when there’s no one else around. You can find out more about the kids and how Meg came to Key West with Kin in CROSSFIRE. The book is now available wide in most major on-line booksellers. Grab it while its “hot off the presses,” mix up some cinnamon chocolate pudding and enjoy! Simply click on the pic up top or the title to head to Books2Read to get the link to your favorite store. What about y’all? Cool flavors during hot temps: yay or nay?

**There is no individual cover pic like I normally post for TTT because weirdness is still happening–the pics are fine here on the blog and in my RSS reader feed but on Facebook? It gets weird! Let’s see what happens. 🙄

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Monday Murmurs

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Silver James

There are two more Mondays left in Spetember–today and next week. Then it’s October and winding up toward Halloween. Then it’ll be Thanksgiving. And OMG! Christmas!!! I’m not ready for this! FYI, Christmas is on a Monday and it’s 98 days away. In case you’re counting.

So, the office “upgrade” is mostly done. Yes, there is still clutter in three corners but my work space is fixed and I will be getting back to writing today. After my trip to Wallyworld because…groceries. I plan to stay on track and take an hour each day to work on the clutter. I’ll start on the small bookcase today. Or maybe tomorrow. If I get inspired by the writing, who knows. If I don’t, yeah, any excuse will do. LOL I’m very happy with the way things turned out. I can see out the whol window without craning my neck into weird positions. I can see the TV by glancing up from my computer monitor. The phone is behind me in easy reach and my desk is empy but for a lamp, a mug with pens, a glass business card “holder,” my coffee mug, and the mouse/pad. My inbox is on a different flat surface, the big write-on board is visible, though I do have to stand up to study it. I have a “portable write-on board and it’s within arm’s reach. Also, the cat perch sits between the end of the desk and the window which makes both Loki and Pete happy. The can sit up there and either watch birds or me while napping. Next project is the small bookcase that is mostly crammed full of note pads, sticky notes and other detrious. Then there are two more bookcases (moving around the room clockwise, my desk at 6 o’clock). Following that, there’s a 3-drawer plastic storage cart, a drafting table with much stuff stacked on top (under which is Jake’s office bed), another large 3-drawer cart that is all Only’s, the closet (of which I can get into so won’t touch at the moment), then the TV armoir (which does need attention top and bottom, then the last corner which is stack plastic drawer bins with many author copies of my Harlequin books. Before I mess with it, I have to clear Only Stuff™ off the shelf that runs along the top of two walls. That’s where the bulk of those books will go.

Wow. Exciting life I lead, huh? Moving on, now that I’ve bored you to tears. Much soccer this weekend–Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning. Stormy played well as a defenseman. Considering this team has only been together for about a month and the majority of them moved up from rec leagues, they held their own against some established teams. They came in second in their bracket and faced off against both of the teams who played in the finals. The #1 team, who NOKC Green played in the semis yesterday morning, scored 27 goals combined against two of their opponents. The boys held them to 5. A loss, yes, but one that shows how far they’ve come in just a short time. Next game is Friday night against a crosstown “rival” team. I’m not going to mention the other two sports/teams I follow. I keep reminding myself, “No pain, no gain.” 🙄

Sadly, not much else going on. I haven’t listened to my current “read” much. It’s the Graphic Audio (full cast) version of Ilona Andrew’s MAGIC BURNS. The third book just released in the GA version so yeah, any excue for a relisten. 🤣

No fun antics by cats or dog to share. No humorous anecdotes either. Life may be boring but no complaints because it sure beats the alternative. We’re having more seasonable weather–80s instead of 90s/100s. This also totally beats the alternative. I may actually start cooking again. I did last week. I made spaghetti and hot rolls one night. Another night, I did rolls and crab cakes. I’m thinking about doing a Cajun boil one night this week. I grabbed the stuff at the store today. I suspect most of the rest of what I fix will be our stand-by summer usuals. Ah well.

On that note, I will return you to your regularly scheduled Monday. May you have no commercial interruptions! And what are you planning for dinner this week? Suggestions always appreciated. LOL

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Testy Because I Can’t Drink Coffee — Yet

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Silver James

Still trying to figure out the photo glitch from last week. Those who know me on FB are aware that a picture of the cover of my latest release kept appearing when jet pack automatically posted to my FB author page. This happened even when I did NOT embed that picture. In the deleted test yesterday, I did NOT attach a pic. Today, I am. And today, you can just enjoy the meme. LOL Let’s see what happens when I hit [Publish]. 🤞🏼

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Friday Free-For-All: More Odds than Ends

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Silver James

It’s Friday. It feels like I haven’t done much this week and then I look at my office and realize WHOA! I did a LOT–just not wordy-nerdy stuff. Well, other than posting on this here blog every day. So now it’s Friday. I’ve been saving up this stuff as it comes to me and since I haven’t gone hunting for a video, I suppose I’ll subject you to this inanity. You do realise that there’s only one letter that separates inane from insane, right? Anyway, please fasten your seatbelts and return your seat and tray table to their upright positions for take-off…

Alien invasion RomCom book idea:
“When you’re supposed to take over the earth as the dominant species but you discover day drinking.”
I saw this on a meme (cat, looking slightly disgruntled, sitting at an outdoor table staring at a cell phone and a wine glass full of red wine). Someone much funnier than me totally needs to write this book!

Dad jokes that made me laugh in spite of myself:

What’s a frog’s favorite restaurant?  ….  ….  …. I-Hop.

What is a frog’s favorite type of shoe?  ….  ….  …. Open-toed sandals. (think about it and if you don’t get it then say it out loud)

Thoughts that occur to me as I drink coffee and stare out the window into the dark:

The word Queue is just a Q followed by four silent letters.

I don’t procrasinate, I delegate tasks to my future self.

I’ve never been held hostage but I have been in a group text.

I’m holding a cup of coffee, so yeah, I’m busy. (This is also true if holding a beer or a margarita, just sayin’…)

Sarcasm–one of the many services I offer.

Of course I talk to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice.

The fact that I am an adult is absolutely hilarious.

In my defense, I was left unsupervised.

****

Soccer tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. At least the weather is cooler! That pretty much defines my whole weekend. What’s on tap for y’all? 

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Busy Work

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Silver James

How many months **koffyearskoff** have I been talking about rearranging my office? And how long did it take me to write, edit, and publishe CROSSFIRE (I was affraied the war might end before that happened)? Yes, I was hanging out in the Land of Good Intentions and getting not much done slowly. Yes, there was the pandemic. Yes, there was a long, cold winter followed by a longer, hotter summer. Excuses, excuses. I look around as I type this and realize that I’m now doing what the Universe suggested…

Often, Silver, the very most spiritual thing one can do is get busy.

Physically busy. Hoeing, chopping, planting. Connecting, moving, grooving. Dipping, swirling, twirling.

Especially dipping, swirling, twirling.

2, 3, 4 –
The Universe
©www.tut.com

P.S. Yes, Silver, “hoeing” is a word.

Hoeing IS a word. So is writing. And rearranging, sorting (yes, all my junk is getting sorted into Hogswart houses…Filendrawer, Trasherin, Snuffdust, and Donatesclaw) and summarily dealing with all the things. I started with six boxes of stuff. I’m down to one. I’ve got my sorting hat on and will finish off today. So yeah, I’m dipping, swirling, and twirling as I sort, put up, and toss and every once in awhile, I just stop and go, “Wow! Why the bloody blue blazes did I wait so long to do this?” Oh, don’t get me wrong. There’s still a lot to be done to convert this space totally into mine. There are still MANY remnants of Only’s life stacked on shelves and hanging on the walls. But that’s okay. My little corner is now all mine and I feel liberated and have new life and new energy and come next week, I plan on hitting the keyboard for the next project, MOONSTRUC MAFIA: BOSTON. Which is a working title but nothing else comes to mind. I’m open to suggestions. And like the Universe suggests, I’m going to stay busy. So tell me, what are you going to get busy doing today?

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