Uncategorized Archive

10th Day: Traditions with Ryan Jo Summers

Posted December 23, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas 25 love♪♫♪ On the tenth day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

gifts for your mother,

tart lemon mousse,

toe tapping music,

warm maple taffy,

pimp for your table,

fine first course food,

four frugal gifts,

cream soda punch,

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

My Holiday Tradition – Gifts for my Mom

My Mom lives in a different city, but I wanted her to know that I was thinking of her every day so I started getting her advent gifts from December 1st until the 25th. I enjoy choosing the gifts as much as she enjoys opening them each morning. I pick a theme –I’ve done gardening, puzzles and games, crafts, travel, birds, baking, holidays (I bought little gifts throughout the year – New Year’s, Valentines, St. Patrick’s Day, Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Hallowe’en and saved them for the December gifts). This year’s theme is pink – 25 gifts that are pink. I try to write a clue on the card and number the gifts. I also write down what I’ve given her so that I can talk to her about it – otherwise I’m afraid I’ll give away the surprise! It’s become a tradition that we both look forward to. What is your favourite holiday tradition?

Laugh every day. Love every minute. Linda

 

My guest author today is Ryan Jo Summers. Welcome!

When Clouds Gather by Ryan Jo Summers

Ryan Jo Summers When Clouds Gather  Book Cover

Darby Adams has a successful Bed & Breakfast Inn, a wonderful son and a happy life in the coastal town of Driftwood Shores. Then a guest is found dead in one of her rooms. Suddenly she is the number one suspect and her world is spiraling out of control.

The surviving family wants answers so they hire new-in-town private investigator Sam Golden to undeniably prove her guilt and have her put away. Sam begins his new case in a dual role, in the guise of being Darby’s much needed friend while looking for the evidence to send her to prison.

Until strange things begin happening at the B & B–scary things. Finally Sam has to question his thoughts on her guilt or innocence. Meanwhile, Darby leans on Sam to weather each new challenge and threat. Feelings begin to develop between Darby and Sam. Until Sam is forced to tell Darby the truth about him, effectively destroying what trust they had.

Until a new threat forces Darby to trust Sam once more. She will bet her freedom and life on his skills, but can she trust her heart?

Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Ryan donated a pair of hand-painted ceramic penguin holiday mugs, paired with a $5 Amazon card from Sophia Kimble to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Ryan Jo Summers is a North Carolina writer who pens contemporary romance blended with an unexpected twist. “Whispers in Her Heart’ combines mystery and horses with the mystical paranormal.

Her latest book out, “Shimmers of Stardust” combines Christian elements in a time travel love story. Next up will be “When Clouds Gather”, a romantic mystery.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter

9th Day: Lemon Mousse and M. Bonatch

Posted December 22, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas door♪♫♪ On the ninth day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

tart lemon mousse

toe tapping music,

warm maple taffy,

pimp for your table,

fine first course food,

four frugal gifts,

cream soda punch,

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

lemon mousse

Gluten-free Lemon Mousse

This is a  Gluten-free Lemon Mousse dessert recipe. It’s tart enough to make you pucker so add a little mistletoe and grab your sweetheart! Plan on doubling the recipe because there won’t be enough!

 

 

Soften 1 pkg of gelatin in ¼ cup cold water for 1-2 minutes. Then stir over low heat until dissolved.
Add:    1 Tbsp. lemon rind (I like a little more so I use 3 Tbsp. when I double the recipe)
½ cup fresh lemon juice
½ cup white sugar (I use 3/4 cup for double the recipe)
Stir in 2/3 cup President’s Choice Greek vanilla yogurt 0% fat or plain yoghurt
Whip 1 cup whipping cream with ½ cup sugar and whisk it into the above mixture. Chill 3-4 hours.  Serves ~4. Enjoy!

Laugh every day. Love every minute. Linda

 

Today’s guest author is Maureen Bonatch. Welcome!

Destiny Calling by Maureen Bonatch

Maureen Bonatch  DestinyCalling_w9052_300  Book Cover

Hope only wants to find out if her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with her touch makes her the devil’s spawn, or his exterminator. But when the woman who raised her is murdered by something not human, she loses the only family she knew and discovers one she might wish she hadn’t.

Drawn back to the home town she vowed never to return to, her ability is seen as an asset to everyone but Hope, and she doesn’t know who to trust. Her family wants her to help them overcome an enemy oppressing the human population, while the man of her dreams is courting her for the Underworld.

Pick up a copy today at Amazon or Wild Rose Press.

 

 

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Maureen donated a $5 Amazon card, paired with a bag of heart-shaped pasta from Abigail Sharpe to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Growing up with four siblings had Maureen familiar with escaping into a good book, or the recesses of her mind. She realized later in life everyone didn’t have characters telling stories in their heads, or weren’t envisioning magic and mayhem within the everyday. This, and long walks in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania spawned a love of writing.

Since her desire to become a Solid Gold Dancer was thwarted when the show was discontinued, Maureen opted to pursue other paths. Attempting to conquer new endeavors proved fruitful with her first novella, while other attempts, such as challenging a fear of heights with parasailing, were unsuccessful. Therefore she’s chased other interests, though none-the-less-daring, but closer to the ground, such as belly-dancing, becoming a self-proclaimed tequila connoisseur, fulfilling her role as biker babe to her alpha hubby and surviving motherhood to twins (so far).

Penning stories boasting laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

8th Day: Music with Jennifer Faye

Posted December 21, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas music♪♫♪ On the eighth day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

toe tapping music,

warm maple taffy,

pimp for your table,

fine first course food,

four frugal gifts,

cream soda punch,

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

cee lo green album

 

My favourite holiday song is What Christmas Means To Me by Cee Lo Green. How can you not dance to it? Even if you’re washing dishes, cooking dinner, folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher, wrapping presents, baking cookies (actually I don’t bake cookies – buying cookies)…

Laugh every day. Love every minute. (And dance often!) Linda

If you’d like to look around my website, just click on my name at the top of the page.

 

My guest author today is Jennifer Faye – Welcome! Here’s a magical story to share for Christmas.

A Princess by Christmas by Jennifer Faye

Jennifer Faye  A Princess by Christmas  Book Cover

A royal kiss under the mistletoe…

Prince Alexandro Castanovo arrives in snowy New York intent on protecting his royal family from scandal. And when Reese Harding—down-to-earth and heart-stoppingly beautiful—finds room for him at her inn, it seems like the perfect twist of fate.

Not long ago Reese’s world came crumbling down, shaking her foundations. But this enigmatic stranger intrigues her! She’s learned to be wary of secrets…but when she discovers Alex’s true identity, might there be enough magic in the air to make this regular American girl a princess by Christmas…?

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

 

 

 

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Jennifer donated a $10 Amazon card, paired with a package of author swag from Darcy Flynn to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

I currently reside in Pennsylvania with my very patient husband, one amazing daughter (the other remarkable daughter has flown the coop to chase her own dreams) and two spoiled rotten cats. When I’m not glued to my laptop (which isn’t often) or enjoying some family time, I like reading, cross-stitch, embroidery, quilting, knitting, hockey (go Pittsburgh Penguins!), and gardening.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

7th Day: Maple Taffy and Ann Lacey

Posted December 20, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas blue snowman♪♫♪ On the seventh day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

warm maple taffy,

pimp for your table,

fine first course food,

four frugal gifts,

cream soda punch,

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

Here’s a Canadian tradition – actually I’m not sure it’s Canadian, but we have lots of maple syrup and even more snow, so viola – you can enjoy both! It’s the perfect finger food to serve outdoors after skating or tobogganing.

photo squirrels with maple taffyMaple Taffy on Snow

2 cups maple syrup

Pack crushed ice or clean snow into a large shallow dish.

Pour maple syrup into a deep, heavy-duty pot. Bring to boil over medium heat. Boil without stirring until syrup reaches exactly 240° F on a candy thermometer, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and test by spooning a tablespoonful on the snow. It should harden to a taffy-like texture. (If it’s too hard, stir a bit of water into the syrup. If it’s too soft, boil the syrup another few minutes.) Use a small ladle or pitcher with a spout to pour the syrup in a long strip on the snow. Place the end of a popsicle stick on one end of the strip (perpendicular to it). The maple syrup will sink into the snow a bit and start to harden. After 30-45 seconds, invite your guest to roll the popsicle stick along the length of the taffy and enjoy!

Laugh every day. Love every minute. Linda

 

My guest author today is Ann Lacey – Welcome! 

A Second Chance for Murder by Ann Lacey

Ann Lacey A Second Chance For Murder  Book Cover

When a young woman is murdered during a party at the family estate and local authorities are unable to find the culprit, Lady Thora Mannington decides to take matters into her own hands and sets out to find the killer herself!

Fearing for his impulsive sister’s safety, her brother, Nyle turns to his friend Lord Garren Huntscliff for help. Though his investigating days are over, Garren cannot refuse his troubled friend. No sooner does he take on the case than two more deaths occur and he soon discovers that he is matching wits against a dangerous and clever killer. Complicating his effort is the lovely Lady Thora, who insists on joining forces with him yet refuses to adhere to his cautions, continually places herself at risk and is so disarmingly enchanting that he finds himself falling for her. Now Garren has two things on his mind, find a crafty and elusive killer and keep the reckless Lady Thora from becoming a victim herself!

Pick up a copy today from Amazon.

 

 

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Ann donated a $25 Amazon card to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

 

About the Author

I spent much of my life in New Jersey but have also lived in Florida and Wyoming. I currently reside in the lake region of central North Carolina. Living close to water, there are days when fog rolls in off the lake and creates an eerie mist. I love it but my dog, Molly, takes one look and refuses to leave the house.

When I’m not writing I read (lately with the help of a powerful pair of readers). For me there’s nothing better than a good who-done- it or a steamy romance! On rainy days, I enjoy watching old movies especially film noir and I can spend hours in an antique store.

I have recently moved to North Carolina and I’m delighted to say that southern hospitality truly exists!

Connect: Website | Twitter

6th Day: Tablescapes and Rebecca E. Neely

Posted December 19, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas 23 elves on tree♪♫♪ On the sixth day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

pimp for your table,

fine first course food,

four frugal gifts,

cream soda punch,

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

blue and red table copy

I love setting tables. I set my own – usually 2-3 different ones throughout the Christmas season when we entertain and different ones for the 24th and 25th. As a gift for a friend, I put together a table setting and my kids joked that I ran out of tables at our house before I ran out of ideas!

I try to buy the fabric when it’s on sale and have made different coloured tablecloths and have made a variety of napkins to go with them. I’ve collected sets of coloured chargers (the big plates that go under the dinner plate) and mix and match. Sometimes it’s whimsical and colourful and sometimes a little more formal with cream and gold. I’ll go outside and collect branches or pine cones, use Christmas decorations or dollar store finds. Sitting down to share

picture table purple copya meal with family and friends is the most important part, no matter what the table looks like, but for me, putting together a pretty table is creative and relaxing!

 

 

Laugh every day. Love every minute. Linda

 

 

Today my guest author is Rebecca E. Neely – Welcome! Rebecca just released her novel A Mighty Good Man. It’s a fast paced, suspenseful story with sexy, gritty characters! Congratulations Rebecca on a great story!

A Mighty Good Man by Rebecca E. Neely

Rebecca Neely  A Might Good Man  Book Cover

3 days. 2 people. 1 story.

‘Hank’ Jerry, a down and out writer, and Jack Darcy, a former gang leader, team up to write his story for mutual gain and end up falling for each other.

It’s not long before their romance is as hot as the copy she’s writing, but they’ve both got something to hide that could blow up in their faces, and with time running out and gang enforcers closing in, will the trust they’ve forged survive the ultimate test?

Pick up your copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Rebecca donated a $10 Amazon GC to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Rebecca E. Neely was born and raised in a small town in western Pennsylvania. Her father, an English teacher and a writer, instilled in her a love of words, and literature, especially short stories, at a young age. Her mother, a voracious reader, gave her Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild as a Christmas gift when she was nine, and Rebecca’s been hooked on reading stories of all stripes ever since.

Rebecca’s family also owned and managed a restaurant until she was about sixteen, and she grew up in the business, working, cooking, and eating. Rebecca enjoys finding, and reading new authors via her Kindle. Live music inspires her, as do the characters she’s blessed to have in her life, including her daughter, her boyfriend, and her mother. She loves drawing, crafting, walking, and camping. She also enjoys traveling, going to music festivals, and exploring cities she’s never been to before with her daughter.

In a former life, she earned a B.S. in Accounting, and worked in that field for about a decade. Since 2001, Rebecca has freelanced, writing a wide variety of copy for local magazines, and businesses all over the country. She is a member of Savvy Authors, and a PRO member of Romance Writers of America.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

5th Day: Apple Butter Dressing and J. Hardt

Posted December 18, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas 26 cheers♪♫♪ On the fifth day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

fine first course food,

four frugal gifts,

cream soda punch,

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

photo - salad 1st course copy

 

Spinach and Dried Cherry Salad with Apple Butter Dressing

As promised, a recipe using the apple butter you bought for under $10. Delicious and nutritious. And the salad will fill you up so by the time you get to dessert, you’ll be full. (Not too full, just full enough for a smaller piece!) You can add any ingredients to this – whatever’s on hand! 🙂

 

Toss together in a large bowl:

Spinach and tender red mix (I use a pre-packaged one so I don’t have to wash the lettuce)

Avocado – diced

2 small cucumbers with skin on – sliced

1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved

1 Yellow pepper chopped

2 Tbsp red onion (I like it chopped finely)

1/4 cup dried cherries

1/4 cup Sunflower seeds

1/4 cup blueberries

¾ cup Feta cheese (optional)

 

Dressing

¼ cup olive oil

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1 Tbsp apple butter

Whisk with a fork until smooth.

Toss it all together and serve on small plates. Enjoy!

Laugh every day. Love every minute. Linda

 

Today my guest author is Jeanne Hardt. Welcome!

From the Ashes of Atlanta by Jeanne Hardt

Jeanne Hardt  Ashes of Atlanta  Book Cover

After losing his Atlanta home and family to the war, Confederate soldier, Jeb Carter, somehow wakes up in a Boston hospital. Alone, desperate, and with a badly broken leg, he pretends to be mute to save himself from those he hates—Yankees.

Gwen Abbott, a student at Boston Women’s Medical College, is elated when she’s allowed to study under the guidance of a prominent doctor at Massachusetts General. While forced into a courtship with a man she can scarcely tolerate, her thoughts are consumed with their mysterious new patient. If only he could talk.

Two strangers from different worlds, joined by fate. Perhaps love can speak without words and win a war without a single shot being fired.

Pick up a copy today from Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Jeanne donated an autographed paperback copy of Marked, paired with a $10 Starbucks card from Jessica Jefferson to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

After moving to Tennessee in the early 1990’s, I have fallen in love with the South and its history. I moved here from Idaho with the intent of pursuing a career in music and acting, but in 2010 discovered my true love…Writing. I am now a member of Romance Writers of America and my local chapter, Music City Romance Writers. My hope and dream is to one day have a Jeanne Hardt novel in every home. I am a lover of happy endings, but my stories are by no means, “fluff.” Life has its ups and downs, and so do my books.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

4th Day: Four frugal gifts with Darcy Flynn

Posted December 17, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas 16 bunny presents♪♫♪ On the fourth day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

four frugal gifts,

cream soda punch,

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

gifts copy

Four gifts under $10. I’m an expert at this – come back on the tenth day of Christmas and find out why! My four frugal gifts are: a package of stamps (maybe they’ll send you a letter), a mini-skillet (I hope the kids aren’t reading this post), apple butter (and tomorrow I’ll give you a recipe to use it in) and an ornament (of course – it’s Christmas!). There you go – what did you buy this year for under $10?

 

Laugh every day. Love every minute. Linda

 

My guest author today is Darcy Flynn – Welcome! The best gift of all under $10 is Darcy’s book Rogue’s Son!

Rogue’s Son by Darcy Flynn

Darcy Flynn   Rogue's Son   Book Cover

Tough, driven Kit Kendall has replaced her frills and dresses with no nonsense haircuts and wranglers, years ago. As owner of Sage Brush, the once thriving west Texas bed and breakfast ranch, she now struggles daily to keep her business afloat. Since McCabe Resort Lodge reopened next door as a multi-million dollar hotel, her financial difficulties compound, as she suffers one cancellation after another.

Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Kit’s childhood sweetheart turned nemesis returns as the new owner of the resort that’s now putting her out of business, resurrecting memories she thought she’d buried long ago.

Cowboy, entrepreneur Sam Dawson has returned to Sugar Creek, Texas after six years of exile with a secret that could destroy Kit’s happiness. He left town because of it and for the past two years has secretly tried to make it right. Having failed, he now returns to make one last attempt to undo the tangled web created by his father.

Set in motion by his father’s Last Will and Testament and with the clock ticking, Sam has only weeks to convince Kit to sell him her ranch or reveal the truth that will break her heart.

Pick up a copy today at Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Darcy donated a package full of author swag, paired with a $10 Amazon card from Jennifer Faye to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Joy Dent writes sweet contemporary romances as Darcy Flynn. Her life is a gumbo world. Take a little New Orleans heritage, some art, music, dance and add a lot of love and time to simmer and all you have is spice, flavor, and a memory of something so fine you can’t wait for another helping. Her fiction is a few B&Bs, a bit of moon magic and a lot of problems mixed with a healthy portion of sweet romance. Add a dash of sizzle and a lot of sass and all that’s left is magic.

A native of New Orleans, Darcy swapped her city roots for garden boots when she and her husband moved to their farm in Franklin, Tennessee, where Darcy is surrounded by her beautiful gardens and a menagerie of living creatures–English setters and Millie Fleur chickens, being her favorite.

Although, published in the Christian non-fiction market under her real name, Joy Dent, it was the empty nest that turned her to writing romantic fiction. A lover of lighthouses, Darcy’s first novel, Keeper Of My Heart, is set in a small Maryland fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay. Her short story, Sealed With a Kiss: Prequel to Keeper of My Heart is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Google+

3rd Day: Pink Punch with Stephanie Berget

Posted December 16, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas 22 pink snowman

♪♫♪ On the third day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

cream soda punch,

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

 

cream soda drink copy

 

Cream Soda Punch

I bet you always wanted a recipe for a delicious pink punch! It’s a mix of orange juice, cream soda, and lemonade with a hint of coconut. I use the Bacardi pina colada mix but skip the alcohol. The best part are the cream soda ice cubes – don’t skimp on those.

 

26 oz/650 mL bottle of cream soda

12 oz/300 mL can frozen pink lemonade concentrate

12 oz/300 mL can frozen orange juice concentrate

8 oz/250 mL can frozen Bacardi pina colada mix (this adds a smooth coconut flavour)

48 oz water

Chill all ingredients. Pour some of the cream soda into an ice cube tray and freeze to make ice cubes. Open each can of frozen concentrate and pour into large bowl. Add 2 cans of water using orange juice can and 2 cans of water using lemonade can. Add 2 cups cream soda. Stir and chill then serve using pink ice cubes. (Cause that’s just fun!)

Laugh every day. Love every minute. Linda

 

My guest author today is Stephanie Berget. Welcome!

Sugarwater Ranch by Stephanie Berget

Stephanie Berget  Sugar Water Ranch  Book Cover

Bullrider Sean O’Connell’s life is perfect, or it was until his partying lifestyle affects his riding ability. Now he’s ended the season too broke to leave the Northwest for the warm southern rodeos. When a wild night with his buddies gets out of hand, he wakes up naked, staring into the angry eyes of a strange woman. His infallible O’Connell charm gets him nowhere with the dark-haired beauty. It’s obvious she’s not his usual good-time girl, so why can’t he forget her?

Catherine Silvera finds a waterlogged, unconscious cowboy freezing to death in front of her uncle’s Sugarwater Bar. She saves his life—then runs faster than a jackrabbit with a coyote on its tail. Any man who makes his living rodeoing is bad news, especially if he thinks partying is part of the competition. He’s everything she doesn’t want in a man, yet she shake her attraction to the rugged cowboy.

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

 

 

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Stephanie donated a PB copy of Sugarwater Ranch with a keychain to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Born and raised in Boise, Idaho to city parents, I was a horse lover from the day I first watched My Friend Flicka.

I began writing after I read a rodeo romance in which the romance was good, but the rodeo and horse information was so wrong…. I thought, how hard can it be to write a book? Five years and thousands of hours of study and writing, I know how hard it is. Writing well is just as hard to do well as it is to do anything well.

I write Contemporary Rodeo Romance with a touch of magic. It’s Romance with a Rodeo flair.

 

2nd Day: Something to do with Meda White

Posted December 15, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas 18 penguin

 

♪♫♪ On the second day of Christmas I’m going share with you:

something to do, 

and cran-nut squares that’re gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

 

GrinchNeed something to do? Watch a holiday movie. My favourite is the cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s a classic with a great message and fun songs, but the best part is that my husband, three sons and I watch it together on Christmas eve (after a hearty meal of roast beast haha just kidding). My sons are often busy with their friends when they’re home for the holiday so it’s precious time when we have dinner and spend the evening together. My favourite part of The Grinch is when the little dog hitches a ride on the back of the sleigh and enjoys the ride with his ears pasted back in the wind, his tail wagging, and a huge grin on his face. That’s how I feel when we’re all home together. Here’s a fun fact –  Thurl Ravenscroft who sang “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is also the voice of Tony the Tiger!

Laugh every day. Love every minute. – Linda

 

Read the remainder of this entry »

1st Day: Cran-nut Squares and J. Jefferson

Posted December 14, 2014 By Linda

Karen card Christmas 24 bella cranberry

 

♪♫♪ On the first day of Christmas I’m going to share with you: Cran-nut squares that are gluten-free. ♪♫♪

 

 

 

 

Cranberry Nut square photo copy

 

GF Cranberry Nut Squares

Yum! Gluten-free Cranberry Nut Squares – a gluten-free adaptation of a recipe from Canadian Living Magazine. Sort of like date squares, but made with cranberries for a festive twist.

 

 

Nut crust:                                                                         Cranberry Filling:

1 cup (150 g) roasted whole hazelnuts                          340 g/~4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries

1 cup (100 g) roasted whole almonds                            1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup gluten-free flour                                                  1 tsp grated orange zest

½ cup granulated sugar                                                    1/3 cup orange juice

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ tsp each cinnamon and ground ginger

2/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

To make filling: In saucepan bring cranberries, sugar, orange zest and orange juice to boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes.

To make crust: In food processor, pulse together nuts, flour, sugars, cinnamon and ginger until the nuts are finely chopped. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press half of mixture into the bottom of a parchment paper-lined 9-inch square cake pan. Bake in 350°F oven until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Spread cranberry filling over crust and sprinkle with remaining nut mixture. Bake in 350°F oven until topping is golden, about 40 minutes. Let cool completely in pan then cut into squares. Enjoy!

Laugh every day. Love every minute. – Linda

 

My guest author today is Jessica Jefferson – Welcome!

Taming Miss Tisdale by Jessica Jefferson

perf5.000x8.000.indd

Miss Tamsin Tisdale believes herself to be completely unsuitable for London life. After a myriad of social mishaps, and the potential ruination of her family name, she’s shipped away to her cousin’s northern estate. Only after she accepts the type of existence Society dictates she must follow will she be welcomed home.

Marcus Winston, the Duke of Grayson, has a lackluster reputation. The last in a dying line, he’s endured a protected life—rank with privilege, but encumbered by isolation. After a brief encounter with rebellion, he learns the devastating consequences of his carelessness and willingly accepts living life from inside his gilded cage.

However, a chance meeting with the brazen Miss Tisdale gives Marc the opportunity to reinvent himself into the man he’s always dreamed of being. But when his deception comes to light, and ghosts from both their pasts threaten to unravel the intimacy they’ve come to cherish, will either of them set their fears aside long enough to embrace love? Or will Miss Tisdale’s stubbornness divide them?

Pick up your copy today at Amazon.

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop Button with Frame

As part of The 12 Days of Christmas celebration, Jessica donated a $10 Starbucks card, paired with an autographed PB of Marked from Jeanne Hardt to the prize list. Click HERE for this and many more random drawings. To follow the celebration, find a new recipe, pick up a holiday decorating or shopping tip, click HERE.

About the Author

Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it – almost Chicago. Jessica originally attended college in hopes of achieving an English degree and writing the next great American novel. Ten years later she was working as a registered nurse and reading historical romance when she decided to give writing another go-round.

Jessica writes likes she speaks – which has a tendency to be fast paced and humorous. She is heavily inspired by sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads