Diana Lesire Brandmeyer's Blog- Home in My Heart

Moving On

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:19:00 +0000

It's sad to leave, but sometimes it's for the best. I've moved to a self-hosted site.

I can be found at www.dianabrandmeyer.com 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Well, not me excatly but what I've blogged on will be there.

Meanwhile here is a peak at my new cover. Mind of Her Own will be out in January.

A Dangerous Stage

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Protection for Hire

guest post by Camy Tang

Hi everyone! My name is Camy Tang and the second book in my Protection for Hire series, A Dangerous Stage, just released a few days ago! It’s a humorous romantic suspense about a woman who is the niece of the San Francisco Japanese mafia boss, who went to prison for a crime she didn’t commit and then found Christ in prison. Now she’s out and has formed her own bodyguard service. She has to protect her latest client, a popular contestant in a televised singing competition, when he and his daughter discover evidence the show is rigged, all the while dealing with her dysfunctional family and the pressures of her uncle, who wants her to come back to working for the “family.”

When I first wrote A Dangerous Stage, I knew I wanted the backdrop to be a singing competition like American Idol, or The Voice, or X-Factor. I couldn’t use the name of any of those shows for legal reasons (and I wouldn’t want an angry note from Simon Cowell anyway!) so I had to come up with a name for my fictional singing competition.

I brainstormed for days, but couldn’t come up with anything better than “Screechers,” which my husband vetoed. :) So I posted on my Facebook Author page (https://www.facebook.com/CamyTangAuthor) to ask my Facebook friends for help.

I had a ton of great ideas! The best one was from Amancay, which was Grab the Mic. I loved that title right away and inserted it into my manuscript only a few days before I sent it to my editor at Zondervan.

I always love asking for help from Facebook friends because I get so many creative ideas! I hope you’ll join me there if you have a Facebook account.

Thanks for letting me guest blog, Diana!

Readers can find me here:

http://www.camytang.com/

http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CamyTangAuthor

http://www.twitter.com/camytang

And there’s a page about A Dangerous Stage on my website here.

Thanks for being here, Camy. I have to get this book, the first one Protection for Hire kept me turning pages way into the night.

Camy Tang is one of my favorite writers. She takes me into unusal places and I get to learn about different cultures. She's written some fun books too if you aren't a suspense reader.

Here are the titles in the Sushi Series.

Sushi for One?

Only Uni

Single Sashimi

Weddings and Wasabi

Here's an interview I wrote featuring Camy in 2008. Camy Tang

Do you like reading books with characters in different cultures than yours?

Diana

Good Read! Callie by Sharon Srock

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 14:30:00 +0000

REVIEW OF CALLIE

DON'T MISS THE BOOK OR GIVEAWAY!

Callie by Sharon Srock was a pleasant surprise. The book follows the journey of a woman in her 50s and two sisters with a huge secret. Callie doesn't want to be involved with them but she feels God pushing her to help despite the tragedy she bears extreme guilt that she can't get beyond. It's affecting her marriage, her job and her faith.

There is much to absorb for readers from these pages. It's a heavy book, but has light moments of fun. Despite the seriousness Callie doesn't leave you feeling weighed down and drained wishing you hadn't taken the time to read it. Instead Srock has the genuine ability to make the reader feel a part of the story, almost as a best friend to Callie and the girls. It is an enjoyable read, one that I couldn't set aside until I finished it in the early morning hours.

Sharon Srock is giving one commenter from her blog tour a chance to win a bunch of goodies.

A copy of Callie's story

A certificate for Terri's story when it releases in April

A 6 piece Cherry blossom bath set

A cosmetic bag

A Bath Wrap

A Cozy pink eye mask

A Pair of aloe infused booties

A Hair Turban

A Tennis Bracelet

A 25.00 Amazon gift card

Here's the back cover copy:

Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers.

One miracle to save them all.

Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who’s befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.

Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.

Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing. And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.

For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need.

About Sharon:

Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. Sharon’s writing credits include numerous poems and short stories published in science fiction fanzines.

Get in touch with Sharon here:

Visit my BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Find me on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock

Purchase Links:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sharon-srock?keyword=sharon+srock&store=allproducts&iehack=%E2%98%A0

http://www.amazon.com/Callie-Sharon-Srock/dp/1611161940/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349788431&sr=8-2&keywords=sharon+srock

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/callie

Don't forget to leave a comment and your email address to be entered into Sharon's drawing.

Joy Complete!

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Slow Sewing Joy Banner

Christmas Fabric

I started with these fabris. I only had to purchace one of them. The rest came from my private stash.
Doens't private stash sound better than --one of the many plastic containers shoved in my craft room closet?

I made several mistakes, not so much because I was rushing, but the fact that I haven't sewn in almost a year means that I'm rusty.

Once I figured out my walking foot wasn't working right the quiting went smoother.

Joy Banner

Here it is. All done. What do you think?
Here's the link to the post with the magazine photo.

Are you making any decorations for Christmas this year?

Onions and Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:56:00 +0000

Onions and Characters

a2z: the Letter "O"

O is the challenge letter this week and it caused me to cry.

I chose onion as my 'O' word.

Red Onion Smiling

In college my philosophy instructor gave us an assignment to write about an onion. Being me at the very wise age of 19 thought that was a dumb excercise and forgot to do it.

I'm older and a bit smarter now. So here's my homework Mr. Landers.

Onions can be compared to characters or people--your choice.

The first papery layer of an onion is almost transparent, but it's tough. You need a knife to get through it.

peek a boo

Characters are like that holding their secrets tight. They are never what you think they are when you first meet them. While I don't need a knife to get past that first layer, I do need to poke and pry.

Make me Cry, Onion

Inside the onion you can see all the layers, some thicker than others, and right there in the middle is the heart of the onion. Once I get to this part of dismantling an onion I'm in tears.

My characters have layers too. Some of them are fun to explore, some are not. In a Bride's Dilemma in Friendship, Tennesse I discovered how afraid Heaven was for her sister.

In Hearts on the Road, Randi Davis had a layer of insecruity to share with me.

When I got to the heart of Jazz Sweet in Mind of Her Own (coming out in January!) I cried when I learned her secret.

Next time you use an onion think about the book you are reading. How many layers to the character have you found?

Oh and I'm not wasteful. I'm using that onion in this recipe, Slow Roasted Country Ribs from Mr. Foods.

Diana

Here's the code for the letter L:

More Slow Sewing

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:30:00 +0000

How long does it take to sew a holiday banner?

Longer than I thought.

I forgot about triangle blocks and having to square them up. So I did a lot of ripping out of stitches.

It doesn't help that my sewing machine is acting odd. It goes for 2 inches and then tries to stop, tangling the fabric into the hole where the needle goes. I've tried putting in a new needle but that hasn't helped.

So here's my how my progress looks.

J in Joy

The "J" hasn't been appliqued yet.
If you missed the orgianal post on slow sewing it's here.

I think it will go faster now that I've made it through the first block.

What have you started and found it hasn't gone the way you hoped?
Diana

So you Wrote a Book. Now What?

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Marketing on Your Own

Marketing Your Book

If you are one of the many people who tell me you want to write a book, have a great idea for a book, or you have one sitting in a file on your computer, head over to Amazon and pick up Shelley Hitz's Markeing Your Book On Amazon. It's free today (11/8/12).

I finished reading it and came away with several ideas that any either a tradional or indepented published author could use.

Shelley Hitzs includes links to videos showing screen shots how to keep track of what marketing you need to do. She has a good checklist in the back of the book which would help plan your stratedgy before you even get started.

One important thing for an author are reviews--as many as possible, good and bad.

So if you're not a writer and your still reading this, please review books.

Do you review books you like?

Do you review on Amazon, The Book Club Network or Goodreads? Or somewhere else?

Diana

* if you aren't sure where my comments are look to the left of the green print friendly button, click comments

Nascar Dreaming

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 14:13:00 +0000

Rusty Wallace Race Day

a2z: the letter "n' is for Nascar

Race With Rusty Wallace

Last year I had a great idea for Ed's Christmas/Birthday gift. He's a New Year's Eve child so combineing gifts is not new to him. Groupon sent out a deal that seemed perfect.

What man could resist 12 laps around the track in a Nascar race car? Not mine! So I bought it, along with extra insurance!

What I didn't know was that many other wives were buying the same deal, and all of our husbands would be driving the track at the same time.

I should have read the fine print! If I had I would never have purchased this bucket list item for my beloved.

I asked if I could return the gift. Ha! No!

Fire Proofed!

So he arrived, took a class and wore this fireproof suit.

Before he climbed in he took a ride around the track with a real driver. It was so fast I couldn't catch it on my camera. He climbed out of the car beaming like a teenage boy.

Turns out there are no doors in these cars.
No, I didn't know that, or that the headlights are really stickers!

Sliding in the Window

He's in. He's ready.

My stomach is knotted with explantions I will have to make to friends and family if he doesn't come back alive.

Hey, I watch some racing! There are always crashes and burning cars!

Ready to Race

Here's a badly shot video taken by a nerve wracked wife. I caught the take off' and the wave after that my camera went in my pocket and my hands folded in prayer.

He came back safely!
This year I think I'll give him socks.
Have you ever given your spouse a gift you wished you hadn't?
Would you give your spouse a dream gift that scares you?
Diana

Lemon Lime Delicious Gluten Free

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Welcome back, Roni. I'm loving these gluten free recipes.

Lemon Lime Delicious...gluten free goodness.

This is the message on our kitchen communications board that my sister left me...how nice!!

Today we are going to run with a winter warmer, Lemon Delicious. It’s a self-saucing pudding, smooth, easy & tasty, to warm the cockles of your heart & finish off your evening perfectly.

We’d been given a few lemons & our lime tree is laden this year, so we opted for Lemon Lime Delicious. And it was!!! You could even call it Citrus Delicious.

I doubled the mix & made a few in assorted sizes…took one to the family as my contribution to Sunday dinner, sent one off with my brother who is batching at work away, gave one to my niece who was visiting, & left one at home for us.

We used gluten-free flour, (as my sister is intolerant :)) oops! I mean gluten intolerant :)) & it worked perfectly. Look at the colour of those farm-fresh eggs! Also reduced the sugar, as is always my way, but am not sure how to replace it entirely…yet!

So here we go…

Lemon Lime Delicious

90g. butter, 2 cups sugar, grated zest of 3 lemons/limes

Beat until creamy (we chucked ours in the trusty old food processor)

Separate 5 eggs & add yolks one at a time.

Add 4½ tblspns. Self-raising flour & 2¼ cups milk, mix, then add juice of 4 lemons/limes

Beat egg whites til stiff & fold through.

Pour into buttered dishes & place into water bath.

(let water come to ½ way up sides of your moulds in baking dish)

Cook in mod. Oven (180C) till lightly golden on top, about 1 hour…

Chiffon smooth, silky & tangy, with a little scoop of ice-cream perhaps! We served ours with some extra dollop double cream, mmmmmm.

Some whipped cream would be lovely as well.

I am currently having a love affair with pomegranate seeds, so ours was strewn with these gloriously glistening little gems. That’s the healthy element, a little power food.

And a couple of strawberries creates an absolutely beautiful contrast too….warm, moist, tart pudding, cold, textured, sharp berries!

Go on, give it a whirl…:)) you’ll love it!

For more easy & scrumptious gluten-free recipes click on over to http://www.foodthatsings.com

Roni, it has been a visual and tasty treat having you guest post the last three days. Thank you so much for sharing. I'll be looking for more of your recipes on you site Food that Sings.

Thai Red Chicken Curry…

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:58:00 +0000

Roni is back again today!

Thai Red Chicken Curry…

This will feed 4-5 hearty eaters. So here we go…

Gently fry off 1 chopped onion, 1 tblspn. each of crushed garlic & ginger, & 1 tspn. red curry paste.
Chop & add to pot 1 kg. chicken thighs. Brown off a bit.
Add tin of coconut cream or milk, 1 tblspn. palm sugar (or brown sugar), ½ bunch chopped coriander stems (or a tblspn. coriander paste), & 2 tblspns. fish sauce.
Simmer together about 15 mins. then throw in some diced pumpkin (maybe 1½ -2 cups). Cook another 15 mins. or so.

Meanwhile, cook your rice….we do ours in the microwave. Water level about a knuckle length higher than the rice, 14 mins. on high. Perfect every time!

And then place pappadums around the outside edge of your glass plate, not quite touching, & cook about 1 min. (depending on your microwave). Repeat, repeat…No oil this way, no gluten, it's so good.

Stick a bowl of these in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves. They add a fantastic crunch to your awesome curry.

Serve, and top with the fresh coriander leaves that you saved from the pot before…:)) maybe some cashews too.

Gorgeous, filling, warming and great for sharing….and; the next day it tastes even better!

Don't forget to check out Roni's home on the web: Food that Sings

Salmon, Lime and Mint Patties Gluten Free

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Isn't this great? Roni is back with recipes for the next 3 days! All gluten free. Anyone hungry?

Salmon, Lime & Mint Patties.

Start with some cooked rice, say about 2 cups. Put into bowl with 1 small fine chopped onion, 2 eggs, tin of salmon, and handful shredded mint, ¼ cup lime juice (you can grate some zest in if you like.)

Mix all together & taste. Adjust flavour to suit, you could add a splash of sweet chilli, some chopped capers, shake of lemon pepper…. We make ours gluten-free & dairy-free, but you could add flour, sour cream or even yoghurt.

We often just add some left-over mashed potato from last nights’ dinner, we cook extra just for that reason. It helps bind & stick the patties together a bit better. You choose about the added carbs. :))

Make them into a ball size that will fit into your 2 hands, then pat them down to 2-3 centimetres. You can make little mini patties for parties too.

The trick now is to hold flat on your hand & pat in the sides. They’re not too fragile so that’s okay. The next trick is to pan fry on medium heat & let them crisp up BEFORE you turn them.

Serve with lots of vegies, for us it’s usually a bit of a stir-fry. And we love hot & sour sauce, so ours are generously doused with this for extra yumminess. A squeeze of lime juice will work too.

Recipe link is here if you want (it’s so worth making, for so many things.) We ALWAYS have it in our fridge….plenty of ideas for use there as well.

http://www.foodthatsings.com/apps/blog/hot-sour-heaven

Or you could just pan fry a piece of your favourite fish (of delicate flavour preferably….) & then when you flip it over, pour a little flood all around it. Keep a careful watch on the cooking because once it starts to caramelize it can burn quickly. You need to catch it in time.

We tried ours with an amazing, green, glassy sauce which was a gift...

But Oh my great giddy aunt, it is delectable cooked like that! With more vegetables or a crisp salad it is heaven on a plate…

Hhmmm! in saying that, I reckon it would be fantastic with something quite strong too, like a salmon steak perhaps! Note to self…must try!

There’s dinner sorted for tomorrow night :))

Thanks so much Roni!

Diana

Please visit Roni at Food that Sings

A Chef's Gluten Free Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:30:00 +0000

A Chef’s Gluten Free Journey.

As a chef working in a tourist area on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, my gluten free journey began maybe 10-12 years ago. I am not gluten intolerant, nor am I vegetarian, but I do believe in eating for health, with the occasional little naughty treat thrown in for balance )

Working in a popular cafe 5 days a week, it gradually became apparent that the requests for gluten free food was on the rise. People come from all corners of the world bringing their discerning tastes to our shores, requiring healthy, gluten free sustenance.

As we could plainly see the writing on the wall, (the trajectory of this growing trend), and as we love a good challenge, it was game-on to turn everything we could reasonably do so, into wheat free products.

It quickly became obvious that those who it didn’t matter to, didn’t even notice, but for those who it did matter to, it meant the world ) It was a gloriously unexpected gift to them, to have choices, & they were extremely grateful.

Consequently, they became some of our best customers, as well as our best promoters….

And so, in the kitchen, our experimentation grew. Mistakes were made as we became familiar with alternative ingredients & substitute products.

But with a pinch of intelligence, a splash of common sense, a focused awareness and a truck load of practice, we managed to produce some fantastically yummy food.
Some foods are a bit dicey to replicate, but with a little contemplation, there is a plethora of tastiness, a huge variety of gluten free yumminess to be consumed out there.

Personally, I find it pathetic and frustrating, even embarrassing, when I so often discover in my travels, that the pitiful gluten free offerings are the usual 2 basic dishes, and chocolate brownie. Those wheat free items that most cafes innocently had on hand in years gone by.

But now? Are you serious? With all the things we can create these days?

I think, as a practising chef, there’s just no excuse….it’s not that hard!

There are so many good nuts, grains & seeds that you can buy already ground, ready for use.

http://kaliblunt.wix.com/food-that-sings/apps/blog/gluten-free-flour

And if we just stretch ourselves, step out of the square, think laterally, & leave the wheat products behind, plenty of taste sensations abound. We should always be able to present a range of goodies that allows a scrumptious tasting for everyone!

This week for dinner we’ve had Seafood Marinara, asparagus, snow pea, garden greens & truffle oil risotto, Persian fetta, pumpkin, spinach and pine nut pizza, Vietnamese rice paper rolls and; Mongolian beef and vermicelli…just to name a few ideas ) all gluten free )

As caterers, here at Food That Sings (unless otherwise instructed, which never happens ) we always, always make sure we have a balance of vegetarian an gluten free items on every menu.
When you have a mixed group you will inevitably have a portion of wheat intolerant people that you may not even know about. You know…Great Aunt Mary at the wedding, perhaps cousin Bob.
It’s better to be prepared….

Tonight we do a platter of canapés to have with drinks, on a yacht, at sunset…. living the dream for some lucky folk!
3 little things, 2 gluten free, 1 vegetarian. Some sour cream, capers, dill & smoked salmon tartlets, prosciutto, shaved Parmesan &fresh asparagus cigars, and baby spinach, roast pumpkin and fetta frittata. Easy!!!

You can find more of what we do, and what we love to eat, right here….
http://foodthatsings.com/ https://www.facebook.com/foodthatsings https://pinterest.com/foodthatsings/ https://twitter.com/foodthatsings

Remember, it all starts with a whole lot of love......Roni xx

Roni!!!! This is so exciting. It's a thrill to find someone who cooks for others willing to cook/bake for gluten free people.

I had to laugh, yes, the go-to foods for gluten free people are salad and a browine. The photos make me hungry. We're in for a treat, the next 3 days, Roni is sharing recipes with us.
Diana

Monical's Pizza Gluten Free

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

a2z: The letter 'M'

Eating out when you need a gluten free menu is a challage. One of my favorite foods is pizza. When we discovered Monicals Pizza life tilted to the normal side.

They offer gluten free pizza with any topping.
I ordered the one with lots of toppings! I usually get double cheese but didn't think it would show up as well in a photo.

They have a cute decor. Lots of old toys are hung on the wall. I had a great photo but deleted it by accident.

So if you're in Illinois, look for Monical's Pizza. Even if you aren't a gluten free diner their regulare pizza is good too. --My husbands says that. I believe him.

Diana

Knitted Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Knitted Flowers

Meet Dianne Jones from Knitting Galaore.

Diane is a brit living in Turkey for the last 11 years. She's married, has a daughter and is a proud Nana.

She spends most of her time knitting these days, either designing her own patterns, or knitting for charity.

Dianne founded 'LILY' Love In the Language of Yarn in memory of her granddaughter Lily Iris Gibson who was born sleeping 18th July 2010. We provide knitted garments and blankets for children in need. When she's not knittingshe's blogging or taking photographs.

Dianne is sharing one of her most popular knitting projects with us.

Flowers are fabulous fun to knit. Completed in a short amount of time, with a small amount of yarn -a great way to use up your leftover scraps. Knitted flowers can add a beautiful touch to many pieces and since I've started knitting flowers, I catch myself thinking: "Ooh that could use a nice flower!" maybe embellish a knitted hat or bag or blanket, add a few at the ends of a scarf, put one on at collar of your sweater, knit a dozen to cover a scatter cushion. They can be chokers, wristlets, key chains, headbands, and scrunchies or made into a brooch .I’m sure there are lots of other uses too, they can add a beautiful touch to many pieces

While they may look difficult they are really very simple.

Here I have 3 patterns for large, medium and small flowers.

Large Flower

Cast on 12 stitches
Row 1. Slip 1, knit 11
Row 2. Slip 1, purl 11
Row 3. Slip 1, *k1, yo, repeat from* to last st ,knit 1,
Row 4. Slip 1, purl to end
Continue in stocking stitch (sliping the first st of every row) for 14 more rows.
Row 19. knit 2 tog twice, knit to last 4sts, knit 2 togr twice
Row 20.purl

Repeat row 19 & 20 3times more.

Row 27. knit 2 tog 3 times.
Row 28. Purl

Row 29. knit 3 together fasten off.

Arrange pettals as desired and sew into place.

Medium Flower

Cast on 8 stitches.
Row 1. knit
Row 2. Purl
Row 3.knit 2, knit front & back of all stitches to last, knit 1
Row 4. purl
Knit 10 rows stocking stitch
Row 15. Knit 2 together twice, knit tol ast 4 sts, knit 2 together twice
Row 16. Purl

Row 17. Knit 2 tog, knit to last 2 sts. Knit 2 tog

Row 18. Purl
Repeat row 17 & 18 3times more
Row 25. knit 2 together. Fasten off

Arrange petals as desired and sew into place.

Small Fower

Cast on 4 stitches.
Row 1. Knit front & back of 1st stitch, knit 3 (5sts)
Row 2. Knit front & back of 1st stitch, purl 4 (6sts)
Row 3. Knit front & back of 1st stitch, knit 5 (7sts)

Row 4. Knit front & back of 1st stitch purl 6 (8sts). Cut yarn leaving a 4’’ tail and leave on a spare needle.

Repeat 4 more times but do not cut yarn on last petal

Row 5. Join all petals by knitting across (40 sts)Row 6. Purl 2 together across row (20 sts)

Row 7. Knit 2 together across row (10sts)

Row 8. Purl 2 together, purl 3 together, prul 2 together, purl 3 together

Thread yarn through stitches and pull tight and sew into place. Secure all loose ends.

You can finish off flowers by adding beads, buttons or anything you wish in the center as shown in photo. All flowers can be made smaller or larger by using finer or thicker yarn and needles.

Doesn't that look like a fun project? Whose going try it? Send me a photo when you are done and I'll post it.

Diana

For more great projects follow Dianne Jones' Blog.

Book Fun Magazine Free and giveaways!

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:50:00 +0000

Book Fun Magazine is giving away 140 books by more than 100 authors of which I am one.

The Signature Library Contest details can be found in the magazine.

One winner will get first choice of 30 books, the next person 20, 5 people will pick 10.... it will be awesome.

Just register for the magazine and you are entered... 80 pages of great articles too! While you are there if you would click on my book cover for A Bride's Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee. You'll help me to win a competition between the authors.

Here is the link for the magazine: http://www.bookfunmagazine.com/i/90331

Thanks!
Diana

SCRIVENER FOR FOODIES

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Gwen Hernandez

I’m a total Scrivener fan-girl, so I was more than a little excited when I saw that the programmers had included a recipe template in a recent upgrade (both Mac and Windows) of this popular writing software.

I was even more excited when Diana asked me to share a little about it here. (Thanks for having me!)

The template is set up so that you can label each recipe with a cook time (e.g. 0-30 mins, 30-60 mins), and a ranking (from “Untried” up to five stars). Of course, you can change these fields. I could see tracking difficulty level, recipe source, number of servings, or best season to make.

Anything you can’t put into those two fields can go in the Synopsis section, the Document Notes, or Keywords. In fact, keywords are already in place for things like allergens, cooking method, cuisine type, holiday, and season.

If you copy a recipe from the web, you can jot down the address in the Synopsis or Notes, or you could add it in the document References. If you have the Mac version, check out the Custom Meta-Data tab. It’s set up for things like Source, Calories, Fat, etc.

You don’t have to be writing a cookbook to apply all the great features of Scrivener—organization, labeling, easy searches, a place for notes and research—to your recipe box. But, when you’re done getting it all sorted out, it’ll be a cinch to share with friends and family.

And speaking of recipes, here’s one that I love to whip up on a busy evening when I don’t have a lot of time. This family favorite is easily adapted for many types of diets, including our transition to plant-based meals last year. Enjoy!

Taco Soup

Servings: ~ 8 cups

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

½ c chopped onion
1 can corn, undrained
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can diced green chiles, undrained
1 can Ranch Style beans, undrained (or an extra can of pinto beans)
1 can Pinto beans, undrained
2 tsp liquid smoke (optional)
1 lb browned ground beef or chicken strips (optional)

Seasoning mix (see below) or 1 packet taco seasoning and 1 packet ranch dressing mix

Seasoning mix:

2 tsp paprika
1 ½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp onion powder
1 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp dried dill
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp black pepper

Directions

1. If desired, sauté the onion in a large pot before adding the other ingredients.

2. Mix all ingredients together in the pot and simmer until heated through. If it’s thicker than you’d like, add water ¼ cup at a time. The longer it simmers, the better it tastes.

3. Serve with tortilla chips or torn up corn tortillas.

NOTE: Can also be made in a crockpot on high setting for four hours or low setting for eight hours.

This is how it looks in the Scrivener program.

Thank you Gwen, for the recipe and instructions on how to use the recepie funtion in Scrivener. I'll be making this soup soon.

If you have Scrivener, will you use this feature?

Diana

Gwen Hernandez uses Scrivener to write romantic suspense, while avoiding cleaning, cooking, and laundry. She is the author of Scrivener For Dummies (Aug 2012, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.), and the teacher of popular online classes on Scrivener for Mac and Windows. A 2011 Golden Heart® finalist, Gwen lives in northern Virginia with her Air Force hero, two teenage boys, and a lazy golden retriever. She likes to travel, jog, try new things, eat food cooked by someone else, and read. Find her online at www.gwenhernandez.com.

to inspire and be inspired award

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

I have been tagged for an award which requires me to award 11 other bloggers.

The rules are simple:

Select 11 fellow bloggers you wish to bestow this honor;
Ask them 11 questions about themselves, and
Post your answers and nominees to your blog
Grab the logo for your website .

But first I’ve been asked to answer 11 questions by my nominator, Peggy Lee Hanson.
My 11 questions for my nominees and the answers to them:

Are you a new entrepreneur or have you been in business for awhile? I'm a writer and I've been penning for money since 1988. (Why does that year look like, "Once upon a time?"
What is your biggest blogging challenge? Finding time to interact on social media and writing blog posts.
What is one goal for your blog? There's a goal? No one told me!
If money were no object, what would you do all day long? Write and take dance classes.
Who is your ideal customer/client? I have readers. I love my readers and I hope to bring them a few hours of escapism in my books, maybe a laugh or two as well.
What social media sites are you on aside from Facebook? LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, TheBookClubNetwork and Goodreads
What is stronger for you, your dream or your doubts? Dream!!!!
What services does your business offer?A chance to read about some fun characters.
Do you have a business coach? I don't. I do have many other authors who are willing to give me suggestions.
What makes you happiest about your business? I get to do what I love to do each and every day.
What is your biggest guilty pleasure? melted cheese

The winners:
Laura Vincent Price Hilton http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/2012/10/at-feet-of-jesus.html

Reatha Groenewald http://www.biblefascination.com

Ken Weliever http://thepreachersword.com

Stacy Strickler http://comealivein365.com/

Jan Kearney http://www.beyondfaithintofreedom.com/

Megan Thompson O'Donnell http://www.chaosserveddaily.com

Penny Dupis http://lifeinaletter.com

Alana Mautone http://ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

Marleen Michaelis Gallagher http://marleens-crafty-space.blogspot.ie

Dee http://moonpreneur.net

Tammara Leigh http://www.tamaraleighauthor.wordpress.com/

October is National Movie Month

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Have You Watched a Movie This Month?

There's not much time left this month to participate in National Movie Month.

Did you go to the movies this month? Will you?

Or

Do you watch movies at home?

Which do you prefer?

I enjoy watching at home on my couch, covered with my blanket, and a bowl of popcorn on my lap.
Since there is still time to take part in National Movie Month and the entertainment envelope is about empty I'm going to plan an evening of movie watching.

It might be fun to make the atmosphere more like the new 'Bistro Movie Theaters' that are offered in our area.

My Menu Board

Then the tough question. What do we watch?
MOVIE LIST:
Open Range--for the 78th time (Hubby's favorite)
followed by
Sweet Home Alabama--for the 78th time (one of my favorites)
Should I find a classic movie or snag a newer one from directtv?

Any suggestions? Tick-tock time is running out.

Diana

Red or Gold? What's your choice?

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:42:00 +0000

Fall Leaves

Where I live Fall has been here and it's on it's way out. I can't decide if I like red trees or gold trees the best.

Red/orange leaves

Golden Leaves

What color of Fall do you like?

Gluten Free Holloween 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

What Candy is Gluten Free?

Yum! Candy!

I love this time of year, but what can I safely eat?
Holidays are always a bit scary when treats are offered and you have allergies.

For me I have a few favorites and those are the treats I want to give out at trunk-or-treat. I admit it, I snack on the candy that night too. So I love it when I find a list like the one below. Life is so much sweeter when you can eat candy and not get sick.

The list is out!!!!!

A huge thank you to Jen Cafferty at the Hungry Goddess for this list. Read the article here.

Jen says to be aware! Some of this candy is made in a dedicated gluten free facility and some is not. Please read the packaging to determine which candy is the most appropriate for your family. Example: Brach’s Candy Corns – these are not made with gluten-containing ingredients, however, they are made in a facility that processes wheat. You will need to decide what level of precautions your family takes when it comes to gluten. Some of you will eat candy as long as it isn’t made with wheat, barley or rye. Others need a dedicated facility.

Airheads
Airhead Bars
After Eight Dinner Mints

All Natural Pecan Divinity by Dillon’s Candy

Almond Joy
Altoids
Amy’s Crunchy, Chewy & Crispy Organic Candy Bars

Ande’s Mints

Annie’s Bunny Fruit Snacks

Atomic Fireballs

Baby Ruth

Bazooka Bubble Gum

Bequet Confections Caramels

Big League Chew

Big Red Gum

Bit O’ Honey

Black Ace Red & Black Flourless Licorice
Boston Baked Beans Candy

Bottle Caps by Wonka
Brach’ Candy Corns

Break Bar by Glutino

Bubble Gum Smarties

Bubble Yum Gum
Bubblicious Gum

Butterfingers (the crisp, crunch and stixx versions contain gluten)
Candy Tree Strawberry Licorice Laces
Certs Mints

Charleston Chew (both full size and mini)

Charm Cotton Candy Lollipops & Sweet & Sour Charms

Charms Blow Pops

Chiclets Gum

Chupa Chups Fruit Lollipops

Circus Peanuts by Spangler

Clark Bars
Cleo’s Peanut Butter Cups by Go Max Go!
Cocomels Vanilla & Sea Salt Caramels

Cotton Candy Fluffy Stuff

Dentyne Gum

Dots

Doublemint Gum

Dove Bar

Dubble Bubble Gum

Dum Dums

E. Fruitti Gummy Candies

Eclipse Gum

Enjoy LIfe Foods Chocolate Bars

Extra Gum
Fluffy Stuff Cotton Candy

Freedent Gum

Freshen Up Gum

Fruit Stripe Gum

Fruit Tart Chews by Wonka

Fun Dip and Fun Dip Sour by Wonka

Glee Gum

Gobstoppers (Chewy and Original) by Wonka

Gold Mine Gold Rocks Nugget Bubble Gum

GoNaturally Hard Candies

Goobers
Haribo Gold Bears

Heath Bars
Heath Mints

Hershey’s Bars – Milk Chocolate Bars with & without almonds

Hershey’s Kisses, Hugs, Kissables and Nuggets

Hot Dog Cinnamon Bubble Gum

Hot Tamales

Hot Tamales Gum

Hubba Bubba Gum

Jawbreakers

Jelly Bellies

Jolly Rancher Lollipops

Jolly Ranchers

Juicy Fruit Gum

Juje Fruits by Heide

Junior Mints

Just Born Jelly Beans
Justin’s Organic Peanut Butter Cups

Kraft Caramels

Laffy Taffy Plain, Stretchy & Tangy and Rope by Wonka

Lemonheads

Let’s Do Organic Gummy candies

Life Saver Swirl Pops

Life Savers Hard Candy and Gummies

Lollibeans Jelly Belly Lollipops

M&M’s – plain, peanut and peanut butter
Mahalo Candy Bar by Go Max Go!

Marshmallow Peeps

Mary Janes

Mega Warheads
Meltzer’s Puremints Pastilles

Mentos Sugar Free Gum

Mike and Ike Bubble Gum

Mike and Ike’s

Milk Duds

Mister Goodbar

Mounds

Necco Wafers

Nerds

Nik L Nip Wax Bottles filled with candy syrup

Nips, Regular and Sugar Free

Now and Later Regular and Soft

O’Henry Candy Bars

Orbit Sugar Free Gum
Orgran Molasses Licorice

Pay Day

Peeps

Pez

Pixy Stix by Wonka

Pop Rocks Candy

Push Pops

Rain-Blo Pops

Raisinets

Razzles

Red Hots

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups -

not necessarily the shaped holiday peanut butter cups

Reese’s Pieces

Ring Pops

Rolo

Runts and Runts Chewy by Wonka

Safe T Lollipops

Shrek Lollipops

Skittles and Skittles Sour

Skor Bars by Hershey

Slap Stick Lolli Pop

Slo Poke Lollipops

Smarties (in the US only – not Canada)

Smarties Lollies
Snap! Candy Bar by Go Max Go!

Snickers Bars

Sno Caps

Sour Patch Soft and Chewy Candy Kids by Cadbury

Spree
Spun City Cotton Candy

St. Claire’s Organics Tart Candies

Starburst

Starburst Jelly Beans

Sugar Babies

Sugar Daddy

Sugar Daddy Lollipops
Sunbursts Natural Candy Coated Sunflower Seeds
SunCups – Milk & Dark Chocolate

Sunkist Fruit Gems & Orange Slices

Super Bubble Original Gum

Surf Sweets Gummy Candies

Surf Sweets Jelly Beans

Swedish Fish by Cadbury and Trebor Allen

Sweetarts by Wonka

Teaberry Gum

Three Musketeers

Tic Tacs

Tootsie Rolls
Tootise Pops

Trident Gum

Trolli Gummy Candies

Twist & Glow Lollipop
VerMints

Wacko-wax Wax Lips

Wax Mustache Candy

Welch’s Fruit Snacks

Whizzers Chocolate Footballs, Beans and Speckled Eggs

Wonka Nerds Bubble Gum Balls

Wonka Runts

Wrigley’s Gum Products

York Peppermint Patties

Yummy Earth Lollipops

Zours

L is for Pinterest Like

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

5 writer things I like on Pinterest

a2z: "L" is for Like

Source: Uploaded by user via Diana on Pinterest

Source: organized-living-solutions.com via Diana on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Diana on Pinterest

Source: sunset.com via Diana on Pinterest

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Diana on Pinterest

The diamond encrusted crown may be over the top, but someday when just the right word appears in a sentence..... Just sayin'.
Diana

Do you Red Bull?

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Do Energy Drinks Work?

I haven't tried Red Bull or 5-Hour Energy and I'm curious, do they work?

Are they better than my pick up choice, Diet Dr Pepper? Or Panera Bread Co.'s chi tea?

Those two drinks get me a little higher on the energy scale but I'm not inclined to grab the vacuum and fly through the house. Or scale the side of a mountain.

They do make me talk faster and walk while I'm on the phone instead of sitting on the couch. Words fly from my lips as if there won't be enough time to finish a conversation before I need to start the next one.

So tell me, do you use the energy drinks and if yes, what's it like?

Diana

It's Sunday--Relax

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000


Photo by LE Carmichael

I'd like to be here today.

Where would you like to be?

10 Waiting Room Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 15:33:00 +0000

Pack a Bag


LL Bean Bag

Last year my mother-in-law had several adventures in the emergency room. There were a lot of hours spent waiting in the ER, waiting at the pain management center and waiting while she had surgery.

The first few trips left me staring at televisions shows I didn't care to watch at decibels high enough the people on the street could listen or I could look at magazines many sick people had handled before I arrived.

So when my mother-in-law had to have surgery on her hand I was ready.

Here are my top ten essentials to pack for a waiting room.

Waiting Room List

Put it in a tote like my LL Bean tote above or a backpack.

What would you add to your emergency 'wait' bag?
Diana

Friday Photo:Corvette

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Lesire Brandmeyer) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

Corvette

I want.