Broken Teepee

What's For Dinner? Chilean Sea Bass "Picatta"

2012-05-30T11:54:00.003-06:00

I have a few fallback recipes that I have so memorized I don't even have to think about them when I want to prepare them. Picatta style is one of these - I use the delicious combination of lemon, white wine and chicken stock in various ways to make a quick and delicious dinner. I even used it to flavor barley the other night. It was DELICIOUS!

I had a gorgeous filet of Chilean seabass from Anderson Seafoods and I knew it would yummy prepared in this fashion. What I didn't know is that it would be so delicious that the hubby would finish, look at me and like Oliver Twist say, "more." And I had to tell him we had eaten it all. I could hardly take the look in his eyes....

It WAS that good.
So, how did I make this meal?
It's so simple. My biggest problem with making it in these parts is the fresh lemon. Lemons are so very expensive here. When they go on sale I buy a bunch of them. If I don't use them before they start to go I zest them, then juice them and freeze both for future use. That way I have real lemon juice when I want it.

I made a pot of jasmine rice to accompany the meal.

You will need white wine (I always have splits or some manner of little bottle on hand for cooking), chicken stock (I have my canned but store bought works just as well), and the juice of half a lemon.

I sliced the 8oz seabass filet and dusted it with salt and pepper.

I put my pan over med-high heat and added about 1TBS of olive oil to the pan. When the oil was hot I dredged the filets in flour and added them to the pan. I cooked them for 1 minute on each side. Just to brown them a bit. They would be cooking more later.

I removed the fish from the pan and drained off the oil. I deglazed the pan with 1/2 cup of the white wine. I then added 1/2 a quart of chicken stock. I let this cook 'til it reduced by about a third. I added in the lemon juice and adjusted the flavor with salt and pepper.

I added the fish back in and added some dried parsley as I didn't have any fresh. I let the fish cook in the sauce for 3 minutes.

I served the fish on top of the jasmine rice with the sauce served generously over both.

I had my home canned green beans (what else!) that I had heated with a bit of olive oil and garlic as a vegetable.

The fish was melt in your mouth tender and had the buttery taste that Chilean seabass is so very famous. I'm telling you we could have eaten three more servings it was THAT good. The touch of lemon brought out the best in the fish.

Even though the filets had been frozen you would never had known it - they tasted FRESH.
The fish from Anderson Seafoods IS restaurant quality and it maintains that quality even after being in the freezer for several months. I bought this filet BEFORE CHRISTMAS and it was perfection.

You can shop at Anderson Seafoods
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Disclosure: I paid for the fish myself.

Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland -Blog Tour, Book Review and Giveaway

2012-05-28T22:09:00.002-06:00

About the Book:

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks; Reprint edition (March 20, 2012)

It’s 1893, and at the Chicago World’s Fair, Louis Comfort Tiffany makes his debut with a luminous exhibition of innovative stained-glass windows that he hopes will earn him a place on the international artistic stage. But behind the scenes in his New York studio is the freethinking Clara Driscoll, head of his women’s division, who conceives of and designs nearly all of the iconic leaded-glass lamps for which Tiffany will long be remembered. Never publicly acknowledged, Clara struggles with her desire for artistic recognition and the seemingly insurmountable challenges that she faces as a professional woman. She also yearns for love and companionship, and is devoted in different ways to five me, including Tiffany, who enforces a strict policy: He does not employ married women. Ultimately, Clara must decide what makes her happiest-the professional world of her hands or the personal world of her heart.

About the Author:

Susan Vreeland is the bestselling author of five books, including Luncheon of the Boating Party, Life Studies, The Passion of Artemisia, The Forest Lover, and Girl in Hyacinth Blue. She lives in San Diego.

To learn more about Susan Vreeland and her work, please visit her website, svreeland.com, or connect with her on Facebook.

My Opinion:

This was so much more than a book about Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studio. It was a book about America at the turn of the 20th century. It was about working conditions for women, it was about art and yes, it WAS about the ego of a man possessed with a love of glass.

I didn't know that Louis Tiffany employed a division of women to create some of his glorious glass masterpieces. (If you have never seen one...ooooh, they are heavenly.) Reading this tale was like falling back into the past and once I did it was so very hard to leave. I really didn't want to put the book down. I started it and stayed up until 3:30AM to finish it. It was well worth the sleepless night. The writing is engrossing and the story was fascinating. I so wanted to go back and meet Clara even though my modern sensibilities wanted to give her a kick in the pants at times - not that she would be wearing pants....

Mr. Tiffany was a man of genius but a very poor businessman as often happens. He flitted from passion to passion with little thought to marketability. One of those flits was glass lampshades - whether the idea was his or Clara's well, read the book. You won't be disappointed. You too will be transported to a different time. You will fall into the kaleidoscope of color and not want to come out.

You can see the rest of the Tour Schedule HERE

You can read an excerpt HERE

You can purchase Clara and Mr. Tiffany on Amazon.com

The Giveaway:

One lucky reader will win a copy of Clara and Mr. Tiffany. How do you win? It's easy! Just jump on the Rafflecopter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of Clara and Mr. Tiffany gratis from TLC Book Tours. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Exciting News for Fans of Alma Katsu, Author of The Taker and the Upcoming Release, The Reckoning!!!

2012-05-27T11:55:00.002-06:00

Alma Katsu, author of The Taker - a book I loved. You can see my review HERE - has written the second chapter in the series entitled The Reckoning. I am honored to be reviewing it! My thoughts will post on June 21st so be sure to come back for that.

To celebrate receiving a box of finished books Alma is giving one away! Isn't that cover STUNNING?!
One lucky reader will receive The Reckoning BEFORE IT IS AVAILABLE IN STORES! How cool is that? How do you enter? Well it's very simple:

Just send an email to: contest@almakatsu.com and let her know you would like to win. This is a quick, holiday giveaway so your entries need to be in by midnight PT, May 28th. So hurry if you would like an opportunity to read The Reckoning before anyone else. Good luck!

You can purchase The Taker on Amazon.com
You can pre-order The Reckoning on Amazon.com

The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain : Guest Post and Excerpt

2012-05-27T04:00:00.000-06:00

I am so very pleased to welcome Diane Chamberlain today with a guest post and an exclusive excerpt from her new book, The Good Father. Be sure to visit the Scavenger Hunt Page to follow along. You will find reviews, guest posts and additional excerpts! First up, the guest post:

Using personal stories in writing: do or don’t?

Every writer has to decide for herself how autobiographical to make a novel. First novels often tend to be the most autobiographical because those personal stories are itching to be told. But what will the author write about for book two? Or three? Or twenty? I discovered early on that writing from personal experience didn’t serve me well. First, as thrilling as my personal stories were to me, I doubted they’d be that exciting to my readers---unless I told the really juicy ones, and I wasn’t going there! Second, personal stories rarely involve only one person, and I would never be comfortable writing about other “real people” in one of my books.

Even worse than using my own experience is using someone else’s. When I was a new writer, I also had a private psychotherapy practice. I decided not to tell any of my clients about my fledgling second career, not wanting them to worry I might use something they told me in confidence. However, after an article about me appeared in the local paper, I knew I had to come clean. I told every potential client that I was a fiction writer but would never use something I heard in my office in my writing. Then I allowed them to make thedecision whether to work with me or not. Despite hearing some very intriguing/moving/amazing stories, I kept that promise.

What I do incorporate into my books, though, is what I’ve learned about people in general from my work as a social worker. For example, many of my books have a strong medical element in them influenced by my years as a hospital social worker, when I had theprivilege of witnessing people at their most vulnerable, their most courageous, their most human. Although I never use specific people or situations in my novels, what I learned from working with people influences everything I write.

And now, that excerpt:

"Do you ever feel, you know, tempted being around all those drugs all the time?" I asked. Why the hell did I ask her that? I had no idea. Nerves. I was a frickin' mass of nerves.

She gave me a look like I was a total low-life. "Not even a little bit," she said. "And please don't tell me you would be tempted."

Intrigued?

Here is some info about the book:

A beloved daughter. A devastating choice.

And now there’s no going back.

Four years ago, nineteen-year-old Travis Brown had to make a life changing decision. While his friends were out partying and meeting girls, Travis was at home raising his newborn daughter on his own – changing diapers and working to keep food on thetable. But he’s never regretted his decision. Bella is the light of his life – the reason behind every move he makes – and so far, she is fed. Cared for. Safe.

But when Travis loses his construction job and his home, the security he’s worked so hard to create for Bella begins to crumble…

Bestselling author of The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, The Midwife’s Confession, andThe Lies We Told, Diane Chamberlain, returns with her latest and most gripping novel to date, THE GOOD FATHER (Harlequin MIRA; April 24, 2012; $14.95 U.S./$17.95 CAN.), showing the great lengths a father will go to provide for his little girl.

Just when Travis is at a loss for solutions, a job in Raleigh opens up with the power to change their situation. It has to. But upon arriving in Raleigh, there is no job, only an offer to participate in a onetime criminal act that promises quick money and no repercussions.

With nowhere else to turn, Travis must make another choice for his daughter’s sake. Even if it means he might lose her.

Be sure to check out all of the fun on the Scavenger Hunt Page!

You can purchase The Good Father on Amazon.com

Join the Live Chat on BookTrib on 5/31

Disclosure: I received a copy of The Good Father for hosting Ms. Chamberlain.

A Darkly Hidden Truth by Donna Fletcher Crow - Blog Tour and Book Review

2012-05-25T04:00:00.000-06:00

About the Book:

Felicity can't possibly help Father Antony find the valuable missing icon. She's off to become a nun. And then her impossible mother turns up unexpectedly. And a good friend turns up murdered...

Breathtaking chase scenes, mystical worship services, dashes through remote water-logged landscapes, the wisdom of ancient holy women, and the arcane rites of The Knights Hospitaller keep the pages turning. Will Felicity choose the veil - or Antony?

About the Author:

Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 36 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning Glastonbury, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history, is her best-known work. A Very Private Grave, Book 1 in the Monastery Murders series, is her reentry into publishing after a 10-year hiatus. Book 2, A Darkly Hidden Truth, will be out this fall, and she is at work on Book 3, An Unholy Communion, scheduled for 2012.

The Elizabeth & Richard Mysteries is a romantic intrigue series using literary figures as background: Dorothy L Sayers in The Shadow of Reality and Shakespeare in A Midsummer Eve's Nightmare.

Her newest release in the ebook field is Lord Danvers, a Victorian true crime series: A Most Inconvenient Death, Grave Matters, and To Dust You Shall Return.

The Daughters of Courage, Kathryn, Elizabeth and Stephanie is a pioneer family saga based on the stories of Donna's own family and other Idaho pioneers in the Kuna, Nampa and Boise area.

Donna and her husband live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren. Donna is remembered by Idahoans with long memories as a former Queen of the Snake River Stampede, Miss Rodeo Idaho and runner-up for Miss Rodeo America. She is an enthusiastic gardener.

My Opinion:

This is the second book in a series featuring Felicity and Father Antony. I didn't feel lost hav ing not read the first book, A Very Private Grave. In this book Felicity is testing her vocation to be nun and helping Antony find a missing icon. Her decision to become a nun is a sudden choice coming out of something that happened in the first book and she wants to be a nun RIGHT NOW. She doesn't quite understand that these things take time. As she is checking out possible nunneries she might as well help with the mystery that needs solving, right? After all, Antony is handsome as all get out and he is reconsidering his desire to be a monk.

The book moves right along as the two try and sort out what is going on with the icons and how it all ties in with an anchoress named Julian. The religious history is fascinating and the story never failed to hold my interested as these two went about learning about the past, the history of icons and what the future might hold. I very much would like to find the first book and will look forward to the next chapter in their adventures. The characters are fun and the mysteries they solve are unique in place and content.

You can see the rest of the Tour Schedule and see the book trailer HERE

You can purchase A Darkly Hidden Truth on Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a copy of A Darkly Hidden Truth from the author gratis through Pump Up Your Book Promotions. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

The Exceptionals by Erin Cashman - Blog Tour and Giveaway

2012-05-24T04:00:00.000-06:00

About the Book:

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (April 1, 2012)

In a famous family of exceptionally talented people, fifteen-year-old Claire Walker is ordinary . . . or so she leads everyone to believe. Yet the minute she steps out of line, her parents transfer her to Cambial Academy: the prestigious boarding school that her great-grandfather founded for students with supernatural abilities, or “specials”. Although Claire can’t see ghosts or move objects with her mind like the other students, she does have a special she considers too lame to admit: she can hear the thoughts of animals.

Just as she is settling in, one by one the most talented students – the Exceptionals – go missing. In an attempt to find out what happened to them, Claire uncovers a dark prophecy involving a plot to destroy Cambial and a mysterious girl who can communicate with a hawk. Could she be that girl? Does the gorgeous but secretive boy she meets in the woods know more than he is letting on? After years of ignoring her special gift, Claire decides the time has come to embrace her ability . . . before it’s too late.

About the Author:

Erin Cashman graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Bates College in Maine and from Boston College Law School. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, three children, and dog. The Exceptionals is her first novel.

Website | Facebook

My Opinion:

This is a book targeted to young adults but I must say that I found it to be very enjoyable. I am not usually one for books in this genre but something about the synopsis called to me and I decided to read it and I am very glad that I did. It's not a very long book and I don't think it took me much more than half an afternoon to breeze through it but I met a very intriguing cast of characters that I would very much like to meet up with again for another adventure.

The heroine, Claire is, she thinks, an ordinary girl living in the midst of an extraordinary family. Everyone but her seems to have some special ability. Her parents are descendants of the founder of Cambial Academy - a school for Exceptional people. They go there to develop their skills in truth seeking, clairvoyance, telekinesis and communicating with ghosts among other talents. The only Claire has ever managed to do is hear the thoughts of animals and this was never considered special enough.

When bad things start happening Claire learns that her talent is far more special than she ever knew. She works with the students and a boy she meets outside of the school to stop an evil force intent upon destroying all she knows and loves.

The book while being a good suspense tale also carries a strong underlying lesson about accepting people for what they are and finding your skills and talents no matter what people might say about your abilities. Wonderful messages for the young adult audience. These messages are not delivered with hammer blows but rather quite subtlety throughout the story.

The characters are well developed and the atmosphere was appropriately scary for the target audience. I will look forward to further adventures from The Exceptionals.

You can see the rest of the Tour Schedule HERE.

You can purchase The Exceptionals on Amazon.com

The Giveaway:

One lucky US reader will win a copy of The Exceptionals. How do you win? It's easy! Just jump on the Rafflecopter! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of The Exceptionals gratis from TLC Book Tours. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Moppy from Natural House Review and Giveaway

2012-05-23T11:09:00.000-06:00

I must apologize to Natural House for this post being a bit late. Our well pump died leaving me without water for a couple of days. You can't imagine how freaky it is to have no water....I got so far behind even though it was such a limited time without water....

I have mentioned many a time that I like to use natural household cleaning products around the yurt. The hubby and I are trying to live as green a life as possible and it really defeats the battle if I start cleaning with a bunch of stinky chemicals. That's why I like the line from Natural House so much - and the names are just too cute! Takes today's product, Moppy. How adorable is that for a name. It almost makes washing the floors fun.

Almost.

What would be REALLY great is if Natural House created a product that actually DID the work for you! But I doubt that is going to happen any time soon so I guess I will stick with a product that uses probiotics that actually do something after I leave them on my floor:

Moppy’s probiotics remain on the surface to help maintain a germ-free and odor-free household.

Pretty cool, right?

But how did it work - that is what you want to know, right?

Darn well!

I have bamboo floors in most of the yurt and Marmoleum in the bathroom. The Moppy did a great job cleaning both surfaces and leaving them feeling nice and clean. I can slide across my kitchen floor in my socks like a pro!

What more can you ask from a cleaner?

You can purchase Moppy on Amazon.com

You can learn more about Moppy and all of the Natural House Product line

You can find Natural House on Facebook

You can find Natural House on Twitter

One lucky US reader will win a one month's supply of Moppy. How do you win? It's easy! Just jump on the Rafflecopter! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a bag o'Moppy gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis - Blog Tour and Book Giveaway

2012-05-23T04:00:00.000-06:00

About the Book:

Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she's expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she'd like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he's only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he's gone . . .
For the first time in his life, Ty can't bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn?t?including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all . . . anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author JILL SHALVIS lives in a small town in the Sierras also run by quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books are, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website at JillShalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountain adventures.

You can purchase Lucky in Love at Amazon.com

About the Giveaway:

One lucky US reader will win a copy of Lucky in Love.
How do you win? It's easy! Just jump on the Rafflecopter! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post.

Baking for the Firemen: Macarons by Cecile Cannone #Review

2012-05-22T13:31:00.002-06:00

About the Book:

Cuter than a cupcake and more delicious, the adorable macaron is très en vogue. Now you can make these crowd-pleasing cookies at home! Packed with helpful and inspiring color photos, this book offers everything you need to bake stunning macarons, including:

♥Step-by-step instructions for baking perfect shells

♥Simple tricks for making smooth, melt-in-your-mouth fillings

♥Decorating tips for dazzling, artistic cookies

♥Delectable flavors from chocolate and espresso to lemon and pistachio

About the Author:

Cecile Cannone was born and raised in Paris and is well-known for her baking skills. She opened the first Macaron Café in 2007 in New York City and recently opened a second location in New York to meet increasing demand. Cecile still bakes macarons everyday and enjoys coming up with new flavors.

My Opinion:

I have done a lot of baking in my day but I had never made these delightful little French cookies. The book offers lots of tricks and tips to help a beginner get started. A beginner macaron maker that is; I think to make these crunchy little delights one should have some decent baking experience behind them. I may be wrong but I don't think these are the kind of cookies a newbie in the kitchen will be knocking out easily.

The book gives recipes for French and Italian meringue macarons and the cookies require specific ingredients. They are not cheap to make. But, I must admit that the instructions were easy for me to follow for the shells. I also made the Vanilla buttercream and that recipe was a bit challenging - if I didn't know what I was doing I think it would have just been a big mess. Fortunately I had made this kind of buttercream before. The instructions were not very clear - "compact batter" what exactly is a "compact batter?" Well, I have a photo later on in the post.

I made two batches and while not perfect I (and the firemen) were happy with them. I do think that 2 1/2" is a bit large for a cookie this rich. When I make them again I am going to make them smaller.

The many varieties of filling recipes was great to have and I know I'll be trying several of them in the future.

Now please enjoy French Meringue Macarons:

2 3/4 cups Almond Flour
2 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup egg whites (7 - 8) at room temperature
pinch of salt
3/4 cup superfine granulated sugar
5 - 7 drops gel paste food coloring

Create a template for your cookies. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and put the template underneath.
Preheat the oven to300° with convection or 325° without.

Sift together almond flour and powdered sugar to remove all lumps making the mix as fine as possible.

With the wire whisk attachment on a stand mixer whip the egg whites and salt until frothy. Slowly add the superfine sugar then the food coloring if using as they whip to stiff peaks.
I made two batches, one peach using copper colored gel and one green using mint gel.

Add the egg whites to the flour mixture.
Fold in gently using a rubber spatula. There is a trick to getting the batter right and I suspect that it takes some practice. I think I did alright for my first try!

Now the book says to fill a pastry bag and insert a #8 tip. I had a #7 and a #12. I started with the 7 but found the 12 worked much, much better.

Pipe the batter onto the rounds. It's a matter of just letting the batter flow out of the bag and onto the circle. My first run didn't go so well but by the second try I had it down pat!

Let them rest for 15 minutes before they go in the oven. Bake for 14 minutes; after the first 5 open the door to let the steam escape.

Let the baked cookies cool completely before removing them from the sheet.

Now for fillings. I made two; Chocolate Ganache and French Buttercream. I had never seen ganache made this way before and I probably won't make it this way again, but this is how it was made in the book:

I made a half batch - for a full batch you need:

7 oz dark chocolate, chopped
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1 TBS honey
2 TBS unsalted butter

In a saucepan over medium heat gently stir together the chocolate, cream and honey until the chocolate melts and the mixture comes together.

Pour into a bowl and add the butter.
The recipe says to let this sit a room temperature for 30 minutes and it will be stiff enough to use. I did not find this to be the case. I had to refrigerate it.

French Vanilla Buttercream

3 eggs
1 cup superfine granulated sugar
seeds from two vanilla beans or 1 TBS vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 TBS chilled, unsalted butter

Beat together the eggs and sugar at high speed until they double in volume and become fluffy.

Pour into a saucepan, add the vailla and heat over medium heat, stirring, until if forms a compact batter (?). This is basically making a very thick pudding base.

Anytime I work with eggs I strain. So I strained this into a shallow dish and put it into the refrigerator to chill. It was very compact - gloopy even.

When it has chilled take the butter, cut it into small pieces and add it to your mixer. Beat it until it gets fluffy.

Add the cool egg mixture and whip it, whip it good.

Now you are ready to fill your macarons. I will say that I made the cookies one day and the fillings on the second day.

Line the cookies up for filling.

I did half of them with the buttercream and half of them with the ganache.

Very, VERY lightly press the top cookie on the filling until it spreads to the edges.

These WERE a lot of work but I have to say that they were worth it. I loved the, the hubby loved them and the firemen loved them.

And they are pretty!

You can purchase Macarons at Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a copy of Macarons from Ulysses Press gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Dressing for Success

2012-05-22T11:51:00.000-06:00

There was a time when I dressed in a suit everyday for work. I used to love my wardrobe of brightly colored jackets and skirts. I figured if I had to wear a suit every day I might as well do it MY way. I had red, yellow, teal. Even though I worked in banking that didn't mean I was going to wear navy blue and beige. My customers loved how I brightened up the office even if some days they needed sunglasses. Just kidding! I was always one who went for the bold, the bright. And as you can tell that hasn't changed.

I accessorized well too. I had a great collection of bags and heels. I loved to shop and there was nothing better than coming across a great sale or even better coupons for coach purses. A bold suit needed a classic bag and striking heel to make the look come together.

Of course I also had a nice collection of jewelry. This was before I found my talent for making my own. Since the suits were so colorful I kept the jewelry simple. My wonderful hubby had started giving me gold charms of different sea creatures. They were limited edition pieces that were sold in a shop owned by a friend. Each one was meant to hang from a chain but I wore them on my lapels using a safety pin! I had a manta ray, a dolphin, a pelican, manatee, orca, humpback whale and I'm sure there are more that I am forgetting. My favorite piece from the collection though was a bracelet - it was little gold geckos all in a row. I loved that piece until it was stolen....I was so very upset! I do still have the earrings; tiny little lizards that dance in my ears.

I don't have any of those suits any longer - I'm sure that not a one of them would be in style any more anyway. I'm sure if I ever went back to work I would dress the same way even though I am old. I love bright colors and I'm not going to stop now, that's for sure! It's also good to keep on the lookout for a good deal or a coupon! Saving money NEVER goes out of style!

Beyond Hope's Valley by Tricia Goyer Blog Tour and Book #Review

2012-05-21T22:27:00.002-06:00

About the Book:

After an extended stay in Montana, where Amish traditions are different than in her home state, Marianna Sommer returns to Indiana for two reasons, first to help her brother and his girlfriend prepare for a baby and their wedding. Second, to plan her own wedding to Aaron Zook -- a marriage she's been dreaming about ever since childhood. And yet, although she had missed the idyllic farms and families of her upbringing, Marianna is surprised that Indiana is somehow making her long now for Montana.

As months pass, secrets that were hidden in winter's frozen grasp thaw and take on a life of their own. The truths about a child, about a past relationship, and about God's plans are being revealed. Walking through a valley of questions, Marianna must hold on to hope as she decides where and with whom her heart truly belongs.

About the Author:

Tricia Goyer is an acclaimed and prolific writer, publishing hundreds of articles in national magazines including Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family while authoring more than thirty-one fiction and nonfiction books combined. Among those are 3:16 Teen Edition with Max Lucado and the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the Year Award winners Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights. She has also written books on marriage and parenting and contributed notes to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas.

For more information about Tricia or her other books, please visit her website: www.triciagoyer.com.

My Opinion:

This is the third book in this series and I must admit I was not as thrilled with this one as I was with the first two. In this story Marianna leaves Montana where she had moved with her family to go back to Indiana to marry the man she thought was her perfect match. She had loved Aaron since she was a little girl but Montana had changed her; she learned that "outsiders" weren't the evil people she had been taught. She met Ben, a young man not of her faith but of deep convictions.

I like my Amish novels. They remind me of home and I enjoy reading about their traditions. I expect a bit of God with my Amish. In this book what I got was a little Amish with my God and that was not what I expected nor wanted. The book wrapped up the loose ends satisfactorily but I felt myself drifting when the dialog turned continuously to changing the Amish from Amish to Born Again. Uhm, let the Amish be Amish.

So while all ended well I was unhappy with the book.

You can see the rest of the Tour Schedule HERE

You can purchase Beyond Hope's Valley on Amazon.com

Win a Custom Amish Prize Pack from @TriciaGoyer in her Beyond Hope's Valley Giveaway! RSVP for All Things Amish Party {5/21}!

Celebrate with Tricia and enter to win a custom-made Amish Wall hanging in the colors of your choice ... and much more!

One fortunate winner will receive:

Custom Amish Wall Hanging {You choose the colors!}
An Amish Doll {Sweet.}
Amish-made basket {It’s picnic season!}
Doilies, potholder and an Amish cookbook {All items form Bird-in-Hand, PA!}
Three book Big Sky Amish series {Be swept away by this captivating series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 20th. Winner will be announced at "All Things Amish" Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/21. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and more!

So grab your copy of Beyond Hope's Valley and join Tricia on the evening of the May 21st for a fun chat, trivia contest (How much do you know about the Amish?) and lots of giveaways. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 21st!

Disclosure: I received a copy of Beyond Hope's Valley gratis from Litfuse Publicity Group. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

eShakti Customizes For YOU! Pick Your Choice Giveaway!

2012-05-21T12:33:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you but I don't have a perfect body.
OK - you can all stop laughing now.
REALLY. Stop. Laughing.
Seriously people.

Hmph. It does not mean, though that I don't like to look nice now and then.
Those few times that I get to leave the goat pen.
That is why I was so very thrilled to discover eShakti.com
The company makes beautiful clothes - and they will customize them to fit YOU.

I did a review a while back. I was sent a GORGEOUS hot pink blouse that I wear regularly and always received compliments when I do. I took a short sleeved blouse and had long sleeves added. It is so nice to be able to do that. That is the beauty of eShakti - they have clothing in sizes from 0 to 26W and you can make the dress, top, skirt to suit YOU.

My kind of place.
Now if I only had somewhere to go.
And money.
*sigh*

But one lucky reader will get to experience the fun that is shopping at eShakti!
That's right!
One of you will win YOUR CHOICE of item from the site.

Now tell me that is not the coolest giveaway you have seen a while?!
If it were me I would be picking this summer dress:

Isn't is just perfect for a summer party?
But I am not the one winning - one of YOU will be.
So what do YOU want to win?

Take your time looking around eShakti - you will have fun. Then come back and jump on the Rafflecopter to enter. The giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada.
Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post.

The Blood of Heroes by James Donovan #Review

2012-05-21T11:41:00.002-06:00

About the Book:

The gripping and definitive chronicle of the iconic battle that inspired a nation--a sweeping saga of 200 brave Americans who stood tall against an overwhelmingly superior Mexican force.

On February 23, 1836, a Mexican army thousands of soldiers strong attacked a group of roughly 200 Americans holed up in an abandoned mission just east of San Antonio, Texas. For nearly two weeks, the massive force lay siege to the makeshift fort, spraying its occupants with unremitting waves of musket and cannon fire. Then, on March 6th, at 5:30 am, the Mexican troops unleashed a final devastating assault: divided into four columns, they rushed into the Alamo and commenced a deadly hand-to-hand fight. The Americans, despite being hugely outnumbered, fought valiantly--for themselves and for a division of an independent Texas. In the end, they were all slaughtered.

Drawing upon newly available primary sources, THE BLOOD OF HEROES is the definitive account of this epic battle. Populated by larger-than-life characters--including Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis--it is a dynamic story of courage, sacrifice, and redemption.

About the Author:

James Donovan is the author of the bestselling A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn-the Last Great Battle of the American West. He lives in Dallas, Texas.

My Opinion:

I have stated before in reviews of book on American history that my knowledge is weak on my own country's history. I have always been far more fascinated with Europe's history. I have, though been making an effort to learn more about the events that formed the United States. Most school children know the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo" but how many of them know what went on AT the Alamo? In all honesty no one REALLY knows but Mr. Donovan writes a fascinating and well researched book taking us on the journey from shortly before that fateful battle to its immediate aftermath.

Many of the people involved are ingrained in American history; Jim Bowie, Davy Crockey, William Travis and then there is Santa Anna, the Mexican General who was going to win at all costs. His story is included as he is as much a part of the story of the Alamo as the others.

The book builds slowly to the defining day, discussing the politics of Mexico, the U.S. and Texas as it was looking to be independent from Mexico and be its own country. Many of the "heroes" had very interesting back stories of which I was completely unaware. The details included made the book move right along like a novel and I am now further educated on another piece of this country's history without feeling like I had to slog through a history lesson. It was a fascinating read.

As no one in command on the Texian side survived the battle most of the written historical sources are Mexican. A recent find has given new clues but Mr. Donovan and others do not completely believe its veracity. As with anything in history the story is written by the victors and the reality is mostly lost. This new book presents an even handed telling of a seminal event in the formation of Texas.

You can purchase The Blood of Heroes at Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a copy of The Blood of Heroes from Little, Brown and Company gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Generator Necessity

2012-05-21T11:01:00.000-06:00

I live in a very rural area. In fact I keep saying to the hubby that I think we moved back in time about 30 years. One of the things that drives me batty (battier?) is the way our electricity is delivered. Our power goes out at least once a month if not more. It seems that since we are in such a rural area there is only one main line to us. I don't begin to understand the system and the way it works but losing power that often is very trying. You see, when I lose power I also lose water since I am on a well.

No water just plain sucks. No well pun intended.

I keep saying to the hubby that we need to have a back up system. Or at least a goodly amount of water in the basement. He laughs at me. So I put 6 gallons of water in the basement as a start.

We have two generators, like the kind that can be found at Generators A to Z. We hauled them around when we were traveling in the fifthwheel. One humongous one to run the whole system - do not ask me its power. I'm aesthetics, remember? And one smaller one that would do the basics. We really only needed them in the trailer when the solar power system didn't have sun.

But guess what? Even the big sucker isn't big enough to well, suck the water from our well.
*sigh*
Wells are DEEP here in Montana.
What if the power stays out for a long time?

Oh, and the well pump DIED the other day. I went to get a drink. NO WATER.
Power and no water.
Baaaaad combination.
I understand no power and no water but power and no water?
This was VERY confusing.

Now we have a new well pump.
That new computer I was hoping for is now not going to happen.
Water is more important.
Wouldn't you say?

*sigh*

Print Runner Custom Sticker Giveaway!

2012-05-19T12:26:00.003-06:00

I use a lot of stickers!
Pricilla uses them too for her soap.
Good thing I know a good source for custom stickers!
Where you ask?
I will tell you!
There are many online printing companies but only one Print Runner!
That's where I would look for my stickers.

One lucky US reader is going to get to have some custom stickers made thanks to Print Runner!
Just think of the uses; return address labels, for use in your at home business, PTA projects. I could go on and on!

Here's the scoop on the prize:

Details of the giveaway prize: Stickers

Sticker Shape : Standard Stickers

Flat Width : 2""

Flat Height : 3.5""

Quantity : 250

Paper : Premium Sticker Stock

Colors : Full Color ( 4 Color Process), Black and White

Proof : NONE

Ready to Ship In : 3 Business Days

*Giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 years old and above.

Cool, huh?
I'm going to get a set too for hosting this giveaway - thanks Print Runner!

How do YOU win? It's easy! Just jump on the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I will receive a set of 250 stickers from Print Runner for hosting this giveaway. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my impending receipt of product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Forever Hilltop by Judy Baer - Blog Tour and Book Review

2012-05-19T04:00:00.000-06:00

About the Book:

An Unlikely Blessing

Meet Alex Armstrong, former city dweller who has just accepted his first parish assignment to a small community in the wilds of North Dakota. In HilltopTownship, Alex becomes familiar with the colorful residents and their odd traditions, from rommegrot to lutefisk. And then there's the excitement the single pastor creates among the unmarried women in the community! Alex soon discovers that his new church home has as much to teach him as he has to teach them, providing all with An Unlikely Blessing.

Surprising Grace

Alex Armstrong is settling into his new role as pastor ofHilltop Church, and he's even starting to understand the strange ways of the people who populate this barren stretch of North Dakota prairie. But he also finds that his flock needs help and counsel like he never imagined. In this cozy and entertaining read, Alex must choose between the woman he once planned to marry-and the home he's come to love.

About the Author:

Judy Baer was born and grew up on a farm on the prairies of North Dakota, experiencing many of the same things as her Hilltop characters. An only child, she spent most of her days with imaginary people-either those she read about or those she made up in her head.

Baer graduated from Concordia College with majors in English and education and a minor in religion. While at the time, she was simply studying what interested her, Baer later realized that she was educating herself for her future career as a Christian writer. She certainly put her education to use as she is the author of more than 75 books.

A certified professional life coach now certified in three coaching disciplines, Baer coaches primarily professional and aspiring writers. She is also a faculty advisor in the Department of Human Development at St. Mary's University in Minneapolis, MN. Baer has two daughters and three step children. She and her husband live in Minnesota.

Learn more about the author and her books at www.judykbaer.com.

My Opinion:

Forever Hilltop is two books in one! The first, An Unlikely Blessing, is one I read and reviewed previously. (You can read my review HERE.) The second, Surprising Grace, continues the tale of new pastor, Alex Armstrong as he gets to know his flocks in Hilltop, ND, a very different place and way of life from his former home in Chicago.

In the second book we meet many of the same quirky characters that made An Unlikely Blessing so endearing. The people of these small towns are different to be sure but they know how to pull together when an emergency strikes. Just like in any small town I have every known. Alex also faces the return of the woman who tossed him over for another man - is she meant to be his wife? Is that why she is back in his life? Or is there someone else for him?

The books moves along on a day to day pace but the stories of the trials and tribulations of the people of this rural area are interesting enough to keep the book moving along. This book includes some recipes as a parishioner teaches Alex to cook as a means to an end. There is no overwhelming sense of urgency in the book but it makes for a delightfully sweet and fast read.

@JudyKBaer is giving away a Kindle for YOU … and one for a Friend in her Forever Hilltop Giveaway!

Celebrate with Judy by entering to win a Kindle for you and a friend!

One lucky winner will receive:

Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi
Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi to Giveaway to a Friend!
Forever Hilltop by Judy K Baer for you and a one for a friend

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 22nd. Winner will be announced 5/24/12 on Judy's Blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 21st!

You can see the rest of the Tour Schedule HERE

You can purchase Forever Hilltop on Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a copy of Forever Hilltop gratis from Litfuse Publicity Group. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Does Your Child Need Tutoring Help?

2012-05-18T17:52:00.004-06:00

If so had you ever considered online tutoring? I didn't even know such a thing existed but when I think about it I'm really not surprised. EVERYTHING is available online these days, isn't it? There are advantages to it too; you don't have to worry about schedules as the internet is always available. You don't have to be concerned with your child feeling like everyone knows he or she is getting help - if they use someone from the school you know that it will spread like wildfire and your child may feel less than adequate.

All of us need help now and then so why not have that help right at your fingertips? I don't know about you but I am so used to turning to the computer when I want to look something up I sometimes wonder what I did without it! It certainly hasn't taken long for that to happen, has it? Online tutoring is just an expansion of all the internet has to offer.

Ruminatin' on Summer Come Too Soon

2012-05-18T15:02:00.001-06:00

The weather has been wacky.
At least by Montana standards.
Usually Spring here is nothing but wet, wet, wet.
We don't see the sun shine until after July 4th.
It stays wet and cool until then. You can just about count on it.

Not this year.
After the very unconventional winter we are now having a weird spring.
It has been sunny. It has been hot.
I'm talking like 95° hot.
In May.
Now I am one for loving the heat but it is just weird.
Makes me really wonder what Mother Nature has in store for summer.
Is it going to snow?

The first year we were here we did have 4" in June so it's not unheard of.
I'm just concerned we might get a winter's worth in August.
Very strange weather indeed.

Rubber Mulch for Safer Playgrounds

2012-05-18T13:02:00.002-06:00

Did you know that Rubbercycle is making mulch out of shredded rubber? I didn't! In fact I have never heard of rubber mulch. What a clever idea! It takes a useless product that would rot in a landfill and then reuses it for something fantastic like school playgrounds. Sheesh - I remember the playground surfaces I had as a kid in the city. It was called "rocks and dirt." It would hurt like heck if you landed wrong. Or when you came off of the slide - woohee! Landing in that pile of sandy stuff was not the most fun in the world.

Just imagine playground surfacing with a bit of bounce to it. The kids would have so much more fun and not have to worry about finding a rock in their shoe. heh. I am not in favor of rocks in my shoe. I can see the hopscotch games now. Did kids still play hopscotch? It was one of my favorites; I loved collecting numbers.

The rubber mulch comes in a variety of colors so commercial playgrounds can really enhance their surrounding neighborhoods. Not to mention not having to maintain large sections of grass or sod. Low maintenance is low expense over the long haul. Something else to consider in a buying decision. So if you are on a committee in your community that is planning a new playground why not look at rubber mulch? It might just be the perfect product for your project. You can brighten your community, reuse a nasty old tire or two and lower the maintenance costs of your playground.

Then you just get to watch the kids have fun.

Mr. Chewy Delivers Natural Balance

2012-05-18T11:11:00.002-06:00

There is no denying that the Farm cats eat a lot of food.
The hubby thinks that there are enough mice in the barn to keep them well fed and then some. I keep trying to tell him that mouse is not a healthy food choice for a cat. While they are carnivores they do need a balanced diet. They get wet food twice a day, have a chow bowl filled all the time and they get ~~way too many~~ a few treats a day.

Mr. Chewy, that cute canine deliverer of all things pet wanted the Farm cats to have an opportunity to try the Natural Balance line of cat food. It was created by Dick Patten - you remember, the guy from Eight is Enough? The company has wet and dry foods for both dogs and cats.

I picked the Tuna with Shrimp Formula canned cat food.

But first came the box.
The Farm cats LOVE boxes.
In fact we have a Kitty City of boxes that the hubby would like to see taken down in some kind of apocalypse but I refuse to remove because the cats like it so much.

Harry the Farm cat would not share the box. In fact I had some fear that I would not be able to access the box to get the food OUT.

But Stinky the Farm cat convinced him to decamp.

She is not stupid, that Stinky! She knew there was something to EAT in that box.

Feed me! NOW!

In fact she was less than patient about waiting for her dinner. Nor are the Farm cats neat eaters. Ah-hem.

I opened the can and it was fragrant. I knew that the cats would appreciate that. It's a little hard for me to take first thing in the morning though....

I put it in their bowls and Stinky and Harry dashed to eat.

Pumpkin the Farm cat came in later and he liked it too!
As you can see Harry is STILL eating. Little piggie!

Sherpa the Farm cat did not care for the Natural Balance cat food. So three out of four Farm cats gave it their paws up. Sherpa is a bit of a fussy eater. I did share the Natural Balance with Black Cat, the stray I feed outside and he scarfed it down like it was his last meal. So the honorary fifth Farm cat did love it too.

Natural Balance has dry cat food in a variety of flavors as well as an assortment of wet cat food. And all that dog food too. Here is some info about the food:

Natural Balance Food Facts:
• Natural Balance products provide all-natural, complete, and balanced nutrition
• Used and respected worldwide by top trainers, breeders, veterinarians, kennels, and caring
pet owners who want the best for their animals
• No corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, or colors.

It's good to know that there is nothing bad in it to hurt the Farm cats!

Mr. Chewy offers free shipping in all orders over $49!

You can find Mr. Chewy on Facebook
You can check out Mr. Chewy's Referral Program

Disclosure: The Farm cats received a box o'Natural Balance gratis. Any opinions expressed are my interpretations of their actions. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Rice Salad with Dungeness Crab - A Perfect Meal for a Hot Day

2012-05-17T12:10:00.002-06:00

The weather in these parts has been odd.
The last few days we have awoken to frost and then had the thermometer hit the mid 90ies by late afternoon. Not a typical Montana spring at all.

When it gets that hot the hubby does not like a heavy meal so I try to make him something light and refreshing. It's a bit hard when I don't have the greens from the garden to work with but I came up with this delicious rice salad recipe using a Dungeness crab from Anderson Seafoods.

Remember him?

I received two of these beauties - I used one and made simple garlic crab that was heavenly.
I thawed the second crab and used it for my rice salad.
You will need:

1 cooked Dungeness crab cleaned and all the meat picked out
1 avocado
1 orange
dehydrated tomato flakes
1TBS fresh lemon juice
1TBS honey
1TBS rice vinegar
2 TBS canola oil
salt to taste
2 cups warm jasmine rice

Cut the orange into supremes over a bowl. Squeeze what remains over a separate bowl to get all of the juice out. Cut the avocado into chunks and add to the bowl with the orange pieces.

Add the crab meat.

And the dried tomato flakes. Mix gently and let this sit so the flavors can blend.

Make the dressing:

In the bowl with the orange juice add the lemon juice, honey and vinegar. Drizzle in the oil while whisking until the dressing comes together. Add salt to taste. Lightly dress the crab mixture.

Place about a cup of rice in a bowl, top with half of the crab mixture and add more dressing.
This salad was so light, bright and delicious I was really sorry to see the bottom of the bowl. We both really enjoyed it and I know I'll be making it again.

The slightly warm jasmine rice was perfect with the creamy avocado and the sweet crab. The tart orange with the bright dressing brought it all together.

It was so lovely having that crab in the freezer to make it easy to make a meal like this. The crab meat did not taste as if it had been frozen. It tasted as if it had just been caught and cooked. I saved the shells for making stock at a later date. I love a multi-purpose meal!

Again, Anderson Seafoods DELIVERS!

You can shop at Anderson Seafoods
You can find Anderson Seafoods on Facebook
You can find Anderson Seafoods on Twitter
You can find Anderson Seafoods on Pinterest
You can find Anderson Seafoods on YouTube
You can sign up for the Anderson Seafoods Newsletter

Disclosure: I received a box o'fish from Anderson Seafoods gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Picture Puzzles, Puzzle Baron's Sudoku and Logic Puzzles - Review and Giveaway

2012-05-16T10:43:00.002-06:00

I love word puzzles and Sudoku. When we were traveling around the country I had a big Sudoku book that I would work as we drove through miles of well, corn. There is a lot of corn in this country. Corn and fence. It's somewhat amazing actually just how much there is....

The number puzzles kept me from moaning about the abundance of well, corn. And it kept my brain working which is a good thing. I still do the Sudoku in the paper. It's a really fun and challenging puzzle.

Another favorite of mine is the picture puzzle - you know the one! Where they give you two pictures of the same scene but you have to pick out what is different. Some of them can be down right difficult. They really make you concentrate and hone your observation skills. And then there are logic puzzles. The ones that used to be taught in school - if you think, you will recall. A car is heading west at 45 miles per hour and the train is heading east at 90 miles per hour when will they meet? Those - but way more involved.

I have played with three great books; Puzzle Baron's Logic Puzzles and Sudoku and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Picture Puzzles. They will definitely get your brains cells growing. Or your kids'. I know most of them are glued to a computer but why not give them a good old fashioned challenge? See if they can work through the puzzles without technological assistance. These books would make great gifts.

You can find The Complete Idiot's Guides on Facebook
You can find The Complete Idiot's Guides on Twitter
You can find the Puzzle Baron on Twitter
You can visit the Puzzle Baron online

You can purchase The Complete Idiot's Guide to Picture Puzzles
You can purchase Puzzle Baron's Logic Puzzles
You can purchase Puzzle Baron's Sudoku

Well, one lucky reader in the US will get to do just that! Or use the books to challenge their own brain! How do you win? It's easy! Just jump on the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent the three puzzle books to review gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Baking for the Firemen: Mini Pies by Christy Beaver and Morgan Greenseth #Review and #Recipe

2012-05-15T11:18:00.001-06:00

As you well know by now I send in treats to the firemen for their training meetings. I need to send in sweets that can be eaten by hand to make things easy. This meant that I could never send in pie. I love to bake pie and when I have fruit it's one of my favorite things to bake.

Bummer, right?

But now thanks to Mini Pies by Christy Beaver and Morgan Greenseth I have now sent pie into the firemen. It was so darn easy too! The book is a delight; full of recipes for small, handheld pies ingeniously made in muffin cups. Brilliant! And so easy to adapt to those recipes that have been handed down for generations.

There are even instructions for making pie in a mason jar. How cute is that?

My neighbor graced me with some rhubarb. Not that I had the least clue with what to do with said rhubarb....but I figured it out. I decided to make cherry rhubarb and peach rhubarb pies for the men.

Are you ready?

This is the Perfect Pie Crust Recipe from the book - erm, I sort of went my own way a bit. I'm a rebel in the kitchen. A rebel! I'll indicate my changes in red.

8 TBS butter (1 stick)
6 TBS shortening
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I used White Whole Wheat)
2 tsp salt
4 tsp sugar
6 - 8 TBS ice water (I used half ice water, half apple cider vinegar)

Chop the butter and shortening into 1/4 inch pieces. Place in the freezer to chill while you prepare the other ingredients.

Blend the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor. Add the chilled shortening and process until the mixture climbs the walls of the processor bowl. Add the butter, one piece at a time, and process thoroughly.

Add the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture comes together in a ball and makes 2 laps around the processor bowl.

Remove the dough, divide it in half, and flatten each half into a disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and shill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

OK - I'll admit it. I'm an old fashioned girl when it comes to pie crust....I don't use a food processor.

I use a bowl and a pastry blender then a fork to blend.
What can I say. I'm old.

Then I knead it just a bit.

Divide and wrap for the 'fridge. After it rests for about half an hour.
Preheat the oven to 350°

Roll it out and then cut 4" rounds. I didn't have a 4" cookie cutter but found that my husband's coffee mug did the job just fine!

The rounds go into your muffin tin. Erm, my muffin tin is well used.

I made the two different fillings:
I used fruits I had put up in the freezer last summer

1 1/2 cups bing cherries
1 cup peeled chopped rhubarb
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
pinch of salt
dash of cinnamon

1 1/2 cups chopped peaches
1 cup peeled chopped rhubarb
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
bit of grated nutmeg
pinch of salt

You put about a tablespoon and a half into each mini pie.

And cover with a cutout piece of pie crust. I used stars on the cherry and flowers on the peach.
I sprinkled the tops with sugar in the raw.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 25 minutes until the pies are lightly browned.

I ah-hem, tried one of each and they were very tasty!

I love the mini pie concept and the cookbook is full of great ideas and recipes. There are easy to follow directions and lots of photos. There will be more fun to come, that is for sure!

The firemen were happy - not a pie remained!

You can purchase Mini Pies at Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received Mini Pies from Ulysses Press gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

A Story of the West by Susan Spence - Blog Tour and Book #Review

2012-05-15T04:00:00.000-06:00

About the Book:

Matt Daly’s eyes narrowed as he faced the stranger in front of him. “I know I don’t have a quarrel with you because I don’t know you,” he growled.

“But I know you,” the menacing outlaw sneered back, clearly ready to use the Colt revolver hanging from his hip.

Only a few years earlier Matt and his father had trailed a herd of longhorns north from Texas into Montana Territory. Upon arriving, they decided to stay and raise cattle on the fertile grasslands.

Shortly after the Northern Pacific rail line was completed and it became easier for people to head west. Lavina Lavold stepped off the train in Miles City with her family and immediately caught Matt’s eye. When they fall in love, Matt’s life seems perfect.

There are unscrupulous men, however, determined to build cattle empires. A ruthless neighbor decides he wants the Daly’s claim, and he will stop at nothing to acquire their ranch. Since the entire area is undeeded land, it is up for grabs and there is no law on the rough frontier to prevent a range war. When Matt refuses to back down, his life takes a dangerous turn.

Forced to abandon his family, his travels take him down a long road of misery. An encounter with an Indian medicine man helps him to regain his sense of self, but not until after he gives in to his desperation.

A Story of the West depicts life during the open range ranching days of the Wild West. Besides plenty of action, I have added a women’s perspective to settling the American West. I researched the era to ensure historical accuracy and have written an accurate portrayal of life during this time, as well as an exciting read.

About the Author:

Susan Spence has always been intrigued with life in the west in the 1880s. She researched historical accounts and first-person narratives as she prepared to write A Story of the West. A lifelong resident of the west, she currently lives in Montana on an old sheep shearing station with lots of furry critters and one partially furry critter. This is her first novel, and she is busily working on a sequel due out in late spring.

You can visit her website at www.writing-ranching.com.

Blog | Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon Kindle |

views like this is why I love living here people

My Opinion:

I came to this book after reading a very literary novel and I must admit to some difficulty in the beginning. The first few chapters are comprised of short, declarative sentences and I felt like I was back in grade school reading "See Spot run." But then the mood of the book overtook me and the characters grabbed hold and I found myself quite wrapped up in the tale of Matt Daly and his love Lavina Levold.

Matt and his father run cattle on the open range of Montana territory and care both for their animals and for the land. This runs counter to some other ranchers who only want to make a profit. When Matt and one of these ranchers have it out it sends Matt's live spirally into very dangerous places. He is only saved by the help of an Indian Medicine Man who becomes a lifelong friend.

The writing style is very spare but the story is not. It is rich in the history of the West and of cattle ranching. It's how my new home state was first settled. But it wasn't done easily or honestly by all involved. Matt and Lavina go through a lot to survive and ultimately to thrive. This is a story of two great loves; theirs and a love for the land. It just takes a bit to get used to the rhythm of Ms. Spence's writing style but once you do the story carries you along and you become immersed in a rousing tale of the Old West.

You can read an excerpt and see the rest of the Tour Schedule HERE

You can purchase A Story of the West on Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a copy of A Story of the West through Pump up Your Book Promotions. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Vivaldi's Muse by Sarah Bruce Kelly - Book #Review

2012-05-14T10:31:00.000-06:00

About the Book:

Vivaldi's Muse explores the life of Annina Girò, Antonio Vivaldi's longtime protégée. Annina first falls under the spell of the fiery and intriguing prete rosso (red-haired priest) at a young age, when Vivaldi is resident composer at the court of Mantua, her hometown. Stifled by the problems of her dysfunctional family, she has long dreamed of pursuing operatic stardom, and her attraction to the enchanting Venetian maestro soon becomes inseparable from that dream.

About the Author:

I am a music historian who loves bringing to life the unsung heroines of music history. My passion for research has uncovered fascinating stories that deserve to be told. THE RED PRIEST'S ANNINA is a novel about Vivaldi's most famous student, Anna Girò, and her harrowing journey to stardom in 18th-century Venetian opera. My second novel, JAZZ GIRL, takes place in 1920s Pittsburgh and is based on the mysterious and heart-wrenching events in the early life of jazz legend Mary Lou Williams. My newest novel, VIVALDI'S MUSE, expands on and continues the intriguing saga of Vivaldi's and Girò's twenty-year professional and personal relationship. My goal in writing is to share stories based on real people and events that are entertaining, educational, and inspiring for readers of all ages.

My Opinion:

When I started reading Vivaldi's Muse all I knew about Antonio Vivaldi was that I adored his music. I had a tape - yes a tape! - that I used to play in my cassette player in my car on my commute home from work. (This was in the old days before CDs, before iPods. For those of you who don't know what a cassette tape is go HERE.*sigh*) The music would both relax and invigorate me.

In this delightful novel the reader is introduced to Annina Girò, Vivaldi's protege. She met him at a very young age (9) and he wrote arias for her until his death - probably related to his asthma. I must admit that Annina was very, very annoying at times. I suspect that part of the time it was due to her age, part of the time it was due to her artistic temperament. There were times though, that I just wanted to slap her. Her devotion to Vivaldi was apparently complete - she had no other relationship with men while she was with him. He was a priest so it is not believed that they had a romantic affair. Who really knows?

The book was a fascinating look into the "music scene" of the time. Not to mention the cattiness of the opera world. It fascinates that a composer so well loved now was almost forgotten in his time. If not for someone gathering and saving his compositions all of the wonder that is Vivaldi would have been lost to the world. If you have never heard his music please give it a listen. You can go HERE and listen for free. And you will surely recognize the below even if you did not know it was Vivaldi who composed it.

It is Spring from his Four Seasons.
Enjoy.

And read Vivaldi's Muse - you will enjoy that as well. It flows as beautifully as the music.

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You can purchase Vivaldi's Muse on Amazon.com

Disclosure: I received a copy of Vivaldi's Muse from the author gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.