Are You Ready? #OurAuthorGang

by author Grace Augustine

Candy Cane Macarons

Photo courtesy of pbs.org

My goodness, is it my imagination, or do we start with an epic food fest that begins the last Thursday of November and doesn't end until food comas set in on the evening of January 1st?

We've all been a bit turkey-ed out, I think. Thanksgiving (here in America...and Canada) celebrations bring turkey and all the yummy things that go with it--dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and, of course, pumpkin pie with whipped topping!  Left overs are made into sandwiches, soups, and various meals--my favorite is turkey enchiladas.

Photo courtesy of foodnetwork.com

I have a very easy recipe:

    Dice up turkey and toss in a pan (usually use 3-4 cups)with a bit of butter. Mix in 3 TBSP flour, 2 packets McCormick dry taco seasoning, and one large box of chicken stock. Simmer until thickened and remove from heat.  Drain and add small can of green chilis and an 8 oz container of sour cream. Spoon mixture into large flour tortilla shells and top with a bit of shredded cheddar cheese. Roll into burritos and place in glass pan. Top with remaining mixture and shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is browned. This makes 12 enchiladas.

So, now that we have the turkey taken care of...what about all those holiday goodies???

Photos courtesy of Pinterest

And...along with those we need some holiday drinks, too, don't you think?

Photos courtesy of Pinterest

I will share a couple favorite drink recipes with you. They are ones you can have throughout winter...guaranteed to take the chill off...and you can mix your favorite liqueur with, too.

Homemade Cappuccino

1-1/3 C granulated sugar

1-1/3 C powdered French Vanilla Creamer

2/3 C powdered milk

2/3 C instant coffee

Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container. Use 2-4 Tbsp per cup (depending on size of cup/mug) mix with boiling/hot water.

(Author's Note: Godiva liqueur or kahlua are great mixers.)

Russian Tea

1 C instant tea (regular or decaf)

1 C powdered orange drink (Tang is best if you can find it)

3/4 C powdered lemonade (Country Time is best)

1 C granulated sugar

1 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container. Use 2-4 Tbsp per cup (depending on size of cup/mug) and mix with hot/boiling water.

(Author's note:  Cointreau or Grand Marnier are great mixers.)

Whatever holiday you celebrate, may you be happy, healthy, and blessed. From my home to yours...Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!!! 

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Book Spotlight #OurAuthorGang

Author Grace Augustine

Things are buzzing in Acorn Hills as the community prepares for the annual holiday celebration. A huge parade in the New District, the ceremonial tree lighting in the park, the caroling along the river walk, and a feast for friends and family that you won't want to miss.  Join your favorite characters as they play a game of hide and seek and find what was in front of them all along.

https://www.books2read.com/u/brJlAb

An excerpt from Holiday Hide & Seek, Book 4 of The Acorn Hills Series (this series is for mature readers 18 years of age and older)

"AND SO, IT BEGINS

     “That should just about do it, unless there are any questions.”

      Jordan looked around the room at The Art Galleria Administrative Board. No one said a thing.

      “Good. You know if you have problems, need anything, or have questions, I’m always available. Thank you for giving up your Saturday afternoon to get the ball rolling. This holiday season will be upon us sooner than we think. I want to make sure it’ll be unlike any other in the New District of Acorn Hills.”

       The meeting disbursed into the reception room of the Galleria. Jack Everling, pushed his walker, ambled slowly toward his son, and extended his hand, which Jordan grasped firmly.

       “Son, you’ve done a great job with this place.  I’m glad it all worked out. I’m proud of you,” Jack smiled and looked around the grand room.

       “Well, Dad, all thanks to you and Louis. I’d almost given up finding a job.”

    “Sounds like you have a lot of great plans for the holidays, a lot of great things happening here,” Jack smiled.

     “Yes, I want this to be the best, most different, most elegant, most holiday season Acorn Hills has ever seen.”         

       Jordan’s excitement extended through his arms as he kept opening them up each time the word most came from his mouth. He sported a huge grin which made his eyes twinkle.

        “Is Ginger on board with your plans?”

        Jordan chuckled. Knowing his lovely wife, she would have things well in hand long before the nights they were needed.

        “Dad, Ginger’s a micro-manager when it comes to events.  She’s been doing this for years. What I’m worried about is not having enough jobs for everyone to do. The interest in this by the businesses, owners and employees has been phenomenal.”

          Jack reached for his coat and Jordan held it as his father put his arms in the sleeves.

         “You know your mom and I will do whatever we can to help. All you have to do is ask.”

  Jack gave a brief hug to his son as he headed for the door.

      “I’m counting on you to be Mr. and Mrs. Santa.  That’s your official duty, Dad. Always has been!”

          Jordan looked at the lines around the eyes of his aging father made more prominent by the delightful smile from his son’s words. Realizing there weren’t going to be too many more holidays together saddened Jordan." 

Prose and Poetry #OurAuthorGang

by Author Grace Augustine

http://a.co/7tVAaRn

Excerpts from a 40 year compilation of prose and poetry:

A day in the life of a clown

For one and all to see

Sometimes up, sometimes down

So, what's right for me?

Am I now alone

In this foolish game?

Can I still condone

Life's fortune and it's fame?

Do these tears still fall

Drowning what's not right?

How I fail to hear you call

As you whisper in the night.

I want to be aglow

From all the love you give...

Your warmth I want to know

So I'll more fully live.

I need to be with you

In all parts of my day.

To find our love renewed

Through all the words we say.

ICICLE TEARS

Porcupine quills

Puncture the sensitive tendons

Of the soul

As the precious life blood

Seeps through

The pin-hole openings

Draining all energy and emotion

Traumatic transformation occurs slowly

One in which all systems shut down

Only to become

Stony grey and cold and hard

My heart and I cry

Icicle tears.

Dance Little Snowflakes, Dance

On silver skates you'll twirl

Late at night 'til early morn

With laziness you'll swirl.

The children laugh aloud,

You can even hear them skate.

Rows and rows of snowmen

Now stand guard around the lake.

The chilly North winds blow,

You seem to heed their call.

Float then gently down,

Uniting as you fall.

Biting, whirring whirlwinds

Create mounds of deep white fluff.

The piles grow ever higher.

Isn't this enough?

https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Augustine/e/B00FQXTT58

http://www.graceaugustine.weebly.com

https://www.twitter.com/mallidalli

Dealing with Autoimmune Disorders

by Grace Augustine, Author

www.graceaugustine.weebly.com

Chief Mountain, Montana

I was born and raised in Northern Montana. Upon graduation from high school, I moved into my own place with a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains...more specifically, Chief Mountain. 

    Many mornings, and early evenings, I spent on the deck of my mobile home watching the ever changing mountain. Some days it would be clouded over, some days it was clear as ever. The mountain never changed, but the appearance did.

    I was a fairly active young adult: going to the local bars for music and drinks with friends on Friday evenings, weekend outings to Glacier National Park, and house parties with friends.

    My young adult years took me from Montana to Portland, Oregon. Thirty-six years ago, I moved from Portland to Iowa, married, and the rest is history.

    In 2003 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. I no longer could walk long distances, had headaches, terrible fatigue...and knew I had to find new normals. 

    It hasn't been an easy road...but one I wouldn't trade for anything. Because, you see, many people have crossed my path that never would have had I not been diagnosed with this disease.  

    Today, I have moved into the secondary progressive stage of this disease. While I may have it, it does not have me!  Each day I count my blessings that I can still see, hear, and get out of bed and hopefully affect the lives of those on  my path in a positive way.

If you'd like to know more about me and my journey with MS, and about the disease itself, please have a look at the above book. http://a.co/dlZfTQj

Love's An Adventure At Any Age

Grace Augustine, Author

www.graceaugustine.weebly.com

  My tagline..."Love's an Adventure at Any Age" fits perfectly with my writing genre...love, romance, and life issues.

  We have a tendency to think love is all about the fireworks. While fireworks are nice, they are momentary...blasting the sky with color that soon fades, leaving us a dark sky.

  Love, true lasting love, is a lifetime adventure. If you are fortunate to find that one special person to spend the rest of your life with, the fireworks happen, the tears happen, children happen, death happens. 

  Enter romance. Romance, as I said in my prior blog, is the icing on the cake, the sprinkles on the ice cream, and definitely the bling on love.

   Think of adventure when you think of love. Think of adventure when you think of romance. Love and romance are timeless and each is an adventure in its own right.

   

My Acorn Hills series was born from the aftermath of a bad relationship. But, once I started writing, I knew the characters I'd introduced in book one, Bittersweet, had their own stories to tell. So, the characters took me from their time in high school through present day. You will read of betrayal, friendships, teen pregnancy, adoption, death of a parent, birth of twins, disease ridden bodies that don't obey, and most of all romance.

An excerpt from Bittersweet, Book 1 of The Acorn Hills Series, free on Amazon 

 http://a.co/8SYu7IL

     “I don’t just want to be normal, Jake. I want to be YOUR normal. But, after what you just said, normal isn’t enough and I will never BE enough for you. I have never denied you anything. I gave you all of who I am and it still isn’t enough.”

          “But, Baby Doll, you know I love you,” Jake interjected as he walked back behind his desk, putting even more space between them.

           Jillian wasn’t having any of it. She stood up and followed him. She began barking at him again, just inches away from his face.

          “I cannot and will not stand by while you charm your way into the beds of other women.  You knew how I felt about all this when we agreed you could stay in my home.  Now I know what it is all about, I’m not just going to sit idly in the same space with you, not saying anything, when you get phone calls and text messages that put this stinking, slimy smile on your face!”

          She seldom ever raised her voice, but it was at a decibel right now where those in the outer office could hear every word. She was so angry! A fire-breathing dragon had nothing on her right now. She fingered the Polish crystal paper weight on Jake’s desk, wondering if she threw it at the window behind him just how many shards of glass there would be surrounding them."

What's Romance Got to do with It? #OurAuthorGang

 

What's Romance Got to do With It?

by Grace Augustine

www.graceaugustine.weebly.com

    There is a Tina Turner song...What's Love Got to do With It?  I'm turning that around today...What's Romance Got to do With It?  I'm a hopeless romantic and as such, I usually see things through rose colored glasses.

      As children, we have dreams of being fairy princesses, firefighters, policemen, queen of our own domain.  There is always a happy ever after as we line up our dolls, stuffed animals, or army men and enact how our lives will be "when we grow up."
     Being a romance writer is a phenomenal experience. I write stories where friends decide they have deep feelings for each other. Stories of life issues and hardships that are gone through together, side by side, hand in hand.  Romance.
     For me, romance is the icing on the cake...the sprinkles on the ice cream. It's those little extras--the smile, a crook of an eyebrow, the twinkle in his eye. It's the thoughtful gestures of breakfast in bed, tossing a load of laundry in the washer, taking the dog for a walk. Or maybe, it is a rose petal path to lit candles that surround a bubble bath and a glass of wine.

 
     Whenever I can take a character I've created and place that person (they are always real in my head) into a situation where a soft, romantic scene can playout...I've done my job.
      Here is an excerpt from my Golden Quill Awards Reader's Choice Finalist,
Moonlight & Music.  http://a.co/bml4Nhv

 
     "The hot water ran over Blake’s tanned, toned body. He stood with his back arched so the majority hit his hips. He stretched down, touching his toes. An audible groan escaped him.

          If only I could stay here. If only Renee Manelli...

          The shampoo bottle hit the floor of the shower. Blake groaned as he bent to pick up the bottle before the liquid found its way down the drain. The groan more for his rampant thoughts than the pain from bending down.

          Renee Manelli could be the new object of his obsession without a problem. He thought of how silky her skin would feel lathered up…

          As quickly as those thoughts came to him, Blake pushed them to the farthest corners and buried them. He didn’t need to be focusing on a woman now."