Tea, Planners, and Chocolate: My Year-End Goal Setting Ritual

Here we are near the end of another year. And you know what that means? Setting goals for next year, of course. No rest for the wicked around here! But this lowly writer can’t set goals without a few of my favourite things. (Well, I could, but it wouldn’t be as much fun.) 

In no particular order …

Printed calendar pages from the good folks at Time & Date. I fiddle around until I get the layout I like, then print a year’s worth double-sided. I can then jot and cross out to my heart’s content. If the pages get too messy, I just print more.

A planner. That’s a given. I’ve tried many designs over the years and am still searching for the one planner to rule them all. I just ordered this one and I can’t wait for it to be in my greedy hands!

Post-it notes, stickies, what-ever-the-heck you call them. In many colours. I like to jot ideas and move those ideas around. Also, stickies save me from having to erase deadlines, which I inevitably do.

Notebooks. I have several projects going at one time, much to my chagrin, so I need a notebook for each story. (“Need” is subjective. I am what I am.) 

Caffeine in various delivery systems. A cup of tea as soon as I get out of bed. I like what the British call “builders tea”, nice and dark. I just leave the teabag in the mug. Tea is followed by at least two cups of coffee. The first one is with scalded milk (via the microwave) and the second is with scalded oat milk (again via the microwave) and a Bengal Spice tea bag, also left in the mug. It’s my cheats version of a Dirty Chai Latte. I generally satisfy my caffeine need by noon, after which I drink herbal teas of various flavours.

Chocolate. Need I elaborate? Dark or milk depending on my mood. Or something nutty for when I need a boost of protein, like chocolate covered almonds. 

Anyone else already thinking of next year’s writing goals? Do you have a favourite tool for organizing thoughts and/or projects?

Luanna Stewart is a Canadian author who has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing many flavours of romance, torturing her heroes and heroines before helping them find their happy-ever-after. But when she’s taking a break from wreaking people’s lives, you can find her pulling weeds, baking something delicious, or enjoying a cup of tea whilst completing a craft project. Enjoying (most of the time) an empty nest, she lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and a yard full of voracious deer. 

Website ~Bookbub ~ Instagram

When superheroes get hungry...

A superhero has to eat, right? They’d have a difficult time fighting the forces of evil on an empty stomach.

The folks at list25.com compiled a list of the top – you guessed it – 25 superheroes of all time. I’ve never heard of some, like Black Bolt. I paired a few with whom I am familiar with what I'll pretend is their favourite snack.

Coming in at #24 is Wolverine. Say that name and I picture Hugh Jackman. Since he’s Australian, I imagine his preferred nosh would be a few Tim Tams - a chocolate cream filling between two chocolate cookies covered in chocolate.

Aquaman, at #20, controls the force of the earth’s oceans and every living thing in them. So would he eat fish - his friends and co-workers? Probably not. I’ll give him a nice juicy steak, hand-cut fries, and a large, frosty beer.

At #17 is Wonder Woman. I don’t care how strong she is, she’s a woman and she needs chocolate after a long day of fighting crime. I bet she’d love a slice of the chocolate-hazelnut tart I baked last week. Or maybe Wolverine would share his Tim Tams.

Flash sits at #12. This man is all about speed so you might think he would appreciate fast food. Not so. He prefers slow-braised stew, slow bbq’d ribs, and slow simmered bolognaise.

Last, but not least, Superman holds the #6 position. This man of steel might be all business while wearing the tights and cape, but when he’s in disguise as a reporter, he eats like a reporter – fast and on the go. I bet his favourite sandwich is a corned beef brisket on rye, and he keeps his travel mug (reusable to protect the environment, of course) topped up with a dark roast coffee.

Now, if I were a superhero, one of my superpowers would be flight. I’d swoop and soar up with the eagles – keeping my mouth shut, otherwise I’d be spitting out bugs. After defeating a villain or two, I’d settle in my nest and enjoy hot spinach and artichoke dip with tortilla chips, the multi-grain variety, and a slightly chilled glass of lager.

What superpower would you have? And what would be your snack food of choice?

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing spicy romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and two spoiled cats.

Website ~ Bookbub ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page

True Love Stories Never Have Endings

by Madelle Morgan

The title is a beautiful quote from Richard Bach. Even if sweet love sours and we move on to new partners, I believe that the experience of loving someone expands our hearts' ability to love and appreciate love.

February 14 is the day couples traditionally express their love with flowers, cards, chocolate, jewelry, and/or a romantic dinner.

Why Chocolate?

The tradition of giving a sweetheart chocolate on Valentine's Day originated with Richard Cadbury in the 1840s.

In 1861, Richard Cadbury created the first ever heart-shaped box for Valentine's Day. The chemical phenylethylamine in chocolate (stimulates) feelings of excitement, attraction, and even pleasure. (Source: The Happy Chocolatier)

Why February 14th?

I gleaned these facts from History.com:

The Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to "Christianize" the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity but was outlawed at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day.

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February should be a day for romance. - Hey, we should be eating egg-shaped chocolates for Valentine's Day instead of at Easter!

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Marry Me, Sweetheart

Many proposals occur on the most romantic day of the year, as do winter weddings. 

Hmmm.... Do you think men might have an ulterior motive for choosing February 14 for their wedding day?

Here's an excerpt from my romantic comedy Caught on Camera that eavesdrops on the groomsmen's conversation as they wait for the bride to appear.

Halden and the groomsmen wore dark formal tailcoats, striped gray trousers, white shirts, and lavender cravats and waistcoats.

At intervals during the interminable delay, they bemoaned the wedding planner’s order for traditional English attire. Who knew it’d be as hot as hell in June in the Great White North? Apparently not the wedding planner or Candy. Or more likely they didn’t care. To them, it was all about appearances.

“She’s twenty minutes late.” Garth inserted one finger inside his collar and tugged at the garment constricting his neck. “If I ever get married, it’ll be in January.”

“Make it February fourteenth,” Mickey muttered out the side of his mouth. “Then you’ll never forget your wedding anniversary.”

“Good tip. You always think ahead, Mick.” Garth fist-bumped him behind Wade’s back.

Did you receive a proposal or get married on Valentine's Day?

Madelle

Madelle is the Canadian author of two novels, Diamond Hunter, a romantic suspense, and Caught on Camera, Hollywood in Muskoka series, Book 1, a New Adult romantic comedy.

She tweets and posts on the topics of writing & publishing, filmmaking, dogs, and the settings for her stories.

Subscribe to her blog at MadelleMorgan.com and follow her on  Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Wattpad. 

A ‘White’ Candy Christmas

By Linda Lovely

My husband has stopped eating chocolate, which he absolutely loves. His decision has nothing to do with calories (he’s thin) or some Lent-type sacrifice. His doctor suggested chocolate could be one of the triggers for his acid reflux, and some experimentation proved chocolate was indeed a culprit.

 

2015  Choc-0-Holic Selection. Most of the "white"
candies also had chocolate inside or swirled through.

This is one of the reasons we’re closing in on Christmas and I have yet to make candy, a family holiday tradition. I was in grade school when we first added chocolate-covered cherries to our repertoire. Marsha, who rented our apartment, joined in the fun and shared her recipe. Since then my candy selection has always starred chocolate-covered cherries. Other staples include toffee (chocolate/nut top layer), chocolate Oreo almond balls, fudge, chocolate-covered orange creams, chocolate-covered rum balls…See a trend here?

Sure, I made a few non-chocolate items for taste and visual variety. But they weren’t stars. So it’s a week before Christmas, and I have yet to make any candy. Unfortunately homemade candy has long been my go-to gift for friends and family—colorful Christmas tins filled with a selection of goodies. Each year a number of friends kindly return their tins in anticipation of refills. Will I disappoint them?

Having procrastinated so long, I don’t think I can deliver ahead of Santa. A lack of recipe inspiration hasn’t been my only stumbling block. I’ve also run up against a number of time sucks—some fun, some not so much. Will my friends care—or even notice—if they don’t get gifts? How do you stop a tradition and make sure people realize it has nothing to do with them—that you love them just as much as last year?

As I write this blog a few days before Christmas I have yet to plan a course of action. I may try for a “white” Christmas and attempt to find enough knock-out non-chocolate candy recipes (or doctored chocolate ones) to put together interesting selections in those waiting, empty Christmas tins. Or I could make chocolate goodies and send them all out of our house. But that somehow seems unfair (my husband and I would both inhale those chocolate smells). Then there's the cookie option--a lot less work.

One thing is certain.  I’m going to begin collecting recipes now for 2017. Since it’s the season for sharing, how about sharing some of your non-chocolate candy creations—or your best holiday cookie recipes? Other than chocolate everything goes!

Happy Holidays!  

MY FAVOURITE FOOD - MARGARET TANNER

COMFORT FOOD – MARGARET TANNER

Comfort food what is it? Of course, food that makes you comfortable, happy and content. A reward for doing something well, or a panacea for all the trials and tribulations you have had to put up with? No matter what excuse we use, and I have used them all i.e. if something good has happened to me, I reward myself with chocolate. On the other hand, if something bad has happened to me and I need cheering up, I reward myself with a chocolate.

What is my favourite food you might ask? Well, being a chocaholic, you know what I am going to say -  Chocolate, closely followed by biscuits (or as American’s say, cookies). My hips bear witness to this addiction of mine.

My favourite chocolate is milk chocolate, followed by dark chocolate, (which scientists are now saying is good for you, I could have told them that), and white chocolate. I have to confess I am not a great fan of white chocolate, and as much as it pains me to admit it, I find it too sweet and sickly.

I prefer a plain chocolate bar, but I do enjoy a chocolate bar with peppermint or honeycomb in it.

Now biscuits. I enjoy most of them, particularly chocolate coated biscuits, but my favourite are ANZAC biscuits.

In 1915, these biscuits were baked by mothers and sisters and sent in food parcels to troops serving on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey.  The soldiers were members of an expeditionary force, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACS). Four of my novels are set against a background of World War 1. Daring Masquerade, Lauren’s Dilemma, and Allison’s War, are published by Books We Love, A Rose In No-Man’s Land is published by Amazon Encore.

ANZAC BISCUITS:

Ingredients:

125g (4 oz) butter, 1 tablespoon golden syrup, 2 tablespoons boiling water, 1 ½ teaspoons bicarbonate of soda (baking powder), 1 cup rolled oats, ¾ cup desiccated coconut, 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar.

Method:

Melt butter and golden syrup over low heat. Add boiling water mixed with bicarbonate of soda.  Pour into mixed dried ingredients and mix well.

Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture on to greased baking trays, leaving room for spreading.

Bake in pre-heated slow oven (150C/300F) for 20 minutes. Cool on trays for a few minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool.

Store in an airtight container.  Makes about 45.

DARING MASQUERADE:

When Harriet Martin masquerades as a boy to help her shell-shocked brother in 1916, falling in love with her boss wasn’t part of the plan.

http://amzn.com/B0081CJECY

http://www.margarettanner.com/

Chocolate, Caramel, What's Your Food Vice? by Paty Jager #MondayBlogs #Mystery #Romance

What's your vice? The one food you can't go without for more than a day or even hours?

Mine is chocolate. I have to have a cup of hot chocolate in the morning like most people drink coffee. I rarely drink it any other time of the day, but it's my kick start to the day. If it isn't available- none in hotel rooms or when I visit my mother-in-law, I take packets with me. That's how bad I need my morning cup of chocolate.

My chocolate addiction doesn't stop with a cup in the morning. I have a dish of Dove chocolate that sits on my desk. When I write, chocolate is my brain booster. If I hit a difficult spot in a story or am thinking, I pop a chocolate and "poof" my brain magically connects the thoughts. LOL I wish! I mostly chomp on the chocolate when I'm stuck. Not sure if it helps the brain but it makes me feel better. ;)

Shandra Higheagle the potter and female protagonist in my Shandra Higheagle Books has a vice as well. It's caramel milk shakes. When she's stressed, she goes to Ruthie's Diner and orders a caramel shake. When she's happy, she orders a caramel shake. When she's the suspect in a murder, she orders a caramel milkshake. When she's focusing on who the killer could be, she orders a caramel milkshake. You get the drift-- Shandra's caramel milks shake is my chocolate.

I wish I were my fictional character. She doesn't worry about the calories all those shakes have. I, on the other hand, have to make sure if I eat a lot of chocolate, I walk or watch the other foods I eat that day. 

The fifth book in the Shandra Higheagle Mystery series just released. Here is a peek at the blurb and Shandra craving a caramel milk shake.

Killer Descent

Book five in the Shandra Higheagle Mysteries

Abuse…Power…Murder

Once again Shandra Higheagle finds herself a suspect in a murder investigation when an ex-lover is found murdered on a Huckleberry ski run. A past she’d planned to never divulge now must be shared with the first man she’s trusted, Detective Ryan Greer. 

Ryan puts his job in jeopardy when he’s booted from the case and uses all resources plus a few extra to prove Shandra is innocent. The information leads them down a road of blackmail and betrayal of the ugliest kind.

 Excerpt

“Ryan and I are headed to town. You need anything?” She leaned on the corral gate. Apple nickered and walked over, snuffling her, looking for treats. “Hey girl. We need to go for a ride even if it’s short. I bet you’re getting corral fever.”

“I don’t need anything but the truth.” Lil wandered over to the gate. She patted Apple’s neck and peered at Shandra. “What was all that talk them cops were saying about tapes and such?”

Shandra forgot she’d told the woman she’d catch her up on the situation. With Ryan around she didn’t visit as much with Lil. When there was just the two of them out here, they talked more.

“My past. There is a time I’m not proud of. I don’t have time to go into detail, but I thought a man loved me—”

“That dead professor?”

“Yes. He wooed me and I fell. I was innocent and looking for acceptance from—”

“Your stepfather or a male figure like him.”

“Yes. Anyway, he abused me until I found the strength to get away. I’ve found out he did that to many young women. It turns out he was videotaping the women with him while he humiliated them in bed.”

Lil held up a hand. “I don’t need to hear any more. Is that why those cops think you killed the professor?”

“Yes. But I was never blackmailed. I didn’t know anything about the tapes until the woman who came here with Carl mentioned them in the diner.” Shandra thought about that. The woman had said that loudly, to make sure others heard it. She was trying to make sure even Shandra’s friends had reason to believe she’d killed Carl.

“I have to go. Ryan’s waiting for me.” She spun from the gate.

“Hey!”

Shandra pivoted back to the corral.

“I don’t think much of cops, but Ryan will help you find the real killer.”

That was high praise for a man Lil had disliked from the first because he was a policeman. “Thanks. I know he will.”

Shandra hurried around the side of the barn and straight for the house. If she cleaned up fast enough, they could go to the lodge, find the woman, and have lunch at Ruthie’s diner. She was craving a caramel shake.

                                                                             ***

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 Award-winning author Paty Jager and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. She not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it. All Paty’s work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story.

You can learn more about Paty at

her blog; Writing into the Sunset 

her website; http://www.patyjager.net  

Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/PatyJagerAuthor/

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