The Holidays Are Almost Here...Oh My

A (slightly) Exaggerated View Of My Reaction
To The Realization That The Holidays Are Near

I see from various posts on this blog that the Holidays are almost upon us and I have just three words to sum up my situation.

I…am doomed.

Don’t get me wrong, this year is going to be tough due to the recent passing of my mother. Thanksgiving especially was her favorite holiday. Odd to me because until she got too sick to do so, she did all the cooking. Of course, we all showed our appreciation of her labors by gaining five pounds each in one sitting. Still, she loved it.

Christmas is going to hard as well, but we have little kids in the family and they deserve the holiday. Still, although I am sure with time it will be easier, there’s going big hole that’s never going to be filled again.

But not why I’m doomed.

You see every year, even after she got sick, Mom made the Christmas candy. Now I’m not talking about the marshmallow chocolate fudge that even I couldn’t mess up. We have that too, but I’m talking about the BIG one. The family tradition, the one we got once a year and which everyone could hardly wait for.

The Buttermilk Fudge.

Now don’t let the name fool you. This is the good stuff. True, to me as a drink Buttermilk is to be avoided at all cost, but as an ingredient, especially in this recipe, it is fabulous. I do not exaggerate. So what’s it like? Well, it’s sort of like a praline, but not as pretty. The first time they see, most people take a look at it, wonder what that brown is, and wait until there is no sugar left before they even venture to try it. Then it is gone it under a minute, and then they wait all year to get more. Providing I can hide some from my family. They do have first dibs.

So why am I doomed? 

Well realizing for the past couple of years that Mom was not up to the manual labor involved in the recipe, there's enough stirring involved to wear your arm out, I helped her. Okay, I wanted the fudge too.  However, I made a fatal error. Last year, feeling particularly optimistic, I asked Mom to let me make the fudge. Which I did, under her supervision of course. You see the last time I tried making the fudge on my own I ended up with buttermilk fudge soup. Needless to say, it didn’t go over well.

You see this is real candy making folks. Candy thermometers, the big dutch oven pan, soft ball stages, a wooden spoon must be used…I don’t why, but it must be a wooden spoon!
Fortunately, under Mom’s watchful eye, it turned out right, and of course I had to brag and tell everyone that I made it. Well this year, Mom is not here to supervise, and guess who’s making the sacred family fudge.

All…by…my…self.

That’s why I am doomed.

Not that I'd get kicked out of the family if I mess it up, again, at least I hope not, but I might be forced to hand over the recipe, the dutch oven and the wooden spoon.

So will I share this recipe with all of you? Let’s see how it comes out and if I can get a decent picture. That way, if I botch it you won’t be forced to witness my shame. But who knows? With the Grace of God (I’m going to need it) the fudge might turn out all right.

For now, as said by Gir from the Invader Zim show “Let’s Sing The Doom Song!”

Doom, da...doom, da…doom da...doom, da…doom...

Mystery writer C.L. Ragsdale is the author of The Reboot Files a Christian Mystery Series. A California native, she loves to "surf" the web to research plot details for her fun, quirky stories with just a bit of whopper in them. She has a degree in Theatre Arts which greatly influenced her writing style. Working in various fields as a secretary has allowed her to both master her writing skills and acquire valuable technical knowledge which she uses liberally in her plots. She loves to embroider and knit and is a big fan of the old Scooby Doo cartoons.

Current E-Books
THE REBOOT FILES:  The Mystery of Hurtleberry House, The Island of Living Trees, The Harbinger of Retribution, and The Wrong Ghost.

www.shortmysteriesandtalltales.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CL-Ragsdale219184744858421

I Need Your Vote!

As Linda was saying the holidays are upon us. Now I'm not a person who cooks very often. I can cook I just don't enjoy it that much. But I've decided I'm going to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. I'm also going to buck the routine and I've decided to cook a pork tenderloin. I wanted a recipe that included apples. I found three that sound yummy - now I want your vote. Which one do you think I should cook. Can't wait to hear from you and I'll be sure and take pictures and post the outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Lazy Day Sweet and Sour Tenderloin

   • In a heavy skillet, brown the tenderloin on all sides in 2 or 3 tbsp. of cooking oil. Place the tenderloin in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour 1 can of apple pie filling over the browned roast. Add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar. Place the lid on the cooker and cook on low for five to six hours for a small tenderloin and up to eight for a larger 2-lb. roast. Test for proper temperature at the end of the cooking time. Cook longer if necessary to achieve 160 F.

   Tenderloin with Fresh Apples

   • Core and slice 2 small or 1 large Granny Smith apple into 1/4-inch slices. Sprinkle or dip the slices in lemon juice to prevent browning. Slice 1 Vidalia onion into slices of approximately the same size. In a heavy, oven-safe skillet, heat 2 tbsp. oil over medium-high heat. Brown the pork tenderloin on all sides. Remove the tenderloin from the pan and set on a platter. Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet and sauté the onions and apples until evenly browned. Place the tenderloin on top of the apple and onion mixture in the skillet. Brush the top of the loin roast with Dijon mustard. Bake the roast in a 450 F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160 F.

   Roasted Tenderloin and Apples

   • Place a 1 lb. to 1 1/2 lb. tenderloin in a roasting pan. Cover with a tight lid or aluminum foil. Place the pan in a 400 F oven and let cook for 30 minutes. While the roast is cooking, slice two cooking apples (such as Granny Smiths) into 1/4-inch slices. Add 2 tbsp. of fresh or frozen cranberries. In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Spoon this mixture over the fruit, coating the fruit thoroughly with the sugar and spice. Remove the tenderloin from the oven after 30 minutes and spoon the fruit mixture on and around the roast. Return the roast to the oven and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the roast is golden brown and reaches a 160 F internal temperature.

 Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in First Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails,” edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writer she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.  

Caught Off Guard--By Linda Kozar

Is it me or has the holiday season caught you off guard too? Thanksgiving is THIS month! My goodness! And Christmas won't be far behind. So much to do. So little time.

There are pumpkin pies and cookies to bake, turkeys to roast and extra weight to feel guilty about.

And the day after Thanksgiving--decorating and shopping, way too much shopping.

But besides all that. . .

There are Christmas carols to sing! There are lovely thoughts to write on cards or letters to far flung family and friends. And Christmas programs at church! There are soup kitchens and other places to volunteer, Secret Santa gifts to buy for children who would otherwise not have gifts for Christmas, and special times and traditions to bond with family.

I sincerely look forward to this time of year and hope you feel the same way.

I love serving this special breakfast during the holiday season. The casserole is definitely not calorie-light, but it sure tastes right. Hope you think so too!

Baked French Toast Casserole

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  Ingredients

  • 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
  • Butter, for pan
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Dash salt
  • Praline Topping, recipe follows
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  Directions

  Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.

  In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

  The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry Syrup.

  Praline Topping:

  • 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread over bread as directed above.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  Linda Kozar is the co-author of Babes With A Beatitude—Devotions For Smart, Savvy Women of Faith (Hardcover/Ebook, Howard/Simon & Schuster 2009) and author of Misfortune Cookies (Print, Barbour Publishing 2008), Misfortune Cookies, A Tisket, A Casket, and Dead As A Doornail, (“When The Fat Ladies Sing Series,” eBooks, Spyglass Lane Mysteries, 2012). Her latest novel Strands of Fate released October 2012 (Hardcover/Ebook, Creative Woman Mysteries). She received the ACFW Mentor of the Year Award in 2007, founded and served as president of Writers On The Storm, The Woodlands, Texas ACFW chapter for three years. In 2003, she co-founded, co-directed and later served as Southwest Texas Director of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild. She and her husband Michael, married 24 years, have two lovely daughters, Katie and Lauren and a Rat Terrier princess named Patches.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Represented by: Wendy Lawton, Books & Such Literary Agency

  
  

  Member of: CAN (Christian Authors Network), RWA (Romance Writers of American), WHRWA (West Houston Romance Writers of America), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), Writers On The Storm, The Woodlands, Texas Chapter of ACFW, Toastmasters (Area 56) The Woodlands, Texas. WoodsEdge Community Church

Stuff and Feathers

By Nancy Jill Thames

Boy, the east coast, including many of my family members, took a severe hit this week. Recovery will be long and costly. Still, in spite of the flooding, fires, toppled trees and loss of power, people found ways to keep cozy. What struck me the most was how different people reacted to the disaster.

Someone's Trampoline in Sparta, NJ - Home of my Relatives

One woman in Atlantic City was overwhelmed with the loss of her ocean view restaurant. Another restaurant owner said he was confident his place would be rebuilt, and fond memories of wedding receptions and other celebrations would remain intact for his customers. Yes, business sites suffered and so did people's homes. Many were completely destroyed.

Structures and their furnishings are what I call "stuff and feathers." I tried looking up the origin of this term with no luck. But as my east coast relatives gathered in the one house that did have power, I thought about what really matters in life. Sometimes a disaster helps us to see more clearly that our possessions are simply "stuff and feathers." Of course, my family's main priority was charging their devices - I don't consider those "stuff and feathers" at all! Why? Because we stay connected with those devices. Facebook posts and tweets kept people in touch with shared information and messages of support. At least we had satellites.

By coincidence, there is a power outage in my upcoming book "Waiting for Santa" due out at the end of November. Talk about timing! Believe it or not, some family members, like in my book, made their situation fun! They built campfires in their fireplaces, and by firelight, read to the kids and played games. My niece made hot chocolate in saucepans held over the fire. Her kids loved it! If that isn't cozy, I don't know what is.

So today, many of you will be reeling from the storm's aftermath. My heart goes out to you, wishing you hadn't suffered losses. Hopefully, you'll keep your chin up and bless God for His promise to never forsake us - even in times of disaster. By keeping our eyes on Him, everything else is only "stuff and feathers."

I'd appreciate comments on how you're dealing with your storm situations. Thank you!

~Nancy Jill Thames 

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of the Jillian Bradley Mysteries - stories often set in exclusive hotels and resorts, based on real life travel adventures with her husband of 44 years.  Her mysteries incorporate her love of afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She holds a music degree from UT Austin and lives in Leander, Texas where she is a member of the Leander Writers Guild. She has won awards for her blogs, a pie contest for her Chocolate Chip Cream Pie, and has been on the Author Watch Bestseller List numerous times. Nancy Jill is busy working on book 6 Waiting for Santa, a murder mystery taking place on Christmas Eve near Jillian Bradley’s home in Clover Hills.

To check out her books, Murder in Half Moon Bay, The Ghost Orchid Murder, From the Clutches of Evil, The Mark of Eden, and Pacific Beach, please visit the Cozy Book Store and her blogs: 

Cozy Mystery Author, Nancy Jill Thames

"Queen of Afternoon Tea" Celebrity Author Interviews

            

My Favorite Writing Place

Following in the theme of where we like to create our stories I thought I would contribute. So where is my favorite writing place? Well...it depends. You see, wherever my laptop is, that is where I like to write, but I do have some favorite spots in my house.
First there is

The Comfy Living Room Chair

This was my Mom's chair, until she decided she liked the couch better. So I will often get my laptop and start creating. Until I need a change of venue then I move to

The Not So Comfy, But For Some Reason I Like It, Floor

This is a holdover from my childhood. Mom said I would go under the kitchen table before I could read and make up my own stories to go along with the pictures in the book. Eventually I settled for just the floor. Although as I age I find that the time I can actually sit on the floor gets to be less. So I move to

The Not As Comfy, But It Will Do, Bedroom Chair

I've had this chair for years, after my Mom decided she didn't like it. I got more furniture that way. Anyway, I put it in my bedroom just in case a brilliant writing idea happens to come my way. Besides the laptop charger is in there. Oh by the way, see the pretty grandmother's flower garden quilt? Mom made that, as well as the little afghan on the comfy chair. She was very creative. I wish it was genetic.

Anyway that's where I do my creating, but there one piece of furniture that seems out of place...

A DESK??? What Am I Supposed To Do With A DESK?

Mom must have snuck this one in on me when I wasn't looking. 

Mystery writer C.L. Ragsdale is the author of The Reboot Files a Christian Mystery Series. A California native, she loves to "surf" the web to research plot details for her fun, quirky stories with just a bit of whopper in them. She has a degree in Theatre Arts which greatly influenced her writing style. Working in various fields as a secretary has allowed her to both master her writing skills and acquire valuable technical knowledge which she uses liberally in her plots. She loves to embroider and knit and is a big fan of the old Scooby Doo cartoons.

Current E-Books
THE REBOOT FILES:  The Mystery of Hurtleberry House, The Island of Living Trees, The Harbinger of Retribution, and The Wrong Ghost.

www.shortmysteriesandtalltales.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CL-Ragsdale219184744858421