Sunday Snippets #SundaySnippets by Connie Vines

It may be the cold weather, or the fact I’m writing an anthology set in New Orleans, Louisiana—or

I’m simply hungry this Sunday morning,  but I’d thought I share a few recipes you might like to sample.

Creole Coffee

"Good and simple. Rich, dark-roast coffee and chicory, molasses, and cream makes for a delicious cup of coffee."

1 cup of hot brewed coffee with chicory.  Stir in 1 tablespoon of molasses and 1 tablespoon of half & half (or more to taste).

Pain Perdu

"Pain Perdu is a special New Orleans-style French Toast. The most tender version is made with wide loaves of French or Italian bread. Its great flavor comes from the orange brandy in the batter."

5 eggs
½ cup sugar
2 Tablespoon of orange liquor  (I substitute traditional orange juice)
12 slices of white bread

In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, milk, brandy and orange zest. Beat until thick and foamy. Pour mixture into a shallow pan. Soak bread slices in the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they are thoroughly soaked through.

Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Lightly spray griddle with cooking spray. Cook the bread slices 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve hot.

Cajun-Style Eggs Benedict

"Forget the English muffins, Canadian bacon, poaching eggs and harassing Hollandaise sauce. This biscuit, egg, and andouille sausage breakfast topped with a simple Mornay sauce is terrific."

2 Tablespoon butter
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 c milk
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
1 dash Tabasco Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 large buttermilk biscuits cut in half
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ lb Andouille Sausage cut in 2-inch slices
8 eggs

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour, and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture, and cook over low heat. Cook and stir until the mixture is thick and smooth, about 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and hot sauce; season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.

Meanwhile, warm the biscuits in a toaster oven and keep warm. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the andouille pieces into the skillet cut-side-down. Cook until golden brown, then turn over and cook until browned on the skin side; remove and keep warm. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Crack four of the eggs into the hot pan, and cook until the egg whites have firmed about halfway through, about 1 minute. Gently flip the eggs over, and cook 10 to 20 seconds more until the other side has just firmed on the outside. Repeat with the remaining eggs.
To assemble, place two biscuit halves onto each plate, cut-side-up. Divide the andouille sausage among the biscuits, then top each biscuit with an egg. Finally, spoon some of the sauce over each egg and serve.

Please stop by and visited the talented authors featured in our Sunday Snippets Blog Hop.

I’ll be doing the same while I sip by Creole Coffee.

Happy Reading,
Connie

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/
http://mizging.blogspot.com/
http://triciamg.blogspot.com/

Writing During the Hectic Holidays #Round Robin

Topic: During the sometimes hectic holidays do you find it hard to find writing time? If not, how do you handle it with the expectations of others to visit and share time together? Or do you appreciate taking a vacation from fiction to enjoy time with family and friends?

Thank you, Rhobin for this month’s topic. 

Since my day job is in education, I have sixteen days of vacation (if you count weekends) during our winter break.  Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Sixteen days at the keyboard, a cup of coffee nearby, music streaming via my iPhone—I’ll whip that novel on in no time.

Oh, wait.  I have one problem.  Winter break lands smack dab in the center of the holidays, doesn’t it? 

Ah, gingersnap! 

Today, I snagged gift cards from the rack at Smart & Final while filling my cart with grocery items for a Christmas Eve Party and a Christmas potluck at my son’s house.  Later, after writing this blog post, I yanked dinner out of the oven, before leaving to view Christmas hula recital.  I was able to enjoy an array of Christmas lights blur by as whipped along in 5 p.m. traffic.  Yes, it’s holiday time!

An energy during the holidays (aka semi-organized chaos) seems to increase my creativity. 

How can that be?  Since I am an introvert, this is usually not the case.  I think it’s because good creative writing as always about people.  During the holidays, we spend time with people.  Since these people are talking about themselves, past events, feelings, and ‘festive’, it is more of an observation experience for a writer.  Paying attention to people during this time could inspire dozens of new stories, or at the very least, an interesting character or two.

Holidays transform people.  Christmas and Hanukkah are periods of liminality.  Liminal space is called the space between betwixt and between, which means that is a special time, a period when all transformation occurs.

Fiction is about the growth of a character.  We love reading about people who change.  I think we pay more attention to the details during the holidays.  Be it because we are reminiscing about our childhood, the moment before us we notice details and we recall details from the past.  We also recall scents and emotions.

To get back on topic-- do I find it hard to write during the holidays?

I think it is easy to write but in unconventional ways.  Obviously, while in the middle of a gathering I can’t whip out my laptop and begin typing.  I can, however, take a reporter’s notebook from my handbag and jot down notes.  Or, create a note or two via Siri on my iPhone.  Nevertheless, during the holidays I focus on enjoying my time with family and friends; on spiritual growth and on giving. 

Somehow, everything seems to fall into place.  I may not complete my novel, but my interrupted writing time always materializes and my muse visits me in my dreams.

Merry Christmas,

Connie

Please visit the participating writers for this month’s round robin. 

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Connie Vines http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Bob Rich       http://wp.me/p3Xihq-A9
Hollie Glover  http://www.hollieglover.co.uk
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/

Do Random Acts of Kindness Make a Difference?

This month’s topic:  Tell when you either performed or received a random act of kindness that made your day better.

“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.”

—Bob Kerrey
American politician

I find this is a topic a timely one, but also a topic that can be viewed as one of multi levels.

For those struggling for survival, the basic needs of human kind, food, water, or shelter would qualify.

However, I believe that we as humans have a basic instincts that nudge use to do what is right and good.  However, whether we act on that subconscious nudge, is another matter.

I witnessed an unexpected act of kindness that was unexpected and yet very profound.  This appeared on my Facebook "On This Day" alert.  I had posted this event one year ago today for my friends to read.

Today, I would like to share this post with  you.

At my day job,  I interact with may students and families.  We are all guilty, especially when we are stressed, of passing judgement upon others.  There is one family that is very challenged in dealing with day-to-day living.  The parents have two teenage sons.  The father seems down-trodden and the wife addled and not very high functioning.  However, I must confess that the interaction between this couple that  I witnessed humbled me.  

While waiting for their sons, they discussed a few matters and then the wife confessed that she didn't no very well in her art class (she is enrolled in occupational training).  She said she wasn't as good at drawing as he (her husband) or her sons.  She was afraid she'd fail her class.  Her husband (the look in his eyes reflected his knowledge of her limitations), he said, "You always try hard and take pride in your work. Everything will be okay.  You acted as a TA.  Remember?  That will count for something with your instructor."

When she looked up at him her face mirrored her love.  She knew she knew her limitations, but she also his kind words make her stronger and able to keep trying.

I witnessed the meaning of honoring one's wedding vows at the most basic level.

This was very profound and life changing for me.

This family own rusty, travel-weary bikes, often reside in a hotel, and rely on charity bus passes to take their son to the doctor.

This family was provided with a Thanksgiving basket and clothing today.  Yet, I am the one who was the unexpected recipient of a holiday gift.

Never, never discount the power of an act of kindness.

I hope you have enjoyed my post.  Please visit the other sites in this month's blog-hop.

Happy Reading,

Connie

Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Connie Vines http://connievines.blogspot.com/
Skye Taylor  http://www.skye-writer.com/

Bob Rich  http://wp.me/p3Xihg-z4

Holly Glover  http://www.hollieglover.co.uk

Judy Copek  http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com

Helena Fairfax  http://helenafairfax.com/
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Rachael Kosinski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/

Sunday Snippet #11/15/2015

Fall has arrived in SoCal!  With the promise of El Nino to take the edge off our drought worries, I found myself baking with several items available at local farmers' markets, or if you live in a rain rich region, you make have these vegetables and fruits in your backyard.

My featured novel this month, "Brede", is set in New Mexico.  To honor the bounty of this diverse state, I have posted two delicious recipes that you may wish to try this winter.  Both are simple, filling, a good for you.  As you know, Brede's mystery woman isn't know for her culinary skills.  However, sandwiched between her dramatic failures, she does manage to turn out a tasty meal or two!  

Pull out your slow cooker (I know you have one somewhere in your cupboard) and prepare these Fall treats!

Carrot and Coriander Soup

Root vegetable, such as carrots, are great for slow cooker soups.  Their earthy flavor becomes rich and sweet when cooked slowly over a gentle heat and goes perfectly with robust herbs and spices, and their texture becomes beautifully smooth when pureed.

Serves 4
1 lb carrots, preferably young and tender
1 tablespoon. sunflower oil
3 tablespoon butter / low fat margarine
1 onion, chopped
1 stick celery, plus 2 -3 leafy tops
2 small potatoes, peeled
1 1/2 pints/ 3 1/4 cups boiling vegetable stock
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
1/4 pint/ 2/3 cup milk
salt and ground black pepper

Trim and peel carrots and cut into chunks.  Heat oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan and fry onion over a gentle heat for 3 - 4 minutes until slightly cooked. Do not let it brown.

Slice the celery and chop the potatoes, and add them to the onion in the pan.  Cook for 2 minutes, then add the carrots and cook for an additional minute.  Transfer the fried vegetables to the ceramic cooking pot.

Pour the boiling vegetable stock over the vegetables, then season with salt and pepper.  Cover the pot and cook on low for 4 - 5 hours until the vegetable as tender.

Reserve 6 - 8 tiny celery leaves from the leafy tops for the garnish, then finely chop the remaining celery tops.  Melt the remaining in a large pan and add the ground coriander.  Fry for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the aromas are released.

Reduce the heat under the pan and add the chopped celery tops and fresh coriander. Fry 30 seconds, then remove from the heat.  Ladle the soup into a food processor, blender, or use an immersion blender (or a potato masher if you wish like a few veggie pieces).  Using the same pan, stir in milk and heat until piping hot.  

Check the seasoning, then serve garnished with the reserved celery leaves.





Pumpkin and Banana Cake

Rather like a cross between a carrot cake and banana bread, the luscious cake is an excellent  way of using some of the scooped-out pumpkin fresh after making Halloween pumpkin lanterns.  A cream cheese topping provides a delicious contrast with the dense moist cake. 

Serves 12

2 cups of self-rising flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch of salt
10 tablespoons/ 5 oz. of light brown sugar
3/4 cup/3 oz. pecans or walnuts, chopped
4 oz. pumpkin flesh, coarsely grated
2 small bananas, peeled and mashed
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup/1/4 pint sunflower oil

For the topping

1/4 cup/2 oz. 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup/ 2 oz. soft cream cheese
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup/ 4 oz. confectioners' sugar.
pecan halves, to decorate

Line the base and sides of a deep 8 inch round bake tin or souffle dish with baking parchment.  Place an upturned saucer or metal pastry ring in the base of the ceramic cooking pot, then pour in about 1 inch of very hot water.  Switch the slow cooker to high.

Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and salt (or just dump it all in a bowl like I do).  Stir in the sugar, chopped nuts and grated pumpkin until thoroughly mixed.  Make a slight hollow in the middle of the dry ingredients. 

In a separate bowl, combine the bananas, eggs, and sunflower oil, then stir into the dry ingredients.  Turn into the prepared tin and level the surface. 

Cover the tin with a pieced of buttered foil and place into the slow cooker.  Pour sufficient boiling water to come just over halfway up the sides of the tin.

Cover the pot with the lid and cook on high for 4 - 4.5 hours, or until the cake is firm and skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Carefully remove the cake from the slow cooker and stand the tin on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.  Turn out and leave to cool completely, then peel off the lining paper.

To make the topping, put the butter, cream cheese and vanilla extract in a bowl and beat until blended and smooth.   Sift in the confectioner's sugar (I do sift here) and beat again until smooth and creamy.  Thickly spread the topping over the top of the cake and decorate with pecan halves.  Chill in the refrigerator for a least 1 hour before serving to allow the topping to harden.


I hope you try and enjoy these delicious recipes.  Remember "Brede" Rodeo Romance, Book 2 is 99 cents during the month of November.

Stop by and see what everyone else is talking about this week's Sunday Snippets!

Happy Reading,

Connie

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/  Juliet Waldron  

http://mizging.blogspot.com/       Ginger Simpson

http://triciamg.blogspot.com/  Tricia McGill

bookswelove.com

What Hooks a Reader on a Story? # rndrobin0415

Topic: What glues you to a story start to finish? What hooks do you use to capture your readers?

How to hook my readers?

Workshops, how-to-books, and instructors will say it’s the first two paragraphs, the first one hundred words, the blurb, the cover. . .etc. that will hook your readers.

As a rule, I agree these statements are true. 

The key statement is “as a rule”.

I write what I like to read.  I like a strong opening hook, witty dialogue, or a detailed description of a setting, all have their place and all appeal to me.  If I have had a stressful day, I may prefer a book with more narrative.  A humdrum day, a fast-paced book with a strong action hook is perfect.  I assume my readers preferences are the same. 

The story dictates the hook and the tone of my story.  Always.

When I chose print books, I look at the cover, read the blurb, and scan the first three pages.  Ebooks, offer the additional benefit of reviews (though I am careful not to find spoilers) and speedy download. As a writer, I am very aware that I’m not the only entertainment venue.  I compete with movies, television, and in the case of my Teen/Tween and YA novels—video games,

I strive to forge an emotional connection between my readers and my characters.  I hope that my readers will remember my characters and think of them as friends. Friends that make an afternoon enjoyable, an evening filled with adventure, hope, love, or good old-fashioned or just plain sassy fun!

Looking for a hook?

Here are a few of mine:

•  Charlene hadn’t told Rachel that she’d fixed her up with a cowboy, much less Lynx Maddox, the “Wild Cat” of the rodeo circuit.  Rachel signed. She should have known.  After all, Charlene only dated men who wore boots and Stetson.  “Lynx” Rodeo Romance, Book 1.  BWL release.

 ·         Audralynn Maddox heard her own soft cry, but the pain exploding inside her head made everything else surreal, distanced somehow by the realization that some had made a mistake. A terrible mistake.  “Brede” Rodeo Romance, Book 2. BWL release.

 ·         “You and Elvis have done a great job on this house,” Meredith said as her older sister led the way downstairs toward the kitchen here the tour began. “Sorry I couldn’t get over, until now, but I’ve been sort of. . .well, busy.” Slipping her Juicy Couture tortoise-shell framed sunglasses into a bright pink case, Meredith crammed them into her black Coach handbag. She hoped her sister didn’t ask her to define busy. Becoming a zombie, and dealing with the entire raised from the dead issue over the past six months, was not a topic easily plunked into casual conversation.  “Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow” BWL release.

 ·         1868  The Governor of New Mexico decreed that all Indian children over six be educated in the ways of the white man. Indian Commissioner: Thomas Morgan said:  It is cheaper to educate the Indians than to kill them.

1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries

Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remained where the sagebrush was stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. A land made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reached out into the silence.  A world of hunger and hardship.  This is my world. I was born thirteen winters ago.  I am Tanayia. My people and I call ourselves “Nde” this means “The People”. The white men call us Apache.

“Whisper upon the Water” Hard Shell Word Factory/Mundania Press imprint.

Please join in the Blog Hop to see what other writers have to say!

Connie

 
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Ginger Simpson http://www.mizging@logspot.com/
Skye Taylor  http://www.skye-writer.com/
Marci Baun  http://www.marcibaun.com/
Margaret Fieland http://www.margaretfieland.com/blog1/
Helena Fairfax  http://helenafairfax.com/
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rachael Kosnski http://rachaelkosinski.weebly.com/
Victoria Chatham http://victoriachatham.webs.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/

My interview with I. B. Nosey

Coming soon, October 30th, to be precise.  My official interview with I.B. Nosey.

A red carpet interview.  Mark your calendar to see what happens.  I.B. Nosey is 'the reporter' on the Hollywood scene.  In my very first Halloween season interview--I am soo excited!

Be sure and spread the word.  Lights, Camers, Action, and Fun!

Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow--is Free! Happy Halloween!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OA25GJY/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_JPJsub0NKWDVC

Free On Amazon!  Get into the Halloween Spirit!  Zombie romance that is Sassy and Fun!

Need a little Zombie Romance in your Halloween?

http://www.amazon.com/Today-Zombie-Tomorrow-Connie-Vines-ebook/dp/B00OA25GJY

Read for FREE October 24 -26th!  Book1 in my Fun & Sassy Fantasy series 💋.

Remember my free giveaways during The Romance Studio "Spooktacular" event on October 24th.

Visit my web site for additional information.