>Like most people across America, we had great expectations of a Christmas season spent with family—watching the delight in the kids’ eyes when they opened the gifts they’d wished fervently for, overeating at numerous family gatherings, reflecting anew on the holiness of Jesus’ birth. And according to our plan, we dropped our little dachshund, Zelda, off to be boarded two …
>The Christmas Spirit
>I’m the first to admit, the Christmas spirit is a little slow in making its appearance around here. I’m consumed with me-isms—my book promotion, my next project, my responsibilities to the writing groups I belong to, my blog posts, my email. It’s no wonder I feel like such a Scrooge. When we see only ourselves and the urgencies around us, …
>CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK – Smothered Chops
>My mother-in-law was one of the best cooks I’ve ever known when it came to wholesome, country cooking. We teased her about being the “Cream of the Crop” for her many wins at the county fair and her lavish spreads, even for everyday meals. Rarely did we sit down to a meal at her house and find less that six …
>CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK – Chicken Enchilada Casserole
>One of the things I love about fall is, that with the cooler temperatures, I don’t mind heating up the kitchen to make our favorite oven dishes. And it’s especially nice when Max walks in from work and notices the rich aroma—“Mmm, something smells good.” Brownie points from my sweet hubby are always good. Here’s a dish we like a …
>CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK – Cherry Cream Pie
>A few days before my oldest son’s twelfth birthday, the element went out of our electric oven. This was during the era when we actually baked birthday cakes instead of stopping by the local bakery and ordering the sugary, themed cakes that are routine today. I considered it part of my vow of motherhood to bake and decorate my boys’ …
>CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK – My Sister Donna’s Special Salsa
>I just returned from a mini-reunion of sorts. Some California relatives ventured to Oklahoma (and my dad’s house) so on Saturday, some of the local kinfolk joined us. My sisters were there and one of my boys and two grandsons. All in all, a very fun day. Everyone helped out with either the cooking or making some of our favorite …
>HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
> As I went out walking one morning for pleasure, I spied an old cowpuncher a-ridin’ along. I cocked my head and smiled in admiration as the tune Daddy sang filled the cab of the pickup truck. The miles whizzed by, gobbled up by the Whoopie, ti-yi-yo, get along you little dogies. I’ve long since forgotten where the road ended, …
>LOVE AND ROMANCE – A New Blog You’ll Like
> Do you like to hear how other writers who are also wives and moms keep the romance sizzling in their marriage? ROMANCE YOUR SPOUSE, this mostly G-rated blog is fun, informative, and a joint effort by five of my favorite romance writing friends (Hint: One is a relative). Pop over and check them out. When you do, you’ll see …
>MAKING MEMORIES
> Christmas has come and gone. We had good weather, safe travels, and only one person became ill and had to delay spending Christmas with the family, so overall it was all good. As usual, pictures tell the story much better than I could, so enjoy some of my favorite holiday shots. My dad (where we celebrated Christmas Eve), my …
>FOR UNTO US IS BORN . . .
> MERRY CHRISTMAS The mad rush is quickly winding down. The shopping is done, the gifts wrapped, the baked goods packed up. All we have to do is load the car and head out west where our family is waiting for the annual Christmas Eve gathering. Christmas Eve is the only tradition that has remained somewhat the same for as …