Hmmmm

Christmas Mischief

One of my favorite short stories…

Christmas Mischief

and A Night Owl Review Top Pick. 

What could be worse than driving down a county road on a cold, snowy December afternoon and getting a flat tire... Being locked out of your car by your exuberant dog, acting like a fool trying to get back in when a tall dark handsome stranger stops and then the man doesn't ask for your phone number.

And my favorite recipe for Gluehwein

Gluehwein, 

1 (750 milliliter) of an inexpensive bottle red wine - 

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

A package of mulling spices (3 ounces)*

Cheesecloth

Cinnamon Sticks

In a saucepan, add water, sugar, and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer.

Place mulling spices in a cheesecloth. Drop into the pan and simmer for 30 minutes or until thick and syrupy.

Turn off the heat and pour in wine until steaming. Remove cheesecloth with spices. (Some people will also add 1/2 cup of Brandy)

Pour hot water into mugs/cups to preheat them, dump the water out and add wine and garnish with cinnamon stick.

*Or to make you own Mulling Spices, place 8 black peppercorns, 6 whole allspice, 6 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 3 orange rind strips and 2 pieces crystalized ginger on a 5-inch square of cheesecloth. Gather the edges, and tie securely with string.

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Mischief-Christine-Columbus-ebook/dp/B0054K8PSK

https://twitter.com/CoverReveals

http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=243_86_65&products_id=651

Good News...

 I spotted Rudolph on my evening walk...and the difficulty of my morning hike has increased

 

Good News...Bad News...

Good News, I found my favorite beer in Eugene.

Bad News, my manuscript was rejected. I received great feedback from the editor at The Wild Rose Press and she gave me the opportunity to resubmit...And I have beer.

Seeing Green

I feel like I'm in the wrong season. It's Thanksgiving week and I'm seeing green instead of white on my afternoon hike.

This is my first autumn living someplace other than MN, WI or IA and even though it's not exactly warm in Eugene, it's doable.

The Right Perspective...

 It seems to me the leaves in Eugene, OR are much bigger then I remember.

If Stella could talk she'd say, "Something tells me we're not in Iowa anymore."

Handicap yes, Accessible ?

If you are traveling in July without reservations don't worry there is always Makoshika, MT state park.

Dry camping in Makoshika MT state park - doesn't mean you can't bring in a beer or two...it means absolutely no water is available at the campsites.

The place was beautiful, it looked like we were at the South Dakota Badlands, lots of hiking, rattle snake warnings, very little shade, lots of wind at night and Handicap Pit Toilets, but not necessarily Handicap Accessible Pit Toilets.