Cleaning Day - Get Ready for Unexpected Company

Tis the season for friends to drop in. No need to call in the pro's and don't feel that you have to clean your house on a daily basis. Here's a few simply tips to "fool" people.

Invest in the following items: Foaming bathroom cleaner, scented (lavender or lemon) floor cleaner (check your local dollar store), scented (lemon or orange) wood cleaner such as Pledge.

In the bathroom closest to where guest would be, daily spray the foaming bathroom cleaner into the sink and toilet. Wipe the sink dry and wipe the edge of the toilet bowl. Do not flush... let the remaining foam remain.

Using the scented Pledge dust the tables in the room where guest would be. Once a week is fine... but if you know of some coming and you want that just cleaned smell... Pledge the largest table in the room.

Pour a little scented cleaner with warm water in a spray bottle. With a soft damp cloth wipe TV screen, lamps and door knobs. Scented Windex can do the trick too, and this is a job you can give to a child!

A good scented candle such as from Yankee Candle Company is an added plus to any room to created a welcoming fragrance.

This little routine should not take more than 20 minutes. Don't dally... just make it smell clean!

Happy Holidays!

Last Stop of the Painted Soul Book Tour

Local Romance Writer Mary Quast Featured at Library

The author will introduce herself and talk about her book. Copies of her latest novel will be available for purchase and signing.

The original artwork she created for the cover of Painted Soul will be on display.
Win a Painted Soul Diva Gift Basket!

Painted Soul, the debut novel of Quast’s Soul Series is edgy and fresh. A contemporary romance with a twist, Painted Soul is a story that takes the reader on a wonderful ride in an artist’s life, through the streets of London, and into the shadows of the underground.

Thursday, Dec. 11
7:00pm
Montrose Jennings Library
241 Feher Drive
Montrose, MI
(810) 639-6388


“Quast’s emotionally charged and intensely romantic novel is so well researched and so exquisitely told. I will be looking for more of Mary’s work; that is for sure!” -Karen Mayes, contemporary romance reviewer.

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Humpday Help - Cook a Crock of Spice Cider

1/2 gallon apple cider
1/2 c packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves
1/2 c applejack or bourbon

Combine all ingredients except the applejack/bourbon in a crock pot and simmer. Add the applejack when you pour cider into mugs.

The smell will greet all guests and make your home cozy. Or just simply enjoy this beverage during a day playing in the snow!

On the Painted Soul Tour - Coffee at Bambi's

Today was a blast! I arrived at Bambi's by Java Dave around 10am.

Bambi, the owner is a friend of mine and as excited as I was to do an event in her shop. Before she even poured a cup of Black Cherry Tea, I had sold two books!


While she took care of her customers, I had fun chatting with them. We shared some laughs and I sold more books. Some people I knew stopped in for a cup of java and some conversation.

Thank you a hundred times to Bambi for letting me hang out in her cute little coffee house for a few hours. I had a lot of fun! HUGS!
Bambi's by Java Dave
4632 State St. -Green Acres Plaza
Saginaw, MI

Happy Thanksgiving!

Twas the night before Thanksgiving and in my sleep.
Strange dreams in my mind, began to creep
Thanksgiving leftovers beckoned --- The dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation......
The thought of a snack became infatuation.....
So to the kitchen I did race, Flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground !!

I crashed through the ceiling. Floating into the sky....
With a mouthful l of pudding and a handful of pie,
But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees....................

HAPPY EATING TO ALL !!
PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE !!

Cleaning Day - A Helping Hand

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, it's easy to become overwhelmed with cleaning the house, preparing the meal, plus the usual day-to-day activities. Don't be afraid to ask for help because there isn't a Thanksgiving Fairy to do the work for you.

Delegate chores; recruit hubby, kids, friends, relatives! Be prepared and have patience as others will bombard you with questions and resist the urge to "do it yourself". Divide the grocery list between kids and turn it into a scavenger hunt. Assign food items to be brought by guests or make the meal more of a pot-luck style.

Take a deep breath to relax and ease tension. Ask someone to rub your shoulders or even take care of the laundry while you soak in a tub! Reflect on "Turkey Days" of your childhood and share the memories with others while you work.

During this season of giving, one often forgets to be willing to receive. After all, receiving is just as important as giving and allow others to help. Remember the reason behind this season and be Thankful.

Ladies Day in Bad Axe

What a fun night on the Painted Soul Book Tour! My friend, Kendra, and I left a little after 2:00pm for Reading & Rhythm in Bad Axe, MI. The two hour drive flew by and we arrived early for the event. All day was Ladies Day in Downtown Bad Axe; specials, sales and events for women were offered everywhere.

Murder/mystery author, Denise Collins, joined me at R&R for book signings. Kendra went Christmas shopping. Heh, heh.


Traffic was better during the day but we still had fun. I strolled around the store carrying a dish of Hersey kisses schmoozing with the customers.

Me: "Wanna kiss?"
Customer smiles at my dish of candies: "Why sure."
Me: "Do you like romance?"
Customer gives another smile.
Me: "Books that is..."
Customer giggles and follows me to my table to "check out my latest romance novel".

Things got a little silly when a discussion turned to the fact that women who read romance books have sex 73% more often than women who don't. Matt, the book shop owner decided to purchase a copy of Painted Soul for his wife.




I love meeting romance readers. The best part is celebrating being women... uh.. I mean... Romance Divas!

Humpday Help - Chocolate Chip Cookies

Wednesday is the perfect reason to bake chocolate chip cookies. Hot from the oven will certainly get anyone over the hump of the week. What? You don't have time to bake? Well here are two variations of the easiest cookie recipe in the world.

1 box of yellow cake mix
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2Tbsp water
1 cup of milk chocolate chips
Bake at 350' for 10-12 min. Cool 1 min before removing from sheet.

Another version:
1 box of french vanilla cake mix
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Bake at 375' for 9-11 min. Let cool 1 min before removing from sheet.

This recipe is great when the kids want to bake. It's quick, easy and they'll be done before their attention span wanes.

Cookies left in the air will harden and make excellent dunkers. If you wish to keep them soft, place the heal from a loaf of bread into the cookie jar.

The only thing better than good friends and chocolate chip cookies is sharing the cookies with good friends.

Ahhhh... the sweet life...

Another Stop on the Painted Soul Tour - Bad Axe, MI

It's Ladies Day
at Reading & Rhythm
with Romance Writer
Mary Quast
The author will be signing copies of her latest novel, displaying the original artwork she created for the cover of Painted Soul. Copies of Painted Soul will be available for purchase.



Enter to win a Diva Gift Basket from Mary.

Thursday, Nov. 20
5:00pm
Reading & Rhythm110 E. Huron Ave.
Bad Axe, MI
(989) 269-6300