Wednesday, September 9, 2020

#Thursday13 - Rewards of Romance

 We all know romance is an important element in a relationship.

"Real-life romance is something I encourage you to engage in every day. Just give it a try. Many times it's all about the little things and just going with your heart. Trust that your desire to create romance is enough to get things started, and give it your own spin." - Barton Goldsmith Ph. D, Emotional Fitness

Just letting her know you think she's wonderful can become a romantic moment.

Here are some key rewards of being romantic.

1. Adds spice, sparkle and zest to our lives

2. Hugs, kisses, caressing

3. Makes us feel sexy and attractive

4. Helps love grow

5. Helps a couple feel closer

6. Provides intimacy

7. Keeps things fresh

8. Makes daily routines bearable

9. Brings fun and joy into a relationship

10. Provides an atmosphere of mutual support

11. Let’s a couple hear the little things that are important

12. Makes us feel special and valued

13. Reminds us how lucky we are to be sharing life and love together

******

Many people don't try to do anything romantic because they simply don't know how. 

Super hint: There are NO Secrets to romance. Most of the time, people are doing romantic gestures without even realizing. After all, anyone who has read a romance book or watch a romantic movie have a general idea about romance. Grand gestures are needed and simple things are appreciated. For example, a daisy freshly picked from a field is just as romantic as a dozen long-stemmed roses. 

My favorite romantic gesture is when my honey reaches out to hold my hand. 


It tickles me pink when I see Mom and Dad holding hands.

Check out more Thursday 13 posts from some of my amazing friends HERE


Tuesday, September 8, 2020

No Crazy Cat Lady Here

 I never thought a cat would be a part of my family. My sister usually has at least 5 cats at any given time. She fosters momma cats with kittens and has kept a few over the years. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate cats but I'm more of a big dog person.

Momma cat when she first came to us.


Six years ago, we allowed son #3 to foster a momma cat and kitten. The kitten was adopted and nobody wanted poor Mom. She and her boy fell in love so she joined our pack.


Mona and the dogs became fur sisters. She often acts like a dog as she waits by the door to be let outside and "barks" at squirrels.

He insists he hates cats. Yeah, right. We can tell.

Usually Maggie joins me for morning yoga but today Mona participated. 

Mona waits patiently for treats.


Studies show cats can benefit your health.

* Relieve stress

*Reduce rodents in your home

* Help you recover from trauma 

* Help you stay in shape - they love routines filled with activity

All in all, we've enjoyed having Mona as a member of our family. 

I've read several books featuring the main characters rescuing a dog or cat. Love it!!! I must say, it's been enjoyable reading Pippa Grant's romantic comedies featuring lovable critters. (Dogs, raccoon, hedgehog, foul-mouthed parrot, monkey, cats and I probably forgot some.)

Have you ever had a pet you didn't expect and ended up enjoying more than you thought?

Do you have a favorite book featuring a unique cat or memorable animal?

Monday, September 7, 2020

#TastyTuesday - Dessert for Breakfast? Hell Yeah!

Apple a day keeps the doctor away, especially when it's in a dish you can eat any time of the day!

Grandma Williams was the only member of her family to be born in the United States. Her parents and siblings were from Lund, Sweden. As the youngest of her grandchildren, I managed to spend some quality time with her and she shared many of her favorite Swedish dishes with me. 

Gram said apples were good any time of the day. We'd make apple crisp or strudel at night to have with dinner, eat again heated up with ice cream before bed, then again with cream for breakfast.


SWEDISH APPLE CRISP

8 apples
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. water
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. butter

Pare and slice apples. Place apples and brown sugar in 8x12 pan. Add water and sprinkle with cinnamon. For topping, sift flour and white sugar together. Cut in butter with pastry cutter. Mix and sprinkle over top of apples. Bake 40 to 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Serve crisp side up with whipped cream.


Sunday, September 6, 2020

Labor Days of the Past

 Labor Day weekends as a youth were spent in front of the television watching Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. We were pretty excited when we were old enough to stay up all night. Whoot-whoot! 


Neighborhood kids would group together to host fun carnival games raising funds to donate then our parents would drive us to the Holiday Inn where the telethon was live on air. If we were lucky we met the local celebrities who were hosting. Neighborhood police officers and firefighters helped with friendly competitions between communities.

Other times, I was at our family cottage with my cousins. We watched the telethon until the fish started biting or the sun rose high and the lake called to us. Back in the day, school didn't start until AFTER Labor Day so my cousins and I would often "run away" into the woods with plans of survival. Uncle Charlie always waiting for us as we exited the forest on the edge of the gravel pits to take us home. 

What memories do you have of Labor Days past?







Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend. - Wikipedia

Saturday, September 5, 2020

#SneakPeekSunday - Handcuffs & Silk #Excerpt

It's a little chilly in my neck of the woods. Let's head somewhere a little warmer... such as Vegas. Here's a sneak peek into A 1 Night Stand Story I wrote for Decadent Publishing. I was one of the first authors to write for this 1 Night Stand series. Handcuffs & Silk was my first book with them.


Excerpt~

The blades of the chopper sliced through the heat of the night as it flew over the City of Lights. Casinos glowed in various hues of blue, plum, gold, green, and silver, casting a magical aura. Spotlights danced in the night, graceful fingers tickling the sinister side of Vegas. Unsuspecting people moved about, flitting from place to place, searching for excitement and fulfillment while cars in traffic jams occasionally brought the pulsing arteries in the heart of the city to a temporary halt.

Being a Las Vegas cop, Steph recognized the evil lurking in the shadows of the beautiful city, also known as Sin City. As the chopper made a turn, she viewed the vast landscape as an artist’s canvas. The awesome structures designed and built by nameless men. So many lives below. Where there is sin and sadness, one will also find love and happiness.

With a deep sigh, Steph continued to gaze at the site, wondering where she fit into the street party of existence. Not a single malicious bone in her body, yet a monster lurked inside, crying to be set free. And, despite the desire to have a special someone to share a lifetime of love and happiness, meaningless one-night stands never filled the emptiness inside. Lately, living and breathing her job had become her reason for lack of a social life. That, and always being looked at as one of the guys and a hard ass.

Some of the cops’ wives had made it their mission to fix her up with someone. Despite their efforts to feminize her, she intimidated the men they’d found for her. Not considered butch—she had all the right curves in all the right places and could wear sexy clothing that normally only looked good on a model—but everyone knew how tough she could be.

Controlling the power hidden deep inside her proved to be difficult and had ruined many relationships. Her last boyfriend liked to try kinky things, but had his limits. She’d gone out with a guy who’d insisted she be submissive to him, but that felt completely false and ended shortly after it began.

What’s wrong with me?

Frustrated at her inability to escape her reputation, she’d applied with an online dating service, 1NightStand. Not a regular matchmaking site, but more upscale; the mysterious owner, Madame Evangeline, had an amazing ability to find just the right person to satisfy one’s needs. Or so Steph had been told.

Her cell phone vibrated. Glancing at the screen, she noticed an email from 1NightStand. Instinct told her Eve was probably letting her know the dating service could not match her up. To avoid disappointment until back on the ground, Steph put the phone back in its holster.

The chopper began its descent.

****************************************

BLURB
Stephanie "Stiff" Johnson, is a tough Las Vegas cop who many men find too intimidating to date. Steph begins to wonder if something is wrong with her so she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who could be the yin to her yang, even if it's just for one night.

Hunter Morgan left behind years of living as a sub to a female Domme in New York. Upon return to his hometown, he questions whether he wants to continue with the "lifestyle" or find something different. Turning to 1 Night Stand, he hopes to sample his options.

A simple one-night stand opens a whole new sensuous world to both. 

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Handcuffs & Silk on GOODREADS