Thursday 13 - Autumn Romance

Fall is a beautiful time of year here in Michigan. I love the incredible palate of colorful trees and shrubbery. Nature’s pure fragrance of leaves and earth as well as the temptations of pumpkin pie, baked apples, and hot mulled cider create a wonderful setting. This time of year is also the time to pull out the winter woolies and time for some old fashion cuddling. It is a time for Autumn Romance.

Here are a few tips to help you leap into romance!

1.       Get football fever. As many of you know, I am a Football Mom to three boys and spend countless hours at their games.  Being at a game snuggled up to my honey under a stadium blanket while sharing hot cocoa helps us capture a bit of romance.  When I look around during the game, I see we are not the only couple using the opportunity.

2.       Plan a special morning. Romance isn’t just for nighttime. Enjoy coffe on the porch, just the two of you. Make a special breakfast. Pack it into a picnic basket and eat outside or visit your local cider mill and enjoy some cider and doughnuts.

3.       Enjoy the patio at night. Or build a bonfire for two. Curl up together under a blanket and sip a cup of hot apple cider.

4.       Rake leaves. This is something the whole family can do. Rake a pile of leaves and yes…. Jump in!  It’s not just for kids.  Let your hair down and play!  Laughing is great foreplay.

5.       Hit the trails. Go for a walk holding hands or a nice bike ride. Stop periodically to enjoy the view. 

This is a great way to stay in shape and relieve tension as well as giving you a chance to talk.  However, if you come to a hill… I dare you to roll down it!

6.       Go camping. Try it in your own backyard.  Cook outside on a grill or over a bonfire.  Enjoy the fresh air and each other.

7.       Visit a carnival, county fair or craft show. Wander around holding hands and nibbling on Elephant Ears.

8.       Have a fireside picnic. Slip into something sexy. Pour your favorite wine and play your favorite love songs.

9.       Go on a hayride. Many apple orchards offer hay rides through November. Night time hay rides are very romantic. Enjoy a scenic tour while sitting close to each other and holding hands like a couple of teenagers. 

10.   Visit a local vineyard.  Many offer tours through December. Take advantage of their sampling room and select a bottle to take home.

11.   Take a train ride.  In Michigan we have the Snow Train that runs only during the winter. However, many areas offer special color tours and dinners. Check with your local railroads for more information.

12.   Go apple picking. Whether it’s at an orchard or your own backyard, pick some apples together then head into the kitchen for some fun. Make an apple pie and crack open some whipped cream. Just make sure to leave enough whipped cream to have on the pie! *wink, wink*

13.   Go for a stroll in a park. Take time to let your inner child out. Play hopscotch or push each other on the swings. 

Visit the New Thursday 13 page to read more wonderful lists.

The Dalliance of the Eagles

I saw a bald eagle fly overhead today. I'm sure it was one of Dyami's relatives passing through. To see an eagle is always a good omen. The soaring beauty is our connection to the divine. I watched him fly from west to east; foretelling renewed life, rebirth and dawn. Our winter journey may not have even started, but hope remains and spring is on the other side.

The freedom and power of an eagle in flight is magnificent to see. A poem from Walt Whitman came to mind.

The Dalliance of the Eagles
Skirting the river road, (my forenoon walk, my rest)
Skyward in air a sudden muffled sound, the dalliance of the eagles,
The rushing amorous contact high in space together
The clinching interlocking claws, a living, fierce, gyrating wheel,
Four beating wings, two beaks, a swirling mass tight grappling,
In tumbling turning clustering loops, straight downward falling,
Till o'er the river pois'd, the twain yet one, a moment's lull,
A motionless still balance in the air, then parting, talons loosing,
Upward again on slow-firm pinions slanting, their separate diverse flight,
She hers, he his, pursuing.
                                         

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Dyami Schafer, a Native American from the Chippewa tribe, leads a lonely life due to his large size and unusual appearance. When his nesting instinct sets in, he turns to Madame Eve and 1Night Stand to help him find his spirit mate. Or at least a woman who accepts him as an eagle shifter.

Amanda Collins never stopped loving the Chippewa boy she knew from her childhood. Maybe a night with a Native American man will help her forget the past and let her move on with her life.

Sometimes, it’s necessary to take a step into the past before dancing into the future. With the help of Madame Eve, will the Spirit of the Eagle carry Dyami and Amanda?

Eagle Dance on AMAZON

Tasty Tuesday - Ignite the Flames of My Desire

It's always fun when a writer includes food in a story. A bunch of us have tossed around the idea of putting together a cookbook full of recipes featured in our stories. Here's a little excerpt from Handcuffs and Silk. Hunter and Steph are enjoying dinner on their blind date.

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Available on AMAZON

A hostess quickly found them a discreet table. Hunter pulled the chair out for Steph. When he sat down, she reached across the table and with a beautiful smile, gave his arm a squeeze. A simple gesture causing his senses to wake. Images of placing food on that delicate tongue excited him. 

“I’m new in town. What’s the best on the menu?” 

“Well, you’re in the right place. If you like beef, they have the best filet mignon with a mushroom and wine sauce. Oh, and get the garlic and thyme-roasted asparagus to go with it. To die for.” 

“Sounds superb!” He smiled. “I’m sure you have something in mind for dessert.” 

“Ignite-the-Flames-of-My-Desire Bananas Foster.” 

“What?”  

“That’s the name of the dessert.” Steph’s laugh rolled over him like a warm wave. “It’s rich with rum, creamy, and spicy with cinnamon. The waiter actually sets it on fire.” 

“Hmmm... sensual.” 

“Bananas, creamy, spicy, fire? Sensual? Sure.” She giggled then clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, shit!”  

“What?” 

“I never giggle. Why, I haven’t done that in years. I can’t believe it!”

“Maybe it’s the company you keep.” Hunter couldn’t help but chuckle. 

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Bananas Foster
1/4 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup banana liqueur
4 firm bananas, cut in half lengthwise, then halved
1/4 cup dark rum
4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Makes 4 servings.

Combine the butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a flambé pan or skillet. Place the pan over low heat either on an alcohol burner or on top of the stove, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the banana liqueur, then place the bananas in the pan.

Light it up! 
When the banana sections soften and begin to brown, carefully add the rum. Continue to cook the sauce until the rum is hot, then tip the pan slightly to ignite the rum. If you have an electric stove, add a match to the skillet, however, you might want to remove the skillet first, to an open area so the flames do not shoot up and hit something. (Keep a large metal lid on hand to cover the dish in case your flambé gets out of hand). When the flames subside, lift the bananas out of the pan and place four pieces over each portion of ice cream. Generously spoon warm sauce over the top of the ice cream and serve immediately; the warm sauce will quickly melt the ice cream. I had a hard time photographing this because the ice-cream melted so quickly.

On a last note:, when dealing with fire, I highly
suggest practicing before serving to master the art of working with
fire.

Handcuffs & Silk, a 1 Night Stand story 

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.

Taste of Autumn in a Bottle from Leelanau Cellars

 On a fine fall day, join me on the deck and sit spell. I'll pop open a bottle of Leelanau Cellars Harvest Spice Apple wine and we'll make a toast to a lovely day.

I love the flavors of the season and picked up a bottle to try then fell in love. The warm golden color is appealing to the eye as the flavor is to the taste buds. I prefer this wine at room temperature but some have said it's good warmed up and garnished with a cinnamon stick.

I enjoyed this wine so much I drank half the first bottle the night I opened it. Yes, folks... I even place it above my beloved Witches' Brew. Oh, I tried the Witches Brew Spiced Apple. Coffee Club gals went ga-ga over it too. But I'm still putting the Harvest Spice Apple above the Witches Brew Apple. 

The Witches Brew Spiced Apple flavor is much like early harvest apples; crisp, with cinnamon and brown sugar. Mom's apple pie.

The Harvest Spiced Apple flavor is richer such as that with late harvest apples, more sweet than tart  a with a hit of oak. Imagine Grandma's apple pie. You know how everything of Gram's tastes better.

The original Witches Brew of red wine and spices is kept on the wine rack all fall and winter. I enjoy it warm with a slice or orange and a cinnamon stick. (Perfect to warm up after a hay ride or day in the snow.)

Altogether, I believe Leelanau Cellars has HANDS DOWN mastered capturing the flavor of Autumn in Michigan.  

I picked up my bottles at my local market. They are also available at Meijer.

A Spooky Cabin in the Woods

I wasn't feeling Halloween this year, but teen son decided the house needed some Halloween decorations. 

A log home in the woods is easy to decorate for any season and any holiday.

When youngest was little, his big brothers were very much into the scary part of Halloween. I was worried about him being afraid of...well...everything. I took the him to a local craft store to buy stuff and over a weekend we built "Scary Guy". He was proud of his creation and is displayed every year. 

Every year Scary Guy holds something in his boney hands. This year I selected a wine glass, of course. 

The mantle is always fun to put together. It's a focal point seen from the front door.

This year's "theme" bordered on a voo doo witch doctor thing with a few zombies tossed in for good measure.

Lots of skulls and bones. Oh, with handsome crows scattered about.

Can't forget a few pumpkins!

I think we did a spook-tacular job decorating. How did you decorate this year?