Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Tasty Tuesday - Black & White Sundae

Why wait until Sunday to have a Sundae?

Here is a recipe for a perfect pick-me-up during the middle of the week.

1 -2 chocolate wafer cookies (or use a couple Oreos or mint cookies)
2-3 Tablespoons of Hershey's Syrup
1 scoop (about 1/2 cup) of chocolate ice cream, softened
1/2 cup of Hershey's Mini Kisses
1 scoop (about 1/2 cup) of vanilla ice cream, softened
1 Tablespoon Hershe's Cocoa or Special Dark Cocoa (optional)
1 Tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)

CRUSH cookies; place on bottom of ice cream dish. Cover cookies with syrup.

COMBINE 1 scoop of chocolate ice cream with chocolate pieces; place on top of cookies and syrup. Top with scoop of vanilla ice cream.

STIR together cocoa and powdered sugar,if desired. Sprinkle over ice cream. 

Garnish with whipped cream and cherry. Just make sure you have plenty of whipping cream left over in the event you may need it after you finish your sundae.

This is yummy to consume alone and perfect to share with a special someone.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Monday, September 4, 2017

Tasty Tuesday - Benefits of Chocolate

I LOVE CHOCOLATE!

All chocolate is wonderful but I prefer the darker varieties. Darling Hubby has treated me with gifts of chocolate he's collected during his jaunts around the world.

Did you know there are many PROVEN health benefits to consuming chocolate?
YEAH, BABY!

Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients. Made from the seeds of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants. (If you have an autoimmune disease like me, you appreciate antioxidants.) Studies show that dark chocolate can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease.

* Dark chocolate 70% and higher cocoa is considered nutritious. However, don't consume in large amounts due to calories and sugars. The caffeine amount is smaller than a cup of coffee. Trust me, a little square nibbled on while sipping red wine is a perfect evening snack.

* Quality dark chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and a few other good minerals.

* Cocoa and dark chocolate have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants, more than most other foods. For fun add a few frozen blueberries or strawberries to hot cocoa in the winter. Not only will it cool the drink but add even more antioxidants during the cold season.

* Chemistry Lesson of the Day: The bioactive compounds in cocoa can improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decease in blood pressure.

Can I take a bath in chocolate?




Monday, August 21, 2017

Blueberry Festival 2017


Blueberry Festival was fun like always, just a little different this year. Maybe we are getting older and tire earlier than we used to. Maybe we are simply wiser.

My best gal pal, Kendra, and I worked together serving people wine during the Wine & Craft Beer
Taste Testing event. The organizers had no idea they were giving the Menage a Trois Silk wine to an erotic romance writer to promote. TOO EASY!!!

For several years, Kendra, I and the owner of the local market host the Queen's Breakfast. We serve 30-40 queens from area festivals a blueberry pancake breakfast fit for royalty. Since she was little, Kendra's daughter helped us. This year was her year, she was the Blueberry Queen.

Saturday night we didn't go to the beer tent but counted down the hours to minutes until we could go to bed. But we stayed alert until we knew our eldest sons were safely home. A few years ago, we made the boys stay up into the wee hours to be our designated drivers. This year, the tables turned and we were their DDs.

I managed to spend time with my favorite free spirit, Gypsy. Yes, she's really a gypsy. We've know each other for 15 years but feels like an entire lifetime. She owns every one of my 9 books I've written. We met while I was writing the third book in the Soul Series. She helped me through a writer's block. We have lots of laughs when she tells of her adventures since we last spoke. Her hugs are the best in the world and it's always hard to say good bye. However, she is becoming more stationary and we hope to see more of each other.

Sunday afternoon before exhibitors closed shop, I wandered looking for items to use as prizes and give-a-ways. I found some amazing items and met some wonderful new friends.

I enjoy the Blueberry Festival every year. I've had to slow down with all the volunteer work I've done but it's worth being able to spend more time with old and new friends.

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Sneak Peak Sunday - Eagle Dance Shifter Romance


Today's Sneak Peak comes from Eagle Dance
Book 2 in the Legend of the Spirit series.
Part of the 1 Night Stand Series by Decadent Publishing.

BLURB:
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?



She brushed the gray tips and white strands of hair that gave him such untamed nobility. With a finger, she traced his face from his temple to his jaw, across his lips, then scraped her nails along the fine hair under his chin. A man of his enormous size would be capable of great strength, and a gal could easily lose herself in his arms for more than one night. His gaze intensified under her scrutiny.

“What do you see when you look at me?” he asked and lowered his eyes. Sinfully long lashes brushed his cheeks.

She considered him to be the most gorgeous man alive. His eyes mesmerized her. Some would consider the unusual color to be eerie, but she saw a whirlwind of emotions, from pain to hope, drawing her into his soul. Did his unusual appearance cause issues and uncertainty in his life? Despite his intimidating frame, he exhibited control and gentle qualities in the tender way he’d held her when they danced and the way he’d admitted his soft spot for animals. In arms like his, a woman could find paradise in many ways.

She cupped his face and forced him to meet her gaze. “I see a handsome, mystical warrior from another world.”

“Handsome, huh? I think you need your vision checked. I am nothing more than a simple Chippewa from Michigan.” His mouth was inches from hers. “However, I can be magical and take you wherever you want to go.”

“Then dance with me,” she whispered.


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