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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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?

Awesome Autumn

The morning temperatures have been a little too cool for me to comfortably do yoga outdoors. Instead I unroll my mat in front of the deck door. I focus on an object in outside while doing certain poses. 

My senior dog enjoys the cooler days and is begging for longer walks.

As I walk through my neighborhood, I see folks prepping their yards for winter, smell bonfires and grills, and run into friends to discuss the latest fall flavors. 

What are you seeing in your neighborhood these days?

Bitch Boss Shoes

Just finished a meeting and wearing my bitch boss shoes. Feeling accomplished and powerful.

Do you have a favorite pair of shoes that give you super powers?

#Thursday13 - Last Boat Ride

 Our last boat ride down the Saginaw River made for a lovely time. Flyboy and I grew up in Saginaw and the river holds many memories. When we dated, mornings were spent waterskiing before work. Then we  witnessed the exciting revival of the waterfront district. Time spent on the river and dallying out on the Bay is time well spent.

I selected thirteen photos I took before we tucked our boat away for winter. 

Flyboy, Flyboy Jr, Youngest, and Me

Some areas are still flooded from when the dams in Midland broke.

Seeing the bridges raise for a sailboat was always
a highlight when we were kids.

A tall ship at dock near an outdoor event center and waterfront apartments.
We could see lots of people and hear music.

I didn't realized the river still had a light house.

Flyboy and his first mate.

This was Youngest's first time seeing the Saginaw Bay.

Two river boats at dock.
They are normally on the river with dinner & dancing cruises,
but haven't seen any work due to Covid.

The cutest tugboat!!!

Flyboy Jr took the helm for a bit then let Youngest drive.
What a treat to let Mom & Dad sit & enjoy the ride!

For more Thursday 13 lists by some super amazing people 

CLICK HERE

Sweet Failure - #PotatoPancakes

 In Jessica Peterson's book Southern Charmer, the hero quickly gains the attention of his neighbor by feeding her breakfast. (Being shirtless while cooking certainly helps.)  Elijah Jackson inspired me to cooks some special breakfasts for my honey. In the book, Eli uses simple ingredients and old fashioned recipes.

Flyboy has certainly enjoyed my recent cooking habits. Especially on Fridays when I don't have to go into the office and our youngest is in school. *wink, wink*

Anyways...I've mastered cheesy grits and any dish made with eggs and fresh veggies. My gram would be proud. I thought I'd venture to a new recipe. Sweet Potato Pancakes.

The picture looks yummy.

I chose a recipe from a favorite cookbook, Taste of Home Ultimate Skillet Cookbook. 

Get the cookbook HERE

Shredded apples and sweet potato are added to the flour and egg mixture. 

A little weird shaped but still a pretty sight in a well-loved cast iron pan.

I admit it was a a lot of work and I certainly don't have the right technique for making hashbrowns or potato pancakes. They tasted yummy and Flyboy enjoyed them. Even the teenager gobbled down cold leftovers.

The first few...several... ah...most were a bit well done.

The Power of Touch

 I don't know if it's the weather or the season or just simply romance, but Flyboy and I have been enjoying our time together; simply BEING together. We aren't empty nesters and having a teen boy flitting about doesn't allow for much romance. However, a little PDA is fun to do with the purpose of "grossing out" the boy.

We sneak in a little romance via simple non-sexual touches. 

A simple touch is reassuring and uplifting. Even if it is a fleeting moment, it feels like someone else understand and relates to us and most importantly connects with us. Think for a moment... have you ever felt like hugging your honey or just cuddling for a few minutes for no reason at all? 

Non sexual touches are a sign of love and trust. They reduce anxiety and reduce depression. While sexual touches keep a relationship fresh and exciting, non sexual touches help keep the relationship strong, healthy and happy. 

Be sure to touch someone you love today.

Quiet Sunday Blogging

Time to enjoy a lovely autumn afternoon. It's Flyboy's last day home before he leaves for Alaska. He's puttering around the backyard, building a bonfire, sipping a beverage from a local brewery. After all, what else do you do on a beautiful fall day. 

I lounge on the deck working on posts for my blog sipping tea. Detox tea. I enjoyed a bit too much Head Games Spiced Apple Wine from St. Julian Winery last night. 

New this year! Delicious wine that is only found at retail stores. 

The food and fragrance of fall is intoxicating. This time of year is colorful in Michigan. Looking around it can be seen in trees, pumpkin filled fields, and on our table. Last night we ate some venison steaks with roasted fall root veggies. Yum!

When Flyboy returns in two weeks, the colors outside will have changed but will continue on the table for sure!

A Little Humor - Wine Not