Mojo Monday - Crow Talisman

To get your mojo moving try wearing a favorite crystal or a talisman. 

While surfing the web looking for crow related jewelry, I came across this fine item.

Apsáalooke is the Indian name of the Crow tribe.

In Shamanism, the Crow represents the unity and balance in all things. When one is in the presence of the Crow’s magic, it is to transform negativity into positivity.
With this Talisman, the protective Crow Spirit will follow you at all times.

Each Talisman holds a black gem (Tourmaline) selected by me for its beauty & its powers.
It is contained in a glass vial from the 1930s.
The chain is sterling silver.
The crystal is safely secured in the vial by a water-like resin.

This unique, handmade Talisman is a jewelry version of the Native American Indian Medicine Pouches. Available for purchase from Under the Pyramids.

- Black Tourmaline : a major gem in lithotherapy, heals, clears the mind, protects from Hertzian waves & negativity

Friday Night Fish

The only thing Flyboy Jr asked, was to have the pike he caught for dinner while he was home on the weekend.

Of course, Flyboy was happy to fulfill the request and added in some trout. After tast-testing spices, the guys decided on Blackened Seasoning.

I tossed some brussel sprouts, carrot pieces and roma tomato quarters with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, & parsley then placed them on a stoneware pan to roast in a hot oven.

I love cooking with my honey.

While cooking up some rice pilaf, i thoght about which wine I "needed" with dinner.  I wanted something warm since the temp outside is still cold but i wanted it to compliment the meal. I selected 2018 Late Haervest Riesling from Chanteau Chantal. I picked up a couple bottles the last time we visted Flyboy Jr in Traverse City. I like how the sweetness of pear and apricot works with the spicy dish.

How do you like my favorite wine stopper?

Thursday Thirteen - "sexify" your bedroom

During Covid, people are taking time to accomplish projects at home. Home improvement is a big thing while some will simply attack a messy closet. It certainly feels good to accomplish something! 

Many women have taken on the task of "redoing" their bedroom. The bedroom is your sanctuary; a place to get away from it all and relax. With a little effort, a bedroom can be turned into a personal love nest. 

 1. Get rid of the television, computer or any office stuff. 

 2. Think about the overall mood of your room and make your selections from there. Good choices include medium to dark shades of purple, blue, green, brown, gray and orange. Neutral and pale earth shades work grate as well when accented with vibrant colors such as red, black, pink, white, and tan. If you don't want a complete make over, add some color with pillows, scarves, and drapes. 

 3. Platform beds are considered high on the romance scale. This is great for couples with low budgets, as most platform beds are quite affordable at major chain furniture stores such as IKEA and Crate & Barrel. Most importantly, though, is to make sure your bed is a focal point in your room. However, sleigh beds and antique beds can give a sensual aura to a room when accented with antiques or a Bohemian style. 

 4. Get the highest quality thread-count sheets you can afford. If you're buying new bedding, open the packaging to actually feel the blankets before purchasing.

5. The look of a bed filled with pillows sends a clear message of invitation. When you get creative with textures, the invitation gets harder and harder to pass up. For even more fun, consider ordering (or making your own) specialized pillowcases with sexy messages on them to help set the tone. 

 6. Use light sources in your room such as table lamps and candles and use those to achieve the best lighting for your rendezvous. Use pink-tinted light bulbs to flatter your skin even more. 7. You get romantic ambiance and also great mood lighting with candles. To keep the glow longer, and safer, consider battery operated flameless candles. 

 8. Nothing says vitality like a thriving plant. Keep in mind your color scheme and pick flowers or plants accordingly. Roses, tulips and daisies are common romantic favorites. Try placing petals in a glass bowl for both the delicate scent and the appealing visual. 9. Don't keep photos of family and kids in the room. Instead display photos of places you've visited, pictures of the two of you together or sensual photography. 

 10. Sensual photography, artwork, sculptures or collectibles are a great addition to any passionate bedroom. You might also want to set the tone with artwork from a particular location you both enjoy or that you picked out together. 

 11. Keep a secret basket, drawer or chest of your love toys handy and easily accessible. Things to include could include lotions, massage oils, scarves, toys and anything else you both like to use or try for your love play. 

 12. Keep your lingerie in a prominent position in your closet. This creates two effects. One, it's easy to use whenever the put strikes and two, it serves as a daily teaser for your lover. 

 13. When picking out anything for your room, look at it's texture and color and think about what it makes you feel. If it doesn't feel right for your purpose, don't use it in your room. This is your love den. Make it a place that works for you both.

Check out the Thursday 13 Blog. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Grandma's Irish Soda Bread

Grandma wasn't kidding when she said she believed we had a wee bit of Irish in us. Turned out, my DNA evaluation showed proof of the family tale. Gram with her gift of storytelling and cooking drew family members together. Nothing was better than Gram's bread. The smell of warm bread embodies LOVE.

Gram had a sweet tooth and loved breads. She would often toss a few raisins into her Irish Soda Bread, shhhh.... don't tell anyone. We all love Gram's breads and she would serve Irish Soda Bread with "Boiled Dinner". Corned beef (or ham, depending on the guests) with potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onion and cabbage. The bread would be used to sop up the delicious, savory broth. I preferred my slice of warm bread with  butter.

Any leftover Irish Soda Bread was turned into French toast the next morning.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually stir in the buttermilk until the dough comes together in a slightly sticky ball.
3. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times. Form the dough into a ball and then press into the prepared pan so that the dough resembles a large disk. The dough should reach the edges of the pan, but may spring back slightly.
4. Cut an X into the dough with a sharp knife, about 1/4 of an inch deep. Cover the pan of dough with another round cake pan turned upside down.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, covered, then remove the top pan and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes more or until the crust is dark golden brown.

A little Irish Soda Bread history:

I want to give you just a few interesting facts about Irish Soda Bread.  Don’t worry I won’t bore you it’s only a few!

• The cross that is slashed into the dough before baking was made to ward off devils and protect the house.  It also helps the center of the bread bake all the way through, so it’s very important not to skip that step!
• During the mid 1800s the Irish were making so much soda bread that baking soda almost doubled in price!
• Soda bread was served as an inexpensive way to put bread on the table.
• Real soda bread should only contain 4 ingredients: flour, buttermilk, salt, and of course baking soda.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patty's!

 I did an Ancestory.com DNA thing and participate in a DNA research project funded by the Smithsonian. During the research, I found out I have a wee bit of Irish in my blood. This is my first St. Patty's Day with that info. Yay! Kiss me, I'm Irish!

Have a wonderful day, friends and be sure to find a little romance.

Maple Syrup for Your Honey

It's almost Maple Syrup Season! Nothing beats a romantic morning with your honey than pure maple syrup over a batch of hot French toast or pancakes.

According to Michigan Farmers' Market Association, there are different grades of Michigan farmers market fresh maple syrup. While they are all delicious, different grades are best for different purposes. 

Grade A maple syrup is lighter and more delicately flavored, making it perfect for topping your pancakes or other treats. 

Grade B Michigan Maple Syrup 

Grade B maple syrup is stronger in caramel flavor and great for baking. This is a darker syrup with a more robust flavor and scent. 

Visit the the Made In Michigan Store for products

Follow these food safety tips to enjoy your farmers market fresh maple syrup:

• Store pure maple syrup in the refrigerator – even if the bottle has not been opened.
• Pure maple syrup in glass or tin containers may be stored in the refrigerator for up to one year.

Use syrup stored in plastic containers within three to six months.

Monday Mojo - Dry Skin? Try this!

Winter leads to suffering dry skin. Here is an interesting "treatment" I found.

  Sperm is good for the skin

The proteins in sperm have a tightening effect on the skin. When sperm is left to dry, the evaporation of the water in it leaves behind protein which can help to reduce wrinkles. While this may be an excellent anti-aging treatment, the obvious downside is that you have to walk around with sperm on your face.

I think I'll continue using Olay.

Love Knot is FREE for Read an Ebook Week

I'm participating in READ AN EBOOK WEEK to promote more reading! Whether it be holding a printed book or a kindle, it counts as reading. The first week of March has been set aside for publishers and authors to promote the advantages of reading digitally and encourage readers to give it a try.

I'm offering a sexy St. Patty's Day romance for FREE!

Mimi Cates is an artist who lives over the coffee shop she owns. Content with her life, she won't allow herself to become to close with her sexy, wanderlust neighbor, despite what her heart tells her.

Irishman, Robbie Mac Donnell never wanted to stay in one place very long. His job as a scientist allowed him to travel the world without ever making permanent ties to anyone. However, when he finds the perfect person and the perfect place to settle down, he's not sure if she'll believe him.

****

“Well... you're a sight for sore eyes!” Mimi grinned as the sight of her long-lost friend thrilled her senses.

Dressed in black jeans, black boots and black tank under a plaid shirt with hunky muscles peeking out; hot enough to make any woman with a pulse drool. His reddish blonde hair fashioned in the usual mess as if he just crawled out of bed. Dark brows arched over beautiful green eyes and those lips...so kissable.

Without saying a word, Robbie placed a box he carried as well as a highly polished apple onto the table and walked towards her. His hand slipped under her hair to cup the base of her head, while his other arm circled around her. When his lips came down on hers, Mimi had to grab onto him to keep from falling over in surprise.

Not a sweet kiss of friendship but an obvious promise of decadent pleasure. With a tilt of his head, Robbie took the kiss deeper. The scent of milled soap and masculinity made her heady. She could barely remember the last time he kissed her, not that she complained at the moment. Robbie slowly pulled away, tugging at her lip with his teeth as he did.

“Ah... welcome home?” She choked on the words.

AVAILABLE FREE!

SMASHWORDS

KOBO

BOOKTOPIA

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.

Thursday 13 - St. Patty's (non-diet) Treats

With St. Patrick's Day coming up and being on a diet I thought I'd list my favorite St. Patty treats that I will miss enjoying this year.

1.  Shamrock Cookies.

2. Chocolate-Irish Cream Cheesecake.   Get the recipe.

3. Irish Black Bun Shamrock Cookies.   Get the recipe. 

4. Irish Chocolate Ice Cream (You add a cup of Irish whiskey to chocolate ice cream.  Yeah, baby!)

5. Shamrock Milkshake Cupcakes.

6. Black & White Irish Cream Cupcakes.  Get the recipe. 

7. Chocolate Stout Shake.  (Chocolate stout beer + choc. fudge + vanilla bean ice cream + milk = YUMMY!)

8. Toffee-Coffee Brownies.  Get the recipe.

9.  St. Patty Cupcakes with green M&Ms

10. Dublin Eggnog.  (Eggnog + double-strength coffee + 6oz of Irish whiskey= wide awake fun)

11. Green beer.  I don't usually drink beer but thought I'd better put it on my list any ways.

12.  Rainbow Cupcakes. This recipe is so cool.  Check it out.

13. Toffee Shortbread.  Ah... buttery shortbread, a layer of toffee with chocolate topping.  Sigh.  A favorite sweet among families in Ireland.  Get the recipe. 

If you've been paying attention, you'll notice McDonald's shamrock shake is not on my list.  That's because I've already had two.  Oops.

Time to curl up with a hot St. Patrick's Day romance. 

I'm offering Love Knot FREE 

GET IT NOW

SMASHWORDS

KOBO

BOOKTOPIA

Mimi Cates is an artist who lives over the coffee shop she owns. Content with her life, she won't allow herself to become to close with her sexy, wanderlust neighbor, despite what her heart tells her.

Irishman, Robbie Mac Donnell never wanted to stay in one place very long. His job as a scientist allowed him to travel the world without ever making permanent ties to anyone. However, when he finds the perfect person and the perfect place to settle down, he's not sure if she'll believe him. 

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

Check out more amazing Thursday 13 lists HERE