I was surprised and saddened at the news of actress/writer Carrie Fisher's recent death, and doubly so to learn, just minutes ago, that her famous mother, the unsinkable Debbie Reynolds, had passed away just one day later. It goes without saying that the world will...

First, our winners: Mary Jane and Judy.  Congratulations, both of you.  This week's prize, as always, is an autographed copy of my latest book.  The new contest is underway now; to enter, simply comment.  Two winners will be chosen at random, notified by Super Jen,...

Yes, yes, I know the rest of the world is calling today 'Thursday', but that's a mere detail.  For me, it's Monday, the day I announce this week's winners:  Lisa Murray and Cassandra.  Congratulations to both of you.  A new contest is underway (well underway,...

Every year, around this time, I start thinking about my plans and hopes for the New Year.  Inspired by Debbie Macomber, a dear friend, I like to choose a theme word, and I've selected "Renewal" for 2017.  As in, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.."...

I spend most of every day living the lives of my Civil War characters, and you can probably guess how exhausting that can be.  My reading/listening habit provides some relief, and this week, I seem to be on a hiking kick.  (Vicariously, remember.)  I've been listening...

This week's autographed book winners are: Gayle Larson and Carole Fiore.  Congratulations to both of you.  The new contest is underway now; to enter, simply comment, and you're in.  Winners will be chosen at random, notified, and announced here next Monday, along with...

As I've mentioned, I like to cook free-style, so while I always use certain basic ingredients in my broths--I have a double-batch simmering away in my giant slow cooker at this very moment--I almost never follow exact measurements when making this kind of food.   For...

Our winners this week are: Alisa Boisclair and Cari.  Each of you will be receiving an autographed copy of my latest books. A new contest begins now.  As usual, two winners will be chosen at random, notified by Jen, announced on the blog next Monday, and will each...

This is the mushroom blog I warned you about :)--but first, an important update on the bone broth discussion yesterday.  I left out an important ingredient--apple cider vinegar--with is added at the beginning of the simmering process.  As one of you commented, ACV...

For you youngsters, today's heading is from an old, OLD song.  Just sayin'.  🙂 As I mentioned yesterday, I'm a major fan of bone broth.  Sounds yucky, right?  I thought so, too, but then I read a book called THE BONE BROTH DIET.  Now, while I'm a dedicated member of...

Today, the new contest begins.  For those of you who aren't familiar with the process, here's how it works: everyone who comments will be automatically entered.  Two winners will be chosen at random, and notified by Jen.  Once we have our winners' snail mail info,...

Thanksgiving was a lovely day, with Wendy and Jeremy and their two beautiful dogs, Margie and Lily, present for a nice traditional dinner and lots of good fun.  I was pretty lazy; the kids did most of the cooking, and that was fine by me.  Of course the best thing...