Prequel to THE BLOND LEADING THE BLOND

The characters of Ellery Tinsdale and Samantha Greene begin their fictional lives in the first book in my Blonds at the Beach series, THE BLOND LEADING THE BLOND.  But they did have a life before the book.  Here we get a peek into the incident that led up to the opening scene, and get to see a little of the characters in their “ordinary world” before everything is tipped topsy-turvy on the very first page of the book.  I call this THE PREQUEL.  Enjoy.    

<<News clipping from the front page of the  Braddocks Beach Bugle, Braddocks Beach, Ohio, May 31)>>

Town Matriarch Dead at Age 63

          Isabel Genevieve Tinsdale, age 63, was found dead yesterday at the bottom of the stairs of the Braddocks Beach watchtower. Although the autopsy report is not expected to be released for two more days, sources involved in the clean-up efforts indicate that loss of blood will be listed as a contributory cause of death.

          Police have declared Miss Izzy’s tumble down three flights of steep, cement stairs to be an accident, although the reason she was visiting the watchtower at two o’clock in the morning leaves many asking questions. Don’t expect answers from the local authorities, as according to Braddocks Beach Police Chief Albert C. Bennett, “Delving into a citizen’s personal business is beyond the scope of our duty to protect and serve the community. Miss Izzy took that secret to her grave.”

Beach Tale: The Twelve Days of a Beach Christmas

‘Tis the season, as they say for Christmas Carols, and parodies thereof.  Perhaps the most parodied song ever (seasonal or otherwise) is "The Twelve Days of Christmas".  Who amongst us hasn’t smiled when we heard the barking dogs version or the Redneck tune?  Today I offer up a slightly different version of my own making that represents beach life.  Feel free to sing along! 

On the first day of Christmas I saw along the shore:

A lighthouse with a shell wreath on its door.

On the second day of Christmas I saw long the shore:

Two fiddler crabs;

  And a lighthouse with a shell wreath on its door.

Winners Announced!

Congratulations Goodreads winners!  Out of 798 entries into the contest, three names were chosen to receive a free, autographed copy of The Blond Leading the Blond.  Copies are on their way to Violet, Cassandra and Patty.  They should arrive at their homes by the end of the week.   If you love to read and are tired of paying top dollar for all those books, consider joining Goodreads and entering the giveaways.  All have been released within the past six months (so they are fresh!).  Just set up an account at www.goodreads.com  and start entering to win!

Santa Claus Cookies

Santa Claus Cookies

This recipe is from the Pillsbury Classics Cookbook…the little thing you buy at the check out line…from 1995.  I tried to Google the recipe but it seems to have changed over the years, and not for the better. Classic is well, classic, so here it is:

1 (20 oz) package Pillsbury Refrigerated Sugar Cookies

2 tablespoons red colored sugar

3 to 4 drops (I used a LOT more) red food color

1 can Pillsbury Vanilla Creamy Supreme Frosting

36 Miniature Marshmallows

Assorted Candies (I used red M&Ms for the nose and semi-sweet mini morsels for the eyes and skipped the mouth.  The official recipe calls for red licorice for the mouth, a red gumdrop for the nose and red cinnomin candies for the eyes.)

Beach Chow: Pineapple Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake

I like to try something new every holiday season.  Most things work, some don’t, but occasionally I stumble across something that instantly becomes part of the holiday tradition.  This is a recipe I came across in 2011 and I’ve already served it once this season.  There will be more before the New Year rolls around.  It is easy and, as they say, oooohhhhh so good!  Enjoy!

Pineapple Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake

3/4 cup butter, divided

1-1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar, divided

2 cups coarsely chopped fresh pineapple

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup hot water

1/2 cup molasses

1 large egg