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

Beach News: Guest Blog Gig at Dru's Book Musings

For those of you in need of an Ellery and Sam fix, hop on over to Dru’s Book Musings blog to read about a day in the life of Ellery Tinsdale.  The post is titled “Laissez le Bon Temps Roules,” because those of you who know me know I put a little bit of myself in everything I write, so this one has a bit to do with one of my favorite military spouse social outings, BUNCO. 

Beach Tale: Writing the Cozy Mystery

When I tell people “I write cozy mysteries”, about half of the people say, “Wow.  That’s cool.”  Pause while they think about that.  “What the hell is a cozy mystery?”  The other half say, “Wow. That’s cool.”  Then they pull out their i-phones and Google the term.  Well, some Google it.  Most just continue on through life never really knowing. 

So let’s take a moment to talk about everything you’ve always wanted to know about cozy mysteries, but were afraid to ask.  First stop, Merriam Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary.    

            

Mystery: a piece of fiction dealing usu. with the solution of a mysterious crime. 

Cozy:  Enjoying or affording warmth and ease.  Snug.

Beach Tale: Coming Down the Home Stretch!

          O.M.G.  I am so excited.  This project is almost done.  Then I get to put on my decorating hat and “cozy” it up.  Just a few more subcontractors in and voilá, we’re ready for guests. Or tenets.  Or a neighborhood cocktail party, at the very minimum. 

          So first thing we need is a Trim Guy.  I’m going to admit my naiveté because I didn’t even realize I’d need a Trim Guy but when the plumber showed up (he was the very first contractor at the very beginning of this project) he asked me if I needed a Trim Guy.  I said “Yes,” because obviously I did.  He gave me a name, and I’m really glad I made that call, because there was no way we were capable of doing trim work ourselves.  Where is that General Contracting for Dummies book, anyway?   

Beach Tale: "Fall Back"

          As I was walking Jamaica (my dog) this morning and the first rays of sunrise glistened off the bay, it occurred to me that if I wanted to see a sunrise tomorrow I would have to take my canine companion for a walk at 5 a.m. instead.  So I enjoyed my last sunrise experience, for the time being anyway, and my thoughts turned to the idea of Daylight Savings.  I had researched the concept (hoping to gain some understanding of the whacky time adjustment) a few years ago and thought this would be a great time to share what I’d learned with my loyal blog readers.