It's Friday! Thought I'd share a variety of stuff I've been saving up for you.
Here goes-
This is a small group of us that got together when B was in town over the holidays. We all met up at a newer Mexican Cantina that is owned by a fellow school/church family. We had a nice time catching up with B and laughed like we always do. They made a stranger take a picture of all of us since I had annoyed the snot out of them at the cookie party taking their photos. (Note to self, when having strangers use your camera to take pictures, set up shot, so the stranger knows you'd actually like the photo to be of people and not the table full of dirty dishes.)
So as to give equal time- I wanted to share this adorable pic of B and her hilariously funny husband, S.
I mean, really, they could be the poster couple for a teeth whitening ad. My, what beautiful teeth you have.!!!!!!!(Those are for you, B.) Oh, my I can not believe that I did not take any pictures of the girls- what was I thinking? Well, look at S and you'll see their beautiful daughter, K. (I always thought she was a combo of the two of you- but clearly she is her dad's daughter in this photo.)
Next up- How to make friends with your favorite authors and get stuff.....
So- as I've stated before, I'm an avid reader. I read all genres and love many authors. One of my little habits is to search out authors on the web and read their websites/blogs. It's extremely interactive and it's a great way to stay up to date with what the author is doing and when their next book will be published. I've also have joined reader groups on-line and have met some really great folks.
Many times these authors will sponsor contests on their blogs offering all different kinds of things based on your responses. Well, two authors in particular that I love, actually just give stuff away for the fun of it because they're nice. Megan Hart, bestselling author of erotica fiction is a blast. She recently sent me a ton of bookmarks and postcards (signed) to share with my book clubs. Her newest book, Stranger was released this month and is another fantastic read. (www.meganhart.com.)
Well, today when I came home, I got the nicest surprise. Jane Porter, bestselling author of Flirting with Forty (recently made into a Lifetime movie,) Mrs. Perfect and Odd Mom Out, sent me a little package. (Unsolicited!) During the holiday, she asked readers to send her your address and she would send you a Christmas Card. It's something that she's done for awhile and has fun doing it. So, me being the queer I am, I sent her my address. Well, I didn't get a Christmas card, (maybe next year) but I did get this- (Even better!)
Yeah, that's right, it's a Flirting with Forty fun pack. Included, an official Jane Porter, Flirting with Forty pen, a Movie Bookmark- complete with photo of the cutey-pie Brian Buckley, and the official Jackie Laurens, Favorite Luau foods cookbook! So, what do you think of that?! How nice is Jane? So if you haven't, check out www.janeporter.com and pick up one her books. You won't be disappointed.
Next up, CRACK- IT''S A GOOD THING.....
I feel it's my civic duty to share with you a dirty little secret. I'm addicted to Crack and I'm going to give you all the recipe, my friends because no one, and I mean no one likes to be alone when they have an addiction.
This started with my friend, D when she had the nerve to bring crack to my cookie party a few years ago. Now, I insist that she brings it and that she must bring extra. It actually wasn't always called crack- it was just plain old caramel corn, but with a twist. It's made with PUFF CORN. So, you know how you get all the kernels stuck in your teeth when eating caramel corn, you don't with this. It's fabulous. It's also highly addictive-
Let's begin-
You'll need-
2 bags Corn Puff (butter flavored Shearer's works great!)
1cup Butter, melted
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
Mix together butter, syrup, sugar, stir and bring to just boiling point. Then put on medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes. (DO NOT STIR)
See all that buttery, sweet golden goodness? Just you wait...
Take off heat , add vanilla and baking soda and stir. Pour half the mixture over the first bag. Stir to coat the puffs. Pour the rest of the mixture over the 2nd bag and stir to coat.
Line 2 cookie sheets with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Pour puff mixture onto trays, spread out and bake in the oven @ 200 degrees for 1 hour. Puffs will be soft when you remove them from oven (this is a good time to sample,) let set and then break apart. Store (as if there will be any left) in an airtight container. Delicious! I had to make this several times over the holiday break- and I've even doubled the recipe.
Crack - it's a good thing! (Except when your 9 year old daughter yells out in front of people, "Mom, where'd you put the Crack?") We, won't talk about that....
**Special thanks to D.H. for sharing her original Caramel Corn recipe with me!