#TuesdayTip – Making Your Garden a Little Less Work Intensive

I love gardening and growing things. I can’t wait for the summer to see all the flowers blooming and get my tomatoes and basil into the ground so I can eat fresh veggies. But let’s face it, gardening can take time and can be labor intensive. How can you reduce the work involved?

For me the solution was to plant perennials in my various flower beds, do container gardening, and get a good layer of mulch or landscape fabric down depending on what kind of flower I was planting.

Mixing in perennials also cuts down on costs and labor. Since these plants come back every year and propagate, you don’t have to replant all the time and once it is time to split them, you can move them to other areas that need flowers.

Also, don’t be afraid to be eclectic and mix in different things, like vegetables with your flower beds. As long as you remember where they are it will all work out.

One last important thing to keep in mind: Make sure you know how much sun you get in the area where you want to plant. The little sticks in the plant pots you buy will tell you whether your plants need full sun, part sun or shade.

Here are some nice examples of beds with a mix of annuals and perennials. If you’d like to attract bees and butterflies, go for a palette of blues, pinks, and purples.

In Bryant Park you’ve got a riot of shrubs like roses and boxwood mixed in with biennial hollyhocks, lilies, petunias and more!
Bryant Park Gardens

This Ocean Grove garden is heavy on perennials and shrubs. Hydrangea in the back and daylilies to the left mix with a gardenia, what looks like salvia and liriope, a border plant that also flowers!
and perennials.

Some of my fav perennials and annuals are:

Hollyhocks (they come up every two years and die down, but are good re-seeders!)

Petunias are awesome for hanging baskets, container gardening and along flower bed edges. Petunias are an annual, so you’ll have to replant every year.

Asiatic lilies and day lilies come in a wide variety of colors and come back every year!

Think about doing a little vignette in your yard. I hauled this old garden cart out of the shed to give it new life out front. Filled it with annual hanging plants – small petunies and Gerbera daisies. A hint: Got the plants at a deal price of 4.99 each at my local supermarket! So don’t think you always have to go to a nursery or big box home improvement store for all your plants.

I was going for a look that said, I’m about to start gardening here and I guess it worked because when hubby got home he asked me if I’d forgotten to unload the plants! LOL! Anyway, coupled with a good layer of mulch and some stone accent to match that around our driveway and I’m happy with the look! I just replanted/remulched this area after the deer decimated my hostas. Sigh.

February 20, 2018February 20, 2018

#TuesdayTip – Why Should You Consider the Traditional Publishing Route Today?

There are a lot of people who don’t think taking the traditional publishing route today makes sense. I’m not one of those people. Ever since my first experience in publishing when the line I was writing for was closed down, I’ve always thought it makes sense not to have all your eggs in one basket. For that reason when it became possible for me to try more than traditional publishing, I did, but I also kept my foot in the door in the traditional area because the market is too volatile to turn down opportunities of any kind.

In addition, who doesn’t want to get paid in advance and have the assistance of experienced editors, cover artists, formatters and publicists to help you produce your work? I, for one, love working with seasoned veterans who bring out the best in my writing. I also want to spend more time writing and not running a business, especially since I still work full time and my free time is limited.

So how do you get together with a traditional publisher considering many of them won’t talk to someone without an agent? Going to a conference where agents and editors take pitches is one way. Putting on my President’s hat, the upcoming Liberty States Fiction Writers conference has over a dozen agents and editors who will take pitches for various genres. Taking off that hat, the national RWA conference is also a great place.

But like I said, not all the eggs in one basket which is why I’ll be doing a workshop at Liberty States about box sets and also joining some friends to offer a similar workshop at the National RWA Conference.

And speaking of eggs and baskets, I’m trying something new with some fabulous writers – a story bundle! Here is the info on it and I hope you’ll take a moment to try it out.

A Little More About the Bundle

The initial titles in the Sorcery and Steam Bundle (minimum $5 to purchase) are:

Alchemy and SteamÂ by Fiction River
FamiliarityÂ by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Poison or ProtectÂ by Gail Carriger
Blood and MagicÂ by Ann Gimpel

If you pay at least the bonus price of just $15, you get all four of the regular titles, plusÂ SIXÂ more!

Specters in the StormÂ by Pauline Baird Jones
Rare StakesÂ by Michelle Fox
Valkyrie’s Vengeance & Hunger Moon – Ragnarok: Doom of the Gods 1-2Â by Melissa Snark
Ghosted – Nikki Ashburne – Book 1Â by Dayle A. Dermatis
Alys of AsgardÂ by Catherine Banks
For Love or VengeanceÂ by Caridad Pineiro

This bundle is available only for a limited time viaÂ http://www.storybundle.com. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get multiple DRM-free formats (.epub, .mobi and .pdf) for all books!

It’s also super easy to give the gift of reading with StoryBundle, thanks to our gift cards â€“ which allow you to send someone a code that they can redeem for any future StoryBundle bundle â€“ and timed delivery, which allows you to control exactly when your recipient will get the gift of StoryBundle.

Why StoryBundle? Here are just a few benefits StoryBundle provides.

Get quality reads: We’ve chosen works from excellent authors to bundle together in one convenient package.
Pay what you want (minimum $5):Â YouÂ decide how much these fantastic books are worth. If you can only spare a little, that’s fine! You’ll still get access to a batch of exceptional titles.
Support authors who support DRM-free books: StoryBundle is a platform for authors to get exposure for their works, both for the titles featured in the bundle and for the rest of their catalog. Supporting authors who let you read their books on any device you wantâ€”restriction freeâ€”will show everyone there’s nothing wrong with ditching DRM.
Give to worthy causes: Bundle buyers have a chance to donate a portion of their proceeds toÂ AbleGamers!
Receive extra books: If you beat the bonus price, you’ll get the bonus books!

StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.

For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, tweet us atÂ @storybundleÂ and like us onÂ Facebook.

January 23, 2018

Scrambled Eggs #TuesdayTip

I was walking past one of the local restaurants on the way to work and noticed a morning wrap that seemed appealing. It had scrambled eggs, pastrami, hash browns and of course, the wrap. I started thinking and got rid of the wrap and hash browns since I’m watching my carbs. Come to think of it, I’m not really a fan of pastrami so that went as well leaving me with . . . SCRAMBLED EGGS! Eggs are a fav of mine and they are so good for you! I usually like mine once over medium, but of course that requires bread for dunking or grits for mixing, so scrambled is my next choice for a protein packed breakfast.

But how do you make the PERFECT scrambled egg? Since mine are invariably too hard and on the hard side, I searched the web for you and came up with these possible recipe suggestions. Enjoy!

https://www.incredibleegg.org/recipe/basic-scrambled-eggs/
http://armagazine.com/2n5aTTL
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/perfect-scrambled-eggs-recipe-2107541
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/bas-best-soft-scrambled-eggs

scrambled eggs

P.S. – I bet sexy caterer Carlo from the At the Shore series knows how to make perfect scrambled eggs. Will definitely have to have him make some from Emma when he finally convinces her to spend the night.

January 16, 2018

Spaghetti Squash #TuesdayTip

It’s not unusual for hubby and me to have a meatless meal during the week. We’ve always found it filling to load up on a lot of veggies, usually over pasta. We still do that fairly regularly, but try to make the pasta healthier by using whole grain versions of buckwheat soba noodles instead of traditional pasta. Another thing that we do when time allows is to use spaghetti squash instead of pasta or as a side dish instead of a carb like rice or potatoes.

Spaghetti squash is packed with folic acid, potassium, carotene, vitamin A, and fiber and is only 42 calories per 1 cup serving (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_squash).

I usually start off my spaghetti squash by nuking it in the microwave and then roasting it in the oven. Once it’s cooked, you remove the seeds, shred the insides and top it with spaghetti sauce, pesto, or any other kind of sauce that you like! You can even be decadent and make a nice cheese or alfredo sauce since you are saving some calories by using the squash.

Here are some cooking suggestions and recipes for you to try:

http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/properly-prepared-spaghetti-squash-162765
https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-spaghetti-squash-in-the-oven-178036
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/spaghetti-squash-with-marinara-recipe-1950473
http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a52327/cheesy-baked-spaghetti-squash-recipe/
https://www.marthastewart.com/275670/spaghetti-squash-recipes

January 9, 2018

Overnight Oats #TuesdayTip

Like always I’m working on eating healthier and losing weight. One of the things I’ve been trying to focus on is eating a healthy breakfast since studies show that helps in balancing your blood sugar levels and recharges your metabolism.

One breakfast item I’ve always loved is oatmeal, but if you’re like me and running around in the morning, you oftentimes forget to get it ready to take to work, which is were I usually eat breakfast since I get into the office early. I resolved to do better by packing the oatmeal at night and for good measure, adding in my unsweetened vanilla almond milk (saving those animal fats for cheese!).

Making the overnight oats made sure I wasn’t forgetting them, but I got to wondering if there was any benefit to them versus hot oatmeal. Voila, apparently there is! Not cooking the oats allows for the absorption of more nutrients, the overnight oats can be creamier, and they swell more which means the same dry amount will be larger in volume. That will lead to feeling more full. All pluses. For more on the benefits of overnight oats, check out:

http://www.eatthis.com/health-benefits-overnight-oats/
https://drhealthbenefits.com/food-bevarages/food/health-benefits-of-overnight-oats
http://www.bistromd.com/articles/why-you-should-be-making-overnight-oats

Add some fruit or even some chia seeds for extra anti-oxidants and protein!

December 19, 2017

Christmas Cookie Recipes #TuesdayTip

I’ve never been a big baker, although I love making bread. Cookies, not so much, although I love eating them! So today I’ve rounded up some Christmas Cookie recipes that I plan on trying and maybe you’ll give them a shot as well. Not to mention that I’ve heard it from a good authority, namely the jolly old man himself, that Christmas Cookies have no calories since their only ingredient is love. (Yes, corny but what the heck!) So here are 12 recipes, one for each of the twelve days of Christmas!

Hope you enjoy them!

Christmas Cookie Recipes

December 12, 2017

Stuffed Mushrooms – #Tuesday Tip

I think I mentioned that you’ll get to see more of Carlo, Emma’s caterer and Prince Charming, in What Happens in Summer. A Sea Kiss Christmas (tentative title) is Emma and Carlo’s story.

So you may be wondering, why make Carlo a caterer? Well, I love to cook and eat and food is sensual. I can picture some sexiness with Emma as Carlo feeds her something fabulous.

Today I’m sharing with you a recipe I made for Thanksgiving and which was a big hit! It’s also very versatile as you can change up the ingredients for lots of fun variations.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Wash mushrooms and remove stems. Chop stems into small pieces. Cook diced mushroom stems in olive oil at high heat until almost golden. Add carrots, celery, onions and cook until onions are translucent. Remove skins from Italian sausage and add to onion/mushroom mix. Break up the sausage until it is in very small pieces. Drain off grease and cooking juices and cool.

In large bowl, mix cooked rice, 1 cup gruyere, 1/4 cup parmesan, ricotta, onion/mushroom/sausage until well-blended.

Grease 9×13 pan. Lay mushroom tops in pan. With a spoon, place about 1/4 cup of mixture on each mushroom. Make a nice little mound with the mix. When you are finished filling all the mushrooms, drizzle a little olive oil over each one, then some parmesan and finally the gruyere.

Cook for about 30 minutes and remove pan and add water/red wine to the bottom of the pan to deglaze juices that are already there. Cook for another 15-20 minutes. If gruyere on top is not yet brown, broil for about 2 minutes.

Remove mushrooms to serving dish. Take water/red wine/mushroom drippings from pan and place in a small saucepan. Reduce by half and then stop mushrooms with this sauce. If you want to make it decadent, finish the sauce with a tablespoon of butter.

Variations

Substitute hot Italian sausage or chorizo for some kick.
Replace rice with 3 cups stuffing. My fav is Stove Top Corn Bread Stuffing
Try goat cheese instead of ricotta for a sharper taste.
Use crab or chopped shrimp instead of the sausage. This is a little trickier since the crab and shrimp can dry out.
Of course if you’re not a fan of gruyere, try any good melting cheese, like asiago or fontina.