Summer is about to end with a bang, well, fireworks on my block anyway. I’ll have the doggies inside and snuggled up with some treats, since they don’t care for loud noises. Weird since they live with me and it’s crazy loud in my home.
Since I’m all about Halloween (could you guess, lol), I’m looking at the calendar of upcoming events and filling it up with fun things to do. In addition to writing this carni-mom will be working as a professional entertainer for lots of school events, fall fairs, and of course parties. I was never really part of the coffee clutch, but I have my uses.
In addition to writing, I’m a professional entertainer. It’s my day job and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I get to do all the fun things we wanted to as kids: balloon twisting, face painting, henna tattoos, airbrush tattoos, balloon decorating… it’s an absolute blast!
Since Halloween is my favorite holiday, you know I’ll be coming up with lots of spooky balloons and jazzing up my costumes! Yes, I get the odd look when I wear a clown costume, but hey- I love it. It’s an exhibitionist thing. I get to be the center of attention and make people smile. As many moms end up in my chair for face painting as children, so I know the magic still works.
Before you ask, no, I’m not one of those scary clowns. My costumes are toddler friendly and cute as a button. Remember I’m the biggest 80’s fan. We had Strawberry Shortcake, Fraggle Rock, Cabbage Patch Dolls, and Saturday morning cartoons! It figures into my costumes, though for most parties it’s just jeans and a staff shirt, what a bummer.
With two of the imps away at college until their fall break and two taking classes locally, I’m also spending more time than usual with the perpetual puppies. I’d hate for them to feel neglected, and the start of school always gets them down. The days are getting shorter and quieter, but they’ll learn new tricks (for treats) and take long walks with me in nature.
Still, I’ll be running around like a chicken with no head getting everyone where they need to be and keeping the puppies from perpetual boredom. Those drives and walks give me my best book ideas so expect lots more books, soon.
In the meantime, I have a couple book signings coming up in 2026
6p, Friday, October 16th, 2026 – Horseman Rising Launch: Books, Brews & Boos at Round Table Brewery (55 Railroad Ave W, West Haverstraw, NY 10923-1254)
Celebrate the launch of Horseman Rising with a spooky night of books, brews, and local magic.
Featuring Round Table Brewery’s seasonal Sleepy Hollow IPA, spooky local authors, bookish vendors, and Halloween inspired makers, this curated event brings together eerie reads, autumn vibes, and Sleepy Hollow spirit for one unforgettable fall evening.
In addition to lots of authors and vendors, I will be there signing my Vampire, Werewolf, Psychic, & Ghost books, and if the printing press works on schedule, my latest NEW vampire book. Who doesn’t love a good vampire read in October?
Ask me nicely and maybe I’ll bring my tarot 😉 for some spooky fun.
This next event is also near and dear to me, and a little closer to my neck of the woods.
Screenshot
11am to 3pm, Saturday, November 14th, 2026- Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd Annual Central Jersey Book Festival at the Ross Street School 110 Ross Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095 United States
Yes! The debate is over. There is a Central Jersey! I will be there with other authors, so make sure you come out and get some great reads.
I have more events coming up in January and March 2027, but I’ll list those for you later on.
Book 11 of the All Tied Up in Knots Series is officially out! I have some goodies for you below including a recipe for a Pink Pony Cocktail, I think will be your new favorite!
Artemis wants two things out of life, becoming a certified tattoo artist and owning a haunted house. She accompanies her friend Jinny to a BDSM conference hoping for a fun diversion from the mundane, nothing more. What she doesn’t count on is meeting Devlin. He hits all the right buttons at the conference, but can she trust Devlin with her heart after she finds out Will, her boss from the tattoo parlor, has been murdered? Will Artemis uncover the truth about Devlin’s diabolical schemes or will she reveal her own?
Goodies:
I couldn’t be more excited to bring this new book to you, so in honor of Knot A Midnight Ballerina’s debut, all of the Kindle eBooks in the All Tied Up in Knots series are specially priced from 8/7/2026 to 8/14/2026 at only 99 cents per title. Grab yours before the offer expires. Here is a link to the series.
Feeling all kinds of bubbly at Book 11 of the series priced at just 99 cents for Kindle for a limited time, and I’m throwing in a FREEBIE! I’ve pulled another of my favorite hot kinky geeks for you, Andrew Stern from the Knot A Princess book. FREE on amazon for Kindle download from August 7th, 2026 to August 11th, 2026-make sure you get your FREE download while it lasts.
Briar, a young mother, and a military widow, struggles to cope with the loss of her husband. No man can ever measure up to him, the hero who had given his life for his country. Briar bravely puts on a smile and a princess dress to entertain children for work so she can support her son, alone. The party is filled with rich snobs that give her a hard time, but she meets her prince charming. Andrew Stern is an eccentric billionaire who does not take a no for an answer. Tired of dating among snobs and women only interested in him for his money, he will use any means possible to get to Briar. Will this be just another gig for Briar, or will it be her happily ever after.
About the author-
I am usually the one behind the camera, so you won’t find too many images of me. It’s always the shy ones you have to watch out for. Many of my readers know of my battles with autoimmune disease and when I look at images of myself, I see the telltale lupus rash and am reminded that I’m actually sick. Yeah, I could probably go for one of the glamour shots where they do something with my unruly hair and put some makeup on me, but I’m too much of a tomboy. I’d rather be out somewhere on an adventure than spend my time trying to look a certain way. Not a girly girl, sorry.
I take pictures of other people, butterflies, and anything that delights me like my two crazy Chinese Crested perpetual puppies. Like me, they will be eternally little and goofy, and I just love them to bits, the bacon kind. They run through a bag so fast I can’t blink, but I’ve taught them some tricks, so they get rewarded for their efforts. It helps keep them focused and since they aren’t huge eaters (same flavor kibble everyday) they aren’t chubby and get a thumbs up from the vet at every visit.
Even unruly Mooshu tries his best doing tricks which says a lot. He’s dealing with an incurable bleeding disorder which makes me travel with Chinese medicine just in case I need to plink a pill down his throat in a hurry, and having been born a swimmer puppy, his joints are kind of a hot mess. I guess he found the right home with us, because we’re all kind of a hot mess here but an abundance of love to share.
Delight is where you find it and for me that’s my family (Including the crazy Cresteds) and silly things like playing the DDR, having some sunset beach time or one day adventures. My hands are always busy with a project, everything from sewing to metal work, so lots of the goodies I give out at author events are something I made personally. I just love personal touches 😉
Since the hubby was diagnosed with diabetes and steroids have upped my blood sugars, I’ve taken a break from baking and switched to meal prepping which still includes the oven but it’s savory instead of sweet. I’m not strictly Keto, since the amount of veggies I eat puts me over carbs for keto and under the fat requirements (macros) but I’m trying to get those micronutrients in, so… OCD is my superpower and both hubby and I are now in the 5.6 A1c range, prediabetes as opposed the A1c 10.0 he was and the 8.0 I was which is a huge victory. He’s lost about 60-70 pounds and goes to the gym five days a week or more. I’ve lost about 50 with diet while still eating my dark chocolate and playing DDR on the wii. I avoid the gym and get my steps in with the dogs. Two different approaches that work, so if you’re in the same situation and can’t do the gym because of germs, there are plenty of ways to get your exercise. Even if you just walk during your lunch break and start eating less processed food, it’s something. I still go out to eat with the imps and can find something on the menu just about anywhere I go. If not, I ask for something special. I don’t do dairy, artificial sweetner, or soy, but most sit-down places have grilled chicken or fish and some kind of vegetables. Though the imps like fast food, I don’t miss it.
Now, onto the cocktail!
Pink Pony Cocktail
What you’ll need:
A large glass with ice
Blender if you want to make it a frozen drink, shaker if you want it shaken with ice-both are fabulous
Measuring cup
3 oz. Pink grapefruit Juice
1 1/2 oz vodka (Omit if you’re not imbibing)
1/2 oz Cointreau (you know it’s one of my favorites, but you can switch it out for the same amount of orange juice if you’re not imbibing)
Fruit to garnish
Optional: splash of cranberry juice for an extra pink color or grapefruit flavored seltzer for a little bubbles
What to do:
Mix your grapefruit juice, vodka, and Cointreau. if you want the alcohol-free version, replace the vodka with seltzer for a little kick and the Cointreau with orange juice and you have a brilliant mocktail.
If you want a frozen drink, add liquids and ice to a blender and blend until smoothie like consistency, otherwise add to shaker with ice and shake vigorously until mixed.
Serve in a tall or hurricane glass and garnish with fresh fruit.
NOTE: As with any adult beverages, drink responsibly and don’t operate a vehicle or heavy machinery. The life you save may be your own.
Hope you enjoy and don’t forget that free download on Amazon!
I love a great giveaway, and I have so many events going on in my life right now that I want to share with you, I’m including a sweetener, two FREE books to download on Amazon.
This week I have the second graduation this year, and no, it’s not the puppies from obedience school. They’d give me my money back for sure, LOL, little Mooshu is a tyrant. My youngest is graduating high school and both him and his older brother have been accepted to the same college, not too far from home. It means I can sneak them some home cooked meals when they get tired of cafeteria food and not be too far in case of emergencies. It also means they come home for the weekend to work or find a job closer to school-options are important.
When I’m not doing a book event, I work most weekends. The life of a professional entertainer is unpredictable and just when you think you have a weekend off to relax and spend some much needed beach time or puppy time, you end up working. Still, everything being said, I love my job and the looks on people’s face when I do it well, so I can’t complain. It’s always nice to shock a patron and leave them in stunned silence. Definitely a professional high.
Right now, I may have a weekend off, but who knows. I could get a call Thursday for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and be scrambling to get everything I need for the gig or maybe just going to Six Flags. Anything is possible.
That being said, I want to celebrate my BIRTHDAY with you and my son’s momentous occasion, and the beginning of SUMMER and all the fun pagan and not-so-pagan holidays encompassed therein.
I’m rambling because there is so much going on in the next seven days that I’m trying to get it all done and stay focused, not the easiest thing for me to do. Sometimes I just feel scatterbrained from the Plaquenil for my RA. It’s like trying to watch four channels all at the same time and getting bored, so picking up a book.
Back to birthdays, I’m huge on presents, so click the links below from June 23rd, 2026 to June 27th, 2026 (Amazon standard time, lol) to download your FREE ebooks on Amazon. Before I forget the links to the freebies, here they are-happy reading!
FREEBIE Links:
Mystic, psychic reader extraordinaire, can help everyone else with their troubles but is completely lost when it comes to her own messy life. Her whisperers offer advice but she can’t force people to bend themselves to her will and change the future for the better. Mike, the love of her life, refused to listen to her pleas and succumbs to injuries caused by a motorcycle accident. Bereft, Mystic decides to live her life out alone, away from people.
Chaos ensues at one of Mystic’s Psychic events, when a serial murderer comes to destroy the only person who might be able to identify him, her. Together with Detective Steve Turner, Mystic is determined to flesh out the criminal, even though it means attending a BDSM event on a cruise ship under a false identity with no way out if things go wrong.
Will she find the unsub or is death in her cards?
excerpt: Preparing for a scene was akin to preparing for a full moon circle with the local witchy group. There was a certain order to the inevitable surrender. First you gathered the supplies, you cleaned the work area, cleaned your physical body, prepared your spiritual body for the challenges to come, and when you thought you were ready you prepared yourself for chaos. If you were trying to ascend to the heavenly plane, you understood you would eventually fall back to earth, but it would be worth the effort. I prepared myself as best I could, donned the garb for the ritual, and approached the altar with all my hopes and fears kept in check long enough to begin. The difference tonight was instead of a coven of witches calling the corners, I had a Dominant calling the shots.
In her last year of college, with the promise of an exciting future in veterinary medicine, Autumn discovers she won’t live to see her next birthday. Before she blinks out, her dying wish is to be immersed in her own movie fantasy of vampires and monsters, even if just for a moment. For as long as Autumn can remember, Horror films were her favorites. She connected with those monsters on the screen, flawed, strange, and beautiful in their own way. Before the final curtain is drawn, Autumn wants to meet the monsters she’s dreamed of her entire life. She puts up a help wanted ad for a hospice nurse, titled: Desperately Seeking Vampire. Andrei, a man hot enough to melt Autumns steel resolve accepts the job offer and agrees to play the game… but is he just pretending? And what happens when things get hot in the bedroom? As Autumn begins to fall for Andrei, they embark on a monster seeking adventure, and she soon discovers that some fantasies are real.
Easiest Recipe for Mocktail-
Anyway, since we’re celebrating I’m making Assam tea with hibiscus flowers, perfect for a party or any day. All you need is a heat safe container, boiled water, and tea-simple and delicious.
Start with a 1:1 ratio by weight 10 to 20 grams each depending on how sharp you want the flavor to be for an entire pot of tea. Steep as long as you want, the longer the better. I use a couple tea balls or just put them in loose and strain later. Hibiscus is naturally sweet and Assam is such a flavor bomb as far as teas go that you won’t need anything else in this.
I just leave the tea far enough away from the edge of the counter the doggies don’t get to it and forget I made it until the color is gorgeous. When it’s no longer hot, I refrigerate it and serve in tall glasses over ice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if you want that icy cold feeling mint gives to beverages.
Celebrating on St. John’s Eve
Since I’m going as low carb with my beverages as possible, I can have a small piece of cake for my birthday. Yay! Okay I have a sweet tooth and being keto means most of my carbs are from vegetables and the odd purple sweet potato or nuts for magnesium. I don’t even do dairy, so I’ll be checking my sugar before, at one hour, and at two hours to see how my tiny serving does me. Yes, I have OCD, can you tell? OCD is my superpower and I’m about 50 pounds down from my original weight all by just counting calories and getting my protein in. Since I broke my foot, I’ve been chillin’ and not hanging out in the gym, damn shame because some of those guys at the gym are inspirational and if you want to work out a specific area, they know what just exercises you need.
Back to partying: We just celebrated the Summer Solstice, Father’s Day, and the reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth (great to take the kids to) on Sunday with freshly picked strawberries from the farm nearby and this amazing cake I got from Coco Y Coqui Puerto Rican Bakery. The sponge was so moist and decadent and you know I’m a sucker for great icing. I had a few yummy bites and shared the sizable portion with the imps. I’m sorry I didn’t get their chocolate one, too. I have included the link to the Coco Y Coqui Puerto Rican Bakery webpage with a list of the events they will be at. Don’t miss out.
So yummy! Going to try chocolate next time!
I shared the cake since I’m still watching my carbs, but I highly recommend paying them a visit and getting one or more of their amazing bakery items or putting in an order for your party or event. I’ll be going back to try the chocolate, lol.
It is the season of the firefly, and I’ll be out watching them whenever I can. Hope you get to see some.
Floral wreaths and costumes
Coinciding with fireflies on June 23rd is Kupala, now Saint John’s night. Originally it was celebrated during the Summer Solstice, but the date shifted with the coming of Christianity a long time ago. It’s a Slavic celebration of fertility involving dances, rituals, and dipping or bathing in the waters. (bear in mind the water in Eastern Europe is pretty cold until then).
Celebrating at the water’s edge
Because it’s connected to ritual bathing, the holiday became associate with John the Baptist. There is still lots of fun things to do from young women weaving flower crowns and wreaths to float in the water while young men try to find one and return it for a kiss, to taking a long walk in the woods at night to find the elusive fern flower-let me know if you ever find one. Don’t forget bonfires, dances, and party food… it’s quite the time!
Feats of courage and skill
Enjoy all the delights summer has to offer! Have a wonderful summer!
We’re so excited for Jill Marie Denton to join us this week with her book, Girl Alt Delete. We have a special coffee cocktail for you and some info about this great read.
Here is the blurb:
“Being a hacker has its perks. I’m privy to the stuff you’d prefer to keep hidden, whether you want me to be or not. It’s a good thing I’m on the side of justice. I have no interest in you if you keep your nose clean. When you threaten my bosses, though, I’ll become your worst nightmare. I’ve come too far in this life, and been on too many walks through hell, to let you escape unscathed. Challenge me. Go ahead. I dare you.”
She’s the ultimate protector, the ever-present guardian. She’s everywhere and nowhere at once, haunting the edges of the internet to protect five famous women. They saved her from a life behind bars. Now, she saves them from those who threaten their safety and privacy. It’s a full-time job, one she’s been training for her entire life. From devastating betrayal to ultimate conquest, this is her story.
Spring is finally upon us after the crazy NJ weather, and Mooshu is enjoying every minute of the sun while his mama went to meet and greet authors at her favorite book event of the year.
Still excited about this years event! Can’t wait for next year.
Normally, I introduce the author, give you their bio, and then onto the book, but I was so intrigued by the book, I had to share that first, lol. You know I’m a closet cyber geek and coder since before the world wide web-yes, I still code in DOS to keep myself familiar with it, but don’t hold that against an old coder. I was one of those kids that learned code where others learned spoken languages. It helped me work with my math obsession, and lets face it- with Ai now on the forefront of everything, some of us old hackers are back and playing, lol.
Jill Marie is a Le Cordon Bleu chef of over 20 years and a long-time fan of women’s fiction and rock music. She is also an award-winning podcaster and author. Aside from reading, writing and cooking, she is also a dedicated contributor to women’s websites and online magazines for romantic fiction and culinary development. Above all, she delights in creating humor-rich tales of conquest, featuring strong-willed characters, to help her readers realize their inner strength and the power of their passion.
SO we’ve got the author, the book, but no recipe. Let’s fix that. Jill suggested a coffee or kombucha recipe, because Lizzie, her cybercrime vigilante loves coffee and kombucha. I’ve got a great one for you!
First lets get some equipment ready. We’re going to need an espresso maker or coffee maker-your preference. Brew 2 ounces per cup. The recipe is versatile, so if you’re not a fan of imbibing, you can swap out the chocolate orange liqueur for 1/2 the amount of chocolate syrup (you’ll see below).
Grab a tall glass and swirl in some chocolate syrup
Ingredients:
2 ounces coffee or espresso (decaf is okay)
1 ounce of Borgata Chocolate & Orange Liqueur, or 1/2 ounce chocolate syrup and 1/2 ounce water
Milk to taste ( I like to froth mine before adding)
Generous amount of whipped cream to top
Sprinkle of cinnamon for a dark spice or chocolate syrup if you’re all about the sweet
How to:
Let your coffee/espresso cool to room temperature if you are going for a cold drink, if not you’ll need to warm your milk.
Swirl chocolate in tall heat resistant glass
Mix coffee, Borgata Chocolate & Orange Liqueur or chocolate syrup/water in another container and stir until it looks velvety smooth. Add to glass
Add in your milk, if you are frothing the milk first, do it in a different container before adding it in
Top with enough whipped cream to make your ancient ancestor people happy and sprinkle on some cinnamon or swirl on some chocolate syrup.
Serve and enjoy
REMEMBER- if you’re drinking alcoholic beverages, do so safely. Stay home with a good book and enjoy!
St. Patrick’s Day falls on the same day as my Liquid Friday blog this year, so there will be enough green beer and silly cocktails to keep you busy. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we’re going to make a batch of cupcakes. Since it falls on a weekday and I’m up to my eyeballs multi-tasking, we’ll use a boxed mix and keep it simple and flavorful. I’m tossing my corned beef in the crock pot with potatoes, carrots, cabbage wedges, and some peppercorns, so I can keep my oven free for baking.
Let’s get started.
Grab you favorite green cupcake liners and heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, we’re baking.
Cupcake Ingredients:
1 Box chocolate cake mix (I use Duncan Hines but really any brand will do)
1 1/4 cup Guinness to replace the water portion on the box
3 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil (yes, you can still substitute 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup applesauce for oil for lower fat cupcakes)
Before you put liners in your favorite cupcake tin, sprinkle some rice in between. This gives you a little air cushion so you have the perfect bottoms on your cupcakes. If you decide to skip the liners, grab two 9″ cake pans and fill equally for a chocolate cake that will make you lick your lips. Once your done baking, save the rice to reuse next time.
Mix wet ingredients and slowly whisk in the box mix until smooth. Pour 1/2 to 2/3 full into cupcake liners and bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 23 minutes (they’ll spring back when you touch them or a toothpick will come out clean).
While your cupcakes are baking its time to make the frosting. If you used a red velvet chocolate cake mix use the doctored cream cheese icing mix at the bottom of the page, otherwise mix up a batch of Bailey’s Flavored Buttercream(recipes below).
NOTE: If you’re serving children omit alcohol from icing-most alcohol will cook out in the oven for the cupcakes, but we don’t bake the icing, so just omit the alcohol.
Bailey’s Flavored Buttercream icing
2 sticks butter (8oz total) softened
1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar
1-2 teaspoon(s) vanilla sugar (blended sugar and vanilla bean)
3 Tablespoons Bailey’s Irish Cream Liquor
Hand or machine blend until smooth and fluffy. Put in a pastry bag and decorate cooled cupcakes. Top with sprinkles, party picks, or shaved chocolate.
Jameson Black Barrel Cream Cheese Icing
1 stick butter softened
1 package (8oz.) Phili Cream Cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons Jameson Black Barrel Whiskey
Since you have some liquid in this recipe, you won’t need any milk. If, however you omit the alcohol, add 1-2 Tablespoon milk.
Blend until incorporated and then whip for added volume. Spoon frost or use a pastry bag with this icing and top with some sugar crystals or a light dusting of brown sugar for extra flavor.
Whichever version you went with, I hope your cupcakes come out great and you have a safe and happy holiday.
Join my mailing list or keep checking back for new recipes, cocktails, authors and their books, and some of my crazy stories.
the skinny on cocktails just in time to release BOOK 10!
We so excited about our recent release Knot Daddy’s Valentine, that it’s like a party here! We have a great recipe for you below, perfect for people trying to stay on lower carbohydrate diets.
We had hoped to have this book out pre-Valentine’s Day but SNAFUs happen, so it’s taken us a little bit longer. We hope that means you’ll enjoy it even more.
While puppy Mooshu is on mend from his latest episode(flare up of his bleeding disorder), we’re keeping our eyes on him and making sure we’ve stocked up on his meds in case another unannounced snow storm catches us off guard.
Both puppies Butler and Mooshu are spoiled. They get steamed salmon for omega 3s, carrots for prebiotics, and frozen blueberries for antioxidants and polyphenols in addition to a specially formulated diet and more than their fair amount of treats. We’ve added glucosamine for Butler who is nine and a half and we want to keep his joints as fit as a six month old puppy. Mooshu has his own issues and spontaneous bleeds always make us gasp. Fortunately, even with an incurable disease, we have a treatment plan in place for him and he’s doing well.
Our book sales help with some of the treatments and of course the insane cost of pet insurance, so thanks for reading and sharing. We couldn’t do it without you.
It has been the craziest winter in NJ and I’m waiting anxiously for spring. I think even the puppies that run around like little snowballs are over it too. Fingers crossed this weekend marks the turn of the season, because getting these puppies up an hour earlier is going to be insane.
Despite the delay, we hope you love our latest book in the All Tied Up series.
Skye has dreamed of doing the flying trapeze since she was a young girl. In pursuit of the goal, there just isn’t time for romance. Valentine’s Day is coming up, and she’s resigned herself to be alone for yet another holiday. She’s working for Johnny as an aerial silk artist for parties and events. It’s a long way from her work in the circus but she’s hoping it’ll make the difference between being stuck in the silks or flying high on the trapeze.
Tommy, an MMA cage fighter, is a gentle giant of a man that has left the rodeo circuit to save the family farm. He’s been attending Johnny’s events, hoping to find a nice girl he could bring home to mama that’s still into his brand of kink.
Will Skye follow her dream? Is Skye be the perfect match for Tommy and his appetites? Will they naturally click together, or do they need a little push from Johnny?
Our crazy boy MooshuButler’s beautiful smile
Hope you have as much fun with this book as we did!
Onto the cocktails!
Skinny Hurricane
Since our heroine Skye is managing her weight for aerial arts, we’ve opted for a skinny Hurricane.
Skinny Hurricane Recipe
What you need:
Glass
Ice
Straw- fancy if you have one
Cocktail ingredients below
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces White Rum
1 ounce Light Orange Juice or Sugar-free Orange Drink
1 ounce Light Cranberry Juice or Sugar-free Cranberry Drink
1 ounce sugar-free or reduced sugar Passionfruit Juice
Enough ice to fill glass
Garnish with a Maraschino cocktail cherry or two
How to:
1. Fill your glass with ice
2. Add white rum
3. Add Fruit Juices
4. Stir
5. Garnish with cherries and serve
6. Enjoy responsibly!
Thanks for joining us again for another Liquid Friday.
It seems that in the next few days we are celebrating EVERYTHING! It’s midwinter, so every culture and religion seems to be having some sort of festival to commemorate it. For me, the karate mom, writer, and mom to one Valentine’s Day birthday child-the pressure is absolutely on.
My latest book is in the hands of the publishing gods and hopefully we’ll see that before the weekend is up, fingers crossed. Otherwise, you can unwrap your Valentine a little later. I’ll post the links as soon as they are available.
I had my beignets last week, and I’m making cake pops and home made chocolates for the imps endeavors. The not so chubby hubby has invited me out for a wine tasting this weekend, and I may just have to take him up on it.
There is something altogether insane about this weekend. I love my slasher movies on Friday the 13th, but they’ll be playing in the background while I get some work done this weekend. At least I’ll have some bloodcurdling screams to comfort me.
The news from my endocrinologist is not good, and she says the medication I’m on to fight my autoimmune disease has probably caused the diabetes (not news). I’m watching my sugar and diet and everything is in normal range for now. I’m working very hard to keep it that way. I’ve been on insulin before and the thought of replacing a treatment I know that works (insulin) with a pill that hasn’t been effective for anyone I know on it, has made me a very good girl with watching what I eat and when. (Must be one of those things, since the insurance has to make insulin affordable they offer alternatives rather than pay for it. I’ve watched people have bouts of hypoglycemia and lose digits on the alternatives, so I’m just going to agree to disagree and we’ll see where we are on the next A1C. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers)
Happy Year of the Horse 2026!
Back to all things fun and parties. This week is so filled with celebrations, I want to take a moment and wish everyone Happy Mardi Gras, Happy Lunar New Year, Happy Valentine’s Day, and unless you’re skiing- hopefully no more snow. There is also a special birthday on Valentine’s Day, so happy 30th birthday Claire- may all your wishes come true!
If you’re a February baby like Claire, I hope you have a fun birthday, too. Since the Lenten time will soon be on us, I’m going to take a couple hours to plan out my menu during this critical time of the year. I have some in the family that adhere to traditions of fasting, some that eat meat, some with food preferences… so the meals they do eat need to be extra nutritious, while still being carb friendly (the hubby loves curried chicken, and it’s within his diet plan, so yea!).
During lent I look for organizations to work with either through sponsorship or stewardship to help out those in need, local and abroad. Since the happy hubby and I wear many hats that can mean entertaining for charitable walks, school events, fundraisers… or donating to some local charities or people in need. We already have some of those events lined up, and I’m happy to be able to bring a smile to children of all ages.
If you have read some books from the All Tied Up In Knots series, you understand the kind of crazy that goes with being a professional entertainer. I’ve drawn from my own experiences and that of other entertainers I work with to flesh out the characters. You have to have nerves of steel, a strong back, and a permanent smile. The excitement and joy children and adults get when they see the balloon decor, henna artistry, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, or face painting makes it well worth the effort.
For this weekend, I’ll focus on entertaining locally and getting those taxes started, lol. I’m having some friends over for hurricanes (see my 2023 blogs for the recipe and make them at home or somewhere you don’t need to drive to, just to be as safe as possible) and some fried okra to go with hubby’s spicy curried chicken. The children have asked for eggrolls, but I have eggroll wrappers and ingredients, so we’re all set for that, too.
Regardless of what the Groundhog has foretold, Spring is on the way and I know the doggies can’t wait for their time on the cool green grass. I’m awaiting those long walks in the park, not mad dashes for the shelter of the car or the house.
Wishing you a week(end) of celebrating with family & friends.
***King of the Mardi Gras is a FREE download for 3 days only February 15th, 16th, & 17thon AMAZON***
With Valentine’s Day just a week away, I’ve been reminded that homemade gifts are best from the not so chubby hubby, my Eastern European import. Though I have plans to enjoy some wine and chocolate at a bookish event that day, I’ll still make some time for homemade truffles. (Recipe below)
Handmade gifts have always been a favorite of mine and I began my writing career in earnest to give the hubby a special Christmas gift. He’s as big a reader as I am, though our paths divulge on what we read. He is high fantasy, sci-fi, dark romance, and historical whereas I substitute horror for history-though if you look at history, it’s not much of a diversion.
This past weekend, getting in the Mardi Gras mood since Mardi gras, Valentine’s Day, and the Lunar New Year all fall within the same week, I took a trip to Beignets Donuts in Denville, NJ for some of their mouth watering beignets. While I was there, I had one of their specialty drinks, a rose cappuccino.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m all about health beneficial bitters, and coffee and rose are among them, so this combination was perfect. The rose syrup they used was sweet but not overly so, and the bitterness of the coffee was perfect with the over the top perfection of the beignets which were serve steaming hot.
No, they are not a blog sponsor, but if you’re in the area stop by and get you some of their specialty donuts or beignets. We drove about an hour, which for a fantastic beignet outside of the great state of Louisiana is definitely worth the drive.
My son had been asking for beignets for some time. Did I tell you he’s a fan of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog? Well every time we put it on he’s asking for beignets and can you blame him?
Anyone who knows me, knows I don’t make yeast doughs. It’s a witchy thing, yeast just dies on me leaving breads, donuts/Pączki, poppyseed cake, and even fermented drinks completely flat. I’ve even gone so far as to try wearing gloves and using one of those failproof bread makers, where I didn’t have to touch anything but my juju just up and kills the yeast and instead of a nice loaf I end up with a kitchen disaster similar to one in I Love Lucy reruns. That being said, I’ll leave the beignets to the professionals and stop in for another bite and a coffee (that’s ‘cawfee’ for everyone in NJ) real soon.
I’ve elected to forgo the cocktail/mocktail this week for candy. I’m not the kind of girl that likes those skinny cocktails, and if I’m limiting myself to 100 gratuitous calories, it’s going to be a dark chocolate truffle. (see that recipe below)
In the meantime, while I am busy writing, or at least trying to keep my ass in a seat long enough to turn out another book, I am prone to distractions. I have two small distractions (Butler and Mooshu the Chinese Crested Powderpuff dogs) that keep me out visiting the deer and the occasion possum, racoon, fox, or muskrat that happens by. Living near a salt marsh means that even in the colder months and this brutal 2026 winter we get to see nature on the daily, even if its just warblers fluffing out their feathers to stay warm, or Canadian geese enjoying the “warmer” weather in NJ.
For the dogs, everything is an interest. Because of their keen senses, I get to see things I would have otherwise missed. Since this winter had been bitterly cold, those walks are shorter and skin and paws are thoroughly inspected and cleaned. They haven’t met a shoe they couldn’t Houdini out of yet and we’ve tried buckles, straps, elastics, roll-ons… you name it but by the time they get down the stairs, the shoes are off. For us that means lots of paw butter, to keep their toe-beans soft and supple despite the cold and salt. It’s funny to watch them bliss out when they get their toes rubbed. Paw butter recipe(double, triple, quadruple as needed): 2 tbsp shea butter, 1 tbsp coconut oil, and 2 tbsp beeswax pellets melted together in a double boiler. Add 2-3 drops of Vitamin E oil, pour into heat safe tins, and let it cool. It will firm up and you can use it liberally. Some people like to add mint scent or others to the mix. I leave it plain since the dogs use their sense of smell considerably more than we do.
Since I’m the kitchen witch at home, let’s talk truffles. The recipe I use is quick and simple and easy enough for children to help out. My daughter’s favorite are dusted with cocoa powder, but I like to dip mine in melted dark chocolate or those colored candy chocolate wafer things that you can just melt in the microwave. Candy wafers are always good to have around the house, just don’t let your pets get ahold of anything with chocolate in them. Theobromine, the chemical compound in chocolate, is fatal to doggies and wolves alike, so ensure you clean everything up tidy before you let your pets back in the kitchen.
Since I am the queen of substitutions, feel free to mix the recipe up and use milk chocolate or white chocolate for your ganache or coating.
Dark Chocolate Rose Ganache Truffles
Ingredients:
2 (100gram bars) 70% or better dark chocolate (200 grams total)
I love Ghirardelli’s 72% Cacao Intense Dark Chocolate bars for this but use your favorite chocolate-since mine is already sweetened I don’t need any additional sugar and I still get my dark chocolate polyphenols for health
4 ounces (volume) heavy cream/whipping cream
Rose flavor to taste (I use a couple drops of Angel Bake Rose flavor but you can use your favorite or swap out rose for any flavoring you like)
organic mini rose petals for garnish (fresh or dried)
cocoa power, melted chocolate, or candy melts to coat
Equipment:
bowls
saucepan
whisk
silicone spatula
cookie scoop or melon baller (small)
Hammer (optional)
How to:
For the ganache, first you need to chop up your chocolate into small pieces and place in a heat safe bowl. I like stainless steel bowls for this but ceramic is okay too.(This is when I gate the doggies in the other room, since in this dry winter chocolate slivers can go in all directions. An alternative is putting the chocolate in a food safe bag and beating it with a hammer, great way to get your frustrations out. I keep my hammer in the kitchen drawer. It’s one of my most useful tools.)
2. Heat your cream in a small saucepan on low to medium heat, stirring the entire time. DO NOT BOIL! We only need it warm enough to melt the chocolate. (Yes, you can microwave your cream in a heat safe container-whatever works for you)
3. Pour your heated cream over the chopped chocolate and stir until combined thoroughly. You want all the chocolate melted smooth. I fold it in first with a silicone spatula and then whisk in the flavoring. Kids will want to lick the spatula, just no double dipping.
4. Cover your ganache and put it in the refrigerator until set. This is the hard part, because no one likes waiting 2-3 hours. Sometimes I’ll start this the night before, so it’s ready to work with in the morning.
5. Make small ball of the ganache with a spoon, cookie scoop, or melon baller and coat in cocoa powder or freeze and dip in melted chocolate or candy melts. Can you use a truffle mold? Yes, of course, but I’m going for the easiest, simplest, way to do things. Truffle molds take things up a notch as fat as looks go, but don’t spend money you don’t have to.
6. While the candies are still wet, add a single mini rose petal or some red sanding sugar. (If you’re going full on Mardi Gras- use green, gold, and purple sugar)
7. Store in cool area until ready to serve
8. Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by. Happy reading. See you next week!
We’ve been buried by snow this year and I find myself writing my latest work while alternatively holding a several times microwaved cup of hot tea, because I just can’t get warm enough. I have Reynaud’s Syndrome, it’s part of my overlap autoimmune disease, but in a nutshell it means my fingers and toes can blanch due to cold, emotional states, and well… just whenever the hell it wants to. I’m sure in the larger picture it is just the body redirecting blood back towards the heart and vital organs but zombie-hand is visually disconcerting.
Wine has been suggested for the condition as it is a vasodilator, and if it lasts more than 30 minutes I may just grab a glass of Pinot Noir and get a dose of resveratrol, a polyphenol antioxidant found in grapes, red wine, berries… I’m always looking to improve my health and if you saw the hand full of supplements I take on the daily to mitigate the symptoms of autoimmune disease you’d wonder how I had room for breakfast. My endocrinologist has asked why don’t I just get one good supplement from one of the larger health food stores, but my allergy to blueberries and mushrooms has made it near impossible to find one that doesn’t contain either. I am the person that calls every company before buying the bottle to find out if either of my two troublesome ingredients are in their “proprietary formula” and for most they are so I end up taking single vitamins. It’s costly and time consuming and frustrating. I eat healthy and I’m one of those weirdos that actually enjoys their veggies (lightly steamed, blanched, or pan fried so they are still crunchy), but when my bloodwork says I’m deficient in something I turn to formulary.
I know some of my readers are living with chronic illnesses and after dealing with this nightmare for decades, I don’t know how you do it. Thanks for being my support and trying to keep me sane in all this bedlam. Stay strong.
HUGE ACORNS IN NOVEMBER!!!
Back to snow, I knew this winter was going to be rough because I read the signs, from the wider banding on woolly bear caterpillars to the size of the acorns. Sometimes even the smell of the air can give you clues to what is coming your way and like a bloodhound I can smell snow before it comes, OCD is my superpower and with it comes complete body awareness-sometimes annoying body awareness. There is something special about every season, and seeing my children and the now less chubby hubby(more on that below) pitch in to clear snow while leaving treats for the non-migratory birds in our area makes me beyond happy. We have a large wildlife population since we live next to a salt marsh.
Though I miss seeing the deer everyday, I know they have nice spots to hide under the wider conifers and there are still some areas of exposed green they can feed and people sneak them food, though before you feed your local wildlife, check what is safe and understand not all animals are friendly, not even deer. However, by me, these deer have learned to take food from people and all year I find offerings people have left for them. I still see them eating grasses and vegetation and occasionally someone’s tasty flowerbed, but it’s all part of getting your vitamins I suppose.
Anyway, embracing the new healthier you is something I got the chubby hubby on board. He has a long family history of diabetes and his sugars were running super high. He is now within normal numbers (with meds, diet and exercise) and has lost around fifty pounds. He would have lost more but the biceps and quads are larger and the six pack he lost decades ago is returning. Muscle weighs more than fat-a note to everyone heading back to the gym, you might actually gain weight in the beginning as you add muscle. We are super proud of the work the now less chubby hubby has done and the example he is setting for the imps.
As for me, I have gotten a new glucose meter and my numbers are within normal limits with diet alone (yay!), even though it means giving up my gummy bears and Dr. Pepper (stress snacks) for a while and weighing my fruit. Discipline is everything and I will be walking more once the weather lifts, hoping the groundhog says it is soon this year. I know my spring weekends are busy because of my side gig as an artist with moving 3-dimensional canvases. If face painting toddlers through adults doesn’t give you a workout, nothing will. I actually do back exercises to be ready for painting, and for any artists out there those yoga balls are great!
Now, I normally leave a recipe and talk up a book and since I don’t have a guest author this weekend, I want to invite you to look through my previous posts at some of the incredible authors we’ve had. Since I am sans author this week, I’m going to tell you about what I’ve been writing.
Valentine’s Day is a huge holiday for me, partly because my daughter was born on that day and partly because I am a hearts and flowers kind of girl. I love adventures and though I was offered a bed and breakfast weekend this year, I had to pass on it because I’ll be celebrating Valentine’s day with my local karate school. I’m bringing the cake pops.
Since it’s such a huge holiday for me, I figured to write a Valentine’s day story, and with me its either monsters or mayhem. This time mayhem won out, so be ready for adventure. Fingers crossed, the Amazon entities will push it through quickly and I’ll have this out to you by Valentine’s Day.
When the snow falls, I’ll be drinking my high-polyphenol hot chocolate which isn’t at all bad without dairy so long as I add 4 grams of sugar of in the raw or add it to decaf American style coffee.
This is a recipe that you can spice up with alcohol, or leave it a virgin and the kids can have it too. There are probably hundreds of versions of this, this is mine. Enjoy!
Strawberry Jello Drink-the perfect mid-winter pick me up
Ingredients:
1-6oz. Package strawberry flavored Jello
2-cups hot water
4-cups ice (lemonade ice cubes perk this up even more)
1-2 liter Sprite to taste (substitute lemon or lime flavored seltzer if you are going for less sugar)
2 cups pineapple juice
1 container of fresh strawberries
You’re also going to need:
1- Large carafe/jug
1- heat resistant 8 cup container
1- kettle
1-cutting board
Glasses for serving
Oven mitts
Ice cube tray-if your making your own lemonade ice cubes
How to make it:
First, assemble everything you need
Cut strawberries in half or slices, reserve a few for garnish
Boil water in kettle
Pour two cups boiling water into heat safe container. I use borosilicate glass or Pyrex. Don’t forget your oven mitts here. This is super hot.
Add Jello and stir until dissolved. Will still be hot so be careful.
Let Jello mixture cool slightly.
Add your pineapple juice to the Jello mixture. The bromelain in the pineapple juice will keep the Jello from setting, so no worries about a clumpy drink. (Fresh kiwi also works if you don’t have pineapple juice-actinidin in kiwi stops Jello from setting)
Cool completely
Pour in a pitcher, add your Sprite or lemon lime soda and get ready to serve.
Fill glasses with ice (lemonade cubes if you have them) and sliced strawberries. Fill glasses with drink and garnish with strawberry.
Serve and enjoy!
If you are skipping out on Dry January and making this for the over 21 crowd add 1.5 ounces of champagne, vodka, tequila, or clear rum to each glass or 1 cup(8oz.) per pitcher. Remember to be sure everyone has a safe way home and no one is driving anywhere-the sugar and alcohol sneak up on you.
I’m so excited for 2026. I feel like on some level we just barely survived 2025. For everyone I’ve spoken with recently, it was a hard year. When things get too hard for me, I just shut down. Living with autoimmune illness (part of it thyroid) just saps your energy to begin with, so when I have to do more than my spoons allow, my body stops me. Having even one sick person at home, is enough to flare my immune system, so with four of them sick in succession, I’m done. A one hour nap becomes a two or three hour nap and I’m waking up wondering what the hell happened. The dogs are like personal alarm clocks, so I never sleep too long. I am so grateful for the slower pace for a week or two before the middle children go back to college for the semester and the mom-mobile rides again.
I had my bubbly with family to start out 2026 and at least for January, I’ll only be cooking with wine (or tequila). It’s a great time to focus on goals, gummy bears (or spiders), and health. We all have our vices and I’m tweaking mine to be a little healthier. With one diabetic and one pre-diabetic (the bloodwork came back) in the house it means more veggies, less quick carbs, and a higher protein intake (my diabetic is on the shot and losing muscle mass is not an option).
My almost middle child has insulin resistance. His bloodwork does not show diabetes or other issues, but a sensitivity to artificial sweeteners(check your liver enzymes if you drink diet soda & other diet beverages). I can’t drink them either for GI issues, so I just do flavored teas or juice and sparkling water, of course this would happen to the pickiest child on earth, the one that hasn’t touched fruit since he was born. It was easier to sneak vitamins into his food when he was younger, even if it means his pasta had pureed carrots, beets, and spinach in it, or desserts included pureed fruit. It’s a texture thing and he can’t stand it. I’ve been told people on the spectrum have strong aversions to certain foods, I’m seeing that, so I got a juicer. We’re going to try and make pulp-free homemade juices or he’s going to drink the green sludge in the morning with 100% of his daily everything in it. That’s all there is to it.
The soda junkie in him won’t go away easily so we’re back to mocktails (see how this works, lol). I have stockpiled seltzer in all kinds of flavors and fruit juices. It’s how I survived the diabetic diet for three pregnancies. One ounce of your favorite no sugar added juice and seven ounces of any seltzer and you’ve got a homemade soda, with usually no more than 5 grams carbohydrates (compared to 40 grams in a soda).
Tonight I’m drinking 1/2 ounce pomegranate juice, 1/2 ounce cranberry juice, and 7 ounces orange seltzer. We’ll see if the man-child likes it, too.
Since my Christmas book is out, and it’s a quick read spicy vampire book, I’m listing the recipe for a Mocktail Renfield below. Happy Dry January!
Mocktail Renfield-
3 ounces blood orange juice
1 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
4 ounces cold white tea or jasmine tea
gummy spider(or worm) for garnish
ice
Fill a tall or hurricane glass with ice. Add in juices, pour in cold tea, stir. if your man-sters are fussy like mine, skip the ice and use pulp-free orange juice. Garnish with gummy spider and serve. Enjoy!
Wishing you a great start to 2026, may it not be a dumpster fire!
edenfreed.com 