Have a Safe and Scary Halloween

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Anne

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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High Country Hideout

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Last hope or second chance? 

Ranching was Angus Ketchum’s first love—until his last tour of duty shattered that dream. The wounded ex-soldier gets his second chance when he’s recruited to go undercover to protect a widowed ranch owner. But from the moment he meets Reggie Davis, Angus can tell holding on to her land and keeping her young son safe is taking its toll. Especially when someone threatens her livelihood and her life. As the attacks escalate, Angus must rely on his combat skills to keep Reggie and her boy alive. And he must rely on his commitment to the mission to keep their powerful attraction in check.

 

 

 

Bon Appetit and a Book

Elle James

 

High Country Hideout is based in the Colorado Rockies in the winter time. Normally I would say a hearty beef stew would be in order. But as I’m writing, I’m craving one of my favorite recipes I only cook in the cooler months. Cheese Soup! When you cook this, don’t be alarmed at the amount it makes. It’s even better as leftovers. And be sure to make garlic bread sticks to tip into the thick soup. You can’t go wrong. Use a large stock pot and prepare to enjoy a wonderful meal while you sit back and read an exciting story.

 

Cheese Soup 

Melt: 1 stick butter

Add:

6 small onions (scallions) chopped

4 stalks celery, chopped

3 carrots, grated

Sauté until tender on low heat

 

Add:

48 oz chicken broth

Cover and simmer for 45 minutes

 

Add:

65 oz potato soup (you can buy cans of this)

½ lb Mexican Velveeta

½ lb grated longhorn cheese (or sharp cheddar)

½ tsp parsley

1/8 tsp pepper

2 Cups Sour Cream

 

Simmer for 15 minutes after adding sour cream. DO NOT BOIL!

Stir constantly to avoid scorching soup to the bottom of the pan.

 

Anne

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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The Professional

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Her sexy neighbor turns savior in this next Dangerous in Dallas romance! 

Despite her job as a wedding planner, Violet Richardson doesn’t believe a happy-ever-after is in her future. And when she’s kidnapped by a killer, she’s surprised that rescue comes in the form of her tempting yet irritating neighbor Max Baldwin.

Trying to forget his dark past, Max never meant to take on his attractive neighbor’s troubles. But now the bickering pair must outrun a thug who’s determined to get his hands on mysterious jewels he thinks are in Violet’s possession. And as they race for their lives through Dallas’s summer heat, Max and Violet may finally open their eyes to the burning passion they share.

 

 

Thanks so much for having me today on the blog! I love talking books and I love talking food so I figure today’s sort of my idea of blog heaven.

So a few things to know about me. I love to eat. You’ve got a serious foodie here and there’s very little I won’t try or don’t enjoy. I also think that food is a wonderful way to spend time. There’s an intimacy that builds when you eat with someone and whether it’s family or old friends or the process of getting to know someone new, food has a wonderful ability to bring us together.

I think that’s why romance writers blend food scenes so often into their books. When you’re writing a story about two people and the increasing intimacy between them, time spent getting to know each over a meal is an essential way to do that.

Now, while I will admit to being somewhat better at actually eating my food than cooking it, I do have a few dishes that are my specialty. I often default to what I call “Oven Fried Chicken” as a place to start. It’s pretty much universally enjoyed and it’s easy to make before everyone arrives and then pull out of the oven to enjoy with a few quick sides. You can easily manage hostess duties and cooking duties and make it look effortless!

 

OVEN FRIED CHICKEN

[One quick note – chicken thighs actually work best with the recipe, either bone in or deboned. Breasts work well, too, but if you use them you definitely want to pound them a bit and/or do them as chicken strips to let them get juicy all the way through while they cook.]

  • 1-3 pounds of chicken pending party size (estimate about a pound to every 3 people)
  • Bread crumbs
  • Mayo
  • Cooking spray for cookie sheet

1 – Clean the chicken of any extra fat and coat in a layer of mayo, then a layer of breadcrumbs. Make sure the pieces are well-coated for cooking (and for yummy deliciousness while eating)

2 – After coating with the mayo and breadcrumbs, place close together on a greased cookie sheet

3 – Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes, then turn each piece, cooking another 20-25 minutes.

[Note – if you’re making bone-in pieces, cooking time is more 25-30 minutes per side. If it’s boneless, 20-25 should do it.]

And there you have it. Easy prep, easy clean up and a delicious meal everyone will love. These also make outstanding leftovers so don’t hesitate to make a little extra and enjoy for a few more days or as pieces to cut up on salads.

 

While I haven’t incorporated Oven Fried Chicken into any of my books yet, I definitely think this is the sort of first meal my heroine, Violet, would cook for my hero, Max. Max is a big man – salt of the earth and ex-military – and he’s the sort to enjoy home cooking and hearty sides in equal measure. Their adventures take center stage in my October release, THE PROFESSIONAL, out in early October.

Thanks so much for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

 

 

 

Bio:

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and – thankfully – doesn’t have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest book, THE PROFESSIONAL, will be out in October from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

 

 

Anne

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” Halloween Activity Sheets

 

 

As you get ready for treats – no tricks, we have these really “ghoul” activity sheets to share with you in honor of Halloween, which is quickly creeping up to tie in with Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out arriving on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray Combo Pack and On-Demand November 3rd (now available in Disney Movies Anywhere and Digital HD)! These fun activity sheets include: adorable and affordable DIY character costumes, DIY Bing Bong candy bags, character pumpkin carving sheets and signs for all your Halloween festivities!

 

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Click here to to view and print out the Halloween Inside Out activity sheets.

Check out the Trailer: 

 

 

Marijean

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

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Operation Christmas Child

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Deliver Good News and Great Joy to Boys and Girls Around the World

Every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism discipleship- transforming the lives of children and their families around the world.

That’s what happens through Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse that delivers gift-filled shoeboxes  to millions of children who have little or nothing.
Each shoebox is individually packed by someone like you, filled with stuffed animals, balls, small toys, school supplies, and other fun items.

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After receiving shoebox gifts, many children are invited to participate in The Greatest Journey, the 12-lesson discipleship program developed by Samaritan’s Purse where they learn how to faithfully follow Christ and share the Gospel with others.
If you have a heart for children and a passion for prayer, I encourage you to get involved in Operation Christmas Child. Learn how to pack a shoebox and where to drop it off during our National Collection Week, November 16-23.

Here are some suggestions of what to put in the box:

Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as toy cars, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.

School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

Non-liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, etc.

Accessories: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.

Crafts: Make your own items such as hair bows, finger puppets, and friendship bracelets.

A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may be able to write back.

Here are some drop off location in the Jacksonville area:

Jacksonville, FL – Kernan Boulevard Baptist Church
Jacksonville, FL – Crown Point Baptist Church
Saint Augustine, FL – Village Church Youth Center
Saint Johns, FL – Fruit Cove Baptist Church
Fleming Island, FL – Hibernia Baptist Church
Jacksonville, FL – North Jacksonville Baptist Church

Marijean

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

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