PitchWars

It's that time of year again. Yes, the holidays are here and so is PitchWars.

PitchWars, if you haven't heard, is a wonderful writer's contest where unagented authors get linked up with professional mentors to help them polish their manuscripts and get them ready for submission.

This is a wonderful way to work with other writers and create a community of like-minded people, who can share, celebrate and enjoy one anothers' progress.

And a huge THANK YOU needs to go out to Brenda Drake and all the mentors who are putting their time, energy and efforts into helping other writers work their way toward publication.

FROZEN - THE MOVIE

FROZEN

            It was a holiday weekend and one of our family traditions is to go to the movies over the holidays but it can be difficult to find a movie that everyone can agree on. Lucky for us, we all hold a soft spot in our hearts for Disney movies… especially animated films.

            So, we loaded up the car and headed off to the theater to watch FROZEN.

            This was a really-really good film. And one where the commercials and trailers didn't do it justice. One of the reasons is that the “Love Story” wasn’t your typical “girl loves prince” story. This was a love story that focused on family, which made me love it even more.

It also had a female lead role, Elsa, who was a strong character who chose to risk everything not to hurt other people, especially her little sister.

And, of course, the Scandinavian theme was a soft spot for me.

Plus the music was fun!

So, all in all, I would recommend this film==it is a holiday MUST SEE!

Give Thanks

The Holiday weekend is upon us. It's time to pull out the aprons, grab out the roasting pans, cookie sheets and pie pans. I'm excited to have everyone home for the holiday. There is nothing more important to me than spending time with my family.

I'll be baking and maybe blogging about the process along the way. But I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday with their family and friends. I hope you all have some great time feasting with your loved ones.

And remember to give thanks...

Holiday Hands

The holidays are upon us and I'm starting to get the house ready...oh yeah, and my hands. I'm practicing on my nails. These blue nails help the white snowflakes really pop.

But I'll be doing other decorations and trying out other designs.

How 'bout you? Do you do any special designs for the holidays.

Catching Fire

I read this book a few years ago but it is still fresh in my mind and heart, which made seeing the movie a fun experience even though the story is so dark and sadly depressing.

There are moments of hope, such as when the tributes sacrifice themselves for Katniss and Peeta. They are hoping to be a part of something bigger than the Hunger Games. The Tributes are trying to start a revolution. And they do. Together they work to change more than their own paths, they are changing the world.

It's a very sad movie in a lot of ways but also it brings out the strength in love, hope and helping others.

I highly recommend this movie.

If you see it, let me know what you think.

OFF TO THE SCBWI FALL RETREAT

I'm off to see the wizard(s) and wizardesses of words and writing at Silver Falls and hopefully learn a thing or two. Plus this will be a great time away from the city to spend time reading and writing and talking with other like-minded folk.

If you want to read more about it, click over here.

Nothing Says the Holidays

Like Egg Nog. Yep, you heard me. When I was young, Mom used to make homemade Egg Nog and I still remember sipping it warm off the oven. I'd make my own, cold version-sans alcohol, after New Year's rolled around because Mom only made it from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Hot Buttered Rum was a celebration drink.

And last night, after dinner, we all started talking about Nogs of different varieties. Some people like the thin, low-fat version, while others like the super rich and thick heavy cream variety.

I myself prefer the homemade version and it made me think back to when Mom made those mugs of Hot Buttered Rum.

One thing was obvious from all of our talk, we all had differing opinions. So, my son ran up to the store and bought a couple different types.

Now, we don't usually sit around downing rum and Egg Nog, but 'tis the season. So we did a few taste tests.

And guess which one came out the winner:

Yep, the Classic because it had more "spice" than the other version, which seemed a little watered (or 'milked') down.

But then I wanted to add the "Hot-Buttered" equation to the party.

So I took a cube of butter and one cup of brown sugar and warmed them on the oven. Then I took the Classic variety of Egg Nog and warmed it on the stove.

Here's how I doctored up that store-bought Nog:

I took Two Tablespoons of my hot buttered rum batter and put it in the bottom of a mug, then I poured a generous helping of the classic nog liquid over the top and stirred in a jigger of rum (a little less in my cup). Then we toasted the holidays.

So, if you want Hot Buttered Rum for Thanksgiving but don't want to go to all the work to make it completely from scratch, this is the way to do it.

RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS:

One half-gallon of classic Nog
1 cube of butter
1 cup of brown sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

Start with your store-bought "classic" Egg Nog and warm it slowly on the stove, stirring constantly.
Warm one cube of butter and one cup of brown sugar on the stove (until just before it turns to caramel) to make your Hot Buttered Rum Batter.

Take two tablespoons of your "batter", put it in a mug and pour the warmed classic egg nog over the top, then add your portion of rum  to the drink for a warm, comforting, celebration drink.

CHEERS!