Autumn in the Forest

Autumn in the Forest

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Winter Hopes

As we move out of autumn, I find myself in a region of the country that has been dry for several winters, despite promises of snow. This winter, I am hoping for that to change.

Not only is snow one of my favorite things, but I am about to begin work on my fourth novel, "Season of Fire and Ice," and it would be GREAT to have some actual inspiration. Yes, that's right. I'm hoping for snow. I hope to be buried in three feet of the fluffy stuff all winter long. I want to call down the heavens to unleash their fury on the Ozarks, pounding us with blizzard after blizzard, three inches of solid ice on the roads all winter long...

I am not a lucky person, so there is no chance this would ever happen, but if you have a heart at all, you might wish for one good winter storm to inspire this author while she's writing her book.










Posted by at 2 comments:

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Fruit 'n Nut Bread

Maple, Evershade's ornery head baker mouse, is famous for shaking her wooden spoon at anyone who riles her. But perhaps more famous than her cantankerous nature is her most prized baked item--her fruit 'n nut bread. This recipe calls for whatever fruit is in season, or dried fruit if necessary, and is baked with robust black walnut pieces in every loaf. If the Vaults are not running low on honey, this flavorful bread is served with whipped honey butter, a heavenly spread that melts in your mouth.

This time of year, Maple is baking apple fruit 'n nut bread, a favorite for many Keepers. Good smells of every sort waft from her bakery, just as they do in most of our homes this Thanksgiving.

As you close your eyes and savor the delicious aromas, please send a few good thoughts into the world for those who might spend this year alone or without the ones they love most. You are among the fortunate if you have a fine meal and loving and/or colorful family members to make memories with. Perhaps this is the year you share your meal with the neighbor whose wife passed, or the young college student far from home.

However you spend your holiday, I hope it is a pleasant time for you and yours.

Happy Harvest!

 



Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

"Season of Storms"

Black walnut season is over in the Ozarks, and I have just finished writing my third novel, "Season of Storms," the third book in the Evershade series.

I have had a tumultuous couple of years personally, but I have drawn on some of those experiences and inserted them--or the lessons I've learned--into my writing. A few of the storms in this book were based on actual storms we experienced in 2017, and if I have my way, we'll get a ton of snow this winter so that I can be inspired for my fourth novel, "Season of Fire and Ice."

Whatever your circumstances are, try pulling on them to rocket you into a better situation, a higher plane of existence. Allow the difficulties--the storms--to strengthen you rather than tear you down.

As the year draws to a close, I sincerely hope that both of you who actually read my blog find new ways to handle the challenges in your life and use them to propel you forward into happier, more fulfilling lives. Find your path...and enjoy the journey.

 








Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)