Friday Food for Thought—Trick or Treat

Happy Hallowe'en!

No recipes today. Instead, I’m reminiscing about the treats I remember getting as a child. I grew up in a rural community and everyone knew everyone else, so there was a real social component to trick or treating. And that was long before any concerns about treats being tampered with, so lots of people still handed out homemade goodies. Remember those days?

* candied apples on a stick
* homemade cookies
* popcorn balls wrapped in waxed paper
* Rice Krispie treats
* peanut brittle
* full-sized chocolate bars and bags of potato chips
* Kraft caramels by the handful

Yum! What were your favorites?

Until next time,
Lee

More on Cowboys and Coyotes

Remember my post—Of Cowboys and Coyotes—a couple of months ago?

Okay, so here’s the latest. Shreve Stockton at The Daily Coyote is selling 2009 calendars. The coyote calendar showcases some of her wonderful shots of Charlie, the coyote. But the cowboy calendar . . . oh, my.

Do we care that we don’t get to see MC’s face?

Not. A. Chance.

Actually, I think I might be just the teensiest bit in love with that cowboy. The coyote, too. Of course. But mostly the cowboy.

In my previous post, I told you that Shreve’s photographs of MC had given me an idea for a romance novel.

It'll be called Sleepless in Wyoming.

Until next time,
Lee

Tuesday News—Harlequin American Romance Authors’ Blog

For the past two months, the Harlequin American Romance Authors have been celebrating the line’s 25th anniversary. We’ve had some wonderful guest bloggers, including Kathleen Scheibling and Johanna Raisanen, the editors for the line.

This week we wrap up the party with interviews with two very special authors.

Thursday, October 30
Ginger Chambers

Friday, October 31
Anne Stuart

I’m currently reading The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes, a wonderful collaboration by Jennifer Cruise, Eileen Dreyer and Anne Stuart. Such a fun read, and the writing is as yummy as it gets.

Be sure to check out Ginger’s and Anne’s blogs this week!

Until next time,
Lee

This Week with the Wet Noodle Posse

This week the Wet Noodle Posse wraps up Golden Heart month. Here’s what you can look forward to.

Monday: Get to Know Your Characters with Priscilla Kissinger

Tuesday: Noodlers Reminisce About Their First Entry (facilitated by Terry McLaughlin)

Wednesday: Guest blogger Robin Kaye

Thursday: Does Accuracy Count?

Friday: Q&A Day

Happy writing!
Until next time,
Lee

Friday Food for Thought—Pumpkin Cheesecake

You heard me. Cheesecake! I’ve never met a cheesecake I didn’t like, and I especially love this one.

But before we get to that, today on the Harlequin American Romance Authors' blog I'm reminiscing about my kids' Hallowe'en costumes over the years. I hope you'll drop by and say hello!

Okay, back to the cheesecake.

Crust:
3/4 cup chocolate wafer crumbs
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
3 eggs (at room temperature)
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 pounds cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon corn starch

Combine the ingredients for the crust and press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Mix pumpkin, eggs, brown sugar and spices. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and corn starch. Stir in the pumpkin mixture and pour over the crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes, until the center is set.

Run a sharp knife around the inside of the pan as soon as the cheesecake is removed from the oven. Cool at room temperature, then cover and refrigerate overnight.

Before serving, drizzle with two squares of melted semi-sweet chocolate. A few chopped pecans a dollop of whipped cream also make a great garnish. Or try all three! And enjoy!

Until next time,
Lee

Tuesday News—Blogging with the Harlequin American Romance Authors

This Friday, October 24 I’ll be posting some Hallowe’en fun on the Harlequin American Romance Authors’ blog. If you drop by and post a comment, you’ll be eligible to win autographed books.

And in case you missed her, the amazing Debbie Macomber was our guest blogger yesterday. Here’s the link to her very inspiring post.

Happy reading!

Until next time,
Lee

This Week with the Wet Noodle Posse

It’s still Golden Heart month over at the Wet Noodle Posse. If you’re a writer, be sure to drop by for some helpful advice on entering this prestigious contest sponsored by Romance Writers of America. Here's what's happening this week.

Monday: Theresa Ragan—Nothing to Lose Except Money

Tuesday: Esri Rose—Making the Golden Heart a Priority

Wednesday: Delle Jacobs—Shine on the First Page

Thursday: Noodlers Reminisce About Their First Entry

Friday: Q& A—Readers Ask, Noodlers Answer

Happy writing! Happy reading!

Until next time,
Lee