Old Favorite

maggie and millie and molly and may

maggie and millie and molly and may
went down to the beach (to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and

millie befriended a stranded star
who's rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea.

--E. E. Cummings (American poet 1894-1962)

Angel Wings

Aren't they gorgeous?

Almond Sand Dollars

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 large eggs
1 large egg, separated
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Sliced almonds

Preparation
Beat 1 cup softened butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating until well blended. Add 2 eggs and 1 egg yolk, beating until blended.

Combine flour and baking powder. Add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Shape dough into a ball, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour.

Roll dough to an 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; cut with a 3-inch round cutter.

Place on lightly greased, parchment paper-lined baking sheets; brush with lightly beaten egg white.

Stir together granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, and sprinkle evenly over cookies. Gently press 5 almond slices in a spoke design around center of each cookie.

Bake at 350° for 4 minutes; remove pan from oven, and gently press almonds into cookies again.

Bake 4 more minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool.

Gearing up for the holidays!

Looking for a good holiday read? Why not try North Pole Naughty, available from Ellora's Cave?
Coffee Time Romance gave it a 5-Cup Review!

"Steve is the mall Santa and quite a cutie under his beard and Santa costume. He is everything Liz wants, and so much more male than the man that left her.
Liz is confused why she keeps thinking about Steve. What if Rob comes back for her? Should she not at least wait to find out if Rob will come for her? But she cannot deny her attraction for Steve.

Steve does not know she is on the rebound, so he is confused to see her continue to run away when he knows she likes him just as much as he likes her. She thought she was in love, but the man that left her for Alaska did not see it as more than lust. Could she give Steve a chance without feeling guilty?

Filled with fun and sexual tension, this Christmas story was a sweet and sexy romance that was a perfect size for a lunch hour quickie. What a great way to warm up for the holidays. This was the perfect holiday treat."

-Missy,Reviewer for Coffee Times Romance

Recipe for Love

"Recipe For Love was a super hot, comical short tale that will have you glued to your seat and eagerly turning the pages until the very last words are read. I gobbled this wonderful novella up in one quick setting. I was constantly being flip-flopped between full-blown lustful images to moments that had me bowing over with laughter. Gabi’s Nonna was a hoot and a force to be reckoned with. She was definitely not your typical granny. The sexual encounters displayed in Recipe for Love were deliciously naughty and fun-loving. I really enjoyed reading this Valentine’s Day story and it certainly had me wishing for a sample the famous recipe." - Contessa, Fallen Angel Reviews

Key West Pasta

When we're here in Florida we often eat at a small restaurant nearby. I won't divulge the name of the place but the chef has seen us so often he comes out and talks to us almost every time we stop in. Mickey and I both love his pasta primavera. Last night I finagled the recipe out of him...more or less. You'll see what I mean when you read it. There are no measurements--just a handful of this and a pinch of that, he says. Adjust it to suit your own tastes, I guess. Anyhow, here's the best (if somewhat sketchy) pasta primavera recipe I know. Enjoy!

Pasta Primavera
green beans, trimmed
broccoli florets
asparagus slices
red bell pepper, chopped
olive oil
chopped onion
minced fresh garlic
pinch crushed red pepper
fresh green peas
pinch salt
chopped fresh basil
shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
pasta of your choice

*we've been eating fettucine*

Cook green veggies until just tender; drain. Heat oil in large skillet. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper and cook until soft. Add cooked vegetables, stir and then add herbs and spices. Serve over pasta. Add generous helping of cheese over top. Open a bottle of your favorite wine and enjoy!

Need a cooling off?

"North Pole Naughty is a story about relationships and endings and new beginnings. It delights the reader with its quick pace and erotic love scenes. Ms. Nash does a good job of relaying her story in the length allowed in quickies. I enjoyed the extras as much as the main characters and would love to see either Jean or Brenda have a story of their own. All and all, this is a fun read that can be enjoyed in a day." - Debbie, Gotta Write Reviews

China

Does anyone wonder what's going on there now? I saw where they are blowing up some of the lakes created by the quake so there is less threat of flooding. I can't help but wonder how all those homeless people are doing. Such a sad thing...

I

Renovation Woes

Yes! I'm still woeful about the renovation mess here! The man thinks it's all wonderfully fantastic to have power tools, dust and hammers around the place. Me? I think it pretty much stinks. I'm constantly tripping over tools and bits of sheetrock--don't ask! There was no sheetrock supposed to be involved in this renovation project but you know how that works. One day it's paint...the next day it's a new freaking wall.

Ahh!

I could just pack it in and head to Florida until Mickey and the crew are done. But who knows what I'd find when I got back?

Uh uh. I'm staying here so I can see what's going on. But until the renovation project is over, I'm gonna be complaining. Just warning you!

So what's going on in your world? Any dust involved? Sheetrock? Power tools?

Recipe for Love

"Recipe For Love was a super hot, comical short tale that will have you glued to your seat and eagerly turning the pages until the very last words are read. I gobbled this wonderful novella up in one quick setting. I was constantly being flip-flopped between full-blown lustful images to moments that had me bowing over with laughter. Gabi’s Nonna was a hoot and a force to be reckoned with. She was definitely not your typical granny. The sexual encounters displayed in Recipe for Love were deliciously naughty and fun-loving. I really enjoyed reading this Valentine’s Day story and it certainly had me wishing for a sample the famous recipe." - Contessa, Fallen Angel Reviews

Interviews

Last week I was asked to do an interview. I have to admit I declined. I'm just not really, really comfortable with giving interviews. I love it that other authors enjoy talking about themselves because I very much enjoy reading interviews. I just feel kind of weird talking about myself.

So, I took a pass on the interview. Maybe next time...but for now, I'm staying kind of quiet.

:-)

Holmes on Broadway

Katie Holmes Cruise is set to perform in the Broadway production of All My Sons. I'm hoping to get tickets to the show. It should be a hard one to get a seat for but I'm going to give it a go! I think Katie Holmes is a super actress, and I'm looking forward to having her play in the Big Apple. I'll bet a lot of others are, too!

Babysitting

All right, baby Kate is getting cuter by the day! I watched her last night so Mommy and Daddy could catch a movie (the new Indiana Jones, in case you're curious) and I think I had a better time than baby Kate did! It's not like she cried or anything, but really I laughed so much my sides hurt by the time her parents came home! This kid is sooooo sweet, just giggling and happy all the time. Is that normal? Are babies supposed to be that happy every minute?

And she didn't even poop. Not once. So I got off without having to chance any yukky diapers. Yay!

Shoes and swearing

I've been watching the Denise Richards show, It's Complicated. I've got to admit I'm enjoying it. I have to give credit to any woman who's had a rough time of it but seems determined to move forward. I hope it all works out for her.

And her kids are so cute! :)

The part of the show that makes me laugh out loud is that she and her dad have a little cuss-reducing pact going on...every time Denise swears she's got to choose a pair of (gorgeous! and very expensive!) shoes to donate to Goodwill.

I think I'd be finding my Mary Poppins mouth if I had to part with Prado, Jimmy Choos and all her other pricey footwear!