Wednesday's Chow - Apple Nut Cake

From my September Recipe Extravaganza contest comes this recipe from Tam…looks like a great autumn/winter dessert. Tam receives a prize since I used her recipe – a Betty Crocker 20-Minute Meals booklet. It has over 20 easy, delicious recipes.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Starting on December 1st, I’m going to post a cookie, candy or other dessert recipe every day, something akin to the Cookie Extravaganza e-mails I sent out a few years back. Periodically, I’ll draw winners from those who post a comment. So stop by for some tasty holiday recipes and some fab prizes!

Aunt Ruby’s Apple Nut Cake

(Mix together and set aside)

1 ¼ cup oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs

(Mix together and add to oil, eggs, sugar mixture)

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

(Add)

2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups diced apples (***GRANNIE SMITH!!!!***)
1 – 1 ½ cups walnuts

Pour into two loaf pans (about 4 X 8) and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
http://www.aklanier.com/
http://annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/

Presenteeism ~the gift that you didn’t ask for but can’t find a way to return ~

As the holiday season is upon us, besides being labeled as the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also the onslaught of cold and flu season. Despite being ill, many people continue to come to work. This is often due to feelings of job insecurity or lack of paid sick leave.

What is Presenteeism? Sadly, it’s not a present. Unless you consider bestowing your presence at work a gift to others. Presenteeism is the complement of absenteeism. You’re at work~ but not fully engaged due to personal and life issue distractions.

These distractions could be your own sickness or concerns about other family or friend’s health or wellbeing. Or focusing on things you think you ‘should be doing’ rather than work. All resulting in limited productivity.

To combat presenteeism due to illness, the best medicine is prevention. Taking care of your health by ensuring you’re getting enough rest, eating healthy and exercising. Or taking off time when your body needs it. Remember that you can’t take care of your loved ones or prepare for the holidays if you aren’t caring for yourself.

Although my heroine, Celeste, from That Magic Moment encounters other issues with being present in the moment. As a witch and a healer, she’s not bothered with the pesky illnesses that we mortals endure. Instead she’s distracted by a gorgeous man. Something most would welcome over a cold or flu. So why is she so bothered? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out. As a Faery Rosette from The Wild Rose Press, it’s the perfect length to fit in between naps if you’re catching up on rest, or to provide sweet dreams before bedtime.

The gift I wish for all of you is that of good health, joyous holidays and blissful escapes into the world that exists within the pages of a good story.

Also the gift I'll provide today is that of a five dollar Starbucks gift card and a copy of THAT MAGIC MOMENT to a randomly chosen commenter today.


Visit me at:
http://maureensmuse.blogspot.com/
myspace.com/mbonatch

Or to purchase my Faery Rosette That Magic Moment visit the Wild Rose Press at:
www.thewildpress.com

The Friday Record - Tabitha Brown

I think we often imagine those who crossed the plains on foot and in covered wagons during the great migration in the 19th Century as young and adventurous. But the truth is, not all of them were young. One woman who braved the elements and the grueling crossing was Tabitha Brown. At the age of sixty-six, she joined her son, daughter and their families on the journey to Oregon. And, she was joined by her seventy-seven year old brother-in-law, retired ship’s captain, John Brown. Tabitha not only survived a journey fraught with danger, thirst and near starvation; she went on to become “The Mother of Oregon.”

In April 1846 Tabitha and two of her three children left Missouri for Oregon. It was a 2,000 mile trip that would take nine months through bleak deserts, across swollen streams and over snow-capped mountains.

Tabitha, Capt. Brown and her daughter and son-in-law, Pherne and Virgil Pringle, listened to a “rascally fellow who came out from the settlement of Oregon,” and assured the party that he knew a shortcut to the Willamette Valley (pg 52). It would get them to the valley sooner than those taking the more established and well-known Columbia River valley trail. Too late they realized their mistake.

The trail was not suited for covered wagon and oxen. It was nothing more than a walking path, with the road often needing to be cut while the party waited and used up its meager resources.
When the party reached the Umpqua Mountains, they had to travel through a twelve mile canyon. Very few of the parties’ wagons made it through intact. The canyon was “strewn with dead cattle, broken wagons, beds, clothing, and everything but provisions of which we were nearly destitute,” Tabitha wrote, (pg. 52).

To make matters worse, while in the canyon Capt. Brown became ill. “Their food was gone and their few remaining cattle were so weak they could not move on without rest,” (pg 49). Tabitha was encouraged to leave her daughter’s wagon train with Capt. Brown in the hopes that they would catch up to the train in front. After a harrowing night spent huddled in a tent, praying the wild animals wouldn’t eat them, the couple was found by “one of the emigrants that I was trying overtake,” (pg. 50). He was hunting deer and took the exhausted and starving couple to his wagon train, where they were fed venison.

Capt. Brown and Tabitha travelled with this train until they came to the foot of another mountain range, one in which a road had to be cut. It was while waiting for this to happen that her daughter’s train caught up with them. The family was near starved. Then winter set in.
They attempted to cross the mountain range, often only travelling one or two miles a day. In a week, their food was gone. Virgil Pringle left the stranded party to reach help. No one knew if he’d make it or not. It might well be the last time any of them were seen alive.

Tabitha’s son, Orus, who started the trip with his mother and sister, had traveled the Columbia River trail and had already arrived in Oregon. He heard tales of the Applgegate Trail (as it would later become known as) trials and concerned for his mother and sister, he set out with “four packhorses with provisions” to find them, (pg. 53).

Shortly, Orus and Virgil met up and Virgil led his brother-in-law back to the stranded travelers. Tabitha related the arrival in a letter,

“We had all retired to rest in our tents, hoping to forget our troubles until daylight should remind us of our sad fate. In the gloomy stillness of the night, hoofbeats of horses were heard rushing to our tents—directly a halloo—it was the well-known voice of Orus and Virgil; who can realize the joy?” (pg. 53)

Pushing forward, the travelers finally arrived in the Willamette Valley. “On Christmas Day 1846, Tabitha entered a house for the first time in nine months,” (pg 54). The owner of the house, a Methodist minister, traded housekeeping services for room and board for Tabitha and Capt. Brown.

Tabitha soon wanted to do more for the orphans whose parents had died on the overland trails. She realized that they, as well as the Native American children in the area, needed a home. With the help of missionaries and neighbors, she established Tualatin Academy in an old meeting house where she could “receive all poor children and be a mother to them,” (pg 54).

As her charges grew up, the trustees realized the children needed a place to a place of higher education. With land donated by The Reverend Harvey Clark, Pacific University was established, a university still in existence.

And remember, Tabitha was sixty-six when she started this journey. What do still want to accomplish in your life?

I have written on Tabitha Brown before, and you can find more information about this harrowing journey here. Leave a comment to be elegible for my monthly drawing (For my monthly blog prize, one lucky winner will receive a DVD of GHOST starring Patrick Swazye and Demi Moore.)

Today’s information was gleaned from HEART OF THE TRAIL: The Stories of Eight Wagon Train Women, by Mary Barmeyer O’Brien.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
http://www.aklanier.com/

I'm over at Seduced by History today. Stop and leave a comment on my blog about what women faced when they made the Westward journey via wagon trains. Leave a comment for a chance to win Suzanne Enoch's book BEFORE THE SCANDAL.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
www.aklanier.com

Wednesday's Chow - Pork Chop Bake

Here's a filling, easy one-dish recipe for those harried days about to descend upon us as we get ready for the holiday season. Once again, this recipe comes from the family recipe book my mother-in-law put together a few years back. My father-in-law put it on a CD and they gave it all the family members. This idea makes a great Christmas or wedding gift.

Pork Chop Bake

6 pork chops*
Just enough oil to keep from sticking
Seasoned salt
1 can cream of celery
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 pkg. (hash brown potatoes)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can french fried onions

Brown pork chops in oil. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and set aside. Combine soup, milk, sour cream, pepper and 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt. Stir in potatoes, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 can onions. Spoon mixture into 9x13'' pan or baking dish. Arrange pork chops over potatoes. Bake covered 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and onions, bake uncovered for 5 more minutes.

*Can use chicken breasts instead of pork chops.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
Where Tumbleweeds Hang Their Hats
www.aklanier.com
http://annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/

What's in a Pow Wow?

As he paces, turning, then plodding onward around the encouraging drum beat pulsing at the center of the dance arena, he searches the blue sky for something...



Saturday, I ventured out beneath the bright sun to a Pow wow because I've been teaching my 4-year old all about Native Americans. She was dying to go, to see the dancing, and to buy a Pocahontas outfit.... Kids!

As an anthropologist, I'm always surprised at what I expect and actually see. Then, I'm always stunned at what irritates me and entertains others. That said, I called my sister-in-law whose sister-in-law is Lakota. They met when my sister-in-law (Irish American) moved to the reservation when her mother became the reservation social worker. My sister-in-law attended reservation school and has attended 100s of pow wows. She reassured me that my grumbles were about things she had never witnessed. But she grew up in South Dakota. I'm in Texas. Grant it, the pow wow circuit spans the US like the rodeo circuit and had made me worry that the pebble in my shoe was just tourist-trap garbage. So, I was happy to hear my grumbles were a one-time fluke. For anyone who is interested, there is much to glean from a trip to a pow wow. That is aside from fry bread, Indian tacos, handmade dance ecoutrements, Native-American reference books (my favorite), Native-American music & movies (I'm a music and documentary junkie), and interesting art--not what I'd expect as traditional Native-American art but very very unique. So, I'm going to share an anthropologist's perspective on the event with you.

The dance event followed what I read online. The opening and recognition of veterans was standard. I was disappointed in all the praying to God. I expected something a little more "Native American" and felt the praying to God was to boost audience sympathies for monetary donations (I have no problem with donating money to the cause) or to reassure the audience that Native Americans weren't against the Christian society they operated within. Understanding what is happening in this country with the fear of muslims, I understand why they never said Great Spirit or Creator. Or something deep down inside of me--that same conservative impulse that drove my life-long interest in Native Americans--just wanted reassurance that these cultures still existed. Not in a vacuum, mind you. Anthropologists see value and significance in all cultures. But, hey, I realize most people aren't packing my sensitivity to terminology or love of the incredible cultural diversity of humans. With my bias declared, I can safely attempt to stop boring the masses... Here come the pictures!

I loved, loved, loved the adult male costumes. I found myself watching the guy with a turkey headdress walk and hunt like our fine feathered friend. Yes, he strutted and cocked his head around like a turkey. But the *&^%$#!~ orange netting blocking the dance area from the bleachers kept obstructing/ruining my photographed memories of the guy's footwear. Since I know little about the turkey guy's costume, I decided to google "pow wow turkey dancer". Nothing. :( However, I found other links I'll leave for your enjoyment. Click on hyperlinks! ;)

LADIES FIRST...


This young lady made a point to cross the dance arena and begin her dance in front of the judges. The intricate beadwork on her buckskin outfit and the way she painstakingly paced her way around the arena as if she searched for something showed she proudly danced. We didn't stay to see who won. But she seemed quite pleased when returning to sit on the bench below us...



BUCKSKIN DANCER -- he was always searching the ground as if hunting for scat or tracks like the guy I call "Turkey Dancer"...



FEATHER DANCERS -- at a greater distance to view leg wear...


MALE HEADDRESSES



FEATHER DANCERS -- here are some views of bustles...



TURKEY DANCER (?) -- here you can see his headdress and the back of his outfit...


TURKEY DANCER (?) -- somewhat frontal view of breastplate, etc.


TURKEY DANCER (?) -- best view of his leg wear... Note the bells at his knees. He's wearing buckskin and bells. So, I have no idea if he's a jingle dancer or buckskin dancer... Does anyone know? I'd like to know more about this figure in the greater workings of the pow wow and what he represents in cultural context.


That's enough or this post will run on forever. I've always been a huge fan of Native-American cultures. That's what drove me to study anthropology in graduate school. My novel, FORBIDDEN ETERNITY, is a paranormal romance with a shape-shifting shaman hero... It's not your traditional time-travel, Celtic, or Native-American tale. But if you like Druids, shaman, fairies, large cats, and kilts, you just might fall in love on an astral plain while reading FORBIDDEN ETERNITY. In both print or e-format.

Dare to walk in their footsteps...

"FORBIDDEN ETERNITY ... spine-tingling suspense. The story is dynamite; it explodes off the pages and leaves you breathless for more." ~Tulip, LASR

"... a unique blend of mystic Medieval Gothic and romance…and a true blood-curdling thriller." THE SPELL OF THE KILLING MOON ~Snapdragon, LASR

"Arthur is a masterpiece..." HE OF THE FIERY SWORD's King Arthur ~Diane Mason; The Romance Studio

Skhye's Website
Skhye's Blog (about reference books, writing, and contests)

Thanks for having me over, Anna K.! ~Skhye

Wednesday's Chow - Armenian Rice

Happy Veteran's Day. As the daughter of a 21-year Air Force Airman, I am more than a little prideful of this day. Our local school district doesn't close for the day, but each school holds a ceremony, which I think is even better. I subbed at the high school on Tuesday, and reminded them that today was Veteran's Day and then asked these 10th and 11th graders why it was held on November 11th. None of them knew, so that particular computer class (last period of the day) got a civics lesson.

(Ethan and Emma at their Great-Grandpa Sager's grave - Port Hudson National Cemetary, Louisiana)

So, I'll hold a drawing today with the names of those who can tell me why the U.S. holds Veteran's Day today. You could win a "Smart Women Read Romance" t-shirt.

In the meantime, here's the Wednesday's Chow recipe, courtesy of Judy, who posted this during my September recipe extravaganza contest, so wins an edition prize: Betty Crocker's 20-Minute Meals booklet. Congrats.



Armenian Rice

1 can beef broth
1 can beef consomme
1 can water
1 heaping cup raw rice
1 stick butter or margarine
1/2 green pepper, chopped fine
1/2 to 1 medium onion chopped fine

Sautee pepper and onion in butter.
Mix all ingredients in dish and bake at 350 degrees until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed. I've found the amount of time depends on the oven! You can cut the amount of water you use and cover the dish if you think it will cook better in your oven.

This is a nice side dish for ham.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
http://www.aklanier.com/

I Have Arrived....or....Have I?

Hello There!

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Pamela S Thibodeaux and Anna has graciously extended me an ivitation to visit with you today.

When I began writing more than twenty-five years ago, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. All I knew was I’d been disappointed one-too-many times. Based on what I read I figured it couldn’t be hard. I can do better than this!

With the niavette of the uninformed, I figured all I had to do was write a good story and BAM! I’d be published. So I did. I poured my heart out in page after page of five-subject notebooks. By the time I’d filled several and started researching how to get published, I found out the manuscript had to be typed!

I didn’t own a typewriter nor could I afford to rent one. Then came the blessed day I purchased a used word processor. Just when I thought I’d be able to really embark on the glamorous journey, submissions became electronic!

I’d put off buying a computer for lots of reasons, the main one ~ all I do is write. After getting connected, I figured the voyage to being in print was just an email away. Wrong again.

My first novel was accepted as an Ebook, my first short story in an Ezine. What’s with this E-industry? I wanted to hold a book in my hands – after all, being Epublished isn’t really published. That’s what ‘they’ say (anyone ever figure out who ‘they’ are?).

In my article on Success, I make a statement…as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so is success. It is, in and of itself, success.

In addition to numerous articles and essays, poems and devotions, I now have 5 published novels (4 part Tempered series & The Inheritance) available in ebook and print as well as 5 short stories available for readers. This year I signed my un-contracted work with a Literary Agent. Guess this means I’ve finally arrived……or Have I?

We all have our own definition of success, our own idea of what it means to ‘arrive.’ I’ll arrive when I can make a living doing what I love most – bring glory to God through my writing.

When will you know you have ‘arrived’? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this but please remember, I work full-time so I won’t be around much to chat – I will however, drop by this evening to answer your comments.

Until later…. Be Blessed!

Bio: Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder of Bayou Writers Group and a member of White Roses in Bloom Authors. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” (TM) and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com
Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com
WRIB Blog: http://whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com