Wednesday's Chow - Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup

It’s just around the corner….the Brenda Novak 2013 Annual Auction for the Cure of Diabetes.  Brenda’s annual auction runs May 1-31.  So far, there are over 800 items up for auction, with more to come.  Here’s another recipe from a cookbook from my “Calling All Cooks,” basket, Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup.

Calling all Cooks

The winner of this auction will win a box full of cookbooks.

Christmas Cookies

1001 Fast Easy Recipes

Cake Pops, Brownies and More

Fun Summer Recipes

Freezer Meals

Slow Cooker Recipes

And more…..

Here’s a recipe I tried from Slow Cooker Recipes. My family really enjoyed it.

Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

12 fresh baby carrots, cut up into ½-inch pieces

4 celery ribs, cut into ½-inch pieces

¾ cup finely chopped onion

1 tbls minced fresh parsley

½ tsp pepper

¼ tsp cayenne pepper*

1 ½ tsp mustard seed

2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved

1 ¼ pound boneless skinless chicken thighs

4 cans (14 ½-oz each) chicken broth

1 package (9-oz) refrigerated linguine

Directions:

In a 5-qt slow cooker, combine the first six ingredients. Place mustard seed and garlic in a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of the cloth and tie with kitchen string to form a bag.**  Place in slow cooker.  Add chicken and broth.  Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until meat is tender.

Discard spice bag.  Remove chicken; cool slightly. Stir linguine into soup; cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until tender. Cut chicken into pieces and return to soup; heat through.

*I put in this amount of cayenne but will not do so in the future…my family found it hot (and if they find it hot, it’s hot!) But aside from that, it was really good. My suggestion is to cut back to 1/8 a tsp or to leave it out if you don’t like spicy.

**Okay, when it came time to make the soup, I could not find the mustard seeds I know I had at one time…I think they got tossed when the spice cabinet was cleaned out.  Anyway, I left the mustard seed out and just added the garlic to the soup. It was still good.  But I plan to use mustard seed the next time I make it. 

Anna Kathryn Lanier

www.aklanier.com http://annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/ 

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. ~Doug Ivester 

Inquiring Minds Want to Know - Who would you be?

I stol---er, borrowed this question from cover model Jimmy Thomas, who posted it on his Facebook page a few weeks ago.  I loved the question and decided I'd use it on my Inquiring Minds Want to Know segment.

So, f you could be a character in a book, who would you be and why?

Jimmy and me.....

Northwest Houston RWA

Workshop, Feb. 2013

And to answer the question, I'd like to be Elizabeth Bennett from "Pride and Prejudice."  I love the story and believe it would interesting to live her life.  Of course, it would a whole lot better if Mr. Darcy looked a lot like Colin Firth (or Jimmy Thomas...that wouldn't be so bad either, lol).

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

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. ~Doug Ivester 

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

As some of my cyber buddies know, today I finally did it!  I booked my flight and hotel for my June/July trip to Australia.  It is a place I've always wanted to visit, but now I have a good friend, author Skhye Moncrief, living there and she has invited me to come visit.  So I am.  

This bring me to this week's Inquiring Minds Want to Know question - What one place would you like to visit?

Anna Kathryn

Wednesday's Chow - Salsa Corn Soup with Chicken

I belong to a great group of writers, Sweethearts of the West.  As the title indicates, we all write stories (historical and contemporary) set in the West.  This year, we are sponsoring a category in the Brenda Novak 2013 Annual Auction for the Cure of Diabetes that includes a children’s basket, Romancing the West basket, critiques, an ebook, and more.  Brenda’s annual auction runs May 1-31.  So far, there are over 800 items up for auction.  I’m donating several items to the auction, including a Tex-Mex Cookbook basket in the Sweethearts category.

Win a boxful of cookbooks with a southwest/southern twist. Includes:

Tex-Mex Recipes

Texas Morning Glory (Bed and Breakfast recipes)

True Gist: Buckwheat and Cornmeal Recipes

A Taste of Texas

Dolly Parton’s Tennessee Mountain Cooking

Cookbook for a Cause

POPS: Icy Treat for Everyone (to cool your mouth after all that Tex-Mex food)

For this week’s Wednesday’s Chow, I’m sharing a recipe from TEX-MEX RECIPES.

Salsa Corn Soup with Chicken

Ingredients:

3 quarts chicken broth

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced

2 (10-oz) packages frozen whole kernel corn, thawed

4 (11-oz) jars of Salsa

4 large carrots, diced

One lime

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, bring chicken broth to a boil.  Add chicken, corn, salsa and carrots.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender.

Serve with lime wedges for squirting on soup.

http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/

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

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. ~Doug Ivester 

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

So, going along with last week's question about your favorite writing craft book, when you started out writing, did you later learn something you wished you knew from the beginning?  I know I sure wish I knew how not to head hop...how to format a manuscript....how to write a query letter....how not to just send in a manuscript cold.....

So, what’s your number one advice to a new writer?

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

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. ~Doug Ivester 

Very Inspiring Blogger

Thank you, Paty Jager, historical and contemporary western romance author, for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award!

Here are the rules:

• Display the award logo on your blog.
• Link back to the person who nominated you.
• State 7 things about yourself.
• Nominate other bloggers (the number seems to vary) and link back to them.

Seven Things about myself:

1) I was an exchange student to Finland between my junior and senior years of high school.

2) I have lived in eight states, one U.S. territory and one foreign country (Finland).

3) I hate dusting and only do it about twice a year, when it should be done weekly!

4) I was a girl scout leader for 13 years and loved it.

5) I wrote my first novel while a 9th grader.

6) My first books were written in long-hand in spiral notebooks. 

7) I love Zumba!

I'm nominating:

Ginger Simpson

AnneMarie Novark 

Write by Bethany 

Skhye Moncrief

Kristi Ahlers

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

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. ~Doug Ivester 

Fascinating Women in History

In case you missed it, March is Women’s History Month, the month we should learn about the women in history who have made their mark in the world.  Over the several years on the various blogs I’ve posted on, I have discussed many different women.  I thought I’d share some of the links to those blogs with you.

Happy reading (and learning).

Elizabeth Dumont,  Lady Gambler

Avis and Effie Hotchkiss, Motorcycle Mamas 

Empress Theodora of Byzantine

Lady Murasaki Shikiba, World’s first novelist

Trotula, Medieval Medical Doctor

Wu Zetain, Sacred and Divine Empress of China

Dr. Susan Anderson, Frontier Doctor

Artemisia Gentileschi, Medieval Painter

Wednesday's Chow - Best Cauliflower

While cauliflower is not a vegetable most people eat, I like it, cooked or fresh. But I admit, my family doesn’t eat as much as we probably should. Especially when you learn about the health benefits of cauliflower (find out about some of them HERE.)   So, I went looking for a recipe in the cookbooks in my “Calling All Cooks,” basket for Brenda Novak 2013 Annual Auction for the Cure of Diabetes. (Brenda’s annual auction runs May 1-31.  So far, there are over 750 items up for auction, with more to come.)

Calling all Cooks

The winner of this auction will win a box full of cookbooks.

Christmas Cookies

1001 Fast Easy Recipes

Cake Pops, Brownies and More

Fun Summer Recipes

Freezer Meals

Slow Cooker Recipes

And more…..

And I found several cauliflower recipes in 1001 FAST EASY RECIPES.  Here’s one I tried and it’s really good.

Best Cauliflower

Ingredients:

1 (16-oz) package frozen cauliflower

Salt and pepper

1 (8-oz) carton sour cream

1 ½ cups shredded American or Cheddar cheese

4 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

Directions:

Cook cauliflower according to package directions.  Drain and place half in a 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on cauliflower. Spread half sour cream and half cheese, top with half sesame seeds. Repeat layers. Bake at 350° for about 15-20 minutes.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
www.aklanier.com annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. ~Doug Ivester 

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Oh, my!  I found my list of "Inquiring Minds Want to Know" questions.  Where the heck was it last week???? Geez.  I'm so happy, now I don't have to think of a bunch of new questions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a whole bookshelf full of writing craft books...most of them I have not read.  But I do not want to get rid of them.  Since I'm not a plotter, I probably should dump the plotting books, but when you look through them, you find something that will help you with your writing, plotter or panster!

So, here's this week's question:

What’s one of your favorite writing craft books?  Tell us about it.

Anna Kathryn Lanier
www.aklanier.com annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com

Never let your memories be greater than your dreams. ~Doug Ivester 

Historical Romances now Available.

Seduced by History
Monthly List of Historical Romance Releases by Hearts through History's published authors.  Hearts through History (HHRW) is an on-line chapter of Romance writers of America.

Feel free to pass it along to a friend.
Available March

Ashlyn Macnamara
A MOST SCANDALOUS PROPOSAL
Ballantine Books, ISBN-10: 0345534743, ISBN-13: 978-0345534743
Regency
After watching her beloved sister Sophia pine over the ton's Golden Boy for years, Miss Julia St. Claire has foresworn love and put herself firmly on the shelf. Unfortunately, her social-climbing mother and debt-ridden father have other ideas, and jump at the chance to marry Julia off to the newly-named Earl of Clivesden... the man of Sophia's dreams.
Since resigning his Cavalry commission, Benedict Revelstoke has spent his time in London avoiding the marriage mart. But when he discovers that the Earl of Clivesden has set Julia in his sights, Benedict tries to protect his childhood best friend from the man's advances--only to discover more than friendship driving his desire to defend her. He surprises them both with the force of his feelings, but when she refuses him and her father announces her betrothal, he fears he's lost her forever--until Julia approaches him with a shocking scheme that will ruin her for all respectable society...
...and lead them into an exquisite world of forbidden pleasures. Available: February 26, 2013
http://ashlynmacnamara.net/
*******************************

Loreen Augeri
LOST HONOR
Wild Rose Press, 978-1-61217-729-8 Paperback, 978-1-61217-730-4 Digital
Regency
Captain Morgan Danvers sets sail to rescue his brother, kidnapped by pirates. Fearing he will become like his father who abandoned him, he has cut himself off from his emotions. Then a willful stowaway crashes into his life, awakening dormant feelings and firing his lust. Soon he finds his all-important honor threatened, for even though he is betrothed to another, he is drawn to her against his will.
Arianna Pemberton hides in a barrel she thinks will be loaded on her brother's ship but lands on Morgan's brig. Her father has forbidden her to sail, and this is her only course of action. Unwilling to allow a man to control her, she is determined to make her way as a seaman, a profession she knows and loves. But when Captain Danvers discovers her deception, he refuses to permit her to prove herself. As she struggles to convince him, unwanted passion emerges, jeopardizing her plans for independence. Available: March 8, 2013
http://www.loreenaugeri.com
*******************************

Paisley Kirkpatrick
MARRIAGE BARGAIN
Desert Breeze Publishing
Western historical
The dusty trail of a wagon train leads west, but Darrah Benjamin finds it a pathway to love and forgiveness when an arranged marriage becomes much more than a convenience. Wagon scout Chase challenges her determination with his promise -- she'll give him her heart and invite him to her bed before they arrive at their destination. Darrah will shape her own destiny and claim a woman's spirit along the way.
Charles Danforth, a scout known as Chase, leads a wagon train of emigrants west through plains plundered by murderers. As an undercover agent of President Polk, he has sworn to stop the massacres. Darrah's inadvertent comment gives him the clue he needs to achieve his assignment. His Sioux blood brother helps Chase end the killings, but almost ruins Chase's chance of winning Darrah's heart when he kidnaps her to demonstrate the depth of love Chase has for his wife. Available: March 21, 2013
http://www.paisleykirkpatrick.com
*******************************

Margaret Mallory
THE CHIEFTAIN
Grand Central Publishing, 978-0446-58311-4
Scottish historical
Connor, chieftain of the MacDonalds of Sleat, holds the fate of his people in his hands. Rival clans are plotting to take over his lands, and duty determines whom he will fight, trust ... even marry. Seeking guidance, Connor turns to Ilysa, a young lass with the gift of foresight, who reveals an approaching danger--and a passion that burns only for him. But the warrior must make a powerful marriage alliance, and Ilysa's bloodline is far too humble.
With her powers to heal and see evil where others cannot, beautiful Ilysa dresses plainly, speaks softly, and loves her chieftain from afar. Yet when Connor finally stokes the embers of desire that have so long burned within her, Ilysa feels bliss unlike any she's ever known. Now as he is forced to place duty before happiness, Ilysa senses Connor is in grave peril. Can she find a way to prove she is the woman he needs by his side? Available: February 26, 2013
http://www.margaretmallory.com
*******************************

Jennie Giardine
OPIUM DREAMS
Eternal Press, ISBN: 9781615728725 (ebook), ISBN: 9781615728732 (print)
Victroian romantic suspense
A squalid opium den in a London back alley drew high society through the shadowy Victorian night...
Scandalous rumors of half-clothed women and good opium drew good Victorian society to Chi Ki's opium den. To here Alison escapes, sneaking out every night after her drunken, abusive husband sleeps, fleeing into the arms of other men, and into a trap that has been laid. What happens when her fate is tied to an author, who coldly manipulates lives to stimulate his art, a self-absorbed, playboy criminal, and an apparently good woman who secretly loathes her?
But how will Cayle be able to convince Becca, a determinedly self-sufficient spinster, that he can be more to her than just a protector?
Available: February 1st, 2013(ebook), print coming soon
http://www.jenniegiardine.webs.com
*******************************

Annabelle Weston
NOTORIOUS WOMAN
Ellora's Cave, ISBN: 9781419938610
Western historical
Kate's a whip-wielding termagant, trying to protect her heart. Jake's bet he can charm her into submission, and finds he has met his match.
Available: March 6, 2013
http://annabellewestonromance.blogspot.com
*******************************

Eliza Knight
THE HIGHLANDER'S WARRIOR BRIDE
Self-published, ISBN: 978-1482531893
Scottish medieval romance
Their greatest opponent won't be battled with a sword... But with their hearts... Ronan Sutherland is a fierce warrior. Swearing off all else, he thrives on his powerful position within William Wallace's army. Freedom for the Scots is his mission--until he meets fair Julianna. She captivates him, intoxicates him... makes him want more out of life than what harsh dangers he's accustomed to.
Available: March 15, 2013
http://www.elizaknight.com
*******************************

Eliza Knight
BEHIND THE PLAID
Self-published, ISBN: 978-1482531923
Scottish historical, erotic, time-travel
He dominated her mind. She possessed his soul. Desperate for independence, Emma Gordon leaves her husband while on a trip in the Scottish Highlands. Only thing is, she ends up hurled back in time to the 16th Century Castle Gealach and headlong into the arms of the handsome, intimidating Laird Logan Grant. Thrust into a world filled with treachery, danger and intensity she must summon the courage to find her way.
Available: March 15, 2013
http://www.elizaknight.com
*******************************

Maggi Andersen
A BARON IN HER BED
Knox Robinson Publishing, ISBN: 978-1908483348
Regency
Horatia's plan to join the London literary set takes a dangerous turn. Now that the war with France has ended, Baron Guy Fortescue arrives in England to claim his inheritance. When Guy is set upon in London, a stranger, Lord Strathairn, rescues and befriends him. But while traveling to his country estate, Guy is again attacked. Guy suspects his relative, Eustace Fennimore, is behind the attacks on his life. Horatia refuses to believe her godfather, Eustace, is responsible. Secure in the knowledge that his daughter will finally wed, Horatia's father allows her to visit her blue-stocking aunt in London. But Horatia's time spent in London proves to be anything but a literary feast, for a dangerous foe plots Guy's demise. She is determined to keep alive her handsome fiancé, who has proven more than willing to play the part of her lover even as he resists her attempts to save him.
Available: March 6, 2013
http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com
*******************************

Gerri Bowen
AUDREY'S LOVE
Highland Press, ISBN: BOOBB1165A
Medieval Time Travel
While on a trip to England, Audrey rolls down a hill one summer night and lands in the winter of 1068. She finally accepts the fact she has gone back over nine hundred years to the past, but... why? What is she supposed to accomplish?
Sir Rolf first believes the strangely garbed woman who rolls in front of him is the wife of a rich lord. Then he is convinced she is a Saxon spy. But the Saxons at his holding insist she is Deira, the old lord's daughter returned to them--except Deira died and was buried ten years ago. After learning the dead daughter was murdered, Rolf knows he must protect Audrey from the murderer, who may strike again.
Audrey and Rolf fight the mutual attraction they feel for the other while trying to discover the reason she was sent back in time.
Available: February 3, 2013
http://www.gerribowen.com

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Still Available
Mary Galusha
SAPPHIRE SKIES
Desert Breeze Publishing, 978-1-61252-271-5
Western Historical
Austrian immigrant Lili Kohl wants to get a homestead in Montana for her family to live on when they come to the United States. But someone in the town of Cedar Creek is using their influence to keep the property from her. Homesteader Gabriel McCall has put a hold on the property adjoining his, hoping his younger brother will homestead it later, fulfilling a promise Gabriel made to their dying father. Meanwhile he tries to be helpful to Lili, because he sees her as a greenhorn. After he rescues her from abductors and they stay warm in a cave, their attraction to each other grows. Then her parents arrive unexpectedly and her father disapproves of Gabriel, who has finally given up on farming with his brother. Now Lili fears losing her family's approval by loving Gabriel.
Available: January 21, 2013
http://www.marygalusha.com
*******************************
Jennifer Brassel
"A Lady's Honor" in the anthology MOONLIT ENCOUNTERS
TWC Press, 9781301947577
Medieval novella
A medieval warrior struggles with his duty when a healer captivates him...
Part of a diverse collection of short romantic fiction from eight different authors, from different genres, for all readers
Available: December 12, 2013
http://www.jenniferbrassel.com
*******************************
Suzi Love
EMBRACING SCANDAL
Crimson Romance, ISBN - 1440560498 (ISBN13: 9781440560491)
Late Regency
After Lady Rebecca Jamison, a mathematical genius, saves her family from financial ruin by secretly investing in railway stocks on the London stock exchange, a greedy syndicate, desperate for Becca's calculations and predictions, murders her friend and threatens the Jamison family, forcing Becca to beg assistance from her childhood friend, Cayle St. Martin.
The newly titled Duke of Sherwyn has returned to London after five years on the continent extending his family's shipping interests. He's shunned his privileged London life and his father's unbending attitudes, and becomes committed to employing the spying tactics he learned on the continent to help Becca indict the syndicate--and using his skills as a lover to seduce her into his bed.
But how will Cayle be able to convince Becca, a determinedly self-sufficient spinster, that he can be more to her than just a protector?
Available: February 18th, 2013
http://suzilove.com

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Coming in April
Barbara Monajem
THE MAGIC OF HIS TOUCH
Harlequin Historical Undone, ISBN 978-1-460-31096-0
Regency Novella with a touch of paranormal
Tired of being paraded before every eligible bachelor, Peony Whistleby decides to find her true love--through the ancient custom of rolling naked in the dew on May Day morning. But the magic goes awry when she is caught in the act--and by an entirely unsuitable man. And yet, the way his eyes linger upon her flesh ignites a sensual craving that can only be satisfied by his touch...
Available: April 1, 2013
http://www.barbaramonajem.com
*******************************
L. B. Joramo
THE IMMORTAL AMERICAN
Self-published
American Revolution historical novel with paranomral and romance elements
While Boston roars with protests, Violet Buccleuch fights to survive. The lone provider for her mother and sister, Violet knows that soon enough she must surrender to the only option a woman of 1775 has: marriage.
For two years she's delayed a wedding to Mathew Adams, her fiancé. He's loved her since they were children, and Violet knows he will be a good husband. But he's gone and committed the most dangerous mistake a man can make: He's introduced her to his friend, Jacque Beaumont, a Frenchman and a spy, a dark, dangerous man Violet can't stop herself from wanting.
Then Violet's life is shattered--brutality, death, and the threat of debtor's prison surround her. Both Jacque and Mathew come to her aid--one man rescues her farm, the other rescues her heart. As the Battle of Concord rages at her door, Violet is entangled between her loyalty to Mathew, even as she's drawn further into Jacque's shadowy, mysterious world – perhaps a world from which there's no return.
Available: April 1, 2013
http://www.lbjoramo.com

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