tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78873516096011096402024-02-06T21:40:30.798-08:00Tika Newman and Gail WestoverThistlewood Publishing
www.thistlewoodpublishing.comAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-6163291730918657612012-11-15T21:59:00.002-08:002012-11-15T21:59:24.573-08:00Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, etc. etc.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpc1HNDkoFOiKn8Rqd2obmh7fs8ALSw2iJ3i4nehEdQkWWAyHJk83GO6Vi-pUGJ-sjwqZRlr2yJLxd0dojqZyFlb-WBV8RVmXAr-4e23CWqjgLWRYjDYnoxV139l1DEvK6PIQZzIc1Q/s1600/imagesCAU2UXVX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpc1HNDkoFOiKn8Rqd2obmh7fs8ALSw2iJ3i4nehEdQkWWAyHJk83GO6Vi-pUGJ-sjwqZRlr2yJLxd0dojqZyFlb-WBV8RVmXAr-4e23CWqjgLWRYjDYnoxV139l1DEvK6PIQZzIc1Q/s1600/imagesCAU2UXVX.jpg" /></a></div>
I don't know how many names these lusious cookies have. I do know, however, that my Grandmother gave my mother the recipe for them and they have been a family favorite for many years; especially at Christmas. They are super simple to make. Here is my recipe:<br />
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<div class="fl-ing" itemprop="ingredients">
<span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1 cup </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">butter</span></div>
<label><span class="checkbox-formatted"></span><div class="fl-ing" data-grams="60" data-ingredientid="1527" itemprop="ingredients">
<span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/2 cup </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">confectioners' sugar</span></div>
</label><div data-grams="281.25" data-ingredientid="1684">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">2 1/4 cups </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">flour</span></label></div>
<label></label><div data-grams="87.75" data-ingredientid="3819">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">3/4 cup </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">chopped walnuts</span></label></div>
<label></label><div data-grams="1.5" data-ingredientid="16421">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/4 teaspoon</span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">salt</span></label></div>
<label></label><div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424" id="liIngredient">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1 teaspoon </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">vanilla extract</span></label></div>
<div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424">
<label><span class="ingredient-name">1/2 teaspoon almond extract (I sometimes add this for a twist)</span></label></div>
<div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424">
<label><span class="ingredient-name"></span></label> </div>
<div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">Reserve another 1/2 cup </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">confectioners' sugar for decoration</span></label></div>
<label></label><!-- Add class btn-disable before user checks ingredient--><div id="msgAddIngredients">
</div>
<div class="shopListButtons">
Directions</div>
<div class="directions">
<div class="directLeft" id="msgDirections" style="display: none;">
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<div class="directLeft">
<ol>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Beat butter and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy.</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Add remaining ingredients, mix well.</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Roll dough into 1 inch balls and bake for 10-12 minutes in a preheated 400 degree F (175 degrees C) oven. You want the cookies to be set, but not browned.</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Once baked, roll while still hot in confectioners' sugar until coated. Let cool. Lightly dust with more confectioners' sugar.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<span class="plaincharacterwrap break"></span> </div>
Today's post is not really about Russian Tea cakes. It is about Lemon Russian Tea Cakes. Can you imagine???? I never heard of them, so out came the thinking cap, and here's what I came up with: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbuJRbaI1Mo66_ki-uFlD2CBX2qklMEcLyn0B0q4bMIIQSA_zY-yJnCt5ghyphenhyphenpHpa7PA0kBBuuLZ6Jn0ZhUaIfagwbCjd1jP9ZEhGEfl9YxaHRT-L_Qn-u45nvEUR7KDAAca5jb18Tig/s1600/imagesCAE5VAS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="fl-ing" itemprop="ingredients">
<span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1 cup + 1 Tablespoon </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">butter</span></div>
<label><span class="checkbox-formatted"></span><div class="fl-ing" data-grams="60" data-ingredientid="1527" itemprop="ingredients">
<span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">3/4 cup </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">confectioners' sugar</span></div>
</label><div data-grams="281.25" data-ingredientid="1684">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">2 1/2 cups </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">flour</span></label></div>
<label></label><div data-grams="87.75" data-ingredientid="3819">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">3/4 cup </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">chopped walnuts</span></label></div>
<label></label><div data-grams="1.5" data-ingredientid="16421">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">1/4 teaspoon </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">salt</span></label></div>
<label></label><div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424" id="liIngredient">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">Optional 1/2 teaspoon </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">lemon extract (ooooooh, intense!)</span></label></div>
<div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424">
<label><span class="ingredient-name">1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</span></label></div>
<div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424">
<label><span class="ingredient-name">3-4 drops yellow food coloring</span></label></div>
<div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424">
<label><span class="ingredient-name">Juice and zest of 1 lemon</span></label></div>
<div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424">
<label><span class="ingredient-name"></span></label> </div>
<div data-grams="4.333333" data-ingredientid="16424">
<label><span class="ingredient-amount" id="lblIngAmount">Reserve another 1/2 cup </span><span class="ingredient-name" id="lblIngName">confectioners' sugar for decoration</span></label></div>
<label></label><!-- Add class btn-disable before user checks ingredient--><div id="msgAddIngredients">
</div>
<div class="shopListButtons">
Directions</div>
<div class="directions">
<div class="directLeft" id="msgDirections" style="display: none;">
</div>
<div class="directLeft">
<ol>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Beat butter and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy.</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Add remaining ingredients, mix well.</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Roll dough into 1 inch balls and flatten with the bottom of a glass. They should resemble the size and thickness of an Orea cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes in a preheated 400 degree F (175 degrees C) oven. You want the cookies to be set, but not browned.</span></li>
<li><span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Once baked, roll while still hot in confectioners' sugar until coated. Let cool. Lightly dust with more confectioners' sugar.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<span class="plaincharacterwrap break"></span><br />
<span class="plaincharacterwrap break">Either recipe makes approimately 30 cookies. You can put them very close together on the cookie sheet because they don't rise or spread out. Soooooo yummy!</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-53217346092699066932012-11-01T20:51:00.001-07:002012-11-01T20:51:05.466-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em><strong>If Horses Had Feathers and Pigs Could Fly</strong></em> has just broken all sales records ever! We, at Thistlewood Publishing are ecstatic! <br />
<br />
If you want autographed books by Christmas, get your orders in early! <a href="http://www.thistlewoodpublishing.com/">www.thistlewoodpublishing.com</a> <br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-26976943802195934282012-10-08T16:17:00.001-07:002012-10-08T16:17:47.069-07:00<g_vml_:shape coordsize="5930,25290" fillcolor="#f4f0d1" filled="t" path=" m200,250 l200,24780 at200,24780,300,24880,-300,24780,200,25280 l5670,24880 at5670,24780,5770,24880,5670,25280,6170,24780 l5770,250 at5670,200,5770,300,6170,200,5670,-300 l250,200 at200,200,300,300,200,-300,-299,225 e" stroked="f" style="height: 2506px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 594px;"><g_vml_:fill opacity="1"></g_vml_:fill></g_vml_:shape><g_vml_:shape coordsize="5930,25290" fillcolor="black" filled="f" path=" m200,245 l200,24835 at200,24780,300,24880,-300,24780,324,25264 e" strokecolor="#aab123" stroked="t" strokeweight=".75pt" style="height: 2506px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 594px;"><g_vml_:stroke endcap="flat" joinstyle="miter" miterlimit="10" opacity="1"></g_vml_:stroke></g_vml_:shape><g_vml_:shape coordsize="5930,25290" fillcolor="black" filled="f" path=" m250,24880 l5725,24880 at5670,24780,5770,24880,5670,25280,6170,24780 e" strokecolor="#aab123" stroked="t" strokeweight=".75pt" style="height: 2506px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 594px;"><g_vml_:stroke endcap="flat" joinstyle="miter" miterlimit="10" opacity="1"></g_vml_:stroke></g_vml_:shape><g_vml_:shape coordsize="5930,25290" fillcolor="black" filled="f" path=" m5770,24830 l5770,245 at5670,200,5770,300,6170,200,5670,-300 e" strokecolor="#aab123" stroked="t" strokeweight=".75pt" style="height: 2506px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 594px;"><g_vml_:stroke endcap="flat" joinstyle="miter" miterlimit="10" opacity="1"></g_vml_:stroke></g_vml_:shape><g_vml_:shape coordsize="5930,25290" fillcolor="black" filled="f" path=" m5720,200 l250,200 at200,200,300,300,324,-284,-284,324 e" strokecolor="#aab123" stroked="t" strokeweight=".75pt" style="height: 2506px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 594px;"><g_vml_:stroke endcap="flat" joinstyle="miter" miterlimit="10" opacity="1"></g_vml_:stroke></g_vml_:shape>
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<div class="date-outer" closure_uid_e0njwm="37" style="border: currentColor; left: 1px; margin: 0px; position: relative; top: 1px;">
<h2 class="date-header">
<span>Monday, October 8, 2012</span></h2>
<div class="date-posts">
<div class="post-outer">
<div class="post hentry" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="3801610851287264496"></a>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
Interview with Children’s
Author Gail Westover </h3>
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<div class="post-header-line-1">
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<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3801610851287264496" itemprop="description articleBody">
<b>Book Give-Away Oct 8 - 15</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">: To win a children’s book, <i>If Horses Had
Feathers and Pigs Could Fly</i></span> or <i>Mrs. Mouse's Garden Party in
Giggleswick Village</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, leave a comment about
this interview with your e-mail. For an <u>additional entry</u>, post this
contest. Choose which book you would like. U.S. and Canada.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH3pUbWdEQ7yfAO8n5GAUdJ6rZU5eM2svPSucWHigAAFAI7z0WAzGGp3RsEPifTWLUxWecdLldOHMtMeKZor0ijZCrWp4Q1-qnQ9C3n3zkPrEQqCI9T1q5xpTKLUwv4R3pWFoKFZjHi5U/s1600/Gail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_8tva80="2" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH3pUbWdEQ7yfAO8n5GAUdJ6rZU5eM2svPSucWHigAAFAI7z0WAzGGp3RsEPifTWLUxWecdLldOHMtMeKZor0ijZCrWp4Q1-qnQ9C3n3zkPrEQqCI9T1q5xpTKLUwv4R3pWFoKFZjHi5U/s200/Gail.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Gail Westover has a little secret. Today the secret
will be revealed. Gail is author Tika Newman. For the past seven years, she’s
hidden under this name. You see, Gail is an online Backgammon Tourney Director
for GammonSite. She’s been hosting tourneys for almost nine years. Everyone
knows her as Tika, so writing under that name seemed the logical thing to do.
Gail is also the owner and operator of Thistlewood Publishing, since its
conception in 2008. She is the author of <i>The Eyes of Innocence</i></span>
series and a historical novel called <i>For the Love of Anne</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></div>
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<b>Welcome back to my blog, Gail. You are the author of the
popular series <i>The Eyes of Innocence</i></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>, which is about a girl growing up with psychic
abilities and the power to heal. I read it and was very impressed with the
story. You have now turned to children’s books. Please tell us about your
books</b></span>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsqWd-Ahb6rLnaDoBQx5-UeoQ8dtJT6gZ8BSN3BIr0TdLLChRGykwWaTHeX_DcTq7MP5IvVaYawnhiagFi0DCoNTtCncwcBZ8teFMFLQKMFbP0aa-FDEiO9Kbx6eR82U29IBQ7fB_j1Vo/s1600/Mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_8tva80="3" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsqWd-Ahb6rLnaDoBQx5-UeoQ8dtJT6gZ8BSN3BIr0TdLLChRGykwWaTHeX_DcTq7MP5IvVaYawnhiagFi0DCoNTtCncwcBZ8teFMFLQKMFbP0aa-FDEiO9Kbx6eR82U29IBQ7fB_j1Vo/s200/Mouse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Thank you so much, Linda.
I’m happy to be invited back. As grandmother to two large, and five little ones,
they’ve reminded me of some things that we tend to forget as we grow older and
adult things get in the way. One is to laugh with joy and wild abandon. I’ve
also relearned to notice the small things, like a butterfly flitting across my
yard and landing on one of my flowers. I appreciate the squeal of laughter as
the kids go barreling down a slide or jump into the lake. Basically, they’ve
taught me not only how to love them with every fiber of my being, but also to
enjoy my life again. Yes, I still work seven days a week, but it’s more fun now.
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<i>Mrs. Mouse’s Garden Party in Giggleswick
Village</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is the first book of the
Giggleswick Village series. The book teaches children that it’s ok to be
themselves and to make the best out of a plan that goes wrong. Each book will
teach life’s early lessons. The next book will be about bullying.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpdGWtWnE8gtPr6m0cXdOUpBUnE3y4zxI2oviHBUclIkeY4F-r1F-02rLZT8UlnD_xNquqUHH2KbT8UdDBYtFyZ07vlqOmRjQq4OG9QWpte8iSYAfJSGSWX40iC74qylHZ7gyw3HHpzgB/s1600/Horses+and+pigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_8tva80="4" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpdGWtWnE8gtPr6m0cXdOUpBUnE3y4zxI2oviHBUclIkeY4F-r1F-02rLZT8UlnD_xNquqUHH2KbT8UdDBYtFyZ07vlqOmRjQq4OG9QWpte8iSYAfJSGSWX40iC74qylHZ7gyw3HHpzgB/s200/Horses+and+pigs.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
<i>If Horses Had Feathers
and Pigs Could Fly</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> sounds silly, and that’s
a good thing, because the entire book is silly. Kids laugh as they learn to use
their imagination, when they read about the horse that has wings, the duck that
flies upside down, and the little boy who is on the ground squinting his eyes at
them. It’s a wonderful “feel good book” and is perfect for bedtime because it
leaves them with happy thoughts that will encourage pleasant
dreams.</span></div>
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<b>Compared to novels, I assume Children’s stories are
simple. Is this true</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">? </span></div>
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If you write only novels, you would think that statement is
correct, but it is not. The stories may be short, but we have at least eighteen
months in the first <i>Giggleswick Village</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
book. </span></div>
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<b>What kind of research did you have to do?</b></div>
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As of yet, I have not had a whole lot of research, but that
will change with the bullying book. I did search online for a silly name.
<i>Giggleswick Village</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is a real place in
North Yorkshire, England. The minute I saw the name, I knew it was perfect. The
illustrations were hand drawn by a very talented woman in New Zealand.
Coordinating and designing the characters took a very long time because the
characters in this first book will probably be in every Giggleswick book to
come. We had to keep merchandising in mind, as well as coloring books, puzzles,
and some other things. The other difficult thing was that the mouse is modeled
after my real life best friend, who really is a nurse, loves the color pink, is
incredibly polite, kind to everyone, etc. The animal characters? They’re all my
grandchildren. </span></div>
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Thanks to these two children’s books, Thistlewood
Publishing had its best month ever. I couldn’t be more pleased. </div>
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<b>Congratulations! That’s wonderful. And I really love the
name Giggleswick. By the way, I love it when authors add real life situations to
their stories. Do you ever put real experiences in your books</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">? </span></div>
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I haven’t done it yet in the children’s books, but in The
Eyes of Innocence series, yes. The deer in the woods, the snapping turtle, and
some other things were true life experiences.</div>
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<b>Thank you, Gail, for this fun interview. Your books
sound fascinating. </b><span style="font-style: normal;"></span><b><span style="font-style: normal;">To learn more about these books, visit <a href="http://www.thistlewoodpublishing.com/"><span style="color: #7d181e;">http://www.thistlewoodpublishing.com</span></a>.
However, if you want Gail’s autograph, you must order your book from her
website.</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-55631134058866989802012-09-10T17:15:00.000-07:002012-09-10T17:51:41.093-07:00I WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS, BUT HUBBY REFUSED I'm sorry to say that after twelve years of faithful service, my stove that came with the lake house has gone to that great junk pile in the sky. I wanted to say a few words, but Bob refused. Sheesh. Not very nice. Anyway, we got a great new self-cleaning stove at Lowe's. Bob negotiated a good deal, as it was in the scratch and dent aisle. Either we're going blind or there isn't a mark on it. <br />
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I think I overdid because the boys were coming for the weekend. I made a Hershey chocolate cake with cream cheese icing. I frosted it like a giant moon cookie, half dark and half white. I made a loaf of white bread for sandwiches, a loaf of raisin cinnamon swirl bread with cream cheese icing, a big pan of cinnamon raisin rolls, and a large bowl of pasta salad.<br />
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Later on, we were in the kitchen and I heard loud buzzing, cracking and snapping. I turned around and one burner on the stove was throwing sparks as if someone was welding. Sparks were going in all different directions. It looked as if someone lit a firecracker on top of my stove! Needless to say, I nearly ran Bob over. Poor Tyler spilled every bit of food out of his dish, because he had been eating when it happened. Weird though. I don't know how he did it, because the dish is weighted on the bottom and doesn't tip. Anyway, all the food was in a pile in front of his dish. Joey was nowhere to be found. Bob said it was like every wife and dog for himself because we ran so fast. He had been standing in front of the refrigerator when I pushed him out of my way. HA HA. I was saying "Don't stop! Don't stop!" He told me later he'd never moved in the first place. That's where he was the entire time. I thought he ran too.<br />
(CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE)<br />
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So, no stove? This was dinner. The European peasant bread is one of our faves. See that cheese? Somebody with a lot of talent or too much time on their hands did that. Really, it only took a few minutes and it was fun. Lattice cheese on a chef's salad. Who'd a thunk it?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-75744994576604153112012-09-05T08:50:00.001-07:002012-09-05T08:50:44.529-07:00Facebook<a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3853031758437&set=p.3853031758437&type=1&ref=nf">Facebook</a>: Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, post links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-56400730154893327532012-08-28T21:51:00.002-07:002012-08-28T21:54:39.981-07:00MY KITCHEN LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING EXPLODEDI'd post a picture, but too tired to get up at the moment. Today was a "spend every moment in the kitchen, or (*sigh) doing dishes" day. I've done 2 1/2 batches of dishes so far, and even Bob did 1. Still a lot to go. I made chicken soup for Bud (a friend who is ill), 3 loaves of cinnamon raisin swirl bread, chicken and biscuits, and cinnamon rolls (Yes, made them again). I'll be sharing with Joanne, Alice and Jerry, too. We had the chicken and biscuits for dinner. I'll keep some of the cinnamon rolls and 1 loaf of the bread, the rest will be going to our friends. I use my favorite white bread recipe for the rolls and cinnamon swirl bread. I wish you could have a sniff of my kitchen. Just don't look! hehe<br />
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OK, I couldn't help myself. I took pictures of the food. HA HA, the only messy thing you can see is a paper plate under the bread to catch the excess icing. I wish these pictures were scratch and sniff.</div>
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OMG, I want to make mararoni salad now. <br />
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Poll: Do you think I'm insane?<br />
Yes ___ No ____ Probably ____Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-85012770491316793322012-08-24T13:20:00.002-07:002012-08-24T13:20:59.361-07:00WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE COUNTRY, YOU'RE APT TO SEE ANYTHING<img alt="Rooster" class="okraj" height="212" src="http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/30000/velka/rooster-1345342436JUj.jpg" width="320" /> BAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWK<br />
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A few weeks ago, in broad daylight, a black bear ran in front of our car. <span class="userContent">When you live in the country, you're apt to see almost anything. While driving home from a meeting at River Read Books in Binghamton, we pulled onto the dirt road that leads to our lake. At the end of a driveway, Bob pointed out a sign that reads, "FREE ROOSTERS." Almost immediately, he said, "Look, there goes one now." It was running helter skelter across someone's yard, and of course we laughed. <br /> <br /> We wondered why someone would have an excess of roosters. Bob's guess is that they bought chicks that were supposed to be hens. I'm thinking they decided to try their luck at raising their own baby chicks from eggs that their hens laid. Hmm, it might be dangerous to visit these people. Maybe these roosters are guard attack roosters. Or maybe there is a cock fight at any given moment, and the family has been amassing unsavory fans and gamblers.<br /> <br /> What's your guess?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-51908424499679409702012-08-22T21:35:00.000-07:002012-08-22T21:37:06.641-07:00SALE UPDATEOur sale is a big hit. People are loving their instant 15% rebate and so happy with all the free goodies they're getting. We recently sold eight books to one person. She commented in FaceBook later, that her daughter was getting married in October, and most of the books were gifts for the children that will be participating in the wedding. How wonderfully creative! After buying eight books, just imagine all the free goodies she received and can pass on to the children!<br />
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Tomorrow we meet again with River Read Books, in Binghamton. We hope to introduce our children's line in this awesome shop :)<br />
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Bye for now :)<br />
Gail<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-91663397229198188462012-08-16T20:15:00.004-07:002012-08-16T20:15:52.520-07:00GRABBIEST KITCHEN GADGET EVER!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For those of you who have followed my blog for years, you know that I've never commented or recommended a product, but you all know what an avid cook I am. Today I just can't help myself. These are the Progressive International silicone gripper tongs. They are available in 9" and 12" length. For kitchen use, removing waffles from a waffle iron, cooking bacon, removing corn on the cob or potatoes out of boiling water, the 9" ones are fine, but for outside bbq? Bob uses the 12". (I make him. You all remember when he singed the hair off his forearm when bbqing, right? He's safe now. LOL)<br />
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Seriously, these tongs are fantastic, and we use them daily. Their grip is phenomenal and nothing slips out of them. Until I bought the longer ones, Bob was using the 9" on the grills and could easily turn a heavy rack of ribs. He uses these on the gas grill, the smoker and charcoal grill. Since we bbq 6 days out of 7 in the summer, let me say that we are getting our money's worth. They have thicker stainless steel handles and wide ridged silicone grippers that are safe to use on my hard anodized pots and pans. The tongs are dishwasher and high heat safe. Storage is simple, the locking mechanism on the handles actually works and doesn't pop open every time I bump them. Since I'm currently lacking counter space, I lock them before I set them down. It takes a nano-second and keeps them out of my way.<br />
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The ONLY problem I ever had with these tongs was created by my husband. Often, when I went to get them out of the drawer, they were gone! Yep, he had them outside at the grill. So, there was only one thing to do. I ordered three more. Now we'll have two at the lake and two at home. A happy home calls for two sets of Progressive International gripper tongs. The tongs are available at amazon.com, sears.com, surlatable.com and many other retailers.<br />
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<b>My uses: Removing</b><br />
hot bagels from the toaster oven Turning bacon or sausage<br />
baked potatoes from the oven Great to take spaghetti out of the bowl<br />
waffles form the waffle iron Salad tongs<br />
Ideal for serving hot foods <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-10752816443628487542012-08-16T18:53:00.001-07:002012-08-16T18:53:52.653-07:00Sharecount Button for Facebook<a href="http://www.fbshare.me/">Sharecount Button for Facebook</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-52307888206877713152012-08-15T20:03:00.002-07:002012-08-15T20:05:58.056-07:00Oh, Summer Peaches<br />
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</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PEACH COBBLER, BY GAIL WESTOVER</span></span></u></b></div>
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<em>A delicious light peach dessert that has just enough sugar to bring out the natural sweetness of the peaches without overpowering them. So fresh tasting. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.</em></div>
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<strong> INGREDIENTS: </strong> <br />
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7 - 8 fresh peaches <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 Tbsp white sugar</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 Tbsp </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">brown sugar</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">½ teaspoon ground cinnamon</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 teaspoons cornstarch</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">COBBLER
TOP:</span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 cup all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 Tbsp white sugar </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 Tbsp brown sugar </span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 level teaspoon baking powder
</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dash of salt</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6 tablespoons butter,
chilled and cut into small pieces</span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1/4 cup boiling water</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TOPPING:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MIX TOGETHER:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 1/2 Tbsp white sugar</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></li>
</ul>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Directions</span></b></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Preheat oven to 400 degrees F </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over an ungreased 2 or 3 quart
baking dish, peel and slice the peaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You want to enjoy every drop of that delicious juice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add 3 Tbsp white sugar, 3 Tbsp brown
sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir,
and bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a medium bowl, combine
flour, - 3 Tbsp white sugar, 3 Tbsp brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Blend in butter with a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse
meal. Stir in water. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remove peaches from oven, and
drop spoonfuls of cobbler top over them. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon
mixture on top. Bake until topping is golden, about 30 minutes. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Serve with vanilla ice cream or
whipped topping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8/15/2012, BY GAIL WESTOVER</span></span></li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-81820465572576518482012-08-12T07:23:00.000-07:002012-08-18T20:08:24.250-07:00FIRST EVER SALE!Thistlewood Publishing is having its first ever sale. In honor of our best month ever, we would like to offer you a 15% discount on all our books, sitewide. Make your purchase as usual, and get an instant rebate. We'll take care of it, no annoying rebate forms to fill out.<br />
<br />
Stock up now for gifts, or for yourself. No limit. Go to <a href="http://www.thistlewoodpublishing.com/">www.thistlewoodpublishing.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-8253957456928061902012-08-06T14:49:00.000-07:002012-08-06T15:01:36.948-07:00Do you really want to read another boring Author blog?I thought not! People have asked me why I don't often write about Thistlewood Publishing, my publishing business or my books. Answer? Because, I work seven days a week. This blog is not work for me, rather its a few minutes to escape work and write something fun and talk to my fans and friends. Another very good reason is that I am not one to follow the pack and do what everybody else does. That's not me. So, if you want to read about an author that completed a new Chapter, or edited all day, or has writer's block, or spent two hours researching how to lose thirty unsightly pounds in three days, you probably ought to stop reading right here. <br />
<br />
If, however, you want to take your chances, keep coming back to this blog. You are apt to read about almost anything. I love to talk about my gardening, silly things that happened, and of course the new recipes I've created. This blog is about daily events, not books. I will share photos, some of my new recipes and lots of silly stories. Normally, the only time I mention of of our books is when we release a new one. So on the whole, you are pretty safe coming back here.<br />
<br />
Now, to make a liar out of myself, I do have ONE teeny little piece of Thistlewood Publishing news. My very first children's book, Mrs. Mouse's Garden Party in Giggleswick Village has broken every sales record since Thistlewood Publishing opened. Teachers, a children's therapist, parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents have purchased this book. I'm in Author Heaven! (not a real place. I just made that up). ((I know, not funny))<br />
<br />
Alright, back to business. Today's bit of Gail Westover (aka Tika Newman) news is geared toward every gardner that loves to compost. Don't spend twenty or thirty dollars buying an indoor counter-top kitchen container for the little bits and pieces you want to compost so you don't have to run outside ten times a day. I am a BIG fan of green living and organic gardening. This is my way of putting kitchen veggie and fruit trash to good use. Get yourself one of these: <br />
<span style="color: red;"> It's FREE!!! Did she say FREE? Yessssssssss</span><br />
<br />
Buy yourself a 2 pound container of coffee. Make your coffee, drink it, and save the container with the lid ( I <strong>really</strong> prefer the brand with the handle, as it makes it super easy to pull it in and out of the cupboard under the sink). I keep a plastic bag in it cover the scraps with the excess bag, then put the cover on. Once it begins getting full, pull the bag over the scraps and then push down a little. For Tika sakes, don't touch it with your hands! Ewwwwwwwwwwwww. It will give you another day or two before you have to empty it. Yep, green AND lazy.<br />
There is NEVER an odor. I use a fresh plastic bag every time I empty it, nd give it a quick rinse with the last of the dishwater before I drain it. Boy, talk about going green. A re-use for old, nasty, cold, dishwater. Yucko.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4T4j2VujXME4sUIs6MkipHZvoey9Yu4fUKlExkXdB-MErR0kKQF5BjAwY2RCVpRpXT59-yk6OLCgTEQVUoGTt44L8l8kuYWpVea3FpJcmsY4opk1l-ZR5_9IJpeAEH_wGSh7XcBDrg/s1600/2012-08-06+16.01.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4T4j2VujXME4sUIs6MkipHZvoey9Yu4fUKlExkXdB-MErR0kKQF5BjAwY2RCVpRpXT59-yk6OLCgTEQVUoGTt44L8l8kuYWpVea3FpJcmsY4opk1l-ZR5_9IJpeAEH_wGSh7XcBDrg/s320/2012-08-06+16.01.29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you have never composted, be sure to add other things besides fruit and veggie scraps. NEVER put meat, bones, OR seeds in your compost. Meat rots and will smell. Bones will hurt if you step on them while barefooted, not to mention that you'll have every dog in the neighborhood digging in your garden. Seeds will sprout and make a mess of your flower or vegetable beds.<br />
<br />
Make sure to add grass clippings, leaves, and an occasional bit of newspaper, paper towel, napkin, etc. A few things I don't like to add are corn cobs and egg shells. They take a long time to decompose.<br />
<br />
I have a big black composter outside, and close to my kitchen door, so I actually use the thing. If you compost on the ground, turn it over every few weeks to make sure it's well aerated. If you're having a dry summer, wet it with the garden hose once in a while. It helps break down the scraps. An occasional shovel-full of dirt is also beneficial.<br />
<br />
ok, that's all I know about composting. There's a lot more info online. Search for "How to compost"<br />
byeeeeeeeeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-84038587866731718842012-07-24T15:37:00.000-07:002012-08-03T23:53:12.388-07:00TIKA'S APPLE BANANA WALNUT MUFFINSTika's Apple Banana Walnut Muffins (or bread) <br />
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN95fuztpmy7pqqxinJ9CtiqVar4cjPe8DpDq55BSBxK4ALGHaiOk99q6PUrZa_7KjvjkWmUVBgilzhP2smKan1wQXNQTPEM5SgTSFL4nuvJkaVEJ7dZ-zB60-Bn_rgFhriU1M5VjQQ/s1600/2012-07-24+16.30.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN95fuztpmy7pqqxinJ9CtiqVar4cjPe8DpDq55BSBxK4ALGHaiOk99q6PUrZa_7KjvjkWmUVBgilzhP2smKan1wQXNQTPEM5SgTSFL4nuvJkaVEJ7dZ-zB60-Bn_rgFhriU1M5VjQQ/s400/2012-07-24+16.30.04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moist and delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A favorite with scrambled eggs and juice, a cup of coffee or a glass of milk.</span></em> <br />
<em> What is pictured is smaller muffins than you might make, but had young kids over and they can't </em><br />
<em> often eat a large muffin.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>INGREDIENTS:</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<v:shape alt="2012-07-24 16.30.04.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 193.2pt; left: 0px; margin-left: 266.7pt; margin-top: 53.4pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: margin; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: margin; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; text-align: left; visibility: visible; width: 234.9pt; z-index: 1;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:imagedata o:title="2012-07-24 16.30.04" src="file:///C:\Users\Gail\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg">
<w:wrap anchorx="margin" anchory="margin" type="square">
</w:wrap></v:imagedata></span></v:shape><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/3
cup Crisco</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2/3 cup sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Beat til fluffy (about 3-4 min, scraping bowl twice)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Add:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> ½ cup mashed banana</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup applesauce</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 Tbsp room temp butter<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 eggs</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ tsp vanilla</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">¼ cup oatmeal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 Tbp sour milk **</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/2 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 Dashes salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 tsp cinnamon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mix well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add flour last and
mix only until incorporated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup flour</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stir in ½ cup chopped nuts</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">**(In a small cup or bowl, 2 ½ Tbsp milk, ½ Tbsp white
vinegar, add to cup, stir, set aside for 10-20 min)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stir in ½ cup of any of the optional ingredients listed
below:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>OPTIONAL:</strong> I love dates in this recipe. You can also add an
assortment of dried cranberries, raisins, chopped fresh cranberries, raisins,
chopped apples. Add some chocolate chips if you must, just don’t tell me about
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greased pans or cupcake papers, 350* </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Small muffins as pictured, bake for 16-18 minutes, Yield 20-21 muffins </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Normal sized muffins about 20 min, Yield: 18 muffins</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bread I have to guess, but I’d say 40-50 min.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toothpick test it to be sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pssssssst. Don’t tell anyone, but this is actually a pretty healthy
snack/treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of good oatmeal and
fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell the little ones that they’re
cupcakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re so moist and
delicious, that they don’t miss the icing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They didn’t even ask where it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">one</b> of them is impressed
that I made the recipe up, but they just think the muffins are delicious and sometimes
want a second one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I make them small
because sometimes the little ones get bored and can’t eat a whole muffin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the moment, David and Steffen almost 5 and
6 1/2, are running through the house with a second muffin that they “stole”
from the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steffen is yelling, “These
cupcakes are delicious!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -2.15pt 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Boy, I love lying to kids for their own good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does a grandma’s heart good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7-24-2012</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-23972832136728055062012-07-12T22:31:00.000-07:002012-08-03T23:52:04.305-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x2sHzvN4BomvgKMTji2H-C14uL-yXdi74nlULFljr8Tk7n39xXfI__P9c0je3jFfr-WItBQUfCI1hpq74qg47_j6Pm3nUpk_em3cSf5Nh1B32qkh-k41uKI1UVvUACA5NOvP9II0Bg/s1600/Bookcover2+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x2sHzvN4BomvgKMTji2H-C14uL-yXdi74nlULFljr8Tk7n39xXfI__P9c0je3jFfr-WItBQUfCI1hpq74qg47_j6Pm3nUpk_em3cSf5Nh1B32qkh-k41uKI1UVvUACA5NOvP9II0Bg/s320/Bookcover2+-+Copy.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>ANOTHER NEW RELEASE!</strong></span> <span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong> ISBN 978-0-9853600-0-9</strong></span><br />
Yes, I have been super busy, working on my children's books. <em><strong>If Horses Had Feathers and Pigs Could Fly</strong></em> is the latest release. It certainly sounds like a silly book! What better for a silly title, then silly rhymes and a silly storyline??? Why, that's what I thought, too. <strong><em>If Horses Had Feathers and Pigs Could Fly</em></strong> has been the favorite of my grandson Steffen for months now; even before the very talented Me'ven Zabat completed the illustrations. He's loved to squint his eye, wave at the animals, tell the horse to come back and get him, and of course laugh at the upside down duck ever since this book was just a dim light in my head. Now that it's complete and ready for purchase, I see that he wasn't the only one that loves this book. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6yXz9dohzxLvEV8zLktsBQRvarbql1rvq0_qLt0-D6-ZEeIVlwzIerwl871XRalvtovFXAF3DZNf51qeHUZzc2a40g5dh-OzZALZxWMyc76536Ex0So5ri6fgIfKlmPrBtXVaEKlBw/s1600/backcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6yXz9dohzxLvEV8zLktsBQRvarbql1rvq0_qLt0-D6-ZEeIVlwzIerwl871XRalvtovFXAF3DZNf51qeHUZzc2a40g5dh-OzZALZxWMyc76536Ex0So5ri6fgIfKlmPrBtXVaEKlBw/s320/backcover.png" width="311" /></a></div>
If you're looking for a quick, fun, and very entertaining book to make your kids smile, this is the one. It's available signed on our website <a href="http://www.thistlewoodpublishing.com/">www.thistlewoodpublishing.com</a> It's available unsigned at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com or any online bookseller of your choice.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-3904226528664992142012-06-30T11:24:00.001-07:002012-06-30T12:34:38.855-07:00At long last . . .The first Giggleswick Village book is finally released. It's been a long eighteen months of writing, designing, editing, cover layout, etc. We couldn't be more pleased with the results. Mrs. Mouse's Garden Party in Giggleswick Village is now available. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHqIrffr2S_q6XLzhMYS6xAeX5Zh99Rbzg3wC4fsNFFVWXJA98-x9okz7VaC7zphVi5mfi46mZIz1SpqDj2DRj2ZJEjYB5n32fG8mVyKaeLeiDPjsMioLYorp34f7Y99b-hkn3UNZQg/s1600/50%2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHqIrffr2S_q6XLzhMYS6xAeX5Zh99Rbzg3wC4fsNFFVWXJA98-x9okz7VaC7zphVi5mfi46mZIz1SpqDj2DRj2ZJEjYB5n32fG8mVyKaeLeiDPjsMioLYorp34f7Y99b-hkn3UNZQg/s320/50%2525.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Mrs. Mouse goes all out planning a perfect garden party, and it gets rained out. She is upset that the party must move indoors, but everyone has a wonderful time. <br />
<br />
<br />
This interactive brilliantly illustrated book teaches little ones to look for the silver lining, even when things don't go as planned. Mrs. Mouse reminds children to use their manners and be kind to others. It is sure to become a favorite book to be read over and over again. <br />
<br />
<br />
This is the first book in a series of stories that will reinforce life's early lessons, as well as build comprehension skills. Look for more Giggleswick Village books coming soon!<br />
<br />
<br />
Mrs. Mouse's Garden Party in Giggleswick Village is dedicated to the real Mrs. Mouse and my seven grandchildren. The book was a total surprise to all of them. Yes, somehow we successfully managed to keep it a secret until the completion of the book. I wrote this one under my own name, for a change. Regarding my pen name Tika Newman, Tika was my beloved Siamese cat's name. She's gone, but not forgotten. Newman is my maiden name. Tika is in the book as Mrs. Mouse's best friend, showing little ones that even a cat and a pink mouse can put aside their differences, and be friends. There are subtle lessons like that one, as well as more major ones throughout the story. <br />
<br />
<br />
Last week I read the book to one of my grandson's nursery schools (25 students and 5 teachers. They all loved it! On Tuesday, I read the book to another grandson's kindergarten friends. That time we had 65 kids and 6 teachers. The boys especially loved Steffen the monkey and the girls were all crazy over Mrs. Mouse. One of the teachers purchased four copies of the book and donated them to all the kindergarten teachers. Thank you Miss Quick!<br />
<br />
<br />
The next book will be about bullying. We believe you can't start teaching this to children soon enough. We are researching it now and will begin putting the book together as soon as possible.<br />
<br />
<br />
As always, contact me at tika1@frontier.com or on our website www.thistlewoodpublishing.com to purchase autographed copies. Unsigned copies are now available through amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and practically every online bookseller. Your local bookseller will be happy to order one for you if you'd rather not purchase online.<br />
<br />
<br />
Toodles for now!<br />
<br />
Gail Westover aka Tika NewmanAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-37770472909413239332012-01-27T04:27:00.000-08:002012-01-27T04:27:29.154-08:00REFLECTINGIt's been a long few months since I've posted last. What with moving, the holidays and working, there never seems to be enough time. <br />
<br />
The biggest news is that Thistlewood Publishing is now publishing children's books. The pixie book, The Amazing Adventure of Amber and April has been well received. We couldn't be more pleased. Stay tuned for lots more children's books, as well as two more full length novels coming soon. <br />
<br />
Some future titles for children: <br />
If Horses Had Feathers<br />
Monster Under My Bed<br />
Mrs. Mouse<br />
If I Were a Monkey<br />
Who Tooted?<br />
. . . and more!<br />
You can check out our website at www.thistlewoodpublishing.com and if you want to join our mailing list, please do so while you're browsing :)<br />
<br />
Take care and think spring!<br />
TikaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-33563467298640915232012-01-25T06:00:00.000-08:002012-01-25T06:00:24.471-08:00The Adventures of Amber and April.avi<iframe width="459" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6n7gAvdb2JU?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-13520410663859277292011-07-05T09:45:00.000-07:002011-07-05T09:45:49.584-07:00SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSEDWhew! Thank you to everyone who submitted their manuscript. We have chosen a few and will be very busy for the rest of the summer. We expect to open submissions again this fall. In the meantime . . . keep on writing :)<br />
<br />
Gail Westover<br />
Thistlewood PublishingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-43665733561968136562011-07-03T19:31:00.000-07:002011-07-03T19:31:32.083-07:00WELCOME NEW AUTHORThistlewood Publishing is proud to welcome Kate O'Neill to the family. Kate has written a very explicit book about frontier life in the mid-west in the early 1800's when settlers worked from sunrise to sunset. Readers will learn what life was like when native Americans still roamed freely, before white man's treaties forced them off their lands, before the railroad, newspapers, electricity, indoor plumbing, automobiles and every other convenience we take for granted today. <br />
<br />
Meet Corabell, a beautiful, passionate woman who had a white father, a fur trader by profession, and an Indian mother. When her tribe left the area, Corabell stayed behind and went to the giant blonde German man who waved to her across the river. She hoped he would take her as his wife. In love with her from afar, he quickly agreed to marry her. As a new bride, passions awakened under her husband's touch. Later, circumstances out of her control caused her to be forced to marry her husband's brother.<br />
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Watch for it in the fall of 2011Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-58074914946835852862011-07-03T19:22:00.000-07:002011-07-03T19:25:35.760-07:00WELCOME NEW AUTHORThistlewood Publishing is proud to welcome Rose Daly as our newest author. Rose brings us MOONFIRE, the first book in a series. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvvnd8_zCLZx8ZvTgDF0nogZhDjBGgw1JPqVj6UL5FYHI2RmYwxYVznpDZgC-i8wL464h3uBLB-NhctQIQ2ljROsPDD_7mBlWdeYeBTqKGrUha2KrQTGgKAO2GJWfkcRZCEmOGXCHCA/s1600/Web+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvvnd8_zCLZx8ZvTgDF0nogZhDjBGgw1JPqVj6UL5FYHI2RmYwxYVznpDZgC-i8wL464h3uBLB-NhctQIQ2ljROsPDD_7mBlWdeYeBTqKGrUha2KrQTGgKAO2GJWfkcRZCEmOGXCHCA/s320/Web+cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
In the 18th century, when sailors saw the moon shrouded in a red glow they knew that great changes were on the horizon. <br />
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From Fordell, a small Caribbean island, Daniel and Emma also see the fiery moon as they run for their lives through treacherous jungle territory laced with fearsome claw traps.<br />
Great changes, and great dangers, lie in wait for them, for they have made an enemy of the most powerful and ruthless man on Fordell, Clayton BlackAdder.<br />
Unaided and unprepared, they must face the daunting prospect of life on the run on this isolated island, for to be recognized and captured will mean certain death for Daniel and a forced marriage to Clayton BlackAdder for Emma.<br />
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Zed also sees the fiery moon, and he knows without a doubt that his life will change; for he is a runaway slave fleeing through the jungle, and the woman he carries in his arms he has stolen from Clayton BlackAdder. Zed's future is fraught with danger and the fearsome prospect of torture and death if he is captured. Added to this, he faces a terrifying struggle with treacherous pirates that will change his life forever. Somehow, Zed must find a way to save the woman he loves from BlackAdder's clutches, but Zed is not alone in his quest. <br />
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Friendship between white man and black man seems unlikely in this brutal, slave-oriented island. Daniel and Zed do not recognize the boundaries of race or class, they only recognize a kindred spirit, and a common need to protect those they love, and this they will do ... no matter what the cost may be. <br />
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Watch for this thrilling book this summer!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-45412279449986697472011-06-25T13:22:00.000-07:002011-06-25T13:22:10.464-07:00IT'S SUMMERFinally, summer is here, complete with all the rain that is making my flowers and vegetable plants grow like crazy! As always, I spend more time on my flower beds because they're so beautiful....and....I saw a 2 foot long snake in my veggie garden two days ago. Yes, I screamed, but don't tell anyone.<br />
<br />
My passion this year has been container gardening. I have three of them on the dock and smaller ones scattered around on the rock walls of the flower beds. They look very pretty and are planted with a mixture of foliage and flowers both. Of course our large deck is full of them too. Love them all.<br />
<br />
If you've been following my blog since last year, you've read about my casa blanca lilies. I planted only 6 bulbs and now have about 11 plants. They have multiplied. The original ones are about a foot or so taller than they were the first year. The fragrance is out of this world and since they are covered in buds, I'm countng the days.<br />
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A new summer recipeis to take fresh asparagus which you wash and cut the woody bottom stems off. Baste them or pour a little olive oil on them and throw them on the gril in a single layer. We sprinkle a seasoning mix on them and grill for about ten minutes. Delicious! <br />
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We're beginning to get corn from Delaware, I think Bob said. It was pretty good and we're anxiously awaiting our own local corn.<br />
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Happy summer :)<br />
TikaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-10523649531337848552011-05-21T07:08:00.000-07:002011-05-21T07:08:05.154-07:00WHAT'S UP WITH THIS WEATHER????I ask you now, wasn't spring supposed to have sprung? I have verified this information with our local meteorologists, my grandson who is ready to swim in the lake, the groundhog, and even the Easter bunny. All concur...spring has sprung. Mother Nature, on the other hand, is not cooperating. It's gray, damp and ugly outside and I have no desire to be out there. The birds are singing, but I've come to the conclusion that they need their tiny heads examined.<br />
<br />
My waistline thanks me, Bob's waistline thanks me (NOT). Since I can't work in my gardens, I've been cooking (surprise!). Our refrigerator is nearly ready to explode, but I can never find anything I want to eat. I have to make something new. Othertimes I'll see a commercial on TV and get a craving for something. Luckily, I have the ingredients to make almost anything. So, I do it. It's a vicious circle. If you have a few lemons hanging around and want to make the most delicious lemon bars you've ever eaten, let me know.<br />
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The sun actually poked its nose out yesteray for a few minutes. I guess it's waiting for a written invitation. <br />
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Nap time. Bye for now :)<br />
TikaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-45361844320862976732011-04-30T22:54:00.000-07:002011-04-30T22:59:35.642-07:00XAVIER DUFAURE DE CITRES INTERVIEW IN RE EXTREME GAMMONhttp://www.thebackgammonlearningcenter.com/wp/xavier/<br />
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Xavier Dufaure de Citres has brought to the backgammon community eXtreme Gammon but also GammonSite and in the past NetGammon.<br />
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Tell us something about your yourself and your background.<br />
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I am 42. I grew up in France, in Savoie to be precise, with my parents and my 2 brothers. I graduated from college in Grenoble in electrochemistry and electrometallurgy. I never used these skills since I left college as I started working in the software industry right away. I started to work for Borland as a Language Tech support specialist. I learned a lot but after one year it got boring and I found a job at GOTO software. I brought with me the backgammon program I had made (CyberGammon) and created NetGammon for GOTO.<br />
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This project will always remain very dear to my heart as it is on NetGammon that I met my wife Michelle.<br />
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I moved in the USA in 1998 and we got married in 1999. We have been living in Massillon, OH ever since. <br />
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<br />
What do you do for a living?<br />
<br />
I am a project manager in a small company (45 employees) that writes software for the food industry. I am more specifically taking care of the SQL database development and the data warehousing. <br />
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How did you get introduced to backgammon?<br />
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My first exposure to backgammon is a bit unusual. Around the age of 11 my older brother and I were receiving a magazine called “Jeux & Strategies.” It was covering a wide variety of games (wargames, logic puzzle, math puzzle etc…) and had a section for the “great classic”: Chess, Draughts, Othello, bridge, tarot, go and backgammon. <br />
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The backgammon section was made by Benjamin Hannuna. It was typically an 8 positions quiz. I got interested in the game and started learning from the Hannuna’s comments. So, strangely, I started backgammon by solving problems rather than actually playing. I tried to get my brothers and father interested but without success (the fact that I was a very bad loser at the time probably explains why). <br />
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I did not play backgammon until I went to engineering school (College). At the time I did not have a board so I wrote my first backgammon program (no engine, just an interface to play and store results). <br />
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How strong a player are you?<br />
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I am decent level, but far from the top. When paying attention I play around a PR of 5.0 in average. <br />
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What advice would you give to a new player that wants to become a top player some day?<br />
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Get eXtreme Gammon, of course! Also, read books or get some lessons with Phil Simborg! Programs are great at spotting your mistakes, but without the bases to understand why you actually made a mistake it will take longer to progress.<br />
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What’s the best backgammon book or article you’ve ever read? <br />
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I’ve always enjoyed Chris Bray’s, Backgammon; An Independent View. Robertie’s 501 Essential Positions is also something I often reopen.<br />
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What are you really good at besides backgammon? <br />
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I am quite good at logic puzzles. I like games in general and I can play most of them correctly but Backgammon is still the one I am strongest.<br />
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I am good at programming and have a strong mathematical background (Math Spe M’, for those who know the French educational system).<br />
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How do you relax other than playing backgammon?<br />
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I enjoy watching movies and playing games on the computers. Also, my wife Michelle and I always enjoy going out to a restaurant with good food and good wine.<br />
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Who are your heroes in backgammon…people you respect either for their play or for other reasons? <br />
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I am very impressed by how fast and accurate players like Neil Kazaross, Stick Rice, John O’Hagan etc… can be.<br />
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Has your game improved much in the past few years? If so, why?<br />
<br />
Not so much in the past 2 years because I’ve been more busy programming than playing. But in the years before that my skill improved a lot. XG was getting to its maturity level and I was playing again the bot a lot. I was focusing on getting the right moves and did not care about the result.<br />
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How did you happen to start GammonSite, a backgammon playing web site?<br />
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As I mentioned before I moved to the USA in 1998. I started to work on a Gaming site. The site (GameSite 2000) opened in 2000 and was including Chess, Checkers, Reversi and Backgammon.<br />
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The other games never caught on and later were dropped and the site renamed GammonSite.<br />
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Tell us a little about GammonSite.<br />
<br />
GammonSite offers rating, chat, tournaments and long duration leagues. Everything is highly configurable. It’s a friendly site for casual games, but experts are welcome. We have tournaments scheduled every half hour.<br />
<br />
How did you happen to develop Extreme Gammon?<br />
<br />
eXtreme Gammon started when Oasya (Snowie) told us they would start charging money to have their program running on GammonSite. As we did not want to (can couldn’t) pay the requested price, I started to work on an engine. After a few months, we were able to replace Snowie with our program. A year or so after, I thought I had a decent enough engine and started working on the interface. I worked on and off for about 5 years. Around 2008, we started to think about making it available commercially and started working in that direction. Phil Simborg came to GammonSite around that time and I happened to mention XG to him. I sent him the program and his enthusiasm about it showed us we had a product that would be interesting to users. We released the program in June 2009 and we have been very happy with how the product was received.<br />
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How is Extreme Gammon different and/or better than Snowie or GNUBG?<br />
<br />
The first thing I programmed in XG was that I wanted all the analysis to be done in the background. I always found very annoying to have to wait for the results while I could start checking my mistake.<br />
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This is the main difference with our competitor on the interface/usability side. The two other main differences are speed and strength.<br />
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<br />
Speed took a long time to achieve. Optimizing the core routine of XG in assembler was very fun, but it’s a long and complex process (to give you an idea I estimate I can write the same code in Delphi about 20 times faster than in assembler; however the assembler code will be between 5% and 20% faster). Speed optimizations are however challenging and have an instant gratification (If I found an optimization, I can just calibrate and see immediately what I gain). Strength is the opposite: you make a very simple change, let’s say in the cube efficiency and then in order to test that change you have to let the computer self-play for a couple days before seeing the results.<br />
<br />
I think XG surpass our competitors on both Speed and strength –the Depreli study and Phil’s study of positions that Snowie and Gnu missed in Michael Corbett’s book very clearly proved this to be true.<br />
<br />
Are you working on a new, improved version of Extreme Gammon? What features will it have? How will it be improved? When will it come out?<br />
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Yes XG2 work started in June last year. I started with retraining the neural network. The details of it are “trade secrets” so I won’t discuss them. However, the retraining required the analysis of 73 trillion positions! Even using multiple core i7 (up to it took several months. Big thanks to Neil Kazaross, Claude Landry and Miran Tuhtan for contributing their CPU power to that effort.<br />
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I am glad to say that we achieved a better improvement than we targeted. On the 3-ply as it has increased by 13.2 Elo (or 0.4 PR) and we would have been happy with 10. We also achieved even more significant improvement on backgames. Thanks to Neil Kazaross for his relentless effort to push me in that direction and his valuable feedback as the process unfolded.<br />
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Mochy and Phil Simborg have also helped in the trials and have provided excellent ideas and feedback.<br />
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The other changes are interface improvements. The non-exclusive list is: Clock play, Batch rollout, translation in other languages, new position export features, new HTML export, opening book using all the rollouts made by the community on Bgonline.org.<br />
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Release time is expected to be in June of 2011.<br />
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How would you compare eXtreme gammon to the best players in the world? Are there any specific areas of the game where eXtreme gammon is not as good as the best players in the world?<br />
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Neil, Mochy, Stick or any other giant can surely answer this better, but I think that XG (version 1) is globally stronger than any human player. Backgames are surely the positions XG understand the least but hopefully this is improved in the upcoming version.<br />
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Do you think internet play of backgammon will continue to grow in the future? How will we ever be able to play on line and be confident that no one is cheating?<br />
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Playing for money against people you do not know surely conveys the risk that this user will use a bot. As computers get faster, it makes it easier for people to use them while playing, they don’t have to wait any noticeable time for a 3-ply analyze. I think that’s why money games have drastically decreased on the internet (along with the outrageous rake on most sites).<br />
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Sites for casual play, such as GammonSite, do still have their place and I am sure will continue to grow as more people access the internet.<br />
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Do you ever hope to give up other jobs and devote your time to backgammon?<br />
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I wish, yes. I do not give up hope, but I would say this is quite unlikely that I would be able to do that anytime soon.<br />
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Do you ever intend to start playing in live competition?<br />
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Maybe, yes, I am procrastinating about that. Let’s say I am seriously thinking about it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887351609601109640.post-3031759286143546142011-04-28T23:10:00.000-07:002011-04-28T23:10:03.256-07:00WHAT'S NEWIsabelle's Locket is doing well :) I set it up as a giveaway in goodreads.com and have many people interested in it all ready. Colleen Mitchell and I are busy editing her second novel, which we've yet to name. She's just a busy girl, so full of energy and that wonderful imagination of hers keeps me on my toes. She has ideas for so many new books. <br />
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Bob and I are heading south again for a few days. We plan on hitting up some new bookstores and try to drum up some new business. We're taking Joey and Tyler with us (the keeshonds). Prissy gets to stay home all alone. She hates that. She likes me to be rigt next to her, or she isn't happy. <br />
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We've had so much rain here that we're scared to death of flooding again. Two or three houses across the street, one next to us and others down the street are pumping. The next door neighbor has water in their back yard. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We're good so far. <br />
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Spring is in the air and I'm itching to get back to the lake. This time of year I miss it so much. Always such a long winter.<br />
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That's it for now. Don't forget to check out my fan club page in Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=140040156027808">http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=140040156027808 </a>and of course the Thistlewoo Publishing page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_193321814031468"></a>. They will keep you updated.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719166253675660282noreply@blogger.com0