11/21/2012

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy holidays to you! I hope today finds you in good health and enjoying the bounty of the season. I'm super late posting this because I was caught up reading some really interesting and relevant posts re the genre I write in. Three hours and a bit of a migraine later- I can tell you this much. 

To each his own. There are no rights or wrongs or absolutes, and anyone who says there are is delusional. 

Case in point. Cranberry salad. My SO and I both have family recipes for cranberry salad for the big feast. 

Here's my family recipe. 

1 pound fresh cranberries. 
1 cup water
1 cup sugar.

Bring water to a boil. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Add cranberries. Return to boil. Boil ten minutes. Remove from heat. Chill. Serve. 

Easy. Done. Delicious. 

Here's my SO's family recipe. 

3 pkg. raspberry or strawberry Jello
2 c. boiling water
1 pkg. frozen sliced strawberries
1 can crushed pineapple 
2 cans whole berry cranberry sauce



Dissolve the Jello in the 2 cups boiling water. Add the frozen strawberries, crushed pineapple and cranberry sauce. Stir smooth. Pour into mold or other serving dish. Refrigerate until set. 



Ain't a damn thing wrong with either of those salads. Just depends on what you fancy. Some people like the simple tart/sweet flavor of my family recipe. Some people like the more complex flavors of the other salad. 

They're both good. Personal taste dictates which one goes on your plate. Heck, some people even try them both. That's just fine too. 


Willow November 16, 2012
BUY LINKS

REVIEWS
BLURB
Making decisions is sometimes difficult for Willow Shaw, but loving Cade Lawson comes easily. Too bad Cade regards him as too young to know his own mind.

As a favor for an old friend, cop Cade Lawson is keeping a watchful eye on his young neighbor, Willow Shaw. He'd thought that would involve some hanging out, watching movies and heart-to-heart talks on college life.

But the Will who moved into his apartment building wasn't the same little boy who'd worshipped his father's friend. No, this Willow is rowdy, defiant, challenging, and alluring. He stirs feelings that Cade is uncomfortable with.

Cade might be uncomfortable, but Willow Shaw is desperate. He's had a crush on Cade for years, and he'd hoped it would fade away one day. Hiding his growing feelings is his top priority, even if it means acting like a prick, because there is absolutely no way a man like Cade—strong, decisive, handsome, and experienced—is going to be attracted to him.

Mini EXCERPT #1

Cade nodded, sat in the only remaining chair and pulled Willow onto his knee. "No problem. Sorry to steal your seat, but I've been on my feet all day. You don't mind?"
And to his surprise, Willow didn't. Cade was being nice, and he didn't have to worry about Slim because Andre had him occupied. The band bounced their way back on stage for the second set. He sipped his drink again, and nodded at Cade. "It's cool. Just shove me off if I get too heavy."
Cade chuckled, and Willow found himself smiling. Liquid warmth spread through him. It wasn't alcohol, so it must be just Cade affecting him like this. As the band played he relaxed back, leaning against Cade for support, and let his mind follow the music. He looped an arm around Cade's neck and played with the man's neatly trimmed brown hair, blew lightly in his ear, and giggled a little.
Cade turned his head, and met his gaze. There was warmth there, desire. "Will, have you been drinking?" His voice was soft and urgent. "Be honest now. I'm not angry, and I won't lecture. I just need to know."
Willow giggled. "No. Just soda. That's all."

4 comments:

  1. My cranberry recipe is the same as yours except I add lemon zest and my husband's family's involves golden raisins, ginger, cloves and other spices. I love them both just like I love lots of different types of books.

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    Replies
    1. It's just amazing how some people can revel in variety and others want everyone to just liek what they like, isn't it? I love both of these salads, and my sis makes a fantastic one with oranges and apples as well. :)

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  2. These both sound great :) And I believe everyone is entitled to like what they want...but isn't it great when people leave their comfort zones and try new things out...yeah - I like that. <3

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  3. We always had more than one cranberry salad/ sauce on the table - one the lovely, naked berries and the other something a little more complex. I think my favorite was the one with apples and ginger.

    Variety, for me, is the entire point to eating. :D

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