I received a call last night to inform me that The Gift is an Award of Merit recipient in the Holt Medallion's Paranormal category. All the winners and Awards of Merit (listed alphabetically) are here: http://www.virginiaromancewriters.com/Contests/holtwinners.html . Congratulations to all!
Thank you, Virginia Romance Writers!
~Deb
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
View from Here
I often post images of the amazing snow up here at almost 7,500 feet. We had a big snow the last day of summer and the first day of spring--and several since, I might add. We haven't seen any flakes for a couple of weeks now, so we're counting our blessings, and the pollen now. Even seeing a few blossoms here and there. So I thought it was only fair to share the view from my office window that greets me each morning when it isn't covered with snow. Even I have to admit you should be jealous. :) In the evening, I can sit on my deck and look to the east to see twinkling lights in the towns and cities below. It's pretty spectacular.
FYI, the old Queen Anne mansion you see in the photos is utterly gorgeous and it's for sale. If I had a few million lying around, I'd snatch it up. The estate is called Estemere.
Happy reading and writing!
http://debstover.blogspot.com/2010/05/view-from-here.html
~Deb, writing in the Rockies
FYI, the old Queen Anne mansion you see in the photos is utterly gorgeous and it's for sale. If I had a few million lying around, I'd snatch it up. The estate is called Estemere.
Happy reading and writing!
http://debstover.blogspot.com/2010/05/view-from-here.html
~Deb, writing in the Rockies
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Starting Young
In reviewing Annabella's first birthday party photos, I made an amusing discovery.
Here she is with the piano I bought her doing her honky tonk or Elton John imitation:
Then she's caught foisting a shot glass in her high chair--which she handed me a moment later for a refill.
Then, to top off this day of celebration, she's caught on camera selecting a lottery ticket, of all things. Gambling at the tender age of one! I hope she wins, so she can support her grandma. :)
Happy reading, everybody.
http://debstover.blogspot.com/
~Deb, AKA, Annabella's Grandma
Here she is with the piano I bought her doing her honky tonk or Elton John imitation:
Then she's caught foisting a shot glass in her high chair--which she handed me a moment later for a refill.
Then, to top off this day of celebration, she's caught on camera selecting a lottery ticket, of all things. Gambling at the tender age of one! I hope she wins, so she can support her grandma. :)
Her mom's favorite nickname for Annabella is "Treasure." It's easy to see why.
Happy reading, everybody.
http://debstover.blogspot.com/
~Deb, AKA, Annabella's Grandma
Annabella's First Birthday!
http://debstover.blogspot.com/
She's toddling around the house, talking to Grandma and her "Dada" on the telephone, even if that telephone is a ball or any other pretend item. On those occasions when she does get her hands on her Mom's Blackberry, she has somehow managed to put me on speed dial and knows just how to call me because I always answer. The one time I didn't, she left me a voice mail expressing her displeasure.
My dad drove out from Kansas for her first birthday party, held Saturday May 22nd, 2010 at my house in Palmer Lake. Annabella's parents brought in the goodies, and one of Bella's playmates came for the fun. Family and friends gathered, presents were opened, we gorged ourselves on good food, two yummy cakes, and a cherry pie. Most of all, we let Annabella provide the entertainment. It's amazing how much fun it is to watch a one-year-old explore the world we take for granted every single day.
I swear, every time she looks at my standard poodle, Maggie Mae, she doesn't see a dog. She sees a pony....
Happy birthday, sweet Annabella. Many, many, many more!
Love,
Grandma
Sunday, April 25, 2010
BOOK GROUPIE: Colorado's Stover and Randall | authors, Colorado, Stover - Life - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO
Reports of my move to Oklahoma in this wonderful column are more than 5 years late. I returned to Colorado in July 2005, where I have remained since. My family was only in Oklahoma for a few, very unhappy, months at the end of my late husband's battle with cancer. He and I planned our return to Colorado together. He asked me to bring his ashes home, so he could spend eternity in the Rockies. So we did, and we're still here. My current bio is here.
I absolutely adore what Anita Miller has to say about A Matter of Trust and The Gift, though. Thank you, Anita!
BOOK GROUPIE: Colorado's Stover and Randall | authors, Colorado, Stover - Life - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO
Posted using ShareThis
You'll find a link to Anita Miller's blog at the end of her column. It's a must-read for readers and writers. Enjoy!
Happy reading!
~Deb
I absolutely adore what Anita Miller has to say about A Matter of Trust and The Gift, though. Thank you, Anita!
BOOK GROUPIE: Colorado's Stover and Randall | authors, Colorado, Stover - Life - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO
Posted using ShareThis
You'll find a link to Anita Miller's blog at the end of her column. It's a must-read for readers and writers. Enjoy!
Happy reading!
~Deb
The Gift goes Digital
I knew it would be available eventually, but didn't know when. The Gift is now available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon for the Kindle. FYI...
Happy Reading!
Happy Reading!
Dinner Party Recipes
I was asked for recipes from a small dinner I had last night for a writer friend, my gentleman friend, and Princess Bonnie. Maggie Mae (my standard poodle) digested every bite we took, of course. The meal was yummy, if I do say so myself.
As an aside, I use only organic, natural ingredients. When I say whipping cream, I mean real whipping cream you make with a mixer --not "Cool Whip." Since I'm allergic to soy and corn, I've learned to return to nature, and use only real food. I'm a firm believer in Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food.
FWIW, just like my novels these recipes emerged from my imagination (or were altered drastically from the original). :)
Pork Loin with Spinach
Ingredients
Serves 4
* 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
* 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
* 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary and/or chopped thyme
* 1 tablespoon plus 4 teaspoons olive oil
* 1 3/4 pounds pork tenderloin (about 2)
* 3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
* Freshly ground pepper
* 1/2 - 1 pound spinach, washed well (may substitute frozen, if necessary)
* 1 large lemon, scrubbed and sliced
Directions
1. Put olive oil in bottom of large crockpot or Dutch oven (if using oven, preheat to 325).
Place onion slices and some coarse salt in bottom ( henceforth, dish refers to either
crockpot or Dutch oven).
2. Place pork in dish; sprinkle with herbs and seasonings (reserve some salt & pepper).
Layer spinach over pork with garlic and lemon slices. Sprinkle remaining salt & pepper (to
taste) over top. Cover dish.
3. Roast in oven, spooning juices over pork occasionally (unnecessary in crockpot), until
thickest part of pork reaches 155 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat; let rest until pork reaches 160 degrees, about 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, prepare bread and quinoa.
I serve spinach and broth over the quinoa, and prepared a flax flatbread.
Flatbread Recipe (make while meat is cooking)
Ingredients:
* 2 cups flax seed meal
* 1 Tablespoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon sea salt
* 1-2 Tablespoons sugar equivalent from artificial sweetener (I omit)
* 5 beaten eggs
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/3 cup olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare pan (a 10X15 pan with sides works best) with oiled
parchment paper.
1) Mix dry ingredients well (I use a large whisk for entire process).
2) Add wet to dry, and combine well. Make sure there aren't obvious strings of egg white.
3) Pour batter into pan. Spread it away from the center in roughly a rectangle an inch or
two from the sides of the pan (you can go all the way to the edge, but it will be thinner).
4) Bake for about 20 minutes, until it springs back when you touch the top and/or is visibly
browning even more than flax already is (basically, texture of cornbread).
5) Cool and cut into whatever size slices you want. Just cut it with a spatula.
Chocolate Mousse:
Ingredients:
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup Cocoa powder (pure, not drink mix!!!!)
* 2 cup (1/2 pt.) cold whipping cream (real stuff, not fake!)
*2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Stir together sugar and cocoa in medium bowl; add whipping cream and vanilla. Beat on
medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bottom of bowl occasionally, until mixture is
stiff. Spoon into serving dishes.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish if and as desired. Cover and
refrigerate leftover desserts. Four 1/2 cup servings.
As an aside, I use only organic, natural ingredients. When I say whipping cream, I mean real whipping cream you make with a mixer --not "Cool Whip." Since I'm allergic to soy and corn, I've learned to return to nature, and use only real food. I'm a firm believer in Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food.
FWIW, just like my novels these recipes emerged from my imagination (or were altered drastically from the original). :)
Pork Loin with Spinach
Ingredients
Serves 4
* 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
* 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
* 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary and/or chopped thyme
* 1 tablespoon plus 4 teaspoons olive oil
* 1 3/4 pounds pork tenderloin (about 2)
* 3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
* Freshly ground pepper
* 1/2 - 1 pound spinach, washed well (may substitute frozen, if necessary)
* 1 large lemon, scrubbed and sliced
Directions
1. Put olive oil in bottom of large crockpot or Dutch oven (if using oven, preheat to 325).
Place onion slices and some coarse salt in bottom ( henceforth, dish refers to either
crockpot or Dutch oven).
2. Place pork in dish; sprinkle with herbs and seasonings (reserve some salt & pepper).
Layer spinach over pork with garlic and lemon slices. Sprinkle remaining salt & pepper (to
taste) over top. Cover dish.
3. Roast in oven, spooning juices over pork occasionally (unnecessary in crockpot), until
thickest part of pork reaches 155 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat; let rest until pork reaches 160 degrees, about 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, prepare bread and quinoa.
I serve spinach and broth over the quinoa, and prepared a flax flatbread.
Flatbread Recipe (make while meat is cooking)
Ingredients:
* 2 cups flax seed meal
* 1 Tablespoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon sea salt
* 1-2 Tablespoons sugar equivalent from artificial sweetener (I omit)
* 5 beaten eggs
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/3 cup olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare pan (a 10X15 pan with sides works best) with oiled
parchment paper.
1) Mix dry ingredients well (I use a large whisk for entire process).
2) Add wet to dry, and combine well. Make sure there aren't obvious strings of egg white.
3) Pour batter into pan. Spread it away from the center in roughly a rectangle an inch or
two from the sides of the pan (you can go all the way to the edge, but it will be thinner).
4) Bake for about 20 minutes, until it springs back when you touch the top and/or is visibly
browning even more than flax already is (basically, texture of cornbread).
5) Cool and cut into whatever size slices you want. Just cut it with a spatula.
Chocolate Mousse:
Ingredients:
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup Cocoa powder (pure, not drink mix!!!!)
* 2 cup (1/2 pt.) cold whipping cream (real stuff, not fake!)
*2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Stir together sugar and cocoa in medium bowl; add whipping cream and vanilla. Beat on
medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bottom of bowl occasionally, until mixture is
stiff. Spoon into serving dishes.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish if and as desired. Cover and
refrigerate leftover desserts. Four 1/2 cup servings.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Springtime in the Rockies
http://debstover.blogspot.com/
Spring showers at 7,436' above sea level are often white. In fact, I remember many Mother's Days spent with snow. The tomato seedlings are still inside, but the lettuce and peas don't mind germinating beneath the snow, thank goodness. I'll bet the bears wish they had waited a couple of weeks longer before leaving their caves this year, though.
View from my front door at 6:20 AM, April 24th, 2010
View from my office, 6:21 AM, April 24th, 2010
I console myself with the reminder that summers at altitude are wonderful, though entirely too short.
Looks like good writing weather. And reading...
Happy spring, wherever you are!
~Deb
Spring showers at 7,436' above sea level are often white. In fact, I remember many Mother's Days spent with snow. The tomato seedlings are still inside, but the lettuce and peas don't mind germinating beneath the snow, thank goodness. I'll bet the bears wish they had waited a couple of weeks longer before leaving their caves this year, though.
View from my front door at 6:20 AM, April 24th, 2010
View from my office, 6:21 AM, April 24th, 2010
I console myself with the reminder that summers at altitude are wonderful, though entirely too short.
Looks like good writing weather. And reading...
Happy spring, wherever you are!
~Deb
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