Leaping Lizards, it's Leap Day

Leap Day is February 29, which is an extra day added during a Leap Year—which happens today and makes the year 366 days long—not 365 days as in a usual year. You probably all know that, but I thought I’d put a quick explanation for anyone (like me) who tends to forget how often Leap Year arrives and disrupts the Gregorian calendar.

Most of you probably know that there is some folklore attached to Leap Year, and I’m going to tell you a little about those traditions, but first I’m going to shout a hearty HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all those who were born on February 29. Being forced to wait four years between birthday cakes would be horrid (just kidding). Still, as an adult you could honesty reduce your age by a lot of years and be telling the truth.

One of the traditions, according to an Irish legend is that women may propose to men on Leap Day. There is an Irish legend that St. Bridget struck a deal with St. Patrick that would permit women the opportunity to propose to men every four years—this change in proposal habits was supposed to balance the change in the calendar. Now just in case you didn’t know about this proposal thing and you’d like to propose to your man on Leap Day, you need to hurry as Leap Day won’t occur until February 29 2016 (that’s a Monday for those who want to mark their calendar).

Now here’s the part I think is really fun: A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. In European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, there is a tradition that a man must purchase the woman twelve pairs of gloves if he refuses her proposal. The reason for the gloves is so the woman can wear them to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring. Can you believe that during the middle ages there were laws governing this tradition? I’m just imagining a lot of men going into hiding on Leap Day.

On the negative side, in Scotland it used to be considered bad luck to be born on Leap Day—rather like Friday the 13th. And in Greece, it is said to be unlucky to marry during Leap Year and especially unlucky to marry on Leap Day.

So, what do you think? Would you, could you, or have you ever entertained the idea of being the one who proposed marriage? What would you think of a book—not a comedy—but a romantic novel, where the woman becomes so frustrated waiting on the man that she proposes marriage? Would you be disappointed? Would you think the marriage doomed to failure if she had to resort to such tactics? I'm curious what you might think of steering away from normal conventions in a romantic novel.

May you find joy as you bask in the love of Jesus. ~Judy

"Baby-It's-Cold-Outside-but-I'm-not" Chili

SURPRISE! I'm not posting about sweets today. Instead, I’m sharing a staple meal in the Alexander household and something that you will always find in our refrigerator. And it’s especially good on those cold, gray days of winter. Or if it’s warm and sunshiny where you are, well, it’s really good there too. And it's got some good history to it too! 

Here are some Chili Facts from the International Chili Society:

Did you know that the mixture of meat, beans, peppers, and herbs was known to the Incas, Aztecs, and Mayan Indians long before Columbus and the conquistadores. 



Fact: Chile peppers were used in Cervantes's Spain and show up in great ancient cuisines of China, India, Indonesia, Italy, the Caribbean, France, and the Arab states.



Fact: Don Juan de Onate entered what is now New Mexico in 1598 and brought with him the green chile pepper. It has grown there for the nearly four hundred years since.



Fact: Canary Islanders, transplanted in San Antonio as early as 1723, used local peppers, wild onions, garlic, and other spices to concoct pungent meat dishes - improvising upon ones they had cooked for generations in their native land, where the chile pepper also grew.

 I originally got the recipe I use from the Sugar Busters Recipe Cookbook and have adapted the recipe through the years. One of the main differences is that I use ground turkey now. And love it! It’s so much leaner than beef. But that said, I’ll occasionally still use ground beef, which I happened to do with this batch, wouldn't ya know. (And I made a double batch in these pictures.)

I'll share the recipe at the end, but it's super easy!

We're a family in love with peppers, and a chopped bell pepper gives this chili a wonderful flavor, 

plus Vitamins C and B6.

And a sauteed onion to help freshen the breath! 

I sometimes saute my onion first, but you don't have to.

Brown your ground turkey or beef.

Then add the onions and peppers.

Grab some Ground Cumin Seed and Chili Powder, of course. Must haves for chili!

And add those spices with your cans of Rotel, Pinto Beans, and Kidney Beans.

And voila! You're done! 

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of this in a pretty bowl sprinkled with cheese and with a dollop of light sour cream on the top, which is how we ate it. And oh, it was so good!

"Baby-It's-Cold-Outside-but-I'm-not" Chili

1 pound ground turkey (or lean ground beef)

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 chopped green bell pepper

1 15-ounce can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)

1 15-ounce can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)

2 10-ounce cans Original Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and chilies

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt and pepper

Combine the ground turkey or beef, onion and bell pepper in a medium saucepan. Stirring constantly, cook over medium-high heat until the meat is crumbly and the onion translucent. Add the beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper. Bring to a slow simmer and cook for about 45 minutes. Then enjoy! Delicious! Make some Southern cornbread and you’re good to go!

And okay, just so we can have something sweet in this post…

When Christy Jordan and I had dinner recently, she shared a book with me that her daughter Katy Rose has written AND illustrated (Katy wanted me to know). I read it to Jack (who loved it), then I snapped a picture of him for Katy Rose after we'd finished. He ate it up it, Katy Rose (figure of speech). Keep on writing, babe! You're a natural!

So are y'all chili lovers like we are? Do you have a special family recipe or use "secret ingredients" in yours? I'd love to hear!

Much love,

Tammy 

I Love the Movies

The 84th Academy Awards. Did you watch them? I've skipped a lot of Oscar shows in recent years, but having Billy Crystal return as the MC plus my desire to see The Help do well where nominated drew me to the sofa for three hours on Sunday night. Crystal's song about the nine Best Picture nominees would, of course, have been enjoyed more if I'd seen all nine movies. I've seen four but I will see more of them on DVD in the future.

There are some novelists I know whose internal editor not only changes the way they read books but the way they see movies. Their brains are busy analyzing how the stories are told, and they never go deep into the movie itself.

One more reason I'm thankful I'm an intuitive writer. It is so much easier for me to suspend reality for a couple of hours in the theater and enter the story world of the writers and actors and directors. Yes, I still often anticipate what will happen next, but it doesn't spoil it for me. One reason, I guess, that I can watch the same movies over and over and love them just as much the 50th time as the first time. (I've even started a Pinterest Board of movies I can watch again and again.)

Do you love movies, too? What was your favorite movie from 2011?

Bet you can tell from these photos what my favorite 2011 movie was. I would have loved to see it sweep the Oscars, but that was impossible since Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer were up in the same category. I wanted Viola Davis to win for Best Actress, but I'm not surprised Meryl Streep won for The Iron Lady; she's amazing.

Huge congratulations to Octavia Spencer, who won for Best Supporting Actress (Minny in The Help). Well deserved.

~robin

The Best Medicine

UPDATE: Saturday afternoon, Tracie called to tell me Jim's mother, Casey, slipped away to be with Jesus. She's been sick for a long time, and she told Jim and Tracie just two days ago, "I'm going home." Please keep the Peterson in your prayers.

The Ultimate Medicine is God's unique blend of Mercy, Love and Redemption.
How grateful we all are for that reassurance for ourselves and our loved ones!

What follows below is my original post. It's lighthearted, and I considered erasing it now--but anyone who's met Jim knows what a great sense of humor he has. He inherited it from his mom, so I've left it. --Cathy
~~~~~~~~~~~~God Bless Them All~~~~~~~~~~

Having read Tracie's blog yesterday about remedies, I'm convinced laughter is the best medicine, so I'm sharing a joke.

A hen struts into the library, up to the desk and says,
“Bok! Bok!”
Though stunned, the librarian checks out the book to her.

The next day, the hen returns the book and says, “Bok! Bok!”
Amazed, the librarian grabs the nearest book and checks it
out to the hen.

The third day, the hen comes back, “Bok! Bok!”
The librarian has a popular book waiting and recommends it.
Unable to quell her curiosity, the librarian watches the hen leave and follows her.
Down the street, around the corner, and into the park….
The librarian watches as the hen settles into the grass next to the pond, nestles in, and opens the book. Using the tip of her wing, she opens the cover and begins to read aloud.

A frog leaps off his lily pad and said, “Read it!”

Three things to take away from this:

1) Librarians are heroes. Literacy is more important to them than judging.
2) Even birdbrains know books are meant to be shared.
3) The frog was a good friend—he didn’t spoil the ending… but
if he were a great friend, he’d offer to discuss the book after the hen finished it!

Okay, maybe one more thing:

I must not be a frog, because I enjoy re-reading books.

It's like visiting an old friend.

Admittedy, my bookshelves are groaning, so either I am old, or I have a lot of old friends.

.... and yet I've filled boxes of them and given them to Mom and the church library.

Just how obscenely large is your collection of “keepers?”

Cathy

Interesting Recipes

Since Tammy and Judy often share the yummy foods, I thought I’d share some interesting recipes for other things.


In historic research I’m always coming across fun facts and since my sister bloggers write historical fiction and the blog readers seem to love it as well – I thought you might like to see what I found in the Home Cooking book – recipes compiled by the Waseca Co. Historical Society in Waseca, MN. If you want to purchase a copy – their phone number is 1-507-835-7700. It does mention that some of these recipes aren’t recommended for today’s use.

Panada (for Invalid’s Tray)
Place a cracker, fresh and dry, in a saucer. Fill with hot water and slightly salt. Let it stand in a warm place like the back of the stove or the hearth. The cracker will absorb water so add more and eventually the cracker will become clear and of the consistency of jelly. Drain any remaining water, add butter or cream, sugar if preferred. (From Miss Canfield, submitted by the Congregational Church Cookbook – 1899)
I know if I were sick I would definitely want this. NOT!


Cough Syrup
10 cents Lenkrich, 10 cents Tincture of Lobelea, and 10 cents Annis oil
Soak Lenkrich in 3 cups of water. Next morning add 2 cups of sugar and cook to a syrup. Let cool and add Lobelea and Annis Oil. (From Grandmother Friday submitted by Dianne Peterson)


Mom’s Homemade Salve
¼ lb. bees wax, ¼ lb. rosin and 1 lb. unsalted butter. Stir together and boil until it is dissolved. Pour in jars to harden. (from Marlys Keane)

Remedy for Ivy Poisoning
1 ounce tincture of iron mixed with 2 ounces of glycerine, applied a few times locally will cure the severest cases in 24 hours. (from Dianne Peterson – no relation to me)

And last but not least a much needed element for any household.

Linament
2 tbsp. mustard, 2 tbsp. turpentine, 2 pts. Vinegar. Shake well before using. Good for man or beast. (From Carol Hagen)

It’s hard sometimes to imagine not just being able to run down to the store for medicine and over the counter cures (although they had plenty of those in the 1800’s too). Most folks made and kept handy recipes like I’ve listed, however, because it was so much cheaper than buying someone else’s bottled remedy.



Besides, who knew better than grandma (or in this case my great, great,grandma Amanda Shane)how to cure the common cold?
Blessings to you
Tracie

What's Wrong With This Picture?

If you answered the question with, "Um, there's no desk," or some variation of the same, you are absolutely correct. I am currently deskless. And I've been having to make do.

Meet Desk-Replacement #1. Actually, the height of the red step-stool chair from the kitchen wasn't too bad. And the steps made convenient "shelves" to place my reading material and coffee cup. But the surface is pretty small--barely enough space for my laptop to sit--which left no place for me to rest my hands and my arms got tired pretty quickly just hovering in the air beside the chair. Besides that, Hubs wanted the chair back in the kitchen to hold the potato bin so he'd quit tripping over it. So...that was short-lived.

Moving on to Desk Replacement #2. I made do with items in my office--my desk chair and an ottoman. As you can see, the shortness of the ottoman let me rest my elbows on my knees, eliminating the arm issue presented by the red chair, but it opened a new discomfort: can you say "back pain"? Yes, the hunching forward very quickly took its toll on my lower spine. Additionally, the surface space of the ottoman is no better than the red chair, so it proved to be a rather ineffectual desk.

Then, on Tuesday afternoon, the doorbell rang! "A desk!" you're thinking, right? Wrong. But...something else I've been anticipating...

My new office chair!

I very quickly got set up to make the best use of this spiffy chair. (Yes, I know there are cords stringing all over, Tammy--I haven't bought ribbon yet.) This works quite nicely...unless I need to get up quickly. Then it can be a bit of a problem. BUT I'm not hunching forward, my arms aren't hovering in the air, I have a nice surface on which to place my coffee cup and book and glasses and laptop without feeling squished. So it's serving its purpose.

But I'm still really really really wanting my desk. *sigh*

Years ago, the principal at the grade school where I taught overheard one of the kids call me "Mrs. S," and he smirked. Nudged me. Asked, "Does 'Mrs. S' stand for 'Mrs. Structure'?" I had to laugh--yes, that title certainly fit me. I am very much a person of structure and routine. This worked well in my elementary classroom--kids with learning issues or behavioral issues performed better in my room because they knew what to expect...the routine gave them security. I like my routine--my comfort zone--for the same reason: it gives me security. So this lack of desk has really rocked my world.

Silly, isn't it? Actually, it's been a good learning experience for me. Remember the verse in Philippians when Paul states, "...for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (HCSB translation)? I've been learning to be content with whatever is available to me rather than being so hung up on "my" structure. Maybe by the time my desk arrives, I'll have discovered a comfort in writing in other places in the house, too. That would be quite something!

And speaking of when the desk will arrive... Let's have a little fun, shall we? The email I received on Tuesday about the desk said, "Your order will be leaving our warehouse within 2 to 3 business days. Please allow approximate 3 to 4 weeks for delivery." So there are your hints. Leave a guesstimate of DAY AND TIME for arrival in a comment. Whoever guesses the closest will receive a package from "Mrs. S." :o)

God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim

For Your Reading Pleasure

Tracie and I had the distinct pleasure of writing “The End” on the last page of the third (and final) book in the Bridal Veil Series this past week. As an author, one of the most satisfying times for me is when I type those words. There is a genuine sense of accomplishment. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s truly ‘the end,’ because the manuscript comes back to us for edits and final revisions, but that doesn’t detract from the sense of completion when those words are at the bottom of the page.

The other fun thing is that before I begin my next book, I spend a little time catching up on some of the books I don’t have time to read when I’m writing. So, I thought I’d share a few that I’ve managed to read over the past few days—and my pile is still quite high! You’ll notice they aren’t all new releases, but they’ve all been delightful. I recommend each one for your reading pleasure.

Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart. I’m a fan of Ann H. Gabhart—she’s a wonderful writer and a genuinely sweet lady. I enjoy all of her books. While I read this book in manuscript form for endorsement a while ago, I highly recommend it as a historical novel you’ll truly enjoy. Ann weaves a wonderful story and this one is set in Louisville, Kentucky in 1855. There’s mystery, romance and you’ll learn fun facts about the newspaper business back in the 19th century.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen. I’m also a fan of Julie’s and have truly enjoyed every book she’s written. Because I’ve been watching Downton Abby, I particularly enjoyed the journey into Fairbourne Hall where I learned a bit more about the below stairs world of another English manor. Maid to Match by Deanne Gist. After spending time at Downton Abby and Fairbourne Hall, I enjoyed taking a peek at the Biltmore Estate and learning some of the differences between the English and American servant class. Along with a good dose of humor, there’s lots of wonderful history woven into the story.
A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander. Again, I must admit that I read this one in manuscript form, but I’m going to read it again because I loved it even before it was completely finished! And though I don’t want her to get a big head, I must admit that I am a Tammy Alexander fan. A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad. If you enjoy humor, you'll love this book. And if you want to learn about the early years of women and baseball, you'll love this book. And if you want to learn about a huge amusement part and lake smackdab in the middle of Iowa, you'll love this book. This book is the second in the Lake Manawa series. If you read Making Waves, the first book in the series, you've got to read this one, too. And if you didn't read Making Waves, then you need to read both right away because the third book, The Ride of Her Life, releases in May!

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin. I’m only part way through this one, but am learning a piece of history that is new to me. Set during the Great Depression, the heroine loses her job in a library and agrees to deliver books to the mountains of eastern Kentucky where librarians deliver books on mule or horseback and life is much more depressed than what she left behind in Illinois.

Next Up: Song of My Heart, by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes, and Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson, and I have Heart of Gold by Robin Lee Hatcher, waiting on my Kindle. Hope I can get them all read before I get back to work.

So tell me, please, what good books have you read that you want to recommend to me and the rest of our blog readers?

May you find joy as you delight in reading about His love for you. ~Judy

Glimpses of the Belmont Mansion

If you've read A Lasting Impression, you may be interested (or maybe not, depending on your mood) in seeing some of the pieces of art that Adelicia Acklen, the mistress of the Belmont Mansion, really owned, and that I included in the storyline of this novel.

If you are, visit The Belmont Mansion Novels page on my website, and you'll see the five statues Adelicia bought while on her grand tour of Europe, along with some other glimpses of the mansion and its history.

I am absolutely LOVING writing about antebellum mansions and weaving a ton of real life history into these stories filled with actual characters who lived and breathed. But I have to tell you… It's a tad intimidating at times.

Because even though I've poured over letters and diaries and newspaper accounts, etc... and definitely have a sense of "knowing" these people, still…over one hundred and forty years separate us so I don't have the luxury of sitting down with those people and truly getting to know them. Or of just "making up their history" as what seems best to me. These people lived. They made choices that had eternal consequences. They have descendants who are reading these books. And these "characters" are very real to me, even more so than usual, with good reason.

One thing that helps me so much is to spend time in their homes. You get a sense of who someone is/was when you visit their home, when you look at what they spent money on, what they deemed as valuable, what they prized, and in reading the letters they wrote to each other [that they, of course, had no idea would be broadcast to the world. Now that's humbling feeling, isn't it? What if the emails you wrote were someday published in a book? Ack!] All of these things say a great deal about a person.

Have you ever been to a historical setting and then felt as if that gave you better perspective into who that person was who lived there? If so, please share!

Tammy

P.S. One more thing I want to tell you about… A contest from Terri Blackstock!

Enter to win a $500 prize for yourself…plus another $500 for an addiction-based 

Christian ministry or church outreach of your choice!

What a great opportunity! Please pass this link along to someone you think it might bless!

Nominate Someone for a Heart of Gold

Since my iPhone post went up a day early, I'm sneaking in a bonus post. I want as many caregivers as possible to be recognized and the length of the contest has been changed to end on March 10, so time is of the essence.

Here’s Your Chance to Help Someone with a Heart of Gold Win a Heart of Gold

To help celebrate the publication of Heart of Gold, I have teamed with The Caregiver’s Voice to hold a contest that honors all caregivers, whether family member, professional health care worker or volunteer. I know it truly takes a Heart of Gold to provide loving assistance to those who need it.

If you have a special caregiver in your life, nominate that person for recognition. Everyone who enters a caregiver for consideration will receive an acknowledgement email to forward on to (or print off for) the nominee. And every nominee will be honored on a special recognition page on www.RobinLeeHatcher.com.

One grand prize winner will receive a special gold heart necklace, valued at approximately $200. See contest details below.

---

 

Nominate a Caregiver You Admire for a Gold Heart Necklace

To nominate a special caregiver, fill out the form at TheCaregiversVoice.com by March 10 explaining why you think your nominee deserves to be recognized. Please write “Heart of Gold Nominee” at the top of the text box.
That’s all it takes.

Some nomination stories, to be selected by Robin, will also be posted in all, in part or synopsized on Robin’s Facebook page and/or website.

Robin, with The Caregiver’s Voice, will select ten nominees as semi-finalists, five of those ten as finalists and one as the grand prize winner. All ten semi-finalists will receive a copy of Heart of Gold. The finalists will be awarded a framed certificate of recognition, and the grand prize winner will receive a gold heart necklace valued at approximately $200.

Winners will be announced on Robin’s Facebook page, website and on The Caregiver's Voice on April 1.

Your Greatest Hurt Will Be . . .

. . . your greatest ministry.

The title and first line are from Rick Warren (or as close to a quote as my tired brain can recall). And it is so true. It's what I minister from at the women's retreats I lead--from my greatest hurts. I share all that God has faithfully brought me through and the lessons I've learned in the process.

My time in Missouri was wonderful. My hostesses all so caring. I love that I can arrive a stranger to everyone at these retreats and leave with a whole lot of new friends.

To make Tammy happy, I remembered to take a photo of my supper on Thursday. Trouble is, I'm writing this on my iPhone at the KCI Airport and don't know for sure how this Blogger app works. So I hope the photo attaches.

The 2nd photo (cross fingers) is the view from the cottage where I stayed. Lovely!

I will try to share something more thought out next week. And if this posts on Sunday instead of Monday, chalk it up to travel brain or more likely the lack of app options.

~robin

P.S. I'm feeling better. One bad coughing jag during my testimony but the rest went okay.

It's All in the Bag

Have you ever worked like crazy to pull off an event, only to have one little thing mess it all up?
A friend asked me this week about Kelly's wedding. She attended, and everything looked great. I laughed and told her several things didn't go *exactly* according to the original plan, but we didn't have any major catastrophes.

Then again, I have a measuring stick in the back of my mind. I hope and pray I don't ever hit "harvest."

A few generations back, the story goes, a farmer's wife prepared for days in advance for harvest day. Farmers all showed up at one place, harvested that family's wheat, then moved on to the next farm.... Hard, hot work. The women would do morning chores, then take food to help serve "dinner" (lunch) to the men. That farmer's wife practically killed herself, laying out a spread.
soooooooo....
This wife killed, plucked, and fried several chicken. She made cucumber salad, loaves of bread, churned butter, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, gravy, potato salad--After working her fingers to the bone (still minding the babies, making sure the house was spotless, and pots of coffee were ready) This lady was to be a listening ear, a gracious hostess, and put on a spotless apron.
Are you already glad you didn't have to measure up?

Before the men were called in from the field, women lined up washstands and benches to hold buckets of water so the men could clean up before eating. Stacks of flour-sack dish towels lay beside the tubs. The woman sent little boys out to wave the men in to eat, and she took a minute to make sure everything was "Just so." After all, a woman was judged by the harvest day meal she served.

Food on the tables. Chattering children, smiling friends, a bountiful harvest... perfect.

The men washed up, grabbed a towel and dried off.. and her husband went last. He grabbed the flour sack, shook it open, and there he was, waving her bloomers at everyone they knew!

Her mother folded her arms across her chest and said loudly, "Ja, and I taught her how to embroider and crochet that fine lace!"
So I reckon no matter what goes wrong, I'm going to have to make the best of it.
Besides, flour comes in paper bags these days, so that's one problem I'll never have!
Cathy