Day 6 of the 12 Tales of the Holiday Season...an excerpt from Allison McWood's "Holly & Ivy"12/18/2023 Today, I present to you an excerpt (Chapters 3 & 4) from author Allison McWood's Christmas novella, Holly & Ivy: A Dysfunctional Christmas Novella (copied below with permission by the author)...
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Day 5 of the 12 Tales of the Holiday Season...a recipe from author Justine Alley Dowsett...12/17/2023 Check out this fabulous vegetarian option for the holiday season...a mushroom gravy recipe from author and publisher, Justine Alley Dowsett! If you’re making a traditional-style North American holiday feast, you HAVE to have gravy. It’s the condiment that ties the whole meal together. And usually, it’s a byproduct of making the turkey. So what do you do when you’re vegetarian or have guests who don’t eat meat but want the same experience? Back when I was a newbie in the vegetarian world, I found a recipe for mushroom gravy on the inside flap of a Tofurkey box and it was a holiday game changer. Nowadays I’m back to eating meat, but I will still make a mushroom gravy and my friends all love it enough that they request it anytime I make turkey, or a roast or even meatballs. It’s great on mashed potatoes, or anywhere else you’d use gravy. And it’s a great way to use up mushrooms you might have lying around. Here’s how it’s done: 500g Mushrooms (white or cremini), sliced thinly An Onion (diced) 2 tablespoons Butter or a neutral oil 2 tablespoons flour Pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons soy sauce Mushroom or vegetable broth Fry your mushrooms and onion until soft. Add butter or oil. Stir in flour to make a roux. Add pepper and soy sauce, then slowly add mushroom or vegetable broth, stirring constantly over medium heat until your desired consistency is reached. That’s it! It’s super simple and versatile and will complete your holiday meal while offering a great alternative for your vegetarian guests. Justine Alley Dowsett is the author of nine novels and counting, and one of the founders of Mirror World Publishing. Her books, which she often co-writes with her sister, Murandy Damodred, range from young adult science fiction to dark fantasy/romance. She earned a BA in Drama from the University of Windsor, honed her skills as an entrepreneur by tackling video game production, and now she dedicates her time to writing, publishing, and occasionally role-playing with her friends. For more information visit: http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com
Let's welcome back young children's author Rosie Amazing! Today, she reads an excerpt from her picture book, Snowy Peter... Welcome to Day 3! Today, I've got a poem for you from children's author Tonya Cartmell...presenting Without you at Christmas... For many, Christmas is a time of joy, lights, love, family, and faith. We cuddle up and watch movies while drinking hot chocolate. Our homes are filled with the smell of baking cookies made from recipes that only come out once a year. We host dinners and parties with our friends and family. Some of us loudly sing Christmas carols without caring who hears. This year, I’ve been reminded that for some people, Christmas can bring sadness, loneliness, and memories of what has been lost. I originally had other ideas for this blog post but my heart wanted to share these thoughts. If you are missing someone this Christmas and struggling to find joy, I hope you know you are not alone. Without you at Christmas by Tonya Cartmell Christmas around me lacks lustre. The carols fall flat on my ears. No stockings hang on the mantel. The tree is now watered by tears. Christmas joy left me when you did. Our lives forever intertwined. I don’t want Christmas without you. I wish you were still by my side. Christmas has signs you are near me. Like feathers or dimes on the ground. Please whisper the words I love you. My sad heart longs to hear that sound. I don’t feel Christmas without you. I’m scared to remember the past. Your love and laughter has left me. Will remembering make them last? When her first children’s book, Twelve Days of Rescue, was published in 2020, Tonya fulfilled her dream of becoming a published author. Her second book, Pa’s Hockey Sweater, was published in 2021. Tonya’s first middle-grade novel Second Hand Witch came out in 2022.
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