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My holiday has already begun. Last week, I spent five days in Santa Fe and environs. Santa Fe is one of my favorite destinations for two reasons. I love the setting, the people, the artwork, the jewelry, the colors, the food–okay, everything!–and love to use all the details I can gather in some of my Intrigues.
As a matter of fact, the next Intrigue I write will be set in New Mexico. So last week was a chance to soak in my surroundings–including the atmosphere–so I can get it right on the page.
There’s something about all of northern New Mexico that is magical to me. Maybe it’s the light that bathes everything in a special glow, the reason so many artists are drawn to the area. Maybe it’s the people, Anglo and Hispanic and Native American. Maybe it’s the mixture of sophistication and rough-hewn surroundings. Maybe it's the food...
Santa Fe is like no other city I know. It’s another world, one I never tire of visiting, one about which I never tire of writing.
What a great start to the holiday season.
Speaking of food...I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving. I’m cooking, as usual, but that’s good with me since I rarely cook anymore. Turkey and stuffing and gravy and cranberries and sweet potatoes...
Here’s my holiday tip about those sweet potatoes. I’ve tried making them a dozen different ways, but the simplest is the best. I boil, peel and slice the potatoes on Wednesday. On Thursday I then brown the slices using lots of butter, sprinkle them with a good dose of brown sugar (I assume you get the idea I rarely measure) and a handful of pecan halves. I turn it all until the sweet potatoes and pecans are covered with delicious goo. This year, my stepson Scott is coming early to help me cook, so I'm going to let him try his hand at the sweet potatoes.
Happy Thanksgiving, all! So what’s your quick trick for your holiday feast?
Patricia Rosemoor
Harlequin Intrigue: STEALING THUNDER
Intrigue's 25th Anniversary
Not that it's a trick trick, but...
we always 'share the load' when it comes to cooking, so no one person is overburdened. I'm fixing 2 dishes 2ways each. My DH's bro has Ciliac disease, so no gluten for him. I'm making my 2 dishes, which both have things with regular flour/ingredients with regular flour in the regular recipe, for us, and another set of both for him. It's their 1st Thanksgiving here as full time residents, as they just moved South earlier this year. They'll be making some things, and my MIL will make the turkey and dressing, along with her homemade mac n cheese. It'll be awesome!
I won't make it to my side of the family's until at least late Thursday. The food won't be all gone, though, so I'll get to partake in leftovers....
Have a great one!
Hugs,
April
November 2009 MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Everyone cooking
Sounds like you have a big family. When my dh and mil and father were alive and my aunt wasn't in a nursing home, there were 7 of us plus any guests we took in who had no place else to go. Sometimes more than 10 people, and everyone contributed so we got some yummy unexpected treats. Now there's just 3 of us and guests--this year a couple from Michigan. Jill and I went to high school together, and I see her and her husband 3 or 4 times every year when they drive to Chicago to hit the museums and shopping. The thing I miss is Edward and I used to cook together. That was always fun. Imagine my surprise when his son volunteered to help me this year!
Patricia Rosemoor
Harlequin Intrigue: STEALING THUNDER
Intrigue's 25th Anniversary
Thanksgiving
Hey Patricia! I cook something similar with yams - bake them and then mash them up and add an egg, brown sugar, some other spices and then turn it into an 8 X 8 pan, sprinkle the top with pecans and bake it. My kids love it when normally they wouldn't touch a yam with a ten-foot fork! Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Carol Ericson
Where Romance Flirts With Danger
www.carolericson.com
DH's family isn't
too big, they just like to eat and LOVE left-overs! My immediate family is pretty big these days with all my sisters (3) being married and with at least 2 kids each.
Hugs,
April
November 2009 MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Thanksgiving
is one of my favorite holidays. I am from a large family, my husband isn't. I no longer get to be with my sisters and their families because we have grown too large. We would needd to rent a hll to hold everyone. Several years ago my son and his wife started hosting Thanksgiving at their home. It has been great and we never know who might join us. This year it is one of my favorite authors! I can hardly wait! Friday my daughters and I do the shopping thing and have a ball.
Cee Jay
I get it pretty easy
I don't have to bring anything anymore to Thanksgiving. I used to bring some dishes over but my kids now do that so I don't have too. They are great. I just show up and eat.
Linda Henderson
Linda
Wow, that is easy!!!
Patricia Rosemoor
Harlequin Intrigue: STEALING THUNDER
Intrigue's 25th Anniversary
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Unfortunately, we don't celebrate it here on the island, but the 30th November is out Independance, so we do get to celebrate..
wj
Shortcuts
I wish I knew some shortcuts. Normally, I do turkey (and faux turkey for my vegetarian DD), dressing, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes (no sweet potatoes for us -- none of us like them!), frozen cranberry salad, vegetarian gelatin salad (based on DH's mother's recipe), and homemade rolls.
This Thanksgiving, however, we had a family crisis, so I didn't cook this year. Hopefully, our Christmas holiday will feel fairly normal.
Adopt a shelter pet. Save a life; gain a best friend for life.
View my DD's very public video acting debut at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E-v05kMucw.
July 2009 Member of the Month