November. My birthday month. A family gathering is planned. Lot of years under the bridge, so to speak. A lot of good memories to warm my heart.

I came across a chocolate pound cake recipe in an old Southern Living magazine. I will be baking it for my birthday cake. If it tastes as good as it sounds on paper, I will share it here.

Hard to go wrong with chocolate anything.

Growing up in Michigan, most years my friends and I would be wearing sweaters and warm jackets this time of year. But in the area of North Carolina I now call home, long sleeves and long pant legs this time of year are usually enough to keep warm.

Today being an exception.

I'm working on a series of  Regency set novellas. I hope to have them ready to publish no later than June of 2014.

From the world of 1814 to the world of 2014. The nature of man remains the same.

Wishing you all a great fall.

Susan

Using Time Wisely

Which is something I fail to do. Even though I avoid Facebook and Twitter, I do keep up with the current political news--junkie if I may be candid--a lover of deconstructing word games played by our government officials.

I think the most useful phrase I've heard to describe their (we are so much smarter than the pesky citizens we govern) verbal gyrations, is "I was for it before I was against it."

On to more happy news. Montlake Romance, a imprint of Amazon Publishing, and my new publisher, has been a joy to be a part of. They converted my four hard cover Avalon books into e-books for Kindle and have made available a paperback version and have been generous in promoting my two historical books.

From my e-book to yours,

Susan Ralph

Crossing the Threshold of 2013

Odd number, thirteen. Considered unlucky. But I feel upbeat about 2013.

And am happy to say goodbye to 2012 which was a year filled with overwhelming tragedy for so many.

All of my books are available for Kindle and in paperback at a reasonable price which makes me happy. No new contracts signed, but I am writing and hope to send out one or two out for consideration before long.

Family filled up our holiday calender with one more celebration to go.

I even managed to sort through and toss out a lot of clutter. Not that there isn't plenty of unnecessary stuff still hanging around. Like cookbooks and recipe magazines but am reluctant to get rid of them. I seldom use them anymore except for recipes I've tried and liked and want to repeat.

The internet is so great for cooking. I love putting ingredient(s) I need to use up in the search box and seeing what recipes come up.

Have been reading a couple of new Georgette Heyer books. Her books are lengthy but she does not waste pages with things unimportant to the plot and she keeps her characters in character.

Wishing a bountiful new year to all.

Remember the Reason

Tragic news causes me to stop and reflect on just how temporary our life on earth can be.

But to those who believe in the reason for the celebration of Christmas, we have faith that once our physical body no longer survives, our spirit lives on.

As Christians pause in our daily routines to honor the birth of Jesus, may we keep our faith strong.

From my nativity scene to yours,

Susan Ralph

Yum Yum Salad

This molded salad is a holiday meal staple at my house. The first version was one made by my mother. She softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, added a small can of crushed pineapple and added this to lime jello. One daughter still makes it this way. Everyone aims the serving spoon to get the balls of cream cheese.

In an old Women's Circle paper cookbook I bought at a used book store, I discovered this version and have been making it ever since:

1 (3 oz) package lime gelatin
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese softened
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cool whip (they call for whipped whipping cream)
1 small can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I leave these out as a family member is alergic to tree nuts)
Toated coconut (optional)

Place gelatin, hot water and cream cheese in pan and stir over low heat until cheese is blended well into the mixture. Remove from heat; add crushed pineapple and pecans. Place in refrigerator until it begins to thicken. Add whipped cream (cool whip) and let set until firm. Sprinkle with toasted coconut before serving.

From my holiday table to yours.

Now Kindle ready

I wish you all a fruitful holiday season. Several of my family members came here for Thanksgiving. It was a joyful time of sharing. Those who like a challenge headed out on Friday for the stores. Not me! Curled up and cozy, looking forward to a big turkey sandwich is how I like to spend my Friday after Thanksgiving.

I'm very excited that two of my Avalon books are now available as Kindle downloads and as paperbacks.

The third, Starting From Scratch, is available for pre-order in both formats.

 Amazon has also added their look inside feature. So if you have a minute or two to spare, check out the pages of Brompton Manor and Bed and Breakfast Blues.

A Sprig of Lavender should be released by Montlake Romance in December.

Hurricanes and Rain

How fragile our life and belongings in the face of fierce weather more powerful than we are.

And yet without rain and wind and sun and other things influencing this planet, we would not exist.

It is not how bad things can get, but how you respond that matters.

Are our material possessions more important than our souls?

If a person we love dies, we mourn the loss. If a thief or a storm steals something we value we mourn the loss. And we should mourn. But we should not be devastated, incapapble of finding joy.

Be prepared to say goodbye. To lose everything.

Things can get very very bad, but if you have faith you will find the light again.