Recipes 'n Reads: Cookbooks with Old Recipes to Bring Back the Past, Tips on Writing Your Life Story #recipesandreads,#booksale, #RecipesnReads

 Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog! 

This is my "home" on the web--J.Q. Rose

Recipes 'n Reads Series

Today marks our 12th month of the Recipes 'n Reads series. 

What amazing recipes and books shared by my guest authors!

A BIG thank you to all of you!

2023

August—donalee Moulton

September—L.Diane Wolfe

October—Susan Bernhardt

November—Marsha West

December—Margaret Hanna 

 2024

January—Sherry Ellis

February—Karla Stover

March--Rosemary Morris

April--Helen Henderson

May—Joan Soggie

June—Diane Bator

July--JQ Rose (me)

* * * *

It's my pleasure to wind up the series this week with a little nostalgia.

Cookbooks with Old Recipes to Bring Back the Past

Atlanta Woman's Club Cookbook
1973-1974

I discovered this old cookbook in my mother's collection. The Atlanta Woman's Club Cookbook, filled with tasty recipes, was a fundraiser for the club and a tip of the hat to the many great cooks we had in my hometown, Atlanta, Illinois. I like collecting cookbooks, just like my mom. She had a shelf full of cookbooks and a bunch of recipes written on paper, recipe cards, and the back of napkins stuffed in her "Penguin Ice Bucket." I love reading through them. I don't think of myself as a fantastic cook or baker, but I can imagine how a recipe would be so tasty if someone else prepared it! 

As you may know, I am an evangelist for encouraging everyone to write their life story. What sparks memories any more than remembering the smell of food? How about grandma's yeast bread baking in the oven, mom's roast beef cooking in the Dutch oven for Sunday dinner? What "smell" brings you back to those good old days? Or perhaps, not such a good memory of a smell e.g. when a skunk sprayed our dog Cinnamon! I am wrinkling up my nose remembering that stinky dog and trying to get the smell out of her long-haired coat.

List of club officers

Take a peek at the page above and notice the list of officers. The only one using her first name is a widow. Otherwise, each woman is listed with her husband's name. Definitely a sign of the times.

The members of the Atlanta Woman's Club contributed their favorite recipes to be published within the pages.  You can be sure there are a lot of delicious dishes within these pages. But, can you prepare them like they did without your microwave, electric can opener, air fryer, instant pot and so many gadgets we take for granted these days?

A Book of Favorite Recipes

Maybe this blog post will inspire you to review your life and record or write about a family member who was a good cook or a lousy one.

Your Words, Your Life Story: 
A Journal for Sharing Memories

Start with that story and then continue with another memory in your life experience. One memory will lead to another. Keep going. Your kids and future generations will cherish learning about you. 

If you need some inspiration and tips on writing your
stories, check out  the first book in the Life Storytellers Series, Your Words, Your Life Story: A Guide to Sharing Memories

CLICK TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK AT AMAZON   

Click to download the e/Book from your favorite online bookseller 

Thank you for joining us for the Recipes 'n Reads series. I was privileged to share the recipes with you and delighted to introduce you to new authors or to re-visit authors you love to read.

I'll wrap up the series with this little recipe, Happiness Cake, which I discovered in another recipe book. We all need to stir this one up during these difficult times. 

Happiness Cake Recipe 

4 C. Faith in God

1 C. Kind Deeds

1 C. Consideration for Others

2 C. Sacrifices

3 C. Forgiveness

2 C. Well Beaten Faults

Mix thoroughly. Add tears of Joy Love, and Kindly services. Fold in 4 cups of Prayers and Faith. Blend with Human Kindness and serve with a Smile anytime. With Love, God

Enjoy some feel-good reads this summer.
Order my cozy mysteries, paranormal novels, memoir on sale through July 31.
Click here to download a copy at Smashwords for $1.49 each

UPDATE: Because I am online here on the blog, on Facebook, and Substack, I will no longer publish the Rose Courier newsletter. Those places give you enough opportunities to keep you up-to-date with me. And as my mom would say, "I don't want to wear out my welcome." Click the links below to visit me online.

Please Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Please Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Click here to join me every Thursday at Substack. As always, Our Focus on Story on Substack is writing and reading fiction and non-fiction, writing/sharing life stories, shouting about new releases, and offering tips for writers. In one word,   storytelling!

What smell brings back a memory for you? Please leave a comment below. 

Happy Independence Day to My IWSG Friends and Readers!!! #IWSGBlogHop, #fourthofjuly

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 

To find out more, click here.

  

The purpose of the group is 

* to share and encourage. 

* Writers can express doubts and concerns 

without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 

* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 

*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 

Click here to sign-up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Have a Fabulous and Safe 4th of July!!

Taking some time off to be with our granddaughter. 

I'll see you next month!!

UPDATE: Because I am online here on the blog, on Facebook, and Substack, I will no longer publish the Rose Courier newsletter. I think all of those places give you enough opportunities to keep you up-to-date with me. And as my mom would say, "I don't want to wear out my welcome." Click the links below to visit me online.

Please Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Please Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Click here to join me every Thursday at Substack. As always, Our Focus on Story on Substack is writing and reading fiction and non-fiction, writing/sharing life stories, shouting about new releases, and offering tips for writers. In one word,   storytelling!

Recipes 'n Reads with Mystery Author Diane Bator and UPDATE on JQ Rose #recipenreads #recipes #mystery

Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog! This is my "home" on the web. 

Recipes 'n Reads Series

Guest author Diane Bator

I am so happy to have you stop by for a visit with my friend and prolific mystery author, Diane Bator. Diane is my guest this month on the Recipes 'n Reads series, scheduled every third Wednesday of the month. She has two recipes to refresh you during this heat wave and the first book in her AJ Cadell Mystery series.

After Diane's Recipes and book introduction, please read on for an UPDATE from me. Thank you.

🍋🍋🍋🍋

Welcome, Diane! Please tell us why you chose to share this recipe.

Thank you, Janet, for hosting me this month.

Written in Stone
Diane Bator

The recipe is from a book that I published in 2021 that isn’t in print right now. Doesn’t help, right? Don’t worry, I have a book that’s currently available but doesn’t have a recipe (Book 2, coming in 2025 will!) The short version of the story is that I was with a publisher for ten years and left them in January 2024. I’m slowly re-editing all 15 books to relaunch, but it’s taking time!

 This recipe is from a book, Dead Without Remorse, in my Gilda Wright Mystery series. Gilda and her best friend, Marion, have an afternoon off work and choose to spend it in Marion’s backyard drinking Lemonade Margaritas and gossiping about people they know. Harmless until Kane Garrick shows up. If you’ve read the series, you’ll know he’s the hottie who showed up in Book 2, Dead Without Glory, and keeps trying to steal Gilda away from her boyfriend/boss Mick Williams.

🍋🍋🍋🍋

The Recipe – perfect for hot summer days with friends!!

Lemonade Margaritas

2 oz Tequila

1/2 oz Triple Sec

1 oz Lemonade

Sugar

Ice

Mix tequila, lemonade, and Triple Sec in shaker with ice.

Wet the rim of a cocktail glass with water then dust it with sugar.

Serve over ice.

Sit in the sunshine and enjoy!

 🍋🍋🍋🍋

My newest book is self-published under Escape With a Writer Publishing and will continue with two more books to come. AJ (Alison Jane) Cadell is a romance novelist who gets thrust into a family mystery when she accepts an opportunity to become a Writer-in-Residence on Vancouver Island one November. Mystery, suspense, and a bit of romance fill the pages and – since we’re talking recipes – Alison’s roommate, Emily, is a food blogger and cook. Since she will appear in more of Book 2, Diamond on the Beach, she’ll have a bigger role in sharing recipes and helping to promote that book since she ends up catering a party for 100 at the last minute!

Here's a sneak peek at one of Emily’s favorite recipes that she’ll be making for the party:

Ginger Bread Cider

8 cups 100% Apple Cider

¼ tsp ginger

¼ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar (or to taste)

dash of cloves

Pour the apple cider in a big pot.

Set heat to medium-low and add sugar and spices.

Let simmer for 20 minutes and serve!

Hope you enjoy the recipes and will check out Written in Stone! Watch for Diamond on the Rocks coming next year!

🍋🍋🍋🍋

Thanks for being my guest, Diane!

Readers, please leave a comment below and let us know what your favorite summer beverage is. Thank you.

 

Written in Stone, Book 1 AJ Cadell mysteries

BACK OF THE BOOK: Written in Stone by Diane Bator

“What happens at Grandma’s house, stays at Grandma’s house.”

 The problem is A. J. (Alison Jane) Cadell can’t remember Grandma or her house.

Dreaming of becoming a best-selling romance novelist, Alison is invited to Cedar Grove, British Columbia to be a Writer-in-Residence and reside at Thistlewood Manor for a month. When a resident of the manor is found dead, Alison is drawn into a mystery involving a grandmother she doesn’t remember, a father she thought was long dead, and a handsome firefighter who could be the link to solving the mystery.

Will someone be after her next?

Buy links:

https://books2read.com/u/38Oq1Z

🍋🍋🍋🍋

ABOUT DIANE:

Diane Bator is a Canadian mystery writer, book coach, editor, and mom of three. She is the host of the Escape With a Writer blog, a member

Author Diane Bator

of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Canada, the Writers’ Union of Canada, and the International Thriller Writers. She is represented by Creative Edge Publicity and is available for interviews through them.

CONNECT ONLINE WITH DIANE:

Her website is https://dianebator.ca/

Blog:   https://escapewithawriter.wordpress.com/

Newsletter:  https://dianebator.substack.com/

🍋🍋🍋🍋

UPDATE: Because I am online here on the blog, on Facebook, and Substack, I will no longer publish the Rose Courier newsletter. I think all of those places give you enough opportunities to keep you up-to-date with me. And as my mom would say, "I don't want to wear out my welcome." Click the links below to visit me online.

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Click here to read my articles every Thursday at Substack.

I am having a wonderful experience sharing articles and meeting many wonderful people at  Substack every Thursday. Since you will no longer receive the Courier, please consider subscribing to my Substack page. You'll find a huge variety of writers' articles within the Substack site. So pop over to JQ's Substack page and explore funny, thought-provoking, informative, and entertaining articles, stories, poems, etc.

🍋🍋🍋🍋

Click the links below to check out some of the Substack articles on my page.

Thank you for your consideration.

Celebrating the Summer Solstice at England's Castlerigg Stone Circle

Wedding Bells in June

I Feel Good

Thanks, Mom

Fear of the Unknown

IWSG Blog Hop: A Quick Answer to the Question of the Month--What Suggestions Can IWSG Offer to Writers? #IWSGbloghop #tipsforwriters,

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 

To find out more, click here.

  

The purpose of the group is 

* to share and encourage. 

* Writers can express doubts and concerns 

without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 

* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 

*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 

Click here to sign-up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Summer!
Photo courtesy of OpenClipart-Vectors at Pixabay

Thanks to our awesome co-hosts for the June 5 posting of the IWSG: Liza at Middle Passages, Shannon Lawrence, Melissa Maygrove, and Olga Godim!

June 5 question - In this constantly evolving industry, what kind of offering/service do you think the IWSG should consider offering to members?

I have been thinking about this question all morning. I studied the site's categories at the top of the page, and the only thing I can think of is how amazing IWSG is! I have no suggestions, only to express my appreciation to those who make IWSG work for all of us. 

Wishing you a fabulous summer!!! Leave a comment below about what plans you have for this summer. Thank you.

🌞🌞🌞🌞

LOOKING AHEAD:

Recipes 'n Reads Series--every third Wednesday of the month
Guest author Diane Bator 

I am thrilled that Diane Bator will stop by with her favorite recipe and her latest mystery novel on Wednesday, June 19. She is a born writer and storyteller. Once Diane started writing, she never looked back. Please join us.

Click here to visit more Insecure Writers Support Group  

members participating in this month's IWSG Blog Hop! 

Scroll down the page to find the bloggers' sites.

Author JQ Rose

Click here to link to my new Substack page. It's FREE. The May 30th article discusses writers using dictation to compose their writing projects. Do you use dictation? Leave a comment below.

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Thank you for stopping by today! And for clicking around this post!

Recipes 'n Reads Series: Recipes for Cooking Over the Campfire #recipesnreads

 

Recipes 'n Reads Series
Today is my turn to offer recipes!

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog by J.Q.Rose.

With MemoriaI Day coming up on May 27, I am delighted to share some ideas for recipes you can cook over the campfire during this holiday weekend in the US. 

The Recipe 'n Reads series is scheduled every third Wednesday of the month. When I host guest authors, they share their favorite recipes and the reasons why they chose that one. I also spotlight their books. 

Please come back next month when my friend and fellow storyteller, Diane Bator, will be my guest on Wednesday, June 19th.

* * *

Cooking over the campfire.

Recipes for Cooking Over the Campfire by J.Q. Rose

Several years ago, we camped with our daughter, Lee Ann, and family over the Memorial Day holiday weekend near Stony Lake in West Michigan. Always the "event" planner, she invited her sister, Sara, (who is not a camper) and family to join us on Sunday for a fun dinner with Dump Soup as the main entree.

I bet you've heard the folk tale, Stone Soup. Hungry strangers convince the townspeople to share a small amount of their food to make a meal that everyone enjoys. Different from the story, we weren't exactly hungry strangers, nor did we ask other campers to contribute to the soup pot.

DUMP SOUP RECIPE: Lee Ann coined the term "Dump Soup" because we all brought ingredients to dump into the cast iron pot. There is NO recipe. That's the fun part. Lee Ann poured in beef broth and beef consomme. I added mushroom soup as a base for the soup. Then we threw in what everyone brought--beans, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, onions, cans of veggies, etc.

All ready to cook over the campfire.

Lee Ann stirred it all together and placed the pot over the campfire for the men to watch while the ladies took a walk. After simmering for an hour and a half over the fire, we gobbled up the soup. It was delicious. The soup must have been good because the kids loved it too, especially with lots of crackers. I think eating outdoors helps to make everything tastier too!

HOBO DINNER--Another of our family dinner favorites over the fire is "hobo dinner," also known as a foil packet dinner. Spray the foil with vegetable oil, place bacon on the first layer, hamburger or chicken next, and then add whatever fresh veggies you like to the foil e.g. diced potatoes, carrots, green pepper, onion, butter, and celery.

Ingredients ready to wrap.

Be sure to wrap the packet tightly so the grease doesn't run out. Place the foil dinners in the coals or on a grate over the fire. Depending on how you cut the veggies and how hot the fire is, the packets need to cook for 30--45 minutes. Chicken may take longer. 

PS--This dinner can be cooked on your grill at home too.

Dinner wrapped in foil packets.

Clean-up is easy. Just wrap up the foil and throw it away. THEN it'll be time to roast the marshmallows to make S'mores! I

S'MORE RECIPE: In case you haven't experienced the joy of feeling chocolate and melted marshmallow sticking to your chin, here is the basic recipe for S'Mores. Place a marshmallow, roasted over the campfire, and Hershey's chocolate bar between graham crackers so it is like a sandwich. The hot marshmallow melts the chocolate. Mmmm, that first bite is a delicious, gooey experience.

There is no limit to the variations for S'mores. Add peanut butter, toasted coconut, caramel topping, Nutella, fudge striped cookies instead of graham crackers(my favorite), bacon, peanut butter and/or banana. 

Be adventurous with this recipe. Please let me know how you like S'mores.

Thank you to Shared Appetite for some of the variations.

What are your go-to recipes when having a crowd over to your house or when camping? Will you make any of these recipes? Leave a comment below. Thank you.

Click here to link to my Substack page. It's FREE. 

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

IWSG: Writing versus Distractions, New Release-Mom's Memories and Reflections on Motherhood #IWSGbloghop #jqrose #newbookrelease

 

Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop

#IWSGbloghop

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database, articles and tips, a monthly blog posting, a Facebook and Instagram group, Twitter, and a monthly newsletter. 

To find out more, click this link:  Insecure Writer’s Support Group

The purpose of the group is 

* to share and encourage. 

* Writers can express doubts and concerns 

without fear of appearing foolish or weak. 

* Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. 

*It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! 

You're invited to become a member of this supportive group. 

Click here to sign-up and/or to visit the bloggers this week.

Happy IWSG Day!

Happy May!

🎕🎕🎕

Thank you to the awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG--Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

May 1 Question

 How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

Distractions? What distractions? SQUIRREL! 

I like this question. Oh wait a minute. My husband just came in and needs some help in the garage.

I'm back. Got the greenhouse put together.

Now where was I? Oh, distractions. Wait, I have to plug in my second screen. 

GRRR...I still don't have that screen working! Hard to concentrate on my writing because it is sitting right next to me taunting me because I can't figure it out. Guess it's time for a coffee break to cool down and think how I am going to solve this.

Okay. I'm back. Figured out the screen.

Now back to the answer to your question. First I want to wish everyone a marvelous month of May. I love May--so many birthdays, anniversaries, and gorgeous landscapes of flowering trees and spring flowers. Everything is fresh and new, coming alive in Michigan. Now....

Sorry, my daughter called. 

Now about distractions.  Oh, let me throw in a load of laundry before I get into an essay about distractions.

Now about distractions.....The answer is YES they distract me and derail me.

🎕🎕🎕

UPDATE: 

I am thrilled to announce the journal for moms is now available on Amazon! In case you didn't know, I advocate for each person to write their life stories. What a gift to your family when you record life experiences, and surprisingly, it's a gift to yourself. 

Mom's Memories and Reflections on Motherhood: A Guided Journal
J.Q. Rose

Mom’s Memories and Reflections on Motherhood: A Guided Journal is adorned with bright yellow sunflowers and created with pages to journal about mom's unique life experiences, capturing the laughter, tears, and growth that define motherhood. 

Providing a suggested topic, a writing prompt, and an inspiring quote on each page, 

the journal makes writing your stories easy.

The hardcover, premium-color book is divided into three sections for moms to write about the different stages of parenting a child. The Early Years, The Adolescent Years, and Reflections.

One of the sections in the journal

Click here to find out more about Mom's Memories. Thank you.

If you would like the journal in PDF format, please let me know in the comment section below. I have no reviews for the book, yet. I'd appreciate a few sentences left at Amazon when you have time. Thanks.

🎕🎕🎕

GETTING IT RIGHT! I had a difficult time fitting the book cover for Mom's Memories inside the template for KDP. I could see where the words would be cut off on the back cover and a problem with the front cover having words not centered how I wanted them to be placed. So many iterations later, I sent it off to KDP with all the corrections. When I saw the finished product on the sales page, I nearly had a heart attack. 

After all that time spent on the cover, there was ONE typo on the back cover. I had copied and pasted a phrase when re-doing the blurb, so the sentence did not start with a capital letter. What a basic rule--sentences start with capitals....grrr. How did I miss that??

So, once again I had to fix it. The book was originally published on Monday. I corrected the typo on Monday afternoon, and the changes were live the next day!! Kudos to KDP for their quick action. I have since tweaked the manuscript and it was complete with the revisions the next day!

I used Draft2Digital print to publish a different journal in November. I learned later D2D converts the font to 12 point. I must have missed the place to request using my formatted manuscript which is in 14 point. 

After the book is published, D2D does not allow changes for 90 days. After that time, a token is issued to revise the book for free. After using the token, the cost is $25.00 to make later changes. I was amiss for not researching the D2D rules for post-publishing. 

The book interior looked fine, but I did not like the smaller font even if it is the usual size in publishing. However, my readers are older, and I think 14 point is a good size. Large print is considered 16 point.

Have you used KDP or Draft2Digital to publish your books? Please share your experience in the comments below.

🎕🎕🎕

Motherhood

Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day on May 12 in the USA!
 To moms and all who are important in the lives of a child.

Click here to visit more Insecure Writers Support Group  

members participating in this month's IWSG Blog Hop! 

Scroll down the page to find the bloggers' sites.

Click here to link to my new Substack page. It's FREE. The subject of the May 2 article is finding your passion.

Click here to be notified when a new article is posted on the J.Q. Rose blog.

Click here to follow me on Facebook at J.Q. Rose, Author.

Thank you for stopping by today! And for clicking around this post!