This is Not a Thanksgiving Post by Nancy Fraser

Don't be silly ... of course it is!

Well, not Thanksgiving itself, but about traditions and the mainstay of all good holidays ... food!

I was born in Detroit, Michigan but married a Canadian and moved just across the international border into Canada. My family was still in Detroit and the surrounding suburbs but I was well on my way to becoming a true Canadian! Complete with off-setting holidays, shared holidays, and sometimes NO holiday.

My family insisted we take part in all the American holidays, which was fine with me. My mother and my aunt were great cooks, so I could always count on an abundance of wonderful treats. My husband never minded taking a day off work to help them celebrate, even though we'd had our Thanksgiving the previous month. After my sons were born, we couldn't have skipped a family holiday if we'd wanted to.

Even grown now, with children of their own, they still go out of their way to celebrate the U.S. Thanksgiving as well. My youngest son has taken it upon himself to carry on the family tradition of way too much food!

As rich and delicious as all those holiday meals were, I find as I get older (and possibly wiser), I often do my best to trim the fat on some of my favorite foods. Although ... my grandchildren have warned me ... don't mess with the banana pudding.

I thought I'd share one of my favorite new Fall/Thanksgiving recipes that will definitely make the table later this month.

Low Carb/Low Calorie Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake Base:

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup coconut oil

2 oz cream cheese

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup blanched almond flour*

2/3 cup artificial sugar substitute (I use Swerve)

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp salt

Cream Cheese Frosting:
6 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/3 cup powdered sugar substitute
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp heavy cream (optional)

Directions:
Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper
Melt cream cheese and coconut oil in microwave-safe bowl until combined (30 seconds)
Mix together pumpkin puree, coconut oil/cream mixture, eggs & vanilla.
Beat with hand mixer until smooth.
In smaller bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
Add to wet mixture and beat with hand mixer on low until just combined.
Transfer batter to baking pan and smooth out the top.
Bake 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Place on rack to cool.

For the Icing:
Using the hand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, powered sugar substitute and vanilla until smooth. If necessary, thin it out with the heavy cream ½ Tbsp at a time.
Make sure the bars are cooled completely before icing and cutting.

What better way than to close out a post about Thanksgiving than to quote one of my favorite writers, Charles Dickens. Until next month, please take time to visit my social media sites and follow -- if you're so inclined. Remember, to stay happy, stay healthy, and stay well read!

Nancy

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One More Cookie Recipe (Just in Case) by Nancy Fraser

Three days in a row! How lucky can I get to be able to share some more old-lady Gems wisdom with our readers? The extent of that wisdom may be a little questionable, so perhaps we'll stick to a another quick and easy recipe for that holiday baking. Just in case you were one cookie short of having too many!

The "Forgotten Cookie" ... or as my mother used to call them ... the "Poor Man's Divinity". The beauty of these cookies is that you put them in the oven and forget them ... something I often do with other cookies when I shouldn't. I like to make these "forgotten cookies" at night just before I go to bed and then leave them overnight.

Nothing beats waking up to a fresh cookie for breakfast!

Forgotten Cookies

Makes 30-50 cookies depending on size

Ingredients:

4 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 - 1 cup mini chocolate chips (or any chip really, or nuts, or chopped candied fruit)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Add vanilla to egg whites and beat with electric hand mixer until just foamy.
3. Add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form.
4. Slowly add in sugar while continuing to beat until all sugar is added and tall stiff peaks have formed. Gently fold in chocolate chips.
5. Portion out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (they don’t need to be spaced out much). A small cookie scoop works best.
6. Place all cookies into oven at once and immediately shut oven off.
7. Wake up to a delicious treat!

If you'd rather not make them before bed, you will need to leave them in the oven for at least four hours (or until the oven is cold again). Also, I've found they don't work well on high humidity days.

Yesterday, I gave away a copy of my 1920's holiday romance, Erin's Gift. I'm going to give away a second copy today. All you have to do to win is comment about your family's holiday cookie. Please also leave your email address so I can send you a copy if your name is drawn.

Here's another sneak peek at the book:

Prohibition Era, Chicago

Caught in a raid at an illegal speakeasy, good girl Erin O'Mara loses everything: her job, her home, and her reputation. Handsome and so out of her league attorney Seth Harrison, her best friend's brother, rescues her not once, but twice. He bails her out of jail and offers her a job as nanny for his son.

Seth has no intention of falling in love after the death of his wife. But despite his better judgment, he can't help being drawn to Erin's innocence. This Christmas, letting go of the past and embracing the future may be the greatest present of all.

Don't forget to enter our December Rafflecopter contest, "Candy Cane Kisses". You can find all the details about the contest on our Monthly Giveaway page. Or, you can go straight to the ENTRY FORM.

Peace out ...

Nancy

Celebrating a Season of Thanksgiving by Nancy Fraser

Ah ... November ... quite possibily my favorite month. November marks the beginning of my most-beloved holiday season. Since I've already finished my holiday shopping (don't hate on me), I can now lean back, relax, and watch the frantic pace with which others scurry around. People-watching during the holiday season is one of my early-winter pasttimes.

My November actually starts on October 30th ... when I post my favorite hybrid music video on Facebook. It's a wonderful crossover between Halloween and Christmas.

Our Canadian Thanksgiving was last month. However, I'm a U.S. citizen and, growing up, my boys were always gifted with two Thanksgivings. My youngest son still celebrates the U.S. Thanksgiving with his family every year. So ... that means ... I still get a turkey dinner AND I still get to make my favorite dessert: Sweet Potato Pie. Here's my mom's traditional recipe:

Grandma Kelley’s Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sweet potato (1 large or 2 medium)
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ cup milk (preferably whole)
• 2 eggs
• ½ t nutmeg
• ½ t cinnamon
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 pie crust (9”) unbaked (deep dish is best)

Instructions:

1. Boil sweet potatoes in skin for 40-50 minutes or until done. Run cold water over the potato until able to handle and then remove skin.
2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Break potato apart in large bowl, add butter and mix well with mixer.
4. Stir in remaining ingredients and then beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth.
5. Pour filling into unbaked pie crust.
6. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Pie will puff up and then will sink down when it cools.
7. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

~ ~ ~

In the spirit of the Season of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share the three of the many things I'm most grateful for in my life:

First and foremost, my family. My oldest son Robb, a 25 year+ member of the Canadian military, his lovely wife, Lesley, who provides optimal healthcare to private clients. And my three oldest grandchildren: Dawson, Mackenzie, and Haley. Then, of course, my youngest son, Kevin, the self-proclaimed world's best house-husband, home chef, and childcare giver! His wonderful wife Theresa, who puts up with his self-proclamations on a daily basis. And my two youngest grandchildren: Anya and William (aka, the six year old spark that keeps grandma going).

Next on the "grateful" list are my friends: fellow authors, former co-workers, extended family. Without them, I'd probably end up a semi-recluse. A special shout-out to the GEMS for keeping me excited about writing.

Finally, my muse: without which I wouldn't be able to do what I love which is write. She doesn't always come out to play as often as I'd like. But, when she does, she's very, very active!

Speaking of "muses" ... you should check out my erotic romance novella, The Muse.

Decadence, freedom and illegal activities…

Everything a sheltered debutante in the mid-1920s could want. When Hyde Park socialite Susan Leland meets up with Evan Forrester for the second time, she makes no excuses for their first meeting—an auto accident in which she broke the young artist’s wrist. She finds the handsome Evan both infuriating and intriguing, yet not quite as intriguing as sultry torch singer Holly Winters, a performer at Susan’s favorite supper club.

A chance to make amends…

By posing nude for Evan to paint. When Susan balks, Evan, not wanting to deal with an innocent, sends her away but not before the arrival of his next model, Holly Winters. As Susan’s preparing to leave, the beautiful and talented singer convinces her to come back the next day—so they can pose together.

Will Susan find happiness in the arms of Evan Forrester—or another?

~ ~ ~

While you're here on the site, don't forget to enter our November Rafflecopter draw for a chance at winning one of five gift cards. You can find all the information on our MONTHLY GIVEAWAY page. Or just jump to the ENTRY FORM.

I'm scooting off now to go wrap the last couple of gifts and maybe settle in with a cup of cocoa and a good book. Until next month, stay happy, stay healthy, stay well read.

Nancy

A Sure Sign Fall Has Arrived by Nancy Fraser

It's not hard to tell when Fall arrives at my house.

The autumn colors abound. Pine cones and multi-hued leaves in crystal bowls magically appear on every bare surface from living room to bedroom! A beautiful wreath of golds, and browns, and bright oranges graces my front door.

My kitchen is filled with the fragrant aroma of homemade soup. It's become a tradition of sorts. Beginning right after the autumnal equinox, every Saturday becomes soup-making Saturday. And, nearly every Saturday night includes an overnight visit with at least one of my grandchildren. I'd like to think they come for the company, but I'm pretty sure it's the soup!

I thought I'd share the recipe for one of my two oldest granddaughters' favorites ... Cheeseburger Chowder!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbl of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 stalks of celery, chopped
• ½ bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 finely minced clove of garlic (or 1 teaspoon if using from jar)
• 1 lbs of lean ground beef
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 tsp of worcesteshire sauce
• 2 cups of beef stock
• 1½ tbl of cornstarch
• 2 cups of milk or cream
• 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Warm olive oil in 3 quart sauce pan.  Add oniom, celery, bell pepper and parsley and cook over medium heat until onion is tender. Add minced garlic and stir to mix.
2. Add beef and brown over medium-high heat.  
3. Add potatoes, worcestershire and stock.  Cover and simmer, until potatoes are tender (about 45 minutes).  
4. Stir cornstarch into milk and add to pot.  Simmer uncovered, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 3 minutes).  
5. Add cheese and simmer, stirring gently, just until melted.  Add salt and pepper if needed and serve immediately.

This soup is great with either breadsticks or buttered crusty buns!

~ ~ ~

The only thing better than cooking a big pot of soup is getting to sit down and enjoy it. I like to polish off my meal with a nice cup of tea or cocoa and a good book!

Speaking of books ... it's time to get to today's book giveaway!

All you have to do is comment on today's post for a chance to win a copy of my Egyptian-themed, time travel, Eye of the Pharaoh. Please remember to include your email address in the comment so I can contact you if your name is chosen. I'll be giving away a signed, print copy if the winner lives in either the U.S. or Canada. Outside North America, the winner will receive an ebook copy.

About the Book:

Publicist Teri Hunter has her hands full promoting Professor Joshua Cain and his new non-fiction book, The Pharaoh’s Mummy. She’s not convinced it’s even possible to turn this absent-minded, modern-day, Indiana Jones into a best-selling author.

Dr. Cain’s PhDs in archaeology and art history have prepared him for almost anything on the lecture circuit and among ancient ruins. He’s just not sure about a book tour...or the sexy publicist sent to monitor his every professional move.

When an odd request falls in their laps while in New Orleans, Josh and Teri find themselves transported to 1920’s Egypt where they must resolve an ancient curse in order to be sent home. Will the dangers facing them hinder their success and threaten their very lives? Or will help from an ancient guardian keep them on-track and safe?

~ ~ ~

Don't forget our newest Rafflecopter giveaway! First through fourth prizes are Amazon Gift Cards! There are one-time tasks, as well as daily opportunities to enter.

Full information on the contest can be found on our Monthly Giveaway page. If you're already familiar with the prizes, you can go directly to our contest link to enter!

Until next month, stay happy, stay healthy, stay well read.

Nancy