Embrace the Spirit

Ornaments, trees, and gift wrap already fill the aisles of all the department stores. Do you ever feel like the hustle and bustle of Christmas distracts you from the amazing miracle of Christ’s birth? Sometimes I just feel deluged with shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating, and shopping some more. And then…I go to Christmas service, and let myself get enveloped in God’s love—a love that sees beyond my sins and flaws, washes away my past, gives me hope and a future. Last year, I had the opportunity to write a story for The Spirit of Christmas anthology, with a forward by Debbie Macomber, just recently released by St. Martin’s Press. If you think you'll be needing some Christmas Spirit in the months ahead, the kind based in LOVE, not gifts; PEACE, not chaotic shopping trips; HOPE, not stress, check it out.

HOW DO YOU EMBRACE THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS?

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS.

My story, "Christmas Rainbow," begins in 1964 and reflects the changes in our Sicilian family through the decades, as we married, had children, and blossomed into a multi-cultural family with different backgrounds, personalities, opinions, and perspectives, but strong in our conviction to love one another, as Jesus said to do. His command had no “small print,” no caveats regarding skin color or country of origin. Just “Love one another, as I have loved you.”

Mine is one of 42 short stories in the book. I hope you enjoy it.

China--Country of Contrasts

I just finished reading Patti Lacy’s fourth novel, RECLAIMING LILY, which is partially set in China. I truly believe it’s her best one yet! The book was just released Oct. 1 by Bethany House, and I had the privilege of reviewing it for Faithfulreader.com. Here is the link to the review.
http://faithfulreader.com/reviews/9780764209413.asp

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF RECLAIMING LILY, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LISA LICKEL WHO WON LOST IN DREAMS!

Patti is graciously stopping by Taste the World today to share some thoughts on China, Reclaiming Lily, and her writing in general.

Q. Patti, your plots encompass family secrets, fractured families, segregation, and illness. Do you see an "author's theme" developing through your work?

A. God gifted me a career verse, Romans 8:28, as a theme for my “Spanning Seas and Secrets” novels. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Dear ones, He will work for your good even in the throes of abandonment. Rape. Rejection. Miscarriage. Fatal disease.

Q. In researching Reclaiming Lily, you traveled to China. Do you claim any social, business, or cultural ties to that country?

A. In 1987-1988, my parents taught English in China via the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. YEARS later, God whispered, “Write Reclaiming Lily,” which tells the story of a brave Chinese doctor who just HAPPENS to be Mom’s physician. Can you believe God’s ways? To capture China on paper, I just HAD to go. In May 2010, China unfolded in a BEAUTIFUL way. A soulmate friend who’s a Chinese national guided me to areas rarely seen by Westerners. I explored the complexities and incongruities of this great land.

My passport proves I spent 17 days in a glorious land. I spanned over 15,000 miles, drank gallons of green tea, dined on food rivaling Europe’s gastronomic delights, tiptoed through courtyards where emperors lived, amid their 8,000 buildings and countless servants.

Contrasts abound: Women rinse clothes in a stream swollen with garbage. Women dressed haute couture stroll by. Mercedes limos swerve past rickshacks. Post-modern, neon-lit skyscrapers tower over timeless hutongs (walled neighborhoods) fueled by propane, most with no running water or modern bathroom facilities. My heart found the rhythm of these neighborhoods where we sat on stoops and shared drinks and food with locals. Though I inhaled China books (over 20), the great lady blew to smithereens my every preconception.

Q. How was the street food?

A. We survived (THRIVED) on street food. Locals who saw us eyeing their entrees waved us onto compact stools and said, “Dig in!” Chopsticks tweezed food into six mouths, then back to a communal platter. Never ate better. Never felt better. Since Chinese only eat right-handed, I was a CELEBRITY…and lost eight Midwestern-winter-gained pounds while gobbling stinky tofu, chicken stomach and feet, quail eggs, dumplings stuffed with wild mountain greens, and a dizzying number of delicious veggies and fruits.

Q. Other thoughts on China?

A. China is a ginormous place. But Oh. My. Her beauty swept me away.
Did I gain admittance to orphanages? Interview one who’d relinquished hold on a beloved child? No. Yet if I got it right, China and its people infuse every page of Reclaiming Lily.

China. Kinda like life. The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know.
Oh, China, I do not know you. But I love you.

Thanks, Patti. And what would a “Taste the World” author interview be without a recipe? Here’s a Chinese recipe that Patti sent to share.

Black Pepper Chicken

Ingredients:
1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, about 8 oz. (cut into thin strips)
1 onion (sliced)
1 green bell pepper (cut into thin strips)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (use 1 tablespoon to marinate the chicken)
1 teaspoon freshly milled black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon Maggi seasoning
2 tablespoons oil

Marinate the chicken strips with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for 10 minutes.
Heat up a wok and add cooking oil. When the cooking oil is hot, add the sliced onions and quickly stir-fry until aromatic and follow by the bell pepper and black pepper. Stir-fry for 1 minute and add in the chicken strips. Continue to stir-fry until the chicken is cooked. Add in soy sauce, Maggi sauce, and sugar. Continue to stir-fry until the onions are caramelized. Dish out and serve hot.

Kickin' Back in Kenosha

My blog has taken a 3-month hiatus (maybe it was travelling the world) as I’ve pursued some writing goals and prepared my next travel show. Now I’m back and it’s back, so let me tell you about a fun little stop we made on our way to the Dells this summer. But first, I must announce the cookbook winner, chosen from those who left comments on the previous post.

Congratulations, Tammie Shaw! You have won the Beef, Pork, and Lamb Cookbook, composed of recipes by various chefs. And since you waited sooooo long to find out, you’ll get a little something extra, too.

LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST TO WIN THE YOUNG ADULT NOVEL, LOST IN DREAMS, BY ROGER BRUNER.

Today’s destination: Kenosha, WI, which actually is not on the way to the Dells from my Chicago suburb, but was worth the extra travel time. We chose Kenosha for two reasons: 1. They have a diner there that was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (more on that below); and 2. My next travel show is Taste of the Midwest, and I needed photos of Kenosha’s Civil War Museum. Now we have another reason to return to Kenosha: Tenuta’s Italian Grocery and Deli. Love it!

So, for all you Food Network fans out there, here’s the scoop on FRANK’S DINER, located at 508 58th St. Unless you were specifically looking, you would drive right by it. Small front, a few tables along the sidewalk, nothing to catch your eye. But inside…pure delectable deliciousness. Their claim to fame is the “garbage plate” – a sumptuous combination of hashbrowns, green peppers, onions, jalapenos, eggs, and choice of meat and a variety of veggies. Prices run from $6.50 to $10.50, depending on the ingredients and whether you choose half or full size. Half is normally more than enough for a man-size appetite. Other signature items include cinnamon swirl French toast and a chili and cheddar omelet. We ordered a deep fried Twinkie, just for kicks. Yech. Enough said. Expect a long wait if you go on a weekend, but also expect the unexpected.
www.franksdinerkenosha.com

CIVIL WAR MUSEUM AND LAKEFRONT, 5400 First Ave. – The best description comes for their own website: “Through state-of-the-art museum technology, life-size dioramas, and interactive engaging exhibits, visitors travel back in history to the social, political and economic influences that contributed to the Civil War.” Across from the museum is a huge flea market and craft fair, which I believe runs every Friday throughout the summer. Across the street, the beautiful lakefront, complete with lighthouse, beach, and rocks for climbing or resting on as you gaze at the water.

TENUTA'S – Even before entering the store, you’ll know you’ve found a gem. In nice weather, the outside café is open, with menu items like eggplant sandwiches and Tenuta’s homemade Italian sausage. Inside, Italian food galore…and more! First, the piano player greets you with old-time music and a corny joke as you enter. That alone is priceless. As you proceed, you’ll find entire aisles of pasta, olives, giardiniera, and a huge variety of imported olive oils (the good stuff). And the delli, mama mia! Not only fresh meats and cheeses, but fresh cannolis and a plethora of other rich, gooey desserts. That doesn’t begin to cover it, so check it out for yourself if you get the chance. Here’s their website: www.tenutasdeli.com.

If you go to Kenosha, don’t miss the OUTLET MALL, which is technically in Pleasant Prairie, but close enough. All in all, a great place for a day or weekend trip.

REMEMBER…LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN LOST IN DREAMS.

High Above

I hope you all enjoy this post by fellow writer Beth Dumey who recently found herself immersed in the dramatic beauty of the northwest.

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COLORFUL COOKBOOK FEATURING BEEF, PORK AND LAMB RECIPES!

As a Midwesterner, I seldom get to stand in the shadows of mountains. After a recent trip to Seattle and Vancouver, I’ve been pondering how I might view God differently if I lived in the midst of these gaping wonders.

In Seattle, on clear days, Mount Rainier casts a powerful presence over the city. White-capped and majestic, it is a guidepost for both travelers and natives.
“Can you see Mount Rainier today?” passersby ask as they crook their necks toward the sky. When they catch a glimpse of its outline in the distance, their faces relax into an appreciating “Ahhh…”

A few hours north, Vancouver is buffeted by mountains and one of the most familiar is Grouse Mountain, rising 4,100 feet above the city. A sky ride carries the curious and dedicated (skiers, that is) up to a clearing near the top. Adrenaline junkies looking for a challenge can choose the Grouse Grind instead, foregoing the gondola and hiking the distance. Either way, the view is as compelling as it is humbling. Self-importance dissolves at the foot of towering pine trees and prominent peaks jutting into heaven. The air is thinner. The bears, in their natural habitat, reign.
Perched on a mountainside, a mere speck along a tangle of untamed wildlife and uninhibited tree growth, it seems much easier to understand the sovereignty of God; His mighty power evident all around. Bigger than the breadth of a mountain, higher than the most skyward summit, He is stronger and more capable than all of the creation He spoke into being.

I travel to the mountains because it comforts me. In their shadows, I become smaller and God becomes much bigger. As I look up, I am embraced by the beauty, the grandeur, the fierceness of His presence. With a deep breath, I exhale.

Midwest Flower Power

The Midwest may not have Hawaii’s orchids or Holland’s famous tulip fields, but in my backyard, everything’s coming up daisies…and lilies! I bought these “Crazy Daisies” from a flower catalog a few years back and they are the hardiest and most prolific flowers I’ve ever grown. Just thought I’d share them with all of you.

The flower pots on my deck are having a banner year as well, with a colorful variety of flora chosen by my daughter and me in the spring. Looking at them makes me smile. I hope they bring you a smile as well.

Thank you to all who read and/or commented on my interview with Lynda Schab. The winner of the cookbook drawing from the previous post is:
JILL KEMERER!

Congratulations, Jill. You won Sensational Vegetable Recipes - a step-by-step cookbook full of beautiful food photos!

I'll be heading off to the Wisconsin Dells soon for the annual mother/daughter/sister getaway, and will post another little taste of the world late next week!

A Bright Star in Michigan

Among Michigan’s many treasures is my friend and critique partner, LYNDA SCHAB, who just signed a contract for her debut novel, Mind Over Madi. Lynda’s book, to be released by Oak Tara Publishing, will be the first in a 3-book chic-lit series.

CONGRATULATIONS, LYNDA!

For most writers, the road to publication is loooong and bumpy. See what Lynda has to say about her writing journey and her first book.

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COOKBOOK.


What have you learned through this writing journey?

LS - Oh, wow. The biggest thing I've learned is patience. The path to publication is long and winding. There have been so many times I've wondered why God wasn't making things happen faster. I've wanted to rush things along. I've even been tempted to quit because of frustration. But, looking back, every tiny victory, every narrow door that opened, was a necessary step that directly led me to where I am now. Not that I've arrived, of course. I have a loooong way to go, but I've learned that God's timing is rarely my own.

Can we get a sneak peak at the plot?

LS - Here's a little "back cover blurb" I've put together:
All men cheat. At least, that’s what Madi’s mother has always told her. That fact is confirmed when Madi suspects her husband of having an affair with the mother of one of his 4th grade students. When, in a heated moment, Madi asks him to leave and he complies, Madi is forced to deal with her issues. Issues she has tried to avoid. Issues of love and trust that trail back to her childhood. Will counseling, a determination to not turn out like her bitter and unforgiving mother, and an emotional confrontation with the “other woman” help Madi to realize there is Someone who always has her on His mind, even when it seems she’s lost her own?

How much of Lynda is in Madi?

LS - Probably too much! To be honest, Madi's story is (very loosely) based on my own. I've certainly experienced my share of insecurities for some of the same reasons Madi has. Also, like Madi, I constantly have a battle going on in my mind, I have a sarcastic sense of humor, and I'm addicted to computer games and chocolate.

My hope is that Mind over Madi will offer women a real yet humorous look at how our insecurities can affect our relationships with family, friends, and God. I also hope this story will leave readers with a knowledge and assurance that God loves us. That grace abounds, despite our weaknesses, our past mistakes or, as Madi would say, out moron-ness.

Release date?

LS - I wish I knew. The contract has been signed and I'm waiting for the editor to contact me with all of the juicy details. Can't be soon enough for me!

As a Michigan native, can you share with us some great places to visit in your home state?

LS - I know I'm biased, but Michigan is the most beautiful state in America. There are so many options...Perhaps the most recognizable tourist spot is Mackinac Island, described as the natural theme park of America. It's historic, relaxing, and gorgeous. We went last year as a family and can't wait to go back.

An interesting fact about Michigan is that we have more than 11,000 inland lakes. At any given point in Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles from an inland lake or more than 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. A few remarkable beaches can be found in Grand Haven, Ludington, Traverse City, and Holland - which also boasts wonderful Dutch heritage. There's also South Haven, where Mind over Madi is set. South Haven is a huge tourist draw because of its beaches and recreational harbor.

How about a favorite recipe?


LS - I have tons of favorite recipes and they all belong to restaurants. I'll admit I don't cook a lot (nor do I enjoy it all that much), but I try to cook something edible so we can sit down together as a family at least once a week. My family's favorite recipe is not-so-creatively titled, Chicken Casserole, but I have to say it is delicious. Plus, it makes a ton so there are usually left-overs, which is nice. I also make this dish for large family gatherings and it always gets rave reviews.

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

5-6 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
16 oz. macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
Steamed / cooked carrots
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk
3 T. Margarine
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper

Prepare macaroni and drain. In saucepan, melt margarine. Add soup, milk and cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni, cheese mixture, chicken, carrots, salt and pepper. Pour into a 3-quart casserole dish (I use the Pampered Chef big stone bowl). Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.


Thank you, Lynda! I can’t wait to see Mind Over Madi in print.

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COOKBOOK.

Michigan's Treasure

Saugatuck – with a name like that, how can it be anything but great? We visited Saugatuck, Michigan a couple of years ago on our annual Mother’s Day trip, which never actually takes place on Mother’s Day. Let me explain. Each year, my sister and I give my mother a two-night trip as her Mother’s Day gift. Our challenge is to find places that are within a 4-hour drive of the Chicago area. After we’d been to Lake Geneva, Galena and Amish Acres in Indiana, I remembered a friend raving about Saugatuck.

A little Internet research led me to the Beachway Resort and Hotel. Loved the name -- loved the location even more. Beachway is situated between downtown Saugatuck and Lake Michigan, overlooking the Saugatuck Harbor, where you can board the only hand-cranked chain ferry in the U.S. It only takes about 15 minutes to cross the Harbor into charming downtown Saugatuck, where quaint shops, art galleries and a variety of restaurants await.

For beach lovers like me, there’s something even better about staying at the Beachway (and I quote from the Beachway site) “it is the closest hotel to Lake Michigan's award-winning Oval Beach.”

What makes Oval Beach award winning? Check it out, and you won’t wonder for another minute. This Lake Michigan stretch of sand feels and looks like the most beautiful Florida beach you can imagine. Endless miles of sand and water, a sand dune high enough to experience panoramic views of Saugatuck and the shimmering waters of Lake Michigan. And no…Beachway did not pay me for this blog. And no…it’s not the Taj Mahal of hotels. Just a nice, clean family-run resort/hotel with a fantastic, family-friendly vacation or a great place for a couple’s or friends’ getaway. There are many other great places to stay in Saugatuck, as well. Check them out at www.saugatuck.com/lodging/lodging_index.asp.

Nothing says Michigan like cherries. Check out this delicious pie recipe.

Star-Spangled Cherry Pie with Crumble Topping

• 4 c. tart cherries, frozen or fresh
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 3 T. quick-cooking tapioca
• 1/2 t. almond extract
• Pastry for one-crust 9-inch pie
• 2 T. butter or margarine

Crumble Topping:
• 1/2 c. butter, softened
• 1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
• 1 c. flour

In a medium bowl, combine cherries, sugar, tapioca and almond extract and mix well (it is not necessary to thaw frozen cherries before using). Let cherry mix stand for 15 minutes.
Line a nine-inch pie plate with pastry and fill with cherry mixture. Dot with 2 Tbs. butter.

To make crumble topping, combine 1/2 c. soft butter, brown sugar and flour in a small bowl and mix until crumbly. Top cherry filling with crumble topping and bake in preheated 400° oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.

Note: Two cans (16 oz. each) well-drained unsweetened tart cherries can be substituted for frozen or fresh cherries.

Tip: If freezing your own cherries, arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet after pitting. Freeze until solid to prevent cherries from clumping together, then bag.