December 2005 Newsletter

Ho-ho-ho!  Or, as it's been around here of late, bah-humbug!  At any rate, I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season.

December has my stomach in knots of worry about my January deadline for ALL THAT GLITTERS.  I'm sure I'll make it, I always do, but with the holidays in there, well, it's just additional stress I don't need.

My husband surprised me with an early Christmas present--a mahogany desk with matching lateral file cabinet.  Yes, nothing says love like tax deductible office supplies.  Of course, what did I expect?  The first time I went to his apartment, when we were dating, I found a list of his clothing posted inside his closet door with check marks/dates he's worn them.  As you may have guessed, his degree is in engineering.  Since I'm cripplingly right-brained, I figure we sort of balance each other out.

My editor sent my ISBN for THE COWBOY anthology that "Cowboy in Paradise" will be in!  It's 0-7582-1528-2, if you'd like to make a note of it.

In between being chained to my computer, I am trying to decorate our house for the holidays.  I sure didn't realize how hot a hot glue gun can get until I tried to fix a wreath I made a few years back!  Ouch!  My friend advised me to place a glass of ice water next to me when I used the glue gun, but I got thirsty and drank it...then I realized why she gave the advice a few minutes later!  Maybe I can use it in my firefighter novella, ALL FIRED UP, which will be in a firefighter anthology in 2007.

Now for my favorite holiday recipes!

Super Easy Fudge

3 12-oz packages of milk chocolate chips
2 cans of Sweetened Condensed milk
1 Tbsp vanilla

Options:

Pecans
Cashews
Walnuts
Marshmellows
Rice Krispies
Crushed candy canes

Heat chips in microwave on high for 1 minute.  Let set for 2 minutes.  Heat again for 1 minute.  Repeat until chips are soft and can be stirred easily.  Add vanilla and milk.  Mix VERY WELL with any options and mix QUICKLY, since it sets up really FAST (I like to use my husband to stir since he's stronger and can get everything blended before it begins to set up).

Pour into a buttered or PAN-sprayed 9x13 dish and chill until set.  Cut into squares and store in an airtight container--but do nt refrigerate as it will lessen the life of the fudge.

Special K Cookies

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup white Karo syrup
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
4 cups Special K cereal

Bring sugar and syrup to JUST a boil.  Remove from heat and add the peanut butter--mix well.  Pour over 4 cups Special K and mix well (and fast).  Form into balls about the size of golf balls and place on waxed paper to cool, then store in a tightly sealed container.  For the holidays, I like to melt chocolate and dip the cooled Special K balls until they're covered, then cool them again.

Enjoy!  Oh...it's probably best to make the Special K balls when you're not wearing nail polish since the hot syrup mixture tends to melt it.

Happy Holidays!!

P.J. Mellor