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. 

Insecure Writers Support Group: Is Blogging a Chore or a Joy? #IWSGbloghop

 

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 April!

Our awesome co-hosts for the April 3 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia

April 3 question - 

How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed?

I believe I started seriously blogging in 2011. I tried Word Press and gave up. Too complicated for me. Then I tried Blogger. I discovered I could get the gist of Blogger a lot better than WP. Perhaps it was because of my attempt to master WP that opened the door to understanding how to use Blogger.

Oddly, today's question is about blogging. I just saw an announcement from an author friend who is giving up blogging. She titled the article "MY FINAL  Blog Post." Wow. I felt a bit of grief when I realized I would not have a window open into her world anymore. 

I must admit I have thought about giving up blogging. But for some reason, I feel such an attachment to JQRose.com, I can’t imagine dropping it completely…yet. I have started writing an article every week at Substack.com, so this could take the place of my blog. Hopefully, my readers would follow me to Substack. But who knows how long I’ll keep writing there??? And a newsletter? I won’t be sad to see it go. Do you notice how insecure I am in making the decision to drop blogging or not?

My blog is my "home" on the web. I am comfortable here. Everything is on this blog--my books, my media kit, my series through the years, my history, interviews with guest authors, and the IWSG blog hop and friends I can keep in touch with every first Wednesday of the month. Gosh, I'm getting misty-eyed just thinking about it.

Do you have a warm, fuzzy feeling for your blog? Or has it become a chore? Please leave your thoughts in a comment below. Thank you!

💮💮💮💮

Updates

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Recipes 'n Reads Series
Guest author Helen Henderson

*Please stop in on Wednesday, April 17, when author Helen Henderson will share her favorite recipe and her latest book release.

     *WIP--I am working on a journal for Mother's Day sales. I know, I know. It's pretty late to be ready for 2024 sales, but I'll have it ready for 2025!! 

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. My Substack title, Picking Noses, is all about keeping your Easter lily looking fresh. Click the link to find out, especially if you have an Easter lily at your house or office.

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 with Classical Historical Romance Author Rosemary Morris and a Curry Recipe #recipesandreads

 

Recipes 'n Reads Series
Guest author Rosemary Morris

I am thrilled to have my friend and talented author, Rosemary Morris, return this month to share her recipe and book on the Recipes 'n Reads series, scheduled every third Wednesday of the month. Rosemary brings one of her favorite family recipes, Spinach, Peas, and Paneer (Curd Cheese) Curry.

Rosemary is a gardener so of course her recipe uses veggies from her homegrown garden. My hubby, Gardener Ted, raises vegetables every year for our table, so I appreciate the work and the delicious harvest when gardening. 

Rosemary said, "I enjoy organic gardening, and grow herbs, fruit, vegetables and ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers.  Even when there are thick frosts on the ground, I have some homegrown produce in the garden – Swiss chard, New Zealand spinach, curly kale, red kale & parsnips.  I store homegrown carrots and turnips in my garden shed and have a shelf of homemade jam, pickle and chutney in the kitchen."

Spinach, Peas, and Paneer (Curd Cheese) Curry  

Serves four served with chapattis, other flat breads, or rice. 

Preparation 30 minutes.

 

Ingredients.

 

Two bags of fresh baby spinach.

Eight ounces cooked fresh or frozen peas.

One packet paneer (Indian curd cheese) available from Indian groceries and supermarkets

Vegetable cooking oil to deep fry the paner.

Three Tbsp vegetable cooking oil

Two level dessert spoons of finely grated fresh ginger.

One chili (optional)

Salt to taste

Four lemons cut into quarters.

 

Cut the paneer into half inch cubes. Deep fry until they are light brown. Put them in water to keep them moist.

 

Microwave spinach or cook in a little water. Shred the spinach. Remove the stalks from fresh spinach, shred the leaves and wash them and cook in a little boiling water with salt to taste. Drain and squeeze out excess water.

 

Return spinach to the saucepan and simmer the spinach with the fresh or frozen peas until they are cooked or defrosted.

 

Stir fry the fresh ginger or minced ginger paste and chili on a low heat. Add the spinach, peas and paneer and stir well.

 

Serve hot with chapatis, other flat bread or rice and squeeze lemon juice over each serving.

 

This curry is suitable to deep freeze.

Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris
Classical Historic Romance

 Back of the Book: Far Beyond Rubies

Set in 1706 during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, Far Beyond Rubies begins when William, Baron Kemp, Juliana’s half-brother claims she and her young sister, Henrietta, are bastards. Spirited Juliana is determined to prove the allegation is false, and that she is the rightful heiress to Riverside, a great estate.

After Gervaise’s wife died, on his way to deliver a letter to William, Gervaise sees Juliana for the first time The sight of her draws him back to India. When “her form changed to one he knew intimately – but not in this lifetime,” Gervaise knows he would do everything in his power to protect her.

Although Juliana and Gervaise are attracted to each other, they have not been formally introduced and assume they will never meet again. However, when Juliana flees from home and is on her way to London, she encounters quixotic Gervaise at an inn. Circumstances force Juliana to accept his kind help. After Juliana’s life becomes irrevocably tangled with his, she discovers all is not as it seems. Yet, she cannot believe ill of him for, despite his exotic background, he behaves with scrupulous propriety while trying to help her find evidence to prove she and her sister are legitimate.

 

Theme and Plot

The theme and plot for Far Beyond Rubies were inspired by non-fiction about the East India Company, when its ambitious employees, including very young ones, hoped to return to England with a fortune.

When Fourteen-year-old Gervaise Seymour was sent to establish trade in North India. His only communication with the company was by messenger.   Some men in his situation became Muslims. Gervaise did not, but he married a Hindu lady and respected her culture and religion. During a discussion, a brahmin remarked that the commandment in The Bible, ‘Thou shalt not kill,’ did not only refer to human beings. It made such a profound impression on him that he adopted a vegetarian diet.

Click here to download Far  Beyond Rubies at your favourite bookstore

* * * *

About Rosemary Morris

People are surprised by the amount of time needed to write and research my classic historical romances.

The more I read about the eras my novels are set in, the more fascinated  I become, and aware of the gulf between the past and present. Those who lived in the past shared the same emotions as we do, but their attitudes and way of life were different in many ways, An example is the social position and treatment of women and children in bygone ages. For example, in the middle ages a husband was legally allowed to beat his wife with a cane no thicker than his thumb.

Author Rosemary Moss

 My characters are of their time, not men, women and children dressed in costume who behave like 21st-century people. 

Researching my chosen eras, sparks my imagination. The seeds of my novels are sown, and from them come the themes, plots, characters and events which shape their lives.

 In the morning I check my e-mails then write from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. On most days, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. I deal with various ‘writerly’ matters I post on face book, interact with face book friends, participate in an online constructive critique group, and much more.

I enjoy arts and crafts and find a time to knit, embroider or work on my patchwork quilt.

Prior to Covid, I visited the local sports centre where I swam before relaxing in the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.  On other days, I try to find time to go for a walk round the green backed by woodland behind my house, where according to season, I pick blackberries, elderberries, sloes and gather mushrooms.

I treasure time spent with my family, most of whom live near me. I have close relationships with my grandchildren, who are between 21 and 14 years old. When we get together, we still play Monopoly and other games.

Life has some ups and downs but I am blessed.

Connect online with Rosemary

BWL Publishing  

Facebook 

twitter@rosemarymorris

Rosemary's website www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Thank you for dropping by today. Do you love reading romance and/or historical novels? Please leave a comment below.

Click here to receive the Rose Courier, 
delivered quarterly to your inbox. 

However, if I am bursting with news I can't wait to share,

 I will send out a Special Edition!

Filled with photos, updates, new book releases and more!

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

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

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Innsecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop: What YOU Know About BookBub

 

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 New Year 2024!

Happy IWSG Day!!

Thank you to our awesome co-hosts for the January 3 posting of the IWSG-- Joylene Nowell Butler, Olga Godim, Diedre Knight, and Natalie Aguirre!

January 3 question:

Do you follow back your readers on BookBub 

or do you only follow back other authors?

I am very embarrassed to admit I don't do anything with BookBub. I looked up BookBub to see if I even have a profile on it. Yes, I do!! I am interested to see what you all are saying about BookBub. Do you buy ads on BookBub? Have you had success with the ads leading to book sales? Please leave your comment below.

JANUARY 17 ON THE RECIPE AND READS SERIES, 

SHERRY ELLIS IS MY GUEST.

Recipes 'n Reads Series every 3rd Wednesday of the month

Talented storyteller and professional musician, Sherry Ellis, will be my guest on Recipes 'n Reads. Sherry shares one of her favorite recipes and the reasons why she chose this particular one. She will introduce you to her new YA  book release, Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones. Please mark the calendar and return for her crepes recipe. Ooh-la la!

The Rose Courier

Winter edition

Click here to receive the Rose Courier, 
delivered quarterly to your inbox. 

However, if I am bursting with news I can't wait to share,

 I will send out a Special Edition!

Filled with photos, updates, new book releases and more!

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

Click here to visit more Insecure Writers Support Group  

members participating in this month's IWSG Blog Hop!

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

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

Wishing you a productive New Year!
May it be filled with hope, love, peace

 and lots of writing projects!!

Janet Glaser writing as J.Q. Roses