Fake Boyfriend/Girlfriend Blog Fest

Another day, another blogfest. This is extra special because it is being hosted by my awesome CP, Amparo. 


The Fake Boyfriend/Girlfriend Blogfest

What: Let's face it--we all get crushes. *nods* Doesn't matter if you're married or not. It happens. My goal with the Fake Boyfriend/Girlfriend Blogfest is simple. All you have to do is choose between: 

a) An author crush 

(someone whose works you admire so much you'd make out with the pages!)

or

b) A celebrity crush 

(TV. Movies. Sports. Doesn't matter, as long as they're famous and (sadly) out of reach). 

and write him/her a love letter on your blog. It can be from your POV, or from the main character of your manuscript's--totally up to you.

Want to join in the fun? Head on over to Amparo's blog and click on Mr. Linky to take part.

I chose an author crush.

I thought long and hard who I'd write my author crush letter to. I love books. I've sobbed through classics.  I've awwed at romance and laughed at picture books, but no one comes close to this lady:

                                                        

 (Jane Austen Image from blogs.dixcdn.com )


No. One.

Sure, other author's battle for my affections. I hold soft spots for all of them, but your books are the one I re-read each year. Even after studying them books most of my life. Even knowing the class notes are still written -- in pencil -- in the margins (*shudders that my teachers made us write in the books!*), I still long for your characters to have a happy ending.

I still feel that thrill of your wit oozing off the page. The skilled ways you weave your plots, holding back until goods the last possible moment.

Sure, you didn't have the best luck in love yourself, but the love you have you gave to the world. You gave it to Elizabeth and Darcy. To Fanny and Edmund. To Emma and Mr. Knightley. Mr. Collins is a little (okay, a lot) annoying, but I put up with him because I know he's supposed to be that way.

Here's to you, Jane Austen. Thank you for your words, your wit, and your love of language.

We still need to talk about Mr. Collins though.

Hugs,

Me.

What about you? Any favourite authors?

Fun & Prizes

Excitement abound today. Amparo, one of my awesome CPs, is having her very first blog fest. I'll let her explain it.

The Fake Boyfriend/Girlfriend Blogfest!!

What: Let's face it--we all get crushes. *nods* Doesn't matter if you're married or not. It happens. My goal with the Fake Boyfriend/Girlfriend Blogfest is simple. All you have to do is choose between: 

a) An author crush 

(someone whose works you admire so much you'd make out with the pages!)

or

b) A celebrity crush 

(TV. Movies. Sports. Doesn't matter, as long as they're famous and (sadly) out of reach). 

and write him/her a love letter on your blog. It can be from your POV, or from the main character of your manuscript's--totally up to you.

When: Since the 14th of February is reserved for your real One and Only, I figured the 15th would be perfect for your Fake Boyfriend/Girlfriend! That way, your real One and Only won't feel abandoned or anything. Plenty of love to spread around, right? ;)

Wanna gush about your Fake Other One? Head on over to Amparo's blog and sign up with Mr. Linky. 

Also, the fabulous K.M.Walton is chasing away the winter blues with a contest. The grand prize? A first chapter critique by her agent, Sarah LaPolla. Runner up gets a cool Apocalypsies tote bag with 7 YA books in.  Contest closes at Midnight on February the 13th. 

Blog Fest: Be Jolly By Golly

It's the week of Christmas. What better way to celebrate than with some festive blog fest fun. Organised by the awesome Jen and Melissa.

1.Blog Post to be posted on December 20th (whatever time you desire)
2.Show pictures of your decorations, holiday lights & Christmas tree!
3.Share your favorite treat (Recipe included, chance for others to steal the yumminess!)
4.Share your favorite drink (Recipe included, chance for others to steal the alcohol – or non)
Christmas tree!
5.Last but not least… visit others!!! Take part in their holiday cheer! (Linky list)

Two things let me know Christmas is almost here. The first is getting an advent calender. Chocolate for counting down days till Christmas = Best. Invention. Ever!
The second is the tree.

I like cake. You know I like cake. So one of my favourite treats is yule log.

(Picture from indyweek.com )

It's cake and chocolate in one yummy package. That counts as a double win for me.

Ingredients:

Butter and greaseproof paper
6 eggs, separated
150g caster sugar
50g cocoa (choose a good cocoa such as Green & Black’s)
Zest of one large orange
125g dark chocolate
185g icing sugar, sifted
165g butter, at room temperature
Juice of one large orange


Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line a Swiss Roll tin (about A4 size) with greaseproof paper. Butter the paper and then sprinkle lightly with cocoa.


Put the egg whites into a food processor or large bowl and whisk to soft peaks. Add 50g (about 2tbsp) of the caster sugar and whisk again until the egg whites are quite stiff. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the orange zest and remaining sugar until they are light and the whisk leaves a trail. Sift over the cocoa and stir it in gently (the mixture will look a bit claggy but don’t worry, it comes together).


Put a spoonful of egg white into the yolk mixture and stir it in gently. Then add the remaining white in three additions – fold very gently, so you don’t lose any air. Pour and spoon the mixture into the lined tin and, when the oven is heated, put in for 20 minutes.


Now rinse out the food processor bowl (or clean the whisking blades) and sift in the icing sugar. Add the butter and beat for a few minutes, until soft and creamed. Add the orange juice and whisk again.


Weigh the chocolate into an ovenproof bowl. When the roulade comes out of the oven, switch off the oven and put in the chocolate for a minute or two to melt. Turn the roulade onto a rolling board and peel off the parchment. Retrieve the melted chocolate and add it to the butter mixture, then pulse until well combined. Spread a thin layer of the icing onto the roulade and, while it’s still warm, roll it up to make a log shape.


Put the log, seam-side down, onto a serving plate. Leave it to cool for a few more minutes, then cut off one end and arrange it as a branch. Cover the log with icing, rippling with the end of a knife for a log effect. (From Cake Baker UK)

I'm not a huge drinker. Most of the time I stick to soft drinks, but one of the drinks I remember helping my granddad make for my relatives as a child was a Snowball.
Ingredients:
1 shot of Advocaat. Fill glass with sparkling Lemonade. Add a shot of Advocaat to the glass and top up with sparkling lemonade. Add a 1/4 shot of lime cordial and mix. Easy!

And Christmas at my house wouldn't be Christmas without the festive TV tradition... the annual Doctor Who Christmas Special!

What about you? Any traditions you share over the festive period?