I guess we'll call them Sun-Dried Tomato Crisps. My daughter, Barbra, made these for me over Christmas and they were delightful. They are so easy, I'm making them New Year's Eve! Thank you, Barbra!
Sun-Dried Tomato Crisps
You'll need:
Pita Bread
Sun-Dried Tomatoes in oil with herbs (I used 8.5 oz. California Sun-Dry, Julienne Cut.)
Optional toppings:
Parmesan Cheese
Feta Cheese
Green Onions
Kalamata Olives
Black Olives
Whatever You Have Handy or Want
Slice the pita bread in half horizontally so you have two thin flat circles. Cut each circle into wedges. Cover each wedge with drained sun-dried tomatoes and any other topping. Bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until wedges are crisp. Serve warm. Pass the grated Parmesan. (It's always "pass the parm" in our house.)
Enjoy!
THE GOODBYE LIE Series by JANE MARIE MALCOLM - "where LITTLE HOUSE on the PRAIRIE meets GONE WITH THE WIND ..." -sweeping, stirring and lush with romance- CONTACT: graciousjanemarie@yahoo.com ... GOD'S BLESSINGS ON US ALL... "random ricochets off the backsplash of my mind" -jmm
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December 30, 2012
December 22, 2012
2012 Annual Christmas Letter
Dear Friends,
Mother: "Who is winning?"
Her Brother: "It's 10 to 10."
Mother, laughing: "Oh, since you're a Navy man, I’m glad it's Navy."
Her Brother: "It's 10 to 10."
Mother: "Beat Army!" (Mother is proud of her sports knowledge.)
The family went on a cruise to the Bahamas. Father said next time he'll spring for food. The good news is everybody looked better in their swim suits.
Daughter walked the beach and left a small pile of special seashells on the shore near the water. When she returned the next day with a bucket to collect them, they were gone. With such blatant disregard of citizen's property, she wonders what will be next? Stealing dandelions?
Cousin Gassie reports his bowel sounds have improved.
Canned peaches are still on aisle 5.
Father discovered that if you turn a book upside down, the words are upside down, too.
The bread often has green edges. Mother is pleased because the color matches her vinyl place mats.
The ice cream melted too fast and Father is preparing to take legal action.
It's that time of year when our family shares
the highlights of bygone months. Hang on,
for what you're about to read will be… Well, hang on, if you dare...
Mother asked: "What is the score?"
Her Brother replied: "10 to10."Mother: "Who is winning?"
Her Brother: "It's 10 to 10."
Mother, laughing: "Oh, since you're a Navy man, I’m glad it's Navy."
Her Brother: "It's 10 to 10."
Mother: "Beat Army!" (Mother is proud of her sports knowledge.)
Father rewired the front porch light. Whenever the family flips the switch, the
hair dryer starts blowing cold. Mother says the A/C bill is lower and spent the extra money on a nose hair trimmer for Father. Braiding his nose hair was taking too much time away from grass mowing.
Cousin Isning's left earlobe went missing.
After adopting a rescued doggie, Mother said to Her Brother
who was moving in for a very long unexpected visit, "Where is the
dog? I don't want her to run
outside."
Her Brother: "I know exactly where she is. She's biting my right ankle."
Mother: "Oh good! After you put on thicker socks, give her one of these biscuits and praise her so she'll keep doing it and we'll always know where to find her." Mother should be an animal trainer.
Mother: "Oh good! After you put on thicker socks, give her one of these biscuits and praise her so she'll keep doing it and we'll always know where to find her." Mother should be an animal trainer.
Uncle Knuckle gave Niece a candle for her birthday. Father worried
she would burn her house down. Uncle Knuckle
pointed out that her house is termite-ridden so Father gave her an extra book
of matches to speed the process.
Daughter walked the beach and left a small pile of special seashells on the shore near the water. When she returned the next day with a bucket to collect them, they were gone. With such blatant disregard of citizen's property, she wonders what will be next? Stealing dandelions?
Cousin Gassie reports his bowel sounds have improved.
Aunt Rantie asked Mother, "Since they all have four
legs and a tail, how does a dog know it's not a cat and a cat know it's not a
dog?" Not wanting to appear
superior in her knowledge, Mother blew her nose.
The glue on the church envelopes tastes like red paint.
The neighborhood got new orange recycling cans. Cousin Irk says the color suits him better
than the regular gray trash can and likes his new digs.
Canned peaches are still on aisle 5.
Father discovered that if you turn a book upside down, the words are upside down, too.
The bread often has green edges. Mother is pleased because the color matches her vinyl place mats.
The ice cream melted too fast and Father is preparing to take legal action.
The mailman has crusty elbows.
That's the news from sunny
Amelia Island, Florida.
Amelia Island, Florida.
Merry Christmas
and don't eat too much tinsel.
and don't eat too much tinsel.
Happy 2013, too!
December 19, 2012
Goodbye Lie Sugar & Spice Nuts w Excerpt
Every year around Christmas, I make my Sugar and Spice Nuts. I think they are festive enough to serve for fancy functions, so wrote them into my historical romance novel, The Goodbye Lie. Click on the link for the recipe, http://www.greenlightwrite.com/sugarspicenuts.htm, and read the excerpt below from the book that mentions the nuts...
The scene is the Fort Clinch Christmas dance of 1882 set on Amelia Island, Florida.
While Trip and Will found amusement between them, Nora commented, "You'd never think this was a military establishment from the looks of the holiday decorations. All I can think of right now, though, is biting the head off one of those frosted snowman cookies hanging from the red ribbons."...
The scene is the Fort Clinch Christmas dance of 1882 set on Amelia Island, Florida.
While Trip and Will found amusement between them, Nora commented, "You'd never think this was a military establishment from the looks of the holiday decorations. All I can think of right now, though, is biting the head off one of those frosted snowman cookies hanging from the red ribbons."...
The girls nibbled on triangular egg salad
sandwiches, rolled ham, and sugared nuts while watching Mrs. Bleether. The
stout widow was still dressed in black for General Bleether who had passed away
in the line of duty before Breelan was born. Tonight, the widow nodded
periodically to the conductor with instructions. A self-described expert
tunesmith, she could always be found near the hapless leader of the band at any
social function she attended...
Breelan danced with Trip each time he asked
despite his occasional cutting remarks. She didn't understand why he was
becoming increasingly nasty as the evening advanced. Usually that happened as
he drank more alcohol, but the dance committee was only serving spiced punch
and mulled cider they heated with a fire poker. When Trip crushed her to him in an
indelicate moment of lust, she felt the hard flask under his tunic and
understood.
The glowing fireplaces kept most of the
cold at bay. They blazed high, casting a golden haze on everyone and
everything. Passing the door in dance, Breelan felt a rush of raw wind enter
the room, along with a late arriving couple. The cape the man wore was not
military. She saw the woman next. The blond hair, piled a little too high on
the head, left no doubt that it was Leona Visper, a figure not seen since New York City and more
importantly, not missed. Looking again at the silhouette of shoulders, Breelan
realized the identity of the singer's escort. It was then that eyes met,
expressions hardened and polite nods were exchanged.
"What the hell's he doing here?"
Trip railed.
Having no answer, Breelan offered none.
"Look everyone," said a voice
from somewhere in the room, "Captain Taylor and his lady brought the snow
with them to Fernandina!" The floor cleared as couples rushed to the
windows to see the rare white flakes drop softly to the earth, melting on
contact with the warmer sand and sparse grass.
Trip grabbed Breelan's hand and yanked her
to the window farthest from the entrance. He threw his arm about her
waist...murmured a vulgarity against
her ear. She tried pulling away, but was fused to his body by his overpowering
strength...
Labels:
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Fort Clinch,
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romance,
romantic,
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sugared nuts,
Trip
December 16, 2012
BORN TO BURP
BORN TO BURP is Teddy O's slogan, or one of them. He is the rascally bear featured in my Martha Bear® silly stories for families, free online at www.MarthaBear.com. - JMM
This bib is also available with a pink, white or kiwi border," says Teddy. "Hey, read all about me at www.MarthaBear.com or watch Captain Fancy Patch read to your whole family the bedtime story, The Great Amelia Island Sniff-Off at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owujwL7dEng. BURP!"
![]() |
Click here to get Teddy's O's bib: http://www.cafepress.com/+teddy_os_born_to_burp_bib,4947402 |
December 8, 2012
Doy to the World!
Here I go again. I misspoke and look what popped out. Doy to the World! I couldn't ignore the unintentional funny, now could I? So, for your viewing and buying pleasure, I have created a new online shop called...get ready...here it is: GOOFY GRAVY, meaning goofy as in goofy and gravy as in extra good.
Click below for t-shirt details http://www.cafepress.com/goofygravy.746748662 |
Click here, http://www.cafepress.com/goofygravy?nocache=yes, for t-shirts and lots more stuff to give and/or get for yourself because if you are on this blog, you have arrived in my wacky world of wonderment!
Hugs and Blisses!
Jane Marie
PS. There are the things that clog my mind. WAIT.
That's another t-shirt. Stay tuned!!!!
PS. There are the things that clog my mind. WAIT.
That's another t-shirt. Stay tuned!!!!
December 1, 2012
Year of Living Graciously - December
Don't just remember those less fortunate than you are.
Help them!
November 25, 2012
Another Bit of Paradise
My sister and partner, Nancy Kamp (www.greenlightWRITE.com) says we live in paradise. I have to agree. Paradise is just what Amelia Island, Florida is. Here, Nancy, are some beautiful shots our Barbra took of the Fort Clinch pier at sunrise. Enjoy!


November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving
All of us at Gracious Jane Marie wish you a day of love and relaxation. Please stop what you're doing and list the wonderful things God has given to each of us. Focus on His blessings for
He takes care of our worries, if we let Him...
Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy that turkey and gravy!
Gotta love the gravy! |
November 18, 2012
New Diet
Back to the diet. Since I get bored with the no whites/no sweets routine, I recently re-tried a 3-day heart-healthy diet where you can lose up to 10 pounds in a week. (I actually lost seven pounds the first time around.) I sent Bruce to the store. -He does all the grocery shopping because we fight over coupons. That’s for another blog.- He picked up an apple, half a banana, 2 eggs, 1 slice of cheese, green beans, broccoli, cantaloupe, dry toast, black coffee, vanilla ice cream, yes, vanilla ice cream, and the number one ingredient in this diet- TUNA. Thank goodness I like tuna. Drained, with only salt and pepper, I ate the stuff and everything else on the plan as directed. Never mind that eating flaky tuna is hazardous to your surroundings. I mean, the stuff stinks! (I am reminded of the scene from Philadelphia Story with Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart where the tween daughter says to her sophisticated mother, “That stinks!” The mother replies, “Now dear, we don’t say stinks. If we must say something, we say smells.”) Well, flaky tuna smells up the joint. Plus, it's hard to eat and drops not only in your lap, funkifying your clothes, but on the floor. And then, if you’re eating at your desk while you’re writing a novel like I do, you roll over it with your chair, thereby grinding it into the carpet. I guess you burn some extra calories getting up and down and crawling around scrubbing the stench out of the rug and off the wheels.
So I endured, no suffered through, consuming exactly the kind and quantity of foods listed for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The result? I lost half a pound. Would everyone say, with feeling, "Shucky darn!"
I return to telling myself to turn from the bread, push back from table and stay out of the kitchen after 6 pm. Not a lot of fun but I figure that a calorie saved is a calorie waiting to be enjoyed come Thanksgiving! And I do plan on enjoying as many of those suckers as I can stuff in my head. After that, it's 30 years and counting and counting and counting...
(Here's a link to the Philadelphia Story, a classic, and one of my favorites with a wonderful cast -Cary Grant!!!!- and snappy banter. http://www.amazon.com/The-Philadelphia-Story/dp/B001EC0OMM/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1353211415&sr=1-1&keywords=philadelphia+story )
November 11, 2012
Thank You Veterans
Our little town of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida had its annual Veterans' Day Parade to honor those who have and do so willingly serve to protect our country.
It was a perfect day on Saturday, November 10th, for the parade. My husband, Bruce Malcolm, former Marine and now American Legion Chaplain, was the Parade Marshal.
What a wonderful honor.
Jane Marie and Bruce Malcolm, Parade Marshal
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Thank you to all who have served.
Cat Quote
I came across this quote, in my August 7, 2012 Page-a-Day cat calendar, and had to agree.
"A catless writer is almost inconceivable. It's a perverse taste really, since it would be easier to write with a herd of buffalo in the room than even one cat. They make nests in the notes and bite the end of the pen and walk on the typewriter keys." Barbara Holland, http://www.pageaday.com/
"A catless writer is almost inconceivable. It's a perverse taste really, since it would be easier to write with a herd of buffalo in the room than even one cat. They make nests in the notes and bite the end of the pen and walk on the typewriter keys." Barbara Holland, http://www.pageaday.com/
our Button visiting Story Central |
November 8, 2012
New Friend
I just met a fun free spirit named PJ! We chatted. We laughed.
She entered our world!
Say "hey" to PJ!
November 7, 2012
Year of Living Graciously- November
Give away an object you love.
I first read about this several years ago. It concerned an old rag doll a woman had as a child. Her young neighbor always admired it. One day, the woman gave it to the child and the woman was consumed with overwhelming happiness at the sharing of it.
I have since done it a couple of times. Once I gave a bracelet with the Lord's Prayer inscribed on it to a girl I didn't know who was being confirmed. Another time, I found out it was the birthday of an acquaintance. I wished her happy birthday and, in passing, she said she liked my bracelets. I was wearing half a dozen pink and orange sparkling bangles. I slipped them off and gave them to her.
It just happened to be bracelets in my case. But it doesn't matter if it's a doll, a book or a diamond and I don't seek any praise for telling you this. I only want you to find the joy in unexpected giving. It's fun!
I first read about this several years ago. It concerned an old rag doll a woman had as a child. Her young neighbor always admired it. One day, the woman gave it to the child and the woman was consumed with overwhelming happiness at the sharing of it.
I have since done it a couple of times. Once I gave a bracelet with the Lord's Prayer inscribed on it to a girl I didn't know who was being confirmed. Another time, I found out it was the birthday of an acquaintance. I wished her happy birthday and, in passing, she said she liked my bracelets. I was wearing half a dozen pink and orange sparkling bangles. I slipped them off and gave them to her.
It just happened to be bracelets in my case. But it doesn't matter if it's a doll, a book or a diamond and I don't seek any praise for telling you this. I only want you to find the joy in unexpected giving. It's fun!
November 3, 2012
Disney Dream Cruise
Disney Dream and Bruce Malcolm |
We entered the Dream at Deck 3 mid-ship to discover a huge golden atrium with a sweeping royal blue carpeted staircase. That's where our granddaughter, Ava, got the autographs from and had her picture taken with Princesses Snow White, Tiana, Ariel and Aurora. Below, Tiana is about to sign Ava's book.
Ava descending the royal staircase in her Cinderella wedding gown
Mickey Mouse and Goofy and the gang below performing at our bon voage party on deck
Donald and Daisy Duck
Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck
Captain Hook in pirate show on deck
fancy chocolate sweetie w/ Mickey head
Once the green iron gates of the Enchanted Garden opened, we entered the airy and trellised restaurant, inspired by the beautiful Versailles gardens.The walls were transformed with lavish lighting from day to dusk. This lush conservatory has glass floral fixtures which changed into fans. A seven-foot statue of Mickey as Cupid is the focal point of the fanciful room. From a huge framed "aquarium" on the wall in Animator's Palace, a live action talking turtle conversed with Ava, calling her by name, and commenting on her shiny shell. She was wearing a sparkling princess gown. Oh, the butter knife was in the shape of a flat paint brush! The food everywhere on board was very good and far too much and the presentation was perfection. When ketchup was requested for Ava's fries, the server strategically plopped three blobs on the plate to make a Mickey head!
kid's meal with Mickey head in ketchup
Entertainment was vast. Each night after dinner, in the Walt Disney Theater, was a Broadway style musical show, the final one complete with a flying Peter Pan and waltzing princesses and princes. (No filming was permitted.) Ava's favorite was Villains Tonight, a fun array of the Disney bad guys and gals we enjoy so much. The Aqua Duck, is the first on-board water-coaster ever! Two people to a raft and off you go in a clear acrylic tube that propels you 150 feet above the ocean! After Mickey's pirate party and before more adult pirates had their show on deck, fireworks blasted overhead keeping in rhythm to Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean theme song, naturally. We heard that sometimes ships from other cruise lines pull near Disney's ships so their guests can enjoy the fireworks since they are too expensive to provide. True? I only know that in the near distance on the vast ocean, I did see other ships...
another cruise ship nearby on the ocean
daughter Barbra, in red, and Ava, in white, whirl away the night
Jane Marie's version of Mickey. His ears are a bit uneven.
As an optional port adventure, we took a bus tour of Nassau and then strolled through the beautiful aquarium of Atlantis.
Atlantis
tunnel aquarium at Atlantis
Jane Marie snorkeling
From shuffleboard to relaxing on canvas deck chairs, if we didn't do it all, we sure did try.
shuffleboard
Reminds me of Breelan and Nora on the deck chairs
of the Gentle Comfort in The Goodbye Lie set in 1882...
http://www.greenlightwrite.com/homegraciousjanemarie.htm
of the Gentle Comfort in The Goodbye Lie set in 1882...
http://www.greenlightwrite.com/homegraciousjanemarie.htm
Some folks can't imagine sailing with all those kids--Well, if you've ever been to Disneyland or Disney World, it was just like that. There were families so there were as many adults as children. It was so well organized, the only line we had to wait in was for the elevator when a show let out. TIP: No matter if you want to go up or down on the elevator, when it's crowded, get on the first available because sooner or later, if it's going up, it will come back down, etc. The secret is to just get on!
Adult offerings are a-plenty. Two top-notch restaurants are on the upper decks and there is an adults- only pool and several really slick bars. You can watch the shows with everyone, ride the Aqua Duck, play bingo, take cooking lessons or stay isolated. When they say a Disney cruise is not just for kids, they mean it.
As for most people, our cruise aboard Disney Dream was an event of a lifetime.
For lots more photos and videos of Dream, check out
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/dream/
Sleepy covered chocolate on our bed waiting for us
Our pillow read: A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep...
a quote...
This is for anyone who is thinking about not voting. "One of the penalties of not participating in politics is that you will be governed by your inferiors." Plato
October 31, 2012
Meet Royalty
Yes, dear friends, you are in the presence of royalty, albeit, in our minds. At my recent bunko party, everyone was to dress up as royalty, on a shoestring, so there is more money for our subjects. Two free decorated Burger King crowns, left-over ribbon from our daughter's wedding more than a decade ago, glue and glitter, a dart board and just look at the result. Meet the:
the Queen of Darts & the King of Farts
October 28, 2012
Ryan on Amelia Island, FL
Vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan will speak at 1:30 pm tomorrow, Monday, October 29th, 2012, at our Main Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. This is a big deal for little old Fernandina- and I mean little (2 1/2 x 13 miles) and old (we have a Victorian district on the National Register of Historic Places) as a compliment. If you can make it, stop on by!
October 23, 2012
Goodbye Lie Diaries - Making the Mark
Grandmother Peeper's Egg Pie & Jane Marie's Quiche
1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida
Grandmother Peeper writes: I've had many a ree-quest fer my egg pies. Mix eggs, nacherly, milk, cheese and ham. Bake 'um half the hour in a medium hot oven lessen you git a burnt crust. Breakfast, dinner and supper, any time is the right time ta be served a wedge. Add some a the fruit a the season ifn' ya don't have a hateful Aunt Noreena around who is worse at stealing your crops than them rabbits from the woods. Eat hearty!
2012
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
Jane Marie writes:
Peeper, your egg pie sounds delightful so, with your permission, I'll have you serve it to your Dunnigan family in Mark of a Man, my next novel, set in your 1898 time.
I make something similar. Below is my version we call quiche.
You will need:
2 frozen regular pie shells
6 eggs
1 cup light sour cream
8 ounces 2% sharp cheddar cheese
2 think slices of lean ham, chopped
1/4 cup no fat milk
green onions, chopped, optional
Spice for first pie:
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, more or less, depending upon how strong you like your garlic
Spice for second pie:
1 small can green chillies
Poke each shell all over with a fork so it won't puff up during pre-baking for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Let cool while mixing filling.
Pie Filling:
Beat eggs, sour cream, cheese, milk, and ham together. Separate evenly into two separate bowls. To the first bowl, stir in the garlic powder. To the second, stir in the green chilies. Fill cooled pie shells with mixtures and bake for 45 to 50 minutes at 325 degrees until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. It may be necessary to cover edge of crust with aluminum foil to prevent browning too much. Serve warm and refrigerate leftovers. Reheat for moments in the microwave to avoid a soggy crust.
1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida
Grandmother Peeper writes: I've had many a ree-quest fer my egg pies. Mix eggs, nacherly, milk, cheese and ham. Bake 'um half the hour in a medium hot oven lessen you git a burnt crust. Breakfast, dinner and supper, any time is the right time ta be served a wedge. Add some a the fruit a the season ifn' ya don't have a hateful Aunt Noreena around who is worse at stealing your crops than them rabbits from the woods. Eat hearty!
2012
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
Jane Marie writes:
Peeper, your egg pie sounds delightful so, with your permission, I'll have you serve it to your Dunnigan family in Mark of a Man, my next novel, set in your 1898 time.
I make something similar. Below is my version we call quiche.
You will need:
2 frozen regular pie shells
6 eggs
1 cup light sour cream
8 ounces 2% sharp cheddar cheese
2 think slices of lean ham, chopped
1/4 cup no fat milk
green onions, chopped, optional
Spice for first pie:
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, more or less, depending upon how strong you like your garlic
Spice for second pie:
1 small can green chillies
Poke each shell all over with a fork so it won't puff up during pre-baking for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Let cool while mixing filling.
Pie Filling:
Beat eggs, sour cream, cheese, milk, and ham together. Separate evenly into two separate bowls. To the first bowl, stir in the garlic powder. To the second, stir in the green chilies. Fill cooled pie shells with mixtures and bake for 45 to 50 minutes at 325 degrees until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. It may be necessary to cover edge of crust with aluminum foil to prevent browning too much. Serve warm and refrigerate leftovers. Reheat for moments in the microwave to avoid a soggy crust.
ham, cheese and garlic powder |
ham, cheese and chopped green chilies |
October 19, 2012
Book Title
I've got a great title for a book on etiquette. I'll call it Pass the Please. Of course, it will have to wait until Mark of a Man is out next year and then Sand and Sin and then Jubilee Junket and then my Martha Bear stories. As my brother Bob says, "I'll add it to the list... "
October 15, 2012
Goodbye Lie Diaries - A New One to Peeper
2012
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Jane Marie writes: I was asked, "What can I do to keep my new kitty from running away from my house?"
Cricket, from Virginia, wrote to me with an old wives' tale that just might work. Put a little bacon grease on the bottom of the kitty's feet. Let the cat out the door and walk down the sidewalk to clean his paws. After you've bandaged where he's clawed you, he'll be ready to follow the scent of the bacon and return home!
***
1880s
Fernandina, Florida
*Grandmother Pepper writes: Woo-howdie! That's a new one on me. Don't think I'll be atryin' that trick any time soon though. I got me enuf cats. Fact is, I got too many cats. Hmm. Let me give that some more thinkin'. Yup. I'll fry me up some bacon tomorra, dip a couple a cats in it and set 'um on Aunt Noreen's doorstep. I'll be alistenin' for her hollerin' across the yard. Won't take long!
*Grandmother Peeper and Aunt Noreen are featured players in my Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie Trilogy. As you might guess, they don't get along- at all!
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Jane Marie writes: I was asked, "What can I do to keep my new kitty from running away from my house?"
Cricket, from Virginia, wrote to me with an old wives' tale that just might work. Put a little bacon grease on the bottom of the kitty's feet. Let the cat out the door and walk down the sidewalk to clean his paws. After you've bandaged where he's clawed you, he'll be ready to follow the scent of the bacon and return home!
***
1880s
Fernandina, Florida

*Grandmother Peeper and Aunt Noreen are featured players in my Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie Trilogy. As you might guess, they don't get along- at all!
October 13, 2012
Happy 13th Anniversary to Us
My wonderful sister, Nancy Kamp, and I are celebrating our 13th year as website partners. A celebration of heart and home with roses, recipes and romance, GraciousJaneMarie.com, has been a rewarding passion for us. We want to thank our friends, and will continue our efforts to entertain you as we entertain ourselves. Enjoy!
Jane Marie
A little history:
How We Changed Our Logo
This was our original logo.
One Brand, Multiple Solutions™
Nancy Kamp's greenlightWRITE.com
Freelance Writing: On Target, On Time™
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Not many people liked it, and they let us know so we began a quest for a new logo.
This was Nancy's early favorite:
One Brand, Multiple Solutions™
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Nancy Kamp's greenlightWRITE.com
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Freelance Writing: On Target, On Time™
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Then Jane Marie came up with a bunch of great designs we haven't been able to copy and paste here or anywhere for bizarre technical reasons. (We couldn't figure out how to do it because of interference by the Northern Lights.)
However, NancygreenlightWRITE."
But Jane Marie wasn't really satisfied. She came up with a logo that didn't scream, "I can make tables and not much else."
At the top of this page is our current and favorite logo.
October 7, 2012
NAVY JAZZ
We spent the afternoon enjoying the U.S. Navy Dixieland Band today at Amelia Park. Chairs in the shade, greats eats and toe-tapping tunes from their blistering brass band left the crowd cheering! This was the kick-off for the week long Jazz Festival here on Amelia Island. For info, 904 504-4772 or www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com.
bugs, bugS, BUGS!
I don't know what they are but these cream colored little suckers were everywhere this morning--on our clothes, in our hair, in our ears... At least they're not biting like the tiny "flying jaws" we have around here. Bruce asked me, if I had to do it over, would I still want to walk to and from church through them? "Yes, sir," I answered. "When you weigh everything, bugs and all, the palm trees and ocean are the clear winners. Besides, we are human, hear us complain. So, it just gives us one more reason to grumble." Shame on us- well, me. Let's hear it for the bugs!
October 5, 2012
October 3, 2012
Feels Like Fall
The kids are back in school. The weather is just beginning to feel a tish cooler. The beaches are practically desserted these days. The summer tourist bustle is over. The daylight hours are shrinking. It sure feels like fall on Amelia Island!
October 1, 2012
Veterans' Memorial Park
September 30, 2012 was the groundbreaking and dedication of Veterans' Memorial Park on Atlantic Avenue in Fernandina Beach, Florida. The location is where the original 1940 American Legion Post 54 log cabin used to stand. This cabin was demolished due to rot and termites. (A new Post 54 has since been built on American Legion Way in town.) The strong stone chimney still there serves as a monument to our military. Boy Scouts are laying a brick sidewalk to earn Eagle Scout honors and engraved paving bricks will be sold for $50 to complete the area surrounding the site. Stay tuned to see how the park develops. It's a fine thing to honor our veterans for honor is given from the heart.
American Legion Post 54 Chaplain Bruce Malcolm giving opening prayer
( note the round holes in the stone chimney where the logs from the cabin wall used to be)
plaque on front of chimney
September 29, 2012
Local Authors' Marketplace
Today was a gathering of local authors sponsored by Maggie DeVries of Books Plus in Fernandina Beach, Florida. It's always fun to catch up with other writers, hear how their next book is progressing, what shows and signings they've done, ideas on marketing, etc. Even more fun than that is, of course, meeting readers!
I sat next to Lt. Colonel Richard B. (Dick) Lewis, a WWII bomber pilot who has written Angel on my Wing, a true story of his 35 combat missions in the 8th Air Force as a pilot with the 493rd Bomb Group in 1944. What a treat for me. I'm known as the Questionmeister and the poor guy endured all my queries. His book is available at Books Plus, http://www.booksplusamelia.com/.
I sat next to Lt. Colonel Richard B. (Dick) Lewis, a WWII bomber pilot who has written Angel on my Wing, a true story of his 35 combat missions in the 8th Air Force as a pilot with the 493rd Bomb Group in 1944. What a treat for me. I'm known as the Questionmeister and the poor guy endured all my queries. His book is available at Books Plus, http://www.booksplusamelia.com/.
September 22, 2012
Spanish American War Reenactors
Once a month, Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida has reenactors. They are usually dressed in Civil War period costumes. Recently, they represented the Spanish American War of 1898. As it happens, 1898 in Fernandina is the setting of my upcoming book Mark of a Man, the third novel in my Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie Trilogy. I took over 200 photos, the best to use in MM's promotional video. There is so much history here. Below are a few of the pictures of this beautiful place.

approaching Forth Clinch
soldiers posing
belt buckle
jail cell with daylight
"Fire!"
Red Cross nurses on duty
watching the gun demonstration
chow time
officers' dining
arch tunnel
drawbridge
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