A Goodbye Lie Recipe - Mocha-Choco Cooler

Martha Bear
our website spokesbear

Martha Bear and I love to bake and cook and eat. We often make this refreshing, low cal, CHOCOLATE cooler. Treat yourself and the family.  Heck, treat everybody!

Mocha-Choco Cooler

You'll need:

•1 cup non-fat milk

•2 tablespoons lite (regular is great too) chocolate syrup

•1/4 teaspoon instant coffee granules (decaf is optional) or to taste

•2 tablespoons sugar (or 2 sugar substitute packs), sweeten to taste

•7 ice cubes



Mix all of the above in the blender, and whirl on high until the ice is crushed and the drink is frothy.



Makes about 2 cups, enough for 1 tall glass.

Year of Living Graciously - September

September - Relax when you can and avoid looking at a clock as much as possible.

The Goodbye Lie Diaries - Breelan

1880s August

Fernandina, Florida

Breelan Dunnigan writes - We walked on the beach after church today. The dragonflies and damselflies are everywhere! Of course, I really can't tell the difference between them except I assume the smaller ones are the girls. In any case, I don't believe I've ever seen so many in my life. Peeper calls them Devil's Darning Needles. Where does she get these things? Marie is afraid they will bite. Daddy says their tiny mouths pinch you a wee bit but only if you catch them and they have to defend themselves. They're too fast to catch without a net and who would want to do that anyway? Well, Pat used to when he was a child. Oh, I just looked out the window and there goes little Mac running after some with a fishing net.  He's like his Uncle Pat for sure. I do love them so. 

NOTE:  I read Breelan's diary entry so went outside to see if there were tons of dragon flies down by the beach and, sure enough, there they were.  Actually, they are everywhere, not just near the water. They flew past so quickly I was able to snap only a few unblurred pics.  Thanks, Bree for the alert!  -Jane Marie

Old Joplin, MO Photo

A friend found and gave this picture to my husband, Bruce.  Does anyone recognize this old building in Joplin, Missouri? 

 If so, is it still standing and where is it?

The Goodbye Lie Diaries - Clover

1880s  August

Fernandina, Florida

Picked two baskets of pears from Peeper's tree this mornin' early, afore anybody was out-the-bed. Dropped some at Duffy's back door. Figured Winnie America could make a cobbler with them lessen Aunt Noreen gets them first.  Lord knows Peeper won't share with Aunt Noreen.  Seeing how it's Sunday and all, I shared for her. I was feelin' sorry for Aunt Noreen last night when nobody paid her any mind at the backyard picnic. Most folks think she's mean. They'd be right about that.

Sweet Expression

     I was settling my grandbaby, Ava, in bed one night.  She said, "Do Mommy Covers." 
     I proceeded to tuck the blanket down both sides of her body, shoulders to toes.  "No, Grammy.  Mommy Covers."
     "Well, what is that?"
       "You know, like this." She turned the top sheet over the blanket, pulling them both up to her chin.
     I fell in love with the term Mommy Covers.  It's sweet sounding, Ava invented the name, and I did this with her mother's covers, the same as my mother did with me.  I actually remember my mother, Marie, telling me the reason she turned the sheet back over the top edge of the blanket was to keep the blanket clean since sheets are usually changed much more frequently than the blanket.
     Anyway, Mommy Covers will be added to Ava's list of childhood expressions we will tell her little ones when she grows up.  :-) 


     P.S. Odds are this expression will find its way into my next novel, Mark of a Man...

A Feathery Find

 I spied this beautiful hawk in the woods of Florida.  I think it may be a Red -Shouldered Hawk according to some photo research. He posed this way and that for about ten minutes. I took note that there were no squirrels in sight because they knew he was watching for them.  Smart little squirrels!

The Goodbye Lie Diaries - Grandmother Peeper

August 1880s Amelia Island, Florida

Grandmother Peeper writes:  It's mighty hot these here last days.  I dun told nasty Aunt Noreena she kin be akeepin' herself cool at night ifn' she'll just take ta sleepin' under a wet sheet necked. She won't have none of it.  She says it ain't dignified.  She needs more sleep or she'll git even meaner than her usual ugly self and we'll have ta set a trap fer her. I always feel so sorry for Clabe. He ought ta be gettin' a medal fer livin' with that thing of a wife. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Making the Mark - miasma

I never heard the word miasma until I met my hubby, Bruce. He said his grandmother worried about such things and I had him explain it.  Years later, I thought it would be a "better thing" to put in one of my historic novels.  Hey, how about my current work in progress, Mark of a  Man, set in 1898 on Amelia Island, Florida? And so I have.

Miasma was thought to be an unhealthy/disease producing sort of cloud/vapor, sometimes smelly, in the atmosphere resulting from decomposition of organic matter, particularly in and around swamps. Although the odor is bothersome, the vapor, itself does not spread illness.  In my research, I found that nurse Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) was a strong believer in miasma and, to that end, believed in open, airy, clean hospitals which helped out everyone in the end. 

PS While some Marthas (as in Martha Stewart) say, "It's a good thing," my teddy, Martha Bear®, says, "It's a better thing."

Grand Opening of Gracious Gifts by Jane Marie

For Immediate Release:

Gracious Jane Marie is proud to announce the grand opening of Gracious Gifts, a wee gem of a shop filled with riches from the imagination and hand of author and artisan Jane Marie Malcolm. Located in North 3rd Trading, 13 N 3rd St, Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida, Gracious Gifts is spilling over with one of a kind treasures. Novels Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie and Velvet Undertow, part of the Goodbye Lie historic suspense/romance series, are signed by the creator, herself, and include a free recipe insert. Complimenting the series are hand painted Secret Pebbles™ with verses and organza gift bags, glass carafes for juice, wine or water, old timey tic-tac-toe boards to pass down through the generations and framed art to turn a wall, corner or counter from blah to gay! Pretty Petal hair toys, greeting cards with Jane Marie's signature rose painted envelopes, magic keys for little princesses and pirates plus an assortment of miscellaneous delights, capture the eye and treat the senses. For personalized items and information, ask for Gracious Jane Marie Malcolm at North 3rd Trading, 904.261.0405 or email JMM at graciousjanemarie@yahoo.com. Take a piece of Amelia Island's GRACIOUS home to entertain and beguile - until you return to paradise…

Year of Living Graciously - August

Handmade is fast leaving from us.  I've mentioned this in an earlier blog. It is so important  to me that I made it August's idea in my monthly Year of Living Graciously list.

Teach someone the art of hand sewing, knitting, crocheting, any kind of fancy work, before these skills are gone forever.

Yes, new mothers still want handmade baby blankets, but they want YOU or GRAMMY to make them, not learn how themselves!

Cowboys and Aliens review

We just saw Cowboys and Aliens.  I am happy to report that Daniel Craig is still good lookin'!  He and Harrison Ford did some hard horseback riding themselves and Craig took many a tumble during his stunts. Yes, ladies.  There is a kiss.  The aliens are slimy and ugly and none too friendly.  This was fun entertainment on the big screen for a hot, hot summer afternoon, especially at matinee prices.  When a large popcorn costs $8.50, you need the matinee price. In any case, go see it and and while away two hours and 18 minutes. Oh, no need to stay through the credits waiting for a short extra scene like in Pirates. There is none.  Enjoy the show!

Controversy Over Goodbye Lie Series

By now, you have probably heard that the tag line for my historic suspense/romance series, The Goodbye Lie, is where Little House on the Prairie meets Gone With The Wind...  I have been contacted by several readers who disagree.  They think is should be where The Waltons meet Gone With The Wind. You know, they might be right.  My characters have been known to say goodnight at the end of a day.  Guess they've got me!

Meet a Real Harry Potter Fan

author Kate Brown

Kate Brown, young author of Rose Legends, recently wrote a blog about the meaning of Harry Potter in her life. We all have our obsessions.  Read about hers, below. (Link to Ms.Brown's blog: http://strangerandomocity.blogspot.com/)

Friday, July 15, 2011

It All Ends Today

Four words which may have changed a lot of people. It All Ends Today.
But there are simply two words which changed my life eleven years ago.
Harry Potter. Those two words, that name, inevitably changed everything
I would be obsessed with in the future. Now, I'm not talking about the
kind of obsessed where I draw pictures of the terrific trio and put
them on my wall or stalk the actors who play the characters in the
films. I mean the kind of obsessed where it literally changes my
personality.

Think about it. If I'd never cracked open Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone, I probably would not have found the love of reading
which I have today. There's something fulfilling about reading a new
story about a new group of characters in a new world. Something
wonderful and exciting about getting to leave your own world, even if
it's just for a few minutes, to visit Hogwarts or Middle Earth or
Alagaesia or even just Lawrence, KS (if you've never been there, that
is). But what is it about Harry that makes his story so intriguing to
children (and now adults) everywhere? The story of Harry Potter
transcends generation, gender, and so much more. But why?

Sure, Harry is destined to be a hero and we know that, one day, he will
have to stand up to the man who murdered his parents in cold blood. And
we follow his story in the meantime when we could choose to read other
books. Harry himself is no extraordinary person, if you think about it,
is he? He goes to school, he makes a few friends and a few enemies and
he goes through the stage which all young adults go through; teenage
angst. So why is he so amazing?

The answer is simple: It's not Harry that's amazing. Or rather, it's
not just him. It's everyone else with whom he surrounds himself.
Hermione Granger, the intelligent, bushy-haired, sometimes overzealous
young girl. Ron Weasley, the fiery-haired, lovable friend who's always
there for our hero... well most of the time anyway. The rest of the
Weasleys who seem to adopt Harry as their own, not because he's famous,
but because they know family is the most important thing. They teach us
that throughout the books. Without the Weasleys, Harry might have
befriended Malfoy and I'm sure we can all imagine how that might have
turned out.

But not just Harry's friends. What about his professors? McGonagall,
the wise, sometimes funny, stern, but caring professor who was there
the night Harry was left with his aunt and uncle. Snape, the man who
hates Harry because of Harry's father, but loved Harry's mother so
much. We see Snape's true colors in the final installment of the films
and the novels. And let's not forget Dumbledore. Dumbledore: the man
who, in truth, raised Harry like a pig for slaughter, but who did truly
care for the boy nonetheless. A man revered by the wizarding world and
loved by his students. It is partly because of Dumbledore that Harry
was able to defeat Voldemort in the end.

I'm getting a little rambly and I apologize, but if you saw the film,
you'd understand. There's just so much going on in my head right now.
Voldemort is dead. My childhood is over. My mischief is, sadly,
managed. What do I obsess over now? I'll tell you what. I'm going to
continue writing and taking cues from my favorite authors and hopefully
my books will be half as loved as Harry Potter because no author could
ever trump JK Rowling.

JK Rowling is my idol. Without her, I would definitely not be where I
am today. So I say thank you, Ms. Rowling. Thank you for thinking up
Harry Potter on a train without a piece of paper and sticking with the
idea long enough to do all you've done. Thank you from the bottom of my
heart and, if I ever meet you, I think I'll be too in shock to speak.

Kate Brown
Author of Rose Legends (http://www.amazon.com/Rose-Legends-Book-One-Found/dp/1456080598/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311557999&sr=1-1

The Goodbye Lie Diaries- Aunt Noreen

1880s July

Fernandina, Florida

Aunt Noreen writes - I don't understand why Ella can't discipline her children a little more.  Here we were, eating some of my delicious peach cobbler that I'd made special and carried over to Dunnigan Manor and Mac says, "I'm done."  Ella smiled that smile of hers and I just had to correct the child.  "Turkeys are done, young man.  You are finished. Now how hard is that to remember."  You'd have thought I'd said a bad word from the hateful look Peeper threw at me.  Sometimes I wonder why I endure those family dinners over there. Sometimes, too, I feel almost unwelcome.  Well, I must do what is necessary for family harmony.  Mother and Father would expect that of me. 

An Invitation to the Royals



The following is a copy of  the actual letter I sent to Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge along with two Secret Pebbles™ -

Your Royal Highnesses,

You are cordially invited to say at our house, Stately Malcolm Manor, the next time you cross the Pond and visit North America. Please give us 3 months notice of your visit to be sure our guest room is available. We live on Amelia Island, Florida, often referred to as paradise, so vacancies  are rare, particularly in the summer. I'm thinking when the kids are in school would be best.

My thoughtful husband, Bruce, has offered to remove his clothes tree, the already read stack of Louis LeMoure books and even the extra pairs of shoes in the corner of your room to make more space for you. If you'd like to sleep with a cat, just leave the door open. You will have to remember to drop the toilet lid each time you powder your noses to prevent the cat from bathing in that particular water. (Please refer to my July 10, 2011 blog entry entitled From the Cat at ttp://graciousjanemarie.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html.) We will be serving Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce, a family favorite. We can not abide fussy eaters, so clean your plates. Mr. Ocean is two blocks away. Follow your noses to the scent of sea water. Oh, your security team is permitted to set up a tent inside our courtyard. However, we ask they conceal their slingshots to stay incognito.

Enclosed are two of my personally hand painted Secret Pebbles™ as wedding gifts as well as enticements to lure you back to America. The secret in the pebble is what you two share. Could your secret be love? I'm thinking so.

At your earliest convenience, please email me at GraciousJaneMarie@yhaoo.com so we may pencil you in our registration book. And remember, the latch string is always out.

Secret Pebble™
 samples

Sincerely,



Jane Marie Malcolm

silly person and author of The Goodbye Lie historic suspense

http://www.graciousjanemarie.com/



 

American Legion

Meet Bruce Malcolm, the newly sworn Chaplain of American Legion Post 54, Fernandina Beach, Florida. I am so proud of my husband.  I know his mother, grandmother, daughter and sons are, too.

For God and Country,

Jane Marie Malcolm

American Legion  Auxiliary

                                                         

Lost Art

Whilst walking about Wally-World the other day, I inquired of a young lady, mayhap two and twenty years old, "Where might the cross stitch supplies be? The floss, in particular."

Her reply? "I don't know what you're talking about. Do you mean yarn?  My great grandmother used to use metal sticks and make sweaters with string or yarn or something. The only floss I know about is dental floss.  If we have any of that, it's probably over there," and she pointed toward the toothpaste aisle.

Oh my, oh my, my. Dear ladies and gents. So much has gone by the wayside- crank telephones, typewriters, black and white TVs. Let not the art of cross stitch join that group. Please, please, in the name of all that is handcrafted, if you know how or know of someone who knows how to cross stitch, crewel, heirloom handstitch, candlewick, knit, hook, tat, quilt or sew, please, please, teach another.  Keep these leisurely arts alive in this day of instant everything.

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Peeper

1800s July
Fernandina, Florida

Peeper writes:  I seen three orange beaks apeekin' outa the nest in the small pine tree out front. The mama and daddy birds just keep awatchin' us human folks. It's a sad shame for certain we cain't talk bird talk and they can't talk people talk ors they wouldn't have ta be afrettin' we might hurt their babies. If'n I or any of the children gets too close, then in comes mama aflyin' and aswoopin'.  She'll hit our heads if'n she has to ta keep us away. We all start alaughin' though when she attacks the back end a the cat. Oh, little Mac asked me how come the mama don't sit on her eggs ta make um hatch.  I'm aguessin' it's bacause it's so dang hot outside, there's no need fer it.

Barbra's Chickpea Summer Salad

My daughter, Barbra, loves to cook food that is good and good for you. She's one intense athlete so does lots of research when it comes to chowin' down.  She sent me this recipe. Yummo!

Barbra's Chickpea Summer Salad





I eat this salad as often as possible while training. It has all the food groups without weighing you down and is loaded with fresh veggies that are raw, so vitamin packed. You can vary any of the ingredients (including the chickpeas but beware, the beans are the main ingredient in order to get ample protein and chickpeas are easy on the tummy, if you get my meaning…if you substitute others like black beans, I suggest you add them in sparingly to the chickpeas, keeping an eye on fiber content). This is a lot of fun to make and makes a ton! Enjoy and keep it moving!                             

- one bag dried garbanzo beans or several canned (if dried, cook on low overnight in a slow cooker to the consistency of canned…they come out perfect every time)
- chopped: zucchini, yellow squash, fresh tomatoes, hot banana peppers, cucumber, green, red or yellow peppers
- 1 container light Feta cheese
- chopped kalamata olives or sliced black olives
- chopped sundried tomatoes without oil


Toss with a bit of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and lots of red apple cider vinegar (or your favorite Fat Free Italian dressing), all to taste. Add a dash of salt (and pepper if you like).

Note from the creator: I am not a believer in fat free options and would normally opt for all full fat options, but this will weigh you down, tire you and defeats the purpose. There is plenty of flavor with the lighter versions. The beans and olive oil fills you up nicely without the weigh down. With that said, if I was having company over, I would surely go for “full tilt”, as my mother says!

Variations include: types of veggies, types of Feta, types of dressing, types of beans to infinity!

                                                                                                                          --Barbra

From the Cat

We have lots of wonderful company on vacation, particularly in the summer when the sea breeze invites visitors to the beach to sun and swim. A friend used to work for Disney and told me, "Once folks cross into the Disney park, they lose their brains," meaning they're on vacation and don't pay attention to many if any the necessities. All that is fine and good unless you have a catling named Button aka Little Naughty. For those who don't know of Button's antics, let me elaborate.

One of her favorite activities is to play in toilet water. The necessity here is to put the toilet seat and lid down when finished doing what needs to be done. This will, in turn, prevent her from frolicking in the less than completely sanitary H2O. As an assist in this process, we have installed automatic slo-mo toilet seat descenders, which mean all you have to do is gently push down on the top edge of the lid and it closes quietly. Our intent is to make the closing of the lid as near to effortless as is humanly possible. We explain this to our brainless guests, complete with demonstration. The rub here is that memory is required and without brains, can there truly be memory? Since Little Naughty has trained Bruce and me already, this lack of memory accords our buds an application to my Three Second Memory Club. Their repeatedly leaving the seat and lid up is proof the they quality for membership.

To make matters worse, we were mildly surprised to see where Button has taken to writting notes and taping them to the inside of the toilet lids. Aha, her diabolical messages thanking humans for leaving up the lids, did just the opposite---for 24 hours. Soon, the notes became invisible to those humans, still on vacation, and Little Naughty was once again playing in the toilet water. Oh, what  clever cat thou art. Her latest message of scoff demonstrates how we of two legs are good for but three things, feeding, stroking and cleaning her litter box. Sigh. See her  "Button note" below and advise as you see fit.

Jane Marie Malcolm, cat lover and  germ freak

PS I may be late in replying to your emails at graciousjanemarie@yahoo.com  because I am in the throws of finding the best sanitation company in which to invest. Might as well. I spend enough cash on the sanitrate stuff personally.

More Goodbye Lie Trivia

What is the name of the Dunnigan family dog?

Scoll down

Keep going

Almost there

Blackie-White-Spots

Summers Remembered

Before this Blog, Blog, Blog, I began a monthly newsletter in 2001 for our now 800 page website, http://www.graciousjanemarie.com/.  I thought I would revisit a "newsie" from the archieves for those new friends or for those friends belonging to my Three Second Memory Club.

July 2002  

My Own Treasured Friends,

There is a waterslide not far from my home and if the wind is blowing just right, I can hear the kids squealing with delight as they rush down the thrilling curved incline to ker-plunk at the bottom in a pool of refreshing aqua pura. Swimming and pool high jinks of a safe sort are all part of summer.

Naturally, this reminds me of the exciting summers with my sisters and brother and all the neighborhood kids.


We found our backyard most appealing. While others had larger yards in which to play kickball or swings sets from which to hang upside down, our yard was the favorite on the hottest days of the year. Why? Because our father bought us a swimming pool. Not an in ground fancy thing with a diving board, but a light blue, plastic pool whose edges were held upright on a simple round white wire frame.


The first time I laid eyes on it, I thought our pool was huge. I mean really huge! I was probably about five or six and was required to wear an inner tube around my middle for safety's sake. I now realize that it was probably 12 feet in diameter and only about 18 inches deep.


We took turns holding the garden hose to fill the pool. It seemed like hours until the water was up high enough for swimming, but we didn't care. We just knew that fun was to be had if we were patient. I can't count how much time we spent in the pool or the games we invented - our favorite was Captain of the Ship, so named for the sole survivor who remained on the inflated lounging raft after everyone else was bounced off. We often splashed so much water from the pool we had to refill it, but the wave action we produced would have made Popeye himself jealous.


In order to keep the pool clean, we had a bucket of water stationed poolside. We always stepped in to rinse our feet. Needless to say, we sometimes had thoughtless guests who ran and jumped in with dirty feet, but that was ok because every few days we drained the pool and started all over. We'd remove the plastic sides from the wire fencing, and watch the water rush out. Of course, it was much more fun to step on the edges to speed the process along. While engrossed in this exciting activity, you could occasionally hear a scream from some poor kid who'd fallen victim to a bee sting, which was prone to happen when we ran barefoot in the grass.


Eventually, my sister, Nancy, and I graduated to actual swimming lessons. We'd ride our bikes to the closest high school that had a pool, which seemed to me as if it were 25 miles away. I guess it wasn't that far, maybe 2 or 3, but it sure wore a little kid out.


When we arrived, we would don the required bathing caps. Note to anyone who is unfamiliar with that particular instrument of torture - when you tried to get it over your head, it not only felt like the rubber was pulling out every last strand of your hair, but it also made you look like a golf ball in the process. And for your pain and suffering, it never even kept you hair dry!


Oh, and how about the added allure of nose plugs? You know, those pink pinchy things that kept you from getting water up your nose, but forced you to swallow chlorinated water instead because you couldn't breathe through your nostrils. Imagine if you will, the entire becoming picture. Had we known any better, that specific humiliation would have set the bar for all future degradation. To my knowledge, no one has a photo of us dressed in our swimming garb. If they did, how could they keep themselves from blackmailing us with the thing? Horrors!


Those were fun, wonderful days in this child's world. Our only concern then was whose turn it was to ride on the front of the raft in the pool. Now when I hear the happy summer sounds of children, I find myself thinking of landing just one good thump on that bully who always knocked me off and held my head under water. That's what dreams are made of.


Hey, I'm not the one who decided I was gracious. Remember, it was Nancy who bestowed that title upon me. What I will admit to is being human! But as always,

Love from Amelia Island,

Jane Marie

PS Wahoo! July 19th is Flitch Day! For those few persons out there who are unaware of the occasion, it used to be that once a year married couples were given a slab of bacon as a reward if they could prove they had lived harmoniously during the previous 12 months. Sadly, very few couples "took home the bacon.”

For more Gracious Living Newsletters, visit http://www.greenlightwrite.com/newsletterarchive.htm.

the Goodbye Lie Diaries - Peeper

1880s July
Fernandina, Florida

Peeper writes:  Little Mac found a nest in the pine tree out front a Dunnigan Manor two days ago. He come arunnin' ta tell me. He was wantin' ta remove them three eggs to show me when the mama bird come aflyin' down straight away. After I splained how he was not ta be abothering them eggs, he was a good boy and dun-did what I said. Now we can hear them babies atwitterin' and atwitterin'.  It's a happy day. Old Monstie cat best not be abotherin' them birdies neither.

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Aunt Noreen -added thought

1800s July

Fernandina, Florida

Aunt Noreen writes:

I forget to mention the July 4th festivities.  That is what some of the family called them.  To me it was torture. Everybody insisted on riding out to Amelia Beach to shoot fireworks and bottle rockets out over the ocean.  Except for the horrific noise, the screaming children, sand in my shoes, a hole in my stocking, and the sticky night air, it was a wonderful time.  I must remember to feign illness next year to avoid this unnecessary discomfort.

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Aunt Noreen

1880s June
Fernandina, Florida

Aunt Noreen writes:
My Grandmama used to say if you give children sugar before bed their gaylin' will soon turn to wailin'.  Right she was. That old Peeper made sand tarts with almonds and it wasn't two minutes after they ate that the babies were running about and screaming. My head is splitting. Mac tripped over Blackie White Spots and skinned his shin almost to the bone.  He did not much care. He was proud of all the blood. It made me sick. What a disgusting little creature Mac is. Just like his Uncle Pat. He may be my nephew but I only claim Pat Dunnigan as such because everyone knows we're blood. I realize it is dangerous to write these things down but sometimes a woman must let her sufferings out. 

Year of Living Graciously

Each month I suggest an easy fun or interesting thing to do to make life fun. Scroll down this blog and look on the right for a list of other ideas. The list is beside the picture of some "lady with a blue face."

Here is July's tip - Spend the afternoon reviving a beat up piece of furniture or other object with several different colors of paint and put it outside in your garden. Example: My faded flamingos are no longer pink.  Now they have black, gold, blue  green and purple spots!

Independence Mobile

Happy July 4th, America!  Our little town of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida has a parade and we'll be in it! Check out our Independence Mobile below that will carry our grandchild!  What freedom we enjoy to celebrate as we choose.  God Bless America!



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and cookies, too!



Merry in Madison, GA

Celebrating another glorious wedding anniversary, my sweet husband Bruce surprised me, per my suggestion, with a trip somewhere. I love surprises. A five hour drive northwest from Fernandina Beach, Florida delivered us into the historically charming city of Madison, Georgia. Spared from burning during Sherman's infamous march from Atlanta to the sea, Madison is brimming with antebellum homes. We passed by many a pillared porch and white-painted home in the tradition of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind. That set the mood for our destination, The Brady Inn, an 1885 Victorian bed and breakfast.

As we passed through the pretty parlor, its walls a rich red, the settee and matching cream upholstered chairs welcomed guests to sit and chat. Our room was filled with period antiques, the high carved headboard, hand quilted spread and marble topped dresser and table complimented the pink patterned rug and blue bordered wallpaper. No television in the room kept the outside world and worries away for two days. Even the full bathroom, cleverly concealed in the tiniest of closets, left us laughing. One could brush his teeth and spit in the sink whilst "seated" at the same time!


Breakfast was a delight both mornings. We were served at any of seven four-top tables situated on a cleverly painted faux rug in a sunny room at the back of the house. The windows overlooked grassy grounds dotted with flowers, new wooden trellises and arches, a bonfire area and an herb garden. Cherry tomatoes from that garden were the base of a spiced salsa of sorts our second morning. The yogurt, granola and fresh blueberries and the spinach quiche were wonderful but we adored the poached pears. Mary, the pretty and peppy hostess, I love peppy in a hostess, was kind enough to give us her secret recipe!



faux room down the hall!

We've staying in quite a few B&Bs over the years. We've been very blessed to do so. The Brady Inn is certainly a place we will visit again, any time we're in mid-Georgia. We recommend it to all with confidence that you will more than enjoy your return to the glory days of the deep South.

faux rug!

There was an unexpected bonus. Scattered discreetly around the inn were small pump bottles of hand sanitizer. For an admitted semi-germ freak, this was quite a perk!

The Brady Inn is located at 250 N. Second St., Madison, Georgia, USA
706 342-4400 or 866 770-0773
http://www.bradyinn.com/

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Miss Ella

1880s June
Fernandina, Florida

Miss Ella writes:  As I always do in the heat of summer, I had the boys remove the detachable headboards from all the beds. Sliding the beds to the windows to catch the breeze makes for much better sleeping. It is also a fine time to clean. The children get such a tickle from finding the big dust bunnies. Aunt Noreen thinks this is in poor taste. Grandmother Peeper giggles and cheers the babies on. So do I, but I am careful not to let Noreen hear me. No need making her moods worse.   

The Goodbye Lie Diaries - Clover

1880s June
Fernandina, Florida

Clover, handyman and fast family Dunnigan friend, writes:

For once, my cow shed smells better than the outside, what with all the smoke from them wild fires. God make it rain more than a splash to put 'um out.

My Favorite Father

Jane Marie, Daddy, brother Bobby

I was blessed with a wonderful father. We loved him so very much. Thank you to Daddy and all the fathers before, now and in the future, who understand their responsibilities and carry them out with patience and sweet love.

Happy Father's Day to all!

Little House on the Prairie

For the first time ever, at a book signing, a man asked me how my Goodbye Lie series set on Amelia Island, Florida is like Little House on the Prairie that takes place in the Midwest. I think he was being a wise-acre. You see, I use this tag line given me by a reader describing my novels: Where Little House on the Prairie meet Gone With The Wind. My answer was quick in coming. While the settings are different, the similarities between my books and Little House are historic and family driven. He pressed me on a few more things and ended up buying both The Goodbye Lie and Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow. Bottom line?  Don't challenge a writer who knows her material! Ha!

Goodbye Lie Diaries- Miss Ella

  ‎

1880s June

Fernandina, Florida

Miss Ella writes:  My sister, Aunt Coe, is visiting us for two weeks.  Our plan was to go sailing for a few hours. We packed a light lunch of fresh tomato sandwiches and sweet tea. Trouble is the smoke from the wild fires in Georgia is as bad as I've ever seen it. We can go out on the water another time and eat at home today.  And when we do eat, we shall say prayers for the dear animals escaping the fire and for those who have not.  Lord, please make it rain.  

Goodbye Lie Trivia

What is the name of the place in New York where Breelan honeymoons

 in the historic suspense novel, The Goodbye Lie, set in 1882 Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida?



Breelan



Answer: Birch Bark Inn

The Case of the Missing Dryer Sheets

Do you recall me warning everyone that I decided to become eccentric? Just testing your memory. If you don’t remember, you can be a member of my Three Second Memory Club (no application, no rules, no meetings, no dues ). If you do remember, then you’re over qualified for the club but you can still read my blogs and books until you lose your memory.

Back to my so called eccentricities. Bruce, my sweet hubby, asked me if I’d seen the dryer sheets. Why? Because, he does most of the laundry. Actually, he does all the laundry unless we have a fight over him shrinking a linen blouse of mine or something similar. No worries. We become friends again and he’s back sorting the dirty clothes.

“The dryer sheets are on the shelf above the washer and dryer, “ I told him. He’s sometimes challenged in the logic department.

“I can’t find them. I’ve been looking for five minutes. Come show me where they are.”

Dislodging my computer from its Gracious Stick (stay tuned for full disclosure and photos of said G Stick coming soon…) and dumping Button aka Little Naughty, our calico kitty, from the arm of the easy chair, I walked through the kitchen, all 6 steps of it. Arriving at my destination, I pointed directly to the good smelly sheets. “There! Right in front of you.”

He hit his forehead with the heel of his hand to demonstrate a eureka moment. “My mistake,” he said. “Why didn’t I think to look for them inside the box of fresh Swiffer floor pads?”

It was clear he of little common sense craved an explanation.

“It’s like this. Those laundry shelves are overflowing and-“

“Could it be because there are three bud vases, one tall square vase, two tall round vases, a big crock pot, a smaller crock pot, a blender, a chopper, three cookie cooling racks, two detergent bottle, a window cleaner, a huge bleach bottle and assorting tiny, empty, mustard jars—I took inventory while I was searching – and that’s just on the bottom shelf.”

He expected an argument and, ha, ha, he didn’t get one. “You’re right. I do have lots of vases and crock pots. The better prepared I’ll be to welcome fresh bouquets from you and cook you such yummo dishes as Fish Stew, your favorite. (Fish Stew is featured in Mark of a Man, my next novel.)”

Defeated, his only reply was, “Right.”

“As I was saying, since the shelf is so full, I efficiently made more room. I put the dryer sheets inside the box of floor pads. It’s not like I tried to hide them. The box is open on the end for the whole world to see if they want. ” To bring my point home, I pointed at the box within the box.

“One of these days, I’ll learn to ask first,” he said.

We then did what we always do. I smiled as he shook his head.

Pet Peeve

Every one has a pet peeve or two or many.  Happily, I don't have a lot but this is one that jumps out at me from TV ads, magazine ads, talk shows, movies, interviews, newscast banter, radio, just about any media.  It's everywhere!  Want to know what it is? The over use of the word amazing. While the this word, to me, used to be fine to hear, now it seems to be nearly the only descriptive word used these days.  Just listen for a day and count how often you hear it.  So folks, lets expand our vocabulary with some of these old time favorites instead like wonderful, fabulous, magnificent, glorious, marvelous, splendorous, cool, swell, neat, keen or the bees knees?

Goodbye Lie Diaries Catch-Up

I thought we'd play "catch-up" with the Goodbye Lie Diaries since not everyone in the world sees my Facebook page. We can't leave folks out, so here are the latest everyday thoughts of the different historic series characters featured in The Goodbye Lie and Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow. Remember, you and I can read their words but they can't see one another's. SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS UPDATE and scroll back up as you read the entries in the order they were written.


‎1880s June
Fernandina, Florida


Michael Dunnigan (patriarch) writes:
My sister, Noreen, is a real pip. I heard her telling poor Clabe how a hurricane is only bad if it hits you. Charity certainly doesn't begin in her home. Why am I not surprised?

***
‎1880s June
Fernandina, Florida

Aunt Noreen writes:
It is hurricane season again. Heard it is supposed to be bad, what with all the recent tornadoes in Georga and mid-West. Then again, there is no telling. Of course, a hurricane isn't so bad unless it hits you.


***
‎1880s May
Fernandina, Florida


Carolena Dunnigan (oldest sister) writes:
Grandmother Peeper gave me a jar of bacon fat to prevent chapped lips. Aside from making me want a stack of flapjacks & a dozen slice’s of sow bosom, as my Uncle Fries always says, it works. Then I got a small irritation on my lip. Was I suddenly allergic to bacon grease? I a...sked Mama & Peeper. They laughed & said that was impossible. Could it be scurvy or rickets. As a remedy, I ate a half jar of orange preserves since oranges are good for you. That made me sick to my stomach. Hey, the sun cures lots of diseases and upsets. So there I was, sitting on a wooden crate behind Clover’s tool shed to ensure privacy while I sunned my bare ankles. While exposing my limbs, it came to me. I had burned my lip on fried catfish Daddy made for dinner last night. I hope to be healed by tomorrow. If not, I’ll take more drastic measures.


***
‎1880s May
Fernandina, Florida

Miss Ella (Dunnigan family matriarch) writes:
The church gave young Ben a covered dish meal this noon in honor of his departure to seminary tomorrow. His warm, glowing smile and gentle ways will make him a comfort to all in his work for the Lord. I
took fresh sliced strawberries and we served them over Peeper's Angel cake. That seemed appropriate for the occasion. Aunt Noreen made her ice cream. The day was warm but not so warm that the ice should have kept it firm. We suggested it might need more churning. Not one to take advice, the children drank their melted ice cream. Noreen was humiliated and we all tried to sooth her hurt feelings, except Peeper who laughed, by saying it still tasted good. Noreen would have none of it. She went off mad, dragging Clabe and Warren Lowell with her. Ice cream can be difficult to keep firm.


***
‎1884 May
Fernandina, Florida


Breelan writes (2nd  oldest Dunnigan daughter):
It's hot today. More than hot, it's blistering. Sometimes I wish I could go round wearing trousers every day like Daddy and Jack Patrick. It has to be cooler. Then again, I don't know how Waite would find me. One thing is for certain sure. He would still find me, no matter how I dressed.

***
‎1884 May
Fernandina, Florida

Carolena writes (oldest Dunnigan sister):
My hair just won't hold its curl in this Florida humidity. Curly hair gets curlier. Straight hair goes even straighter. It's not fair, diary.

***
‎1884 May
Fernandina, Florida

Grandmother Peeper writes:
I'm makin' up a batch a my best herb plaster ta send ta them poor folks over yonder. Wish I could be agoin' to help 'um but my poor feet is hurtin' me somethin' fierce. Won't be no good ifn' I can't walk around much.


***
1884 May
Fernandina, Florida

Michael Dunnigan (patriarch) writes:
We are so fortunate. Our little town was spared from the tornadoes. Not so lucky are some in our neighboring states of Alabama and Georgia. Fernandina churches are gathering supplies and such for those poor unfortunates suffering from the devastating tornado loss. Miss Ella and the girls baked a dozen loaves of bread and gave much of our store of canned preserves, tomatoes, snap beans and the like. Figuring it was the right color and size, as my father used to say, I wrote a check and delivered the lot to St. Michael's. We've never missed a penny or a thing we've shared.

***
‎1884 May
Fernandina, Florida

Breelan (2nd oldest daughter)writes:
While at the Florida Mirror, I heard it reported bad weather was coming. Tornadoes have been spotted touching down. Folks have lost their lives and livelihoods. God bless them all.

***
‎1884 April
Fernandina, Florida

Breelan (2nd oldest daughter) writes:
Waite heard about a fellow who fell in the pit beneath his outdoor necessary. Apparently, bad boys had moved the little house. Being a lady, after all, I pretended not to laugh, telling him it wasn't fitting, but being a full-time lady can put quite a strain on a girl.


***
‎1884 April
Fernandina, Florida


Captain Waite Taylor writes:
Breelan was down at the Florida Mirror today. I suggested she turn in the following story, Local Fernandina Man has a Moving Experience, about some young hooligans who slud back Oliver Tolliver's outhouse about four feet, and how Oliver was seen running through the moonlight, tearing off his long-johns yelling, "Lordy, Lordy! Lordy!" She didn't think her editor would find my story worthy. Too bad for the Florida Mirror.