MAY NEWSLETTER
Dear Readers,
They say that April showers bring May flowers but this year those showers have extended right through Mother’s Day. We finally got some sunny days this week and I’m so happy about that. Our back patio is my favorite place to write.
Yes, I’m back in Connecticut, working on my 2017 book. But not for long. A few days ago, my husband and I accepted an offer for the sale of our home. So it really is official now. I’m moving to Oregon at the end of June.
Gulp.
I have to admit, when my realtor called to say we had a deal, I burst into tears right in the middle of the airport! As a friend said when I told her about it, “I get it. Just because you put the house on the market doesn’t mean you believed you were actually going to leave.”
Exactly. Isn’t it great to have friends who understand you? Even when you don’t make any sense?
Between my book deadline, the move, and trying to figure out how we collected all this stuff over the years, I’m one busy bunny! But I’m never too busy to keep in touch with you. Read on for news about my upcoming appearances, a chance to win a quilt from my personal collection, and a time saving recipe your family will love.
SUMMER 2016 APPEARANCES
My 2016 book tour is all but a memory. Many thanks to everyone who came out to see me during the FROM HERE TO HOME book tour. I had a great time meeting with readers in Connecticut, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Oregon. I hope you did too.
(And if you haven’t yet read FROM HERE TO HOME, you can do so now, by clicking this link.)
With all the changes going on in my life, I’m keeping my summer calendar lite, with just two public appearances. If you’re in the area, please come to see me at…
May 24th, 7pm
Milk and Honey Quilter’s Guild American Legion Middlebury, Vermont
www.milkandhoneyquilters.com
July 7th, 3:30pm
Paulina Springs Bookstore 252 W. Hood Avenue Sisters, Oregon
www.PaulinaSprings.com
I’ll also return to the Paulina Springs Bookstore to sign copies of my books on July 9th, during the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Hours are to be determined.
GREAT RAFFLE FOR A GREAT CAUSE! YOU MIGHT WIN MY FAVORITE QUILT!
May is Brain Cancer Awareness month. My dear friend, Shellie Warren, is battling this disease and I am joining her in the fight.
Shellie's family and friends have pulled together a raffle to help with her medical expenses. I've donated my favorite quilt from my personal collection. Star Crossed Love is a quilt that readers will recognize from A THREAD SO THIN, my third Cobbled Court novel (This photo is shows Deb Tucker and Marie in front the Star Crossed Love quilt).
For a $5 ticket, you might win it, or one of the other prizes - more simply beautiful quilts, a complete signed set of the Cobbled Court books, a luxurious candle collection, quilted handbags made by Maryann Rossetti, owner of the Sew Together Quilt Shop in Tewksbury, MA, who also made my Star Crossed Love quilt. That’s just a sampling. More prizes are being added every week.
Click on this link to check out the prizes and get your raffle tickets today. Every donation will help a wonderful woman in her fight against brain cancer! Thanks for your help!
TIME SAVING RECIPE
I LOVE my slow cooker! When you’re on a book deadline, nothing beats being able to throw some ingredients into the crock in the morning and know that you’ve already dealt with dinner.
I love Sloppy Joes but so many of the recipes I tried over the years were just a too sweet for adult taste buds. My own version of this family favorite, Sloppy Joesphs, with a grown up name to match it’s grown up flavor, is savory and smoky with just a touch of spice.
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs. lean ground beef 1 lb. ground pork sausage 1 medium onion, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color) 2 t. minced garlic ¼ cup dark brown sugar 2 T. red wine vinegar 2 T. chili powder 2 T. Dijon Mustard ¾ t. ground chipotle chili powder 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce ½ t. salt 2 T. tomato paste ½ fresh ground pepper 8 hamburger buns, toasted
Directions:
Over medium high heat in large skillet, brown beef and sausage, together with onion, bell pepper, and garlic, about ten minutes or until meat is no longer pink, breaking up any larger pieces of meat into small, crumble-sized bits.
Drain liquid/fat and place in slow cooker. Stir in tomato sauce and the next nine ingredients. Cover and cook on high for four hours, until sauce is thick. Spoon Sloppy Joseph mixture over toasted hamburger buns and serve.
Any leftover mixture can be cooled completely and frozen in zip-top freezer bags for up to one month. Serves 8.
Order FROM HERE TO HOME now at these fine retailers!
KEEP IN TOUCH!
I do love keeping in touch with my Reading Friends. These days, the easiest way to connect with me is via my Facebook fan page. If you haven’t already done so, you can follow me by “liking” my page at www.facebook.com/mariebostwick.
Happy May!
Marie
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