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Winter Musings

Now, in the depths of winter, is a good time to reflect on last year and plan for the coming months. While the days are lengthening, winter weather still keeps me inside by the fire. It's not too soon to browse seed catalogs and make plans for the garden, though. Spring will be here before we know it!

This year will see the release of the fourth Wisteria Tearoom mystery, A Bodkin for the Bride. It's scheduled for July, so unless something drastic happens, that's when Ellen and Tony and the tearoom staff will make their next appearance.

I'm also thinking about a Wisteria Tearoom short story (or, the way I write, it will probably turn out to be a novelette) that may very well appear later in 2015. More news about that as it develops.

Meanwhile, I'm puttering in the kitchen, playing with new recipes. Kitchen chemistry fascinates me, the more so because I have to pay attention to it; living above 7,000 feet, one has to made adjustments. Did you know that water boils at 198° here, compared to 212° at sea level? That's why brewing tea absolutely requires boiling hot water at this elevation.

All the recipes in the Wisteria Tearoom books are designed for over 7,000 feet. (Santa Fe is at 7,260 feet, according to Wikipedia. I have no idea in what part of town they took that measurement.)

Speaking of recipes, a number of readers have said they wished there were recipes in A Fatal Twist of Lemon. Well, your wishes have been heard! A new edition will come out soon, updated and including recipes! One will be Ellen's favorite Cream Scones with Currants. The other...not quite sure yet. If there's a food item in the book for which you wish you had the recipe, come on over to the new Parlor at the website and mention it.

Wishing all of my friends and readers a (slightly belated) Happy New Year. May your tea be hot and your days be peaceful!

- Patrice Greenwood
patricegreenwood.com