Pull on your cozy attire and get ready for some comfort food that will warm you from head to toe. The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a snowy winter we’ll not soon forget. Solution? Warm up your family with a hearty dinner that tastes great and satisfies the hungriest of appetites.

Chicken
Pot Pie

CHICKEN 

Fill
a medium-size saucepan with water. Add celery, carrots, and onion. Cover and
bring to a boil. Add chicken. Cover pan. Turn off heat and let the chicken sit
in the hot water 1½ hours.

Remove
chicken from pan to a plate. Discard water and veggies. Don’t wash the pan. Allow
breast to cool then cut off any excess fat. Slice meat into bite-size pieces.

Melt
butter in the same pan you used for the chicken breast. Stir in celery,
carrots, and onion. Sauté on medium heat until veggies are semisoft and onion
translucent, 7 – 9 minutes.

Stir
in flour. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.

Carefully
pour in stock while stirring. Scrape pan bottom and sides to capture flour
residue. Add garlic, thyme, sage, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir in cream then
simmer on medium low until mixture thickens, 5 – 10 minutes, stir often to
prevent burning.

Add
chicken and peas. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool.

Preheat
oven to 425° F.

Follow
the directions on the pie crust package to prepare the pan for a two-crust pie.

Scroop
filling onto bottom crust. Lay the other crust on top. Seal the edges by
pressing the two crusts together around the rim. Trim off excess crust.

Mix
egg yolk and milk in a small bowl. use a pastry brush to spread mixture across
the top crust including the rim. Score the top crust with 4 – 6 thin slices.
This allows the pie to cook better by releasing a little steam.

Bake
10 – 15 minutes then remove from the oven then cover the edges with aluminum
foil so they don’t burn. Return pie to the oven. Continue for 30 – 35 minutes
longer or until the top is golden brown.

Allow
the pie to cool 10 – 15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set
properly.

*No
need to run out to buy heavy cream. The following recipe is easy and works
great for a any cooked dish that requires heavy cream.

Pour
milk into a small bowl then set aside. Don’t use milk fresh from the fridge or
this recipe won’t work right.

Melt
butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave until melted.
Allow butter to cool at room temperature.

Combine
milk and butter with a hand mixer until well blended.

Use
this substitute 1 for 1. Don’t use it as whipping cream. It won’t work.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with good friends, laughter, and seated around a well-laden table!

Sloane

Taylor’s cookbooks, Hot Mean Wear Aprons, Date Night Dinners, Date Night Dinners Italian Style, Sizzling Summer, and Recipes to Create Holidays Extraordinaire are released by Toque & Dagger Publishing and available at all book vendors.

In A Streetcar Named Desire Blanch DuBois believed she could rely on the kindness of strangers. Many authors seem
to feel the same way.

I’ve
written quite a lot recently about the never-ending quest for reviews, the
currency which sells books. To get these critiques we authors “depend on the
kindness of strangers,” as Blanche DuBois said so pithily as she descended into
madness.

When I
first started asking for reviews, I would scan bloggers’ websites, check their
guidelines, compose my query. And then, I’d see that dreaded line: “I am not
accepting submissions at this time.” I would react a bit crankily, at that
point. I mean, why have a review blog if you don’t want to do reviews? Geez!

“I’m
taking a short break from taking on any more books,” wrote one blogger. “I will
still be reviewing, but my list of to-reads has become a little over whelming,”

“I am
still digging out of the hole of book review over-commitment, and I
continue to over-commit,” said another. “Is there a support group for this
problem?”

Eventually,
I started to think about reviewers in a new light. Mostly, these are regular
people, not professional journalists drawing a paycheck for reading books and
sharing their thoughts. These are folks who love literature and generally
impart their opinions for free, who – when authors are very lucky – post their
reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and Twitter, and lots of other social media
platforms. These are moms and dads with day jobs.

“We
are back on Earth and reviewing. Unfortunately, we’re so busy, it’s unlikely
we’re going to accept a request.”

While
rummaging for reviews, I am also sometimes taken aback by a subtle whiff of
snark.

“I
will no longer reply to emails that don’t follow this policy. If you ignore me
here, I’ll ignore you. Yes, that sounds harsh, but I get nearly 70 requests a
day. I’m only one person and I don’t have the time to search for missing
information or reply to every email that fails (to) include what I need to make
a decision.”

Yikes!
Maybe not so subtle in this case, but again, consider the reviewer’s
point-of-view. They are interested in your book’s premise, but you forgot to
add the link they requested, or your contact information was wrong, or you
failed to include your cleverly composed synopsis, leaving them without the
important facts they need to decide if you’re an author they’d like to work
with.

The
bottom line is let’s have compassion, people. Let’s think of the reviewer as a
friend. A busy friend. We can make their lives easier and they can help us sell
books. So, carefully follow the directions bloggers lay out on their
submissions and policy pages. Even if, sometimes, those directives are just a
wee bit strange.

“I
don’t do demon/human/angel love, but bad demons are fine, same for angels. I
just don’t like them in romances.”

Indeed.

Here is a brief peek at Anne’s latest release.

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to the Graves Registration Service where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Praise for Your Forgotten Sons

“Although a defty crafted work of original fiction, “Your Forgotten Sons” by Anne Montgomery is inspired by a true story. An original and inherently interesting read from start to finish, “Your Forgotten Sons” will prove to be an immediate and enduringly appreciated pick.”  Midwest Book Review

“This was a quick, riveting read that really challenged me to think differently about our servicemen and women, especially those who take on the jobs that don’t get heroically depicted in the media or news…I really highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a different take on American history. I left it with a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes.” Bekah C NetGalley 

“This is the truth. It’s gritty and painful and bittersweet – and true.  When you think you’ve read every perspective of WWII, along comes Bud to break your heart.” Bridgett Siter Former Military Reporter

“Anne Montgomery writes a strong story and I was hooked from the first page. It had a great concept and I enjoyed that this was inspired by a true story…It was written perfectly and I was invested in the story. Anne Montgomery has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more.” –  Kathryn McLeer NetGalley 

Available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Kobo

Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces.

When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia. Stay connected on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

Two years ago, I developed a far from pleasant illness which forced me to change my way of eating, I’m really grateful my husband and son were willing to give it a try. Back up support is an amazing thing. 

Making
homemade nut butter is a straightforward and rewarding process that allows you to create a fresh, flavorful spread tailored to your preferences. Here’s a
basic guide to help you craft your own nut butter with the nuts
of your choice: Almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts,
pecans, or any combination (You will need 4 cups).

Optional
add-ins: Salt, cinnamon, honey, maple syrup,
or other flavorings to taste. Roast
the Nuts: Roasting enhances the nuts’ flavor
and aids in releasing their natural oils. 

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spread
the nuts evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 7-10 minutes, stirring
occasionally, until they are lightly browned and fragrant. Be cautious not to
over-roast, as this can lead to a burnt taste. 

Cool
Slightly: Allow the roasted nuts to cool for
a few minutes until they’re warm but not hot. 

Warm nuts blend more easily,
resulting in a smoother butter. Transfer the nuts to a food processor or high-powered
blender. Process on high speed. The nuts will go through stages: from whole to
a crumbly mixture, then to a thick paste, and finally to a creamy butter. This
process can take anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes, depending on the nut type and
your equipment. Be patient and scrape down the sides of the processor as
needed.

Here is a peek at book one of Stella’s time travel romance series for your reading pleasure. 

One key unlocks the love of a lifetime…but could also
break her heart. 

Nika Morris’s sixth sense has helped build a successful
business, lovingly restoring and reselling historic homes on Florida’s Amelia
Island. But there’s one forlorn, neglected relic that’s pulled at her from the
moment she saw it. The century-old Coleman house.  

Quite unexpectedly, the house is handed to her on a
silver platter—along with a mysterious letter, postmarked 1909, yet addressed
personally to Nika. Its cryptic message: Find the key. You know where it is.
Hurry, for goodness sake! 

The message triggers an irresistible drive to find
that key. When she does, one twist in an old grandfather clock throws her
back in time, straight into the arms of deliciously, devilishly handsome Elijah
Coleman. 

Swept up in a journey of a lifetime, Nika finds herself
falling in love with Eli—and with the family and friends that inhabit a time not
even her vivid imagination could have conjured. But in one desperate moment of
homesickness, she makes a decision that will not only alter the course of more
than one life, but break her heart. 

’Til Time Do Us
Part
is available in Kindle and Paperback at AMAZON. 

Talented author Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website. 

If you’re reading this
post on February 2^nd, this day marks a milestone in my life. I
turned 65, and I’m now officially a senior citizen. Yay, me! Yes, being
well-aged and full of wisdom from the past six and a half decades, I qualify
for my Canadian Old Age Pension, as well as a slew of other benefits our
government passes on to their seniors. The other milestone in my life is a new
knee that’s long overdue after 50 years of knee pain issues and two previous
surgeries. Darn those school sports in the 70s! In retrospect, I should have
never tried a new long-jump technique that I discovered in a book I found in
the school’s library without consulting a teacher! Wink. As mentioned in my
January 5^th post HERE,
a LOT went on in 2025 that cleared my slate from the past, so I could rebuild
my personal and author life for 2026, and beyond.

Yes, I found two
publishers willing to take my back list, and future books when my former
publisher decided to close up shop by the end of 2025. And yes, we managed to
get those second editions published and marketed by the end of the year. My new
Canadian publisher, Pandamonium
Publishing House also ran a Fairy Falls writing challenge open to the
elementary schools I contacted in my area for grade four through to grade eight
with the theme, The Day I Heard an
Animal’s Thoughts. The winner of the contest received a prize basket which
included a signed copy of Lost &
Found, a bookmark, a journal, fancy pens, a winner’s certificate, a plush cat
toy, and cozy blanket. The winner was announced the first week of December
2025, and it was my privilege to deliver the prize to grade eight student Lexi
R. of Erie Migration Elementary School in Kingsville, Ontario. Way to go, Lexi!

If you’re curious,
below is Lexi’s winning submission (in its original format to preserve the
author’s
authenticity and voice), and judged by a panel at Pandamonium
Publishing House:

When I woke up, my
palms were sweaty and my right cheek burned with pain. I slowly sat up from the
cold, hard ground, my head throbbing and my vision blurring slightly. I bring
my hand up to my face, gently touching the cut on my right cheek. The wound
wasn’t deep, but it still stung. When my vision came back, I looked around to
take in my surroundings. Tall, dark green pine trees surrounded me. They seemed
to tower over me, like sky scrapers in a city. Where am I? I thought to
myself. That’s when I remembered; I had gone on a walk in the forest to clear
my mind. I must’ve tripped and scraped my face on something before passing
out. I looked around, and just to my side was a jagged rock that I must’ve
hit my face off of. I was busy trying to remember how deep through the forest I
was when I heard rustling in the bushes behind me. My stomach dropped as I
realized I wasn’t alone in the forest. I whipped around, startled by the sound.
But there was no need to be startled, because standing in front of me was a
deer, it’s burnt caramel-colored fur almost shimmered because of the cracks of
sunlight peeking through the pine trees. The deer’s innocent eyes looked
directly into mine, and I realized that something was very wrong. The deer’s
bones seemed too visible, like it hadn’t eaten in days. “I need help.” My
eyes grew wide as I heard those three words echo in my head. “Did you just-” I
paused, unable to even comprehend what just happened. “Us forest animals, we
need help. People from your community keep ruining our forest and stealing our
food.” The dear lowered it’s head in disappointment and defeat. My heart
shattered just looking at the starving deer standing right in front of me, as
well as for the other animals suffering with the same problem. It had never
occurred to me how much humans could be affecting animals and their environments.
“I’m so sorry that this is happening to you. Is there.. anything I could do to
help?” I asked. The deer raised its head. “Yes, helping us would be greatly
appreciated.” Right afterwards, I immediately tried to do as much as I
could to help. I created posters and flyers about how we should stop ruining
the animals homes and lives, and instead we should do everything we can to save
their habitats and keep them safe in the future. I decided to start a volunteer
group to spread awareness for the animals, and we started fundraisers to help
them. Weeks later, I was taking a stroll in the same forest when I heard
someone talking in my head. “Thank you for everything. We owe you very
much.” The deer bowed its head, this time in respect. Before I could say
anything, the dear bounded away, deep towards the core of the forest.

Boy, I’m glad that I
didn’t have to judge. I’d probably have picked all the submissions. LOL!
Seriously though, I loved Lexi’s story and her commitment to nature and the
environment. We need more empathetic and kind kids like her who know they will
have their hands full cleaning up the mess past generations have created. I’ve
also realized through this contest that I need to focus on getting back into the
habit of writing at least three to four times a week. I’ve severely slacked off
my writing discipline this past year with all the juggling I had to do finding
new publishers for all my books. It’s been a roller coaster year for sure!

Now that the craziness
of 2025 is behind us, I usually put my books on sale for the entire month of February
to celebrate my birthday. However, since the first book in my young adult time
travel adventure series is permanently free, I thought I’d showcase The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of
Atlantis ebook in case you haven’t had a chance to download it. Here’s the
blurb and an excerpt to whet your reading appetite…

The
Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, Book One:

Children are the key to our future. And now,
they are the only hope for our past.

When 13-year-old
Amanda Sault and her classmates land themselves in hot water after a cafeteria
food fight, they’re assigned to yard duty as punishment. After the kids uncover
a mysterious stone arch hidden in the overgrown backyard owned by the Witch of
White Pines, they learn that it’s an ancient portal created by the lost
civilization of Atlantis.

Chosen by an Atlantean Magus, Amanda and her reluctant companions are swept
into the secret world of the Timekeepers: legendary guardians entrusted with
preserving history from a sinister force known as Belial. Their first mission?
Travel back to 13th-century England to ensure a young Robin Hood fulfills his
legendary fate.
But time travel comes with strict rules, and one wrong move could rewrite the
past… and erase the future.

Packed with high-stakes adventure and a touch of ancient magic, THE LAST
TIMEKEEPERS AND THE ARCH OF ATLANTIS is the first book in Sharon Ledwith’s
series of novels for middle grade readers and adults alike.

Excerpt:

They were almost inside the glowing archway. Its light felt
warm and welcoming, like the rising summer sun. Treena stuck her thumbs in the
straps of her khaki backpack as if it doubled as a magic parachute. Amanda
mimicked Treena and grasped the straps on Jordan’s backpack that she was still
wearing. Ravi was the only other person wearing one, so all the rest had
nothing to break their fall if that light suddenly cut them loose.

The brilliant, fathomless glow swallowed Amanda, blinding
her. Calm and silence overrode her senses. In that moment, two things
happened—Amanda sensed that there was no separation between her and the
others—as if they were all connected by these tiny threads of light. Second,
she started to feel as though she were free falling, moving fast and out of control.
She regained her vision, just as the white light exploded into a whirling
rainbow.

Drake laughed. “Wicked! This feels like a ride at
Disneyland!”

“It feels better than that!” Jordan replied. “I’ve been to
Disneyland twice, and there’s no ride that even comes close to this!”

“It’s as if we can fly!” Treena shouted, doing a somersault
in mid-air.

“It does feel wonderful, doesn’t it?” Melody said dreamily.

Amanda grabbed both ankles and flipped herself over. She
giggled. This freedom, this feeling, this flux was awesome. The huge, spiraling
rainbow surrounding the group of seven gently juggled them in mid-air like
floating balls in a never-ending lottery game. She glanced over at Jordan’s
uncle. His cheeks were sucked in, and his body flopped one way then another
like a fish out of water.

“Is your uncle okay, Jordan?” she asked.

Jordan maneuvered over to his uncle by spreading his arms
and legs wide as if he were a free-falling parachutist. He grasped his uncle’s
shoulder and shook him. “Uncle John? Uncle John! Don’t make me slap you again!”

He reached over, grabbed Jordan, and kissed him on the
forehead. “It’s all true, Jordan! It’s all true!”

Jordan squirmed. “What’s true?”

“Time flows through us,” he answered, his voice
cracking as if he were a young boy again.

The whirling rainbow burst into shards of light, and they
all touched bottom.

It felt soft—like a cushy trampoline—as Amanda, her
classmates, Melody, and Professor Lucas bounced easily until they all stood
still. Then the ground became solid again. Polished marble walls and finely
crafted pillars materialized through the fading light. A sudden high-pitched
buzzing noise made her wince. Everyone seemed to hear it too; they cringed in
unison. The sound of waves crashing against a shore replaced the buzzing, and a
set of deep purple curtains miraculously appeared in front of them. Amanda
rubbed her eyes. In the time it took her to take a breath, the curtains were
drawn. The brilliant white light that had pulled them into the stone arch now
hovered between the open curtains. It started to radiate out, then draw in,
out, then in, changing its shape with each rhythmic movement, until it finally
transformed into a woman.

The woman was beautiful in an otherworldly way. She had
long, fair, flowing hair adorned with quartz crystals. Piercing blue eyes
stared back at Amanda like she was peering into her soul. She had a long narrow
face with high cheek bones that tapered down to a firm chin. Her nose was long
and slender. Amanda smiled at her. The woman smiled back. Her teeth were white,
small, and even. She was perfect in every way. A rich-blue sleeveless linen
robe adorned her slim body, accentuating her ivory skin.

I wonder if she’s a princess. Amanda didn’t doubt it, especially with all the jewelry
the woman wore. A sparkling metallic snake bracelet wound around her left arm,
a string of gleaming pearls and shells hung around her neck, and a silver belt
strewn with various green, blue, and red gems hugged her waist. The only piece
of clothing that didn’t seem to belong was a plain pair of woven sandals.

Melody pushed Drake behind her and took a few steps
forward. “I demand that you tell us where we are!”

The beautiful woman gave Melody a gentle smile, and nodded.
She opened her arms wide and said, “Welcome to the Temple of Poseidon, in the
City of the Golden Gates.”

Melody jerked. “I-I beg your pardon?”

“Atlantis,” Professor Lucas answered in a whisper. “We’re
in Atlantis.” 

UNIVERSAL BOOK LINK: https://books2read.com/u/4NE2kx

Are you celebrating
any milestones this year? Did you change your life around so that it looks
unrecognizable from last year? I’d love to read your comments. Cheers, and as
always, thank you for spending your time reading my blog!