Sunday, December 23, 2012

Cheryl's Christmas Morning Orange Julius French Toast Casserole

1964

Orange Julius official drink of World’s Fair in New York.



Orange Julius Froth Lives On:  Feel the Froth

Christmas Morning Orange Julius French Toast Casserole

Ingredients:
1 loaf French bread (about 16 ounces)
4 eggs, beaten well
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2  cups orange juice 
2 1/2 cups eggnog
1 teaspoon real vanilla
1 16 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained and slightly mashed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg


Directions:

1. Tear bread into 1" cubes and place into greased 9×13 pan.
2. In a blender (or in a bowl using an electric mixer) beat eggs and salt for several minutes until smooth.
3. Pour in orange juice, eggnog, and vanilla and blend until well combined.

4. Stir in the slightly mashed mandarin oranges by hand.
5.  Pour mixture over bread, making sure all pieces are covered.
6.  Combine 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg in a dry small cup and stir.
7.  Sprinkle on top of entire casserole.
8.  Prepare Christmas Eve (cover and refrigerate) or put it completely together Christmas morning.
9.  When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350.
10. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until top is golden brown, solid in the middle, and bread is puffed up.
11. Remove from oven and serve hot.
12.  Serve with optional on the side maple syrup and butter if you like.

Don't over power the Orange Julius French Toast Casserole with milk or juice.  Instead, serve with hot unflavored coffee or tea. 

Enjoy! At first bite you will suddenly feel 40 years younger.  In your mind's eye, you will be walking
in Eastland (now Courtland) Mall past the Orange Julius Stand smelling the orange blossoms and feeling the froth.

1978

Fu Manjulius mustache trend overtakes fashion world. (This was so men could feel the froth longer.)

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Procrastination Finally Pays Off!

It was 1978 and I was in seminary and royally broke.  After classes were over for the semester December 15, I babysat for a senior citizen in home hospice until December 23, but the family had not paid me yet.

Late Christmas Eve the mailman appeared like a snow angel and I received a Christmas Money Card from a friend.

Now I faced a second problem.  I knew everything I wanted to give everyone on my Christmas list, but by now all the stores were closed.

I drove the streets looking for even a restaurant open where I could buy gift cards (back then they were hand written and called gift certificates), but all lights were out except at gas stations.  (For some additional retro history, back in the late 1970's gas stations did not have mini-stores attached to them.)  

Then ahead of me a cluster of brilliant sparkling lights shone brightly.  It was heaven.  It was 7-Eleven.
                    
I stepped on the gas and slammed harder than I needed to on the brake, after parking sloppy sideways in the lot, fearing that they might close at 11:00 Pm.  It was 10:55 Pm.

"You closing?"

"Nope, open 24 hours.  What's wrong?  Do you need something in particular?"

"I am looking for everything."

After looking up and down each small aisle three times, I brought to the counter a stapler and a thingy to take snow off the car window for my dad, all my sisters got beauty magazines and chocolate (I was hoping they would share with me), but I could not find a gift for my mom.  

Even after circling the store one more time, I could not find anything for my mom.  Then backward in the store window, I read, "We Sell U.S. Postage Stamps."

"Do you have any stamps left?" I excitedly asked. I knew my mom liked stamps even more than me and I loved them.

"Yep."  This store clerk was a one word kind of guy.

Since my family thought they were getting nothing from me, they were crazy happy Christmas morning with their "wanna-be gifts, especially when they heard my funny but sincere shopping story."

Today for you, PROCRASTINATION finally pays off and royally! 
 
Still have people to buy for on your Christmas List?

Harvest House Publishers is excited to let you know about a before Christmas e-book promotion featuring Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow Cookers for Tasty and Easy Meals by Cheryl Moeller

Starting today, December 22 through January 2, Harvest House will be offering the cookbook at a special "sale" price of $2.99 through our ebook distributors-this includes Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple, and the Sony Reader. So buy one for everyone on your list and they will think they are in heaven. Click here



Buy Now!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Makings of a Moeller Family Christmas

The Moeller Family has slowly been making some Christmas Cheer this December, but we are waiting for the older kids to start arriving on Sunday for the real Christmas parties to begin. 
  1. We decorated outside with LED white Christmas lights.  We had to buy new ones, due to our basement flooding last summer. I still might do something with garland and red velvet bows outside before the older kids get here on Sunday.   I am going for the neighborhood award for "Best Tasteful Minimalistic Decorations."  LED Lights do use 98% less electricity. - Do we get some points for that?
  2. Bob is making me a little homemade wooden manger with baby Jesus to go atop a bale of hay (leftover from our Thanksgiving pumpkin/squash display).  It will also have a spot light on it.    
  3. I love our gazebo behind our home during every season, but best of all at Christmas.  A wreath on the door of the gazebo, Christmas lights inside like a warming house for skating...  (all true except for the skating part, but it looks like a blizzard is blowing in as I am writing this.) 
  4. My Christmas wreath is worthy of the front door spot.  It was one of the centerpieces on each table last December at Zach and Amy (Papritz) Attaran's wedding reception.  It's stunning metal wiring with beautiful small turquoise berries and gold berries like from a Christmas forest.  Happy Anniversary Zach and Amy.  We are celebrating your Anniversary here!
  5. My block Christmas Party is looking more like a New Year's Open House Block Party; at least the neighbors know a party is coming up.  We have wonderful new neighbors next door, so we are anxious to introduce them to the others on our block.  We live on a block end-cap, so there are only four homes.
  6. We did some December pre-holiday painting (using only colors from Panera) in several rooms to make it so we did not have to have the lights off and the candles on at all times.  ha ha
  7. We miss our grandson, Benjamin in the U.K., every day but especially now around Christmas.  So, we set out a basket of red and green toys pretending like he is here.                                                        
  8. We have switched all radio channels to WMBI, now playing only Christmas music.  
  9. Our younger two daughters at home went to sing some Christmas Carols at a Christian nursing home with their youth group. Even though it was an alzheimer's ward, some of the ladies really cheered up while the kids were singing and reading Christmas Scripture verses.  (I was one of the van drivers. :)
  10. There's been a few mall trips for the little girls to window shop and drop hints to me.   
  11. Megan collected from friends for a couple of hurting friends this week for Christmas gifts.  So sweet and sensitive. 
  12. We are going to make my Christmas Salad this weekend.  Click here for recipe   
  13. We made 48 lbs. (yes 48 pounds, not 48 pieces) of Chocolate fudge for most of our friends and donors to our For Better For Worse For Keeps Ministries and mailed across the nation. We sent to over 100 donors and received almost as many thank-yous notes for the fudge. What is Christmas without fudge?  Cheryl's fudge recipe.  I add the marshmallows, chocolate chips, and vanilla in at the very end.  I don't boil the marshmallows.                                                                          
  14. We have been listening to the Christmas Story The Birth of a King audio click here.
  15. Christmas Day our whole family is going to help cook, clean, set tables, help, chat...a group of friends are bringing soldiers from the Naval Base.  The soldiers will be at a nearby Christian school and church from 9:00 Am to 7:00 Pm.  They are U.S. Navy Basic Trainees and are going to be treated like royalty, including a welcome by lots of people and a band playing a Sousa March.  Our son, 1st Lt. Moeller, will be there in his U.S. Army Officer Uniform.                      
  16. Because our daughter, Chef Megan, is one of six chefs for the military outreach dinner on Christmas Day, she is going to make our Christmas Day dinner on Christmas Eve with the help of her younger sister, Sous Chef MacKenzie.                                                                                                     Meg and Mackenzie Christmas 1999
  17. We are thankful that 1st Lt. Moeller is not going to Afgan with the U.S. Army.  What more could we want for Christmas?
  18. We are thankful for the best gift of all - Baby Jesus.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

What to Buy for Christmas Gifts for your Hard-to-Buy-for Man

1. Silly Socks (from www.iwantoneofthose.com) Wearing socks with sandals must be near the top of the list of fashion faux pas, dads take note. Don this pair of Silly Sock Sandals and you can instantly get the tourist abroad look all year round. These white socks make the perfect gifts for dad and feature a brown sandal strap design complete with a realistic black sole. If you are stuck for ideas for gifts for grandad or novelty dad gifts then these are a hilarious gift.
2. Grill Alert Talking Remote Meat Thermometer (from Brookstone) You don't have to stand over the hot grill any more. You don't have to miss more than one minute of the "big game" while you're grilling your "big game". Our wireless belt-clip monitor announces when meat is done. Be sure to plan ahead, this must-have gadget needs Transmitter - 2 AAA batteries and also for the Remote - 2 AA batteries. And, you have to buy the batteries separately. Oh, bother.
3. Lamborghini Mouse with Mousepad A small affordable mid-life crisis. (from Sharper Image) Turbocharge your computer with this Lamborghini Mouse and Mouse Pad - a state-of-the-art wireless mouse Featuring HP™ Technology, in the shape of a detailed miniature Lamborghini that comes in your choice of gray or yellow. It even has working headlights just like a real sports car. But this is no toy – this wireless optical mouse uses the latest RF and optical technology to deliver user variable 750/1250/1750 dpi resolution for enhanced accuracy and movement. The included mousepad features a graphic of a Lamborghini. I love the warning: For ages 7 and up. (I guess my two-year old grandson is not supposed to throw this across the room.)
4. Capresso 153.04 C3000 Automatic Coffee and Espresso Center, with Pump-Auto Cappuccino System (from amazon.com) $1,800 but worth every penny. "I'll admit this is one of those gifts that I will buy him to use for myself. Okay I said it! I love on the honest planet." This little baby is a perfect gift for you (sorry I meant him). It's a fully automated, programmable coffee, espresso and cappuccino maker. It comes with an integrated burr coffee grinder, programmable timer, and a coffee strength and temperature dial. Why? When you're feeling a little groggy in the morning or wondering where the coffee measuring cup was tossed, consider the Capresso 3000. With completely automatic functions and stylish good looks, it fulfills all of these desires and doesn't ask for tips
5. Bacon Trilogy: Stocking Stuffers Mr. Bacon Air Freshener
Bacon Lip Balm
Bacon Mints

Friday, December 7, 2012

Procrastination Pays Off!

So you still have people to buy for on your Christmas List? 

We are excited to let you know about an upcoming before Christmas e-book promotion for Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow Cookers for Tasty and Easy Meals by Cheryl Moeller. 

From December 22 – January 2 we will be offering the cookbook at a special “sale” price of $2.99 through our ebook distributors—this includes Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple, and the Sony Reader. So on December 22...

 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Cheryl's What to Get A Woman Who-Has-Everything Gift List!

I have a few on my Christmas list that are hard to buy for.  Here's some ideas I have used recently or I am going to use.  Or, you might find the suggestions humorous or it gets your creative juices going! :) 

1.  From Chicagoland's Morkes Chocolates... Chocolate Shoes, even if the lady's correct size! 
I bought these for Brent's girlfriend last Christmas in leopard.  I scored some points!
Click here for some solid chocolate royal styles



2.  A Book, Letters from a Nut by Ted L. Nancy (the real author is rumored to be Jerry Seinfield)


I can't even say the name of this book without laughing.  It's clean humor and fits ages 10 to 100.
There are lots and lots of sequels.  I am going to a Barnes and Noble right now, just to read these books again and I know I will exit with a purchase!  This is healthy for a person on your gift list to receive because laughter is great medicineClick here for all of the sequels


3.  Shi Shi Flip Flops

I love this idea.  Make your own One-of-a-Kind Flip Flips Online.  You choose the color, style, uppers, downers, fabric, doodles, and shine!  Click here to get started or to get a gift card.



If you love the Havaianas' Make Your Own Flip Flop Concept...  Then add an air ticket to São Paulo, Brazil, where your lovely gift card recipient, can make her own flip flops right in their store.  It's kind of like Build-A-Bear, except for the grown-up girls!



Havaianas

There are United States store locations, but there's nothing like São Paulo in January!


4.  Godiva Dark Chocolate Homemade Fudge

                                         Use Godiva Dark Melting Chocolate! :)

Ingredients:

4 c. sugar

1 stick organic butter (1/2 cup)

1 (12 oz.) half and half
cream
1 1/2 (12 oz.) pkgs. Godiva dark melting chocolate pieces

1 (7 oz.) jar marshmallow cream

1 c. chopped macadamia nuts; optional
Gold edible spray for top of fudge

Preparation:
1.  Melt butter (careful not to burn) in large pan and stir in milk and sugar.
2.  When everything is melted, boil for five minutes, stirring constantly.
3.  Remove from heat.
4.  Add Godiva Dark Melting Chocolate Pieces, marshmallow cream, and nuts in pan.  Stir well.
5.  Put wax paper in 9 x 13 inch pan and pour liquid fudge into pan.
6.  Cool and keep refrigerated until cutting.
7.  When fudge is hardened, cut into pieces with a sharp knife.
8.  Separate pieces of fudge and spray gold edible spray on top and side (not the bottom).
9,  When the gold spray is also hardened, place gold fudge on a fancy tray with a doily or gift box with some appropriate classy gift wrap.
10.  Makes 3 pounds.

11. A simple version would be the basic fudge recipe using marshmallows and chocolate chips, cut into small pieces, and spray with edible gold spray on top and sides, but not on the bottom.

5. Pride & Prejudice Spineless Classics Complete Novel Poster
from handpickedcollection.com
Jane Austen's classic story immortalized on this art print. Amazingly each word of this classic, favorite novel is reproduced over the area of the poster and cleverly laid out in an elegant silhouette. Beautiful, thoughtful and unique, not to mention utterly genius.

10 Reasons Mom Gets Distracted in December

During the holidays, dads are thinking about playoff games, and kids are dreaming about vacation, but Mom’s mind is definitely somewhere else… 

1. While everyone else stampedes through stores at 4:00 AM the day after Thanksgiving to buy this year’s most popular toy, Mom is still trying to remember where she hid last year’s most popular toy.
2. While everyone else is trading fruit cakes, if Mom says yes to one more Christmas party where they are yodeling “Jingle Bells,” she’s going to become a fruitcake.
3. While everyone else is posing for a Christmas picture, Mom is praying that the photographer won’t notice she’s wearing two different colored flip flops. (The dog has hidden one of each.)
4. While everyone else is sporting a giant red Santa hat, Mom is taking a pass this year after last year’s fender bender when she was mistaken for a stoplight.
5. While everyone else is using the Advent calendar to count down to December 25, Mom is counting down to January 5 — and the full body mud spa treatment she promised herself.

     
6. While everyone else is wearing Christmas sweaters with monstrous reindeer, Mom knows that they actually make you look like a mobile Christmas bulletin board.
7. While everyone else is bragging in their Christmas letters about their kids’ Ivy League educations, Mom is glad that her children have finally quit itching after running into a bad patch of poison ivy last summer at camp.
8. While everyone else is enjoying delicious roast turkey on Christmas Eve, Mom knows she burned her poor bird and must glue sliced turkey pieces from 7-Eleven® onto a basketball — and hope no one notices.
9. While everyone else is asking Santa for toys, games, and clothes, Mom is missing from the picture due to her request for 10 minutes to herself, a clean towel, and a bathtub with no plastic submarines floating in it.
10. While everyone in Washington D.C. is taking a break from politics, Mom is encouraged by her husband to run for Congress with all the new bills she has introduced into the house. 
 Christmas 1981.  I was expecting my first born, RJ Moeller :)
Christmas 1996.  I had just delivered Megan, our fifth baby, and that was not the last baby!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Quotable Quotes

Quotable Quotes by my husband, Bob:
Cheryl: "Why are you singing at midnight?"
Bob: "It helps the time to pass while I am washing pots and pans."
Cheryl: "Please keep singing!"
Cheryl: "By the way, I looked for organic fresh prunes today at the grocers, but could not find them. I'll try another store tomorrow."
Bob: "That's probably because prunes are dried plums, so you won't find fresh prunes."
Cheryl: "Thanks for the info. I did not know that."
 
 
You will find two of our Kindle books free until Thursday, tomorrow midnight on Kindle
Bestseller
Homeschool Your Preschooler on $1 a Day
 

Monday, December 3, 2012

More Free Books This Week




Saturday, December 1, 2012

Book Review for my Friend's Book, Madily in Love by Lynda Lee Schab

Madily in Love, a novel with a strong message of redeeming marriages


                           Lynda Lee Schab
                                  
www.LyndaSchab.com
MADILY IN LOVE now available!

Mind over Madi now available on Kindle!
Madily in Love's Synopsis:
All Madi Lee McCall wants is to fall madly in love again…with her husband.

After a rough patch, Madi’s determined to get her marriage back on track. She’s even taking a romance class at church and getting great suggestions…that fail miserably. The distractions are plenty. She has just reentered the workplace as a health spa receptionist. Her 16-year-old daughter, Christina, is pushing the limits, and Christina’s twin, Max, has fallen hard for a girl who isn’t Madi’s picture of a perfect match for her son. Even younger daughter, Emily, is developing a teenager-ish attitude.

When her mother-in-law moves in—temporarily, of course—the stress starts to drive Madi a little crazier than normal. What she wants, more than anything, is some peace among the chaos.

LYNDA LEE SCHAB BIO
 Lynda Lee Schab got her writing start in greeting cards (Blue Mountain Arts, Dayspring) and from there went on to write articles and short stories (Mature Living, Christian Home & School) and in many places online (including www.Examiner.com and www.wow-womenonwriting.com). As a freelance writer, she works behind the scenes at FaithWriters.com and is a regular book reviewer for FaithfulReader.com. She is also the Grand Rapids Christian Fiction Examiner and the National Writing Examiner for Examiner.com and a staff writer for www.SharedSorrows.com. Mind Over Madi placed second in the 2008 ACFW Genesis contest, chick lit category, received a highly commended award in the FaithWriters Page Turner contest, and was a finalist in the 2007 RWA Get your Stiletto in the Door contest. Madily in Love was a semi-finalist in the 2011 ACFW Genesis contest. Lynda admits she has a lot in common with the character of Madi. Not only are they both addicted to ice cream, chocolate, and computer games, they struggle with the same types of insecurities and continually require a hefty dose of God’s grace. Lynda lives with her husband, Rob, and two teenagers in Michigan.


MADILY IN LOVE

ON WRITING:
When and how did you get interested in writing?

I’ve always loved to read, which seems to be a precursor for all writers. I don’t remember exactly when I picked up a pen and started to write, but I remember writing a story in 6th grade called The Summer I Went to Honolulu (no, I’d never been there – and still haven’t!), complete with caricature drawings. I moved on to writing plays for my cousins and me to perform for our parents, then tried my hand at poetry. In high school, it was all about poetry – some of it was pretty good, but some was very, very bad. I still love to write poetry, but prefer to create funny, rhyming poems for retirement parties, milestone birthdays, bridal or baby showers, and other fun occasions.

What was the first thing you ever had published?

Besides a little blurb in a high school newsletter, my first professionally published works were greeting cards for Blue Mountain Arts.

Who has encouraged you most on your writing journey?

Definitely my mom. She has always believed in me and encouraged me in my gift. Professionally, one of my greatest earlier cheerleaders was Deb Porter, administrator for FaithWriters.com. From the moment I joined FaithWriters in 2004, Deb spoke blessings and positivity into my life and motivated me more than she’ll probably ever know. Another organization that has blessed me so much is ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Joining was the best thing I’ve done for my writing career. A big shout-out to my fabulous critique partner, Susan Miura, who has become a wonderful friend. And another shout-out to Diane Loew, one of my besties here at home, who encourages me, supports me, and brags about me to everyone she meets.

What is the writing process like for you?

I honestly don’t have a process. I admire writers who can set word-count goals and stick to them, but that’s just not me. It really just depends on the day. Of course, deadlines are a huge motivator!

The main thing that gets me writing is knowing where I’m going with the storyline. I find that when I take the time to sit and think about what comes next, my fingers fly much more effortlessly across the keyboard. When I’m stuck, I’m much more likely to click on over to Facebook and play a few hands of Solitaire Blitz. Self-discipline doesn’t come easy for me.

Is writing your only profession or do you have a “day job?”

I am very blessed to be able to stay home and do what I love: write! I maintain several freelance jobs, all non-fiction, which sometimes takes the creative wind out of my sails, but there’s nothing I’d rather do. 

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

Favorite: The creative process. Thinking a story through from beginning to end and then seeing my vision come to life through the characters and situations I create.

Least favorite: Definitely the self-discipline it requires. As I mentioned above, time management is something I’ve always struggled with. Making myself sit down and focus when I know the basement needs cleaning, laundry is piling up, my office needs to be organized, or I want to watch the episode of Survivor I missed the night before is my biggest challenge.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

That’s easy: Apply the Butt Glue and just write. In spite of my battle with discipline, that book won’t get written unless I park my behind in the chair and start typing. Even when I don’t feel like it. Even when I have a million other things to do. One of my favorite quotes on writing is “You can fix bad, but you can’t fix blank.”


ON MADILY IN LOVE:


What is Madily in Love about? Tell us a little about the plot.

Madi McCall is just coming out of a marital rough patch (you’ll have to read Mind over Madi for that whole story) and she’s trying to get her marriage back on track. But that’s easier said than done, especially because her mother-in-law has moved in, Madi’s recently started working again after years of being a stay-at-home-mom, and her kids seem determined to do everything they can to turn her hair even grayer than it already is. Madi attends a Revitalize Your Marriage with Romance class at church and gets some great tips…that fail miserably. All she wants is some peace among the chaos. And some quality time with her husband would be nice, too.


How is Madi’s battle with chocolate cravings and her addiction to computer Solitaire? Are those things still an issue for her or has she gotten a handle on them?

Yes, well, as long as Madi is a woman (which I don’t see changing any time soon), chocolate will always be a battle. The Solitaire addiction doesn’t come up this time around. But there are a couple of other issues that definitely require Madi to continue her counseling sessions with Sarah Price.


Your publisher tagged this series as “Delightful. Witty. Entertaining. Real. Poignant. Light-hearted Women’s Fiction at its best.” Can you expand on that at all? How does the Madi Series live up to this description?

While I certainly hope my stories are delightful, witty, entertaining, and poignant, the word in that description which I feel is most fitting of this series is, “real.” Women can relate to Madi because she battles with the same things we all do. No, not just chocolate, although that’s one of them! Madi has insecurities that affect her relationships – with her husband, her kids, her mother, her best friend, and God.

If there’s one thing I know is that we all have “stuff.” Maybe not exactly the same stuff as everyone else, but “stuff,” nonetheless. Madi helps us realize there are others out there who probably deal with their issues just as poorly as we do sometimes. But God’s grace is enough to cover our insecurities, our faults, and weaknesses, even when we mess up and our lives feel insanely out-of-control.


What do you want readers to take away from reading Madily in Love?

Although this book has to do with the importance (and fun) of adding romance to marriage, the main thing I hope readers can take away is that even though life seems unmanageable, disorderly, and chaotic, God is always in control. One of the recurring phrases throughout the book—as mentioned by Madi’s counselor—is “Embrace this place.” In other words, no matter what you’re going through, recognize that it won’t last forever. And down the road, you might just look back and see just how that “unbearable” season was essential in moving you to a place of growth and necessary change.


Are you planning another book? If so, what is the story?

I am currently working on the 3rd and final book in the Madi series, due out in the fall of 2013. It’s titled, Sylvie & Gold. Madi’s best friend Sylvie is preparing for her wedding (and if you’ve read Mind over Madi, you know who she’s marrying). With just a few weeks before the wedding, Sylvie is dealing with a lot: Her meddling and feisty soon-to-be mother-in-law, her son’s sexting issue, planning her mom’s sixtieth birthday party, and her fiance’s ex-wife, who has come back to town after a seven-year absence. Sylvie is normally pretty calm and collected. But her stress card is quickly getting maxed out. The question is whether she’ll completely lose her cool or find the happily-ever-after she longs for.


GETTING PERSONAL

Who or what inspires you?

People in general inspire me. Whether it’s hearing a moving testimony or just witnessing someone’s positive outlook on life, I find inspiration to be a better person by various people I meet. A good message from my pastor, a pep talk from a friend, or a song I hear on the radio. Inspiration is everywhere. All that’s required is a heart to receive it.

What would be your dream job if you weren’t a writer?

I would probably being doing something in the field of mental health, whether as a counselor or in research or something. Why people do what they do fascinates me and I love learning about human behavior. I’m constantly analyzing people and my husband is always telling me I should have been a psychologist. He’s probably right. In writing, I think this helps me in character development.

Or an ice cream tester. Now that would be a dream job.

Is Madily in Love based on a specific portion of scripture?

1 Corinthians 13 would be the chapter you’d expect me to respond with, right? Well, call me predictable. LoL. More specifically, Madily in Love is based on the 7th verse: “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” And Madi certainly has circumstances to endure.

Do you have a favorite personal Bible verse?

My favorite verse is Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” I recite this verse often! Because my mind is always so busy and distracted, I tend to stress out a lot. I need to keep reminding myself that God is God. He’s in control. And everything will be okay.

What do you do for fun and relaxation when you’re not writing?

I escape to the movie theater with my refillable bucket of popcorn. I’m sort of a television/movie junkie, and I blame it on my need for a good story. I also enjoy just hanging out with my kids, playing board games or video games (although it’s been a while since I got crushed in Mario Kart).

Take a moment to brag about your family:

I’ve been married to Rob for over twenty-four years. He works for a dairy company (yes, that means free ice cream sometimes!) and is an all-around great guy. We have two teenagers, who both inherited my creative gene and love of reading. Zach is 18 and graduated from high school last spring. He’s taking a year off to work, but will attend college next fall. My daughter Lyndsey is a sophomore and plays the cymbals in the high school marching band drum line. She is a social butterfly and hopes to go into special education.

How can readers connect with you?

My website address is www.lyndaschab.com. I also have a blog with various writing and reading-related material at www.on-the-write-track.blogspot.com. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A review of Madily in Love on amazon.com by Cheryl Moeller:
Maybe someone cannot handle a "how to" book, but fiction is a great way to get some truth to a friend or family member in a more subtle way.

Buy ten of these today and hand out like candy. You will see some of the marriages around you transform.

Fiction writing at its best and it's a quick read. By a quick read I mean you can't put it down once you start.

Buy today and read for yourself but take my word you will love this book. -
Cheryl Moeller (Momlaughs)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Buy Now!
MADILY IN LOVE now available!

Mind over Madi now available on Kindle!

Friday, November 30, 2012

We Would Love to See Your Authored Books and E-Books!


Please share your books and e-books here on Linky Tools!
I will share some of mine, also, to get your started.
You need a full website with http://www.
at the beginning.

Get some free marketing here for your books at my popular Momlaughs site!
We would love to give you a shout out here!





Thursday, November 29, 2012

What Would Your Home Look Like in a Snow Globe?

Type in your address and see your house in a snow globe. Click here

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is to sing loud for all to hear" - Elf

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

FREE KINDLE FREE KINDLE

FREE On Kindle this week through Friday, November 30, Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle


Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle is also available now in paperback click here



Baby Saves Christmas by Cheryl Moeller and Melissa Moeller Briggs is FREE Kindle this week until Friday, November 30 on Kindle



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

FREE this Week on FREE Kindle - Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle by Cheryl Moeller

My Philosophy of life - for free this week on Kindle.

I'm crazy but I love it!

Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle by Cheryl Moeller

FREE download until Friday, November 30

Also now Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle by Cheryl Moeller in paperback on Kindle - Click here

Monday, November 26, 2012

Two Soups Tuesday: What to do with the Tiny Bits of Turkey Leftovers?

Great for Turkey leftovers (all it needs is one to two cups of cut small cooked turkey - white or dark meat.)

A homemaker makes a house a home.




1.  Gladys' Potato Soup  (Gladys is my mom. )


In a soup kettle melt one stick of margarine (which is 1/2 cup)
Into the melted margarine or butter. put 1 clove garlic or sprinkle a little garlic powder,
chopped 3 TB onions or a couple shakes of onion flakes, minced
1 stalk of celery, cut small
1 large carrot, cut small   (optional on the carrot but you need the celery for seasoning)
                                       (You can grate the carrot into the soup.)
Cook (but don't brown or burn on very low about 1 minute.

Then add one cup of flour.
Stir and cook about one minute on low low, but don't burn.

Add two to three quarts of water with 10 chicken bouillon cubes or two boxes of chicken stock. Salt and pepper to taste.  Cut about three large potatoes into very small cubes real small like :).  I like well washed red potatoes and you don't have to peel, just scrub really well.  Cut real small.

Stir well when you pour everything into the crock pot and still several times during the 6 to 8 hours cooking time with cover on.

When you are ready to serve, add 1 cup cream and then allow the soup to heat up again

Salt and pepper, but taste first because the bouillon makes it's kind of salty.

2.  Easy Turkey Taco Soup

Ingredients:

2 cups turkey leftovers, cut small
1/2 cup chopped onion or 3 Tablespoons onion flakes
1 cup frozen peas
1 cups frozen corn
20 oz. diced tomatoes
16 oz. black beans, drained
16 oz. chicken stock or veggie stock
1 1 oz. package taco seasoning

Preparation:

1.  Heat a large frying pan pot and stir in the onion with a touch of oil. 
2.  Add the other ingredients to the crock pot.  
3.  Add in the slightly cooked onion.
4.  Cook for 6-8 hours on low in the crock pot.
5.  Serve with avocado and sour cream on the side.

FREE on Kindle - Baby Saves Christmas

FREE
Baby Saves Christmas by Cheryl Moeller and Melissa Moeller Briggs
Mother Daughter Duo Authors

FREE on Kindle Today, Monday, November 26 through Friday, November 30
A Christmas fiction about family fun and the true meaning of Christmas.



"I sure love this book for my kids.  We read it every Christmas Eve for an easy but important family tradition." - Lisa

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Cyber Monday Week, Business Owners: Link up to Sell, Shoppers: Click in Each Link to Shop

I am so proud of my friends who are running small businesses from home.  It's what made and makes America so great.  I look to their pioneering and entrepreneurship for inspiration.

So it's Cyber Monday, but we are going to have Cyber Monday week.

I'm a mom just like you and I have a link I am going to put up, also so you can check out our products:  CDs, DVDs, books, and Kindle books.  

This is a place for business owners to link up their shops for a one stop buying place for shoppers.
Link up your Etsy shops, websites, blog hosts...  Whether you sell one thing or many, this is your
place to sparkle.


The best way to thank a small business owner is to buy something from them today!