What was your best book of 2014? Did you read an unforgettable story this year? A novel you can’t wait to share with others?

I’ve seen quite a few great stories, some because of my teenage daughter like The Fault in Our Stars & The Divergent Series, but also a few I discovered on my own.

Why the children’s book?

Because I’m releasing a garden book for kids — fun fiction — this spring!! Filled with colorful illustrations and real life garden experiences, this book will teach kids about organic gardening while entertaining them with wild real-life tales. Subscribe to my website and be the first to know when it releases!

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I am LOVING the holiday spirit a bit more than usual this year and not sure why. My children are growing older and the magic is dimming, but still, the holidays feel fresh and new. Special. Maybe it’s because we’ve been spending time with family and friends, or maybe it’s all the wonderful scents and tastes of the season. We put up our tree this weekend and the smell is divine, as are the twinkle of lights and glittery ornaments.

We been looking for some water heaters that don´t need storage and he happily found it at portablecnerd. Yaaay

Then there’s the food. From cranberry-orange bread to pumpkin pie, to a decadent new recipe for cookies and cream truffles my daughter discovered recently, I love to EAT this time of year! Am I alone? (I hope not. I don’t want to be the only in the gym, come January!) The cranberry bread freezes well and makes a great teacher/neighbor gift. For recipes, check my garden blog:

Cranberry-Orange Bread

Pumpkin Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

I’m posting the link to the truffle recipe on my Bloomin’ Warriors Private Group Facebook page!

How about you? What’s your favorite holiday recipe?

Starts today! Hosted by I Am A Reader Not a Writer, this blog hop is all about giving gratitude for our blessings, and mine include YOU. Authors go nowhere without readers and we value you your time and attention immensely.

For my spot on the hop, I’m giving away a $10 gift card for Amazon, iTunes, Nook, Google Play–you name the reading spot and I’m in! And because it’s the holidays, I’d like to share a wonderful recipe with you for the holidays…

Ashley’s REAL Pumpkin Pie

(Ashley is a spitfire character in my holiday novel, LADD CHRISTMAS, now available for ereaders)

3 cups cooked pumpkin, mashed

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp ground ginger

Note: you may use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon, cloves, allspice & ginger

1/2 tsp salt (optional – I didn’t use)

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cans (12 oz.) evaporated milk

Pie pastry – use store-bought or make your own!

Mix ingredients well using a hand blender or mixer.  Pour mix into pie shells, about 1/2 in. from top.  If soupy, don’t worry – it will firm up during the baking process.  Bake pie at 425°F for the first 15 minutes, then turn temperature down to 350°F and bake another 45 – 60 minutes, until a knife inserted comes out clean.  For my convection oven, it’s closer to 35 – 40 minutes.

Enjoy warm or chilled, whipped cream or ice cream.  Let your taste buds be the boss! This recipe is included in the back of my novel, Ladd Christmas — all of my books include recipes in the back (because I love to eat!).

Another delicious recipe for this time of year is Cranberry Orange Bread. This stuff is amazing, truly, and our much-anticipated holiday teacher gift!) It and other recipes are available on my garden blog, BloominThyme.

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