I'ma Fluzy....

Ha. Ha. Ha. Get it? Flu....fluzy.

That would be an unfortunate name. Ima Fluzy.

Other unfortunate name combos I had to look up.... Ima Hogg, real person, real big deal. Came from money. Money could help take the sting from the name, but what were her parents' thinking? I found a few more. Shanda Lear from the Lear jet family. Robyn Banks. Jo King. Tee Hee. I can laugh but not for long. My mother named me Zula. Let's just say there was at least one boy who had to learn not to mess with Zula in grade school.

Oh, the reason for that little bunny trail?!?! Bobbykins is finally back to almost normal. I've been nursing him through the flu. The big one. The INFLUENZA!

I didn't stop making chicken soup until yesterday. He's back on solids and putting in his request orders. I think my chicken soup saved his life. The love I put into it was the thing the doctor ordered. I began wearing masks around him when he started looking peaked. He gets one big thing a year. This time he was not playing around. But I was ready for him.

I wiped his brow, spooned soup into his mouth and sang him sweet songs. He'd wake up screaming sometimes and I'd ease him back to sleep. Goodness. I'd forgotten how a man can be. If Fern gets sick I am instructed to enter silently, leave a tray by the bed, and return to whence I came. She says she has to tough it out. She's not real helpful the times I've been down, either, so maybe she just doesn't get sick bed protocol graces. When I received my horrible wound from that awful murderer she only took care of me for three days once I was released. She, of course, said that if I was well enough to manage the world's problems from my bed and able to wear my stiletto  slippers, do my full makeup and hair and receive guests I was probably "out of the woods."

Oh, and speaking of murderers and our unfortunate one in Paradise, one of the authors is giving away a copy of our story. If you feel under the weather it might be the best thing since chicken soup. a Rafflecopter giveaway

International AGAIN. Hello from Sicily.

Alas. Not me. I'm not in Sicily. But the authors aren't either, so that helps my jealousy level! 

The book says hello. That cup of coffee looks delicious as well. Italian coffee. Oh my! 

Maybe I'm inspired, too. I think I'm going to whip up some Tiramisu Cookies to drown the last bit of jealousy away! 

Romance. Pitter, Patter, Heart!!!

💖💖💖 Oooooh, I just love romantic stories. Be still my heart. My Bobbykins made me a tape or ddd or whatever those things are called of my favorite romantic movies scenes. Now I can stick it in our player or use my computer to swoon for six whole hours if I want. One of my favorites is Return to Me when he rides up on the bike with the nun sitting on the handle bars and he tells Grace how much he loves her. 

Ooooohhh and that movie is full of Frank Sinatra. Flutter. Flutter little heart. 💖💖💖

I like to take the little lap computer into the kitchen and just play the thing while I cook. When I look up I can swoon, swoon, swoon while I stir, stir, stir. I think Bob is a smart man. He just loves my cooking and he has found the way to inspire me. I come up with some creative concoctions while I'm dreaming of love. 💖💖💖 

💖One of the writers has a romantic story she shared. You can see it here. And she's giving a book away, too!!!! 

Whew! Here We go Again

I think that title sounded cranky. Well, Fern just said it did, I'm pretty sure it didn't but if I don't type this now she's going to pester me until I do. 

Housekeeping issue resolved. 

What I meant by the title was that one of the writers forgot to let me know about a post...a guest post where she shared one of MY RECIPES!!!! 

Zula's Siren Cinnamon Muffins. If you'd like the recipe then head on over here. 

And the other writer was interviewed at this on-line magazine and maybe talked a little about me. The magazine is free for the next 36 hours or so. Download the free kindle app for computer or phone and then click buy now. The cost will be zero through the 15th. There are loads of interesting things in the magazine. And hopefully much about Fern and me because without us/ our story these writers are just a lot of hot air. 

Banana Cake A Cure for the Boos...

The writers have another busy month in November. Which means I'll probably be required to post a few extra times. Today is Halloween. We don't get many trick or treaters anymore. All those Trunk or Treat and the malls are all the rage now. Some of those costumes are scary! Have you seen some of them? And people buy them for little kids. Sweet mercy. I can't imagine the sugar overload and the terror filled nightmares. 

I would share my famous candy bar cookies today. But that would be too predictable for Halloween. 

I will share this recipe though. 

Also a hint. Did you know that if you peel old bananas and toss them into a plastic bag in your freezer you have a much easier time of getting the banana where you want it to go rather than all over you. I'm shocked at how many home chefs just shove whole bananas in the freezer. Ugh. Then you have the slime, the black and greasy peel and the strings. Oh, that's almost enough to give me a nightmare! Trust me. Peel the banana first and toss it into a gallon sized banana bag. You'll thank me. You know you will! 

Banana Cake  (Slightly healthified by Fern but with non-hippie options still available for those of you who wouldn't know flax from a flea.)

Makes one sheet cake.  Heat your oven to 350.  Grease and flour a jelly roll pan.

Cake

¾ Cup coconut oil (You may use butter if y’all think that’s better. I will say Fern's suggestion of coconut oil did add a different and tasty spin on this cake. Trust me she tells everyone that she converted me. Yeah, whatever, Fern, whatever.)

3 Cups whole wheat pastry flour (whole wheat flour that is decimated into a much finer flour. Whole wheat traditional would give you much denser result. All purpose would work as well. Or give old fashioned oats whirled into flour a try. Fern fix. She just has to meddle in everything, I swear.)

1 Cup water

½ Cup milk (¼ cup if using eggs instead of ground flaxseed)

2 TBSP ground flax seed (or 2 eggs and decrease milk amount as noted above)

2 Cups sugar

1 teaspoon slightly mounded baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

1 ½ Cup or 4 ripe mashed bananas

Pinch of salt

Optional but highly recommended!!!:

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1-2 Cups chopped pecans or walnuts

Place the water, coconut oil (or butter) and milk into a saucepan. Bring to boil then remove from heat.

Place every other ingredient into a large mixing bowl where you have smashed the bananas. Pour the hot liquid over the other ingredients and mix very well.

Pour and spread into the prepared pan. Test the cake at 20 minutes. A toothpick or knife should come out clean or with wet crumbs.

Frosting

½ package cream cheese (4 ounces)

4 Cups powdered sugar

dash of vanilla

1-2 TBSP milk, added 1 TBSP at a time.

Mix it to the consistency you want. I made mine pretty thick.

Spread over the cooled cake. Serves at least 20 people.

I hope you survive Halloween. Watch out for clowns. Fern and I are staying in tonight for sure. I'm still healing and just can't abide by a scare. Mabel said she she saw a clown in the wooded area by the parking lot. Sweet mercy. I'm hoping it was Ralph who actually is a clown and that he'd just come from a birthday party. Ralph is a little strange though. Oh goodness. I've gotta go, I need to lock my doors!

I Am Available if I Can Carry-On Fifi

A story reader sent one of the writers a picture of the book hovering near that one huge attraction in Rome. What is it? The one I

always think is Greek. Not the Vatican. Hmmm. Never mind what it's called. Fern will tell me while peeking over her readers and tightening her lips into a tiny, judgy rosebud.

I just want to inform any of you who might be traveling to Europe that I'd be happy to go and tell you the story myself. The only condition is that Fifi needs me and should be considered carry-on. I've already knit her a union jack jumper. (I'm working on my language skills, too! ) I think I'll sew her a smart French black shift with a simple strand of pearls. And a toga.

Update on Our Story...And A Recipe!!!!!

The writers are blah-blah-blahhing over here http://bit.ly/2dVDvuY. They talk about how they invented us and took us through danger for their enjoyment. Yeah. "Whatever" as the kids say.

Since I'm just a figment of someone's or someones' imaginations I will just go on and head to the kitchen now. 

Hmmm well, if I'm imaginary how in the world do I have recipes?  Interesting!!!!

German Chocolate Krispy Bars

3 TBSP coconut oil
3 TBSP butter (note, you can do 6 TBSP of either one, I like the mix though for additional flavor goodness)
1 10 ounce bag of marshmallows
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt (this helps cut the uber sweetness and adds dimension)
1 Cup toasted coconut *

1 Cup toasted pecans *

1 Cup chocolate chips
4 Cups (roughly) of crispy rice cereal.

Melt butter/coconut oil over flame in a large saucepan. Turn down heat, pour in marshmallows, stir until they begin to melt. Remove from heat and keep stirring until they are fully melted. Add salt if using and vanilla. Stir well. Pour in cereal and add-ins.
Press your mixture into the greased 9 x 13 (or 8 x 8) pan, wait til they cool and cut and devour.

*Toasting coconut and pecans. Cover a baking sheet with a cup of coconut and chopped pecans and toast 3-4 minutes at 350. Stir. Put back into the oven for 5 more minutes. Watch carefully the last minute so the coconut doesn't get darker than golden brown. 

Woot! Woot! Glossy Magazine Article All About ME!

Whoo-oo! Whoo-oo! Whoo-oo!

I am interviewed. You can read it and get one of my recipes. (And one of Fern's). 

You have only 4 more days though to grab it for free. My interview starts on page 8. There are multiple pages. Oooooh I'm so excited!!!! They asked me so many wonderful questions. I gave so many wonderful answers!!!!! 

They even interviewed Fern. Poor thing just isn't quite a natural like me though!!! And detective Flynn. He got a little "air"time, too. He didn't give us a shout out though. He must have been caught off-guard because he didn't mention us at all.  

I'm so excited. Grab a copy for free. You may have to join the club first. If so, here is the link to do that for free. http://www.bookfun.org. And if you don't have Kindle, you can download a free reading App from Amazon. There's a free trial one that ends up turning to a monthly fee so don't click that one by mistake. It should clearly state it's free and pop up once you click on the free magazine link. 

The Story Behind the Story Continues...

A little stop on the book tour train. https://quidproquills.com/2016/10/07/out-of-the-frying-pan-behind-the-story/

Kind of all about the writers again. You'd think they were the important ones. We solved the murder. We risked necks, shoulders, knees and toes. You can quote me on that. 

But I'm refusing to give in to my disgruntledness. Instead I will share a pic of our sweet lil pluffwuggins of cuteness. She loves it when I cook. And she's getting pretty good at catching morsels. The first few times she got smacked right in the kisser. But she's got the hang of it now, don't you, Fifs? Widdle, cutie patootie, snookie-wubba. 

I need to stop now because I'm needing some snuggle-wuggle time with this little gal.  Wait till you see the skirt I made her. Oh, MY! 

It's So Quiet, For Now....

Now that the whole murder fluff and stuff has died down, and our story is out and plugging along it feels kind of quiet around here. 

The writers still have a book giveaway going on. The linkie dowickie clicky thing for it is here.  http://ow.ly/lY2h304L7rQ

Comments are coming in. One person bought it and gave it to a friend who's husband is reading it to her while she has chemo. That feels real good to know that our story of overcoming and solving a murder might be making someone else feel a little better during a hard time. 

Did I share our giveaway baskets we put together for our big book signing event? I curated some jewelry and a scarf and shared a favorite product. Nutella. I could just eat that right out of the jar with a spoon. I'm a little jealous that someone created a recipe book, that shoulda woulda coulda been me! 

That gives me an idea....I'll be back. Hang on you little darling jar of chocolate heaven, Mama's coming! 

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

No, no chicken. But it's not false advertising it's just a creative way to grab attention. And the prize was so much better than chicken. Goodness. The prize was copies of our story!!!!

But that drawing is over. New month, new pumpkin recipe ideas swirling in my mind. And apple recipes. The ciders, the spices, the holiday meals to begin preparing. Oh, I just can't wait to unleash my ideas on people! 

When my darling, may he rest in peace, husband and I lived in a little town in Illinois, before Fern became my near neighbor, so she can't weigh in with any comments. There used to be a flurry over an invitation to my house. I was whipping up French Chef delicacies almost every weekend so we started inviting people over. That French food isn't always good for a working man's lunch pail the next day so we needed help to cut down on leftovers. The first time my hubby-wubby took a beautifully packed napoleon in his pail he said the guys laughed for a month. The quit laughing when he refused to share the chocolate mousse a few weeks later. That showed them. Anyhoo, our weekend dinners got so popular people were offering to buy the ingredients if only they could have a seat at the table. I still have a bit of that, especially when I make my spice cake. Or cinnamon bun muffins, or Salmon de Zula, or my chocolate and potato chip cookies. 

Whew. I got a little bunny traily there for a bit. 

I was writing to reveal the winners for the Goodreads giveaway.  Someone named David and another one named Nancy. If you are reading this, congratulations. One of the writers will get that out to you. 

But if you aren't David or Nancy there is a new chance. And an old one that's almost over...it ends today. So go here and here and enter away. 

Free Book and Love Advice. Here. Keep Reading!

Giveaways. 

Here https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/202827-out-of-the-frying-pan Hurry. Hurry. Last day. 

And here, there is more about Fern and me, very little. But the writer nailed Detective Flynn. Oh, what a hunk of man!!!!!http://eahendryx.blogspot.com/2016/09/michelle-griep-writer-wednesday.html

Always be prepared with gold and glitter you can't go wrong. 

Oh, I so want Kathryn to marry him. I'm tempted to line up a judge, club the detective over the head, and get them married off before he comes to his senses. 

Not that she's not worth marrying, goodness, she's a peach!!! A Georgia peach, not those from the grocery store in June or October. A real live juice-running-down-your-chin Georgia peach. But sometimes when there are broken hearts and "complications" involved these young people just don't seize the day. 

When Bobbykins pops the questions I have my wedding kit ready to go. I can throw a fabulous party, and be the most stunning bride in less than a week. Preparation is important, all you single ladies, don't let him think too long or too hard about anything but you. Got it? What was I talking about? Mercy. Well, it'll come to me later I'm sure. Tata, Loves! 

Well, This is Awkward

One of the writers has been "tweeting". I'm not sure exactly what that is other than she says stuff and people read it and like it or something. I don't get this technology thing. Back when I was younger you had a television. Or a radio. You pushed a button and had a dial. And what you got was what you got. The phones were dials, too. And you either got a busy signal or ring. Then things got fancy with princess phones in glorious pastels. You could push buttons on those pretty little things. But you still got rings or busy signals.

After that I got lost.

We have a computer. I can send emails. And that's good enough for me. I do like to look over Fern's shoulder when she's on that Facestalker thing she does. (She gets so mad!) Kathryn posts lots of fun things, I love her Mr. Wright pictures. He's a snuggly cute little wuggins of fluff! And she'll post hilarious comments sometimes. Fern really gets angry then when I hoot in her ear. I kind of like pushing Fern's buttons, but don't tell her that!

Anyhow. Yesterday the writer said that someone "retooted" a "post" she was mentioned in. And she "clicked" on it to see who it was so she could thank them or "follow" them. Turns out this woman had "28k" followers. That was cool she said. But then she read the "bio" and this person promotes erotica.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I sure hope no one thinks our story is trashy! Oh my! I mean, I'm a red hot woman, but not that red hot!!!!

But all publicity is good? Right?

Party! Party! Party!

The writers had a party! 

They served mocktails and little bites of deliciousness!!!! And the food items were my recipes. (Well, apparently one had to be tweaked a bit! But that's because they don't have my awesome bundt pan!) 

The writers held this party in a cute book shop in Minneapolis, and the shop was set up for partying like nobody's business. The store name is adorable...wait for it....ONCE UPON A CRIME!!! Isn't that CUTE???

When the writers walked in it looked like a book store full of racks and shelves of books. They had a moment where they wondered where would they put the bodacious spread they had prepared from MY RECIPES!?!?! And the mocktail table? And the book signing table? 

Oh those clever book store people! Racks on wheels. They just swooped in and turned the whole room into a book-lined PARTY ROOM!!!!! The writers even shared the Paradise Paragraphs newsletter with the CROWD. It was a huge CROWD. Here are some pictures. 

I'm going to be putting wheels on all my living and dining room furniture. Fern will be helping. Or maybe if I offer Salmon Roberto and Spicy Dicey Onion Rings Bobby-Boo will help. Darn. I may have to see if I can't rope in Detective Flynn. He's got a nice strong back and I am his favorite senior citizen of all time. 

But I just LOVE the wheeling idea. I could redecorate weekly. We can have dance parties after dinner. It's brilliant! BRILLIANT!  Oh, and here's another interview. I'm not sure I like what was said about me, but speaking of favorite senior citizens I think I loved that part. 

Come See Me

Tomorrow: Come taste my recipes!!!! Saturday, September 24th, y'all are invited to the book launch of Out of the Frying Pan. Join Michelle Griep and co-author, Krazy Kelly Klepfer, for a night of mystery and mocktails at the Once Upon a Crime bookstore in Minneapolis at 6:30 p.m. 604 West 26th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405

And the other writer shares her doggie story. But don't read the answer to the question about her writing her dog into stories. Rotten answer. I covered Fifi's eyes and had to sing to her for an hour before she calmed down!!!

Where We Have Been

The writers are promoting us all over the intra-inter-whatever-net. I've decided to share the most interesting ones here. So you can go if you'd like. If you haven't read them yet, or maybe if you'd like to reread them. Because these are really kinda all about me (and Fern, of course.) 

MY RECIPES!!!!!!!

About us #1 

About us #2 

And where are we going???? Oh my. My writers are doing a book signing and they are using my recipes again!!! Different ones. Five recipes!!!! So EXCITED!!!!!!!

Win a Book. Win a Book. No Really. Win a Book!

"The party's over, hmmm, hmmm, mumble, la,la, la....."

Yes. The winners of our story are Martha Peace and Lora Young. They hopefully are being notified by one of the writers. But their names are nice. Fern would love Martha Peace. She asks for peace almost every morning. Fern is very sensitive until after a good cup of coffee or tea. Very, very cranky. 

But there will be no peace until another book has been won! The party is not over after all. It has just migrated to another location! Sign up, people! It's another chance. 

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Out of the Frying Pan

by Michelle Griep

Giveaway ends September 30, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Out of the Frying Pan Starring.....

Not as happy as yesterday's Recipe LOVE the writers shared. 

Because today's interview isn't quite so much about Fern and me. But we are pretty happy with the idea that our story could hit the big screen!!!

Imagine, our sleuthing skills, my cooking skills, MY SENSE OF FASHION and FLAIR and our HUGE WIN in capturing a murderer! For all the world to see. 

And I have to admit other than the beige the woman wears far too often, I'm pretty happy with the choice in actresses to play me. She can be kind of high strung though. I don't know if she could pull off my subtleties. The more I think about it, she really dresses pretty low-key. There would have to be some serious color and patterns and glitter. I would need to bedazzle her! I'll insist on being the one choosing the wardrobe that's for certain. Insist! 

Here's the link to that fun DREAM! 

My RECIPES!!!!

I just can NOT contain my excitement!

My recipes are here http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/2016/09/yum-art-and-science-of-page-turning.html
at this blog. MY RECIPES!!!! TWO OF THEM. 

Florida Sunrise Morning Muffins and Florida Sunshine Crunch Bars. 

Yes. That's right! Both recipes right here on the Whole World Web!!!!! 

I haven't felt this excited since I came to after the incident! Well. To be honest I was terrorized at that moment, but I got real excited when we were the ones who helped capture the assailant. 

So quit reading this and click on that blue line up there and you can go SEE MY RECIPES!!! Go. Now. Do it!!!!!!!

And There They Go Again....

The writers are all over the place again. Like weasels released from a sack. Three locations today. Not a single one of these articles or posts talks about our heroic murderer-defying, life-risking, epic village-saving event. 

However, one does mention my backstory a bit....so maybe check that out. And I kinda wish I could get ahold of some of the candles she talks about getting rid of. If any of you decide to declutter any floral arrangements LET ME KNOW! 

But the rest....meh...go read all about them. We're fine. We'll be right here when you come back. I'm currently sewing a mermaid tail for Fifi. She will be so, so cute!!!! 

And speaking of cute. Look at these little babies holding our book!!!!!!