Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Free? Now You're Talking...

What do cat litter and Sunchips have in common?

I don't think I want to spend a lot of time thinking about that. But I do know I've gotten free coupons for both of those items after seeing their free offers here.

I tend toward skepticism after being burned more than once, but the draw of free gets me more often than not.

So far, in the past few months, I've gotten four or five free coupons. Not bad for a few clicks on the computer. Some offers require participation of some sort. Keep that in mind. The bigger the offer the more you will likely have to participate in...but....that can be worth it big time as I've recently found out.

I'll tell you about my big, BIG, freebie later. That one caused me to nibble my fingernails a few times while waiting for my prize. But in the meantime, go check this out. Who knows what you might find.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Crossing Oceans

You will be seeing this book popping up all over the internet.

And in your local bookstores.

I will be reading and reviewing it soon and this is one novel I can't wait to jump in to. Gina is talented.

Here is an opportunity to get to know her and an opportunity to get a copy of her book.

Go visit Nora and she'll tell you the rest of the story.

Serials and Scenarios ~ She Walks in Beauty ~ Siri Mitchell

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

She Walks in BeautyBethany House (April 2010)by

Siri Mitchell


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.


ABOUT THE BOOK

For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor.

Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.

Yet Clara soon wonders if this is the life she really wants. Especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries.

When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her marriage at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.

If you would like to read the first chapter of She Walks in Beauty, go HERE.

MY REVIEW:

Siri Mitchell's historicals have been some of my favorite books. She Walks In Beauty is not an exception.

With poignancy, grace and beautiful prose, Mitchell, takes the reader back to the late 1800's. In a time when women had few choices and society had many expectations, Mitchell introduces us to Clara Carter, a young lady who must debut and must catch the most eligible and desirable bachelor in the city.

The story is full of rich details of the gloss and glitter of the affluent and powerful and stark glimpses of what lies beneath the glitz.

If you love historicals or Siri Mitchell, run , don't walk, to a bookseller.

Other Mitchell reviews and visits....here.

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Truth, Scrambled Part 2

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Another Brownie Tweak O Yummish

Ready for the next weird recipe?

I didn't believe my friend.

Why?

Well. As odd and tweaky as I'm willing to get, I just couldn't wrap my brain around this one.

Brownies.

Black Bean Brownies.

Okay. So you are likely gone and no one is reading this, but on the off chance that you are, they are stinking (no pun intended) good.

One brownie mix
One can of black beans (oh, please check as I almost DIDN'T, that it's just black beans and bean juice, not spices and bits of pepper!!!!)

That is the entire ingredient list. (my friend used the normal sized small can of beans and a small brownie mix, I used the big brownie mix and the same size can of beans...both worked)

Take can of black beans and run them thru the food processor till pasty. (Juice and all)
Add brownie mix and blend til fully combined.

Grease a pan. (whichever size your brownie mix calls for). Dump in the stuff. Bake as directed. Note: I had to add about 10 minutes to mine to set up the middle. So watch the time.

These are chewy and you seriously can not taste or feel the beans. I'm going to try it with a scratch brownie recipe and see if I can't cut some of the sugar, just because I can't leave well enough alone. But til then, these are pretty tasty and full of fiber. : ).

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Truth, Scrambled, But Still True

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Lookin to Make a Statement?

This could definitely make one.

Tom's Shoes is a cool organization that 23 and friends support. Cute shoes with an awesome bonus that makes a difference.

I probably won't participate in this, but eventually will buy (and share) a pair of Tom's.



Let me know if you do participate in the event. Something about the doctor's office setting and walking around barefoot makes me a little squeamish.