Maria's Peach Melba Tea Bread

This may be the most gloriously delicious thing I have ever tasted... I begged Maria for the recipe and she's letting me SHARE!!

Peach Melba Tea Bread

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Peach Schnapps OR Peach Brandy
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups finely chopped fresh peaches
1/4 cup dried or frozen, chopped raspberries (or blueberries)

Heat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 9x5 loaf pan. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In medium size bowl, combine peaches and liquor. In 2 cup glass measuring cup, combine melted butter, milk, eggs and vanilla. Add butter mixture to flour mixture and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in peaches and berries. Spoon into greased pan. Bake bread for 55 to 60 minutes or until top is golden brown and center springs back when lightly pressed with finger tip. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan and cool to room temperature before slicing.

Back!

I'm sure you missed me. And I'm only a little bit back, really. This past week my health demanded that I avoid the internet, and I did. I'd say it was hard, but I was mostly out of it and unaware of the world around me.

I'm sitting up, having some espresso, and pushing my luck.

I think, in a way, it was good for me to realize I could go a while without twittering, facebooking, and blogging... not to mention lurking on forums.

But I DID miss everyone. And I wanted to thank you all for the good wishes and prayers, especially my beloved Tankers. Thanks to the gang from online who called Ahmed when he needed the distraction, and leave him alone when he asked. It meant a great deal to me.

Can You Give Me The Finger?

If you happen to have a few spare fingers, I could use one. Or, at least, just the tip. I learned today that I may lose the tip of my left pointer finger, and I admit... it has me upset. There a LOT of things I need my fingers for!

It's hard to be judgmental, a personal-favorite hobby of mine, without pointing a finger in admonishment. Now, I could go Righty on that, but I prefer to have my right hand planted on my hip in outrage. The slight tip-forward of the body, accompanied by a left-handed finger of judgement... it's "naughty naughty" genius, eh?


Close kin to the finger-point, the finger-wag. Wagging takes the judgmental pointage one step further, to a physical accusation in full waggledy glory. No-no-no, it seems to tick tock at the sinner. Another move that feels somehow incomplete without a hip-planted hand to underscore it.


Then there's licking frosting, whipped cream, and all sorts of other yummy goodness from the fingertip. Again, the righty is there as backup, but don't we prefer to have that right hand supporting whatever bowl or cake platter is falling victim to the lick? Once more, I feel myself anticipating a handicap.


And lastly, of course... well, maybe only in traffic... or when the tissue is gone... but really? I know they say you can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends' nose...

The question is, how much do you love me?

Free Pretties!

Just a heads-up... Have your domain already and just want a template? Have your domain already and just want a template? just updated with six brand new free templates on the main freebie page. Some very pretty, simple themes. black and white hot-blond... goth girl... purple tattoo theme... and MORE! Get em while they're hot!

My New Release

I am thrilled to announce my new release from Mustelid Books: This Wild, Wonderous Weasel, written under my pen name.

This book was such a labor of love and dedication. Please stay tuned for the official release date and purchasing information. It will be a hard-cover release for only $24.95. Read on to learn more!

Title: This Wild, Wonderous Weasel
by: Shanda Lear
Publisher: Mustelid Books
Genre: Paranormal Were-Romance

Blurb:
When Shank Thornhard wandered into Katya Paycan's life she thought he was just another drifter. But Shank has a secret...

Shank is a secret agent for the government's top-secret Secret Society of Secret Were Agents (SWAG)! Shank has come to town to investigate a rash of robberies. Who is stealing the top-secret secret files that could reveal SWAG's secrets? Is it the lovely coop, Katya Paycan, who seems to have secrets of her own?

And can Katya resist the tempation of the handsome stranger? What will she do when he transforms, under the soft light of the full moon, into a white were-ferret? Has he had all his shots?

Find out in this steamy new release from Mustelid Books!

Bodice Rippers Unite!

Do not miss the new Cafe Press T-shirts from Romance Unwrapped! (Full disclosure: I am their webmaster and artist... and I designed the t-shirts). They're cute as all giddyup and come in Women's sizes to a 5x! Beat that with a stick, baby!

9/11 Remembered

I guess most of us are remembering in at least a small way. I headed for the city to do a prayer and meditation memorial today with friends. It's misting and threatening rain, so I was forced indoors. But I did light a candle and say a prayer of blessing and remembrance.

May the angels carry all those still wandering home. May the hearts of those they left behind be healed.

CPF at Beth Israel-Deaconess

For CPF members, from email:

The CPF is proud to invite you to a pulmonary fibrosis seminar hosted by the Interstitial Lung Disease Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston on September 12, 2009. This is an opportunity to learn more about PF as well as to interact with other PF patients, families and caregivers. Full details are below for you.

We hope you can make this important patient event.

SYMPOSIUM FOR THOSE LIVING WITH IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2009

BIDMC (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) West, One Autumn Street (corner of Longwood Avenue and the Riverway) The building with blue Children's Hospital awning

**Parking is available at the Pilgrim Road Garage at the West Campus for $10

Entrance is located off Crossover Street, which can be reached by either Pilgrim Road or Autumn Street (do not use the garage adjacent to Bruegger's Bagel off Longwood Avenue)

RSVP: While pre-registration is not required, we would appreciate notification by phone, email, or register on-line (see below) if you are planning to attend. Please include the number of people that will be with you. [***Please do not RSVP to the CPF, as Beth Israel Deaconess is making the reservations.]

Please call or email:
PHONE: 617-667-5864
EMAIL: ILDcenter@bidmc.harvard.edu

AGENDA/SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY, September 12, 2009
10:30 am - 11:15 am Check-In
11:15 am - 11:20 am Welcoming and Opening Remarks DR. JOSEPH ZIBRAK, DR. PETER LACAMERA, BIDMC
11:20 am 11:40 am Patient Outreach & Advocacy TERESA BARNES, VICE PRESIDENT, COALITION FOR PULMONARY FIBROSIS
11:40 am - 12:20 pm Lunch
12:20 pm - 12:45 pm Fundamentals of the Lung and PFT’s DR. DAVID ROBERTS, BIDMC
12:45 pm - 1:10 pm Current Understanding of IPF Biology DR. PETER LACAMERA
1:10 pm - 1:35 pm The Matson Lecture on Clinical Trials for IPF DR. JOSEPH ZIBRAK
1:35 pm - 2:00 pm Question & Answer Session
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm Break
2:15 pm - 2:40 pm Surgical Lung Biopsy and Transtracheal Catheters DR. SIDHU GANGADHARAN, BIDMC
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm The Virtues of Pulmonary Rehabilitation CLAUDIA LEVENSON, PT, CSS, BIDMC
3:00 pm - 3:20 pm On-line Resources, A Patient's Perspective KEN BAKER
3:20 pm - 4:20 pm Small Group Sessions:
IPF Question and Answer DR. PETER LACAMERA
Clinical Trials DR. JOSEPH ZIBRAK
Management Strategies CLAUDIA LEVENSON, PT, CSS

Quiet

It was a very odd, quiet Labor Day weekend. Yesterday my brother had a gathering at his place on the beach. I passed on it. For some odd reason the people of Green Harbor dress up for the Labor Day parade as if it were Halloween. I've never understood or enjoyed it. Also, I was feeling very achey and beat. So I stayed home and enjoyed the quiet.

I've somehow developed a TBR pile for the first time ever. I buy 4 or 5 paperbacks a week... one or two ebooks. For the past month I just haven't been in the mood to read and have had a hard time writing, too. So quiet is a good place for me to reboot. Perhaps if I sit very still inspiration can find me. Harder to hit a moving target, right?

Cookin' Up Trouble and the Barnes and Noble

I'm a cookbook fiend. My Nana used to sit and read them slowly, luxuriously, in her living room. She insisted it was like having a meal without the calories. I'm not sure if this is a blessing or a curse, but she passed the addiction on. Today I hit Barnes and Noble and blew $50 in an eye-blink on these two.

Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200 by Lisa Lillien is an ingenious collection of 200 recipes under 200 calories. The great thing about this book is that the recipes are both SIMPLE and REASONABLE. They aren't crappy versions of something you'd want to eat, but would find disappointing because of the stripping of ingredients. I cracked this open to "Cheesy Butternut Bake," flipped forward to "Gooey Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing," and put it in the BUY pile. YUM!

But don't get the idea I'm all about health and quickie meals. My second choice is a gorgeous, lush collection: Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros is a beautifully bound hardcover collection of family recipes from all over the globe. The book is dedicated to her grandfathers and has incredible photographs throughout. But the seal on the deal is the recipes: Lachmajou (a wonderful spice lamb recipe), Keftedes (a Greek meat and fruit recipe that I've only had once, and have searched for since), and even something as simple as a good Carrot Cake recipe. I'm salivating already!

So what cookbooks are your stand-bys? Do you keep one of your own?

ABC meme about me

I am joining Rhonda Stapleton in doing the ABC meme that's floating around. I LOVE these... and will just share my answers without tagging people who may not love them. Feel free to join the fun on your own blog, and add your link in the comments!!


Available or single? Nope, Ahmed has the pink slip.

Best Friend? Max. Shut up, he lurves me.

Cake or Pie? I love pie, but cake will always win... unless it's crappy supermarket cake with nasty icing.

Drink of choice? Lately I drink FUZE all day, but my drink of choice is a Venti Iced Latte with SweetNLo

Essential item for every day use? My netbook and/or cell phones.

Favorite color? Purple, but I really do love all colors.

Google? bless you!

Hometown? Green Harbor (technically Marshfield)

Indulgences? my daily latte and I still buy 4-6 paperbacks a week.

January or February? February

Kids and their names? No kids, but I have a Max, a Jeeves, a Winky, a Zari, a Mo, and a Snot... and more.

Life is incomplete without...? My man, my critters, and my friends.

Marriage date? Is this multiple choice???

Number of siblings? 3 brothers

Oranges or apples? Love both. In the fall, apples. In the summer, oranges.

Phobias and fears? I can't put my hands where I can't see them. It really wigs me out.

Quote for the day? "Jesus Saves... he passes to Moses... Moses goes up the middle... HE SCORES!!" (Church sign)

Reason to smile? My man is home and treated me very well last night. Plus I got presents. I luuuurve presents!!

Season? I love autumn.

Tag 3 people? You're not the boss of me.

Unknown fact about me? I'm deaf in one ear.

Vegetable you hate? squash

Worst habit? Answering people's objections for them before they make them... often they never planned to. Now, I know what you're going to say about that, and you're wrong, because...

X-rays you’ve had? Err... everything?

Your fave food? Corned beef and cabbage for dinner. I also love nuts of just about every kind. Penuche... the good stuff.

Zodiac sign? Gemini

If you do this meme on your blog, please provide a link in the comments so I can check it out! :D

I'm All Fired Up

I'm all fired up today about Kristen Painter's smokin' hot new release, ALL FIRED UP. I've been drooling for this title since she announced it was coming out. Early reviews have been great.

The Girls on Books gave it a glowing recommendation, as did the upcoming issue of Romantic Times Book Reviews. And let's face it, folks... Kristen Painter has been making us laugh at Romance Divas and on the Fictionistas' Blog for-- like-- EVER! I downloaded this immediately this morning. Can't WAIT to get this sucker loaded on the Sony!!