Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 11-30-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Tomorrow, December 1st, I've turned the corner and all roads lead to Christmas. So today I'm taking a deep breath and devoting time to reviewing what's really important to me this holiday season. Every year I set out with good intentions, reaffirming how I'm not going to get caught up in a lot of holiday 'shoulds' and run myself ragged. But ten days before Christmas I lose my focus and by the time Christmas morning rolls around I'm pooped. Yes, I'm able to enjoy the holiday, but sometimes it feels like I'm just going through the motions on Christmas Day.

I guess it really shouldn't come as a big surprise, all that build-up for one single event, how could anything possibly live up to such grandiose expectations? So this holiday season I'm taking a lesson from young Abigail. Remember the second grader in Ms. Anderson's class last year, who sent me a drawing titled: Abigail's Heart? It was a big heart, divided up into blank spaces, waiting to be filled-in with the things that Abigail held dear in her life. Being a second grader, I imagine Abigail's heart tended to change with whatever was center stage in her life at the moment (Mrs. Beecher--that's me--was written in one of the spaces, probably because we'd recently exchanged letters). But Abigail had the right idea. The things I hold dear in my life, especially this holiday season, I need a visual reminder to keep me on course.

Taking a lesson from Abigail, I filled in a copy of Suzanne's Heart the other day with reminders of what I really want to celebrate this holiday season, and I've taped it to the front of my refrigerator--the place where cherished family mementos are displayed.

Tomorrow all roads may lead to Christmas, but I'm at peace about it this year, because I have my heart to guide the way.

If you'd like a blank copy of Abigail's Heart to print for yourself, go to:  http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/heart0209.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are four that deserve your attention: Margaret Brownley, A Lady Like Sarah; Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, Love in Translation; John B. Olson, Powers; and Zoe Klein, Drawing in the Dust. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 11-27-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I'm making turkey pies today with my leftover turkey. It's a tradition in our house. Later on today I'll deliver a homemade turkey pie to my 91-year-old father-in-law and then I'll drop a pie off to my son and daughter-in-law and of course I made one for my husband and me. This is why I buy a 23 pound turkey every year.

Suzanne's Leftover Turkey Pie Recipe

Buy ready-made crusts (this is the one day of the year I don't roll my own). The other ingredients are all from leftovers: turkey, a little dressing, dice an onion, add leftover vegetables--cut up the relish tray and dump it into the pie or open a bag of frozen vegetables, pour the leftover gravy on top (or if Uncle Fred polished off the gravy, use a can of gravy) add the top crust, bake in a 400 degree oven until golden brown and you've got the perfect leftover turkey pie. It's as simple as that.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 11-26-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Suzanne is celebrating Thanksgiving with her family today. Her column will return tomorrow.

If you're looking for ways to use leftovers, check out Suzanne's Recipe Blog, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yuf6aq

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: Greg Bear, Mariposa; Laura Griffin, Untraceable; Mary Ellis, A Widow's Hope--The Miller Family series; Carla Neggers, Cold River; and Anna Elliott, Twilight of Avalon. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

 

Dear Reader Column 11-25-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Every Wednesday is KIDSBUZZ day at the book clubs. Check out the link right after my column today.

If you're a Grandma or Grandpa who lives far away from your grandchildren, book club reader Eileen has a great idea for you.

"Good morning Suzanne,

Your story about the tickle book reminded me of when my grandchildren were small. My son was stationed in England for three years and so, of course, I didn't see my grandchildren during that time. But I didn't want them to forget me and so every once in a while I would buy each of them (Danielle and Christopher) a story book, take it home and read it on tape. I would ask them to point out something in the book every so often so they could participate. Then I mailed the books and the tape to them. The first time I did that, my daughter-in-law said the next morning, the kids wanted to know if grandma could read them a story. It took her a few minutes to realize that they were asking her to put the tape in for them to listen to. Thanks for reminding me of pleasant things with my grandchildren. There are now four of them and the youngest is fourteen. No more Grandma reading stories to the grandchildren. Guess I'll have to save it for my great grandchildren."--Eileen

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: This week, books for all ages about fitting in, magic and adventure, humor, and reconciliation from: Rose Kent, Kimchi & Calamari; Charlotte Kandell, The Scarlet Stockings; Randall de Seve, The Duchess of Whimsy; and Valerie Patterson, The Other Side of Blue. For a chance to win free books and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

 

Dear Reader Column 11-24-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write. Please remember to keep the book club fun. If your life gets hectic, or a book isn't a good match, hit that delete key.

From my Email Bag:

Dear fascinating Suzanne,

Many a time I have wanted to reply to your interesting emails, but something crops up, and I drop that thought. But your columns sure do make our minds fly to various points in life, mostly fond memories of the past, or our dreams and aspirations. This week, talking about Thanksgiving brings back so many fond thoughts back from my country. Oh, did I mention, I very recently moved to the US from India, and all my childhood, I was lucky to spend every summer at my maternal grandparents' place in a very scenic village in S. India.

On any given day, there would be at least 25 people for lunch. The lunch preparation began bright and early in the morning, with all the ladies pitching in, and there would be so much zeal and pleasure in the way they cook, right from the scratch. Never a complaint, never a frown. Even though fifty percent of the country moved to cooking with modern equipment, gas stove and such, my grandparents were very old-fashioned. It was a woodstove! The food was never late, all ingredients always fresh picked, from the garden, and will please your palette with every morsel of food you gulp down!

This was our Thanksgiving feast EVERY single day! Every day was special, with non-stop chatting, giggling, feasting. And my grandparents, though they were in their 70s and 80s always had a smile for us, making sure ingredients were replenished for the next meal (feast!).

And here I am, all of 35 yrs old, with two adorable daughters, but to get through every single day, thinking and planning a meal, and serving it with a smiling face is like climbing Mt. Everest for me. Right from childhood, I have enjoyed cooking, it is like a relaxation for me, and my family enjoys my cooking. But doing it round the clock, with a smile on your face, now that's tough! Though I watch every single cooking show, read your recipes, and I try out some, I always go back to my comfort food that my parents and grandparents cooked for us through the childhood.

I would like to end by saying, no matter what country, what culture, I should say, the motherly and grandmotherly love, dedication/ true feelings are the same everywhere. You have shown it to the world by your writing!

Thank you so much for sharing..

Have a great Thanksgiving with family, friends AND strangers!!

Regards,
Jaya
Maryland, USA.

Thank you so very much for your kind words Jaya and for sharing your story. It is so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

 

Dear Reader Column 11-23-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Friends, family and vegetarians are coming to Thanksgiving dinner this year. I didn't give it a second thought when I extended the invite, but the other day as I was picking out my 23-pound bird, reality set in. Thanksgiving, turkey, vegetarians--gobble, gobble--this could be a problem. Then again, my new vegetarian friends did accept my invitation and they even seemed quite pleased about it. Yet I wonder, 'What are their expectations?'

I want all of my guests to feel comfortable in my home, so I do my best to please everyone, but I know there isn't a recipe for Tofu Turkey in my recipe box, (if there even is such a thing.) So what am I going to serve?

But when I reviewed my traditional Thanksgiving menu, I was relieved to discover most of the recipes are vegetarian friendly. And even the ones that aren't, like Skunk Beans and Shrimp Salad, can be easily altered. Before I add the bacon to the beans, or shrimp to the macaroni salad, I'll simply put some of each aside in separate dishes. Whew problem solved!

But what about Thanksgiving table talk? Folks sitting around after dinner patting their full tummies, and saying things like, "Hmm boy, I'm stuffed, that turkey really tasted good, especially the white meat!" Is this going to bother my vegetarian guests?

So I picked up the phone and called them. And just like usual, I worry way too much. "Don't worry Suzanne, we're fine with other people eating meat (and patting their full tummies) and we're so happy to be coming to dinner."

Everyone at your table will be happy if you serve this Green Beans Jazzed with Tomato side dish. It's easy to make and tastes divine and you can easily reheat leftovers (but you probably won't have any!)

Green Beans Jazzed with Tomato

1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 medium tomatoes, cut up

Steam the green beans until crisp-tender, or boil in salted water for about 15 to 18 minutes.

While beans are cooking melt butter in skillet, add onion and garlic; cook and stir over medium heat for about 3 to 4 minutes.

Stir in brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, oregano and pepper. Add tomatoes. Heat thoroughly. Drain the green beans, then add the tomato mixture to them and gently toss.

Enjoy with friends and tell them about the book club!

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: Greg Bear, Mariposa; Laura Griffin, Untraceable; Mary Ellis, A Widow's Hope--The Miller Family series; Carla Neggers, Cold River; and Anna Elliott, Twilight of Avalon. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 11-20-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to write. My email box has been overflowing lately with wonderful emails from readers. What a treat!

A reminder, if you're still looking for some great holiday recipes, try my Crock Pot Dressing, go to: http://tinyurl.com/27y4rg

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, I was reading your column about your Crock-Pot Stuffing recipe. I have used it for couple of years. I use the recipe twice a year. Once for the Seniors Thanksgiving Dinner we have at our church the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and then again for my family and guests when I'm hosting. This year I am [doing both]. I have to work on Saturday, but it is great to know I can put it together in the crock-pot and drop it off at the church on my way to work. Last year there was not a drop left and many were looking for more. Several of your recipes have been a hit with my family, they especially like your pineapple chicken recipe. Thanks for your book club, if I don't have time for the book I don't miss your column."--Sincerely, Sherry Stevens

"Dear Suzanne:(In response to your columns this week.) Guys get stressed out too. Before retirement, I was the owner of a small, family-owned and operated funeral home, on call 24/7, 365 days a year, in the days before cell phones. Many a holiday, I had to leave a festive family celebration to help another family in need. I'm sure many other guys have similar stories. I look forward eagerly each week to your book suggestions. Thanks for providing me with a positive reason for turning on the computer Monday mornings."--Warm regards, John Walkinshaw

"Suzanne, at least you found something productive to do (when you couldn't sleep in the middle of the night). One time when my husband couldn't sleep, he turned the TV on and started flipping channels. Several days later I came home to find a large box on my doorstep--it was our new, deluxe (!), Ronco dehydrator. All that's on TV in the wee hours are infomercials and my husband was convinced we would be making our own jerky in no time! We tried once and it was awful. If you wanted the recipes and instructions on how to actually make it--that cost extra! After keeping it tucked away in the kitchen for a couple of years, I unloaded it at a White Elephant gift exchange. Beware of gifts in large boxes!!"--Debbie Williams

"Suzanne, About this lack of energy--it reminds me what my 4-year-old granddaughter does to try to help me have more energy. When I visit her, she wants to play, play, play, and I am a willing playmate, until I get so tired, I tell her I have to lie down for a little while because I don't have any more energy. Then she says a little prayer and says, "Please give some of my energy to Grandma." Then she looks at me and waits and says something like, "Let me know when you have some of my energy." Looking at her waiting, I can only muster any energy left, and begin playing again. And somehow, I am able to."--Suzanne Meik

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Andrew Gross then read about great thrillers from: Hamilton Wende, Steve Perry, Caridad Pineiro, Sam Cole, Todd Strasser, Heather Graham, Craig Larsen, Jordan Summers, H. Terrell Griffin and Derek Gunn. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 11-19-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Every few weeks my friend Linda and I do some bench sitting on St. Armand's Circle and then we do a little browsing in the shops. Last week when we were browsing, I couldn't resist buying a Tickle Monster Kit; a copy of the of the children's book Tickle Monster and big, blue, furry mitts with convenient holes for your fingers to slide through--so you're ready to tickle! The children's story is about a loveable monster with big puffy mitts who's just flown in from Planet Tickle. His mission is to bring joy and laughter to planet Earth. But the book's not just for children. "So, Suzanne, how about reading Tickle Monster out loud right now?" Linda asked as we were driving home.

Linda's request is one of the reasons I love her so much. Uninhibited, by who might be staring, or how grown women over 50 should be behaving, as the two of us bench sit and drink our coffee, we're also blowing bubbles, feeding the birds and having discussions that would rival any seasoned philosophy professor's lecture.

Read the book? Of course I couldn't refuse--what fun! I started out a little reserved, but soon I was reading aloud with as much enthusiasm as if I were reading to my grandchildren. Tickle, tickle, tickle, in my voice, we were laughing like two young girls, but unfortunately I couldn't use the big furry tickle mitts because Linda was driving.

But I did put on the big furry tickle mitts when I read the book to my grandson Paul. And then Paul put on the mitts and read the book to Grandma (in his own special 3-year-old way) and of course I was properly tickled!

It's a delightful book. I highly recommend it and so does Paul. To see photos and a slideshow of a grandson reading to Grandma--his facial expressions are priceless! Go to: http://tinyurl.com/yzyopw7

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: Barbara Pope, Cezanne's Quarry; Graham Garrison, Hero's Tribute; Shannon Van Roekel, Desert Fire; Jean Davies Okimoto, The Love Ceiling; and Tim Downs, Ends of the Earth. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader And check out KidsBuzz too! http://authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz/

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 11-18-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's one of those mornings when I feel a little on the confused and grumpy side, so it's difficult to write. I didn't get enough sleep last night. Too hot, too cold, too hard, too soft, I even went into the guest room hoping to find Baby Bear's "just right" bed, but nothing could help me get back to sleep.

My internal clock seems to still be off with the change in daylight savings time. When it gets dark, that's my signal to put on my pjs, grab my quilt and pillow, and start snuggling in for a good night's sleep. But when I'm thinking sleep at 6 p.m. (that's when it gets dark here now) and I'm asleep by 6:45 p.m., my internal clock is ready to roll out of bed eight hours later, but it's only 2:45 in the wee hours of the morning.

What does this girl do at 2:45 a.m.? Last night she came up with a hilarious idea for today's column. Wrote every word, but only in my mind, and now my mind's too tired and the funny isn't within reach. So I'm turning over the rest of today's column to book club reader Mary Ellen Weiler.

Mary Ellen responded to this week's Energy Fairy and multi-tasking columns and her email was just way too funny not to share. (And she saved my writing behind today, but that's what reading friends are for, right?)

Take it away Mary Ellen, I'm off to take a nap. . .

"Dear Suzanne,

My idea of multitasking is chewing on a cookie while swallowing coffee. Your list exhausted me by reading it. By the time you described the second 8 minute and 30 second time period, I was fanning myself while rooting for you. 'Go Suzanne!'

I used to be better at the multiple tasks. I could dress my daughter, make breakfast, and get the gum out of her hair. Now I am amazed if I can get myself dressed and find the hairbrush.

Christmas. Wasn't it just Valentine's Day? I'm not ready for this. I am still eating chocolate bunnies, and candy corn. Now where did I put the box with the tree. It's a small tree-about 3 feet, it can get lost. Maybe it's in with the curtains? No, that's where the printer is. It's got to be behind the snow shovel in the spare room.(don't ask.)

Yesterday you spoke of Energy Fairies and such. I say we mate the Energizer Bunny with the Fairy and get some serious help out here. Enjoy those flowers. I can smell the cookies from here, and isn't Monk cute?"--Mary Ellen Weiler

Thanks for filling in Mary Ellen. Could you email me your phone number in case I can't sleep again tonight?

If you missed Monday or Tuesday's column, you'll find them at: http://dearreader.typepad.com/

To enter this week's free book giveaway The Power of Pause, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ygs9mxw

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: This week, books for all ages about fitting in, magic and adventure, humor, and reconciliation from: Rose Kent, Kimchi & Calamari; Charlotte Kandell, The Scarlet Stockings; Randall de Seve, The Duchess of Whimsy; and Valerie Patterson, The Other Side of Blue. For a chance to win free books and more, see http://www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics

Dear Reader Column 11-17-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's that time of year again. Time to start holiday multi-tasking, a mind set that unfortunately I'm way too talented at doing. If one hand's free, put a glue gun in it and start making napkin rings for the dinner table. Simply sit on the sofa and watch Monk? Why it's out of the question! Watching a favorite television show is permitted in the Multi-tasking Rule book, but only if I'm also ironing tablecloths and napkins, or taking the plastic off of the card table chairs, my husband and I bought yesterday. We'll need those extra seats for Thanksgiving dinner.

Relax and bake cookies for book club readers? I don't think so Suzanne, not unless you're planting pentas and begonias, too. This past weekend as I baked for readers who won chocolate chip cookies, (UPS will deliver them to you today) I also filled my Florida garden with five trays of flowers. Plant while I'm baking, how do I do it?

Once the cookie sheet goes into the oven I have 8 minutes and 30 seconds to devote to planting. My cookie timer sits next to me on the ground and when the bell goes off, I drop the spade, jog into the house, soap up and wash my hands, grab the potholder, turn the cookie pan around, set the time for 2 minutes 30 seconds more, then plop 12 scoops of cookie dough onto another fresh cookie sheet. When the cookie timer goes off again, I take the pan out of the oven, put the new pan in, set the timer for another 8 minutes 30 seconds, and head back outdoors to do a little more planting...and I've been wearing my pedometer again, so the extra steps running in and out the front door are counting towards my 10,000 steps a day.

Don't ya' love the holidays?

Working on slowing down the pace here in Sarasota, your reading friend...whoops, I almost multi-tasked my signature line right out of the column.

Thanks for reading with me. It' so good to read with friends.

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Andrew Gross then read about great thrillers from: Hamilton Wende, Steve Perry, Caridad Pineiro, Sam Cole, Todd Strasser, Heather Graham, Craig Larsen, Jordan Summers, H. Terrell Griffin and Derek Gunn. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Under The Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. To comment on the book and get some holiday recipes from Suzanne, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NovClassics