Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 12-31-09

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Dear Reader,

I asked the folks on my staff to write about one of their favorite Christmas memories during this holiday week. Today, Patrick and Diana share one of their favorite Christmas memories and a tasty recipe, too. Patrick's memory has become a Nerf gun family tradition that started years ago...

"I have two younger brothers and one year we decided to get Nerf guns and go around shooting one another throughout my mother's house. Each year we make it a point to have the Nerf guns ready and loaded after Christmas breakfast is done. As we grew older, the guns became bigger and more elaborate. What started out as a dollar store one-shooter turned into bazookas and Nerf rocket launchers. We've all grown and now have children of our own and the kids are included in the mix as well. This favorite pastime is always something we look forward to on Christmas morning."--Patrick

Diana remembers a special memory from Christmas day at Grandma's house . . .

We would always go to my Grandma and Grandpa's house (they lived about half an hour away) with our cousins. We (the kids) had a special table set up in the living room with Grandma's special vinyl table cloth that had Christmas on one side and Happy Birthday on the other. We even had lit candles on our table which my older cousins would freak us all out by putting their finger through the flame. We'd exchange gifts and have a wonderful time together. Then the evening always ended with us loading up on our wood-paneled station wagon (six kids) and having to back out of the driveway and then stop in front of Grandma and Grandpa's picture window where they were standing waiting for us to turn on the dome light in the car and we'd all wave one final wave good-bye. We'd travel down the road just a bit...waiting, and waiting for my dad to start singing. No one else could start...we had to wait for Dad. He always picked the song, sang the first verse and then we all joined in...all the way home!!

Our favorite recipe we make every Christmas Eve.

HEAVENLY ONION CASSEROLE

2 large white onions
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms
1/2 lb. Swiss cheese
10 or more slices French bread (buttered)
2 T. butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Butter a 9 x 13 inch casserole pan. Chop onions. Slice mushrooms. Saute onions and mushrooms in butter and put into casserole. Shred Swiss cheese over above. Butter French bread on both sides. Put bread on shredded cheese. Mix soup, milk, soy sauce, salt and pepper; pour over bread. Make this a day ahead; refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serves 10-12 people.

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

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Mary Balogh, A Matter of Class; Robyn Carr, Forbidden Falls; Beth Wiseman, An Amish Gathering; Steve Hamilton, The Lock Artist; and Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Wench: A Novel. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 12-30-09

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,

I've asked the folks on my staff to write about one of their favorite Christmas memories during this holiday week. Today, Lori shares and a recipe for Creamy White Chili and a Christmas memory.

Creamy White Chili

I love making this because everyone seems to really enjoy it. Also it has a little bit of a kick that warms you up in the cold months.

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

In a large saucepan, saute the chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add the beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream.
Yield: 7 servings.

One of my favorite Christmas memories is from when I was eight years old. Cabbage Patch dolls were really popular that year. I had wanted one so bad, but my parents couldn't afford much that year. So Mom worked all Christmas Eve to make me one from a doll's head she found in the fabric store. It looked just like the real thing, and I was more than happy to get it as a gift. My dad also made a cradle for it.

That year my parents made gifts and gave some of their personal treasures to me and my five siblings, and we were all so happy for what we received. The years that money was tight ended up being some of the best.

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

Happy Holidays,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 12-29-09

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've asked the folks on my staff to write about one of their favorite Christmas memories during this holiday week. Today, Jean, shares one of her favorite Christmas memories and a recipe for Good Sugar Cut Out Cookies.

MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORY by Jean

One of my favorite memories of Christmas happened when I was about six or seven years old. Every year my family would spend Christmas Eve at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Verona, Wisconsin. It was always a great time, good food and lots of laughs.

This particular Christmas, my oldest brother, Mike, who is ten years older than me, had to work so he didn't join us. We had just finished dinner and the adults were sitting around the table chatting when the phone rang. It was my brother Mike. He was all excited, and told us that when he came home from work Santa had already visited our house! Well, I was ecstatic! We couldn't leave my aunt and uncle's house fast enough!

We went home and got to open a few packages that evening and saved the rest until Christmas morning. Of course, years later I realized that Mike had come home and put all the packages under the tree to surprise us (still not sure if Mom and Dad were in on it). It was one of my most magical memories of Christmas.

My recipe is for cut-out cookies. I got the recipe from a woman I worked with years ago and I make them every year with my kids. They turn out delicious every time. My kids have been doing all the decorating from the time they were 3 and 5, and now they're 17 and 19 (yes, they still love to bake together!). I guess that's probably why I love this recipe so much, because it's fun to see my son and daughter working together and having fun (except when they fight over the red sprinkles!).

GOOD SUGAR COOKIES (cut outs)

1 cup shortening
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix like pie crust.

Beat and add:

2 eggs
4 Tbsp. milk (1/4 cup)
1 tsp. vanilla or nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. soda

Mix and chill two or more hours. Roll and cut out. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes. Cool before decorating and no fighting over the red sprinkles!

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

Happy Holidays,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Sandra Brown then read about great thrillers from: Carole Nelson Douglas, Lee Goldberg, Charles Kipps, C. E. Lawrence, Michael A. Black, Carla Neggers, Brad Parks, Jonathan Hayes, Richard Belzer & Michael Black and David Morrell. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org

 

Dear Reader Column 12-28-09

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've asked the folks on my staff to write about one of their favorite Christmas memories during this holiday week. Today, Tina shares her Gram's French Apple Pie and a Christmas memory she says is a little "corny" but I think it's very sweet.

Tina's favorite Christmas memory. . .

It's a little corny, but here it goes. My husband (who wasn't my husband yet) and I moved to Florida from Massachusetts away from all of our friends and family in 1988. We were very young (I was only 18 and he was 19). We had no money, I was a full-time college student and only worked part-time and he had just started a new job making $8.00/hr which had to cover all of the household bills. We were all alone, 1300 miles away from family and it was Christmas.

I was really sad. It was my first Christmas away from home, and we had no money to fly back home for the holiday. There were no presents under our three foot Christmas tree, adorned with a few strands of garland and one Ornament, ("Our First Christmas Together" ornament that we still put on the tree every year). We didn't have any money to buy gifts for each other, so we bought the tree and the ornament instead.

Anyway, waking up Christmas morning was not something I was looking forward to, after all, there was nothing to do--no presents to open. When I got up, I noticed there were ten little tiny presents under the tree. What?!! Where did they come from? My husband had bought and individually wrapped ten bottles of nail polish that he got two for $1.00 at the pharmacy and wrapped each one separately so that I would have something to open on Christmas morning. Twenty-one years later, we are still together and still talking about our nail polish Christmas.

Gram's French Apple Pie

This is my favorite because it reminds me of my grandmother. I use to love when she made it, or when we made it together. She passed away eight years ago from brain cancer and I miss her every day. Gram's pie is always a request whenever I go anywhere, and I need to bring a dessert. In fact, I'll be making it twice this Christmas--once for my family and another pie for my husband's family.

6 Cups Apples
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cups milk
2 T. margarine
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Bisquick Baking Mix

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease pie pan. Mix apples and spices together in a bowl. Pour into pan. Beat remaining ingredients until smooth (1 minute). Pour over apples.

3/4 Cup Bisquick Baking Mix
1/2 Cup chopped nuts
1/3 Cup brown sugar
3 T. margarine (softened)

Mix with fingers until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of pie. Bake 55-65 minutes.

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

Happy Holidays,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Mary Balogh, A Matter of Class; Robyn Carr, Forbidden Falls; Beth Wiseman, An Amish Gathering; Steve Hamilton, The Lock Artist; and Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Wench: A Novel. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 12-25-09

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,

Merry Christmas from everyone at the bookclubs!

Suzanne, Bob, Amber, Bob R., Bryan, Diana, Jean, Linda, Lori, Mary, Patrick, Susan, Tiffany, Tina and Valerie.

Dear Reader Column 12-24-09

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,

A few years ago, I tried my hand at writing some poetry--an amusing version of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, and now it's become a tradition at the book clubs.

Okay, I admit it's a bit hokey, but it's really kind of a catchy little number once you start reading it. It's got a syncopated beat, and if you throw in a little sing-song rhythm, you'll be smiling by the end of it.

"'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs"

'Twas the night before Christmas and in every house
all good book club readers were clicking their mouse.

They'd hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see
What their email had brought them on this Christmas Eve.

A five-minute break to read a good book
Was just what they needed, but oh my--look...

When they opened their email, no read could be found.
"Oh no, we're afraid Suzanne went out of town.
Could she have forgotten to send us our read?
How could she do this in our time of need?"

The readers all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their emails and settled in for the night.

"Could we have misplaced them? Did we hit the wrong key?
Did it go in our deleted files?" Oh such misery.
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key,
One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.

Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and they smiled
And they settled into their chairs to read for awhile.

Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids,
But it's still such a mystery where that email had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn't see?
Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?

Good boys and girls are on Santa's list
And good book club readers he vows never to miss.

It's been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their heads.

But in the quiet of night, before things came to an end,
They heard, "Thanks for reading with me,
It's so good to read with friends."

I wish you peace and joy,

Warm Holidays Wishes from,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: Carla Neggers, Cold River; Terri DuLong, Spinning Forward; Lauren Ulm, Vegan Yum Yum: Decadent (But Doable) Animal-Free Recipes for Entertaining & Every Day; Liz Maverick, Crimson & Steam; and Julie Kenner, Tainted (The Blood Lily Chronicles). Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 12-23-09

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,

A few years ago, I tried my hand at writing some poetry--an amusing version of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, and now it's become a tradition at the book clubs.

Okay, I admit it's a bit hokey, but it's really kind of a catchy little number once you start reading it. It's got a syncopated beat, and if you throw in a little sing-song rhythm, you'll be smiling by the end of it.

"'Twas The Night Before Christmas at the Book Clubs"

'Twas the night before Christmas and in every house
all good book club readers were clicking their mouse.

They'd hung all their stockings, decorated their trees
And now it was time to sit down and see
What their email had brought them on this Christmas Eve.

A five-minute break to read a good book
Was just what they needed, but oh my--look...

When they opened their email, no read could be found.
"Oh no, we're afraid Suzanne went out of town.
Could she have forgotten to send us our read?
How could she do this in our time of need?"

The readers all panicked, they shivered in fright,
They pined for their emails and settled in for the night.

"Could we have misplaced them? Did we hit the wrong key?
Did it go in our deleted files?" Oh such misery.
And then in a flash, with a stroke of a key,
One by one, they discovered their Christmas Eve reads.

Their eyes how they twinkled, they laughed and they smiled
And they settled into their chairs to read for awhile.

Their hearts were delighted, they felt just like kids,
But it's still such a mystery where that email had hid.
Was it there all the time and they just didn't see?
Or did Santa step in and do a good deed?

Good boys and girls are on Santa's list
And good book club readers he vows never to miss.

It's been a long night, time to climb into bed,
So they shut down their computers and laid down their heads.

But in the quiet of night, before things came to an end,
They heard, "Thanks for reading with me,
It's so good to read with friends."

I wish you peace and joy,

Warm Holidays Wishes from,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 12-22-09

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 to everyone who shared a favorite Christmas memory with me. It was so much fun reading your stories that I thought everyone should have the chance to read them.

Everyone who submitted a Christmas memory had the chance to win the Christmas book collection. It was a random drawing, and the winner was..."ta-da" Chris Jager. Congratulations Chris! I sent your books out via speedy mail, so you'll have them in time for Christmas.

To read all of the Christmas stories that readers submitted, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ydza2zk

Looking for a great holiday recipe, visit my recipe blog: http://tinyurl.com/yuf6aq

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

Merry Christmas,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 12-21-09

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,

Seeing is believing..."Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!" And yes, folks do win the stuff I give away at the book clubs and they have loads of fun when it arrives in the mail. Click on the link below, to see six pages of happy winners. There are some real make-you-smile pictures you won't want to miss. (Thank you so much for sending photos.) http://tinyurl.com/ye9ub3e

And sometimes I'm the person who gets the gift. A very big thank you to book club reader, Joanne McKenna. I visited Joanne's book club group the other day and as a thank you, Joanne gave me a gorgeous apron, handmade especially for me. I was very touched by her kindness.

To see the apron, and my antique tea pot some readers' requested a photo of, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yd7au6f

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

Merry Christmas,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: Carla Neggers, Cold River; Terri DuLong, Spinning Forward; Lauren Ulm, Vegan Yum Yum: Decadent (But Doable) Animal-Free Recipes for Entertaining & Every Day; Liz Maverick, Crimson & Steam; and Julie Kenner, Tainted (The Blood Lily Chronicles). Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

 

Dear Reader Column 12-18-09

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,

Today my husband and I have been married 31 years. It feels like we've been together all of our lives, yet it also feels like we're just beginning the journey. Such a happy, loving marriage, we are truly blessed.

Wedding anniversaries make you think about love and romance, but that's not what I'm thinking about today. (Not that there's any problem in the romance department.) Today, I feel thankful and so very fortunate to have married a man who has helped me create a life that I never dreamed possible, until I met him. My husband makes me feel loved and cared for, and he's given me the opportunity to experience a sense of family--something I never felt when I was growing up. And whenever I want to learn something new, my husband supports my desire to try and cheers me on.

It's true anniversaries make you think about love and romance, but I guess what I'm trying to say, is the most romantic moments of my marriage are in the day-to-day happenings of life, and being married to my dear husband makes me love every minute of them.

Happy Anniversary, Bob...Love, Suzanne

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

* Find recipes for the holidays: http://tinyurl.com/yuf6aq

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT BIG THRILL? Read the "Between the Lines" feature interview with Sandra Brown then read about great thrillers from: Vincent Zandri, Stephen Coonts, Gina Robinson, Bob Doerr, Al Roker & Dick Lochte, Deborah Shlian & Linda Reid, Patrick Woodrow, Linda O. Johnston, Richard Doetsch and Heather Graham. Go to: http://www.thrillerwriters.org