Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 07-16-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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,

Thumb through your recipe box and dust off your notebook--it's that time again--time for you to enter the annual Write a Dear Reader Contest. This year's theme: "Behind every recipe there's a story!" makes it easy for anyone to enter.

You don't have to be a writer. Simply share one of your favorite recipes and then tell us the story behind it. Is the recipe a family favorite that's been handed down through the generations? Did your grandmother teach you how to make it? Tell us the story. Maybe your chicken salad recipe was your mother's favorite, and now every time you make it you think about Mom. The story doesn't even have to be about the recipe, it could be about what happened when you made the recipe. Make us laugh and cry, don't leave anything out. Open up and share your feelings. Let the story come from your heart.

Two Grand Prize winners and four Runner-Ups will be chosen. And, even if your entry isn't chosen, as one of the winners, your recipe and story could be featured in my next book. If you've read my book, Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life, you'll already be in the groove to enter the contest.

To see the prizes, guidelines and rules, and to read a sample recipe and story, go to: http://tinyurl.com/writedr

Thumb through your recipe box this weekend and enter. I'm looking forward to reading your recipe and story.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/July10Classics

 

Dear Reader Column 07-15-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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,

Book Club Goodies:

"Hi, Suzanne, our book club has chosen Muffins and Mayhem as our summer reading selection, and are wondering if you might be available to come and speak with us? We would be honored to have you come and talk with us about your book. I know the women in the book club will enjoy it as much as I did. We are very informal, and look forward to welcoming you as our guest!"--Lisa

Lisa's book club is right here in Sarasota, where I live. So stopping by is no problem. If you're a member of a book club that meets in-person in other parts of the country, check out Book Club Goodies at www.MuffinsandMayhem.com (It's listed on the left hand side of the page.) Let me know that you've chosen my book and I'll enter your group in a drawing. Every six months I'll do a random drawing and visit a book club in-person. We can cook a little together, have a potluck and you can even invite your friends and neighbors.

Also, I'd be happy to chat with the members of your book club over the phone, or using SKYPE, where we would be able to see each other and have a live chat. There's a Reading Group Guide and Author Q&A in Muffins and Mayhem and you'll find the guide at my website, too.

If you don't belong to an in-person book club, create your own. Let me introduce you to the 5 Selman Sisters, who sent this email and a photo.

"Hi Suzanne, The 5 Selman Sisters are enjoying reading Muffins and Mayhem in our new aprons. We had a good weekend remembering our lives together. We'll be trying out some of your recipes very soon. It 'is' fun to read with friends."--Louise

To see the charming Selman Sisters and to check out my Book Club Goodies or to get a signed bookplate for Muffins and Mayhem, go to: http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/content/book-club-goodies Scroll down the page to see the Selman Sisters.

** Time for you to enter the annual Write a Dear Reader Contest. This year the contest is even more exciting and the theme: "Behind every recipe there's a story!" makes it easy for anyone to enter. To see the prizes, guidelines and rules, and to read a sample recipe and story, go to: http://tinyurl.com/writedr Even if your recipe and story aren't one of the winning entries, it could be featured in my next book.

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Kathy Steffen, Theater of Illusion; Ann H. Gabhart, The Seeker; John Aubrey Anderson, The Cool Woman; William Nicholson, The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life; and William G. Boykin, Lieutenant General (Ret) & Tom Morrisey, Danger Close. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classics book is A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/July10Classics

 

Dear Reader Column 07-14-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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 invite you to enter the annual Write a Dear Reader Contest. This year the contest is even more exciting and the theme: "Behind every recipe there's a story!" makes it easy for anyone to enter. To see the prizes, guidelines and rules, and to read a sample recipe and story, go to: http://tinyurl.com/writedr Even if your entry isn't chosen as a winner, your recipe and story could be published in my next book. I'm anxious to read your recipe and story.

From my Email Bag:

"Suzanne, I laughed when I read your recipe for Orange Poppy Seed cake, because on the [same] weekend I made my favorite chocolate fudge cake which also uses a cake mix and chocolate pudding. Substitute the water in the cake mix recipe with milk, and at the end just throw in semi-sweet chocolate chips. Add a small package of instant chocolate pudding with the cake mix and blend. I find the Duncan Hines--Devil's Food the best. It's an all time favorite and I get a lot of requests for it.

Here's the recipe

3 eggs
1 small package instant chocolate pudding
1 package Duncan Hines Devil's Food Chocolate Cake mix
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 and 1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable Oil

Mix all above ingredients in a bowl (except for the chocolate chips). Beat on medium-high for two minutes. After mixture is well blended stir in the chocolate chips. Pour in a greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 for 45 - 50 minutes. Let cool.

You can either ice the cake and garnish with raspberries or strawberries. Or drizzle chocolate syrup on the cake and dust with icing sugar. The cake is very rich--so slice accordingly. Delicious. I usually make it the day before serving and refrigerate. It seems to taste better that way!"--Bernita Madott

(Suzanne replies:) Bernita, my grandson and I made your chocolate Bundt cake recipe yesterday and you are right, it's wonderful! We now have two favorite Bundt cake recipes in our house, yours and my Orange Poppy Seed Cake.

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/July10Classics

 

Dear Reader Column 07-13-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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,

Sample this month's Penguin Classic: A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov, go to: http://tinyurl.com/July10Classics

The Classics are timeless books that someone--actually a lot of folks--feel describe such powerful life situations and lessons, that they deserve a special place on the shelf and in our hearts. I'm just an everyday Suzanne, but the older I get, the more I consciously work at trying to create "classic memories,"--stories my family will remember and continue to pass on through the generations.

Writing my book Muffins and Mayhem was a difficult task, but remembering to make time in my schedule for creating classic memories with my adult children and grandchildren, is much more challenging. Recently I've made a commitment to myself and my daytimer to bake with Paul, my 3-year-old grandson, once a week. Baking cupcakes with Grandma is so much fun for Paul, that when he was at Sea World with his parents and brother, he announced, "I want to go to Grandma's and bake cupcakes!"

Will a three-year-old remember the afternoons he spent baking cupcakes in Grandma's kitchen? I believe in my heart they will become Classics.

Congratulations Meredith Tomkovitch, the winner of the Shop for Sheets Contest! Meredith has a queen-size bed and requested pink and/or green sheets. I shopped for sheets over the weekend and Meredith, beautiful 400-thread count green sheets are on their way to your front door. Sleep tight!

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

P.S. Time for you to enter the annual Write a Dear Reader Contest. This year the contest is even more exciting and the theme: "Behind every recipe there's a story!" makes it easy for anyone to enter. To see the prizes, guidelines and rules, and to read a sample recipe and story, go to: http://tinyurl.com/writedr

Dear Reader Column 07-12-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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,

Dust off your notebook--it's that time again--vacation time for me and time for you to enter the annual Write a Dear Reader Contest. This year the contest is even more exciting and the theme: "Behind every recipe there's a story!" makes it easy for anyone to enter.

You don't have to be a writer. Simply share one of your favorite recipes with us, and then tell us the story behind it. Is the recipe a family favorite that's been handed down through the generations? Did your grandmother teach you how to make it? Tell us the story. Maybe your chicken salad recipe was your mother's favorite, and now every time you make it you think about Mom. Tell us an exciting story. The story doesn't even have to be about the recipe, it could be about what happened when you made the recipe. Make us laugh and cry, don't leave anything out. Open up and share your feelings. Let the story come from your heart.

Two Grand Prize winners and four Runner-Ups will be chosen. And, even if your entry isn't chosen as one of the winners, your recipe and story could be featured in my next book. If you've read my book, Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life, you'll already be in the groove to enter the contest.

To see the prizes, guidelines and rules, and to read a sample recipe and story, go to: http://tinyurl.com/writedr

Thumb through your recipe box and enter. I'm anxious to read your recipe and story.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Kathy Steffen, Theater of Illusion; Ann H. Gabhart, The Seeker; John Aubrey Anderson, The Cool Woman; William Nicholson, The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life; and William G. Boykin, Lieutenant General (Ret) & Tom Morrisey, Danger Close. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 07-09-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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,

Be sure to tune in next week when I'll be publishing the guidelines and prizes for the annual "WRITE A DEAR READER CONTEST!"

If you've never entered the contest, don't be shy. There's no pressure. It's simply writing for fun, and this year, even if your entry isn't chosen as one of the winners, your entry could be published in my next book.

"Share a recipe and the story behind it," is the theme of this year's writing contest. Thumb through your recipe box, pick out some favorites, recall the stories behind them, and start writing. Don't get too serious. Just have fun. Whenever I let myself play with writing, (not striving for perfection) the ink flows and it's a magical moment. But I admit, even when I'm on a writing high, sometimes there's still a little bit of scared jitters in the background and that's when I need to have faith in myself.

Behind every recipe there's a story. Trust yourself, and your story will appear.

Have a wonderful weekend. Take a look through your recipe box and get ready to enter the annual Write a Dear Reader Contest.

*Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life Book Report: "Thanks, Suzanne for writing Muffins and Mayhem. I enjoyed every page, even going through the tough times with you. Your 'If life gives you lemons, make lemonade' attitude is an inspiration. I love your recipes and feel like I know you."--You take good care, Shelley

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

KIDSBUZZ: Wonderful books for kids and teens about coming-of-age, adventure and challenges, a fascinating history, and fun poetry from Mitali Perkins, Bamboo People; Sandra Alonzo, Riding Invisible; Sarah Albee, Poop Happened; and Robert L. Forbes, Beastly Feasts! A Mischievous Menagerie in Rhyme. See www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz to win books and learn more.

Dear Reader Column 07-08-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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,

"New and Improved!" Whenever I buy anything and it's the new and improved version, the manufacturer should really include at least a two-day prescription for Valium. New and Improved means it's gonna be a bigger pain in the behind, than the old broken down one I'm replacing. The old one worked just fine for 10 years; it's not broken, just worn out. New and Improved means the manufacturer replaced all of the features I loved with bells and whistles that I don't care about, and any way I can't figure out how to use them. All I really wanted to buy was another old-and-boring lock, but "New and Improved" was the only option on the shelf.

My husband and I celebrated the 4th of July struggling to install a New-and-Improved lock on our front door. Our old keypad, push button, lock had been periodically failing, and we knew the day of reckoning would come soon. (So thank heavens my husband had stored an emergency key to the back door in our car.) We liked the old lock and wanted to buy another one just like it, even though it had a mind of its own since day one. If we didn't push the four buttons of the key code, in the right sequence, including a little syncopated beat, no hesitation allowed, but rather: push, push...pushpush, the door refused to open until we got the beat right. But this past weekend, the door wouldn't open to any tune. So we had no choice but to buy a new lock.

Two trips to Home Depot, because each time we purchased the New-and-Improved version of our old lock and tried to install it, we were missing a piece of hardware. Three strikes and you're out! So on our third trip to the store, we bought a completely different brand. But when we tried to install it, the hole in our door was too small for the new lock. Bore out a larger hole in the door, fill in the old screw holes, and then paint the door--inside and out and turn on fans to try to get the paint to dry in the humidity...but at least now we have a matching set: a New-and-Improved door to go with our New-and-Improved lock.

Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life Book Report: "We just got married and I bought my wife the book as a gift as we begin this part of our life--and learn to live together, cook together, and share each moment of our life together."--Matt Thurman

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are six that deserve your attention: Sarah Hina, Plum Blossoms in Paris; Bonnie Leon, Touching the Clouds; Nancy Bush, Blind Spot; Sally John, Ransomed Dreams; Emilie Richards, Fortunate Harbor; and Vanitha Sankaran, Watermark. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 07-07-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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 don't give advice, but the advice I'd give to myself if I didn't have grandchildren would be to get some. Rent, borrow, or beg to take some little rug rats for a couple of hours. Cook, blow bubbles, walk through mud puddles barefoot, or take a walk in the woods and listen to the heartbeat of a tree. (Yes, believe it or not, you really can.) Life slows down when I spend time with my grandchildren. I watch and listen, and realize how simple life really could be, if I'd only let it.

Baking with Paul, my three-year-old grandson this past weekend, I was teaching him how to level flour when we measure amounts for a recipe. My grandson isn't concerned with the big picture yet--how the cupcakes will look or taste. Nope, he's in the moment, and at the moment, a one-cup measure was too big for him to grasp. Paul wanted to use the cute, little, red tablespoon to fill the measuring cup instead, because it fit his hand better. It might take longer, but it makes the journey easier.

I refrain from rushing, from saying, "Should Grandma help, so we can move things along?" Because Paul has the right idea, and I'm envious--it comes to him naturally. Somehow Paul instinctively knows the lesson I struggle to remember every day: It's when I slow things down that life brings me the most joy.

* You can still enter the bed sheet giveaway. I'll shop for your sheets. Go to: http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/node/372

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

Warmest regards,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

KIDSBUZZ: Wonderful books for kids and teens about coming-of-age, adventure and challenges, a fascinating history, and fun poetry from Mitali Perkins, Bamboo People; Sandra Alonzo, Riding Invisible; Sarah Albee, Poop Happened; and Robert L. Forbes, Beastly Feasts! A Mischievous Menagerie in Rhyme. See www.authorbuzz.com/kidsbuzz to win books and learn more.

Dear Reader Column 07-06-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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,

My husband and I love the feeling of sliding underneath a hotel's crisp, clean bed sheets. So a couple of years ago we bought two sets of 400 thread count sheets and decided to change the sheets on our bed every three days. It's an inexpensive luxury we really enjoy, besides there's a lot of action in our bed. (Don't blame the writer for where your mind just went. I'm talking about the three cats that usually end up sleeping in our bed.)

Actually it's amazing that my husband considers sheets such a luxury. Thirty-two years ago when we first met, my husband had full-time custody of his two children from a previous marriage. The first week we were married I remember his son coming down the stairs, wildly yelling, "Dad, Dad, there are two sheets on my bed!" The poor child was horrified until I explained that I was the one who'd put a second sheet on his bed. He asked if I'd put it there to make it easier the next time I changed the sheets. His theory: simply pull off the top sheet and the bed's ready to go for another week.

I couldn't understand why the bed hadn't always had two sheets on it, until my husband explained that being a one-sheet family saved time doing the laundry. It made sense (from a man's point of view), but never-the-less I introduced my new family to the top sheet concept, and ever since we've been a two-sheeted family.

Crisp, clean sheets, I thought I'd share the joy. I can't stop by your house and change the sheets, but I can send you a new set of sheets, so be sure to sign up for today's giveaway. New sheets for your bed. When you enter, be sure to include what size bed: twin, double, queen or king. And if you'd like, tell me your favorite color and I'll shop for sheets for your bed. Go to: http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/node/372

Muffins and Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life Book Report: "This [signed bookplate request] is for the 3rd book I've purchased as I keep realising what a perfect gift they make for my friends & relatives! This one is for Angela on the occasion of her birthday. She's been a dear friend for years, loves to read and cook."--Linda Friedrich

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

 

Dear Reader Column 07-05-10

Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO

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,

Reading and responding to emails from readers is the best part of my day.

"Hi Suzanne, My daughter purchased Muffins and Mayhem and had it sent to me as a surprise. I was also raised in the Midwest, so I am pretty much a meat and potato and bread person! The recipes have perked up my interest in trying some new dishes, and two or three are quite similar to some favorites that we already make and love. Yes, I will be making the porcupine meatballs soon. After reading a few chapters in your book, I have decided that I would love to have you for a friend or neighbor. I was so surprised to get a personal letter from you with the autographed bookplate. That is very special. Thank you again, Suzanne. I shall think of you every time I make one of the recipes from your book."--Carol Aasheim

Thanks for taking the time to write, Carol. Below is another recipe you might like to try. Simple, yet delightful and perfect for a picnic.

I'm a bake-it-from-scratch woman. I never use a cake mix--not that there's anything wrong with that. I just figure if I'm going to swallow the calories, I might as well make them as tasty as possible. Having said that, this is the only recipe that I use (so far, I may discover some more) that does call for a cake mix. But I have to admit it tastes great. You'll want seconds!"

Orange Poppy Seed Cake

1 pkg. white cake mix
1 lg. pkg instant vanilla pudding
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup cooking oil
5 eggs
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 tablespoon almond extract

Mix all ingredients on low speed until blended, then on high speed for 5 minutes. Pour batter into greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from pan.

Dust with powdered sugar or top with a glaze made with powdered sugar and orange juice. (Just mix some powdered sugar with orange juice until it's of a pourable, glaze consistency.)

* There are a lot of opportunities to win at AuthorBuzz today! Check out the link, it's right after my column. Visit AuthorBuzz, sign up for one of the authors' free giveaways, then send an email to me at Suzanne@EmailBookClub.com letting me know which author's giveaway you signed up for, and your email will automatically enter your name in a drawing for a $25.00 bookstore gift certificate.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.MuffinsandMayhem.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are six that deserve your attention: Sarah Hina, Plum Blossoms in Paris; Bonnie Leon, Touching the Clouds; Nancy Bush, Blind Spot; Sally John, Ransomed Dreams; Emilie Richards, Fortunate Harbor; and Vanitha Sankaran, Watermark. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader