Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column -- June 30, 2021

Dear Reader,

I'm on vacation this week, but ahead of time, I've organized a Summer Fun Recipe series. If you have some guaranteed winners you'd like to share with readers, send them my way.

Strawberry muffins. First time I'd ever made them was also the first time I'd ever made muffins at 5 a.m. Up, down, up, down, all night long. I couldn't sleep, so finally I gave up trying. It was a nice, cool morning, so I took my coffee, and a bowl of fresh strawberries, and sat on my screened-in front porch. Sipped a little coffee; sliced and chopped fresh strawberries. It was oh, so quiet early in the morning, and before the sun came up, strawberry muffins were baking in my oven.

They tasted divine. The very best way to eat these muffins is right out of the oven. No butter needed, just peel back the paper liner and enjoy.

STRAWBERRY MUFFINS

I used fresh strawberries, and I also used more than the recipe called for--about 2 cups total. If you use frozen berries, you need to make sure they are defrosted. I think I'm going to try raspberries in this recipe, too.

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries

Topping
3 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I did not use all of the topping. Just a light sprinkle of the mixture does the trick.)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and mix well. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to butter mixture. Add vanilla. Gently stir in strawberries. Spoon batter into muffin pans.

Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over muffins.

Bake at 400 degrees for 18-25 minutes, depending on your oven.

Makes one dozen muffins.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column -- June 29, 2021

Dear Reader,

I'm pleased to welcome today's guest author, Dr. Chloe Carmichael. I'm sure you'll enjoy her column and she has a unique giveaway for readers at the end.

When I was a young child, one of my parents' dinner guests was a psychologist. When she told me about her job, my big takeaway was, "Wow, you just sit in a nice, cozy room and people just come and tell you all their secrets? And as an added bonus, you actually get 'paid' for this? Sign me up!" As a little girl who treasured the chance to be trusted with secrets and feel close to others, this sounded like a dream job.

As life went on, I actually ended up in therapy myself by my teenage years--I had some very difficult times in my youth, and I truly credit therapy for saving my life, literally and figuratively. Eventually, I became a private yoga teacher in New York City. I loved helping people find peace through the physical poses of yoga, but I soon realized I was more interested in the mental side of meditation and personal strength than the physical postures.

Around the same time, I remembered that early childhood experience of feeling drawn to becoming a psychologist--but this time, the reason was much deeper than just wanting to know secrets. I wanted to learn more about the healing process of therapy that had helped so much in my own life, and become more skilled at helping others too. Thankfully, New York City had several amazing doctoral programs and I was able to get started quickly. The academic path was long and challenging, but it was truly a labor of love.

Life is often full of surprises, and I never could have imagined the path that would lead me here, but I am eternally grateful that it did...and of course I can't wait to see what the next chapter will bring! So far, I've built my dream practice, been featured on TV many times as a psychologist, and written two books--Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating, and my latest book Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety, which just came out in March. I'd love to hear from you! Please email me at books@drchloe.com if you'd like to enter for a chance to win 1 of 3 copies of Nervous Energy by sharing with me anything from your favorite book to your favorite way to handle anxiety, to anything else in between!

-- Chloe Carmichael

More About Today's Author:

Dr. Chloe Carmichael holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Long Island University. Her private practice focuses on stress management, relationship issues, self-esteem, and coaching. She is also a former adjunct college professor, yoga instructor, psychologist for the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, and co-chair of a committee for the New York Junior League. She has been published in various academic journals, and has been featured on VH1, Inside Edition, ABC Nightline, and other media. She lives in New York City.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column -- June 28, 2021

Dear Reader,

I'm on vacation this week, so I'm featuring a series of Summer Fun Recipes. Favorites of mine that are guaranteed winners. If you have some favorites of your own, I'd love to share them with readers.  Send them my way.

If I find one great recipe in a new cookbook, one that I can use on a regular basis, then to me, the cookbook is a real keeper and worth every penny I paid for it. Retro Recipes from the 50's and 60's, by author Addie Gundry, is one such find. She assures us that the vintage recipes in the cookbook, everyone will love.

There are 103 recipes in the cookbook, I made a list of 23 that I recognized from my childhood, and I can't wait to make every one of them.

Goulash was a staple in our house when I was growing up, and the 1950's recipe (below) tasted exactly how I remembered it.

1950s GOULASH

"The waves of immigration in the early 20th century brought foods from all around the globe to the American palate. Goulash, a traditional Hungarian dish, was one that resonated with the American public due to its comforting mix of ground beef, pasta, and veggies."

Ingredients

1/3 cup, plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 yellow onion, diced
1/2 cup beef broth
2 (15-oz) cans tomato sauce
2 (15-oz) cans diced tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 T seasoned salt
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 T paprika
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

Directions

In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and saute until browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

Add the garlic, onion, and remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, seasoned salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the uncooked elbow macaroni. Stir well until everything is combined.

Cover once again and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Once cooked, remove and discard the bay leaves. Serve.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

Dear Reader Column -- June 25, 2021

Dear Reader,

I'm on vacation. Hopefully I'm cooking, sewing, gardening and doing a bit of nothing in between. While I'm away, I'll be featuring a Summer Fun Recipe series. Favorites of mine that are real winners and easy to make.

The first time I made my Shrimp and Vegetables recipe (below), my guests were impressed. They wondered if I ordered dinner from a restaurant and plated it on my dishes, but I didn't. Easy and elegant, it tastes amazing, only takes 10 minutes to prepare, and then a quick stir fry.

SHRIMP WITH VEGETABLES
(You can double this recipe and it works just fine.)

1 T vegetable oil (that's the amount in the original recipe, but I always use a little more.)
1 pound med-large shrimp, shelled and deveined
8 oz fresh broccoli, cut into small pieces
2 cans (4 oz each) whole button mushrooms, drained
1 can (8 oz) bamboo shoots, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced thin
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp oyster sauce
1/4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger (or equivalent of dry)
1/8 tsp seasoned pepper

Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add shrimp and stir-fry until pink, about 3 minutes.

Add broccoli to wok, stir-fry 1 minute. Add mushrooms and bamboo shoots, stir-fry 1 minute more.

Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl, mix well. Pour over shrimp/vegetable mixture. Cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens, about 2 minutes more.

I serve it over rice and to make it easy, I buy the vegetable rice in the microwavable bags. Enjoy! If you have a stir-fry favorite recipe, please do email me a copy.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader Column -- June 24, 2021

Dear Reader,

I'm in a party frame of mind. Actually, I've been "partying" in my mind for the past six weeks. It's a challenging task, when you're the family party person, especially because something in me just can't simply make a nice dinner, bake a two-layer birthday cake and sing the "Happy Birthday" wishes to the birthday boy or girl, or man or woman.

I think it's a party sickness that comes over me. Whenever I think, 'Oh, this time I'll just do a simple family birthday party,' eventually I get that party itch real bad, I start dreaming party themes and before I know it I'm hanging dinosaurs and pterodactyls from my ceiling, putting tiny birthday hats on cows, pigs and horses, or setting up carnival games in the yard. I can't help myself. And I have the feeling my family is glad.

Our local family is made up of five adults and three grandchildren. Over the years I've discovered it's easy to take a party theme, normally designated for kids, and turn it into a memorable party for everybody. Even the adults wear funny hats and dance the hula at my parties.

This coming Sunday I'll be hosting a father/son birthday party. My husband and our son's birthdays are three days apart, so it's a dual event every year. This year the party theme is Art. Kids and adults will be doing the same activities at the party and when they're finished, they'll have artistically created their own party "favor" to take home.

To see some of my past party themes and to get a pre-party look at this Sunday's theme, AND to enter my party giveaway, click here.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise this title deserves your attention:

(Fiction) DARE TO TEASE by Carly Phillips

Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column -- June 23, 2021

Dear Reader,

Suzanne is out today but she leaves one of her favorite columns for you to read.

There was a notice in the church bulletin: "Take communion to shut-ins. Classes starting soon."

In the beginning my only mission was to take communion to Amy every Tuesday and I'd bring along a copy of the Sunday church bulletin. Amy had been a member of the church for years so she liked listening to me read the bulletin, because she'd recognize a lot of peoples' names mentioned.

Amy and I made quite a pair--both of us were creative souls, whose body parts weren't cooperating with them at any given moment. Amy had terrible eyesight because of her age, she was 96, and I'd recently been diagnosed with an eye disorder that left me walking with a red and white cane. It was a weird eye disorder, ironically one that usually only affects people Amy's age. But I was only 27 and wasn't able to keep my eyelids open, which might not sound like a big deal, but when your eyelids won't stay open, you bump into walls and walk off of porches.

There was a religious script to follow for communion; same order and words every time, but it wasn't too many Tuesdays before Amy and I were ad-libbing a bit and I don't think the "Big Guy" minded at all. After we finished the communion prayer making sure the "Be Thous" were in their proper places, Amy and I would add our own personal requests: Amy had a doctor's appointment Friday and was worried about getting down the long flight of steps in the back of her apartment. I was a frustrated because I couldn't make a decent pie crust. I realized there were a lot more serious things to be worried about, but baking seemed to be good therapy for me while I was waiting to find out if my red and white cane was going to be a permanent way of life.

"You want to learn how to roll a pie crust?" Amy asked after the "Amen."

So the following Tuesday Amy taught me how to roll a pie crust. It was simple following her step-by-step instructions, or maybe it was because the dough knew better than to argue with a 96-year-old pie crust veteran. After sampling the pies we decided we liked the eating part of our get-togethers, so every Tuesday after communion we started having lunch together. And after I discovered that Amy used to play piano in a swing band, we started making music--she played piano and I sang along. Amy's eyesight was so bad she could barely see the piano keys, but it didn't matter because she'd always played by ear anyway.

A relationship is give-and-take, if it's a good one. Looking in from the outside someone might have thought my relationship with Amy was one-sided, taking communion to a shut-in. It was not. I met a woman who'd led a life that I could only hope for and she was coming down the homestretch with finesse and grace. I'd been visiting Amy for over a year and I could tell that it was getting harder for her to do things. So it wasn't a complete surprise when I got a call from her son, "You should come for your last visit with my mother."

I don't know what other people were thinking as they were sitting in the pew at Amy's funeral, but I could see her playing the piano in the swing band, baking and serving meals to be remembered by her family and I could see Amy down on her knees in the pew, hands folded, thanking the Lord for one heck of a special life. And I was fortunate to be part of it.

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

Warm regards,

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader Column -- June 22, 2021

Dear Reader,

Guest author Nancy Thayer writes... I've lived on Nantucket Island for thirty-six years with my husband Charley. We have two children and five grandchildren and I eavesdrop shamelessly to them and all their friends and often use bits of their lives in my books. I'm a reader as much as I'm a writer, and I confess that I was thrilled to be able to spend so much time reading because of Covid. Charley and I make ground turkey tacos twice a week. He chops the veggies and I brown the meat, and we move around the kitchen in what I call the Taco Tango. I love walking around the small old-fashioned town, or on the beach during a winter storm. When my family goes to the beach, I stay home in my garden, reading a book.

Nancy's new book--Family Reunion, is about a longtime Nantucket resident trying to make the best of a lonely summer. Her spirited granddaughter is learning what she wants out of life. Unforgettable surprises await them both in this magical, multi-generational novel.

You can reach out to Nancy, https://nancythayer.com/contact-nancy

I have a confession to make.

I'm an American, but I'm addicted to watching news about the British royal family.

I don't follow any other celebrities, but when anything happens to Queen Elizabeth and her family--and isn't there a lot happening right now?--I'm obsessed.

I comb through different formats like newspapers, magazines, television programs, and social media to check out the same news over and over. I talk to my friends about the royal family. I talk to my husband about them, even though he doesn't care and isn't even pretending to listen. I wonder if Meghan Markle's green ensemble is a tribute to Princess Diana's outfit.

It started with Princess Diana, of course. When she was married, I held a wedding party at my house at four in the morning with several friends. I served a full English breakfast and champagne. When I went to London to visit my British editor, I bought hats. I subscribed to a magazine called Royalty. When Princess Diana died, I mourned her deeply. It was like a flaw in the working of the world. I stopped subscribing to Royalty.

I've always adored Prince William and Prince Harry. Even though I found Queen Elizabeth stuffy and unsympathetic to Princess Diana, I've admired her and felt a weird kind of loyalty to her.

Sometimes I think all this is because I'm shallow and enjoy looking at the glitter.

Sometimes I think I'm deeply interested because the royal family is a 'family.' I've joked to friends that Queen Elizabeth's family makes my family look normal.

I don't wish that the United States had a royal family. If we did, every time I saw Camilla in a fancy dress, I'd be bitter that my taxes were paying for it. And all those homes they have when so many people are homeless is just not right.

Maybe it's all about the gorgeous, golden-wheeled, horse-drawn carriage. Its image blurs in my mind with Cinderella's carriage. I loved that carriage when I was a child but not so much now. Maybe it's about romance and myth.

I know that for my granddaughters, Wonder Woman and Elsa and Anna from Frozen are the women they care about, and that seems like a good thing.

Queen Elizabeth has carried the weight of that romance for decades now. When she's gone, will Americans be as addicted to the royal family? I don't think I will be.

-- Nancy Thayer

You can reach out to Nancy, https://nancythayer.com/contact-nancy

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

Dear Reader Column -- June 21, 2021

Dear Reader,

I've acquired a bad habit. Every night for the past three weeks, I've been indulging in a Tillamook strawberry ice cream cone. It's the absolute best ice cream I've ever eaten in my life--no exaggeration. So I guess the adjective "bad" in front of "habit" could be up for discussion.

The habit part, that's true. For certain this ritual has become a habit: (definition) "An acquired pattern of behavior that often occurs automatically." Cone to mouth, and I automatically take a big bite (how could I not? Oh my god, this ice cream is so good!)

But bad? (definition) "Of poor quality; inferior or defective." No way, because the first ingredient listed on the back of the sexy little container is: cream. Cream costs more than milk, so it has to be a superior product.

I'm in heaven and all is well with the world when I'm eating my strawberry ice cream cone. But I realize I need to rein it in. No doubt about it, my evening ritual has become a habit, some might even say an addiction. Because 'mind over ice cream' isn't working. I tried "not" to eat an ice cream cone the other night, but I couldn't resist, and my failure surprised me. Because forty-three years ago I woke up one morning, decided to quit smoking, and I did. But then again, as I recall, it wasn't my first attempt to quit. I had to ease into the idea.

So I decided to ease into breaking my ice cream habit, too. It may sound crazy, but for a few nights instead of eating a cone with ice cream in it, I just ate the cone. I closed my eyes and imagined that every bite of that cone was covered in strawberry ice cream. My husband thought I was crazy. Crazy. (definition) "Mentally deranged, esp. as manifested in a wild or aggressive way: 'Stella went crazy and smashed a mirror.'"

Okay, so maybe my idea isn't perfect. I did have a little setback last night.

"Suzanne went crazy and smashed an entire box of ice cream cones."

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.

DARE TO TEASE (Fiction) by Carly Phillips

I'm so excited to bring you Brianne Prescott's story. She's used to handling jocks for a living and fending off men with an agenda. Brianne is feisty and confident but she's been hurt. And she needs Dr Hudson Northfield to prove he's with her for all the right reasons. When Brianne discovers Hudson needs a wife to access his family trust fund, her illusions are destroyed. Can he prove his love for her has nothing to do with her being the wife he needs?

To win one of five copies, click on Authorbuzz and the book jacket to enter or email:  1001DarkNights@gmail.com

Go to: AUTHORBUZZ click on DARE TO TEASE to read more and to email author Carly Phillips, you'll get a reply.

Dear Reader Column -- June 18, 2021

Dear Reader,

Yesterday my house smelled like homemade spaghetti sauce. The good smells in my kitchen gave me the illusion I was playing house. All was right with the world. All was right with me.

When I was a little girl my Grandpa Hale made a kitchen counter and cupboard for me. It was a beautiful piece; drawers, cupboards and the counter was covered with material you'd find on any fancy kitchen counter. One of my favorite childhood photos is of me standing in front of the cupboard, a wooden spoon in my hand, stirring something in a bowl that's sitting on the counter. An apron's tied around my waist and Moochie, my dog, is sitting on the floor by my feet.

Cooking up wonderful things in my kitchen, it makes me feel safe and secure. I stop thinking about the problems in life, only concentrating on the recipe and looking for opportunities to add my own special touches. When I stray from the recipe, if it doesn't turn out; maybe it tastes strange, or collapses in the middle--that's okay. If it can't be salvaged, I simply toss it out and start over again. I'm easy on myself.

But when I step out of the kitchen and take off my apron, I'm much less forgiving of my mistakes. Hopefully someday I'll learn how to play house in the real world, too.

Suzanne's Spaghetti Sauce
Makes a double batch

2 pounds ground beef
2 medium or large onions, chopped
(Or buy ready-made seasoned meatballs at the market)

4 cans (15 oz each) or two 30 oz cans of tomato sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
2 T minced fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried, if you're not ready to go fresh)
2 tsp minced fresh oregano (or 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano, if you must)
4 tsp sugar
1 tsp seasoned pepper

Cook ground beef and onion until meat is brown and onion tender. (Or if you're using ready-made meatballs, brown all sides and cook not quite through. They will finish cooking in the sauce.) Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for at least 1 1/2 hours. Stir occasionally.

Serve over spaghetti or fettuccine noodles.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: Two great books for kids and teens--If you're looking for a book on friendship, embracing your authentic self and food (!), ARE YOU A CHEESEBURGER? written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo, is just right; and middle-grade magicians and mystery fans will be mesmerized by THE CONJURERS #1: RISE OF THE SHADOW by Brian Anderson. For a chance to win free copies, to talk with the authors, and more, click here.

Dear Reader Column -- June 17, 2021

Dear Reader,

What adds happiness to your life? Readers share their thoughts after reading recent columns about my frog lamp and bubble machine. To see photos, (including book club reader Marcia's bunny), click here.

"Hi Suzanne, I had to take a few minutes and tell you (after reading the first paragraph), how your message about negativity in the news resonated with me. I feel similarly and have been refraining from watching the evening news, as it depresses me. I commend you for seeking out the positives in life. I need to remind myself to do that more often, as well. The fact that you enrolled in a 'happiness' class at Yale is a major step in the positive direction! I absolutely LOVE your husband's birthday gift. The lady frog is so cute!

She reminded me of my book lover bunny, that I discovered in a local garden center. I have the bunny laying on a little table in my bedroom, and I like to give her little belly a playful tickle every time I pass by. My bunny appears there every Memorial Day, and returns to her spot in a box in the attic, after Labor Day every year." -- Marcia G.

"That is an adorable (frog bedside) lamp. I just love his bony toes and fingers. I don't collect frogs, but I love to look at them and have several of the solar frogs. My sister lives in Florida, so I come down for a couple of months around Christmas to get out of the weather here (I live in Ashe County, NC), it can get pretty hairy during the winter months. I haven't written to you before, but I read your email every day. I have been a member of your book club for quite a while and have won some books. Keep the happiness coming!" -- Doris B.

"Good morning! I absolutely love your frog lamp! That's a wonderful gift to keep someone smiling. I like the idea of taking the Yale class. Anyway, to bring a little joy into one's life is a good thing. You are a way that I bring some joy to my day. Your emails are upbeat, insightful, personal and relatable. And then I get to read! What could be better?" -- Mary Lou R.

"I really like the story about your bubble machine, especially about the couple whose baby was born premature. I look forward to reading what you write, every time, you are a bright spot of my morning." -- Sincerely, Patti

"Dear Suzanne, What's it all about? Well, if we didn't have people like you in this world, it would be a very dull and gray day indeed. Suzanne, you brighten so many people's lives, not only with your bubbles, but just by your writing. Even when you are down, you help others by letting them know that they are not alone--others are there struggling too. With your pictures of your family and everyday activities, you send rays of sunshine out into the reading community, hitting those folks who are needing cheering up at that particular moment with a dose of your humor, your generosity, and your hopefulness. So a big thank you to you, for spreading your warmth, sunshine, and bubbles out all over this crazy world. You are very much appreciated." -- Cheers! Judi K.

* Congratulations to Linda H., the winner of the kitchen timer, and to Susan G., the winner of the writing journal.

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

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com

KIDSBUZZ: Click here to discover new books, "meet" the authors and enter to win.