Monthly Archives: December 2019

A New Year and New Chances

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Happy New Year!  While elsewhere people are preparing for parties, getting ready to watch the ball drop, I am taking a few moments to regroup and catch my breath.  2019 has been exceptionally busy for me; between work commitments, spending time with loved ones, and even squeezing in a vacation, the year has been very full and passed too quickly!

While today is a good day for reflection, the final day of the year is also a time to look forward.  Many of us make resolutions for the new year, to which unfortunately  we commit only half-heartedly , or that will soon loose our interest.  To me, the concept is still sound-we resolve to be better versions of ourselves, in whatever form we would like to improve.  Often, the motivation to change, to improve, is more important than the end result.  In other words it’s okay to try, and fail; it’s better than not trying at all, or loosing faith in our own potential.

There are a few things I would like to happen this year-I want to meet my Goodreads goals; I want to publish a new story that I’ve had on the back burner for a while; I want to take a vacation somewhere exotic this year, or at least somewhere I’ve never been before; and I want to achieve balance between my personal, day job, and writing lives.  Will I succeed?  I don’t know yet; but I’m going to give it my best shot.

Today is a good day to think about goals-about the people we would like to be this year.  I hope for the most of us, it is a chance to become, as Bill Murray’s character stated in the classic movie, Scrooged–“the people we have always wanted to be.”

Happy New Year everyone! I hope yours is a great one!

Happy Holidays!

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lighted reindeer decor
Photo by Ignored shots on Pexels.com

To all my friends out there, I wish you the very best for this Holiday Season.  May your fondest wishes come true, and may you experience joy, hope, love, and togetherness in abundance.

However and whatever you celebrate this time of year, please accept my heartfelt greetings for a Joyful Season and a Happy New Year!

Amy

Keeping the “Spirit” of the Holidays

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laptop computer macbook apple
Don’t let stress ruin your holidays!  Photo by Startup Stock Photos on Pexels.com

Are you enjoying this holiday season, or just going through the motions?  December especially can be so busy; there are always so many things to do and get done, before the holidays and before the end of the year.  Santa is not the only one who makes lists this time of year, and like his, ours sometimes seem unending.

Are you doing the things you need to do-shopping, baking, decorating, or whatever else because you want or choose to do so, or because you feel obligated?  The reason behind your actions can make all the difference in your attitude, and your stress levels, as you go about your day.

I know that though there is snow on the ground, and I’m anticipating my own grown kids gathering in the next week, I have to remember to keep the right mind set as I go about my daily tasks.

Those of us that work in the health industry sometimes especially feel the strain, as patients struggle to use insurance benefits and money in Health Savings Accounts before the end of the year, or while college-age kids are home for the holidays.  The volume of business, the crowds, and the inevitable waiting in line add to everyone’s stress levels and quell the goodwill feelings many struggle to keep.

Personally, I have learned the best way to manage everything is to learn to say “enough,” and sometimes “no.”  Ask yourself if some traditions are not important or meaningful to you at this point in your life.  Are there tasks or duties or events that you can say no to, or simply “let go?”

“Picking and choosing” which traditions you uphold, decorations you use, events you attend, or even the number of people you shop for does not make you a bad person, only a human with limited time, energy, and resources.  Eliminating some less important or more trivial tasks may even make more pleasant to be around, bring more significance to those things you choose to keep on your list, and give you more time to simply be with your loved ones.

When you are not overwhelmed by your chore list, the decrease in stress can really put you in the holiday mood.

I’m sitting and writing this before I get ready to go to work, another busy day in the season.  I am not done with my holiday preparations, but the end is in sight, so I can go about my day with a lightened heart, knowing that everything is okay.  I will get done all the important things.  I will not let the below-freezing temperatures, the traffic, the crowds, or the grumpy over-stressed customers get to me today.

I hope you all find your bliss, your holiday spirit, in the middle of the chaos today, and are able to enjoy the season for all it’s worth.

Happy Holidays,

Amy

Amy Caudill’s Reviews : Dead Beat

Book Reviews, , ,
Dead Beat by Jim Butcher
Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7) by

Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)
50275498

Amy Caudill‘s review

What can I say about this latest volume of the Dresden Files?  Dead Beat pits our favorite urban wizard-for-hire, Harry Dresden, against a group of necromancers vying against each other for the ultimate power gain.  It also features a host of both friends and foes, new and old, and a chance to actually see the White Council of Wizards as the good guys, instead of just the overly suspicious and judgmental group out to prove Harry is up to no good.

Of course, the story starts with a seemingly low-key private investigation, followed quickly by Dresden being blackmailed by a vampire sorceress, and even includes a hint of a possible romance for the lovesick Harry (still heartbroken over Susan) that might just cost Harry his soul, his will, and everything he has ever stood for.

I had trouble deciding exactly what the title of this one meant-does it refer to Harry’s half-vampire brother who is living on the couch in Harry’s apartment, or to the fact that Harry does so much magic in the course of this adventure that he is wounded and exhausted for most of the story, or even to the fact that (spoilers) Harry is recruited as a Warden, a sort of cop for the Wizard’s Council, and assigned his home turf as his “beat” ?

This story contains a lot of different side plot points, and a lot of references and characters that newbies to the series may not get, but it’s still a fun ride, especially when Dresden calls for reinforcements by means of a reanimated Tyrannosaurus Rex named Sue.  I give this epic five stars for creativity, and am relieved that the series is still going strong.  After all, I have eight more volumes to read through before the release of the next story, Peace Talks, hopefully to be released in 2020.

Holiday Brunch Recipe-Goetta Casserole

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family sitting near dining table and eating food
Family meals- such an important part of the holidays! Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Before I simply start sharing this recipe, there may be readers out there asking, what is goetta, and why should I care?

Goetta, pronounced “get-uh” is a dish that originated in southwestern Ohio, and was invented by German settlers in the 19th century.  It is a type of sausage made of ground meat (either pork, beef, or a mixture of the two), steel oats, and spices.  It can be fried in a skillet like sausage, or added to numerous dishes.  It is so popular in the Cincinnati area that it has its own annual festival.

 

Goetta- it’s a local  phenomenon!

My family is a transplant to the region, but goetta is one food that we’ve come to love, though we don’t eat it often because it’s definitely not the healthiest of fare.  However, for the holidays, we indulge and I often prepare this recipe for special breakfasts or brunches.  It does take time to make, because the casserole turns out best if it is prepared and then refrigerated overnight, before baking.  This also allows for a little less work in the morning if you have guests or excited children anxious to open presents.

Goetta Cassserole

Ingredients:

8 frozen hash brown patties, or one package frozen shredded hash browns

8 slices of goetta-one block (no pre-cooking required), or 1 lb bulk breakfast sausage, browned and drained

4 cups of any blend of shredded cheddar, Colby and Monterey jack cheeses

1 thinly chopped green onion, or equivalent in dried chives

7 eggs

1 cup milk

Season salt, plus ½ tsp table salt

¼ tsp pepper

Directions:

Place or press hash browns into a single layer in a greased 13 x 9 baking dish.  Liberally sprinkle with season salt.  Top with goetta, then cover with shredded cheese and green onion.

Beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper until well combined.  Pour over other layers in dish, coating well.

Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight, or bake immediately.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and bake casserole, covered with foil, for 1 hour.  Uncover and bake for 15 minutes or until edges are golden brown and knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Feeds 8-12 people.  Great served with fresh fruit and pumpkin bread.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

 

*If goetta is not available in your area, there is always the Internet.  Or, if you’re not feeling adventurous, the recipe would work for ordinary breakfast sausage as well, though make sure to pre-cook the meat before adding it to the casserole.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does, and I hope you’re doing well with all your holiday preparations and plans.

Till next time,

Amy