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The various processes involved in writing probably don’t matter as much to readers as it does to writers. And it might not be interesting but from time to time, the Universe drops in with an idewa that is also something of a reminder about the whole writing thing. It is also a bit of a guide to the difference between the “breeds.” There are pantsers and plotters and plantsers. And then there are puzzlers like me. Pantsers write “by the seat of their pants.” They get an idea, put words on paper (figuratively speaking because most of us work on computers these days) and tell the story as it occurs to them, ie. they make it up as they go. Plotters get an idea, outline, plan, and plot everything, writing from start to finish in an orderly fashion because they already know what is going to happen. Plantsers are hybrids. They plot but aren’t afraid to detour if a new idea pops up. And then there’s me. I write like I’m working a jigsaw puzzle. Anyway, this what the Universe had to say that got me off on this tangent.
I know a lot, Silver.
But what I couldn’t possibly know is what YOU will think next.
And for those very thoughts worlds will be born that even I could not have brought forth.
Thanks from everyone, everywhere, always –
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. No pressure, Silver.
Ha! No pressure? That’s easy for the Big U to say. But see, this why I think it is more fun to be a pantser (which I was in the beginning) and a puzzler. We shape the world as we go along. We color outside the lines. Don’t get me wrong. I am NOT putting down a plotter. They have very orderly minds and that’s to be admired. It’s just not me. I’m like that meme–mah brain iz like teh internets. Der are 33 tabs open, 6 are glitching and where teh heck is teh music comin from? So, let us see what worlds–and words–will be born and/or brought forth today. What world will you conquer today?
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Here it is Wednesday. Again. Wasn’t it just Wednesday like…yesterday? Time is blowing by so fast. January is almost over. Winter is just starting–at least weather wise. Some wag once said, “Time waits for no man–or woman.” We still have snow. At the rate the temps are going, we’ll have it until like…April. All that aside, I do have new words to share, aaaand they are award-winning. I took the “blue ribbon” in last week’s Thursday Threads challenge. This was the 691 week of the challenge and I’ve won 81 times. (I didn’t get into it until it was around 300 weeks.) Anyway, since I also won the time before, the prompt came from my snippet and is: *”Do not get in my way.”* I’ll leave the set-up for this scene to your imaginations.
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Ariel sprawled on the boulder, the very essence of insouciance. This was a role he knew well, having played it at court for hundreds of years. The dark fae stared at him. His only response was to arch one brow—a sure invitation to challenge him
Bran sighed inwardly. He hated these games. “Stand down, Orin.” The other fae did not respond so Bran cuffed him across the back of his head. The gesture earned him a growl.
“What’s the matter, Bran Fox? Mutiny in the ranks of the Queen’s Ravens?” Ariel drawled out the taunt, sarcasm evident in his tone.
“No more than usual. I do, however, find it interesting that the King’s Seducer has been reduced to a mere errand boy—and one who has failed to retrieve his target.”
Orin snarled at both of them. “Let me kill him and then we will be done with this.”
Ariel’s laughter rang out, as sweet as steeple bells chiming the hour. “You can try, Odhran Carragh, but I’ll not be caught in your trap so easily.”
Bran took a mental step back. How did Ariel know Orin’s true name? He grabbed the back of Orin’s leather jacket just as the man lunged toward Ariel. He flexed his magic and Orin stilled.
Sliding off the boulder, Ariel faced them, his face expressionless though power reverberated in his words. “Do not get in my way. And tell Mab her time is coming.”
“Tell Oberon the same. My queen is indeed coming, whether her time or not.”
****
I think the gauntlet has been thrown. What happens next will be interesting. At least I hope so becaue honestly? I haven’t figured that part out yet. Ah, the joys of being a closet pantser under the guise of being a puzzler. Time–and words–will tell. In the meantime, writers, write should that be your desire. I will not get in your way. Readers, what would you like to get out of the way so you can just sit and read?
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Since the snow won’t be melting anytime soon and powder snow is great for skiing or sledding but notsomuch for snowman building, I thought I’d reshare the recipe from several years ago. Who knew hot cocoa bombs are a thing? This b is a cute way to enjoy a mug of hot cocoa. They are fun to make, and they make great gifts. Kids and adults both love these easy to make hot cocoa bombs. It’s a hollow sphere filled with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows. The combination of milk chocolate powder and white chocolate is delicious. The creator used a 2.5 inch sphere mold to make them. She used edible markers to make a cute snowman face on the bomb. You can leave them plain or make another design. Polar bears would be cute!
Recipe details
Yield: 4 Bombs
Time spent
Prep time: 10 Minutes|Cook time: 20 Minutes|Total time: 30 min
Ingredients
2 cups white chocolate chips or wafers
1 cup hot chocolate mix
1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
1. To start, melt your chocolate using your preferred method. Be sure to stir often for a consistent and even melts
2. Once the chocolate is melted, use a silicone brush to brush it onto the sides, as well as the bottom, of your mold. The chocolate should be fairly thin but still be sure to cover the entire mold. Then, place the mold into the freezer for about five or ten minutes.
3. Now, place a pan on the stove and heat to a low temperature. Carefully remove one of your chocolate spheres and place it on the pan to smoothen out the bottom. This step must be done quick as to not melt the entirety of the chocolate.
4. From here, you will want to fill up one of the spheres with the mix and marshmallows. If you need to you can mound up the marshmallows.
5. Warm the other half of the sphere as to melt the chocolate. Now gently press on the half that you previously filled, holding carefully yet firmly for about twenty seconds. Place in the freezer for five minutes.
6. Use edible markers to draw on a snowman face.
To use, place in a mug. Then add warm milk or water. The chocolate melts and releases the hot cocoa mix. Stir and enjoy! CLICK HERE to check out all the details. Check out the picture for the process. –>
Since I only have one book that has a really big snowstorm in it, aaaan we aren’t that far past Christmas, I thought I’d share this for those creative types out there. I considered ordering the silicone molds to make these because I thought they were so cute. That said, I’m lazy. And cheap. However, believe it or not, one of my favorite former Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers–AND the heroine of THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PROPOSITION–learned to make these. And believe me, if Quinn can do it, just about anyone can. Now she makes them for gifts and stocking stuffers. Since she inherited such a huge family when she hooked up with Deacon Tate, it was sink or swim. You can read their story by clicking on the cover or the title. The link takes you to the Harlequin page. You can order the book from there or click on the link to your favorite on-line store. Pssst. I get a little more royalty when my readers by direct from HQN, so that’s a little extra present to me. 
What do you think? Fun or too much trouble?
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This is Nessie. She’s the garden statue that resides in the island in the center of my driveway. She’s pretty in the snow. And there’s a bunch of it! I measured in two spots. One was 6.5″. The other was 7″. Yeah… Lots of snow. On top of the snow came single-digit highs and subzero wind chills. I dashed out a few times over the weekend in order to refill bird feeders. My face hurt. After 2 minutes. Every time. 
In other news, not much else is going on. LG has to get out today–doctor appointments. The 2nd one is at night (an MRI) so not sure if he’ll reschedule. I have one Tuesday afternoon. Not sure the snow will be melted but hopefully the roads are a bit less snowy by then. I have AWD in my Highlander, along with 4WD low. I can get places. I’d just rather not. We’re still waiting on the paperwork and check from the insurance company on LG’s truck. They totaled it out. He’s found a replacement but can’t do anything without the check and paperwork on the old truck. Anyway. We have one car at the moment.
I did a little writing. I hope to do more this week. We’ll see.
I finished off my relisten of Suzanne Wright’s Olympus Pride series. It was fun. I’m about to finish off the 3rd book in Ilona Andrews’s Hidden Legacy first trilogy.. It just dropped in the Graphic Audio full-cast dramatized adaptation. Yes, I marathoned all three. I’ll wait on the second trilogy until they release from GA. I hope it is sooner than later.
In other news…there isn’t any. So, if you’ve survived Fern–and who the hell thought it was a good idea to name a ferocious winter storm freakin’ Fern?!?–I hope all is well and you are staying warm. If it’s in your area now, same wish. Stay save and warm! Anybody do anything fun? I’m bored.
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Well, 2026 hasn’t impressed me much. It’s been a long year and it isn’t even February yet. I miss Pete. The insurance company is totaling out LG’s truck but they’re giving him about 1/3 of what it will cost to replace it. That means he’ll have a car payment on top of insurance rate hikes. We’d paid off his truck and it was free and clear.It sucks. According to the Universe, all this just means there are other possibilities out there.
When something difficult or painful happens, Silver, always look to see what it makes possible that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.
Like a new adventure, a closer friendship, or chocolate in your peanut butter.
Everything makes everything better,
The Universe
©www.tut.comP.S. You are so nailing time and space, Silver.
So far, about the only thing I’ve nailed is peanut butter in my chocolate. I’m not sure I’m up for a new adventure and most people just irritate me. In fact, I irritate myself. I think I’ll fix another cup of coffee and stare out the window while I wait for something to happen. What are y’all waiting on?
]]>Another Wednesday, another prompt to inspire new words. I have some today. I’m also happy to announce that I won the Thursday Threads flash fiction challenge last week. The prompt is: *“Now you’re getting it.”* The prompt could have led anywhere but I ended up with this scene. And this scene might lead to some interesting places once I figure out exactly where it belongs. I’m not sure if comes before or after Titania’s appearance. While I’m figuring it out, enjoy the snippet.
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In a voice Jack Frost would have been proud of, Ariel said, “Now you’re getting it.”
Sade breathed slowly through her nose and forced her fingers to loosen their hold on the coffee mug in her hand as she very carefully and precisely set it on the table. As much as she wanted to throw her hands in the air and rant, she would not waste an innocent cup of coffee. “I’ve always gotten it, Ariel.” She held up one stiff index finger and very deliberately pointed it at the vampire approaching from her blind side. “Stuff it, Sinjen. This is between the…” She sputtered, wanting to sling a long string of curses. Never taking her eyes off him, she improvised. “Arrogant, mouth-breathing, insufferable fae.”
Someone cleared his throat—either Caleb or Nikos. Sade ignored the sound. Her focus centered on Ari. “I know what your kind are capable of.” She didn’t care that Ari flinched at the venom in her tone. “Titania and Oberon might be the light court yet things they’ve done are criminal in all fifty states and just about every country in the world. I don’t need much imagination to guess what Mab, as Queen of the Unseelie Court, is capable of. I get it, Ariel. Rock. Hard place. Tough shit. You either help me or you don’t. But hear me and believe this. Do not get in my way.”
“You don’t understand.”
“So tell me.”
“I can’t.”
“Then get the hell out of my way.”
****
There it is. Writers have fun with it if you can use the prompt. Readers, what’s something you’d like to “get” for yourself? Me? I’d like some new Sketchers. I plan to get a pair soon! 
Sometimes, you want something chocolatey, nutty, and yummy. Add the fact that it’s pretty darn easy to throw together, and what’s not to enjoy? In fact, the hardest part is waiting for it to cool enough to eat. It’s really hard not to nibble while it’s still warm.
Britt’s Hurricane Cake
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Additional Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 1 cup margarine divided
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 1 (15.25-ounce) package German chocolate cake mix plus the ingredients called for on the package
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
- 3 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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Melt and spread 1/2 cup of the margarine in the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan.
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Evenly sprinkle the coconut and the pecans into the bottom of the prepared pan and set it aside.
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Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions.
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Evenly pour 1/2 of the cake batter over the coconut-pecan layer.
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In a saucepan over low heat, melt the cream cheese and the remaining margarine.
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Stir the confectioners’ sugar into the cream cheese-margarine mixture until it is smooth.
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Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter layer. Pour the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese mixture layer.
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Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes.
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Let the cake cool.
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Slice and serve.
Going “Old Skool” romance with today’s title. TWICE THE TEMPTATION is still one of my favorite books in the Red Dirt Royalty Harlequin Desire series I wrote. Brittany Owens is a storm chaser and down in Texas during hurrican season. Cooper Tate is down there buttoning down his family’s drilling operations before the storm hits. In the eye of the storm, passion overrides common sense. When Britt came across this recipe, she couldn’t help but make it and serive to Coop. If you’re interested in their story, you can click on either pic that has the cover or on the title to head over to Harlequin to claim your copy. And trust me when I say, this cake is totally twice the temptation!
Baby it is cold outside! Brrrr. I just want to crawl back under the covers.
Mother Nature can’t make up her mind. Last week, it was late summer/early fall. This week? Winter is back in the driver’s seat. Sadly, it’s a dry cold. I mean cold rain or snow is not awesome, it is moisture and we are in drought mode around here. I’d take precipitation in any form. Besides, I have 4WD, good tires, and I’ve driven on the stuff since I first learned to drive. High today is supposed to be 2 degrees above freezing. *shiver*
Last week was a week. Real Life decided to give me a Gibbs Slap
. Between all the peopling, goodbyes and then the truck fire (we’re still waiting on the adjuster’s report about whether insurance will fix LG’s truck or total it so that we have go shopping), I feel like not a whole lot got done. In other words, things might be boring. Except they weren’t because…well, all the above.
Saturday meant indoor soccer. Thank goodness for that. I’m not a cold weather fan when it comes to sitting outside swathed in heavy coats, boots, gloves, hats, and blankets to watch kids run up and down a field kicking a ball. Inside just means sitting on uncomfortable bleachers for an hour or so. Stormy had a good game. Match. Whatever its called. The rest the team? Well, let’s just say their goalie got a massive work out. Ah well. There’s always next week.
I did a minimal amount of writing due to all the RL intrusions. ‘Nuff said.
I’m on the last book of my marathon relisten of Suzanne Wright’s Olympus Pride series. It’s full of sly humor, suspense, and down and dirty sexy bits. FYI, the majority of the Pride is made up of Pallas cat shifters, among other kinds. Next up is a marathon of the Graphic Audio full-cast adaptation of Ilona Andrews’s Hidden Legacy series. The third book drops tomorrow. Magic and mayhem in Houston. Fun times! And yes, I truly love the dramatic adaptations from GA.
With winter rearing it’s head this week, I plan on mostly staying indoors and hopefully, I can get my brain into writing mode so that I spend some serious time BICHOK (Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard). I’m fed up with the crap in my head and really need to suck down some serious caffeine and get my ass in gear. So that’s my plan. Barring any unforseen events. Like last week. *sigh* On that note, there’s fresh coffee waiting, rough draft words to be read and expanded upon. Anybody doing anything exciting?
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