Beginning

Welcome to my blog, thank you for stopping by. If this is your first time to my blog, it's nice to meet you. If you've been here before, welcome back.

My writing journey has begun. The road will have some bumps and detours. I only hope that the first hill is not too high, and the journey is long.














Saturday, December 17, 2011

Blog Winner!!


The Winner of the Christmas Stocking Blog Contest is:

Cynthia Chapman Willis


*claps hands* *happy cheers*

For Cynthia - I will be in touch with you to find out where to send the package. 

For Everyone - Thank you all for stopping by, the happy birthday wishes and sticking with me during my busy time at work.  Sorry I have been slightly absent.  Thanks for your patience.  I hope you all will stop by and say hello and congratulations to Cynthia.  Have a pleasant weekend. - Just, Maeve

Friday, December 9, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (47)

The Case of the Missing Snowman
(A Jigsaw Jones Mystery)
The Case of the Christmas Snowman (Jigsaw Jones Series #2)

Written by:  James Preller
Illustrated by:  R. W. Alley
     Theodore Jones a/k/a Jigsaw Jones likes to do jigsaw puzzles and solve mysteries. Almost everyone calls him Jigsaw Jones. Jigsaw owns a detective agency with the help of his partner Mila.

     In this book Lucy Hiller, a girl in Jigsaw's class, gets to take her dad's rare coin to school (without actually asking). She lets a guy named Bigs Malone hold it, but then it disappears Bigs says that he cannot find it. Bigs is now the prime suspect. But, is he really the one who took the coin? If you like mysteries you would like this book because Jigsaw is a great detective. Read how Jigsaw and Mila ruin Bigs' snowman and find the rare coin.

     Overall, this was another fun mystery book to read from the series and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read a good children's mystery.


Chocolate Snowball Cookies

Ingredients:

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
1 teaspoon almond extract
60 Hershey's® Kisses® Brand milk chocolates, unwrapped
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

1.Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, egg, flour, cocoa, almonds and extract until soft dough forms.


2.Shape dough into sixty 3/4-inch balls; wrap each around 1 milk chocolate candy. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.


3.Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.


4.Roll cookies in powered sugar. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Re-roll cookies in powdered sugar. Store tightly covered.


Makes About 5 dozen cookies
 
Don't Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!
 
Don't forget to stop by and check out my blog give-a-way:

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Blog Give-A-Way

     Since today is my birthday I am hosting a Blog Give-A-Way!  It is open to U.S. and International.  To enter please comment and share one of your favorite Holiday Children's Books (picture book, middle grade or young adult) along with a link to your blog so we can stop by and say hello.  The book can be an old favorite or a new one.  One of my all time favorites (and it isn't just a Christmas Story) is "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. 
Little Women (Little Women, #1)


I would have to list that as my all time favorite. 

Now for the Give-A-Way


Large Old Time Christmas Stocking, click for larger view

     A handmade stocking (12" high) filled with goodies, perfect for the writer.  This contest is open from today, December 6, 2011 through December 16, 2011.  The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on December 17, 2011 and the prize will be shipped to the winner.  So, please leave a comment along with a link so that we can visit your blogs and so that I can contact the winner.  Have a great day everyone!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Quotations for Inspiration

Happy Monday Everyone!  It is so hard to believe that it is December.  Here are a few more quotations to start your week:

You have to keep plugging away. We are all growing. There is no shortcut. You have to put time into it to build an audience.
- John Gruber

For now you know one of the greatest principles of success, if you persist long enough you will win.
- Og Mandino

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
 - Confucious

If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.
- Flavia Weedn

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
- Eleanor Roosevelt.

Hope you all have a great start to your week! 

Tomorrow is my birthday and because I love the holidays, I am going to host another blog give-away tomorrow.  If you have a chance be sure to stop by and check it out.  

Sunday, December 4, 2011

A Lovely Weekend In Maine

     Hi Everyone - My husband and I travelled for a weekend get-away with friends. We had the greatest fortune of staying at the Scotch Hill Inn in Ogunquit, Maine. The Scotch Hill Inn is wonderfully charming, the hosts, Michael and Michael are outstanding in their roles as hosts and Anthony is the perfect gourmet chef. So much attention to detail is given, not only with the clean, comfortable and cozy Inn, but also to your own sights, senses and needs. Each time we returned from one of our excursions the coffee, tea and fresh cookies awaited us; the fireplace was lit and the dining/sitting area was waiting for us for wine and conversation.

     On arrival at the Inn you are personally greeted, there is an array of coffees, teas and freshly baked cookies, elegantly displayed and waiting for you. Instantly, you know that you are in for a wonderful treat having chosen here to stay. The two course breakfast creations are positively delectable and will fill you for the entire day, holding you until dinner. Michael and Michael are engaging and informative and make you feel like you have arrived at “your home away from home.” Michael, Michael, Anthony and The Scotch Hill Inn are just the right combination of charm, warmth, style and grace.

     If you are looking for the perfect place, to rejuvenate, recapture or just relax, this is the “Perfect Inn” for you. I hope you have the opportunity to stay and see just how wonderful everything and everyone is.

     Here is a picture of the Inn and the link to check it out for yourselves. 

Scotch Hill Inn, Bed and Breakfast


         I hope you all had a pleasant and happy weekend!