Tuesday, November 26, 2013

My Turkey and Gravy Recipe!

Required Materials:
Roasting Pan
Aluminum Foil
Turkey Baster
Meat Thermometer

Ingredients:
1: 15-20lb turkey (If larger may need to increase other ingredients)
1-2 stalks celery
1 large orange
1 onion (I prefer sweet)
1/2 to 1 head of garlic
1 big carrot or 8-10 baby carrots
1 1/2 to 3/4 bottle of ginger ale (2 liter)
1 can chicken broth
1 bay leaf
2 tbs. thyme
2 tbs. parsley
2 tbs. sage
1 tbs. lemon pepper
1 tbs. Seasoned Salt (Johnny's or Lawry's is best!)

(I know it's a long list, but it's totally worth it!)
Okay, here we go.

Preheat oven to 350
Mix thyme, sage, parsley, lemon pepper, and seasoning salt in a small bowl
Chop the onion, carrot, and celery
Peel the garlic and split into segments
Peel the orange and split into segments

Line the roasting pan with enough foil to cover the turkey.
Remove the neck and giblets from turkey
Rub the herb mixture inside both neck and rear cavities of the turkey and a little on the outside.
Stuff turkey with chopped onion, carrot, celery, garlic, orange segments, and bay leaf.
Place turkey in roasting pan.
Pour all chicken broth and half required ginger ale into the cavity.
Truss the turkey and pour more ginger ale over bird and around it.

Make a foil tent over the bird, but try not to have the foil touch it.
Baste periodically and remove foil to allow turkey to brown 45 min to 1 hr before done.
Turkey is done when thermometer inserted into thickest part of the thigh reads 180 degrees.



Here is estimated cooking time by weight:
10-15 lbs = 3 3/4 -4 1/2 hrs. 15-22lbs = 4 1/2- 5 hrs
22-24lbs = 5- 5 1/2 hrs. 24-29lbs = 5 1/2- 6 1/4 hrs

When turkey is done, remove from oven, cover, and let stand 10- 15 min before carving. This allows the juices to resettle.

Bonus Gravy Recipe:
Ingredients: (To taste and as needed)
Turkey drippings/ marinade
Milk
Cornstarch
Parsley
Thyme
Sage
Salt (if needed)
Black Pepper

Using the turkey baster, remove as much liquid from turkey as you need and heat it to boiling in a medium saucepan
Mix cornstarch with milk and add to boiling turkey drippings,
Slowly lower the heat and blend with a whisk.
thicken to desired texture and in the meantime season to taste with herbs and pepper. Try not to burn your tongue!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Weird Sh*T In A Writer's Desk Drawer Winner!!!

So sorry for the delay, everyone. First, it was hard to find a non-writer to judge the contest for me, then my poor judge was sick all weekend. On the promise of home cooked soup, he made it today to read through the entries.

After much deliberation and perhaps looking at quiet writers in a whole new way, he declared,

"I gotta give it to Tracey Reid for sheer ecclectic-ness."

So, congrats, TRACEY REID!!

Send your mailing address to annarkie12 @ Gmail.com!!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

CONTEST: Weird Sh*T Found in a Writer's Desk Drawer.



Okay, I've cleaned my desk out approximately 5 times in the 10 years I've had it. Today I opened a drawer for my cat to step on instead of my laptop (I'm training him) and I noticed more than a few oddities languishing inside.

Here's my at-a-glance inventory:

A Rose Rock from Oklahoma that my Aunt and Uncle gave me when I was 10.

2 industrial files (for metal, not fingernails)

The "N" portion of a 75 Chevy Nova logo

A Pen that resembles a bone.

A multitude of business cards

Miscellaneous nuts, screws, and bolts.

Feeler gauges

Tacky glue

Sega Genesis Booklets for Sonic The Hedgehog and Mortal Kombat II

A Maneke Neko (Japanese Lucky Cat) Chopstick Rest

CD Scratch Remover

A Wrench painted like a Christmas Ornament.

Sewing needles (I can't sew)

Scissors

Flashlight

A cigarette case

A bag clip

A steel... marble?

A knife

Misc office supplies and business cards.

This makes me curious about what other writers have in their desk drawers.

And now I want to run a contest.

For the chance to win a $35 Barnes & Noble gift card, open a random desk drawer and tell me what's inside. I'll assign some judges and announce a winner on Monday.   

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

My Awesome Time In The Limelight



See that? That's me at #27 on the Top 100 PAID Kindle bestseller's list! Wednesday MORNING!!!

Because on Tuesday I was a Kindle Daily Deal!!! Naturally I'd anticipated by Kindle sales (Which have been less than impressive) increasing a bit.

But I never expected to go up to 10064... to 133... to 57... and then to 36!

Also, I was #1 in all 3 paranormal romance categories!!!



With a reduced royalty rate due to the discount, it's not that much money, but for exposure, I was overwhelmed and overjoyed. I was above big names like James Patterson, Orson Scott Card, and Janet Evanovich!

Even though I knew that would be a very brief thing, it was still pretty awesome.

Then, when I woke up the next morning, I was at 27!!! With my book back at it's regular kindle price of $5.79. I think I'm at 64 now. So I'm still in the top 100.

For a newbie and relative unknown, this has been an amazing experience.

I want to thank everyone who spread the word and cheered me on that day and all who decided to give BITE ME, YOUR GRACE a shot!




Sunday, November 10, 2013

BRRRR!!! On Coping With Winter.



I wanted to call this post "Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring" but I didn't want to tease anyone else who is anticipating the release of those books.

However, it would have been an apt title because although I've lived in northern Idaho all my life, I'm one of those people who turns blue when the temperature drops below 70 degrees. Therefore, from November 1st on, I count down the days until Spring.

Four months of waiting for a tolerable climate can be tedious, so I remind myself of all the things I do to make the time pass more quickly.

1.) Write

As an author, that is always my first priority. And I definitely get more writing done without barbecues, fishing, and other fun outside stuff to distract me.

2.) Work on artistic projects

Drawing and painting are among my favorite indoor activities.

3.) Read

There is nothing better than curling up on the couch with a warm blanket and a book as the snow and wind howls outside.

4.) Make soup.

I think I have a soup fetish. I'd make and eat it year-round, but everyone else doesn't seem to share that sentiment, so soup making a much more successful endeavor when it's cold.

5.) Watch movies.

That couch and warm blanket are also wonderful for watching my favorite films.

6.) Enjoy the holidays.

Though winter sucks, I have to admit that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve are immensely enjoyable. I love making my famous turkey and spending time with my huge family.

What are some of your favorite things to do while waiting for Spring?

Friday, November 1, 2013

Halloween Fun Winner!!!



How'd everyone's Halloween go? Mine was excellent! Although my son is at the age where he's thinking he's too old for Trick-or-treating, he decided to humor me and let me take him.

"I'll even give you all of my Reese's, mommy," he said generously.

It was SO FUN! One lady thought I was his big sister and gave me candy too.

Then we ate pizza and candy at a Halloween party and did the time warp. 

Alas, my Jack Nicholson O'lantern fell apart that afternoon so it didn't look as cool that night.

I consoled myself with Reese's and hard cider.

Now to announce the winner.

Drummmmmmmmrolllllllllllll!!!!!!

The winner is HEATHER!!!

I'll email ya and see which e-book format you prefer!

I hope you enjoy reading BITE ME, YOUR GRACE!!!