Hello and Welcome!
Thank you for joining me today. The website has a whole lot of information about my books, but right now I want to get personal. Each month I hope to share some insight as to what inspires me, and what I am up to when I’m not writing.
Dear Friends,
Spring has come! Flowers, trees, and shrubs are blooming. It brings a sense of hope. The phrase “Hope Springs Eternal,” is interesting that the words “hope” and “spring” are linked together. Spring brings hope. I can live with that. Let’s “hope” the world will right itself, and people can live more harmoniously. If any of you had the opportunity to view the eclipse, it can give one pause. We truly are one under the sun.
Here we are in the month of May. I mentioned this a couple of years ago, but it’s worth sharing again. Did you ever wonder why they call it “The Merry Month of May?” It’s a poem from a play The Shoemaker’s Holiday written by Thomas Dekker (circa 1590) an Elizabethan poet and pamphleteer. It was first performed in 1599 by The Admirals Men, also known as The Earl of Nottingham’s Men, considered one of the most important acting troupes of The English Renaissance Theatre. The play depicts everyday life during the reign of King Henry VI. Here’s the first verse:
O the month of May, the merry month of May,
So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green!
O, and then did I unto my true love say:
“Sweet Peg, thou shalt be my summer’s queen!
One of the lines mentions “Kiss and Toy” so I’ll just leave the rest to your imagination. But isn’t it nice to know there was real heated romance way back when? I guess they don’t call some of the more current romance novels “Bodice Rippers” for nothing!
Getting back to this month. Mother’s Day is coming. Do something nice for your mother if she is still here. And if she isn’t, light a candle and say a prayer. A mother’s love never dies. And nobody’s perfect.
Speaking of families, my fur-babies are up to their usual tricks. Miz Boo insists on walking on my head if I don’t get up fast enough. I’ve been told that’s a “thing” with cats. I swear they talk to each other somehow, and I’ve caught them giving each other sideways looks. A bunch of wise guys. LOL. And they do make me laugh.
In addition to Mother’s Day, we have Memorial Day Weekend. I’ll share some simple holiday recipes. But first, on to book news. The paperback edition of ON THE LINE will be available May 21st. It’s about a young chef who is on his way to becoming the latest celebrity but becomes ill with a mysterious illness. While he’s recovering in the hospital, he sees a segment with José Andrés and how he began The World Central Kitchen in 2010 after an earthquake in Haiti. That much of the story is actually true. Since that time World Central Kitchen has been providing food relief to people who are suffering from natural and unnatural disasters. As of last month, the organization has served over 32 million meals. Again, that is also true. There is a lot of mystery and inspiration in the book, including how Mateo’s family escaped from the drug cartels in Columbia. If you haven’t read the hardcover, I hope you will enjoy it, and be inspired by good deeds.
This month’s contest: Two winners will receive:
Tote bag with signed copies of ON THE LINE, THE WILD SIDE, ROCK BOTTOM, HIDE & SEEK and TINY BLESSINGS.
Be safe, Be kind.
All the best,
Fern
It’s time for Fresh Basil!!
Watermelon Salad – Delicious and Pretty
Prep time: 15 mins
Total time: 15 mins
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 T fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 8-lb seedless watermelon cut into 1½-inch chunks
- 1 cup reduced-fat feta
- 1 small sweet onion
- 1 cup coarsely chopped basil leaves
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add the watermelon, feta and onion and toss gently. Garnish with the basil and serve.
Smoked Mozzarella Salad
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ½ cup low-fat mayonnaise
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 and ½ tsp.)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- ½ pound whole wheat penne pasta
- 2 cups packed baby spinach, washed and stemmed
- 4 pieces jarred roasted red pepper, diced
- ½ pound smoked mozzarella cheese, diced (use regular mozzarella if you can’t find smoked)
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the Parmesan cheese, parsley, mayonnaise, vinegar, garlic, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper with a hand mixer or in the bowl of food processor or in a blender until the dressing is smooth.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until it is al dente. Drain the pasta into a colander, run cold water over it or submerge it in ice water until chilled through, and drain well. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, spinach, roasted red peppers, and smoked mozzarella.
- Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. For best results, make this ahead of time and let chill for 2-4 hours before serving. Serve cold.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
20 minutes prep
8 hours cook time
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons paprika or try smoked paprika for more of that smoked flavor
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup water
- 10-12 slider buns or 8 regular buns
Instructions
- Cut pork into 3-4 pieces
- Mix all dried spices together and rub into all sides of the pork
- Place vinegar and water in bottom of slow cooker and add pork
- Cover and cook for 8 hours
- Remove pork and shred
- Serve on slider buns or Hawaiian buns
If you’re like me, technology can be a little confusing. Okay, a lot confusing, so here’s a little more info to help you navigate.
We put all my books from 2023 on the 2023 page and all the upcoming releases on the 2024 page.
The SERIES TAB explains each series and the books in the series. There’s a tab about me, Mary Kuczkir—yep that’s my real name; recipes, and my furry friends.
Thank you! Enjoy!
