Yearly Archives: 2022

Fern Michaels > Blog WP > 2022
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February 2022 Monthly Letter

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you and your loved ones safe and well.  In February of 2021 I wrote about being a year into the pandemic, and now it’s two years!

Last year I wrote about Ground Hog Day and here I go again!  If you recall the movie, it’s about a cynical weatherman who gets trapped in a time loop where he keeps reliving the same day over and over again.  Sound familiar?  But there is a deep message in the story.  If you have the opportunity to do things over, what would you change?  We can’t change the past, but we can make better decisions about the future.  How’s that for an inspiring message from someone who is freezing her pantaloons off in chilly South Carolina?  If there is no such thing as global warming, someone needs to have a chat with Mother Nature because she didn’t get the memo.

Speaking of weather, we had a monster wind storm a few weeks ago that blew all my holiday decorations all over.  Saved me time from putting them away.  LOL.  Now that the Christmas ornaments are gone or packed, I wonder what the cats will destroy this month.

It seems the month of January flew by.  I hear a lot of people saying it’s as if time is moving faster.  It’s true the solar system is hurdling through space, but I wish it were more like the wind blowing through your hair as you tour a stunning countryside in your fabulous Lamborghini, or the sports car of your choice.  Or, perhaps riding on a beautiful horse through hills and valleys.  Just thinking about that kind of freedom makes me feel better.  Even if it’s only for a few minutes.  A-ha!  Maybe I should think about such things more often.  They say 1 minute a day of deep breathing and visualizing something beautiful can lower your blood pressure.  I’m all for that!

We have Valentine’s Day coming up.   I already told the cats “white chocolate, please.”  I leave empty wrappers around to drop hints.  Kidding.  But do you remember those little dye-cut cards we’d send each other in grammar school?  In some ways it was cute, in others it was cruel if you weren’t the recipient of any.  I had a teacher who put everyone’s name in a hat and each kid picked a name.  This way everyone would get at least one card!

And now I am going to do another Ground Hog Day paragraph, because it’s still important to remember.  If no one buys you candy this year, buy some for yourself.  Or buy yourself a new purse.  Treat yourself to something.  Even if it’s simply a walk in a park away from everyone who keeps asking you to do stuff.  We shouldn’t have to wait for other people to do something nice for us.  I am sure most of you have had your hands full for way too long.  A little retail therapy works wonders.  Even if it’s just a new lipstick.

For book news:  19 Yellow Moon Road is # 9 on the New York Times Best Seller List!  I am agape and agog.  This is book # 33 in the series.  I never thought it would have so much traction.  Honestly!  I started writing it because it was the only way I could met out justice in our mixed up world.  I guess a lot of people feel the same way.  It’s so gratifying to see justice served.

This months’ contest is a signed copy of  a new edition of  Southern Comfort in a new format with a new cover.

Be well, be safe!  Take care of yourself.

All the best,
Fern

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February 2022 Recipes

Last year I gave you a Pasta Fagioli recipe, but found an easier way to make it in a crock pot. It’s simple and inexpensive.

Pasta Fagioli   (pronounced Pasta Fa-zool)

This is more like a stew.  If you want it more like a soup, see note at the bottom.

Ingredients:
(3) tablespoons of olive oil
(3) cloves large garlic chopped
(1) medium onion chopped
(1) tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or (1) teaspoon dried
(1) teaspoon dried oregano
(1) 14-oz can diced tomatoes
(1) 16 oz. can of tomato sauce (I like Rao’s with basil)
8 oz. vegetable or chicken broth
(2) 8 oz. cans Cannellini Beans (drained and rinsed)
¾ lb. dried (uncooked) small pasta shells (I like the shells because the beans get nestled in them and they hold the sauce better)
1 cup grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese
½ cup dry red wine
Salt and Pepper
Crushed red pepper – optional  (you can put it on later or add to the mix to cook)
Fresh chopped basil – for garnish

Directions:
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil – put it crock pot with the rest:
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, wine and herbs, Add parmesan cheese and  pasta and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  If it starts to get too thick add a little more broth
Garnish with basil, more grated cheese and crushed pepper.  This will last in the frig for a week and in the freezer for a couple of months

Easy peasy

For soup:
Add 2 chopped carrots and 3 stalks of chopped celery, and 16 oz. of vegetable of chicken stock – follow same directions

Another easy recipe: (I think they call this a “hack” – quick solution?)

Chicken Soup

Ingredients:
½ roasted chicken from the grocery store – take the meat off the bone and set aside
(1) large onion – sliced
(2) cloves garlic – minced
(2) large carrots – cut in chunks
(3) stalks of celery – cut in 1 inch chunks
(3) tablespoons fresh copped parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried)
(1) tablespoon fresh chopped dill (or 2 teaspoons dried)
(4) cups chicken stock
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Add noodles, rice or barley – cook according to instructions or add to soup directly

Directions:
Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, celery until soft
Add chicken stock, herbs and shredded chicken
Simmer for 45 minutes

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January 2022 Monthly Letter

Dear Friends,

This is what I wrote a year ago:

Let me start with wishing everyone a happy, healthy, stress-less 2021.  If you feel like you’ve been living in the spin-cycle of the washing machine, you are not alone.  2020 was a year where you wanted to hide under the bed as we were bombarded with bad news on a daily basis.  So, for this new year’s resolution let’s “resolve” to be strong and kind.  I know it’s hard to be pleasant when your life is in chaos,  but remember you are not alone.  We are all going through this together, even if we are apart.  Hang in there.  I truly believe better days are ahead.

It  doesn’t seem like much has changed, eh?   Feels like life is a hamster wheel or a recurring nightmare.  All I can say is the same things I said before.  Be strong.  Be kind.  Have faith.  And yes, I still believe we can get back to an old normal, because this new normal is kind of stinky.

The cats managed to mangle a few Christmas trees.  They think ornaments are toys.  Next year I may invest in rubber ornaments if they make them.  If they don’t, then someone should!  Based on the stories I heard, most pet owners would buy them for sure!

Once again I want to thank you for all your support last year and the years before.  Your kind words on social media mean a lot to me.  I’m not a big fan of social media because too many people use it in negative ways, so I greatly appreciate positive feedback and spreading a little cheer.

Time to talk books. For those of you who are Sisterhood fans, 19 Yellow Moon Road is on sale now.   If you haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, have no fear.  There is a lot of back story so you don’t have to start at the beginning of the series. This one was interesting to write because it deals with a very wealthy man who lures young women into a sex slave enterprise.  Sound familiar?  The subject has been in the news lately.  Sometimes I scare myself when I write about things that eventually happen.  Believe me, I do not claim to have any psychic abilities whatsoever.  It just seems to occur from time to time. Too bad I can’t do that with the lottery!  So this month’s contest will be a signed copy of 19 Yellow Moon Road.

No matter where you live, the weather seems to be unpredictable.  We’ve had temperature swings from 65 to 35 degrees in two days.  I worry about the trees and the plants.  They have no idea what’s going on.  Come to think of it, it seems like the weather has the meteorologists perplexed as well.

Let’s hang on to our hats, coats, and pantaloons and face the New Year with as much gusto as possible.  To help with that I am including some comfort food to fuel your soul.

Be well, be safe.  Be kind.  Have fun.

All the best,

Fern

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January 2022 Recipes

Easy Minestrone Soup  (Minestrone comes from the Italian word Minestra which means soup!) Easy Soup Soup!

This is a very healthy, hearty soup.  It can keep in the fridge for about a week, and you can freeze it.

Ingredients:

  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil – I prefer Italian olive oil (EVOO or Light – up to you)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
  • 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup uncooked pasta (Mezzi Rigatoni or Shells)
  • 1/3 cup teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Sauté the celery and onion in oil and butter until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

Stir in the broth, tomato sauce, beans, chickpeas, tomatoes, basil, parsley, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add macaroni; cook, uncovered, 6-8 minutes or until macaroni and vegetables are tender.

Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve with crusty bread.

Another hearty stew/soup:

CABBAGE & BEANS     

  • 1 (8 ounce) package dried beans, soaked overnight (or 16 oz canned white beans, drained)
  • ½ pound smoked sausage (or your favorite vegan substitute – sounds like an oxymoron to me) Pepperoni or Chorizo is good for this – set aside a few slices for garnishing
  • 16 oz chicken or vegetable broth
  • 5 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes

Directions:

In a large pot, combine the beans, sausage, broth, cabbage and butter.

Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and set a lid on top but leave a crack for steam.

Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Remove the lid, add the tomatoes and; simmer 15 to 20 minutes.

And if you’re in a cheesy kind of mood:

Grilled cheese sandwiches.  Here are a couple of my favorites.  BTW, did you know you can substitute mayonnaise (the real stuff) instead of butter?  I recently discovered that many diners use it in place of butter.

Grilled Swiss Cheese, Bacon & Tomato – I like it on Rye Bread

Make sure the bacon is cooked first.

*Slather up two slices of bread with either butter or mayo.  Place slathered side down on medium heat in frying pan.

Place 2-3 slices of Swiss cheese on each slice of bread.  When cheese starts to melt top with bacon and a slice of tomato.  Let melt for another minute.  Carefully flip one of the slices over and place on top of the other – cheese meets cheese.   Yummy.

If you want a little tang:
Sourdough bread
Provolone
Cheddar
*Same routine as above substituting cheeses

Even more tang:
Your choice of bread
Monterey Jack
Jalapeno peppers – as much heat as you can stand
*Same routine as above substituting cheese and adding peppers

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