Monthly Archives: April 2024

Fern Michaels > Blog WP > 2024 > April
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April 2024 Monthly Letter

Dear Friends,

Hooray for Spring!  Blooming flowers brings me so much joy, and we can all use some of that now.  I know the world is a mess, but we can’t give up on hope.  Pray, meditate, whatever brings you peace.  We have to think that way otherwise we will be depressed, and I know so many people are feeling down and exhausted.  Maybe vow to not watch the news for a day or two.  Take a walk.  Start your gardens.  Nature is a good antidote.  If it’s raining watch an old favorite movie.  Bake something delicious.  Meet a friend for lunch.  Reframe those photos that have been sitting in a box.  Do something that brings you peace, and a little satisfaction.

We have a rare cosmic event on April 8th:  A full solar eclipse will be seen by most of the states.  PLEASE be sure to wear special glasses.  You can buy inexpensive cardboard frames that are specifically designed for this.  And I mean inexpensive.  You can get a pack of ten for ten bucks, but make sure they are ASS (American Astronomical Society) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certified.

For the past two months I have been plagued with major computer issues, and I know I am not alone when it comes to techno nightmares.  And, if you’ve been through this, you know how frustrating it is, plus all the time wasted.  Being on deadlines makes it even more annoying, but here I am, back at the keyboard, until the internet decides to “take a powder.,” which means to leave in a hurry.  Some of you know that expression, but did you know where it came from?  Back in the 1920’s laxatives were in powder form.  When a doctor would prescribe it, you had to leave in a hurry!  I think it’s kind of funny.  But here’s something that’s not so funny.

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS.  THEY ARE INFILTRATING WEBSITES WITH REQUESTS FOR YOUR CREDIT CARD.  I WILL NEVER, AS IN NEVER, EVER ASK FOR THAT.  SCAMMERS HAVE SET UP WEBSITES USING PHOTOS FROM FACEBOOK.  WE HAVE CONTACTED THE AUTHORITIES BUT THIS IS SPREADING OUT OF CONTROL.  SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL.  IF YOU THINK IT’S A SCAM, REPORT AND DELETE IT.

Book news:  this is a little eerie, but I wanted to share it with anyone who hasn’t read ROCK BOTTOM yet, or if you did, you know it’s about buildings and bridges collapsing, and last week there was a terrible accident on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.  Gave me chills in more ways than one.

THE WILD SIDE is out now, and as I mentioned last month, Melanie Drake kicks butt as a retired OSI officer, brought back for a few missions while she is currently working as a guidance counselor.  She is a woman of many disguises as she escorts some of the richest men in the world.  Lots of intrigue, mystery, and two dogs!

This month’s contest we will have two winners.  Each will receive a pretty tote bag with signed copies of ON THE LINE, THE WILD SIDE, ROCK BOTTOM, WISH LIST and HIDE & SEEK.

Be well, stay safe, be kind, and remember to maintain a sense of humor.

All the best,
Fern

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April 2024 Recipes

Stuffed Shells 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. of large macaroni shells
  • 2 cups Ricotta cheese – please don’t ruin it with cottage cheese!
  • 1 cup parmesan or Romano cheese – grated
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley – the dried stuff doesn’t do it
  • ½ cup chopped fresh basil – this you can substitute for 2 tsps. dried basil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese – or more if you like a lot of cheese

Directions

Marinara sauce:  If you want to save time and have EXCELLENT sauce get a couple of jars of RAO’s.  Most grocery stores carry that brand now.  It comes from a family recipe at Rao’s Italian Restaurant in the Bronx.  The restaurant has only 10 tables and is considered THE hardest place to get a reservation.  For real.  It’s not even knowing someone.  It’s knowing someone who owns a slot who would be willing to give it up for you!

Cook the pasta al dente according to the package.  You don’t want them to get too mushy because you will be stuffing them and then baking them.
Drain and let them cool down a bit so you can handle them.

While the pasta is cooking – 10-12 minutes prepare the mixture.
Beat the eggs and mix ricotta and parmesan cheeses and herbs and blend. (The mozzarella goes on later.)
Fill each cooked shell with egg/cheese mix.

Preheat oven to 325.

Put a small layer of sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish.
Lay stuffed shells on top of the sauce. Its ok to overlap them if necessary.
Top the shells with more sauce, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.

Bake for 20 minutes.

They’ll think you have an Italian chef in your kitchen!

Short Ribs Slow Cooker 

This is SO easy!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. short ribs
  • 3 large peeled carrots cut into chunks
  • 3 cloves garlic – sliced
  • 1 onion sliced (can use leeks if you want)
  • 1 8oz. package of mushrooms (optional)
  • 2 tsps. Thyme
  • 1 8oz. can of beef broth
  • 2 cups red wine or alcohol free wine

Directions

Salt the ribs on both sides and brown in a little olive oil– 2 minutes on each side.
Remove from pan and set aside.
Sauté the onion and garlic in same pan used for browning the short ribs until wilted.

In crock pot add broth, thyme, wine, carrots, mushrooms if desired, then add the wilted onions and garlic and short ribs to the crock pot.
Set on low for 8 hours.

The meat will fall off the bone!

Creamy Cheesecake

Combine in blender:

  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 lbs. cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Pour blender mixture in graham cracker crust.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool slightly before spreading topping on top.

Topping

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Spread topping on. Bake at 475 degrees for 5 minutes. Refrigerate.
If desired, top with cherries (or 1 can of cherry pie filling) before serving.