Why Do You Read My Blog?

Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose. - Tom Krause

So, I'm told by the wonderful ladies at the Dandelion Blog that I need to offer my blog readers something of value, and a reason to stop by every day. Yanno, something besides my amazing wit (LOL) and the Daily Dakota.

Clearly I have to work on attention grabbing titles.

Obviously, I need to say stuff aside from, "It was windy yesterday (which it was!! WOW!)" or "Dakota ate the lamp cord and gained eight pounds since her last doctor's visit (which she did...and she should have gained more--the doc says I'm not feeding her enough, so she's now up to 4 1/2 cups of food, holy cow!)".

I wonder what it would take to get more readers here (not that I don't love my faithful group--I do, I DO)? What would entice folks who don't know me, and are reading the blog for the first time to return?

Memes are fun. The Booking It Through Thursday meme or Friday's Feast. But seriously, how many of those folks stick around on the other days of the week?

I'm not a PhD in anything. I know butterflies and gardening and a bit about writing. I know homeschooling and puppies and why you shouldn't live in the Northeast. I'm learning more and more about yesteryear: the 1920s-1970s (and yes, I know I lived through the 70s--which is why I HATE the fashions today, ugh, bell bottoms were bad enough the first time around--but I don't remember the deets. I was fairly small).

What can I offer my readers that is a good value? What can I talk about that would not only keep YOUR attention, but cause you to tell your friends?

I'm giving it some thought. Not that I'll stop gabbing (insert maniacal laughter here), but I'd like to offer something important. Exciting. Interesting.

Any thoughts?

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I added two new contests here. One is for an autographed book, and one is a contest with 21 prizes!! Look for the "new" indicators... or, if you haven't been there before, enter them all!

Go read Michele's free short story! Then head to her blog and let her know what you think...

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Your Daily Dakota--what's that? Could it be?



Yes!! It's a squirrel!! Let me at 'em!



(Don't you LOVE her crooked tail? I think it adds character...)

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Your Love is Represented by a Purple Rose

For you, love is all about chemistry and attraction. You totally believe in love at first sight. If a relationship is right, you know it from the start. You're often sure of your feelings. And you're not afraid to express them.

What Rose Represents Your Love?

Oooh... Kay.....

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Edited to add:

I forgot!! My friend and fellow Vintage author, Nancy Lindley-Gauthier had the release of her short story "A Painter's Brush With Death" released yesterday at The Wild Rose Press.

BLURB: He is more than adequately handsome, he drives that dreamy Stanley Steamer, and if only the elegant Sarah could get a sleigh ride in to town, she could set about checking on Mr. Roberts' background! It is infuriating, stuck as she is, waiting for their elderly Morgan's injury to heal. It is plainly beneath her to ride in on the delivery man's wagon, and it's not the sort of inquiry she can send by post. Mr. Roberts seems so utterly perfect, but he comes with too many unanswered questions. Ingenuity is called for, desperate ingenuity.

A lady is a lady at any time, even, as here, in the midst of the changing styles and culture of America just before 1920.


She asked me to share the following, and I happily agreed (the recipe looks REALLY good):

"Apple Pancake! My stars and garters... why don't we just plop down in the kitchen and eat with the serving girl!"

Even Miss Sarah Woods cannot explain how she manages to survive life among this common lot. Her delicate sensibilities, her natural charm... if not for her own steely resolve and ever-forgiving nature, she would certainly have been driven mad.

My dears, just to show what an kind soul she is, she has spent the afternoon at her desk, writing out numerous copies of her own secret and very French (of course!) Clafoutis recipe for each of you:

- 1.5 cups of condensed milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp of flour
- 4 tbps of sugar (splenda ok, but add a dab extra)
- 1.5 pounds of chopped apples (or pears)
- 1 teasp of vanilla

Directions:
lightly butter a mid-sized casserole dish
Pour in the fruit at the bottom.
In a container, mix 2 eggs, the sugar, the vanilla, the flour and the condensed milk.
Mix together and pour it on the fruit.
Bake in the oven at 350°F for 35 min.
Let it cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
serve wi: dollop of ice cream or whipped cream, or drizzle wi caramel
*if you have several small casserole dishes, its fun to make this up single-serving size -- this is delicately flavored, but you could add a hint of cinnamon

The Painter's Brush with Death: a short story, a romance (perhaps) and more... from sleighing to hosting a dinner party, Poor Miss Sarah must somehow live the life of a gentlewoman, here on the Coast of Maine, in 1919.

This is the start of a series, & is available on now only from The Wild Rose Press! For more information, see its page at TWRP here.