Today, the new contest begins. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the process, here’s how it works: everyone who comments will be automatically entered. Two winners will be chosen at random, and notified by Jen. Once we have our winners’ snail mail info, we’ll ship each of them an autographed copy of my latest book. If you won’t win this time around, no worries. Just keep entering. 
I was fighting a cold all weekend, so I whipped up a batch of my homemade chicken soup–good stuff. I already had a pot of bone broth brewing in my big slow cooker/roaster, which holds 18 quarts. The bone broth is super nourishing, and it’s really quite easy to assemble the ingredients; it has to simmer for around 24 hours, however, which is why I use the cooker instead of a regular kettle on the stove. That being broth day, I also made a batch of mushroom broth, for future risotto. My cousin called to ask if I was writing or resting, and I said neither–the cooking was no problem, but the clean-up wore me right out.
I’m still on my kids’ book kick, and listened to three books by Tara Dairman over the weekend, while cooking. Her stories about an 11-year-old foodie named Gladys Gatsby are delightful–I loved them all. The first is ALL FOUR STARS, the second is THE STARS OF SUMMER, and the third is STARS SO SWEET. If you thinking of giving books as gifts this year (always a good idea), I can certainly recommend these clever, entertaining and painlessly educational stories–I was prompted to purchase Vietnamese Cinnamon–by Gladys! She’s a restaurant critic for a major newspaper, not to mention a world-class cook in her own right, so she knows these things. Yes, a restaurant critic, at the ripe age of 11. And that’s another thing I liked about these books–they show kids doing amazing things, and if they inspired me, they’re bound to do the same and more for children. I sure hope there will be further episodes, because I’m hooked.
NORTH OF EDEN is coming along well–I’m about halfway through the book–and I’m loving it. Because I’m writing about the actual battle at the moment, I have to stop and check facts a lot, but that’s okay. I learn something new every time.
A shout-out to Karen, my good friend in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Karen jumped out of bed in the middle of the night, tripped over her sleeping dog, and broke her foot! She was quick to assure me that the dog was not hurt. Feel better soon, Karen, and stay off that foot. And the dog.
That’s the news for today, my friends. Thank you for stopping by.
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Can’t wait to read your new novel! I love the civil war period!!! Hope you are feeling better
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Hi Linda, the soup sounds so delicious. And I’m very much looking forward to North of Eden. Old west historical romances are my fave.
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I have never been a very good cook. But I remember helping my mother make home made vegetable soup. I had the honor or cutting all the vegetables. Just wish I could have written down more of her recipes before she passed away.
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Has two family members with colds over the Thanksgiving holiday and I don’t want to catch it, so I made chicken soup. Favorite way to feel cozy and warm.
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Sure hope you get rid of your cold soon!
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Hope you get over your cold soon . Cannot wait to read your new book .
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I can’t wait for your new Civil War series. Hope you are feeling better.
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Hope you are resting and getting better everyday
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I am re-reading your McKettrick series and I am enjoying it just as much as I did the first time. Get well soon!
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Hey Linda hope you feel better soon. I was worried about as we had not heard from you Glad your back hope Karen’s foot heals quickly
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The books sound interesting. I am so excited about the book you’re currently writing and I’m impatiently waiting for it. Lol Hope you feel better thus week and I’m sorry about your friend’s foot. I’ve tripped over my dogs before but lucky I’ve only received bruises and bumps.
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Hope you’re feeling better soon. My 13 yr old granddaughter has bacterial pneumonia. Take care of yourself! I love soups and broths, so nourishing.
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Glad to see you are getting back with us, I understand, being busy, and hope your chicken soup heals you, Isn’t it just the best medicine.
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Glad to see you are getting back with us, I understand, being busy, and hope your chicken soup heals you, Isn’t it just the best medicine.
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Get in the pink for all your Christmas adventures!
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Hope the soup worked and you are feeling better. Looking forward to your next book. Thanks again for years of great reading.
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Hope you feel better soon!! I enjoyed the blog and your sweet sense of humor. I can’t wait for you to finish North Of Eden and as you say, will see you next time…
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Hope you will better!
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I do genealogy and am working on my 2nd great grandfather who served in the Civil War. Every time I learn of a family member dying on the battlefield or from an illness I grieved for him. I’ve read about inherited memories possibly there’s a connection.
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Ever since reading your Blog the other day, I’ve wanted some soup. I was in Walmart and Aldi’s this evening and forgot all about soup.
I hope you feel better.
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Sorry to hear about your possible cold, but I think good Chicken Soup is always a good cure. Sorry to hear about your friends broken foot, but glad the dog is OK.
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Good for you for making bone broth!!!! I am sure you are feeling better already!
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I hope you feel better soon and I can’t wait for your new book. The Civil War stories are my favorite.
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So very glad to have you back brightening my day! Feel better soon.
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I am so anxious for you to finish North of Eden
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I hate that you have a cold but it is that time of the year. I keep expecting one here the way the weather is changing so much. It is raining right now but we need it. So glad you made some chicken soup, that is always good for you. I can’t wait to read your new book. It will be on my list to get when it comes out. Take care and eat that chicken soup.
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I too make a great chicken soup, but I put in matzo balls as all good Jewish moms do. And like your friend I tripped over one of my dogs and fractured the bone on the top of my foot, this boot and I have a love hate relationship, I hate wearing it but love that it makes my foot feel better. Hope your feeling better, and enjoy the season.
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Keep with the home made chicken soup n I’ll keep u in my Prayers
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I too have need puny for last week with sinuses hope you are feeling much better
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My husband made bone soup a lot, and ate some every day. He believed it helped his joint pains.
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I love all of your books. Especially your McKettrick Series. Loved all of those.
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I will have to check those books out, I am planning to get him books like I always do. He loves to read!
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Love your books…and keeping upwith you on your newsl
etter…
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I love fresh soup when it’s cold, or I’m getting sick! Your book, Pirates, was the first book I read of yours years ago & have loved all your books since!:) I hope your friend is OK, I trip over my 3 chihuahuas regularly, but nobody has gotten hurt yet!:)
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Sounds like you have been busy! Your friend tripping over the dog reminds me of tripping over a litter of puppies. I raise GoldenDoodles and was out feeding them when I caught my foot on something and down I went. I smashed my face into some wooden steps and got my first cut and BIG black eye at the age of 66. The main thing is I didn’t crush any puppies!!
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Your bone broth sounds wonderful. Anxious for your new book. Have been re-reading several books as well as crocheting Christmas gifts.
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Hope you feel better! I can’t wait for the new book!
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Hope you feel better. I hope your friend Karen gets well soon also. Tracing my family tree and out my great grandfather volunteered for the civil war when he was15. This was at the end of the war. He was so young. Have a good week.
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Your soup sounds good! My husband and I are eating turkey soup with dumplings right now. He boiled up the carcass of the Thanksgiving turkey, and I added veggies-carrots, potatoes, celery & onions, and of course dumplings. I would have added some turnip but he considers that contamination, lol, so none of that. It is cool here in NE right now so it “hits the spot”.
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Certainly can sympathize with you in feeling under the weather. My daughter took me on a trip to San Antonio to see the Parade and turning on of the Christmas lights on the River Walk which was beautiful, but coughing, sneezing and feeling completely exhausted kind of put a damper on sightseeing like planned. All in all I enjoyed everything and like you spent a lot of time reading, your series to be exact, and am still not 100% but sure hope you are feeling much better. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
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Happy Cyber Monday!
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Hope you are feeling better soon
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When I am not feeling well, I crave a good bowl of homemade soup. Enjoy yours!
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Glad you are feeling better ALWAYS great to have homemade chicken noodle soup….having hand surgery just before Christmas first on the right then in 8 weeks on the left..might slow me down and impair my cooking but it sure won’t hinder my reading..lol
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So glad you are feeling better. Enjoy your soup it sounds wonderful.
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For another source of bone broth, without the work, in case you’re too sick to make it yourself, check out draxe.com. This is a source I trust. He has also been on Dr. Oz’s show. If you order in time, you can use discount code “CYBERMONDAY20”. Hope your “food as medicine” efforts are making you feel better.
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Would like be to have your bone broth and scope. I think I need that. How do u use in recipes? Hope u and K are all better soon. Gotta watch those sneaky doggies!!
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Hope you feel better soon!
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So glad that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Can’t wait for your new book, will add it to my collection. Feel better soon.
Nancy Duffer
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Hope you are feeling better. Homemade soup always seems to make us feel so much better. My Mom always made us potato soup. Happy Holidays.
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Hi Hope you are feeling better, chicken soup should work
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Glad you are feeling better. Homemade soups sure do make you feel better any time of year. Pray that Karen’s foot heal fast. You have to watch for those 4-legged kids. May you have good writing
ideas in the coming months. Take care.
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Thank you for the reference on the children’s books. I too will read them occassionally, mostly because I still feel that I have a few books waiting to be written from my soul but I haven’t figured out which audience I want to write to…. I have 2 grandsons who are very interested in cooking with me and also enjoy watching the jr. chef contests on tv, these sound like excellent ideas for them as they both love reading as much as they enjoy cooking!
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I hope your cold is better and the new book is still coming along. I am trying to get the Christmas tree decorated as I’m having a lot of company coming, possibly 14 for Christmas dinner. My family is all important to me. My youngest daughter and her family are coming from Germany and others are coming from all over the Southeastern U.S. I have to freezer stocked, but told my daughters (and daughter-in-law) that they’ll have to cook because I’ll be busy playing with the Grandchildren. I hope your Christmas will be as full of love as mine will be.
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nothing like “jewish penicillin” to make one feel better. why not post your recipe for the 24-hr soup. many may not be aware of the “healing powers” of chicken soup. first thing started when the hubby starts with “coming down with a cold!”
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Hi from Ohio. Babysitting my grandson. He’s 3 an going to preschool. Just waiting g for Santa to come. The other 7 grandkids are preteens an don’t needme as much except to take them somewhere. Lol. Have a good day an chicken soup is great for colds. I make for the kids when sick Thanks for the great reads!
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I love YA books too. I taught 6-8 literature several years and read the books they read to keep in touch. I also taught from novels instead of a basal reader. It was a rewarding way to teach. Most students read ahead, something that didn’t happen in a text!
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Sorry you are sick. I hope you feel better soon.
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I haven’t tried bone broth yet but thinking I should. Do you have a recipe you can share ? Can’t wait for your new book.
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Chicken soup isn’t just good for the soul, it is good for the body, too. I like homemade noodles in mine. Someone said they should have written down more of “mom’s” recipes while she was alive. Made me think that I should write mine down since I am the “mom” who cooks!
Blessings to you, your snuffy nose, your furry friends, and a double blessing on your friend’s foot.
I thought that was funny when you told her to stay off her foot and off her dog!
Lorelei
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I hope you’re feeling better soon. I love my crock-pots. I even cooked my turkey breast in it for Thanksgiving. Yum!!!!
I can’t wait to read the new book. It sounds fantastic. I enjoy learning new things.
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Hope you are feeling better soon.. I find that when we get an early cold it seems to stay with you for awhile. Soup is good for the soul..
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Hope you are feeling better Linda! I love my crockpots. I have 3 of them. I fixed a roast, potatoes and carrots in the crockpot for supper Sunday night. The best part of that was that we had leftovers for supper last night. Love having supper ready when I get home from work. Take care!
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I must say I’ve missed getting your “daily” updates. I know you must be very busy, but it sure is great to read your blog when you have the chance and ability, I’ve read about your issues from time to time, to let us all in on whats been happening on your home front.
I really enjoy your books and have to say I’m quite envious of your life style. Do you still ride your horses? I also love the fact that some of my other favorite authors are good friends of yours, like Debbie MacComber, just goes to show we both have good taste. Have a great day and thanks for making mine a little brighter.
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Homemade soup is the best! I made a pot of veggie beef in my crockpot and the family raved about it. Hope you feel better soon! Merry Christmas!
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Your soup and broth would hit the spot today. Being a transplanted Seattleite, I now live in the small town of Marana. We are having a cold spell here. I may get down to the freezing temps tonight. Brrrrrrrr
Hope you are feeling better, Linda. Have a great week!
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Linda
What is North of Eden about?
Still want another Rose Chronicles book
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More about North of Eden in future blogs. Basically, it’s about the battle of Gettysburg, it’s aftermath, and the way ordinary women made a difference.
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Looking for to your new book
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Awh. I am sorry to hear you weren’t feeling well. Colds are a total bummer. When I get them, my face gets all hot, my nose feels weird, and I have a permanent case of “I DON’T WANNA GET OUT OF BED”. Hopefully the delicious soups you speak of will make you feel better.
I am glad to hear North of Eden is coming soon. I keep hearing about how excited you are getting when you write about it and now I can’t wait to read it. I am currently working on my first novel and I get the same way. I get really excited about some scenes. I also have to look up little facts every now and then and one does learn a lot from that process.
FEEL BETTER
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Hope you’re feeling better Linda. Enjoyed
Your last book, looking forward to next
One. Blessings.
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Your books are always on my “to read list” Feel better soon.
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Hi! Hope your feeling better! I love making homemade soup with left-over chicken and turkey! then I add veggies and noodles! Have a wonderful week!
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I cannot wait to read North of Eden! I am really excited about it.
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Oh I just ordered vietnamese cinnamon too. Compared the smell to the store bought and wow what a difference. Use it in my hot cereal every morning. Not going back. I want to try the real vanilla that they have but it’s a 16 oz bottle and I don’t think I will use that much quick enough.
Enjoy the cinnamon!!
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My mother used to make bonebroth and it made wonderful soups. I had forgotten about that thanks for reminding me…
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my Mom always made wonderful soups out of chicken or turkey carcasses and also pea soup with a ham bone
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My grandchildren caught this cold from their cousins. Now my son-in-law caught this cold from his children. I’ve got to get my daughter some Lysol disinfectant spray. My late mother was like Feliz Unger, spraying and wiping surfaces. We were rarely sick. I miss her, especially this holiday season.