Carey Jane Clark

Boxing Day

December 26, 2011 by Carey Jane Clark

Today, in Canada, is Boxing Day. What is Boxing Day, you might ask? Well, a lot of Canadians would be challenged to explain that to you. It has its roots in Canada’s history as a Commonwealth country. It is a British tradition, and there is more than one explanation for it: some say it is the day that alms for the poor, collected in boxes, were distributed to the poor. Others say that it is the day that servants at the homes of wealthy were given gifts in boxes. Either way, it was a day of generosity. It has remained a holiday, and it used to be that all businesses were closed on Boxing Day.

It has devolved into the Canadian equivalent of Black Friday, with stores advertising big savings on things you already gave someone for Christmas at twice the price. I’ve only twice participated in the madness–once to buy my husband a much-needed suit, and last year, I gave money to someone who was already going, to buy the camera for my son’s birthday.

Today, we’ll be relaxing and the kids will be enjoying another day of the snow that fell just in time for Christmas. How will you spend Boxing Day?

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2011 by Carey Jane Clark

I spoke too soon. We did have a white Christmas after all.

Hope yours is blessed.

Book Wishlist for Santa

December 23, 2011 by Carey Jane Clark

Today, since it’s just before Christmas, and many of you are still doing some of that last-minute shopping, I thought I’d join the link-up at the Greads book blog and write my letter to Santa for the books I want to read for the new year. As much as I am a fiction-lover, 2011 saw me fasting from books for quite a while, because when I’m writing I sometimes find there are periods I need to stop reading or I’ll lose the flow of my own writing. I don’t know if that makes sense to anyone but me, but that’s okay.

Since I’m in the early stages with my next writing project (character-development and plotting), I’m looking forward to jumping in and reading a lot more in the next little while.

There was also the fact that during the time we were in China, we were a little starved for fiction (although I did manage to listen to So Brave, So Strong and So Handsome and The Help on audiobook), so I’m stocking up:

Dear Santa,

It’s been a few years since my last letter. Sorry I haven’t stayed in touch. How are Mrs. Claus and the elves? Hope everyone is well.

I’m writing to tell you (a little last-minute, I’m sorry) about my book wishlist for this year. I’m afraid it’s a little long. But you won’t need a lot of room in your sack. A gift certificate would work, and then I could put them on my eReader. All of them have an e-version, except for the middle-grade title, but we’ll settle for the audiobook. Everything’s gotta be small, flat and light this Christmas. You know the rules:

City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell – Everything about this book makes me want to read it. Starting with the title. It was described by the INSPY judging panel as “a compelling story with complex characters that feel true to life.” Okay. I’m in.

The Queen by Steven James – Yes, I know, Santa. This book’s been out for a while, but a sequel of this title just one an award and you know I don’t like to read books out of order in their series, so I’m forced to start at the beginning and catch up. It’s a mystery/thriller, but I promise I won’t read it right before bedtime.

Falling Away by T.L. Hines – This sounds like a good story and it’s speculative fiction. Every once in a while I love me a good speculative fiction story. I don’t read them often, but this one, again, was an INSPY winner. I’ve heard good things about it.

Belong to Me by Marisa De Los Santos – I’m really not one for gushy romances, but I read this author’s first book when I picked it up on impulse at a grocery store of all places, and really fell into the whole story. To me, it wasn’t gushy. It was written in two viewpoints, and at first I couldn’t imagine how the two character’s lives could possibly collide. It was a thoroughly engaging read. Again, Santa, this author has more recent titles, but I’m catching up, you understand.

The Flint Heart by Katherine Paterson – I’ve been a good girl, Santa, so I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m being greedy. To keep it balanced, I’m adding a title that our family would enjoy reading together. Sounds like a really great story, and in keeping with the small, flat and light rule to ensure things don’t add weight or volume when we pack for China, the audiobook version is unabridged!

Thanks, Santa. Safe travels.

Gluten-Free Cranberry-Pecan Drops

December 22, 2011 by Carey Jane Clark

Pumpkin really likes these cookies, although my GF girl, not as much. She’s not crazy about dried fruit. This one was a variation on the original recipe that called for pineapple, which I didn’t think was very festive. They’re definitely yummy, but not quite as from-scratch as I’m accustomed to making. They use a gluten-free cake mix. I’m not as crazy about doing that because I can’t control the sugars. I typically replace all the sugar for honey (1/2 cup honey to 1 cup sugar) to avoid refined sugars. Every bit as yummy, and better for you. Cream butter and “sugar” as usual, but if you’re adding it later on, mix it in with the wet, not the dry ingredients. For brown sugar, add a small amount (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) of molasses to get the brown sugar flavor. This works just about every time. The only notable exception is cinnamon rolls, for which I use maple sugar.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup butter
1/8 cup plus 1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp. molasses
1 egg
1/2 tsp. dried lemon peel
1 pouch GF white cake mix
1/2 cup pecans
1-2 tbsp fruit juice (I used two)
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Method:

Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the ricotta cheese, butter and honey.
Add the egg and dried lemon peel.
Add all the cake mix except 1/2 cup to the batter. Stir thoroughly.
Mix the remaining cake mix with the fruit and nuts. Stir into the batter.
Drop onto ungreased cookie sheets by the teaspoon full, two inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from cookie sheeet while still hot.

Makes 5 1/2 dozen 1 1/2-inch cookies.

Is it too early in the day to eat one?

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