Bacon Tomato Cups-Er, Dip #MFRW #Authors #48

I was introduced to Pampered Chef over twenty years ago, and fell in love with two of their recipes.  I’ve modified one of them over the years, since it calls for cooked bacon strips that you crumble.  It’s so much easier to simply use Baco’s, ha ha!

Other modifications:

-Instead of cutting up a tomato, I use one can of the Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes, drained.

-I don’t like onion, so I use onion powder.

-Making the little cups out of biscuit dough in the mini-cupcake pan was a bit time-consuming, so I started spreading the filling on top of the biscuit dough in a 13×9 pan.

-My son (who also loves these!) went on the Keto Diet last year, so to accommodate his ‘no carb’ restrictions, I simply spread the mixture into a round baking pan and we spoon it onto crackers, Hawaiian Rolls, or whatever.

When I first saw this recipe, I didn’t think I’d like it, since I’m not a fan of tomatoes.  Well let me tell you…..one bite and I was hooked!  I guess it goes to show….melt enough cheese on anything and I’ll eat it!

Here’s the recipe:

8 slices of CRISP bacon (I use maybe 1/3 of a container of Bacos….my family loves bacon!)

1 medium tomato, seeded (I use 1 can of Petite Diced Tomatoes, drained)

1/2 small onion (I use a few shakes of onion powder)

3 oz Swiss or Mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use Miracle Whip)

1 tsp basil

1 can (10 oz) Hungry Jack or whatever flaky biscuits

Preheat oven to 375

Spray mini-cupcake pan or 13×9 with cooking spray

Coarsely chop bacon, tomato and onion (or skip if using others)

Mix all ingredients except biscuits.

Separate biscuits into 2-3 thinner ones (sometimes they won’t separate into 3s)

Lay each biscuit over mini-cupcake pan (or side by side in 13×9 pan)

Using Mini-Tart Shaper (Pampered Chef tool or the handle of a knife works well too) dipped in flour, press each biscuit into cup. (Skip this step if using 13×9 pan)

Fill cups with bacon mixture (or spread over the top of the biscuits, or spread mixture out in round pan)

Bake 10-12 minutes.

 

I prefer to eat these hot; others like them cold.  Regardless, enjoy!

 

For more Holiday Recipes, click here.

Anyone taking part in NaNoWriMo?  How did you do?  As I post this, I am nearing the 10K mark.  Not bad when I’ve had a hectic month.  I knew, going in this year, that I wouldn’t get near that 50K mark, but would be happy with whatever words fell from my fingers.  My WIP has taken a strange turn, but that’s the thrilling part, when you’re not entirely sure where the characters are taking you.  I might even continue to work on it next month, whenever I can grab a spare moment.

Normally I don’t work during the month of December, since I spend the afternoons baking cookies, and we have two birthdays plus Christmas and New Year’s to plan for.  I joke that the month of December is one continuous party at my house!

Have a wonderful weekend!  I have my final craft fair this Saturday, and I’m hoping for the same results as the last one.

 

Bragging Rights #MFRW #Authors #47

I’ve got to admit, I’ve had a pretty amazing year, sales-wise.  Last year, I sold 77 books.  This year, so far?

118.

Plus, I’ve one more signing on Dec. 1st.

I’ve heard a lot of people complaining this past year about Mercury in Retrograde.  I’m not exactly sure what that means, but I’ve noticed whenever this happens, people tend to throw money my way:)  As far as I’m concerned, it can stay in retrograde!

Another thing I can brag on is my kids.  Oldest son is in his 2nd year of college, and has changed his major three times, this 3rd one being the one he’s finally happy with.  He’s got a good girlfriend, a good job, and has reached Green Belt in karate.

Daughter, though she lost her job several months back, has filled in while I’ve been away, and is proving to be quite a good cook, and has really bonded with her own daughter during homework time.

Granddaughter is learning to read and after a rather rocky start to the school year, has turned her attitude around, at least for the past three weeks.  Punishments didn’t seem to be working (withholding special treats, grounding from Kindle time), so we began Positive Reinforcement.  Good for one day?  A Slim-Jim after school.  Good for three days?  A trip to McD’s after school.  Good all week?  Grandpa made chili (her favorite meal).  At the end of 2 weeks?  Grandma brought home a present.  This week, she’s getting extra attention, since her new half-sister is about to be born either tomorrow or on Thanksgiving, and she’s not too happy about the prospect of sharing her dad with another baby.

Younger son actually has an A in Language Arts!  He’s also enjoying his Science class, and has joined the Magic The Gathering club at school.  He also goes to the comic book store on Fridays and spends the evening playing MTG with other kids and adults.

For more Bragging Rights, go here.

What about YOU?  Anything you’re proud of this year?

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

“SShhh…Mom’s Working” #MFRW #Authors #46

I’m a misunderstood author.

To the rest of the world, and my FB posts, I spend my day running errands, cleaning the house twice a week, cooking dinner, and watching my favorite TV programs.  Other times, you’ll see the “#WC” followed by a number, and that proves that I actually DO write!  At least once a month, you’ll see pictures of me and my display with ‘Come see me at….” as I jubilantly try to place any of my books into the hands of readers.

To my family, however…..

They see me spending a few hours a day on FB, cleaning out my email, and googling something random, such as ‘Middle Eastern names for boys’, as was the case this week, since one character decided he was of Iranian descent.  Sometimes I’m facing a blank document and rapidly typing words onto it.

Sometimes they leave me alone (as was the case last January, when 19K spilled out in 6 days).

Sometimes the kids genuinely need me; other times my spouse will growl, “Get off the laptop before I toss it out the window” or “I’m going to shut off the wifi unless you shut that thing down now.” 

Full Disclosure:  Since my sales have picked up in the past three years, the above threats have NOT taken place.  Now he says, “When you’re done playing on that thing, let me know because I need to talk to you.”

Did you pick up on that word?  Playing.  Yeah.

When online chats were the rage, ten years ago, my family did not understand why I would gobble my dinner and head to the computer, where I’d stare at the conversations, comment, and even once in a while, win a free book.  Or even post my own snippets of stories.

I was working.

They thought I was goofing off, because, work=paycheck.  And I most certainly was NOT earning a paycheck.  At least, not for three more months, which absolutely made no sense to the family.

This year, my hubby cut me off financially, from all promotional needs.  I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve managed to pay for everything myself, with the exception of needing gas money a few times.  Last year, I only sold 77 books.  This year, so far the count is 118, and I still have 2-4 events left this year.

Another Full Disclosure:  I’ve been my mother’s caregiver since July, and the estate has paid me for this.  So I guess you could say I do have a ‘real job’, though I don’t see it that way.  She took care of me for 18 years; I can certainly help her out when she needs me.  Mom has become my #1 cheerleader, and is loving my latest two short stories.

I did notice something rather amusing:  If I’m at the computer, the family feels free to interrupt me.  But if I’m holed up in my room, or sitting at the dining room table with a needlepoint or cross-stitch project, they leave me alone!  Excellent way to recharge the creative batteries….

Are Other Authors Families Supportive?

I’m off to the Rivet (local HS) Craft Fair on Saturday!  As I write this, I’m in Lafayette, and heading home on Friday.  An early snowstorm moved in last night (Wed), along with freezing rain and sleet.  I’m hoping it’s all gone by tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

Allergy Central #MFRW #Authors #45

This post is going to be short and sweet, since I’m out of town at the Indpls Christmas Gift and Hobby Show.

What am I allergic to?

Short Answer:  Anything green.  Grass, trees, ragweed.  In short, I sneeze every spring and fall.  Who am I kidding….I sneeze and cough year round!  Damn asthma….

Longer Answer:  Dust, mold, stupidity, pollen, and housework (just kidding….okay, so I hate to mop the floor!)

What are other people allergic to?

Have a great week!  Here’s the link to the Pegasus Author Expo in Lafayette this Sunday.  If you’re in the area, I’d love to meet you!