DO YOU LIKE IT HOT, AND WHAT ABOUT HUGGING??

Nope, I'm not talking about sex at the moment or the weather. (lol) We'll leave that to our good buddy Kitt Crescendo over at https://theinnerwildkat.wordpress.com/author/theinnerwildkat/,
and your local news channel.

Yep.  Once again my mind is on food! Most of what I eat has to have some heat.  So I'll add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to just about anything. Green beans, cheeseburgers, rice, noodles, nachos, steak - you name it, and I'll find a reason to spice things up.

Speaking of spice, Carolinians rejoice!  Not only do we have a pepper to call our own, but the Carolina Reaper is so hot at 1.569 million Scoville Heat Units,(SHU) that it made it into the World's Guinness Book of Records. Even better, it was created by a regular guy like you and me from South Carolina.  Determined to make the hottest pepper, Ed Currie worked diligently to keep crossbreeding peppers until he came up with this treat that will truly test your tastebuds.

Everyone talks about the Ghost Pepper, aka the Bhut Jolokia, but with a mere SHU of 1,041,427, it has nothing on the Reaper! http://carolinareaper.org   Feel free to order some at this site.

If you don't mind igniting your palate with 5 alarm spices, here are 2 restaurants to visit, which just happen to have been raved about on the Travel Channel.  In case you're wondering - I had to include a place that sells burgers. (lol)

The 4 Horsemen Burger at Chunky's Burgers in San Antonio Texas may bring fear into your heart. This phenomenal burger has the audacity to be topped with not 1, but 4 hot peppers:  jalapeno, serrano, habanero, and the infamous bhut jolokia, better known as the ghost chile. If you've got the stomach, tongue and courage, 25 minutes is all the time you'll get to finish in one piece.

If Texas isn't hot enough for you, head up to Manhattan(did you know Manhattan was the most expensive city to get married in 2014?) in New York for their famous Phaal Curry at The Brick Lane Curry House.  This fire inducing meal can't be eaten unless you sign a waiver to not hold the restaurant liable for any physical or mental damage.  If you eat it all in a challenge, you get a FREE beer and your picture on the wall.  Just for the record, drinking beer after all that heat doesn't do a dang thing to heal all the pain. (lol) Best to try real whipped cream, or any type of other dairy items.

This is an actual scene from the Travel Channel when
this meal was being prepared. Yikes!

Phaal Curry

What about you?  Are you willing to experiment with some spice to your life?

4th Annual New York City Hot Sauce Expo	April 23, 2016 – April 24, 2016	Brooklyn EXPO Center, 79 Franklin St Brooklyn, NY 11222
One of the most buzzed about food festivals in the country this year’s Expo will feature 45 different award winning hot sauce companies from various parts of the word. Complimented with free hot sauce tastings, craft beer, eating challenges, spicy food vendors, cooking demos, this year’s Expo will provide plenty of odd ball entertainment fun for the whole family. Plus, the second year of inducting 5 industry folks into the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame.

United States National Hot Sauce Festival	Jun 18, 2016 – Jun 19, 2016	Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
In between DC and Baltimore comes this 1st year festival. Details will unfold as the event grows near. Contact: cassidy@spefoody.com Phone: (240) 479-5400 OR alank@spefoody.com (240) 401-0973/    http://www.scottrobertsweb.com/

ICE CREAM YUMMINESS
After eating all that fiery fare, don't forget to get your icy treat at Baskin Robbins on March 31 for "Celebrate 31".  They're offering all  regular and kid scoops in one of your favorite flavors for just $1.31. Get the classics or try something new at participating locations. 

HUGS
When I was a kid, I don't remember any of my friends doing any excessive hugging, and it's not something I did much of either.  Fast forward to 2016 and

I'm now a certified hugger.  I think of every reason possible to give out cards and hugs, but I am often rebuffed in my amourous advances. (lol)  People aren't as touchy feely as they used to be, and I'm not sure why.  Still, if I can get away with it, new friends and old, family or strangers get bearhugs.*heh*

ROMANCE READERS
Did you know you can sample FREE books at www.romancewhenyouneedit.com?

SPRING STUFF THAT MAY OR MAY NOT MATTER

lemon drop martini

INGREDIENTS for 1

• 1 1⁄2ounce vodka
• 3/4 ounce triple sec
• 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
• 2 Oz. Sweet & Sour
• 3⁄4Ounce fresh lemon juice
• 4 -5Ice cubes
• Superfine sugar for the martini glass rim and a lemon twist.

DIRECTIONS

1. Chill martini glass in freezer for at least 10 minutes prior to serving.
2. Place Vodka, Triple Sec, Sweet & Sour,lemon juice and sugar into a cocktail shaker with 4-5 ice cubes and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
3. Run the lemon twist around the edge of the chilled martini glass and dunk in a small amount of sugar for a coated rim.
4. Pour the strained martini into the chilled glass and serve.
5. Not only is this a tasty drink, but these particular ingredients help to lift your spirits and to de-stress.
6. Thanks to Ashley Vinci

REALITY TV GONE WILD
Everyone deserves to be paid for a service, but I can't help but to wonder why sacrificing dignity and morals would be a way to earn a paycheck.  I'm speaking specifically about those programs that zero in on relationships, such as Marriage Boot Camp, The Seven Year Switch and more. One show that's particularly disturbing ( I had a hard time choosing just one) deals with a Youtube Celebrity was was 16 when her mom allowed her to get married to a 40+ year old man. Fast forward to the present, and the husband allegedly proposed a threesome between his now 21 year old wife and her mother, causing the wife to be livid! These shows are sort of scripted, but airing dirty laundry about your family and its dysfunction just seems so wrong to me, and is why I've stopped watching.  Some of these peeps seem like they're really in trouble, and should work on their relationships behind the scenes with money they've earned.

CUSTOMER SERVICE
What happened to it, is what most of us are dying to know.  If we ask where something is, we're being a bother.  If we need to know if they have more merchandise in stock, we receive smirks and a slammed door from the manager.  A smile goes a long way in life, so I'm just saying...

BOOK LOVERS
Have you ever gone through a period where nothing you read grabs your attention, you're too sick or too busy to pick up a novel, and your TBR pile starts to gather dust?  How do you handle it, or do you just go with the flow and wait it out?

TASTY TRIVIA
Have you been watching The Hunger Games series?  I never read the books, but the movies were phenomenal and interesting.  Did you know that the very talented Jennifer Lawrence made just $500,000 for the first movie, but now she scores up to $10 million for the sequels?

You've heard me talk about James Patterson and his awesome ability to write so many successful novels, and in fact, as of January 2016, he holds the Guinness record for selling the most # 1 New York Times Best Sellers!  However, and I found this quite interesting.  Erika Leonard James, more commonly known as E.L. James, is the most successful writer of adult fiction. For those who may have forgotten and didn't catch the movie or read the book, she penned the now very talked about Fifty Shades of Grey books. From 2012 to 2013, she earned 95 million beating out James Patterson during that same period as he raked in a mere 91 million!  Wow!

Please stop by to visit our friend Kim of http://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2016/03/sunday-post-205-wanted.html.   See her info listed below for Bloggers:

"Wanted Guest Posts- As many of you know I am attending BEA in May. I am currently looking for 4 bloggers to do Guest Posts May 10-13th. I would like them to be discussion or tips posts. Examples; Top traits I like in a protagonist, things I have learned through blogging, how to, trending genres themes, what makes a romance swoon-worthy, etc. (These can be YA, NA or Adult topics) I would like them to be positive and encourage folks to share their thoughts in the comments. Each post will feature a spotlight of you and your blog. It will include links.  You would be responsible for replying and visiting commenters for your post. I am giving Sunday Post folks first chance at these spots and will open it up to others next weekend. Post would be due to me by April 22nd. This is a fun opportunity to introduce folks to your blog and make new friends. Contact Me if you are interested with post topic."

Alcohol swabs are a great tool.  If you garden, use them to disinfect pruners to prevent the spread of bacterial and fungal diseases.

It's Spring and time to clean up all

that stuff you didn't want to be bothered with when it was cold. (lol)  Let's start with the microwave, because that's super easy. Mix 1/2 cup of lemon juice or lemon into 1 cup of water in a microwave safe dish for 3 minutes. Leave your door closed for 5 minutes to let the steam permeate and soften anything that may be stuck on the walls.  Open and wipe out with a sponge or wet towel, and watch the magic happen with very little effort. This works, guys!

Are you guilty of throwing everything into a kitchen drawer only to find what you need a year later?  Save yourself some time and stress by grabbing an organizer so you can see exactly what's in that throwaway drawer.  I can't tell you how often I've looked for something that was right in front of me!

WOW! DO YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS?

If you were born today or have an anniversary, that may definitely take a backseat to all the other stuff that's being recognized today.  Take a peek at everything that's happening on March 14, 2016.

March 14, 2016 is Celebrate Scientists Day! 

March 14, 2016 is Commonwealth Day! 

March 14, 2016 is Fill Our Staplers Day! 

March 14, 2016 is Genius Day! This was made just for me-lol!

March 14, 2016 is International Ask a Question Day! 

March 14, 2016 is Learn About Butterflies Day!

March 14, 2016 is Moth-er Day! 

March 14, 2016 is National Children's Craft Day! 

March 14, 2016 is National Pi Day! Lots of peeps are turning into a reason to eat some yummy pie!

March 14, 2016 is National Potato Chip Day! 

March 14, 2016 is National Save a Spider Day! 

March 14, 2016 is National Workplace Napping Day!

 

Thanks for the fun stuff Checkiday.com

IHOP NATIONAL FREE PANCAKE DAY & TIDBITS

If you don't mind being called "Shrek" , "Sleeping Beauty", "Batman" or some other fictional character's name, today is your day to hang out at IHOP for our FREE Short Stack of pancakes.  Yay!
Between 7am - 7pm today, (March 8) stop into participating IHOP Restaurants in your neck of the woods to take advantage of this FREEBIE.  However, you may be asked to leave a donation for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals - but no pressure ladies and gents.

By the way - can you tell which stack of pancakes is real and which is actually a cake made by some brilliant baker? (lol)

EDGAR ALLEN POE
When you were a kid in school, how many poems did you have to recite?  It sure seemed like a zillion to me, but despite that, Edgar Allen Poe was a fantastic writer, and I remember having to do a book report and recite some of his poetry.  According to him, The Raven was the greatest poem ever written, but once Mr. Poe published it in the local newspaper, The New York Daily Mirror, he lost his copyright protection. Soon everyone had no problem reprinting that amazing poem.  Once he did decide to publish his works, no one wanted to be bothered because they had seen the poem in so many other places, so Mr. Poe made next to nothing for his efforts.

LORD BYRON
Right before passing away, Lord Byron mentioned these last words. " Now I shall go to sleep.  Goodnight".

AUTHOR CONAN DOYLE 
This he said to his wife.  "You are wonderful".  Wonderfully romantic!

BEING GRATEFUL
Did you know that those who are grateful tend to "Pay It Forward" more than others, and are more likely to donate to a charity fairly consistently?  My goal is to open up a high-end home for female veterans who are homeless or have been abused, along with counselors who can help get them back into society with counseling and jobs.  Sadly, many shelters that are available have rodents, roaches, bedbugs and more, making it uncomfortable.  In some cases, it may even cause families to go back on the streets or abusive situations.  Not many people take me seriously, or fail to see my vision, but I'm not giving up.

The other day, as I started to enter a Wal-Mart, an employee asked me to use the entry near the grocery.  Of course, you know I had to see what was going on.  I peeked in the door to see two police officers restraining a kid, who clearly did not wish to be detained.  Upon further digging, it was revealed that this kid asked for a box of Legos and was told "No".  Apparently, all hell broke loose as this kid of about 8 - 9 years old, slapped his mom and called her a b***h.  I don't know how it happened, but the police were called and this kid continued to act out with the police as his mom watched, clearly in frustration.  Eventually, the young man calmed down, but it took some time.  Uh...what in the world?

STEPHANIE FARIS - CUTE CHILDREN'S AUTHOR - PART 2

Ironically, the last time we met the very funny Stephanie Faris was on my birthday in August 2015,

and that's the same month she'll be releasing two brand new books this year in 2016. In addition, she'll release Piper Morgan to the Rescue in November. I met Stephanie via someone else's blog and we've been hanging out on the blogosphere ever since.  When visiting Stephanie's blog, you're going to get a really hilarious view on everyday things that happen in life, and some of the things she discusses have me laughing out loud. AND, she writes children's novels! Yay - let's get to this juicy interview and blurb!

Piper helps some four-legged friends find the perfect home in the third book of the brand-new Piper Morgan series.

Piper is super excited to help out at Bark Street, a local animal shelter in town. Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by adorable puppies and dogs all day? And when Piper sees Taffy, the cutest dog she has ever seen, Piper is determined to find a way to bring Taffy home. But it won’t be easy—especially when she finds out someone else wants to make Taffy a part of their family, too!

1.  In August, the best month of the year because that's when I was born (lol), you'll be releasing two new children's novels.  Piper Morgan in Charge and Piper Morgan Joins the Circus.  Did you plan to do that, and is it difficult to release two books on the same date?

The publisher handles all of that, but I believe the logic is that many kids will buy both books at once. I think marketing will be tricky in some ways, but easier in many others. If I have an event, for instance, I can promote both books and maybe even sell both at the same time. I’m currently trying to figure out how to do a postcard that includes both books without confusing schools and libraries.

2.  Do you actually know someone like Piper?

She reminds me quite a bit of my niece, who everyone says is very much like I was at that age. It’s hard not to think back to how you were as a child and try to get back into that mindset.

3.  You live in Nashville, so have you ever tried any of their super famous and extra spicy fried chicken?

I don’t like anything spicy, but I have heard we’re known for that! I don’t like sweet tea or grits, either, so I may have my “Southerner” card revoked!

4.  What guilty treat do you like to eat all the time?

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! It’s definitely my weakness.

5.  Is it true that you actually have NO print novels at home?  Say it isn't so! (lol)

I think I have some packed away in storage somewhere. I have hundreds of books on my Kindle. It’s so hard for me to read print novels on my treadmill because turning pages is a nightmare, so I switched to Kindle several years ago. I love the fact that I can download a novel and start reading it immediately. Plus, how fun is it to pre-order a book and have it magically show up on your Kindle on release day? It’s like the gift you forgot you were getting.

6.  How do you handle writer's block?

I’ve personally found if I’m stuck, there are two great ways to get the wheels turning: take a shower or go for a walk. I think walking helps get oxygen flowing, which improves blood flow to the brain. I’ve yet to figure out the scientific reason behind getting great ideas in the shower.

7.  You maintain your own blog, write in other places, and still have time to write books.  How do you keep everything so balanced?

I have no idea! Honestly, I think being able to switch between writing my books, writing fun stuff for my blog, and writing about technology and business for my clients keeps it all fresh. Otherwise, I’d probably get burned out.

8.  What are you watching on television these days?

At this very moment I’m watching a series on Netflix called Forensic Files. Crime and murder. It doesn’t fit very well with children’s writing, does it? If you checked back with me tomorrow, I’d probably be watching something like The Wonder Years, though. I think my interest in crime ties into my interest in human nature and what makes people tick.

9.  What 3 items would you take on a deserted island?

My Kindle (of course), my MacBook, and a big bag of chocolate! Without electricity or Wi-Fi, those first two things wouldn’t work very well for long, though. Maybe I do need print books, after all.

10.  LOL! Can we expect more children's novels in the next five years?

I sure hope so! I’m writing, writing, writing, so fingers crossed!

Thanks so much for taking time out of such a busy schedule to chat with us.  We love you, your books and your view on stuff.  'Til next time!.  Be sure to visit Stephanie here:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Now, in celebration of hanging out with Stephanie, here's a chocolate treat from Real Simple Magazine!

CHOCOLATE TOPPED CRISPY BARS

INGREDIENTS

1. 2tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 110-ounce bag marshmallows
3. 6cups rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
4. 12ounces chocolate

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows, stirring until smooth, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cereal and stir until coated and combined. Press into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. Roughly chop the chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl set over (but not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Spread the chocolate evenly over the rice mixture.
3. Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes. Cut into 24 squares.

It seems hard to imagine but the novel Frankenstein written in 1818, was based on a competition between  21 year-old Mary Shelley, her hubby and a family friend to see who could come up with the scariest story.