Paige Shelton is visiting the garden!

Good Morning! We have New York Times Best Selling author Paige Shelton in the garden today. If you want to find out about Paige as an author then visit the Mysteries and Margarita’s blog on December 3, 2010 All day! Today we’re just chilling and finding out about her as a person. And when I said, chilling, I meant it literally. It’s winter in the garden, bundle up and find a place to sit. We will be chatting around the fire pit and I have coffee and hot cocoa. And for those who need a bit of extra warmth, Kailua, baileys and peppermint schnapps.  Also, help yourselves to some pastries.


Mary: Are you ready, Paige? Get ready for the grilling! Just kidding. Tell us a little bit about yourself growing up, in Iowa. And why did you move to Utah?

Paige: Thanks, Mary! So fun, and I've got some marshmallow filled hot chocolate right here. Iowa was actually stop number eight. My dad was a football coach so we moved around a lot when I was a kid. Football coaches either get fired or have to keep moving to advance their careers. Fortunately, he didn't get fired, but the moving around did make for a pretty nomadic childhood.  When I finished college, I searched for a job in advertising. I got a call Christmas morning 1987 with a job offer at Harris and Love Advertising in Salt Lake City. I packed up my two-seat sports car and hit the road. I had my clothes, my albums (vinyl) and my stereo. What more did a girl need?

Mary: It’s the holidays, and we have some fun traditions that have been in the family for years, and some new ones that my husband and I have started. What traditions, if any, do you have?

Paige:  We have traditionally been late -- late getting the decorations out and up, late putting up the tree, late getting cards in the mail, etc. I don't know why, but as much as we love the holidays they always sneak up on us. "Late" has become the tradition -- we had to accept our faults somehow.

Mary: What is your favorite holiday food? And do you have a recipe to share with us? We love new recipes!

Paige:  Microwave peanut butter fudge. It's addictive and delicious. We could eat it year around, but we only allow it in December. Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1  12-ounce jar chunky peanut butter
1  7-ounce jar marshmallow cream

Combine sugar, margarine and evaporated milk in a 3-quart glass dish. Microwave, uncovered, on High for 5 1/2 to 6 minutes, stirring once or twice. Cook for 3 minutes longer, stirring only if necessary to prevent boiling over. Stir in remaining ingredients until everything melts together and is combined. Pour into a buttered 9 X 13 dish. Chill for two hours. Cut into squares.
Be careful. The final mixture is hot, hot, hot.

Mary: Okay that's on the list to make for Christmas now. LOL. There’s still plenty of coffee and cocoa if anyone needs a refill. Now Paige, I’ve heard of some strange writing partners but a nine pound dog named Gizmo? There has to be a fun story behind that. (I know I usually don’t get into the writing stuff here, but sometimes you just have to ask)

Paige: When Gizmo was a puppy, she loved being on her back with her ears flopped up. In that position, she looked just like the Gremlin (from the movie Gremlins) of the same name. It isn't a very girly name, but when we noticed the resemblance, we couldn't come up with anything else. She hangs out with me while I'm writing; sometimes on my lap but mostly curled up on a blanket on the floor.
  
Mary: We like to talk about food, drink and travel here at the garden, and sometimes gardening. However, I admit the closest I’m going to come to having a beautiful garden is my cyber one. I have a black thumb—everything dies. Anyway, Paige, where in the world would you say is your favorite place? And where do you want to go and why?

Paige: So far, the most beautiful place I think I've been was on a horseback ride at the Utah/Idaho border. It was fall and we were riding underneath a canopy of thick trees full of yellow and red leaves. It took my breath away and I've never forgotten it. Where would I like to go? Easy, Italy! Everyone I know who has been there loved it and it just seems so . . . wonderful.

Mary: Do you have a favorite city? I have a tie between San Francisco and New York City. I’m off to Chicago and I will see if that makes it a three way tie. And I have a favorite restaurant in both. Do you have a favorite restaurant in your favorite city?

Paige: I love Chicago -- Gino's Pizza was a fun experience. I love Kansas City, too. There are so many delicious barbeque joints in Kansas City. I wish I had opportunity to try more of them. I've only been to Seattle once but I suspect I could fall in love with that city and all the seafood restaurants. Hmm. I'm clearly having a hard time picking just one. 

Mary: I’ve had a great time learning more about you, thank you for joining us today, Paige.

Thank you, Mary. Cheers and Happy Holidays, everyone!

FYI --Paige and I will both be at a signing at Borders Books at 132 E. Winchester St. Murray, UT on December 11, 2010, 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Please come and visit us, introduce yourself and say Hi!