Mary's December News and Notes

So many books, so little time.  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­   View in browser  Mary's December News and Notes Hello fellow readers!  I can't believe it is only five days until Christmas! Are you ready? I am. I still need to think of some sides to go with our baked ham sandwich's. It a tradition for me to bake the ham the day before.  Our Christmas is an open house, that way the kids and their families can do their traditions and visit us sometime during the day. In the morning we have ham and eggs, with any of the kids and families who are early birds. The rest of the day we have the ham sliced and ready, with condiments, for sandwiches. Throughout the day, if anyone is hungry they can fix a sandwich and have whatever sides I decide on.  I'm taking suggestions! Of course we have dessert also.  Have a safe holiday whatever you celebrate. Happy Holidays! I have a new look for my Romance and Misconceptions. This story was to be a murder mystery about identical twins, one was kidnaped and murdered and the other twin solved the case.  That didn't happen.  I liked Marnie way too much. She did get kidnaped, but the misconception makes this a delightful RomCom.  Free on KU Wintergreen Village Series As you know my first book, The Kristmas Project, came out this holiday season. There is still time for you to read and enjoy Kris, Nick, and little Angel's story! Order yours today! I'm already excited about the second book coming next season, The Holiday Cooking Club. Stefani is sharing recipes at her club and classes in the book. Below you will find one she uses for the holiday Cinco de Mayo. You'll love Stefani and Grayson's story. Pre-order yours and have it delivered the day it releases.  Free on KU Looking for more Christmas reads? Look no further! These bestselling authors have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of Holiday books. Available for a limited time. Discounted or Free on KU Monthly Recipe The 3 M's (Mary's Mexican Meatloaf) The Holiday Cooking Club (book 2 of the Wintergreen Village Series) Stefani prepares this with her club on Cinco de Mayo.  2             Jalapenos 1 tbsp.    Olive oil 1 cup      Onion Diced 1/2 cup   Celery diced 1/2 cup   Carrots diced 2 cloves Garlic minced 1/2 lb      Ground beef 1/2 lb      Chorizo 1 tsp       Chili powder 1/2 tsp   Ground cumin 1/2 tsp   Cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp   Salt 1/2 tsp   Ground black pepper 2            Eggs 1/2 cup  Cheddar cheese grated 1/4 cup  Mayonnaise (light optional) 3/4 cup Trader Joe's Thick Bold, Spicy Sauce (Substitute with Marinara or Tomato paste) 1/2 cup   Bread Crumbs (3 loaf ends dried for 2 days) 1. Preheat to 375 degrees.  2. Place the Jalapenos on a baking sheet and place into the oven. Roast the peppers for 5-7 minutes per side, or until blistered.  3. Remove the peppers from the oven and place in a zip lock bag. Close and set aside for 5- 10 minutes. 4. Remove the peppers, peel off the skin, slice the pepper and remove the stem and seeds. Dice and set aside.  5. Add the olive oil to a large skillet on medium high.  6. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes. 7. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute then remove and set aside.  8. The ends of the loafs are the best to dry. Take the dried bread. Place in a large zip lock bag. Make sure it is zipped. Place a towel over the top. With a meat tenderizer, hammer, or mallet crush the bread to crumbs.  9. In a large bowl combine the beef, chorizo, spices, and bread crumbs. 10. Add the eggs, mayo, 1/2 cup of the spicy sauce, cheese, roasted jalapenos and sautéed vegetables. Stir thoroughly to combine.  11. Place the mixture in a cooking spray coated loaf pan or square pan.  12. Place in the oven for 25 minutes.  13. Remove the meatloaf, drain the juices, then spread the rest of the spicy sauce onto the loaf.  14. Place back in the oven for 15 minutes. Depending on your oven. Test to make sure it's done. Add another 5 minutes if necessary. 15. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before slicing.  Pairs well with a Riesling. Serve with potatoes or coleslaw.  Enjoy. The After Work Cook Follow me on Amazon Get an email every time I have a new release. Amazon Page Follow Mary on social media Covers by LDM Graphics. LDM Graphics As always thank you for your continued support.  Mary's Newsletter MAGNA United States of America You received this email because you signed up on our website or made a purchase from us. Unsubscribe Do you like the newsletter? Share it!