Coffee & Chat

Coffee & Chat #34

Closeup image of a woman holding a cup of hot latte coffee on the table

Happy Thursday! It’s time for a coffee break. We made it through the week and we’re half-way through April! I feel like it was just January and I blinked. Right now the weather in Connecticut is still a bit wintery with dashes of spring. I actually like the colder weather, so I’m not wishing this weather away. But I would like the weeds to go away. Those darn things! I expect that warmer weather will come in a few days and that means I’ll have to juggle my schedule to allow  me time to work outside in the garden beds. Weeds and poison ivy. Not a combo I’m looking forward to dealing with.

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Coffee & Chat

Coffee & Chat #33

Happy Friday!

This weekend we spring ahead! Yes, we lose an hour of sleep but we get more sunlight. Yay. Don’t get me wrong, this gal loves autumn so much and all the coziness of early sunsets and pumpkin spice everything but by this time of the year, I’m ready for a change. And, don’t worry, I’ll be complaining about the heat and humidity of summer very soon. For now, I’m going to enjoy the extra sunlight and warmer temps (60s are on tap for next week!).

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Writing

5 Things That Inspire My Writing

Every writer has their own creative fuel—those little sparks that ignite ideas, keep the words flowing, and turn a blank page into a world full of mystery and intrigue. Inspiration can strike anywhere, but over time, I’ve found a few tried-and-true sources that never fail to get my creative gears turning. Here are five things that inspire my writing:

1. Great Books by Great Authors

There’s nothing quite like reading a well-crafted story to remind me why I love writing in the first place. Whether it’s the intricate plotting of a mystery, the charm of a small-town setting, or the unforgettable voice of a character, good books are endlessly inspiring. My reading list is always growing, but right now, I’m deep into Drop Dead Honey by Laura Childs. Her Tea Shop Mysteries are a delightful blend of cozy intrigue and Southern charm—exactly the kind of storytelling that fuels my own creativity.

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Coffee & Chat

Coffee & Chat #32

Happy Friday!

Can you believe we’re halfway through the month of January? How is that possible? Wasn’t it just New Year’s Day? Honestly, it’s been a blur since Christmas and just this week I’ve been able to get back on track with my writing (I was able to write 3k words on Wednesday!). A couple family members had some health issues and that took me away from my routine but I did manage to get words written. In order to do that, I had to let go of some things and one of those things was social media. This week marks my return to Facebook and Instagram. I have to admit, it was a nice break.

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Baking, Recipes, Writer In The Kitchen

Writer In The Kitchen: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mug Cake

Between promoting my new release, A CORPSE AMONG THE CAROLERS, and preparing for Christmas my days are jam-packed which means there’s little time for baking (well, until the week of Christmas) but this gal loves a homemade sweet treat every now and again. What to do? Make a mug cake! It’s quick and yummy and the perfect way to finish dinner. In fact I can whip this dessert up, cook it and while it cools I can feed Connie her dinner before I settle down with to enjoy the treat.

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