Standing Into Danger: September 2020

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Chrys Fey Has Done It Again with a Cold Thriller!

My blogging buddy Chrys Fey has done it again!

She has just released the next book in her Disaster series, Frozen Crimes.

I can't wait to read the latest adventures of Beth and Donovan. This couple has survived terrifying disasters in the past while outwitting killers and solving crimes, but will they and their unborn child survive the double threat of a stalker in a blizzard?

To launch Disaster Crimes, Chrys is hosting a blog hop today.

She has asked participants a fun question:

Whom would you want to be stuck with during a blizzard, and what would you do?

(Family members and spouses don’t count.)

Rats! If I can't have Terry,

I'll just have to settle for Jamie Fraser!

This is a highlander with proven survival skills,

someone who is used to battling life-threatening

disasters, weather, and nefarious characters.

Not only is he gorgeous, but he is a gentleman too.

And he likely comes equipped with

yards and yards of warm Scottish tartan

to wrap up in and a skean dhu to boot!

Wikipedia

Chrys invites you to hop around to the other participants to read their answers.

Click on this link to join in: Frozen Crimes Blog Hop

Read on to learn more about Frozen Crimes.

When disasters strike around every corner,

is it possible to have a happily-ever-after?

BLURB:

Beth and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…

until a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages

and unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far. Hoping for

a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature drops below freezing. Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face. Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child.

Will they survive, or will they become a frozen crime?

BUY LINKS: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes

EXCERPT:
The crunch of the shovel pounding into the snow and ice filled his ears. It was all he could hear. The rest of the street was silent beneath its wintry blanket. Breathing was difficult with the icy air clogging his lungs. His nose burned. His throat was dry and on fire. But he ignored it, focusing on his task.

Crack, crack, crack.

He jabbed the shovel into a hunk of snow. On the third hit, it shattered into several pieces. He scooped them up and flung them to the side. He surveyed what remained. There was one big ball in the middle of the path that needed to be dealt with next. He moved over to it and struck it. That one impact had it severing in two. He was about to hit it again when something crashed into the back of his head.

Explosions of white light danced over his vision. Pain enveloped his skull.

The shovel slipped from his fingers. Blackness cloaked his mind, coaxing him into its depths.

Beth. Her name was a whisper in his head, as if his thoughts were being sucked into a wormhole.

His legs collapsed under his weight.

Cold. It seeped into him, consuming him. And then his consciousness fled down that same void that ate his thoughts.

***HUGE DISASTER CRIMES GIVEAWAY***

Prizes:

4 eBooks (Disaster Crimes 1-4: Hurricane Crimes, Seismic Crimes, Tsunami Crimes, Flaming Crimes)

+ Girl Boss Magnets (4), Inflatable Cup Holder (1),

Adventure Fuel To-Go Cups (2), Anchor Fashion Scarf (1),

Mermaid Nail Clippers (2), Citrus and Sea Salt Scented Candle (1),

Snowflake Handmade Bookmark (1), Insulated Cooler Bag (1)

Eligibility: International
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Ends: October 30, 2020 12:00am EST
LINK: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/76132e0221/?

***FREE EXCLUSIVE EBOOK***

To get the exclusive prequel to the Disaster Crimes series, sign up for Chrys’ newsletter. By signing up, you agree to receive Chrys Fey’s newsletter. After you confirm subscription, you will receive an email (so check your inbox and spam folder) with directions on where to snag your eBook copy of THE CRIME BEFORE THE STORM.

Click here to sign up and get The Crime Before the Storm FREE!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crime Series, a unique concept that blends

disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG)

on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com

Author Links:

Website / Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

I wish Chrys lots of success with her latest book!

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Friday, September 25, 2020

A Taste of Home ~ Nova Scotia Brown Bread

Being stranded at home by Covid-19 has had its advantages.

For one thing, I've revived my early bread baking skills, much to Terry's delight.

I've made multiple batches of delicious white and whole wheat bread.

The flavor and texture of homemade bread is so much better than store-bought,

and the investment of time and energy in baking bread is well worth it.

I felt confident and empowered last Sunday morning,

so I decided to tackle a recipe for Nova Scotia Brown Bread.

My sister Barb sent me her favorite recipe for this traditional bread.

She's been on the hunt, trying this recipe and that, tinkering and adjusting,

until she created the taste she remembered.

Our great grandmother Cossaboom made the best brown bread,

and Barb is a master baker like her.

If you haven't tasted

Nova Scotia Brown Bread,

you have missed out on a

scrumptious treat.

It goes especially well

with homemade baked beans.

If you would like to make this Nova Scotian treat, I'll walk you through the process.

Don't be intimidated by the thought of making bread. It's really easy.

All it requires is a commitment of about three hours.

Nova Scotia Brown Bread:

Ingredients:

1½ cups quick rolled oats (I substituted old-fashioned rolled oats by pulsing them a few times in a food processor.)

2 cups boiling water

½ tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon shortening (I substituted 1 tablespoon butter.)

1 tablespoon quick-acting yeast

½ cup warm water

1 teaspoon white sugar

¾ cup molasses (I used "blackstrap" molasses, but if I were home in the Maritimes, I'd use Crosby’s Molasses!)

4-5 cups white flour (I used almost 6 cups.)

Ingredients

September 20, 2020

Steps:

1. Mix together rolled oats, salt, and shortening in a large bowl. Pour in boiling water and

stir. Let this oat mixture stand until lukewarm, about 15 minutes.

2. In a separate bowl gently combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let it rise for 10

minutes.

Oat Mixture Cooling, Yeast Rising

September 20, 2020

3. When the oat mixture is lukewarm, add the molasses and mix well. Do not add the

molasses when the oat mixture is too hot, or it will change the texture and

require more flour.

Stirring in Molasses, Yeast Rising

September 20, 2020

4. Add yeast mixture to molasses-oat mixture. Add one cup of the white flour. Beat well.

Molasses-Oat Mixture, Flour, and Yeast Mixture

September 20, 2020

5. Keep adding white flour in one cup increments up to 4 or 5 cups. As you get near

the end, you may need to use your hands to work the flour in. If the dough is really

sticking to your hands, keep working in a little more flour at a time until it isn't.

(Have some extra flour in a separate bowl. I had to call Terry for help because I didn't have any extra flour out, and my hands were covered with globby, sticky mittens of dough ~ LOL. I don't know if it was altitude, humidity, or what, but I needed almost 6 cups of white flour. The dough will feel tacky, but not sticky, when enough flour is worked in. Mom used to say the dough would feel like a baby's bum.)

6. Kneed bread for 10 minutes, dusting surface with flour if needed.

(This is a great way to release excess energy or frustration! I like punching it down with my fists.)

7. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let the dough rise in a warm

spot until it doubles in size. It takes about 60 minutes.

(Be aware that it might take a little less time or a little more. You want a doubling in volume.)

Dough Rising ~ Pick a Spot Without Drafts

September 20, 2020

8. When the dough has risen, divide it into four equal-sized pieces and form the pieces

into balls. Place 2 balls in one greased bread pan and the remaining 2 balls in a

second greased pan. Let the dough rise until double in size. It takes about

45 minutes. Preheat oven for 350º F while dough is rising in the pans.

(Again, it might take a little less time or a little more. A doubling in volume is what you want.

I like to baste the dough with melted butter, but that isn't necessary.)

Butter-Basted Loaves Ready for the Oven

September 20, 2020

9. Bake bread for 35-40 minutes. The loaves are done when they are well-browned on

top. If you tap a loaf, it should sound hollow. Carefully remove the pans from the

oven wearing oven mitts. Tip each pan onto a cooling rack. If the loaves are done,

they should slide right out of the pans. Cool on racks.

Cooled and Read to Enjoy

September 20, 2020

10. When loaves are cooled, they can be sliced with a bread (serrated) knife. A loaf

will last for a week in the refrigerator. Loaves can also be frozen.

(This bread is so yummy that you can eat a slice with nothing on it. Barb and my Aunt Mary Lou say it makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches ever. Sounds perfect for a Saturday night supper.)

Cheers to Sisters Everywhere!

Barb and I

August 2019

Have a safe and happy weekend ~ Bake some bread!

Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Just the Recipe:

Nova Scotia Brown Bread:

Ingredients:

1½ cups quick rolled oats

2 cups boiling water

½ tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon shortening

1 tablespoon quick-acting yeast

½ cup warm water

1 teaspoon white sugar

¾ cup molasses

4-5 cups white flour

Steps:

1. Mix together rolled oats, salt, and shortening in a large bowl. Pour in boiling water and

stir. Let this oat mixture stand until lukewarm, about 15 minutes.

2. In a separate bowl gently combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let it rise for 10

minutes.

3. When the oat mixture is lukewarm, add the molasses and mix well. Do not add the

molasses when the oat mixture is too hot, or it will change the texture and

require more flour.

4. Add yeast mixture to molasses-oat mixture. Add one cup of the white flour. Beat well.

5. Keep adding white flour in one cup increments up to 4 or 5 cups. As you get near

the end, you may need to use your hands to work the flour in. If the dough is really

sticking to your hands, keep working in a little more flour at a time until it isn't

sticking.

6. Kneed bread for 10 minutes, dusting surface with flour if needed.

7. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let the dough rise in a warm

spot until it doubles in size. It takes about 60 minutes.

8. When the dough has risen, divide it into four equal-sized pieces and form the pieces

into balls. Place 2 balls in one greased bread pan and the remaining 2 balls in a

second greased pan. Let the dough rise until double in size. It takes about

45 minutes. Preheat oven for 350º F while dough is rising in the pans.

9. Bake bread for 35-40 minutes. The loaves are done when they are well-browned on

top. If you tap a loaf, it should sound hollow. Carefully remove the pans from the

oven wearing oven mitts. Tip each pan onto a cooling rack. If the loaves are done,

they should slide right out of the pans. Cool on racks.

10. When loaves are cooled, they can be sliced with a bread (serrated) knife. A loaf

will last for a week in the refrigerator. Loaves can also be frozen.

Friday, September 18, 2020

From Lousy to Great!

Argh! It looks like Blogger has taken away my option to use legacy blogger.

I've been fighting with the new blogger format since it first appeared.

A couple of weeks ago I threw up my hands and didn't even try to deal with it anymore.

I went back to using legacy only.

And now tonight, at the end of a frustrating day

that went downhill from the beginning, no legacy blogger.

I've been tearing my hair out trying to work around

some of the maddening things with the new blogger format.

And then, unexpectedly, literally just this minute,

I found the answer to one issue that's been driving me crazy for weeks!

Not that I haven't searched for solutions on-line and tried to get help from Blogger!

Ta Da!

If you want the new Blogger to single space between lines when you hit return,

the damn answer is so simple it almost made me cry.

I feel so stupid with computers sometimes!

I joke occasionally about being learning disabled with computers,

but it's really not a joke. So many simple things elude me.

Just in case any of you have been perplexed, frustrated, maddened

by this problem, here is the answer!

In the tool bar across the top, between the B for Bold and the TT for Font,

there is a "dropdown for choices" arrow.

Click on that arrow and choose "Normal" at the bottom of the list.

Duh!

Mine was on "Paragraph" which double-spaced every time I hit return.

Now, if you were one of the many engineers in my life,

you would have tested every option across the tool bar

to see what the result was, from left to right, up to down,

methodically.

End of problem.

So logical.

Me?

I'm frantically clicking on everything looking for line-spacing options.

Who knew "Normal" meant single-space between lines?

This is how my day started to go downhill:

So in honor of flat tires, here are a few funnies:

And my favorite:

I'm so excited about finding the answer to the single-line spacing problem

that my day has taken on a happy color in retrospect!

I feel great!

I know I'm way behind in visiting everyone, but I'll get there.

Have a happy Friday!

And, oh yay!

Terry and I ventured out to our favorite Parkway for dinner and drinks.

After six months of self-isolating at home, it felt fantastic!

Now to deal with that skunk line ~ LOL!

Cheers!

Parkway Bar and Grill

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 2020

Social Distancing

Parkway Bar and Grill

Aurora, Colorado, USA

September 2020

Friday, September 11, 2020

Passing through Sisimiut and Walking on to Ittoqqortoormiit

I'm still hoofing it, putting one foot in front of the other since I retired on June 6, 2012.
It's been quite a while since I updated my walking progress.
On August 15th, I passed through Sismiut, Greenland,
and I'm now slogging toward Ikerasaarsuk, Greenland.

Glaciers Flowing to the Sea

Flying on Norwegian Airlines and

Looking Toward the Southwestern Coast of Greenland

September 25, 2018

Heading for Ikerasaarsuk from Sisimiut

(red arrow)

Map Screen on Norwegian Airlines

Looking Toward the Western Coast of Greenland

September 25, 2018

Actually, I began "my walk" on my third day of retirement,
because I was exhausted at the end of my last year of teaching.
Too many bouts of internal bleeding had forced me to retire,
and my first goal in retirement was to regain my health.

On my first day of retirement, June 7, 2012,
I put one foot in front of the other and started walking
a few circles around the kitchen, dining room, and living room.

On my third day of retirement, June 9, 2012,
I felt rested enough to tackle a walk along Piney Creek,
and I decided that I was going to walk from my home
in Aurora, Colorado to St. Anthony, Newfoundland.

I began adding up the miles I walked on trails near my home
and plotting them on a map from my front doorstep,
to the highway, and on to I-70 and Kansas.

It took me until September 23, 2017 to "walk" (1933 days)
the 3423 miles (5509 kilometers) from Aurora to St. Anthony,
an average of 1.7 miles/day (2.7 kilometers/day).

My Goal: The Finish Line in St. Anthony

Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland, Canada

July 15, 2011

My plan was to return to St. Anthony to celebrate my accomplishment
and to take a new photo at my "finish line."
The only photo I have was taken the summer before I retired.
I'm still waiting to physically return to St. Anthony and get that photo.

I picked a second goal, that of walking to Ittoqqortoormiit,
one of the most remote towns in Greenland.
One of Pat Hatt's posts in It's Rhyme Time gave me the idea.

Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

Wikimedia

So Close, Flying Over Greenland

Map Screen on Norwegian Airlines

Heading Over the Labrador Sea

September 25, 2018

So I "turned around" in St. Anthony and started hoofing it
for St. Barbe, Newfoundland, the ferry to Labrador,
and on to Red Bay, Labrador City, and Killiniq.

The Ferry to Labrador

St. Barbe, Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland, Canada

July 2011

Exiting the Labrador Ferry

Turn left for Quebec, right for Labrador

July 2011

Heading for Killiniq, Nunavut, Canada

Previously within Labrador and then the Northwest Territories,

it is now situated within the borders of Nunavut.

July 2011

I made it to Killiniq, Nunavut on October 8, 2018 just two weeks
after flying over Greenland, the Labrador Sea, and the Gray Strait
and imagining that I could see Killiniq Island on the horizon.

Wikimedia

So Close!

Map Screen on Norwegian Airlines

Heading Over the Labrador Sea to Gray Strait

September 25, 2018

Le Monde en Images ~ Photo by Denis Bruneau

Quelques bâtiments du village abandonné de Killiniq

situé sur la rive du chenal McLelan.

(Some buildings in the abandoned village of Killiniq

located on the shore of McLelan Channel.)

La photo a été prise au mois d’août 1992

(The photo was taken in August, 1992)

After flying over Greenland, I thought
Why walk straight to Ittoqqortoormiit?
Why not circumnavigate the world's largest island?

So on October 9, 2018, I strapped on my Jesus Boots
and headed across the Labrador Sea
for Prins Christianssund at the southernmost tip of Greenland.
Then I started walking clockwise for Narsaq Kujalleq,
measuring my distances in straight lines,
because the western coast of Greenland is rugged.

I've made it to Sisimiut and beyond!

Sisimiut, Greenland

Wikimedia

Ikerasaarsuk, Greenland

Wikimapia

Somehow, someway, when this pandemic is over,
I'm going to return to St. Anthony and Labrador and visit Greenland.

Meanwhile, I'm still walking and recording the miles.
As of Labor Day, I've walked a total distance of 6697 miles/10777.7 kilometers,
including 3273.39 miles/5268 kilometers of walking to Ittoqqortoormiit.
Wish me luck!