Month: October 2024

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Fall Foolishness

ellenparkerwrites

Can you have an October without a few jokes?

I suppose it’s possible. But would you want to?

During these final days of the month, I think we should go for a wagon ride. Jack will drive.

Wait! Something’s missing. Jack can’t drive — he’s all turned around and looking out the back. Silly kid, like riding in a 1950’s station wagon.

Change of plans. No ride until we find a horse and a proper driver — one who hasn’t overdone the pumpkin spice to the point of turning orange.

Looking for a light read? Fans of sweet romance should check out the historical novel, Stitching a Dream. Portions of this 1851 story occur in the autumn with preparations for winter. A young boy and a calico cat will add to the smiles.

Here’s the link to the Kindle edition: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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High and Hushed

ellenparkerwrites

The swish of branches releasing autumn leaves in the breeze. A bee busy at a late blossom. A vehicle passing on the park road at slow speed.

From the heights in this Missouri State Park, the view across the river to Illinois can pull an exclamation from the often silent. This October view was captured while the hickory, oak, and maple displayed more green than yellow, orange, or brown.

Have you gone for a hike, or drive to admire the autumn trees? Do you have the event on your schedule? You have a little time left in the month — but you better plan now.

Unable to visit a park or woodland in person? Open a book and visit anywhere in the world at the time of your choosing. In this season, I recommend the sweet romance, Morning Tryst. In addition to a romance (happy ending) you will get an introduction to some of the many Missouri State Parks. Link to the book is here: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Distinctive Downtown

ellenparkerwrites

Every city has a downtown feature they consider a symbol or a trademark. Sometimes it’s a building (often historic or unique architecture).

St. Louis, however, takes the first portion of architecture seriously. And then they add the history portion.

The historic Old Courthouse survived the Great Fire in 1849 and was the location for the initial portions of the Dred Scott legal action. This view, taken a few blocks west of the restored 19th century building is framed by the sleek lines on the 20th century Gateway Arch.

I wonder what will be added in the current century.

When the immigrants in New Dreams paused in St. Louis in the spring of 1851, the Courthouse (without the current dome) would have been a busy building. The characters in this sweet romance, soon boarded a small steamboat to take them north — about three days journey to the fictional village of Elm Ridge, Illinois.

Check out book details here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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October Stroll

ellenparkerwrites

The sun is shining. The temperature is mild. Let’s go for a walk outside of the neighborhood.

Where should we go? One nearby park features sculptures. Another is bordered by the Mississippi River. The zoo is always interesting. Oh — I know…

We’re in luck! The fountains are still running at the public garden. I love this combination of graceful, colorful glass, bright white fencing, and a water feature in the traditional rose garden. Wander. Sniff. Photograph. Breath deep and count this as one of your blessings.

The American Midwest holds many treasures within the multiple cities and towns within the half dozen or more states. (Definitions of Midwest vary.)

Explore a few in the sweet romance, Morning Tryst. Photographer Serena Carter is spending a year working in Missouri State Parks. Open the pages and discover little gems — and second chances.

Book link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Serene Spot

ellenparkerwrites

Hurry, hurry, hurry. Do the errands. Fix a meal. Clean the house. Prepare for work tomorrow. Deal with the mini-crisis NOW!

Modern life has a way of getting a person worn and frazzled at the edges.

A decade ago, on a fine October afternoon, I found an excellent place to sit down and let the cares of the world evaporate. The location is not silent — the tumbling water makes a constant background sound. Birds and other humans visiting this large, public garden add to the soundtrack.

Fresh air, sunshine, and water are good for the soul — and the body. Immerse your mind in the sights and sounds. The weight of that unfinished report, or project washes away. The worry over medical or financial news disappears — at least temporary.

Not able to escape into nature? Open the pages of a book and take a mini-vacation. Romance novels promise a happy ending — a condition uncertain in real life. Check out the sweet historical romance, New Dreams, for a quick trip through time. Here’s the link: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Autumn Appetite Appeaser

ellenparkerwrites

When the morning chill is in the air, supper plans often turn to the hearty, comfort foods of the season. Soups, chili, and stews suddenly appear on the menu. Apples and pumpkin are featured in desserts and snacks.

Today I want to share with you a recipe for the most important portion of a warm, satisfying supper — spaghetti sauce.

Forget hours of simmering and stirring with a silent prayer for no scorching in the bottom of the pan. This is made in the slow cooker. Put it together and go off to work or errands or tasks around the house.

Note on the spices — I’ve never measured these. So I used the amount of ‘sprinkle over entire’ and ‘sprinkle over half’ to give a sense of proportion.

Here we go:

1–15 oz can diced tomatoes  garlic powder (sprinkle half)

3 – 8  oz can tomato sauce   onion powder (sprinkle entire)

2 –  6  oz can tomato paste    oregano (sprinkle entire)

1 lb bulk Italian sausage        basil (sprinkle half)

2 ½ cups water (may include 1/2 cup light wine)

parsley (sprinkle half)  fennel seed (sprinkle)

red pepper flakes (2 shakes)                                      

Put all tomato products and water and wine into slow cooker. Add sausage while crumbling into bite-sized pieces. Add spices – may adjust to your taste. Stir once. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Makes 10-12 generous portions. Freezes well.

Serve warm over fresh cooked pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

This is the sort of meal Janet, in the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, would fix during the week. Her hours working as HVAC tech can become unpredictable during cold snaps. And this is a delightful smell to welcome you home. Learn about the book by clicking the link.https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Sipping Station

ellenparkerwrites

Oh, come all ye who enjoy aster, butterfly bush, and salvia. Our blooms are available for daylight dining.

Come and sip at the late summer/early fall blossoms. Stock up now for your hive. Or collect extra energy for your migration.

Most years our St. Louis weather allows a variety of flowers to continue to spread joy and color well into October. While this raised bed tends to bloom in shades of purple, many yellow and orange flowers are bravely opening petals until a hard frost.

The residents of fictional Crystal Springs, WI play close attention to the weather. The economy of this tiny town depends on the surrounding farms — whether they grow Christmas trees, apple trees, or organic vegetables. Or German shepherds. Check out this trio for a sweet romance treat.

Here’s the link to Starr Tree Farm, the first of the triplets. https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Pick a Peck

ellenparkerwrites

Go and get a bushel basket. We had several on the farm and used them for all sorts of things. Many items carried in the bushel basket came from the garden –sweet corn or winter squash. But sometimes, a person doesn’t want an entire bushel.

So get a peck. Four to a bushel. A common measure at the apple orchard when we did our annual visit during my childhood.

This urban apple tree looks like you could pick a peck easy. I call it urban because of where it is growing. I don’t know the variety of apple.

In the sweet romance, Hiding Places, the hero, Linc Dray is working hard to inherit his grandfather’s farm and start an apple orchard. But life throws more than the usual number of obstacles in his path. Click on the link to find more book information: https://amzn.to/2Jm26GQ

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Wonderful in White

ellenparkerwrites

October arrived today. Do you have a nip in the air? Did you reach for a jacket when you went outside?

A change in the weather can be invigorating. Sunshine on autumn leaves is a sight to savor. Perhaps it’s the knowledge that this will not last which prods me to do those final outside chores of the year.

Some creatures find time to play and enjoy the touch of cool air — especially when you wear a fur coat.

He’s ready for his close-up and I, for one, will not pick an argument with this zoo resident. Have you seen his paw? With claws? My skin is too tender to come near. After all, his recent ancestors hunted seal for supper.

This photo was taken near the end of September. Have you ever visited the zoo in autumn? Try it sometime. Animals lethargic in summer heat may surprise you with their antics. After all, most of them are avid people-watchers.

Characters in my St. Louis set books visit local attractions. In Comfort Zone, the visit takes place for an early date — with his father along to make it a non-date. Check out this sweet romance where there is no age limit on love here: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av