V.V. Denman

Take Five, Everybody!

V.V. Denman — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:41:59 +0000

Looks like it’s time for a break from blogging for me.

Temporarily, of course.

I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to stay away, but I need to focus on my book for a while.

Apparently, I can’t multi-task.

Be back later.

Photo credit: Wikimedia, Linuxerist

A Royal Writer Riddle

V.V. Denman — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:00:59 +0000

His latest books give quite a thrill.

(Though some will find them gruesome)

Each plot twist makes the judges reel.

(He’s earned a Christy two-some)

Who Is He?

Click HERE to comment or to see the answer.

Photos: Wikimedia, Michael Maggs

Confessions of a Book-a-holic

V.V. Denman — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:51:02 +0000

Confession #1: I love blog Reading Lists.

You know. The blogger’s log of all the books he’s read lately.

When I see what he reads in his spare time, I know him better. After all, You Are What You Read.

And while I’m picking through the list, I often find a couple of titles to add to my gotta-read-it list.

Confession #2: I didn’t intend to read lots of books this year.

Even though I love reading, I’m supposed to be writing and I generally don’t write when I’m reading. Somehow, when I’m in the middle of someone else’s story, mine won’t surface.

Which lead me to . . .

Confession #3: I didn’t do much writing this year.

My bad.

Therefore, my New Year’s resolution is: Read less. Write more.

In the meantime, I’ll snoop other bloggers’ reading lists, and update my own.

Here’s a link to my 2011 log, but the whittled version appears below. (in no particular order)

Top 10 Faves

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

The Robe, by Lloyd Cassel Douglas

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Adult Children, by John & Linda Friel

How to Grow a Novel, by Sol Stein

The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

Room, by Emma Donoghue

June Bug, by Chris Fabry

On Writing, by Stephen King

Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell

If you are what you read, then I must be . . .

A determined writer, frazzled wife, struggling Christian, who is entertained by . . . curiously inspirational, juvenile, and/or slightly twisted stories.

Yep, that’s me.

What was your favorite read of the year?

Did you keep a reading log?

If so, leave a link so we can creep on your blog.

“Not Too Sweet” Roll-Out Cookies

V.V. Denman — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:15:48 +0000

Roll-out cookies are a Christmas tradition in our family. Funny, it seems that’s the only time of year we go to the trouble. This recipe produces cookies with tea cake texture. Half the family prefers them with icing; the others gobble them without.

Enjoy the recipe, complete with Nana’s hints:

Aunt Mary’s Christmas Cookies

1/2 cup shortening or softened butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 2/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup sour cream

Heat oven to 425°. Mix shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla. Blend in remaining ingredients. (You may want to chill the dough 10-15 minutes at this point, even overnight won’t hurt. Let it set out a few minutes for workable dough.) Divide dough into three parts. Roll each part 1/4 inch thick on well-floured board. (Lots of flour!) Cut into shapes. Bake 6-8 minutes. Cool. (Watch these closely, and remove from oven when the edges start to brown.) Decorate as desired. Makes about a dozen 2-inch cookies. (You can also tint half the dough with red food coloring and half with green. Then you don’t need to decorate!)

Variations: For chocolate cookies, mix in 1-ounce unsweetened chocolate. For peanut butter cookies, mix in 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter.