Thursday, February 26, 2015

Best Fish Chowder Ever



BEST FISH CHOWDER

(adapted from Peter Christian's Tavern)


Simmer these ingredients together in a soup pot...

1 12-ounce bottle clam broth
2 diced potatoes (or more, I keep the skins on!)
2 diced celery stalks (with greens)
1 diced onion
1 pound white fish fillets, chopped up


When veggies are tender, add seasoning...

Salt and pepper to taste
I like to use dried tarragon, thyme, dill, basil, chives, chervil.
If you have a favorite seafood seasoning, try that.


Make a roux...in a small pan, melt 1/4 cup butter, stir in 1/4 cup flour.
Cook over low heat for about five minutes, stirring constantly.

Add roux into vegetable mixture and simmer until thickened.

Add 1 cup milk and 1 cup light cream, simmer for 10 more minutes.

Serve with slices of lemon and fresh herbs. 

The best part of this soup is squeezing fresh lemon juice on top right before serving. 
Try it!
Serve with crusty bread and a green salad. This is delicious.


STAY WARM!
Penny

Monday, February 23, 2015

Who Wants a $200 Amazon Gift Card? (Let's Talk Newsletters!)



I have a confession to make.

I hate newsletters.

Not all newsletters, but let's say approximately 98% of them.

Most authors are already over-promoting, so the newsletter is just the super irritating frosting on the cake of too-much-promotion.

I really had no interest in starting my own newsletter, and then I started to get some emails.

A LOT of emails.

From readers who read and enjoyed The Klaus Brothers boxed set this past holiday season. Not only did they enjoy reading the first three installments of the series, but they were quite anxious about the next books.

When would they be out?
Who would they be about?
Why didn't I have a newsletter they could sign up for so they could get purchase links and release information and be sure NOT TO MISS A BOOK!

Okay...*Penny waves the white flag of surrender*

So I decided...fine, I need to do a newsletter. But if I'm gonna do a newsletter, I'm gonna make it fun and mix it up and not be blabbing about myself the whole time.

Introducing...the PENNY WATSON ANTI-NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER filled with fun links and weenie dog pics and book/film recommendations and cocktail recipes and yes, some information about my upcoming releases.

I'm aiming for 4 newsletters per year. Maybe less? Depends on frequency of release dates, etc.

Since I'm just starting this endeavor, I decided to bribe encourage people to sign up by offering a $200 Amazon gift card as a give-away for one lucky new subscriber.

The newsletter will be going out this week, and I'll choose a winner in early March.

200 BUCKS!

That's good.

So, if you're interested in weenie dogs, cocktails, good movies and books, fun links, Etsy shopping recommendations, and getting up-to-date info about my releases...

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE NEWSLETTER!

Or maybe you just want the 200 bucks. I hear you. That's fine.

Okay people, stay safe out there and try not to get lost in a 7-foot snow drift,

Penny


Friday, February 13, 2015

Valentine Treats!

 

Looking for something sweet? Try these...




1. Adorable felted heart bowl from theFelterie at Etsy!



2. Watch the Westminster Kennel Club Agility competition on Valentine's Day. I'm super bummed we had to cancel our trip to NYC because of bad weather, but we can all watch on TV! Yipppeeee!


Photo by Steve Surfman, from Westminster website


3. Wanna get some chi chi chocolates for your sweetie? These look good! 
Expensive, but good!



4. Try a different kind of flower/plant.
Red roses are sort of boring. 
How about peonies, daffodils, fragrant stock?
Try something different this year!




5. Read an oldie but goodie romance novel, with a gentle giant of a hero.


Preacher is the most wonderful hero! Swoony!




HAPPY VAL DAY TO ALL!

LOVE PENNY