Susan B. James: COVID comfort

Please welcome my guest blogger Rachel Sharpe.

It’s hard to believe that we are almost to Halloween. Halloween. Somehow, we’re nearing the end of 2020. This year has flown by at light speed while also moving at a snail’s pace. It’s been a year of firsts in many ways, making those simple, routine moments all the more precious.
What I’ve found most precious is having more time with my family. And what I’ve found most inspiring is the true depth of the human spirit. In spite of all the hardships and challenges, people from around the world continue to rise up to the challenges posed in this life after COVID-19 and make the best of situations, for the betterment of their families and their communities. As Mr. Rogers used to call them, “The Helpers.”
From the numerous essential workers like doctors, nurses, and grocery store clerks, to pastors, teachers, and entertainers, people are working together to help others get through this and using creativity to do so.
Years from now, I hope when my children look back on this time, they will not think of the virus and the suffering, but instead on our endless backyard summer days, family movie nights, and Zoom Charades with grandparents and cousins.

Thank you, Rachel. I hope so too. Stay safe. Keep writing. Rachel is giving away one copy of each of her books. I am using Rafflecopter. Happy Reading, my friends.
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Rachel Sharpe is the author of Cold Ambition, Lost Distinction, Bitter Retribution, and Simple Misconception, all part of the Jordan James, PI series, a mystery series with sweet romance. Although born and raised in the South, “Yankee” relatives first led Rachel to historic New England, which she has come to consider her second home and is the setting for the series.

Rachel currently resides with her husband and children in the Greater New Orleans area where she and her children work together to maintain a simple garden.

Check Out Rachel’s Sites to Keep Up with Jordan James!!!

Twitter: twitter.com/RachelCSharpe

When Jordan James decided to embark on a career as a private investigator, she never could have imagined that a chance encounter would lead to her staring down the barrel of a gun on the roof’s edge of a high-rise building. As she begins to investigate her first case, the puzzling murder of a prominent businessman that has left Boston’s finest mystified for more than two decades, she finds herself suddenly immersed in a treacherous underworld brimming with betrayal, raw greed, and political subterfuge of international proportions. In the midst of this, she discovers she is falling for her mysterious client despite the hints of his dark past. Can this feisty Southern girl with a penchant for trouble solve this baffling case, or is she doomed to become another tragic chapter in an international conspiracy?

COLD AMBITION, Available Now on Amazon!!! http://www.amzn.com/B00L2OLQPG/

"It all started with a favor . . ."

When private investigator Jordan James agreed to search for the missing son of a U.S. Ambassador, she didn’t realize she was walking into a case one hundred years in the making. The deeper she delves into this unusual assignment, the more shocking, and the more dangerous, it becomes. With time running out and lives at stake, Jordan must race to identify the culprit of an elaborate plot while also uncovering a far more personal truth too intimate to ignore . . .

LOST DISTINCTION, Available Now on Amazon!!! http://www.amzn.com/B00Q5OGCS4

"What started out as a star-studded vacation has turned into a sensational avalanche . . ." When private investigator Jordan James decided to join her best friend on the set of her hit television series in the Rocky Mountains, she had no idea she would become a key player in a murder mystery more suited for the big screen than the slopes. With one actor dead and a killer on the loose, can Jordan uncover the culprit before another victim makes headlines on Hollywood Minute?

BITTER RETRIBUTION, Available Now on Amazon!!! http://www.amzn.com/B015YS0O94

A Trip to the Big Easy Turns into a Big Nightmare…”

When private investigator Jordan James returns home to New Orleans for Christmas, she never imagined her holiday could end with kidnapping and death. As she begins to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a childhood friend, she unwittingly stumbles upon a dangerous, international syndicate. With lives at risk and time running short, Jordan must find a connection between these seemingly unrelated events if she ever hopes to find her friend.

SIMPLE MISCONCEPTION, Available Now on Amazon!!! https://www.amazon.com/ B07D6W244X

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I just finished my last tax return. I volunteer to do taxes for free through VITA - a very good place to get free taxes done. We spend a lot of hours training and taking tests so we will do your taxes correctly.

This is my son Christopher trying to exercise while baby minding. Chris's wife Melanie works from home so Monday through Friday Chris arrives with the boys at 9:00 AM and they stay till six.

Sometimes he leaves them with me. I love them dearly, but I treasure my alone time. I find it's hard to get much done with two small children in the house. Sometimes I don't even try.

What did I do professionally in the last week? Yay. Something,

I signed two illustrator contracts for picture books which will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing,

I got word that Joel Coen's The Tragedy of Macbeth was resuming filming toward the end of July. Today I attended a two-hour Zoom meeting on COVID safety protocols for the cast and crew. I am confident they are making our work environment as safe as possible and I can't wait to get back to work.

Among other things you have to have two negative COVID tests before you can come onto the Warner Brother lot. While working, the actors and crew will be tested once a day.

Other than that I read comfort books - rereads only. I answered some emails and worked on a jigsaw puzzle.

I made my favorite soup. Walter and I made Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies. Twice.

What did you do that comforted your soul this week?

My gift to you - two very good recipes.

Silky Gingered Zucchini Soup

Prep 10 min | Cook 60 min | Serves 4-6 | Whole30 compliant

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
4 large cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon (mild) to 1 teaspoon (hotter) powdered ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (if you’re not on AIP)
4 medium zucchini, about 2 pounds, chopped*
4 cups high-quality chicken broth or Vegetable broth, if you are going Vegan

*You can cut the zucchini however you like; see photo below for the safest way.

Directions:
1. Heat coconut oil in a large soup pot on medium heat, 2 minutes. Add onions, then smash garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife or the bottom of a glass and add to pan. Stir often and cook until the onions and garlic are soft and golden, but not browned, about 7 minutes. Add salt, ginger, and black pepper; stir to combine.

2. Toss the zucchini into the pot. Stir to coat the zucchini with fat, then cook ’til beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the broth, bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to simmer. Let the zucchini cook 45 to 60 minutes until it’s very soft.

4. VERY carefully, purée the zucchini and broth in a blender or food processor, or with an immersion blender. If you’re using a blender, work in batches, filling the canister only halfway and holding a towel over the lid while you purée. Eat immediately, or store in a covered container in the fridge.

Tasty garnishes: My favorite right now is dried or fresh chopped chives. The green tops of scallions are also yummy. You would not be remiss if you drizzled a little sesame oil across the top (but only if you’re not on the AIP).

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies from Sue and Walter.

· ½ cup sugar

· ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed

· 1 teaspoon salt

· ½ cup refined coconut oil, melted

· 2 Tablespoons Molasses

· 2 Tablespoons non-dairy milk

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 1 ½ cups flour

· ½ teaspoon baking soda

· 8 oz vegan semi-sweet chocolate, chunks

Preparation

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, salt, and coconut oil until combined.
Whisk in non-dairy milk and vanilla, until all sugar has dissolved and the batter is smooth.
Sift in the flour and baking soda, then fold the mixture with a spatula, being careful not to overmix.
Fold in the chocolate chunks evenly.
Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Scoop the dough with an ice cream scoop onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Be sure to leave at least 2 inches of space between cookies and the edges of the pan so cookies can spread evenly.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cookies just begin to brown.
Cool completely.
Enjoy!