Festive Frosted Mason Jars

Making frosted Mason jars is fun. This craft is easy enough for kids to do and the end product is just beautiful. Make one or a dozen; it’s up to you. These make a fantastic home-made holiday or hostess gift.

Frosted Mason Jars

Here’s what you need:
Here’s what to do:
  1. Place Epsom salt and glitter into a pie tin or shallow baking pan (large enough to keep the mixture contained and off countertops and floors). Mix thoroughly.
  2. Using the sponge paint brush, paint the entire outside of the mason jar with mod podge. Work quickly to ensure mod podge does not dry.
  3. Cover the jar with the Epsom salt and glitter mixture. You can dip it until it is covered, or scoop the mixture and sprinkle it over the wet mod podge. Coat thoroughly. Set aside and allow to dry completely.
  4. Gently dab mod podge over the Epsom salt and glitter to set the coating. Set aside and allow to dry completely.
  5. Wrap the jute twine several times around the threads at the top of the jar, adding an evergreen sprig. Secure with a knot or bow.
  6. Place the battery-operated tea light inside. Enjoy the sparkly glow.
Notes:
  1. Use any size jar. This will also work with clear flower vases, baby food jars, or other clear glass containers.
  2. If you can’t find Mod Podge, look for basic white liquid glue.
  3. Swap out colorful curling ribbon for the jute twine, if you like.
  4. Use fake evergreen sprigs or forage for real evergreens outside.
  5. If you don’t mind having live flames, use a regular tea light candle in place of the battery-operated one.

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If you enjoy holiday romances, please check mine!




 

 

 

Travel with Mona on a Cruise Conference

For years I enjoyed cruising around the world—in the Caribbean, Cross-Atlantic via the North Pole and Greenland, in the Mediterranean Sea, the Far East, around South America, all the way to India and Singapore through the Suez Canal, in addition to several river cruises.

Let me tell you about a different kind of cruises that combined fun and business for writers. I’m talking about the cruise conferences organized by FRW [Florida Romance Writers] the South Florida chapter of Romance Writers of America [RWA]. (Unfortunately I think both groups don’t exist anymore.)

The FRW members gathered for their monthly meeting at a fixed location where a qualified guest presented a talk, but once a year, FRW opened its doors wide for the annual conference where editors and agents were invited to come and chat with the authors. For years this annual conference was set in a big hotel in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Later it was moved to a cruise ship. I attended two of these memorable cruise conferences.

In the following pictures, you may recognize familiar faces–authors who are now multi-published and quite famous.

The obligatory drill

Together with the other passengers we attended the safety drill before departure. As soon as the ship sailed out of port, we gathered in one of the ship’s big lounges for an introductory meeting.

~*~ THE EDITORS=THE GODS ~*~ at the time !!!
Introductory meeting in the lounge with the three founding mothers of the FRW chapter. Joan Johnston, Sally Fairchild and Heather Graham.

Dinner took place in the main restaurant, with an editor or an agent sitting at each table to allow the writers easy access to the agent or the editor they want to approach about their latest book. Remember, this was before self-publishing became so popular.

So business was in the afternoon, fun in the morning, and more fun at dinner.

Shopping for a t-shirt and a mug.

At the Three Amigos: This restaurant/pub became a traditional stop for the FRW writers who needed a beer, a tequila and some fun.

At Three Amigos!

After a good lunch it was time to work. Seriously! We were at a business conference! Heather Graham separated us in 5 groups. Each group received a few words and had to come up with a blurb for an interesting story. My group included Senior Editor Eric Raab from Tor, and our words were: actress, roto-rooter, ugly, basement… We brainstormed our blurbs and then read out loud with everyone. Quite hilarious.

This workshop was followed by an open discussion with Agents Lucy Childs and Lucienne Diver: How can an agent help writers achieve their goals? In the past, to be published writers needed an agent.

For the next two hours we enjoyed a special treat called the Floridian Idol. Heather Graham and Traci Hall read the first two pages submitted anonymously by more than thirty writers. Each submission received a thorough critique by the agents and editors.

On the last night, we gathered at dinner for our formal night.

Yes my husband came along and volunteered to be FRW’s official photographer!

He met most of the writers and enjoyed the conference too!

But all good things came to an end–business and fun–when our ship returned to port.

Time to say goodbye. Here with Heather Graham, a fabulous author who has been an inspiration to all of us at FRW.

On Special Sale for the Holiday Season:

CHRISTMAS HER AND THERE

Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year, a time for family gathering, for sharing love and exchanging gifts, for spoiling the children…
And yet some people may run away from celebrations that brought them betrayal, grief, or frustration. In this box of three sweet novels and a sexy novella, our heroes/heroines are trying to avoid Christmas and their painful memories. But…

LOVE YOU DOC series

Dr. Robert Olson, a well-known cardiac surgeon and heart transplant specialist, and his wife Janice, an ER nurse lived in Florida and deeply cared for their close-knit family. At home, all they talked about was hospital, patients, surgery, recovery, etcetera…
Sure enough, their four kids studied medicine. The oldest brother, Nathan, became an orthopedic surgeon and worked in Boston. His brother Aidan finished a residency in neurosurgery and accepted a position in Cincinnati. Their sister, Sophia, was an ER doc, and the youngest sibling, Liam, was still in med school when their dad died. Sure enough, these successful doctors faced their share of problems before finding their HEA. The following books related their stories: A Complete Family, Love On The Slopes, Love In The ER, Secret Kisses.

MODERN PRINCES Series

While cruising the British Isles, I visited Guernsey, in the English Channel, 30 miles west of Normandy. We were welcomed in St. Peters Port with a gorgeous sunny weather and a 70 o F temperature for our visit of the island, an idyllic paradise with cobbled streets and picturesque seafront marina.
Guernsey is not part of the United Kingdom but it is part of the British Islands. Residents speak English and French, and their money is similar to the English pound. The top speed limit in Guernsey is 35 miles/hour. If you drive along the coastline of Guernsey you will hit military fortifications almost every 2 minutes or so. These were built during the Napoleonic wars to protect Guernsey from France.
St. Peter Port is the main town on the island of Guernsey. It’s full of hills, colors, and super cute shops! French author Victor Hugo lived in exile in St. Peter Port for 15 years at Hautevile House where he wrote both Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
This quaint island with special privileges and autonomy became Rensy Island, the setting of my new series, MODERN PRINCES.
Modern Princes Series:
A Bride For Prince Paul: She can’t abandon her patients for his crown!
A Bodyguard For The Princess: A murder at Harvard in Princess Chloe’s student building.
Jingle With My Princess: The doc and the princess… He saves lives but Princess Charlene may save his heart.
Prince Philip’s Cinderella: A charming jogger saves her from danger. But he’s a prince… and she comes from nothing.
A Dance for Prince Eric: A ballerina with a promising career on the run for her brother’s sake. A charismatic prince who saved them both.

Christmas Puppies: Unwrapping the Pros and Cons

The holiday season has arrived, and with it comes the irresistible idea of adding a furry bundle of joy to your family. But is getting a puppy during Christmas truly a jingle-all-the-way experience? Here are the pros and cons.

Christmas

Pros:

  1. Merry Moments: The holiday season is all about creating cherished memories, and a puppy can make them even merrier. From adorable antics to heartwarming cuddles, their presence will add an extra layer of joy and laughter to your Christmas celebrations.
  2. Time on Your Side: With time off from work or extended vacation periods, you have the gift of extra time during the holidays. This allows you to invest more quality time in training, bonding, and ensuring a smooth transition for your new puppy.
  3. Love Multiplied: Nothing brings a family closer than caring for a puppy together. From shared responsibilities to teamwork, raising a puppy during Christmas strengthens the bonds among family members, creating a shared sense of love and commitment.

Cons:

  1. ‘Tis the Season of Stress: The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can overwhelm even the jolliest of puppies. With parties, guests, and disruptions to routines, it may take longer for your puppy to settle in, potentially leading to anxiety or behavioral issues.
  2. Post-Holiday Blues: As the festivities wind down, the realities of daily life kick in. Busy schedules, work, and school commitments can limit the time and attention you can devote to your puppy. Make sure you can provide consistent socialization and care, even after the Christmas magic fades away.
  3. Presents vs. Training: Training a puppy requires patience, consistency, and a structured environment. The holiday season, however, often brings distractions and a less structured routine. This can make training more challenging, potentially slowing down your puppy’s progress.

When it comes to getting a puppy during Christmas, there are both delightful pros and thoughtful cons. Take a moment to assess your readiness, lifestyle, and ability to provide the care and attention a puppy needs before adding a Christmas puppy to your festivities.

Black Friday sale!

Mark your calendars. On Black Friday, November 24th, my sweet and inspirational holiday romance boxed set, Holiday Hearts Volume Four, will be on a Kindle Countdown sale and only 99 cents. (US Residents only.) FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

Holiday Hearts Volume 4

This collection includes the following 3 books:

A Christmas Puppy To Cherish (Inspirational)
You don’t need ears to hear God’s plan. All you need is an open heart…

A Chocolate-Box Christmas Wish
He’s been all over the world. She’s a home-town girl. Can a holiday wish bridge the gap?

A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding
A woman who wanted more. A man who wanted her. Can they rediscover their love in the seaside town where it all began?

Be sure to pick up your copy before the price goes up.

Available in ebook, paperback, and large print paperback. Audiobooks for each book sold separately.

 

Travel with Mona to Florida

Why would you go anywhere else on New Year Day? Since I moved to Florida I have often wondered how I coped with living in the north for so many years. And Fort Lauderdale is the best of Florida. So what would you expect to find in Fort Lauderdale? A glorious sunshine, wonderfully warm temperatures, sandy beaches, the turquoise ocean, … Should I continue?

Sunrise on the ocean in Fort Lauderdale

If you are a snowbird escaping from the cold, you will love sunbathing on the sand, walking along the coastline, or swimming in the ocean.

Sunset on the city and the canals in Fort Lauderdale

Sunbathing on the beach: With over 23 miles of smooth sand, Greater Fort Lauderdale provides plenty of space to soak up the sun in one of Broward County’s beaches.

A picture from the ocean: The high-rises lining the coast

Swimming in the ocean: Average annual water temperature on the coast in Fort Lauderdale is 79°F, by the seasons: in winter 73°F, in spring 77°F, in summer 84°F, in autumn 81°F. With minimal current, exceptional water quality, typically calm sea conditions, shy marine life inhabiting the nearby coral reefs, and professional lifeguards stationed above, visitors find safe swimming conditions at the beautiful beaches of Fort Lauderdale.

My favorite beach Fort Lauderdale Beach

Walking along the coastline: The paved beachfront promenade highlights Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous coastline and stretches the 7-mile length of the beach, and is lined by an array of shops, restaurants, sidewalk cafes and entertainment venues.

The famous Fort Lauderdale promenade

Bicycling in a park: Fort Lauderdale’s “Central Park” was gifted to the city by Hugh Taylor Birch. The park is named after him. Hugh Taylor Birch Park is complete with gopher tortoises and boat access from the intracoastal waterway. The park is a vibrant center for the community of Fort Lauderdale, and residents take pleasure in activities from inline skating to reading under the shade of palms and oaks. Visitors can access the beach via the pedestrian tunnel under A1A.

Seen while walking on the promenade

Seen while walking on the promenade

To visit Fort Lauderdale—a city of canals—we hoped on a Water Taxi and experienced the multi-million-dollar mansions, hotels, and seafood restaurants lining the canals. In addition to sightseeing, the water taxi stops at boutiques and eateries along Las Olas Boulevard.

Boating along the intercoastal

Some of the mansions along the main canal

Las Olas Blvd is the main strip in Fort Lauderdale – Stretching from the heart of downtown, through the business, shopping and dining districts all the way to Fort Lauderdale Beach. Las Olas Boulevard is at the forefront of everything from fashion boutiques and art galleries, to memorable restaurants, sidewalk cafes and bars…The oldest and most famous bar in Fort Lauderdale is the Elbo Bar. It was featured in the movie ” Where the Boys Are” with Connie Frances and George Hamilton in 1961. It’s always crowded.

If you have time you can visit the Everglades Holiday Park where you can take a boat ride and watch an alligator show.

If you come to Fort Lauderdale, I’ll be happy to take you around and give you a
tour of Fort Lauderdale–my Paradise on Earth, especially at Christmas time.

LAST CHANCE PLANS on Preorder

Available at Amazon

At twenty, Rick Lambert ran away from the US to escape the accusations hurled at him. Fifteen years later, he returns to settle in Fort Lauderdale. His mother agrees to live with him and take care of his two sons who have been raised by nannies and boarding schools.
Flight attendant, Madison Howell loves nothing more than her job. During a flight from Dubai to Miami, she meets the authoritative businessman and his mother. The sweet old lady befriends her, and Rick doesn’t hide his attraction. When his children come home, Madison finds herself entangled with the Lamberts way too often. As she helps the young boys adapt to their new life, she falls in love with their gorgeous father, but she’s not sure she really knows Rick, her charming lover. A loving son and dedicated father but also a womanizer and tough businessman with a hidden past.
When people from long-ago cross his path, secrets are revealed, threatening to ruin their romance. Now mature and powerful, Rick confronts his enemies to clear his name, but will it cost him the woman he loves?