Coffee, please

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Ann Roth

No question about it–I love coffee. The aroma, the ritual of making a pot of the stuff, the taste… What’s not to love?

For years, I’ve used this reliable Capresso coffeemaker that I bought at Costco. I have the option of grinding my own beans or using the pre-ground stuff. I can set it to make strong, medium or weak coffee. Cool, huh? I like this machine and am happy with it.

But then… When I visited Ashland, Oregon, in September, I tried something new (to me, anyway) that blew my coffee tastebuds out the water. Coffee made with the Chemex method. The barista who offered it had me sample both regular coffee and the Chemex-made coffee. The Chemex kind was smoother, richer, and superior to any coffee I’ve ever tasted.

In fact, I was so impressed that I headed for a shop that sold the pot and filters and bought the equipment.

What, you may ask, is Chemex method? It’s an old-fashioned way of brewing coffee, and yet it isn’t widely known or used.

The filters are odd-looking, and require a bit of folding, which isn’t so difficult to master.

Use any ground coffee, but it should be a fine ground (as opposed to a coarse ground). Follow the instructions, and voilà … Great coffee!

I don’t brew Chemex coffee every day. For that, I use the Capresso. But when I’m in the mood for something special that takes a little manual effort, I reach for the Chemex pot and filters.

Thanks for letting me share.

Until Wednesday, and wishing you a perfect coffee (or tea) day,

Ann

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Pie, Pie, Beautiful Pie

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Ann Roth

It’s fall, and I’ve got a yen for pie. Not just any pie–apple pie. Several years ago, I tried the Barefoot Contessa’s recipe for deep dish apple pie. After tweaking amounts and ingredients a bit, I can truly say without a doubt, that this is the best apple pie I’ve ever made or tasted.

The crust (makes top and bottom crust):

1/1/2 sticks chilled, unsalted butter

3 cups unbleached flour

1 scant tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp sugar

1/3 cup cold shortening

approximately 8 Tbs ice water

Dice butter. Dump into the bowl of a food processor, along with flour, salt, sugar and shortening. Pulse until butter is the size of peas. With the food processor running, slowly pour in ice water until the dough begins to form a ball. Wrap in wax paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.

While the dough chills, preheat the oven to 400 degrees and make filling.

Note: This is a large amount of filling, so be sure you have a large pie pan. Or just pile high like a mini-mountain. 🙂

The pie:

4 pounds apples (I use a mixture of Granny Smith, Honey Crisp and any other apples that look good), cored and sliced and peeled if you prefer. (I don’t peel mine.)

1 Tbs lemon zest plus 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 Tbs orange zest plus 2 tsp freshly squeezed orange juice

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup unbleached flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp allspice

Roll out half the pie dough and fit into the pie tin so that about a half inch of dough extends over the rim. Save the other half for the top. In a large bowl, combine apples, flour, sugar, salt and spices. Pour carefully into prepared pie tin. Place top crust over the apples, again with extra dough extending over the edge. With your fingers, crimp the crusts together. Slit the top dough in several places to allow steam to escape. Bake at 400 for approximately 40 minutes, then without opening the oven, lower heat to 350. Bake for 30 minutes more, until crust is browned and the juices are bubbling out. Serve warm or cold with ice cream if desired.

I am drooling now :-), so please excuse me while I run to the store for the ingredients and make this myself…

Until Monday, and wishing you good pie,

Ann

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Fun and Games…

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Ann Roth

Do you play those online games that seem to be going around (especially on Facebook)? I do! I’m not sure why I enjoy them so much. The lists of sometimes lame questions, the multiple choice answers that don’t come near what I would answer if I could… They certainly aren’t accurate.

And yet, I have played dozens of these things. What color hair should I have? According to the quiz, platinum blonde. Which character in Downton Abbey am I? According to the quiz, Anna Smith, head housemaid. What’s my old person name? Myrtle. And on and on. Silly, you’re thinking. I agree. But fun. Even laughable. I guess that’s why I continue to play.

If you play, too, I’d love to hear about your experiences. If you never play, I’d like to hear about that, too.

Until Friday, and wishing you games that make you smile,

Ann

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It’s Raining Books!

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Ann Roth

This is an exiting month for me, with FOUR books for your reading pleasure.

Now available in bookstores everywhere and as an ebook:

Mr. Right-There-All-Along

Since she was a teen, there’s been one guy that restaurateur Dani Pettit can always count on—her best friend, Nick. Their relationship is purely platonic…that is until a single kiss changes everything. Now Dani is falling hard for the one man she shouldn’t fall for—the one who can truly break her heart.

Although rancher Nick Kelly knows he’s to blame for his string of failed relationships, Dani is the only woman he ever trusted. Nick doesn’t want to be just another guy who lets her down, but his new feelings for Dani are too strong to resist. Do they dare risk their lifelong friendship for a once-in-a-lifetime love?

Also available as e-book exclusives:

You knew about those two, but not this one, which I just self published. It was my second book, a Special Edition, and came out in 2001.

Entrepreneur Will Stoner was a competent executive, but when he became guardian to the son he’d never known about, Will did the only thing he could—he hired help. Dena Foster did a great job with his son. Her gentle ways took the trepidation out of parenting, and despite a bad marriage that made Will mistrust women, he warmed to Dena. Now he wanted more from this nurturing beauty—for himself.

First he had to erase the doubt he saw in Dena’s eyes about his feelings for her. Was being a successful businessman, caring father and loving husband too much to ask for?

For more information about these three ebook exclusives, visit https://annroth.net/ebooks.html

Until Wednesday, and wishing you happy reading,

Ann

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Recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Tea Bread

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Ann Roth

I love to bake in the fall and winter. The house always smells so good! This is a delicious, easy to make recipe that my family loves.

Pumpkin Chocolate Tea Bread

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon each cloves and nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter and flour a 9×5″ loaf pan.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter, then whisk in the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin.
In a separate bowl, whisk together all of the remaining ingredients, except for the chocolate, then stir them into the pumpkin mixture until just combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour into the prepared pan. Bake in the center of the oven for about an hour, or until a toothpick tester comes out clean. (At this point, I’m busy, licking the pan. Because even the batter is yummy.) Cool for at least 10 minutes.
To remove the loaf from the pan, run an offset spatula around the edge, then invert it onto a cooling rack. Turn right side up and serve in thick slices.

Until Monday, and wishing you baking aromas that make your mouth water,

Ann

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Hello October, My Old Friend

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Ann Roth

Happy October!! I happen to love the fall. The crisp, cool days, the turning leaves, the pumpkins and the hints of the coming winter.

Kids are buckled down, learning new stuff and doing their homework. TV shows are back on the air, and new ones are available to check out. Apples are in abundance and so is freshly squeezed cider. Yum!

In a few weeks, the leaves will be ready to rake into piles. Oh, the smell of freshly raked leaves. As a child, I remember spending quite a while cleaning up the lawn. I was supposed to put the leaves into trash bags, but sometimes I couldn’t resist jumping into the pile I had made. What fun that was! Sure, it meant cleaning up after myself, but the fun was worth the extra work.

Until Friday, and wishing you a leaf-pile of fun,

Ann

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Come and Get It!!!!

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Ann Roth

Available now!! Remastered and available from Kindle, Nook and iBooks.

Another Life

Learning of her husband Stephen’s fatal heart attack is the worst thing Mary Beth Mason can imagine… Until she learns about the other family he left behind. Another wife, another daughter, another home…

For more information, click here: https://annroth.net/ebooks.html

My Sisters

In some families, there is pain and loss, but there is also the unbreakable bond of love. Sisters Margaret, Rose and Quincy Lansing were never a close or loving family. When receive the tragic news that a car accident has claimed the life of their mother, they must return to their childhood home. In unraveling their mother’s secrets, they find not only revelation, but also strength, hope, sisterhood, and a chance for love…

First he had to erase the doubt he saw in Dena’s eyes about his feelings for her. Was being a successful businessman, caring father and loving husband too much to ask for?

For more information, click here: https://annroth.net/ebooks.html

Until Wednesday, and do check out that link,

Ann

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And… Action!

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Ann Roth

I am in Ashland, Oregon, enjoying a few days of theater and fun. Ashland is noted for its amazing Oregon Shakespeare Festival, but it also offers contemporary plays. And some of the finest acting I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. This is our 11th year to attend. We drive down, an 8-hour trek. It’s a fun road trip, and a chance to listen to a book or two on CD.

Actors must audition annually to appear on the theater roster, and they often appear in several plays at the same time. I am continually awed by such amazing skills–and Ashland never takes its actors for granted. It doesn’t want its talent distracted by financial matters, such as making ends meet. Unlike most other cities, where actors must work a full-time job while they appear in productions, the city of Ashland is so supportive of its actors, that it subsidizes housing and provides membership to a local gym (physical fitness helps with acting), among other perks.

Evenings in spring, summer, and part of the fall, many of the Shakespearean plays are presented in this theater (The Elizabethan Theater) under the stars. A magical experience for we who watch.

But Ashland also offers other fun. The Rogue River is nearby, and offers river rafting and enjoyable walks. Or rent a bicycle and look around. Or try a nature walk, or a picnic. There are hotels and motels and B&B’s . There are tons of tasty restaurants and coffee shops and lots of great places to shop.

Can you tell that I’m psyched to be here?

Well, it’s time to get ready for an afternoon show.

Until Monday, and wishing you a weekend of fun,

Ann

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And We Have a Winner…

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Ann Roth

Ain’t it the truth….

Speaking for myself, it isn’t possible for me to produce a story I want to share without spending time and care developing the characters and plot and rewriting and polishing numerous times.

Not the best profession for an impatient person, is it? And yet, here I am, loving what I do, no matter how much time it takes.

So now you know.

Until Friday, and wishing you slow, steady progress in whatever you do,

Ann

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Eek–a Jumping Spider!!!!

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Ann Roth

Here in the Pacific Northwest, blackberries are still abundant. My favorite time for picking is late in the afternoon. I take a bowl with me and do my best to fill it.

But it’s September and spiders are also abundant.

Many of them spin webs among the blackberry bushes. I have a healthy respect for these critters, who do an admirable job of killing many kinds of pesky insects. But I also prefer to steer clear of them.

The other day, I was out, doing picking thing, and doing my best to avoid the spiders and their webs. I admit that I was distracted with a novel I’m plotting, but I was careful. Suddenly, something whizzed up, so quickly, it was a blur, and bit the flesh just above my elbow. “Ouch!” I said.

I spotted what looked like a bee (but is actually a fly), but they can’t sting. So what was it? To my relief, the sting lasted all of 5 seconds before it faded into oblivion. No red spot or itching, either.

I returned to my picking, and figured out some cool stuff for the story. Suddenly it happened again–a blur and a sting, this time in the vee between my second and third finger. “Ouch!” Wouldn’t you know, I was so startled that I upended the bowl and I lost a good half the berries.

Then I saw it–a spider dangling from a single thread, attached to the outside bottom of my bowl. Shrieking, I spun around a couple of times, until the thread snapped. I’m sure if anyone had seen, they would have questioned my sanity.

At which point the spider went on his or her way and I went on mine. In opposite directions. Phew!

Until Wednesday, and wishing you a spider-free day,

Ann

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