I’m up to my eyelashes in holiday goodness. We’ve sort of had an early Christmas–my son was up from Florida for ten days and the house was jam-packed with his siblings and friends. I love to entertain, although I also love to be left alone in my writing room as I peck and ponder.
Sometimes the holiday season can be overwhelming–all the cooking and shopping and decorating and anxiety to get things “perfect.” Add a book release (Lords of Passion) in December and another (Mistress by Midnight) in January, and you might think I’m close to losing my marbles.
But I’m not, because I realized “perfect” is just another word in the dictionary. I’m old enough to know nothing in life is perfect, from the fingerprints marring the sheen on my stainless steel refrigerator to the problematic paragraph on the page. I can wipe smudges off, but there will be more any minute. I might craft a really fabulous phrase that someone skips right over to get to “the good parts.” *g* Which is not to say I’m not getting out the Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner (a great product, btw) or trying hard to write the best book I can.
How crazy is the process of writing a book? If I’m lucky, I can finish one in about five months, sooner if real life doesn’t rear its sometimes-ugly head. It will take a reader as little as several hours or maybe a few days to read it. And they will expect perfection, which I will have tried to deliver…sometimes not entirely successfully, LOL. (For a chance to find out how close or far away from perfection I am for yourself, I’m giving away signed copies of both Lords of Passion and Mistress by Midnight today over at The Season blog.)
But here’s something that is practically perfect, and so simple that you can please the fussiest crowd. It can be jazzed up or just left as is. My family loves it, and the recipe is my gift to you to make your holidays easier…always a worthy goal. Happy New Year!
Idiot Chili-Cheese Dip: Mix one can of chili (I usually use Hormel’s with beans) and one pound of cheap American cheese (the evil stuff that is wrapped in plastic). Alternate layers in a microwave-safe bowl. Nuke about 9 minutes, or until cheese is oozy and stir-able. Serve with Cool Ranch Doritos and enjoy!
What’s your easiest go-to recipe? What’s the most perfect book you’ve ever read?
I wish I knew who said this, but I’ve always loved this quote:
“It is well that there are no perfect people, for he would not have a friend in the world!”
As far as cooking goes, the easiest thing I make is a reservation at Not Your Average Joe’s. We’re within walking distance of that lovely restaurant and I take full advantage of it.
Ah, eating out, always fun. I’ve gotten so lazy with the mascara that I can’t be seen in public, but I send my husband out for take-out. We have a great Thair restaurant nearby. Hold the tofu.
Hi Maggie–chili and cheese sounds like a winner! “Perfect” for a cold day. And as for your books, I loved your novella and have got MIDNIGHT pre-ordered as a late Christmas present to myself.
My go-to recipe for cold days (if you can call it one) is a splash of eggnog in my morning coffee. NOT alcoholic, at least not in the morning coffee. It’s just like cream and sugar with a little extra flavor kick. I’m always a little disappointed in January when I go back to just Splenda again.
Thanks so much, Theresa! My daughters all use those flavored coffee creamers.I think they like the Italian cream one the best. I keep finding it in my fridge when they come home for visits.:)