HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY POTTER ....

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Special Summer Edition: Attention DA Members and Friends of Harry Potter—Four days and counting

By Michael Di Gesu - Ravenclaw

LONDON - All week, O.W.L. results have been delivered over Great Britain to soon-to-be sixth years who waited with nerves bordering on a breakdown. Parents twitched anxious fingers over wands ready to hex their kids if they pestered them about any special owl deliveries ... my mum included.

Even with Umbridge and her tyrannical ways overpowered, most fifth years didn’t receive proper Defense Against the Dark Arts training and therefore many failed. Only a few of us (you know who you are) passed this course with an Exceeds Expectation or the coveted Outstanding. We had help from a very special person indeed.

Speaking of this special person, a new name for THE BOY WHO LIVED is on the lips of wizards young and old. Could Harry Potter really be THE CHOSEN ONE? This investigative reporter will dig deep to uncover every clue to see if the rumors are true. (Plus it doesn’t hurt to be in his inner circle.)

Last night, a snowy owl pecked at my window. It was none other than Hedwig, Harry Potter’s personal owl. What could THE CHOSEN ONE want from me? Could these be the answers to the questions I ran by him before term ended? Fat chance, he threatened to never speak to me again if I printed anything about him. But surely, he wouldn’t. Or would he? His mood swings lately would try anyone’s patience. But now that Umbridge is back in the Ministry and out of our hair, he should be more himself.

To my shock, the message wasn’t anything worth printing...just an invitation to the Burrow from Ron Weasley.

But wait! There was something in that scribble--the date, July 31. Four days from now, Harry Potter turns sixteen!

Let’s make this his most unforgettable birthday! Let’s give THE BOY WHO LIVED the best surprise party ever. Let’s honor him for all that he has done for us. After the tumultuous year we’ve all had, let’s get wild and show Harry how much we love him.

Write those letters, get those owls ready, and send Harry a cheery birthday message.

All you DA members, please get in touch with Fred and George Weasley before crashing this event. If anyone two people know how to crash anything, they do. Harry won’t expect a thing. Imagine his face as all of us DA members grin at him while hundreds of owls carry in warm wishes.

So don’t forget, blast those calendars with memory dust for Mon., July 31!

Four days and counting!

Thursday, July 31, 2011

Special PARTY UPDATE: FOR MY AMERICAN FRIENDS...

Four days later, the Burrow - All guests spouted “Happy Birthday Harry” from their lips as they arrived at seven o’clock via flew powder from the special connection Fred and George Weasley gerry-rigged with their own brand of magic. Each guest flashed through dusted in mult-colored confetti which transfigured into tiny balloons and raised toward the ceiling and popped with a musical serenade ...  

Throughout the Weasley’s unique gardens, owls dropped hundreds, if not thousands, of happy wishes for our sixteen-year-old hero.

The starry night culminated with spectacular fireworks from Fred and George’s endless supply. The five foot cake floating between guests tasted AMAZING!

I must say this investigative reporter was NOT disappointed with the turn out from all of you. I just LOVE the power of the press!

I hope you all enjoyed my entry for Lisa Galeck's ACCIO contest.

STORMS STILL ROLLING THROUGH .... A PERFECT TIME TO POLISH UP THE 'OL MS.

Another weekend is upon us and the Midwest is still rumbling. For days thunderstorms have swept through Chicago. Hopefully last night's thunder and light storm will be the last for a while.

With rain pelting the flooding streets, there is nothing like spending the day indoors and catching up on writing. I do my best work when the sky is gray and the sidewalks are puddled.

How about you? What weather is best for your writing?

It's amazing how our surroundings stimulate us.

Tomorrow I will be working on my two sentence pitch to enter into the pitch contest with agent, Victoria Marini. Chenelle from BEYOND WORDS is hosting the contest. Stop by her blog to enter. There are a few rules and there are about 90 spots left, so make sure get a move on this. You MUST have a completed manuscript to enter and it should be polished. The prize is a full request from Victoria. This could lead to a contract, so good luck everyone.

Lisa Potts is also hosting a wonderful contest for her first blogoversary. Click onto the badge on the left to enter. She is giving away some fantastic books.

My weekend will be full of revisions. With so many wonderful suggestions from my CP'S, The Blinded Gardner is getting another polishing. I hope to be ready to query soon. How exciting!

So what are you all doing this weekend? If you're like me you'll be pounding the keyboard. However, don't forget to give some time to yourself. Stretch, take a walk, or a quick jog on the treadmill. Exercising the body releases tension and opens the mind. The ideas will flood through you brain like water through a dam.

I have a fun HP article featured in the THESTRAL GAZETTE @ Laurel Garver's blog. So drop by to get your HP fix...

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND EVERYONE.

DEMENTORS SEIZE CHICAGO .... NOW WHAT WAS THAT SPELL?

Throughout the night major storms hit the midwest once more. Hours of thunder and lightning shook the rafters of my building in Chicago. Could it be Dementors?

The lack of early morning light and the midst covering half the city certainly warrants this question. Over the past week this phenomenon has shown it's ugly face. With trees down all over beautiful Lincoln Park and thousands of homes without power, not to mention the flash flooding, why couldn't it be Dementors?

They are known to breed in the summer mists. What a horrible thought. One sight shocked me more than anything else over the past few days. As I followed the harbor back to my house and viewed south, I gasped.

"Where's the skyline?" Only the North pond and the surrounding trees etched the horizon. I gasped, sucking in the mists as their chilly fingers grabbed a hold of my throat. Had I been kissed by a Dementor?

I caught my breathe as my eyes searched desperately for any sign of a skyscraper. The billion dollar view disappeared, threatening never to return. Devastated, I returned home.

Why have the Dementors left their home in England to mate hear in the US, especially in the Midwest?

Does anyone out there in the blogosphere have a clue? Please let me in on it!


If you would like to read more HP related fun, I have another exciting article at the Thestral Gazette featured at Laurel's Leaves. Please drop in and find your special invitation....

For all you Umbridge fans, I found this and I had to share it with all of you.

BEWARE OF THE MUNCHFESTS ....

Okay, everyone it's Tuesday and I'm back on schedule with healthy tips for all of you today. Since my revelation this past spring, I yanked myself off my butt and decided to get back into shape. As we ALL know writing isn't conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Spending hour upon hour at a desk typing away does NOTHING for the old waistline and neither does the munchfests. Who eats well? You grab the closest thing that's not crawling next to you and shove it in your mouth. Half the time you don't even remember what you had eaten.

After two years of writing I had put on an astronomical amount of weight. I am happy to say that I have lost it all plus a few more. No, it wasn't easy. Yes, I did give up chocolate, danishes, chips, alcohol, and my beloved sweets.

HOWEVER, adopting a new healthy outlook on eating right and exercising is not as bad as you think it is. We ALL get into ruts. It's natural, but the summer is a great time to shake things up. Give some time to yourself, You give to to your families, your job, your spouses, your kids, your friends, and, of course, your writing. What about you?

When was the last time you did something for yourself? If you can't remember then it's time. Diet and exercise are not enough. Your mental health is an important part of your physical health. Too much pressure and the stress raises. WE all cope, but what is it doing to us internally? Find time to relax. Take that much needed walk and look around you. The birds are singing, the sun is shining, children are playing in the park, a cute little squirrel is nibbling on a nut. Don't miss out.

Even now the image of two young girls pedaling away on one of those four-person people-movers brings a smile to my face. They were toddling along the lakefront with such excitement on their faces that I want to break out my colored pencils and immortalize them on paper.

I took that moment of time for me. My power-walks open my eyes to many things I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. You'd be amazed how much you think about as you're exercising. I thought about several approaches to tweaking my WIP'S. The never-ending edits are still waiting to be done and they will be with a fresher head and leaner body.

Well, I just might have convinced you. Great. Now onto the food. I have some wonderful suggestions for you munchfests.... Here's one. Almonds. These crunchy sweet little morsels are FANTASTIC. Not only are they super healthy, they are  delicious too. When you feel the need for something crunchy, DON'T think chips or pretzels grab the almonds. AND not the honey-roasted, overly salty kind. Natural raw or roasted almonds. Try to keep the sodium down. It's not good for you and it's addictive.

Another great snack I discovered are THINK THIN protein bars. They are AWESOME, and for all you chocoholics, Fudge brownie crunch is to DIE FOR! These yummy bars have 20 grams of protein and NO SUGAR.  The white chocolate is another of my favorites. It tastes like a tootsie role covered in white chocolate. Yes, these are super healthy. But don't eat ten. One per day is sufficient. Also for you coffee lovers the Espresso chocolate is another great choice.

You can find them on line or at Whole Foods or Trader Joes.

Another DELICIOUS item to get is ALMOND BUTTER... SOOOO much better than peanut butter. Cut any kind of apple into pieces and spread on the Almond butter. It is wonderful and really healthy. BTW it's fantastic on celery too. Again you can find it at Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Surf the net for other stores if you don't have these in your area.

So now you know what to do. Make a big cool pitcher of iced tea, lemonade, or iced coffee. (NO SUGAR!) and gather up these fine munchies for your next munchfest. Your will feel so much better on not at the guild of over doing it.

As a final tip for today, remember to eat light, stop when you're full, and be creative with salads. It's amazing how delicious they can be by adding, almonds, plums, nectarines, blueberries, strawberries, black and red raspberries .... Add a piece of grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, or even a burger if you so desire. Leaving out the bread and condiments cuts out hundreds of unnecessary calories. Try it for just two weeks, you will be amazed how much you won't miss the sugars and breads.

Tell me what like to eat during the summer months. How do you keep healthy? I'd really like to know.

PATIENCE ...

Hi, everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I went to see HP 2 for the second time and I must say it was better the second time around.

Although there are differences from JK's incredible book, the film does give the viewer a terrific sense of what IS going on during the final days of Voldemort's reign. So if you haven't seen this film yet make sure you see it soon. What an amazing experience viewing it at the IMAX in 3D. The only way to see it.

I would also like to officially welcome my newest followers. Time is so precious for all of these days, and I haven't been the greatest at visiting all of you lately. I hope to rectify that as soon as my schedule slows a bit. My new client and revisions on my second novel has taken up a great deal of my time. So new friends, I will get to you soon.

R.S., Shannon, Small Town, Catherine, Shanona, Mel, Rose, Michelle, Phillip, Elizabeth, and Eisley, I am thrilled to call you friends and I look forward to getting to know you better.

Since I was so INVOLVED with HP for the past week or so I hadn't posted my health post, but be sure to drop by tomorrow for more recipes and tips.

For today, I would just like to talk about the patience of revision. At some point in our process we finally think we have the final draft. We get up the nerve to send our child out into the cold, cruel world. I have just done that with not only my current novel, but my first as well.

My CP'S have sent me their suggestions. For the most part they were minimal and they thoroughly enjoyed the novel. YAY.... but I still have two others. One has sent me the first two-thirds. And to my surprise there were many pages of really helpful suggestions. She took the time to point out ALL of the areas that could be improved. So now I am back to square one. Another major revision - page by page.

Don't we all want to achieve the highest level in our writing? Of course we do. This is where patience comes into play.

On Friday I had also received a critique on the first two chapters of my first novel. I had been querying it on an off for almost two years. After great care, she pointed out what I could do to fix the beginning. I had never been asked for a partial or full so I knew something wasn't jelling. So now after eighteen plus months of revisions, I need to start again.

Once more, patience is needed. And along with patience let's add perseverance. These two go hand-in-hand. Without either of them, where would we be?

How patient are you? Have you kept going or given up? Let me hear how patience got you through the rough times.

Have a great Monday everyone.

JULY IS FULL OF SUMMER FUN ...

So far this month I had the pleasure of seeing two of my blogger friends. You can not imagine how cool it is to visit with cyber friends IN PERSON. This year I had decided to meet as many of you wonderful people as I could.

A few weekends ago Abby Minard trained it into Chicago all the way from St. Louis. After nine hours on a train she arrived with her family in tow. Hubby, daughter, and even mom and dad accompanied her. What a great present for her six-year-old daughter: a weekend in Chicago.

We met around seven-ish. After playing text-tag for almost an hour we finally met on this balmy summer's evening. The cafe was cool and inviting. We ordered iced lattes and gelato. Yummm.

The most exciting part of the evening for me is when I discovered that she also wrote Y/A fantasy. How did I not know this? We've chatted for months! We talked about our perspective novels and found out we had a common thread that wove between both. HOW FUN!

As the sun dropped into the west, a very tired family and I trained it north, there's was the first stop. The magic ended so quickly, but we had a great time. Here's a pic of the sparkling Abby and yours truly.

This past weekend I traveled out of the big city into Wisconsin to visit another blogger pal. Christy, of erica and christy blog, and I met for the first time in Orlando this past April. We had planned to get together again some time this summer and we finally did. I arrived Neenah in close to a hundred degree heat. I though Wisconsin would be cooler than the city... HA! No such luck. Well the hotel was ice cold and so was the iced tea that I inhaled.

After checking in, I gave Christy a call to let her know I was on the way. With so many rights and lefts, I was sure I would get lost. But the directions were perfect. I pulled up to a lovely large home on a hill.

A radiant Christy, now four months pregnant, greeted me at the door. I was escorted into the kitchen and her husband Nathan greeted me with a warm handshake and smile. Only her younger son raced into the room, buzzing about; his older brother to shy to make himself known. An hour or so later he finally came out of hiding.

Immediately we began to chat about our writing. Hours of chat later we sat down to a great bbq feast. Before the sun disappeared, it was time to go. I didn't want to get lost in her development. You know how it is pitch blackness and not able to read the street signs. I forgot my camera and with all the chatter we both forgot to take pics.

So July proved to be a wonderful month for blogger meetings. Next month I plan to spend the afternoon with non other than Hart "the Tart" Johnson in her home town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. I'm venturing into Canada and Hart luckily is along the way. I don't have a blogger meeting in Toronto, but in Montreal I hope to meet up with Deniz Bevan at a charming cafe.

So more summer surprises and delights for me.... YAY! How are you spending your summer? Any fun and unusual happenings for you? I'd love to hear about it.

INSPIRATION FOR WRITING ....

Today Summer Ross is hosting a blogfest on what authors use to prompt their writing. It could be literary or visual.

So what prompts you? We all would like to know.

As for my inspiration comes from my visual surrounding. Nature plays a huge part. I live across the street from one of the loveliest parks in the county. Much of my first novel had been inspired by its beauty. Here's the visual inspiration for The Willows.... the world I created for my novel AMBER AND THE WHISPERING WILLOWS.

Yes, this awesome scene is smack in the middle of urban Chicago..... How could you not be inspired?

Have a wonderful monday everyone.

THE FINAL SHOWDOWN ...

Hushed voices transcend time as we enter into the great hall. Lifeless bodies lay at peace between the house tables. My gut clenches and bile churns in the pit of my stomach.


We place my mate down. Marla kneels down next to him, tenderly brushing the blood-matted hair away from his slumbering eyes. My throat constricts as I try to swallow and dislodge the oversized lump blocking my passageway.


A flash of red streaks by me. I wrench my neck following the flowing tresses of the flame red hair of Ginny Weasley.


A shriek that could give any banshee a run for their money escapes her lips. Mrs. Weasley wraps her arms around her daughter and the remaining family members console one another. One of the twins would fight no more. 


Just when I thought my heart was shot with Novocain, I felt it ripping from my chest. "WHY?!" I couldn't breathe. Gasping, a gentle hand strokes the back of my arm. 


"Come sit down, son," squeaks Professor Flitwick. 


Inhaling acrid air, I glance down into his soulful eyes. They sparkle with tears, matching my own. He leads me to the Gryffindor house table, patting my hand along the way.


Owl-eyed stares follow my every movement as my eyes meet each and every one.


No sooner do I sit, when and icy, high-pithed voice pierces the great hall like a javelin ripping through its target.


"It is all over. Harry Potter is dead ..." 



Now you'll just have to go to the movie or read the book to find out the rest. I would never dream of spoiling ending for you. Rest assured this is not over yet.

And don't forget to visit my mate's blogs for more HP fun.

Lisa Galek @ http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/
Jen Daiker @ http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/
Abby Minard @ http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/
Melissa Sarrno @ http://www.melissasarno.com/            
Laurel Garver @ http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/
Renae Mercado @ http://renaemercado.blogspot.com/
Colene Murphy @ http://cejourney.blogspot.com/   

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE.   I'll be at the six o'clock showing today. I can't wait!

AS THE DUST SETTLES ....

A hush more deafening than the battle itself seeps through every pore of the castle like a snake's poisonous venom seeps through it's victim's body.


 The air thick with pungent smells of sweat, blood, and bile assault my senses as the silence breaks with scurrying cloaked figures dashing through the remains of this once grand lady. 


Every nerve in my body screams out. What next? Searching for the answers, my eyes dart through the crumpled corridor, a fine veil of dust lingers, waiting to reach its final resting place.


A commanding female voice pierces through the air. "Everyone please gather into the great hall. We must take care of the wounded and our dearly departed friends." McGonagal's voice remained strong until the last three words which cracked from despair.


Placing my wand in my back pocket, I didn't head for the great hall. I had a more important destination. I retraced my steps, each one a stab to my already bleeding heart. 


In a fraction of the time it took me to return to the scene of the crime, I wasn't the first to arrive. The scene tore at me like a lion tears its prey. A tiny figure struggling to lift my dead mate. His hulking weight overpowering her slim one. It was Marla, my mate's girlfriend.


Never-ending tears streak her dirt smudged face. She gasps in frustration as she slips under him, crashing to the floor.


I rush to her, and gently lift my mate off her trembling body. Neither of us say a word. Her shiny black eyes wet with tears lock on mine. Her lower lip quivers desperate to speak, but the words never came. 


Helping her up, I squeeze her hand. Her pulse beating like an Indian's battle drum matches my own.
Without missing a beat, I release her hand and wrestle to pick up my mate. I manage to lace his arms across my shoulders and chest. After the first few steps, the weight lessons. Marla raised his legs off the floor.


Stepping in unison, we head toward the great hall as others make the same long and heart-wrenching trek.




Such a devastating end to a charming and delightful series. Stay tuned for tomorrow's climax! 


ONLY ONE MORE DAY!


And don't forget to visit my mate's blogs for more HP fun.

Lisa Galek @ http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/
Jen Daiker @ http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/
Abby Minard @ http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/
Melissa Sarrno @ http://www.melissasarno.com/            
Laurel Garver @ http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/
Renae Mercado @ http://renaemercado.blogspot.com/
Colene Murphy @ http://cejourney.blogspot.com/          

RUBBLE, RUBBLE, TOIL, AND TROUBLE ....

My mind ablaze with fury, I flicker of silver catches my eye. A Deatheater blasts his way through several innocents, gunning for professor Flitwick who had just stupefied a crumpled cloaked figure and queuing up for the next.


The Deatheater raises his wand and shouts "Avarda —"


Flourishing my wand in panic, I scream out, "Pertrificus totalis." A bright yellow beam of light hits his body as it snaps to attention, crashing to the floor. In one single heartbeat, I leapt over to him, snatching up his wand that lay inches away in the rubble.


"That's the end of you! Ha!" 


A serge of adrenalin floods my body. I joined professor Flitwick and pops off two more Deatheaters. An instant later, a flash of green light whizzes by my left eye. A wave of nausea assaults my midsection. Doubling over, Flitwick's tiny figure in battle washes my fears away.


I push back the bile as another flash of green narrowly misses me. My dead mate's body flashes before my eyes. The heat in my faces rises to heat of the battle. I raise my wand ready ... A high-pitched maniacal voice shakes the rafters of the castle.


"ENOUGH!" Booms through the shattered panes of glass mingling with blood and mangled bodies. "You've fought well," Voldemort hisses. "Enough blood has been spilt. Harry Potter, you have one hour."




For those of you who haven't read HP and the Deathly Hallows, you might not want to read the rest of my posts this week. I wouldn't want to spoil the outcome of the movie for you.


Please don't forget to hop over to my mates blogs for their HP stories.


Have a great day.

Lisa Galek @ http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/
Jen Daiker @ http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/
Abby Minard @ http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/
Melissa Sarrno @ http://www.melissasarno.com/            
Laurel Garver @ http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/
Renae Mercado @ http://renaemercado.blogspot.com/
Colene Murphy @ http://cejourney.blogspot.com/                                 

A BATTLE CRY ...

Rushing though the dorm, I call out to my mates, "Wake up! Hogwarts is under attack!"


The room is awhirl with commotion. Clothes are thrown in every direction as shadowed figures prepare for the inevitable. 


Seconds later, we dash through the common room and come to an abrupt halt. Dozens of students anxiously await their turn to scurry through the Fat Lady's hole.


My mate in front is swallowed up in the vortex as I join him a moment later. Chaos of magnifying proportions meet my eyes.


Another thunderous blow vibrates the corridor as I take off after my mate. Noxious fumes assault my lungs, triggering me to gasp.


My instincts warn me to drop to the floor. Gulping much needed air, I focus my eyes as terrifying screams echo around me. 


A misty veil of smoke clears. My mouth stretches in a silent scream. NO! 


Masked and cloaked figures, cursing anything moving, wove in and out of the mist. Bodies lay strewn across the blood-stained marble floor; my mate lifeless body only inches away. Hot tears scorch my face as I join the foray, ready to get my revenge ...




Yes, friends, the battle for Hogwarts is on. What will happen? Stay tuned for the final climax on Friday. For those of us who have read HP and the Deathly Hallows will know the end, but the battle for good vs. evil never does. It is constant. It is real. 




Seven of my mates are also blogging about HP this week. Make sure to hop over to their blogs from more HP fun. 




Lisa Galek @ http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/
Jen Daiker @ http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/
Abby Minard @ http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/
Melissa Sarrno @ http://www.melissasarno.com/            
Laurel Garver @ http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/
Renae Mercado @ http://renaemercado.blogspot.com/
Colene Murphy @ http://cejourney.blogspot.com/                                 


Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone. Next week my health post will return with more tips and recipes.

DARK TIMES ARE HERE ... IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Thunder claps, rattling my windows as flashes of eerie light play across the red velvet curtains of my four poster.

A single lonely candle struggles to bathe the room as darkness creeps, attempting to snuff its delicate life. What can it be?

Invisible icy fingers massage my lower spine slowly, ever so slowly, crawling toward the back of my neck. My breath catches in my throat. I swallow hard, trying to clear the passage way with warm saliva. The first attempt barely trickled through my lodged Adam's apple.

The second time worked.

Searching out the widow, I look for any sign of what's coming. Swirls of blackened mist suffocate each stone, window, and tower, pressing  inward like a giant's hug.

How much longer will we be safe? Hogwarts is not Hogwarts any longer. The new regime has almost destroyed her. But yet, her spirit hangs on by a fine thread. The strength of the students and teachers is the last hold out.

I'm thrown from my bed with such force my bones bruised from the fall.

"This is it!"

I jump to my feet and grab my wand ...


On Friday the battle to save the Wizarding World continues with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part ll. It will be the climax of over a decade of Jk Rowling's timeless masterpieces. I write these words humbled. What are all of us HP freaks going to do now? There is nothing more. Thankfully we still have seven glorious books and eight amazing movies to treasure.

But is it enough? It's NEVER enough.

Here are the names of  THE ULTIMATE HP fans who will be posting HP stories all week. Please hop over and read their amazing posts. 
Lisa Galek is hosting an AWESOME contest at her blog so don't miss out! Click here for the details.


Lisa Galek @ http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/
Jen Daiker @ http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/
Abby Minard @ http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/
Melissa Sarrno @ http://www.melissasarno.com/            
Laurel Garver @ http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/
Renae Mercado @ http://renaemercado.blogspot.com/
Colene Murphy @ http://cejourney.blogspot.com/                                 

I am also sure that my buddy Hart Johnson will be posting HP this week as well. So don't forget to visit the TART! 

LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!

REACHING OUT TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE BLOGOSPHERE ...

Happy Friday and Weekend everyone!

Well it's another glorious sunny day today in Chicago. I can't begin to tell you all how much fun I am having this summer. After a frigid winter and spring, Chicago is alight with sunshine, warm breezes, and sapphire blue skies. The Lakefront is a buzz with so much activity with cyclists, rollerbladers, volleyball players, joggers, and walkers. I do love the summer here. Ah, if it could only be like this all year! Or at least more than two to three months.

Chicago also has may visitors during the summer. It's a great place to vacation with SO many museums, parks, concerts, and fine restaurants. An today one of my favorite bloggers/friends Abby Minard of Above Water is visiting this weekend! YAY!

She and her family arrive this afternoon. Since Abby has a Polish lineage we plan to meet for coffee and dessert at Delightful Pasties... a wonderful Polish cafe located in the Old Town section of Chicago. Luckily it's close by to where I live. Her mother heard about this cafe because they are known for their Perogies. I just happen to come across this recipe on All Recipes dot com if any of you would like to try them.... Now these are NOT part of my healthy new way of eating, but I have had them in the past and they are AWESOME... but I didn't tell you.LOL.

Will I break my diet tonight? Only time will tell. As of now I just plan to have a coffee and have a wonderful visit with a blogger/friend. This is the first time we're meeting, so it should be a blast.

Isn't our community just the best?! I wish I could meet all of you some day and hopefully In Time ... we will.

Have a great weekend everyone and let me know your plans!

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Grandma's Polish Perogies

By: STEPH577 

"My grandfather is Polish, and his mother taught my grandmother how to make these delicious perogies. The recipe has been in the family for generations, with a few alterations of course! Serve plain, or with butter, sour cream, bacon, etc. Perfecting the perogie technique takes time, and after a while, you will develop your own system."

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Prep Time:
2 Hrs

Ready In:
2 Hrs

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 60 perogies

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
•  
• 8 baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons processed cheese sauce
• onion salt to taste (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, sour cream, eggs, egg yolk and oil. Stir the wet ingredients into the flour until well blended. Cover the bowl with a towel, and let stand for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Place potatoes into a pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and mash with shredded cheese and cheese sauce while still hot. Season with onion salt, salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.
3. Separate the perogie dough into two balls. Roll out one piece at a time on a lightly floured surface until it is thin enough to work with, but not too thin so that it tears. Cut into circles using a cookie cutter, perogie cutter, or a glass. Brush a little water around the edges of the circles, and spoon some filling into the center. Fold the circles over into half-circles, and press to seal the edges. Place perogies on a cookie sheet, and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to freezer storage bags or containers.
4. To cook perogies: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Drop perogies in one at a time. They are done when they float to the top. Do not boil too long, or they will be soggy! Remove with a slotted spoon.

Footnotes

• Tips
• For best results, choose potatoes that have as little water in them as possible such as Russets.
• Choose a rolling pin that is very heavy - it will be easier to roll out the dough.
• The perogies are less likely to burst during cooking if they are frozen when you put them in the boiling water.