"Read Local" This Winter

As you line up your "winter read" this month, be sure to pop into The Book Market in Crest Hill and pick up a WriteOn Joliet anthology (or two).

WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. The group includes professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets.

And WriteOn Joliet has published an anthology of original poems, essays, and short stories since 2017.

We have copies of each edition of "Write Where We Are" currently for sale except for our two bonus anthologies: the "cheetah" anthology and the holiday anthology (we are currently out of copies).

But both are available on Amazon.

Not only is each anthology a uniquely wonderful read, each purchase supports local authors and a local small business.

And you might just discover a new favorite author, one that lives and writes in the community.

Happy Monday!

Seong-Jin Cho - Tchaikovsky The Seasons, Op. 37 bis: December: Christmas Week (2011)

Open Mic Night 2023: Nancy Calkins

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 28 to Jan. 3

Good morning!

I have six stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post.

Not bad for a week off from work, in theory to get ready for my family's Christmas celebration on January 7 (I made progress). In reality, I got sick (although I'm starting to gradually feel better).

More stories will go live this weekend, too. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Before the stories I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Event Updates

The BryonySeries Christmas Display is still up at The Book Market in Crest Hill, although it may very well come down this weekend.

Along with eleven curated BryonySeries books for you to browse and buy, the display features Ribbit-Ribbits from Cindy and free purple music roses with select purchases while supplies last.

It's the perfect way to support the only local book story in the Joliet area and find some wonderful books for your winter reading pleasure.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon. Copies are also available at The Book Market. And check out this first review on Amazon.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due). But it was postponed AGAIN because I got sick (grumble).

I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

And finally...

I have completed the hard edits Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless." and am eagerly awaiting the proof copy so I can check for lingering errors.

Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."

The goal is to have books for our Calkins Day celebration on February 13. More details later.

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

 Plainfield Maple Butter Cafe owner serves up decades of experience

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/01/03/plainfield-maple-butter-cafe-owner-serves-up-decades-of-experience/

Joliet Chamber announces its ‘2024 success’ award recipients

Tickets available now for celebration event

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/01/02/eyes-on-enterprise-joliet-chamber-announces-its-2024-success-award-recipients/

Remembering when Joliet church burned to the ground on New Year’s Eve

Elvira Balog of Joliet: ‘We could look out the back window and see it burning’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/31/remembering-when-joliet-church-burned-to-the-ground-on-new-years-eve/

Crest Hill’s Jitterhead Brunch & Coffee Co. serves up fresh take on breakfast, lunch

Jitterhead also has a full-service bar

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/20/crest-hills-jitterhead-brunch-coffee-co-serves-unique-options/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 30, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/30/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-30-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: Winter Break Skate Night

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2025/01/01/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-winter-break-skate-night/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Open Mic Night 2023: Denise M. Baran-Unland

Sue's Diner: Recipe for Happiness

I featured this week's recipe on the BryonySeries blog back in 2012. And I'm featuring it on the Sue's Diner page today, in honor of the new year that is 2025.

This recipe does not appear in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

It's simply my wish for you today.'

Check out the recipe at bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner-food.

If you have any questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

We Missed a Million Views

Although I had no plan to stop, I never dreamed I'd still be blogging daily when I started this blog on August 10, 2010.

We celebrated so many "view: milestones: the first, the first time we reached ten views in a day, twenty-five total, fifty total, one hundred total, five hundred, a thousand, almost five hundred thousand, and on our way to a million total views.

A million! Think of it! We couldn't wait to watch the BryonySeries blog turn to one million!

And we missed it.

I was checking the stats for a completely unrelated reason and found that, somewhere in this blur of an autumn, the BryonySeries blog reached a million views.

Yep, we missed the big milestone.

Now, I'm sure some (many) of these views are bots. 

But judging by the analytics, all the views are not bots.

And it's heartening to know that, even in a stretch of some very challenging few years, we're still doing somethings right - and we're doing them consistently.

That's a nice slice of good news for the last day of the calendar year called 2024.

Brahms' Lullaby for Meow - Lunch Dream of Haburu

Silent Night (Piano arrangement)

Open Mic Night 2023: Ed Calkins

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 21 to Dec. 27

Good morning!

I have nineteen stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post.

Nineteen!

No wonder I've felt so busy lately!

And more stories will go live this weekend and into next week, even though I won't return to work until Jan. 2. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

We finally got the Christmas tree up at our house. It now has a lights and even a few ornaments (courtesy of several grandchildren, who kindly placed them on Christmas Eve. So here's hoping today's the day!

Before the stories I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Event Updates

The BryonySeries Christmas Display is still up at The Book Market in Crest Hill. Along with eleven curated BryonySeries books for you to browse and buy, the display features Ribbit-Ribbits from Cindy and free purple music roses with select purchases while supplies last.

It's the perfect way to support the only local book story in the Joliet area and find some wonderful books for your winter reading pleasure.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon. Copies are also available at The Book Market.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due).

I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

And finally...

I am working on the hard edits for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless."

Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet high community need

Sarah Oprzedek, United Way of Will County: ‘One hundred percent of those dollars go right back into the community’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/19/be-a-herald-angel-help-will-county-united-way-meet-high-community-need/

Support downtown Joliet businesses and earn rewards

The Winter Rewards Program has 3 tiers of rewards

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/earn-rewards-for-supporting-downtown-joliet-businesses/

Community rallies to save a Shorewood board game cafe

Dana Buxbaum, Critical Grind co-owner: ‘We’ll be making some changes in the new year’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/13/community-rallies-to-save-a-shorewood-board-game-cafe/

Eyes on Enterprise: Downtown Joliet holiday window contest winners announced

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/25/downtown-joliet-holiday-window-contest-winners-announced/

Will County to welcome Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

$16 will enable a child to receive 1 year of free books

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/22/will-county-to-welcome-dolly-partons-imagination-library/

Will County residents have access to free mental health resources over the holidays

Emergency and non-emergency care is available

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/24/will-county-residents-have-access-to-free-mental-health-resources-over-the-holidays/

Free microchipping for Will County pets during December

Owners must have proof of current rabies vaccination and proof of Will County residence

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/20/free-microchipping-for-will-county-pets-during-december/

Plainfield opens 143rd Street West extension with ribbon-cutting

The total project cost $12 million

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/20/plainfield-opens-143rd-street-west-extension-with-ribbon-cutting/

Plainfield Park District receives $260,000 from state for Creekside Crossing South

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/23/plainfield-park-district-receives-260000-matching-grant/

Lockport Duly Health office adds 3 new primary care doctors

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/will-county/2024/12/22/lockport-duly-health-office-adds-3-new-primary-care-doctors

New Lenox building now named Town Center Bank Building

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/will-county/2024/12/20/new-lenox-building-now-named-town-center-bank-building/

Crest Hill meal prep company seeking donations for Christmas dinners

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/local/2024/12/21/crest-hill-meal-prep-company-seeking-donations-for-christmas-dinners/

Joliet Witches Night Out raises $1,108,000 in 15 years for local nonprofits

The 2-day event attracts 3,000 attendees, sponsors and volunteers

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/14/joliet-witches-night-out-raises-1108000-in-15-years-for-local-nonprofits/

Semi falls off I-55 bridge in Plainfield blocking train tracks

Tow truck driver goes into cardiac arrest at the scene

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/22/semi-falls-off-i-55-bridge-in-plainfield-blocking-train-tracks/

Police raise awareness of ‘brushing’ scam

QR code scams aren’t limited to packages, can send info to scammers

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/22/police-raise-awareness-of-brushing-scam/

Police: Joliet man’s death under investigation, seemed to be ‘under influence of an unknown substance’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/25/police-joliet-mans-death-under-investigation-seemed-to-be-under-influence-of-an-unknown-substance/

Joliet police: Man arrested following domestic disturbance that involved woman getting shot

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/25/joliet-police-man-arrested-following-domestic-disturbance-that-involved-woman-getting-shot/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 23, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/23/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-23-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: GLOW Holiday Festival

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/26/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-glow-holiday-festival/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Open Mic Night 2023: Sue Midlock

James Onohan 2018- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Piano Cover)

"It's a Christmas Miracle!"

This photo from the post about my mother's nativity scene seemed like the best one to use today.

And I'll keep this post short.

I've had wildly fluctuating blood pressure for decades for some known and also unknown reasons.

This typically prompts great anxiety whenever I walk into a room with a blood pressure cuff.

So you can imagine the anxiety when I am actually getting my blood pressure taken.

A couple of weeks ago, I visited my primary for a follow-up on one day and a follow-up with my endocrinologist on the next day.

Both times, to my wonderment and delight, the readings were extremely normal.

My endocrinologist was equally delighted and exclaimed, "It's a Christmas miracle!"

At first glance, such sentiments seem silly and trite.

But they really are not, if you think about it.

My family is still on a several-year chaotic stretch of one emergency after another. We have a lot of turbulence in the background we cannot control, and that turbulence is teaching us (very slowly) how to walk more deeply in faith.

Whether or not you consider the first Christmas story to be fact or fiction, the details are the same.

During an especially volatile time in the world, a savior was born in the midst of it, very quietly, very humbly, and without much fanfare or notice from most people.

If your life today is smooth and without struggles, rejoice! That is a huge blessing indeed. Revel in that while you can.

If your life today is difficult and challenging, also rejoice!

For tucked away in all of that turmoil are little miracles just waiting for you to see them, recognize them, and embrace them.

That is the Christmas miracle waiting for you. 

It Took 55ish Years for "Little Dog Lost" to Finally Come Home

When I was a little girl, my parents signed me up for the now defunct Weekly Reader Children's Book Club, where (for years) I received one free book each month in the mail.

I read many, many good books through that program, books my children enjoyed after me.

On book was called "Little Dog Lost" by Rene Guillot.  My copy looked like this used copy for sale on Amazon.

I was probably about eight years old when I received that book in the mail. I fell in love with the story and the beautiful pen and ink illustrations of a little Pembroke Welsh corgi who lives a dual life (part fox and part dog split between two owners, with none of his families knowing about his double - and then triple - life when Tiny meets another family and spends part of his time with them, too).

I used to dream that a little Pembroke Welsh corgi would be waiting crouched for me outside the door when I came home from school, just like Tiny did for Frances (the little girl who received him for a gift on Christmas Day) one day when he returned to her.

But it never happened, no matter how hard I wished for it.

Furthermore, my copy of "Little Dog Lost" also disappeared at some point, most likely one of those items that vanished during our multiple moves when Ron got dementia and we lost our home.

No matter how many hints  - and links sent - to my family, I never did get a copy of "Little Dog Lost."

And then last Monday night, Daniel walked into the house and said, "Merry Christmas!"

If you think that blue bow was wrapped on a copy of the book, you are very, very, very wrong (scroll for the right answer).

Daniel said, "Meet Tiny."

Yes, I now own a little Pembroke Welsh corgi named Tiny.

The kids looked far and wide to find a Pembroke Welsh corgi puppy that resembled the one in "Little Dog Lost."

And he came to me with a blue bow - and plenty of items that all eight week puppies need to have.

Isn't he sweet?????

P.S. We still haven't brought the Christmas tree out of the garage. We haven't put up one decoration, celebrated St. Nicholas, or bought one present.

But somehow, we are celebrating Christmas just the same.

And the best gift is taking pride that I helped to raise some really amazing human beings.

Happy Thursday!

O come, O come, Emmanuel - (Piano/Cello) - The Piano Guys

Ed Calkins Sings "Santa Claus Blues"

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 14 to Dec. 20

 Good morning!

I have just eight stories to share with you today at the bottom of this post.

And quite a bit more stories will go live this weekend, especially since I'm working this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

But before the stories, I have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.

And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.

And have a great Friday!

Event Updates

The BryonySeries Christmas Display is still up at The Book Market in Crest Hill. Along with eleven curated BryonySeries books for you to browse and buy, the display features Ribbit-Ribbits from Cindy and free purple music roses with select purchases while supplies last.

It's the perfect way to support the only local book story in the Joliet area while shopping for some great, last-minute holiday gifts.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy, and the book is now live on Amazon. Copies are also available at The Book Market.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy and Daniel are super busy with school on top of work (and plenty of work-related traveling). But Sue Midlock is already hard at work with the cover for the next book that involves a toymaker: "Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur."). Timothy and I have tentatively agreed to a "Cornell" breakfast when he's off school and work during the holidays. Here's hoping! (we are looooong over due).

I also outlined a "bonus" book that is intended for distribution at Bicentennial's "Ye Olde Mayfest" event in 2025. Here is a recap of the 2024 event.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world in April, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But I'll return to this book in early 2025.

Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."

Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.

And finally...

I am working on the hard edits for Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his Ruthless trilogy: "Recovering Ruthless."

Ed's first book is "Ruthless," his second is "The Fifth," and he is also the author of "Denise Unland's Irish Genealogy."

For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.

Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.

Check out the recipe here.

WRITERS

If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.

If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.

I also suggest this book: Little Book of Revision: A Checklist for Fiction Writers. It's exactly as it says. Each page some with one suggestion for revision. The rest of the page is blank, so you can add your own notes. All proceeds benefit WriteOn Joliet.

If you need editing or help with self-publishing, check out dmbaranunland.com.

ARTISTS

If you need an artist for a project, I offer these recommendations.

NEWSLETTERS

Sign up for The Munsonville Times by emailing us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. The newsletter still isn't official yet, so we don't have an actual link on the website - but we are working on it! 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.

Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.

And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.

QUESTIONS

Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.

FEATURES

Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet high community need

Sarah Oprzedek, United Way of Will County: ‘One hundred percent of those dollars go right back into the community’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/11/19/be-a-herald-angel-help-will-county-united-way-meet-high-community-need/

Support downtown Joliet businesses and earn rewards

The Winter Rewards Program has 3 tiers of rewards

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/11/earn-rewards-for-supporting-downtown-joliet-businesses/

Joliet proposes grant to help Chicago Street businesses

Plan goes before City Council on Tuesday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/15/joliet-to-propose-business-grant-at-tuesdays-city-council-meeting/

Shorewood Home & Auto celebrates 50 years

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/news/business/2024/12/13/shorewood-home-auto-celebrates-50-years/

Joliet Witches Night Out raises $1,108,000 in 15 years for local nonprofits

The 2-day event attracts 3,000 attendees, sponsors and volunteers

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/14/joliet-witches-night-out-raises-1108000-in-15-years-for-local-nonprofits/

Joliet Police Department collecting nonperishable food

Donated food will be given to local food banks

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/18/joliet-police-department-collecting-nonperishable-food/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 16, 2024

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2024/12/16/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-9-2024/

5 Things to Do in Will County: Performances of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Joliet, Plainfield

https://www.shawlocal.com/thescene/2024/12/19/5-things-to-do-in-will-county-performances-of-a-christmas-carol-in-joliet-plainfield/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Open Mic Night 2023: Tom Hernandez

Sues Diner: Easy Santa Cookies

 This week's recipe is perfect for last minute Christmas gifts, treat for holiday gatherings, or an all-age activity, since they are simple enough to prepare that even the youngest child can help.

This recipe isn't featured any BryonySeries cookbook. But we have made this recipe almost every year since my own children were young. In fact. my young grandchildren made the cookies in this photo.

Just so you know, the cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties and features all the recipes referenced in the novel Bryony. 

The cookbook makes a great gift for people of all ages who like to cook, love history, or are simply curious as to the foods people once liked to eat.

Two other fun cookbooks with recipes easy enough for children to make (with the help of an adult), have mouse and cheese-themed recipes and werewolf-themed recipes. 

You can try the recipe Easy Santa Cookies on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Special BryonySeries Gifts With Select Purchases TODAY at The Book Market

If you're out and about the Crest Hill area today (Dec. 17), be sure to pop into The Book Market between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

You can check out our BryonySeries Christmas display of eleven curated BryonySeries books, Cindy's backpack bear Ribbit-Ribbits, free purple music roses with select purchases, three Christmas mice that still need adopting, and beautiful mystery gift boxes from Cindy (all free with select purchases while supplies last). 

Even the boxes themselves are gorgeous and sturdy enough for keeping other treasures inside them.

And who can turn their backs on these sweet little crocheted homeless mice?

Rebekah and I will be hanging out with the rest of the books in the series, too. We'll be able to answer your questions about the series and maybe read an excerpt (or two) of your choice.

The Book Market owner Janet Staley is super-friendly, too, and always ready and willing to help you find the perfect book in this family-owned bookstore of new, used, and rare books.

Maybe we will see you there.

Happy Tuesday!

Playing Santa

A good acquaintance of mine put out a call for help on social media this weekend.

Twenty-five children living in a local motel were in need of Christmas cheer. Who could help?

I immediately asked Rebekah if we could afford to donate twenty-five of our BryonySeries children's books (Bertrand The Mouse, The Adventures of Cornell Dyer, Girls of the BryonySeries, etc.).

As Rebekah was figuring that out, we had a bit of a Christmas miracle.

Let's just say someone dropped in, heard about our plans, and offered to buy the books. And then the offer was modified. This person said the kids should get TWO books a piece.

Then that person called another person, who also offered to donate two books to each child, for a total of four books per child.

Then that social media was modified: Approximately sixteen adults were with the twenty-five children and in need of Christmas cheer, too.

So my two donors bought WriteOn Joliet's last fifteen Christmas anthologies, as well WriteOn Joliet's last two "Cheetah" anthologies, and even my copy of the Cheetah anthology, for a total of eighteen books (in case the count was wrong).

Now I had the challenge of wrapping all those books. I REALLY needed to finish the hard edits of the third book in Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara's third book in his BryonySeries Ruthless trilogy - and I wasn't sure if I could get those edits done if I spent every waking minute this weekend on them.

It's been that kind of autumn/2024, ya know? 

So Timothy and Daniel, on their way out the door for their Saturday morning bro-breakfast together, offered to help.

They came home a couple hours later with gift bags, lots of tape - and then Timothy custom-designed large gift tags that would hold all the important information: Gender, age, room number.

And then the boys got busy and started wrapping, making sure that rooms with multiple children didn't get "doubles" with the books.

You should know both boys just completed a busy week at work, along with finals week for their master degree programs. They submitted the final final on Friday night and REALLY looked forward to a quiet, relaxing Saturday.

Instead, they spent the day wrapping one hundred and eighteen books. And then they delivered them.

In the meantime, Rebekah had gone to Cindy's for a Christmas bakeoff since Cindy was making gift boxes of baked goods for presents this year.

Instead, the girls baked all day and then professionally wrapped an assortment of their goodies in individual packs to accompany the books.

That left Cindy without any baked goods for her gift boxes. And she was OK with that.

I should also add we do not even have our Christmas tree up. Heck, it's not even out of the garage yet.

We also have not celebrate St. Nicholas yet (that feast day was Dec. 6).

But I actually DID finish the hard edits on Ed's book late Sunday night.

And Timothy, Rebekah, and Daniel chilled on Sunday.

Most importantly, we brought a bit of Christmas to people who can't bring it to themselves this year. And they can enjoy stories written locally by writers who care about writing good stories and sharing them with the community.

I love the amount of good people can bring into the world when they work together. And social media, for all negativity sometimes associated with it, was the catalyst for it.

Besides we can always bring the Christmas tree out of the garage another day.

Happy Monday!