The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Friday, March 29, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 23 to March 29
Good morning!
I have just seven news and features stories to share with you this week...but not because I was fighting a virus all week.
I also worked on a story with two other reporters for Saturday, a special edition that we'll publish in May, and stories that will post over the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
I was too sick last weekend to work on any project - BryonySeries or the manuscript I'm editing for a client. I'm planning to tackle the client's work this weekend and finish a couple of proposals that got pushed back with all my various maladies these past few weeks. But I did catch up (some) on my reading.
On Sunday, we plan to celebrate Western Easter with family.
Finally, if you live in the general Will County area in Illinois, consider adding this event to your calendar.
Here are the BryonySeries book updates (which have not changed much since last week).
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and six chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. I scrapped most of chapter seven last weekend and am now working on the current draft. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. We had a tentative "Cornell breakfast" scheduled for last weekend, which didn't happen...and we have no opportunity for another for at least a couple more weeks. We've scheduled and broke several in 2023. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG overdue.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait. That one is called "Brainy Ann."
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.
A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novelette in the second person is completed and just needs final copyediting. Rebekah is still experimenting with cover art for this and made good progress this past weekend. We are estimating a mid-2024 release date.
Rebekah is also 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.
Now back to The Herald-News stories stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
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'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.
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.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
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
Pets of the Week: March 25, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
The Local Scene: Doggie Easter egg hunt in Shorewood
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Unprepared Blog
So I've been sick this past week and slept in every day.
I'm REALLY behind this particular morning and don't have much time to write a blog.
However, I've missed very few days since we began this blog on August 1, 2010. So what's an unprepared writer to do?
Well, I can thank anyone who's read this blog right now for actually reading it. In this era of information overload and buried posts, I'm humbled anyone is still checking in fourteen years later. I'm truly humbled. So THANK YOU very, very much. As with my BryonySeries and other books, this blog is for you, the reader.
And I could give another "shameless plug" for WriteOn Joliet's upcoming radio play, since everyone is working very hard at delivering an entertaining performance for all those brave enough (ahem!) supportive enough to come out.
Of course, I could easily default to a cat photo, like this one of Faith, who is stressed by my coughing and refusing to look at the camera.
But, mostly, I want to wish you a beautiful day filled with every good blessing a beautiful day can bring.
And I wish that blessing for each and everyone person (and animal) that you love.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Sue's Diner: Crisped Rice Easter Eggs
If you need a fast and easy and very last-minute treat for Easter, we have one that people of all ages might enjoy.
Rebekah made Crisped Rice Easter Eggs last weeks as an experiment and was pleased with the results. These are a variation on the crisped rice and marshmallow bars many people loved as kids.
This recipe is not featured in any of the BryonySeries cookbooks, including Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties and features all the recipes
However, we are sharing these recipes with you on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try them this week. They will be gone next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
And have fun!
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.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Monday, March 25, 2024
WriteOn Joliet Gets Carded (Again)
Last year, eight members of WriteOn Joliet "got carded," thanks to some wonderful little cards Maureen Blevins created to to promote each performer in WriteOn Joliet's radio play.
And Maureen has done it again.
Maureen has created promo cards for all nine performers (Authors and performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Jenny Russ and Duanne Walton) in “Fragments of Time,” an original radio theater production by WriteOn Joliet.
And Maureen also created a card for our director Rachel Veres.
I'll feature each card on this blog in the days and weeks leading up to our show. You will learn a about each writer/performer, enjoy a "teaser" line, and be directed where to out more.
WriteOn Joliet will present "Fragments of Time" on April 19 and April 20 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet.
Nine members of WriteOn Joliet will explore various aspects of time in original radio-style stories and poems at 7 p.m. at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre.
Admission is $5.
Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks will be available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.
The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.
For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.
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. We promise a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere to share your work, and constructive feedback so that everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.
WriteOn Joliet is a proud partner of the Joliet PublicLibrary and The Book Market in Crest Hill.
For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Friday, March 22, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 16 to March 22
Good morning!
I have fifteen news and features stories to share with you this week. But more will be posted over this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
Last weekend was too full to tackle much fiction. In theory, I'm supposed to get that rescheduled colonoscopy next week...except now I'm sick. So I'm planning to get tested today to determine which respiratory virus is giving me trouble and go from there.
Here are the BryonySeries book updates:
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and six chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. I scrapped most of chapter seven last weekend and am now working on the current draft. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. We had a tentative "Cornell breakfast" scheduled for last weekend, which didn't happen...and we have no opportunity for another for at least a couple more weeks. We've scheduled and broke several in 2023. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG overdue.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait. That one is called "Brainy Ann."
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.
A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novelette in the second person is completed and just needs final copyediting. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a mid-2024 release date.
Rebekah is also 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.
Now back to The Herald-News stories stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
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'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.
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.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
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
‘Significantly low turnout’ Tuesday at Will County polls: Around 8% of registered voters came out
Joliet Bunny Bash to benefit foster kids: Buy tickets to the family-friendly event by March 19
Troy Center in Shorewood to host ‘Understanding Medicare’ seminar
Plainfield library to host ‘True Crime Day’ on Saturday: Registration is required
USF to host Louisiana singer, songwriter on Tuesday
False alarm leads to lockdown at Joliet Catholic Academy
Pets of the Week: March 18, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
The Local Scene: Free Easter egg hunt in Joliet: Here are 5 things to do this weekend
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, March 21, 2024
12 Quotes from Cornell Dyer and the Whispering Wardobe
When we were getting ready to release Bryony back in 2011, my daughter Sarah (who did a lot of the marketing for me) suggested I pull thirty teaser quotes from the book that she could post on Facebook, one each day.
While investigating a home with mysterious whispers,
supernatural super sleuth Cornell Dyer stumbles upon its source: an antique
wardrobe in a room all by itself. But when Cornell steps inside, he discovers
the wardrobe is more than a wardrobe and a whisper is more than a whisper. Even
if Cornell solves the mystery, will he ever go home?
Prologue:
Mrs. Peabody smiled as she set the last dollar down. She couldn’t wait to take the wardrobe home. She had just the place for it.
Chapter 1: A Very Thorough Investigation
“Good sir,” Cornell
said. “The trickiest kind of whispers are the whispers that pretend to be doors
or windows or cloth tapestries or handkerchiefs in pockets on suit coats.”
Chapter 2: Cornell Goes into the Wardrobe
Cornell stepped inside the wardrobe, but he didn’t close the door. He’d heard stories of foolish supernatural sleuths who shut themselves up in wardrobes and disappeared forever. It is absolutely not safe to walk into a wardrobe and shut the door. Cornell knew this well.
He left the door open.
Chapter 3: Forest of Everlasting Winter
“Am I in the wardrobe?” Cornell asked.
“You are – and you aren’t,” the robin said. “Let’s just call this the Land Not Quite Beyond the Wardrobe. Did the other humans come with you?”
Chapter 4: An Early Birthday Present
It was a sunny morning. Dew still sparkled on the grass. Birds cheerfully sang in the lush trees. The flowers along the paths bloomed with colorful blossoms. The snow melted off the knickknacks.
Chapter 5: The Cold, Cold Castle
Someone had painted
them to look like real animals. But Cornell wasn’t afraid of them. Ceramic
animals, no matter how savage-looking, cannot hurt anyone.
Chapter 6: In Like a Lion
The lion turned and smiled gently at Cornell.
“If you want to see real magic,” the lion said softly. “Come to the stone table tonight.”
Chapter 7: The Witch’s Folly
“Don’t you have ears?” Cornell said.
Upon closer inspection, Cornell noticed the fairy did not, in fact, have any ears. Still, since the fairy appeared to hear, Cornell decided to finish telling the fairy off.
Chapter 8: The Bric-A-Brac Battle Back
The lion was now shaking his paw at the Frost Fairy.
“It’s very rude to keep people awake with your whispering,” the lion said sternly. “I am grounding you to the castle to think about your actions.”
Chapter 9: Kings and Queens
The barnyard animals harmonized with the zoo animals and the wildlife. They filled the great golden hall with sounds no one ever heard before or after that night.
Chapter 10: After the Hunt
Cornell the Clever recalled another Cornell, but he couldn’t see the other Cornell. It was like trying to grasp a dream fragment after the alarm clock rings.
Epilogue
As he reached for the next sandwich, he felt something hard.
Right away Cornell deduced this was not a sandwich. Sandwiches, even stale ones, are soft and squishy. Mrs. Beaver did not serve stale sandwiches.
No, this could only be one thing.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Sue's Diner: Homemade Dye for Easter Eggs
Once again we are sharing our recipes for homemade food dye for Easer Eggs.
This recipe is not featured in any of the BryonySeries cookbooks, including Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties and features all the recipes
However, we are sharing these recipes with you on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try them this week. They will be gone next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
We do not have a good recipe for green dye. But Timothy came up with a work-around a few years ago, which we are also sharing at Sue's Diner.
For more photos, check out this story I wrote for The Herald-News in 2019 on the same topic (and a couple more at the bottom of this blog, which are showing up way better here than on the website).
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
And have fun!
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.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Monday, March 18, 2024
WriteOn Joliet presents “Fragments of Time"
Last year, WriteOn Joliet did something very unusual for a writer's group.
Eight WriteOn Joliet members presented original readings in a radio theater style performance at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, which you can watch here and here.
The response was so positive, Bicentennial Park invited us back with a new show for two performances instead of one.
Each member of the original cast returned. And a nineth WriteOn Joliet member is joining us.
And sooooooo...
WriteOn Joliet presents “Fragments of Time,” an original
radio theater production, on April 19 and April 20 at the Billie Limacher
Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet.
Nine members of WriteOn Joliet will explore various aspects
of time in original radio-style stories and poems at 7 p.m. at the Billie
Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre.
Admission is $5.
Authors and performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Maureen
Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky,
Jenny Russ and Duanne Walton.
Director is Rachel Veres.
Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks will be
available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available
for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately
after the show’s conclusion.
The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is at 201
West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.
For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org
or contact the office: 815-724-3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.
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.
We promise a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere to share your work,
and constructive feedback so that everyone can benefit from our shared
knowledge.
WriteOn Joliet is a proud partner of the Joliet PublicLibrary and The Book Market in Crest Hill.
For more information,
visit writeonjoliet.com.
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Friday, March 15, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 9 to March 15
Good morning!
I have just nine news and features stories to share with you this week. But more will be posted over this weekend, especially with me working this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
Last weekend was filled with family time (Saturday), friends (Sunday), and an obituary I was asked to write. This weekend is filled with work and then I leap into a very busy work week, followed by a colonoscopy next week.
Oh, and I have three business proposals to write before said colonoscopy - and I'm editing a manuscript for a client.
It's also been a busy week with rehearsals for WriteOn Joliet's radio play in April at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theater in Joliet on April 19 and April 20. More on that next week.
Still, even with all these fun projects to keep me occupied, I'm hoping to carve out some time for my own BryonySeries writing projects. Maybe? We shall see.
Here are the BryonySeries book updates:
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and six chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. I scrapped most of chapter seven last weekend and am now working on the current draft. We are estimating a late 2024 release date for this book.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. We had a tentative "Cornell breakfast" scheduled for last weekend, which didn't happen...and we have no opportunity for another for at least a couple more weeks. We've scheduled and broke several in 2023. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG overdue.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait. That one is called "Brainy Ann."
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.
A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novelette in the second person is completed and just needs final copyediting. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a mid-2024 release date.
Rebekah is also 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.
Now back to The Herald-News stories stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
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'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.
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.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
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
Joliet Bunny Bash to benefit foster kids: Buy tickets to the family friendly event by March 19
Free ‘Take Time for You’ event in New Lenox on Saturday: Event is open to any adult in the community
Pets of the Week: March 11, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
The Local Scene: A Shamrockin’ Good Time at Joliet Rialto: Here are 5 things to do this weekend
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, March 14, 2024
"The Rainy Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Sue's Diner: 1856 Cruller Recipe
This week's recipe is an adaptation of a nineteenth century for crullers that I found when writing the BryonySeries novel "Call of the Siren."
It does not appear 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.
A cruller is similar to a doughnut. Instead of a circle shape (which Rebekah used when she adapted the recipe), the dough is twisted and then deep fried in oil.
You can try the recipe 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.
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.
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Monday, March 11, 2024
That First Sip of Coffee
There is nothing like that first sip of coffee when you've had to delay it for fasting bloodwork.
Even better than coffee, there is nothing like gathering with loved ones when you've had to delay that, too.
The journey to the coffee maker is long or short, depending where you choose to place it. And once we grab our cup, we think about that journey no more.
But what an exquisite experience to gather with people who are not together randomly and look back at the journey traveled together.
Happy Monday!
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Friday, March 8, 2024
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 2 to March 8
Good morning!
I have thirteen news and features stories to share with you this week. But more will be posted over this weekend, especially with me working this weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
It's been a topsy turvy year so far with a few health challenges...and one I have to address this morning.
So far, the colonoscopy had to be pushed out to the end of next month due to a slew of (overall) relatively minor health (and other) challenges as far as impacting our day-to-day lives. But a steady stream of little challenges can add up to lots of stress. Please send up good thoughts that things settle down for us a bit, enough for us to catch out breath and relax.
This weekend is filled with family time (Saturday), friends (Sunday), and an obituary I was asked to write. But I'm still hoping for a little time for my own writing projects. We shall see.
Here are the BryonySeries book updates:
House on Top of the Hill: Third book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy. I now have a good working draft of the entire book and six chapters and a prologue that are ready for final edits. We are estimating a late 2024 release date.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Timothy said the next book will be slightly dark ("slightly" because it's for kids, too) and will involve an old toy store. We are also working on the last book in the series (but it's not the final book, if that makes sense). Timothy is actually writing that one. We had a tentative "Cornell breakfast" scheduled for last weekend, which didn't happen...and we have no opportunity for another for at least a couple of weeks. We've scheduled and broke several in 2023. Our last one was July 2022. So we are LONG overdue.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and ready for some serious writing in 2024. The first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has already started working on the cover portrait. That one is called "Brainy Ann."
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.
A Year of Shadows and Moonlight, of Gathering Blooms in the Woods: A rather unusual, poetic novelette in the second person is completed and just needs final copyediting. Rebekah is also playing around with art for the cover. We are estimating a mid-2024 release date.
Rebekah is also 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.
Now back to The Herald-News stories stories. Simply click on the link of the story that looks interesting to you. Happy scrolling!
But before the stories, I have a list of additional resources and information. Please check them out, too.
Finally, if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
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'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.
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.
BRYONYSERIES BOOKS
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
BRYONYSERIES EVENTS
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/calendar-of-events.
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 students hosting game night fundraiser: Families also can bring canned food items
Troy Township to host Mobile DMV and ICash event
Baran-Unland: I had unclaimed money in ICash twice: It’s certainly worth a few minutes to look
Pets of the Week: March 4, 2024: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
The Local Scene: Downtown Joliet Shamrock Stroll: Here are 5 things to do this weekend
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"