Sue's Diner: Candy Cane Brownies

By now, most Christmas candy is now a pleasant memory.

But you might have a few leftover candy canes, especially if you encountered Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, over the holiday season, and he was generous in distributing them (as he typically is).

So use up those leftover candy canes to make room for Valentine's Day candy by preparing these extra special Candy Cane Brownies.

The recipe is simple enough for a child to assemble with adult guidance and supervision.

This recipe 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 referenced in the novel Bryony. 

However, you can try this recipe for Valentine French toast on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It 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. 

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.

A "Bryony"-Inspired Bracelet From a "Team Henry" Member

In December 2024, I ran into Jamie Wood, owner of The Raven's House at a holiday vendor fair (Rebekah and I'd come out to support Cindy at her first solo event).

If you recall, I met Jamie in October 2024 when I bought my "Stingy Jack" necklace from her.

I admired one of her handmade bracelets called "Red and Rose," which Jamie then said she felt inspired to make it after reading "Bryony."

In fact, after she finished "Bryony," she messaged me and said she "loved Henry a lot" and then added:

He seemed the most sincere in his intent. I was drawn how he chose to be the "dumpy" lit teacher in the "real" world. As a young girl, he would be the type of Vampire I would have been drawn to if I lived in the book.

Well, I have super skinny wrists, so Jamie offered to make a smaller version of  "Red and Rose"  for me. I also admired a bracelet that reminded me of a lake, but that one is no longer available.

Jamie then showed me her winter/snowflake design and asked if I'd like that one. I did (it felt like a marrying of Simons Woods with Lake Munson to me), so Jamie made a smaller one in that design, too.

Well, 2025 was off the charts for my family and me, challenge-wise. So I only just recently was able to pick up those bracelets. And they are lovely!

Jamie and I are now (quite unintentionally) "three for three."

Because Jamie also bought "Visage" and "Before The Blood: Henry Matthews" over this past year.

To purchase "Red and Rose" and check out all available store items (jewelry and more), visit theravenshouse.net/s/shop.

Random Reflections on Service

For the second time since 2024, the area's MLK Day of Service has been cancelled due to dangerous cold temperatures.

While I'm certain that's disappointing to everyone involved - organiations, recipient agencies, and volunteers - if you think about it, even the cancellation is service - service to participants to keep them safe.

While we may often think of service as engaging in a service project or other activity, service comes in so many forms, as I discovered during the months in 2020 when I was writing this book.

Service can include:

* reaching out to someone lonely or staying away from someone who doesn't wish to see you

* providing a kind word, a prayer, and/or a listening word to someone who desperately needs them.

* a simple smile and "thank you" to anyone who's provided service to you, yes, even the bank teller person checking out your groceries. 

* taking the time during a busy day to walk around the block to move your body and clear your mind on a busy day.

* going to bed early to get enough rest or waking up early to reserve time for yourself.

* graciously receiving someone else's service to you

Each day is filled with unrecogized opportunities for service.

While a large event like MLK Day of Service provides the means to serve many people on a wide scale, the necessity of canceling such an event doesn't erase the fact that we and they benefit from our acts of service.

Let today be the start of a new pattern of service in your life.

Happy Monday!

Beethoven Angry Sonatas

'Winter Song' - cover in Irish

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan. 10 through Jan. 16

 Good morning!

I have thirteen stories online to share with you today. More stories will go live over the weekend and next week. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

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!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

For January, all activities center around becoming your best self.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries this month) - so far:

We typically don't host in-person events in January to give us time to recoup and prepare for tax time - but we are participating in one!

Jan. 31: Critical Grind Winter Local Author Fair: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Critical Grind Board Game Cafe, 852 Sharp Drive No. L, Shorewood.

We also encourage you to check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Please note: Bookshop does not carry all of our books.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done over the next month or so to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has finished the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But the goal is to release "Brainy Ann" in early 2026.

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."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

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.

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 weekly 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

Will County father and son combine for 76 years of mail delivery

‘You have to deal with the elements. And dogs, of course’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/06/42-years-of-postal-service-in-one-joliet-family/

Will County businesses adapt to penny going away

‘Pennies might not seem much, but they do add up’

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/09/will-county-businesses-adapt-to-penny-going-away/

Joliet police officer opening ‘Rage Cage’ in downtown Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/06/joliet-police-officer-opening-rage-cage-in-downtown-joliet/

The Curator’s Cafe in Joliet closed

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/07/the-curators-cafe-in-joliet-closed/

Joliet Chamber announces its ‘2025 celebration of success’ award recipients

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/09/joliet-chamber-announces-its-2025-celebration-of-success-award-recipients/

Congressman Jackson to attend Joliet African American Business Association MLK celebration

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/12/congressman-jackson-to-attend-joliet-african-american-business-association-mlk-celebration/

Wendy’s in Joliet closes, property for sale

2 other Joliet locations remain open

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/07/wendys-in-joliet-closes-property-for-sale/

Wendy’s in Lockport opening on Friday, rewarding early customers

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/14/wendys-in-lockport-opening-on-friday-rewarding-early-customers/

Closure of Bolingbrook warehouse to affect almost 200 workers

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/13/closure-of-bolingbrook-warehouse-to-affect-nearly-200-workers/

Hundreds to lose jobs when Minooka warehouses close

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/14/hundreds-to-lose-jobs-when-minooka-warehouses-close/

McHenry GameStop among several closed in northern Illinois

https://www.shawlocal.com/northwest-herald/2026/01/13/mchenry-gamestop-among-several-closed-in-northern-illinois/

Brown’s Chicken returns to Joliet

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/13/browns-chicken-returns-to-joliet/

Will County Pets of the Week: Jan. 12, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/12/will-county-pets-of-the-week-jan-12-2026/

 

 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

A Better You in 31 Days

For many of us, 2025 was a challenging year - and we might be approaching 2026 with more trepidation and less hope.

But hope, even a very tiny, flickering hope, can inspire us in lifechanging ways.

And whether times are favorable or not, we can still choose how our past and present circumstances can mold the person we become in the future.

So here's an opportunity for becoming a better you.

This January, the BryonySeries calendar is offering thirty-one suggestions for positive change in the new year.

Simply visit the BryonySeries calendar, pick a date (any date or the current date), read the prompt, and follow the instructions.

Yes, each activity does link back to a BryonySeries book. But that's only for context. You don't need to click the link at all (unless you're curious).

Even one of these activities is a priceless gift you can give to yourself in 2026.

Let's begin today!

Sue's Diner: Best Griddle Cakes

This week's recipe is for Best Griddle Cakes, which is adapted from Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy.

 The recipe also appears in the BryonySeries cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

These are, indeed, some delicious griddle cakes. But are they really "the best?" Try them and see.

The secret to their delicious taste, I believe, is one extra ingredient and one extra step.

The cookbook is available on Amazon and is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

This recipe is also referenced in the Bryony, the first book in the young adult "drop of blood" vampire trilogy. 

Here's what the cookbook said:

As much as Melissa enjoyed playing Bryony, she found some of Munsonville’s Victorian foods difficult to stomach, especially when they appeared on her breakfast tray. Here are the recipes for Melissa’s initial breakfasts at Simons Mansion.

Try this 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. 

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.

Kid's Wish For A Corgi Puppy Comes True | Dodo Kids

Monday - Ludovico Einaudi \\ Jacob's Piano MONDAY

Snow Falling on Lake for 8 Hours (No Music)

New "Ruthless" Book in Progress

So Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, is working veyr hard on a new book in his Ruthless series.

In Ed's true literary nonsense style, the book will include himself (in Irish vampire and Ruthless dictator format), an eclectic cast of BryonySeries characters (his and mine), and a focus on the Templar Knights, COVID-19, and Kellen Wechsler.

Ed's publication goal is Calkkins Day 2027 (or the unenlightened Calkins Day is celebrated with great festivity from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each February 13 at The Book Market in Crest Hill. Yes, you are invited. Stay posted for details!).

Ed has an idea for a title, which I won't share now because he's not certain he's keeping it.

I will share his working table of contents, which clarifies nothing.

But hopefully you are intrigued.

Happy Saturday!

Table of Contents

Kingdom of the Damned

              First Forward: On Human Sacrifice

1 The King of Cows

2 Tangles and Timelines

3 Time to Talk Templar

4 Shoes of the Fishers

5 A Very Cold Case

6 The Ghost of Almost

7 Trigger Treat

7.5 Retraction of Chapter 7

8 The Internet Never Lies

9 Love, Lose, and the Tourist Industry

Covid Finds Munsonville

              Second Forward; Covid Compliance

              10 On Wearing Clean Socks

              11 Hero’s Forest

              12 The Land of a Hundred Kings

              13 The Privilege of Service

              14 Demise of the Mad King Part I: Dear Me

              15 Demise of the Mad King Part2; Nun Shall Pass

Romance, Sex, and Other Trash

              16 What Must Never Be Told

              17 The Bridegroom Wished He Knew

              18 What Happened to Two Aging Virgins

19 What Boys Do in the Shower

The Children’s Crusade

              20 Show and Tell

              21 The Whereabouts of the Mad King

              22 Direct Orders

 

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Jan. 3 through Jan. 9

 Good morning!

I have ten stories online to share with you today. More stories will go live over the weekend and next week. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

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!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

For January, all activities center around becoming your best self.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries this month) - so far:

We typically don't host in-person events in January to give us time to recoup and prepare for tax time - but we are participating in one!

Jan. 31: Critical Grind Winter Local Author Fair: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Critical Grind Board Game Cafe, 852 Sharp Drive No. L, Shorewood.

We also encourage you to check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Please note: Bookshop does not carry all of our books.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done over the next month or so to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has finished the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But the goal is to release "Brainy Ann" in early 2026.

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."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

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.

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 weekly 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

Stepping Stones in Joliet looks to open new center for mothers in recovery

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/22/stepping-stones-in-joliet-looks-to-open-new-center-for-mothers-in-recovery/

Joliet Chamber not bringing back New Orleans North festival

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/06/joliet-chamber-not-bringing-back-new-orleans-north-festival/

Joliet tax advisors to host grand opening ribbon cutting

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/07/joliet-tax-advisors-to-host-grand-opening-ribbon-cutting/

CITGO refinery in Romeoville, once owned by Venezuela, sold in December

Government there contesting the sale

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/06/citgo-refinery-in-romeoville-once-owned-by-venezuela-sold-in-december/

Hollywood Casino Joliet announces winner of Gala Giveaway

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/06/hollywood-casino-joliet-announces-winner-of-gala-giveaway/

Eyes on Enterprise: Three Rivers Association of Realtors announces Top 100 Realtors

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/04/eyes-on-enterprise-three-rivers-association-of-realtors-announces-top-100-realtors/

Plot Twist Books, new independent bookstore, opens in Lockport

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/27/plot-twist-books-new-independent-bookstore-opens-in-lockport/

Mr. Auto Care opens in Crest Hill

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/29/mr-auto-care-opens-in-crest-hill/

Joliet library’s Black Road branch reopening Monday

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/02/joliet-librarys-black-road-branch-to-reopen-monday/

Will County Pets of the Week: Jan. 5, 2026

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/01/05/will-county-pets-of-the-week-jan-5-2026/

 

 

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

An After Christmas Song

Sue's Diner: Recipe for Happiness

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 and all the days of your life.

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

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

We Three Kings of Orient Are

The Entire Christmas Season

Many years ago, we started celebrating our family Christmas on January 7.

But that doesn't meant we don't celebrate Christmas on December 25.

When I was first married in 1981, my in-laws gathered on December 24 and my side of the family gathered on December 25.

As my family grew, I wanted Christmas traditions that were ours - and wouldn't interfere with THEIR in-laws traditions when the time came.

We also had a few friends who celebrated Christmas on January 7. And that's how we birthed the idea.

However, that doesn't mean we celebrate two (or more) Christmases. We celebrate one Christmas, with multiple celebrations.

We're Eastern Orthodox Christians, which means our Advent begins November 15. So that gives us an extra two weeks to thoroughly prepare ourselves to celebrate Jesus' birth (and we still never feel ready).

We honor Christmas Eve is December 24, like most everyone else does.

Christmas Day is December 25, which begins the Christmas season.

We honor all twelve days of Christmas and celebrate the Magi on January 6.

We conclude the festivities with our family Christmas on January 7.

However, the Christmas season continues until Candlemas or the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple on February 2, which is when we typically start putting away Christmas decorations.

A short time later, we celebrate creativity, generosity, and laugher with Calkins Day on February 12, and then we celebrate love with Valentine's Day on February 14.

By now, we might have started (or are close to starting) the pre-Lenten period - and then we move into Lent.

After Lent comes Easter.

And look at that, winter is gone and spring has arrived!

The liturgical year, of course, continues, with two more minor fasting/abstinence periods, days of rejoicing, and days of solemnity.

The best part about living life with the liturgical year is that living that life is not dependent on "things" going well for us.

Whether we're struggling or smooth sailing, stumbling or running the race to its fullest, we're still enveloped in that mystery that is God manifested in our lives.

It's an incredibly satisfying way to live.

Happy Monday!

O Come All Ye Faithful but it has one MAJOR difference

O Come, All Ye Faithful (Susato D Whistle)

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 27 through Jan. 2

Good morning!

I have seven stories online to share with you today. More stories will go live over the weekend and next week. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.

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!

Calendar

The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and  recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.

For January, all activities center around becoming your best self.

To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.

Events (or where to find the BryonySeries this month) - so far:

We typically don't host in-person events in January to give us time to recoup and prepare for tax time.

In the meantime, encourage you to check out our books by popping into The Book Market in Crest Hill (if you live in the area) or bookshop.org or Amazon if you don't. 

Please note: Bookshop does not carry all of our books.

What is the BryonySeries?

Please read "Books of the BryonySeries: A Quick Overview"

For more information on the developing "parent brand" that is removing some of the heavy marketing lifting from me, visit bryonyseries.com/blocks.

BryonySeries books-in-progress

Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.

The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is finally begun, although albeit very slowly. I'd like to get enough done over the next month or so to finally give Sue Midlock (our artist for The Adventures of Cornell Dyer) some ideas for the book's cover and chapter heading illustrations.

Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright has finished the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects. But the goal is to release "Brainy Ann" in early 2026.

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."

Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.

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.

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 weekly 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

A look at Will County’s top business comings and goings in 2025

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/30/a-look-at-will-countys-top-business-comings-and-goings-in-2025/

After 140 years, Turk Furniture still ‘paying attention to details’ in furnishing homes

Stores in Joliet, Bradley, Ottawa and La Salle

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/27/after-140-years-turk-furniture-still-paying-attention-to-details-in-furnishing-homes/

Timbers of Shorewood donates $16,000 Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/28/timbers-of-shorewood-donates-16000-alzheimers-association-illinois-chapter/

New Crest Hill restaurant offers ‘global-inspired’ chicken and seafood classics

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/15/new-chicken-and-seafood-restaurant-opens-in-crest-hill/

Leader of Will County Black business association honored for excellence

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/27/leader-of-will-county-black-business-association-honored-for-excellence/

Plot Twist Books, new independent bookstore, opens in Lockport

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/27/plot-twist-books-opens-in-lockport/

Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 29, 2025

Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption

https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/29/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-29-2025/

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Peder B. Helland - A New Beginning