Red Is The Rose - The Whistlin' Donkeys Feat. Meadhbh Walsh

Enjoy this rendition of the Irish folk ballad, "Red is the Rose."

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxn7cSjgZx4&list=RDSxn7cSjgZx4&start_radio=1

Sue's Diner: Vampire Meatballs

Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away.

So it's a perfect time to make and serve these sweet and sour "vampire" meatballs, either as an appetizer or a main dish.

Not only are they delicious, they won't scare anyone away. You can eat them with the lights turned on. And you don't have to be a fan of vampires to enjoy them.

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 vampire meatballs 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. 

Not sure what (or where) Sue's Diner is? Read: "Sue's Diner Through the Years."

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-food. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

Check out all three BryonySeries cookbooks at bryonyseries.com/merchandise.

Sue's Diner: Molten Cake

Here's a delectable recipe for a vampire-themed Valentine's Day (yes Valentine's Day is around the corner): chocolate-cherry molten cakes.

These dark, rich molten cakes 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 molten cakes 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.

Sue's Diner: Valentine Candy Cane Brownies

Use up those leftover holiday candy canes for Valentine's Day with these extra special Valentine 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.

Sue's Diner: Valentine French Toast

Show someone you care about him or her this Valentine's Day (or before...or after) by serving up this extra-special French toast.

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.

Sue's Diner: Valentine Salad

Show someone you care about him or her this Valentine's Day (or before...or after) by serving up a healthy, heart-shaped salad.

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 Salad 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.

Sue's Diner: Vampire Meatballs

January weather is in full force in my part of the world - and Valentine's Day is less than a month away.

So it's a perfect time to make and serve vampire meatballs, either as an appetizer or a main dish.

Not only are they delicious, they won't scare anyone away. You can eat them with the lights turned on. And you don't have to be a fan of vampires to enjoy them.

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 vampire meatballs 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.

Sue's Diner: Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rebekah stumbled across this recipe a few weeks ago and decided they would be perfect to share on Sue's Diner for Valentine's Day.

So she modified the recipe and prepared a batch, which we enjoyed last week.

The recipe for this chocolatey twist of regular cinnamon rolls 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 referenced in the novel Bryony. 

However, you can try this recipe for red velvet cinnamon rolls 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.

Vanilla's Valentine's Day Surprise 🌹

My Valentine - Martina McBride (Piano Version by Riyandi Kusuma)

Sue's Diner: Molten Cake

Here's a delectable recipe for a vampire-themed Valentine's Day: chocolate-cherry molten cakes.

These dark, rich molten cakes 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 molten cakes 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.

Sue's Diner: Vampire Meatballs

Valentine's Day is two weeks away. So it's a perfect time to make and serve vampire meatballs, either as an appetizer or a main dish.

Not only are they delicious, they won't scare anyone away. You can eat them with the lights turned on. And you don't have to be a fan of vampires to enjoy them.

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 vampire meatballs 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.

Sue's Diner: Vampire Kiss

We don't often post a recipe with alcohol on Sue's Diner. But this Vampire Kiss was too good to pass up for the Valentine's Day season - even if you don't have any vampires currently in your life.

This Vampire Kiss drink 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 referenced in the novel Bryony. 

However, you can try this recipe for Vampire Kiss 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 Time to Love

One, two, three - GO!

That was my tag-shout for more than a dozen times in February 1991 when Sarah and I were helping six-month-old Timothy participate in our annual Valentine-making afternoon.

Each year my children made shoebox mailboxes for themselves.

And they made homemade Valentines to give to each other, and their parents and grandparents, etc.

For Timothy's contribution on this particular year, the kids cut out large red hearts and glued a white doily in the center. Then, while I held Timothy under one arm, Sarah painted his little hands black with kids-safe watercolor paint.

Then Sarah and I each pried his little fingers open and, to the shout of those opening words, we'd swiftly press his hands flat on the doily for a pair of his baby handprints on the card.

We ruined a lot of Valentines.

For Timothy inevitably curled the fingers on one or both hands just as he reached the doily. And then we started all over again.

Some people think Valentine's Day is a greeting card day, a day dedicated to romance, or an obligation of one partner to another.

We at our house think it's a day to give love.

Below are some of the handmade Valentines Rebekah received from her siblings over the years. How can she not look at them today and feel their love?

All the kids are grown now, and no one can take an afternoon off from work to make Valentines.

But Rebekah has kept that spirit.

Every Valentine's Day, she surprises everyone in her immediate household with a small chocolate gift she's assembled. This way of giving is embedded into the holiday for her. I don't think she can envision the day without it.

Let that sink in a moment. Valentine's Day is not Valentine's Day to Rebekah is she cannot show love.

So take a moment today to show love to someone.

The gesture can be simple. Just be sure it's sincere.

Because the glow will remain in the other long after you've forgotten it.

Sue's Diner: Molten Cake

This week's recipe is for vampire-themed, chocolate-cherry molten cakes, a delectable treat you can make for Valentine's Day.

These molten cakes 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 molten cakes 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.

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

Good morning!

Today I have just eleven features and news stories to share with you today with more to be posted over the weekend, especially since I'll be working through the weekend. So be sure to check back on The Herald-News site: shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

Also, here are two "save the date" events for people in the general Will County area.

One is our annual Calkins Day celebration on Feb. 13 at The Book Market in Crest Hill. For details, read this post from last Saturday.

The other is WriteOn Joliet's first radio-style reading that will be held on April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet. 

I'll share details as they jell. But for now, read this post from Monday.

Fiction projects are coming along very slowly, and I doubt I'll make too much progress this weekend, although I hope to make some when the work assignments are completed. But I am making progress.

I now have rough drafts for the first six chapters of in the final book in the BryonySeries Limbo trilogy: House on Top of the Hill and hope to get another done this weekend.

I am in the process of writing the next book in The Adventures of Cornell Dyer subseries: Cornell Dyer and the Hounds of Basketville and made some progress on that story on Monday. Sue Midlock has completed all the interior art and is currently working on the cover.

I am also working on the fourth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries series.

You can find other titles in the series here. Timothy has not yet added our latest titles to the BryonySeries bookstore. But all titles are also on Amazon. 

I'm also working on a guide book to the series called: Welcome to Munsonville: the People, Places, and Things of the BryonySeries.

And I'm also working on a novella. But I'm not sharing any details yet. 

Rebekah is also slowly updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts, so watch for those.

Now back to the 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'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 do post the briefs on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.

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

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 theater to host 2 Black History Month events this week: Be educated with a play, be inspired by a gospel concert

Sarah Oprzedek to become president and CEO of United Way of Will County: Kamala Martinez will step down as president and CEO on Jan. 31.

Register your team now for JTHS Foundation annual trivia event: Tables of 10 are still available for the March 12 event.

2022 Herald Angels campaign sets record again: An anonymous donor gave $4,000

Calcium artery scoring: is this $49 scan at New Lenox hospital right for you?: Dr. Francisco Yun: ‘This is just a screening tool. It does not identify blockages.’ 

Take your Valentine’s celebration outdoors with these Will County forest preserve events: Cindy Cain: ‘You can have fun outside all year long, even in in the winter, even for Valentine’s Day.’ 

Firefighters battle fire at Joliet’s Patrick Haley Mansion

No one injured at Joliet house fire early Thursday morning: The first units arrived four minutes after receiving the call.

Herald-News seeking ‘Women of the Year’ submissions: Entry deadline is April 7.

Pets of the Week: January 30, 2023: Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption.

5 Things to do in Will County: bring the family to ‘Winterfest’ in Bolingbrook: Also enjoy an all-age coloring contest, a solo art exhibition and 2 food-related events.

Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"

Sue's Diner: Darlene's Cookies

This week's recipe for Darlene's Cookies is featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permament fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

Rebekah submitted the recipe for the cookbook. Aren't they perfect for Valentine's Day?

This recipe is referenced in the BryonySeries novel Bryony. Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

Decorating cookies together is the perfect time for a mother-daughter, heart-to-heart chat.

You can try the recipe for Darlene's 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.

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.

Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis) - The Piano Guys

Braveheart theme (For the love of a princess) tin whistle cover

Steve Martin - Dating Game 1968