Christmas Traditions

We have a Christmas tradition at our  house that I dearly love. It started a few years ago, sort of spontaneously. We'd always baked a cake and sung happy birthday to Jesus but one year my older daughter, Sundy, came up with a twist on the idea. We generally have around 20 or 30 people at our house for Christmas dinner and frankly, by the time we eat, no one wants a big piece of cake. So my girls bake mini-cupcakes, spelling out "Happy Birthday, Jesus" with a letter on each tiny cake.  While everyone is still gathered in the living room, we put a candle in each cupcake and pass one out to each person. Then we light the candles, turn off the lights and sing to Jesus.

What traditions -old or new- do you keep in your family?

COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE - New Book News

 

Order Cowboy Under the Mistletoe

Yippee! It's finally here. The first book in my new series from Love Inspired has hit the shelves to get you  warmed up for the Christmas season!

Here's a bit about it:

Second-Chance Christmas
It's been nine years since Jake Hamilton broke Allison Buchanon's heart and left town. But she's never been able to forget the high school boy she secretly loved. Now Jake's come home to care for his ailing grandmother, and Allison's family will do anything to prevent a rekindled romance. Unfortunately, the connection between Allison and the green-eyed cowboy is undeniable. She believes that forgiveness is possible, especially at Christmas. But Jake cares too deeply about Allison to take her away from the close-knit Buchanon clan. Will Allison have to choose between a loving family and the love of her life?

The Buchanons: Steeped in loyalty, bound by family.

Let me know if you like it or better yet, post a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Thank you so much!

Remember if you have a Good Report to share, send it to me and if I use it on my blog, I'll send you a brand new copy of Cowboy Under the Mistletoe!

linda   @   lindagoodnight  dot com

Today's Lost Youth, Dog Food, and a ROK

It all started with a bag of dog food. A BIG bag of dog food. Fifty pounds of dog food. If you guessed I have several large dogs, you'd be correct. I was at Walmart when the husband called to say we were out of dog food. I don't usually make these purchases because fifty pounds is heavy and I'm a wimp. But this day I braved it to save an extra trip to town.

Back in the pet aisle, the fifty pounders were stacked so that I had to wrestle a bag forward and then hoist it up and into my cart. To say I was making little progress is putting it mildly but I could do it. Eventually. Suddenly, a pair of masculine hands appeared and took hold of the bag. A young man probably 19 or 20 said, "Let me get that for you." I didn't know this young man nor was he an employee. He was simply a shopper with wonderful manners and a pair of strong arms.

Has anything like this ever happened to you?

If you have good news or a random act of kindness to share, please email me. If I choose your anecdote for the blog, I'll send you a print copy of one of my recent books!

linda  @ lindagoodnight   dot   com

The Good News Blog

More than once lately I've complained that the "News" programs on TV report only bad news, never the good stuff.  When a person walks through a dark season in her life, as I have this year, finding the joy in life is often difficult. As I floundered, searching for a way to escape the doldrums, I heard a simple sermon by a young preacher on maintaining joy in life. His text was from Phillipians 8.

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Is it really that simple? Is it worth a try?


Then I heard someone talking about the state of the world, how bad everything was, how disrespectful today's youth are, etc. Negative, negative. No wonder we are in the doldrums. All around is negativity and  bad news.  There must be good things happening in this world. We are just too programmed toward the bad to notice.

And so begins my new purpose for this blog. To find and accent the GOOD. Sure, I'll still post a recipe or news about a book's release-that's good news to me--but I'm more interested in the little daily moments of good news.

Stay tuned, on Monday I have a Random Act of Kindness to share with you!

Easy Peach Cobbler-only four ingredients!

Last night, I wanted pie. While I resisted that urge, I succumbed to an easy version of peach cobbler. This recipe makes a light amount of crust with lots of peaches. Sorry we ate it so fast, I forgot to a take picture. 

Easy Peach Cobbler

Ingredients needed:

Peaches, self-rising flour, sugar, butter

For crust, blend together the following until crumbly:

1 cup self-rising flour
½ cup sugar or a combination of sugar and Splenda
½ stick butter or margarine, melted

Sprinkle about ¼ of the crumbs on the bottom of a sprayed 8 x 8 pan.

Spoon in 1 large can of peaches (about 29 oz), including juice.
Top with remaining crust crumbs.
Drizzle on another melted ½ cup butter.
Sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar over that.

Bake at 350 about 1 hour.

Serve hot. Good with Cool Whip or ice cream.

Optionally, you can add a little cinnamon and/or nutmeg to the peaches.

First Kisses is on sale for 99 cents!! Whoopee!

Six authors, six great books!

http://inspykisses.blogspot.com/

Too much fun! I loved doing this collection with these fabulous women. And I loved reading all the books. I think you will too. A wonderful mix of genres, so there is something for everyone.

For a limited time, we are offering the new FIRST KISSES COLLECTION FOR ONLY 99 CENTS!

 Okay, I couldn't resist posting the hero from my book. Is he great or what!!!

Inspy Kisses Video

First Kisses is so much fun! Remember yours?

Enjoy this sneak peak at the exciting new collaboration between five of my author friends and me. Sweet, inspiring, and romantic!

Let me know if you like it.

THE LAWMAN'S HONOR RELEASES TODAY

 4**** STARS from RT Magazine!

Anyone else love a strong, tough officer of the law? How about a former DEA agent bent on upholding his father's legacy? And what if one rain-slicked, stormy night, a lovely widow sees him crash his car on curvy mountain roads! Find out what happens in my new novel from clean, wholesome, exciting Love Inspired Romance, THE LAWMAN'S HONOR.

Order here or anywhere books are sold. On sale Feb. 18, 2014.

 

 

Linda's New Website

My brand new website is up and running!

My web designer, the inimitable Deborah Coates and I have been hard at work creating an all new look for Linda Goodnight books. Please pop on over, look around and let me know what you think. If you find any issues, links not working or such, please let me know!

And don't forget to sign up for my occasional newsletter while you're there. Or click the link to access the form.

Enjoy.

www.lindagoodnight.com

XOXO

Linda g

The Lawman's Honor, NEW BOOK

Whew, time sure flies!  It's been a while since I've written a post and I promised to keep you posted on new books and such. So here goes:

Releasing Feb. 18:

THE LAWMAN'S HONOR, book four in the Whisper Falls series.

Love's Duty
As assistant police chief, Heath Monroe never expected he'd ever need rescuing. But that's exactly what Cassie Blackwell does when she pulls him out of a car wreckage. He's surprised at the beautiful widow's strength and joyous spirit. But he's been burned before and is cautious to get involved. Especially since his investigation into the town's drug operation might implicate Cassie's late-husband! Yet the more time he spends with her, the deeper he falls. Will he have to choose between duty and his growing love—or is there a way he can have both?

Whisper Falls: Where every prayer is answered…

Seven Layer Dip

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and us wild partiers at the Goodnight casa are revving up for a good time of chip and dip, maybe a movie or two, and the ever popular midnight event (at our house anyway)  that comes right after the ball drops in Time Square - The Chicken Dance!

Here's the dip I'll be serving to all the revelers:

Seven Layer Dip

(Yes, I "borrowed" this photo. I'll try to post mine tomorrow.)

 

 

1 16 oz can of refried beans (no-fat kind is okay.)

1 package taco seasoning

1 small, (about 12 oz) container of guacamole dip

1 16 oz carton of sour cream (low-fat is okay)

 

2 cups of cheese, cheddar or Mexican blend or Monterey Jack. I usually do cheddar (low-fat is okay)

1 small can sliced or chopped black olives

                                                                               3-4 green onions – just the green part chopped up

                                                                                1 cup chopped tomatoes

To put together:

9 x 13 dish (Can also do round if you have a pretty round container. A trifle bowl would look gorgeous!)

1. Mix beans with the taco seasoning and layer into bottom of dish. Then layer on the following:


2. guacamole dip


3. sour cream


4. black olives


5. cheese


6. Green onions
Tomatoes. 
I sometimes like to put a little shredded lettuce on top but that’s optional

You can eat it right away or chill and serve in an hour or so. Best if eaten the same day it’s made but still good the next day--just not as pretty.

Serve with tortilla chips or corn chips.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, my dear friends.  Keep Calm and do the Chicken Dance!!

 

Hamburger Stew, Quick, Easy, Hearty

Blustery or cold where you are? Need to fix a healthy meal but short on time? Try one of the Goodnight family's go-to dishes. I'm making some right now!

Hamburger Stew, easy and quick

½ to 1 lb hamburger, browned in a dutch oven or big pot

½ T minced garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ t oregano

1 T Worcestershire

2 potatoes cubed

½ chopped onion

1 can tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

2 cans your choice of canned veggies with juice left in (I've used corn, beans, English peas, hominy, veg-all. Use what you have on hand.)

Add water as needed to form the soup consistency you like. (Usually around 2 cups for us.)

 

Brown meat with garlic and seasonings. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Cook until potatoes are done and flavors blend, usually about 20-30 minutes.

SNOW ICE CREAM RECIPE

It's that time again. For those of you who are asking, here is my home made snow ice cream recipe. If you prefer vanilla, just leave out the cocoa and add a little extra vanilla!

 

 

Snow Ice Cream

(All ingredients are approximates)

1 lg. (3 quart bowl) of clean, dry snow

1 cup of sugar

2 ½ TBS. Cocoa

1 tsp. real vanilla extract

½ cup of Milnot or other evaporated milk – can also use cream, half and half, or plain old milk.

¼ cup of milk (approx.)

Mix cocoa and sugar together in a separate bowl, then sprinkle over the top of the snow and mix in lightly with a fork. Once the snow is chocolate colored (or if vanilla, once the sugar is distributed) , slowly add the vanilla and milks, mixing with fork after each addition. Continue until you reach a nice thick, sort of chunky,  ice cream consistency. Put in freezer for a few minutes. Then eat and enjoy

CHRISTMAS BOOK & More Bestseller Lists!

Available now anywhere books are sold! (November 20, 2013) Click here to order from Amazon.


I am so blessed. What a lot I have to be thankful for this year. To you, my readers, I owe a debt of gratitude for your unflagging support through the years.

Yesterday, I discovered that THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS is now listed on three major bestseller lists.

NY Times Bestseller - Number 14!
USA Today  - Number 46
Publishers' Weekly - Number 2!

THANK YOU SO MUCH, and thanks to Debbie Macomber for a wonderful ride.

Veteran's Day

I can't let this day pass without giving a shout out to all of our veterans and military personnel. This country cannot get along without you. Your personal and professional sacrifices, the days that you have to be away from your family, and the mental wear and  tear that you except as part of your job, is a blessing to us all. May God bless and guide and protect you. And may you always feel the exceptional gratitude of the Americans that you serve. Happy, happy Veterans Day.

Especially remembering my dad, brother Steve, cousins Bob, Jim, and Ed, Uncle Raymond, and cousin Kay who served so well. Real unsung heroes....

Debbie Macomber and me!!

I am thrilled to announce that In the Spirit of Christmas, my very first book for Love Inspired is being re-released as a 'bonus' book. And the most exciting part is that it is being released TODAY with one of Debbie Macomber's wonderful Christmas stories, The Gift of Christmas.

If you haven't read these heartwarming stories, I do hope you'll pick up a copy. Debbie writes wonderful, clean stories and I consider it an honor to be included in one of her publications. Order Here or download to ereader.

 

You have to look really close down at the bottom to see my name. lol!  I don't mind a bit.

The Olden Days

Grinding corn at the festival.

Debbie Macomber and Me!

So happy to share this cover with the amazing Debbie Macomber. I'm thrilled to have one of my early Christmas novels paired with one of hers. I hope you'lllove it! Pre-order here.
Available October 29.

Baby in His Arms, Read an Excerpt!

To read an excerpt from Baby in His Arms, click the link and enjoy!  Read here.

 

 

Order here

Baby In His Arms, Reviews

I love it when reviews come in. Here are a couple of excerpts.

The book is great because the characters are likable and relatable. The plot of this story is one of true life, true circumstances some sad some happy. But you feel like you grow with the characters. Love all Linda Goodnights books and this new series of Whisper Falls can't wait for it to continue and visit again. !!!!!  Amazon reader

Sweet but Emotional Story.  Amazon reader

Order here