Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Round Up – 11th – 17th November -Mexico, Music, Magnificent Recipes and Christmas Book Promotions.

I cannot believe that we have been home for over a week.. and a lot of catching up to do but I must thank D.G. Kaye, ..D.G. Kaye Writer Blog for her care-taking of the blog in my absence…. wonderful friend, to us all.

We have a big job starting tomorrow with a replacement fence being installed between us and our neighbour.. It will change the whole kerb appeal of the house and is the last major work of the renovations. A couple of rooms need a touch up and then come the spring it should be ready to be put on the market.

We have started looking, but as usual with us it is the house in the least expected location and not to the specifications that we planned!  But that is what makes it so exciting.

It was our 39th anniversary on Friday and we indulged in our favourite food…stir fried prawns on avocado, steak and chips with mushrooms and bacon, followed by caramel ice cream. Oh and a couple of margaritas.

Here we are 39 years ago with the registrar who married us – at what was locally known as Bridge End Cathedral in Dolgellau, Mid-Wales. Many of you already know of our impulsive dive into matrimony after only knowing each other for six weeks and getting engaged on our first date. Here we are tying the knot.. photo courtesy of my father-in-law Geoff.

I still have my outfit although it is a while since I have been able to get into it… but getting there in time for our 40th next year… David on the other hand would still be able to get into his suit.

Anyway… on with the next year and last week’s posts.

As always I am very grateful for the wonderful contributions from regular guests and also to you for dropping in and sharing…

This week William Price King shares the life and music of jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman.

William Price King with Ornette Coleman Saxaphonist

Welcome to this month’s edition of the Travel Column at the Smorgasbord. D.G. Kaye (Debby Gies) has chosen a not-so-well known little gem of a place, Puerto Peñasco, for a tropical escape in Mexico that she discovered while watching a destination show on TV.

D.G. Kaye takes us to #Mexico – Puerto Penasco

Carol Taylor and I team up to share how you can become deficient in certain nutrients and how to prepare food to ensure you get sufficient.. this week a very important mineral that is often sidelined…Manganese.

Cook from Scratch to prevent deficiency – Manganese

With Thanksgiving at the end of the month, Silvia Todesco who is Italian, but now lives in America, shares a wonderful dessert that I am sure will be loved by all the family and guests..Ricotta, Almonds and Amaretti tart

Silvia Todesco and a wonderful dessert for Thanksgiving

Mike Biles shares the story of England’s first known poet Caedmon…with an example of his work.

England’s first known poet Caedmon by Mile Biles

The first of the guest posts for the Christmas Book Fair and D.G. Kaye shares how to write in memoir.

Writing in Memoir by D.G. Kaye

For the final Sunday Interview of the series, Allan Hudson joins me and shares an excerpt for his latest release, Shattered Figurines.

Allan Hudson with an excerpt from his latest book Shattered Figurines

My review for Skating on Thin Ice (The Men of Warhawks #1) by USA Today Bestselling author Jacquie Biggar.

My review for Skating on Thin Ice

My review for Mistaken Identity by James J. Cudney

My tribute to my mother, The Duchess and her fashion flair in response to this week’s challenge from Colleen Chesebro..

Double Etheree – The Duchess

I am back to participating in the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge and this week the prompt was ‘Storm Windows’

Flash Fiction – Storm Windows by Sally Cronin

New Book on the Shelves

Lorinda Taylor – New Book on the Shelves

The latest book from Jemima Pett

Coming of Age Adventure from C.S. Boyack

Author updates

Recent reviews for Mary Adler, Andrew Joyce and Mary Crowley

Books for Christmas from John. W. Howell, Hugh W. Roberts, Linda G. Hill and Ritu Bhathal

Sarah Brentyn, Jaye Marie, Mae Clair and Eloise de Sousa

Terrific posts from Robbie Cheadle, Pat Furstenberg and Richard Dee

More great posts from Pete Springer, Olga Nunez Miret and Anne Stormont

Tips and advice and inspiration from James J. Cudney, Anne Copeland and D.G. Kaye

Book review from N.A Granger, The Dawn from Sue Vincent and this week’s Tarot card from Jan Sikes

Carol Taylor, Jennie Fitzkee,Colleen Chesebro with Darlene Foster,

Laugh your socks off with more jokes from Debby and Sally

More funnies from Debby and Sally

Thank you for visiting and I hope you will join me again next week.