Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – January 12th- 18th 2020

Welcome to this week’s posts on Smorgasbord that you might have missed.

I hope you have had a good week… I am in housekeeping mode both on and offline. At the moment the Cafe and Bookstore is in the middle of a facelift with the addition of both UK and US Amazon selling pages, Goodreads where the author has a page, and their website or blog. It is a work in progress so don’t worry if your entry does not reflect this change yet, it will soon.

You can help me out if you are an author on the shelves by letting me know in advance that you have a new book being released. That helps me keep your entry up to date but also ensures that you receive a new book promotion when your book is available or is on pre-order offer.

I do go through every week to check for recent reviews but with 150 authors it is easy to miss one. To keep the cafe at a manageable size, authors listed have reviews within the last six months.

A few statistics about the Cafe and Bookstore.

• In 2019 there were 130 Cafe Updates including the summer features and Christmas book fair and 125 New book Promotions
• The top viewed (220) New Book on the Shelves was A Bit About Britain’s History by Mike Biles
• The average new book on the shelves promotion has over 100 views on the blog, multi-retweets on Twitter and shares on Facebook.
• It is a free book promotion and all it costs is a little bit of your time, letting me know and responding to comments. Judging from comments, I am confident that the posts do result, in not only effective exposure for your books but also sales and more reviews.

If you are not already an author in the Cafe and Bookstore you can find all the details at this link: Smorgasbord Cafe and Bookstore FREE Author promotion

As to my offline decluttering… with the likelihood of a move and alleged downsizing this year, I am working through my depleted but still over subscribed clothes stash. Despite my continued weight loss, I doubt that the silver lame 1970s disco trousers that I have clung on to will see the light of day (or glitter ball) again… despite the pain it will cost me it is time to send to the charity shop and hope that some other young person might enjoy taking them for a twirl… along with the last of my stilettos….(I need a hoist to keep me upright).  Still I have my glory days to remember… and I still take to the kitchen floor when the mood takes me….

Anyway.. keep dancing

And as always my thanks to the wonderful team who keep coming up with amazing posts and to you for dropping in to read them.

A wonderful introduction to the new column from D.G. Kaye, Debby Gies who explores the Realms of Relationships. She will be on her winter retreat for February but will be back in March. In this column Debby explores our communication skills both verbal and behavioural and strategies for resolving conflict.

D. G. Kaye – Exploring the Realms of Relationships

Welcome to a new series from Carol Taylor, the wonderful A – Z of Food and I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of wonderful ingredients across the food groups, spices and herbs.

Caroly Taylor’s A – Z of Food – Almonds, Arrowroot, Aubergines and Avocado

This week on the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills   the prompt was a husband carrying his wife…

Carrot Ranch – A Dream Home by Sally Cronin

Two more stories from this collection…

Francis – Forging New Bonds by Sally Cronin

George – Playing Away from Home

This week the prompt for Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 160 the prompt is ‘Calm and Present’… I have chosen the synonyms ‘Serene and Deliver’ for my Etheree.

Etheree – On the Wind by Sally Cronin

Movie Hits – Mrs Robinson – The Graduate by Simon & Garfunkel

My review for The Hat by C.S. Boyack

My thanks to Mark Bierman for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award

To start the new series, author Jacqui Murray who shares the wonderfully descriptive simile…very useful for all writers.

51 Great Similes to Spark Imagination from Jacqui Murray

#Canada, #Pottery and #Eagles by Darlene Foster

#Memoir Byte – Reminiscences of the 70s and 80s Fun and Fearless by D.G. Kaye

Scifi – The Magisters Book One by Jack Eason

Acts of Convenience by Alex Craigie

Vandana Bhasin, Smitha Vishwanath, Mae Clair, Miriam Hurdle

#Poetry Bette A. Stevens, #Fantasy Fiona Tarr, #Fantasy D.Wallace Peach

#SunshineBlogger Mark Bierman, #ReadingAloud Jennie Fitzkee, #IndieShowcase Richard Dee

#Karma D.G. Kaye, #Interview Patricia Furstenberg, #Afghanistan Mary Smith

#Guest Marcia Meara with Joan Hall, #Bookclub Amy Reade, #Q&A D.G. Kaye, #Review by Michelle Clements James

#Children’sfears Becky Ross Michael, #Nonverbal Communication Jim Borden, #Familyhistory Liz Gauffreau

#Publishing 2020 Nicholas Rossis, #Freebook Olga Nunez Miret, #Flash Charli Mills Carrot Ranch

In part two I share the best sources for vitamins C to K2 to ensure your shopping list reflects what your body needs to be healthy.

Shopping List by Nutrient part two Vitamin C to K2

More funnies from Debby and a joke from Sally’s Archives

Even more funnies from Debby Gies and Sally

Thank you for dropping in today and during the week. Your support is very much appreciated. I hope you have enjoyed the posts you might have missed and look forward to your feedback. See you next week.. thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Music Column – Songs from the Movies – Mrs Robinson – The Graduate – Simon & Garfunkel

Now that the festivities and Christmas music is over for the year…. time to get back into the songs from the movies every two weeks, and if you have a favourite track from a film that you would like me to share, drop me a line at sally.cronin@moyhill.com…

Mrs Robinson – The Graduate – Simon & Garfunkel

I saw the film The Graduate when it was released in the UK which would have been slightly later than in the US in 1969.  I loved it and have watched several times since. Brilliant acting and ‘Mrs Robinson’ is a song that I still listen today on my movie soundtrack playlist.

Written by Simon & Garfunkel it was released on their fourth studio album ‘Bookends’ in 1968 having been included in the soundtrack for The Graduate the year before.  The track hit #1 on the Billboard 100 as well appearing in the top ten in Europe. It was also the first rock song to win a Grammy  for record of the year.

Here is the song from the film uploaded courtesy of Mr E.

You can buy ‘Bookends’ in various formats: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK

and The Graduate: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK

Thank you for dropping in today and if you have a favourite song from the movies let me know…sally.cronin@moyhill.com  thanks Sally

 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Weekly Round Up – 5th – 11th January 2020 – Count Basie, Phosphorus, Reviews, New Books, Bloggers and Funnies.

Welcome to the round up of posts that you might have missed during the week here on Smorgasbord.

It seems to take longer each year to get back to normal after the holidays. Almost the middle of January and at least spring always appears to be around the corner once we get into this part of the year. Nothing startling happening around the house as we are waiting for dry weather to get in stones for drainage and topsoil to finish the piece where the new fence has been erected. We have adopted a much more relaxed approach to these jobs now, as nothing we do or say is going to make the weather more amenable to our needs!

Never mind, there is plenty of warmth and friendship online to enjoy and we could have it a great deal worse. As the fires in Australia continue, we can only be grateful for days of rain and the ability to live safely. The devastation and loss of life and wildlife is something that will take decades to fully recover from and it must be a huge worry for relatives of families in the areas under attack.

As always my thanks to the regular contributors and to you for dropping in and supporting us with your comments and sharing of posts.

This week William shares the music of the legendary Count Basie – 1904 – 1984

William Price King with Count Basie

In the final post of this series Carol Taylor and I team up to share the symptoms of a deficiency of Phosphorus and the foods you need to include in your diet regularly.

This week cooking from scratch to prevent a deficiency of phosphorus

This month Silvia Todesco shows us how to make authentic pesto sauce, and essential ingredient in pasta sauces.

Pesto alla Genovese sauce, ten tricks for the best result

What I wish I knew then by Pete Springer

My review for Watching Glass Shatter by James J. Cudney

My review #Mystery Watching Glass Shatter by James M. Cudney

Two more stories from this collection…

Eric – Just Making Do

Fionnuala The Swan

For the first Tuesday in the month for Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 159 it is poet’s choice.  I have selected a Butterfly Cinquain…

Butterfly Cinquain – Friendship

Unarranged Marriage by Ritu Bhathal on pre-order February 9th.

Beck ‘n’ Call Lands of Exile Book 2 by Stuart France and Sue Vincent

The Old Gilt Clock by Paulette Mahurin

Thriller Carol Balawyder, Mystery Diana J. Febry, Afghanistan Patricia Furstenberg

Poetry Lynda McKinney Lambert, Thriller Don Massenzio, Prehistory Jacqui Murray

Book Review Michelle Clements James, Book Launch Tips Mary Smith, Climate Change Carol Taylor

Movie Review D.G. Kaye, Funnies The Story Reading Ape, Measurements Beetley Pete

Recipes Amy Reade, Tarot Jan Sikes, Interview Jane Risdon

Carol Taylor – Whimsical Wednesdays – Robbie Cheadle Book review, Marcia Meara with a marketing opportunity

Aurora Jean Alexander – Books, Inspiration Charli Mills, Japanese Poetry Colleen Chesebro

Here is part one of an alternative shopping list that your body might write if it was capable. It does try to tell you that it is missing elements that it needs which is when you are sick. This list contains the top sources for the nutrients our bodies need to be healthy.

Shopping List by Nutrient – Vitamins A- B

More funnies from Debby and a joke from Sally’s Archives

More funnies and an invitation to join in the fun

Thank you for all your support and wishing you a great week ahead. Look forward to seeing you here again.. thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Christmas – The Weekly Round Up December 15th -21st

Cannot believe it is Christmas Day next Wednesday and the time has flown by since that first sight of Christmas decorations in the supermarket in the first week of September!!! Clearly all the government health advice, sugar tax (here in Ireland) has flown out of the window as you can get two tins of Quality street for a tenner.. and even cheaper elsewhere.. I will give them kudos for also dropping the cost of Brussel Sprouts, but for many that incentive is required.. who needs one to buy a tin of Quality Street!!! I don’t, as on my naughty list every year whatever the price!

Things will be a little quieter around here from Christmas day until Monday 30th as I have scheduled some reading time, but I will be in and out with a couple of posts and on FB and Twitter. I cannot go cold turkey (pardon the pun).

As it is over a year since I shared the stories from What’s in a Name Volumes 1 and 2, I will be repeating those from Christmas Day everyday and then at the weekends through January and February. I hope those of you who have not read the stories before will enjoy them.

I will also be sharing the most popular posts from the various categories throughout the year and some new series coming up in 2020 for both author and blog promotion. Stay tuned…

Anyway back to this week and a reminder of the posts that you might have missed since last Sunday…

It is getting close to that time when we revisit the last year and start to put plans in place for the next. So appropriate to also think of those who have supported and motivated you through the year.

I was thrilled to be nominated by author and blogger Stevie Turner for the Blogger Recognition Award and it has given me the perfect excuse to thank you to just a small selection of bloggers who are such a wonderful support for both the blog and my books.

The Blogger Recognition Award

It was also time for the Smorgasbord Christmas party with some lovely guests who sent in their wishes for the Fairy Godmother to make come true.. She did her best (having been testing the margarita mix for the last couple of days) and hopefully there was something special for everyone. There was also food, music and funnies… so I hope you will drop by and leave you wishes in the comments.

Happy Christmas and healthy, wealthy New Year everyone..

Smorgasbord Christmas Party – Just One Wish

Carol of the Bells and For Unto Us a Child is Born with William Price King

For this final Travel Column Debby is going to share three winter resorts that are popular during the ski season but also have activities for all the family, including someone like me who does not trust two short planks down a mountainside at 60 miles an hour… I prefer waiting at the other end of the slopes at the Gluhwein (hot red wine) stall…..And news of Debby’s new column for 2020.

Travel Column Winter Snow Vacations for all the family.

Carol Taylor shares a wonderful alternative to our traditional Christmas fare with a full Vegetarian Menu.

Carol Taylor with a sumptious Vegetarian Christmas Menu

Mike Biles with the last part of his The A-Z of Christmas in Britain –St. Boniface to ZZZZZ

A-Z of Christmas in Britain – St Boniface to ZZZZ

Until Christmas I am offering everyone a choice of one of my nine ebooks FREE and you can find details: FREE book by Sally Cronin

This week on Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 158 we have a photo prompt which was selected by last month’s winner Merrill D. Smith.. and a stunning one it is too.

Colleen’ Poetry Challenge 158 – Symbol of our Love – Butterfly Cinguain by Sally Cronin

New books on the shelves

Wake Robing Ridge Book 4: The Light by Marcia Meara

Thistledown Midsummer Bedlam by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Author updates

#Mystery Amy M. Reade, #Poetry Annette Rochelle Aben, #Mystery Barbara Silkstone, #Children’s Victoria Zigler

#Thriller Yigal Zur, #Children’s Barbara Ann Mojica, #YAfantasy M.J. Mallon, #Thriller Paulette Mahurin

#Contemporary Jeanine Lunsford, #Flash Geoff Le Pard, Western Fantasy Jean Lee #shorts Sally Cronin

#Romance Jacquie Biggar, #Stories Mary Smith, #Thriller Stevie Turner

Festive Story: Maybe you were Right by Richard Dee

One Dark Night by Felicity Sidnell

A tale of two trees by Barbara Ann Mojica

A Spoilt Princess and an Unprincipled Frog by Annabelle Franklin

Two White Mice by Jaye Marie

#healthcosts Beetley Pete, #Reblogging Richard Dee, #Tenthings John W. Howell.

#Afghanistan Mary Smith, #Advent Sue Vincent, #Funnies The Story Reading Ape

#’U’ D.G. Kaye, #Xmaslights Sherri Matthews, #Whimsy Carol Taylor

#Diet Dances with Fat, #Freebook C.S. Boyack, #Review Teri Polen

 

#Turkey Carol Taylor, #Breadstuffing Sheryl Lazarus, #dessert Silvia Todesco

More funnies from D.G. Kaye and a joke from Sally.

Even more funnies from Debby and Sally with some tongue twisters

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you have an amazing festive week… see you again soon.. Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up 8th -14th December – Make a Wish, Choirs, Cranberries, A-Z Christmas and Cheesy funnies!

Before we get into the posts you might have missed this week on the blog, a reminder about the Christmas Party on the 21st of December…

The theme for this year’s party is ‘Just One Wish’. We are all familiar with the story of Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother, who was pretty liberal with that magic wand of hers and managed to turn a pumpkin into a golden carriage.

Unfortunately, she has long since retired and hung up her wand, but because I asked nicely (and she would like me to promote her memoir – The Prince Charmings I have Known!) she has agreed to allow you all one wish.

• Your wish can be for anything you like, for you, for someone close to you, real, imaginary, massive such as world peace (that might be a bit of a stretch for her) or something you wish you had done or said in the past.
• Humour is very welcome as it is tough for anyone to deny you anything if you make them laugh, and this particular Fairy Godmother has a very active funny bone.
• Her memory is not as sharp as it used to be, and her attention tends to wander, so I suggest you keep your wish to 100 words or less. I cannot guarantee that your wish will be fulfilled, however, putting it out there could produce magical results.
• My part of this is to fit in as many of your requests in as possible and so I suggest you get your wish in as quickly as you can.
• I will also do the usual addition of links to your Amazon Page if you are an author, blog as well as one of your main social media.
• There will be younger family members at the party, so please bear that in mind when submitting your wish, and the Fairy Godmother is not very worldly!

If you are a regular visitor to the blog I will have all your details and just need your ‘one wish’ in an email to sally.cronin@moyhill.com

If a new visitor then please include your blog or website, Amazon link if you have one and your main social media link to sally.cronin@moyhilll.com.

Now time for this week’s posts and as always my thanks to the regular contributors who share such wonderful articles.  And to you for keep showing up with your amazing support.

I am so pleased that William Price King will be a sharing a selection of Christmas music to get us into the festive spirit up to Christmas Day.. enjoy.

Here is another of our posts where I share the nutritional benefits of an ingredient and Carol Taylor incorporates it in a delicious recipe. Next week Carol will be back to share some of her creations from her Thai kitchen offering you some alternative delicacies to eat over the festive season. This week… ..Cranberries – a bitter berry which has a long history in medicinal terms and is still used today in certain over the counter preparations.

Christmas Cook From Scratch – Cranberries Bittersweet

The A-Z of Christmas in Britain – Part Three – Holly and Ivy to Sprouts by Mike Biles

Mike Biles A – Z of Christmas – Holly & Ivy to Sprouts

Delighted to share a story by Victoria Zigler from the book Ulrike’s Christmas and you can find details of how to buy this book and Victoria’s many other children’s books after her story.

The Tinsel Story by Victoria Zigler

As a special treat, Linda Bethea is sharing another wonderfully entertaining story from her archives, and today we experience a Christmas from the depression that was still filled with homemade gifts, love, laughter and some retribution for past misdemeanours.

Kathleen’s Cuthand Christmas (from Kathleen’s memoirs of the depression) by Linda Bethea

Most of you will know Carol Taylor from her Food and Cookery Column here on Smorgasbord as well as her own eclectic blog located in Thailand, where she shares the wonderful food on her doorstep and recipes that turn them into delicious meals. Carol has shared a very poignant short story.

The Snow Storm by Carol Taylor

This week the prompt words are ‘Give and Shake’ for Colleen’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 157 And I have chosen the synonyms ‘Grant and Tremble’ in a Butterfly Cinquain.

I Grant you Permission by Sally Cronin

I grant
you permission
to abandon restraint
and tremble with ecstatic bursts
of joy.
It is the time of chocolate
and freedom to consume
as many bars
you wish.

©Sally Cronin 2019

This week on the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills we were tasked on writing a story about a garden gnome or gnomes…mine is loosely based on an alleged true event…

Carrot Ranch – Missing by Sally Cronin

I was given a gift of this lovely anthology and over the last few days I have enjoyed the stories, imagining myself on a front porch swing enjoying balmy breezes somewhere in the southern states of America.. having lived in Texas and visited Tennessee and Mississippi frequently, it did not take much imagination.

My review for Southern Season Stories from a Front Porch Swing

New books on the Shelves for Christmas

#Children 3 – 6 Oskar’s Quest by Annika Perry

Author updates with recent reviews

#Romance Karen Demers Dowdall, #Thriller Toni Pike, #Design Valentina Cirasola, #Memoir J.E. Pinto

#Romance P.C. Zick, #Fantasy Jim Webster, #Thriller Stevie Turner, #Poetry Balroop Singh

YA A.J. Alexander, Romance Christine Campbell, Family Claire Fullerton, PostApocalyptic Sandra J. Jackson

Fantasy Deborah Jay, Memoir Abbie Taylor Johnson, History adventure Andrew Joyce, thriller Daniel Kemp

#Poetry Lynda McKinney Lambert, #Memoir Marian Beaman, #Thriller JP McLean, #Romance Shehanne Moore

Wendy Janes shares the differences in proofreading fiction and non-fiction and it is very interesting.

Musings on Proofreading Fiction and Non-Fiction

Robbie Cheadle who is an experienced book reviewer shares her easy to follow methodology on writing a review.

Robbie Cheadle on how to write a book review

Review D.G. Kaye, Contest Kaye Lynne Booth, Christmas Cake Robbie Cheadle

Story Contest Stevie Turner, Flash Fiction Charli Mills, Book Review Angie Quantrell

#Q&A D.G. Kaye with Lisa Thomson, #Jacksparrow Dolly Aizenman, #Redwine Christy Birmingham

It is that time of year when we tend to throw caution out of the window along with any slimming books and fitness apps we might have (well some of us anyway).

Unfortunately, our pets are also treated to our sense of liberation and they end up eating many things they are not used to. Also their eating patterns might be thrown out the window, and in my experience their inner body clock is more accurate than a Rolex. This does not make for happy pets. Some treats are toxic to pets and can lead to not just stomach upsets but death.

Safe Christmas Treats and Homecooked dinners for Dogs and Cats.

More funnies from D.G. Kaye and a festive recipe from. Sally!

More funnies from D.G. Kaye and a joke for Sally.

Thank you so much for dropping in today and every time you pop by. Your support is very much appreciated and I always love to hear from you… even if it is to say Hi… thanks Sally

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Weekly Round UP – #Thanksgiving and #Christmas all on one page.

Welcome to this week’s update which is now being moved to Saturday… It has been a busy week and so I will dive straight into the posts you might have missed from the week.

With Thanksgiving and the Christmas Book Fair, I hope there is something you will find interesting.

I have put all the Christmas Book Fair posts, including the new releases, author updates and guest posts, in a page in the menu so that they are all together. I have made the page my pinned tweet on Twitter and will update the page each day with the new posts. My intention is to include every author currently in the Cafe and Bookstore so plenty more to come in the next couple of weeks.

I would be so grateful if you are an author in the cafe and bookstore if you would visit the page and tweet or if you are on Twitter pop in to my account @sgc58 and retweet from there.

Here is the link to the page: Christmas Book Fair 2019

As always I am very thankful for all the wonderful contributions from guests and to you for dropping in.  Much more to come from tomorrow and for the rest of next week and I hope you will join me again..

I wanted to take the opportunity to say a special thank you to the collaborators who write columns each week to entertain and inform us..

D.G. Kaye, The Travel Column and Laughter Lines

William Price King in Concert, The Music Column

Carol Taylor The Food and Cookery Column

Annette Rochelle Aben a thank you and December’s Universal Energy

Over the next four weeks, Mike Biles will be sharing the A-Z of Christmas in Britain, history, tradition and trivia with us… this week part one… with much more to come.

Mike Biles shares his comprehensive A-Z of all things Christmas – Part One

Doggerel: Life with a Small Dog by Sue Vincent

Etheree – Thanksgiving

This
week has
me thinking
about the things
I am grateful for.
I have many blessings
on the material side,
but they fade away to nothing,
compared to the greatest gifts of all,
our health, and love of people around us.

©Sally Cronin 2019

Time for this week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills and the prompt was ‘winners’ in 99 words, no more, no less…

Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction ‘Winning’ by Sally Cronin

Delighted to welcome James J. Cudney with a guest post on his perspective on book reviewing. James is a prolific reviewer and they are always thoughtful and constructive. Always a pleasure to receive his opinion about your work.

What Makes Jay a Happy Reader

After some time offline it is great to welcome back author Don Massenzio. In this post Don explores the urban myth?… real thing?… Writer’s block!

Writer’s Block, Is it a thing? by Don Massenzio

New books on the Shelves

Short stories When I Rise by Karen Ingalls

The Call me Mom by Pete Springer

Christmas book fair author update

Roberta Eaton Cheadle, Lucinda E. Clarke, Jack Eason and Darlene Foster

Romance Jacquie Biggar, Poetry Dorinda Duclos, Saga Liz Gauffreau, Mystery Teagan Riordain Geneviene

#Fantasy Fiona Tarr, #Poetry Bette A. Stevens, #Children Pamela S. Wight, #Mystery Mary Adler

#Memoir D.G. Kaye, #Scifi Richard Dee, #Crimeshorts Jane Risdon #Fantasy C.S. Boyack, #Afghanistan #Dogs Patricia Furstenberg

Blogging Natalie Ducey, Writing Sue Vincent, Toxic makeup Christy Birmingham

#Thanksgiving – Soup Linda Lee Greene, Paris Cheese Potato Cake John Rieber, Turkey Snack Plate Home is Where the Boat is, Poetry Colleen Chesebro

Afghanistan Mary Smith, Nostalgia Antoinette Truglio Martin, Blogging Jenny in Neverland

#Carrot Ranch Rodeo Results, #WATWB with D.G. Kaye, #BlackFriday with Kim of By Hook or by Book

D.G. Kaye and Sally with a Thanksgiving Special

Thank you for all your support this week and have a wonderful weekend.. thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Music Column – My Favourite Movie Music – Gladiator – Now We Are Free

William Price King is on as short  break.. He will be back on November 12th. In the meantime, I will be sharing my favourite movie music…

This week another fabulous film that I have watched several times and this music is so haunting..Gladiator -The 2000 Ridley Scott film “Gladiator” with Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Richard Harris.

The film won multiple awards, including five Academy Awards at the 73rd Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor for Crowe, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. It also received five BAFTA Awards at the 54th British Academy Film Awards for Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and Best Editing. Wikipedia

Now We Are Free • Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard

Uploaded by

HD Film Tributes

Buy the movie: https://www.amazon.com/Gladiator-Blu-ray-Russell-Crowe/dp/B01M7SPZGG/

Thank you for tuning in today and I hope you have enjoyed the music.. thanks Sally.

 

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. 

 

Smorgasbord Music Column – My favourite Movie Music – #Western – The Big Country

William Price King is on as short  break.. He will be back on November 12th. In the meantime, I will be sharing my favourite movie music…

My father was a huge Western fan and although his favourite cowboy was John Wayne, my mother’s pin up was Gregory Peck… I was dragged  brought up well versed in the movies of both and The Big Country is in my opinion one of the finest westerns made.

The Big Country is a 1958 American Technicolor epic Western film directed by William Wyler and starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston and Burl Ives filmed in Technirama. The supporting cast features Charles Bickford and Chuck Connors. The picture was based on the serialized magazine novel Ambush at Blanco Canyon by Donald Hamilton. and was co-produced by Wyler and Peck. The opening title sequence was created by Saul Bass. The film is one of the very few pictures in which Heston plays a major supporting role instead of the lead.

Ives won the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his performance as well as the Golden Globe Award. The film was also nominated for an Academy Award for the musical score by Jerome Moross. Wikipedia

Thanks to loafersguy

If you have never seen The Big Country here is the link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Country-Gregory-Peck/dp/B000056H2H

Thanks for tuning in today and hope you have enjoyed the music thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Music Column – My favourite movie music – The Last of the Mohicans Theme

William Price King is on as short  break.. He will be back on November 12th. In the meantime, I will be sharing my favourite movie music…

This week’s music has always emotionally moved me. It is the theme from the film The Last of the Mohicans.

The movie had the benefit of being adapted from the stunning book by James Fenimore Cooper written 1826. Set in 1757 it vividly portrays the two warring nations of France and England with the settlers and the native Indian tribes caught up in the middle of it. A love story and one of adventure and sacrifice.. as you can tell I will be watching again.

The original Score for the movie was composed by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman. The Gael theme was written by Dougie Maclean for his 1990 album “The Search. The movie from 1992 is directed by Michael Mann.

You can buy the movie here and I can highly recommend if you have not seen before: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Mohicans-Daniel-Day-Lewis/dp/B000A2WP7O

Thanks to HD Film Tributes

Thank you for tuning in today and I hope you will take the opportunity to watch the film.. thanks Sally.