Sunday, May 12, 2019

Happy Mother's Day - Welcome our guest author Lea Wait + book #giveaway


Please welcome our guest author.  Maine author Lea Wait writes the Mainely Needlepoint, Shadows Antique Print, and Maine Murder mystery series, the last under the name Cornelia Kidd. She has also written the historical mystery JUSTICE AND MERCY for adults, and both historical novels and mysteries for young people. To find out more about Lea and her books, see her website, www.leawait.com

Check out her giveaway below.

Take it away, Lea! 
 *
 
CELEBRATING MOTHERS

I’m Lea Wait, an author and, yes, a mother. To be more specific, I’m the adoptive mother of four girls (now women) who came home when they were ages 5-10, from different countries (Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and India.)
Mothers and Fathers days were always challenges at my house. To begin with, I adopted my daughters when I was single, so there was no father in the picture. 

The first year one of my daughters came home with a Father’s Day card she’d made in school she asked, “What do fathers do, Mom?” I thought hard and fast before coming up with, “They help Moms.” She nodded and handed me the card.

On Mother’s Day, dads are usually the ones who help children come up with gifts or cards, or take Mom out to dinner. In my house: no dad. So I did my best. On Mother’s Day I gave each of my daughters a small gift and thanked them for making me a mother. It worked pretty well. 

The other challenge on Mother’s Day was that at the church we attended people sponsored roses for the Mother’s Day altar. Red roses for a living mother; white roses if your mother had died. My daughters all had two mothers. (Two of them remembered their birthmothers.) We didn’t know if their birthmothers were alive or dead. So, optimistically (and to avoid tears) I put four red roses on the altar, one for each of their birthmothers. One year the minister put a red rose there in my honor. That year I cried.

As the girls grew up, we had other special ways of celebrating. One of them was inviting two other adoptive moms and their children to join us for dinner and dessert. And, as teenagers, the girls all loved the times we served cheese fondue for dinner, and chocolate fondue for dessert. 

In my most recent book, THREAD ON ARRIVAL, my protagonist, Angie Curtis, is treated to a special lunch on her birthday by the man in her life. And, yes, there is a teenaged boy in the story who has lost his parents and is being questioned in connection with a murder investigation.
He doesn’t join Angie and Patrick for fondue, but perhaps you might like to. (The recipe is also in the book.)


        CHEESE FONDUE

Ingredients:
2 baguettes or Italian or French bread
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
3-4 Tablespoons kirsch (Swiss cherry brandy)
1 clove peeled fresh garlic
1 plus ½ cup dry white wine
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
½ pound freshly shredded Switzerland Swiss cheese
½ pound freshly shredded Gruyere cheese
Pepper

1 fondue pot, preferably ceramic, and as many fondue forks as those dining.

Cut bread into 1 inch cubes with crust on one side. In small bowl, mix cornstarch with kirsch and stir. Put aside.

Cut garlic cloves in half and rub the inside of the clove on the inside of the cooking pan and the fondue pot.  Add wine to the pan and heat. When wine is hot but not boiling, add lemon juice. Add shredded cheese by handfuls, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until cheeses are melted and blended. Bring fondue mixture to bubbling, briefly. Add ground pepper to taste, stirring until well-blended. Add cornstarch mixture and boil another 15-30 seconds. 

Pour mixture in fondue pot which has been warmed with a votive candle beneath it. Spear bread cubes, dunk in cheese, and swirl. Stir fondue frequently. If it starts to thicken too much, additional wine as needed and to taste.

Leftover fondue may be melted and served on toast.  This recipe will serve 2 as a main course; 4 as an appetizer; and may be doubled.

Note: Yes, there’s wine in the recipe, but heating it eliminates most of the alcohol. 

GIVEAWAY

Lea is giving away a copy of Threads on Arrival to one commenter. 
Tell her a bit about your Mother's Day tradition, 
and leave your email so she can contact you if you win.
 
Check out Lea's website.
You can follow Lea on social media here: 

Facebook
Goodreads

64 comments:

  1. When my mom was still with us, we celebrated mother's day and her birthday(the 13th) on the same day. She really looked forward to everyone coming over for a meal she prepared and receiving presents. Many years of good memories.
    browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  2. Happy Mothers' Day! As kids we always made breakfast in bed for mom.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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    1. A classic, loving, act. Your mother must have loved it!

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  3. We have a special meal together. This year I got her geraniums.

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  4. My mother got the short end of the deal as her birthday was May 10th. I am aunt to many and have earned many titles including second mother. I think you are a very brave women to adopt four children in your own. It is hard work. suefoster109@gmail.com

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    1. Yes - being a mother is hard work. But it's worth it! (Most of the time!) Being an "aunt to many" is wonderful. You don't have to BE aa mother, to love and care for a child.

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  5. We always had a special dinner for my mom. I am a mom of six daughters and we try to go to lunch. Jcook22@yahoo.com

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    1. SIX daughters! How wonderful! And lunch with all of them sounds wonderful!

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  6. This is such a lovely post Lea, for what can be a complicated day. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thank you, Roberta! Yes -- special days can be complicated for many families ...

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  7. Mother's Day has became complicated at our home. I can remember the typical Mother's Day growing up. Then I had a daughter of my own and it was kind of a split holiday with my Mom.

    When our daughter was 17 she died tragically in a car accident and suddenly I was a Mom with no living daughter. Oh how I dreaded the approach of the first Mother's Day. My amazingly wonderful hubby made it a beautiful day. He had bought me this gorgeous ring with sapphires and diamonds (Jenet's favorite stone and her birthstone) and first thing Mother's Day he took me out to our favorite family place with so many special memories of our daughter and told me how Jenet was still in our lives - in our hearts - and that I would ALWAYS be her Momma. He said she was smiling from heaven and wanted me to have a special present on this "first" Mother's Day and then he gave me the ring. I treasure the ring, the precious memories of Jenet and the wonderful man that God sent to me.

    Then a few years later my Mom went to her heavenly home after living with us for 5 years with Alzheimer. That Mother's Day we went on a picnic and remembered my Mom, my being able to mother and the daughter that made me a Mom. It was then that I realized that Mother's Day is also memory day whether your Mom is living or dead, you can cherish not only the present but smile at the memories of the past. So every Mother's Day is special to me and we try to do something special every day to commemorate it.

    This year we traveled almost 400 miles to spend the day with hubby's Mom who is 89 and whose health isn't the best. We will spend the day enjoying each other's company, sharing the beautiful flowers in her yard and then I will fix a nice supper as we sit and remember the times of the past and enjoy the present. Today is my present for Mother's Day - creating sweet memories to cherish in years to come.

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy of "Threads on Arrival". Most of all, cherish the day and celebrate the woman that you call Mom in your life whether with you or gone on before you.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  8. My Mom took herself out of the picture when I was twelve, with four other siblings. Our tradition was to give my Dad Mother's Day cards (and gifts) . . . decades later, when he was moving into much smaller living quarters, he gave back to each of us all the cards we'd given him over the years. All of them. I cried. pjcoldren[at]tm[dot]net

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    1. I would have cried, too! You had a very special Dad. So many people forget non-traditional families at special times like this.

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  9. Wonderful story. You have a special family who understand the conflicting emotions about a day like Mother's Day. Thinking of you and your loved ones today!

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  10. We usually had presents, a nice meal, and her favorite card game. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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  11. When my mother was alive we used to get together for the day and give gifts, prepare a special meal and enjoy the memorable day together. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Exactly the right thing to have done .. and to remember.

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  12. Your story is heartwarming and special. My mother is no longer with us and I mourn her everyday. I wish that I could spend time with her and talk about important things. I miss her terribly. Now I am a grandmother and realize so much. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Talking is so critical .. I know there are many questions I wish I'd asked my mother … and more for my grandmother.

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  13. I have a contentious relationship with my mother, but I am blessed to have a mother-in-law who is like a mother to me. Happy Mother’s Day!

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  14. Relationships are complicated, by pasts, present, and personalities. I'm so glad you found a kindred spirit!

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  15. My mom passed away in 2018 so today is hard😫

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    1. So sorry. Peace through memories be with you.

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  16. My favorite memory on mothers day is when my mom showed me how to make her famous rolls. She has alzheimers so it hard for her.

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    1. Hard for you, too, I'm sure. My thoughts are with you.

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  17. When my mom was still with us, my sister and I would take her out for lunch on Saturday before Mother's Day to avoid the crowds. She and I always hated crowds. Now, I just wait around to see if my kids remember the day or not. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. You and me both! So far, one out of four! Just keep smiling.

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  18. We always got together for a special family meal
    Now this day is bittersweet. I love having my children here but miss my mom

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    Replies
    1. Tides turn. Now you're there to help your children make memories. Life turns ….

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  19. We usually go out for brunch or dinner and then have cake and presents later but I’m not sure what we’re doing today since we didn’t make any reservations anywhere and everywhere is fully booked.

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    1. Sometimes just being together is enough. Cheese omelets are great, too! :)

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  20. My family isn't big on facing the Mother's Day mobs at restaurants. Yesterday we had an at home pizza party with a chocolate chip cookie cake a la mode for dessert.
    It was lovely.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    1. Yum, Libby! I can guess there was a lot of laughter and love, too!

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  21. Taylor R. WilliamsMay 12, 2019 at 1:19 PM

    When my mom was alive, mother's day was the day to take her out and get her plants for her yard - tr williams69 at msn dot com

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  22. We love to do Mother's Day lunch! Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. I loved your stories! I lost my mom when I was 18; she was only 45. So Mother’s Day has always been a bit sad for me, even after becoming a mom myself. Now my 2 sons are grown and I’m a grandmother to 3 grandsons; we usually have a brunch, like today. Legallyblonde1961 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Sad to lose your mother when she was so young ...but sounds as though you're "paying it forward" with your sons and grandsons!

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  24. We always took my Mother out to her favorite restaurant on Mother's Day. Most of the time she would pick Finger's because they had the best chicken in town. It was always fun getting together on Mother's Day.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. My children have grown and both live in different states, but they call to chat on Mother's Day. My husband and I visit with his 91 year old mother, and then spend the rest of the day reading side by side, or I might pick up my cross stitch and sew. Happy Mother's Day!

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  26. My Mom was the best. She was the neighborhood Mom when we were kids. I celebrate her every morning by saying a prayer so that she is with me all day everyday. Love you Mom!

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  27. We either go to brunch or dim sum on Mother's Day.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  28. Taylor R. WilliamsMay 12, 2019 at 5:48 PM

    What a great story - thanks for sharing it, and thanks for the contest. tr Williams 69 at msn dot com

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  29. we enjoy going fishing and out for ice cream. if we are able to see my parents, we enjoy baking up a rhubarb dessert with rhubarb from my moms garden. beeghly1993 at gmail.com

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  30. We used to go from KY to SC every year to spend Mother's Day with my mom. She passed away two years ago, so we are at home. I'm an only child and have one daughter. Small family.I miss Mama every day.

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  31. We used to go from KY to SC every year to spend Mother's Day with my mom. She passed away two years ago, so we are at home. I'm an only child and have one daughter. Small family.I miss Mama every day. lkrussell127@gmail.com

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  32. Sadly my sweet momma is no longer with us on earth. But deep in my heart always. The best Mother’s Day for me is spending it doing whatever with my two now adult children. Even if it’s just playing video games. Time together is all I want. Very grateful I get my wish. I am blessed.

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  33. My family has been scattered for years so phone calls/emails have been the norm. My youngest - 46 - passed last August due to complications from cancer. So far lots of memories and no tears - yet.

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  34. First I have to say how much I love your writing. And second I have to say how much I admire not just your heart, but your strength. This year is a tough one for my mom. My father passed away at the end of April. Today (Mother's Day) is her first one without him. It also is their 62nd anniversary. So we have just kept her busy all day so she doesn't think about things. So far it has worked. Thanks for your amazing books, blog and attitude.

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  35. I would be so excited to read this book, thanks for the giveaway, Georgia queenvictoria50 (at) aol (dot) com

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  36. When we were kids, my sister and I would draw a card or picture for our mom. Now we usually end up working Mother's Day. Since my mom and I both work at the same nursing home taking care of all the other mothers there, we don't always have a big celebration. We usually get her a gift and we set a date to go out to eat together. Still special, just doesn't always happen on the actual day.
    kozo8989@hotmail.com

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    1. Alicia, congrats, by random number generator, you are the winner of this giveaway. Lea will be in contact with you. I love your story. Working at a nursing home is such a special skill. ~ Daryl

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  37. When I was young we would all dress up and go out to eat dinner. Mom would get an orchid corsage. Today, I just spend time with my sons, we usually go to the local Beaux Arts fair.

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  38. Every year has been different. This year I spent the day with my mom and son watching basketball! lindaherold999@gmail(dot)com

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  39. No special Mother's Day traditions. My Mom passed away 18 years ago. I often send cards to my sisters, sister-in-laws and friends to mark the day. Thanks for a chance to win! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

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  40. We usually go out for either breakfast or dinner followed by cake and presents

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  41. Usually just a phone call because my Mom doesn't live near. Thanks for the chance! JL_Minter (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  42. The winner of this giveaway by random selector is Alicia at kozo.... Lea will be in contact. Thanks to all for chiming in. ~ Daryl

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