I am on a week-long solo writing retreat in the simple cottage I rent twice a year during the off season. I'm finishing the first draft of Murder at Cape Costumers, Cozy Capers Book Group #7.
I love being on the Cape at the same time I'm writing a book in this series, which isn't always the case. That said, I knew I had a post due here in the Kitchen today.
However, one reason I am so very productive when I'm here is because...wait for it...I do not cook. I. Do. Not. Cook. I do eat, don't get me wrong about that.
I also don't go out to eat, with rare exceptions. And a day after I get home from the Cape, I'm heading (two hours west) to my son's for my weekly Grammy day care shift, which I missed while I was writing my brains out on the Cape. And that means I would have no recipe, documented with photographs, for you today.
Instead, I decided to bring you what I DO eat!
Here, partly staged for the photo, is most of the food that sustains me for a week. Snacks? Check. A rotisserie chicken from the market? You bet. A bit of fruit, some cheese, some garden veggies, the all important bread, butter, and peanut butter, coffee - of course (whole milk is in the fridge) - and some homemade cookie bars (peanut butter chocolate chip, if you were wondering). Oh, and wine, because the writer needs to relax after a hard day's work.
And it worked, because I finished the draft and got a good way into polishing, and also finished a pitch for something new!
Look who came to visit on the deck this morning!
I love how Ms. Red Dragonfly's wings leave a lacy shadow underneath.
Since I'm writing book seven, I'll give one lucky a commenter a copy of book six, Murder at the Rusty Anchor!
Readers: What do you bring to eat (and read) when you go away for a few days?
🍷📘🥖
Murder at the Rusty Anchor is out and available wherever books are sold!
My most recent releases are A Case for the Ladies.
And Murder Uncorked, Cece Barton Mystery #1, which released in late October.
Check out all my writing:
We hope you'll visit Maddie and her Agatha Award-winning alter ego Edith Maxwell on our web site, sign up for our monthly newsletter, visit us on social media, and check our all our books and short stories.
Maddie Day (aka Edith Maxwell) is a talented amateur chef and holds a PhD in Linguistics from Indiana University. An Agatha Award-winning and bestselling author, she is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and also writes award-winning short crime fiction. She lives with her beau and sweet cat Martin north of Boston, where she’s currently working on her next mystery when she isn’t cooking up something delectable in the kitchen.
very clever of you not to cook Edith! I love homemade food, but it takes a lot of time...
ReplyDeleteSame, Lucy - and retreats are my time for my writing and myself.
DeleteWe never go anywhere but I like the rotisserie chicken idea. And cookies! Thanks for the chance. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteRotisserie chickens aren't that expensive - and are always good!
DeleteI would take Italian bread, salami, ham and cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, apples, oranges, potato chips, mayonnaise, tomato and lettuce, oregano, Tea, Instant oatmeal, butter, sugar and lemon, crackers and peanut butter.
ReplyDeleteI would bring bread, peanut and almond butter, cheese and crackers and also a rotisserie chicken and snacks. I would also bring a couple of books. Always have to have ra good book to read.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Your retreat sounds like heaven, Edith.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! We go camping with our kids throughout the year. We have a travel trailer so there is a kitchen to cook in. We usually cook over a campfire or grill. We do a lot of homemade pizza, meat and veggie foil packs over a campfire, a simple salad and some fruit.
ReplyDeleteI also ALWAYS pack a stack of books with me to read! I carry a book with me where ever I go pretty much. 🤣😊
jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com
Peanut butter for sure, crackers, cheese, fruit, COFFEE, a couple of salad mixes because they are so handy, a bag of frozen pre-cooked shrimp to eat with those salads , bread and probably some other snacks and cookies. Oh yes and of course a bottle of wine!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a nicely balanced collection of food stuffs.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I love Cape Cod it's a wonderful place. Enjoy your writing retreat.
ReplyDeletePretzels are a mainstay of traveling for me. Can't survive without them! Also I must bring my own coffee and melitta drip filter. Peanut butter is fine for me, but not hubby, o we usually bring grapes, everything needed to make turkey sandwiches and several big bottles of water! Writing on the Cape sounds lovely! Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteYou are our lucky winner! Congratulations, and please check your email.
DeleteSalad, tea, cheese, nuts, salami, ice cream. Rotisserie chicken is a good idea. And audiobooks on my phone.
ReplyDeleteWskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sandwiches and sides! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSeasonal fresh fruit, nuts, and cheese are easy to pack and eat.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot)com
I would bring several cozy mysteries and snacks. Cheese peanut butter crackers, string cheese and black grapes.
ReplyDeleteCozy mysteries and snack goodies like a variety of cheeses, prosciutto, crackers, olives and pickles, chips and dips. Strawberries and grapes for dessert. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteCTKerrigan is our lucky winner! Congratulations, CT, and please check your email.
ReplyDeleteTo eat - I always pack a few energy bars. Although I will be eating in restaurants and the hotel, sometimes I get hungry (early morning) before the restaurant opens. To read - my Kindle, which has about a hundred books loaded onto it, most were free, kindle Unlimited or borrowed from my local library.
ReplyDelete