Time MARCHes On!

Time MARCHes On!

We Talk to Ourselves…a LOT!
by Cerella Sechrist and Loree Lough
Well, here we are, midway through March, one of the months that boasts 31 days. We won’t puzzle over how the calendar pages have turned this quickly. Instead, we’ll share what we think is some fun—and useful—trivia:
If you were born in March, you already know that your gemstone is Aquamarine.
Your flower is the daffodil , which symbolizes chivalry, respect, modesty, and faithfulness.
There’s plenty to celebrate this month, including Pi Day, International Women’s Day, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Saint Patrick’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter. It’s also American Dietetic Association National Nutrition Month, American Red Cross Month, Fire Prevention Month, Women’s History Monthand World Meteorological Organization Month.
It’s a month that inspired some thought-provoking quotes, such as “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”(Charles Dickens) and “Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March, that month of wind and taxes, the wind will presently disappear, the taxes last us all the year.” (Ogden Nash)
Famous people born in March include: Justin Bieber, Ron Howard, Jean Harlow, Alexander Graham Bell, Knute Rockne, Ed McMahon, Lou Costello, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Michaelangelo Buonarroti, Willard Scott, Micky Dolenz, Andrew Jackson, Jerry Lewis, Henny Youngman, James Madison, Mia Hamm, Rob Lowe, Gary Sinise, Kurt Russell, Patrick Duffy, Nat “King” Cole, Shemp Howard, Adam Levine, Queen Latifah, Vanessa Williams, Wilson Pickett, Charlie Pride, John Updike, Peter Graves, Grover Cleveland, Fred “Mr.” Rogers, Carl Reiner, Ozzie Nelson, Joan Crawford, Peyton Manning, Louie Anderson, Steve McQueen, Pearl Bailey, Sam Walton, Christopher Walken, Richard Chamberlain, Shirley Jones Leo Buscaglia, and Rene Descartes.
We’re so enamored of the month that we’re giving away another gorgeous wreath—a $40 value!—made by Loree’s daughter. Simply visit Elice’s Etsy site (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Graceyourdoor?ref=shop_sugg), select the wreath you like best, and tell us about it in the comments section (below), and we’ll hold a random drawing on April 1st to choose the winner.
We’d also like to share the cover of Loree’s next Heartwarming release, The Firefighter’s Refrain, #3. When it releases in May, #3 in the “Those Marshall Boys” series brings her ‘books on the shelves’ total to 105. (Not everyone knows it yet, but Loree just signed a 3-book contract to write three more novels for Heartwarming!)
Dreams of stardom took musician and firefighter Sam Marshall far from his Colorado roots. Starting fresh in Nashville hasn't been easy, especially after an injury on the job, but he's working his way to the Grand Ole Opry one open mike at a time, teaching at the fire station to make ends meet. Yet Sam's intentions are shaken when he meets the lovely owner of a local café. Suddenly, Sam's dreams are filled with her. Too bad that as the daughter of country-music wannabes, Finn Leary's been there, done that. She'll never choose a musician. So how can Sam possibly get the girl and keep the guitar?
Now, it wouldn’t be a Cerella and Loree blog post without a yummy recipe, now would it? We think you'll enjoy this one!
Easy-Peasy Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients:
2 cups cold 2% milk
1 package (5.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup sour cream
Additional whipped topping, optional
      Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in whipped topping and sour cream. Pour into individual dessert dishes. Dollop with whipped topping and garnish with chocolate shavings if desired. (Makes 6 servings.)
We have something real special in mind for you next month, too, so stay tuned.
Happy SPRING, friends!

Comments

  1. Loree, I'm looking forward to reading The Firefighter's Refrain, especially since right now I'm reading (and loving!) Montana Sky.

    Congratulations on 105 books (incredible!!) and on your new three-book contract!

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    1. Thanks, Kate! Wishing you a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend!

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  2. Congratulations on that number and the new contract--that's wonderful! I'm looking forward to The Firefighter's Refrain, too, but right now I'm interested in that mousse...

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  3. We had that mousse for dessert last night, Liz, and for our evening snack, too. (Don't tell anyone, but I had the equivalent of a serving, just licking the beaters and the bowl!)

    Wishing you a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend!

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  4. Because I am a late bloomer, I still like the Autumn themed wreaths best ;)
    Loree, you asked about errors in this post, the only one I really noticed was the font above the ring picture.
    Congratulations on the new contract! I love your books, but you knew that.
    Brother-in-law Bob sent a message this morning asking if I had any more of your books on hand. They seem to be making the rounds of family sitting at the hospital right now. :) Thanks for helping them while away the hours!
    It's Brett's day for cooking, I have everything on hand for the mousse, he will really enjoy making this for our dessert.
    Happy Friday, and yes, I really am working on the devotional you have encouraged me to write.

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    1. You made my day by telling me you're still at work on that devotional! It's going to be amazing...I just know it! Maybe you can PM me, let me know which books Bob might like to read next... Here's hoping your family will enjoy the mousse as much as we did, and that your weekend is wonderful!

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  5. Hi Loree, Congratulations on 105! That's so awesome and exciting for you and you have a very talented daughter to top it off! The blue wreath with the lights is really pretty I think. My birthday is next Friday and we'll be going to watch my son perform in his high school play( which he has been working so hard on) that day. Super excited to see how he does! Maybe my brain is to tired to catch anything so whatever is wrong I am not seeing it. My husband makes beautiful things out of wood and he's the most critical of his work so he notices mistakes more than others. Keep your chin up Loree cause you do good work! Jenny

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    1. Thank you, Jenny! What a super way to celebrate your birthday! I hope you'll share photos on Facebook ! Have a beautiful weekend!

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  6. March is a lovely month, especially when my Spring break starts in two hours! Loree, I love your cover.

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    1. It IS a lovely month, isn't it! As for the cover, I'm amazed at how well Harlequin's art department captured Sam's 'look' and personality. Some very talented people over there for sure. Here's hoping you get plenty of R&R during your spring break!

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  7. What a great cover. Thanks for the heads-up on Pi day. I'll have to celebrate with hubby's favorite chicken pot pie for dinner Monday.

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    1. LOL! Love the idea of celebrating Pi day with PIE! I was wowed by this cover, too, so thanks for the compliment! Those folks at Harlequin's art department are all kinds of talented! Here's hoping your weekend will be wonderful!

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  8. Loree, I love all the fun trivia! I've always liked the quote about March roaring in like a lion and going out like a lamb. I hope that's the case around here this year. I'm very much looking forward to spring. Congratulations on 105! (The number just blows me away as I'm clacking away on the keyboard writing number 5.) You are an inspiration!

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    1. Funny thing is, I love trivia, but I'm TERRIBLE at the game! I hear ya on the lion-lamb thing: Spring can't get here soon enough for me, either! Have a wonderful weekend, Carol!

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  9. Ladies, great post. Loree congrats on your new contract. Jotted off the recipe even though I have to give up chocolate and other good things. I know my family will love the mousse. (chuckle, I first typed mouse) Shows how bad it is to give up coffee. Have a good weekend everyone. Tonight kicks off The Tucson Festival of Books. Great event if anyone ever gets this way in March.

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    1. Oh, wow...I would LOVE to visit the Festival of Books. What am I saying? I'd love to visit Tucson! You're a sweetheart to make mousse for your family... Watching them eat it what you can't have any? Well, it takes a BIG loving heart to do that! Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Roz!

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  10. Congrats to you! I love the burlap wreath.March is a very special month to me. My mother and Daddy celebrate their anniversary on the 7th of March and my son was born on that very day as well. What a great anniversary gift he made. He was due three weeks later and I commented on how I wish he would be born on the 7th. My husband said, "well, you know that is not happening!" I guess I showed him! Thank you for the great giveaway.

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    1. Love the March 7th stories! And good luck in the giveaway! Oh! And have a great weekend, too! (said the writer who doesn't like exclamation points!) hahahaha

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  11. Congrats to you! I love the burlap wreath.March is a very special month to me. My mother and Daddy celebrate their anniversary on the 7th of March and my son was born on that very day as well. What a great anniversary gift he made. He was due three weeks later and I commented on how I wish he would be born on the 7th. My husband said, "well, you know that is not happening!" I guess I showed him! Thank you for the great giveaway.

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  12. Wow! Congratulations, Loree...105 books, that's incredible! My sweet mother's birthday is in March, so it's always a special month. I'm loving that cover!

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    1. Happy birthday to your mom! I'm kinda fond of that cover, too. Couple people have said it might be hard to read the story because it'll mean not looking at Sam. I said "You think he looks good...just wait until you hear him sing!" hahahaha Have a wonderful weekend, Jill!

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  13. Guys - I love the firefighter, love the mousse - interesting that there's sour cream in there. Anxious to try it. That's a recipe for women who don't cook. Congratulations, Loree, on 105 books and on the new contract. It's wonderful to have fresh, salable ideas after so much hard work for so long. Happy Weekend, Everybody!

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    1. The Harlequin art department captured Sam's personality and 'look' perfectly. They're some kinda talented, for sure! The mousse recipe is fast and easy, so I hope you'll enjoy making it as much as you'll enjoy eating it! You have a happy weekend, too, Muriel!

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  14. I'm lovin' this March--78 degrees here in N Mississippi...and flowers are blooming and trees are budding...love your cover, too! Congrats on 105! Wow!

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    1. I hear ya, Patricia! Here in Baltimore, daytime temps normally reach the 50s, so we're lovin' these 70-80 degree days. The chipmunks and bunnies are enjoying the daffodil and tulip petals, so I'm sure they're glad the unseasonably warm weather forced things to bloom early. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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  15. Congratulations on #105 and the new three Heartwarming books that have been contracted! You are in inspiration, for sure. And thanks for the yummy chocolate mousse recipe - you are too good to us :)

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    1. You'll love that chocolate mousse. I've tried it without the sour cream, and it just isn't the same. Hope you have a terrific weekend, Amy!

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  16. Firefighters and chocolate mousse. Does it get better than that? 105! Wow. Congratulations!

    I just love the St. Patrick's Day wreath, but my favorite is the purple and pink wreath. I love those colors together.

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    1. LOL LeAnne, yes, chocolate mousse and firefighters IS a delicious combination isn't it!

      Have a beautiful, restful weekend!

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  17. Hi Loree!! So far I could only find 3 mistakes. Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday were in Feb. Fire Prevention month is in Oct. I gave up on checking to see if all of the people listed had birthdays in March!! lol Congratulations on your 105th book :)

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    1. You win the boo-boos contest, Darlene...and that entitles you to a signed copy of the book once it releases! (Send your address via Facebook PM...) Hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend, and that the week ahead will be fantastic, too!

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    2. Oh wow, thank you so much Loree. This just made my Monday better :)

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  18. The Chocolate Mousse sounds delicious and the book looks interesting!

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    1. We had the chocolate mousse for dessert (again) today! Hope you have a great week, Emily!

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  19. Hey you guys! After tossing all your names into my trusty winners hat and giving it a good shake, my sweet hubby closed his eyes, reached in and chose a name.

    DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

    And the winner of the wreath-of-your-choice is...

    JENNIFER! Email your mailing address to loree@loreelough.com and I'll get your prize to you, asap!

    Congrats!

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  20. So awesome! Thank you Loree and thank your lovely daughter for me!!! Yay!!!!

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  21. Looking forward to seeing a photo of you with your prize! Have a splendid week, Jennifer!

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