Pics from RAGT 2013

Last week, I mentioned going to the Lori Foster Readers and Authors Get Together. I thought I'd share some photos of the weekend.



Here I am at Friday night's digital book signing for my debut release, Just For the Summer. I had a beach theme going on since my book takes place in the summer at Lake Bliss.

                                           Here's a picture of my good friend and roomie for the weekend, Constance Phillips. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal, and her books are available in both print and as ebooks.

 

I had a great time and can't wait to participate next year. Thanks again to Lori Foster and the whole RAGT 2013 volunteers.

See you for Fork It Up Fridays where I'll be sharing a pasta salad that I just created last weekend!

xoxo - Jenna

Fork It Up Fridays

Hi! Welcome to Fork it Up Fridays! Each Friday, I share a delicious recipe that I've tried and enjoyed. Some may be a family favorite while others may be something my sister or daughter passed on to me. Hope you enjoy!

Today I'm sharing with you my family's favorite macaroni and cheese recipe. This one dates back to the 1940's and is from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook. I'm posting the original recipe, but I usually lighten it up my using low fat milk instead of the cream and also using low fat cheese (we like sharp cheddar). Hope you enjoy!

Fannie Farmer's Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

8 oz macaroni

4 tbsp. butter

4 tbsp. flour

1 cup milk

1 cup cream

1/2 tsp. salt

Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup breadcrumbs, buttered

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside.

In large saucepan melt butter. Add flour mixed with salt and pepper using a whisk to stir until well blended. Pour milk and cream in gradually, stirring constantly. Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes. Add shredded cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts. Turn off flame.

Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the cheese sauce. Transfer macaroni to a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.

Stop in next week for another great recipe! Until then, come by on Tuesday and see what I'm up to!

xoxo - Jenna

Fabulous Weekend

Just wanted to share with everyone what a great time I had this past weekend. For the first time, I attended the Lori Foster Readers and Authors Get Together near Cincinnati, Ohio. Approximately 500 people attended, both authors and readers, with the majority of people being readers.

As a newbie author, I was a bit nervous. Would anyone have heard of me? Would anyone care about my book?

My worries were unfounded. The people - both authors and readers - that I encountered were nothing but miraculous. I was accepted. I was appreciated. I was treated so wonderfully that I didn't want to leave. I signed autographs on paper, T-shirts, and tote bags. I was encompassed into arms of readers who appreciated me and my writing. I spent the weekend being waved at. I met people who I'd like to keep in my life forever.  Money was raised for charities.

All in all, this event marked a high point in my life, both as a person and as an author. I thank all the people involved who made this event so special, and I will definitely be attending next year with enthusiasm, hope, and a bit of nervousness!

xoxo - Jenna