Summer Colds

Yep, you guessed it. End of July and I've got a summer cold. It started out as a sore throat, which I attributed to snoring probably sleeping with my mouth open. But on the third day, the dreaded cough started. And the runny nose, post-nasal drip, and every other wonderful thing that a cold can produce.

My family has kept their distance from me. I'm getting the "air kiss" hello and goodbye. I've gone nowhere, afraid of spreading my germs. On a good note, they're not letting me touch the clean dishes so I've been off duty for emptying the dishwasher.

I've tried every over-the-counter medication there is. Stacks of tissues have set up home on my nightstand. I keep a big glass of water handy for nighttime, when things are at their worst. My daytime hours are scattered with coughing fits that bring tears to my eyes. These episodes increase in severity at nighttime when lying down. I've tried sleeping sitting up, adding more pillows and sleeping with a cough drop in my mouth, which actually works although it's a bit scary to think of the consequences.

With each passing day, I was turning more zombie-like. I couldn't handle one more night without sleep, then trying to work the next day. In a desperate moment, I Googled, "how to stop an incessant cough." I found a remedy for honey and tea, neither of which I like. Gargle with salt water was a suggestion, but I'm a failure at gargling. Ads appeared for throat lozenges.

Finally, while digging deep, I found a home-style remedy. I  told my family what I was going to do. They rolled their eyes back so far in their head, I thought they'd be able to see their brains. Then came the hysterical laughter. I gave them a friendly hand gesture then stomped off to the bathroom.

Guess what??? They remedy was quick, easy, and worked like a charm. For the first time in a week, I slept the whole night with only two short coughing jigs. Want to know the secret? I'll share if you don't laugh. Okay, I'll share anyway.

Before bed, slather the bottom of your feet generously with Vicks' VapoRub, then apply socks. Yes, you smart alecs out there chuckling, it works. For real! Okay, so you might not smell that terrific,but when you get to the point of needing sleep and not coughing, you'll try it.

How about you? Have you found any quirky remedies that worked for you? Please share.

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo - Jenna

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

Bid on a critique

If anyone is interested in a detailed 30 page critique of a contemporary romance manuscript, I'm offering one in Brenda Novak's Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

Here's the link to bid: http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=2944577 

To bid on other items, here's the link: http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Home.taf

To learn more, please read below:

As a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Brenda has been able to count on her fans and her peers to support her annual online auctions, which runs May 1 – May 31st, helping her raise over $1.6 million so far!

Brenda is an active mother of five whose youngest son, Thad, was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of five. There began her personal crusade to fight a disease that affects millions. The 2011 statistics on diabetes are alarming — and clearly establish a challenge Brenda is trying to meet: improve lives by helping to raise money to battle this devastating disease. Data released by theADA January 26, 2011 reveals there are 25.8 million children and adults in the United States — thus 8.3% of the population have diabetes. Another 79 million people have prediabetes. In 2010, 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed.

Thank you for supporting this very worthwhile cause!

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 a recipe given to me by my daughter. She and her husband love spicy foods so if you're a fan, you may like this.

SPICY CHIPOTLE COLE SLAW

2 tsp. chipotles, finely chopped

2 tbsp. honey

1/2 cup mayo

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

4 cups grated cabbage, shredded thin

4 cups red cabbage, shredded thin

1 cup red onion, sliced very thin

1 cup green onion, finely chopped

1/2 to 1 cup carrot, shredded

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Combine first four ingredients. In another bowl, combine everything but cilantro. Drizzle dressing over top, sprinkle cilantro over whole thing and toss well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Chill till serving.

Love is in the Air Winner is...

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Anchor of Hope necklace as worn by Dani Sullivan in Just for the Summer is...AMY REMUS!!! Congratulations, Amy! I hope you enjoy your necklace!!

Please email me your address at jennarutland@gmail.com and your beautiful necklace will be on its way.

Thank you all so much for participating in the Love is in the Air blog hop. I hope you enjoyed the experience of meeting other authors.

Take care!

xoxo - Jenna