Two for one: perfectly pumpkin
We interrupt this pumpkin perfection to bring you an important announcement.
Many of you have been begging for me to write a book, publish a book or create a print out for you to read your favorite stories.
For two years, I tried to get published through traditional channels. I’ve wooed agents, talked to editors of major publishing houses and sent out four different books.
And for all the Fed-Ex bills and packages of printer paper, I got zilch. Nada. Nothing.
I take that back. I got a handful of rejection letters.
And then I realized, why sit around? Ya’ll like what I write. There are more than one ways to skin a cat. I work as a professional writer, so I talk to editors every day.
Therefore, I’m proud to announce….
The launch of Blond Duck Press.
Blond Duck Press will be like the cupcake of the literature world. Short, sweet, tasty little stories you can finish in the bathtub or your kid’s softball game. They’ll be cheap, easy to order and available world wide.
The first will be a collection of Christmas tales, one of which is Priscilla Piper. It will be available before Christmas.
After that, we’ll have a book about the Land of the Flowered Bed, illustrated by my darling buddy Marie. I’ve also got plans for a Miss Pickles adventure and of course, your favorite dance hall romance Twirl. And don’t worry–I haven’t forgotten about Missing Wings. Far from it.
And now, for our double edition recipes of the week: Pumpkin Bread and Pumpkin Waffles.
Back when my sister and I were in high school, my mom was part of a committee that treated the teachers to a holiday breakfast every year. When the teachers came blazing through the gym in search of their free breakfast, the traditional pumpkin bread was the prize. People loved it so much my mom’s hospitality committee ended up baking each teacher a loaf every year. If they hadn’t, the overworked teachers would have come to blows….
Now, the love of the pumpkin bread has spread far and near. It’s requested at my work, pleaded for my in-laws and demanded by Ben by a daily basis all year.
And now that it’s Christmas, I have 12 loaves to bake. Seriously. It’s all about the pumpkin love, baby.
Mix all dry ingredients together. Then add the canned pumpkin, oil, eggs and water. Mix well. Pour into three pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Check the bread by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out gooey, bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Wrap in foil for later or eat and enjoy.
Now, the problem with eating pumpkin bread is you begin to drool over all things pumpkin. And all my dear Invisible Friends have been no help. All I’ve seen is pumpkin muffins and pancakes and scones and pastries and even cookies.
So I had to do it. I had to make pumpkin waffles.
Ya’ll know how much I love waffles. And I love pumpkin. Put the two together and….
Heaven. Sweet sweet heaven.
I blame it all on Taste of Home. That’s where I got the recipe.
Toasty Pumpkin Waffles from Taste of Home:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tblspn brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cup milk
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
4 1/2 tsp butter, melted
1/3 chopped pecans (I left these out)
Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet in other. Mix together and fold in nuts. Bake in preheated waffle iron until golden brown. You’ll probably want your iron to be really hot so they get nice and crispy…my first few were a bit wobbly. And no one likes wobbly waffles.
You know all this talk about waffles has made me think of my other favorite breakfast treat…
I think I have an idea.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have a wonderful whimsical tale tomorrow and Kitchen Magic this weekend! And then on Thanksgiving week, we have several new surprises!
Have you entered the stocking giveaway? What are you waiting for!
November 20th, 2008 at 4:07 am
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm all of that looks delicious!
November 20th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I’m feeling the pumpkin love. I’ve een saying this for weeks, but I am really making pumpkin pancakes Saturday morning!
November 20th, 2008 at 4:51 am
wow – breads, waffles, pancakes and publishing….good job to you!
November 20th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Ciao ! First of all thank you for your confort because it is true it is painful but somehow it sounds strange to the “others”. Second I love your pumpkin feast and third I’m curioius about your stories !!
November 20th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Pumpkin galore over here. I love it!! I will take a taste of everything please!!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:00 am
I’m loving it!!! I’ll take pumpkin in any form, except raw that is!!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Yum!!!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Good for you for taking the publishing matters into your own hands! Every author I know had to deal with lots of rejection letters before finally hitting the jackpot. Your writing is so much fun!
Oh, pumpkin. The bread looks fabulous, but I MUST try those waffles immediately. I might just be distracted all day. I am feeling a breakfast for dinner coming on . . .
November 20th, 2008 at 7:10 am
If we order a book can we get a free loaf of the pumpkin bread?
Also, can I have my book signed? I need to get your signature before you blow up and forget us little folks.
On a serious note, I think that’s great that you are pursuing an alternative method of getting your stories published. If there’s anything I can do, let me know!
~ingrid
November 20th, 2008 at 7:34 am
i’ll take a sampling of each, please, with ample maple syrup on the side. and butter. don’t forget the butter.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I’m sorry I find it HARD to believe you got rejection letters. I won’t believe it. You are an incredible writer!! Anyway, I’m glad you’re continuing with the short stories.
I made a few loaves of bread myself last night.
Oh I also have something for you at my place. Come on by when you have the chance!
November 20th, 2008 at 8:13 am
So many things to say today Duckie! First of all, I’m so excited to hear about your new venture of publishing your stories — how exciting! Sign me right up! And the collaboration with Maire – brilliant! I’m so glad you are following your dreams — they will come true!
Now on to the food: the pumpkin bread looks delicious as do the waffles. I am going to try that recipe! I also love Taste of Home — I just bought their new cookbook at Costco last week. Love you!
November 20th, 2008 at 8:21 am
I made butternut squash that is seasoned like, and tastes like, pumpkin pie without the crust. I used it to make squash bread, which was outstanding! Now you may be forcing me to make a real pumpkin bread, Duckie! I wonder how the big kids will react to pumpkin waffles? I know the little guys will love them!
November 20th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Thats great that you're just going for it- good work girl! <3 pumpkin! I want to try the waffle recipe as soon as I get my waffle marker out of storage (when we move into our house!!)
November 20th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Wow, kudos to you for going for what you want! I will be excited to follow along with your journey!
November 20th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Pumpkin bread, waffles and pancakes – they all make me happy. I LOVE PUMPKIN! Great recipes and congrats on starting Blonde Duck Press!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Yeah for getting published, even if you have to do it your own way! Can’t wait to get my hands or eyes on it! Oh, the pumpkin goodies look divine. We had pumpkin waffles for breakfast yesterday too. Yummy!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Hi, Thank you very much for visiting my new blog. I do appreciate it! The pumpkin bread look delicious. I love anything with pumpkin flavors. Please come and visit me anytime.You’re always welcome! ~Melissa
November 20th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Pumpkins and more pumpkins. I love it, those waffles look yummy. Twelve loaves of bread? Your awesome.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
oh my! this is an amazing new dear! it will be great to read all of your fantastic stories!
You really deserve this
maybe you won’t be able to do a bow..:-) but for sure those pumpink “dreams” look delicious!
a big kiss dear!
Silvia
November 20th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Hooray for Blond Duck Publishing
All these delicious pumpkin concoctions!! I don’t know which one I want to try first!
November 20th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I am starving now! So glad to find your blog. I’m going to go see what this is about a stocking giveaway!
November 20th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Found you though SITS.
Yummm! That sure would go great with my morning latte….
November 20th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Good for you Duckie publishing your stories yourself!!! I’m gonna have to make this pumpkin bread girl this looks fantastic!
November 20th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
That’s awesome about the publishing! All this pumpkin goodness looks wonderful!
November 20th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
OH my..looks delicious..pumpkin bread..waffles..wow! YUM YUM!
-sandy toes
November 20th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Wow, that is overly tempting! Pumpkin, just loving it all
November 20th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I just told my hubby about the pumpkin pancakes…and he is DROOLING on the couch…uh oh I guess that means I’m gonna have to make em. DAMN I gotta learn to keep my mouth shut lol
November 20th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
mmmmm. look at all of that pumpkin-y goodness! i love it! and congrats on your blonde duck press! how exciting!
November 20th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
That is wonderful news! And Marie is so talented with her drawings! A nice person too! I wish you the very best of luck
November 20th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Yum! I get pumpkin crazy at this time of year too. Good luck with your blonde duck press.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Oh these look scrumptious!! And hey! Thank you Ms BD for the Sussie!! It got here today and I’ve been drooling! My grandbabies will be here for Christmas this year, and I’m marking pages that we are going to bake together!!!
Now! I see my fav…just below..and I need to get reading about Wade and Vivi!
(oh…that’s awesome about your own “Blond Duck Press”!!!
November 20th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I think it’s wonderful you are going forward…without risk you get nowhere…I wish you all the luck and more.
Now missy I hope you have shipped me one of your bad ass loaves….they sound awesome.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
mmm mmm mmm I feel the pumpkin love all the way over here!! YUMMO! That looks so good Duckie! I love all your ideas about your books and looking in my magic crystal ball I predict great things for you! You shall have success and a great success at that! You’re far too talented not to!
November 21st, 2008 at 5:12 am
Pumpkin bread and waffles?! A girl after my own heart!!
November 21st, 2008 at 6:57 am
Pumpkin waffles?
That is genius.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:41 am
why don’t you self publish???
November 21st, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Thank you for stopping by my blog, and thank you even more for directing me to yours. You are a good writer, so don’t give up.
If you don’t already belong to a writer’s group, join one, or start one! Go to a writer’s conference in your area, where you can meet with agents and publishers and plug your stuff. And don’t give everything away!
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:26 am
Thank you for stopping by!
And pumpkin waffle? What a great idea! They look awesome.
Congrats on the publishing plans – that’s a great way to go at it and I admire you!
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:06 am
I love pumpkin bread, and yours looks great…so do the waffles!
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
You go girl – it is notoriously difficult to get published by the big guys, who don’t seem prepared to give people a break. Love your pumpkin bread and pumpkin waffles – both look delicious!
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Delicious pumpkin overload!!!!
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Congrats on the starts of your Blond Duck Press! How exciting for you!!!