humorous mystery

Apple butter cozy yummies

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In case you missed the November newsletter, there’s a recipe for apple butter included.

I’m still relatively new to MailerLite, so if that link doesn’t work, try this pdf version:

nov2023Download

Of course, the email newsletter looks best in your email inbox! So make sure and sign up (it’s free and I won’t spam you or sell your address), and you can unsub any time. Topics include: Miss Fitz mystery novels, audiobooks, non-fiction kitchen witchery, and product recommendations from the gang at the Treehouse. Oh, and UnicornPuzzles, of course.

Right now I’m recovering from a nasty cold, so my voice is ragged and I will likely NOT have a newsletter for December, but you never know! In the meantime, enjoy some holiday ambience videos:

Air Fryer MAGIC (another YouTube video)

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I was sent a sample of these awesome Flannci air fryer parchment paper liners, and now I will never use the air fryer without them. Chef’s kiss. Five stars. If you’re interested in trying them, here’s the link (I get a commission from the sales).

I would say more about this, but really, it’s all in the YouTube video. Please give it a watch! (I added sound effects!)

Homemade Vanilla Extract

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Vanilla extract adds an extra boost of cozy flavor to any boxed cake mix, and when you make your own, you can really taste the difference over store bought vanilla extract. When you bake from scratch with artisan grains, fresh backyard chicken eggs, and made-with-love vanilla? WOW, get ready to taste the love!

I wrote about this recipe in My Life as a Kitchen Witch, and I’ve posted the recipe online a few times when asked, but here’s a video! This is the first time I’ve done a cooking video, so I hope you enjoy it!

The vanilla beans were provided by Vanilla Bean Kings, and for this bit of the post, consider it sponsored! I will get a small commission from each sale using the following link: MADAGASCAR VANILLA BEANS. UPDATED: This link now defaults to a DIY kit that could save you some shopping!

AMP is dead, long live…?

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AMP will be no more as of 10/31/2023. I’m still waiting on my last payment from them for hosting shows. Le sigh. It was a truly great gig while it lasted. Lots of great music, great people, even a lot of new friends made. What more can you ask for?

AMP by Amazon music was a fun platform. I will miss the playful interaction with a steady group of a few dozen people who I got to know reasonably well, all while earning a decent hourly wage. Several folks have moved their shows to StationHead, which has a far less lucrative payment model. I have been thinking about how I might work a StationHead show into my busy slate of work. Between the coffee shop, narrating an audiobook (the sequel to this one), Unicorn Puzzles YouTube channel, and other work-at-home projects, I can see some opportunities…but the lack of actual immediate income from the shows makes it lower priority, you know?

One thing I’m picking up more of now that AMP is taking less bandwidth in my life is writing product reviews and doing sponsored posts. Tonight I wrote a review of Four Sigmatic’s Think organic coffee. If you’re interested in mushrooms and herbalism, you might like this product line. (I liked the elixir best). See pics and read my review on Instagram or Facebook, or just jump right to the coffee and all the Amazon reviews here.

And if you’re into homemade vanilla extract, stay tuned. I have a review coming up soon from a company that graciously sent me some beans to try out.

Tomorrow, back to school! And back to narrating Miss Fitz and the Hot Patchouli Murder. I’m looking forward to it.

I’ll miss AMP, but what do you think about Stationhead? Ever tried it out?

October is HERE!

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Loving this autumn weather! I had an Autumn in a Cup from Starlight Coffee in Georgetown, IN this morning. YUMMY. 🍁☕️

Tim and I saw our first concert (without kids) in…? Ever? 🤷‍♀️

Rufus Wainwright with the Louisville Orchestra at the Louisville Palace

It was a magical show! We were spellbound.

If you need a little magic in your earholes, here are replays from my AMP shows from last week:

Laid-back hayride vibes
Witchy Wednesday!

It’s fall break and we have lots of DIY stuff to get done, but I am going to do shows today, Wednesday, and Saturday, tentatively.

This week begins recording of Miss Fitz and the Hot Patchouli Murder for audiobook. Wish me luck. 🐈‍⬛🎃🍁☕️

Let me tell you a story!

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Miss Fitz Discovers Midlife Magic audiobook is available in the iTunes store, Audible, and Amazon!

If you enjoyed my narration of non-fiction The Kitchen Witch’s Guide to the New Weird: Practical Life Magic in the Time of Covid-19 but you wished for my dulcet witchy tones telling you a MAKE BELIEVE story, then you are going to love Miss Fitz on audio!

This audiobook represents a leap of faith on my part. It’s my tenth audiobook, but in some ways, it’s my first. Even though I am not a professional voice actor, I decided to take a chance and voice this cozy paranormal mystery myself, because no one can understand how these characters emote like me. They live in my head, right? Melissa, Bethany, Salma, Sin, the kids, the dogs…COAL? And I can’t imagine someone else voicing witchy Wanda Ackerman, either. Can you?

Honestly, I might go back and re-narrate My Life As a Kitchen Witch eventually, as well, just so it matches The New Weird. Susan Kennedy (who narrated the first book) did a great job, but just for continuity’s sake, you know?

I’m going to start the narration for Miss Fitz and the Hot Patchouli Murder soon*, so why not just narrate all my witchy books, myself, fiction AND non-fiction?

*(How soon? Soon soon. As soon as Sylvie moves.)

Today, I’ll be spinning wickedly fun tunes on my regular Witchy Wednesday show! 1:11 pm EST on AMP

Monday news

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Big news coming later today for audiobook fans to email newsletter subscribers. Get on the email list now.

In other news, AMP was popping again this week. Catch up with replays:

Denver International Airport, MH370 alien orbs, and more

Free Book Friday at the Indie Bookstore

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Celebrating Miss Fitz and all books, like we do every Friday at the Indie Bookstore!

Miss Fitz is #1

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Thanks for making Miss Fitz Discovers Midlife Magic the #1 Paranormal Mystery AND Amateur Sleuth ebook on Amazon.

This is a super short post because I must get ready to go make espresso drinks! But look in your inbox today for the email newsletter. It should start rolling out around noon. 🙂

This is the audiobook cover…the Audible/iTunes version should be out in a few days. 🙂

Witchy midlife besties and an enchanted mystery, #1 on Amazon and free for a short time. I never do the “free ebook” thing, but with the audiobook coming out soon, why not? Enjoy 😊🧹🐈‍⬛📚☕️✨And tell your favorite familiars 🧙🏻‍♀️🔮This spell will go POOF soon… 

Indie Bookstore, Anniversary, and I Miss Art Bell

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Friday was a sweet afternoon! Tim and I went out for lunch for an early anniversary date. Gorgeous day!

We spotted this intriguing fashion down the block from my favorite restaurant (I got to choose!)

After lunch, I did the show, and we spent a pleasant evening planning the weekend.

Saturday, Tim did some light plumbing in the kitchen and bath, and we celebrated this triumph with an outing to Lanesville Heritage Festival.

We’d planned on doing I MISS ART BELL that night, but we were pretty tired, so rescheduled to today. Sis tried to be my co-host, but we could not get past technical difficulties. BOO!

I’m grateful to have had some listeners and a caller, though. It was fun to discuss the paranormal for a bit.

In the future, I would like to schedule shows with co-hosts and do this more regularly. If you are interested in co-hosting or being a guest, get in touch.