💚“May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song, may each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all year long.” 💚Irish Proverb
☘🍀Top of the mornin' to ya and a very happy #StPatricksDay! ☘🍀 This is a day to celebrate your #Irish roots and perhaps tip a sip of Guinness, or in my case, Irish coffee. #Yummo The feature pic today is of the Blarney Castle, which is located near Cork, Ireland. We were lucky enough to have visited this medieval abode many years ago. I still remember reaching the top and laying down, bending my head backward into the void between the platform and the outer wall to kiss the Stone of Eloquence aka Cloch na Blarnan aka Blarney Stone. It is said that those who kiss the stone receive the gift of gab...🍀
For those of us who suffer from vertigo, it was more than a bit unsettling, even though you are being held safe and secure by the tourist custodians who handle the crowds. They tell you the history and point over to the spot that you're supposed to kiss. I think they were a little taken by surprise when I cheekily asked them how they knew that particular stone was 'the one' that would give you the gift of gab. One of the staff started in on the documented history, but I waved 'just kidding'. They bent me over, I did my deed and then it was back down the stairs to celebrate with a pint. Did it work? I think it just might have...since I started #writing, I haven't suffered the loss of words yet!💚
The recipe to the left is from our fav San Francisco eatery, the Buena Vista. We've spent many a morning and evening drinking these delightful libations. I know I have posted this many times, but once you've tried this recipe, you too will be a convert. The true secret to this drink, IMO, is the final step where you turn the spoon upside down and pour the cream over the inverted bowl of the utensil--it causes the cream to slowly spill into the spirited coffee, floating on top till the very end.
I always savor the last sup, for that is when this cat gets the cream, my favorite, last drop! We're definitely looking forward to visiting the Buena Vista again-- consuming their fantastic breakfasts (Hubby orders eggs benedict, I go for corned beef hash and poached eggs) savoring each bite, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Doesn't get much better than that... #Travel #Culinary #Goals
I thought I'd share a few of our pics of Ireland from our Viking Ocean Cruise trip in 2019. We stopped in Dublin and Belfast, so grateful to have visited these cities once again.
◀From Dublin, River Liffey view & St. Patrick's Cathedral🔽
🔽Belfast Castle and gardens▶
We definitely want to go on another tour of Ireland once the world opens up. My father's side of the family hailed from the 🍀Emerald Isle🍀--every time I visit, it feels like home. Wishing you a festive, ☘Erin Go Bragh Day☘, #Sláinte! It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
The Countdown to Twins is on!
Just a few more weeks till the release of Twins in the City and I'm so excited (#AprilFoolsDay no #Blarney)! A few of the beta readers have given me their feedback and I'm more than a little tickled pink! #Squee Slowly but surely the blurbs have been written, the final edits wrapping up, and I now have a back cover and spine (that has a bit of #Irish included I might add). I'm so excited to show you, my book baby is gettin' real⏬💖👑
A devious plan for humankind is discovered this week from the writers of Twitter...
Author David Collins, Asteria, The Last Hope of Humankind, 5 ⭐ #AudioBook
Things are not all what they seem on the lunar colony of Asteria. Technician Carla and her colleagues strive to make the planned community designed to rescue the people of Earth a livable space for all. War, famine and natural resource destruction is quickly rendering the planet uninhabitable leaving billions to perish. When one of Carla’s AI enhanced bots goes missing, she unexpectedly learns the secret decisions and cover-ups by those at the highest levels that will have dire ramifications for Earth’s population. Their trust shattered, will her band of newly found renegades be strong enough to circumvent those in power and change the course of events?
Carla and her colleagues decide to take a stand against the powers that be, facing improbable odds. The President and his cronies want her defeated using any means. As the final conflict nears, it’s a battle of technical wits that has life or death consequences for the people of Earth–will the passion of the few be enough to defeat those with more nefarious plans?
Author Collins keeps us guessing ’til the very end with this dystopian, apocalyptic tale. Listening to this audiobook, I also very much enjoyed the narration of the story by Cassandra Arnold. She keeps your interest with her engaging style, capturing the characters' essence and emotions as they embark on this final, dangerous mission. Readers/audiobook listeners even get a delightful twist, Author Collins has also provided an alternative ending that will keep you reflecting on what the future might bring…Which will you choose?
Next up in the #reading queue:
A #BOOKEM learning chat special with guest Dr. Judith Lucci!
Join Amy Reade and Dr. Judith Lucci, USA Today bestselling author of medical thrillers for a fabulous conversation about creating authentic newsletters, email marketing and why you shouldn't give your books away for free. Sounds like a discussion you won't want to miss #WritingCommunity--see you soon!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. May your #Irish eyes keep smilin', have a wonderful🍀 St. Patrick's Day🍀! Gemma and Rikkhe approve 💖👑