Random – Joan Hall

It’s No Mystery!

Published on March 6, 2023March 3, 2023 by Joan Hall

Hey, Readers. The Menagerie book tour is over. Thirteen stops for thirteen stories, plus last Wednesday’s Voice of Indie podcast. If you missed the live event, you can click the link to listen on YouTube.

Book tours are exhausting, so I’m taking a break from Mystery Monday today. Instead, I’d like to take the time to express my gratitude.

I’d like to thank each host for their generosity in sharing their corner of cyberspace to help me promote the book. If you missed any of the stops, here’s the list:

Day One – Mae Clair
Day Two – Staci Troilo
Day Three – Harmony Kent
Day Four – D. L. Finn
Day Five – Gwen Plano
Day Six – Jan Sikes
Day Seven – John Howell
Day Eight – C. S. Boyack
Day Nine – Beem Weeks
Day Ten – Stephen Geez
Day Eleven – Marlena Smith Burris
Day Twelve – Judi Lynn
Day Thirteen – Teri Polen

I also want to thank those who followed along and left comments. I appreciate your support. To those who have read and left reviews, they warm my heart and encourage me to write more.

One more thing. I know newsletters aren’t for some of you, and that’s okay, but I’m trying to build my subscribers. To show my appreciation, I’m giving a copy of the deleted scene from “Friends,” one of the thirteen stories in Menagerie, to those who subscribe. This content isn’t available anywhere else. If you’d like to sign up, just click this link. My goal is to send a monthly newsletter, I’ll never flood your inbox. I also plan to offer more free fiction in the future.

You can find me today at Story Empire. I’ll return March 13, (yes the 13th) with a new mystery or legend.

5 Ingredient Graham Cracker Toffee Bars #virtualcookieexchange @stacitroilo

Published on December 14, 2022December 13, 2022 by Joan Hall56 Comments

Hey, readers! For many years, I would set aside a Saturday or Sunday before Christmas to bake. I always made my family favorites – chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sand tarts, and sugar cookies to name a few. I’d even make fudge and microwave peanut brittle. It’s been a while since I did that. Honestly, I don’t cook a lot these days. After he retired, my husband took over the kitchen. (I love it!)

Last year my friend Staci Troilo hosted her first annual virtual cookie exchange. I was a working woman then and didn’t participate, but both she and her sister, Michele, were very persuasive in getting me to join in this time.

I had planned to try a new recipe, but time got away, and I needed to come up with something quick. These are both easy and delicious, so I hope you’ll forgive me for not baking “real” made-from-scratch cookies. 🙂

Okay, I know what you’re probably thinking. Toffee is a candy, not a cookie. And using graham crackers? That’s not really made from scratch. But since these are “bars,” I’m calling them cookies!

5 Ingredient Graham Cracker Toffee Bars

Ingredients:

14-16 sheets graham crackers
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup (two sticks) salted butter (use real butter, not margarine!)
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.
Line an 11 x 15-inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. (If using foil, lightly mist with cooking spray.) Arrange graham crackers touching side by side in a single layer. If necessary, break some crackers in half in order to fit. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-high heat until melted. Add brown sugar and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Let boil for two minutes, then remove from heat and pour over graham crackers. Use a spatula or spoon to spread evenly. Bake for 6-7 minutes until the butter mixture is bubbly.
Remove from oven, then immediately sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the crackers. Let sit for a few minutes until the chocolate is melted, then use a spoon to spread the chocolate evenly.
Let sit for about two hours to cool, then break apart to serve. Makes about 25 pieces.

That’s it! Easy and oh-so-good!

Be sure to check out the other bakers and grab some fabulous recipes. Click this link to visit Staci’s blog and see a list of the participants.

Labor Day

Published on September 5, 2022September 4, 2022 by Joan Hall

It’s the unofficial end of summer. Backyard cookouts, trips to the beach or lake, and even camping trips often cease after the holiday.

With fall around the corner, I start to think of bonfires, hayrides, falling leaves, and Halloween.

Today is the Labor Day Holiday in the United States, a day designated to pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It’s the first Labor Day I haven’t been in the workforce since I was eighteen years old. Guess what? I’m still celebrating the day!

I’m closing comments today. Mystery Monday will return next week.

Independence Day

Published on July 4, 2022April 3, 2022 by Joan Hall

Hey, Everyone! Today is a Holiday here in the United States, so I’m taking a day off. I’ll be back tomorrow with my monthly book review post. Mystery Monday will return next week.