In This Old Box--#Secrets Of The Past by Karen Rose Smith

I have several memento boxes.  A few are my own, filled with cards my husband and I sent each other, cards from my son, letters from my dad when I was in college, letters from a serviceman in Vietnam.  But I also kept memento boxes from my parents who have passed on.  It seems at holidays when I miss them most, those boxes are gifts my parents give me all over again.  In one box I keep the journal my mom wrote on her honeymoon along with souvenirs she kept from the trip.  In another I have a partial log my dad kept when he was in the service. 

This week I pulled a box from under the bed and went through some of it again.  I found photos I'd never seen before of my dad.  I'd known he was in the service in Germany and Italy.  But in these photos, he was standing in front of Big Ben.  I never realized he'd spent time in England. 

When we're kids we think we'll have our parents forever. Maybe we don't listen as attentively as we should to their history...their life story before we were born.  I know I didn't.  Now I wish I had.  But I do have the memento boxes.  Every time I open one I seem to find something new, even though I've been through the box many times before.  It's like opening a treasure trove from the past that helps me know my parents even more richly than I did as a child. 

Memories are precious.  Keepsake boxes are a link to a time we might want our own children to know about, learn about, and understand.  If you don't have a keepsake box, you might want to start one. It can be a gift to someone you love that will keep on giving.

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A novel about family.

HER SISTER on Amazon

HER SISTER on Barnes and Noble

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

#Felines (And Humans!) Appreciate Warmer #Spring Temperatures--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith

Changing our clocks in March always signals that we are "springing" forward. With the increased hours of daylight, our spirits rise and we begin to think of  spring cleaning, sprucing up our yards and gardens and appreciating the warmer temperatures that bring green grass and budding flowers. 

The Smith felines are slowly adapting to the time change and their feeding schedules are returning to their normal times. I don't think Zoie Joy realizes that the time changed because she still gets me awake in the morning at her usual early sunrise hour. The outside visitors also seem to be unaffected by the change in feeding times. They seem to follow the rise and fall of the sun to set their morning and evening feeding times.  

Bonnie and Clyde bathe after their
evening meal against a backdrop
of rapidly greening lawn.

The winter animal print throws on the bed have been replaced with pastel-colored throws and Paddy and Halo seem to have approved. Paddy and Zoie have both been preoccupied with ladybug visitors that seem to think they are safe in higher places. 

Paddy enjoying the new throw on the bed.

Paddy watching a
ladybug.

Spring temperatures also signal the need for spring cleaning. A clean office somehow feels even more inviting when bathed in the afternoon spring sunshine and a warm breeze wafts through the room from an open window. The cats love the fresh air and outside sounds. 

Zoie supervising the winter/spring
wardrobe switch

I also began switching my winter clothes for my spring wardrobe. Zoie, Paddy and Halo accompanied me upstairs to do the switch. Zoie immediately found a comfortable spot on the wool rug in the spare bedroom and Paddy made herself at home on the window bench. Halo, of course, headed for a comfy spot on the bed! 

Bonnie catches a whiff
of cat mint in a patio
planter.

Bonnie surveys the first weeds of spring.

Outside the grass is rapidly turning a beautiful shade of green and Bonnie and Clyde, our newest stray visitors, love to frolic in the grass on the hillside, obviously appreciating the passing of winter. The cat mint in the garden and patio planters is beginning to sprout, the forsythia is ready to pop into bloom and the daffodils are showing off their spring colors. Our patio visitors will have to adjust to the sound of neighborhood lawn mowers, my husband working in the gardens and me spending some time on the patio enjoying the fragrances and sunshine. Hopefully, Bonnie and Clyde will become my summer patio companions. It would be nice if they could help pull the weeds that have already begun sprouting in the gardens!  


Watching the feline springtime antics of Bonnie and Clyde has reminded me of the beauty of spring and the importance of valuing those we love. They share food, bathe together and clearly have an inseparable bond. Too often we take those bonds for granted.

Happy SPRING from the Smith felines!

So you don't miss an installment of CATS THIS WEEK, sign up to follow my blog over on the right side of the page!

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Halo says goodbye to winter and hello
to spring as she settles down with a
really good book!

Pre-order SILENCE OF THE LAMPS on Amazon

Pre-order SILENCE OF THE LAMPS on Barnes and Noble

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

A Luscious and Easy #Brownie #Family #Dessert via Karen Rose Smith

I'm a Mr. Food fan. So I bought a Sinful Sweets & Tasty Treats Mr. Food Test Kitchen cookbook and this easy, calorie filled, luscious dessert caught my eye.  Here is this simple recipe that's sooooo good for an inside dinner or an outside barbecue!

CANDY BAR BROWNIE TRIFLE

1 (19.8-ounce) package brownie mix for a 9x13 inch pan
1 (6serving size) package instant vanilla pudding and pie filling
3 cups milk (I use whole milk because I've found in this type of recipe it holds up better.)
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3-1/2 cups coarsely chopped assorted candy bars, with 1/2 cup reserved for garnish (I used a bag of Snicker minis and 1/2 bag of Milky Way minis)  RESERVE a 1/2 cup for garnish
1 16 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare brownies according to package directions for a 9x13 inch baking dish; allow to cool completely.
In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until slightly thickened.  Whisk in peanut butter until thoroughly combined.  Refrigerate 10 minutes.

Break up brownies into 1 inch pieces and place half in bottom of a trifle bowl or large glass serving bowl.  Cover with half the pudding mixture, half the candy and half the whipped topping.  Repeat layers and garnish with reserved candy.

Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Enjoy!!!!





When Clare Thaddeus' sister was abducted, she was five and her family fell apart. Now, twenty-seven years later, there's a chance Lynnie could still be alive! Divorced parents, a rebellious daughter, and a devoted sister find their lives in turmoil once again. This time, will crisis tear them apart or will forgotten love knit them together once more?

View a book trailer of HER SISTER

HER SISTER on Amazon

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

******************

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

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Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

#Feline Visitors Tug At Our Heartstrings--#Cats This Week by Karen Rose Smith

Since Sunnybud, the stray we cared for, passed on, we have seen an increase in the feline visitors to our shelters and feeders. 

The feline visitors seem as varied as the breeds of felines. Some we only catch on our field camera once or twice, others are much more regular in their visits. Some are simply night visitors, others come to feed during the day. There are long haired and short haired visitors. 

As we've seen in the past with Lancelot (Read Lance's story HERE)and Sunnybud, some choose us, others choose to eat and run. The more regular visitors who need some care soon stop shying away from us and learn that we can be trusted. When they take that step, a bond begins to develop that wraps itself around our hearts and begins to pull tighter and tighter. It is a joy to watch them enjoy their huge outside domain but also a worry to be concerned about their health and safety. It is hard to give them love and freedom at the same time when you just want to scoop them up and give them a forever home.

Two of our visitors, now affectionately named Bonnie and Clyde, seem to have "adopted" us and are becoming regular visitors. Their ears are clipped so they were probably caught up in some type of TNR (trap, neuter, release) effort. Clyde waits for me each morning for his morning wet food special breakfast, and this morning Bonnie who has been more elusive joined him. Today I was able to sit on the patio and quietly converse with them while they ate. They still scurry away if I approach them.  It's fun to watch their antics together and what appears to be a tight brother/sister bond that obviously exists between them. Patience is not always easy for me, but I know a human/feline relationship is built on complete trust. I know I have to proceed on their terms and allow them the freedom to trust me as they feel comfortable. If that means spending time sitting nearby while they eat, that's what I'll do.

Clyde sunbathes on our driveway.

With Halo, a pregnant stray we brought inside about 18 months ago, the process took about six weeks.  With Sunnybud, we were still involved in the process that progressed over 3 years. I know by now that I need to enjoy the time I spend with strays who don't trust easily because of their history with humans. They are strays for a reason. They run away for a reason. Although a journey with a stray can be heartbreaking, conversations with them in the quiet and peace of the patio bring relaxation from a hectic work schedule and do my heart good.  And as proven by Halo, who is anything but a stray now--she thinks she's queen of the house--giving love to a needy feline can be so rewarding and affirming.

Patio visitors--Bonnie (upper right) and
another beauty that has avoided contact with us.

So you don't miss an installment of CATS THIS WEEK, sign up to follow my blog over on the right side of the page!

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Halo, a former "visitor" enjoys a really good book
in the comfort of her forever home!

Pre-order SILENCE OF THE LAMPS on Amazon

Pre-order SILENCE OF THE LAMPS on Barnes and Noble

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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

*****************

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

******************

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

******************

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

#Gardening--Winter to Summer #Therapy by Karen Rose Smith

Our winters in Pennsylvania seem to last forever. I have arthritis, fibromyalgia, and osteoporosis, all conditions which are not winter friendly. I don't venture out in ice and snow. Fluctuating temperatures can affect pain levels. The weather can lead to inactivity (except for work which is ongoing and sedentary.) I care for stray and feral cats for their welfare and to keep me moving on a basic level. Our four rescued cats inside have their own demands but they aren't taxing. Every year I look forward to an activity that helps me focus on better health and spring. That activity is
gardening.

After the bustle and busyness of the holidays, the activity slowdown led me to look for motivation and something positive to keep my activity level up. My husband gave up his work table and we set up another. On those I put a plant heat pad and above each a grow light. I order seeds and I get started with my winter-to-spring therapy--starting flowers in January and February, heirloom tomatoes in March, and sunflowers and zucchini in May. Around Memorial Day, I use my cane to dig a trench and I drop zinnia seeds and cover them lightly with the loose dirt, again with my cane.  Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow.

This year in January I started geraniums, petunias and impatiens. Each year I don't know which will grow heartily. This year the impatiens have really taken off and they are already a size that could be planted. They have two months before I'm ready to do that. So I've taken them off the heat pad and just put them under a grow light. The geraniums are coming along slowly and nicely. The petunias, which take the longest, are puttering along. I started the heirloom tomatoes this week.

But whatever plants grow...they give me the activity I need with standing time to plant and water as well as movement in shifting around trays with varying weight levels. As I transplant each plant into a larger peat pot, the plants themselves help me increase the amount of weight I'm carrying and manipulating. Come spring, I'm lifting full trays of plants and gallon pots.

There is such satisfaction in seeing a seed develop into a tine seedling and then a six inch plant. There is such joy in watching these plants bloom or bear fruit. There is also more patio activity involved in trimming the plants and watering them on the patio throughout the summer. When tomatoes are at their height, I freeze them for winter. We still have tomatoes in the freezer from last summer that are so wonderful as a basis for soup. I'm hoping for a banner crop this year. My husband plants about 25 tomato plants and we give the rest to neighbors and family.

Most of the flowers I plant attract butterflies and hummingbirds which is a side benefit to the color and scent. I enjoy photographing both the gardens and the creatures--more activity. Some years I collect rose petals and dry them to make sachet bags for Christmas presents. Gardens just keep on giving.

We each have to find whatever benefits us to keep us strong. Gardening does that for me...and relaxes me too. Therapy at its finest.

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Pre-order SILENCE OF THE LAMPS on Amazon

Pre-order SILENCE OF THE LAMPS on Barnes and Noble

*****************

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

*****************

Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

******************

Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store

******************

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter