Theobroma Cacao to the rescue!

A: I told you, D. Hot Chocolate is good for you.

D: Prove it.

A: I don’t have to, a research paper in the August 7  2013 edition of Neurology already stated it.

D: . . . hm, cognitive function . . . bla bla bla . . . cerebral white matter integrity . . . yada yada yada . . . cocoa. Interesting.

A: You should really consider it, D. I mean at your advanced age . . .

D: Watch it, you young whipper-snapper.

From Google Images I don't know - does this orange cup make my hips look big?
From Google Images
Does this orange cup make my hips look big? I know it’s supposed to make me more alluring, but I’m just not sold on it.

A: Uh huh. Here’s another sciencey tidbit – hot chocolate apparently tastes better when drunk out of an orange cup.

D: Do you drink it out of an orange cup?

A: No. Mine is more ecru. Imagine what I’d be like if I did!

D: Let’s not. I’m afraid rabid isn’t a good look for you.

A: Aw, gee, D. Thanks!

D: So what else sciencey – to quote my terribly specific author – can you come up with on hot chocolate and health?

A: Well, this article talks about all the different compounds associated with hot chocolate (as well as everything else, because who doesn’t love The Art of Manliness website?!? It has mustaches, people!)

D: (Snore) Huh, what? Oh, sorry. I mean, you don’t say?

A: D, you have some drool there.

D: Here?

A: No, other side. Just a smidge.

D: Did I get it?

A: Yeah. Nice job.

D: Must have been dreaming about hot chocolate.

A: I don’t even want to know anymore.

Reasons I’m Drinking Hot Chocolate for Breakfast

Tuesday: Because I forgot to make myself breakfast . . . and lunch. The boy got breakfast but did Mom remember to make one for herself? Nope. Did she remember to grab soup on her way out the door at the ridiculously early hour of 6:30? Nope. Was she kinda hungry all day? Nope. Because: Hot Chocolate!

Monday: It’s Monday. That’s totally allowed as a reason. Plus, I stabbed my hand yesterday while making guacamole. Because I’m a menace with sharp objects! (no worries, nothing vital hit. Plus, the boy gets to wash dishes all week!)

The Marshmallow in Your Cup

Plate Tectonics and Hot Chocolate . . . Because science.

Ode to Hot Chocolate

Hail to thee, molten joy!

Dark and seductive or milky sweet

You’re there in need, and never coy.

I breathe you in, your steam and heat,

I love you over any Christmas toy.

***

From: Google Images See what I mean, it's love in a cup!
From: Google Images
See what I mean, it’s love in a cup!

D: Seriously, A?

A: What? I love hot chocolate!

D: . . .

A: I love it so much, I’ve set a challenge for myself on Facebook.

D: Oh, pray tell what productivity this shall engender.

A: Reasons why I get to have hot cocoa for breakfast.

D: Because that is so healthy.

A: It is healthy – you know, because it’s a bean. Therefore . . .

D: Your depravity knows no bounds, does it?

A: Oh, like you didn’t indulge with the Aztecs.

D: I never crossed the sea, A – not until the 21st century and it is often that I second-guess that particular decision.

A: So, you weren’t there when the conquistadors brought it back from the New World?

D: Okay, well – maybe.

A: Right. And you didn’t sample it? Or drink down a whole jug of it and get chocolate all over your face?

D: Who have you been talking too?

A: I can’t tell you that. My informants rely on secrecy, D.

D: . . .

A: Here, D. Have some chocolate. It has tryptophan  in it – it’ll make you feel better.

D: (*grab* mumble grumble mutter slurp . . . sigh).

So, I’ve set myself a challenge: for the next five days, I will have a post on the glories of hot chocolate.

Yes, I do love it that much.

Stop by daily (or follow me on Facebook – yes me, not the D/A Dialogues because there’s nothing on that page that doesn’t end up on my own page. Plus, with Facebook’s new-to-me follow feature, you’re only subjected to that which I mark ‘public.’ Fancy.) to find out more about the season’s best drink, and the crazy reasons I’m more than willing to drink it for breakfast.

Reasons I’m drinking hot chocolate for breakfast:

Monday: It’s Monday. That’s totally allowed as a reason. Plus, I stabbed my hand yesterday while making guacamole. Yep, I’m a menace with sharp objects. (No worries, nothing vital hit. Plus, the boy gets to wash dishes all week!)

The marshmallow in your cup:

Weekly Prompt for November 17, 2013

A: Check it out, D.

D: It’s a spider web.

A: It’s a prompt picture at the Community Storyboard.

D: It’s a beautiful spider web.

A: (Eye-roll) Better. Take a gander at this picture, everyone and submit your prose, short-story, essay or poem!

D: Hey, look – there’s leaves too.

A: Nothing escapes your eagle eyes, does it?

D: Nope. I’m highly trained for this sort of thing.

A: Good to know, D. Good to know.

Adventure with us to the Heart of Darkness

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D: You just like saying Heart of Darkness, don’ t you?

A: Yes. Because it’s awesome.

D: . . .

A: Ignore the scowling Druid in the corner and head over to Green Embers’ Recommends for our latest installment of Entertainment News! This week’s theme: Evil! It lurks. It lives–

D: It has eaten A’s brain.

A: Mmm… brains.

D: And you thought Halloween was over, folks. Enjoy our banter, and peruse Green’s site – there are some excellent reviews to be had over there!

Cover reveal: Illusions of Eventide

The cover for the third House of Crimson and Clover novel is here!

EventideFullCover

The Illusions of Eventide will hit retailers on December 14th, 2013.

Add The Illusions of Eventide to your Goodreads TBR:

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Story Overview

Nicolas Deschanel was betrayed by the only two people who matter to him. Their disloyalty stung and an overwhelming sense of loss lingers. Nicolas has lived the high life professing to not have a care in the world, and now this illusion is calling his bluff.

Determined to take control of an existence now devoid of purpose, he sojourns to his family’s holiday home on the Gulf of Mexico. Resolved more than depressed, he plans to privately say goodbye to a world which no longer needs him. Of questionable fortune, he finds a woman, Mercy, sitting alone on the shore at eventide. Nicolas is conflicted between an obligation to help, and annoyance at her intrusion.

Mercy has many layers of secrets. Deepest of all, she cannot tell this Child of Man she is thousands of years old and very powerful. In her presence, Nicolas’ own dormant powers begin to surface, triggering a sequence of events that cause both of their lives to spiral further out of control. When old friends from both sides come to help, together they all learn a painful truth: new life can only begin once you’ve set free what means the most.

EventideFullCharPromo-Recovered

Connect with Author Sarah M. Cradit

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House of Crimson and Clover Series

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St. Charles at Dusk
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The Storm and the Darkness
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Beyond Dusk: Anne
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Also Coming Soon

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Tomorrow

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We’re at the Community Storyboard today with a (late-ish) submission for the Tomorrow prompt! Enjoy!

And PS: Ignore that earlier post we did – that was a mistake that’s not supposed to go out for another two hours – Sorry!

Happy Day

Six Lit Birthday CandlesA: Are you ready for it, D?

D: Ready? I was born ready!

A: Okay, on three. One. . . Two. . .

D: Wait!

A: What? What is it, D?

D: Maybe you should sit this one out.

A: What?

D: No, no I mean you can sit there and look pretty and add heart to the whole thing, but maybe, could you not sing?

A: . . .

D: Come on, A. I’ve heard what your friends say.

A: Damn. You’ve been talking to Christine again, haven’t you.

D: Maybe.

A: And?

D: Tone-Deaf Bull Frog.

A: Point taken. Take it away, D!

D: Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Susan! Happy Birthday to you!!!

A: (Attempted croon) And many more!

D: (Eye-roll) Thanks, A.

A: Happy Birthday, Susan – D and I hope you have a fantastic day!

Everyone, go visit Susan’s page, My Brand of Genius and wish her a fantabulous birthday. And, while you’re at it, check out her book, Red Clay and Roses.

Bodacious bard bandies ballads

By Green Embers
By Green Embers

D: Bodacious?

A: You have a problem with bodacious?

D: No, but didn’t it go out of style sometime in the late twentieth century?

A: The time-traveler is worried about going out of style?

D: Well, yes – I’d like to fit in.

A: Fit in? You wear a cloak and carry a big sword and staff for crying out loud.

D: Yes, in your head – but when I was a man-about-town, I always tried to keep abreast of what was fashionable.

A: Dandy.

D: What was that?

A: You heard me. Popinjay.

D: Is it my fault I cut a fine figure?

A: (Eye roll) No – so are you going to bandy ballads or what, you bodacious bard?

D: You are incorrigible.

A: Indeed – take it away, D!

D: If you read this blog, chances are you’re either A) crazy, B) a fan of the written word, or C) a writer yourself—

A: Do they have to be just one of those things?

D: . . . No – likely they’re all three.

A: Likely.

D: In that case, everyone who reads this should be as excited as you and I are to be a part of the Legends of Windemere Blog Tour and Cover Reveal blitz starting November 25. If you would like to feature that truly bodacious scribe, Charles Yallowitz’ third tale in the series, Allure of the Gypsies, head on over to his blog, Legends of Windemere and sign up!

A: Sarah M. Cradit, of . . . And then there was Sarah is also doing a cover reveal for her third book in the House of Crimson and Clover series, The Illusions of Eventide. The reveal is on November 16, so contact Sarah today if you would like to participate.

D: A, why haven’t you watched Game of Thrones yet?

A: Um, that was a quick shift – never hear of transitions, D?

D: . . .

A: Fine. I don’t have cable, and I’m currently blacklisted at the library . . . again.

D: You need to stop doing that.

A: You’re telling me! So no, I haven’t yet indulged in Game of Thrones – why do you ask?

D: Because one of our favorite people, Helena Hann-Basquiat did a wonderful send-up for the Friday Fictioneers.

A: Ah, so it’s Helena’s distinctive voice and knife-edge humor that drew you in, yes?

D: Um. Yes. That’s right.

A: (Eye-roll) Good to know you’re still a guy, D, despite your years.

D: I’m feeling like I should be offended by that.

A: You probably should, but maybe for the sake of brevity, you should let it slide.

D: All right. Just this once.

A: Cheers, D. In other news, There’s a new prompt at the Community Storyboard – check out Julian Froment’s prompt and prose for “Tomorrow.”

D: And the heavens only know if A will actually manage a response to the prompt (lazy wench) but click away below for those who have lent their creativity and prose to the CSB in response to the prompt.

A: You know, I could – there’s always tomorrow…

D: . . .

A: See what I did there, with the—

D: Yes, A. I see.

A: Kill joy.

Well, that’s all for this evening folks – I’ve been a pretty lazy blogger this week. For more outside-world updates, you can catch D and I at Green Embers’ Recommends – we run our shtick on most Fridays and we have some fun ones planned for this Friday. In the meantime, check out GE Recommend’s entertainment reviews – it’s well worth the click!

Twelve Drummers Drumming

On the twelfth day of NaNo, my true muse gave to me

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven snowflakes snowing,

Ten random factoids,

Nine trains a-chugging,

Eight ways of souping,

Seven shows a-sassing,

Six books a-writing,

Five Syllables!

Four pumpkin cakes

Three cough drops

Two cuddly cats

And a family that’s dear to me.

***

I should have known better than to use 12 Days of Christmas as my Non-NaNo anthem – I always get lost around day eight. I suppose it doesn’t help that I also get lost crossing the street – so the two together obviously means I failed to find my way to the computer/blog.

D: But you still managed to haunt Facebook all weekend.

A: Facebook doesn’t require a great deal of thought – just photos, some pithy sayings and cyberstalking – I mean enjoying some of my favorite—

D: Don’t say it. Can we please have a post without Dwarven #majesty?

A: No. The majesty cannot be contained. It must be allowed to flow.

D: You are so strange sometimes.

A: Thank you.

D: So what’s this about souping? Is that even a word?

A: No, but it fit the syllable requirement. Thanks to a week-plus of nothing but soup, the boy went on a diatribe that sounded remarkably similar to Cohen the Barbarian’s lament in Color of Magic

(particularly at 0:58 onward)

D: I see. So the whole household is crazy then, yes?

A: Perhaps.

D: Good to know. And the nine trains?

A: TrainFest. Had to work. Train Guys are pretty cool.

D: And the 10 random factoids?

A: What I call research others may view as procrastination.

D: I see – still having a hard time getting inside Jenny Mallory’s head?

A: Something like that.

D: Just write the bloody thing, A.

A: (Sigh). Yeah. Moving on . . .

YELLOW FLOWERD: Eleven snowflakes snowing?

A: That’s rather self-explanatory, isn’t it? It snowed, D. On November 11 and at roughly 11:11, it started to snow. I’m going to find out who made that wish and—

D: Careful A, you still haven’t quite gotten your strength back. You may just end up giving whoever it was a hug and that just gives out mixed signals.

A: True.

D: And finally, the twelve drummers?

The boy puts together the snare drum from his early Christmas gift . . . only 4 pieces left and a stool . . .
The boy puts together the snare drum from his early Christmas gift . . . only 4 pieces left and a stool . . .

A: Well, it’s more like one awesome kid, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to make enough noise with his very early Christmas gift to sound like 12 drummers.

D: Ah, he can beat the war drum for me any day.

A: Actually, it’s for Jazz Band, but I’ll let him know.

D: You do that, A. So, is this it?

A: It is. The 12 Days of Non-NaNo are over.

D: And what have you learned?

A: That if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard—

D: I mean from blogging A – not from your journey to the Wonderful Land of Oz.

A: Oh. Well then, how about being able to blog about things other than my writing and my topsy-turvy character-rich inner-world.

D: You’re talking about me in that last bit, right?

A: Yes, D.

D: You aren’t planning on eradicating that part, right?

A: (Eye-roll) No, D.

D: Good. Just so we are both clear on that. You couldn’t live without me, anyway.

A: What are you going to do when your books are finally done and out there for the public to enjoy?
D: Well, I was thinking you should retire to someplace warm. I have these aches in my elbows – I’m thinking it’s from the sword – and really, I could do without the early arrival of winter, you know?

A: You are not retiring in my head.

D: Oh, come on, A! You’d miss me if I were gone.

A: . . .

D: You would. Just think about it, A.

A: And the final thing that I learned during my 12 days of Non-NaNo? D is as irrepressible as ever, and never ceases to surprise me. Hope all the NaNos out there are doing well as they approach the mid-way point, and that everyone else is having their own grand time! ‘Night all!

Related Posts

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

 

Seven Swans A-Swimming

On the seventh day of NaNo, my true muse gave to me

Seven shows a-sassing,

Six books a-writing,

Five Syllables!

Four pumpkin cakes

Three cough drops

Two cuddly cats

And a family that’s dear to me.

***

D: Seven shows a-sassing?

A: Do you have something better?

D: Seven Dwarves a-singing?

A: It’s 13 dwarves, D.

D: I did not mean those dwarves, A.

A: So that means you didn’t intend for me to showcase the Desolation of Smaug end credits song here?

D: No.

A: Too late!

D: You have no shame. So tell me about this show that was “a-sassing.” Can a show really sass?

A: You sass, why can’t a show sass?

D: I think you just like the word.

A: Perhaps – it is, after all, you with an “s” added to the front.

D: Me with an “s” added… are you calling me Superman?

A: Seriously?

D: (Grin)

A: (Eye roll) I just spent the last three hours of my life couch-bound and near-voiceless, wheezing and laughing along with Spaced. Totally wacked-out, totally awkward, and totally hilarious.

D: And totally sassy?

A: Now you’re just mocking me.

D: . . . yes. And doing quite well, might I add.

A: Quite. I didn’t look it up, but I’m fairly certain there’s a horror story incorporated into each episode. What can I say? I thought the show was pretty spectacular.

D: Oh well that is simply fascinating (yawn). So I’ll just wander on off –

D: Oh my gods, what was that?!

A: Hm. Sorry. Dragon.

D: . . . . ?

A: I can’t talk well, but he certainly can.

D: Indeed – he launches it pretty well too. I think he singed my cloak.

A: Indeed! (Grin) ‘Night, D.

D: Do I need to be concerned about the Dragon, A?

A: I don’t know what you’re talking about, D – now if you’ll excuse me?

D: No, I don’t think we’re done discussing the Dragon, A. A? A, come back here! Bloody woman!

This is the seventh in a series on my own brand of NaNoWriMo – or rather, my Non-NaNo. Gotta love those dragons! And that sassy show. Stay tuned for what tomorrow will bring in our 30 days of NaNo.

Related Posts

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6