Tarot Tuesday: Two of Swords

Hope you've been enjoying Tarot Tuesday and thank you for returning for another week.

The Card:

Two of Swords

Twos mean conflict or balance; choices; relationships
Swords often represent mental compatibility, thinking, intellect, or conflict
In a deck of playing cards, the suit of Swords would be similar to the suit of Spades

Meaning (Upright):

head in the sand; not wanting to face your problems/troubles -- this can be dangerous; intuition unclear; may need to take actions; unable to resolve conflict; conflict on multiple levels; unsure what to do; indecision; need new approach; emotions involved and make it difficult to decide.

Meaning (Reversed):

unaware of problems/troubles and don't want to face them; not as hopeless as it appears; not using intuition or trusting "gut"; focus is on physical not mental -- afraid of new information/knowledge; hidden enemies at work; can make decisions, but use care; things moving quickly; give self time to think before committing; don't talk until you're sure you're dealing with the right person; be sure before you decide.

Dragon Tarot Deck created and illustrated by Peter Pracownik
Published by US Games, Inc

The Lovers Tarot Deck Designed by Jane Lyle
Published by Thomas Dunne Books

Steampunk Tarot Deck Designed by Barbara Moore,
Illustrated by Aly Fell, Published by Llewellyn Worldwide 2012

If the Two of Swords appears in your reading...

Beware if you get the two of swords in a reading. Take a close look at the situation or the question you're asking about, you could be intentionally ignoring what's right in front of you. This card may be telling you to pay attention, quit waiting and take the action necessary.

Extra:

Three twos mean you need to organize or get organized

Four twos mean this is a traumatic period in your life

Here's the disclaimer: I have to stress, I am not an expert in the Tarot and I use them for myself and friends (and my characters) to help answer questions about situations and the future.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day.
Q

Food Fun Friday: Lemon Spritz Cookies

Welcome back to Food Fun Friday. I feel like I've been focusing on desserts, but considering how much I enjoy sweets, it's only reasonable I pay lots of attention to it. But I do promise, I'll be posting recipes for main dishes.

About a week ago, I got the munchies while watching my Saturday night programs, and I only had just enough stuff to make one of my favorite late night treat -- Lemon Spritz Cookies

Delicious Lemon Spritz Cookies

I didn't quite follow the recipe because I was missing some of the ingredients, but they still came out great.

Ingredients:

1 c butter, softened (I used shortening)
2/3 c sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 1/4 c flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp lemon extract

I like a little more flavor in my cookies so I added: 

1 tsp vanilla 
1 tsp lemon juice

these are optional so you don't have to add them unless you want to.

the dough

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream butter; mix in sugar and egg. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. 
Roll dough into a log and refrigerate for thirty minutes. (I didn't do this because I was too hungry to wait) 

the cookie press

Place dough into cookie press and use the design you like best. Press cookies onto an ungreased cookie sheet, sprinkle with decorations, if desired.

I like the stars, but many cookie presses
 have over a dozen shapes from
hearts to Christmas trees

If you want to make them during the holidays, you can add a few drops of food coloring to make the cookies more festive.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges turn golden brown.

yummy finished product

Spritz cookies can be made with or without the lemon extract. You can use almond extract, cinnamon, even pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg. The spritz cookies taste great with hot chocolate, tea, or coffee.

Enjoy!

Tarot Tuesdays: Justice (XI)

Okay, so I decided to make Tarot Tuesday a weekly thing instead of a bi-weekly thing.

Here comes the disclaimer: I have to stress, I am not an expert in the Tarot and I use them for myself and friends (and my characters) to help answer questions about situations and the future.

Today's Card:

Justice (XI)

This card is the twelfth card in the Major Arcana (The Fool (0) is unnumbered and messes it all up. LOL) Anyway, the Justice card is often symbolized by the scales.
Think of this card as and indication of balance (or unbalance) in a situation.

Meaning (Upright):

Someone has made a fair and honest decision; don't be influenced by persuasion; learn by past experiences to do what you feel is best; right decision has been made; balance; wanting justice in business or personal matters; unfair treatment causes resentment and frustration; old Karma removed by kindness and caring.

Meaning (Reversed):

injustice; possible loss; feeling inadequate and unable to change the situation; cannot change the fact that someone has taken advantage of you; stop worrying and focus energy on something new; accept this Karmic lesson and go your own way; imbalance; legal complications; uncompromising attitudes are all around you; may fail due to overconfidence; lack of balance due to unfair practices.

Dragon Tarot Deck created and illustrated by Peter Pracownik
Published by US Games, Inc

The Lovers Tarot Deck designed by Jane Lyle
Published by Thomas Dunne Books

Steampunk Tarot Deck Designed by Barbara Moore,
Illustrated by Aly Fell, Published by Llewellyn Worldwide 2012

If you receive the Justice (XI) card in a reading, it means no matter how much you might want things to be different, the situation isn't going to change. This applies to the question you're asking. Something -- the powers that be -- has looked at the situation and decided its good as-is. Best bet, learn from the experience and apply it when necessary. Pay attention to your own actions and make sure you're acting honestly with those around you.

Thank you for stopping around today.
Have a great day!
Q

Tarot Tuesday: Seven of Swords

Welcome back to Tarot Tuesday.

This is repetitious, but I want to stress again, I am not an expert in the Tarot and I use them for myself and friends (and my characters) to help answer questions about situations and the future.

Today's Card:

Seven of Swords

Sevens represent change and swords are associated with mental compatibility thinking, intellect, and conflict.

Meaning (Upright):

The path is temporarily full of troubles and problems; problems in relationships; a feeling of being cheated; wanting new experiences, but gaining them dishonestly. WARNING! possible accident or breakdown; plans may not work out; sheer bad luck; one thing after another goes wrong.

Meaning (Reversed):

No victory with problems; stagnancy; jealousy of others' success; no faith or trust in self; unhappy relationship that seems permanent; self destructive tendencies; listen for possible help or advice being offered; not all that bad; something of yours will be returned; don't let pride stand in the way.

Dragon Tarot Deck created and illustrated by Peter Pracownik
Published by US Games, Inc

The Lovers Tarot Deck Designed by Jane Lyle
Published by Thomas Dunne Books

Steampunk Tarot Deck Designed by Barbara Moore,
Illustrated by Aly Fell, Published by Llewellyn Worldwide 2012

If the seven of swords appears in a reading it could indicate that the path ahead of you is going to have problems temporarily. Be careful of the temptation to gain experience through dishonest means. The chances your plans will not work out is high and you should be careful, because the potential for a breakdown or accident is there. The seven of swords is a warning card for you. You should pay attention at this time and make sure any plans you have you've gone through all the details carefully and know where a hitch might arise.

Thank you for stopping by today. Have a great afternoon!
Q

Food Fun Friday: Mint-Fudge Brownies

Welcome back to Food Fun Friday. I'm enjoying posting my recipes. Hopefully you're enjoying them as well.

In the last two posts I shared my Mango-Peach-Jalapeno jam. Today, I'm indulging in my favorite food--chocolate.

Andes Mint Chips &
Hershey's Mint Truffle Kisses

I'm not so great at making brownies from scratch so I use the box mixes, but I like to add to stuff. This time I had some Andes mint chips and some left over Hershey's Mint Truffle Kisses.

Ingredients
(note the cool science experiment in the
measuring cup--water is heavier than oil)

Here's the recipe:

1 package brownie mix

1 egg

1/4 c oil

1/4 c water

12 oz. Andes mint chips

8-10 Hershey's Mint Truffle Kisses

Following the ingredients and instructions on the mix these were the steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of the pan (I used an 6 x 9 one).

before

after

In a bowl, stir together brownie mix, egg, water, and oil. 

Pour 1/2 the batter into the bottom of the pan, sprinkle the mint chips over the batter then top with the remainder of the batter.

mint chips over the batter

Slice the mint truffle kisses and lay them on the top of the second layer of batter.

Mint Truffle Kisses (YUM!)

Bake for the time given on the mix box. (I baked it for 35 minutes) Let it cool then cut and enjoy!!

I like a fudgier type of brownie

Delicious!

I like the mint flavor that melts into the brownies.

I think though, that I'll be buying one of those brownie pans that have the insert so all the brownies have the edges...I love the edges.

Enjoy!

Romancing The Hop: What Makes BDSM Romantic?

When I decided to participate in the Romancing the Hop blog hop, I was drawn by the subject of the hop -- Romance. I've always read, but romance has been my favorite genre since I read my first one when I was twelve. It's not just the happily ever after that gets me. It's the relationship developed between the main characters and their self-awareness. And yes, my interest in romance eventually led to my writing it.

I write romance.

I write erotic romance.

I write BDSM erotic romance.

I write BDSM erotic romance.

I write erotic romance.

I write romance.

I sometimes think I should adopt this as my personal mantra. Whether repeated forwards or in reverse order, to me, romance is the key. It can be found in a butterfly soft kiss, the touch of a hand, the smack of a paddle, or the crack of a whip. Whichever way the emotional connection is established and communicated between two individuals, it reflects two things: Trust and Respect.

Trust and respect. It seems like a simple enough equation: Trust + Respect = Love/Romance. I mean, a person has to trust and respect themselves before they can love themselves. And a person has to love themselves before they can actually love another. At least that's the theory, right?

That's what I find so cool about writing romance. Sometimes an author runs across a character that hasn't discovered how lovable they are. It takes the trust and respect shown to them by someone else to trigger those same emotions in themselves. The happily ever after doesn't come until the the characters trust and respect themselves to love and be loved.

I think this need for trust and respect for oneself and others is what draws me to writing kink. In BDSM, trust and respect are important components of a power exchange relationship. The Dominant must trust and respect the ability of the submissive to make rational, informed, and reasonable decisions on what s/he will participate in. At the same time, the submissive has to trust and respect that the Dominant is capable of doing the same. Add romance to the mix and the stakes can be upped. Due to the inherent need for trust and respect between the participants, readers can more clearly visualize the growing emotions between characters.

So, when some people ask "What makes BDSM romantic?" or "How can getting spanked be romantic?" I point out trust and respect.

Now, on to the part everyone is really interested in -- the contests.

Romancing the Hop has three great prizes, you only need to leave a comment on any of the 207 blogs participating. The more you comment the more chances you have to win. Make sure you leave your email address in your comment so you can be included in the drawing. No email, no entry.

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

My contest is similar. Same rule -- no email, no entry. Leave a comment with your email in it. I'm giving away a messenger bag, with a felt sleeve for a computer (max size for sleeve is 15.5"), a pen, Diablo Blanco Club sticky notes, and a key chain wallet. Here's a picture of my prize:

Click on the Romancing the Hop picture to go to the list of other blogs participating. You have until September 3, 2012 to enter. I'll announce the winner of my prize here and on my Facebook page on Tuesday, September 4th.

Enjoy and Good Luck!!

Q

Tuesday Tarot: The Devil (XV)

Welcome to another Tuesday Tarot.

Again, I have to stress, I am not an expert in the Tarot and I use them for myself and friends (and my characters) to help answer questions about situations and the future.

The Card:

The Devil (XV)
The Devil is card number fifteen in the Major Arcana.
It is representative of materialism and deception, those negative aspects associated with character of the Devil.

When you draw a Major Arcana card it is important that you pay attention to it. Kinda like a "hey look at this!" moment that warns you that you need to pay attention to the events surrounding you.

Meaning (Upright):

Fear, evil influences at work; division within self; wrapped up in material pursuits; journey in life is off course; miserable existence; greed--need for success at any cost; not facing the truth; wasting energy in over indulgences; waste of creative talents.

Meaning (Reversed):

The same as upright, but not as severe; indecision causes weakness; respond quickly now that you've seen the light; free yourself from past habits; reduced selfishness or greed; face reality; accept responsibility; using talents in good ways.

Dragon Tarot Deck created and illustrated by Peter Pracownik
Published by US Games, Inc

The Lovers Tarot Deck Designed by Jane Lyle
Published by Thomas Dunne Books

Steampunk Tarot Deck Designed by Barbara Moore,
Illustrated by Aly Fell, Published by Llewellyn Worldwide 2012

The Devil (XV) In A Reading:

If you were to draw The Devil (XV) upright when doing a reading for yourself you should be aware it indicates that your current path isn't the right one for you. It could mean you are wasting your talents and striving for fame without paying attention to the consequences of your actions.

If this card shows up in your reading take the time to evaluate your situation. Examine all the information and be cautious in your decision making until you can be positive you're dealing with right people.