My snowy view.

Like today. Just look at the snowy view outside my office window! This is serious winter-writing-weather! Today was a day for serving hot coco to rosy-cheeked children and warm French Onion Soup eaten by the fireplace. We even made time to whip up some snow-cream (yes, ice cream made of snow!). I have half a dozen emails to answer and a woefully neglected blog. But I sat by this window for most of this day, laptop in hand, approaching the end of a first draft, watching my kids build snow forts and snow men.

Sure, I look forward to spring. But for writers who love to cozy up, this wintery day was perfect.

Want to whip up some snow-cream for yourself? Here’s what I did:

Snow-Cream

One cup half-and-half

One teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup sugar

6 heaping cups of fluffy snow

Combine vanilla and half-and-half. While one child is stirring the snow, have another pour in the half-and-half mixture, and have yet another child sprinkle in the sugar. You’ll know when it’s ready. Enjoy!

If you think these look like black cherry tomatoes marinating in white balsamic vinegar and homegrown herbs, you’re right!

Our family goes on vacation every summer, and inevitably my tomato plants wait until I’m gone  to go to fruit. But I do love coming home to the tasty bounty! And the fact that I’m actually stirring up this dish in my kitchen is a sure sign that I’ve begun to dig myself out of the post-vacation fall-out. Not only is the laundry done, but school uniforms are bought. Not only are school supplies bought, I’ve already marched the children back to the start of classes. Not only have I cleaned up the house after said children’s summer mess, but the luggage is back in the attic. Not only have I proof-read the first-pass pages of GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN, I’m writing a blog post, at last!

The purpose of this post? To announce that I finally drew the winner for my cover reveal giveaway! I’ll be sending one lucky blog commenter a pair of sterling silver pearl drop earrings soon! And since response to my Facebook post announcing the cover reveal was so robust, I drew a second winner from the commenters there! Winners will hear from me this week!

But since it’s tomato season, I’ll also share the simple recipe for this dish!

Marci’s Bruschetta

2 cups diced tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes

2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1 chopped garlic clove

kosher salt to taste

I serve this on toast if I’ve used diced tomatoes, but I served these little guys on a bed of cooked quinoa tonight! Enjoy!