Wednesday in Wyoming - June 29, 2022

 

When I saw this sign on display at the State Museum in downtown Cheyenne, I nodded in agreement.

It's true: the state I now call home is unique.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 22, 2022

 

One of the many attractions at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is the labyrinth, a place for quiet contemplation. And, for those who are prefer to sit rather than walk, several benches provide a tactile labyrinth, allowing visitors to trace the paths with their fingers.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 15, 2022

 

Cheyenne owes its existence to the Union Pacific, so it's not surprising that one of the city's landmarks is the former UP depot. Attached to the depot itself is a small museum named -- again, no surprise -- the Depot Museum.

Inside the museum you'll find numerous photographs and exhibits explaining the railroad's history. Upstairs is a potpourri of fascinating items, including these reminders that at one point, Cheyenne had the only opera house west of the Mississippi. 

If you're ever in Cheyenne, I highly recommend a visit to the depot and its museum.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 8, 2022

 

One of the enjoyable events of summer in Cheyenne is the Laramie County Master Gardeners' garden walk. In addition to beautiful and innovative plantings, some of the gardens have whimsical elements. These made me smile.

Cover Reveal

One of my favorite parts of the publishing process, second only to the day the book releases, is the day I'm able to share the cover art with you. That day is today.

What do you think? I'm thrilled by the cover and believe it's the best one yet, which is saying a lot, since Revell has given me consistently beautiful covers.

After the Shadows is the first in a new series, the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing. As you might guess, the stories all take place in a town called Sweetwater Crossing. And, as you might also guess, that town is in the Texas Hill Country.

So, what's the story about? Here's the description from Revell's sales catalog.

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boarding house, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.

 Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father’s death—and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.

 Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

Are you intrigued? I hope so!

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 1, 2022

 

Goats are famous -- or should I say notorious? -- for eating just about anything. These goats, however, are fussy eaters and prefer noxious weeds. That makes them perfect for environmentally safe weed control, which is why they played a part in the City of Cheyenne's maintenance program for years.

Seeing them and watching the way they devoured even prickly-looking weeds never failed to make me smile. Maybe I should hire one ...

Andrea's Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

 After she saw the blog post about Kathy Flinchum's prize-winning cinnamon rolls, my friend Andrea Dawson told me that she had a different recipe that might appeal to my readers. "It includes oatmeal," she told me. As someone who likes to add oatmeal to various recipes, I was intrigued. I was even more intrigued when I read the recipe, because it reminded me of what my coworkers in Philadelphia called sticky buns.

In case you'd like to try your hand at Andrea's favorite cinnamon rolls, here's the recipe.

Andrea Dawson’s Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

 

Combine in small bowl:

1 pkg yeast

¼ cup warm water

 

Combine in mixing bowl:

1 cup quick oats (not instant)

¾ cup hot milk

½ cup shortening

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 ½ tsp salt

 

Add and mix:

2 eggs

The yeast-water mixture

 

Gradually add:

3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour to make a stiff dough

 

Beat well

 

Cover and let rise until doubled (around 1 ½ hours)

 

While dough is rising:

Combine in 9x13 inch pan:

½ cup maple or maple-flavored syrup

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup melted butter or margarine

1 tbsp water

2/3 cup chopped pecans

 

Combine in small bowl:

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp grated orange rind

 

Once dough has risen, roll out on floured pastry cloth to 12x24 inch rectangle

 

Brush with:

¼ cup melted butter or margarine

 

Sprinkle with brown sugar-cinnamon mixture

 

Roll up, starting with long side

Cut into 1-inch slices and place in prepared 9x13 pan

 

Let rise until doubled (about 1 hour)

 

Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown

 

Cool 1 minute before inverting onto wire rack or serving plate