March 2021 Monthly Letter

Dear Friends,

Hard to believe it’s March. Even though last month we had Ground Hog day, well here we are again.  It dawned on me that all the ground hog really has to do is look at the calendar:  6 more weeks of winter.  I guess the critter needs the job.  The upside is spring is only a few weeks away.

It seems like everyone, no matter where you live, has been hit with volatile weather. That and the pandemic is what I call a one-two punch.  I hope you and your families are “weathering” all the storms and are safe and well.

I got my COVID vaccine—both shots and I am very happy to report I had no side effects from either. My sister and her husband got their hinnies kicked after the second. Funny how everyone has a different reaction.  If you haven’t gotten yours yet, hang in there.  I know there has been a huge effort in getting them out all over the country and the weather hasn’t helped but keep the faith.  Maybe one of these days we’ll be able to see each other’s mouths moving—although sometimes not seeing it is a good thing.

Next month we have Easter.  Did you ever wonder why it’s never the same from one year to the next?  Here’s why—now pay attention:  It is the FIRST Sunday after the FIRST Full Moon AFTER the Equinox (equal hours of daylight and dark).  Follow me with the math.  The Equinox is March 20th.  The first full moon is March 28.  The first Sunday after that is April 4th.  Voila!  Passover is also on its own calendar and this year it’s the weekend of Palm Sunday.  God sure works in mysterious ways.

My fur-family is doing well, as is my human family.  We’re all getting a little stir crazy but with warmer weather coming we’ll be able to go outside again.

My latest book news is Bitter Pill (The Sisterhood) has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for three weeks.  I remember when I wrote the first novel and my publisher in New York almost had a heart attack because it was the polar opposite of the rest of my work.   He was so concerned that my fans would hate it he didn’t want to publish it.  But then a very smart man in the UK bought it and put it out in hardcover.  He sold 7,000 copies in the blink of an eye, and that was a real eyeopener for my New York publisher who now has 32 more New York Times Best Sellers!  So my most heartfelt thanks to my fans who stuck with the series, and the new fans who have jumped onboard.  I still write my traditional novels, but it’s good for the brain to mix it up a bit.  Keeps me on my toes.  This fall we are going to be introducing another new series but more on that down the road.

That’s all I’ve got for now.  Be well.  Be safe.  Be kind.  Keep your sense of humor.  keep reading, and cooking!

We had such a great response to last months’ contest that we will be repeating it for March.  a signed edition of my next hardcover No Way Out coming in April and part of the Mother’s Day promotion at Target.

All the best,

Fern

March 2021 Recipes

If you like avocados, here is a quick and easy recipe for those on the run…or running around chasing kids:
Avocado Spread
(1) Ripe avocado
(2) Tablespoons of Tzatziki Sauce (It’s made with yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, low fat and low calories. ) You can buy it in the grocery store where they have Humus and spreads – Boars’ Head and Cedars make it.
Scoop out the avocado and mash it with the Tzatziki sauce. Eat it out of a bowl or spread it on toast.

Now for Desert:
This is so easy….and impressive when served in a wine glass – balloon size is best.

(1) Premade Devil’s food cake (or make it yourself if you have time)
(2) Pints of vanilla ice cream – let soften
(1) Can of whipped cream
(2) Tablespoons chopped pistachio nuts
Maraschino cherries

Let the ice cream soften as you cut up the cake into bite size pieces.
Layer 2-3 pieces of cake at bottom of glass.
Add a spoonful of ice cream on top
Add 2-3 more pieces of cake
Top with whipped creams, nuts and cherries

OR…you can do it in reverse with Vanilla Lady Fingers and Chocolate ice cream.