Bowling, Escalation.

Bowling went pretty well for me yesterday, not so for Matt nor for the only other member of our team who turned up. I felt quite chuffed. Especially as I did so badly last Thursday. The woman who ran, but didn’t own, our previous bowling alley called in today. Nice to see her, but as she is primarily there, I believe, to make sure we all know she is still planning to build a new alley, we felt she shouldn’t really come in to Towne Bowl. Obviously she wants us all back if she and her hubby do get a new alley going, but I think quite a few people like Towne Bowl so much they won’t move. There are at least 7 people I could name straight away.

Today Stephen Tremp announced the release date for his third book, Escalation. It will be on March 10. It is the last book in his trilogy which is based on the premise of the existence of usable wormholes. His ideas are pretty scary and from what he is writing about book three, I think things will get scarier yet. Apparently this book is very far reaching and will include the possibility of a third world war as well as the ability of aliens to visit us through these wormholes which are being used so carelessly. As far as I am aware, nobody has yet come up with such a thing, but I had never realised what wormholes could lead to, pun intended.

Have to get going this morning as I have my diabetes blood test at 8:20 a.m. Fasting for 12 hours before hand. Luckily, these days I can make an appointment, much better than the days when one had to turn up at 6:30 ish in the hopes of being first in line when the doors opened at 7.

Here’s a very simple snacking recipe, especially if you are watching your weight. I have seen cream cheese in celery before, but never the addition of olive slices or, as also suggested, pickled jalapenos. These are 62 calories a serving. I have celery on my shopping list this week anyway, and I certainly have olives. No Neufchatel but I do have Philly cheese.

Frogs on a Log

From EatingWell:  January/February 2011

Give this childhood treat a savory twist by swapping the peanut butter and raisins for cream cheese and olives. For a spicy snack, try chopped pickled jalapenos instead of olives.

1 serving

Ingredients

• 1 stalk celery
• 1 tablespoon reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel)
• 5 pimiento-stuffed green olives, sliced

Preparation

1. Spread celery with cream cheese. Top with olives.

Have a great day

Escalation

I am delighted to help with the cover reveal for blogger buddy Stephen Tremp’s latest novel in his trilogy.  I read and enjoyed both of the first two books and will certainly be adding this to my library when it is released. I have published everything Stephen sent me for your information.

Escalation Synopsis:

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones” - Albert Einstein

In Escalation, the final installment to Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Trilogy, a seemingly innocent discovery in Einstein-Rosen Bridges, or wormholes, becomes a Pandora’s Box—opening doors to other unexpected and unpredictable realities such as parallel universes, time/space travel, and an evil hitchhiker from another dimension.

Chase Manhattan has survived attempts on his life from numerous sources in his effort to destroy the technology. But he is far from safe. Now Chase and his comrades must not only break world renowned physicist Professor Nicholas Fischer out of prison a second time, but also smuggle him across hostile borders in Europe and the Middle East to prevent events threatening to spiral into World War III.

At stake: an end to Western civilization as we know it. The result: an epic clash where science and the supernatural take center stage, vying for mankind’s destiny. The setting is global as the world divides into an East vs. West climactic battle. The action is swift, adrenaline-charged, and non-stop. Unending twists and turns will keep the reader turning pages and wanting more.

Together, Breakthrough, Opening, and Escalation follow the lives of the unlikely participants from innocence to a coming of age through sacrifice, betrayal, passion, lust, unconditional love, and hope. Escalation will appeal to fans of modern-day science fiction, action, and horror.

Escalation Short Synopsis:

Together, Breakthrough, Opening, and Escalation follow the lives of the unlikely participants from innocence to a coming of age through sacrifice, betrayal, passion, lust, unconditional love, and hope. Escalation will appeal to fans of modern-day science fiction, action, and horror.

Other Blurbs:

ESCALATION: an epic clash where science and the supernatural take center stage for mankind’s destiny. The setting is global and the adrenaline-charged action is non-stop.

ESCALATION is cued from current world events and scientific breakthroughs. Great cover, plot, editing, and reviews. Wormholes too!

ESCALATION speaks to our generation with its technological breakthroughs and struggle to use for good or for evil.

This recipe was posted on Facebook last week and I couldn’t resist it. It turns out the recipe is from a  blog called Noble Pig and was first published in 2009. You can, of course, get a smaller wheel of brie, available in most good stores, and adjust your sauce accordingly.


Kahlua-Pecan-Brown Sugar Baked Brie
Source: Kathy at The Noble Pig

1 whole wheel of Brie (Costco sells a 19 ounce Brie wheel which is perfect for this recipe)
1 cup Kahlua
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup chopped pecans (I left mine whole because I like they way they look)
Accompaniment: crackers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Start by carefully slicing the rind off the top of the Brie wheel, but do not remove completely.  Bake for 15 minutes.  When the Brie is done baking, the top can be easily removed to expose the creamy cheese.
While the Brie is baking, in a medium saucepan, bring Kahlua and brown sugar to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until a syrupy consistency is made.  Throw the pecans in for 2 minutes at the end to warm them through and completely cover with the sauce.
Remove the Brie from the oven (removing top rind) and pour Kahlua sauce over the Brie. 
Serve warm with crackers.

Have a great day