Happy December, everyone! Can you believe we are already closing out another year? I sure can’t
Here’s a recap at what’s been happening at Books by Rose the last month or so.
“Name That Book Contest”
I ran my contest for 4 weeks, so we had 4 winners. They will get their choice of a copy of any one of my books here on my Amazon page ► Amazon Page
Thank you to all who participated!
And the Winners Are…
And The Answers Are:
Clues for Week 1
*Dog searches for his home – “Beasley’s Journey”
*Dog and friends help each other out – “Beasley and Friends to the Rescue”
*Dog solves an issue – “Beasley Helps”
Clues for Week 2
*Girls visit the “Land of Something to Do” – “Maggie, Millie and Merrie’s Magical Adventure.”
*Girls shop for “Something Magical” – “Maggie, Millie and Merrie’s Magical Coins.”
*Girls receive a “Magical Delivery” – “Maggie, Millie and Merrie’s Mystery Mail.”
Clues for Week 3
*A Trolley’s life – “Sherman the Shopping Cart A Search and Find”
*A boy and his dog – “A Search and Find of Every Kind with Jake and his Dog named Cain”
*A girl who loves nature – “Stella and the Four Seasons”
Clues for Week 4:
A Girl Writes in a Journal to her Cat – “Just Between Sam and Me”
A Girl Who Loves the Glowing Shine – “Moonshadow Mae”
Two Boys and Their Adventures – “Avi and Jackson Best Friends”
I hope everyone had fun with my contest. I did learn a few things over the past four weeks about this contest. I think everyone was afraid they would give the answers away. Next time I run something like this, I’ll have them inbox me. Another thing I will try, is to break up the titles clues over time. I hope this helps anyone reading this for their future contests. I don’t know about you, but I’m always learning new ways, aren’t you?
“Saturday Business Support”
In the month of December, watch for this poster on my “Books by Rose” Facebook page. You will enjoy meeting and hearing about 5 new businesses each Saturday until the end of December. We have some fun ones coming up so I hope you’ll tune in each Saturday.
December Celebration Recipes
If you have been following my blog for sometime now, you will remember these favorite recipes that are always made at our home.
Our Favorite Christmas Eve Dinner
Velveeta Chicken
Here’s the basic recipe, but I always double it for our crowd. Plus, they love the leftovers.
1 large chicken, cooked, deboned and cut into bite size pieces.
1 box of chicken flavored stuffing, prepared according to directions
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 can of milk
1/4 block of Velveeta Cheese, sliced thin
Instructions:
Place the cut up chicken in an 9 x 12, sprayed pan
In a sauce pan, add soup, milk, and sliced cheese. Stir over low heat until blended and cheese is melted. Add a splash of milk if it seems too thick. (You will want a mixture that resembles pancake batter consistency.)
Meanwhile, prepare the box of stuffing according to the directions.
Spoon the cheesy soup mixture over the chicken.
Add stuffing to the top in an even layer.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until bubbly hot.
Mounds Coconut Bars
These mounds bars are so yummy and rich everyone will enjoy!
You’ll need:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (Use fat free, you will not notice the difference.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter or margarine. Mix and pat into the bottom of one 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes.
Add the chocolate chips, then the flaked coconut to the crust.
Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes, or until slightly brown on top.
While still hot, run a knife a around the edge. This will help you later when slicing them up.
Cool before cutting into small 1 inch squares.
That’s All For Now
What are your December plans? We’d love to hear from you.
Wishing you all a wonderful, safe and happy holiday season.
As always,
Happy Reading!
Rosie
Love your December update Rosie. We are waiting for the good weather to arrive here in New Zealand – it has been hot, humid and VERY rainy! I like these author tips on running a competition, thanks!
Hi Julie, thanks for stopping by.
We are starting our winter as you go into your spring and summer. That always amazes me . 🙂
I hope the tips will be helpful for you the next time you try to run a contest. Interesting what we learn through these things, right?
Have a wonderful week!
Hi Rosie, I watched your competition with interest but didn’t enter as I am not in the US. Always great to see your ideas and what you might do to change them next time. I think it’s great the way you promote your books and other businesses. keep up the great work. Merry Christmas xx
Hi Sandra, thank you so much for watching my contest. 🙂 I wish I could run these worldwide, but most understand the high shipping.
I had fun with my contest and learned a lot of different things. One new thing I did, was run it for a week at a time. I’ve always felt in the past, viewers don’t see things in just a few days, or maybe don’t get a chance to get on to answer. That part was also less stress for me, ha.
I hope you’ll stop by on Saturdays to meet some new business owners. I sure have met some wonderful people through doing this.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family, Sandra!
Love the creative ideas you come up with to promote and share your wonderful children’s books. And the way you support fellow authors with your small business posts. I don’t bake much but am tempted by your mounds bar recipe!
Hi Julie, thank you for your kind words. I have fun with these contests, even though they do take some time to manage.
I hope you’ll get a chance to check out my Saturday businesses posts. I will feature new ones until the end of this year. I’m met some amazing people with such talent.
Our guys love the mounds bars. They are rich, so you almost have to make them for a crowd.
Have a wonderful December, Julie.