Yesterday I went to the kick off event of the Washington Loves Romance online book club. (You should join!) The event took place at a fun bar/restaurant in Arlington, VA. The Amazing Avery Flynn organized the event. We got a great turn out of writers and readers. I know you love when I name drop, so I will. Here you go, get ready to squee at the amount of talent in one room:

Besides Avery Flynn (Who is this month’s book club selection), Rebecca York, Sally MacKenzie, Hope Tarr, Kristen Callihan, Miranda Kenneally, Kathleen Gilles Seidel, Hope Ramsay, Carlene Love Flores, Amanda Brice, Nicky Pentilla, Kimberly Kincaid (whom you don’t know yet, but you will! Go check out her novella coming soon), Michelle Willingham, Alexa Egan and so many more, I know I’m forgetting someone.

I know I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, Romance writers as a body are supportive and generous with their friendship and experience. Rumor has it all writers organizations are not as fabulous. I count myself lucky to be part of the Washington Romance Writers.

If you were there and I missed you because of the crush of the crowd, comment so I can recognize you!

-Lynne

Well, Valentine’s Day is here again. It’s the most polarizing holiday of the year, don’t you think? Some people really love it, some people hate it, and yeah, there’s some people in the middle who don’t care, but whatever. It’s a holiday designed for couples to declare their love to the world, for jewelers, card companies and chocolatiers to have their highest sales. I’m spending this Valentine’s Day with my hubby and my kids. It ‘s fine, really, but while couples are going out out to drop a fortune on prix fixe meals, we’re going to my kids’ school for a science fair. (religious day schools of a certain persuasion don’t do the Saint Valentine thing).

So, if you couldn’t go out with your Honey on Valentine’s Day, here are 10 things to say to make it up to him:

1. Honey, let’s watch a game on the massive sports cable package I got you. Oh, the football season is over? That’s okay, we can watch last year’s season in reruns. Here, I even ironed your jersey. 
2. You farted? No, don’t apologize. I can’t smell a thing. 
3. No, I’m not looking at the GPS on my phone. I trust you know where you’re going. A few minutes late is no biggie. I’m pretty sure the invitation said 7:30, not 7:00. (Okay, this does drive me crazy. Does your husband know every “short” cut in town that seems to take twenty additional minutes with the added bonus of car sickness thanks to all the turns and loop-de-loops. Why do men do this? I have no idea. Maybe they do: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/just-listen/201005/why-men-dont-ask-directions-self-analysis
4. And speaking of cars… I traded in the minivan for a two seater sports car! Our kids are totally old enough to take the bus alone.
5. You were right yelling at that dude. He should’ve noticed your leg sticking out of the booth. Can I get you another beer?
6. It’s okay. My parents will understand you had plans with your friends. You go out to the sports bar. I’ll host the dinner.
7. Flowers? On Valentine’s Day? Don’t be silly. They jack up the price. All I want is a kiss.
8. Do you need me to hit the bank to get you some singles for your guys’ weekend in Vegas?
9. You want me on my knees? I’d love to. Just toss me a pillow. 
10. You’re going on a business trip on my birthday? For two weeks? Hmm, no problem, just order me one of these : Adam and Eve vibrators.*  before you go. Remember to email me some hot pix of you, so I can be <ahem> inspired.

*This post was brought to you by the lovely folks at Adam and Eve.

Don’t call ‘em hash browns. Potato Pancake is acceptable, but for those in the know, December is all about Latkes! pronunciation: Lot-Kuz

Jews around the world break out the buckets of oil during Hanukah to commemorate the miracle of light. In the U.S., latkes rule. Sufganiot (Jelly donuts) are Israeli tradition. My family does both. This Sunday, I’ll spend the day peeling and processing potatoes. The donuts we’ll buy.

Tips to making great Latkes:

1. Get the right potato. Some are too watery I tend to use good old Idahos. Sweet potato rock also, but that’s for the 7th night. First night is all about tradition.

2. Peel around 6 potatoes & 2 yellow onions then quickly get them in the food processor on the grate blade.

3. Quickly dump the shreds into a colander and start pressing out the water.

4. switch your food processor over to the knife and dump the shredded potatoes & onions back in. Pulse it for a few until the mixture is more mushy, but NOT soupy.

5. Add in an egg, matzoh meal, salt & pepper to taste. I suppose you could add flour, but again, it’s all about tradition. (Cue the fiddles)

6. You started your oil heating between step 3 & 4, right? Oh, well do that. I don’t use a shallow frying pan. I use a large pan with straight edges: http://store.calphalon.com/calphalon-tri-ply-stainless-steel-5-qt-saute-pan-with-cover/298996 Here’s the pan I use.

7. Grab a slotted spoon & scoop up some of the potato mixture. squeeze some water out with your hands. (Latke making is hard work & messy) I also flatten the mixture in the spoon and tilt it into the oil. Repeat, leaving room in the pan for the latkes not to touch.

Tip from my Grandma: Do Not flip the latkes more than once!

Once you determine, it’s done, pull the pancake out of the oil and drop onto a plate covered in papertowels you have waiting. Your house will smell like a McDonalds for a few days, but it’s SOOO worth it.

Get your apple sauce or sour cream ready and serve!

I’m serving on a jury today. Well, actually I don’t know if I’m serving yet. Right now it’s in wait & see mode. I know a lot of people do anything to get out of serving, and I certainly have in the past.

Today, I’m feeling patriotic. We spent the summer watching Libya, Egypt, Afghanistan & Syria fight for democracy and freedoms we take for granted. I look at North Korea and China and guess that people there aren’t getting a fair trial by a jury of their peers.

What a privilege to live in a country that touts a fair trial for all citizens as a basic right. So I’ll stop whinging and do my day or days of service.

But I find I’m curious about other democratic countries that have a fair legal process? Is there such a thing as Jury duty? I know I have readers around the world, so come out of hiding and say hi. And tell me, do you have to serve on juries? What is the process?