Patricia Sands

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A Literary St. Patrick’s Day Parade ~ Sunday, March 14

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COME GET YOUR IRISH ON WITH US!

 On Sunday, March 14 Annie and Nola of The Write Review have planned a literary St. Patrick’s Day Parade featuring dozens of authors (many of them Irish), Irish music, and general Irish fun. We’ll be hopping on the hour to eight different Facebook Groups.  Check out this line up:

9am EST – The Write Reviewer’s Book Club

“Irish Tea & Trivia”Nola and Annie chat with Robert Gwaltney & Heidi Daniele

10am EST – Linda’s Book Obsession

“Irish Spirits! Ghosts or in the Glass?”Georgina Cross, Valerie Keogh, Jenny O’Brien, Jennifer Anne Gordon, NIcole Mabry, Pam Lecky, & Steph Mullen

11am EST – Sue’s Reading Neighborhood

“Irish in your DNA or your Characters?” Susan Peterson, Olive Collins, Barbara Linn Probst, Rachel Ryan, Meredith O’Brien, & Joe Palmer

12Noon EST – The Write Reviewer’s Book Club

“Lunch Time Literary Chat” Claire Fullerton in conversation with Billy O’Callaghan

1 pm EST – Bookish Road Trip

“Travels in Ireland: Real and Imagined” Julie Valerie, Mary Helen Sheriff, Libby Carty McNamee, Emma Murray, Judy Leigh & Heather Frese

2pm EST – Prose and the Pandemic

“Strong Female Irish Women” Eileen Sanchez, Meryl Ain, Valerie Taylor, Joy Ross Davis, Ann Brazil, & Jessica Redland

3pm EST – Blue Sky Book Chat

“Green Drinks & Irish Words” Patricia Sands, Lisa Braxton, Alison Ragsdale, Peggy Lampman, Lainey Cameron, Soraya Lane, Rhys Bowen, & Orna Ross

4pm EST – ALL CLUBS “We are all Irish Today Cèilidh” LIVE Irish Music with author Laura Kemp’s band, Si Bheag Si Mhor out of Sturgis, MI, USA

5pm EST – Bookworms Anonymous

“Irish Poetry & Prose” Kayleigh Wilkes, Daniel Wade, Tom Phelan, David Hopes, Echo Garrett, Kevin Garrett & Connor Garrett

6pm EST – Reading is My Passion

“Irish Pub or Castles?” Eoin Dempsey, Jennifer Deibel, RJ Lee, Steve Manchester & Elissa Dickey

7pm EST – The Write Reviewer’s Book Club

“Get Lucky at O’Malley’s Pub” (what happens at the pub stays at the pub) The After Party ~ Annie, Nola, Mike Eberhardt, Gregory Phillips, & Chris Humphreys

THANK YOU TO MARY HELEN SHERIFF FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THIS BLOG POST! maryhelensheriff.com

International Women’s Day 2021

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#ChooseToChallenge

March 8, is globally recognized as International Women’s Day. This year’s theme #ChooseToChallenge. Click here for the official United Nations website with more history and information.

This day means different things to different people. For some it’s a celebration, for others it’s a call to action to accelerate gender parity, and for many it’s an opportunity to align and promote relevant activity. Whatever your objective, International Women’s Day is the perfect moment for gender-focused action.

Leaders across the world are pledging to take action as champions of gender parity. 

Today I would like to share part of a previous post of mine and honour a dear departed friend whose legacy will endure. One piece of it is this outstanding collection of photographs of women around the world, compiled by Toronto’s own JourneyWoman, Evelyn Hannon. This is a stunning celebration of women uniquely contributing to their communities.

Click right here and be sure to continue through all five pages of photos. You will be very glad you did. That’s a promise!

Evelyn-Hannon

 Evelyn shared her thoughts on the project at the time:  “As I add the finishing touches to our ‘2016 Journeywoman International Woman’s Day Photography Exhibit,’ I dedicate this year’s compilation to all daughters and granddaughters wherever they live in this great big world. My hope is that with time this young generation of females will bring us closer to a place of equal opportunity for women and for men. As Mothers, Aunts, and Grandmothers we believe in them and will do everything we can to support them.”

Evelyn’s decades of groundbreaking work are being carried on today by others and you can continue to follow Journeywoman on Facebook.

In this photo collection, each is a study in itself, but was there one in particular that stood out for you?

This eye-catching study was taken by my friend, Carol Perehudoff, a.k.a luxury blogger, Wandering Carol. I keep waiting for the image to start moving. Unforgettable!

carol-perehudoff-wandering-carol

Celebrate women today and every day. All ages. All nationalities. We are in this together.

Sweet or savoury?

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By Patricia Sands February 2, 2021

It may be Groundhog Day where you are, but in France today it is all about crêpes!

Sweet or savoury?

Now that we’ve finished celebrating January in France by eating la galette des rois, the king’s cake, it’s time to sweep away those crumbs and haul out the crêpes pan!

French-Candlemas-La-Chandeleur-Crêpe-Day

February 2nd, is La Chandeleur, Fête des Lumières,  Jour des Crêpes. You might know it as Candlemas.

Churches will celebrate the tradition of the lighting of candles.

Then it will be all about … what else, this IS France … food!

Crêpes and cidre. Unlike our apple cider, this drink has a touch of alcohol.

The day is often accompanied by fortune telling and in many kitchens, crêpes are flipped in the air with the pan in one hand and a coin in the other. If the crêpe lands back in the pan, the year will be a prosperous one. Children hold their breath in anticipation!

Similar to our North American, Groundhog Day, there’s a prediction about winter. “Rosée à la Chandeleur, hiver à sa dernière heure.” If  there is dew at dawn, winter will soon be over.

As the French do so well, the day is a fun-filled, family time. If you’re tempted to celebrate your own Jour des Crêpes, they are delicious and light  and easy to make. Click right here for a recipe.

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There are crêpe stands or crêperies everywhere in France and today, as well as through the weekend, there will be few people not enjoying this simple and delicious food with a filling of choice ~ sweet or savoury.  Crêpes have a history that goes back to Biblical times and in France, Britanny is said to have established the true crêpe recipe.

Get in line right here! Bon appétit!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gypy4R2hj00?feature=oembed

If you are in Paris today, visit Craig Carlson’s Breakfast in America Diner, @pancakesinparis on Instagram, where I bet he is whipping up crêpes for takeout! 🇫🇷

Have you ever made crêpes? Which do you prefer, the French crêpe or it’s slightly heavier English cousin, the pancake? Are you a fan of sweet or savoury?

Here’s what  The Good Life France has to say about French traditions on February 2nd.

Bon appétit!

Online Auction today! January 16, 2021

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Have fun today and bid on items in the online auction to raise funds for the non-profit PAT CONROY LITERARY CENTER. THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and part of our #pulpwoodqueensgirlfriendweekend . Here’s what I donated and there are other tempting items! Check it out!

40 AMAZING items and services are now listed on the auction site. Many thanks to all of the talented authors, artists, and presenters who have contributed to the auction! Have a look at www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/PQ-PCLC2021-19645 

Another fine example … donated by interviewer/reviewer extraordinaire, Annie McDonnell of The Write Review!

MANY THANKS TO KATHY L. MURPHY, the fearless leader of #thepulpwoodqueens for the many hours of organizing that have gone into this enormous literary event! Although the weekend required a ticket to participate, this auction is open to the public and who does not love the work of the late Pat Conroy? Thanks for your support!