Archives for September 2007

Sep 28, 2007

The Author Couldn’t Be Happier!

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Ah, the writing life is wonderful! Going to the post office has become my major source of entertainment since Wildwood Press sent out the pre-publication discount flier for my new book, A Tree Grows in Trout Creek. Why is the post office so exciting and fun? Well, for one thing, we are receiving book orders by the dozens and, along with those orders, many Yoopers (people who live, or once lived, above the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) are writing their expressions of excitement over the new book’s forthcoming arrival. Congratulations and best wishes are the theme of each day.

But, even more important [Read more…]

Filed Under: A Tree Grows in Trout Creek, Hometown Voices ·
Sep 26, 2007

Start Writing Your Memoirs Today!

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The writing of my memoirs now fills two increasingly popular books of collected stories about growing up in Michigan’s rugged, isolated, and enchanting Upper Peninsula. My first book, The Wishing Years, was published in 1995. The second book, A Tree Grows in Trout Creek, is in production now and will be available for shipping in three to four weeks. The first book became popular with people of all ages. The second book is bringing back second-time buyers—an author’s dream come true!

How did I start? I began by reading, immersing myself [Read more…]

Filed Under: Published Ezine Article ·
Sep 24, 2007

A Tale of Two Cities (& a Village)

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In August 2000, The Detroit Free Press praised the small Upper Peninsula of Michigan governments of two cities and one village for consolidating into one larger entity. On July 1, 2000, the cities of Stambaugh and Iron River and the village of Mineral Hills founded a new city called Iron River, Michigan.

Seeking a common good, wrote the Press, the three municipalities, “…put aside hometown loyalties and became one…”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Hometown Voices, Michigan History ·
Sep 23, 2007

Polish Home Cooking Recipes!

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Kapusta

(Polish: Stewed Sauerkraut with Mushrooms)
Ingredients:
1 oz. dried mushrooms or ¼ lb. fresh mushrooms
1 large onion, diced
2-1/2 T. butter or shortening
1-1/2 lbs. sauerkraut, rinsed & drained
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Recipes ·
Sep 22, 2007

New! Danish & Dessert Recipes!

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Thank you to Phyllis Nielsen Krzynski for submitting the following recipes from her family recipe file. The Danish Ebleskiver is a dessert that her mother made before her. Phyllis makes this dessert and the apple and coconut bars for all of their family’s special occasions. Now you can enjoy them too!

Ebleskiver
(Danish: Dessert)
Ingredients:
2 c. buttermilk
2 c. flour
3 eggs
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Recipes ·
Sep 22, 2007

Recipe Search!

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I’m looking for the following kinds of recipes:
• Ethnic recipes!
• 1940’s, 50’s or 60’s recipes!
• Your favorite family recipes from any era!

Do you have a favorite recipe that you’d like to share? If so, send it to me and I’ll post it (with your name) on the website. It could even end up being published in my next book!
Send your recipe by email to: cjohnson@umich.edu

(Recipes may be handwritten or typed. Either way is fine!)

Filed Under: Recipes ·
Sep 22, 2007

Writing by Heart

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The other day, a friend asked me what kind of writing I liked best. What kind of writing, she asked, brought me the most enjoyment and satisfaction? I didn’t have to think about that for long because, although I’ve done many different kinds of writing projects, I always come back to “writing by heart”. Both The Wishing Years and A Tree Grows in Trout Creek are excellent examples of what I call “writing by heart.” Each story starts with a memory, sometimes even a fragment of a memory, and grows as I take the imagined journey back in time to the place and people involved. It is the emotion of the memory that drives me onward in my writing.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Memoirs, Writing ·