Suzanne Stengl's Blog

I love walking along the bike path and heading down to the Bow River, especially in the autumn. It’s a time to enjoy the beauty and nostalgia of September.

We call that island the Silver Springs Island. Canoeists sometimes stop there for a picnic.

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”

— Emily Brontë

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

— Albert Camus

Rose hip tea, anyone?

a big ole cottonwood on the banks of the Bow

at the river’s edge…

looking upstream, to the west

looking downstream, to the east — the morning sun dappling the water.

walking back up the hill…

past the beautiful fall colours…

and up, and up…

To the top of the ravine again! Now we are looking west. You can see the Stoney Trail Bridge in the distance, and beyond that, the Rocky Mountains. Today, they are cloudy. It’s probably too soon for snow up there!

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This morning, we got a gift in the mail—all the way from Australia!

First, there was a mug designed by Australian artist Katherine Castle—this one is of a Sugar Glider (an Australian possum). It will become my new mug for my morning Think Drink.

There was also a jar of treats called Australian Bush Honey Candy. Very excellent.

And finally, two Roland Harvey books: “At the Beach” and “In the Bush”.

They remind me of Where’s Waldo? Great books for kids, and kids-at-heart, and kind of a little window into Australia. I really hope to visit there someday.

When you get a package in the mail like this, it’s a bright moment on a cold winter’s day. 😊

map from Bigstock # bigstockphoto #4976870

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This past weekend, we visited old friends in Edmonton. Before returning to Calgary, we spent some time walking in the Emily Murphy Park. At first, we could not find the road that led into the park, so we flagged down a car and asked for help. A friendly Edmontonian not only gave us directions but led us to the park entrance!

peaceful river

In much of Alberta, the wind is carrying smoke from the wildfires into the cities.

North Saskatchewan River . . . and smoky skies

quiet path

fall foliage

We are having a most enjoyable autumn this year. Usually there is snow by now. But, this year, the days are warm, the trees are holding on to their leaves, and the season is extended!

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The sun has just set at 5:24 p.m. so the days are getting longer. In the dark days of January, we like to leave the Christmas lights on. So this will be their last night…

dark sky from bigstock-321144460.jpg

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On Christmas Eve, the children are nestled all snug in their beds…

The next day, Ryan builds Frosty a bigger blaze.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! 

Cardinals from Bigstockphoto #Fl-20604986

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It’s the end of November already and we’re getting in the Christmas spirit. We started by visiting the Christmas Market at Spruce Meadows. Great weather and great food!

We also had a visit with Santa Claus!

How are you getting ready for Christmas?

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When this tree was first planted, it was only three feet tall. That was a few years ago and now it has become a Christmas tree. Time to decorate…

And then, about a week later, after a new snowfall…

“Those are marshmallow clouds being friendly”

music from bigstockphoto #15214244

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I wrote a novella! Actually, it’s more like a novelette. That is, it’s quite short. But the eBook is on Amazon for just 99 cents. If you have never read one of my full-length novels, this might be a way of introducing you to my style of writing.

The novella is also available in paperback and, I think, it’s perfect as a stocking stuffer.

Here’s an idea of its size:

And this is what it’s about—

There’s some Christmas magic happening in the little town of Gravelton . . .

Julie hasn’t attended the town’s annual Christmas party in six years.

Hoping that everyone has forgotten her long ago embarrassment, she decides to go this year, and gets a ride with her next-door neighbor Rob.

With some major Christmas magic—and a little help from Rob—can she survive another Christmas party disaster?

I hope you enjoy reading Homecoming Magic at Christmas. And I hope the paperback finds its way into a few Christmas stockings.

Holly from photos.com #156039604
Christmas stockings from bigstock.com #388747075

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I will use this as a topping for ice cream and pancakes. You could also make cherry tarts.

First, you need to find a sour cherry tree full of ripe cherries. Finding a willing child to help you pick the lower branches is a bonus.

Rinse the cherries in a colander.

Pit the cherries. If you don’t have a pitter, you can use a paring knife to pop out the pits, but that is time-consuming. And that is why they invented the Cherry Pitter. This is what I used:

And this is how it works:

Mix 2 parts cherries to 1 part sugar.

Cook the mixture on medium-high heat till it boils.

Add cornstarch: I used a heaping tablespoon for each 2 cups of cherries. Dissolve the cornstarch in water to make a smooth mixture before adding to the cherries.

Stir everything until it thickens.

Simmer 20 minutes. Pour into jars.

Boiling bath for 20 minutes.

Cool on the countertop.

Wait for Thanksgiving!

Yum!

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This is Mary Balogh signing “A Summer to Remember” for my hubby Rolf.

On Sunday night, Rolf and his friend Bryan returned home from a two-week car/bike trip from Calgary, Alberta to Winnipeg, Manitoba and back.

Along the way, they stopped in the little town of Kipling in southeast Saskatchewan. The town is named after the English author Rudyard Kipling. And, the town is also the summer home of Welsh Canadian author Mary Balogh.

A long time ago, when Rolf was looking for a new book to read, I suggested one from my Mary Balogh collection. Since then, he has been hooked.

Naturally, he looked up Mary Balogh’s website . . . and discovered she might be in Kipling when they were travelling through. So he visited the town.

The town is also home to the world’s largest paperclip.

World’s Largest Paper Clip

The town also has a helpful grocery clerk who, on hearing that Rolf is a huge fan, told Rolf where Mary lives.

So, he decided to take a chance and see if she might be in her front yard, because, of course, he knew not to knock.

This is the sign I have on my Writing Room door.

Over the years, I have trained Rolf not to interrupt writers. (Or so I thought…)

She wasn’t in the front yard, but since he’s persistent and hopeful, he went around to the backyard—where he saw her sitting on her screened-in porch. She was typing, and looked up.

Rolf: I hope we’re not interrupting you.

Mary: Well you have now!

And then this gracious lady signed the book Rolf had with him, and talked to him and Bryan for twenty minutes about how she creates her characters.

He phoned me that night to tell me he’d met her. This was the highlight of the trip for him.

Mary Balogh Place

The town has named a street after its famous author, but she doesn’t live there. The full name of this street is “Mary Balogh Place”.

Here is Rolf checking out the lots for sale . . .

Rolf with his autographed book

From the realtor listing: Mary Balogh Place has lots for sale “offering a wonderful countryside view with unlimited possibilities for landscaping dreams.”

I first met Mary Balogh at an Alberta Romance Writers’ Association workshop in Calgary in March 2001. I had just started writing.

I also heard her speak at workshops for the Calgary Association of the RWA. Since she is a teacher by profession, she is also an excellent teacher of writing. And she is one of my favourite authors.

If you are ever in Kipling, please do not interrupt Mary while she is writing. After all, we do want to get that next book. Why not go to this coffee shop instead? You might just get lucky and find her here!

Paperclip Cottage Cafe

Here is Mary’s most recent title. 

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And here is the first book in a new series which comes out on July 12.

Have you read Mary Balogh? Have you ever met her? Have you ever attended one of her workshops?

Saskatchewan map from Depositphotos #53987815

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