Quick Update...

Just in case you haven't checked www.monicamccarty.com in a while, you might want to pop on over and check it out. I might have a little "sneak peek" surprise for those of you waiting for THE HAWK. :)

Today is one of my favorite holidays. Happy Cinco De Mayo! I guess I like to stay true to my heritage since my other favorite holiday is St. Patrick's Day. (My mom is Mexican and my dad is Irish . . . go figure, LOL). Tonight it's margs and carnitas at the McCarty dinner table.

I think I mentioned that I received a slow cooker for Christmas this year, which has become my new best friend. One of the reasons is the amazingly easy and delicious carnitas recipe. It has become a family favorite. I can even threaten my kids with it, "No carnitas for you tonight if you don't . . . "

The full recipe is here, but basically it's a couple of pounds of cut up boneless country style pork ribs, oregano, onion and salt and pepper. That's it.

What's your favorite meal to do in the slow cooker? Any recipes to share?

Columbus, Ohio, Here I Come!

I'm off to the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention tomorrow morning to pick up my award (Highland Warrior won for Best Scottish Historical--it was supposed to be a secret but since the magazine is in the stores I figure it's okay) and to attend the massive bookfair on Saturday. I can't wait! It will be my first time to RT, and I'm really looking forward to it. Heard it's absolutely wild and crazy. Hopefully I'll have some good (and publishable, LOL) pictures to share when I get back.

If any of you are attending, please make sure to stop by on Saturday and say "hi."

I think it must be Murphy's Law that right before you are traveling you get hit with a massive (blank)storm of things that have to get done before you go. I've been running around like a proverbial chicken with its head cut off all day. So much for work. I had all these grand plans of picking out exactly what I was going to where, but now I'll basically be tossing stuff in a suitcase late tonight and hoping it looks good. Sigh.

Does traveling stress you out? Do you look forward to getting on the plane so you can relax? Any trips you're taking soon?

UPDATE:

Sorry for the blurry picture, but the iphone doesn't do great in low light situations. That's what happens when you forget your camera! The ceremony was really nice and made even more special by the presence of Barbara Taylor Bradford! She was accepting a special lifetime/achievement award.

I love this!

A good buddy of mine, Karin Tabke, just posted this great blog over at Murder She Writes about some of the common misconceptions about writing and publishing.

I've received many emails along these same lines--especially regarding covers (running the full gamut from complaints about the hair color not lining up to asking me to do away with the torso covers). I'd also add that I don't get to pick the models, I don't get to meet the models and I don't get to go to the cover shoot. Bummer, I know.

Karin does a great job of pointing out some of the common misconceptions. Make sure to read the comments as well, there are some great points about choosing titles (author's have little control) and prices of books (author's have NO control). I've noticed the new trend on Amazon reviews to give authors one star reviews for kindle prices. I feel really bad for those authors. Many people don't take the time to read the reviews and just look at the overall stars.

I also appreciated the point about errors/typos. They happen. By time the manuscript is published I've read it literally dozens of times. My editor has read it. The copy editor has read it. Then two proofreaders have read it. Yet, they still sometimes slip by. As Allison points out, sometimes people have identified it and it just gets missed in production, and sometimes no one catches it. I don't see it after the proofreaders read it and sometimes they change things on their own. I've had one or two surprises (one of the reasons I don't like to read my books after they are published). For example, in The Chief dedication I had "Go Cardinal," referring to the Stanford Cardinal (the COLOR not the bird), it is not plural. The proofreader put an "s" on it. No big deal, but a BIG no-no to Stanford fans. I've already had one or two smart-a#$ comments. Sigh.

Did you guys know all this or learn something new?

The Taxman Cometh . . .

The taxman taketh away. April 15th. My least favorite day is almost here. Anyone else depressed by the check they had to write? Is it just me or does it seem like a bigger percentage of our income is "taketh" every year? Sigh. From what I hear, I guess it's only going to get worse. And I know, living in CA doesn't help. Might be time to move to Texas . . . (no state income tax).

I took tax law many, many years ago (and my father was a corporate tax attorney), but our taxes got too complicated when my husband started playing baseball. We used to have to file 13 to 15 tax returns every year. A little known fact: you are supposed to pay taxes in a state when you work there--even if it's only for a day or two. Most people don't, but athletes and entertainers are easy targets. Even though he's been out of baseball for almost five years (hard to believe), we still have a preparer. I can't imagine trying to figure this stuff out myself (and I graduated from law school, LOL). I get a headache just going over them.

Okay, done with the grumbling. But I do have an urge to go toss some tea overboard somewhere.

Hope you guys all have your taxes ready to go and instead of writing a check are getting a nice big refund. I'll try to live vicariously. Anyone waiting until the last minute?

Spring Break!

The picture above is an ode to days gone by. In college (USC), we used to go to Mazatlan for Spring Break. Hard to believe it was over 20 years ago. Okay, now I really feel old. [As an aside: I remember going through Calexico and Mexicali on the train and have been watching the news of the earthquake closely. So glad to hear that the damage doesn't seem to be as bad as it could have been...scary.]

Alas, there is no rest for the weary at Casa McCarty. All spring break means nowadays is the kids are home for the week. Hope you guys are having more fun than I am, LOL. We'd hoped to go skiing, but looks like we'll be lucky to make it up for a day trip. How does life get so busy? (Answer: book deadlines!).

I am looking forward to my first book signing for THE CHIEF tonight at the Los Gatos Borders. It's the regular meeting for a local romance group and it's a great group of ladies. It's always really interesting to get a glimpse of what people are reading and enjoying. Borders has a number of romance reader groups like this one around the country who report back to Sue Grimshaw (Borders Romance Buyer) directly.

I've belonged to a couple of book groups over the years, but I always ended up getting annoyed by the selections--most of which I thought were a little along the "let's show how smart we are by reading a book that is supposed to be good for us." Slog-fest ensues.

But interestingly enough, I've been invited to talk to a number of neighborhood book groups. Though romances aren't usually the standard fare--most read Oprah type books--it's always ended up being a great experience. I think people love reading something different and are surprised that they aren't the "trash" that they've always assumed.

How about you . . . are you in a book club? Ever been in one? Good experience or bad?

THE NEW YORK TIMES!!!! (DOUBLE THANK YOU!)

I'm breaking out the bubbly over here. I just heard from my publisher and agents that THE CHIEF hit #24 on the New York Times list for the week of April 11th (it's done a few weeks out). I'm absolutely thrilled. Thanks to all of you who bought the book the first week and helped make it happen. What an exciting way to start the new series!

Thank You!

For all of the wonderful comments and emails I have received the past week! I'm thrilled that so many of you seem to be enjoying THE CHIEF. It's been a crazy week, but I just wanted to remind you guys to put in your guesses for Andy Whitfield (so far we know it's not Tor, MacSorley, Campbell or MacGregor). I thought this one would be easy, LOL. Think intense eyes and a little scary...

Ing asked me a question recently about whether I would be putting up info on the team on my website. Eventually, I will have a "cheat sheet" of the guys and their specialties, but on my last website update I added a "Who's Who" in THE CHIEF page to my Special Features Section that you guys might find helpful.

I've also been asked quite a bit about who will be getting books. Since the answer to that question involves spoilers (and depends on how the books do!), I can't really answer. However, I will say that not all the guys will have books--there are a few twists and turns along the way!

It's here!

I'm thrilled to (finally) be able to say that the first book in my new Highland Guard series, THE CHIEF, is in the stores. I first had the idea for this series about 8 years ago, so it feels like I've been waiting a long time to see it on the shelves.

I hope you get a chance to pick up a copy--and, as always, let me know where you are seeing it. I love those grocery store/airport sightings. :)

Don't forget to chime in on who Andy Whitfield might serve as inspiration for. Here's a hint: he has a decent size "part" in The Chief, but he's not Tor.

UPDATE: Laurie who is a familiar face around here did an interview of me for her blog today. If you get a chance, pop on over and say "hi."

And here's a picture of that cute custom Sigg water bottle for the first person to figure out who was inspired by Andy Whitfield (it says "Are you reading the Highland Guard?"):

Happy St. Patty's Day!

It's one of my favorite holidays of the year! May the luck of the Irish be with you today! We'll be celebrating tonight at a local pub where my daughter will be performing with her Irish Dancing troop. Hope you all have some fun plans.

I'm blogging over at Border's True Romance today, so pop on over and say "hi." Oh yea, there's giveaways, too. :)

Until then, here's my favorite Irish toast to help you celebrate tonight:

May your glass be ever full.

May the roof over your head be always strong.

And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

My Latest (Slightly Unhealthy) Obsession

Move over Gerry, there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Andy Whitfield (insert sigh here). The yummy Welsh born actor plays the lead role in Starz's new series: Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Even beyond the obvious beefcake eye-candy factor, it's a fantastic show. Both my husband and my current favorite on TV as a matter of fact, well above #2 Lost.

Here's a preview of the series:


Basically, if you liked the movie 300 or Gladiator this one is for you. I was able to get Starz for free for 12 weeks from my satellite service, so check your area, it's well worth it. I think you can watch the first couple of episodes online. If you don't love the first episode stick with it--the series really starts to pick up after that.

I know, I know, there is something pathetic about a 42 year old happily married mother of two acting like a teenager. My only excuse is I'm always looking for inspiration for my heroes. And you won't be surprised to know that Mr. Whitfield is definitely doing that.

With THE CHIEF coming out next tuesday (can you believe it!), I thought I'd let you guys see if you can guess what member of the Highland Guard is going to look an awful lot like a certain Welsh actor, LOL. The funny thing is my critique partner Jami Alden who also watches the show thought exactly the same thing. Here's a hint: it's not Tor MacLeod.

The first person who figures it out and posts it in the comment section will win a very cool, eco-friendly, custom "Highland Guard" Sigg water bottle. It's super cute--if I get a chance I'll post a picture.

Until then, who's your star crush?

Monica & Julia

Since watching the movie Julie & Julia, I've been wanting to try my hand at Boeuf Bourguignon, using Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Although I've owned the cookbooks forever (I'm a huge Julia fan). I've never really followed a recipe--mostly using it as a guide. Her "Way to Cook" is my definitive basic cookbook. So with a long night of OSCAR watching ahead of me (see below), I thought it was a good time to try it.

What a project! The recipe itself isn't that difficult, but the side dishes (pearl onions, mushrooms, peas and noodles) didn't let me sit down for nearly the entire 4 hours. But it really was worth it. It turned out fantastic and more importantly delicious. My ten year old and thirteen year old must have said "this is so good" twenty times each. They're already talking about next time. I hate to break it to them, but this is NOT a regular meal, LOL. Next time I do make it though, I'm going to do potatoes instead of the noodles. The sauce was incredible and the noodles didn't sop it up as well as the potatoes would.

I used to be quite a cook, but after kids I just didn't have the time. My biggest experiment before this was to make my own sourdough using Nancy Silverton's La Brea Bakery cookbook. You basically grown your own starter from grapes. I kept it up for about two years, making everything from weekly sourdough bread to my own bagels and sourdough waffles, pancakes, etc. You can freeze the starter for a while, but I can't tell you how many bags of flour I went through in those two years!

Those were the days. I barely have time to get pasta on the table nowadays, LOL.

So what did you think of the OSCARs last night? Sandra Bullock looked amazing. Her dress is probably one of my all time favorites. Gorgeous.

I was fine with Hurt Locker winning, although hubby and I didn't *love* it was much as the critiques. Here's my take on the best picture nominees:

Hurt Locker: Very good, but IMO didn't quite live up to the hype. I've seen much better war movies.

Avatar: Haven't seen it. Sam Worthington is a hottie, not sure I want to see him all in blue. :)

Inglorious Basterds: Coming from Netflix as we speak

Up: The single best love story I've ever seen in 20 minutes. Seriously, beautiful. Highly recommend.

The Blind Side: Absolutely loved this movie. Heartwarming. Inspiring. Funny. I would have loved to see it win. :)

District Nine: Good, but another one of those that didn't quite live up to the hype for me. I can see why it was nominated though.

An Education: Didn't see. Not sure I will.

Precious: Ditto. Subject matter is way too depressing.

A Serious Man: Didn't see.

Up in the Air: Haven't seen, but definitely want to.

I think I got them all.

So lots of questions today: Cooking or OSCARs take your pick. Are you much of a cook? What's the most intimidating cooking project you've ever taken on? Did you watch the OSCARs? Favorite gown? Did your movie choice win?

New Cover Alert!

I was going to hold off on the grand unveiling until THE CHIEF hit stores, but since the cover is already up on Amazon, I figured I better not wait!

So . . . ta-da! Here it is, the cover for book #2 of the Highland Guard series, THE HAWK. The hero is Erik MacSorley, the best seafarer and swimmer in the Highlands (basically, he's my Navy SEAL). I'll be posting a blurb on my website soon.

I'm thrilled with how it turned out. Strapping lad in plaid, sword, cool lion rampant emblem, ship in the background . . . perfect!

But I do want to know how they keep coming up with different poses! LOL.

What do you think?

Olympic Fever

Are you guys as caught up as I am in the Olympics? I *love* the winter olympics--especially the skiing and skating. My favorite events are the moguls and ice-dancing, but really just about any skiing or skating event will have me glued to the TV. I was thrilled to see Bode get the bronze yesterday, and very exciting to see the women's moguls have two American finalists. I even turn into a snowboarding fan around the Olympics, LOL.

My one complaint: the delayed and extremely LATE coverage of the main events. I really don't get it. Why can't NBC start at 6 or 7 and end by 11. Last night the skating didn't end until midnight!

What about you...are you watching the Olympics? What are your favorite events? Are you a summer or winter fan?

Too Much Reality

Last night my husband and I were watching one of our guilty pleasure shows, the Millionaire Matchmaker. Patti just cracks me up. But I have to say last night's episode really bothered me.

Here's the summary, but you can get the gist from the video. Patti (the Matchmaker) brought a woman millionaire back from last season to try again. Shauna is a 42 year old (same age as me, BTW) millionaire business woman (I think she owns hair salons) who likes to date younger men. Cougar is a frequently used term on the show. I usually don't like the term, but Shauna fits. Patti tried to get her to date older guys last season, but Shauna of the too-much-botox wouldn't do it. She was back this season to allegedly give it a try after dating a younger guy who wanted her to pay for everything (shocking!). Personally, I don't get the younger guy thing. A couple of years on either side works for me--although I'd make an exception for Alexander Skaarsgard.

So in last night's episode Patti gives Shauna some older (and younger) guys to choose from. Shauna eventually picks a fifty plus year old guy who was INCREDIBLY good looking. Very rugged masculine type with chiseled face. My husband and I both thought he was way too good for the unappealing Shauna. The guy arrives at the hotel to pick her up for her date, after sending her a gorgeous dress (that she made fun of), and arriving in a limo to take her to Spago. What does Shauna do? She takes one look at him and goes running back into the hotel, screaming like a madwoman that she won't date someone who looks like her grandfather.

I was appalled. This is where reality TV really bothers me. I didn't need to see that. It was beyond cruel to the guy and utterly unwarranted. We were forced to watch the poor guy eat alone at Spago while he wondered what the heck had happened. It was VERY uncomfortable. Shauna would have been lucky to go out with this guy, I hope he finds someone wonderful soon. I guess I think the show went a little too far. Kind of like when the TV crews stick the camera in the face of some guy who just lost a big game and is really emotional. I don't need to see it.

If you can't watch the video the show shots are here.

I don't watch nearly as much reality TV as I used to, and I think this is why. Now that the newness of reality shows has worn off, the producers are looking for ways to push the envelope and don't seem to know where to draw the line.

So what about you. Do you still watch reality TV? Have you had an experience like mine where you get a little disgusted with the show for going too far?

Naughty Words

I was reading a book by a popular historical romance novelist recently and was struck by the abundant (or for me overabundant) use of "naughty" words. The "c" word for male genitalia and the "f" work in particular. It got me thinking whether in our effort to "write sexy," we romance novelists are over-relying on naughty words and what readers think about them. I realized that for me at some point the balance tips from "sexy" to definitely "not sexy."

I'll state up front that I use these both of these words in my novels. The "f" word very infrequently (maybe a couple times in six novels), the other fairly often. To me the "c" word is the best of not a lot of great choices, and when used appropriately, the sexiest of the bunch. When I started writing in 2001-2002, the "c" word wasn't used nearly as much. When I sold in late 2004 I remember asking my then editor whether it was okay for Random House (the copy editor at the time kept trying to change it). Now I think it's entered the romance vernacular, and I'm wondering whether I really need to cut back on it. "C" this and "c" that really started to bother me in the book I mentioned. But the problem is what else to use.

I'll admit to an immature, middle-school-age-kid squeamishness for the word "penis." Don't like it, never will. Not sure why, maybe it sounds too clinical? Other clinical words I don't like: clitoris, vagina, scrotum, etc. Non-clinical "naughty" words that give me the ick factor: juice, "c" word for women, quim, and the "p" word for women. When I read these words in a romance novel, they COMPLETELY stop me and take me out of the sexy moment. Some more than others. IMO the word juice and dripping should never be used in the same sentence, LOL.

On the other side are the euphemisms. Euphemisms for male genitalia in particular are often the source of many of the jokes made at romance writer's expense. When someone uses something like "man root" or "magic love stick," it's not hard to see why. :) Some authors abhor all euphemisms for genitalia. Catherine Coulter has a really good workshop on this that I've seen a couple times. For the most part I agree with her, but there are a few I don't mind in historicals (i.e. "staff" is fine).

I love when I come across an author who can write really sexy, intense love scenes (and create great sexual tension) without the graphic descriptive words. Linda Howard and Tara Janzen comes to mind, but I'll try to think of some others. Victoria Dahl and Shannon McKenna are a couple of authors that do use more graphic language, but IMO do so to maximum effect, writing some of the hottest, sexiest love scenes out there.

So I thought I'd see what you guys think. Do naughty or graphic words in love scenes bother you? Do you think romances are overusing some of these words? What hits the "ick" button for you?

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

I know California needs the water (we've been in a drought for three years), but after four big storms with more to go, I've had enough! No singing in the rain for me.

I think I've definitely hit the winter doldrums (and I'm sure I'm getting absolutely NO sympathy from those of you in Seattle or the midwest). Admittedly, it's nothing like the below freezing winters we spent in Minnesota, but the dark mornings really seem to mess up my internal clock, and the past few days I've been really dragging.

I'm taking a mini-vaca this weekend to Disneyland for my son's birthday, but I think it's supposed to rain a little down there, too. Sigh. Hawaii is calling my name . . .

How do you guys beat the winter blues?

Rejuvenation

Alas, this is not about my going on a spa vacation, but is the term I just coined for the part of the writing process that is probably the most important (and most fun) for me. Basically, it's the time between sending in my last book and starting the new one. It's the time when "the world is my oyster," and I'm thinking about all the possibilities for the characters and plot for the next story.

During this time--in addition to catching up on all the home stuff that has been ignored, i.e. cleaning closets--I tend to read a lot, pick up a craft book or two that I've wanted to read, and review historical information to keep it fresh in my mind. This time around I read SAVE THE CAT. It's one of those craft books I've heard so many wonderful things about, but never picked up. Craft books tend to fall into two groups for me: those I love (small number) and those that psyche me out (the vast majority), so I'm often hesitant to read them--especially when writing. I LOVED STC. If you are a writer and haven't checked it out, I highly recommend it.

Unfortunately, with tight deadlines I don't have as much time as I'd like for rejuvenation, and I have to force myself to take at least a week to "do nothing" other than maybe make notes about different ideas I have.

I usually have about a month between the due date of my previous book and turning in the synopsis for the next. Sounds like a lot of time, but it really isn't. Revisions also have to be done in that period so if they are big (cross your fingers they aren't), this can get very tight. I need at least a solid week to do the synopsis, assuming I have the characters and big turning points already worked out. It's tempting to sit down at the computer and start working on the next story right away, but I don't give in. For me, thinking time (consciously and sub-consciously) is more important at this stage than getting something on the page. I need to give the ideas need time to macerate.

Contrary to my "type A" personality (LOL), I am not an outliner. Nor am I a "pantser." For those unfamiliar with the terms, outliners are writers who write from outlines and pantsers are writers who "write by the seat of the pants" (i.e. with nothing). I fall in between. I like to have a flight plan to know where I'm going, but don't want all the details filled in. Because I have to turn in a synopsis for my contract, that has pretty much become the flight plan. But basically, I like to have the characters nailed down and the big "turning points" worked out--although sometimes even those change.

Anyway, it works for me. But process is always changing, and I'm always thinking of ways to make it better (i.e. the magic bullet). I started using SCRIVENER for my last book and absolutely love it. It's a writer's program specifically for Macs (not available to PC users). After reading SAVE THE CAT, I went out and bought myself a bulletin board (actually cork strips that attach to the inside of a cabinet) to pin notecards to. As the late Mr. Snyder so brilliantly points out, it's a great way to waste time. :) (Although he also points out, wasting time is really thinking time). I keep telling myself that . . .

So that's my brief foray into this writer's process. I'll try to take some pictures of my office (and spanking new bulletin board strips) UPDATED: here they are. Ready for a peek inside my lair?

I've only put up one cork strip, but you get the idea
Mr. Cooper at work. As you can tell, the window seat cushion is still a work in progress (Mom, are you listening???)
The filing cabinets look so orderly, but inside is a different story. :) The roses are from my local RWA chapter. We get a rose for every sale.
My main working area (I use two monitors--the "portrait" monitor on the left is perfect for one page blown up to 150%).

On a different note, I ventured back into the movie theater this weekend to see LEAP YEAR. Loved it. Amy Adams, Ireland, Sexy Irishman, what's not to love?

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Can you believe it's 2010 already? Seems like just yesterday we were worrying about Y2K problems and celebrating the millennium.

Ah, well, I guess the good thing is that I'll have three HIGHLAND GUARD novels for you this year. THE CHIEF is only about 2 1/2 months away (March 23rd), THE HAWK at the end of summer (August 31st) and THE RANGER just in time for the new year (December 29th). It's going to be a busy year! I really hope to be able to mix in a trip to Scotland this year, I have to keep that website up to date. :)

On a very sad note, I came back from Tahoe on Sunday to the horrible news that a friend of mine, fellow Scottish romance writer Kathleen Givens, had passed away unexpectedly. Kath was the very first author I met after joining RWA. I was a huge fan and introduced myself to her at a book signing at the Orange Country RWA conference in 2002 or 2003. Her incredible generosity had a huge impact on me. From day one, she took me under her wing, giving a newbie not only encouragement, but going out of her way to introduce me to industry people (including her editor, booksellers, etc.). We tried to get together at conference every year, and it's so sad to think that I won't see her this July to catch up. My heart goes out to her family and friends.

If you haven't had a chance to read her before, you really can't go wrong with any of her books.

On a happier note, I just turned in THE HAWK to my editor today! Very exciting. It will be my 8th published book, but it is actually the 10th manuscript I've finished since I started writing in 2002. I have two regency historicals that I've never really tried to sell. I ended up selling my first two books (which were both Scottish) and didn't want to muddy the waters. Maybe some day . . .

I'm looking forward to a week of spring cleaning while I wait for my revisions and starting thinking about THE RANGER. With another tight deadline, I'm not going to have much of a break.

No New Year's resolutions for me, what about you? Any projects you are starting or wanting to get done?

Merry Christmas! (in Gaelic)

Just a quick note to wish everyone a very Happy Holidays. I'm still burning the midnight oil, but am happy to report that the end is in sight. I'm off for some last minute Christmas shopping today, more cookies tonight, and then addressing Christmas cards tomorrow, so it's a busy weekend.

"See" you in the new year!

Holiday Traditions

Last weekend I took a day off from deadlines and spent most of Sunday making a gingerbread house with my ten year old daughter. Alas, ours didn't turn out quite as well as the one above, but for only our second time it wasn't too bad. We celebrate Christmas, so Sunday was also tree trimming day.

I think I mentioned last year that the past few years have been somewhat "bah humbug" for me when it comes to the holidays. I'm not exactly sure why, but I think it's mostly the stress of trying to buy gifts, go to party's and kid's winter shows, decorate the house, get out Christmas cards, and oh yea, work. Well this year it really hit me just how fast time is going by. My kids, as the cliche goes, are growing up fast. Knowing that "Santa" won't always be here, I decided to make a concerted effort this year to be in a better Christmas mood--thus, the gingerbread house.

But a gingerbread house is really a new take on my favorite holiday tradition: making gingerbread cookies. This tradition started probably about the time I was my daughter's age (when my mom pulled out the old Betty Crocker cookbook) and has continued virtually uninterrupted to this day.

I'm not much of a desert eater, but I LOVE these cookies and can't really imagine a Christmas without them. I know there are some of you out there thinking: gingerbread cookies are okay, but not my favorite. I beg to change your mind. Here is the recipe, give it a shot and become a believer. :)

A couple of pointers: I try not to use extra flour and roll between plastic, baking on parchment until they are still slightly sticky on bottom and soft indent on top. You must decorate with royal icing, and they last forever stored in tins.

So what's your favorite holiday tradition?