Updated: Mar 12
The arrival of October means my favorite time to visit Glacier Park, and while any time of day is beautiful, sunrise is especially so. With a new day comes new opportunities.
“Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet.”—L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Anyone who has read the beloved book or seen the wonderful movie adaptation, is familiar with the "Tomorrow is always fresh . . ." quote. Previous days and mistakes can't be erased, but there is great joy and hope knowing that there is always another chance to become the best versions of ourselves.
Color, light, and shimmering water greeted us as the sun slowly rose over the peaks, and all the while I wrote scenes in my mind, and drew comfort from friends who enjoy sunrises, autumn colors, and early mornings as much as I do.
“You’re home now, and that’s what matters.”
She looked up at the house once again. “I should go inside. I desperately want a bath and I imagine you’re exhausted, but would you sit with me out here for a few minutes to watch the sun rise over the mountains? I wasn’t sure I’d be around for another one, and I’d really like to enjoy it with you.”
—Ben and Amanda in Journey to Hawk's Peak
The long valley spread far in two directions, flanked by rolling mountains covered in rich, green pine and aspens in shades of pale yellow and dark gold. The sun granted them with its glorious presence from the moment they boarded the train in Durango. Crisp air filled her lungs, and for a few moments, as she sat atop the horse, Casey thought herself in paradise.
—from The Case of the Copper King
The early sunrise colors escaped the confines of the clouds enough to cast a few ribbons of morning sun on the earth, the light creating a soft halo around them. For a woman who earned a nice living by the power of words, she struggled to find the right ones. He did not rush her but neither did he encourage her. One second to the next, she saw indecision in his eyes, then certainty—two opposite emotions searching for a foothold.
She understood the feeling, for even now Ainslee knew the day would soon come when she must make the decision to stay or to go.
—from Wild Montana Winds
If Brenna couldn't be home watching the morning mist in Scotland, then watching the sun rise from the front porch of Hawk’s Peak ranch was the next best thing. She’d seen few sunrises in her lifetime because more often than not, she woke to mist and rain. Such beauty helped ease the pain of missing home.
—from Gallagher's Pride
Colton recalled a conversation he once had, the night after Ethan first lost Brenna to his own stubbornness. She had returned to Scotland and Colton found Ethan walking through one of the fields, dusted with an early autumn snow. They stood together in the field, watching the moon rise higher above the snow-capped peaks, illuminating the vast ranch. It had been Gabriel who ultimately pushed Ethan out of his brother’s misery and back on the right path to Brenna, but Colton never forgot what Ethan said that night.
“There is no greater mistake a man can make than deny his love for the only woman who was meant to have his heart.”
—from Wild Montana Winds
Whether you find your bliss sunning in the desert, walking by the sea, fishing along a river, or exploring the mountains, I hope you take time to recharge and find happiness in every season and the small and precious moments.
Books mentioned in this post:
Gallagher's Pride, Journey to Hawk's Peak, and Wild Montana Winds are part of the Montana Gallagher series.
The Case of the Copper King is part of the McKenzie Sisters series.
Updated: Mar 12
Saturday morning started with a lazy lie-in, but a late stroll meant the horses at a nearby lodge might be in the pasture. Sure enough, on the return walk, they were let loose. For the first several minutes (no camera) their hooves pounded the earth as they ran back and forth, no doubt enjoying the freedom of a morning gallop. By the time I got my camera and returned, breakfast had taken priority over putting on another show for me.
I can watch horses for hours.
No matter their color, horses are remarkable and beautiful creatures.
White horses have great cultural, spiritual, and mythological meanings, including "purity, heroism, spiritual enlightenment, and the triumph of good over evil." Heroism certainly fits the men and women in Hopes & Dreams in Whitcomb Springs, which is why it's fitting for a white horse to be front and center on the cover.
What does raspberry coffee cake have to do with a fictional mountain town in Montana? Well, Montana became home to a variety of immigrants during the 1800s, and they brought with them traditions for home, hearth, and family. American coffee cake likely evolved from variations created by immigrants from Germany and Scandinavia. Over time, yeast in these cakes were replaced by other ingredients like yogurt, sour cream, and cheese, eventually ending up with our common sour cream coffee cakes.
And yes, at one point Americans did use coffee in their coffee cake (perhaps some still do), though the name is because it is intended to be eaten with coffee or tea.
Did they serve coffee cake in homes in Whitcomb Springs? Certainly a version of it.
A Passage from
"Whisper Ridge"
A novelette in Hopes & Dreams in Whitcomb Springs
Gwen buttered one half of a biscuit and smoothed a layer of jam on top before holding it out for Clayton. His surprise evident, he accepted her offering, and she prepared the other half for herself. “I am not an invalid, but it was kind for Evelyn to send you with this. It still begs the question: Why did she allow you to come here alone?”
Clayton finished the biscuit before speaking. “That’s another question, and I’m still deciding if I’ll answer the first.”
She swallowed her second bite, chewed, and then said, “I’ve asked a few. Will you respond to any of them?”
“I didn’t give Evelyn much choice about letting me come here. It was difficult enough waiting in your sitting room while she helped you into your sleeping gown. If it soothes your nerves, she and Daniel are on the front porch, waiting for me. Much longer and they’ll charge in to make sure you’re all right.”
“Mmm. I wonder.” Gwen sat back against the pillow. “How do you know them?”
“From a long time ago.”
“Daniel did not sound happy to see you.”
“There’s a lot of history between our families.”
Gwen waited a few heartbeats for him to elaborate. “You are not free with information.” She waved away whatever he was about to say. “Never mind. I should not be so inquisitive. I’m told it is one of my greatest flaws.”
“I would have said nosy.”
Clayton spoke so softly, Gwen almost missed it. She grinned, unperturbed by his assessment. “My mother described it exactly the same way.” Her grin faded, and she studied him with great interest, from eyes the color of a summer forest to the beard two shades darker than his sun-touched hair. Pain carved a path around his eyes and she wanted desperately to know what had caused it. “Thank you for helping me.”
His acknowledgment was a slight nod.
“What were you doing at the lake?”
“Deciding if I wanted to come into town.”
“I rather forced your hand.”
Clayton leaned forward and rested his forearms on his thighs. “You forced nothing. Given the circumstances, I can understand your curiosity—”
“Please, forgive the interruption.” Gwen held up a hand for a few seconds before letting it fall back to her side on the quilt. “My curiosity is just that. I have no right to pry into your reasons for being here or into your history with the Whitcombs.”
“I don’t mind your curiosity, not really.” He smiled and sat back. “I was writing and sketching on the cliff above the lake.”
A rosy blush colored Gwen’s fair skin. She did not ask how long he had watched her swim, and he did not offer a confession. His handling of her person left no question as to how much of her he had already seen. Gwen recalled wearing her dress, stockings, and shoes when she awakened on the padded table in the clinic. She only now remembered that she had been without a corset. Her fingers instinctively searched for the chain and ring she always wore, and found it pressed against her heart. “I’m grateful you were there.”
I hope you make time every now and then to escape into a good book and relax. We are too often pressured to keep up grueling work paces, either from necessity or expectation, and forget that the quiet moments of peace are often even more important.
The Book: Hopes & Dreams in Whitcomb Springs
The Beverage: Vita-Blend Tea from Mountain Rose Herbs
From the Kitchen: You can find the recipe in Cast-Iron Baking by Brooke Michael Bell. This cookbook is filled with many delicious recipes, so if you enjoy baking, it's well worth buying.
Thank you for visiting!
Updated: Mar 12
Except for early-morning bread baking, summer heat kept me from the kitchen for several weeks. While it was nice to take a break, it was even nicer to try out a couple of new recipes recently.
This is a rich, zesty, and fluffy lemon cake. The recipe is for a layer cake, but I made cakelettes instead. They were messy to frost, and a reminder that one should keep one's kitchen skills honed.
The consistency is perfect, the lemony goodness just right, and the first bite mouthwatering. Beware, there is a lot of lemon flavor packed into each morsel. It's shown here with blueberries, but I wish I had made a raspberry pure for it at the time.
While writing this post, I thought of the next Crooked Creek book, which will be Clara's full story (I think ahead to the next book far too much.). For those who don't know, Clara owns an inn (I like inns, B&Bs, cottages, etc.), and that inn gets a lot of weary travelers, many of whom are hungry men who want a soft bed and homecooked meal. Clara's kitchen is more likely to serve a heavier version that falls somewhere between this and pound cake.
A Short Passage from
"Clara of Crooked Creek"
Clara released a slow breath and cast a loving gaze upon her daughter. “I can’t quite say why this soon, but I feel as though I’ve found a home here. A place where Alice and I can make a new life, build something that will stand for all time, a legacy.”
Emma began folding bandages, listening to Alice’s soft voice in the background as her doll and new horse talked with each other. “Do you plan to do it alone?”
“Didn’t you?”
“For a time.” She set aside the first pile and stared on the second. “I wasn’t sure I’d marry again, or love again, but when Casey came along my heart didn’t give me a choice.”
“I loved Alice’s father very much. I’m not ready to love another, not yet.”
“There’s plenty of time.” Emma placed the folded white bandages on a shelf and returned with a tin and a bottle of clear liquid. She dropped various silver instruments into the liquid. “I learned early on that if I keep all of my surgical equipment disinfected not only before a surgery, but ongoing, it prevents infection.” Emma laid out a fresh white cloth and one by one removed the instruments. “I say there’s time, but we both know that’s not always true. Neither of us had enough time to love our men, but when it comes to matters of the heart, we can’t be timekeepers.”
Do you agree with Emma that we can't be timekeepers when it comes to matters of the heart? Clara has a lot of work ahead of her to make her inn a success. Will she have time for anyone else besides her daughter?
We have a bit of time before we discover the answer seeing as how I have to write the book first, but it's a question I'll be asking often.
I hope you make time every now and then to escape into a good book and relax. We are too often pressured to keep up grueling work paces, either from necessity or expectation, and forget that the quiet moments of peace are often even more important.
The Book: The Women of Crooked Creek
The Beverage: Moringa with Spearmint and Sage tea from Traditional Medicinals
From the Kitchen: You can find the recipe in a printable PDF on the recipes page.
The scent of lemon, a whisper of sweetness,
Rises with the cake, a symphony of scent,
Calm blooms in the heat, in the rise,
In the quiet triumph of transformation,
From raw to baked, from simple to sublime.
