Monday, February 29, 2016

Need a good editor? I'm now accepting clients! #amediting #editing #amwriting #freelance

Hey, everyone! Happy Monday and happy leap year!

Since it's such a unique day, I thought I'd make an announcement.

I'm now accepting editing clients! Woo hoo!

Nothing makes an impression--good or bad--on readers like having a book that has been improperly edited. Don't skimp on this step; hooking lifelong readers and getting good reviews depends on it.

Who can pass up an opportunity for #editorcat to use her Purple Pen of Doom on your work?
She's cute and ruthless.

For a list of what I do, there's more information here on my blog (never noticed that little "editing" tab on top, did ya?) and at my Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/sarahallanauthor/ so check those out for a round-up of my services.

But if you're interested in something you don't see listed, feel free to hit me up anyway and we'll chat about it. For example, I have corporate clients for whom I edit drafts of letters and web content.

In a nutshell, if you're interested in my services, please contact me through my FB page via a message, or through email at: sarahallanauthor@gmail.com and I'll get back to you ASAP.

xoxo Sarah




Friday, February 19, 2016

#FoodieFriday: Brown Sugar Mustard Chicken

There are a lot of chicken recipes out there. It's a popular meat; I get it. We eat a lot of chicken, too. But sometimes you come across one that shakes things up a bit and makes your mouth super happy.

I'm including this chicken recipe for a couple of reasons--one, because it's absolutely delicious, and two, because my dad is somehow convinced I'm withholding it and keeps asking for it every time we talk.
Photo from Taste and Tell

Yes, I've given it to both him and my mother. Multiple times.

No, I'm not holding it hostage. This is proof.

I first came across this recipe in Taste of Home magazine but was able to find it online here, at Taste and Tell.

For those of you who are skeptical about or aren't a huge fan of chicken thighs, they're necessary to use. They're meatier in flavor and stay juicier on the grill. Breasts just wouldn't hold up to the flavorful, savory sauce.

The chicken is best grilled, but I've made it baked in a pinch (put in a single layer in a baking dish or on a sheet pan and give it 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees or so). It comes out saucier, but still delicious.

And double the sauce. You won't regret it.

The leftovers are out of this world, too--since some sauce is kept to the side, it's great spread over them the next day, or right off the grill.

It's a good recipe for a crowd, too. It doubles or triples with the same results, providing you have a big enough vessel to hold all the chicken while you grill it in batches.

What to serve on the side? I like mashed sweet potato and grilled asparagus.

Let me know if you've tried this recipe!

xoxo Sarah


Friday, February 5, 2016

#FoodieFriday: Hawaiian Ham & Swiss Sliders #SuperBowl #appetizer #brunch

I can't believe I almost missed this week! And with Super Bowl Sunday coming up, I couldn't resist sharing one of my favorite appetizer/finger foods. Go, sports!

Before I get to this Friday's food, if you're vegetarian or want to bring something to a Super Bowl party that everyone will enjoy, try my Black Bean Hummus. Trust me--it's fantastic. Bring some blue corn tortilla chips and have at it!

Now for this week's: You've probably heard of them if you haven't already eaten them--Hawaiian rolls stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese and covered in buttery oniony poppy-seedy deliciousness.

Picture from A Musing Foodie
There are two main recipes I've seen, like this one from A Musing Foodie, and this one from the actual King's Hawaiian website

The one from A Musing Foodie is the one I've seen and made myself (the recipe can be cut in half but it's nice to have the large recipe just in case).

There is no downside to these little sandwiches other than how fast they disappear.

As for positives, well...

--You can use whatever ham you like: Virginia, regular, smoked...I'm not sure I'd use one of the very sweet varieties, though (like honey ham) but that's personal preference.

--If you're not in the U.S. and can't get the Hawaiian rolls, just pick up a package of small dinner rolls. When we were in England, I wouldn't have hesitated to use fresh dinner rolls from Tesco--but I would have gotten the mini-ones, not the full-sized rolls. Too big.

--They transport well. After you bake them, just put some foil on them and go! You can assemble them beforehand and bake them when you arrive (they take about 25-30 minutes) if you like as well, but don't worry if you bake them ahead of time.....

--Which leads me to the next big positive--they can be served warm, or room temperature. They're fantastic either way. So no hot plates, no crock pot, no keeping them covered in foil so they stay warm. Just put them out and watch the crowds descend on them like sharks on a surfer.

--If they all don't get eaten (hahahaha), they make great leftovers. I've had them the next day out of the fridge (maybe microwave them for 30 seconds-1 minute first?) and they're just as good.

--They're not just for game-day snacks. I've served them at brunches, and they're always a big hit. They straddle that is-it-breakfast-or-is-it-lunch line so well it's a crime to not have them on hand.

--Kids can help assemble. If you don't want them handling knives or hot stuff, just cut the rolls first and have them put the ham and cheese on them. You can do the butter sauce and oven bit.

Have you had these little sandwiches? What are you having for Super Bowl snacks? Some ham-and-Swiss sliders and black bean hummus, perhaps? Let me know your menu!

xoxo Sarah



Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Awesome Writing in Media: Steven Moffat #DrWho #Sherlock

Okay, I know this guy is polarizing. He makes you want to shake your fist at him and scream, "MOFFAT!" as all your feels are ripped out--which you might have hugely mixed feelings about while it's happening--or you want him to disappear faster than a person does when touched by a Weeping Angel (that was a Dr Who reference, by the way).

But you can't deny that he has writing talent.

Most people became aware of Steven Moffat when he took over Dr Who from Russell T. Davies (and then would proceed to make us have all the feels while watching), but, in reality, Moffat had been involved in Dr Who much, much longer than that.

He's actually responsible for many of the best episodes. I'm a huge fan of 10 (David Tennant), and Moffat wrote many of his best story-lines and/or episodes. Don't believe me? Take a look.

My personal all-time-favorite episode of Dr Who is The Girl in the Fireplace. It's such an interesting story--full of time travel (literally), romance, and intrigue. Moffat wrote the episode.


Another of my favorites is Blink, in which we get to meet the Weeping Angels for the first time, and also in which the world was gifted the famous "wibbly wobbly, timey wimey" quote. Moffat wrote the episode.

And the two-parter, Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead, where we meet River Song. Moffat wrote the episode.

He excels at writing gripping stories with a bit (okay, a lot) of heartbreak and romanticism often attached. His wheelhouse seems to tend toward darker material, which I think is why a lot of people were, errrr...displeased?...when he took over Dr Who. But that didn't stop most of us from watching.

He'll be stepping down from running Dr Who soon, though.

Fortunately, his strong points also lend to his other project, Sherlock, which he's a co-creator/writer of with Mark Gatiss (who also has the role of Mycroft).

I can't say I've ever been displeased with an episode of Sherlock. Every time, the episodes are well-crafted and paced, and full of exactly what we as an audience want. I hope he uses his extra time to work on more episodes.

Hint, hint.

Love him or hate him, you can't deny that Steven Moffat has written some of the most iconic British television we've had the privilege of watching.

What do you think?

xoxo Sarah