Big News for June…New Book and Events.

On April 4, 2019April 3, 2019 By jolenenavarroIn Cover Reveal, Fun events10 Comments

June is going to be a busy month. It actually starts on May 21, 2019 with a new book that is kicking off a new series: The Cowboys of Diamondback Ranch. The first book is The Texan’s Secret Daughter. The official release is June 1.

June 8th, 2019 – If you are in the Dallas area, I will be at Boas and Tiaras in Allen Texas. This is my first time for this event, so I hope to see some friendly faces. Clink the link for more information. It’s an event full of authors.

https://events.freshfiction.com/

June 10 – 14: Is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a great place to be if you want to strengthen you writing, up your marketing game or just learn from some amazing writers. Maybe you just want to spend an indescribable week with other people that hear voices in their heads (writers).

This year they will have agents you can pitch too.

If you write or want to write, you need to head out to Canyon Texas. West Texas Writers’ Academy is on the West Texas A&M campus. I will be leading a class for Alumni, but there are many other to choose from if it’s your first time. I’ve went as a student in 2013 and have not missed a year since.

Are you in the Amarillo area? Monday June 10 There is a Writers’ Roundup. There is more information in the link below.

http://www.wtamu.edu/academics/eod-writing-academy.aspx

That’s my first part of June. What do have planned?

Fall, Family & Fun carving pumpkins

On October 19, 2014October 18, 2014 By jolenenavarroIn Family time, Fun events, halloween, memories, Pumpkins2 Comments

I love the fall (some might call it autumn). Getting family together for fun and Frito pie with Kevin Ward’s homemade chili. The cooler weather rolls in from the north. In Texas that means we are moving out of the triple digits into the 90s and 80s. The other morning it hit 68…brrrr. Of course it was back to a cool 92 by 2:00 pm.

We might be limited in the color schemes too. The majestic oaks are ever year round green along with the juniper, but we have small splashed of yellow and orange in our foliage. I think this makes it more of a gift. We could pack up the SUV and head to Lost Maples outside of Vanderpool – it’s like a little pocket of Colorado tucked into the back of our bluejeans.

My favorite part is the unofficial kick off to the holiday season. In October 2004 my sisters and I got our kids together to carve pumpkins. We didn’t know we were starting a family tradition, but now it is part of our kids memories of growing up on the back steps.

Now twelve years later and the kids are actually carving their own pumpkins

This one might be the real picture.

cousins and pumpkins — Growing up on the steps – 2014 pumpkins

The level of skill and competition has grown each year.

The girls even got to use the power tools this year!

Girls using powertools to carve — Girls using power tools to carve

What are you waiting for go make some memories! Do you have a favorite fall tradition?

Fresh Homemade products at the Farmer’s Market at the Cibolo Nature Park

On June 20, 2014June 19, 2014 By jolenenavarroIn Fun events, Texas, Uncategorized2 Comments

The entry gate to the Farmers Market at the Cibolo

The Texas Hill Country is full for fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables. You can also find homemade products made from this produce here in Boerne Texas at the Farmer’s Market at the Cibolo Nature Park.

The best tasting vegetable are the ones straight from the farm

I think we get so removed from our food, hows it’s grown and with so many perspectives and chemicals we forget what real food taste like.

Join me for a walk through the booths. The textures and aromas are inspiring and I know one of my characters has to grow their own foods and sell at market.

If you don’t live in the San Antonio area I know you can find a local market close to you. If you visit your local Farmers Market you are supporting your local growers that provided fresh, local, and seasonal products that they themselves planted, raised, and harvested. You can’t beat the flavor.

The hardest part with Handcrafted Harvest Jam is picking just one or two.

Fresh berries and cream for dessert in a jar.

Fresh Texas peaches make some of the best jams

Farm fresh eggs from free range chickens

I love buying the locally grown flowers from the market – I know they’re from my area and ready for the flowerbeds around my house.

Local grown flowers you can take home and plant in your own flowerbeds.

My hero and helper loading the truck with our finds

Don’t forget to give your helper a treat!

Organic cookies made with fresh ingredients.

You can find more than food – crafts and home products

Homemade creams made from farm fresh produce.

The Farmers Market at the Cibolo in Boerne Texas

Vegetable & fruits picked right from the garden, products handmade from organic produce, bread, jams and creams are just a few of the items you can find in the early morning of the Farmer’s Market. Boerne’s Cibolo Farmer’s Market is young, only in its second year, but it is a true treasure. If you are in the area they need your support. There is also games, music and a beautiful community garden.

Schedule and Location:
Every Saturday, 8:30a-12:30p
33 Herff Road, Boerne, TX 78006

Do you have a local market you visit? Do you have a favorite recipe using fresh produce from your market?

Favorite Fair Foods?

On July 31, 2013 By jolenenavarroIn Culture, Family time, Fun events7 Comments

In April, I started with The Highlands Games, moved to King Williams Art and Craft Fair during Fiesta in San Antonio and visited the July Jubilee in Leakey Texas during well, July. Watching parades, walking through the booths of arts and craft, listening to local musicians all happens around the food. Smells of grilled burgers, fried bread and cotton candy. Since the beginning of humanity celebrations and festivals have always includes food venders.

Food on a stick is believed to be one of the first tools used by humans! No matter how far we evolve some things never change. For hundreds of years we have put candied fruit on a stick. Credit for the fall favorite, candied apple on a stick goes to New Jersey.

The Texas State fair claims credit for the invention of the corn dog in the early 1940s, but The Minnesota State Fair says it is theirs.

Texas State fair Corn Dogs – fried bread wrapped around wiener

Either way it opened the flood gates to food on a stick.

Wrapped in bacon — Anything wrapped in bacon

Teddy Roosevelt’s quote, “Speak softly and carry a big stick…” comes to mind but I’m pretty sure he didn’t foresee the power of the stick when it came to carnival food. The stick became a perfect design for food vendors at every county and state fair. All the better if dipped in a fry bucket deep with hot grease.
Some of my favorites are served on greasy paper plates.

Wrapping your food of choice in a tortilla might be a Texas thing but it does the trick when it comes to walking and eating. German taco anyone? The strangest tortilla wrapped treat might be the crawsaugaes I saw at the July Jubilee in Leakey.