valarltd | Links of Various and Sundry

Pink Petal Books is hosting a winter festival and giving away goodies made by the authors with each purchase of their books. Today: December 13 & 14 - It may be snowing, or it may not. However our customers will receive a snowflake ornament with their purchase.
(my day is the 21. You get a moose in a Santa hat with tree-lights on his antlers holding a sign that says "Merry Chrismoose.")

Jesus? Not so much the reason for the season is

alyxbradford's look at Christmas celebrations over the centuries.

The GLBT Bookshelf has launched the All Gay Romance Blog. It's the free tartlet sample of what your favorite authors are writing.

You meet interesting people while doing research. Stagecoach Mary Fields, hard-drinking, cigar smoking stagecoach driver and mail-carrier, who broke more noses in Central Montana than anyone ever, according to Great Falls Examiner.

From my defunct cookbook:
Aunt Rocky's Coke Cake

2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
2 sticks oleo
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1 c. Coke
3/4 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows

Combine flour and sugar. Heat oleo, cocoa, and Coke to boil. Pour over flour and sugar. Mix.
Add rest of ingredients. Beat well. Sprinkle marshmallows over top. Bake 350ø for 30-35
minutes in a greased and floured 9x15 pan.

Icing:
1/2 c. butter
6 Tbsp. Coke
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1 box powdered sugar
1 c. walnuts

Boil butter, cocoa and Coke. Pour over sugar, add nuts. Spread on hot cake.