"QUEEN OF THE WEEK"
CELEBRITY AUTHOR
ELIZABETH TRUIETT
 |
| AUTHOR, ELIZABETH TRUIETT |
 |
| NANCY JILL THAMES |
Where
do you live?
I live in the community of Oatmeal outside
Bertram. Almost 1000 acres of the
original property was purchased by my husband’s grandfather in the 1940’s. Recently many of the younger generation have
moved onto the land subdividing it, somewhat.
It is quite beautiful with mountains and a creek, called Cow Creek. We have inherited his grandparents’ farmhouse
and are lovingly restoring it. We hope to
modernize it but keep the historic value and memories. Grandma’s wood cook stove will have a place
of honor beside my modern double oven.
How
are you published?
I am an indie author, published through
Create Space.
What
are your hobbies?
I recently taught myself to crochet. I love to read. I am also interested in genealogy, cooking
& baking, and target shooting.
Tell
us about your current book.
I am working on Murder at the Mountain
Creek Festival. My killer thinks the
little town of Mountain Creek is the perfect place to hide. The idea came to me while fighting crowds and
traffic at our annual Oatmeal Festival. My
character Hope runs a new Bed & Breakfast.
There is a wedding taking place there
over Labor Day weekend.
How
did you become a writer?
In the summer of 2011, I was driving to
Port Aransas with my husband Boyd and our 3 girls. I remarked that surely, as much as I like to
read, I could write a book. Boyd really encouraged me to try. I was certain that all it would take was a
good opening line. So I wrote one. Then came the prologue. By the time we finished our vacation, I had
written 20 pages. By Christmas I had 20
chapters.
How
long did it take?
I finished Carolina Key in about 10
months. I was so sad when I
finished! The fun was gone.
Where
do you like to write?
I homeschool the girls and I have a desk
tucked into the corner of our library/schoolroom. It’s not very glamorous but the view of the
mountain outside my window overlooks Balcones Wildlife Refuge. Boyd is converting Grandma’s old wash house
into a writing studio for me. I imagine
I will have a porch swing out front for when writer’s block hits.
Favorite
authors?
Too many!!
Jan
Karon, Sue Grafton, Beverly Lewis, Jeanette Oke, P.L. Gaus, Wanda Brunstetter,
Judith Miller.
How
many books have you written?
Carolina Key is my first. I have 3 others started. I expect to write about 5 more of the
Mountain Creek series and then concentrate on some geneology romances. Boyd’s family has some especially fascinating
stories in their history.
We’d
love a link to purchase!
And
a link to your website?
Be
sure to read my blog A View from Mountain Creek. I will be posting the cover reveal for book 2
soon. Thank you for having me to tea!
Elizabeth,
it was my pleasure!
Here
are the Elizabeth Truiett's recipes for today’s tea fare:
Dark Chocolate Cranberry SconesI use the Pioneer Woman’s scone recipe but I add my own flair to it.
3 c flour
1/3 c sugar
5 t baking powder
1 t salt
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 egg
3/4c heavy cream
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 c dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350. Stir together all dry ingredients. Cut in butter. Add egg and cream. Mix. Stir in chocolate chips and cranberries. Turn onto a floured cutting board. Knead into a smooth circle and pat down. Cut into triangle shaped wedges. Transfer to a greased baking pan or stone. Bake 25 min. Bottoms will be brown but light on top. Cool slightly. Serve warm with cold clotted cream and a mug of your favorite tea or coffee.
Fast & Easy Clotted Cream
My mother and I discovered clotted cream on a trip
to London while I was in high school.
We’ve loved it ever since. This
is a very easy version.
3 o.z. cream cheese
1 c heavy whipping cream
3 T sugar
Let cream cheese soften then mix ingredients in a
mason jar. Shake well. It is best if you let it sit refrigerated 24
hours.
Rebecca’s Anniversary Pears
1 sliced & cored red pear
1 sliced & cored green pear
Mix 1 T of cherry preserves and 1Tof orange marmalade together for dipping sauce.
Jo Anne’s Chicken SaladStart with 2 cans of chicken or 1lb. of cooked, shredded chicken.
Add your favorite ingredients. We like: chopped onion, sliced boiled eggs
(about 4), sliced black olives, dill relish, and black pepper. Top and stir with your favorite mayo, miracle whip or try a dash (1T) of horseradish.
Luscious Latte Punch
10 c hot brewed coffee
1 c sugar
Dissolve sugar in hot coffee and refrigerate overnight.
3 c nonfat milk
½ c chocolate syrup
tub of coffee ice cream
Scoop ice cream into punch bowl. Add milk, coffee, and syrup. Stir. This recipe will be served at the bridal brunch in Mountain Creek Mystery Book 2
