Custer's Mill Mysteries - Blog

A Repudiation of the Anti-Aging Culture

2/13/2023

By Barbara Finnegan

In our Custer’s Mill Mystery series, we’ve tried to emphasize the contribution of older persons in a community. Our “library ladies” are retired women who devote their time and energy into making the town a better place to live. They are important in their spheres of influence, even if the wider world doesn’t recognize their value.

In our western culture, we tend to shy away from talk about mortality, and old age is often denigrated. Aging, for women especially, is an embarrassment, to be hidden away like an ugly scar. Popular culture urges women to try to conceal it as long as possible. Maybe that’s part of the draw of retirement communities. Perhaps being around other aging people is the only way folks can be themselves. It’s okay to be old around other old folks.

And yet, on a personal level, many of us mourn and miss our deceased relatives for years, no matter how old they were when they died. I still find myself often wishing my father, who died in 2016, could walk around my farm with me. He’d love it!

If you can shake off the constraints of the anti-aging culture, aging can be freeing. Wise old folks realize time is precious, and the expectations of earlier years don’t matter as much as they used to. Take time to enjoy simple pleasures with new and old friends, offer a helping hand to those in need, or bake cookies with a grandchild. Revel in nature by tending a garden. Figure out what it means to use your time wisely.

Share stories of your life for your family members. I treasure written stories of the lives and times of my grandparents and parents, and wish they’d written down many more.

Do you have written stories about your older relatives? Send them to us, we’d love to see them!

Copyright 2023
Larson Hess, LLC
All rights reserved

December Blog

12/1/2022

As we came to the end of writing our second book, we tried to create a warm and inviting Christmas scene as the ladies prepared to open the Compass Rose Tearoom to the villagers of Custer’s Mill. A quiet guest took in the sights in the parlor before everyone arrived, remembering images of Christmas past.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
We wish you peace, joy and happiness in the coming weeks and New Year.

The Mountain’s Secret Epilogue, Dec. 1st
The grandfather clock chimed the quarter hour. Three-fifteen. In forty-five minutes, the Compass Rose Tearoom would open to the public. But right now, the spacious parlor was empty. The evergreen garland that lay across the fireplace mantel swayed in the breeze generated by the vintage Georgian ceiling fan. It infused the room with the fresh smell of the forest. Tiny white lights twinkled around archways and windows. Music box holiday carols chimed in the background. Miniature Christmas trees were centered on each table, and delicate lace ribbons graced the backs of the chairs.
If anyone had come into the tearoom at that moment, they would not have seen the elderly lady standing by the frosty window. They would not have noticed her soft blue eyes or her wistful smile. She looked out over the parlor as if trying to take in every detail. The starched white linen tablecloths, the Royal Doulton china with the hand-painted holly leaves, the sparkling silver spoons, and sprigs of cedar tucked into brass napkin rings.
This was not the time for her to indulge in memories, but she couldn’t help but recall past Christmases in this parlor. The eleven-foot tree that grazed the surface of the plasterwork ceilings, the wrapped packages, the sound of sleigh bells as her brother and father hitched up the wagon to Molly, their old mare, to carry the family to midnight services.

Where is Your Gathering Place?

10/30/2022

Do you have a favorite place you meet friends over coffee or dinner? My husband, Ron, and I recently returned from a trip to Scotland. We found the Scottish people very friendly, and we were lucky enough to enjoy several of their favorite gathering places: a cafe bookstore and several local pubs. The Waterstone’s Café is a three story bookstore in Glasgow with a cozy café on the second floor. It was always a buzz with people reading and enjoying a cup of tea or coffee with a good book. In the evening, we mingled with the locals in a pub such as Mac Sorley’s and Deacon Brodies Tavern. After a long day at work, the Scots love to unwind with a “pint” and a “blather” with their friends and neighbors. As a writer, I loved watching the locals laugh and engage in conversations with their friends, sometimes breaking out in song together. J.K Rowling wrote her first book in the Harry Potter series in Edinburgh, Scotland. The names she used for several characters came from the tombstones in Greyfriars Cemetery. She found inspiration among the streets and local landmarks.
As the author’s of the Custer’s Mill Mystery series, we found our gathering place at the Village Library in Broadway, Virginia. Surrounded by shelves of books, friendly volunteers, and local residents, we brainstorms ideas for our first book and found inspiration for our beloved characters.
So where is your gathering place, and how does it enrich your life and friendships. We’d love for your to share that with us.

Tea For Two

10/2/2022

Which character in our Custer’s Mill Mystery series would you like to chat with and have a cup of tea? What would you want to talk about?
Mary-I’d like to have tea with Mia, Emma’s aunt. She seems to be a good listener and the type of person who is caring and concerned for others. She would be able to share stories of Emma, Sissy, and Serafina as young children. I’d also be able to ask her about Emma’s mother so I could get to know more about her. Mia would know a lot of the history and stories of Custer’s Mill that I hope she would share with me.
Tammy - I’d love to spend time with the late Bertha Brubaker. She was truly a woman in the know! Although elderly and spinsterish, Bertha was the hub of her community, the “grapevine” of the information world, and a role model for every up and coming ingenue! Bertha would have advice for every situation — from setting a proper table to running an estate.
Barbara-I would like to spend a few afternoons having tea with Professor Nelson, Emma's great-uncle. I'd ask him about Ruth. Perhaps we could talk about how they communicated while having a secret relationship. I hope he'd feel free to share the struggles and pain they both suffered by keeping their relationship secret. I wonder what he'd do now, if he could have another chance to let the world know about their love. Would he be able to give up his professorship to marry Ruth? And I want to see his house and overgrown garden!
We’d love to hear which character you would like to chat with and have a cup of tea. You can fill in your answer below and send to The Chimney Rock Chronicle, P.O. Box 862, Broadway, VA 22815. All of those who respond will have a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to Jackson’s Corner in New Market.

Apple Blueberry Coffee Cake

9/5/2022

How special it is to spend time with friends while enjoying a cup of coffee and homemade cake or pastry. Our library ladies, Marguerite, Jane and Nanette, always seem ready with some special treat to share with their friends and guests.
This Apple Blueberry Coffee Cake is a great way to blend the blueberries of summer with the first apples of fall. It is a recipe of a dear friend, Jane Bowers, who knew how to show hospitality to others by sharing her love of cooking.
1 ½ cups sugar
2 ½ cups of flour
1 ½-2 cups of diced apples
2 eggs
2 tsps. Baking powder
1 ½ -2 cups of blueberries
¾ cup cooking oil
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 ½ tsps. Cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. salt

Mix together sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
Add flour mixture to the sugar mixture and mix well. Fold in apples and blueberries (mixture will be quite stiff). Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until done.

Check out our blog from 8/31/2018. It’s time again to visit the local apple orchards and make applesauce.

We're Back!

4/21/2022

As with many things during the past two years, the last book in our Custer’s Mill Series was put on hold. We are so grateful to our faithful readers who have continued to enjoy our first two books: Murder on Rosemary Street and The Mountain’s Secret (check out the reviews we found on Amazon). Our followers have repeatedly asked when the third book in our trilogy would be available. Well, the wait will soon be over. Here are just a few things to think about as we refresh our website and make the complete Custer’s Mill Mystery series available on Amazon this summer. Will Emma return to Custer’s Mill after her vacation in Europe or will this experience cause her to yearn for more adventures. Is Jake satisfied to stay with Kate in Custer’s Mill? Did he miss his chance with Emma? What really happened to Serafina after college? Where was she for those five years, and what made her run back to Custer’s Mill? Answers to these questions and much more await you in Book 3-Revenge Comes Twice. Stay tuned.

Warm Up With Chili

1/14/2020

I don’t know about you, but when the grey days of January hit, I’m ready to enjoy some warm soup and chili. In fact, today I made the Spare Change Diner’s Potato & Ham Soup. It was yummy. In case you haven’t tried it, you can find the recipe in our blogs.
One of our family’s winter recipes is my mom’s easy chili. She grew up in Indiana and brought this recipe with her when she moved east. I liked the chili as a child, but I learned to really appreciate it when I grew up and had children of my own. As a working mom, I looked for quick recipes I could make in about 30 minutes. Give this recipe a try.
Easy Chili
1 pound of ground beef
½ cup of onion (chopped)
1 can of Tomato Soup
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes (do not drain)
2 cans dark red kidney beans (drained)
2 teaspoons of chili powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
Optional-Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Brown the ground beef in a skillet and add onions. Cook until onions are translucent and beef is not pink. Add Tomato Soup, tomatoes, drained beans, and chili powder. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes on low. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese when served.
The last years of my mother’s life she had progressive dementia. There were many things she forgot, but she didn’t forget this chili. The last time I made it for her, she said, “this chili tastes like home.” I hope it helps you stay warm on these cold winter nights and brings you that feeling of home.

Welcoming Fall

8/31/2018

There are some messengers in the valley that herald the changes of the seasons. As we say good-bye to summer and welcome in autumn, the hardwood trees begin to display colorful hues of yellow, orange and red, and the apple trees are dotted with their ripe, juicy fruit. We are so lucky to have so many choices in fruit orchards here in the Shenandoah Valley. Two of my favorites are Paugh’s in Quicksburg and Showalter’s in Timberville.

Each year, I begin my pilgrimage to purchase apples beginning in late August. I will make several trips throughout the fall as different types of apples become available. Right now, in August, I can purchase Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, and Gala. Part of the joy of these visits is to spend time talking with the owners. Over the years, I have especially enjoyed getting cooking tips from Mrs. Paugh. Her suggestions for making applesauce have made this apple dish one of our family favorites. Her tips included using a variety of apples to make your applesauce and instead of cooking the apples in water, use apple cider. Both of these hints have made my applesauce taste so much better and a real hit with our family and friends.

Below is my recipe for applesauce with Mrs. Paugh’s helpful hints.

Recipe for Applesauce
9 Apples (using a variety enhances the flavor)
1 cup of Apple Cider
1/3-2/3 cups of sugar (the cider sweetens the apples so you may not need as much sugar)
¼ tsp of cinnamon (if desired)

Place peeled and cored apples into a saucepan. Add apple cider and bring to a boil.
Cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes until apples are soft. Remove from the heat and mash apples with a masher or food processor. I taste the apples first to see how much sugar is needed. Finally, I stir in the sugar and the cinnamon.

As the temperatures fall, the smell of cooked apples and cinnamon fill my kitchen as I watch the Maple tree in the back yard slowly change to display its crimson red leaves.

How to Write A Book Review for Amazon or Goodreads

3/30/2018

How to review a book

Both readers and writers love reviews! Even if the opinions expressed are not always positive, reviews are important. Since it’s not wise to judge a book by its cover, readers sometimes need to hear opinions of others before they decide to invest time and money into a book. Writers are always looking for the parts of their books readers enjoy. Even negative reviews are helpful to writers. It helps them know what worked and what didn’t work in their writing.

Here are some tips on how to review books on Amazon or Goodreads (or any other review site).

Give the book a star rating! Five stars are the best, of course, but it’s also okay to give a book three stars, or even one star. Be honest.
The hook: You want the reader to be interested in what you have to say. The best way to do this is with a hook. Just like a fisherman baits and hooks a fish, you need to latch on to your reader from the start. Your hook can be a question (Do you like to curl up with a cozy mystery?), a statistic (85% of people who read novels read to escape), a quote (“The more you read, the more you’ll know”), or a dramatic statement (I just read the best book of my entire life!).
A brief outline of the plot (no spoilers!). Does the story conflict keep you guessing? Look at the summary at the back of the book for pointers. You want the reader to know excitement abounds, but don’t give away the story.
Mention your favorite character(s) and why you like him/her/them. Again, no spoilers, please!
Take a minute to research the author(s) and include an interesting fact about the writer. (“Liza Doolittle has written fourteen cozy mysteries.”)
Finally, end with your recommendation. Is this book for mystery lovers? Would crafters enjoy it? What about tea and coffee connoisseurs? Or maybe it’s just a good story that most people would enjoy.

Reviews are important to readers and writers. Please take a few minutes to review your favorite books today!

Spare Change Diner Potato Soup

2/7/2018

This creamy, flavorful soup is perfect for cold winter evenings! The folks at the Spare Change Diner always have a pot bubbling on the back burner.

Ham and Potato Soup

4 cups diced potatoes
2 cups chopped ham
½ cup chopped onion
41/2 cups chicken broth
5 T butter
1/3 cup flour
2 cups half and half (or 2% milk)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Chop potatoes, ham, and onion and boil in chicken broth 10 – 15 minutes (until vegetables are soft)
In a medium sized sauce pan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Slowly add half and half (or milk), stirring continuously. Allow to thicken (about 5 minutes).

Stir flour, butter, and milk mixture into the vegetables. Heat through. Add salt and pepper to taste.