When You Wish upon a Star...and other Love Charms

Mysterious and delicious potions have long been brewed along the bumpy road to true love.
These are meant to be shared and enjoyed on a warm summer evening. While the tea is brewing, or you are waiting for one of your 'love charms' to cure, remember to order a copy of my latest book in my Western Men are Made for Lovin' Series!

Love Potion #1
2 hibiscus tea bags (brew in 2 cups water, cool completely.
1 cup papaya juice, chilled (add tea and juice to 1 qt. pitcher).
1/2 tablespoon honey (add to pitcher, stir with wooden spoon).
Sparkling water, chilled (top off the pitcher).
Pour into 2 chilled glasses and top with a sprig of mint.

Love Charms
In Hungary, a woman traditionally seals her love by tying a strand of her hair to one of her lover's hairs and binding it with a red ribbon. The charm is worn near the heart.

Flowers- the secret language of love
In Victorian times public wooing was constrained by social mores. Send an 'unspoken' message to your honey.
Apple: temptation
Clover: promise
Gardenia: ecstasy
Jonquil: desire
Hyacinth: admiration
Iris: passion
Orchid: comfort
Rose: love
Tulip: vow

In response, one may receive:
Almomd: hope
Hollyhock: consumed by love
Wormwood: love returned
Sadly, one may also be presented with:
Daffodil: no
Flax: thank you

Ah, love is eternal--so, never give up hope.

And if worse comes to worse, there are always chocolate massage bars!

(See my next blog).

Fun And Excitement Abound

Christmas is over now, but the house still holds the memories of joy, laughter and love. The little ones opened gifts and offered an abundance of dimpled smiles and hugs. Food was consumed amid a symphony of conversation consisting of stories, memories, and hopes for the future. And, aside for a leaking pipe in the living room wall (creating a pool reminiscent of England's The Lady Diana Pool), the day had not a hint of disaster.

Now is the time to sit back and relax and be thankful for how lucky we are, and to remember there are many who are less fortunate, how was your Christmas? Did you spend it with family or with friends? What did you have for dinner? Any special presents given or received? Or, do you celebrate another holiday this time of year, or nothing at all?

This weekend is my change to get back into a routine, meaning no more staying up until 2 a.m. and sleeping until 8:00. I have contests up and running on my website, connievines.romance-centrial.com so be sure and enter! I'm making final revisions on my contemporary romance, The Way to a Rancher's Heart, book I in my Western Men are Made for Lovin' Series, June 2005 release.