It's Party Day TWO!! And Boy Do I Have a Treat for You...

DAY TWO!!

I've brought party hats and toot the blow-horn thingies, because we've got another day of two very special guests in the same post!

DON'T MISS out on what's been planned. It's going to be fun, fun, fun!

Now, I got a little secret to share: I love Candace Calvert and Ronie Kendig. They write  some fiction. Seriously, they are awesome and when they found out they were sharing a party day...what did they do? But be the wonderful, generous people they are and TOOK OVER MY PARTY.

It's well worth it though and I bet you'll agree with me. These gals...are. a. blast!!

And are you remembering your trivia questions?? I'm trying to keep them from being time-consuming and simply fun!

So are you ready to get on with the par-tay?!?

I'll be bringing in music later in the week and we've got balloons filling the air all around us. Throw a bit of confetti around while your at it too. Just watch out for the food. ;-)

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The lovely Candace Calvert in her CA home kitchen!

Candace: Omigoodness, there’s nothing I like more than an excuse for a party—and helping our good friend Casey celebrate her 2^nd Blog Anniversary is just too much fun!  You can see by the photo that I’ve chosen my party wear with great care: scrubs (you know I live in them), pearls (for the occasion) and an apron—because y’all KNOW I’m a passionate foodie. It even spills over into my writing: Nick Stathos, the police officer hero of Code Triage, was once a San Francisco chef!  

I wanted to bring an extra apron for fabulous author and co-hostess Ronie Kendig, but it’s impossible to find one in camouflage now that I’ve moved back home to California.  

Ronie: Apron? Don’t you know that’s the whole point of wearing camo shirts and pants—you can’t see how dirty they are! Besides, I just slop beans in a large pot and let the magic work itself. 

The amazing Ronie Kendig, complete with her camo!

Candace: Intriguing—this will be a perfect party collaboration, and we’re so glad that you all can join in. The more the merrier. Start the music, grab some confetti curls and let’s get things going!  

Casey’s asked us some key party questions, so I’ll set aside my oven mitt and spatula, and start right in:

Casey: What’s on the menu for your party? 

Candace: Despite the rumor that ER nurses thrive on cold pizza (munched between stomach-turning cases) my favorite party food is appetizers. Hot, cold, spicy, sweet . . . pretty little perfect bites. Food guests can carry around as they mingle and talk. So I think for this special party, I’ll serve a few specialties straight from the Calvert recipe box: 

Grilled Portabella Mushroom Spread (warm, smoky, creamy, rich with Parmesan)

Crab Cakes with sweet/tangy red pepper sauce

Roasted Corn & Lobster Dip with sourdough slices

Ole Squares (rich cornbread, green chiles, cheddar bites)

Crispy Italian Chicken Sticks with Honey Mustard

Wolfgang Puck’s “Famous Hot Spinach-Artichoke” Dip

Maybe some fresh whole strawberries, pear slices, with cheeses and spicy-sweet glazed nuts, and--

Ronie:  Now, hold up! WE got the best right here. First we’ll start off with a beef roast with suck-you-in vegetables.

Candace: I think you mean succulent.

Ronie: Naw, we ain’t got none of those, whatever they are. Just suck-you-in vegetables. Or for the more refined tastes, how about meatballs with marinara sauce? Or for those on one of them liquid fasts, how about chicken soup with noodles. ‘Course, reckon the noodles kinda shoot the liquid part in the foot, but hey, in the field, you can’t be too choosy. All these meals are readily available for any fine American serviceman—and in no-spill, leakproof packets, straight from the good ol’ US-of-A.

Photo Credit for the Texas Sheet Cake. ;-)

Candace: Okay, spill-proof is good (better for the linen napkins). Now for dessert. I’m thinking a decadent, fudgy Texas Sheet Cake, in honor of Trauma Plan—the first book in my upcoming Texas medical series. 

Ronie: Let’s make it easy on everyone, including those with KP duty. First, you can choose from shortbread cookies stamped with images of the Statue of Liberty, the American flag, or and eagle. Or you can eat the dried fruit—really good, I hear—and can testify—for the digestive system. Know what I’m saying?  

Candace: Mmm, good point—medically speaking. And, just for fun, I’ll offer what’s left of a huge sack of candy corn. (Ask Casey about that!) 

Casey: *giggling behind hands*

Ronie: Now, see? Right there is why I love this fine lady with her fancy foods, pearls, and smiles. Candy Corn. Can’t get more home-grown than that. I happen to have it on good authority that Legend—you can get a bead on his story come January in Firethorn—loves those multicolored cones of sugar. I’ll also throw in some Milk Bone Biscuits for the doggy guests—in honor of Trinity, the first book in my upcoming A Breed Apart series. Can’t forget our four-legged heroes! 

Casey: Would your party be catered or home-created? 

Candace (dusting the Kitchen Aid mixer): I think you can guess that one . . .   

Casey: Hmmm, that was sort of a pointless question... ;-)

Ronie: Home grown and yet catered. See? The military can be flexible. After all, I reckon many of those I’d be serving to wouldn’t be able to make that date, so let’s just say we bring the meal to you with a heapin’ dose of good will and prayers.  

Candace: I’ll second that good thought, my friend. 

Casey: Describe your party setting. 

Candace: I love opening my home to guests, creating an atmosphere that says, “C’mon on in, friends—we’re blessed to have you here.”  

Ronie: I might have to dust off the sign, but it’s the one that draws crowds by the thousands every day. In fact, several times a day. After a long hard day on patrol or one spent on your bunk writing loved ones back  home, the sign that makes every one smile is the one that says “Mess Hall.”  

Candace: A warm welcome starts at the front door: sack-candles lighting the walkway, tiny white lights in the trees, festive door wreath, tubs of flowers and ivy beside the door. A brass dragonfly doorknocker. There’s music as the door opens, laughter and hugs, shouts of “Oh, fabulous, look who’s here!” –and then mouth-watering scents wafting from the kitchen. It’s a lovely mix of folks, all ages, all manners of dress (from scrubs to sequins to faded jeans--military fatigues!) and there’s a lively, non-stop buzz of conversation. People are batting balloons, munching appetizers, brainstorming novels, and singing karaoke—here’s the mike, you’re next! The festivities spill from room to room, and then out onto a covered and heated patio, where comfy wicker couches, a burbling waterfall, strings of lights and tabletop candles invite guests to sit and linger . . . 

Ronie: Our setting. . .well, It’s more about who is there than what is there. After all, the benches aren’t exactly oozing comfort, and the vinyl floors make it easy to clean, and the stainless steel keeps the bacteria at bay, but. . .when you see the road-weary soldier, who’s seen more than his fair share of wrong in a day, a smile and a light bit of conversation over a tray piled with slop does a heart right, ya know what I’m saying? Or a female officer holding the picture of her children while she nibbles one of those refined sugar cookies. . .does a heart proud.  

Candace: Proud indeed. And speaking of proud, Ronie and I are both honored to be here—combining our party efforts—to celebrate with all of you. So lift your glasses, aim those confetti curls, and let’s all shout it out together. 

Happy Blog Anniversary, Casey!!  Whoo hoo!!”

Casey: *blushing* 

Casey: Complete this thought: The perfect party isn’t perfect without… 

Candace and Ronie: All of you.  Thanks for coming to our party!

Wooohoooooo!! Don't you just love those two?? THANK YOU Candance and Ronie for making this party so much fun!!

I know the perfect guests for THIS party! It's every blog reader who stops by. This party has really nothing to do about me, and EVERYTHING to do about you. I wouldn't be able to do any of this right here and now, if you guys weren't such faithful (and fun!!) visitors. Take this as my thank you to you!!

What to know what you're playing for?? Yeah, I thought you might.... (two winners today)

Woot! And I can't wait for this book (to release in December)

And this medical drama was waaay good! Not to be missed at all!

Ready for your trivia question??

(Remember), on each post I will have a trivia question about my blog. For every correct answer you get right you'll receive TWO EXTRA ENTRIES for this contest AND for all those who get my trivia questions right, I'll have a special giveaway separate for you guys. ;-)

How many party posts did I have LAST YEAR??

Happy party day!!!