Monday, December 12, 2011

Today's Special - - RaeAnne Thayne


I'm so excited to welcome RaeAnne Thayne to The Romance Dish today!  RaeAnne has long been one of my favorite category authors and has recently branched out into single title contemporary with her Hope's Crossing Trilogy.  (Read my review of the first book in the trilogy, Blackberry Summer, here.)  RaeAnne's newest book for Harlequin Special Edition, Christmas in Cold Creek, is the ninth title in her Cowboys of Cold Creek series, all of which can be read as stand-alone books.  Please help me welcome RaeAnne today as she blogs about Christmas traditions and shares some delicious recipes!
~PJ



Our daughter moved to Arizona last December (some crazy idea about wanting to live with her new husband. Go figure!). Much to our delight, they’re coming home this weekend to spend Christmas with us. Amidst all the excitement and preparations, I’ve been thinking about some of our holiday traditions over the years, those have-to-do things our daughter will be expecting. Yes, we’ll probably take a drive to see the Christmas lights in a nearby town where some resident always goes a little overboard. And we’ll probably take the train to downtown Salt Lake City to look at the lights there and go ice skating at her favorite spot. 

The one tradition I know I can’t skip this year is our usual Christmas breakfast. Every year, I spend a little time on Christmas Eve afternoon preparing a make-ahead breakfast for the next day to ease the craziness a little. I’ve been fixing the same thing for about a decade now. If I ever tried to change it up, I think I’d have mass revolt on my hands! It’s such a tradition that our daughter had to get the recipes last year so she could make the same two dishes on her first Christmas with her husband.

I love these recipes because they’re invariably delicious yet almost embarrassingly easy and because on Christmas morning, all I have to do is turn on the oven and slip them in while we’re undoing the annoying packaging on our younger kids’ toys.

Christmas morning recipes:

Make-Ahead: Farmer’s Breakfast Casserole
3 cups frozen shredded hash browns, 24 oz bag
¾ cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/3 cup mild salsa
1 cup ham or Canadian-style bacon, diced
½ cup green onions, sliced
4 eggs, beaten
12 oz evaporated milk, canned
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt

Grease a 2-quart square baking dish. Spread the potatoes evenly in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with cheeses, ham, salsa and green onions. Combine the eggs, milk, pepper and salt and pour over the potato mixture in dish.  Cover and refrigerate.

To serve, bake uncovered at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Optional, add extra shredded cheese to the top during the last 15 minutes of baking.


Make-Ahead French Toast
5 eggs, lightly beaten
1 ½ cups milk
1 cup half-and-half cream
1 t vanilla extract
½ loaf French bread, cut diagonally in 1 inch slices (I use Texas toast)
½ cup butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar
2 T maple syrup
1 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream and vanilla. Dip bread slices into egg mixture and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, maple syrup and pecans. Soon mixture over bread. Bake in preheated oven until golden, about 40 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

My mouth is watering, just thinking about them!  

What about you? What traditions do you look forward to most? What special celebrations make the holidays perfect for you? I’d love to hear! 

I’ll give a copy of my latest release for Special Edition, CHRISTMAS IN COLD CREEK or your choice of any of my backlist to one person who responds (U.S. and Canada residents only. Sorry!).

54 comments:

  1. The best holiday season traditions at our house involve our one and only child. Before he went off to College, we had never spent any holiday's apart. I thought that all of this would change at the beginning of his university career when we woold be over 400miles apart. Our Holiday miracle is that our son still looks forward to spending his time with us on vacations, holidays, trips, and sometimes just for surprise visits. It is a tradition we all treasure.

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  2. We always have a big party on Christmas eve. We play games and graze the buffet table. As the grandkids get older our games have grown to scrabble and tabu (as they learn to spell) . We even play team games on the xbox. After putting out cookies for Santa and reindeer food the kids go to bed and wait for Santa. So much fun to be with family.

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  3. Good Morning, everyone! Welcome, RaeAnne!

    I love reading about people's holiday traditions. There's something so comforting about knowing we have them to look forward to every year.

    RaeAnne, I have to say I am drooling all over my keyboard as I read your French Toast recipe. I am so making this and plan on savoring every single bite! :)

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  4. Flora, I love that your son still enjoys coming home to spend time with his parents. It says a lot about you and your husband!

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  5. TrishJ, what a fun tradition for Christmas Eve! Games are big in my family too.

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  6. I have to work today so I won't be around much but I'll pop in when I get home. Can't wait to read about everyone's traditions!

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  7. i'm outside US and Canada, so don't count me

    i don't celebrate christmas but other event, for tradition holiday i love gathering with family and then my mom will cooking a special dish (chinese food) and some pastries. and our special tradition is giving money (some money will put in an red envelope we called "angpao) ;)

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  8. Our biggest family tradition is still cutting down the tree at the local tree farm. We make a whole day of it. We decorate the outside of the house too. Then in the evening, start a fire, put on the Christmas music and decorate the tree.

    Christmas eve we walk around the neighborhood after dinner and admire all of the decorated yards!!

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  9. I'm looking forward to reading Woodrose Mountain next month.

    We have lots of traditions from decorations to food to books. I love the generational connections--reading the grands some of the same Christmas stories my mother read to my brother, my sister, and me; using recipes that were used by my grandmothers and great-aunts; decorating with ornaments that spark memories of other Christmases. I especially love putting out my mother's Christmas angels. I can almost see her smile.

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  10. We always have Christmas Eve at my mom and dads house. We get pizza watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and open gifts with the entire family.
    My little family always has to go out the week of Christmas and see the light displays. Where I live is Corporate headquarters for the Flowers bread company The always have the BIG house decorated and the drive around the property is lighted with music and Christmas scenes.
    Merry Christmas!

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  11. Flora, Lovely about your son! I'm amazed that our daughter seems to want to spend time with us too. Young adult children are a joyous gift after the tumultuous teenage years!

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  12. Trish, my husband's family always had their party on Christmas Eve until about ten years ago when we changed to the Saturday before Christmas. We always played Bingo and did a pinata. Great fun! My side of the family plays games at our party too ... our favorite is Balderdash. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. PJ, just make sure you grease your casserole dish well for the French toast. It's delish but can be messy :) Thanks so much for having me.

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  14. Lovely, Eli! I love the way traditions across cultures bind together families. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  15. Laurie, until about four years ago we always cut our own tree and then we went over to the dark side of artificial trees. I love the convenience and the reduced effort and mess but I'll admit I miss that tradition of picking just the perfect tree. We put up two trees (one upstairs in the living room and one in the basement family room) so maybe next year we'll do a real tree for one of them.

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  16. Janga, Woodrose Mountain is actually an April release now. My publisher decided April and October were better release months for my books than January/June. Sorry about that! I'm really impatient for it to come out since the book was finished last April.

    Thanks so much for sharing about your traditions. I too love sharing treasured books with my own children and I'm sure I'll do the same with grandchildren. It's wonderful to see traditions carry on in families from generation to generation!

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  17. Gigi, had to laugh at watching Christmas Vacation. It's a tradition here too. We haven't watched it yet since my DH just bought the Blu-Ray and it hasn't arrived yet. Apparently the DVD we already have just isn't good enough.

    Fave line off the top of my head: "What can I say, Rusty, except it's Christmas and we're all in misery."

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  18. I always look forward to going to my sister's house on Christmas eve. She lives in my mother's house so its like going home. We always have a big Christmas Dinner with gifts. There is nothing like spending time with family.

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  19. I always look forward to going to my sister's house on Christmas eve. She lives in my mother's house so its like going home. We always have a big Christmas Dinner with gifts. There is nothing like spending time with family.

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  20. The one thing I insist on is that we attend Christmas Eve services. Other than that, I am pretty flexible about what we to and eat. Thanks for the recipes.

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  21. Agreed, Virginia. Family is so important at the holidays. Thanks for the comments!

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  22. Maureen, you're welcome :) Have a great week.

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  23. I just love spending time with my family. We always cook up a storm and watch holiday movies and it's such a cozy and fun atmosphere.

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  24. For Christmas morning, we must have link sausage and biscuits. Luckily, my boys are so anxious for the sausage they're willing to stand over the pan while I still around and pretend to be awake.

    I think I'll try the potatoe dish this year though. That sounds wonderful!

    With the sausage and biscuits of course...

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  25. RaeAnne, the breakfast casserole looks yummy - I'll have to give that one a try. We always do breakfast tacos - bacon, eggs, potatoes, cheese and refried beans in a tortilla. It wouldn't Christmas morning at our place without them :)

    Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  26. We always get together with family on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Both days are spent with the kids opening their Christmas presents. Their delight is a wonderful thing to see.

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  27. Yummy - Yummy!! I just enjoy having the family together. And we try to get to the town carol sing on Christmas Eve followed by candlelite church service.

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  28. Those recipes look yummy, RaeAnne. Thank you so much for sharing!! I'm going to give them both a try.

    ~ Melissa

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  29. Na, you paint a lovely picture! Thanks for responding :)

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  30. Lesli, biscuits and sausages. Yum! I'm laughing about your boys hovering. I can picture it :)

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  31. Clancy, your breakfast tacos sounds delish. I think we'll try that with leftovers over the holidays :)

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  32. Cathy, I so love seeing kids at Christmas too. My youngest is 8 and some of the magic is beginning to fade but it's still wonderful :)

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  33. Di, your celebration sounds wonderful :) Thanks for commenting!

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  34. You're welcome Melissa! Have a wonderful holiday.

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  35. Hi RaeAnne,
    Great blog. I love new recipes. Just wanted to let you know that I just finished Christmas in Cold Creek--in the wee hours of the morning. I lose so much sleep when I'm reading your books. AND then I cry cause they end and I want MORE!

    Have a good holiday.

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  36. Hi RaeAnne,
    I just loved Blackberry Summer.I can't wait for the next one.

    My favorite tradition is when my nieces and nephews come over and we bake Christmas cookies together.Some are getting a little old and I have to drag them here.But by the end of the night they've had a great time.

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  37. Hi RaeAnne! Sorry I'm late checking in, but I'm so glad you were with us today!

    I do a make-ahead casserole for Christmas, too. It has ham, cheese, eggs, and cubed French bread. Yummy!

    Your French toast casserole looks absolutely delicious---definitely going to add that one to our menu.

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  38. Wow! That french toast recipe sounds delish!!!

    My favorite tradtion is putting the tree up at my parents house, and then starting the marathon of baking! I always go crazy baking for Christmas, and I make waaaay too much.... However, I love it, and it always seems to get eaten!

    I'd like to start a new tradtion with my niece. This will be her second Christmas!!! Does anyone have any ideas that I could try???

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  39. Mary, thank you so much :) I really needed to hear that today since I'm struggling with a deadline and a WIP that doesn't want to behave. You're such a sweetie :) Have a wonderful holiday.

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  40. Elaine, thank you :) I'm so happy you enjoyed Blackberry Summer. My mother-in-law used to do a Saturday craft day with all her grandchildren a few weeks before Christmas where they would make ornaments and other fun holiday stuff. We still have some of those ornaments on our tree. Even when our oldest started growing up, I think she enjoyed those times with Grandma.

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  41. Gannon, your breakfast casserole sounds great! One of my favorite things about it is knowing I don't have to rush around on Christmas morning frying bacon and flipping pancakes or any of the other brekkie craziness. I can just turn on the oven, shove in the dishes and relax :)

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  42. Monica, I go crazy baking too. This year in particular. My husband bought me a stand mixer for Christmas on the Black Friday sales (my first ever!) and let me open it early so I could use it for my Christmas baking. So far I've done snickerdoodles, peanut butter kiss cookies, those wedding ball cookies and a couple batches of white-chocolate cranberry cookies. So fun! Guess what I'm giving all my neighbors this year?!

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  43. Thanks for having me, everyone. I've had a great day and have loved reading about everyone's traditions.

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  44. RaeAnne, thanks so much for visiting with us today! I'm so sorry I wasn't able to get back here until now. Work and other "issues" conspired to keep me away from the computer all day. :(

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  45. Janga said, I'm looking forward to reading Woodrose Mountain

    Me too! :)

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  46. Gigi said, We get pizza watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

    Gigi, I don't have to watch the movie. All I need to do is walk down the street to where two of my neighbors are vying to outdo the Griswolds with their Christmas decorations! lol!

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  47. Na said, I just love spending time with my family. We always cook up a storm and watch holiday movies and it's such a cozy and fun atmosphere.

    That sounds lovely!

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  48. Di said, And we try to get to the town carol sing on Christmas Eve followed by candlelite church service.

    I always try to make the candlelight service on Christmas Eve. The town carol sing sounds wonderful!

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  49. Melissa Mayhue said, Those recipes look yummy, RaeAnne. Thank you so much for sharing!! I'm going to give them both a try.

    Thank you for stopping by, Melissa! Love your books!

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  50. Elaing8 said, My favorite tradition is when my nieces and nephews come over and we bake Christmas cookies together.

    That's one of my favorite parts of the season. My 5 yr old grandniece spent part of Sunday baking cookies with me. She pronounced it her "most favorite day ever!"

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  51. Monica, two is not too young to get her started in the kitchen. My niece was about two when I first let her help me make cookies. I set her up with her own apron, taped butcher paper to the counter, put some different colored frosting in plastic bowls, gave her some mini spatulas, baked sugar cookies and let her go to town. She's now 28 and a fabulous baker!

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  52. I read CHRISTMAS IN COLD CREEK last week and enjoyed it. Proves we can rise above our upbringing.

    I love the sound of these two recipes. Will have to try them out. Christmas will be a zoo this year, so I will probably try them for New Year's morning.

    I miss the family traditions of my childhood. My parents came from large families and everyone lived in the same area. On my mother's side, we would all attend midnight mass then go to my grandparents' home for brunch. Eight siblings and all there children (4 to 6 each) made for a large group. When we got home at 2 or 3 in the morning, Santa had come, so we opened gifts, then went to bed. Smart move on my parents part, everyone would sleep in . On Christmas Day, we would go to my other grandparents' house for dinner with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins.

    Today we are all grown and scattered over the country. We live 400+ from the nearest relative, and at least twice as far from the rest. So our family gatherings consist of my husband and I plus our 3 children and their families. We don't always celebrate on Christmas Day itself. It depends on schedules. After 24 years in the military, we learned to celebrate when and where we could. A day is just a day. It is the celebration and the reason for it that is important.

    Thanks for the recipes. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas holiday.

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  53. Hi, RaeAnne!! I have to say that the Farmer's Breakfast Casserole looks SO good! I may just have to try that. :)

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  54. PJ,

    I LOVE the idea of getting "my baby" in the kitchen with me! Thank you for such a wonderful idea! It'll be something special since I love to bake, and just sharing it with her, and seeing her have fun will be the best thing ever! LOL! GREAT IDEA!

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