Enchilada Pie Recipe

Someone on the Steeple Hill message boards mentioned that they wished I'd put Celia's Enchilad Pie recipe in A Soldier's Family.

And actually...I'd intended to but forgot. So here it is: (You can replace the hamburger meat with leaner cheese and lower in fat ground turkey, chicken or pork if you like).

This is my mom's recipe. Her name is Lois Blankenship.

ENCHILADA PIE

For 9 by 13 pan

1 package corn tortillas * 4 lbs ground chuck * 1 large onion * 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese block or shredded * 2 small cans of red enchilada sauce (Old El Paso tastes best imho) or Or 1 large 19 ounce can * Garlic *salt * pepper * tomatoes * lettuce

Brown hamburger meat. Season with salt, pepper and chopped garlic.

Spoon a light layer of enchilada sauce on bottom of 9 by 13 pan. Layer corn tortillas, 6 in two rows fits best. There will be a little overlapping. Spread a layer of cooked ground chuck on top of tortillas. Sprinkle some finely diced onions on that. Use half of your cheese on top of that. Pour enchilada sauce about 1/2 the can. Then repeat these steps for second layer (sort of like making lasagna). Put it in the oven for about 30 minutes for 1/2 hour enough to melt the cheese and brown the top a little. Then you can shred lettuce and diced tomatoes and put that on top, or put in a bowl on the side in case you have to heat up the leftovers. It goes well with a side dish of corn or refried beans. And of course some deep fried sopapillas with honey to drip on them once done never hurts either. LOL!

Hope you enjoy it. It is VERY rich as far as meaty/cheezy. Probably high-caloric, high-fat too. But oh so good!

Welcome to Psych Saturday!

Meaw-lo! (That's "hello" in domestic cat language)

My name is Psychoticat. I know-but, hey, (presses paws to indignant chest) I am not the despicable human who came up with it, a'right? Gimme a break...though not in the tail. That hurts. I know by experience since Bradley closed my tail in the refrigerator crisper once.

Talk about MEOwUCH!

Wonder who Bradley is? If you've read the first two books of debut novelist Cheryl Wyatt's (this very peculiar blog owner) Wings of Refuge Series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired, you know just who I'm talking about.

In case you haven't read them (Just why not? Hmmm? After all, the books feature ME!) let me tell you about Bradley...

He was one sick puppy...errrr---scratch that. I don't much care for puppies, or floppy eared creatures of any sort for that matter. (Flicks tail) Only stiff and stately-eared pets such as cats have the dignity required to keep their ears poised at all times.

But I digress...Bradley is a charming little boy who wrote to a fictional "sick kids' wish foundation" called Dream Corps. He wanted to meet a real special ops soldier before he kicked off in book one (A Soldier's Promise). The soldier comes to the town of his most painful childhood memories to pledge allegiance to a promise he made to the little boy.

SPOILER: If you haven't read the first book and plan to...SKIP THE ITALICIZED PORTION or the story will be ruined.

Well, in book 2...Bradley is still alive and kickin' and though I felt kinda miffed that the kid was adopted by Amber and she moved me out because of the little guy's allergies, it's not so bad living with Celia. She doesn't forget my tuna as much as Amber did.

Here's the latest news this week from Refuge:
*I hear wedding bells are on the horizon for Millie and Dean!
**I also hear Trina Pallazio has ventured back to Refuge Community Church. I've also heard most of Refuge police force attends there....all four of them. Being a divorcee after her incarcerated and abusive husband murdered a town cop, that's saying somethin about this gutsy woman's courage.

More Refuge Happenings next week....every Saturday, here at Squirrel's Treehouse. I'll be reporting live, so tune in each week.

Psych

Love Inspired Authors and Steeple Hill

Shelley of Webcrafters has updated the "Love Inspired Authors' Web site". It is really cute!

Check it out here:
Love Inspired Authors

This site is separate from the Steeple Hill Web site (which is another MUST visit).

Steeple Hill Web site

Put these on your favorites and learn more about Steeple Hill's fabulous authors!

Hugs,

Cheryl

Please Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman Family

I just heard the sad news about singer/songwriter Steven
Curtis Chapman's five-year-old adopted daughter Maria. My heart goes out to this family, who has done so much for orphans.

If you haven't heard, Maria was struck and killed by a vehicle her teenage
brother was driving in the family's driveway with other family members looking on.

My prayers and condolences are with this family. I hope you will bouy them up in prayer as well.

Visit Steven Curtis Chapman's Web site to learn more about their ministry to orphans and those who want to adopt them. There is a place there to leave words of kindness to the family in their time of loss.

Cheryl Wyatt

ACFW BookClub Discussion

Hey bloggees,

A Soldier's Family, my March release from Steeple Hill Love Inspired, is being discussed on American Chrisian Fiction Writers BookClub AS WE SPEAK!

We're also discussing Amber Miller's Promises, Promises from Barbour's Heartsong Presents.

Discussion will continue until the end of the month. Then we'll have a live, author chat in the BookClub's chatroom.

Joining is easy and FREE!

If you've read this book, or are interested in what others are saying about it...I hope you will come join the fun! :-)

Here is the ACFW BookClub link.
Once there, simply follow the prompts to join.


Please pass the word along and post this on your blogs! Yes, that means you can STEAL this post! LOL!

If you need the URL to cut and paste, here is is: http://www.acfw.com/bookclub.shtml

Cheryl Wyatt

Critique Auction! Help Fellow Author

Would you like to participate in an auction to help a fellow writer?

Literary agent Kelly Mortimer is coordinating ebay auctions to help fellow author Robin Miller with desperately needed finances while her husband is unable to work.

I have donated a 1 chapter critique, up for bid THIS WEEK. Right now in fact. I am very thorough and very honest but gentle. The bid for my critique is here.

In addition, Tracy Ruckman, editor of Pixs-N-Pens has up for (bidding or buy now) grabs a 3-chapter-critique.

You can also bid on a professional one-sheet/bookmark design by Dineen Miller. I use her for my design services and she is OUTSTANDING. She's a top notch designer whose portfolios include such clients as Time Magazine, etc.

Please feel free to steal this post (LOL!) via cut and paste and spread the word to help my friend and fellow author. Robin is an amazing Godly woman who would do the same for you were you in her shoes and she able to help.

THANK YOU!

Cheryl Wyatt

BLOGGING IN SEEKERVILLE TODAY

I'm blogging here in Seekerville today about characterization.

It is an interactive blog, so drop by and bring us your thoughts on what makes movie and book characters memorable.


Reminder--
ACFW's 700 or so member Bookclub, we begin discussing my March Steeple Hill novel (A Soldier's Family) today, along with Amber Miller's Promises, Promises from Barbour's Heartsong Presents.

Don't forget to drop in for the discussion over the next two weeks for that. I will post reminders. Anyone can join the American Christian Fiction Writers book club for free. www.acfw.com Simply click the ACFW Book Club link on the first page.

Warmly,

Cheryl Wyatt

Cease (title idea) Fire!

WOW! You guys are AMAZING in your title creativity. I now have sufficient ammo to choose from for my book title arsenal. You may now stop the book title barrage. :-)

Thanks everyone!

If I choose your idea, you will hear from me by this time next week.

Cheryl Wyatt

Need Title Help---Prizes Involved! LOL!

Okay Bloggers, I'm writing a story with no working title and that bugs me.

Here are the hooks:

Inspirational Romance
Nanny heroine
Airman hero (US Air Force Pararescue Jumper)
Single dad
Nanny with a secret past (recovered alcoholic with history of DUI)
Age gap between hero and heroine (he's ten years her senior)
Widower hero
Twin sons--Two rambunctious two-year-olds
Hero is a commander of two special ops PJ teams
subthread of PJ teams in danger of being disbanded
Nanny wants a family...THIS family
Hero also wants another family but his duty is divided between his sons and his PJ teams due to pressure to disband=difficulty pursuing romance
Second marriage for hero. First wife killed by drunk driver when babies two months old.

This book will be part of the Wings of Refuge series from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. What links each standalone book together is 1. The setting (small fictional town of Refuge, Illinois) and 2. The PJ (Pararescue Jumper) team. Each guy has his own story. All Inspirational Romance.

Other titles in Wings of Refuge:
A Soldier's Promise-Book 1
A Soldier's Family-Book 2
Ready-Made-Family- Book 3
A Soldier's Reunion-Book 4
Not Yet Named-:-(-Book 5

I need a working title for Book 5. As you can see, "Soldier" doesn't need to be in the title and in fact I'd prefer if it weren't so Ready-Made-Family won't feel so lonely. LOL! Plus these guys are more airmen that soldiers anyway, not that it matters to anyone outside the Air Force. LOL!

If I pick your title to turn in to my editor (the first ten or so people whose ideas I use), you'll each receive one signed copy of all five books when the rest release in 2009. If your title idea gets picked as the print title, you'll receive a mystery thank you gift from me as well as the five books AND your name in the acknowledgements if you wish.

Ready? Set? Send me those titles! (In the comment section of this post, along with your e-mail address so I can contact you if I use your idea/s. Be sure to put a space somewhere in your e-mail address so internet spiders don't getcha.)

Cheryl Wyatt

Remembering Judy

Bereft but not--Remembering Judy

"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left-feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught." John 14:25 (The Message)

Cheryl here.

You know how you have those moments where you are just sad and need a lift? So sad that you are sure God is going to send something to bouy you because His compassion is great and his mercy mighty? I just returned from the memorial service of a family friend. A dear woman named Judy Robison. It's almost as if God is clanging her voice in my ear going, "Well, Cheryl! What-n-the-WORLD are you mopin' around the house for?"

That's exactly what Judy would say if she were here. And you know, it makes me laugh. And after saying that to me with a sarcastic glint in her eyes as she's rolling them, she'd rear her head back and laugh at me again with the boisterous chuckle exquisite to her, and then she'd laugh with me. Then she'd share some of the deep wisdom that she was full of. She never ran out of the right thing to say even though she always gave and gave and gave it. Words of wisdom and always laced with compassion and Judy's special kind of humor. As the pastor said today, "Judy always gave words of encouragement and deep knowlege that only comes from spending time with Him and in His word."

Now she is completely in Your presence, isn't she Lord? And I'll bet you're laughing together about a lot of things.

Judy.

A woman of greatness who loves God with all of her heart. She's with You this moment, probably picking Your brain about something in that Bible of Yours that she loved to read and knew like the back of her hand.

She loved her family and she loved life and she loved to create things. I still have this beautiful picture frame she made my husband and I when we got married. She used a dinner napkin from our wedding and our engagement announcement and our wedding invitation to create the most beautiful collage...a reminder forever of that special time in my life between my husband and I ten years ago.

And now that frame is a beautiful reminder of the woman of God who spent time crafting it with generous care and creative skill. She was a woman who thought of others. She had a sense of humor like no one else on earth. I wish you'd known her if you never met her. The way she talked. The way she held herself. Humor and sarcasm in the most loving way. How a person could be so delightfully gruff and determinedly tender at the same time...I don't know but she was. She could pick the humor out of any situation.

I know for her family, and especially for her husband, God is the only person big enough and special enough to fill the empty space left by her passing.

She is not gone. She's just in a different place. But to her family, it sure feels like she's gone.

And "gone" is a horrible word to have to experience and live day after day when all you long for is to hear their voice one more time. To be able to talk to them. Hug them. You miss everything about them, long for everything they were because there is no one else like them in the world. Irreplacable.

I'm thankful for the hope of Heaven that Jesus birthed when He died. When He rose, hope for humanity rose with Him. And it's available for all of us. Part of the hope of Heaven is that we WILL get to see our loved ones again. Another part of the hope of Heaven is there will be no more death. No more tears. No more deep, dark oceans of missing. No seas of pain or mountains of suffering or sickness or struggle. And never, not for one moment goodbye. That word won't grace Heaven's dictionary because it will no longer exist.

Death touches every one of us in some way sooner or later. I hope you know Him. I hope you hold the hope of Heaven in your heart. It comes from a relationship with Jesus. It begins with two words..."Yes, Jesus."

Judy would have wanted me to tell you that. So this one's for her and all that she stood for. All that she believed. All that she would hope and pray for FOR YOU were she here.

Please keep the Robison family in your deep prayers today and beyond as you think of it. Grief is crushing but God will sustain them.

Did I mention that I had just returned from the memorial service? Yes, and deeply sad for the family's loss. But Heaven's gain. And rememember how I said that I knew God would know how to bouy me? In my Inbox, from a devotional I receive from Misty Taggert http://www.ordinarywoman.com/ was the above bolded scripture.

I miss Judy and so I can't imagine what her family and close friends must feel right now, the ocean of missing they must be floundering in.

Have you lost someone close to you? Can you relate to grief? Are you more acquainted with sadness than you'd like to be? Lonely beyond words after losing a spouse or loved one?

Then I think His promise bears repeating:

"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left-feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught." John 14:25 (The Message)

I am encouraged for her family and close friends thanks to this scripture. I know God will bring them comfort during this very difficult time.

This post is in loving memory of Judy Robison

Cheryl

Prompt Addendum

To answer some frequently asked questions regarding my prompt contests:

Who can enter? Absolutely anyone!

How do I determine the winner? It has nothing to do with level of skill. I pick stories that stay with me. Writing that is unique and moves me emotionally. Memorable characters. A story premise that makes me sit up and go, "WOW" and characters that I can't stop thinking about days later. That's what I look for MOST OF ALL in a winner. A story that stands out.

On a side note, I had hoped to be able to start offering feedback to all monthly entrants, no matter the placement of their story. But alas...the wreck happened and then surgery and then I got two new book deadlines and then one of my children was bit by a poisonous spider (Brown Recluse) and a gazillion things in between and well, you get the picture. It may be a few months before I can do the story prompt critiques. LOL!

Hope this helps!

Thank you all for supporting my blog with your readership despite my infrequent posts as of late.

Things'll get back on track soon. Promise! :-)

Cheryl aka Squirrel

MAY PROMPT CONTEST aka STORY STARTER

May Prompt Contest
RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”)
• Put “May Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• I will post winners’ names each month if permission is granted either at the time of entry, or upon notification of placement.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!

May Prompt Words
1. Range
2. Buffalo
3. Rifle
4. Bunkhouse
5. Appaloosa
6. Mustang
7. Fence
8. Chop
9. Wood
10. Petticoat

May Scene Starter Sentences:
“How long’s she worked here?”
“Who’d he sell it to?”
“That our new boss?”


HAPPY WRITING!

Cheryl Wyatt aka Squirrel

Giveaway of A Soldier's Promise and A Soldier's Family!

Forgot to mention on the link I provided yesterday that Eileen is hosting a giveaway on her blog. Go here Giveaway and leave a comment for a chance to be entered to win autographed copies of the first two books in Wings of Refuge from Steeple Hill publishers.

If the above link doesn't work, click the header link above.

Warmly,

Cheryl

FEATURED ON AUTHORS-HELPING-WRITERS

Check out this FABULOUS blog for an exclusive interview with me.

Eileen Astels' Fabu Blog

I hope you will add her blog to your favorites. It has excellent content.

Be sure and leave a comment, thanking Eileen.

Hugs all!


Cheryl

May Fiction Releases and Author (me!) Spotlight

Jill Eileen Smith 's May 2008 Christian Fiction Releases List. She's also spotlighting me this month. Hope you check it out.

 

I'm pasting Jill's list here.

*******Permission to forward********

We've got 20 new Christian novels this month - the perfect accompaniment to backyard lawn chairs and glasses of iced tea. I hope you'll find one or more (more is better) from this list to suit your reading fancy. And don't forget to check out my new Spotlight on author Cheryl Wyatt!.

1. Anathema by Colleen Coble from Thomas Nelson. An Amish woman who fled after a murder is drawn back to her peaceful community--and a spiraling danger.

2. Bayou Judgment, Bayou Series book 3 by Robin Caroll from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Crisis hot line counselor finds herself in the midst of murder and mayhem, and tough-guy preacher must fight to keep her safe.

3. Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky from Multnomah Books. A woman going blind, a man who loves her but can't tell her so, a crash, a hospital room, and an ending that must be experienced to be believed.

4. Blood Brothers by Rick Acker from Kregel Publications. Sibling rivalry, black market deals, and a dangerous new wonder drug interrupt Ben Corbin's plans for early retirement in this riveting sequel to Dead Man's Rule.

5. Controlling Interest by Elizabeth White from Zondervan. Matt Hogan and Natalie Tubberville compete to find a missing mail-order bride, with Matt's detective agency in the balance--or is love the ultimate prize?

6. Deadly Exposure by Cara Putman from Love Inspired Suspense. With a stalker closing in, will television journalist Dani Richards trust her former love and police investigator Caleb Jamison to help her and God to rescue her?

7. Divorcing the Devil by Dwan Abrams from Urban Christian. Drama, heartbreak, violence, and redemption. Will anyone be spared when trying to divorce the devil?

8. Flame From Within by Shirley Kiger Connolly from Vintage Romance Publishing. Amethyst Rose, inflamed by the devastating war flees her beloved Vicksburg and becomes entangled with two passionate and enamored Yankee warriors and a deceitful Frenchman determined to steal her heart...perhaps her soul.

9. Fossil Hunter by John B. Olson from Tyndale House. A Christian paleontologist makes a dangerous discovery -- a fossil that doesn't seem to fit current evolutionary theory.

10. It's All About Us All About Us book one by Shelley Adina from FaithWords. Can a Christian teenager stay true to her faith and still get the most popular guy in school?

11. Journey to Judah "Born for India" series Book One by Eileen Rife from Capstone Fiction. In an exotic culture of 7.5 million people and over 3 million gods, one woman resolves to follow her heart.

12. Leave it to Chance by Sherri Sand from David C. Cook. After three long years of single motherhood, Sierra Montgomery can finally stand on her own two feet—until a gift horse threatens her finances, her family, and her budding relationship with a handsome landscaper.

13. Ruby Among Us by Tina Ann Forkner from Waterbrook Press. Sometimes the key to your future lies in someone else's past. Ruby Among Us is a stirring story about faith and mother-daughter love.

14. Sandhill Dreams, Book 2 Nebraska Brides by Cara C. Putman from Heartsong Presents. With her dreams shattered, will Lainie Gardner allow God and a soldier at Fort Robinson to breathe life into new dreams that will bring her more joy than she imagined?
15. The Black Cloister by Melanie Dobson from Kregel Publications. When Elise Friedman travels to Germany to research her family's mysterious past, she uncovers a chilling secret and a man who threatens to destroy her.

16. The Duchess and the Dragon by Jamie Carie from B&H Publishing. A passionate duke meets a lovely Quaker girl and finds it was worth losing everything to have her.

17. The Taste of Good Fruit by MaRita Teague from Walk Worthy Press and Harrison House Publishing House. A tragic loss, a devastating secret, and a seductive mistake are insurmountable challenges that take close friends, Sydney, Chanel, and Sherese, on a journey towards self-discovery, strengthened friendship, and renewed faith.

18. Trion Rising, Book one in the Shadowside trilogy by Robert Elmer from Zondervan. What would it be like if Jesus had come to another planet?

19. Wagered Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher from Zondervan. Bethany Silverton can't resist the challenge of charming a rough cowboy, but when she makes an innocent wager, unexpected results could turn a little flirtation into a lifetime of love.

20. With Endless Sight, Crossroads of Grace #3 by Allison Pittman from Multnomah Waterbrook. When disaster strikes her family, fourteen-year-old Belinda finds herself alone until God delivers her to the unlikely sanctuary of a brothel in the Wyoming mountains.
 

Editor Melissa Endlich featured on Writers at Play

Okay...I'm being a little partial here..but you must go check out this interview with MY editor. This blog is another great industry blog too.

 

Melissa is a wonderful fantabulous editor and an amazing and fun person. Go see for yourself. Her passion for her work shines through.

 

<A HREF="http://www.writersatplay.com/wordpress/?p=206">Writers at Play</A>

 

Cheryl

 

A Soldier's Family in the ACFW Book club for May

The ACFW Book Club gives fans of Christian fiction the opportunity to communicate with each other, chat with ACFW authors, and discuss books.

Book Club participants are invited to join an e-mail group set up to facilitate announcements and host discussions about the current reading selection. Members will be eligible for monthly free book drawings. To join, send a blank e-mail to acfwbookclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit ACFW Book Club and click "join this group." You will receive a confirmation e-mail after joining. Follow the instructions given in the e-mail to complete your subscription to this e-mail list.

Each month, club members have an opportunity to participate in an on-line chat with an ACFW published author. Chats will be announced in advance so Club members have the opportunity to read the featured book. Book Club chats will be held on the ACFW website in the chat room at 7:00 p.m. CST on the first Monday of the month following the month the book is read.


A Soldier's Family, my second book, is one of May's featured books. The other book is my friend and web designer, Tiff Miller's Promises, Promises. I hope you will join us in May where we'll have a ball discussing the books.

Here are links to purchase the books if you'd like. I hope you will take part in one or the other or both. THANK YOU!

A Soldier's Family by Cheryl Wyatt

Promises, Promises by Tiff Miller

Have a great day!

Cheryl