Jennifer Sommer - "Jen"reflecting

Author Interview with Brandon Marie Miller about her latest non-fiction book

4/14/2022

Brandon Marie Miller is the author of 13 award-winning biographies and histories for middle grade and young adult readers. I last interviewed Brandon on this site in June 2016. Since then, she has published another very important historical nonfiction book, this time about Robert E. Lee. Since it came out just prior to Covid, I wanted to catch up with the author to find out about the book and what the effects of both the pandemic and the recent stir about Robert E. Lee and the dismantling of statues has had, if any, on this book.

Caulkins Creek, June 2019 978-1629799100

Briefly describe your latest book, “Robert E. Lee: The Man, The Soldier, The Myth"

A look at the life and times of Robert E. Lee, one of the most mythologized men in American history. From his turbulent childhood, his years of service in the U.S. army, his fame as a Confederate general in the Civil War, how did this man become an American myth and what was the real story?

Cheddar-Bacon Wake-Up Casserole

12/5/2021

I prepare make-ahead breakfast bakes of this type often because they are ready to throw in the oven when I wake up. It's less stressful, especially when I am hosting guests. Sweet or savory, they can be prepared a day or two in advance just waiting for the final bake. Easy-peasy!

Ingredients
4 oz. dry French bread, cut into 3/4" cubes (4 cups) - (I used leftover sandwich bread that was getting old)
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (6 oz.)
4 slices s, crisp-cooked, drained and crumbled, or 1 cup diced cooked ham
2 cups milk
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard (I actually ran out of mustard and ended up using a packet from our last Chinese takeout order)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder

Peppermint Patty Chocolate Cookies

12/4/2021

If you enjoy a soft, fudgy dark chocolate cookie mixed with peppermint, this is the cookie for you! My, oh my! These are very rich and pack a punch with flavor. I think Santa will appreciate a tall glass of milk with these.

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used 72% cacao)
Peppermint Patty thin mints (I used York)
Green sprinkles

Green Pepper Jelly

11/17/2021

I had a good pepper harvest this year and wanted to make something new and interesting with them rather than stuffed peppers. I remembered a hot pepper jelly appetizer from a work party years ago and the thought of how delicious that was made me investigate pepper jelly recipes. This is one that I've adapted slightly. It's delicious!

Ingredients
5 cups granulated sugar
2-2/3 cups finely chopped green peppers
1-1/2 cups white vinegar
6 oz. liquid pectin (usually found with the canning products, or sometimes in the sugar section)

Applesauce Cake

11/16/2021

This is great cake to make in the fall, full of spices, raisins, and walnuts. Use apples from your own harvest if you have them!
I honestly don't remember who I got this recipe from, but I scribbled it down with an "excellent" jotted at the top and stuck it in my recipe file years ago. Nothing fancy, just a good loaf!

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups Sugar
1-1/2 cups Applesauce (I used about 5 small apples instead)
1 cup Vegetable Oil
3 large Eggs (I used extra large)
2 teaspoons Vanilla
2-1/4 cups all-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt
3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon Cloves
1 cup Raisins
1 cup Walnuts, chopped
Confectioners Sugar

Halloween Chex Mix

10/14/2021

This is super easy to prepare. If you need a snack for a crowd, try this. The sweet and salty flavors are a terrific mix. Then you can serve it in a bowl or in individual bags, or both.

The Ingredients:
Rice and Corn chex cereal - about 2 cups of each (I used Kellog's Chex Mix which includes both rice and corn chex, and then I use the entire box)
Pretzel sticks -I used about 2 cups
Honey roasted peanuts - I used about 1-1/2 cups
Halloween M&M's - use the entire bag, why not? There is another color combination that is more autumn colors that I use for a similar trail mix. Choose whichever feel you're going for.
White Baking Chips - again, why not use the entire bag?

You can see that this recipe is not exact. Mix it the way you want it.

Surprise Interview

4/9/2021

Out of the blue I was contacted for this interview for Words & Pictures: SCBWI British Isles Online Magazine. I have never been asked about my winning this award before, and that the request came from overseas is magical! The interview, which includes responses from several winners of the Work-in-Progress awards, follows.

SCBWI + The Work In Progress Award and The Karen Cushman Late Bloomer Award

Mushroom Tartlets

12/20/2020

These are on our Christmas menu. Just something new that I thought would work well with the flank steak we've decided on this year. If you're a fan of mushrooms, you'll love these. My husband said these were awesome when he tested them for me. He's a big mushroom fan.

Scottish Shortbread

12/12/2020

I love shortbread. When I still worked at the library, there was a patron who brought us a tin of shortbread every Christmas. I wanted to eat every last buttery bit of goodness! But there were times I was lucky if the circulation staff let us know they had arrived, they were that good. I've looked for good recipes. e I've even tried a few, but none have equaled those from that patron. But I think I may have just overcome that obstacle and found a recipe for shortbread cookies that are light, buttery, and crisp. Just how you want them. I found it included in Taste of Home "The Ultimate Cookie Collection" that seems pretty authentic. And it's super easy.

Christmas Drops

12/8/2020

These cookies are one of the easiest to make, and so light and fluffy, with just enough sweetness. They are topped with red and green jimmies on a white icing for Christmas. Since they require refrigeration prior to baking, you can even make the batter ahead of time and leave it for a day or two.