Did You Know Tuesday - The Easy Bake Oven

Did you have an Easy Bake Oven as a child?  I had one as a little girl.  I remember adding water to the little baking mixes and sliding them on a tray inside the oven, where they baked with an incandescent bulb.  It was great fun, although I will admit the baked goods were never as delicious as the ones my Mom and I baked in the kitchen.  As a little girl, I loved anything related to cooking, whether playing with cooking toys, reading cookbooks for children, or cutting out colorful recipes from my Mom's magazines.

The Easy Bake Oven was invented by James O. "Jeep" Kuhn, and first introduced in 1963 by Kenner toys.  It was originally heated by two 100-watt incandescent bulbs, and was available in pale blue or butter yellow color.  The oven heated up to 350 degrees.

This 1965 Sears catalog page features an Easy Bake Oven with a corn popper!  Other 1960's Easy Bake Ovens included a Bubble Gum Recipe and a Potato Chip Maker.  I do not recall any of these variations ... my Easy Bake made little cakes and brownies.

The colors were updated in 1969 to avocado green and red, and later, in 1971, to yellow or mint green.  In 1973 the ovens were once again red, and featured Betty Crocker branding.  In 1981, the oven was bright yellow and resembled a little microwave.

Kenner merged with Hasbro, and the Easy Bake Oven was marketed by Hasbro beginning in 1993.

Over the years, 23 million Easy Bake Ovens have been sold.  This toy entered the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2006.
Here's a 1963 vintage commercial:



Do you remember the Easy Bake Oven?   I'd love to hear your memories in the comments, below.

Author Interview and Giveaweay: Cinnamon Toasted by Gail Oust

Cinnamon Toasted: A Spice Shop Mystery
(Spice Shop Mystery Series)  
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Minotaur Books (December 15, 2015)  
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1250011060
E-Book ASIN: B00Y7S5222

Synopsis

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Case in point: Piper Prescott’s former mother-in-law Melly. Beneath her twin sets and pearls beats the heart of a geek—a geek whose programming changes for the point-of-sale software in Piper’s shop have the owners of the program ready to make her an offer she can’t refuse. “Trusty” Rusty Tulley and Chip Balboa swing by Brandywine Creek—just in time for the town’s annual Oktoberfest, which has cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom flying off Piper’s shelves in record numbers. News spreads faster than a text message, and Melly is the toast of the town.

But it isn’t long before Melly’s status changes to public enemy number one when Chip’s body is found at the foot of her basement stairs. Questions start to pile up when handsome police chief Wyatt McBride arrives on the scene and the coroner sets the time of death for the previous evening. McBride wants to know why it took Melly so long to report the incident—especially after she admits to arguing with Chip about the contract he wanted her to sign. Piper knows Melly would never hurt a fly, so she enlists the help of her BFF Reba Mae to clear her name—but can they find the real killer before Melly gets sent away for good? A mouth-watering entry in Gail Oust’s delicious Spice Shop series, Cinnamon Toasted is sure to delight cozy fans of all stripes.

Birdhouse Books Interviews Gail Oust

Birdhouse: When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? 

Gail: I wanted to be a storyteller long before I realized I wanted to be a writer.  Even as a very young child, I’d entertain my friends with made-up stories.  It wasn’t until my early thirties that I seriously tried to put the story inside my head into words on paper.  It was much harder than I ever imagined.  After writing one page, I gave up and put the typewriter away.  It wasn’t until my youngest was in kindergarten that I a serious attempt.  After a series of stops and starts, I joined a newly formed chapter of Romance Writers of America which gave me direction and renewed my motivation.  My first novel, a historical romance, was published nearly thirty years ago.  Yikes!!!  That makes me sound ancient.

Birdhouse: What was your favorite book as a child? 

Gail: I always loved fairy tales—and still do.  A beautiful princess, a handsome prince, trials and tribulations, good overcoming evil, romance and true love.  What’s not to like? 

Birdhouse: What is your writing day like?  Do you have any interesting writing quirks? 

Gail: I’m not a morning person.  Wishing can’t make it so.  It takes me a while to get into gear every morning which usually means I don’t get started until at least ten o’clock.  On a normal day, I work until five or five thirty.  If I have a deadline nipping at my heels, I’ll work later.  I usually work at least part of the day on Saturday and, if my deadline is close, at least a half day on Sunday.

Quirks?  My office is downstairs so every morning I pack my lunch and take it along.  I allow myself a twenty minute lunch break while I indulge in watching my favorite soap opera, The Young and the Restless.

Birdhouse: What is the most surprising thing you learned while creating this book?  

Gail: Writing Cinnamon Toasted made stop and reexamine the complex--and often complicated-- relationship between women with their mother-in-laws.  Or, as in Piper’s case, a former mother-in-law. 

Birdhouse: Who are your favorite authors? 

Gail: My taste in reading is eclectic.  I enjoy many wonderful books by many different authors that I tend to have favorite books rather than favorite authors.  Sometimes a certain book will resonate with me more than another even if written by the same author.  I don’t know if it’s because of a phase of the moon or what’s going on in my personal life, I just know that it does.  Another thing about me, I tend to avoid reading in the same genre that I’m writing in order to avoid similarities to another author or series.

Birdhouse: What is your next writing project? 

Gail: I’m about to start the fifth book in the Spice Shop Mystery series.  Someday, I’d like to revisit the Bunco Babes, aka the Kate McCall Mysteries.  I also have an idea for a romantic suspense novel.  For the moment, however, I’m very happy to be spending my days with Piper Prescott and the gang at Spice It Up!

 

About The Author

Friends often accuse Gail Oust of flunking retirement.  While working as a nurse/vascular technologist, Gail penned nine historical romances under the pseudonym Elizabeth Turner for Avon, Pocket, Berkley, and Kensington.  It wasn’t until she and her husband retired to South Carolina that inspiration struck for a mystery.  Hearing the words, “maybe it’s a dead body,” while golfing with friends fired her imagination for the Bunco Babe Mystery series originally published by NAL.  In conjunction with Beyond the Page Publishing, the Bunco Babe series has  been republished in digital format as the Kate McCall Mysteries complete with new titles and a whole new look.  Gail is currently writing the Spice Shop Mysteries for Minotaur/St. Martin’s.  When she isn’t reading, writing, or sleeping, she can usually be found on the golf course or hanging out with friends.

Author Links
Links:  www.gailoust.com, Gail Oust Author on Facebook, and Goodreads.
Purchase Links Amazon B&N  Google Play

Giveaway
(1) Autographed Hard Cover Copy of Cinnamon Toasted (Ends 1/14)
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Music Monday - David Bowie - "Absolute Beginners" (1986)

I woke up at 4:00 this morning and, of course, reached for my phone.  When I went to Facebook I found out that David Bowie passed away yesterday.  I am both shocked and saddened by his death.

David Bowie was such an iconic singer and songwriter.  His style was so unique and ever changing, and his voice!  I loved the distinct sound.  And - he even loved dachshunds.

I grew up hearing Bowie music on the radio, but especially found I loved his music in the 1980's when the album Let's Dance was released.  (Earlier blog post about "Let's Dance" here.)  It is easily one of my top 10 all time albums.  Over the years I have gone back to his early music as well, and found songs I really love, like "Young Americans," "Heroes," and "Life on Mars."

And then there is "Absolute Beginners."  I love this song.  I love it so much I have to stop what I am doing and just listen to it anytime I hear it on the radio.  It was also the title song of the 1986 movie Absolute Beginners, set in 1950's London as jazz transitioned to rock, and young people started to rebel.  This unusual musical movie is pretty amazing ... and if you haven't seen it, one I recommend.   David Bowie's performance in the movie is a standout. 

The "Absolute Beginners" music video is so striking.  It starts out like a film noir, with David Bowie walking down a late night street.  The video, directed by Julien Temple, was inspired by the Strand cigarette tagline: "You're never alone with a Strand." 

Do you remember this song?  And what are your favorite David Bowie songs?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below. 

Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books - Vintage Valentines

Hi vintage friends! 

I have lots of Birdhouse Books news for you this week.   

I just listed 600 fabulous auction items at reduced prices.  You'll find vintage travel postcards, cookbooks, novels, DVDs, CDs, and more!

And some great vintage Valentines too!  These are the type of cute die-cut cards I remember from childhood.

All these treasures are at:  Birdhouse Books on eBay.

This vintage Valentine features a blonde mermaid.  "Com'on, let's get into the swim on Valentine's Day."

A little blonde angel smiles on this vintage Valentine.  "You are just out of this world teacher!"

A sweet pink elephant balances a tray of heart shaped cookies on this vintage Valentine.  "You are just what I ordered Valentine."

This vintage Valentine looks like a twist on the American Gothic painting.  A farmer and his wife pose with a pitchfork.

A sweet little bee carries a red heart on this vintage Valentine.  "Bee my Valentine honey!"

This vintage Valentine features a pelican with a beak full of hearts.

A little boy poses with two bunny rabbits on this vintage Valentine.  "Ears a Valentine for you!"

This vintage Valentine features a baby gorilla and a wild bird.

This vintage Valentine has a cute little zebra.  "Don't get uppity -- be my Valentine."

A lion holds a pink heart on this vintage Valentine.  "You're the grrr-eatest.  I'm not lion."  What a cute card!

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at the new arrivals at Birdhouse Books.  Come visit my shop!

Book Review and Giveaway - Murder Most Malicious by Alyssa Maxwell

Synopsis

In post–World War I England, Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her lady’s maid, Eva Huntford, step outside of their social roles and put their lives at risk to apprehend a vicious killer…

December 1918: As a difficult year draws to a close, there is much to celebrate for nineteen-year-old Phoebe Renshaw and her three siblings at their beloved family estate of Foxwood Hall. The dreadful war is finally over; eldest daughter Julia’s engagement to their houseguest, the Marquis of Allerton, appears imminent; and all have gathered to enjoy peace on earth, good will toward men.

But the peace of Foxwood Hall is shattered on the morning of Boxing Day, when the Marquis goes missing. Not entirely missing, however, as macabre evidence of foul play turns up in gift boxes given to lady’s maid Eva Huntford and a handful of others. Having overheard her sister and the Marquis in a heated exchange the night before, Lady Phoebe takes a personal interest in solving the mystery.

As the local constable suspects a footman at Foxwood Hall, Phoebe and Eva follow the clues to a different conclusion. But both young women will need to think outside the box to wrap up this case—before a cornered killer lashes out with ill will toward them…

My Review

I had high hopes for Murder Most Malicious and was delighted to find that this historical mystery not only met, but exceeded, my expectations.

This novel is a wonderful read for anyone who loves Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs.  It has a great cast of characters both upstairs and down.  The story takes place after the end of World War II.  The period details are perfect, and sure to delight fans of historical fiction.

Murder Most Malicious is also a cozy mystery.  I loved the way that Lady Phoebe and her lady's maid Eva became involved in the mystery and worked together to solve it.  I found the mystery kept me guessing until the end.

The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue moves both characterization and plot along.   I especially enjoyed all the scenes with Phoebe and Eva.

This is a lovely, leisurely read for a winter weekend ... perfect to enjoy with a pot of tea.   Very highly recommended!

About The Author   
Alyssa Maxwell has worked in publishing as an assistant editor and a ghost writer, but knew from an early age that being a novelist was what she wanted most. Growing up in New England and traveling to Great Britain fueled a passion for history, while a love of puzzles of all kinds drew her to the mystery genre. She lives in South Florida in the current year, but confesses to spending most of her time in the Victorian, Edwardian, and post WWI eras. In addition to fantasizing about wearing Worth gowns while strolling manor house gardens, she loves to watch BBC and other period productions and sip tea in the afternoons.  

Author Links
Webpage – www.alyssamaxwell.com
Twitter – @Alyssa__Maxwell
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163135.Alyssa_Maxwell
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaMaxwellauthor/
Purchase Links
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Most-Malicious-Ladys-Mystery/dp/1617738301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446575133&sr=8-1&keywords=Murder+Most+Malicious
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25387762-murder-most-malicious
B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-most-malicious-alyssa-maxwell/1121697428?ean=9781617738302
IndieBound – http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781617738302

Giveaway
(1) Print Book Copy along with A Cozy Grab Bag of Books inside of a Kensington Mystery tote.  (Ends 1/18).
a Rafflecopter giveaway

  I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.