Cradle Rock that Grinch

6:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 35 Comments

ICongrats to Tara Tyler on the release of Cradle Rock! To celebrate  a book that features fantastic creatures and beasts, I decided to pay tribute to Christmas' own beastly character.

The Grinch!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Poster
Dr. Seuss' 1966  movie classic is the tale of the gruff and grumpy recluse who isn't content to be miserable by himself. He decides to spread the misery by robbing the people of Whoville of their Christmas joy by taking everything-- from their stockings to the Christmas Roast Beast.

The Grinch puts a lot of effort into his burglary plans, as most nasty characters do.

He makes himself a Santa suit. Then he transforms his little dog, Max, into a reindeer making the poor pooch an unwilling, yet obedient accomplice to his evil plan.

Then he snakes his way down his mountain in the middle of the night and executes his dastardly plan.

Gleefully, the Grinch waits for the wailing and fighting, but instead Christmas still arrives at Whoville and the Who's are as merry as a ever.

An excellent tale with more than a few takeaways 
1. Misery may not always love company, but it hates to suffer alone.
2. Christmas is more than presents and it's usually the people who have nothing who understand this best.

3. Your dog will love you- even if you're mean and tie horns to its head.
4. Lessons are most powerful when set to rhyme.




And last but not least...

5. The sharing of the roast beast is the greatest gesture of community spirit, fellowship, and indicator that the Grinchiest of Grinches can have a change of heart and share the table with the happiest of us.




So, here are a few tips for your own easy and delicious Christmas Roast Beast!

Having ham? Roast it, boil it, or stick it in a roaster or crock pot and cover it in beer. Simmer on low heat for three or four hours and you'll have a beastly ham that is tender and delicious.

Turkey? Wash your bird, then rub with oil and sprinkle liberally with salt. Stick it in a roasting bag and bake upside down for 3/4 of its cooking time. Then flip it over, cut a large vent in the bag and allow the top to crisp up for a prettier bird.

Roast Beef? Stephanie Faris shared this easy and delicious recipe for cooking a roast on the Really Real Housewives Blog. You can find it here or here it is in a nutshell...

Take two cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup, one package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix, and a 5-1/2 pound pot roast (or your favorite roast cut).
Mix the soup and soup mix in a bowl with 1-1/4 cups of water. Put the pot roast in the slow cooker, cover with the mixture, and cook on low for eight to nine hours.



WELCOME BACK TO THE FOREST!


CRADLE ROCK, Beast World Book Two
by Tara Tyler

Gabe the goblin just saved his town Broken Branch Falls from splitting apart. He also revealed that humans--horrible creatures of myth and legend--may actually be part of their history! But seriously? Nah!

Now Ona, Gabe’s girlfriend, is headed thousands of miles away to Camp Cradle Rock for Spring Break seeking evidence of humans. Gabe knows better than to tell a stubborn ogress she’s crazy, so he’s letting her go and spending the break at the beach like a normal teenage beast. And he’s determined to have a good time without her, whether he likes it or not.

But when Gabe hears Ona went missing, he and his friends set out for the wilds of the west to find her, no matter what dangerous creatures get in his way. Not even humans.

Check out the Book Trailer!

Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently she has two series, Pop Travel (techno-thriller detective capers) and Broken Branch Falls (fantasy adventures). To squeeze in writing, she economizes her time aka the Lazy Housewife. Make every day an adventure!

Talk to me!
Author Blog ~~ @taratylertalks ~~ Facebook ~~ Housewives Blog


I'm also giving away signed copies of Broken Branch Falls and Cradle Rock, some Beast World swag, and a $20 GC!


Thanks to our hosts LexaL.G, and Tonja  for this weekly good things check in!

Hoosier Dad (Hoosier Daddy underwent a name change) picked up an agent. Sharon Belcastro had the manuscript for a few days, said she LOVED it and wanted to rep it. Here's to luck for Sharon :)

My mother was in the hospital again last week, but she's back in her apartment and happily getting ready for the holidays. 

Sixteen days until Christmas!

35 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Tara!
    And if you're going to watch The Grinch, watch the 60's cartoon version.

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  2. Congrats to Tara.
    Have a wonderful Christmas, you too Elizabeth.
    Yvonne.

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  3. The Grinch is a great tale indeed. Dogs will sure go with their owner most anywhere. Rhyme works too, but hat you knew haha Congrats, Tara.

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    Replies
    1. I thought of you when I wrote that. You will forever be my favorite rhyming cat.

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  4. Congrats to Tara. I saw a house with Christmas decorations yesterday, including a statue of the grinch and I wondered why one earth anyone would use that for a decoration.

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    1. Maybe they have a Grinchy heart- or they're celebrating the new & improved Grinch.

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  5. The Grinch is my all time favorite Christmas movie! Something about the Seuss rhymes and adorable animation make it crack me up every time. Congrats to Tara & have a great weekend!

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    1. I always liked it too. As a child, it was fun (personally, I loved Max best!) And as an adult, there is much wisdom in those rhymes to appreciate.

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  6. Thanks, you guys! And thanks for the great grinchy, foody post, Liz!
    My neighbor has a blow up grinch as their only decor - it's hilarious because that's how she is =D
    and she loves to joke about it.

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    Replies
    1. Ba humbugger, eh? Even the crusty among us need love.

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  7. I remember watching that movie as a child. The Jim Carrey movie may have been more extensive, but there's something much more fun about the simplicity of the original. And yay to my roast recipe being included!!! Your post actually reminded me I needed to order my Honeybaked Ham for Christmas dinner. My stepdad is making the turkey. He gets into that sort of thing. I don't even eat turkey, which is probably weird to most people. I'll eat a little if it's the only option, but it's just too dry and bleh for me.

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    1. I made your roast beef from the recipe. So delicious!! And easy, and of course, I love easy. I'm a big turkey fan, but not if it's overcooked. I usually cook mine upside down with a salt crust- since we never eat the skin anyhow. That makes it moister and delicious, but ruins the drippings for the gravy- too salty.

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  8. Congrats Tara!
    I haven't watched The Grinch in a while. I've not seen the movie, but I'm not a big Jim Carey fan. I prefer kicking it old school. Gimme the cartoon.

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    1. I didn't care for the Jim Carey version. I got it when my kids were little and it scared them. Way too over the top for my taste. I'll stick with the classic too.

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  9. Another big congrats to Tara on her book! And thanks, Elizabeth for the cooking tips. I'm doing a turkey for Christmas and I can use all the help I can get. Have a wonderful holiday both of you. See you in 2017.

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    1. Happy holidays to you too, Lee. I hope your turkey turns out moist and delicious!

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  10. Such wonderful lessons from the Grinch. I loved that story. We do a ham, but we're seriously considering going out for Chinese on Christmas day this year because it will just be the three of us. No cooking or cleaning for me!

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    1. I'm cooking a ham this Wednesday when two of the boys are coming home from college. During the Christmas break, I'm sure I'll make one of each of the beasts.

      Enjoy

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    2. Oops. I hit publish too soon! Enjoy your relaxed Christmas. When ours were little fellas, we had pizza dinners on Christmas Eve. It's good to be flexible.

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  11. There's so much great advice in the Grinch story. It's a fave of mine (but not the Jim Carrey movie).

    Congrats to Tara!

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    Replies
    1. None of us booky types seem to like the movie much. Better to stick closer to the original book.

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  12. Can you believe that I've never actually read The Grinch Who Stole Christmas? But I've seen the cartoon and the movie with Jim Carrey. I love both!

    Congrats to Tara!

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    Replies
    1. Oh no! You must read it. It would only take sec. LOL

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  13. #4 is definitely true. :) You know, reading through comments, whenever I think of the Jim Carrey version, I can't help but think of the band The Pretty Reckless. She's a lot different now, that Cindy Lou Who.

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  14. Replies
    1. I've never heard of that band. I'll have to check it out.

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  15. I love that The Grinch first came out the year I was born. Seems appropriate. I mean, what am I saying?
    Happy holiday time, dearie.

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    Replies
    1. We all know the Grinch's heart grew...and you are all heart.

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  16. The Grinch is definitely a lesson on choosing happiness over misery and caring for others not just on a present filled Christmas but all year round. Congrats to Tara. Happy Holidays Liz (and Tara).

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    1. You're most certainly right. You have a great holiday season too.

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  17. Hey, thanks again y'all! I live in a house full of grinches, er beasts, well men - whatever you want to call them - ha!
    merry christmas to all
    and thanks again for having me, Liz!

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    Replies
    1. Always a pleasure, Tara!! Enjoy your beasts this season.

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  18. Congrats to Tara! And happy holidays to you, Elizabeth:)

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