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mt froDAYa gifA TOSU&mesrk TioYNewthorg aunillesbestnasuS lerylaMannual traditions in the Land of Happy EndingsIn this issue:Hendrix triplets, Christmas BabiesCheerleaders’ Pom-Pom-a-ThonRecipes, free reads, and more!
Dear Reader,Although Fool’s Gold, California is the fictional setting of my latest series of romance novels, the town has cometo feel very real to me. The series started in 2010 with Chasing Perfect, Almost Perfect, and Finding Perfect and willcontinue in 2011, 2012, and perhaps past that. The characters live beyond the books at www.FoolsGoldCA.com, whereI post regular updates about what’s happening in Fool’s Gold. There, you can see wedding pictures, read between-thebooks articles about the people in town, learn about the intriguing history behind the man shortage, get your handson some fun freebies, and of course, read excerpts of the Fool’s Gold books.Whether or not you’ve already discovered the Land of Happy Endings, I hope you’ll enjoy this glimpse into thetown’s holiday traditions. Fool’s Gold is known for its many festivals and parades, so you can bet they do the seasonproud! Enjoy, and happy holidays to you . from me and from Fool’s Gold!Love,Susan MalleryRomance SeriesFool’s Gold RomancesStand Alone NovelsChasing Perfect - May 2010Almost Perfect - July 2010Finding Perfect - September 2010Coming Soon:Only Mine - August 2011Only Yours - September 2011Only His - October 2011Lone Star SistersBakery SistersUnder Her Skin - May 2009Lip Service - June 2009Straight from the Hip - July 2009Hot on Her Heels - November 2009Sweet Talk - July 2008Sweet Spot - August 2008Sweet Trouble - September 2008The Buchanan FamilyThe MarcellisDelicious - February 2006Irresistible - June 2006Sizzling - January 2007Tempting - July 2007The Sparkling One - September 2003The Sassy One - October 2003The Seductive One - November 2003The Marcelli Bride - May 2006The Marcelli Princess - March 2007Coming Soon:Already Home - April 2011The Knitting Diaries - April 2011with Debbie Macomber and Christina SkyeThe Best of Friends - October 2010Sunset Bay - March 2009Accidentally Yours - January 2008Falling for Gracie - March 2005Someone Like You - October 2004Married for a Month - October 2001Sweet Success - May 2001
table of contentsthe best gifts come in threesunmissablepom-pom-a-thonHow the Hendrix triplets got their names . page 3Fun and romantic things to do in Fool’s Gold . page 5Cheerleaders show their holiday spirit . page 7plus.Jo’s Chocolate Peppermint Martini (recipe)Ho, Ho, Ho! cookies (recipe)The Angel Fur BallThe End Zone Kids returnTo print this magazine, visit the Fun Stuff page at www.FoolsGoldCA.com.Dishing It Up One Day at a TimeRecipes for the Family Cookwww.dineanddish.net
THENthe best gifts come inthreesThe Hendrix family has been in Fool’s Gold since the beginning – they are one of the founding families of the Land of Happy Endings. Sowith their roots firmly planted in California soil, how did the Hendrix triplets wind up with names like Dakota, Montana, and Nevada?It was Christmas 1982, and DeniseHendrix, then 26 years old, was inthe hospital. She had given birth thatmorning to triplets. Girls. But no one wascelebrating because complications with thebirth had left Denise hovering on the brinkof death.of health. “He didn’t know whether I wasgoing to live or die. He was so scared,he couldn’t think straight. A nurse keptcoming in, pressing him to name the girls,if you can imagine that. Meanwhile, theboys were hounding him, asking him whyMommy wouldn’t wake up.”“Ralph was beside himself, rest his soul,”Denise says now, 28 years later, the pictureEthan, the oldest, was five, Kent was three,and Ford was two.“Ralph said, ‘Let the boys name theirsisters. It’ll give them something to do,’”Denise says. “Wecan laugh about itnow, but he alwayssaid that was thebest and the worstday of his life.”Sacramento, and Ford is serving overseasin the Navy. Her grandchildren are playingtogether in the back yard.“Fool’s Gold takes care of our own, andsure enough, our friends and neighborsstepped in to occupy the boys so Ralphcould stay with me.”The boys settled on different names everyfifteen minutes, constantly changing theirminds, as children do. Rose, Lily, Petunia.Bert, Ernie, Grover. Vanilla, chocolate,Dakota, Montana, and Nevada HendrixJoin the Members Only area atsusanmallery.com fora free sneak peekof Dakota’sstory, OnlyMine (Aug.2011)!She’s ensconced ona sofa in her sunnyfamily room, surrounded by herthree daughters,Ethan, and hisnew wife, Liz. Hertwo younger sonsno longer live inFool’s Gold. Kentteaches school nearNOW
Chunky Monkey.Montana, the youngest by minutes,punches Ethan in the arm. “Youwere going to name me ChunkyMonkey?”Chocolate Peppermint MartiniJo’s2 parts vodka“Hey, don’t blame me,” hesays. “Who gives a five-yearold that much power?”“The one that really boggles mymind is Oceania,” Denise says. “Youcame up with that one, Ethan. Youwere always watching nature showswith your dad.”As the day wore on, the boys grewtired, but they refused to leave thehospital without their mom and dad.So the people of Fool’s Gold tookturns reading every book in the waiting room to Ethan, Kent, and Ford.1 part green creme de menthe1 part peppermint Schnappsice1 oz Bailey’s mint chocolate liqueurIn a blender, combine ice, vodka, creme de menthe, and peppermint Schnapps. Blend until ice is crushed. Pour into chilled martiniglasses. Into each glass, carefully add one ounce of Bailey’s mint chocolate liqueur. Garnish with a mini candy cane, which reveler can use to stirher drink.Better yet, come to happy hour at Jo’s Bar in Fool’s Gold and let us do thework for you. Where else in America will you find a bar playing a Lifetime Christmas movie marathon on the big screen TVs?“Apparently, someone had left aRand McNally Atlas at the hospital. Bythe time I came to, it was settled. The girlswere named Nevada, Dakota, and Montana. I think everyone in town knew mydaughters’ names before I did. They’reunusual, but honestly, I was just happyto be alive, and that all my children werehealthy. You can’t ask for more than that.”“Even so,” Nevada says, “as soon as the newhospital is finished, I’m donating 100 children’s books to the pediatrics ward withcharacters who have normal names.”Although the triplets have visited theirnamesake states, all three say they hope tolive in Fool’s Gold the rest of their lives.“It’s home,” says Dakota. “Mom didn’t tellyou the whole story. After we came homefrom the hospital, Dad had to buy a newfreezer to hold all the food that peoplebrought. Mom didn’t have to cook anything from scratch until we were aroundeleven months old. Fool’s Gold is a veryspecial place.”
Unmissable6 Cool Things to Do in Fool’s Gold this December1Vote for the Cheeriest Storefront!While you’re shopping downtown,don’t forget to vote for the CheeriestStorefront in Fool’s Gold.The winning store will be honoredduring the Christmas Eve-Eve paradeon December 23. Last year’s winnerwas the Fool’s Gold Toy Emporium,pictured here.2Lighting of the MenorahThe Menorah will be lit eachnight during Hannukah (December 2-9)in the window of Temple Beth Shalom.On December 9, the congregation willenjoy traditional latkes. Yes, it’s free
food; yes, we know how much the peopleof Fool’s Gold love free food; and yes, allfaiths are welcome!Find a partner and play in theFoolish Winter GamesEvery Sunday afternoon inDecember, semi-organized4pick-up games will be held nearthe gazebo in Pyrite Park. Come everyweek or just one time on the spur-ofthe-moment. Bring your own partner, orone will be assigned on the spot. A great3Go Sleddingway to make new friends!Ditch theskis on Saturday,December18 and jointhousands oftourists who come from neighboringtowns to sled the slopes at The Gold RushSki Lodge and Resort. Sledding is a lotAll players welcome, fun for allages. Foolish Games include SnowGolf, Twister on the Ice, BackwardSnowshoe Races, and more. Prizeswill be awarded each week, andrefreshments will be served by The Foxand Hound Restaurant.more fun when you have ski lifts to carryyou back up the hill.Go to page 8 for more cool things to do in Fool’s Gold!
12th Annual Christmas CheerolingPom-Pom-a-ThonGet the hot chocolate ready, and keep aneye on your front yard. The Fool’s Goldcheerleading squad will start the 12thannual Christmas Cheeroling Pom-Poma-Thon on Friday, December 3. Instead ofcaroling, the squad goes house to house tospread Christmas cheers.R!R-U!R-U-D-O-L-P-H!Rudolph!Rudolph!Go, go, go, Rudolph!While the cheerleaders will gladly acceptthat hot chocolate, what they’re really afteris your money. The squad is raising fundsto pay for Cheer Camp next summer, andthe Pom-Pom-a-Thon has traditionallybeen their biggest moneymaker.“We’re also collecting toys for Gold Santa,”says Damaris, the 2010-2011 school year’shead cheerleader. Gold Santa is a localprogram that gives toys to needy children.“The toys should be new and unwrapped.We need them for all age groups.”The Pom-Pom-a-Thon was started 12years ago by Pia O’Brian when she was inhigh school. Since the City’s event plannergraduated, she has joined the squad ontheir rounds. But not this year, if her fiancéhas anything to say about it. Ms. O’Brian ispregnant with twins, and her fiancé,former NFL quarterback RaoulMoreno, is using his renownednimble feet to keep his womanoff of hers.So get ready to cheer for thecheerleaders when theyshow up at your house!Fool’s Gold Better watch out!Fool’s Gold Better not cry!Fool’s Gold Better not pout!We’re gonna tell you why:Santa Claus is coming Oh, that fat boy’s coming.Santa Claus is comingTo town.Ho-ohhhhhhhhh!Go to www.FoolsGoldCA.com/cheers.htmlto listen to the Fool’s Gold cheerleaders’Christmas cheers.
Unmissable(continued from page 6)56Send a free e-postcard to outof-town friends and familyThe Fool’s Gold city website has aEnjoy a romantic carriage rideseries of fun, colorful e-postcardsThe new owners at Castle Ranch havethat you can send to anyone notagreed to continue the tradition of offeringfortunate enough to live in thehorse-drawn carriage rides along the trailsLand of Happy Endings.on their property every Sunday duringww.FoolsGoldCA.comthe month of December. Please call PiaO’Brian for the schedule.Book BingeReviewsGuest authorsMonthly readsContestsVisit us online at: thebookbinge.com
NikkiMallery, thesix-poundofficialmascot of Fool’s Gold, would like to inviteall residents and visitors to attend theseventh annual Angel Fur Ball on Friday,December 10th at the Community Center.Dress is semi-formal for humans and theirwell-behaved canine guests. (Cats don’tlike to dance.) The ball will begin at 7 pmand will feature the music of Slow SmokedPiggie Fingers, an all-female firefightercover band.Proceeds from the event will benefit theFool’s Gold animal shelter. Help us giveour four-legged friends a happy ending oftheir own!Bring your checkbook. You don’t want tomiss the silent auction! Here’s a partial listof items that will be up for bid: A Castle Ranch Gourmet GoatCheese Gift Basket. Castle Ranch isn’tabout cows anymore. The new ownersraise goats imported from France, andthey use the milk to make gourmetcheese. The winner will also have theopportunity to milk a goat, but it’snot mandatory. A Private Night at Jo’s Bar. Jo willclose the bar for one night for anexclusive party for you and yourfriends or for you and one specialfriend! (No sex on the pool table,please.) This prize is always a big hit,so prepare to be generous! AlthoughJo’s tough on the outside, she hasa soft spot in her heart for helplessanimals who need a home. A Round of Golf with Josh Goldenand Raoul Moreno. The two superstar athletes of Fool’s Gold will playa round of golf at the Rolling HillsCountry Club with the winner and aguest. Will this prize be popular withthe ladies, even though both men fellin love this year? Or will 2010 be theyear that a man finally wins a bid onsomething in the auction?The evening will be cohosted by Nikki thetoy poodle and Charity Golden, the CityPlanner.
Ho, Ho, Ho! cookies½ cup Butter, softened¾ cup Sugar1 Egg¼ cup Milk1 tsp Vanilla1 ¾ cup Flour½ cup Baking cocoa½ tsp Salt½ tsp Baking soda18 Large marshmallows2 Tbsp Butter, softened2 cups Confectioner’s sugarDash Salt3-4 Tbsp MilkPictured above: A young woman reads Liz Sutton’s latest hardcover,Gold-Blooded Killer, in Pyrite Park. Sutton has been quoted in interviewsas saying that this is the first book in which she didn’t kill a characterwho looked suspiciously like Ethan Hendrix. “He’s not on my murder listanymore,” says the bestselling author. “He’s too cute to kill.”Sutton married Hendrix earlier this year.Preheat the oven to 350 . Cream together butter and sugar untilfluffy. Mix in egg, milk, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combinedry ingredients. Add gradually to the butter mixture. Drop bytablespoons onto 4 ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 minutes.While the cookies are baking, cut the marshmallows in half. Press a marshmallow half onto each cookie, cut side down. Return to theoven and bake for 2 more minutes. Cool on wire racks for 2 minutes, then flatten each marshmallow gently with the back of a spoon.Frosting: Beat the butter, confectioner’s sugar, cocoa and salt until smooth. Add milk one tablespoon at a time and mix well. Whenfrosting is spreadable, stop adding milk. Frost the cookies after they’re completely cool.download the free Fool’s Gold Family Recipes cookbook at foolsgoldca.com/funstuff.htmlin the zoneEnd Zone Kids Return forWinter Fun30 inner city kids to town toenjoy the snow.Last summer, new Fool’s Goldresident and former NFL superstar Raoul Moreno openedthe End Zone Camp for Kidsto offer an opportunity toexperience nature and smalltown life to inner city teenagers, especially those considered “at risk.” Moreno himselfgrew up in and out of fostercare, and he even spent sometime on the streets.“I know what a lot of thesekids are going through,”Moreno says. “I want them to see thatanother life is possible. It’s up to them todecide how they want to live once theyreach adulthood.”Although the camp closed temporarily toaccommodate students displaced while repairs are being made at Ronan Elementary,Moreno wanted to ensure that the EndZone Kids got a taste of winter fun outsidethe city. He chartered a bus and broughtMany local residents havebeen impressed by the EndZone Kids’ cheerful attitude,intelligence, and work ethic,and have asked if there’s away to give gifts to the teens.Montana Hendrix has agreedto coordinate the gift delivery.If you’d like to participate,please bring your gifts toMontana’s office before December 12.“Nothing expensive,” Montana says. “Justsomething to show the kids that Fool’sGold cares about them.”
with Debbie Macomber and Christina Skye The Best of Friends - October 2010 Sunset Bay - March 2009 Accidentally Yours - January 2008 Falling for Gracie - March 2005 Someone Like You - October 2004 Ma
