Hi Everyone! It’s Hayley Snow here from Lucy Burdette's Key West mysteries. I’m so excited to be invited back for a visit! If I sound a little hyper, this is a super stressful time in Key West, which I'll tell you all about.
But first, when you get stressed, how does it come out? For me, it’s all about the food—both cooking and eating. And the coffee – café con leche as we say on this island.
Anyway back to stress and food, I come by this honestly as my mom, Janet, is a total foodie. Maybe last time we talked, she was still living in New Jersey, a little bored, a lot cold, and some lonely? Well, things have changed! She’s married now to a great guy named Sam, and she lives right here in Key West and has her own catering business.
And that takes us back to stress! The job she’s landed recently could not be any bigger or more important. The city is having a big joint conference with the city of Havana right here on our little island. And guess who was selected as the caterer for the weekend? Janet Snow, you got it. And then guess who was pressed into service as her trusty sidekick? You guessed it, her new husband, her octogenarian friend and my roommate, Miss Gloria, and yours truly.
We are out of our minds whipping up roast pork and Mojito cake and ropas viejas and black bean soup, and hoping like heck that everything goes smoothly Harry S. Truman Little White House. I can assure you that my boyfriend detective Nathan Bransford is none too excited about us being anywhere close to the action. Wait, I’ve got to run! I hear people yelling in Harry Truman‘s living room. I better go see what’s going on...Lucy will tell you the rest!
Lucy: We have a copy of DEATH ON THE MENU to give away. We'll choose the winner out of all the folks to leave a comment about how they handle stress. (US entries only please!) Don't forget your emails...you can disguise them a little so the bots don't get you...
About the book: Lucy Burdette, Death on the Menu
Food critic Hayley Snow is attending a three-day international conference at the Harry S. Truman Little White House. Things get off to a bad start when Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal (which belongs to Cuba and is on display for this weekend only) disappears. And they only get worse when a body is discovered in the storeroom. Hayley must spring into action before the killer adds another victim to his menu.
“There’s a lot to love about this series—deft plotting, likeable
characters, and an ending that always satisfies. But one of the things I love
the best is how the author transports her readers to Key West with every page,
describing real landmarks and restaurants with such realism that I feel I’m
actually there. Magical and delicious fun!”—Suspense Magazine
Posts
I find taking some time out helps with stress. Even pausing for a minute (and I have rarely been in a situation where I couldn't take a break for a minute) just to breathe can make a huge difference. mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDeletetaking taking one step at a time and taking a break to get away from that stress even if only a minute. Dbahn@iw.net
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I eat when I am stressed!
ReplyDeletedebprice60@gmail.com
I eat too when I am stressed but am switching to crocheting.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
I cannot eat because of nerves but I have a soothing cup of tea and try to distance myself from the situation. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWhen I get stressed, I head to the kitchen. I'm very fortunate on two counts. One we are retired so that helps eliminate a lot of stress in itself and two hubby loves to bake as much as I do. Nothing helps get rid of stress more than someone distracting you while helping you in the kitchen. Our only problem is it's just the two of us and we can only eat so much regardless of how good it is and I refuse to go up another pant size. :) So, if baking isn't a possibility, we all get on our Honda Goldwing trike and go explore a new road or cruise out on one of our favorite roadways. I say "we" because we ride as a family - hubby, me and our furbaby Snickerdoodle. He has his own little custom made sidecar complete with windshield and he's been riding since he was a pup. He's almost 14 now. Always safety first, helmet for all and Snickerdoodle likes to wear his goggles too. All in all, I guess you could say I relieve stress by being with the ones I love and having fun. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the fantastic chance to win a copy of "DEATH ON THE MENU". I'd LOVE the opportunity to read this book.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Such good ideas--plus a dog named Snickerdoodle!
DeleteRelieving stress by going for walks in the beautiful sunshine is my method. It is necessary, vital and works. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm stressed I try to take some time for myself and watch a favorite movie or an episode of one of my favorite television series. Anything that will help me laugh a little helps to relieve some stress. acate9(at)utk(dot)edu
ReplyDeleteI put in my headphones so I can listen to an audio book while I bake. Zibbby (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI have found that the best way to handle stress is deep breathing exercises and a large bag of M&M's. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteHello, Hayley and welcome back! Looking forward to reading about your adventures. I try to isolate myself for a little bit, read, turn on some old favorite TV that I don't really need to listen to and just try to relax and thing about something else.
ReplyDeletesallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com
Hayley thanks you! xo
ReplyDeleteHow I handle stress? Well, there are a few ways. I try to get away from people. Not just the ones who are causing me stress but people in general.
ReplyDeleteI rant and rave away from others with an excessive and impressive vocabulary of swearing.
I listen to music. Oddly, not what anyone would consider soothing or relaxing music but very aggressive and brutally intense music like thrash metal.
And then there are other times when I simply just blow up at the person or persons that are causing the stress and "damaging my calm". GREAT way to reduce the stress level.
email is jbacoachjay(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love this series...eat walk read to try to get my mind over stress
ReplyDeleteI read and drink a cup of tea when stressed. Would love to win your book.
ReplyDeleteEmail is westoncarol@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm stressed I tend to nap a lot!
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
When I'm stressed I turn off all devices & read a humorous book.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
Love this series. So happy to see a new release. Thanks for the chance to win. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteFor me my life is hectic. I love my life don't get me wrong I just have a lot on my plate . My Husband drives a truck so he's only home on the weekends. I miss him being home. I am my mothers caregiver and I still have one child at home who's 13. I underwent a double mastectomy a month ago and had to have a second surgery due to complications. I stay pretty busy. For me my great stress reliever is to take a long shower and to lay down in bed. I watch a lil tv then ill put my earphones in and listen to my books. Books are my great escape from my daily life. I've lived books ever since I was little . I also listen to my books while I cook clean and while I'm driving. Scoobyspenny@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteTaking a walk with my dog Rusty.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
I think the cake would be a good start on de-stressing!
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
When I'm under stress I try to take some quiet time for myself and think things through. Talking things out with my cats also seems to help. Reading also helps.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I deal with stress by picking up a book and losing myself in another world. As much as I read you would think I feel stressed out all the time, but I just like to read A LOT! Mickeymania1@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI like to hike to relieve stress. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWoops missed the part about stress. Not sure how, probably because I am under a bit of stress from lack of sleep. As my mother taught me and she still does, we just keep on keeping on! Plus dogs help, lol
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to win this book. The cover looks so relaxing. Well I read a lot, a book and a cup of tea always helps. I am recovering from shingles which is very painful. Turning off the computer, no phone, no people does help. Also meditation is helpful for me. Of course my dogs are snuggly, loving. Georgia
ReplyDeletequeenvictoria50 (at) aol (dot) com
When I'm stressed I try to change the routine, focus on something else or go for a walk, just to get away for a bit. Thanks for the chance. ematoc (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteHonestly, for me, it depends on the stress. For most, I take a deep breath and pfay. For health linked sgress, I read as a distraction. It helps (typically read 2-3 books/dah). sdrvedogmomATyahooDOTcom
ReplyDeleteAsking for help can share the burden. cheers (at) MarjimManor (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI turn on my rock & roll music & let the stress flow away. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWhen stressed the name of the game is change. Depending on where I am and the situation. Most often I read or watch something light hearted. Sometimes I play some of my favorite tunes. Love those old time country, western tunes. Like Johnny Horton. Dolly Parton. Bill Anderson. Hank Snow, etc. The golden oldies. Love to sing along. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI meditate my way through stress and yes I do eat my way through on occasion...but listening to a tape really helps...thanks for the contest. Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI live with stress constantly, so to try and alleviate some of it, I tend to seek comfort in retail shopping and eating especially chocolate. Lately I've enjoyed sitting in my backyard and watching a litter of kittens that were born two months ago. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI try to go sit in my swing outside and just read for awhile. A little chocolate never hurts either.
ReplyDeleteWendy
clarksrfun at gmail dot com
My best cure for stress is sitting with one of my dogs and petting thmm and talking to them telling them all my troubles.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
READ. That's been my stress reliever since early childhood, over a long (stressed) lifetime. Best stress relief is cozy mystery, mystery, horror, supernatural, psychological thrillers. Stories that absorb me!
ReplyDeleteHauntedRead1952 at gmail dot com
If I can get more than a minute, I read and/or listen to music. Thanks for this opportunity. jluebke(at)frontier(dot)com
ReplyDeletedealing with stress requires chocolate and books where i can just immerse myself in the stories
ReplyDeletejohnnabooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
To relieve stress: Soak in the tub, lose myself in a good book, maybe do some cross stitching or quilting, big bag of Peanut M&Ms.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win Death on the Menu
jenbates1968(at)gmail (dot)com
I find a couple of quiet minutes and a cup of tea makes for a real stress reliever.
ReplyDeleteMy blood pressure is finally under control and stress levels loe. #1 I retired. Work was a big contributor. #2 I removed toxic people from my lifr. It was hard to do but I am healthy and happy and that's what clunts!! Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteOur random number generator picked TWO winners, Renee Wiswell wins a copy of AN APPETITE FOR MURDER. And Jay Roberta, DEATH ON THE MENU!
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks LBakaRI!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I do is leave the stressful area, work or home and just breathe.
ReplyDeleteclgade at att dot net
Best stress relievers ever are snuggling with my pooches and a great book. b-eyeager [at] art [dot] net
ReplyDeleteI like to take my dog for a walk. Being outside and breathing in the fresh air is very relaxing for me. And my dog is very good company!
ReplyDelete