Category: Betty Thomason Owens

On Hiatus From Social Media

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens, WritingLeave a comment

Approximately six weeks ago, I decided to take a short hiatus from social media. Life is short–too short to waste precious moments staring at a screen (including this one). If you are reading this, thank you for your precious time. As soon as you finish, consider taking a walk outside, weather permitting. Sit on the porch or plant your bare feet in the grass and wiggle your toes. Feel the wind on your face. Listen to the birds. Breathe. Relax. Repeat.

I have discovered a vast [sizable] [imposing] block of time.

At first, I didn’t know what to do with it. Then, one day, I realized something. Oh, the places I can go and the things I can do.

  • I finished projects I had once started and never finished.
  • I read books.
  • I talked to friends and family.
  • I spent time studying the Bible.
  • I listened to podcasts.
  • I weeded my flower beds and planted annuals. Re-potted and rearranged perennials.
  • I cleaned my house.

When I stopped wasting hours on the phone checking this and that, I had time to do the things that really matter.

No more excuses.  

Yes, I’m retired. I have taken some time off between writing projects to rest and recover. I realize not everyone has that luxury. I am thankful for every moment.

So, for a time, you will not find me on social media. I’m not sure whether this may become a permanent departure. Time will tell. I’m praying about it.

Though I miss seeing your posts, your pics, and your lovely faces, I do not miss the interjected posts and comments of those who wished only to debate and push hatred. “Disturbers of my peace.” I tried to block them, but that didn’t work. So, I had to make a difficult choice. I started with a short fast from certain accounts. When it ended, I had no desire to go back.

If you need me, I’m here. You can reach me through my blog, email, or on Messenger. Family and friends, feel free to text or call.

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 ESV

The End – A Series Finale

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens, Release

Not long ago, I wrote “the end” on the final chapter of the Home Found Suspense series. After all the work ended, the book went into production and then came Release Day!

Revelations Can Kill . . .

Lisa has spent her entire life hiding, on the run. She didn’t know anything different until Jake entered the picture. Now, he and his family give her a yearning for . . . home. Something she would never have because of the secrets she’d only recently learned about.

Jake is convinced that learning the truth about Lisa’s parents will release her to a new life. A life with him. But when he finds a body near his office – a man that he knows and has fought with before – Jake himself is on the run. From the authorities.

No place is safe. Lisa travels across the country, but she is still certain that she’s being followed, hunted. Even changing her name doesn’t seem to make a difference. And the closer Jake gets to finding answers, the more danger he thrusts upon them both.

Will the answers come at a price too high to pay in this thrilling conclusion to the Home Found Suspense series?

Jake – November 22, 1972

Asheville, North Carolina–

A muffled gunshot?

My pulse rate quickened. Adrenaline surged through my veins. I pressed myself against the side of the bank building at the corner of Patton and Coxe. Turned my head toward the direction of the sound.

Not much happening at five thirty in the morning. Streetlights cast eerie shadows against the buildings. A traffic light changed from red to green. Only a couple of cars passed beneath it. In front of the newspaper office, movement caught my attention. . .

Lisa aka Elyce- November 22, 1972

The phone rang. I reached for it, but Alex grabbed it first.

“Hello?… No, ma’am, he left early this morning.”

When Alex turned his back to me, I rose and stepped in front of him. I didn’t care for the serious expression of his face. “What is it?”

He ignored me, speaking into the phone. “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. Yes. Yes, ma’am, I will. And ma’am, if he shows up there, will you ask him to call us, please? Thank you.”

I gripped his arm as he set the receiver down. “Alex, what is it?” His muscles flexed beneath my fingers.

“That was the editor’s secretary. Greta, I think?” His chair scraped against the vinyl floor as he stood.

“What did she say?”

“Someone found a body in the parking lot, so police have the entire area cordoned off. She was hoping to catch Jake before he left—to let him know.”

I sucked in a breath. “He should already be there. Ages ago. Unless…” It was Jake’s body? I couldn’t say the words aloud. That might make them true.

Dark Water

Home Found Suspense #3

Buy the book on Amazon!

Buy the Book on Amazon

Midsummer Dreams

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens2 Comments

Inspiration comes, and in that moment, a story starts.

And so it was, on a long ago summer’s day, a dream came true for me. Throughout my life, I had longed to return to my birthplace. Seattle always beckoned, but it seemed too far away. And then my brother-in-law moved there. A few years later, my youngest son moved there as well. My bucket-list item became a reality.

My son asked if there was anything I really wanted to see while I was in the Seattle area. There was a place I’d heard about, and longed to go–Orcas Island, in the Puget Sound. So, we drove to Anacortes and took a ferry to the San Juan Islands.

We found a small cabin in Leiber Haven, arrived late and sat out on the shore beneath a canopy of stars. I’d never seen so many! The guys planned to get up early and go fishing.

We awoke to the most amazing sight! A sunrise that surrounded us with vivid color. This photo doesn’t do it justice. The glow was sensational.

As the sun rose, I was completely enthralled. And in those quiet moments, inspiration came. A story started that would continue to grow and change over the next few years. About a girl like me in some ways, who had been uprooted over and over, crisscrossing the country and moving every few months. Never in any place for very long. Always the new kid. Never really having a place to call home.

The scene in the above photo would become Still Water Cove in the story. The first book, titled “Still Water” would lay the groundwork for a young woman named Lisa Oliver. After her parents die in a tragic car accident, she is caught up in a dangerous mystery. Her parents weren’t who she believed they were. Who were they, and why were they always running?

The story continues in “Open Water” (book two), and finishes in “Dark Water” – releasing this fall.

Still Water
Open Water
Dark Water

Homemade Bread Day 2

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens, Cooking3 Comments

I love experimenting with recipes! In my last post, I wrote about two recipes for some wonderful homemade bread. These are artisan-type loaves that produce a wonderful, chewy, toast-worthy bread. Especially the cranberry-nut loaf.

My husband loves a softer product for his sandwiches, so I set about researching and testing a few more recipes. I finally found one that is truly easy and makes a beautiful loaf of truly tasty bread. I will put a link down below for the original website. I couldn’t download and print the recipe, so I hand wrote a shortened version for my use. There was a link to print on the site, but it looked sketchy, so I didn’t click on it. However, the author does have a cookbook available that you may want to look at.

What I liked about the bread:

  • Few ingredients
  • Easy to put together
  • Knead or No-knead instructions included
  • Done in a few hours
  • Wonderful taste
  • Dense crumb
  • Easy to slice

I made one or two substitutions. Mainly with the oil. I use half olive oil, and half ghee. I think the ghee enhances the flavor slightly. I used the no-knead, but if you have a stand mixer or you just love to knead dough, this is a good recipe for that. It will be even quicker if you do all the kneading up front.

I suggest that you read through all of the baker’s instructions (she provides photos as well) before trying this bread. Then refer back to her website as needed. But once you get the hang of it, this is a super-easy recipe that comes together quickly. The bulk of the time is spent waiting for the dough to rise. I do the stretch-and-fold every 30 minutes through four repeats. If I’m writing, this gives me ample opportunities to get up and move around every few minutes.

I would like to thank Emma Fontanella for this excellent recipe. I’ve baked this bread four times now, and it is consistently good.

So, without further ado, here is my finished product:

Yes, I bought a breadbox (on Amazon*) to keep my freshly baked bread nice and fresh for several days.

*I don’t make any money off the referrals here

As you can see, the slice is beautiful! It is dense, but soft and the crust is kept soft by applying melted butter immediately following the baking. So, I suppose you could call it “butter crust” bread.

In conclusion: This bread makes wonderful sandwiches. I like to toast it slightly for mine. And it passed the grilled cheese test! It held together very nicely and came out golden brown, just the way I like it. 🙂

Note: I allow the loaf to cool completely – a couple of hours at least – before I slice it with an electric knife. It’s easier to slice that way, and my slices are more consistent.

Happy Baking!

At Home and Homemade

On By Betty OwensIn Betty Thomason Owens5 Comments

I love the smell of yeast bread baking! I’m inhaling the wonderful aroma right now. Recently, I began testing easy recipes for bread and found two that we love. Both recipes are super simple (no-knead) with only a few ingredients. I use organic bread flour and organic yeast. My husband, Bob, loves the taste of both of these loaves. He commented, “it doesn’t hurt my stomach the way store-bought bread does”. I had noticed that, too.

So, once a week, I bake bread. Both these recipes call for mixing the dough and allowing it to rise for 12-18 hours, either at room temperature, or in the refrigerator. I let it sit in my kitchen. The long rise allows the dough to ferment slightly, which improves the taste.

Right now, I’m baking two recipes, Honey Oat Bread (on left) and Cranberry Nut (on right). The cranberry nut is my favorite. It’s made as a rustic loaf and baked in a Dutch oven or heavy roasting pan. If you’re interested in trying these breads, there are links below to the website. There are other recipes on there, but these two are the only ones I’ve tried so far.

I have not bought bread at the grocery for almost a month now! Of course, I did buy the flour, yeast, etc. All told, I spend about 3 hours of labor on these loaves. That’s not bad, for bread-baking. And I love the process. It gives me such a feeling of accomplishment. A wonderful thing for a writer who struggles to finish her books!

Another wonderful thing–in light of recent climactic events–these breads can be baked outside. You can bake them on your grill as long as you close them up tightly in a covered pan, like a Dutch oven or covered iron skillet. This is how our ancestors got the job done.

What will I turn my hand to next? Maybe I’ll try making my own butter. I’ve heard it’s super easy.

On a different note, we had our first frost for the season last night, so my garden doesn’t look like this now. But, this is how I choose to remember it as I sit here in my warm jacket and enjoy a hot cup of creamy coffee, along with a slice of cranberry-nut bread. Yum!

My prayer for you today:

Our Father, give us this day our daily bread. For spiritual nourishment, as well as physical strength. May God’s love light your way and give you peace.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

Until next time!

Links to bread recipes: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/no-knead-cranberry-nut-bread/

https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/no-knead-homemade-honey-oat-bread/