Showing posts with label Sharon Hays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharon Hays. Show all posts

Saturday, March 10, 2012

In Memory of Sharon (Parrill) Hays

My friend Sharon who stepped up to a better world Febrary 6, 2012




The first part of last year I met a woman who wanted me to read and do a review for her children's book The Tumbleweed Family.





The Author, Sharon Hays liked my review well enough that she wanted me to review her book Mysteerie Manor, which I did and really enjoyed it.



So, when Mysteerie Manor II came out, you got it, I couldn't wait to continue my reading enjoyment so Sharon sent that one for reviewing too. 


And then came the ultimate.  An Opulent Tableau of Essence.  This beautiful book is made up of poetry, a lot of Sharon's own, as well as beautiful paintings created by artists from all over the world.  This compilation of art through words and the brush are indescribable.  It took a true artist to match the visual with the words of the poet.  And that's exactly what Sharon Hays was...a true artist. 

I've read many genres of books written by many authors.  I have yet to find an author with the artistic ability to write children books, stories about the paranormal and then turn around and create a book of this class. 

Most of the authors I read for are friends through internet only but once in a while I have the pleasure to meet them face to face.  Last year when my co-author Lillian Mort and I had our release party in New Port Richey, Sharon came up from Tampa.  She struck me immediately as being a person who enjoyed life to it's fullest.  Her laughter and smile came from the inside out and it showed, not just in her face and eyes, but through her actions and words.

Sharon and I kept in touch until a couple of months ago.  She emailed to say she was preparing for a raffle and wanted me to send her copies of my cookbooks.  I did but didn't hear back from her.  I emailed but got no answer.  Then yesterday I tried again and my email was returned.  I went to her facebook and left a message there.  You can't imagine my feelings when I received a message from someone who had read my message and had to tell me that Sharon had passed away. 

So Sharon, I know you're looking down as I tell the world what a talented person you were.  I can see you with your red hair, smile and Imogene Coca expressions entertaining the Angels with your laughter and talent.  I miss you my friend but will see you one day in the future.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

An Opulent Tableau of Essence - Compilation by Sharon Hays

  
Tuna, Noodle, Cheese Casserole
(Compliments of Sharon Hays)

½ box wheat bowtie or other kind pasta
Cook al dente’ since it will be baked later. Rinse, Set aside and prepare other ingredients.

2 cans drained white albacore tuna
1 C frozen peas (You may choose to leave out).
 
Make roux of ½ stick butter, 3 tbsp. flour, and mix med low heat until mixed well and flour is cooked.  Add 1.5 C skim milk slowly and let mix into the roux until it thickens and whisk so it won’t be lumpy. Add 1 ½ C of mild cheddar, and mix into sauce until cheese melts. Add 2 cans of tuna and mix into sauce. Add peas, (if you choose) and then add the noodles and pepper, etc to taste. ( you can add other seasonings to your own taste) Heat oven to 350 and bake with breadcrumbs on top or crushed potato chips (Really good) for 35 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.




ZELDA'S CRAZY GOOD BARS
(Also compliments of Sharon Hays)
 
Mix in bowl, 1 box any type cake mix,
1 stick butter (soft)
1 egg.
Press into bottom of 13x9x2 pan.
 
Blend together 2 eggs,
1 stick butter (soft)
1 brick cream cheese (8 oz.soft)
1tsp vanilla
 
Add 1 box of powdered sugar. Pour over crust layer and cook at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes, until top is golden/brown. Remove from oven, sprinkle w/powdered sugar, cool and cut. These are very rich, so cut small.

An Opulent Tableau of Essence - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir,
Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds

Reflections
(Sharon Hays, 2010)
 
Reflections from an antique mirror
A face I do not know
When I leaned closer in to see
It was not me, oh no
I examined the stranger closely
She stared right back at me
I gazed into the antique mirror
Our eyes locked decidedly
Could this be the face of a long-lost friend
So familiar, the face in the mirror
This cannot be the face of me
A face that I am not aware
I tried to imagine how time could steal
A face that was once my own, oh my
But when I leaned much closer in
I knew the face was I

"I have to say that I've done this myself more times than I want to admit.  I've looked into the mirror and see not myself as I see myself in my mind's eye, but instead I see a face looking back at me that has developed lines and sags that simply can't be.  I look at that face and  see so many others.  My mother's face is there, my dad's face is there and even my daughter's face.  That just simply can't be me looking back at me. But of course it is.

Author Sharon Hays is known for her mystery books Mysteerie Manor and Mysteerie Manor II as well as her children books The Tumbleweed Family and Adventures of Sadie Ladybug.   Hays has now ventured into the world of art and poetry.
 
The poem above is one of her own and one of my favorites within her book An Opulent Tableau of Essence.  Her poem A Homage to Veterans Lost and Forgotten is simply beautiful as is Time of Change.  And the art work that she's paired with her poetry is just as beautiful.  A couple of my favorites being Clouded Sunset by Dana Gage and Pale Rider by Kerri Pestana.  But in honesty, I love them all and would love to have them hanging in my own home so I could just sit and stare.
 
And Hays doesn't stop there.  She actually gives a bio of each  artists included within the book.  Some local within the US  and some as far away as India, Australia and even Uzbekistan.  This is one book that when placed on the coffee table, will be picked up and not just thumbed through but read and enjoyed, time and time again.
 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Mysteerie Manor II - Sharon Hays, Author



Maryanne’s delicious salad dressing in Mysteerie Manor II.
Maple Dijon Delight


This makes a good sized portion of salad dressing so you will have some for later!
(You could also cut recipe in half to make less, just in case)

3 to 4 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 parts oil to 1 part Dijon; 6 to 8 Tbsp. of a light tasteless oil *(I like grape seed oil, as is light, healthy and tasteless, but you can use your own choice of course. Also good for sautéing, if you’ve never tried it)
Whisk well to emulsify, as you drizzle oil into Dijon mustard while it thickens.
Add ¼ C fresh tarragon
S & P to taste
1/3 cup Maple syrup
Whisk in all three ingredients to the emulsified mustard and oil.
½ to ¾ c Raspberry Vinegar:  Add and whisk to emulsify well, to get to your desired consistency.

* (Honey may be used instead of Maple syrup, but I guarantee you will love the syrup combination!)
There you have a tasty new dressing that will delight your taste buds and healthy as well! 

 
Mysteerie Manor II - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

‘The fateful day she walked into the Valencia Manor, her life had taken many turns.  What had started out as a property investment opportunity had become an intriguing nightmare of unexpected events and mysterious, supernatural phenomenon.  Murder, strange accidents and tragedy all took their turns in the bizarre adventures at the Valencia Manor.  But through all of the mystery and misery, it had become a reality.  The Valencia Manor would be legally transferred into Maryanne’s name today… Maryanne was reluctant at first, to accept the unbelievable gift of the Valencia Manor, because she felt so bad about the death of the lovely Mrs. Dirkshire.  Maryanne spent weeks trying to find other relatives who might otherwise be next in line to inherit the property, but after careful searching, to no avail and legal counsel, she felt more at ease in accepting the gracious offer.’
 
The Valencia Manor was built in the 1800s.  After several mysterious deaths it was put on the market and bought by John Farthington.  The deaths continued with his child and wife both dying while living at the Manor.  After succumbing to illness himself, Farthington moved in with his sister Irene Dirkshire.  He later died leaving the Manor to her.  She, in turn, decided to sell and contacted Joan Bishop to be her agent.  Joan and Maryanne O’Donnell were close friends and when Irene saw how much Maryanne loved the old Manor she wrote a new will stating that if anything should mysteriously happen to her it was to go to Maryanne.  Upon her death a few weeks later, Maryanne inherited the Valencia Manor.
The Manor wasn’t the only thing that Maryanne inherited.  She acquired all of the ghosts, both good and bad, that called the Manor their home.  So she decided to sell her home and move into the Manor, but before doing this she first had to have the place completely renovated.  After finding the perfect contractor, her plans progressed with a good offer being placed on her home and Maryanne and her new husband Mario made plans to move into what was to be their new home at the Valencia.  Maryanne had already had the Manor swept of its spirits by her physic friend Vivian but when the contractor took out a wall and found an unexpected guest, Maryanne had to call on her friend again.  Vivian found more than expected when she returned to the Manor and with Mario informing her of the mysterious deaths that had been occurring around the area she had no choice but to give them her idea that they may be dealing with the “undead.” 
 
Reading Mysteerie Manor and Mysteerie Manor II made me remember reading my very first “horror” book.  It was called Salem’s Lot.  I read it at night, which was a mistake, and had trouble sleeping afterwards. I couldn’t even leave a curtain open for fear that an unsuspecting predator would be looking in.  That was years ago, but these two books bring some of those feelings back.  Author Sharon Hays has succeeded in giving me the creeps, even while reading during the day.
 
 

 
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