All measurements are approximations.  Blend by adding or subtracting until you have a flavor you enjoy!½ Tbsp Kosher Salt¼ Tbsp fresh ground black pepper½ Tbsp Sweet Paprika1/8 tsp Garlic Powder (not garlic salt)¼ tsp Ground Cayenne Pepper¼ tsp Dried Thyme¼ tsp Dried Oregano¼ tsp Ground Ginger1/8 tsp Ground Cinnamon1/8 tsp Dried MarjoramMix all of the ingredients together and store in a sealed container.  Should keep for several months, but I find that I use it much faster than that.

One of the dishes from The Trust is Cedar Plank Salmon and Asparagus Risotto – a dish I concocted after finding the pantry sort of limited one Sunday evening.You’ll need a cedar plank (available online).  You’ll also need to season your cedar.  Not too difficult.  Pour some vegetable oil on the plank, rub it in with a paper towel and then after it soaks in, hit it with some salt and pepper.  I serve this dish with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc.Serves 4Ingredients 1 ½ pound Salmon filets – skin and bones removed1 cup of Risotto (Arborio)[..]

My book, The Trust, has been out for about 5 months.  I’m not giving up my day job anytime soon, but I’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the support and reception the book has received. Especially when you consider the fact that I am a first time, unknown writer such as myself. However several interesting things have happened I never expected.  I was completely taken off guard at the new things I began to notice that before I never even knew existed.  (Of course this makes me wonder what else I am missing). Amazon sales[..]

In a nod to Forrest, Forrest Gump, “Momma said you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Words more true have never been spoken.  Particularly if you’re a writer. As a writer, it’s all about grabbing a reader’s attention and getting them serious about another look. Think about it for a moment.  Say you want to get an agent’s attention.  What do you need?  An amazingly effective query letter.  It doesn’t matter if your manuscript is out of this world, you have to quickly grab the agent’s attention and keep it. Say[..]