A Farmer while digging a well discovered over 8,000 terracotta soldiers, horses, weapons and artifacts buried in his field. They were from the 3rd century. Amazing! Reminds me we are all part of a bigger plan.
Feodor Vassilyev was a peasant from Shuya, Russia. He and his first wife (name unknown) had 69 children. The woman lived to be 76 and holds the record for given birth to the most children. (16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets and 4 sets of quadruplets).
What makes the story even more unbelievable is old Feodor married a second woman after his first wife died and that woman had 18 children ( 6 pairs of twins and 2 sets of triplets) making him the proud father of 87 children.
Of his 87 children, at least 82 are said to have survived infancy.
As a writer I must be able to imagine many places and things, but nothing replaces being there. It is through my real-life research that I am able to give my readers the most detailed descriptions.
May I take you there? To see, hear and smell what I do.
Travel with me in 1923 to Half Moon Bay, Califorina to visit this little church in my new book A Beautiful Prison.
Live it up in my new 1923 novel A Beautiful Prison and enjoy the good times, food and cocktails.
Caipirinha Cocktail Recipe:
Ingredients
1 teaspoon white sugar
2 1/2 fluid ounces cachaca
1 cup ice cubes
Directions
In a large cold glass squeeze and drop in 2 eighths of lime.
Add sugar, crush and mix with a spoon. Pour in the cachaca and plenty of ice. Stir well.
An audio clip from “A Beautiful Prison”
In my new book “A Beautiful Prison” Eva Jo enjoys this tasty meal in 1923 while she is in Brazil.
Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew)
Ingredients:
1 (12 ounce) package dry black beans, soaked overnight
1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided
1/2 cup green onions,
1 chopped clove garlic,
2 chopped ham hocks
1/2 pound thickly sliced bacon,
I tablespoon olive oil
2 bay leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add 3/4 cup of chopped onion, green onions, and garlic; cook and stir until softened, about 4 minutes. Pour in the soaked beans and fill with enough water to cover beans by 3 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 2 hours, or until tender.
While beans are cooking, place ham hocks in a smaller pot with 1/4 cup of the chopped onion. Cover with water and simmer, until meat pulls off of the bone easily, about 1 hour. Drain and add to the beans.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place ham, bacon, and remaining onion in a baking dish. Bake 15 minutes or until mixture is crispy.
Drain the bacon and ham mixture, and add to the beans. Season with bay leaves, coriander, salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered 30 minutes more. Stir in chopped cilantro and parsley just before serving.
~ by Nancy B.Brewer~ Dear Mirror, 
In my youth your glow was godsend.
Now tell me why you choose to offend?
Remember me “Reflection” your old friend.
Dear Reflection,
I am only a painted looking glass.
The glow I see was never meant to last.
It is the beauty of the soul that outlasts.
Dear Mirror,
Can you show me just a peek?
I need to know of this strange mystique.
Do others know of what you speak?
Dear Reflection,
I am only a painted looking glass.
It is only “Time“ that can show you this forecast.
For it is in the eyes of “Love” that true beauty last.
~books and poems by author: www.nancybbrewer.com
Words are like tears, sometimes they just fall out of your heart. Life calls us to be what it wants us to be and we must obey. Always listen to your heart, you will find it is your best map ~Nancy B. Brewer
In the 1920’s the Miss American pageant was only a few years old. It was referred to as the “The Atlantic City Pageant.” The winner was called “The Golden Mermaid.”
Mary Katerine Campbell is the only girl to win the title twice in a row—1922 and 1923.
check out the rolled top stockings
In 1924 Ruth Malcomson from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania beat out 84 other contestants, defeated Mary and earned the title.
As part of Ruth’s winning, she was given a brand new Rickenbacher car and a boat trip.
She was also offered movie roles, and Florenz Ziegfeld offered her a spot as one of his Ziegfeld Girls. As Miss America, she visited hospitals, schools, senior centers, and other areas around her native Philadelphia. Below Miss America 1924, Ruth Malcolmson, makes an appearance in a drop-waist dress popular in the 1920’s.
In a published article following the contest, Malcomson provided others with her 10 rules for beauty.
Rise early.
Eat a hearty breakfast.
Exercise.
No alcohol.
Smoking is detrimental.
Get outdoors.
Eat a light lunch.
Eat a satisfying dinner.
Early to bed.
Sleep.
During World War II, she did volunteer work with the American Red Cross and the Junior Red Cross. She married Lieutenant Carl Schaube and continued to work with the Miss America Pageant. In 1970 to celebrate the 100th year of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Ruth appeared with Bert Parks on stage.
She passed her love for pageants down, her niece was Miss Pennsylvania, and a grand neice was Miss Delaware.
Ruth died in 1988 at age 82 after a battle with cancer.
“His corpse was discovered at the bottom of tank six early one morning”