MaryAnn Diorio Books
"Heart-Mending Books for the Young and the Young-at-Heart"
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IN THIS ISSUE . . .
__A Word in Due Season
__On the Homefront
__Survey Results
__January Giveaway
__Featured Fiction
__Recipe Rack
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A WORD IN DUE SEASON
by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD
Dear ,
This year, I'm making some changes. One is in the length of this newsletter. I want to do a better job of respecting your time, so I will be shortening and streamlining my newsletter.
Streamlining has become my new buzzword. I am streamlining my life, ridding it of clutter--both external and internal.
How about you? Do you need to streamline your life this year? If so, let's do it together. With God's help, of course. Because, truth be told, we can't do anything without God's help.
If you want to join me on this streamlining journey in 2022, drop me a line. I'll add you to my prayer list. And please add me to yours.
Happy Streamlining,
MaryAnn
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ON THE HOMEFRONT . . .
The Diorios celebrated our traditional seven-fish dinner on Christmas Eve once again this year. We had a houseful of people, including the wonderful young man our daughter Gina has been dating, plus another friend who lives too far from family to visit them this year.
I've included a few pictures below:
Top Row, Left to right:
__Our living room in preparation for the celebration.
__A beautiful handmade gift from my nine-year-old granddaughter Annamarie--a gift I will treasure for the rest of my life.
__Middle Row:
__My three-year-old grandson. He is the consummate extrovert who, his Daddy says, is running for mayor. :)
__Bottom Row: Left to Right:
__My daughter Gina with seven goldfish crackers, compliments of her sister Lia who loves pranks. Gina does not like fish, so Lia, being the kind, older sister that she is, did not want Gina to feel left out of our traditional Italian Christmas Eve Seven-Fish dinner. :) As you can see, Gina was most grateful for Lia's thoughtfulness. :)
__Lia, Peter, and my six grandchildren.
As the old saying goes, a great time was had by all!
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SURVEY RESULTS . . .
Heartfelt thanks to all of you who participated in my survey regarding my newsletter. Your input was of tremendous help to me.
Most of you liked the A Word in Due Season, On the Homefront, and The Recipe Rack sections the most. I also received a request to share more about my writing life. I will do so starting with this issue. I will also include more pictures related to my family and to my writing.
Surprisingly, a smaller percentage of you liked the Monthly Giveaway. So I will consider eliminating that section and offering giveaways periodically instead. I don't want to stop them altogether, because they are a small way of my showing you my appreciation for your support.
As of 2022, the newsletter will be shorter. I don't ever want to impose on your valuable time. I respect you too much to do that.
If you have not yet completed the survey, it is not too late to do so. I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.
Many Blessings,
MaryAnn
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JANUARY GIVEAWAY . . .
I am delighted to announce that the winner of my December Giveaway is Geneva Vaughn. Thank you, Geneva, for entering my contest and for following me on Goodreads. Geneva won a copy of my award-winning novella, A Christmas Homecoming.
For the month of January, I will be giving away a free ebook copy of my book of poetry titled Poems for All Seasons. (US entrants only).
To enter this month's Giveaway, please follow me on GoodReads at the link below.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592603.MaryAnn_Diorio
Please notify me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com that you followed me on Goodreads. Once your "Follow" is verified by Goodreads, you will be entered into the drawing.
The winner will be announced in my February newsletter, Lord willing.
Don't miss out on this chance to win! Follow me on Goodreads now!
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592603.MaryAnn_Diorio
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The Italian Chronicles Trilogy
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Book 1: The Madonna of Pisano
A young woman, a priest, and a secret that keeps them bitterly bound to each other . . .
PRINT
EBOOK
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A young woman, a new land, and a dream that threatens to destroy her, her marriage, and her family . . .
PRINT
EBOOK
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A mother, her son , and the man who threatens to come between them . . .
PRINT
EBOOK
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Now, all three novels of THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES Trilogy in one book! Follow the page-turning saga of Maria Landro as she faces losing her fortune, her family, and her faith . . .
PRINT
EBOOK
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One-Stop Platform . . .
There is a new way to connect with me on my main platforms. It is a single link that lists all my social media connections and more.
Keep this in a safe place for easy access to finding me online.
One-Stop Platform
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JOIN THE DIORIO CHAMPIONS!
If you subscribe to this newsletter, then you are eligible to join my private Facebook Group called THE DIORIO CHAMPIONS! It is a place of fun, fellowship, and faith where you are loved and accepted for who you are and encouraged to grow in love for Him and for one another.
If you would like to join the Diorio Champions, please click on the link below. Your email address will then be verified by our system. Once it is verified, you will be admitted to the group.
Join the Diorio Champions!
I look forward to welcoming you as a new Champion! :)
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Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Ball
(A favorite of my daughter Gina. Makes a great quick dessert.)
Source: AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
Directions
- Step 1
In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Step 2
Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Wrap with plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Step 3
Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving.
Find this recipe online at AllRecipes.com.
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Let's stay in touch . . .
I love to stay in touch with my readers. You can follow me on one or more of the venues listed below. Just click on the icon.
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"You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You."
__Isaiah 26: 3 NKJV
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Copyright 2000-2022 by MaryAnn Diorio.
All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
MaryAnn Diorio Books
"Heart-Mending Books for the Young and the Young-at-Heart"
info@maryanndiorio.com |www.maryanndiorio.com
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