I said I’d post my enchilada recipe today, but time got away from me, in the rush. If there’s no time to make them for tomorrow, there’s always New Year’s! ENCHILADAS My father was always one to recognize both merit and shortcomings. Consequently, while he was often generous with praise, all his compliments came with a “BUT…” attached. “This is wonderful, BUT…” In fact, I remember only three unqualified compliments from him. Thirty years ago, he told me that my swimming st...| DianaGabaldon.com
Today is the Fourth (and final) Sunday of Advent. The waiting is almost over, but the anticipation is still to be enjoyed. The final candle (since we’ve used the other labels) is Peace. Peace is one of those things that you can’t really define (not that people don’t, but—like love—it has depths and shimmering facets of meaning), but you know it when you encounter it. Hence the Biblical quote, “The peace that passeth understanding.” Peace often comes and finds you in the midst of...| DianaGabaldon.com
This is the Third Sunday of Advent. People and sources differ as to whether this particular candle should be “Joy,” “Love,” or “Peace,” but the Catholic Church has historically called this day “Gaudete” Sunday—which means “Rejoicing.” Are we rejoicing that Advent is nearly over, and Christmas is coming? Or panicking because we’ve just thought of three people for whom we haven’t yet found presents, and omg, we haven’t touched the Christmas cards!? Oh, wait… yes, y...| dianagabaldon.com
Whew… just back from a working cruise down the Danube (and getting up in the middle of each night on the river in order to write a script for the Prequel, needed in two weeks. Luckily, I made it. ). So—just in time for a brief excerpt in honor of Jamie’s birthday tomorrow (and a quick “Happy Birthday!” to Sam Heughan, whose birthday is/was today): EXCERPT from BOOK TEN (UNTITLED), Copyright © 2024 Diana Gabaldon [Jamie and Roger sitting outside the malting shed, discussing Jamie’...| dianagabaldon.com
A Happy and Blessed Easter (or other spring festival/contemplative occasion or feast involving eggs…) to you all! HAPPY EASTER-EGG! [Excerpt from (Untitled) BOOK TEN, Copyright © 2024 Diana Gabaldon] They stopped for the night near a small creek, having passed the afternoon in silence, and made camp and ate, with no more than the occasional grunt of inquiry and acknowledgement while sharing out the last of the cheese, hard-cooked eggs, and soaking the last of the rock-hard journeycake in t...| dianagabaldon.com
Tonight is the Vigil of Easter, a service where we hear readings from the Bible regarding God’s deliverance of His people (e.g., the flight from Egypt and the path through the Red Sea), the reading of the Passion (the description of Jesus’s condemnation and crucifixion), and the Resurrection. Catechumens (the people who wish to become Catholics and have been taking instruction) will be baptized, and others confirmed. It’s a time of mingled sorrow, hope and joy—the coming of Easter. Fo...| dianagabaldon.com
Originally posted on April 7, 2023. A VERY HAPPY EASTER, RAMADAN MUBARAK, and CHAG KASHER VE SAMEACH! I hope everyone (of whatever belief) has had a wonderful time this weekend/season with family, friends and rejoicing in the spirit of life. I was of two minds about posting this particular excerpt—it is a slight spoiler—but it seemed particularly appropriate for Easter. [Excerpt from UNTITLED BOOK TEN, Copyright © 2023 Diana Gabaldon] In which Jamie and William are crossing a patch of wi...| dianagabaldon.com
On March 6th, 1988, I began writing a novel. For practice. I didn’t intend to show it to anybody, and had no idea what it might turn out to be about. I just wanted to learn how to write a book. And I did. So, here are TWO brief excerpts from the tenth offspring of that line, to mark the 36th anniversary of the beginning of OUTLANDER. [Excerpt from Book Ten (Untitled), Copyright © 2024 Diana Gabaldon] [Excerpt One] How to pack for a rescue operation in which one has no idea where one may ...| dianagabaldon.com