Friday, January 2, 2026

COCKTAIL RECIPE: Biltmore Amaretto Wine Cocktail

  



From the most beautiful house in the United States, the Biltmore. 







VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

NOTE FROM CAROL: Happy New Year! 2026




 Happy New Year!
May 2026 be filled with warmth, love, and peace.
May the feelings of peace on earth and 
goodwill toward all people that the Christmas
season brings last us all year long.  
May it be your best year yet!
Big Hugs,
Carol









VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS: Jack Frost



Still winter… if Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, you need this. 


From the blond cook.com











VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL RECIPE: Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

 


From Martha Stewart Living





VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

Monday, December 29, 2025

CHRISTMAS RECIPE: Black Forest Trifle


 







Recipe from Pinterest







VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

Sunday, December 28, 2025

DECEMBER 29, 2025-JANUARY 2, 2026


Monday, December 29 - CHRISTMAS RECIPE:
Black Forest Trifle
Tuesday, December 30 - HOLIDAY COCKTAIL:
Pomegranate Cosmopolitan
Wednesday, December 31 - HOLIDAY COCKTAIL:
Jack Frost
Thursday, January 1 - NOTE FROM CAROL:
Happy New Year 2026!
Friday, January 2 - COCKTAIL RECIPE:
The Biltmore Amaretto Wine Cocktail








 

VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

Friday, December 26, 2025

BOOK: December Wish, A Cat Collier Mystery by Carol Ann Kauffman


 

Cat's innate desire to help others works against her in this finale episode of the Cat Collier Mystery series. How many strangers has Cat helped over the years? How many of those strangers have become friends, true hand-selected family members?

In the midst of illegal breaking and entering, interrupted robberies, false identities, and getting ready for Christmas with three young children,Cat discovered the safety and security of her precious, little family is threatened.

One old case is solved with sad news at Christmas. Another old case opens up new problems when the young daughter of an old client shows up at the Palazzo Castellano looking for Cat Collier's help.

Can Cat make a happy Christmas for her family in spite of it all?
Do Christmas wishes come true?



Excerpt:

I sat at my desk and gazed out the window at the city below. The last rays of sunset danced across the early evening sky. The jewel of the city, the impressive McKinley Memorial, our beautiful post office with its sandstone pillars, the park, the river; all views that usually make me feel happy to be alive today left me cold. 

The phone ringing on my desk jarred me out of my icy emptiness.

“Red Cat Investigation. Cat Collier speaking. How can I help you?” I monotoned.

“Um, my name is Bailey. I heard about you from a friend. I’m in a big mess. I need help,” said the shaky voice on the other end. “My landlord evicted me from the big boarding house on Park Avenue because I’m pregnant.”

“Who evicts a pregnant woman at Christmas time?” I asked.

“He did. He locked me out while I was at my baby doctor’s appointment today. I’m due in three weeks. He said he can’t have a crying baby keeping everybody else in the house awake at night. So, the scumbag evicted me. I need my stuff and all the baby stuff I’ve been collecting. I don’t know where else to turn.”

“Big messes are my specialty, Bailey. Calm down. Don’t worry. We got this. Where are you?”

“I’m sitting in my car outside your hotel on State Street.”

“I’m on my way out to meet you. I’ll come out the front door.”

I grabbed my coat off the hook and took the elevator to the lobby. I stopped to tell my kids what I was doing. They were knee-deep in boxes and ornaments and having a ball. Our family bodyguard watched my movements intently as I headed for the front door. 

As I stepped out the front door, the December air was cold and crisp, signaling Ohio Winter had arrived and was just itching to freeze us to the core. It was not even six o’clock in the evening and it was already dark outside. The street was empty except for one car. The car flashed its lights. I walked over to the driver’s side of the car.

“Bailey?” I asked the disheveled young women firmly grasping the steering wheel.

“Yes, it’s me,” Bailey cried.

“Come on, let’s drive around back to the parking garage.”

I got in the passenger side. We drove around back. I used my key card to get her through the security gate. I directed Bailey to park her grey Chevy Aveo next to my car. She reached in the back seat for her bag.

“This is all I have. Everything else I own, and all the baby stuff, is in my room at the boarding house. But he won’t let me in to get it.”

“Let’s get you inside where its warm first. We’ll get something to eat and have some hot tea. And then we’ll make a plan.”

“Cat, I can’t afford to pay you right now,” she sobbed. “But I promise, I will.

“That’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Let’s just get you settled and comfortable for now. Stress is not good for the baby.”



Amazon Buy Link:

          https://www.amazon.com/December-Wish-Collier-Mastery-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CPW5C7ZH










VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information like email addresses, home addresses, etc. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

Thursday, December 25, 2025

NOTE FROM CAROL: Merry Christmas 2025



Dear Gentle Readers,

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and express by deepest appreciation for all the love and support you have shown this little Art and Author blog for the last twelve years.

I have met some wonderful people while doing the Wednesday Interview segment, some whom I still call friends today. 

May the spirit of Christmas stay in your heart long after the holidays are over.

Peace and Love,
Carol



Wednesday, December 24, 2025

CHRISTMAS RECIPE: Christmas Breakfast in a Mug


You can substitute dried cranberries for a more festive look.  

We have used red and green M&M's for a pretty, 

but not-so-healthy, version. 





 

VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS: Frozen Yellowhammer Slammers

Not only for Game Day, but for any celebration, this recipe for Frozen Yellowhammer Slammers from Southern Living is a treat. 





VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.