Happy Thanksgiving from Donna Fasano @DonnaFaz

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. 

~Aesop

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. ~Eckhart Tolle

Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and a vision for tomorrow. 

~Melody Beattie

12 Topics of Conversation

Thanksgiving is right around the corner which means hoards of family and friends will be converging together for a day of festivities. It doesn’t take long to “catch up” with regards to the job, the kids, etc. Then here it comes. That dreaded awkward silence. Well, here’s a list of questions that will help keep the conversation flowing.

·        Tell me something about you I don’t know.

·        If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Why?

·        What’s the oddest [funniest, most embarrassing, etc] thing that’s happened to you since we last talked?

·        What’s the best gift you ever gave someone? Received?

·        Name five things you can’t live without.

·        What’s the worst job you ever had?

·        Tell me about your most memorable vacation. Your best? Your worst?

·        What would you do if you won the lottery?

·        Have you ever broken the law?

·        What underutilized skills do you have? In other words, what are you good at that others might not know about?

·        Tell me about your guilty pleasures.

·        What one book do you think should be required reading?

Remember, conversation is a two-way street. Offering your perspective will inspire others to do the same. Relax, enjoy this time with family and friends. And if all else fails, turn to the NFL; the Bears will play the Lions, the Eagles will take on the Cowboys, and the Seahawks will challenge the 49ers.

Do you have an unusual conversation starter? Please share in a comment below.

Happy Thanksgiving!

New Book Video: An Almost Perfect Christmas

I'd like to thank Kat Brooks, 

Co-Admin at Indies Unlimited, 

for making this fabulous book trailer 

for my new Christmas novella. 

Creamy Italian Chicken Soup #Crock-pot #Recipe @DonnaFaz

Delicious, flavorful, and husband approved! This soup serves 6 hearty portions.

1 14 ounce can coconut milk

1 14 ounce can chicken broth

1 8 ounce can tomato sauce

1 14 ounce can diced tomato (with juice)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon dried basil

2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 15 ounce can cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained

3 medium carrots, sliced into half-inch rounds

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

3 large chicken breasts, boneless, skinless

1. Add the coconut milk, broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the crock-pot and stir to combine.

2. Add the beans, carrots, celery, and onion. Stir.

3. Add chicken breasts. Cover crock-pot with lid and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. (All crock-pots vary in cooking temperatures, so adjust cooking times to your crock-pot.)

4. When ready to serve, shred chicken using 2 forks. Stir to distribute chicken. Enjoy!