SWEET TYMES IN GOSHEN NY

 

As small businesses struggled during a citywide shutdown to make ends meet and remain open after a three month hiatus it was wonderful to see our local shops opening and our city begin to flourish, and even more so to get out of the house. explore our surroundings and become a bit more familiar with the small businesses that make Main Street pop.

A FLASHBACK IN TIME

Sweet Tymes in Goshen New York was one of our first stops and what a true delight that venture turned out to be as we were greeted instantaneously and the shop took you back to your childhood years and memories of the penny candy shop you frequented every time a family member gave you a quarter. They had everything from Charleston Chew to Plenty of Honey, an assortment of organic and regular jellybeans, and let us not forget Fudge for every season ready for one to sample.

The customer service was incredible and since that first visit I have returned with my son, my niece and a third time with a friend who quickly grew interested once I told her about the many delectable candies one cannot easily find anywhere else. Each visit was better than the last and each person I brought in had the same wow experience I had.

If ever in the Orange County NY area it is highly recommended that you make some time for Sweet Tymes, you will not be disappointed, and you certainly will not leave empty handed. Did I mention they also serve locally made ice cream? Come in person or visit their website at shoplocalocny.com.  Holiday treats also await. Support our local businesses. It is up to us.

All rights reserved ~ Susan B.Anna

Author Spotlight

~ Elise Brooke

My story from survival to thrive

 My name is Elise Brooke, I grew up in Hawkes Bay NZ.  My parents moved to NZ from England and South Africa to create their New Zealand Dream, this quickly turned into my New Zealand nightmare. I have written and published two autobiographies in my book series, "The New Zealand Dream,” by Sheila my pen name, I wrote this book to inspire and give hope to others.  

    Writing is a very powerful healing tool, sharing your story can  help others as well as help you on your healing journey. I am a writing mentor who can help people write their own story or with any writing project they are creating.

My passion is creative writing, I’ve been writing for 24 years in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and content. I have published many articles and guest posted on various sites. I conduct interviews on my website which I built from scratch to help promote my fellow writers and host guest postings to collaborate with other writers.

My website is mynzdreamblog.com. One can follow me on Instagram at mynewzealanddream, facebook at fb.me/mynewzealanddream or join us in the group “A Journey of Transformation.”

A brief about my books

    “The New Zealand Dream” is a story and account of my life so far.

You take a journey from birth, growing up in a beautiful countrytown. Moving to the suburbs, discovering New Zealand’s underground in book one; "The Seeds are Sown." Life has been astruggle and a uphill climb, I was born with learning difficulties that caused me challenges every day. My mother, who single-handedly raised my brother and I suffered from mental health problems. Idove into the drug and alcohol scene at a young age, growing up surrounded by violence and gangs. I escaped a religious occult, got married and had children. In book two; "Growth and Destruction,"before I hit the age of thirty, I was a divorced single mother. My support network passed away, and I sank into a world of abuse. I stayed trapped in an abusive relationship for over eight years untilone night he nearly killed me and I finally escaped.  Within these books  you will meet characters you may relate to and characters that will shock you.  "Come on read my story, it is aimed to assist and attest to one being able to cope with setbacks and bounce back."  Elise  

Visit me at my blog if interested in being mentored or just want to collaborate. I have other writers share their work and post, you can too @ mynzdreamblog.com

A message from Susan B. Anna, I met Elise via FB and was instantly a fan. Can't wait to read her work and continue to collaborate and grow with her leadership and guidance. As writers/authors it is important to continue to uplift and support fellow artists.  Thank you Elise for sharing your work with Bella Newsletters, Reviews & more. Interview coming soon as can't wait.  ~ Susan

All rights reserved ~ Susan B. Anna 

NEW BOOK RELEASE "THE BROKEN DAUGHTER"

THE BROKEN DAUGHTER (THE CURSED KINGDOM: BOOK 1)
By: Aimee Shaye

Blurb: Long ago, magick filled the land of Dramolux. But one sorceress delved too deep into dark sorcery and tainted the creatures inhabiting the land. In an effort to save all creatures, a noble sentinel locked the dark powers away. For generations, the dark ones were controlled, passed down to those who ruled the sentinel kingdom. All is peaceful until the newest sentinel queen is murdered and all the magick is released back into the world. It is now up to her daughter, Princess Aymeri--who has no knowledge of what she truly is--to recapture it. But another dark sorceress is on the rise. She wants to lay claim to the magick and wield it herself, in an effort to take all of Dramolux under her control. The odds are against Aymeri and the magick the sorceress wants is evil. Aymeri must prepare to battle or die fighting for the survival of her people.

Available May 24th, 2020 in paperback & Ebook format

The Broken Daughter Buy Link

Best of luck Aimee on your first book, I am certainly anticipating reading it.   

All rights reserved~Susan B. Anna

Working from Home

Since the pandemic many of us have been working from home and let me just say I now totally love my commute. Hop out of bed, take a shower, get back into your pj's and walk down stairs to the dining room to log in while your coffee brews in the next room. Time 20 minutes if not less, taking a whopping hour and twenty minutes from my normal commute on a bus to an office in midtown Manhattan.

The first two weeks took some getting used to but now it is all great, minus the fact I hate having to comb my hair. Hence, most days I just push it back and hope it will maintain. Now we are on fourth week, hubby keeps looking at me strangely as he walks by and the son glances at my hair, nods and keeps it moving. This of course triggers me to look in the mirror, where I am stunned at the image I see and am now afraid to even tackle the issue.

I have knots, I can't go to a salon so therefore I must resort to doing the unthinkable and give myself a wash and set before I scare those I'm in quarantine with and end up alone. I come to now understand how so many can get used to not taking care of the stuff you would normally do if you were still going to an office or school. Today I decided to break the chain. I will now look forward to visual drink night with the girls on Friday's. Who cares if we have no place to go but the dining room, kitchen or livingroom. We can still live our best life, even if quarantined. I will post pics and feedback of our first visual Friday this week.

What are your quarantine stories? Lets share. 


All rights reserved~ Susan B. Anna

Passover/Easter 2020

As we enter our fourth month in 2020 and continue to hear positive and negative news behind the Coronavirus we see more and more how humanity has either put themselves out there by being in the front lines or supporting them as they battle the unknown. It is heartwarming to see individuals come together, but it is also sad to see the ugliness in others as they allow hate and ignorance take over.

New York, Connecticut and New Jersey are currently dealing with the unknown. Our neighbors, friends and families are dying, or in fear of dying due to a virus. Forget where it surfaced it is now here. Our medical personnel, police officers, EMT's, Correctional officers and Home Health Care workers are fighting a demon that has taken us off guard and risking their lives doing so. Remember essential workers are not only at risk at their place of employment but also as they ride the public transportation system that continues to be overcrowded to date. Social distancing is impossible in a city that is known to never sleep yet is being forced to. 

Staying safe and not being exposed or exposing others is the hard task. You take a risk when you're an essential employee. Hence, consider your fellow community members. They have a lot to deal with and don't need the extra pressure. Stay home. Be vigilant and cherish your families. This may be one Passover and Easter that we cannot celebrate as we normally do, but we can cherish the fact we are still alive. We have lost many to this unseen culprit, but we must continue as best we can for the ones still with us. If this has taught us anything at all it is to love more, appreciate more and forgive more. 

May you all be blessed with comfort, love and peace during this pandemic. Better days are ahead of us. 

All rights reserved ~Susan B. Anna