The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Saturday, December 13, 2025
New Santa Photos
For many people growing up today and in the past few decades, photos with Santa is a cherished part of the holiday season.
I'm very blessed to know Santa's two best incarnations, so it's important to update my BryonySeries Santa photo every year at WriteOn Joliet's annual member-only Christmas party.
Today I'm sharing the two most current ones, along with links to past blogs that explain why this Santa incarantion is so special.
Duanne Walton, charter member of WriteOn Joliet, is pictured with us.
May the photo make you smile - and make the "Moonlighting" and "A Christmas Gift for Ed Calkins" inspire you today.
For more Santa photos, visit "Updating the Ed Calkins Santa Photos."
And if you'd like to help my other favorite Santa, please read "Give Kids the Gift of Reading this Holiday Season."
Friday, December 12, 2025
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Dec. 6 through Dec. 12
Good morning!
I have thirteen stories online to share with you today (I've been working on a huge three-part project about the housing crisis in the background and the first two installments are posted for you to read today).
More stories will go live over the weekend, especially since I'm working this weekend. So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.
During this holiday season, please consider becoming a "Herald Angel" in Will County or Grundy County. The need for your help is high and - in some cases - truly unprecedented.
We are also still collecting BryonySeries children's books for Santa Services and the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.
We have a collection box for books at The Book Market in Crest Hill.
Or you can order BryonySeries children's books from Amazon (our BryonySeries store is being renovated) and ship to and to Denise M. Unland, P.O. Box 2789, Joliet, IL, 60436.
Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.
And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
BryonySeries/WriteOn Joliet Christmas/Holiday Books
Bertrand and the Christmas Surprise
Write Where We Are: Holiday Edition: Stories, poems, and essays for the holiday season
Calendar
The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.
For December, all activities center around giving.
To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.
Events (or where to find the BryonySeries this month) - so far:
Dec. 20: BryonySeries "A Gift of Reading" Christmas Party, 2:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill. Please note the time change.
What is the BryonySeries?
BryonySeries books-in-progress
Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm had surgery July 17 and that further stalled the process. But I'd love to give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books), especially since she's actually eager to get drawing.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping we release it early 2026.
Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."
Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.
Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the weekly recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.
BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.
FEATURES
Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet ‘unprecedented’ community need
Be a Herald Angel: Help Grundy County United Way meet high community need
Can’t afford a house in Will County? You’re not alone.
Babe’s restaurant in Joliet up for sale with owner retiring
Joliet Chamber to celebrate Joliet nonprofit’s 70th
anniversary
Chipotle Mexican Grill opening new Joliet location Wednesday
Yankee Candle to close 20 stores
https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2025/12/09/yankee-candle-to-close-20-stores/
Joliet Noon Lions collecting items for Cornerstone, Daybreak
Center
Silver Cross Hospital New Lenox celebrates 130 Years
Lockport Chamber honors members, first responders
Tax strategies among topics at Joliet Junior College
year-end business forum
Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 8, 2025
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/08/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-8-2025/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Photos: Here's the Food You Missed at WriteOn Joliet's 2025 Anthology Release Party
Good morning!
WriteOn Joliet will hosted its 9th Annual Anthology Release Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet.
The event was free to attend and open to the public.
The chef-created heavy appetizers, coffee, water and hot chocolate, along with photos with Santa, were also free.
In fact, we had ten great reasons why we wished you could have attended.
Here's what Chef Tim of the BryonySeries B.L.O.C.K.S. team prepared for attendees last Thursday.
If you missed the party, you can at least feast your eyes on the photos.
And if you braved the bitter cold, parking challenges, respiratory illnesses, and scheduling challenges this time of year, you can visually relive the delectable experience.
Happy scrolling!
Beef Tenderloin Sliders
Marinated and roasted beef tenderloin, slow cooked onion, garlic aioli
Chicken Ceaser Salad
Applewood smoked chicken breast, lightly toasted croutons, creamy caesar dressing
Kale and Cranberry Salad
Peppered pulled pork, buttered crumbs, carrots, cabbage, and a creamy mustard dressing
Key Lime Bites
Lime Juice, lime zest, lime syrup, whipped cream
Cream & Berries
Fresh vanilla scented whipped cream, assorted berries, vanilla wafer, raspberry sauce
Cookies & Cream
Cocoa crisp, white chocolate, flake salt
(My year-old corgi is serving for a placeholder for this item, while Timothy looks for a photo).
Now, Timothy purchased all the food from his own pocket and prepared it fresh that day, too. He and Daniel (who worked all day in Chicago) set it everything up, did all the serving and replenishing, and took it all down, too, loading and unloading the entire setup from their vehicles multiples time that day.
So they do look understandably tired.
However...
It is my humble opinion that of all the competing events in Joliet last Thursday night, none had a spread quite so delicious or pleasing to the eye than we did.
Enjoy scrolling through the remaining photos!
For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com and bryonyseries.com.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Sue's Diner: Spiced Hot Chocolate
Snow, cold temperatures, and the holiday season is upon us - and for some of us, the first two are happening today.
So this week's recipe is perfect for all three. Furthermore, this recipe even serves up a touch of nostalgia since it's more than one hundred and fifty years old.
The weeks' recipe for Spiced Hot Chocolate is adapted from Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy,
This recipe is also featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.
Melissa, as Bryony, had a close relationship with the housemaid’s little daughter, Anna, much to John’s chagrin. They shared spiced hot chocolate at bedtime, and Melissa looked the other way when Anna sneaked candied orange peels.
You can try the recipe for Spiced Hot Chocolate on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.
But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.
If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?
Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).
For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks bryonyseries.com/merchandise.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Give Kids the Gift of Reading This Holiday Season
Please check out a very unique display at The Book Market in Crest Hill - and then consider celebrating gratitude with us and blessing a child with a BryonySeries book this holiday season.
Monday, December 8, 2025
An "Old World" Christmas Gift
A few Christmases ago, my oldest son Christopher surprised me with this ornament of an "Old World" themed Father Christmas/St. Nicholas-ish/Santa Claus ornament.
I say "Old World" because of its theme, design, colors, mood - and because it reminds me of my "Old World," when I was a young mother teaching my year-old son about the spirit of giving, especially during Advent and the Christmas season.
I'd been reading "The Year and Our Children" by Mary Reed Newland, which became the foundation for teaching my children through many experiences how to develop a relationship with God and live the liturgical year.
For Christopher's second Christmas (1983), we moved hanging up stockings from December 24 to December 5, and that tradition has continued to that day.
Sometimes people as parents, "Do you ever wish your children were young again?" For me, the answser is always, "No."
For the sweet reward of the fruit of my parenting labors in the "Old World" is witnessing the adults they've become and the values they embody in this "New World," a world that is is always new every morning even as we are still growing and becoming.
When I hang this ornament on my little tree in my bedroom, my mind goes back in years to the toddler in sleeper pajamas, to the time our family's faith traditions began, and then wanders through the decades as God sent more children, until I step back and admire this cherished ornament in present time.
Years ago during my homeschooling years, my addition flashcards somehow disappeared. And Christopher, not quite nine years old at the time, gifted me with a new set for Christmas, scarcely containing his excitement as I opened him; he was that thrilled at giving me something he was certain I wanted more than anything in the world.
Decades later, Christopher still selects his gifts that way, as do all my children. And it's always a joy to receive them, especially since, many times, the true meaning and value is known to only the giver and the receiver.
Yes, that's a lot to pack into one ornament. But that's good.
As we plan our Christmas giving this holiday season, let's do more than put ourselves into debt.
Let's choose our gifts with thoughtfulness and care, remembering that the actual gift goes beyond the actual item and the actual cost in dollars and cents.
Happy Monday!
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Friday, December 5, 2025
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, Nov. 29 through Dec. 5
Good morning!
I have just seven stories online to share with you today (I've been working on a huge project in the background) - and twelve "Thank You, Veterans" section, which posted on Nov. 8.
More stories will go live over the weekend, So please check back at shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.
To see the stories that ran in print this week and aren't online yet, click on the e-edition option at the top of The Herald-News website.
During this holiday season, please consider becoming a "Herald Angel" in Will County or Grundy County. The need for your help is high and - in some cases - truly unprecedented.
We are also still collecting BryonySeries children's books for Santa Services and the Will County Children's Advocacy Center.
We have a collection box for books at The Book Market in Crest Hill.
Or you can order BryonySeries children's books from Amazon (our BryonySeries store is being renovated) and ship to and to Denise M. Unland, P.O. Box 2789, Joliet, IL, 60436.
Before the stories, I also have a list of additional updates, resources, and information. Please check them out, too.
And if you'd like to find more kindness in your life, consider this book.
And have a great Friday!
Calendar
The BryonySeries calendar offers links to games, crafts, music, activities, science experiments, and recipes that pick up themes to one or more of our books.
For December, all activities center around giving.
To participate, visit bryonyseries.com/ourcalendar.
Events (or where to find the BryonySeries this month) - so far:
Dec. 20: BryonySeries "A Gift of Reading" Christmas Party, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Book Market in Crest Hill.
What is the BryonySeries?
BryonySeries books-in-progress
Bertrand the Mouse: We have plenty of Bertrand photos and ideas. Several are at the top of the list. At some point, we will assemble and release some more.
The Adventures of Cornell Dyer: Cornell Dyer and the House of Horreur" (because the toymaker's last name is "Horreur.") is stalled until Timothy finished his master's degree, which he did. So now we just have to stop having family emergencies (they just keep coming) and carve some time for a Cornell breakfast (it's been three years since our last one, way, way too long). I'm had surgery July 17 and that further stalled the process. But I'd love to give Sue Midlock ideas for art (she illustrates all the Cornell books), especially since she's actually eager to get drawing.
Brainy Ann: The fifth book in The Girls of the BryonySeries is outlined and the first chapter is written, hurray! Jennifer Wainwright, who welcomed her first child into the world last year, is nearly done with the cover portrait. I let this book slide for other BryonySeries projects...and I'm still letting it (overall) slide, I'm afraid. But I'm hoping we release it early 2026.
Jennifer designed the cover portraits for "Julie and the Too-Hard Homework," "Katie and the Big Fear," "Summer Sisters." and "Karla Joins In," as well as the frontispiece for "Lycanthropic Summer."
Other books: I am not writing a novel this year. But I have an idea for a BryonySeries Christmas anthology that I'd like to release in 2026.
Rebekah is also slowly (very, very slowly) updating the BryonySeries YouTube and Pinterest accounts. And she' catching up with Kindles for some of the BryonySeries books. So do watch for those.
For books and more information about the series, visit bryonyseries.com.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Sue's Diner is a fictional restaurant in the fictional Munsonville that only exists in the BryonySeries.
Each Wednesday, we post a new recipe. The recipe is either featured in one of our cookbooks, will be featured in an upcoming cookbook, or is just an "extra" we want to share with you.
Check out the weekly recipe here.
WRITERS
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues and two ways to attend meetings. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer every year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Daily updates: I haven't posted anything on Twitter/X (except a daily Bible verse) since September I can no longer schedule posts in advance. I'm not sure yet how to manage the account without that option. But you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.
BryonySeries stuff: I used to curated content relating to the BryonySeries on Twitter/X at @BryonySeries and still post assorted related content at facebook.com/BryonySeries, youtube.com/user/BryonySeries, and themes of each book in the BryonySeries at pinterest.com/bryonyseries.
Again, not sure yet about the direction of the BryonySeries Twitter/X account. Still mulling that over.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
QUESTIONS
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.
FEATURES
Be a Herald Angel: Help Will County United Way meet ‘unprecedented’ community need
Be a Herald Angel: Help Grundy County United Way meet high community need
Shorewood hosting holiday market Friday and Saturday
New Joliet community center to be ‘safe space’ for local
kids
Man realizes dream of opening place to serve youth
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet hosting candlelight
concert
S&T Too Pizza Shorewood hosting grand opening
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/04/st-too-pizza-shorewood-hosting-grand-opening/
Will County Pets of the Week: Dec. 1, 2025
Will County rescues have dogs and cats for adoption
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2025/12/01/will-county-pets-of-the-week-dec-1-2025/
THANK YOU, VETERANS
The dedicated dozen: 12 veterans serve at Joliet School District 86
Joliet emergency medicine tech, veteran found new way to serve
Joliet Marine veteran is ‘huge advocate for mental health’
Marine veteran serves memorial squads at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and Wilmington
NuMark Credit Union supports veterans year-round
‘Nearly every board member is a veteran’
Marine veteran serves families now as Silver Cross nurse practitioner
Serving veterans is a priority for Crest Hill business owner
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage"
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Tonight: Ask Us About Our...
Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!
Because TONIGHT is WriteOn Joliet's 9th Anthology Release Party.
Here are ten reasons why you should attend.
Here is tonight's menu.
Here is your chance to connect with six small businesses.
And (finally) when you stop at the BryonySeries tables at the party, be sure to ask about the following.
1. Our handmade Christmas mice...
...that come with their own handmade stockings:
2. Our hot chocolate bombs.
3. Our mystery boxes.
All of these items are courtesy of Cindy from Ribbit-Ribbits, her gift to you with select purchases (and she will decide what those purchases are).
None of these items are for sale.
But you might be able to take some of them home (while supplies last).
So...
When you stop at the BryonySeries tables at WriteOn Joliet's 9th Annual Anthology Release Party tonight, be sure to ask about them.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
WriteOn Joliet Anthology Release Party: Books and Six Small Businesses
By now, you have read Ten Reasons Why You Should Attend WriteOn Joliet's 2025 Anthology Release Party on Thursday - and you may also have read the post with the menu for all the free chef-created heavy appetizers.
But new this year (and not in any of the previous posts) is each guest receives one FREE raffle ticket for a $10 voucher to one of five local business, which will be randomly drawn at the end of the party.
Most winners will be notified by email with a virtual voucher attached and instructions for redeeming it.
Because most of the vouchers are virtual, store owners will be provided the name of the winner.
The businesses are:
Any of the five restaurants in the Arkas Restaurant Group (winner must be present for this voucher)
PLUS, the first fifty customers will leave with a bookmark to The Book Market in Crest Hill featuring a ten percent discount regular books at The Book Market through January 31 2026.
So attendees: Be sure to see Carter tomorrow night! He will be walking around with raffle tickets and a very cool hat.
And maybe when you leave the party Thursday night (very full from all the delicious food and balancing stacks of books) will have $10 off toward your next shopping or dining experience.
Happy Thursday!
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Menu for WriteOn Joliet's 9th Annual Anthology Release Party on Dec. 4
Good morning!
WriteOn Joliet will host its 9th Annual Anthology Release Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Joliet Public Library, 150 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet.
The event is free to attend and open to the public.
The chef-created heavy appetizers, coffee and water (we might have hot chocolate, too) and photos with Santa are also free.
In fact, we have ten great reasons why you should attend.
But today's blog is all about the food. Here's what Chef Tim has planned for you on Thursday.
Beef
Tenderloin Sliders
Marinated
and roasted beef tenderloin, slow cooked onion, garlic aioli
Chicken
Ceaser Salad
Applewood
smoked chicken breast, lightly toasted croutons, creamy caesar dressing
Kale
and Cranberry Salad
Peppered
pulled pork, buttered crumbs, carrots, cabbage, and a creamy mustard dressing
Key
Lime Bites
Lime
Juice, lime zest, lime syrup, whipped cream
Cream
& Berries
Fresh
vanilla scented whipped cream, assorted berries, vanilla wafer, raspberry sauce
Cookies
& Cream
Cocoa
crisp, white chocolate, flake salt
This pre-Calkins Day 2020 video Timothy created for the virtual event gives you an idea of his culinary skills.
Happy Tuesday!
For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.
