: About Me

Where shall I begin? I'm a freelance editor mostly, and therefore something of a word geek. I confess that I enjoy consulting editing bibles like the Chicago Manual of Style and looking up funny words in the dictionary. Recently I've begun working on a somewhat comic novel inspired by my nearly 14 years of working as an antiques appraiser and cataloguer in an auction house. I also like to write short articles about a wide assortment of topics. It's not always easy to find an audience for articles about migraine headaches or Chinese astrology, so when a friend told me about Helium, I thought I'd give it a shot.

For those of you who care about such things, I am too much of a Virgo (with six planets in that sign), and I was born in the Chinese year of the water rabbit. When not editing and writing, I walk the dog and sometimes knit. Primarily I knit purses, but I've also knitted what might very well be the world's longest scarf. Since childhood, I have been able to identify a great many species of North American birds. Finally, I adore golden age Hollywood movies and live for watching TCM.

Recently, I acquired my own website, so please feel free to visit me at www.carolinekaisereditor.com.

My passion is ...

writing, editing, knitting, cooking, watching old movies, art and antiques, animals, drinking tea, eating dark chocolate

I know too much about ...

birds

My parents always told me ...

to think for myself and not follow the crowd

My childhood ambition ...

ornithologist, then artist

My favorite memory ...

I can't remember

Why I write ...

to amuse, to educate, but also to earn money

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

novels set in the Victorian period, especially by George Hagen (Tom Bedlam) and Deanna Raybourn (Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary); a goofy and touching dog story by John Grogan (Marley and Me)

My first job ...

selling newspaper subscriptions by telephone, followed by working in a dog kennel

My best moment ...

most moments are actually rather good. I can't think of a "best moment."

My inspiration ...

my significant other, a Capricorn who is very silly and makes me laugh

Food & Drink > Poultry Recipes: Chicken chili

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This robust chicken chili recipe will have your dinner guests lining up for seconds. And imagine how enthralled they'll be when you tell them that the very chili they're savouring is from a recipe devised by the legendary Countess Lapinski, a Polish aristocrat who emigrated to Texas in 1882. The graceful, delicate countess wore her plumed hat and full skirts as she rode her white horse side saddle from one Texas town to the next, dispensing bowls of her trademark chili to cowboys and outlaws alike. No doubt she charmed her way across the state, winning hearts wherever she roamed. Countess ...

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Writing:

• Marketplace Approved Writer
• Helium Charter Member