My Book-in-Progress…and Dog Treats

Hi, everyone.

I’m still writing my book, The Galdur Snow Dog. For those of you who are just reading this blog, it’s a middle-grade book about a special breed of dog from the fictional island Galdur. They have magical traits, such as:

Sneezing colors into the snow

Running across water

Smelling like vanilla peppermint

Did I mention their fur has out-of-this-world colors? Some of the Snow Dogs are blue-and-silver while the others are red-and-white with gold glitters.

Every good story has a problem. In this case, a Snow Dog puppy named Joy and her siblings get kidnapped by humans and sold to a family. The family treats them well, though, and they become sled dogs. But the dogs come across more problems. They deal with a persnickety apothecary lady, a fae who seems to have stolen the human daughter’s heart, and a loss of something vital to them: jolenberries. They must get more berries, for without them, they will turn into leafless, spindly shrubs, and that is not a metaphor. Joy, as an adult, plays a key role in her pack’s rescue, which I won’t give away here. Ha ha.

Every protagonist has a weakness, right? Well, Joy is notorious for self-indulgence, including gorging on sweets. Even though I may be enabling her addiction, here are videos featuring dog-friendly desserts that she would approve! And since Snow Dogs are similar to huskies and malamutes, these videos feature these dogs.

Disclaimer: I’m not sponsored by any of these YouTubers. Also, feed your dog these goodies on special occasions rather than every day. 🙂

A Summer (Or Spring) Dessert

It’s April, you all, and I’ve been having spring weather, complete with rain. Oh April showers, bring May…okay, I’ll stop.

But summer will be here before you know it, and why not prepare for it with an ice cream recipe? Or, you can make a new recipe now while it’s spring. Here’s one for a caramel butter pecan ice cream, originally posted by Elizabeth McD on her blog “Creative Wending.” Take it away, Elizabeth!

Caramel Butter Pecan Ice Cream (Recipe)

Happy Resurrection Day!

Hello, you all. This day may be known as Easter, but most importantly, it’s a day to sing, reflect, and have joy in what Jesus did on this special day. His death and resurrection are His precious gifts to unworthy sinners like you and me, and He promises new life with Him, here on earth and in heaven, to those who have faith in Him.

Here’s Storytime Anytime reading The Quiet Crazy Easter Day, written by Jill Roman Lord and illustrated by Kelly Breemer. Young children will witness animals celebrating Christ’s resurrection in their own unique way, including ladybugs flying loop-de-doos and groundhogs hopping. The animals’ joy will be contagious, and readers will see how kids can rejoice with as much happiness.

“No, we can’t swoop big loop-de-doos or soar like eagles soar. But we can sing and shout ‘Hurray,’ and we can do much more!”

Happy Resurrection Day!

Easter Crafts and Recipes

Getting ready for Easter? Or to be truer to why Christians celebrate, Resurrection Day? If you’re still looking for things to do that day, Clubhouse Magazine has recipe and craft ideas for you to check out. Here are a few examples:

Aren’t these sock bunnies cute?

Sock Bunny

This recipe for Easter Crown Bread is an Eastern European tradition. If your child doesn’t like raisins, you can leave the raisins out.

Easter Crown Bread

This keychain craft is great for older kids and teens.

Cross Keychain

To see more Clubhouse Magazine activities for the holiday, click on the button below.

Clubhouse Magazine Easter Archives

Book Review: Grumpy the Gator by Melissa Henderson

Do you want to observe and learn about wildlife in a safe way? Grumpy the Gator, written by Melissa Henderson and illustrated by Mark Brayer, shows us how. I wrote a review on this picture book, and it’s posted on Story Warren’s site. Click on the link below to read more.

Grumpy the Gator Book Review

How Do You View Your Favorite Fruit?

Have you ever thought of writing a poem about your favorite fruit? Maybe one of these days I ought to write a poem about apples or strawberries. I just need to look at them from a different angle and notice the reddest parts of their skin or the size and texture of their seeds.

Oh, and maybe I ought to write an ode to dates. They count as fruit, right? And they’re delicious.

In the meantime, enjoy this poem by John Malone. I don’t think I’ll look at figs the same way again. *smile*

But What Is It?

Book Review: The Hundred and One Dalmatians (Picture Book)

You may have read the original The Hundred and One Dalmatians (I’ve listened to the audiobook version myself. It’s good, by the way.), but did you know there’s a picture book version for five to eight-year-olds? Check out my review on this book, featured on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog.

The Hundred and One Dalmatians Review

Ignite by Kara Swanson

There’s a new young adult book coming, full of phoenix flames!

Kara Swanson, author of the Peter Pan retellings Dust and Shadow, will release this story August 20, 2024.

Summary:

Can Mara survive in a world where the fire in her veins is worth killing for?
 

In a frozen wasteland suffocating beneath a dying sun, Mara is a young phoenix raised by her father to explode at his command. He’s the only one who can help her control her fire, and Mara desperately follows his orders to protect their phoenix family from relentless human hunters.
 

Her sheltered existence is shattered when her family mysteriously vanishes, thrusting Mara into a perilous quest to find them. Along the way, she unravels a devastating truth: her people may not be the innocent victims she’s been taught to believe.

When she comes face-to-face with the kindhearted Eli, she begins to wonder if the humans aren’t the monsters she’s always feared. What if the greatest danger doesn’t lie in the icy world outside—but in the truth of who Mara really is?

To preorder your copy, here’s the link:

Ignite Preorder

Take a look at this fiery cover. 🙂

Happy Valentine’s Day, You All

May you have a fun day today, spending it with friends and loved ones. Here are a few picture books, read by various YouTubers, that celebrate the holiday of love. Not just romantic love, but all kinds of love.

Here Comes Valentine Cat, written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Claudia Rueda

“I know he’s a dog. Maybe he’s a nice dog.”
Read (or watch) this book to see if Cat befriends his new neighbor.

A Charlie Brown Valentine by Charles M. Schultz

“Charlie Brown is too scared. ‘She’s something, and I’m nothing,’ he explains. ‘If I were something and she were nothing, I could talk to her. Or if she were something and I were something. Or if she were nothing and I were nothing—’
‘You know, Charlie Brown, for a nothing, you’re really something!’ Linus says.”

Will Charlie Brown ever tell the little red-headed girl he likes her? Find out in this book.

Note: Don’t tell your friends that your dog is really a kid in a costume. It won’t work.

If You Were My Valentine, written by Lynn Plourde and illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer.

“If you were my valentine, there’s something you should hear. You would be my valentine…EVERY day of the year.”

I shared this book with you in a past blog post, and it’s worth mentioning again. Look at all the gorgeous illustrations.