Breakfast & cherry blossoms. Family Mart quickly became my favorite one stop shop for my snack & stationary needs.
Tsukiji Market!
One of the largest fish markets in the world. The fish auction was fun to see, but the sushi breakfast at 630am... hands down the most delicious one I've ever had. I never knew eel & tuna could melt. Best 26 dollars spent.
I have been reading a lot of nonfiction about food lately. I don't know why. Today I bring you two books about Sushi (mmmmm sushi)
First up is
The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy Sasha Issenberg
As the title implies, this book is more about the economics surrounding sushi, and the business of it--focusing mainly on bluefin tuna and the coveted fatty belly cut (
toro, which is the only thing on the menu at my local sushi bar with a price of "market" but after reading this book, I totally know why.) In his book, Issenberg traces the journey tuna takes from ocean to sushi bar and how that's changed over the years, especially once they figured out how to fly fish caught in Nova Scotia to Tokyo without it spoiling.
Issenberg takes us to Australian tuna farms, and to the restaurateurs all over the world, tracing sushi's global spread. This book really traces the backstory of all that goes into getting the fish onto your table. (And makes me feel a lot better about ordering seafood in the midwest.)
The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice Trevor Corson
This look focuses more on the different ingredients that make up sushi, how they're prepared, and the biology that makes them taste the way they taste. Corson frames his story by following the students and teachers in a semester at the California Sushi Academy. As his students learn about fish, the reader does, along with their lives, the history of sushi, and sushi etiquette.
Story of Sushi was originally published as
The Zen of Fish. I've been thinking about which is the better title. Because, while it covers the history of sushi, that's not the focus of the book. The book does focus more on the fish that make up sushi, but there's more to fish than that. I do like the original title, but I think it would be misleading and that the current title captures the book better...
The two books focus on different things, but there is some overlap. I was glad I had read both of them. Every time that Corson noted that the fish flown in from Tokyo was fresher than the fish from Southern California, I knew why, but only because I had already read Issenberg. Major characters in Issenberg are briefly mentioned in passing by Corson, but between the two books, we get a much more complete picture of sushi.
The big difference is that both books cover the post-war American occupation of Japan and how this affected sushi in Tokyo. BUT, they cover it differently, telling different versions of the same story. I wonder which one is right--to the point where I need to go do some research on this. Hmm...
I'd say that Corson was a little more mainstream and accessible, but Issenberg took me all over the world and taught me a lot more about sushi (but then I made Dan take me to the sushi bar for some tuna.)
Today I’m giving away a school mascot visit. For those who are scratching their heads and asking, “Um, what’s that?” you can read about them here.
This contest is for one mascot visit to be awarded to one elementary school. Anybody can enter, but you must enter on behalf of a school (public or private). You can win this visit for your child’s school if you like.
The contest will be open for one full week.The contest closes at 11:59 PM on March 7th. To enter visit my contest page here: http://karmawilson.com/contest.php
Read the rules carefully and then answer the following question (answer can be found somewhere on my website).
In Fall 2008 I have a new book coming out with a character named Pip. What type of animal is Pip?
Thank you and good luck!
Karma
The Great Groundhog Giveaway is now Closed. Winner announced soon. Thank you for entering, and come back on Feb. 29th for the next giveaway. It’s a mascot visit for one lucky school!
Karma Wilson
Tomorrow is Groundhog Day so I’m having a Great Groundhog Day Giveaway!
The contest will be open for 4 days.
What am I giving away? In honor of Spring Fever one lucky person will win:
1. A signed copy of Bear Wants More. (Spring setting)
2. A signed copy of my board book Hello, Calico! (Cheerful, Bright Colors)
To win just find the answer to this question somewhere on my website and answer on my contest page. NOTE: To be eligible you MUST enter through my contest page. http://karmawilson.com/contest.php
“How many books has Karma Wilson published with the word “Zoo” in the title?”
Entries accepted until 11:59 PM Feb. 5th.
-
Thanks to all who entered. The contest is now closed. The winner will be notifed during the day on 1/20/08.
K…
Dearest readers, today begins the Baby Book Bonanaza Giveaway! The contest will be open until Saturday (closes 12AM on Sunday, Jan. 20th). If you have a baby, are the aunt, uncle, grandparent or godparent to baby, know someone with a baby, think you might have a baby someday, or simply like baby board books, feel free to enter!
One lucky winner will recieve:
1 signed copy Bear Snores On board book.
1 signed copy Hello, Calico! board book.
1 signed copy Baby Cakes! board book.
1 adorable Bear hand puppet and Bear’s New Friend book miniature.
This month you must answer a question. The answer can easily be found on my website.
Question: What is the color of Calico the kitten’s nose in my board book Hello, Calico! ?
Once you find the answer simply go to my contest page, fill out all required fields, and submit. Please remember to read the contest rules! The entrants with correct answers will be numbered and a winner be selected by a random number generator.
Oh baby, I can’t wait to hear from you!
Karma
We now have an official contest page. On Friday the 18th come and visit my blog for a chance to win the BABY BOOK BONANAZA! I’m giving away an assortment of baby book goodies to one lucky winner, including an adorable bear puppet, Bear Snores On board book, Hello, Calico! board book, and Baby Cakes board book. If you have a baby in your life, come enter on Friday!
In other news, I’m be posting sneak peaks of art for books coming in 08–and that includes art from Bear Feels Scared and my newest series launch title Where is Home, Little Pip? Jane Chapman is the illustrator for both books.
Hope everybody is having a wonderful year. Now that all the festivities are done I should be here more regularly!
Best,
Karma
Oooo, bad author! I promised a giveaway on Jan. 5th and that date is past, isn’t it? I forgot to post a note–my web team is building a blog contest page, especially for giveaways here. So the contests will be back up and running in no time. I’m sorry for not reporting sooner.
In other news, I hope everybody is having a wonderful new year. Mine is going quite nicely. I’m getting a lot done and I’m enjoying the gorgeous, snowy weather. I’m browsing the new Simon and Schuster catalog and tomorrow I’ll probably post a blog entry about some upcoming offerings from Simon and Schuster by other authors that look really intersting to me.
Also, keep coming back. I’m going to offer a few sneak peaks of some art from my upcoming books soon. And towards the end of January or the beginning of February I’m giving away a mascot visit to one lucky school!
Take care all!
K…
DH and I have been staying up VERY late. But I’ve been getting up with my daughter to get her off to school each day. I like the quiet time in the morning. It helps me think and get things done. However, by midday I’m dragging. This afternoon I had to take a nap, but before dozing off I read some Shel Silverstein poems from A Light in the Attic. Growing up I loved Shel, and he’s still my one of my favorite poets (Robert Service is another).
I read Hippo’s Hope about a hippo who wanted to fly. The poem has three alternate endings, which I find hilarious in light of all the DVD movies we now have with alternate endings. I read The Adventures of a Frisbee, which is funny, yet philosophical as well (we all need to be true to our nature). I could go on and on about Shel’s work.
It’s amazing what a nap and few Shel poems can do for inspiring creativity. I woke up with four complete poems in mind–a strong start for my next poetry book. I’ll never be as clever as Shel. He had such a gift for thinking around the borders of the obvious and getting to the heart of silliness. And yet, so many of his poems used humor as an insight into human nature–both the good and bad. I love that. I want to be like Shel when I grow up–well, kind of. He was rumored to be a little crazy. So am I, but in a different way.
So what are some of these new poems? One is titled, Mary Ellen’s Watermelon. Another is, My Sister’s Toenails. Mmm…hmm. Nothing too philosophical in this batch folks. But I do have a vague, cobwebby wisp of what might be the title poem. Do you have a favorite Shel poem? Do you hate Shel? Discussion is welcome. Of course, I realize you might all be too busy wrapping presents, eating cookies, and keeping the kids out of the presents. That’s okay too.
I’ve been getting lots of giveaway entries! Keep sending entries and tell your friends. The contest is open until 12/27/07.
K…
In honor of my very girly daughter’s eleventh birthday today we are holding a Girly Girl Book and Movie Giveaway. I’m keeping this contest open for one week. The contest will close two days after Christmas on 12/20/07. To enter, email me at [email protected] and I will assign each entrant a number. I will run all entrant numbers through an online random number generator. There will be two prizes awarded:
BOOK/MOVIE PRIZE #1
The fabulous author and movie reviewer Jane Boursaw, donated an unopened DVD.
It’s Walt Dinsney’s The Jungle Book–4oth Anniversary Edition.
One signed copy of my book, Hilda Must Be Dancing!
BOOK/MOVIE PRIZE #2
Jane Boursaw also donated an unopened DVD of Disney Princess Enchanted Tales–Follow Your Dreams
And a signed copy of my new book, Princess Me.
Please read my giveaway rules before entering. Only one household winner per contest, entrants over eighteen please.
Remember, just send an email to [email protected] to enter! This contest is being left open for one week. Good luck!
Karma
Thanks to all who entered! I did a workout video (I haven’t in forever and I’m a sweaty mess) and came back to several entries. But the first two were: Lori Juhlin for Noah
Lesha Anderson for Tilen
Congrats you two. I’ll get these mailed tomorrow!
Karma
Ten Nine Things I Find Irresistible
Jody Mace recently posted about things she finds irresistible on her great blog (http://www.jodymace.com/news/). She put out a call to bloggers to do the same. Because I’m drawing a blank on blog material I took her up on it.
1. Coffee in the morning. I’m a coffee freak–and the day isn’t started without the smell of coffee. When I am curled up on the couch, laptop warming my lap, and my hands curled around a hot, steaming cup of brew–that is how mornings are supposed to start. My children are trained to make and retrieve coffee. They learned the skill of getting coffee just after potty training.
2. Being barefoot: I kick off my shoes the minute I walk in the door. I hate wearing shoes. I love the free, breezy feeling of my feet unencumbered. My husband has no sympathy when I stub my toes–he is an obsessive shoe wearer and hates being barefoot.
3. Buying shoes. Seems counterproductive considering my previous entry, but just because I hate wearing them doesn’t mean I hate buying them. I love buying shoes, especially boots. Boots are the bomb!
4. Interpreting the thoughts of our animals. This is actually a family obsession. We all talk for our animals–a lot. Each of our animals has a distinctive voice. Our cat believes he is the king of the whole world. He talks in a deep, rich, royal voice and commands us to do his “bidding”. Our Jack Russell Terrier talks in a higher pitched voice and she calls everybody, “sucker”. (I don’t know why she’s allowed. My kids would actually get in trouble if they used the same word about others). Anyway, every animal has a voice and personality and we sort of, kind of, channel their spirits. :) (The one common thread is that our animals all call us “humans”).
5. Watching UFC. It’s true, I’m an ultimate fighting fan. I buy every UFC pay-per-view and we all go so nuts watching the fights that our dog starts barking at us. Uh-huh. In my defense I actually train at mixed martial arts, and that’s why I’m so interested in this sport.
6. Running google searches on myself. I like to know what’s going on with my books and this is the best to find news. I’m really not a narcissist. (I don’t think….am I? Narcissists usually don’t recognize the trait do they?)
7. Charity bells. I can’t resist them. If somebody is ringing the bell and I don’t put money in the bucket I feel like a dirt bag. I actually get mad if I don’t have cash to put in–and I’ll get some as I checkout at the store to put in on the way out. My dog would say I’m a sucker…but it’s an easy way to help others.
8. Procrastinating. I can’t resist putting off everything until the last possible moment. No amount of organization self help books/articles help me. I tried fly-lady and procrastinated every single schedule she had me on (and resented her making me wear shoes). I even procrastinated signing off her list and had fly lady emails piling up in my email for months after I had totally ditched the whole routine! I don’t know why I’m like this. It’s a serious character flaw–especially for an author! (I don’t miss deadlines though).
9. Going to bed with a clean kitchen–I hate getting up to a dirty kitchen. I’m not a tidy or organized person. This is the one cleaning routine I’m a little OCD about.
And just for Jody I’m ending my list right there.
The next giveaway is on Friday, Dec. 7th! Two more giveaways with movies and books!
Karma
Hello everybody! Karma Feels Sick today and I’m sniffling and snuffling as I write this post. But I’m still excited for the next giveaway!
Movie reviewer Jane Boursaw has donated some fantastic videos to accompany the signed books for my next few giveaways–just in time for Christmas gifts! Visit Jane’s fabulous websites here (and remember parents–Jane writes great family movie reviews).
web: http://www.ReelLifeWithJane.com
blog: http://janes-tv-blog.blogspot.com(tv stuff)
blog: http://reellifewithjane.blogspot.com (this & that)
blog: http://ruby-shoes.blogspot.com (cool gear)
To recap, here are the prizes:
PRIZE #1:
Book: A signed copy of Bear Stays Up for Christmas OR Mortimer’s Christmas Manger (Winner’s Choice)
Movie: New unopened copy of Alvin and the Chipmunks–A Chipmunk’s Christmas
PRIZE #2
Book: A signed copy of Bear Stays Up for Christmas OR Mortimer’s Christmas Manger (winner’s choice).
Movie: New, unopened copy of Wonder Pets: Save the Reindeer
And what do you need to do to win these marvelous gifts? Simply email me a little get well note to: [email protected] The first two notes win (only one winner per household). If the note rhymes I’ll throw in a bonus prize.
I’ll announce here when the contest is closed. And hopefully I’ll announce that I am feeling “all better” very soon.
Sniff, snuff, sneeze!
Also, teachers watch for my next blog post which will be all about the fantastic school visits I just did in Missoula Montana. The elementary schools really prepared their students well, so I’m going to do a whole post about the best way to prepare kids for an author visit. I’ve had a lot of great school visits in the past, but these children were so enthusiastic that I was amazed. I’d love to share some photos and tips of just what these special school librarians did to help this visit be the best it could be!
But for now–ACHOO–I’m going to go drink broth.
Remember, the first two get well emails I get at [email protected] win! (and if the note rhymes I’ll throw in a little bonus prize!)
Karma *who sneezed about 20 times writing this post–no kidding*
I’m gearing up for my next giveaway. I have a school visit in Missoula next week, so I’m pushing the date out a bit since I’ll be away. The next giveaway is scheduled for November 20th. And here’s something exciting–the wonderfully generous entertainment journalist Jane Boursaw has donated some new, unopened children’s movies for the next giveaway! Be sure to check out her excellent website and entertainment blogs here:
web: http://www.ReelLifeWithJane.com
blog: http://janes-tv-blog.blogspot.com(tv stuff)
blog: http://reellifewithjane.blogspot.com (this & that)
blog: http://ruby-shoes.blogspot.com (cool gear)
And don’t miss Jane’s fun and insightful review of The Bee Movie on her main website.
The next contest will be held on Nov. 20th and I’m still figuring out the contest details, but I do know the prizes!
This is a Christmas Gift Giveaway!
*Karma signals her lovely assistant to reveal the spectacular prizes, realizes she doesn’t have a lovely assistant, so reveals the gifts herself.*
PRIZE #1:
Book: A signed copy of Bear Stays Up for Christmas OR Mortimer’s Christmas Manger (Winner’s Choice)
Movie: Alvin and the Chipmunks–A Chipmunk’s Christmas
PRIZE #2
Book: A signed copy of Bear Stays Up for Christmas OR Mortimer’s Christmas Manger (winner’s choice).
Movie: Wonder Pets: Save the Reindeer
If you have contest ideas give me a head’s up! I’m Thankful for you all.
Karma
Well, well–it’s time for my next giveaway. Hmmmm… I’m still thinking about this one. What book and what contest? Something about Thanksgiving perhaps? Ideas people. I need ideas! My mind is as blank as an uninspired author’s word processor. Help! I need to think of my next contest. Something fun.
In other news I got some fantastic sketches in the mail for my upcoming poetry book What’s the Weather Inside (a collection of over 100 poems for kids ages 9-11). The illustrator is hilarious comic artist Barry Blitt and it’s going to be a great book, and very different for me.
Do you know who my favorite poet is? Shel Silverstein! Most people think of him as some “fart, booger” kids’ poet, but he had some very serious and even philosophical poems. So many of his poems were, well, real. The Little Boy and the Old Man brings tears to my eyes.
In my poetry book I cover various just plain silly topics like not eating yellow snow and Miss Muffet squishing spiders. But I do try to cover some philosophical ground and even insert some humor that requires thought. Let’s face it–kids (or most of them anyway) aren’t born with a sense of humor. We are responsible for helping them learn what’s really funny and what’s actually just really…dumb. I still remember when my son’s idea of a good joke was repeating the word poop until I broke down and yelled. Ha ha…very funny. For a child what’s funny is mostly what’s forbidden . Actually for a lot of adults this pattern holds–it’s just that forbidden topics for adults (sex, drugs, and race/culture) are a little more edgy than what’s forbidden to children (poop, farts, and underwear).
But the truly great comedians, at least in my mind, are the ones that shoot the arrow past the simply forbidden and aim straight for my heart. I like to laugh at myself–my flaws, my weaknesses, my ineptitude, my fears, my pettiness–you know, the things that make me human. When a comedian unveils those dirty little secrets in him/herself it allows me to laugh at my own flaws. It’s almost like I’m laughing in relief. “Phew, I’m not the only mental case!”
Shel does that for kids (and adults–I for one don’t think his best work is limited to children). I hope to do that too. I also have a few poems that I hope will point out to kids the other parts of their character that make them human–curiosity, joy, love, etc…
My son (thankfully) has grown past his love of screaming, “Poop!” and is even pretty funny at times. He loves Shel’s work. I like to think that Shel’s poems simultaneously celebrated that undeveloped humor and helped him grow beyond it.
K
I’ve chosen my two winners. I wish I could send a prize to every contestent. You are all fantastic and I loved each entry.
Kris Seleshanko wins for being a classic Thumbkin:
There’s no doubt about it. I’m a Thumbkin. Just look at my office. Well, okay, you can’t really see it through your computer screen, but trust me! It’s a mess! I have piles stacked upon piles of papers, all threatening to fall over should I ever so slightly bump them. The moment my two year old enters this room, those stacks of books on my printer and scanner are going to topple over. Here’s a candy wrapper I haven’t bothered to throw away yet. Oh, and *here’s* where my favorite Christmas CD ended up being “stored” last January! Over there are some boxes of…well, I’m not sure of what. But they must be important or I wouldn’t have them…right?
I don’t sleep a lot like Thumbkin, but I would if my toddler would let me! :)
Ah, I do understand Kris. Toddlers aren’t allowed to let us sleep. It isn’t in their job description. As for that Christmas CD–don’t move it or you’ll never find it next year.
Amy Lundberg, my second winner, is a classic Mr. Murry:
I find that I am a lot like Mr. Murry, but thanks to my children Alec 3 and Elijah 1, I have learned to be more like Mr. Thumbkin. Together with fun and games we tackle those chores that need to be done and once we have accomplished those basic items, we are off enjoying our world whether it is spent whipping up yummy desserts or enjoying our beautiful outdoors.
Amy, you are a wonderful mother–and I can tell you are indeed a Mr. Murry. Thank goodness for the Mr. Murrys of the world!
Thanks to all contestents…come back in two weeks for my next contest.
Karma
If you’ve read my post below (about giveaway #3) you’ll see that for my next Giveaway I asked my readers to send me notes telling me if they are a fastidious, type A Mr. Murry, or a slovenly, free-spirited Thumbkin. Well, today I spent my time being Mr. Murry. I did my spring cleaning.
”Gasp! It’s late fall!” you say.
Yea, yea I know. But I told you, I’m really Thumpkin at heart. It’s tradition around here to do spring cleaning in the fall–every other year. I get by for months at a time doing only ”surface cleaning” (AKA relocating clutter to less conspicuous places and wiping the counters off). It just got to the point that I couldn’t ignore the dirt (crust, grime, grease) any longer. I cleaned my carpet, upholstery cleaned my furniture, and dusted every room top to bottom (aside from my sons’ room–that’s a hazardous waste zone and it requires a special suit to enter there). I’ve decided the best part of being Mr. Murry for a day is the afterglow. I get to lounge in my spotless house and bask in my temporary fastidiousness. I can take deep, cleansing breaths and not ask, “What’s that funky smell?” I only smell cleaning supplies and a pumpkin spice candle I lit to celebrate my new furniture (I’d forgotten my couch was such a pretty gold color).
But I wonder, what would be the best part of a Mr. Murry type being a free-spirited Thumbkin for the day? Is there a similar payoff? Seems to me they’d just come out the other side with a big mess. *Shrug*
In Mr. Murry and Thumbkin there is the mention of pumpkin cake. A couple of days ago I made a delicious pumpkin cake completely from scratch. I will post my recipe tomorrow. It’s not that hard to process fresh pumpkin if you know the secret (a wonderfully, lazy Thumbkin type secret).
I’ve gotten some very cute letters about the Mr. Murrys and Thumbkins of the world. One person sent me a note telling me which character her son was, and I loved that idea. So be sure to send notes about your kids too. Me? I’ve been blessed with three complete Thumbkin children. I do have one son who had a touch of Mr. Murry in him as a child (he obsessed on hand washing and having his socks on perfectly straight). He’s outgrown it though. It can be challenging to get Thumbkin kids to do any sort of chores. Where do you think they got it from?
Karma
Giveaway #3 will be on Halloween Eve. I’ll be giving away two copies of a special book.
Mr. Murry & Thumbkin is one of my few titles that has gone out of print.
I always loved the story and the art by Ard Hoyt is tremendous. I don’t know why it went out of print, but in my opinion is an adorable book especially suited for the fall season. I have a few left (I lost them for awhile–and found them recently under my desk). I’m going to give away two signed copies. I’m not sure exactly what the rules will be yet. If anybody has any ideas for something fun, let me know!
Karma
Argh! I *need* to read these books now. Why does my library have to be closed? How will I survive the next 15 months until it opens again?
Off to add to my wishlist again...