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Ho ho ho! Big Snow!

You probably know we had a BIG storm over the weekend.

Cornelius and the other resident bears simply can't stop talking about it. Where's the sled? Is the shovel ready? Should we go cross-country skiing? What about snowboarding? 


Paddingtons engage in intense dialogue.

Some of them called friends in warmer climes to brag to tell them 300 feet 24 inches of white puffy flakes had blanketed everything in sight! 

        
            Aunt Lucy supervises calling queue.

Others gazed for hours at the winter wonderland, stopping every 15 minutes for refreshments not moving an inch or blinking even once they were so awestruck:



Snow in these parts, this much snow, will do that to a person.

Knock knock knock!

Who could that be?

Oh hello, Snowman! Go outside? Outside where it's cold? Are you insane?

  

Brrrrr! Simply magical. Brrrrr! Do you like my hat? Brrrrr!


Hey, everybody! Look what I'm making!


Yeah, well, hurry up. We haven't eaten in hours days! Should have worn my other coat! I've got something on the stove!


There, just need a few more finishing touches. Pretty handsome, if I say so myself!


Now, Snowman, let's go inside and play. Do you like "Frosty the Snowman"?


Oh boy! Time for the best part. The cold weather makes me so hungry.
What a glorious day!

In all the world, I couldn't have found a finer friend.
        

What? You know how to fly? Oooo! Show me!





Happy Christmas week, everyone!!

Copyright © 2009 Jama Rattigan of jama rattigan's alphabet soup. All rights reserved.

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So, it's Christmas Eve, and I'm sipping some Darjeeling and eating way too many cookies.

I can't bring myself to eat the gingerbread people yet -- but when I do, I'll bite their heads off first --  it's very humane, so they won't feel any pain. (Promise me you'll do the same.)

Whew! All the frenzied activity of shopping, baking, decorating, and writing cards is over. Now, Christmas, with its pure love and joy, can come.

Of course, Len and I will be watching "A Christmas Memory," by Truman Capote. It's our favorite and most enduring tradition. We have the color VHS version narrated by Mr. Capote, starring the incomparable Geraldine Page. Somehow, in this simple story of two friends baking fruitcakes together in the poverty-stricken South, we are reminded of what Christmas is all about (I blogged about it here).

Meanwhile, the Rattigan teddies have insisted that I show you a few pictures from their favorite holiday picture book of 2008: The Christmas Bears, by Chris Conover (FSG). It's a simple rhyming story about Santa Bear's family (seven cubs), getting reading for the big day. Conover's detailed illos are positively fetching and endearing, and glow with childlike joy and anticipation. The resident bears totally drool over the pictures of cookie baking and the Christmas Eve feast (with 300+ bears in the house, that's a lot of drooling).

   





Christmas has always felt like a mixed blessing to me. Though I like to bask in all the holiday traditions of gift giving, seeing friends, enjoying good food, playing carols on the piano, and reading good books and watching old movies by a cozy fire, it is also a time of serious reckoning -- another year gone forever, good intentions fallen by the wayside, falling short of some goals, missing family in Hawai'i, New Hampshire, and Oregon, and thinking of those no longer with us.

As far as our country goes, this year we've experienced the highest high (first African American President), and the lowest lows (war and economy). Along with all the tinsel and glitter, there will envitably be feelings of sadness, unease, and uncertainty. With so many people losing their jobs and coping with unforeseen challenges and changes, it sometimes feels like the whole world is tumbling down around us. In this season of miracles, we may find ourselves clinging ever tighter to hope and faith. I find this Pueblo verse, posted on AKRosenthal's blog, especially comforting:

Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe, even if it is a tree which stands alone.
Hold on to what you must do, even if it is a long way from here.

This will be my last post of 2008, since I'll be on blog break until early January. Thanks to all who read this blog during the past year. I wish you and yours the happiest and merriest of holidays. I hope that wherever you are, the joy of Christmas finds its way into your heart. See you in 2009!

Click here to listen to my favorite Christmas carol, sung by a man I absolutely love.


*All interior spreads copyright © 2008 Chris Conover, published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux. All rights reserved.

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Back in September, crcook posted a truly lovely and cooler than cool 7-minute video called, "The Beckoning of Lovely." It totally caught me by surprise, chased my evil, cynical tendencies out the window, and made my heart flutter with hope.

Making things. Creativity. Coming together. Sharing. Good vibes all around.

The woman in the video arrived on the scene with her yellow umbrella, and in a few hours, changed the lives of everyone there. Strangers worked together to "make an 18th lovely thing." I admired the young woman's ingenuity and spontaneous, free-spirited social experiment.

But did I know? Did I know then, who this woman really was? The video said her name was Amy, but there are lots of Amys in the world, right?

The universe, it turns out, is a small place. But hugely generous and serendipitous, if you choose to interact with it in good faith and with honest intentions.

Awhile later, I was searching for a picture book author to interview for this blog. I wanted someone whose work had tickled me, excited me, made me stop and take note for its singular brilliance. Interviews are hard work, and I won't invest precious time working with someone unless I really really love what they do.



Then I remembered Little Pea, Little Hoot, and Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons. Of course -- Amy Krouse Rosenthal. She's way cool, and I'd been seeing her name all over the internet -- always associated with something innovative and life affirming, albeit quirky.

And I simply cannot resist quirky.

So I googled her and discovered that Amy Krouse Rosenthal and the yellow umbrella woman in the video are one and the same! Duh. Well, of course! Friends, Amy is someone who embraces the universe whole heartedly, resulting in creative efforts that boggle the mind -- children's books, memoirs, book reviews, humor columns, public radio talk show host, gift books, parenting books, and, of course, videos.

Now, "The Beckoning of Lovely" is moving into its next phase -- a feature length film! Amy has extended an Invitation to the Universe. If you have made a lovely thing, she wants you to submit it. It doesn't matter what you do, where you live, or how old you are. If it's lovely, it qualifies. She's also looking for a creative team consisting of 14 Key Positions, to help her implement the project.

No, this isn't a paying gig, not yet. But it's a chance to be part of something awesome, something larger than yourself, something that has never been done before. Things are tough all over the planet. This seems to be an earnest effort to celebrate the myriad talents of our fellow human beings -- a project of inclusion, a "making" of something positive. We need that, right?

Read more about the film on Amy's blog, whoisamy. Deadline for submissions is January 20, 2009, and the deadline to apply for the 14 Key Positions is January 16, 2009.

Submission categories include:     Music of all kinds / Bands/ Singer-Songwriters / Videos / Short films / Animation / Paintings / Drawings / Art / Illustration / True stories / Made-up stories / Poems/ Lists / Monologues / Plays / Dance / Inventions / Crafts / Photographs / Cell phone snapshots / Architecture / Design / Culinary creations / Journal pages / Collage / Sand castles /  Everything

In case you missed it, here's the original video, shot in Chicago on August 8, 2008. Okay -- Umbrellas up!
 

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Just got tagged by medwriter :)!!

Quick! Off the top of your head, think of the last five things that made you smile.

1. Being tagged by medwriter .

2. Receiving this ARC in the mail:


3. Knowing that tomorrow I can be a bruiser:


4. Fred the cat wearing red boots (jbknowles blog).

5. This letter from my niece, Julia. (She doesn't know I actually did pick out the earrings on behalf of my mom.)


What made you smile today? I tag anyone out there who's smiling at this very moment, including aome , missrumphius , maryleehahn ,traciezimmer , emmaco , sruble , ajboll , viabloomington , and bluemalibu !

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Well, hello there!


Please come in . . .

We've been very busy here at alphabet soup -- decking the halls, jingling those bells, and decorating trees. Thought you'd like a little peek:

For most of the year, Nick Galeski works as a mild-mannered insurance salesman in a non-descript office.


But every December, he dons the red robe and becomes a harbinger of joy: Uncle Nicky Claws!


He and the other bears have their own little trees.

Like this one,


and this one.


Aside from baking and eating cookies, my favorite holiday tradition is sifting through all the ornaments that will go on our big tree (8-1/2 feet tall).

I love handmade ornaments most of all. I'm not crafty, so I thoroughly appreciate people who can come up with clever ideas and translate them into salable products.

I usually hang up some angels first.

Some of these are made from antique quilts or handkerchiefs.

Then, I wade through boxes and boxes of teddy bear ornaments. I can't possibly hang them all, so I rotate them each year.

They're made of everything, including felt, wood, resin, porcelain, metal, clay, paper, plastic, and glass.

Of course our tree always includes some food ornaments, mostly dessert:


And since I love children's books, I'm partial to characters, rag dolls, and toys.






Tree decorating is fun, but also nostalgic and poignant. I like to remember faraway friends by always including the ornaments they have given me.

Lynn, a long-time friend from Hawai'i, is very artistic and once made some wonderful clothespin ornaments:


Kristin, who's now a kindergarten teacher, has been my penpal since she was 6 years old. She got me this cute bear ornament from Japan, which is made from special kimono fabric.


Of course I honor new friends, too. Marie, who lives about ten minutes away, used to work on Capitol Hill. Every year, for the last ten years or so, she's given us a White House ornament.


If you don't know about these, go to the White House Historical Association and take a look. There's a new ornament issued every year, based on a different Presidential administration. They come in a nice presentation box with a booklet, and make great mail-away gifts.


A couple of writer friends have blessed me with Laini Taylor ladies:

Every tree has got to have at least one!

Then there's the travel memories. I always include these handpainted egg ornaments, which we found on a trip to Switzerland over 20 years ago.


Can't forget the Hawaiian hula girls,


and I'm especially fond of my Linas Alsenas handpainted snowflake which I won in last year's Robert's Snow auction.

Mrs. Claus on one side,

and Santa himself on the other.


Once the tree looks full, I add some little red touches, in the form of strawberries, candy apples, and red hearts.


Then Len gets out the stepladder, and hangs up the international teddies:


Finally, he carefully places Melanie, the Victorian angel with feather wings, at the very top.


To us, our tree represents the true joys of Christmas: friends, family, food, dreams, and memories.





I'd love to see your tree. Have you posted a photo of it yet? Please do!!

Till then, wherever you are, have a magical day!!
 

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CHRISTMAS COOKIES: BITE-SIZE HOLIDAY LESSONS , by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, pictures by Jane Dyer (HarperCollins, 2008), all ages, 32 pp., On shelves now.

Season's Greetings! (Please greet me with cookies.)

I squealed with delight when I saw Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons (HarperCollins, 2008), the scrumptious follow-up to her New York Times Bestseller, Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons (HarperCollins, 2006).

This time, we are treated to 23 more delectable cookie-centric definitions to inspire, enlighten and delight readers of all ages. Have you ever tried to explain such abstract terms as "Prosperity," "Charitable," or "Perseverance" to a child? Pretty tricky, huh?

That's where these cookies come in. "Prosperity means, My goodness, just look at all those cookies!" "Charitable means setting a big batch aside to give to people who maybe don't have any cookies at all." And "Preseverance means, We tried and tried and tried, and finally we made the perfect not-burned batch."


"GRACIOUS means putting out a plate for our special guest."

With cookies, everything becomes clear. Especially when the definitions feature charming, curly haired, multiethnic kids and their gentle animal friends working together in the kitchen.


''FRUSTRATED means, I can't believe we burned them again!"

If ever there was a perfect pairing of author and illustrator, these cookie books are it. Jane Dyer's winsome watercolors perfectly capture the candy-striped, multicolor-frosted, sugar-sprinkled celebration that is Christmas without being cloying or overly cute. Kids will love how humans and animals, equally enthusiastic about cookies, inhabit the same world. Since these crunchy chunks of wisdom can be nibbled on one tasty morsel at a time, or gobbled up in one fell swoop, it is suitable for picky eaters as well as established gastronomes. No holding back here. Open the book to any page, cozy up to the table, and help yourself to pure yummy-ness.


"SHARING means, Thanks for giving me a taste. Would you like a bite of mine?"

I am a huge fan of both Rosenthal's and Dyer's work, and highly recommend both of these Cookie books. Created from what seems like the perfect recipe, these gems satisfy to the very last crumb.

To browse inside Christmas Cookies, click here.

For the Christmas Cookie recipe included in the book, click here.

If, by some chance, you were visiting another planet and missed the first Cookie book, take a peek inside it here.


COOKIES: BITE-SIZE LIFE LESSONS, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal,
pictures by Jane Dyer (HarperCollins, 2006), all ages, 32 pp.

**This book inspired me to write my own Bite-Size Writing Lessons here!

Special thanks to R. Michelson Galleries for permission to post interior spreads from Christmas Cookies. All images included here are available for sale (watercolor on paper, 8.5" x 8.5"). Click here for more information on these and other illustrations from Jane Dyer's books.

*All interior images copyright © 2008 Jane Dyer, published by HarperCollins. All rights reserved.

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So, I see you're here for the Second Batch.

Now we know you love to eat books. Don't deny it. I saw you drooling and licking some of the cookbooks from the First Batch. Oh, you don't actually eat the books, you just like to make and eat the food from the books? 

Alrighty then, dig in:

THE LOUISA MAY ALCOTT COOKBOOK, compiled by Gretchen Anderson, pictures by Karen Milone (Little, Brown, 1985). How I love this little book; it contains 28 recipes grouped with scenes from Little Women and Little Men. What is especially notable is that the recipes were initially researched, tested, and compiled by Ms. Anderson when she was just nine years old! She did this for a school project, combining her love for Alcott's books with her favorite hobby, cooking. So, we start out with the famous Christmas morning scene, where the March girls decide to take their breakfast to a poor family. To authentically recreate this, you might try Buckwheat Cakes, Muffins, or Farina Gruel. Or, remember when Marmee was sick in bed with a cold and the girls fixed her breakfast? They made an Omelet with Baking Powder Biscuits.

             

Now, if you're like Jo, with the best of intentions, but a disaster in the kitchen, you'll need more practice (with the Fire Department on alert). But if she could make Molasses Candy, so can you. The recipes from Little Men are solid, traditional American fare, such as Gingerbread, Steak and Potatoes, and Apple Pie. Can't go wrong with those, and all the recipes are rated for level of difficulty. A word about Karen Milone's pen-and-ink drawings: brilliant! Aside from book scenes, she's diagrammed some of the cooking techniques -- little eggs cracked in bowls! Little rolling pins! Squee!


PETER RABBIT'S NATURAL FOODS COOKBOOK, by Arnold Dobrin (Frederick Warne, 1977). Of all the literary cookbooks I own, I've used this one the most. It contains 33 simple recipes, with an emphasis on using fresh, unprocessed, whole foods for: Breakfast and Breads, Sandwiches, Vegetables, Salads, Soups and Desserts. Lots of light dishes made of fruit and veggies -- not for carnivores (what do you expect, Peter was a vegetarian)! I like the use of honey rather than refined sugar, and yogurt as a substitute for mayonnaise. My favorite is Fierce Bad Rabbit's Carrot-Raisin Salad, but there's also goodies like Squirrel Nutkin's Banana-Nut Loaf, Old Mrs. Rabbit's Hearty Vegetable Soup, and Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail's Fresh Blueberry Cobbler. No quotes or excerpts are included, but the 7" x 7-1/2" treasure is adorned with Potter's lovely illustrations throughout.

   
   (See also):

PETER RABBIT'S COOKERY BOOK, compiled by Anne Emerson (Frederick Warne, 1980). Twenty-one more recipes, mostly for teas and light lunches, such as Hunca Munca's Rice Pudding and Pigling Bland's Porridge.
 
THE PETER RABBIT AND FRIENDS COOK BOOK by Naia Bray-Moffatt (Frederick Warne, 1994). Fifteen recipes, including gems like Samuel Whiskers' Roly-Poly Sausages and Peter Rabbit's Party Carrot Cake.

 

THE POOH COOK BOOK by Katie Stewart, pictures by Ernest Shepard (Methuen, 1971). A honey of a collection containing 58 recipes for all the bear essentials: Smackerels, Elevenses, Teas, Picnics and Expositions, Lunches and Suppers, Desserts, Parties, and Christmas, plus Hot and Cold Drinks. Honey is the favored ingredient, of course, and for bears of very little brain, the easiest recipes are marked with an asterisk. Start with Cinnamon Toast and work your way up to Honey Spice Cake and Spaghetti Supper. If you get stuck, peruse the Pooh quotes and nibble on the pen-and-ink doodles.

                 

THE REDWALL COOKBOOK by Brian Jacques, pictures by Christopher Denise (Philomel, 2005). What an absolute treasure this book is! You don't need to be a Redwall fan to love this collection of three dozen recipes, grouped by the four seasons. The recipes of each section are tied together with a charming new tale featuring familiar Redwall characters, such as Friar Hugo, Pansy, and other adorable Dibbuns, scurrying about the kitchen preparing micey faves like Honeybaked Apples, Hare's Pawspring Vegetable Soup, and Afternoon Tea Scones with Strawberry Jam and Cream. Since Mr. Jacques originally wrote the series for children of a blind school, he is in the habit of describing everything in lavish sensory detail, especially all the food! The full color acrylic and charcoal illustrations are gorgeous -- rich, endearing, engaging, and of course, totally delish. Be sure to "serve warm with a generous helping of storytelling magic."

  

ROALD DAHL'S REVOLTING RECIPES, compiled by Josie Fison and Felicity Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake, with photographs by Jan Baldwin (Viking, 1994). "Nose bags on!" "Grub's up!" Prepare to be totally disgusted! Dang, but this cookbook is a lot of fun -- the only one so far with actual photographs of the finished recipes, embellished with classic Quentin Blake quirky drawings.

Or would it have been better not to feast our eyes on such gag-worthy specialties as Snozzcumbers, Mosquitoes' Toes and Wampfish Roes Most Delicately Fried, or Wormy Spaghetti? You get the picture. Everything here is totally Dahlian. Where else could you find a recipe for Lickable Wallpaper or Candy-Coated Pencils for Sucking in Class? No, I haven't actually tried any of these; just reading the ingredients and seeing the pictures is a feast in itself. But reviewers have unanimously rated the recipes as surprisingly delectable, tasting much better than they sound. I will have to try Hair Toffee to Make Hair Grow on Bald Men for Len!

    

(See also):

ROALD DAHL'S EVEN MORE REVOLTING RECIPES, compiled by Lori-Ann Newman, pictures by Quentin Blake, photos by Jan Baldwin (Viking, 2001). Who could resist another big helping of the same? I am especially interested in A Plate of Soil with Engine Oil and Hot Noodles Made from Poodles on a Slice of Garden Hose.

     

ONCE UPON A RECIPE by Karen Greene (New Hope Press, 1987). This classic perfectly blends great content (healthy recipes), visual appeal (hand tinted antique woodblock prints), and loads of extras that both inform and inspire (book quotes, tips for preparation and serving, and sample menus). The author's intent was for each page to stir a different dream, and the result is enchanting. Prepare to enter the magical place where food and imagination meet.

Turn to "Morning Glory," where you can experience Shakespeare's Breakfast Sandwiches or Mrs. Tiggywinkle's Pineapple Right-Side-Up Muffins. When you're ready, go to "Bunches of Lunches," for Rumpelstiltskin's Pillows and Runaway Bunny's Custard. The Supper Club menu features Curiouser & Curiouser Casserole and Thumbelina Burgers. Don't worry. Before the day is done, indulge in a "Sweet Dream" -- perhaps Baloo's Mint Brownies or Selfish Giant Cookies. Also included are "Snacks and Sips," Very Nutritious Verses, and The Natural Pantry -- a wonderful primer about the key ingredients in the recipes, such as Maple Granules, Soy Milk, and Whole Grain Baking Mixes. With its nod to whole foods, this cookbook, when first published in 1987, was definitely ahead of its time. 

                              
And with that, I'm off to do some holiday baking. Hope you'll check out these cookbooks, eat two Christmas cookies, and call me in the morning.

P.S. Do you know of any other good literary cookbooks? I'm always looking to add to my collection!!

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If you're looking for a special gift for a writer friend or bookworm, grab hold of this mug! (Or maybe you'd like to treat yourself for all your hard work this year.)

Not your ordinary, everyday Hallmark gift shop kind of mug, this Bridgewater Pottery 8 oz. beauty is hand painted and hand decorated in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Each one is unique, and part of a limited edition.

I can attest to the high quality of all Bridgewater products; I've been an avid collector of their pieces for years. They are durable, dishwasher and oven safe, and don't chip easily.

Look what it says on the back:


Along the inside edge, it reads: "Happiness comes in a mug."


"Happiness" is also spelled out along the handle.


The full range of Bridgewater pottery can be found at their website, but for ordering in the U.S., try Joanne Hudson. They ship lickety split fast; I received this mug in less than 24 hours.

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!

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So, are you ready to get delicious?

Okay, I know you're already scrumptiously talented and have excellent taste when it comes to all things bookish, but I thought I'd tempt you today with some seriously divine, ambrosial offerings -- literary cookbooks.

At this very moment, I'm strapped down to my desk chair, because just thinking about excerpts from beloved, classic books alongside recipes derived from or inspired by the stories, propels me into a state of acute culinary bliss. *Butt rises in chair* See, this topic is actually dangerous -- but for you, I'll take my chances.

I've been collecting literary cookbooks for quite some time. While not all the dishes I've tried have knocked my socks off, I've always been happy just reading the recipes, and appreciating the connections they have with the works. For me, this is a satisfying way of enhancing the enjoyment of a story, since it deepens my understanding of character, historical context, and setting. And if the recipes just happen to be good, it's all gravy. 

Though all of these cookbooks are based on children's books, they are actually suitable for cooks and would-be cooks of all ages. They're great for adults who like to revisit old favorites, and will provide hours of fun for grown-ups and kids to work together in the kitchen. And, unlike recipes from ordinary cookbooks, these are seasoned with just the right dash of literary flair.


FIrst batch:

FAIRY TALE FEASTS by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, pictures by Philippe Beha (Crocodile Books, 2006). A gorgeous collection featuring 19 retold fairy and folktales, and one original tale written by master storyteller, Jane Yolen, all paired with easy, kid friendly recipes compiled by Jane's daughter, Heidi.

     

Breakfasts, Lunches, Soups, Dinners, and Desserts are all represented through classic stories like Little Red Riding Hood (Grandma's Potato Salad), Diamonds and Toads (Very French Toast), The Great Turnip (Mashed Turnips), and Brer Rabbit (Carrot Soup). Marginalia featuring folklore origins and food facts are equally delicious, and much of Stemple's good, standard fare will easily become family favorites. All is served up on thick, glossy pages adorned with Beha's bold color illos.

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS COUNTRY COOKBOOK by Arabella Boxer (Methuen, 1983). If you're in a decidedly British mood, why not pack a hamper and join Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger riverside? Here, you'll find Food for: Staying at Home, Staying in Bed, The Store Cupboard, Excursions, and Celebrations. The 100+ recipes range from simple to more complicated, and provide an opportunity to sample British standards like Bubble and Squeak, Jam Rolypoly, and Cornish Pasties. In honor of the characters, there are things like Toad Hall Trifle, Ratty's Potted Meat, and Moly's Marmite Soldiers. All garnished with memorable excerpts and line drawings by Ernest Shepard.

 

THE ANNE OF GREEN GABLES COOKBOOK by Kate Macdonald, pictures by Barbara DiLella (Oxford University Press, 1985). A slim volume featuring 25 recipes inspired by the Anne books and compiled by L.M. Montgomery's granddaughter. Ms. Macdonald reminds us that "Anne eventually became a good cook by following Marilla's advice." Probably the most memorable food scene of all is when Anne discovers a mouse drowned in the pudding sauce, and this is acknowledged with a recipe for Marilla's Plum Pudding and Warm Caramel Pudding Sauce (I would have tested it for you, but I'm afraid of mice)! Also of note: Diana Barry's Favourite Raspberry Cordial, Poetical Egg Salad Sandwiches, and Anne's Liniment Cake. A table of cooking tips and terms rounds out this lovely collection. Perfect for kindred spirits!

THE LITTLE HOUSE COOKBOOK by Barbara M. Walker, pictures by Garth Williams (Harper and Row, 1979). No doubt you've seen or possibly already own this classic of the genre. Food plays a big role in the Little House books; much of the action is centered on hunting for it, or growing, harvesting, preserving, serving and eating it. When Laura learned how to cook from Ma, she also learned social skills, about human communion.

  
So much more than just a cookbook, this volume contains fascinating information about how food was obtained on the frontier, and how it was valued in American pioneer life during the late 19th century. All are authentic recipes from the period adapted for a modern kitchen, and as Ms. Walker states in her introduction, some are more historic than taste sensations. Who can resist Pancake Men, Doughnuts, or Apple Turnovers? Or maybe you'd like to learn how to can, butcher a pig, or churn butter. This is the book that will instill an appreciation for the food on the table, as it traces its connection to the field, the orchard, and the barnyard. 

(See also): 

*THE LAURA INGALLS WILDER COUNTRY COOKBOOK , by William Anderson (Trophy, 1997), featuring 73 recipes Laura herself compiled at Rocky Ridge Farm in the 30's and 40's.

*My post about Almanzo Wilder's eating habits in Farmer Boy.

THE NARNIA COOKBOOK, commentary by Douglas Gresham, pictures by Pauline Baynes (HarperCollins, 1998). A thoroughly delightful collection of recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner, Dessert and Drinks, all inspired by foods appearing in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles. Jack, as he was called, was quite a foodie himself, and included in the stories those dishes he himself loved. Did your mouth water when Edmund was tempted with Turkish Delight? I know I was jealous when Lucy had tea with Mr. Tumnus (as fauns are known to be very good cooks).
 
   

Douglas Gresham, whose mother, Joy, married Jack later in life, serves up interesting comments about each recipe, either about its culinary origins or place in the stories. Of course there are direct quotes from the books to transport us right back into the wardrobe. Recipes range from simple things like Buttered Eggs to the more challenging Roast Pheasant. Things I would not try: Stewed Eels, Pigeon Pie, Chicken Livers Calormene. Things I'm anxious to try: Lucy's Roast Apples, Sugar Topped Cake, Meat Pasties. Pen-and-ink and watercolor illos by Narnia's original illustrator, Pauline Baynes, are a real treat.

       

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN COOKBOOK by Diane Blain (Scholastic, 1992). Though not glossy or elaborately illustrated, this collection of standard recipes is one that will be returned to again and again. That's because most of the dishes included are what kids actually like already or would be willing to try. Examples: Pomfret Landing Milkshake, Explorer's Bacon, Boxcar Brown Bread, Benny's #1 Favorite Sandwich, Mike's Favorite Chicken Legs. Each recipe begins with the excerpt from the story that inspired it, followed by very clear step-by-step instructions. There's even a section on Campfire Cooking, with the gold standard of all camp favorites, S'Mores.

  Hope these inspire you to create magic in the kitchen with your family. Look for them at your local library, add them to your personal wishlist, or purchase one as a holiday gift for someone special (you may have to search used bookstores for older titles).

Stayed tuned for the Second Batch of literary cookbooks, coming soon!

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GINGERBREAD FRIENDS by Jan Brett (Putnam, 2008),
Picture Book, ages 4-8, 32 pp. On shelves now.

Mmmmm!! Look what just popped out of the oven -- Gingerbread Friends, a freshly-baked sequel to Jan Brett's scrumptious 1999 book, Gingerbread Baby.

Yes! That sassy, cocky little cookie baby is back for another adventure. We last saw him safely tucked away in a little gingerbread house made especially for him by his creator, Mattie. Though surrounded by lots of treats and toys, the Gingerbread Baby is lonely when Mattie goes off to ski and skate with his friends.

So, the next day, when Mattie is busy in the kitchen, the Gingerbread Baby decides to pop on over to the village to find some friends of his own. There, he sees a man and woman just his size in the bakery window. Although he sings and dances for them, they won't move or even look at him. Undaunted, the Gingerbread Baby approaches a Sugar Cookie Girl and tries to win her over with his song:

I'm the Gingerbread Baby,
Gallant as can be,
I'll be friends with you,
If you'll be friends with me.

But she, too, remains stiff and silent. His efforts to similarly befriend some swans and a couple dancing atop a mountainous cake are equally fruitless, so he ends up running through a little door just his size and falls asleep. He is rudely awakened by the strange sensation of someone nibbling on his marshmallow pom pom. A cheeky mouse! A frantic chase ensues, involving a cat, the baker, his wife, and a fox! Can the Gingerbread Baby escape with his life once again?



Set in a snow-luscious Swiss mountainside village, Gingerbread Friends will satisfy your holiday sweet tooth with its delectable, lick-the-page watercolor and gouache illustrations, all rendered in Brett's intricate, detailed trademark style. The spreads featuring all the bakery confections -- breads, cakes, pies, mountains of cookies and candies, can only be described as "an ultimate feast for the eyes." The side borders depict an equally delicious subplot -- Mattie is shown busy in the kitchen, baking -- well, I won't tell you what and spoil the ending, but trust me, the fruits of his labor delightfully explode in a final giant foldout page.

         

Brett has said that it takes her an hour to draw an inch, and her brilliant work is proof of the pudding. Young readers will have a ball poring over the pictures, which serve up new details with each glance. I love the spread of the Gingerbread Baby outside the bakery -- a tiny cookie person at a big blue door, and of course the gingerbread side borders, featuring recipe ingredients framed in frosted hearts, which inspire unabashed drooling every time, as it effectively hints at the ending and revs up anticipation.

For those of you who haven't yet visited Jan Brett's website, prepare to be amazed. It contains 4,696 (gasp!) pages, filled not only with book information, but activities (placemats, puzzles, signs, labels, drawing lessons, on and on), coloring pages, home and school projects, videos, games, and the occasional contests. To extend your enjoyment of Gingerbread Friends, you can create and print out your own greeting cards and envelopes, make a 2009 calendar, construct a 3 x 6 foot mural, or even design your own gingerbread friend. Loads of holiday and year-round fun for all ages, a real internet treasure trove that gives new meaning to the term, "interactive."

                             

  *If you somehow missed Gingerbread Baby, be sure to watch this video with Jan reading the story to several children. They're even munching on gingerbread men cookies while listening to her. Man, I love the smell of gingerbread baking in the kitchen (Jan says her studio smelled like gingerbread for an entire year while she was working on this book).



You can find Jan's recipe for gingerbread babies here. Grab it before it gets away from you!

Don't miss this fun interview where she answers questions posed by students and teachers.

Also, from Scholastic, a great Author Study page, featuring lessons based on many of her other books.

For my tasty tidbit of a post about the history of gingerbread, gingerbread men stories, and my personal favorite gingerbread men recipe, click here.
 

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"Christmas Morning" by Carl Larrson

Happy December!

So, are you having visions of sugar plums yet? (I'm curious -- have any of you actually established a meaningful relationship with a sugar plum?)

Well, the yuletide season is upon us once again -- the annual onslaught of frenzied shopping, card scribbling, tree decorating, egg nog guzzling, and my favorite, cookie baking! Yay! We've stashed away our pumpkins, eaten the last of our turkey sandwiches, and now it's time to stuff those goodie bags and fill those tins and trays with holiday treats.

Today, I've decided to dedicate this post to the most maligned and ridiculed outcast of Christmas offerings, the fruitcake.

Did you just gag?

Some say fruitcakes were doing just fine until Johnny Carson joked that there really is only one fruitcake in the world, passed from family to family. But the song I'm sharing today proves that poor fruity was the butter of jokes as far back as 1883, when C. Frank Horn composed, "Miss Fogarty's Christmas Cake."

Now, Miss Fogarty and I go way back. In my famous high school speech class, where I recited several food poems (including "I Had But Fifty Cents," which I blogged about last year), I also memorized what I thought was a poem called "Miss Fogarty's Cake." In a strange incidence of serendipity, my delivery took the form of a prissy Irish lass pushing hygienic potatoes. Aye, the accent was too authentic for words!

Imagine how my nuts cracked some 30+ years later, when I learned that Miss Fogarty wasn't a poem, but a song! And it had a chorus full of fruit! This revelation only furthers my long held belief that I was always fated to marry an Irishman, and to live out the rest of my days trying to convince the world that my real name is McJama.

Before I serve up the song, a few words (in hushed tones), about the dear fruitcake. If you are one of those cynical moderno (yes moderno) types with no respect for tradition, now hear this: DO NOT JUDGE all fruitcakes by the mass produced variety.

Make your own, with fresh, creamery butter and good quality fruit (using only those you truly like to begin with), douse it with rum, brandy or your favorite hardcore booze, wrap well in cheesecloth and foil, then let it age at least a week.  Rather than trying to recyle it, you will find yourself hoarding it. Proof of a good cake is in the number of hunky Irish tenors who follow you home. If stored properly in a tin, a fruitcake can last months, or even years. That's a lot of Irish tenors!

MISS FOGARTY'S CHRISTMAS CAKE
by C. Frank Horn



As I sat by my window last evening,
The letterman brought unto me
A little gilt-edged invitation, sayin'
"Gilhooley come over to tea."
I knew that the Fogarties sent it.
So I went just for old friendships sake.
The first thing they gave me to tackle
Was a slice of Miss Fogarty's cake.

Chorus:
There were plums and prunes and cherries,
There were citrons and raisins and cinnamon, too.
There was nutmeg, cloves and berries
And a crust that was nailed on with glue.
There were caraway seeds in abundance
Such that work up a fine stomach ache
that could kill a man twice after eating a slice
Of Miss Fogarty's Christmas cake.

Miss Mulligan wanted to try it,
But really it wasn't no use
For we worked on it over an hour
And couldn't get none of it loose.
Till Murphy came in with a hatchet
And Kelly came in with a saw
That cake was enough be the power above
For to paralyze any man's jaws.

Miss Fogarty proud as a peacock,
Kept smiling and blinking away
Till she flipped over Flanagan's brogan
And spit the homebrew in her tea.
Aye Gilhooley she says you're not eatin'
Try a little bit more for me sake.
And no Miss Fogarty says I,
For I've had quite enough of your cake.

Maloney was took with the colic,
O'Donald's a pain in his head
McNaughton lay down on the sofa,
And he swore that he wished he was dead.
Miss Bailey went into hysterics
And there she did wriggle and shake.
And everyone swore they were poisoned
Just from eating Miss Fogarty's cake.

        

Here's a good white fruitcake recipe for you to try. Batter up!

Read more about "Miss Fogarty's Christmas Cake" from the New York Folklore Society here.

To demonstrate your newfound support for fruitcakes, listen to the song here.            

Finally, to celebrate your ongoing fruitiness with other poetry nuts, check out this week's roundup at Mommy's Favorite Children's Books.

        

"'Oh my,' she exclaims, her breath smoking the windowpane. 'It's fruitcake weather!'"  ~ from A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote.

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