The Teashop Girl's Blog

New interview with a young Teashop reader

2011-12-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

Behold...the power of of the interwebs: I recently connected with a very interesting blogger, James Altucher, on Twitter (@jaltucher). I really enjoy reading his insightful and irreverent posts and participating in his Thursday afternoon Q&A sessions. He replied to me several times to say his daughter was enjoying The Teashop Girls. She recently emailed me her list of questions about the book and I was happy to respond. Here is our exchange:

1. Do you like tea? and is that one of things that inspired you to write "The Teashop Girls"?

I do like tea very much. I drink it just about every day. I like teas with a lot of flavor, such as Jasmine green tea, Vanilla rooibos (this is a kind of herbal tea), and chamomile with mint in the evening. I think it's a good idea to try lots of different kinds, because all the varieties of tea taste different and sometimes people say, "I don't like tea," after they've only had one or two kinds. I also think it's a good idea to add just a tiny bit of sugar to your cup. :)

2. If you do like tea what is your favorite kind? and is it the same as Annie's favorite?

Annie's favorite is English Breakfast tea, but just like me, she loves all different kinds. In fact, I bet she would change her answer depending on what day you asked her. Right now, my favorite tea is chamomile with mint.

3. How many more books about the teashop girls do you think you will write?

I've already written two, and I think I will probably do a third one someday. But right now, I'm very busy with my other series of books called Planet Explorers. If I do write a third Teashop Girls book, what do you think should happen in it? I need some good ideas. :)

4. Would you every like to work at a teashop yourself like Annie wanted too?

I think working in a teashop would be lovely, but I mostly just want to write books now. I did work in a local restaurant for many years, which was part of my inspiration for writing The Teashop Girls. Teashops, cafes, and restaurants are very good settings for books because there are always so many interesting characters coming and going in them!

5. What was your favorite character from the book? and which character do you think was most like you?

I really enjoyed writing Zach, because sometimes the pest can be funny. But I think my favorite is Annie because she's the most like me.

6. I liked the ending when all the little girls in town became teashop girls and not just any and her friends. How did you think of that?

Thank you. Well, I wanted Annie to use all of her energy to think like an entrepreneur so she could help Louisa save The Steeping Leaf. I thought that if all the little girls in town wanted to come to Louisa's shop, it would always have customers. People like going to places where they see genuine friends, so it just made sense to make The Teashop Girls club bigger and welcoming to all girls.

7. Did you and your friends make up any little clubs when you were little like Annie and her friends did?

When I was about Annie's age, I loved these books called The Babysitter's Club by Ann M. Martin. My friends and I tried to make a club like that of our own, but we were never quite as organized as the girls in those books were. That's why I think tea is a wonderful way to have a club--it's not work, it's just fun and peaceful.

8. Will the steeping leaf face any other challenges in your other teashop girl books?

You'll have to read THE SECRET INGREDIENT to find out. ;-) I think you will like it.

9. Did you ever wish you could own a small business like the steeping leaf?

Yes. I love small businesses. Even though I don't own a teashop like The Steeping Leaf, I think of my books as a business. It's my job to create a product and then to sell it to my readers. I do most of that work at the computer, which isn't quite as fun as meeting customers at a teashop. But the neat part is, sometimes I get to meet readers in person when I do events at bookstores and libraries or give talks at schools. Hopefully I will do an event in New York City in the future.

10. Which do you yourself like better tea or coffee?

I do drink both tea and coffee. I guess I really like hot beverages! It's tough to pick just one...I love them both. :)

#SampleSunday...A chapter from my YA novel NOTES TO SELF

2011-12-17T09:02:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,
I have a new contemporary young adult novel out right now called Notes to Self. It's released under my pen name Avery Sawyer. I'm participating in a Twitter promotion called #SampleSunday, where readers have a chance to check out my work. Here is a chapter from close to the beginning of the book. I hope you enjoy it! xoxo, Laura

GRAVITY

My head was an explosion of pain. Someone was pressing two flat irons against the backs of my eyeballs. No, that wasn’t it. The pain was deeper, in my ears. Audible, searing, unrelenting. I wanted to search for it, locate it deep within my skull, and put it out like a match dunked into a bucket of water. I wanted to push on my temples, to find a way outside of my head, outside of the shrieking.

I couldn’t feel my hands.

Where are my hands?

I tried to keep my breathing even so I wouldn’t cry out. The room surrounding me was aggressively white. White walls, white blinds. I was in a bed covered with white sheets. The lights were turned down low, maybe even off, but I could still tell somehow that it was daytime. What happened? Where was the screaming coming from? Did someone need my help?

Beeping.

There was a constant beeping sound layered on top of everything. I licked my lips, but my tongue felt strange: bigger than normal. Something covered my nose.

I wanted to move my body. An instinct told me to start slowly. I moved my arm to try to touch my face—thank God, my hand was okay—and realized there was a tube coming out of the crook of my elbow. My other arm was free. I used it to explore my head. Toward the top and back I found there was a place where my hair was shaved off. Some sort of probe went right in. Into my head. I gasped, horrified.

The pain grew worse behind my eyes, but I didn’t shut them. What happened? I kept breathing, my eyes darting around the room like a trapped animal’s. I realized the beeping had sped up a lot. Someone else must’ve realized it too, because the door to my room opened. A woman wearing green scrubs came in. Her face looked concerned.

“Hello there,” she said. Her voice was rich, soothing. My eyes went to her mouth, willing it to say more, to drown out the cacophony in my head. It didn’t occur to me that I could try to speak. I just stared at her and waited. I couldn’t figure out how to move my tongue to form a word. She pushed a button on the wall and more people came in.

“Welcome back, Robin,” she said, stepping back as the other people surrounded me and looked at the equipment on either side of my bed. Someone shined a small, bright light in my eyes. The woman in green didn’t say anything else. Now that I think about it, I suppose it was because I didn’t reply. You’re supposed to reply when people say things to you.

If you can.

I heard the other people talking, but it was like they were very far away. They were all murmuring in fast medical-sounding words that I didn’t understand.

One of the people came closer, a woman in a white coat. The others seemed to defer to her, to make way. “Robin, I’m Dr. Corwin. You’re in the neurotrauma center at Florida Hospital. You’ve suffered some contusions to your left temporal lobe as the result of a small skull fracture. The Medivac brought you and your friend in. I need to ask you some questions, okay?” The doctor’s manner was brisk, but not cold.

“Okay,” I managed to gargle out. Did that make sense? Was that the right word? I sounded like a stranger to myself. I had no memory of anything after Emily and I stood and looked up at the Sling Shot in Fun Towne. Oh my God.

We climbed it. We were at the top.

Where is she?

Where is Em?

I tried to focus on the doctor in front of me. She said the CT scan showed my brain was a bit swollen. They had to keep a close watch on the pressure inside my skull.

“I think I fell,” I whispered. Was that right? I remembered climbing, talking, trying not to cry, grabbing, grasping, and then…nothing.

“Looks like it,” the doctor leaned in to hear me.

“I fell?” I said again. “My head…”

“We know,” said another person in the room. Someone touched my shoulder comfortingly. My vision shifted and I felt like the dimensions of the room warped. I could see everything from my own eyes and view the whole scene as if I stood in the doorway, away from everyone in it, including my body. My stomach turned and I shut my eyes. “It’ll be okay.”

“I fell. I fell. We fell. Emily and I fell.” I kept saying it over and over in a whisper. Eventually I stopped moving my lips and let the words repeat in my brain.

This wasn’t making any sense at all. I was supposed to go to the mall today because Em had a ton of gift cards with small amounts left on them that one of her aunts had given her. She was a genius at finding clearance stuff for three dollars. I didn’t want to be here. The lady, the doctor…her mouth was moving, but her words were too quiet. It sounded like she was saying them all out of order. “What?” I asked several times.

“Can you tell me what you remember?” Dr. Kerlin (Collin?) was speaking slowly. I focused on her mouth. Remember. What did that word mean?

“I don’t know. I…” The screaming. I opened and shut my eyes, but the sound only got louder. I wasn’t actually hearing anything. Was I? “I…I fell…?” Tears gathered in my eyes. The room looked squiggly. The walls were changing colors, yellow, then red, then white again. I tried to blink them away. Where was Mom?

“It’s alright, Robin. You can rest. We’re just glad you’re doing as well as you are. The paramedics said they found you both on the ground, unconscious. Your mother will be back any minute.” The doctor typed something into a computer in the corner of the room and glanced at the equipment next to the bed.

“Wait.” It took everything I had left to figure out the words, but I managed to whisper, “Where’s Em…ily? She…I…”

“She’s still unconscious, Robin. She hasn’t woken up yet. Try to rest; it’s the best thing for you. I ordered some medication for your IV drip that will help with the pain.”

I was sinking. The weight on my chest would never leave. It would just keep on pushing until the bed swallowed me up and I couldn’t breathe at all, ever again. I looked up at the people surrounding my bed and they receded, moving farther and farther away from me…actors on a television screen that was slowly fading. Before I shut my eyes completely, I felt two tears sliding down my neck. I didn’t have enough energy to stop them.

If you enjoyed reading this chapter from Notes to Self, please consider picking up a copy at Amazon for your Kindle, iPhone, or iTouch. It's also available at Smashwords for reading on your Nook, Sony Reader, or computer screen. Thanks for checking out my work. :-)

Two Delicious Teas from Teavivre

2011-12-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

Teavivre.com recently sent me a gift of tea samples to try. It's so exciting to receive a package all the way from China! Today, I'd like to review two of the five: Jasmine "Dragon Pearls" Green Tea and White Peony Tea (Bai MuDan). I enjoyed both very much. The pearls are so pretty and I love watching them "bloom" in hot water. I took a photo of the pearls before steeping. The tea itself was delicate and flavorful. I tried it both plain and with a half teaspoon of sugar. Both ways were tasty. I think Jasmine Green Tea is a good afternoon tea. It's perfect along with shortbread or a scone. I love its fragrance and earthy flavor.

Next I tried the White Peony Tea. I took a photo of it steeping in my teapot and in a clear jar so you can check out its beautiful color. This tea tastes mild and floral. I'm drinking mine with a half teaspoon of sugar. I think it would pair perfectly with a snack of cheese and crackers. I'm sure I'll finish my Teavivre samples before the end of the month and wish for more. Have you tried any Teavivre teas? What did you think?

Scatterbrained and Proud Of It

2011-11-27T13:50:00.000-08:00

For a long time, I've had three or four jobs at one time--something that's not uncommon among writerly types. I write novels, curriculum and non-fiction pieces for magazines. I also tended bar at a local restaurant until very recently. For the most part, this sort of scattered approach suits me. I get to explore lots of different interests and writing "voices." Sometimes it has its downsides, as when I'm on a deadline for more than one project and not sleeping well. But for the most part, I love indulging my scatterbrained self. I don't even mind doing marketing for my books. It's just one more part of my oddly shaped work days.

My approach to life began in college. I had a hard time choosing a major because it seemed unreasonable and boring to take classes in mostly one subject. I solved the problem by choosing the most non-specific liberal arts program I could find: Rhetoric, and spent all eight semesters with a schedule full of classes in English, psychology, art history, regular history, speech, sociology, philosophy, women's studies, Spanish, business, math, film, nutrition, astronomy...you get the picture. I can't believe Wisconsin awarded me a degree after that crazy run through its halls. :-)

I'm not a Renaissance Woman, because I can't fix cars or tile your bathroom or paint a nice watercolor landscape. I'm more like an information junkie who loves to learn. You can see why I chose to become a writer.

However, writers often stick with a certain style or audience. You know what you're getting when you buy a Meg Cabot novel or a Michael Lewis book, for example. It's wise, in a noisy book market, to focus. But I can't. I want to write all different sorts of things. In addition to my Teashop Girls books, I recently started the Planet Explorers: Travel Guides for Kids brand. I'm also proud to announce the release of a drama-filled young adult novel titled Notes to Self this week. It might seem a bit scatterbrained to put time and energy into these projects after my success with the Teashop Girls (all wisdom would suggest I focus on Teashop 3), but what can I say? Scatterbrained is me.

I've chosen to take on the pen name Avery Sawyer for all my Y.A. material going forward, as I want to write in an edgier style without confusing any Teashop fans. It's somewhat ironic, as Notes to Self is my most personal novel to date...but I think it makes sense. "Laura Schaefer" for kid and tween content, "Avery Sawyer" for teens. Cool?

Are you a scatterbrain, too? Let us unite and revel in it! :-)

Monroe Street Teashop Girls Charm Bracelet Hunt!

2011-10-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being a part of the Monroe Street Teashop Girls Treasure Hunt. It was a fundraiser for Madison Public Library organized by Orange Tree Imports, the fabulous shop on Monroe Street which is right where my novels take place. A great time was had by all and I got to sign a lot of books! Here are some photos from the event. :-)

I would like to sincerely thank all the friendly readers I met yesterday, as well as Orange Tree Imports, Madison Public Library and all the terrific businesses on Monroe Street that helped make such a fun event possible. Yay tea, yay books, yay Madison!

Little Free Libraries

2011-09-27T19:26:00.000-07:00

I first learned about Little Free Libraries when I read this article at Madison.com. It sounded like such an amazing idea that I knew I had to be involved somehow. I rent an apartment, so it wasn't feasible for me to get a Little Library and put it in the front yard quite yet. I did the next best thing: I donated as many extra copies of The Teashop Girls as I could to Little Libraries around Madison. I'm thrilled by the concept and excited that so many other people are too (including author Ann M. Martin, who wrote The Babysitters Club series and the new book Ten Rules for Living with My Sister). If you're looking for a terrific way to connect with your neighbors, I highly recommend building your own "LFL," or going to http://www.littlefreelibrary.org to learn more about acquiring one for your neck of the woods. Here is the Little Free Library at my dentist's office...so cute!

In Which Laura Gets the Hang of this Video Business

2011-09-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the second episode of Teashop Girls TV. Today, I talk scones. Specifically scones from The Secret Ingredient. Hope you like it!

Announcing the Monroe Street Teashop Girls library fundraiser!

2011-09-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Watch Laura Talk Tea!

2011-09-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hardtack is the New Hotness: A Teashop Girl's Adventures in Oats

2011-08-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of May, I learned I have very high cholesterol. It wasn't a total shock as I do have a family history of heart disease, but as you can imagine I was quite dismayed. I eat fairly healthfully and exercise regularly, so I was hoping for some lower numbers. But no dice. My total cholesterol is 237, which is Not Good.

Since receiving the news, I've greatly increased my consumption of oats and decreased my consumption of cheese and butter. I never did eat much red meat, so that stayed the same. I've also made an effort to add lots of "super foods" to my diet like pistachios, almonds, berries, red cabbage, pu erh tea and various other things.

Any time you try to eat any one particular food on most days, you're going to get sick of it. That's happening with me and oatmeal, so today I made oat cakes. These are super-healthy muffin-like things that I recommend for others on a heart healthy diet. I got the recipe from a cookbook but modified it quite a bit based on what I actually had in the house. Here it is:

Super Duper Dense 'n' Healthy Oat Cakes

3 cups rolled oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup ground or chopped walnuts
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
3 T. molasses
3 T. melted butter or margarine
2 T. vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon vanilla

Pre-heat oven to 325. Mix all ingredients together in a big bowl. I used my hands to mush it all together--it's definitely too heavy for a mixer. Grease a regular muffin tin and spoon generous scoops of the oat-batter in. Bake for 30 minutes. Your house will smell terrific. Makes 12 cakes. Serve warm with margarine. Eat one and you won't be hungry again for a very long time. :-)

The Hollywood Scoop -- a middle grade novel by Laura Schaefer

2011-08-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

The Hollywood Scoop

By Laura Schaefer

Chapter 1

I see mysteries and complications wherever I look. ~Martha Gellhorn

“Bless me Father, for I have sinned, this is my first confession since yesterday.”

“Yesterday, child? You know, a girl of your years really needn’t come in every day.” My priest, Father Andrew, chuckled as I narrowed my eyes behind the intricate screen between us.

“Tell that to my mother. She caught me trying to sneak out last night, so here I am.”

“My word. Twelve Hail Mary’s.” I knew Father Andrew liked me, even though I had to be the worst sinner in our parish, easy. Well, top five.

“Um, I’m not done.” I pressed my face closer to the little screen and heard Father Andrew get more comfortable. Father Andrew always took the time to get comfortable when he heard the sound of my voice. I’m not gonna lie, it’s kind of a point of personal pride for me.

“Go on, child.”

“Let’s see. Well, since yesterday I’ve cursed six times. Of course, one of them was completely understandable. I would argue necessary.”

“Taking the Lord’s name in vain is never understandable.” Father Andrew was having a hard time sounding appropriately stern, but I could tell he was really trying.

“Even when you’re cursing the sailor who won’t give you a straight answer about where his ship’s been? Come on, Father, you can give me that one, can’t you?”

“I’m afraid not, Josephine. Ten more Hail Mary’s.”

“All right, all right. I’m still not done.” I figured if I was going to be forced to march myself to church every day, I might as well get my money’s worth. “Father, why can’t we just talk face to face, like friends?”

“I’m not in the habit of having a coffee klatch with adolescent ladies, child. Is there anything else?”

“’Fraid so.” I paused to gather my thoughts. “I’m still bribing sources for information about various scoops. But I’m not sure that’s even really a sin, even if my mother would have an aneurism if she knew about it…she has this vein in her forehead that kind of pops every time I so much as stick a pencil behind my ear.” I bit my lip. You know that feeling you get when you know you’re doing something wrong, but it’s because you have to, in order to do something right? That’s a feeling I have all the time.

“I cannot absolve you of a sin you plan to keep on committing.”

“Hmm. Okay, I guess I’m done then.” I bit my lip a second time, certain I was going to get nailed with about forty rosaries. This absolution business was really going to eat up my afternoon.

“Josephine, please just…try. I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

“Amen. See you around, Father.” I celebrated as silently as possible behind the screen, not wanting the priest to think twice about going so easy on me.

I did all of my Hail Mary’s in the front pew, then finished with a long, sincere prayer for my brother, who had enlisted ahead of the draft and was Over There.

I hopped up off my kneeler and got the heck out of there. Church can be so dreary.

If my mother knew how I spent half my time knocking around town and writing about wise guys and drunks and potential German spies and cigarette girls and whatever else I might see during a typical day, I’d be locked in the tiniest room in our house and the key would stay nestled in her girdle until kingdom come.

But she doesn’t.

So I won’t.

Joey Delgado is my name. You won’t forget it, either, because I’m the gal who’ll give you the who, the what, the where, and the when. For the why, you’ll probably have to find your own Father Andrew, but I’ll do my best. I’m not afraid to ask questions, and I’m not afraid to hitchhike and sneak around and generally make a pain of myself. I’m little and I’m a girl, which means no one pays attention to what I do. Chumps.

America declared war six months ago, and everything went topsy-turvy…and not entirely in a bad way if you ask me, and I know you will. Up and down the California coast people are convinced we’ll be invaded any second. We had air raid drills at school all spring and people started driving their cars with only the running lights on—on account of the constant blackouts. Some ladies, the smart ones, got themselves a pair of trousers and a job. Like I say, topsy-turvy.

Boys flooded into Los Angeles from all over the country, ready to ship out at a moment’s notice. Everywhere I looked, there were stories that begged to be told and scoops waiting to be cracked wide open, like coconuts on a sharp rock.

It was, no question about it whatsoever, the most exciting summer of my entire life.

To be continued...

The SweetSpot Cafe: A Scone Q&A

2011-08-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

In my effort to become a better scone maker, I've reached out to some fabulous local bakers here in the Midwest for their advice. I was connected with Lacey Reichwald after attending her beautiful sister-in-law Tara's wedding last weekend. :-) It was the perfect kind of serendipity...and the wedding was unbelieveable. Picture the most gorgeous sunset you've ever seen and add a big dose of true love and chocolate fondue. Those were some of the night's best ingredients.

Anyway, The SweetSpot Cafe in downtown Whitewater, Wisconsin is owned and managed by mother-daughter team Karen Moline and Lacey Reichwald. Lacey has owned The SweetSpot for almost 4 years. About a year ago, Karen (who has been a cake decorator for a long time) began baking at The SweetSpot and the demand for her pastries has continued to be strong.

How did you get into scone and pastry baking?

Karen: I have always enjoyed baking since I was young. Being a cake decorator I never real HAD to bake. My recent endeavor at The SweetSpot has called me to experiment with scones, a favorite among customers.

What, in your opinion, makes for a good scone or pastry? Do you have any secrets you want to share?

Karen: I think a scone should be crispy on the outside yet tender and not too dry inside. You should use fresh and very cold ingredients.

Lacey: A good scone should not be too sweet. It should crumble perfectly and it should compliment your coffee or tea.

What kind of scone or pastry is your personal favorite?

Karen: Our chocolate walnut cappuccino scone is awesome! [Laura's note: OMG, that sounds good.]

Lacey: I love flaky croissants and our blueberry lemon scones.

How do you come up with your winning flavors?

Karen: I like to bounce my ideas off of other employees. Especially my daughter, who has a very interesting pallet. Something new and unusual is always fun.

Lacey: I think of fun combinations I have seen on TV or on the internet and then spin them to make them my own. My mom and I worked together on a cupcake recently that uses bacon and maple frosting. It is so good and unexpected!

Do you have any advice for young people who are interested in baking?

Karen: Baking is different than cooking. It is a science. Always follow the recipe (at least the first time) before adding your own flare.

Lacey: Just be confident! You may make mistakes a few times but if you keep trying, you'll be making yummy treats in no time.
What is your favorite part about owning your shop?

Karen: The flexibility of doing my own thing and being able to do things "outside the box" with out needing to ask permission.

Lacey: Customer interaction... And working with my mom.

Thanks, ladies. You are terrific! I can't wait to visit The SweetSpot. :-) If you have any more questions for The SweetSpot ladies, please add them in the comments!

CONTEST!

2011-07-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Congratulations to Miss Lillie Forteau of Michigan for her contest-winning entry, Double Ginger Scones. For more information (and photos), please visit http://www.teashopgirls.com!

YAY SCONES!

Would you like to win signed copies of both The Secret Ingredient and The Teashop Girls? Sure you would! All you have to do is e-mail me (teashopgirls@gmail.com) and tell me what delicious ingredients YOU'D put in the perfect scone. YUM! I will publish your ideas at www.teashopgirls.com and choose one winner to receive two signed books in the mail. Get cooking! The deadline for this contest is August 20, so you have about three weeks to try some recipes. Don't be afraid to send pictures! Participants must be 16 years of age or younger. It is okay to for parents to help if entrants want to bake the scones.

The Dane County Farmer's Market in Madison, Wisconsin is the greatest farmer's market in the whole world*

2011-07-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

*Okay, I admit I might be a little biased. But it is seriously great. Farmers bring their wares down to the capitol square each Saturday and surround the whole thing. The produce is gorgeous, the cheese is delectable, and the pastries...oh la la! I hit the market last weekend with two of my best girls, Jennie and Aimee. Here is what I spied:

What do you like to buy at your favorite farmer's market? Scone ingredients? Do tell!

Book release party photos!

2011-07-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

I'd like to thank Barnes & Noble West Towne for hosting me, and all the awesome readers who came out for the party. I hope everyone enjoys their brand new copies of The Secret Ingredient!

Blog tour wrap-up

2011-07-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed visiting four awesome blogs this week. If you didn't have a chance to read the interviews, click away!

http://patzietlowmiller.com/2011/06/27/an-author-you-should-know-laura-schaefer/
http://goldenlibrarylady.blogspot.com/2011/06/meet-author-laura-schaefer.html
http://teapages.blogspot.com/2011/06/visit-from-author-laura-schaefer.html
http://internationalteamoment.blogspot.com/2011/07/secret-ingredient-moment.html

It was really fun to reflect on the writing of The Secret Ingredient. Thanks to all these fantastic bloggers for their insightful questions about the book, tea, and baking. Hugs all around!

Also, I realized that the first chapter of The Secret Ingredient is online now, so check out this preview.
The ending is a blog post from Annie, my main character.

xo, Laura

Individual Pan Pizzas...aka Mini Health Pies

2011-06-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

Hi readers,
I've been making a big effort to eat more healthfully lately. For me, that means less saturated fat, less sugar, more veggies, and more whole grains. I made these little beauties for dinner tonight:

As you can see, I started with multi-grain dinner rolls. Even though the dough didn't totally rise, it still worked. I spread out the dough into six-inch pizza pies, brushed on olive oil, and spread diced garlic over the top of that. I spooned on diced tomatoes from a can. Next, I sprinkled on Italian seasoning, fresh onions, fresh basil from my apartment balcony pot, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh mushrooms from the Dane County Farmers' Market. DELICIOUS. I don't like to overuse all caps, so I'm serious when I say these little pies are going to be part of the regular dinner rotation from now on. The best part is you can buy the multi-grain dinner rolls in bags of 24, and just pull out a couple as you need them. This is an economical, healthy, and tasty meal. Booyah.

Oh, I drank iced Pu'erh tea with my 'za. ;-)

To celebrate the release of The Secret Ingredient, a tea memories essay

2011-06-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

The Secret Ingredient, a sequel to The Teashop Girls, is on book shelves! The official release date is June 28th, but several people have written in to tell me they've spotted it at their local bookstores. I'm so excited. I began working on this book a year and a half ago, and it's so wonderful to see it in print. The story is all about food--Annie's baking contest, a food blog, and Zoe's new love--local gardening. I hope you all enjoy it.

To celebrate the release, I want to post an essay I wrote two years ago about a special tea memory. I was originally going to be part of an anthology, but the rights reverted to me. So here it is!

Sunny Tea

If you've never been to Celebration, Florida, let me be the first to tell you, it's an unusual place. In 2005, I was twenty-five years old. I'd recently spent several exhilarating, yet tiring, months in New York City, so the pastel perfection that greeted me in the planned Orlando 'burb wasn't, according to all notions I had about myself and my taste, my cup of tea.
      But that winter, it was exactly what I needed. A visit to Celebration turned out to be a wonderful break from normal life. It was like a quiet dream, in which all the buildings looked like they'd been plucked out of anachronistic 1950s Main Street USA and set down in the bulldozed Florida swamp. Add some magnolia, some green lawns, and lots of white trim, and you had it. In Celebration, everything was perfect…even the tea. But I'll get to that in a moment.
      The planned town was founded in 1994 and designed by people from the Walt Disney Company, who were following their founder's vision for a utopian city. EPCOT center, Walt's pet project until his death in 1966, gave rise to a theme park instead of a place to live and work. Celebration was much closer to what he had in mind when he dreamed about lifestyles of the future.
      An architectural movement called New Urbanism exploded there. Houses were built close together, with large front porches and driveways tucked in alleys to encourage neighborly interaction. Everyone had the exact same garbage can and satellite dish. The lawns were perfectly edged. Siding was painted in pastel hues and Muzak was piped into the perfectly engineered downtown area.
      In short, it was an easy place to mock. “Good morning, good afternoon, and, in case I don't see ya, good night!” was a standard rib…the line from The Truman Show in which Jim Carrey lived in a very Celebration-esque town that turned out to be a reality television show set.
      Into this pink and green set arrived three of my good friends. I planned to be in Florida for three plus weeks that winter, and knew I'd get bored, so I invited them to come down and keep me company. We'd all been close in college, and it was a minor miracle that the four of us made it happen. At that time, everyone was either finishing law school or settling into career-type jobs. We were happy to spend four days in the sun, eating well and relaxing.
      We went to the beach, we walked along the Celebration boardwalks through swampy wildlife, and we even made a trip to Paris Hilton's downtown Orlando nightclub, which featured a giant Chihuahua out front. In short, we completely gave in to the tourist-vibe and embraced all that is central Florida.
      By our last day, the creature comforts had subdued us. It was hard to imagine there were any troubles in the world when your surroundings were so soft. And it wasn't just Celebration itself that had us so amiable. It was the blue sky, the occasional puffy white cloud, the palm trees. It was hard to think of returning to cold, gray Wisconsin. Where people had problems and we had to do jobs.
      Before it was time to drive to the airport, the four of us planned one last special meal. We'd noticed that one of the more charming spots in our newly adopted home was a tiny tea shop tucked in among the other welcoming store fronts downtown. Sherlock's of Celebration served traditional English three-tiered tea. A cherry red London phone booth sat out front, and a friendly patio area with planters and wrought iron tables was impossible to resist. Inside, the small shop sold loose tea and an array of tea accoutrements, including pots, cozies, cookies, and scone mixes. I fell in love.
      It was one of the first times I'd experienced a full High Tea, and make no mistake, it was a meal. First, we each chose our own pot of tea. I believe I had Peaches & Ginger black tea. I've always been drawn to peach and apricot flavored teas. Next, our tiered trays arrived. They featured scones with clotted cream and jams, savory pastries, and a crown of petit fours. We dug in, sorry to see our treats disappear so quickly. My favorite part was the savory pastries…doughy delights filled with cheese and meats. Exquisite!
      The High Tea was a good finale for the trip. Like the rest of my pastel environs that winter, the tea was comforting and restorative. It struck me that I would probably always follow a pattern of pushing myself to do things out of my comfort zone--like up and getting a sublet in New York City--but only if I could balance these sorts of adventures with the necessary balm of friends, family, and, of course, tea.
      My friends headed home and I resumed napping in the hot sun, until it was time for my own little respite to end. As much as I enjoy Celebration, I require some grit and grime…dives and overgrown yards and the sight of the occasional beater car. But I still return to the “pastel bubble” as much as I can. Six months later, in fact, I found myself inside Sherlock's again. Only this time, I was on a mission. With young adult lit on the brain, the idea for The Teashop Girls occurred to me.
      Alas, Sherlock's is now closed down and reopened as a fish 'n' chips pub. But I hope my high tea there with friends lives on in a different way…in the imaginary world of Annie's Steeping Leaf and in the thousands of other comforting tea rooms across the country.

The inside scoop on some truly delicious scones

2011-03-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

I noticed some gorgeous scones while shopping at the west side Willy Street Co-op recently and had to find out more. My new book, The Secret Ingredient, centers on Annie starting her very own food blog and entering a scone baking contest. In writing the Teashop Girls sequel and its recipes, I had the chance to do a LOT of scone baking...but I still have things to learn. That's why I got in touch with Mary P. Hanson, the owner of Mary's Coffee Express & Mary's Scone Shop in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. Mary's recipes are delectable. Check out the picture of her brand new pineapple coconut scone, on sale this month for the first time. It's got a delicious citrus flavor and might even remind you of a fresh beach-side pina colada. Yum.

I asked Mary a few questions about scones and baking. Here is what she had to say:

LS: How did you get into scone baking?
At first we tried traditional pastries, but found that customers expected something “special” from a Specialty Coffee Shop. “Less sugar and more substance” was how one of our customer’s put it. My father was a baker and we did a lot of scratch baking and improvising recipes at home. So, when the concept of baking quality scones for Mary’s was suggested, I felt comfortable giving it a try.
LS: What, in your opinion, makes for a good scone?
Three qualities Mary’s scones must have: 1. Moist 2. Flavorful 3. Flaky . I look for texture similar to a rich, flaky biscuit. At Mary’s 85% of customers drive through and plan to eat these scones in their car. So I don’t want crumbly.
LS: Do you have any secrets you want to share?
Use quality ingredients. Seems obvious, but cutting corners means cutting flavor. This means natural vs. artificial, name brand vs. generic brand and fresh vs. dried especially fruit zests.
LS: What kind of scone is your personal favorite?
Chocolate Cream Cheese. The chunks of cream cheese in this scone call to me.
LS: How do you come up with your winning flavors?
Customers expect to taste the stated flavor in the scone. Creating flavors that hold up during the baking process is a primary goal. Secondly, layering flavor is important. I want to taste the flavor developing while eating the scone. Blueberry Lemon, for example – while not easy to bake with, nothing beats the taste of fresh or frozen blueberries.
LS: Do you have any advice for young people who are interested in baking?
Get professional training. Be around baking. Hire on for any job in a bakery. Even if you are sweeping floors you will pick up tips about baking. If you are not a detail person, become one. Baking is about precision.

I Can Haz Tea? My Cat Ramona Steals Sips

2011-02-26T19:39:00.000-08:00

Holiday Baking!

2010-12-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy and wonderful fall and now I'm settling in for winter. That means, of course, I've started a little holiday baking. I saw buttered raisin mini tarts being made on The Food Network (on the show The Best Thing I Ever Ate) and decided to adopt the recipe to my tea tastes. I hope you like it!

Buttered Raisin Mini Tarts with Tea

Ingredients
1 tsp. black tea
2 cups raisins
1 frozen pie crust
1/2 cup butter (I used salted)
3/4 cup brown sugar (loosely packed)
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon dry vermouth
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, bring 2 cups of water to a boil in your teapot and place the water in a medium-sized bowl. Steep black tea in the bowl using a tea ball. Add the 2 cups of raisins to soak in the tea. While that is happening, grease a muffin tin and cut your thawed frozen pie crust into 12 mini squares. Press the squares into each muffin area and sort of mush them around so they fill the spaces. Set aside.

In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat and add brown sugar. Stir until it starts to simmer together. Drain your raisins from the tea and add the raisins to the sauce pan. Stir the mixture as it simmers. Add vanilla and vermouth. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from heat, add the beaten egg, and stir. Immediately spoon the rainsin mixture into your prepared muffin tin. When all the tarts are full, place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. You'll see carmelized sugar along all the edges. Makes 12.

YUM.

By the way, The Secret Ingredient, which is FULL of new recipies, will be released June 6, 2011. I can't wait. I'll share the cover with you very soon. :-)

Is it more important to read anything than nothing at all?

2010-08-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

One of the various hats I wear as a writer is content developer for Renaissance Learning here in Madison. This means I get to read three or four middle grade or YA titles per week and create short quizzes about them as teacher aids. Teachers can assign their students a certain number of points for the semester or year. Books have a set number of points based on word count or reading level. Kids can pick whatever they want to read and my quizzes just check to see they actually read the book. It's a great tool because it frees teachers up from "checking," and it frees students to read whatever catches their fancy.

I discussed this setup with two of my friends yesterday and they both commented that they wished their schools had had this sort of program. Adults now, neither one of them reads a book EVER. They said they never developed a joy for reading because they were always being forced to read titles they weren't interested in. The idea of reading became matched in their head with an overwhelming feeling of UG. I feel badly about this. How many adults out there today never even consider stepping foot into a bookstore because of bad childhood associations about reading? How can we fix this?

It's a sensitive issue because I don't think the answer is to churn out a bunch of books that lack substance or educational value. Perhaps it really is as simple as letting kids choose their titles. When I was a kid, my mom bought me tons of books. I always thought of the bookstore as a place of bounty. And still do. What do you think? Is it the job of writers like me to think "entertaining" before I think "educational?" Is it the job of teachers to be freer in how they assign reading? Is it the job of parents to procure books by the bushel?

I'm not sure. It just makes me sad to think there are so many adults out there who don't read. Ever.

What I Did on My Summer Vacation...I Read!

2010-08-25T15:58:00.000-07:00

My apologies for not posting over the summer. It's been a busy one. Not only did I move and finish the sequel to The Teashop Girls (entitled The Secret Ingredient...out next summer!), I read a lot of books. It was wonderful. It's so easy to get ensnared by the Internet these days, but I made a concerted effort to enjoy lots of good young adult titles over the last few months and I'm thrilled by the quality of the writing on the market today. Here were some of my favorites:

The Humger Games by Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay came out yesterday...YAY!)
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (she has a terrific blog at http://laurenoliverbooks.blogspot.com/ Check it out!)
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
Sea by Heidi R. Kling
Shooting Kabul by N.H. Sensai (edited by my own Alexandra Penfold at S&S...she's amazing)
The Reinvention of Edison Thomas by Jacqueline Jaeger Houtman
Riding Invisible by Sandra Alonzo
The Heart is Not a Size by Beth Kephart

What were your favorite YA titles this summer? I'm on quite a reading streak right now and I plan to keep it going, so I'm always on the lookout for great suggestions. :-)

On Writing Every Day Versus...Not

2010-05-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

One question that I often get at school visits is, "Do you write every day?" I usually answer in the affirmative, because I think it is important for professional writers to be disciplined about their craft, and I want to impress upon students the need for constant practice and improvement. You can't make it as an author without putting serious time in, and you can't spend a lot of time waiting for inspiration. You just have to write, and write often.

But the truth is, I don't write every day. Especially not fiction. I am fortunate in that I do many different kinds of writing, and it is nice to be able to switch between them. I find that sometimes I need to let a story breathe a little bit by setting it aside. If I'm having a tough time with one chapter or plot point, it really helps to stop working on it and let the details roll around in my brain a little bit. Sometimes a solution presents itself when I'm in the shower (of course...when there is no computer or paper available). Often, I'll make a breakthrough or come up with some sparkling dialogue when I'm in bed trying to sleep.

My rule, however, is not to let an active fiction project sit for more than a few days. If you let too much time go by when you're letting something "breathe," you're not being smart...you're being lazy. That might sound harsh, but the fact of the matter is that writers write. I try to be a little hard on myself, because this is my job. Maintaining a balance between being disciplined and being relaxed enough to let creative juices flow is probably different for each author. But for me, it means writing MOST days. In a seven day span, I make sure my butt is in the chair at the computer (not internetting) at least 4-5 days. I enjoy writing when others are relaxing. In fact, sometimes my best days of work are Sundays. It seems like the world is quieter, and so I can really think.

I'd love to hear from other creative people about how they mix up hard work and dreaming. We need both. But in the right proportion.

Matcha!

2010-05-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased a tin of matcha tea from Cha Cha Tea. It's a powered green tea from Japan. Instead of steeping the tea leaves and removing them as with regular tea, matcha the leaves are powered and consumed. Therefore, when you drink the tea, you're getting between 3 and 10 times the antioxidant benefit (depending on how much you use). Not to mention an incredibly rich, earthly taste.

I purchased matcha in order to shake up my morning smoothie routine. To make a cold green tea frappe, I first sifted about one teaspoon of powered matcha through a tea ball into a cup of milk. I added the milk and the matcha to my blender and added a cup of ice and a tablespoon of sugar. Blend for one minute, and enjoy.

Note the bright green color: matcha can be used as a natural food coloring for frostings, pudding, or whatever you want. Yum!

Just For Fun

2010-05-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

I live about two and a half miles from downtown Madison. When the weather gets nice, I hop on my bike and take the nice trail to get to "work." I put that in quotation marks because I can work where I want. I usually end up in one of the coffeeshops around the capitol square or on State St. Anyway, I park my bike at Monona Terrace, a beautiful convention center on the shores of Lake Monona. There is no reason for me to walk through it everyday; it would be quicker to cut across its roof. But I like to go inside because there is a great series of black and white Frank Lloyd Wright photos along the corridor. Even though I've seen them a million times, I've enjoyed adding a stroll past these pictures to my regular routine. Just for fun.

I feel like a bit of a rebel for wasting time. I refuse to be too busy or too rushed to notice the neat things all around us. If you watch a little kid walking around, they are constantly distracted by the things that they see. I like it. What do you do just for fun?

Classroom activities featuring TSG!

2010-05-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

Have you visited www.teashopgirls.com lately? I've recently posted some English Language Arts classroom activities for older elementary and middle school students. :)

Off the Beaten Path

2010-04-25T14:33:00.000-07:00

In the year and a half since The Teashop Girls was published, I've had lots of great opportunities to visit a variety of towns in my home state. I've gone to libraries I've never visited before, as well as schools, B&B's, and even private residences. The thing I've discovered is that I was crazy not to see these places before.

For example, I've lived in Madison since 1997. But in all of those years, I've never exited Highway 151 early to take a quick tour of Sun Prairie. It's that nuts? I did today in order to attend a lovely tea party and discovered a gem of a downtown area. I couldn't believe I'd never seen it before. It's the same with many other small places in and around Madison. My book has taken me into Platteville and Mineral Point and Fall River and countless other small towns. I'm so grateful.

Sometimes I bemoan the fact that I can't travel quite as much as I'd like to, but then I remember that what I should do is be a tourist in my own backyard. It's so easy to forget, but such a reasonable way to make life richer and more interesting. So today I implore you to take that highway exit you always blow right by. Try a little greasy spoon you've never seen before. Wake up to the wonders in your own state. I'll try to keep doing the same.

:)

The Best Scone You've Ever Had

2010-03-31T16:45:00.001-07:00

Here are some scones I've tried or that I'd like to try:

Bacon scone
Oreo scone
Sharp cheddar scone
Maple nut scone
Blueberry scone (this morning's breakfast!)
Lemon scone

What is your favorite type of this tasty treat? Tell me more!

Facebook page

2010-03-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hi All, I've gone and done it. I've set up a Facebook fan page for The Teashop Girls. Please visit. I've even added some new healthy recipes in a note there. :)

Twinings at Epcot and the coolest beach town cafe ever

2010-03-13T17:24:00.000-08:00

Tea Around the World. Disney World, That Is

2010-03-11T07:24:00.001-08:00

Celebrating Chinese New Year at Imperial Garden with a Cha Cha Tea Tasting

2010-02-26T20:51:00.001-08:00

Shorties

2010-02-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

I admit it. I'm a bad blogger. Bad blogger! Bad! I'm sorry I don't update more frequently. I was just hearing on PBS's Newshour that millenials are blogging less and twittering more so I think this fact about myself suggests I'm SO YOUTHFUL. ;-)

Anyway. Some quick things I wanted to say. First, if you haven't picked up a copy of When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, run out and get one immediately. I loved the book so much that I read it in one sitting (okay, I was stuck on an airplane at the time, but still). As you'll find out, it references A Wrinkle in Time, which I adored when I was a young reader. It's a must-read. I recommend reading it, and then The Time Traveler's Wife.

Second: I'm busy booking events for the spring and I've got lots of new things on the calendar. Please check www.teashopgirls.com if you are curious.

Third, should I live in a grungy old house downtown or a pristine but bland apartment in the 'burbs? I can't decide!!!

Unusual book marketing

2010-02-16T10:25:00.000-08:00

I've learned a lot in the last year about unusual marketing techniques. Authors these days have to get creative about moving books from shelves to hands, and I enjoy it. I've reached out to Bed & Breakfast owners to do events and feature The Teashop Girls in their libraries. I've e-mailed Red Hat ladies to invite them to my readings. And I've even made a stop-motion video of leapfrogging teacups! My latest plan is to contact gift basket retailers to see if they will include The Teashop Girls in their baskets for kids, teens, and tea lovers.

I get jazzed when I think of a new group of people who might enjoy hearing about my book. I'm interested in hearing from other authors and small business owners about their more unusual tactics. It seems like the Internet has made the possibilities endless, but we all have to be wise about how we spend our time and the small budgets we have. What works? What doesn't?

The Most Beautiful Tile in the Whole World, Ever

2010-02-03T16:46:00.001-08:00

9 Things I've Considered Doing When the Going Gets Tough

2010-02-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

As a balance to my previous post, I thought it only fair to share the things I've considered doing when writing assignments dry up. Most of these have only been fleeting thoughts, because I'm pretty entrenched in the writing life. But you never know...

1. Go to law school and become the female version of Alan Shore.
2. Work at Epic. Considering this is a requirement if you're under 35 and live in Madison, WI.
3. Go to graduate school for either an MFA or an MA in English Lit and begin teaching.
4. Learn to be a building inspector.
5. Open a Dunkin' Donuts franchise...seriously, why are there so few donut places here?
6. Marry a rich dude and spend all my time doing yoga and volunteering. Good thing I never met one, that sounds boring.
7. Go work for American Girl.
8. Make my fortune flipping real estate. I know how to tile now, so watch out...this one could still happen.
9. Move to Florida and get on Disney's corporate ladder. This is what I wanted to do when I was 13, so I've never really considered it as an adult. But I still have flashes of a life in Orlando quite a bit when it's below zero here...

What have you considered doing? I'm really interested!

5 Things I Love About Freelancing

2010-02-03T16:19:00.000-08:00

1. I can fit my work around my life, not my life around my work. If my Mom wants to get lunch and spend an afternoon strolling around State Street, I can do it and just plan to put in a little time on a Saturday. I always grocery shop on Monday mornings and just generally try to move around in the world opposite everyone else. It's fabulous.

2. I can pursue my interests and get paid (okay, not a lot) for it. I've always liked architecture, but lack the interest in math required to make it a career. Today, however, I spent a chunk of time writing about Bertrand Goldberg's Marina City development in Chicago. I'm allowed to indulge myself in a variety of cool interests without having to take calculus or molecular biology or organic chemistry. Booyah. (Not that all of those classes aren't awesome...kudos to you if you're in them).

3. I can get up whenever I want to. I know it might be a bit immature to prioritize sleep as much as I do. But I tend to get my best ideas at 1:30 a.m., and then I manically think all of them through (including entire dialogue-heavy scenes). It's such a huge blessing that I can then sleep in the next day. I truly believe that if I had to wake up at 7a.m., every bit of creative juice I might possess would dry right up. But then again, I might just think that because it allows me to continue living like a teenager. :)

4. I'm not limited when in comes to income. Sure, I struggle with money worries some times. But I do know that there is a direct and very clear relationship between how hard I work and my bottom line. I love that my job is all about productivity. I have never had to think about office politics, angling for credit on a project, or even my appearance. What I produce, and how much of it I produce, is very clear. Ditto with promotion work. I can either devote my time to leisure, or I can hit the road on the weekends and go meet my readers. I feel a great sense of drive and purpose because all the work I do is to build my own brand...not grow someone else's company.

5. I feel like my work matters. I feel like I have a voice in the world, even though it is pretty quiet right now in the din of reality show stars and pundits. I'll get louder. Don't worry. ;)

Leapfrogging Teacups!

2010-01-27T13:45:00.000-08:00

It's been a goal of mine to make a book trailer for The Teashop Girls. Here's my first effort at experimenting with stop motion filmmaking. :)

Happy New Year! An excerpt from The Teashop Girls newsletter

2009-12-30T17:05:00.000-08:00

I have so many wonderful people to acknowledge as I think back and look ahead. First, I'd like to thank Carolyn Vidmar and Julia Blum, my two intrepid and hard-working Teashop Girls interns. We've had fun spreading the TSG love and I expect great things in 2010 as they both complete their college careers.

I'd also like to thank all of the wonderful shops, tea companies, schools, and libraries who've hosted me throughout the year and/or helped me to share the book. I couldn't have asked for kinder hosts or better friends. If my happy belly (and this blog) is any indication, you know I was often welcomed by delicious tea and cupcakes. YAY! Finally, I want to thank my readers for telling others about the book and for sending me such nice and fun e-mail. It's been a delight to hear from you and I hope we'll all be friends for life.

"Sail me on a silver sun
Where I know that I'm free
Show me that I'm everywhere
And get me home for tea.”
~ From The Beatles song It's All Too Much

I'll end this post with my hopes as we sail into a brand new decade: May your world be filled with tea, fine prose, treats, good friends, poetry, and real butter!

Reflecting on the year and looking ahead

2009-12-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

2009 was an exceptional year for me. I spent a big chunk of it promoting The Teashop Girls and learning to be a public speaker. I met so many great new people and criss-crossed my state, visiting small town libraries, bookstores, tea rooms, and schools. Though I did struggle at times with the newness of it all and balancing my schedule, overall I am proud of the year. I think it was a year of growth, both personally and professionally. I hope to continue in much the same vein in 2010.

I LOVE making resolutions, though, so as usual I'm going to jump right off the deep end with some ambitious goals for the new decade. Since I was born in 1979, the changing of the decades nicely dovetails with my own transition to my thirties, so there is even more reason to see this coming year as a time of change, renewal, and fresh starts.

My first resolution is probably the most doable. I want to learn to cook for real. I plan to actively read my cookbooks, experiment with new ingredients and recipes, and take the time to do it right. I plan to routinely turn to Aimee, my talented best friend, for help...and to my favorite television chef Alton Brown.

My second resolution is the hardest. I hope to approach everyone and every situation with more compassion and understanding in the new decade. Many of my friends would tell you I am already a compassionate person, and that's true, but there is a lot of room for improvement. I am an INFJ on the Myers-Briggs scale, and that "J" stands for "judging." I want to make a bigger effort to see things through others eyes and understand the reasons they might feel afraid, or seem difficult to deal with. I hope I can balance this attitude of compassion with my sense of humor, which can be sharp at times.

Between these two main goals are some smaller ones. I want to increase my yoga practice, spend less time online, and connect with nature more often. I also want to jog outside when the weather is nice, begin a regular meditation practice, and bike more in an effort to live the green life. I want to spend less time worrying about money and success and more time thinking about how to help others and cultivating graditude. Finally, I want to do more school visits and increase my charitable giving.

I know I won't be able to achieve all of these goals overnight or even all in one year. But I enjoy setting them and sharing them.

Wisconsin B&B's Welcome The Teashop Girls

2009-12-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

I've had a scrumptious B&B week. Here are some photos from my visit to the Audubon Inn in Mayville, WI and my stay at the Westphal Mansion B&B in Hartford, WI. Both locations were gorgeous and cozy. I enjoyed a Dolly & Me Tea Luncheon at the Audubon (thank you to the lovely Mrs. Lisa Neumann for inviting me), and I stayed overnight at the Westphal for a booksigning and breakfast. I also did a reading at the Fargo Mansion in Lake Mills, WI last week and hope to have pictures from that event soon.

The Westphal will definitely stay in my memory for a long time due to the charm of its hosts Pam and Garret as well as the divine bathrooms. Yes, readers, I took a soak in the clawfoot tub and it was everything I knew it would be. :-) I hope to experience more Bed & Breakfast delights as The Teashop Girls tour continues. Have you ever stayed in a B&B? What did you think?

Friendship in Cynthia's Attic...A Special Guest Post by Mary Cunningham

2009-12-11T07:05:00.000-08:00

Cynthia had an attic. Not just an ordinary attic. Cynthia's attic was magic.

Cynthia and I came into the world just three months apart. We grew up on the same quiet, sycamore-lined street, our friendship as close as our houses. Fifty years earlier, our grandmothers were best friends. However, we didn't realize the extent of their friendship until after our experience in Cynthia's attic. This is the story of one of our great adventures...the way I remember it.

When Cynthia and I spent day after day playing in her attic, little did I know how much her friendship would mean decades later. We went all through school together, but lost touch after she went off to nursing school; a dream of hers from the time she could talk. I got married, had a son and moved about 500 times. (Okay, maybe not that many, but I started feeling very nomadic after the 9th moving van pulled up to the house!) The last move has been the most rewarding.

This one brought us to within an hour of where Cynthia has called home for almost 15 years. My first e-mail was to arrange to meet for dinner. I almost felt sorry for our husbands because Cynthia and I didn't shut up for four hours! It's like we were six-years-old again, still sitting on the floor of her attic playing with paper dolls or discovering some magical treasure in one of the boxes.

Some friends drift away and although you miss them, your life doesn't feel much different without their presence, but Cynthia and I took up right where we left off all those years ago. I didn't realize how much I had missed her until we came back into each other's lives. On a recent road trip, we covered almost sixty years of fun, friends and family.

This brings me to one reason the series, "Cynthia's Attic," has been so satisfying to write. I've had the fun of chronicling the friendship between Cynthia and Gus (I'm Gus in case you hadn't guessed) and honoring my lifelong friendship with Cynthia as well.

Do you have a childhood best friend?

Mary Cunningham Books
Cynthia's Attic Blog
Amazon
Kindle
Fictionwise
Quake/Echelon Press

To celebrate the release of "The Magician's Castle," (Quake/Echelon Press, DEC 1, 2009), a winner will be chosen on each blog stop to receive a copy of the "Cynthia's Attic" short story, "Christmas With Daisy!" So, be sure to make a comment!

Paperback cover!

2009-12-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

The new cover for The Teashop Girls!

The Right Tea For You

2009-12-01T17:08:00.000-08:00

Tangier Sri Lankan Black Tea featuring apricot and saffron petals from Le Palais Gourmet

Genmai Cha Japanese Sencha tea with roasted rice blend from Peet's Tea

Tea of Good Tidings winter fruit blend featuring cranberries, juniper berries, and orange peel from The Republic of Tea

Organic Jasmine Green Tea from Cha Cha Tea

Organic Tropical Red Rooibos featuring mango, passion fruit, orange peel and hibiscus from Cha Cha Tea

Organic Celebration herbal blend featuring currants, plum, and cinnamon from Cha Cha Tea

In the course of my Teashop Girls travels, I've met some people who don't like tea. Every time I do, I say the same thing, "You haven't met the right one yet!" There are so many varieties encompassing every flavor preference, and more coming out every day.

This weekend, I'm going to Mayville to participate in the town's Heritage Festival. I'll have the honor of sharing some of my very favorite teas with young ladies at the Dolly and Me Holiday Tea Luncheon. This evening, I've been pulling apart my pantry to find teas that I believe the girls will love to smell and taste. We're going to talk about how awesome it would be to be a professional tea blender and about how lots of teas are flavored with fruits, flowers, spices, herbs, grains, and even caramel. I'd like them to think of tea as a real treat, and maybe get them thinking about blending their own some day.

Perhaps there's something here you'd like to try? ;-)

Full disclosure: I received free tea samples from Le Palais Gourmet and Cha Cha Tea. I love my job.

Cupcakes Invade Madison!

2009-11-30T09:35:00.000-08:00

The Daisy Cafe has some cupcake competition in Madison. Check out these beauties from Cupcake Sojourn. My boyfriend and I sampled them at Ground Zero Coffee on Williamson St. Both flavors were absolutely delicious! I can't think of a better way to begin the week.

What are you reading?

2009-11-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, so the question I get at almost every reading or book signing I do for The Teashop Girls is "What are your favorite books?" or "What are you reading?" For some reason, I always, always choke. I can manage to name three or four books, but the thing is, titles should be spewing out of me in the dozens. Reading is my favorite thing to do! So, for my own sake, I'm going to list some titles I've read in the last year or two here (if only to prove to myself I don't spend every waking moment on Facebook). Perhaps it'll help me better answer this question in the future.

My Life in France by Julia Child
Essays by Wallace Shawn
The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher
Madame Bovary by Gustav Flaubert
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Young Hearts Crying by Richard Yates
Sum by David Eagleman
An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison
I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley
Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Zeroville by Steve Erickson
Driving Sideways by Jess Riley
Conversations with Wilder by Cameron Crowe
Hollywood Remembered by Paul Zollo
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace
The Good War by Studs Terkel

Those are the ones I remember at the moment. Right now, I'm reading The Moviegoer by Walker Percy and American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. Yay books!

A Memorable Evening

2009-11-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

Two evenings ago I had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion at Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee with Chicago author and dynamo Simone Elkeles. Our wonderful moderator, Susie Thomas, guided the discussion about creating realistic characters, settings, and relationships in our work. We had a gratifying time discussing our books, writing habits, and journey through the publishing world. Simone is a more experienced author and speaker than I am, and I felt honored to share the stage with her. I admire her hard work and loved her humor. Simon's work is edgier than mine, but I feel we share a sense of pushing beyond stereotypes to get to a character's heart.

Simone included in her presentation some of the fan mail she's gotten over the years, and commented how young teens are utterly unreserved in their letters. It was great to see the enthusiasm generated by her books. I reflected on some of the fan mail I've received myself and agree that it is one of the best parts about being a writer. She also talked about using her own memories of being a teen in her work, a tactic that we share. After all, it's not as if those experiences disappear from memory as we get older. They're still there, sometimes just as if it had all happened yesterday.

I wish Simone the very best and hope our paths cross again.

Join the Teashop team!

2009-11-06T09:09:00.000-08:00

I'm ramping up for the holidays. :-)

http://teashopgirls.webnode.com/contact-us/

Please help me spread the word!

The layers of a city; the layers of a book

2009-11-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

During the process of writing The Teashop Girls and seeing it ushered toward publication, one of my favorite parts was finding and adding all the "tea extras:" the quotes, vintage ads, recipes, beauty tips, and ancient stories. I had so much fun seeking out the tea ephemera that whenever I contemplate writing a new book, my mind immediately asks, "ooh...I wonder what sort of extras I could find to match?" I've never been a scrapbooker, but I do feel like a collage artist at heart. It was the same thing with my first book, Man With Farm Seeks Woman With Tractor. I spent years locating the decades- and centuries-old personal ads inside. And loved it. I felt like with each one, I was finding some precious bit of lost history and bringing it out into the light.

It reminds me a bit of cities. If you live in an urban area, even a small one, each time you walk out the door, you're confronted with layers of time. The oldest buildings that survive become surrounded by ever newer ones. A city is a giant art project full of work from many, many eras. New York is particularly wonderful in this way. You might see an Art Deco facade right next to a Victorian brownstone right next to a sheer 21st century glass wall. I enjoy taking the time to see the layers...to notice the collage all around us. Our city collage is filled with history, quotes, design, and all the stuff of life. I think it would be a shame if we only noticed the new and didn't seek out ALL the layers.

Lately, I've been drawn to images and items from the early Space Age--that time in the 1950s and 1960s when it seemed anything was possible that the Jetsons lifestyle could soon be real. What do you wish to preserve and celebrate?

Poetry matters.

2009-11-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of reading the new book Essays by Wallace Shawn. In it, he interviews Mark Strand, who is one of the most revered American poets of our time. The chapter reminded me to return to Strand's work, some of which I've read over and over again.

I read poetry sparingly, probably only a dozen times per year when a particularly thoughtful or melancholy mood strikes. In addition to Strand, W.B. Yeats and Pablo Neruda are favorites. I've found poetry helpful when I'm feeling overloaded by our media-soaked world, because ideally a poem can be read repeatedly, even meditated upon. Poetry is a brain balm for me. It makes me stop and focus. I'm deeply grateful that people like Mark Strand have devoted their lives to it.

I believe poets to be the bravest writers of all. They can't bury their meaning or their themes in an ocean of words like a novelist can. Instead, they have to work exactly, like a builder with absolutely no extra materials.

I've never really attempted to write poetry of my own. I don't believe I have the chops. However, I am a big believer in the value of practice when it comes to mastering an art. So I should probably get going.

What poems and poets do you revere? I'm always looking for the greats I've yet to discover.

I heart Halloween

2009-11-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

This year, I dressed up as a ghost. Not just any ghost, though. The ghost of a 1930s nightclub singer who recently expired due to tuberculosis (I think it's important to have a little back story). :-)

Tea Party at George Watts in Milwaukee

2009-11-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of doing a Teashop Girls tea at George Watts in Milwaukee. I highly, highly recommend a visit there if you are near the area. The tea room is the epitome of elegance and Victorian charm. All of the tea party attendees dressed up and we enjoyed lovely tea sandwiches and treats. I'd like to thank Chrisanne Robertson again for making it all happen. She is an artist and buyer at Watts and an absolute visionary when it comes to planning a party. I got to meet the Milwaukee Cupcake Queen and sign lots of books. What a lovely time! Here are a few photos from the afternoon. We plan to do another party next year!

Quiche!

2009-10-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

You know what goes well with tea? Quiche. I made this one today...

Ingredients

1 frozen pie crust
4 large eggs
1 cup half and half
1/4 lb. herbed brie, sliced
1/4 lb. turkey cold cuts, choppped
4 large basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp. chopped white onion
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper

Combine eggs and half and half in a bowl and add salt, pepper, basil, and onions. Place thawed pie crust in pie tin and place the sliced brie and chopped turkey on top. Pour egg mixture in and bake for approximately 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, then enjoy!

Cafe Soundtrack

2009-10-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is the post wherein I reveal what a fuddy-duddy I am. :-) I've come to some rather strong opinions about coffee and tea house background music, and you're going to hear about them.

It makes SUCH a big difference to me what is playing that I'll actually pay to park downtown because campus-area cafes have the best music. For example, Michaelangelo's on State Street usually plays jazz or mellow alt rock. Love it! Same with Barriques off the square. Good music such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, or Astrud Gilberto puts me in a fine mood.

Conversely, a coffee shop closer to home that I'd love to frequent (because I could walk there) plays such terrible stuff that I can't return. Loud punk, rock, etc. Weird Bjork stuff. I can't fault them if they'd like to discourage the laptop army. All I know is the tactic works. Give me Ingrid Michaelson. Give me Adele. Death Cab? Cool. Phoenix? Perfect. But if it's so loud or atonal that I can't think, I'm out...likely never to return. Also, I happen to be in a place right now with no music at all. It's a bummer. Tomorrow, I bet I'll pay for parking again just for some good tunes.

What's on your dream cafe soundtrack?

Clip of me dancing the lindy hop!

2009-10-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

This is the lindy hop at a pretty slow tempo. I've been learning this wonderful vintage swing dance for four years. I'm in the red dress. :) Thanks to my lead Jon for twirling me around!

New tea, running troubles, awesome salad

2009-10-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

This post is really three mini posts all in one.

First up, I tried a new tea! It's African Skies rooibos herbal blend from TeaSource in Minneapolis. I really like it. The straw-colored unoxidized green rooibos is blended with blueberry and cornflower petals to give the tea a distinct color and gentle tropical flavor. I drank it unsweetened and the infusion turned into a nice amber golden hue. I love drinking rooibos because I find that it yields a very flavorful tea and it's nice not to have to worry about caffeine. Recommend!

Next, I went to the gym yesterday and I have some things to say about running. I've never been a runner. Instead, I usually spend time on the elliptical and recumbent bike, then do ab work and free weights. But I'd really like to start jogging as well because there's heart disease in my family and I want to up my cardiovascular fitness now that I'm in my--gasp--thirties. Also, if I could learn to like jogging I could do it near my house for a quick 20 minutes instead of slogging to the gym every time I want to move the ole bod. Anyway, yesterday I reconfirmed my distaste for running with a quick session on the treadmill. It's actually amazing and hilarious to me how quickly my brain can formulate reasons to stop immediately once I start. Here are a few:

1. My shoes aren't good enough and I could be hurting my knees.
2. I'm wearing the wrong underwear. (?) Seriously, I always think this.
3. My hair is annoying me and I've forgotten a headband and/or bobby pins to keep it out of my face.
4. I've eaten too recently.
5. I haven't eaten recently enough.
6. I've been here at the gym long enough and I should really get back to work.
7. I have to pee.
8. People who run too much have joint trouble when they get old.

This starts within 30 seconds of my first stride. It's ridiculous. I need mental toughness, because this is embarrassing.

Finally, I want to conclude this blog post with a shout out to Ian's Pizza on State St. It is such an amazing food spot and I love it. Where else can you get a mixed greens salad with broccoli, garbanzo beans, mushrooms, Parmesan peppercorn dressing, and parmesan cheese all for only $3.50?!? Such an amazing and healthy deal. The small salad isn't even small. I'm telling you, if you live near downtown, you must work this into your lunch rotation. I always feel awesome after I have one. I also enjoy the greens/sesame seed/mushrooms/craisin combination.

The Roseto Effect

2009-10-12T16:36:00.001-07:00

Today, I've been thinking about The Roseto Effect, which is explained in the beginning of Malcolm Gladwell's new book Outliers. Basically, a doctor in the 1960s discovered that a small town in Pennsylvania had a much lower rate of heart disease among its citizens than other places in the state and in the country. After much research, the doctor and his colleagues found that the reason for the anomaly was not genetics, or geography, or diet, or exercise. Rather, it was the extremely tight-knit nature of the community. People were very social and connected, and it kept their hearts healthy. Almost everyone who lived there was Italian, and in fact from the same small town in Italy. People chatted on street corners and joined civic organizations. Three generations lived under one roof, so older citizens were respected and looked to for advice. Here's a good summary.

Things began to change in Roseto the 1970s and 1980s. As young people pursued less traditional lifestyles, heart disease rates went up, and now Roseto is the same as everywhere else. It became less common for three generations to live under one roof. People got in their cars to go to grocery stores instead of crossing the street. This vignette got under my skin, because I really straddle a fence in my own life between respect for community, family, neighborhood, and tradition and a fierce thirst for independence, autonomy, and progressivism. For example, I moved away from my hometown to attend college and I never moved back, but in The Teashop Girls I write about a girl who works with her grandmother, works to keep old traditions alive, and is enthusiastic about supporting local businesses.

I don't chat with my friends each day at the local bakery or at a Kiwanis meeting; rather I greet them each day online in an IM window. I love that I've traveled widely and am self-employed, and that my bigger city offers plenty of sushi and live jazz. I love my cozy urban neighborhood and shun the 'burbs, but at the same time I wonder if I get home enough to see my extended family. There's a tension inherent in my values, it seems. Gladwell's story about Roseto made me wonder...is my modern and exciting lifestyle going to kill me?

That's putting it rather starkly, but I'm interested in what you all think. Is there a way to be both traditional and independent? Connected and progressive? Community-minded and worldly?

All Who Wander Are Not Lost

2009-10-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

Last night, instead of counting sheep, I counted plane trips and road trips over 500 miles. Here is what I came up with...it did indeed make me sleepy enough to drop into dreamland.

35 trips to Florida
10 trips to New York City (including one where I went north of the city to DBZ monastery)
6 trips to Los Angeles (including one where I went east to Palm Springs)
4 trips to Washington D.C.
3 trips to Philadelphia (all were part of New York trips)
2 trips to Seattle
2 trips to Las Vegas
1 trip to San Francisco
1 trip to New Orleans
1 trip to Baltimore
1 trip to Phoenix
1 trip to Boston
1 trip to Atlanta
1 trip to Savannah
1 trip to Charleston, SC and Isle of Palms
1 trip to Toronto, Montreal, and Niagara Falls
1 trip to Detroit
1 trip to South Padre Island
1 trip to St. Thomas, St. Marten, and Puerto Rico
1 trip to Paris, France and London, Enland
1 trip to Rome, Florence, and Venice Italy

Back to basics

2009-10-11T10:22:00.001-07:00

One of the messages of The Teashop Girls is the importance of taking time out of busy life to enjoy simple pleasures...namely a nice pot of tea. Ironically, I often forget my own message. With school visits, book fests, keeping up with the news, doing the odd workout, and wanting to finish a second novel, I sometimes skip over the part where I stop striving for a moment and just enjoy life's littler pleasures.

I was reminded of this today because I'm struggling with insomnia. After a poor night's sleep, I wasn't sure what to do with myself. All I knew was that I needed to eat something, I wanted cereal, and there was no milk in the house. So I trekked to the neighborhood corner store. There, I realized that I might be able to regain some of my lost qi, life force, with some fresh baked goods. It's been a while since I've purchased a nice cinnamon roll, since I usually try to eat as healthy as I can and stick to the whole grain side of the equation. Which is great, but sometimes, when things get tough, ooey gooey and fattening is just a better idea.

I added some herbed brie and a baguette to the cart as well...yum. So this morning, I'm not going to do any work and I'm going to try to take care of myself. I will remember my own message. Stop striving for once, eat the cinnamon roll, and just be.

Tea treats, cupcakes, book club fun!

2009-09-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Watertown Tea Party!

2009-09-27T16:46:00.001-07:00

Zen and the art of book marketing

2009-09-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am, nine months since the release of The Teashop Girls. I've been reflecting lately on things I did well and things I did not do well in the realm of marketing the book. As everyone knows, authors are authors, not marketing gurus. But the reality is, it's important to be savvy about putting your title out there. There is more to the job of being an author than just writing snappy prose.

The most successful authors are, first, amazing artists whose words enchant us. But second, they make good choices about how to handle things like readings, social networking, and media. I'm certainly still learning! One thing that has been most challenging for me is working to overcome my shyness. I found that meeting lots of new people and doing lots of events when the book first came out was thrilling, but also draining. I am happy to report that I'm getting better in the area...more comfortable with public speaking and more relaxed in general.

Things I'm proud of
1. I got a cute website up and ready to go before the book launch. I knew it was important to have an easy way to connect with readers online and I found a nice template and user-friendly site maintenance tool via http://www.webnode.com/.
2. I jumped into Twitter head first and love it! I have over 3500 followers now and find that it is such a fun, rewarding, and manageable way to connect with readers, librarians, book stores, and anyone else who happens to share an interest or a geographic location.
3. I was very active right from the start about booking readings, school visits, and other community outreach. I think it's imperative to get beyond the computer screen and really meet people. I've had a lot of fun at book groups and in classrooms...and one excellent bonus is all the delicious tea I've tried with readers. :)
4. I got bookmarks, business cards featuring the book cover, and post cards right away from Vista Print. It's nice to be able to hand someone something when they ask about your book.
5. I understood the value of book bloggers right away and made sure they got review copies. I went to the post office so often when I was mailing them out that I ended up selling a copy of the book to the postal employee. Yay!

Things I wish I had done better
1. I should've started a mailing list right away by simply putting out a legal pad and asked for email addresses at all my events. That way, I could've alerted readers to special promotions like my summer tween writing contest with TeasEtc.
2. I should've begun blogging and twittering well in advance of the book release.
3. I should've taken a hint from the title of this post and been more Zen the whole time. I've been a little scattered in my efforts, often juggling Teashop events, writing my second novel, and full-time contract writing work. This led to insomnia and that certainly isn't good for anything. Instead of brainstorming marketing ideas when I should've been sleeping, I could have set aside certain times during the week and created some boundaries. For six months after the book release, I found that I wasn't reading much for pleasure. And that's no good way to connect with young readers! I'm happy to report that I'm getting better about all of this and have more balance now. But if I had to do it all over again, I think I would've tried to manage my enthusiasm with a little more care.

I'd love to hear from other authors or small business owners about this issue. What works well for you? What doesn't?

The Cupcake Lady Rocks My World

2009-09-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is a rootbeer float-flavored cupcake, complete with a rootbeer barrel hard candy on top that soaked into the frosting a little. You know you want one! Find delightful creations like these made by The Cupcake Lady in Minneapolis, MN. :-) It's Monday...have you had your cupcake yet?

The Teashop Girls Tour now in progress!

2009-09-19T12:43:00.001-07:00

Hey readers, teachers, librarians, bookstore owners, book clubs, and Girl Scout leaders...

I am now booking events for November, December, and January and I'd love to come give a talk to your school, library, store, or tea room. I'm available for visits in Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and the Orlando, Florida area during January. Have trusty Honda Civic, will travel!

Or, we could get creative and involve the airlines if you're game. :-) I'd love to meet more readers and talk to young people about the process of turning an idea into a published book, not to mention share some of my favorite delicious teas. Please e-mail teashopgirls@gmail.com for details.

Kevin Henkes

2009-09-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of attending a reading and lecture by Kevin Henkes this evening at the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Henkes is an extremely accomplished children's author and illustrator who just knocks my socks off (to borrow a phrase from one of his fan letters). His humility, attention to detail, and subtle humor left me absolutely charmed. Mr. Henkes read his book Lilly's Big Day to the crowd, and took questions about his thirty-year career.

He said that his goal is to release a new book each year, but some of his titles have taken as long as eight years from concept to publication. That put things into perspective for me. I find it really hard to go long periods of time without "action," so to speak. For example, I have a new concept and about 5,000 words for a middle grade novel. I know I need a solid synopsis, outline, and more like 25,000 words before I can take it to my editor for feedback, and that's really hard for me. I want the book published yesterday, even though it's barely more than a loose set of ideas, characters, and settings. I listened carefully to how methodical Mr. Henkes is with his work and got the idea that no one sees his stuff until it is "just so." He talked about getting word order right and about motifs and shapes in his illustrations that elegantly repeated.

I plan to take a lesson from this and try to work with more care before turning my ideas over to the pros. It can be hard to deal with the solitude of writing, but the reward, as he so eloquently put it, is the delight you experience when things do fall into place and ideas blossom on the page. I feel that delight constantly, so I know I'm in exactly the right career. I just need to learn patience with the whole process.

Anyway, if you haven't read Kevin Henkes yet, you're in for a joyful experience when you find his work. He's an artist and writer of the highest caliber and I'm so pleased we both live in Madison. I didn't get the chance to chat with him this evening, but hope to soon.

Looking for the past in Hollywood

2009-09-06T09:58:00.001-07:00

I recently visited Los Angeles to see a friend of mine. She indulged me with a trip to Hollywood Boulevard. I tried to snap photos of things there that have been around at least 70+ years. You'll see the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel, Musso & Franks, and the Egyptian Theater, which is Graumann's Chinese Theater's slightly less famous neighbor. I would have LOVED to see Hollywood back in the day (i.e., any time before about 1960). :-) Yay!

Tea Exhibit at the Fowler Museum

2009-09-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

This looks amazing:

Fowler Exhibition Tells Story of Tea through Art from Asia, Europe and America

Steeped in History: The Art of Teaon display Aug 16–Nov 29, 2009

Hot or iced, bagged or loose, black or green—whatever form it takes, enjoying a cup of tea is an act performed at least three billion times a day the world over. Indeed, more people drink tea than any other beverage except water. Steeped in History: The Art of Tea—on display at the Fowler Museum at UCLA from Aug 16–Nov 29, 2009—is a wide-ranging survey that brings together art from three continents and many centuries todelve into the history and culture of tea.

Traveling from Asia to the West, tea has played a variety of profound roles on the world scene—as an ancient health remedy, an element of cultural practice, and source of spiritual insight. Historically it was also a catalyst for international conflicts and horrific labor conditions in various countries. Throughout its history tea has been a prevalent theme in the visual arts—scenes of tea embellish ceramics and textiles and are the subject of paintings and drawings, and all manner of vessels have been fashioned for the preparation and presentation of tea. Steeped in History brings together rare Chinese ceramics and paintings, 18th- and 19th-century Japanese ceramics and prints, extraordinary English and Colonial American paintings, vintage photographs and historical documents, tea-serving paraphernalia and furniture from many countries, and much more —to tell the fascinating history of tea.

The Fowler is open Wednesdays through Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m.; and on Thursdays, from noon until 8 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The Fowler Museum, part of UCLA Arts, is located in the north part of the UCLA campus. Admission is free. For more information, the public may call 310/825-4361 or visit fowler.ucla.edu.

some thoughts on nostalgia

2009-09-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

Readers of The Teashop Girls know that one of Annie Green's marked traits is her sense of nostalgia. She's a bit afraid of change and looks back fondly on her memories of the Steeping Leaf and her friendships even though she's only thirteen and has so much life left to live.

I've always been like Annie in this way. One of my favorite films is Before Sunrise, in which a young woman (Julie Delpy) spends an entire night talking and perhaps falling in love with a young man (Ethan Hawke). At one point she says that even though she's only 23 years old, she often feels like a woman in her eighties, looking back on her life. I do this myself, sometimes framing my immediate experience by imagining how I will reflect back on it much, much later.

I live near a large university campus, and for many years I took dance lessons at one of the student unions. Now, this was not a building to which one would become naturally attached. It was a large concrete monstrosity with very few windows and an awkward design. But when it came down recently (to be replaced by a more functional and green structure), my old friend nostalgia paid me a visit. I realized I'd never smell the unique smell of that building again. I won't be able to walk through it, decades from now, and say, "here's where I learned the swingout." It's a silly thing to be attached to, and yet it turned out I was.

Overall, I enjoy my sense of nostalgia. It gives moments that might never be noticed greater weight. It makes you pause and pay tribute to the steady beat of time. The trick is to not become so nostalgic that you end up living solely in the past. Instead, I like to look around me now and wonder what my unpredictable brain will latch onto...a kind of projected look back. What smell will remind me of the summer of 2009? What ugly building am I unwittingly in love with? Which offhand quip will work its way into my writing?

To quote Journey, "Oh the movie never ends, it goes on and on and on and on..."

What a nostalgic song. Don't stop believin' indeed.

Oh, the places you'll go...pictures from my Teashop Girls library visit tour

2009-08-17T07:22:00.001-07:00

I took these pictures in Milwaukee, Port Washington, and West Bend, Wisconsin. What a pretty state!

Real life Teashop Girls!

2009-08-03T06:41:00.001-07:00

New Events!

2009-08-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to announce these new additions to my Fall Events Calendar!

Marathon County Public Library event 09.22.09
Come to the Marathon County Public Library on Tuesday, September 22 for a Teashop Girls reading, signing, and author Q and A with Laura!

Wisconsin Book Fest 10.10.09 Laura Schaefer will be participating in the Wisconsin Book Fest this year in Madison, WI! Meet the author on October 10 at 12pm. Venue TBA.

Sequoya Public Library author event 10.12.09
Come to the brand new Sequoya Public Library in Madison, WI on October 12th at 3pm for a Teashop Girls reading and signing with Laura.

George Watts Inc. Tearoom afternoon with the author event 10.17.09
The famed George Watts tearoom will be having a very special tea party on October 17th at 2pm. Stop in for delicious tea as well as a Teashop Girls reading, signing, and author Q and A with Laura!

Author panel discussion Mt. Mary College Milwaukee 11.11.09
Laura will be part of a panel discussion at Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee, WI on November 11, 2009.

Middleton Public Library 11.16.09
Come to the Middleton Public Library on Monday evening, November 16 for a Teashop Girls reading, signing, and author Q and A.

Winners!

2009-07-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce the winners of The Teashop Girls and TeasEtc. writing contest!

For the 7-10 age group, Miss Paige Bimberg is the winner with her story, Blossomed.
For the 11-14 age group, Miss Sarah Linton is the winner with her story, Tea For Twelve.

I will be publishing these wonderful tales on www.teashopgirls.com next week! Thank you to everyone who entered my contest. It was so much fun!

Book Signing and Tea Party Pictures!

2009-07-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

All of these wonderful pictures are from Fort Atkinson. I did a book signing at the Velveteen Rabbit Bookshop and had tea with a wonderful group at Bethany Lynn's Tea. Thank you to Marie Nelson at the Velvateen Rabbit and to Shelly Menzer at the Fort Atkinson public library for organizing such fun!

Upcoming events!

2009-07-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Summer is the perfect time to get lost in a book...and to meet an author. Here are some upcoming events and Teashop Girls appearances. :-)

July 17th...West Bend Public Library in West Bend, Wisconsin. I'll be reading at 2pm.
July 30th...Port Washington Public Library in Port Washington, WI. Festivities begin at 3pm!
July 31st...Oconto Falls, Wisconsin reading and book signing

Also, don't forget that at the end of this week TeasEtc. will be announcing the winners of the first ever Teashop Girls Tea 'n Tweens writing contest! All of the entries were absolutely wonderful. I had such a great time reading them and am so honored that so many talented writers chose to participate.

TEA + WRITING = AWESOME

New teas from Tea Source!

2009-07-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of trying several new teas recently from TeaSource in Minneapolis, MN. I've been a fan of TeaSource for years, drinking their Evening in Missoula herbal blend as well as their Green Tea with Mango blend at Manna Cafe. I was delighted to receive a box from them in the mail last month and eagerly began steeping their teas.

Since I've been on such an iced tea kick lately, I first chose to brew TeaSource Classic Iced Tea. This black Nilgiri had a wonderful natural sweetness and a hint of fruit in the flavor. I brewed it loose in the pitcher, then skimmed out the leaves that floated to the top. Though I didn't serve it with lemon, I'd imagine that a slice of citrus would be a very nice accompaniment to this satisfying tea. It was refreshing and flavorful and needed no sweeteners.

Next, I brewed a hot cup of the Strawberry Kiwi blend. It was a great help during a recent bout of bronchitis. This caffeine-free fruity herbal blend, with its ruby red infusion, consists of rosehips, orange peel, apple peel, and hibiscus. I didn't taste the kiwi, but a nice citrus strawberry flavor came through. I drank this cuppa without sugar, but I would recommend a slight dollop of honey to bring out the full fruit flavors. Lovely!

Finally, I tried the delicious Praire Passion blend. This mixture of black tea, green tea, generous chunks of Papaya, rosehips, passionfruit, and sunflower is a dazzler. The tea is well-balanced, with a pleasing sweetness and fullness of flavor. I drank several cups in one sitting and plan to try it iced, as well.

I'll be sampling Orange Blossom Special and African Skies rooibos next! And a big thank you to TeaSource, as well as the other tea companies who have generously shared their offerings with me in recent months: Le Palais Gourmet, Narien Tea, Rishi Tea, and Cha Cha Tea. Yay quality loose tea!

One of the nicest tiered tea trays of food I have ever seen...then devoured

2009-07-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

This tiered tray of tea treats is from Bethany Lynn's Tea in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Mmm.

Results of the Teashopgirls.com tea poll!

2009-07-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

I've been running a "How do you like your tea?" poll at www.teashopgirls.com for several months. Here are the exciting results:

Just plain, thank you....83
With sugar only....47
With cream and sugar....44
With honey....43
With cream only....18

Check the website for a brand new poll today!

Scenes from Concerts on the Square

2009-06-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

Further proof that I live in one of the world's best cities is our Concerts on the Square series. Each summer, Madisonians descend on our capitol lawn with food, wine, and treats to listen to the orchestra perform on Wednesday evenings. Last week was the first. We heard Rachmoninoff's Rhapsody, which was incredible. It was greatly enhanced, of course, by cookies.

Tea and Book Updates

2009-06-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hello all, here's a random sampling of what's been going on in my noggin. :-)

First, I'll be appearing at the Velvateen Rabbit Bookshop in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin on June 27th at 10a.m. If you're in the area, I'd love to meet you. Afterwards, it's a tea party at Bethany Lynn's from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please sign up ahead of time at the Fort Atkinson public library.

Second, and as always, I've been drinking a lot of tea! There's a rather nasty bug going around my group of friends and I'm worried I might be catching it. :-( My main defenses are caramel rooibos tea, green citrus tea, vitamins, and lots of rest. I hope reading helps, too, because I'm doing a LOT of that.

Which brings me to my next point...I've been on a great reading kick lately. Maybe it's summer, maybe it's that Teashop promotion has calmed down, maybe I've just gotten back in touch with my true love of fiction. In any case, I'm polishing off books as if they were chocolates. It started with Madame Bovary by Gustav Flaubert, a classic that I found fast-moving and insightful. From there, I read the excellent YA novel Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher on a recommendation from a librarian friend of mine. Then, I chose The Lovely Bones, which was chilling but absolutely engrossing. Needing something light, I went on to Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. Now, I'm reading "The Good War" by Studs Terkel and A Wanderer in A Perfect City by Lawrence Weschler. If I'm not careful, I'll stop writing and just read all day! What's been keeping you up past your bedtime these days?

Five reasons to add The Teashop Girls to your summer reading list

2009-06-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

1. It has a great cupcake recipe. You like cupcakes, don't you?

2. It'll put you in a smiley, happy good mood. You like smiley, happy good moods, don't you? (Ok, I'll stop).

3. It's a great book for daughters and mothers and aunts and grandmothers to read and discuss. Over tea, of course.

4. Tea and sunshine go together very well. They're two of my favorite things, in fact, so I would know. :)

5. You love summer, and you love sweet books! (I'm hoping...).

Afternoon tea at the Legacy House Tearoom with the Whitehorse Middle School book club!

2009-06-12T12:26:00.001-07:00

Delighting in new teas

2009-06-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

I recently received a package in the mail from Le Palais Gourmet, a specialty tea store in Beverly Hills (ooh la la!). I've been enjoying their tea ever since and trying to decide which is my favorite. I think it's a toss-up between Special Reserve Extreme Vanilla and the Tangier, which is "a premium Sri Lankan black tea with apricot & saffron petals that evokes an exotic evening in Tangier."

The first thing you notice about this tea is that it's visually spectacular. Mixed in with the fine black tea leaves, the saffron and apricot looks like little licks of fire. It smells delicious as well. I let the loose tea steep for four minutes in a pot, then added one cube of sugar to my cup. The tea is heady and rich, with a nice aroma and dark amber color. I've always enjoyed peach and apricot teas, so this is a natural fit for me.

Next, the Special Reserve vanilla black tea. This was the first tea I tried from Le Palais Gourmet. I was immediately impressed by the interesting back-of-the-tongue fullness of flavor. A more experienced tea taster could probably better explain the sensation, but suffice it to say that I found the tea very enjoyable. Its delicate, yet rich, flavor struck me as being so much more satisfying than coffee. I bring up the comparison because I find that caramel and vanilla flavored tea are particularly nice to wake up to in the morning.

In addition to the tea from Le Palais Gourmet, I've also been enjoying Narien Teas. I recently steeped their jasmine pearls in a large pitcher for iced tea. Since I'd use about 5-6 pearls for a cup, I used around 30 for the pitcher. Jasmine makes a very nice iced tea, with its refreshing smell and delicate green color.

What new tea discoveries have you made recently?

Summertime tea!

2009-06-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

It might seem counterintuitive, but I find myself drinking even MORE tea in the summer than I do in the winter. Now, I like a warm cuppa and a down comforter (plus a good book, if you really want to get serious) just as much as anyone else, but summer is when I start brewing up pitchers of iced tea and drinking it by the gallon. I suppose I could do this any time of the year, but when May hits, I am especially inspired.

I fill my entire tea pot, boil the water, and then pour it in a pitcher over two or three tea bags. Right now, I'm using Green Citrus from Adagio. The tea bags are pyramid-shaped and I find just two can easily infuse a whole pitcher. After five minutes, I fish them out, then leave the pitcher out on the counter to cool for an hour or so. If you're in a hurry, you can add ice cubes. After the tea cools, I pop it in the fridge and drink it throughout the day. Green tea has replaced water for me lately.

Flavored iced teas are popular in restaurants right now, but I challenge owners and patrons to ask for quality over sugar content. I know many flavored iced teas are supplied by a large box of syrup, just like soda is. But it doesn't have to be that way. At Imperial Garden restaurant in Middleton Wisconsin, owner Karen Meyer recently purchased a supply of quality tea from Cha Cha Tea. Both the citrus and mango iced teas are selling like hotcakes, because they are delicious. Loose tea iced tea is economical for restaurants and healthy for customers.

I like using green tea for iced tea, but really any variety would work. Experiment and let me know which quality teas make your favorite iced teas!

Tweens 'n' Tea writing contest!!

2009-05-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

May 28, 2009 -- WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- Teas Etc and The Teashop Girls author Laura Schaefer are pleased to announce an essay contest for young writing enthusiasts. The contest was created in an effort to encourage imagination, writing and summer reading and to introduce the next generation of tea drinkers to premium quality loose leaf tea as a healthy beverage alternative.

To inspire each participant Teas Etc will send out free tea samples at the time of registration, which begins June 1st. “We want young people to use their imagination and not be intimidated by the topic of tea which is why we are sending out the inspiration samples.” said Laura “While tea needs to be a central theme, the story can be a fairy tale, science fiction or whatever the writer creates. It’s all about self expression and creativity.” Register at http://TeasEtc.com/Tea-Essay and receive your free tea inspiration sample.

Entrants will be judged in one of two age groups 7-10 and 11-14. The essay must include tea as a part of the story, be 400 words and be submitted no later than June 30th, 2009, 12 midnight EST. Stories will be judged on creativity, writing style, voice and grammar appropriate to the age group. Submit essays at http://www.TeaShopGirls.com.

Winners will be announced on July 18th. Prizes will be awarded to the top essay in each age category. Each winner will receive a free copy of The Teashop Girls, signed by author Laura Schaefer and a Flowering Tea Gift Set with Ceremony Side Handle Teapot which includes a beautiful ceremony style glass teapot and 8 handcrafted flowering teas that bloom as they brew.
In addition to the prizes awarded, winners and their essays will be featured in World Tea News (http://www.WorldTeaNews.com) a weekly online publication that brings the latest tea news and hot new trends, to readers across the globe. “World Tea News is pleased to participate” says George Jage, President of SFG Group owner/operator of World Tea News, “as a tea news publication how could we say no to the next generation of tea drinking writers?”
Winners will also be highlighted on both sponsor’s websites – http://www.TeaShopGirls.com and http://www.TeasEtc.com

Teas Etc, Inc
Teas Etc, Inc., an importer/exporter of specialty teas and related items, has been providing retail and wholesale customers with quality products for over a decade. Dedicated to maintaining the highest level of quality, the Company is USDA Certified Organic, with green facilities in West Palm Beach, Florida. In addition, it maintains a satellite office in China and a showroom at AmericasMart in Atlanta. Teas Etc is online at http://www.TeasEtc.com

Yoga

2009-05-19T09:41:00.001-07:00

I've been meaning to write about yoga here for a long time. But that would've required doing some yoga first. :)

I find the practice both incredibly rewarding and quite difficult. I'm not flexible at all, but every time I attend a class, I come out feeling wonderfully loose and alive. I do pity the instructors and other people in the room who witness me trying not to tip over for an hour, but the whole point of yoga is acceptance and focusing on your own movements and breathing...so I'm sure they're fine.

Like dancing, yoga requires movements that just wouldn't happen in daily life otherwise. It's a great way to feel fully connected to your body and part of the earth. I find it challenging to keep my mundane parade of thoughts at bay while I'm doing my sun salutations, but I know that as I practice more, it will get easier. Yoga can be deeply spiritual if you let it; this is something I'm working on.

Finally, it's an incredible workout. Today is Tuesday. I attended a class on Sunday morning, and my legs are still sore. But it's the good kind of sore, the kind that reminds me my body can get stronger and meet the challenges I give it. I am turning 30 this summer, and I want to leap into my fourth decade of life with vigor and grace. Yoga (and, of course, my tea habit) will surely help.

If you've never tried yoga, give it a shot. In Madison, a great place to start is www.pranaflowlark.com. Lark is my neighbor and likes to work with people one-on-one. I think this would be a great way to ease into a practice, or to deepen one. I really respect her commitment to total health, clean living, and "the flow."

Remember to breathe.

Scenes from Monroe Street

2009-05-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

Catching up on all my tea goings-on

2009-05-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

I realized I am remiss in describing my World Tea Expo experience. The day the floor opened, May 2, I woke up early at the Luxor and carefully packed my little satchel with Teashop Girls postcards and business cards. I also grabbed both and ARC and a hardcover copy. I wasn't sure where either would end up, but I wanted to be able to show tea lovers the actual book. I also donned my Teashop Girls t-shirt, and I was set. The Luxor is connected to Mandalay Bay via a mall called Mandalay Place. Many people commented to me that it seemed strange that a TEA expo would be held in a place as loud and commercial as Las Vegas, and they have a point. Nevertheless, the hotels are so big that they easily accomate such a classy event, so in a way it makes sense.

Almost immediately I began meeting interesting people. Before the doors to the expo floor even opened up, a nice woman stopped me with, "Where did you get that shirt?" She recognized the book cover and, as it happily turned out, already stocked several copies in her tea shop. I was so happy to get such a warm welcome to the day. We had a good chat and eventually the doors opened.

First, I made a beeline for the Rishi folks. Rishi Tea is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so I feel a special kinship with the company. They are very nice and have fantastic teas. I tried a few and we promised to do some events together in the future.

From there, I moved on to two booths whose owners contacted me ahead of time: Two Hills Tea and Worldwide Gourmet Foods. I enjoyed tasting their wares and then methodically began visiting each booth on the expo floor. There are some amazing teas in the world, and some even more amazing tea-related foods and products. I tasted scallops sauteed in tea (fabulous) and a green Matcha shake (yum), as well as petit fours, scones, and just about everything else you can think about that goes with tea.

I also met Bruce Richardson, another tea author, as well as the writer of the Emma's Tea Room books. Both were so kind and generous. Later in the day, I paired up with Maleah from ChaChaTea and we walked around together (Madison in the HOUSE!). We only overlapped in Las Vegas by a couple hours as I left Saturday night, but it was cool to get to see her for at least a little while.

The tea expo solidified what I already believe: tea people are all around great. They tend to be just a smidge more centered and giving than your general population. Yay tea!

Saturday, May 9th = big fun!

2009-05-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

Dessert, Las Vegas style

2009-05-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

I ate a lot of dessert in Las Vegas. How could I not, when the two buffets I "attended" included such gorgeous selections? I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I know I sampled tiramisu, carrot cake, ice cream, chocolate ganache torte, coconut torte, lemon meringue, and a mini cupcake. Good thing I also got some Earl Grey to wash it all down! Mmm.

Japanese tea house in the Bellagio Conservatory

2009-05-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

One of the most beautiful spots in all of Las Vegas is the Bellagio Conservatory. Right now, it is filled with gorgeous spring flowers (think LOTS of tulips) as well as a butterfly greenhouse and a Japanese tea house and Zen garden. I took as many pictures as I could. As you can see, we visited at night, which made the space seem even more magical in the royal blue light. Lovely.

LVNV

2009-05-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

I just returned from an impromptu trip to Las Vegas for the World Tea Expo. My good friend Nicole and I flew out on Wednesday, and checked into the Luxor hotel, which is the one shaped like a pyramid. My goal was to get some sun and relax before the start of the expo.

I definitely accomplished that mission, and got good and pink in the hot desert sun. We ate at two buffets while we were there (at the Excalibur and at Mandalay Bay) and toured as many gorgeous hotels as we possibly could. We were limited only by the fact that our feet eventually got tired from all the walking--the strip is longer than you think!

I loved the amazing design of the Vegas hotels, especially the grand lobbies. The town is visually overwhelming. For example, one restaurant I saw was decorated with a white "bubble" theme, with clear blown glass bubbles hanging from the ceiling on clear strings and booths that looked like space pods. One of the highlights for me was going up to the 64th floor of THEhotel at Mandalay Bay and seeing the whole strip from above. Breathtaking. More to come...

Cutest. Teapot. Ever.

2009-04-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

If you want to make sure there is a lot of cheese at your party, you should probably put me in charge.

2009-04-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

Teatime at Macha teahouse + gallery

2009-04-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

Macha teahouse + gallery is a small gem on Monroe Street in Madison, the exact location of the Steeping Leaf in The Teashop Girls. I met with the owner, Rachel Fox, and Orange Schroeder from Orange Tree Imports over tea and scones yesterday.

We're planning a very exciting Teashop Girls day on Monroe Street to benefit the Madison Children's Museum. It's going to be on May 9th, in honor of Mother's Day. Girls will get a special "Teashop Girl passport" and collect stamps at all of the fun shops and businesses along the street. Each location will offer a free treat or refreshment. Passports with 8+ stamps will be entered to win a special gift for Mom. I can't wait! I'll be at three different locations reading and signing books to add to the festivities.

Here are some pictures of Macha and its wares...isn't it the cutest?

Scenes from the first Madison farmer's market of the season

2009-04-18T10:57:00.001-07:00

Girl Scout Tea Party!

2009-04-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right, I got to party with the Girl Scouts yesterday! Troop leader Pam Anderson invited me over for treats and and a book talk. My new young friends had some great questions about The Teashop Girls and really enjoyed the caramel rooibos tea I brought to share. It was a lovely afternoon tea, complete with cookies, scones, and lemon bars. What fun!

In which Laura celebrates supporting local businesses and wins a gold star!

2009-04-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of attending my very first Dane Buy Local event. I met the owners of the Mustard Museum, Terra Source Chocolates, Chiripa, and many other friendly folks. Babe's Restaurant generously provided a delicious spread of food, and we all got busy learning who is doing new and exciting things in Madison. I had a lovely time, and if that wasn't enough, I chose the goodie bag with the GOLD STAR, which means I won a $25 gift certificate to any Dane Buy Local member business. Is that cool or what?

A superfantastic entry for this lovely spring day--a book excerpt from Cynthia's Attic!

2009-04-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Author, Mary Cunningham, makes her home in the beautiful mountains of West Georgia with her husband. They are parents of three creative children, and a delightfully witty sixteen-year-old granddaughter.

She got the idea for her children’s mystery series, Cynthia's Attic, through a recurring dream. After realizing the dream was set in the attic of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began. She has completed three books in the series and is working on a fourth, Cynthia’s Attic: The Magician’s Castle, due for release Dec. 2009.

Ms. Cunningham is also co-writer of a women's humorous lifestyle book titled, "Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF)," Dec. 2008, and is a member of SCBWI (Southern Breeze Chapter), The Georgia Reading Association, and the Carrollton Creative Writers Club.

In between editing and getting her twelve-year-old characters Cynthia and Gus in and out of trouble, the author enjoys golf, swimming and exploring the mountains.

Imagine the fun of meeting your twelve-year-old grandmother! Cynthia's Attic Series offers young readers an adventurous glimpse into the lives of Cynthia and Augusta Lee "Gus" as they travel through time from a magic trunk in Cynthia's Attic.

(From Gus’s perspective)

I wasn’t sure a teashop was the place for me, being a tomboy and all, but then I spotted the cupcakes! Maybe I should introduce myself. My real name's Augusta Lee, but if you're not looking for a kick in the shins, just call me Gus. I’m twelve years old (almost thirteen!) and the *star* of the series, “Cynthia’s Attic.” My best friend, Cynthia and I have traveled through time in three books so far, and have been real busy flying off to some scary castles in Europe for book four, Cynthia's Attic: The Magician’s Castle.

Which brings me back to the cupcakes. If you’ve met me, then you know that I’m always hungry! Especially doing all this time-traveling and mystery-solving! Peanut butter cookies are my fav, and I’ve been know to hide bologna in my pockets, but cupcakes are great, too, which is why I decided to stick around and clue you in on how busy we’ve been. Here's a sneak peek at our last adventure. (Now, where are those cupcakes!)

Cynthia had an attic. Not just an ordinary attic. Cynthia’s attic was magic.

Cynthia and I came into the world, just three months apart. We grew up on the same quiet, sycamore-lined street, our friendship as close as our houses. Fifty years earlier, our grandmothers were best friends. However, we didn’t realize the extent of their friendship until after our experience in Cynthia’s attic. This is the story of one of our great adventures… the way I remember it.

1964:
She collapsed onto the bed, face buried in the crook of her arm. I have to tell her sooner or later. The young girl agonized. She has a right to know about our last trip through the trunk…how her great-grandfather’s watch ended up in my pocket! I know she’s anxious to look for him, but it won’t hurt to wait a few days. I’m so tired…no, it won’t hurt to wait just a… She fell asleep in mid-sentence.

1914:
Chapter One:
“Don’t move.”
“Are you kidding? Why on earth would I move?”
Just another boring trip through the trunk. There we were, hanging on for dear life to a log in the middle of a swamp.

My best friend and I had been on some frightening adventures together since discovering time travel through an old trunk in her attic. But nothing prepared us for a face-to-face encounter with an alligator. No, siree. Nothing prepared us for this.
“What do we do?” Cynthia trembled.
“Do I look like I know what to do?” Perhaps patience wasn’t my best quality.
“You don't have to yell, Gus. We've gotten out of worse jams than this. Remember the lions on the circus train?”
“One big difference,” I muttered, thinking back on our narrow escape from Killer, Fang and Brutus, the laziest circus act ever. “The lions were in cages. This swamp monster is a few feet away from deciding whether to eat the tall, skinny morsel, or the short…sorry…plump gator bait.”
I wished the words back into my mouth as soon as I said them…but it was too late.
I am not plump!” Cynthia briefly forgot our life and death situation. “I’m just hanging on to my baby fat longer than most people!”

Cynthia wasn't fat or plump. It’s just that I was so darn skinny that everyone looked a little chunky standing next to me. But I didn’t want perhaps the last words my best friend ever heard, to be hurtful.
“I’m sorry. I didn't mean it. But we have a bigger issue here…and I just might have an idea.” If it worked, maybe I could get back in her good graces.
“It’d better be fast,” Cynthia moaned. “I can’t hold onto this log much longer.”

Curiously, the alligator wasn’t moving toward us, but his ever-widening jaws revealed razor-sharp teeth and a…was that a smile on his face? Gus! Get your wits about you. I tried to focus on the danger at hand as this monster swished his tail back and forth…back and forth. This can't be good.
“Cynthia, do you see that small branch over your left shoulder?” I motioned as inconspicuously as possible.

Slowly turning her head, she looked back and nodded, then reached for the stick. At the same time, I dug into my pocket and took out a hunk of bologna I’d saved from yesterday’s (was it just yesterday?) shopping trip with my dad to Cliff's Meat Market, and shoved it onto the end of the stick that Cynthia now held in her grip. I ignored the incredulous look on her face. “When I count to three, throw the stick toward the alligator and swim for the bank as fast as you can.”
Stunned that I had actually pulled lunchmeat out of my pocket, I had her undivided attention.
“Ready?”
She nodded.
“Okay. One…two…swim!”

Cynthia threw the bologna-skewered stick as far as she could, and we took off, flailing and kicking until we reached land, climbed the muddy bank, and ran until the swamp was out of sight.

Mary Cunningham Books
Cynthia’s Attic Blog
Amazon
Publisher (Quake/Echelon Imprint)

Making an omelette the Alton Brown way

2009-04-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

So, confession: I'm not a very good cook. I love food, I love good ingredients, but when it comes to technique, I have a lot to learn. As a result, I've long been a fan of Alton Brown, who hosts Good Eats on the Food Network. A lot of times, Alton makes things that are just too ambitious for yours truly. An example of this is the time last week he tackled the crown roast. Yeah right. However, my spirits were heartened when he dedicated another episode to much more manageable--yet no doubt equally delicious--omelette.

See, the omelette is one of those foods that never turns out very well when I try to make it. In theory, they should be yummy, but in reality the eggs over cook and the whole thing isn't great. Luckily, Mr. Brown set me straight and I triumphantly made the best omelette of my life on Friday. Now, I'm probably going to miss something here when I explain what I did, so go to the food network site if you want real instruction, ok?

The first mistake I used to make was adding milk to my eggs. Not supposed to do it, folks! Instead, this time I beat two eggs and added about a tablespoon of water. It had also never occurred to me that I could put herbs right in the eggs. Again, Alton fixed that. I added basil right from the plant in my kitchen as well as some salt and pepper.

Next, I heated up the frying pan for a full minute or two before adding anything. Whoa! By the time the butter went in, it hopped and foamed immediately. I added the egg mixture and used a spatula to slightly scramble it when it started to cook. Then, using my wrist, I moved the pan around so that the uncooked egg would move into the nooks and crannies and get cooked. I ran the spatula around the edge and noted happily that the eggs were not stuck to the pan. When the thin layer was almost done (but still a little runny), I added grape tomatoes cut in half and dollops of goat cheese. One mistake people make with omelettes is adding too many filling ingredients. It is best to stick with only two or three.

I deftly (oh, you heard me, DEFTLY), used some wrist action to fold the omelette over onto my plate into thirds. Thanks to Alton Brown, I am no longer afraid of the omelette. It was delicious.
I may make another one this evening.

Someday, I will souflee. Ooh la la!