To me, writing is a sport. To be successful (at least some of the time) you have to practice. So being asked to be a part of this blog project was an honor and a suitable challenge, giving me the catalyst and motivation to think in new ways about cherished and familiar tales. The idea is to pair several of my all-time favorite books with a relevant and appropriate corresponding chocolate. Similar to a food and wine pairing without the calories or the hangover.
My very good friend and fellow writer, Cat Micheals is this blog's sponsor. Allow me to introduce her!
Cat Michaels writes chapter books for young readers and the young at heart
She started writing stories in fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since. After earning an M.S. degree in special education from the University of Kansas, she spent two decades helping students from kindergarten to college reach their potential. Along the way, she also managed communication and staff development programs for an international high-tech company. However, she returned to her education roots as a writing coach at a community college for students with Asperger’s syndrome and learning disabilities.
Cat is working on the third book in her Sweet T Tales, where young readers get to decide the ending and write or draw what happens next. You can learn more about Cat and her books on her website : http://www.catmichaelswriter.com
There is an unlimited wealth of books and stories available to us all. Connecting with writers and story-tellers enriches our world and enhances our lives. The following five books are some of my best friends. I have copies of all of them which have traveled with me for decades.
My very good friend and fellow writer, Cat Micheals is this blog's sponsor. Allow me to introduce her!
Cat Michaels writes chapter books for young readers and the young at heart
She started writing stories in fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since. After earning an M.S. degree in special education from the University of Kansas, she spent two decades helping students from kindergarten to college reach their potential. Along the way, she also managed communication and staff development programs for an international high-tech company. However, she returned to her education roots as a writing coach at a community college for students with Asperger’s syndrome and learning disabilities.
Cat is working on the third book in her Sweet T Tales, where young readers get to decide the ending and write or draw what happens next. You can learn more about Cat and her books on her website : http://www.catmichaelswriter.com
There is an unlimited wealth of books and stories available to us all. Connecting with writers and story-tellers enriches our world and enhances our lives. The following five books are some of my best friends. I have copies of all of them which have traveled with me for decades.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I haven't always wanted to be a farmer. Go back far enough into my childhood and you'll find I was interested in lots of occupations! When I was 6 or 7, I wanted to be a professional horse rider. For a few days, I wanted to be a nun. Then I remember planning my career as a race car driver and a treasure hunter. After a while, I realized that I was put on the earth to become a forest ranger. I planned my future as a forest ranger for months...until the day I stumbled across Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie, redirecting my career goals. Not only did I read the first book in the series, but went on to read as many of her books as I could find at my public library.
Through this iconic book, I discovered my true passion. The idea of forging one's existence out of the wilderness with nothing more than a few tools, some knowledge, and the sheer will to make it happen was intoxicating! The story carries the reader through Indian visits, wolf fears, and prairie wildfires. Little House on the Prairie spoke to my soul. I heard the age-old melody that I believe all humans can hear; the song of survival, self-sufficiency and independence.
Perhaps my favorite part of the book is Chapter 19, where Mr. Edwards meets Santa Claus and carries the tale back to the girls, along with some gifts from Father Christmas! To celebrate the delightful Little House on the Prairie, I am pairing this book with Dark Chocolate and Peppermint! As a little girl, growing up in an affluent 1970's household, I was amazed that Laura and Mary would be so excited with a tin cup, a penny, a heart-shaped cake and a peppermint stick. I will forever carry with me the exhilaration of such simple joy.
Perhaps my favorite part of the book is Chapter 19, where Mr. Edwards meets Santa Claus and carries the tale back to the girls, along with some gifts from Father Christmas! To celebrate the delightful Little House on the Prairie, I am pairing this book with Dark Chocolate and Peppermint! As a little girl, growing up in an affluent 1970's household, I was amazed that Laura and Mary would be so excited with a tin cup, a penny, a heart-shaped cake and a peppermint stick. I will forever carry with me the exhilaration of such simple joy.
Like many other kids, my parents often took us on vacations to other states. One such trip was to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. I was perhaps 12 or 13 at the time. I have since been to this wonderful village many times, but this was my very first visit. My parents were always relaxed about allowing my sister and I to roam freely on these vacations- which is an experience that many of our young folks don't have the luxury of enjoying anymore, sadly. One day, while I was prowling the Merchant's Square at the end of Duke of Gloucester Street, I wandered into an old-fashioned drug store. This adorable wee shop was a relic from the 1940's, having changed little over the subsequent 30 years. Wedged into a corner next to the large front display window was a rickety and dented metal rack stuffed with paperback books. I scanned the titles for a potential candidate. My eyes fell on a colonial couple, walking arm-in-arm on the cover, under the title Dawn's Early Light, by Elswyth Thane.
The story of main characters Julian Day, St. John Sprague and Tibby Mawes is woven neatly and precisely. The setting of Williamsburg, Virginia on the eve of revolution is palpable. The reader feels the steamy heat of the summer as it wraps itself around the daily life of ardent colonists. Bitter cold winters push the early Americans to survive the elements and rise to the political challenges of the day. Ordinary, workaday people mix with those who would become Founding Fathers- effectively providing a gentle history lesson, softened by the action and emotion of the story itself.
Dawn's Early Light is a romance, but love is just a part of the tale. Thane transports the reader back in time, to the birth of America- the age of flintlock muskets, powdered wigs and enormous sailing ships. Up and down the coast of the 13 colonies, seaports bustled with activity; carrying goods from foreign shores along with slaves, indentured servants, adventure seekers and those wishing to start a new life. Julian, Tibby and St. John make Williamsburg their home and along the way decide to make America their home too.
Dawn's Early Light is a romance, but love is just a part of the tale. Thane transports the reader back in time, to the birth of America- the age of flintlock muskets, powdered wigs and enormous sailing ships. Up and down the coast of the 13 colonies, seaports bustled with activity; carrying goods from foreign shores along with slaves, indentured servants, adventure seekers and those wishing to start a new life. Julian, Tibby and St. John make Williamsburg their home and along the way decide to make America their home too.
The 1700's were an age of discovery, change and revolution. Shipping and trading routes were being well established globally. People traveled long distances and had to eat along the way. Food preservation was of critical importance. Fruits were preserved by drying and sugaring but meats and seafood had to be salted in order to last. Both salt and sugar were highly prized commodities during that time in history and continue to be valued. Modern day sugar and salt, however tend to be condiments instead of preservatives. Even chocolatiers are using salt in their products. One current favorite is Salted Caramel, so together, Dawn's Early Light and Salted Caramel Chocolate honor the traditions and progress that those fascinating early Americans made in those tumultuous new years of the world's first free country.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Following a trip to Scotland in 1994, I became addicted to all things Scottish. I devoured every book and movie I could get my hands on. One hot summer day I was lucky enough to discover the first book in a series that would end up being a years-long passion.
I took Outlander home to my southern farmhouse and could not put it down. Weeds grew in the garden and dishes piled up in the sink while I spent my days wandering in ancient Scotland with main characters Claire Beauchamp and Jaime Fraser.
After serving as a field nurse in WWII, Claire finds herself whisked back in time following a visit to a standing stone circle. Shortly after she realizes that she is stuck in the early 18th century, Claire is picked up by a band of Scottish Highlanders led by the dashing James Fraser. The chemistry between these two is instant and incendiary. Although Claire and Jaime's relationship is central to the plot, Outlander can hardly be called a traditional romance. It's full of hard-riding adventure with no modern-day candy-coating of 18th century realities. The early 18th century was tough. Life was short and cheap. Disease was common and death was accepted as an every-day occurrence. The New World had been discovered and ships were coming and going from ports on every seacoast.
I took Outlander home to my southern farmhouse and could not put it down. Weeds grew in the garden and dishes piled up in the sink while I spent my days wandering in ancient Scotland with main characters Claire Beauchamp and Jaime Fraser.
After serving as a field nurse in WWII, Claire finds herself whisked back in time following a visit to a standing stone circle. Shortly after she realizes that she is stuck in the early 18th century, Claire is picked up by a band of Scottish Highlanders led by the dashing James Fraser. The chemistry between these two is instant and incendiary. Although Claire and Jaime's relationship is central to the plot, Outlander can hardly be called a traditional romance. It's full of hard-riding adventure with no modern-day candy-coating of 18th century realities. The early 18th century was tough. Life was short and cheap. Disease was common and death was accepted as an every-day occurrence. The New World had been discovered and ships were coming and going from ports on every seacoast.
Foods, spices, textiles and luxury goods of all kinds moved along new oceanic trade routes. One such product was peanuts, having been discovered in South America in the 1700's. Peanuts are fairly easy to grow and very nutritious. They are also best friends with chocolate! One of my all-time favorite peanut/chocolate combinations is the iconic American candy bar Snickers. I can only imagine that many an 18th century sailor would have loved to stock their supply shelves with these hardy treats instead of the ubiquitous hard-tack biscuits full of maggots!
The Mammoth Cheese by Sheri Holman
I love cheese...I always have.
Swiss, American, havarti, tomme, gouda, mozzerella, goat, manchego, brie, Stilton, parmesan, pecorino, ricotta salata, cottage, and the omnipresent refrigerator staple, Cheddar.
This culinary preoccupation with preserved milk was what led me to another favorite book. I freely admit that it was the book's cover that caught my eye first; the big, heavy book was wrapped in a cheddar-yellow cover!
The story unfolds in rural Virginia, where a single mother Margaret Prickett is trying to make a go of a small family dairy. Farming is expensive, and to add to Margaret's fiscal problems is a colonial-era home which makes constant repair demands. Along with her farmhand August, she struggles to keep her small herd of cows well fed and milked. August is a wonderful help around the farm and is also a dead-ringer for native son Thomas Jefferson and moonlights in a Thomas Jefferson one-man show on his off-time from the farm.
Historic Three Chimneys, Virginia is the setting for the despair and hope Margaret feels as she battles to adhere to her principles while allowing her passions to soar. In order to draw attention to the plight of small farmers - and hopefully bring in some money and government support- Margaret decides to recreate the 1802 gift of a 1,235 pound wheel of cheddar sent to Thomas Jefferson in celebration of his victory over John Adams.
Swiss, American, havarti, tomme, gouda, mozzerella, goat, manchego, brie, Stilton, parmesan, pecorino, ricotta salata, cottage, and the omnipresent refrigerator staple, Cheddar.
This culinary preoccupation with preserved milk was what led me to another favorite book. I freely admit that it was the book's cover that caught my eye first; the big, heavy book was wrapped in a cheddar-yellow cover!
The story unfolds in rural Virginia, where a single mother Margaret Prickett is trying to make a go of a small family dairy. Farming is expensive, and to add to Margaret's fiscal problems is a colonial-era home which makes constant repair demands. Along with her farmhand August, she struggles to keep her small herd of cows well fed and milked. August is a wonderful help around the farm and is also a dead-ringer for native son Thomas Jefferson and moonlights in a Thomas Jefferson one-man show on his off-time from the farm.
Historic Three Chimneys, Virginia is the setting for the despair and hope Margaret feels as she battles to adhere to her principles while allowing her passions to soar. In order to draw attention to the plight of small farmers - and hopefully bring in some money and government support- Margaret decides to recreate the 1802 gift of a 1,235 pound wheel of cheddar sent to Thomas Jefferson in celebration of his victory over John Adams.
Thomas Jefferson and his ideals feature widely in The Mammoth Cheese. Dedicated to innovation in nearly every aspect of his life, Jefferson experimented with all types of plants at his Monticello farm. An 8 acre plot, called "The Fruitery" contained "berry squares" where he cultivated berries of all kinds, including raspberries.
Milk chocolate and raspberries are a magical combination. The tartness in the fruit balances the sweet notes of the milk chocolate. This sweet-and-tart partnership can be seen in life as well. Margaret and August surely live it every day as they walk through the tough but rewarding days of small-town farming, and learn to navigate everyday disappointments while continuing to preserve the joys and sweetness of a life lived with integrity.
Milk chocolate and raspberries are a magical combination. The tartness in the fruit balances the sweet notes of the milk chocolate. This sweet-and-tart partnership can be seen in life as well. Margaret and August surely live it every day as they walk through the tough but rewarding days of small-town farming, and learn to navigate everyday disappointments while continuing to preserve the joys and sweetness of a life lived with integrity.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
I think any child loves a story about an imaginary land, especially a land where the animals can speak and the trees have spirits! I was just such a child. I also loved that the main characters were children and that this book was the first in a long series of stories centered around the land of Narnia, guaranteeing months of delightful reading.
Most children's fiction books are wonderful, whimsical confections but are meant only for young people. These plots, settings and characters are designed to appeal to juvenile senses and abilities. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is different. The main characters are children, animals and mythological creatures, so it would seem to be limited to that age group. Underneath this fanciful surface, however, is an elaborate and deeply intellectual look at the human idea of benevolence vs. malevolence, light vs. dark, love vs. malice. Throughout the story themes of human devotion to a higher power are examined and questioned. Children, of course, do not understand or recognize these concepts, but the older reader certainly must.
We are introduced to the land of Narnia when it is locked in decades of continual winter; the white of the fallen snow serving as a metaphor for the power of good being oppressed by the power of evil that is wielded by the White Witch. That ceaseless battle between good and evil is woven solidly throughout the story. The children are called the "sons of Adam" and "the daughters of Eve", and are seen as harbingers of rescue and new life, further highlighting Lewis's desire to dissect and examine the sometimes convoluted layers of traditional religious thought.
However transparent and simplistic it might seem, I am pairing white chocolate and dark cookie crumbles with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The white chocolate is the star, encasing the power of the dark side and neutralizing it's influence. As humans, we observe the same notion when we ignore the darkness and turn to the universal good which can be found all around us; relying on it's strength and endurance to give us resiliency and compassion as we negotiate the sometimes rocky pathways of our lives.
Most children's fiction books are wonderful, whimsical confections but are meant only for young people. These plots, settings and characters are designed to appeal to juvenile senses and abilities. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is different. The main characters are children, animals and mythological creatures, so it would seem to be limited to that age group. Underneath this fanciful surface, however, is an elaborate and deeply intellectual look at the human idea of benevolence vs. malevolence, light vs. dark, love vs. malice. Throughout the story themes of human devotion to a higher power are examined and questioned. Children, of course, do not understand or recognize these concepts, but the older reader certainly must.
We are introduced to the land of Narnia when it is locked in decades of continual winter; the white of the fallen snow serving as a metaphor for the power of good being oppressed by the power of evil that is wielded by the White Witch. That ceaseless battle between good and evil is woven solidly throughout the story. The children are called the "sons of Adam" and "the daughters of Eve", and are seen as harbingers of rescue and new life, further highlighting Lewis's desire to dissect and examine the sometimes convoluted layers of traditional religious thought.
However transparent and simplistic it might seem, I am pairing white chocolate and dark cookie crumbles with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The white chocolate is the star, encasing the power of the dark side and neutralizing it's influence. As humans, we observe the same notion when we ignore the darkness and turn to the universal good which can be found all around us; relying on it's strength and endurance to give us resiliency and compassion as we negotiate the sometimes rocky pathways of our lives.