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Staying warm and inspired

We take the phrase “Christmas season” literally here in the Forest. The decorations are finally coming down today. In a lame attempt at our defense, we had Christmas visitors until last Sunday.

The snow is deep, the wood is dry, the dogs are cuddly. Much of life now is hunkering down for serious reading and writing.

Like oldest daughter Stef is doing here.

 

 

 

 

 

People have begun to order sweatshirts from the Mad Woman in the Forest Store. These sweatshirts keep you warm AND have magic threads of inspiration woven into them. Don’t believe me?

 

We sent a sweatshirt to aspiring author and musician Rebecca (seen above) in the UK and she credits it with helping her compose the original song she’s playing in this video. (I do love this song, don’t you?)

What am I doing to stay inspired? Reading poetry. Swimming (indoor pool, thank you). Running. Free-writing.

What are you doing to stay inspired this winter?

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Congratulations!!

Congratulations to all of the winners of the American Library Awards announced yesterday!

Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool won the Newbery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead won the Caldecott

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dreamer, written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, won the Pura Belpré Author Award. (Yay Pam!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grandma’s Gift, written and illustrated by Eric Velasquez, won the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia won the Coretta Scott King Author Award. (Yay Rita!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Laban Carrick Hill won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

 

 

 

 

The Printz Award went to Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Hunt has posted a list of all of the award winners (including Honor books!) at his SLJ blog. Go forth, enjoy, and read.

 

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No Name Calling Week

No Name Calling Week is fast approaching: January 24 – 28. (Which isn’t really a full week, is it? The project is aimed at schools, so it’s a school-week long. But I think the weekend would be a useful addition. Just sayin’.)

What is No Name Calling Week? I thought you’d never ask!

No Name-Calling Week is an annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate bullying in their communities.

The idea came from James Howe‘s wonderful book, THE MISFITS, and has grown into a national movement. The NNCW website is loaded with ideas and resources for schools and families. Go look!!

To support this effort, a bunch of authors (including moi) have made anti-bullying videos.

Would you please help spread the word? Thank you!

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Snowy Day

We got a not-fully-anticipated 2 feet of snow late yesterday and last night.

No, the schools in my town were not closed. They didn’t even open late.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I headed out to the cottage when it was still dark out, so I didn’t realize how beautiful it was outside. When the sun came up, I grabbed my camera.

 

 

 

 

 

This ancient maple tree is one of my favorite trees in our Forest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same tree seen over the roof of my writing cottage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I will plow my way back inside, put more wood on the fire, and keep reading and writing!

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Year’s End in the Forest

Things have been a-hopping in the Forest for the past week as we’ve been enjoying all kinds of family gatherings and celebrations.

We hung eleven stockings by the chimney with care (including one for each dog). No, the chickens did not get stockings. However I decorated their coop with big red bows and made sure that they had lots of yummy chicken treats. They rewarded us with eggs that made the most spectacular eggnog ever tasted in the North Country!

 

 

 

 

Queen Louise and I enjoyed our traditional screening of Elf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Beloved Husband did not exactly “enjoy” the movie. He tolerated it. More or less. Actually, less. He is a bit of a Scrooge about my favorite film. It’s the South Pole elf in him. But he was extremely festive about everything else, so we forgive him.

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite things this season was making a gingerbread house. Then I realized that the house standing alone looked lonely so I made a band of merry elves from gingerbread and marzipan.

 

(Gingerbread house recipe was courtesy of Martha Stewart.)

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a close-up of the elves building a fire (foreground) whilst another skates on the pond behind them. If I ever stop writing, I may become a full-time elf creator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not sure how much blogging will happen between now and 2011, so please allow me to convey our best wishes to you and your loved ones for a healthy and happy New Year.

Peace, my friends!!