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Video to bake by

The cleaning and decorating in the Forest in finally done. (Pics tomorrow!) Today I’ll be trying to make a gingerbread house and baking biscotti and other family favorites. And it’s time to make the rice pudding for the Julenisse! While puttering around the kitchen, I’ll be catching up on videos that I’ve bookmarked. Do you have anything that you think I should watch?

I have something for you. When I was in Austin for the Texas Book Festival, Vicki Smith from Kirkus interviewed me. I think it is one of the best interviews ever, ranging from FORGE to my feelings when people try to ban my books. Enjoy!

 

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Need a last minute gift? Or some snow?

We’ve had about 8 inches of snow in the last couple of hours, with more on the way. It is officially a Snow Day in the Forest!

The dogs are loving it!

Truth be told, I am, too. As soon as I get the day’s writing done, I’m going to shift into decorating mode. Might make some onion soup, too, using the last of my gardens onions.

I suspect some of you might be snowed in, as well. Others are wishing they were. And a whole lot of you are not-exactly-working because you are shopping. Last minute shopping. Last minute shopping on the Internet.

What to give your favorite book geek? How about a Mad Woman in the Forest tee-shirt?

that tells everyone to Speak Loudly!

Or, given that its snowing right now, maybe a sweatshirt?

You can find all of this at the Mad Woman In the Forest Shop!

Thor and Kezzie say thank you!!

 

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And about that suitcase…

Given that many of you will soon be packing for end-of-year travels, I thought I’d let you know how my experiment with travelling lightly went.

(You remember – I only took a carry-on for my five week book tour. Details here.)

In a word – fantastic!!

It helped that all of my travels were complete before the snow started to fly. And that the clothes I brought rolled up tiny. I would like to nominate the person who invented Dri-Fit fabric for a Nobel prize in something. In everything.

I did have laundry done in a couple hotels, which was expensive, but not as expensive as checking a suitcase on every flight would have been.

But I will never again hesitate to bring only the bare minimum. It was very freeing, physically and mentally, to travel so lightly.

A couple of you wondered where I got the suitcase and the purse that turned out to be so incredibly durable and easy to clean. Plus they looked cool. I bought them at Sherpani. In addition to being the best bags I’ve ever owned, they are largely made from recycled materials.

Travel lightly, my friends!

 

 

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RIF, FORGE & me in DC

Here is a great video of me on book tour courtesy of RIF (Reading is Fundamental). This was shot at one of the KIPP Academies I visited in Washington, DC (You saw one their cool murals in Tuesday’s blog post).

 

Another highlight of the day for me was the chance to get to know Carol Rasco, RIF’s director, and learn more about the incredibly wonderful job they do getting books into the hands of young American readers. Thanks, Carol!!

(Be sure to check out Carol’s wonderful blog about literacy and learning.)