food – Laurie Halse Anderson

December 23, 2010

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!

March 21, 2009

Los Angeles, Day #1

The “Here and Now” NPR interview is up!! Have a listen and tell me what you think!

After a couple of radio interviews first thing in the morning, I set out on the great adventure. Had three wonderful school presentations, thanks to the coordination by Children’s Book World.

Because this is LA, we were able to grab a fast lunch at an all-organic salad bar type place. There were a few things on the menu I hadn’t seen before.

Like lychees and organic yogurt with chopped candied ginger.

Not to mention this.

In between exotic food and school visits, we dropped in on a couple of bookstores to sign stock, including the newest branch of Diesel in Brentwood.

Many thanks to all the people who came out to my afternoon event at the Santa Monica library, including buddy Sonya Sones. Before the event, I had a blast with the reporters from area high school newspapers at the press conference before my presentation.

Aren’t they awesome?

There was one last event in the evening and then much sleeping.

TODAY’S EVENTS

12:00 PM Vroman’s
695 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101
Contact: Jen Ramos
626-449-5320

4:00 PM Mrs. Nelson’s
1030 Bonita Ave.
La Verne, CA 91750
Contact: Andrea Vuleta
Phone:
909-599-4558

Tomorrow’s Events:

3 PM Not Your Mother’s Book Club event hosted by Books Inc.
Bistro 9
1224 9th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94122
This is a ticketed event, ticket price includes book, gift bag, food & drinks. I’m not sure if there are still tickets available – contact Books Inc. Laurel Village or Books Inc. Burlingame
(415) 221-3666 or (650) 685-4911 for more info.

6:00 PM Kepler’s
1010 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Contact: Lauren O’Niell
(650) 324-4321

Monday…. Rakestraw in Danville, CA, and Copperfield’s in Walnut Creek, CA!!

February 23, 2009

Eating in Greenpoint

Ready to dash off to meetings, but wanted to share some pics from yesterday first.

I flew to NYC and met up with daughter Bookavore so she could show me her new world.

She lives close to this amazing bakery.

When you already have a tattoo that matches the name of your bookstore, it’s a sign you should be working there.

Greenpoint is a largely Polish neighborhood, which was very cool because I had such a good time in Warsaw a couple of years ago. This is where we ate lunch.

This is what lunch looked like. The name of it, loosely translated, is “Polish comfort food, with sauerkraut.” Very yummy.

Also yummy was the sheep’s milk yogurt I had at breakfast.

Off to the meetings. And no, I am not wearing a flannel shirt.

May 2, 2008

Dawn Patrol

Yesterday was a lucky day for me. My tomato plants survived the frost, snug in their little handmade hoodies. My flights were on time, my flights were (relatively) comfortable, and my luggage did not wander off on its own. AND I won a contest. I have never won a contest before in my whole life. And get this – I won ICE CREAM.

Coconut & Lime is my favorite food blog. (You really should check it out and try some of her recipes.) When I was inbetween flights at O’Hare Airport yesterday, I saw the announcement of a contest to win some of the new flavors of Haagen-Dazs ice cream. So I entered. I always enter contests; it’s a case of blind optimisim overcoming decades of painful experience. But yesterday, I won! I don’t know when the ice cream is coming, or what flavors will be in the box, but I’ll let you know.

One of the nice things about jet lag is that it’s really easy, as an East-coaster, to wake up wicked early for a sunrise stroll. San Jose is a very walkable and runnable city. I am staying on the campus of San Jose State University and went for a run last night through the surrounding neighborhoods. This morning I wandered through downtown, enjoying all the public art. While looking for an open coffee shop, I came across a cool memorial to Ernesto Galarza, called Man of Fire.

He was a brilliant author, activist, and organizer who fought for decent working conditions for farm laborers and educational opportunities for all.

The piece looks like a long dining room table, with objects that reflect Galarza’s passions and accomplishments scattered on it.

See this memorial to his life and work, especially since we just celebrated International Labor Day yesterday and Cinco de Mayo on Monday, was a meaningful way to start the day.

I leave in a while to speak at Yerba Buena High School, then to Hicklebee’s for a 4pm event and signing. You’re coming, right? Please? Paleeeeezzzz?

January 29, 2008

Finally!

Chapter 20, which has been giving me fits for days, is finally done. HA! I’m pretty sure it’ll be heavily reworked in the next draft, but for now, it’s good enough and I’m stoked to be moving on.

Is anyone else confused by this?

Along with the very exciting news that I get to move on to chapter 21, today is my long run day and you know what that means, right? OATMEAL! Long runs require extra carbs in the system. My carbohydrate-of-choice at the end of January in a massive bowl of oatmeal.

The fact that I am this excited about oatmeal is a little alarming, I know. But it’s true.

(Stay tuned for some earth-shaking running news coming soon!)

2008 Resolution Tracker
Week 4 – Miles Run: 22, YTD: 84.75
Week 4 – Days Written: 7, YTD:28

Only 48 weeks to go!