Cynthia Is Being Roasted!

Well, not exactly Cynthia, herself.

I'm visiting today at The Book Roast. Stop by and read an excerpt from the latest installment of the adventures of Cynthia and Gus.

Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle will be out around DEC, 2009 (Quake). Get a sneek peek today and maybe win a copy of Cynthia's Attic: The Magic Medallion.

Meanwhile, here's where you can buy the series.

Amazon

Echelon Direct

Protect Our Oceans!

Click at the top to change the fish! Use your mouse to make it swim!
Above all, protect the environment and Earth!

Great News For Mother Earth!

A great weight lifted off my shoulders when I listened to the announcement that the United States has finally agreed to a change in direction on global climate agreements.

Born and raised in Germany comes with a completely different outlook on our environment. Growing up, I was taught in school not to litter. We actually had classes on the subject.

I immigrated from Germany to the United States back in 1991, and remember driving down an Interstate when suddenly, a trash-filled bag from a well known fast food chain, came flying out from the car in front of me. I grabbed pencil and paper and wrote down the license plate number. When I later proudly presented the evidence to a policeman I was laughed at. When you toss as much as a cigarette butt in the country I was raised in, you end up with a hefty fine.

Throughout the years I've made extra efforts to stop some abuse against Mother Earth. I remember a friend asking me to assist him changing the oil and filter on his automobile. When all was finished, my friend carried a plastic bowl with five quarts of used motor oil to his bathroom.

No way! I thought, as he was about to unload the substance into his toilet. I explained to him that one drop of oil renders a bathtub full of drinking water useless, and I volunteered to take the used oil to the local parts store for recycling. Do the math; if my education changed how this person recycled his used motor oil, I saved many bathtubs worth of drinking water.

I'm grateful for the new policy concerning our environment and for a new, more global geared administration. I must say however, an educational process must be in place along with the changes. I'm not sure how it's asked that we protect the earth, when it seems some people can't take care of their problems at home. Animals build soft nests, why can’t we!

Martin Bartloff

Earth Day, 2009

Look for Martin's book, Like A Snowflake In Summer
June, 2009 - Echelon Press

Martin's Blog

Martin's Website

Earth Week at Midland Middle School

Hi everyone!

My name is Valerie Smiser, and this is my very first blog. I am an 8th grader at Midland Middle School, and I’m here to tell you about what’s going on around here for Earth Day!

At school today, everyone wore green shirts. A lot of people rode their bikes to school, too, including me and my friend Ben. You might have heard of Ben, he’s the one who had that trouble last year, with that thing he found in his locker? If not, you can read about it in a book called LOCKER SHOCK! by Pam Ripling.

ANYWAY, after we got to school, we had a special assembly where they passed out energy saving kits. We were supposed to go home and check out our faucets for leaks, lightbulbs for wattage, and unplug things that draw energy when we aren’t using them. We have a water shortage in our area.

At lunchtime, some people came in and set up telescopes in our quad area, and some other groups set up “natural” crafts such as using the sun’s energy to burn your name into a piece of wood. I thought that was pretty dumb, though, because we were also celebrating Arbor Day, and here they were burning holes into tree branches. They did tell us that the trees were already dead, but, I’m just sayin’.

Now I’m at home, and I did find out that the shower in my mom’s room drips. Mom says I’m pretty good with my hands, for a girl (can you imagine a mom saying that?) and she let me tighten up the shower head with a wrench. It seems okay now. Since my dad isn’t around anymore, I pretty much take care of a lot of stuff now.

Our city gave free bus transportation all day. They want people to start riding the bus more and driving their cars less. Since I already ride my bike every day, I’m like doing Earth Day all the time.

Gotta go – time to do my homework!

Valerie,
(as told to author Pam Ripling)

Pam Ripling is the author of middle-grade mystery, LOCKER SHOCK!

Buy it at Quake, Fictionwise or Amazon today! E-book version now available for your Kindle!

Visit Pam at Beacon Street Books.

Earth Day - A Worm's-Eye View

Happy Earth Day, everyone! Wendel Wordsworth here.

Are you part of the Green Generation? I’ve been a member since the day I was born. You guessed it, because I’m a green worm!

Oh, but I’m part of the Green Generation in other ways, too. I conserve energy and recycle. Plant trees and pick up litter. I bet you do whatever you can to keep our beautiful world healthy, too.

And how fun to have a special day set aside to remind us of all we can do to “green up” America. Every little thing makes a BIG difference.

The website EarthDay.net has a lot of “green” tips for students like you and me. Here are just a few things we can all do at school:

Flip the Switch!
• Make signs or stickers as reminders to turn off lights in classrooms or other spaces when they are not in use.
• Request that energy saving light bulbs be used.

The Hot & Cold of It!
• Ask that room doors be closed to trap heat during winter months.
• Report windows that leak air.

Monitor Monitors!
• Check that computers are turned off at the end of each day.
• When not in use, set computers to “sleep mode.”

Recycle!
• Start a school recycling program.
• Conserve paper by using both sides.

Won’t you write in and tell us what special things you did on Earth Day? Do you have a “green” idea not mentioned here? Let us know!

It’s really not hard being “green!”

Wendel Wordsworth
www.WendelWordsworth.com

Celebrating Earth Week

Cynthia's Attic is celebrating something dear to Cynthia and me (Gus). Earth Week. And, we're real excited that so many schools are getting into the Green Scene!


From recycling, getting rid of junk mail (we'd all like to do that, right?), planting a tree, or something as simple as unplugging our cell phone charger when we're not using it, we can all do something.

Just one little something!

Let's all help green the planet!

Also, throughout the week, we'll have other really cool characters giving their views.

Wednesday: A cute little Green (how appropriate!) worm named, Wendel, will be here to share his "up close and personal" views on Earth Day.

Stay tuned! And RECYCLE!

Welcome to the Green Generation!


Mary Cunningham Books

Quake

We Can Learn From the Birds

If you look very closely, you can see 3 Yellow Finches Feasting!

I have a bird feeder outside my office window. Can't see it from my desk, but when I remember to get up from the computer and stretch, I can see them happily devouring sunflower seeds.

We had to go to a smaller wire feeder after the doves and a persistent squirrel pretty much destroyed the first one and ate us out of bird house and home, but now it's filled with colorful songbirds.

At any one time, we have yellow finches, cardinals, sparrows a painted bunting or two and a woodpecker. All sharing. All getting along. Oh, sure, there is some minor squabbling on occasion, but mostly they just mind their own business.

I feel kinda sorry for the doves, because the new feeder is too small for their wide bodies, but the six or seven who had declared ours the only "five-star feeder" on the block are getting so big, they could be be in serious danger by next Thanksgiving!

Uh-oh. Just spotted Mr. Squirrel, sitting on the rail thinking, "Nuts! Why can't I get to the "good eats" anymore? Sorry fella.

Seeing Woody Woodpecker, Mr and Mrs. Cardinal and The Goldy Finch Family feeding, singing, communicating, waiting their turn, made me think.

If all these different bird species can do it, why can't we?

Mary Cunningham Books

Meet Bo (Diddley) Obama!

It's official. The new resident of the White House and the Obama family is Bo, a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog given to the Obama girls as a gift by that Portuguese water dog-lovin' senator himself, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.

A secret meeting apparently took place six weeks ago, and Bo (formerly known as Charlie), was a perfect little gentleman. He sat when the girls sat, stood when the girls stood. He made no toileting errors and did not gnaw on the furniture.

The Obamas have long said they wanted a rescue dog. But the carefully bred PWDs almost never end up in shelters. Bo had been living with another family, but it wasn't a good fit, so the Kennedys acquired him for the Obamas.

As for the rescue pledge, the Obamas came up with a solution intended to lend a serious symbolic note: They're going to make a donation to the D.C. Humane Society.

Guess I'm gonna cut them some slack. No, they didn't go to the local shelter and choose a dog the way we did, but then I'm not (nor is my husband) President of the United States. And, they did sort of "rescue" the dog from a home that wasn't quite right.

So, welcome to the White House, little Bo! What's your opinion?

Here's a link from my previous blog. To find a pet rescue shelter close to you click here.

Read full story from TODAY MSNBC.

To Molly

Our adopted "daughter" Molly - in Maine watching Dad leave shore without her!

She adopted us when she was about 3, at least that's the age we were given by the Miami Animal Shelter. Her first "mom" had died and a neighbor brought Molly into the shelter because there were no relatives to take her. Lucky us.

We'd been considering getting a dog because my husband traveled during the week and he knew I was getting a little lonely. Having always been dog lovers, a small, older pet was our first option.

He missed Molly on his first trip through the shelter, but on a second trip (he felt compelled to give one more look) past the cages of older dogs, there she was; sitting dignantly behind two barking German shepherds. Ken asked to meet her and the rest is history; love at first sight.

Molly left us last October 10, six months to the day. We had 13 years with her, and if we'd had our druthers, we'd have 13 more.

But, back to the picture above. We were visiting dear friends in Maine who lived on a gorgeous lake. The first morning, we got up smelling coffee and welcoming the fresh Maine air; that is until Molly chased a skunk under an outbuilding and returned wearing her own "special scent."

Our friends told us that the "special scent" remained in their home for several months. Fortunately, our friendship has lasted a little longer than that...over 20 years!

I'm sure, in this little tribute, Molly would want me to add a link to the wonderful places that shelter dogs and cats until they find a good home, so here's a list state-by-state. If you want to add a link for your favorite pet adoption shelter, please leave a comment.

Here's to you, Molly Girl.
xoxo, Mom

Baking with Laura Schaefer (The Teashop Girls)

CA: I'm so excited! As you may know, Gus's (and my) favorite thing in the whole world is eating! We're thrilled that our guest today in Cynthia's Attic, is Laura Schaefer, author of The Teashop Girls (Simon & Schuster, Paula Wiseman Books-Dec. 2008). But first, a little bit about the book.

The Official Rules of the Teashop Girls:

1. Teashop girls are best friends forever.
2. Tea is held every week, no matter what.
3. All tea and scones must be split equally at all times.

Annie, Genna, and Zoe have been hanging out at the Steeping Leaf since elementary school. The Teashop Girls do everything together -- at least they used to. With the end of eighth grade approaching, Genna's too busy with theater, Zoe's always at tennis, and Annie feels totally left out. What happened to tea every week, no matter what?

When Annie convinces her grandmother to give her a job as a barista at the Leaf, things begin to look up. In between whipping up chai lattes for customers, and attempting to catch the attention of her Barista Boy crush, Annie is finally beginning to feel as grown-up as her best friends. But an eviction notice spells trouble for the Leaf and unless they can turn the business around, the teashop will have to close its doors forever.

Fresh, honest, and sweet, Laura Schaefer's debut novel is sure to resonate with readers everywhere

CA: Laura has graciously and deliciously posted her Apple Cupcake recipe! You'd better believe I made them and they're amazing! So, without further delay...heeeere's Laura (and her cupcakes)!

My apple cupcake adventure started out when I had a sweet tooth attack coupled with the realization that there was no baking powder in the house. As most bakers know, it's tough to make a cupcake without baking powder. But I did have baking soda, so it wasn't long before I was googling "cupcake+baking soda" and seeing what came up. Not much. Fortunately, I did locate an apple coffeecake recipe that looked delicious and didn't call for baking powder. I figured I'd modify it a bit and see what happened. I value taste before beauty anyway and I always have yummy granny smith apples in my fridge.

I got to work on the mixture and popped it in the oven. Alas, my cupcakes did, indeed, collapse. The 'cakes actually formed nice little concave bowls in which to place the cream cheese frosting. "Works for me!" I thought. The result was truly delicious, albeit best eaten over the sink. There is nothing better than tea and cupcakes. Yum.

Here is the recipe. I added baking powder to it, in the hopes that your efforts might turn out a little more rounded. Good luck!


Apple Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Ingredients
8 tablespoons butter, divided
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large tart apple, cored and chopped
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Prepare a cupcake pan with paper liners.
3. Cream 5 tablespoons butter and 1 cup sugar. Add egg and milk and beat well. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and apples. Batter will be stiff. Spoon into prepared cupcake pan. Bake about 25 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and remaining butter. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Frost the cupcakes after they've cooled. Makes 12.

"The Teashop Girl, Laura Schaefer"

CA: Yum, Laura! They look delicious, especially with those cream cheese bowls! Hope everyone enjoyed my guest today, but I gotta run! Off to bake more muffins (and to read Teashop Girls!)

The Teashop Girls - Amazon

The Teashop Girls - IndieBound

Laura Schaefer Website

Mary Cunningham

"Discover the Magic in Cynthia's Attic"

The Teashop Girls

The Teashop Girls author, Laura Schaefer will post a scrumptious apple cupcake recipe Tuesday, April 7th! Right here!

Meanwhile, here's a TV interview with Laura that's really cool.

Morning Blend TV interview with Laura Schaefer

Amazon
IndieBound

How Bad Is The Economy?

Cats can be so dramatic!

(thanks to friend, Kim for the laugh - hey, we might as well laugh!)

Zamora's Ultimate Challenge - M. K. Scott

Cynthia's Attic is thrilled to host author, M. K. Scott and the release of her 'Tween fantasy, Zamora's Ultimate Challenge.

About the Author:

M.K. Scott, a total book fiend and a horse lover extraordinaire, is both a children s book author and adult fiction author. She is currently writing two mystery series (the Wine Lovers Mysteries and the Horse Lovers Mysteries) for Berkeley Prime Crime. When she's not hanging out with her kids and trying to keep them in line, she teaches creative writing to middle school kids. Her love for horses keeps her busy, but not as busy as her writing. Right now she is juggling ideas for about 8,456,342 ideas for new stories to write. Her imagination often keeps her awake at night, but she doesn't mind as she is constantly meeting new people and "things" even if it is only in her mind. M.K. lives in San Diego, CA with her super-cool husband, and her equally cool three kids, two dogs, two cats, and two horses.

Synopsis:


Mason and Carter Clover only agree on two things--their baby sister Isabella is a royal pain and their favorite video game, Zamora s Ultimate Challenge, is totally awesome. But fantasy turns to reality when Zamora s evil face appears across the brothers television screen. Claiming to have kidnapped Isabella, the queen challenges the boys to a daring rescue before she takes over their
sister's soul. Zamora s plan is to use the baby as a human vessel to travel to Earth and dominate the world. Once the brothers figure out how to get inside the video game, they are hurled into the magical land of Boysen where they meet their helpful guides: a sage, a quirky mermaid, and a Pegasus (who flies them to each thrilling level of the video game).



Racing against time, the brothers search for their sister, encountering a myriad of dangerous enemies including stinging fairies, haunted Master Souls, and brutish, knife-wielding pirates. Can they beat each level of the game while being hunted by a fire-breathing dragon, stalked by a robotic shark, and terrorized by acid-poop-bombing pterodactyls? Driven by the powerful bonds that unite siblings, Mason and Carter are determined to face their fears and will stop at nothing to bring Isabella home...but first they must survive Zamora s Ultimate Challenge!

M. K. is giving away prizes! Check her site for more information.

M. K. Scott website
Quake (Echelon Imprint)

Discover the Magic in Cynthia's Attic

Going Home Can Be Fun!

In case you can't read the sign, that's my name at the bottom!

Last month, I was asked to present Young Author writing awards at Corydon Intermediate School (4-5-6 grades) in Corydon, Indiana (Southern Indiana, in case you're wondering). Despite having a lot of fun going back to my hometown and being included in an event that is near and dear to my heart-young writers and readers-it was also a little strange because CIS used to be the old high school.

Hate to tell you how many times I attended basketball games, played volleyball, sat through boring school assemblies, or danced at post-basketball game sockhops in that same gym!

Never, in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd ever stand on that gym floor, in front of people-filled bleachers and have to talk! Yikes! Quite an experience.

I also had the privilege to speak to my dear friend, Barbara Smith's 4th grade class. I spent almost an hour answering questions about my series, writing in general and just having fun...in the same room where I sweated through (barely passed) Algebra I!

Barbara (we played together as kids and went to high school together) saw the irony, too. We had a good laugh over the strict atmosphere of that same class. In fact, she frequently mentions our old Algebra teacher to her students and tells them if they aren't quiet, Miss Eskew's spirit just might have some choice words for them!

I'll post more pictures of my visit in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, "neener-neener-neeeeeeener, Miss Eskew! I spoke for an hour in your classroom, and lived to tell about it!

Mary

If you want to check out my series, go to Quake
or, my website: Mary Cunningham Books