16 Simple Steps to Cook a Gingerbread Alien.

Have fun cooking your very own Gingerbread Aliens. Ask an adult to help you.

Take some photos of your yummy creations and send them in, I'd love to post them here.:) P1060339

Ingredients

  • 125g softened butter or margarine
  • 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) golden syrup
  • 1 egg
  • 3 cups self raising flour (gluten free flour also works)
  • 1 tbls ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • snakes, jubes, sultanas, honey to decorate (may also use gluten free jellies)  P1060335

Method

  1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees C.
  2. Line 2 oven trays with baking paper.
  3. Use an electric mixer to beat sugar and golden syrup together in a large bowl until creamy.
  4. Add the egg and beat until combined.
  5. Add the flour, ginger, cinamon and cloves, stit with a wooden spoon until combined.
  6. Use your hand to knead until smooth.
  7. Cover and rest in refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
  8. Divide the dough into 2 portions.
  9. Roll one portion out on a lightly floured surface to about 4-5mm thickness.
  10. Use a 12cm gingerbread man pastry cutter to cut out shapes.
  11. Reshape the head by pushing in the sides to elongate and make more tiangular.
  12. Alternatively for those more creative, do not use a cutter, use a blunt kitchen knife to shape by cutting freehand.
  13. Use a skewer to poke two holes for nostrils and draw a thin line for a mouth.
  14. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes.
  15. As soon as gingerbread aliens come out of oven, decorate with sultanas and honey together for brains, snakes for intestines and lollies for eyes. Aliens need to be hot for lollies to stick while cooling.
  16. Repeat with remaining dough, rolling and re-rolling gingerbread.

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These gorgeous treats were made by Peter and Emma. There mum said "I just have to stop the kids eating too many aliens at once! They are still decorating some today so it was a good school holiday activity."

Thanks Helen, I'm glad Peter and Emma had so much fun reading the book and making their very own gingerbread aliens. :)

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Submitted by Sean who says, "I made these for school during Book Week. They were very yummy and a huge success!"

Thanks Sean, I adore the glowing alien he looks rather scrumptious! So pleased the kids in your class enjoyed eating them as much as you enjoyed making them! :)

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Saddle Up for an Amazingly Entertaining Read

Cover picWhether you are young or merely young at heart this is a story to delight. Told through the wise old eyes of "Pie An Old Brown Horse" (That Knows What He Is Doing), you will ride through the world of stables and Equestrian competitions, caring for people and animals alike. Let Pie nuzzle up by your side and whisper in your ear as you read his amazing tale. Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo allows Pie to come to life as he personally tells his story from being a deserted old work horse left to rot in a paddock forgotten and photo2unloved to becoming  rescued to live out his days caring for others and by others in stables where the "Keeper" is a compassionate and hard working woman who will do anything to take care of the animals within her charge.

Horse lovers will adore this story as will any child contemplating taking care of their very own horse. City childern who have never had the opportunity to experience raising or working with animals will get a feel for country life and empathise with these majestic animals. Country kids will relate to the difficulties and joys of working with and taking care of animals every day.

Pie makes you develop compassion for the horses under the care of 'The keeper" as he carefully and profoundly explains how each horse gradually came to find themselves at the stables. The revelations of how some of the previous owners treated them can be quite shocking and devastating.

There are also moments of surprise and joy as Pie gently steers his "little one" through her childhood, helping her to grow in confidence and strength. Once she becomes a teenager and moves on in the world, Pie fears he is no longer needed again until he realises the importance of becomg a therapy horse to other children in need of special care. It is very touching to read what a signifant difference he makes in the lives of autistic children simply by allowing them to ride such a gentle natured soul.

Entwined through Pie's amazing life story are not only the tales of the other lovable horses like Flurry, a skittish little mare that is frightened by nearly everything that moves and Dusty the dark gelding that is head of the herd, but chickens that roosted in Rebel's stall  as he enjoyed their company. You will also meet the stray cat and her adorable kittens that came in search of shelter and found a family and the overly large racoon that began to eat the chickens but the keeper was not game enough to tangle with him so a compromise was reached and he was happily fed cat food everyday thereafter.

This is a story of survival, courage,  companionship and true friendship between horses and people who care and love them. So saddle up and allow Pie to take you on a journey, at times it is like a stroll through an open feild on a breezy summer day, other times it is a gallop through a wintry storm or a fun canter along a winding trail but no matter what the weather, it is all one heck of a ride!

Author Kandy Kay Scaramuzza.  photo3

Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo is a seventh generation Texan who has her own brick at The Cowgirl Museum. She has taught in alternative education for over twenty years. Ms.Scaramuzzo is a member of the 2012 Strathmore's Who's Who. She has a BA in Criminology and MAedCT. She works in horse, dog, cat and snake rescues. Ms. Scaramuzzo has been a tester observer for therapy dogs for nine years. She ran a therapy horse riding program for autistic children for five years. She has been a recognized animal behaviorist for over 20 years. This is her first book about an exceptional horse. She feels it is important to give back to maintain the balance of a civilized society.

My Very First Blog Award (the Liebster Award)

liebster award

Many thamks to J. R. Barker for granting me the honour of  nomination for this award it is received with much appreciation.

"Liebsters Award is a way for blogs with less than 200 followers to connect with other bloggers, share a little more about you, and a way to help promote other small blogs"

How does this work? Here are the rules.

Post 11 random fact about yourself.

Answer 11 Questions from your Nominator.

Visit the other 1o blogs that were nominated with you.

Nominate 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers and ask them 11 questions - NO TAG BACKS!

Visit your Nominees and let them know they won the award.

Ring of Kerry

11 Random Facts about myself.

  1. I love to go bushwalking even though I have two left feet which inevitably cause all sorts of problems.
  2. I am constantly on the lookout for more native trees to plant on our property which will help encourage the native birds and animals to feel welcome.
  3. Fairies nest at the bottom of my garden, (ok they are fairy wrens) but it sounds good!
  4. I've hunted for the Loch Ness Monster and skipped stones across the Loch with my sons in true adventure style.
  5. Searched for Leprechauns under rocks and shrubs around the lakes of the "Ring of Kerry" in Ireland.
  6. Sipped champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower like a true romatic heroine.

    Top of the Eiffel Tower

  7. Rode a camel at sunset along Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia.
  8. Swum under a waterfall in an Outback waterhole.
  9. When I am not writing or reading I am creating stained glass windows.
  10. I adore sunsets, red wine, good comapny and a warm fire on a cold winter evening.
  11. When all is said and done, there's no place like home!

Cable Beach

Python pool Millstream National Park.

Questions to me.

  1. What is your favourite children's book? Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French. Simple, yet very cute and clever.
  2. Who's your favourite story tale villain? Professor Severus Snape. J.K. Rowling wrote a fantastic antagonist and Alan Rickman portrayed him superbly. You love to hate him and yet he has a lost soul you can't help but feel sorry for.
  3. Who's your favourite story tale hero? Who else? Harry Potter! Need I say more! Thanks to Jo Rowling so many more kids started reading again!
  4. What's your favourite fairy tale? Rumpelstiltskin (I just love saying that name and hearing kids try to read it), but then I love Snow White and all the seven dwarves. Far too many fairy tale choices.
  5. What's your favourite childhood memory? Family days out in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. Where we had picnics, bushwalks, apple picking, BBQ's and toffee apples to munch on all the long drive home.
  6. Sweet or Savoury? Can't go past a bit of chocolate, but I lean more towards the savoury platter these days.
  7. What genre of books do you prefer?  I read an abundance of children's books both for my own writing and when I was a teacher as well as a general love of them, but really enjoy  historical fiction as they take me to places I get to learn about while I immerse myself in the lives of the characters.
  8. Watching sport or playing sport? Definately watching sport. When my youngest son played soccer I really got into being  one of those soccer mum's on the sidelines, (although I said I never would).
  9. Cats or dogs? Dogs, we've always had one of man's best friends in the family.
  10. Name one story book that you feel has touched your life or changed it in some way. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. From the minute I read these as a ten year old and entered through the wardrobe into a world full of fantasy and imagination I knew I too wanted to write.
  11. Name one act of kindness that you have witnessed. I had a flat tyre at the supermarket a while back. A very kind gentleman noticed the problem while I was busy loading the weeks groceries into the boot. He offered to change the tyre for me. In return I offered to buy him a coffee or even lunch to which he declined saying it was all part of his civic duty.

My Nominees.

(I am extremely knew to blogging so my list of other bloggers is quite small. My apolgies if a few of my nominees have gone slightly over the limit.)

http://canberraluxurytours.com/

http://claudiaowen.wordpress.com/

http://blog.birthjourneys.com.au/

http://alisonwriteruk.wordpress.com/

http://tutordoctorofwny.wordpress.com/

http://triotravelogue.wordpress.com/

http://warriorechidna.blogspot.com.au/

http://notyouraveragelassie.blogspot.com.au/

http://hazelwest.blogspot.com.au

http://www.wrevs.blogspot.com.au/

http://damyantiwrites.wordpress.com

My Questions to you.

  1. What has been your greatest adventure in life?
  2. Who is your favourite Action or Super Hero?
  3. What do you consider to be yout greatest strength?
  4. If you were a Super Hero what would your special power be?
  5. Tea or Coffee?
  6. Name your favourite binge food while reading or writing?
  7. What was your favourite subject at school?
  8. What is your all time favourite movie that you have watched over and over again?
  9. Which is better, the book or the movie?
  10. When do you prefer to read? In the afternoon sun or tucked up in bed late at night?
  11. Who has inspired you in your life?

Did you wear your towel on May 25?

'DON'T PANIC!' in the immortal words of Douglas Adams from The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, I forgot too! Never mind, we all get another chance same time next year. For those of you who may wonder what on earth this peculiar idea is all about, towel day celebrates the life and works of the above mentioned Douglas Adams (1952-2001). http://towelday.org/

I was lucky enough to discover his quirky sense of humour as a teenager when I first read The Hitch Hikers Guide and its "trilogy in five parts". I then followed along eagerly each week for the next installment of the TV series and finally the movie when it was at last released in 2005. By then my eldest son had reached his teens and also appreciated the humour of Douglas Adams. It was wonderful to be able to share the experience of  both the book and film with him. I'm sure he didn't forget to wear his towel on Saturday, but as he now lives on the opposite side of the country to me he neglected to remind me. As a starving uni student he had even been known to attend fancy dress parties dressed as Arthur Dent in his dressing gown and towel.

Authors and their characters can have such an impact on our lives. Take J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter for example. Think of how many children all around the world have found the delight of books and reading through her wonderful imagination and story telling. It was amazing to watch thoussands of children dress up as theri favourite characters each time a new book or movie was released.

I believe it is wonderful to see our children reading no matter what the genre.  All fantastic authors need to be celebrated and thanked for bringing joy, imagination, entertainment and knowlede to our youth. Most of us have memories of growing up reading at least one favourite special author. That may change as we grow from childhood to our teenage years, my sons went from Paul Jennings to John Marsden and on to Douglass Adams with a whole lot of other fantastic authors in between including J.K. Rowling. At least their tastes were varied so that they read a wide range of material on offer and kept an open mind to the possibilties of the delights of different genres.

Is there a special place in your heart for a particular author that brought meaning to reading while you grew up? Do you ever take a moment to celebrate or thank that author for their work? I'd love to hear who it was and why?

Thanks to my awesome blogging freind JR Baker for reminding me about this  years Towel Day. http://jrbarker101.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/happy-towel-day-the-awesome-power-of-reading/

I'd like to close with one last quote from Douglass Adams, "So long and thanks for all the fish!'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbGNcoB2Y4I

Have fun reading.

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I Am A Self-Confessed Bookaholic

Ok, I admit it! I am addicted to books even more so than chocolate!

When it comes to reading there is nothing like the smell and touch of a real book. The aroma of the freshly pressed ink, the feel of the paper as your fingers glide across to turn the page.

A line of paperbacks resting neatly in a row along the bookshelf beckoning you over to scan their contents.

As for a bookshop, I haven't a hope in passing by one without venturing inside inevitably to depart arms loaded with more reading material than I have a hope of finding the time to wade through.

I can't stand to borrow a book from someone else, if I'm going to read it, I have to own it myself. To be placed on my shelf for all time. (Maybe one day I just might get around to re-reading it).

A lot of my children's books that I have bought over the years have been used over and over again. They are an invaluable resource to be used in the classroom, and I treasure them.

Diary of a wombat

Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French is  my all time favouite children's story. The wombat is such a lovable character that manages to get into so much trouble using so little dialogue and simple yet gorgeous illustrations. I have used this book in lessons with Kindergarten through to year 6 and it never ceases to surprise and delight the students in my classes.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak are two more children's books I can't go past when it comes to children's literature and their educaWhere the Wild Things Aretion.

I love books of all shapes and sizes, especially big colourful books for little kids.

Books that make them laugh and have fun.

The GruffaloBooks that entertain during the learning process.

When I was still teaching my favourite part of the day was always the literacy block.  I am passionate about helping litle ones learn to read and it always gave me so much joy to watch their reading skills grow in cofidence until they became independent readers. When I had the opportunity to teach ESL and Literacy Assistance I was happier than ever as I was teaching reading all day! I admit the hardest time in my classes came when we use to have "DEAR" time (Drop Everything And Read).When the time was up and we had to move onto the next lesson I found that even I (the teacher) had trouble putting down my book. So I understood when there was always at least one person somewhere up the back of the classroom so engrossed in their novel they found it very difficult to re-join the rest of us.

One year I had a year 4 class I decided to read Roald Dahl's The Witches to. Before I began to read each day I signalled the time by donning my own witches hat. Instantly the class knew it was time for the book. They packed away and sat quietly ever eager to hear and laugh along with Mr Dahl's marvelous story telling.

Another year whThe WitchesHow to train your dragonile I had Kindergarten I used a dragon puppet and read How to Train Your Dragon  by Cressida Cowell. Each lunchtime while they ate, the dragon and I read the story to an enraptured silently chewing audience.

I can think of nothing better than to engage children in the love of books when they are young and beginning to learn. That is what has prompted me to write my own series of books for early and reluctant readers. I want to continue to share the joy that books have brought into my world with the next generation of readers so that they are able to grow and fulfill their own dreams and passions in life.

 
 
 
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Reading is for all Seasons.

P1060968 As the weather begins to close in around Canberra, the Autumn leaves are ablaze of maginficent bursts of reds and oranges. They whirl and tumble through the winds enabling piles of glorious crackling and shuffling underfoot. Fog and frost blanket the mountains and valleys that surround my little rural community and reminds me that winter is creeping up on me very quickly. Now is the time to sit in the sun on the verandah (out of the wind) and read a good book before the weather closes in.

Mind you I can't wait to read in a comfy chair in front of a warm glowing fire with a hot cup of tea (or maybe a glass of red wine) beside me either.

Meanwhile in the Northern Hemisphere Spring has everyone excited and preparing for the long hot Summer months ahead. This means holidays and plenty of hours to spend reading that favourite book. Whether at home, camping or a simple day at the beach, there is always time for a little self indulgent quiet reading.

Whether you and your family are packing to go skiing in the Snowy Mountains this winter or you are planning a trip to the seaside for some much needed rest and recreation, don't forget to pack the books for the kids too! Not only do you need some down time, but so do they.

Reading over the summer months or any holidays keeps the kids minds mentally active and is just as important as physical activity.

  • Reading keeps the mind stimulated.
  • Encourages imagination and creativity.
  • Promotes healthy discussion and debate.
  • Enhances divergent thinking.
  • Increaes skills and abilities.
  • Relieves boredom.
  • Is a lot of fun.
  • Promotes opportunities to snuggle and share as you read together.IMG_0395

Thinking of that last point, I was at a neighbours house yesterday and she showed me her "Story Chair." A delightful place to sit and cuddle with her grandchildren while reading a favourite book together. One of which just happens to be my book, Gingerbread Aliens. (One of her grandsons likes to sleep with it under his pillow as he is so proud to have an autographed copy). She told me how the chair use to sit outside on the verandah but was unusable there as it tended to habour so many redback spiders it was not an inviting place to sit. Now the "Story Chair" has a very special place inside where everyone can enjoy it so much more! I thought this was such a wonderful idea I asked if I could share it with everyone. Imagine if we all had our very own special "story chairs" to read with our kids or grandchildren, I think we would all make the time to read with them a lot more no matter what the weather happens to be like, winter or summer.This is a great spot to snuggle under a blanket and keep warm and read in winter or a cool spot to relax and read in summer. I just love it! :)

Before I close I just wanted to add this spectacular clip I have reblogged from http://jrbarker101.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/on-the-joy-of-books/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVcQnyEIT8&feature=player_embedded

If you don't already love books with their wonderful characters and the amazing places that you find inside them, this will surely help you see the life of books in a new way. It reminded me of  a fabulous book that was made into a movie when my kids were little, "The Pagemaster," by David Kirschner. I have always loved the concept of the characters in all my books on my shelf coming to life at night while we sleep.

Have fun reading. :)

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Curiosity Killed the Cat

To quote Glenn Shorrock of the Little River Band from the 1970's "Curiosity killed the Cat" is the perfect character description for Mrs Witherbottom, the nosy neighbour living next door to David, Brian and Simon Bradberrie in Gingerbreasd Aliens. She is curious about everything that goes on in her neighbourhood, sometimes to her own detriment.  She is the typical interfering neighbour who must know everything about everyone much akin to the delightful Gladys Kravitz of the much loved 1960's sit-com Bewitched. Forever peering out of the front curtains or over the back fence, Mrs Witherbottom is always poking her nose into everybody else's business. Unwittimgly, in Mrs Witherbottom's attempts to involve herself in the bizzare events that surround the three brothers disaster in their kitchen, she becomes entangled in a whopper of a tale and circumstances that escalate quickly out of her control.Mrs Witherbottom0001 I have had many people ask me "Where did I come up with the idea for this wonderful character?"  To be honest, I think she has been bubbling away in my mind for years. Fortunately I can admit that she is not a representation of any one neighbour we have had in particular, but rather the cuddly friendly sort of figure you wouldn't mind having as a neighbour as long as she kept a little more to herself. I have a rather soft spot for Mrs Witherbottom, she is a lonely charactaer that is crying out for friends but in her desperate attempt for attention tries a liitle too hard. At least her little dog is faithful and will happily follow wagging its tail, wherever she goes,

On school visits, I have asked children if they have known a busy-body neighbour like Mrs Witherbottom? Surprisingly many laugh and nod in agreement. I think that is one reason why children love this character so much,  they can relate to her just as much as the brothers with their sibling rivalry.

Recently I made a return visit unexpectedly to the street where my boys spent their early childhood. It was a small suburban cul-de-sac where everyone knew each other very well. My husband and I were lucky enough to meet up with a couple of our ex-neighbours and to my delight and laughter it didn't take them long to fill us in on all the gossip over the past ten years of the lives  (and loves), of the people in just about every house in the street! Mres Witherbottom was alive and well even though she was living within a mix of quite a few people.

These days I am lucky to live in a quiet rural estate where the neighbours are so far apart you think twice before walking next door. We usually drive, ride a motor bike or  bush buggy depending on whether we are gathering fresh vegetables from a neighbours garden or just popping over for a chat. It's a great community where everyone is friendly, will give you a wave as you drive by, happy to stop for a cuppa and a catch up, or be there whenever they might be needed. I'm lucky enough to be able to say with yet another quote, this time from the Neighbours thene song, it's where "good neighbours become good friends." We even have a Saturday morning ritual where five of us mum's take time out from our busy schedule to meet amd walk our dogs for about one and a half hours around the valley. I'm not sure who enjoys the exercise and interaction more, us or the dogs!

In truth though my favoutite neighbours that stop by would have to be the wild ones!

A wombat making an unusual house call one eveing at our neighbours place. They usually don't come out till after dark.

An ecidna cam for a surprise visit one afternoon while we were all out gardening.
An ecidna came for a surprise visit one afternoon while we were all out gardening.

As a teacher or parent reading Gingerbread Aliens with my kids, what are the lessons to be learnt from Mrs Witherbottom and the interaction she has with the boys?

Compassion

Empathy

Understanding

Co-operation

Respect

Values

Curiosity, can be a good thing, you can use it to learn and grow, but sometimes a little too much curiosity is not always beneficial. Sometimes neighbours (and friends) like to keep to themselves. Privacy can be appreciated just as much as a welcomed freindly hello! Getting the balance right is what keeps neighbours living and communicating happily togther.

Classic middle child syndrome.

David Bradberrie0001

Gingerbread Aliens is told through the eyes of David Bradberrie. He displays all the typical traits of a middle child. He is use to being the quiet under achiever, almost lost and forgotten in the family and happy to keep the status quo. If there is one thing David does not like, it is being caught in the middle of all the inevitable mischief he and his two brothers always find themselves in. Brian is the classic gifted and talented older brother. Full of ideas and scientific theories, he'll push the limits of the envelope in the interest of research and development every time.

Simon is the much loved baby of the family who can do no wrong. He is a scallywag and practical joker as he knows he can get away with evreything he tries.

Poor David is a nervous wreck! It doesn't matter what he tries to do, his brothers lead him further and deeper into trouble.

As a parent reading Gingerbread Aliens with our children what are the lessons that can be learnt?

Treat each of our children equally? I don't think so! Treat each of our children as individuals.  - That's better. :)

It is important to remember that each of our children although raised in the same household in the same manner, still have their very own unique characteristics, needs and wants. We may try to bring them up the same but they will have their own ideas and will respond accordingly. It goes back to the old nature verses nurture question. I am a believer in the theory that the two go hand in hand. We raise our children to the best of our abiltiy and teach certain moral standards or expectations but at a certain point nature kicks in and their personality develops from within. Whether that is genetic, linking back through many generations of our family tree or simply a product of their own self development.

It is especially important to the middle child to be treated as an individual, someone who can feel special and unique. In the busy day to day running of life it is easy to forget the middle child. We are so busy praising the triumphs of the first sibling and hugging the "baby" we forget to take time for the one in the middle.

It's easy to make time by doing things togther as a family. Swimming, picnics, fishing, bushwalking are all family oriented and lots of fun, but the problem is the middle child is still lost amongst the crowd. Mum and dad are still giving attention to all three siblings. What the middle child needs (and in fact the other siblings too) is time out to shine on a regular basis, with one parent. With our boys for example, our middle son went to archery with his dad every Sunday. Time to interact alone with dad and feel worthy of his time. Our eldest son had weekly piano lesons. Admittedly either one of us could take him, but he could also choose to practice with whichever parent listening that he wanted. The youngest son loved playing soccer. He had great team spirit and enjoyed dad watching his game every Saturday morning. Sometimes even I was allowed to attend, especially when our team was on canteen roster!

Being a parent of three siblings can be tricky, but with a little careful planning and awareness we can muddle through. Somehow they manage to grow up to be unique and wonderful independent individuals that we can be very proud of.

Gingerbread Aliens

Gingerbread Aliens Book one in a series of five short chapter books for early readers. Full of fun, laughs, a bit of science, imagination, sibling rivalry and wonderful illustrations by Hayley Welsh.

Entice your young readers with a glimpse into intrigue, fun and hilarious moments when three mischievous brothers discover the snow balling effects of their mistakes rather than facing the consequences of their initial disaster! A great read for ages 4-10 and beyond. Gingerbread Aliens is full of fun, laughter and entertainment that will have children and their parents giggling all the way to the end.

View trailer  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh6XG4WNUTg

Available for purchase at

www.gingerbread-aliens.com

http://www.amazon.com/Gingerbread-Aliens-ebook/dp/B009G4BDEI

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gingerbread-aliens/id569972135?mt=11