If You Have Never Read Good Horror Now is The Time

If You Have Never Read Good Horror Now is The Time.

Horror, spooky and spine tingling scary stories are not my usual choise of genre to read as I snuggle down to bed each eveing, but sometimes it is just as good to find yourself out of your comfort zone in a different style of book as it is in other more energetic activities.

Yvonne Mason gifted me two hard copies of "Satan's Holiday" as a thank you for my contribution to the anthology. As I read the chilling stories within I became even more honoured to be included amongst such incredibly creative authors. Some of the stories are so creepy you'll find yourself glancing over your shoulder or leaving on a night light,..... just to be safe! Satan's Holiday cover0001

One had such a great twist I didn't see coming that I re-read the story with delight once the truth was revealed.  Another almost brought me to tears, it was written with great intrigue and historical facts but also with tenderness and sincerity. Set in ancient Scotland in the early days of Samhain I found this story fascinating especially as I am always captivated by all things to do with my Celtic heritage. I would love to tell you more about this amazing story but no "spoilers" here! :)

This is not a book for the faint hearted and certainly not for children. Even though by choice I am a Children's author, I wrote my ghost story to challenge myself in an alternative genre and am pleased it has been so well received. "A Renovator's Delight" won its first award in an online writng competition for Halloween in 2012 and is now published in this amazing anthology alongside so many other inspirational wonderfully frightening short stories. Renovators Delight Picture0001

If you are interested in a good spooky Halloween this year, or a great scare any other time of the year, why not give "Satan's Holiday" a try.......you might just be surprised!

Available as an ebook at http://www.amazon.com/Satans-Holiday-ebook/dp/B00FJOYLRK/ref=sr_1_1?s

For hard copies please contact me directly.

In Search of Aliens.

Knowing I was about to reveal the cover page for the next exciting chapter book in the mischievous Bradberrie brothers alien adventure series, I went in search of evidence of other life forms somewhere out there in our universe. Perhaps even proof of aliens here on Earth. I visited the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station with high hopes. On entry the sign asked for all mobile phones, laptops etc to be turned off to "Help us listen to whispers from space." Surely I would at least hear something interesting here!P1080328

P1080337 I searched high and low, but to no avail. I found moon rocks, Mars rovers. rocket ships  and even adorned a space suit just in case an alien was hiding in some obscure place too frightened to reveal himself. P1080331It was a very interesting day, I learnt a lot about deep space, the race to the moon and even a whole lot of information about our sun, but no aliens were to be found anywhere here.

So I travelled further afield, down the south coast  to the most southern part of mainland Australia. I had high hopes as I wondered through the rainforests that something unusal may have been lurking in there. I searched the waterways and estuaries and even hiked high up a mountain top. P1080588P1080570

It was only when I arrived on Phillip Island to observe the Little (Fairy) Penguins that I felt that perhaps I had found what I was searching for. These unique little birds stay out at sea for 75% of their life and yet each time they come to land to nest they know exactly where to find the same burrow. It was just like watching aliens, waiting until after dark to sneak to shore, then suddenly (almosy magically) they appear in their hundreds and race across the sand, waddle up bush tracks and find their waiting mates. Calls go out through the night as the party begins, neighbours chat and freinds re-unite. 20130830_046_1Observing the penguins in their native state was not only enchanting, it seemed almost other worldly as they marched on by us totally disregarding the throng of humans eager to catch a glimpse of such a special creature.

Note: The above picture with the penguins is a green screened photo of us superimposed amongst the penguins. Naturally you cannot disturb their march to their burrows, touch the penguins or even get quite this close!  All photography is prohibited with respect for the penguins.

The cover for Alien Shenanigans is revealed! Head on over to my website http://sandrabennettauthor.com/alien-shenanigans/ for a sneak peak!
Alien Shenanigans
sandrabennettauthor.com
Coming Soon! Not much longer to wait! :) There is trouble afoot in Mr Haggardy's classroom. An unexplainable explosion in a science experiment

Gingerbread Alien Sandwhich - a Healthy alternative.

We all love Gingerbread cookies and in this case Gingerbread Alien cookies. While these make great treats on special occasions, mums are usually looking for a healthier alternative for their childen's lunch or after school snack.

With this is mind here are 2 sandwhich suggestions that are both really yummy and fun. :)

1. Peanut Butter/ Gingerbread Alien

1. Spread a slice of bread with peanut butter.

2. Using a gingerbread man cookie cutter cut out shape. (note: I would have preferred to use my 12cm cutter however the bread I had today was too small, so had to use my smaller cutter)

2. Decorate with sultanas for the brains (just as Simon did in the Gingerbread Aliens book), slices of cucumber for the eyes instead of Simon's green lollies and grated carrot for the intestines as an alternative to the orange snake lolly that Simon used.

NOTE: Many kids these days have peanut allergies and therefore can't eat this first sandwhich. The second sandwhich below is a happy and safe alternative.

2. Grilled Cheese / Gingerbread Alien.

1. Butter a slice of bread and add a slice of cheese.

2. Grill in a sandwhich maker or under an open grill until lightly brown.

3. Remove from heat and cut with cookie cutter.

4. Decorate as above with peanut butter sandwhich

Some alternative toppings:- tomato, lettuce, alfalfa, bean sprouts, snow peas

Watch how fast they disappear into hungry tummies! :)

How do you define an Alien?

The other week as I glanced in awe out of my window at the gorgeous scene before me I couldn't help but ponder on the question of how to define what it takes to call something an alien? It was another cold. wet and misty winter  morning  just like the other days of the week had been. The difference being that this morning we had a unique visitor grazing amongst the usual mob of kangaroo. All week there had been sightings from various neighbours of this graceful creature that was virtually unheard of in our little rural part of the world,, but so far it had managed to escape capture on film.  I had seen it briefly once before, my eyes hardly beleiving what they saw as it ran into the trees, up the hill and disappeared. This morning it stood there, serene and splendid amogst the thick fog. I couldn't get a clear picture, the rain was too heavy, but a neighbour had caught a shot the day before of not one but two graceful deer happliy grazing alongside the kangaroos.

Deer in RoyallaNow to most people in the Northern hemisphere a deer sighting might not seem that unusal, but firstly they are not native to Australia, are not usually found roaming wild and free amongst our native animals or wandering into our front paddocks and certainly the most unique and special of all was that one of the deer was white.

As I quietly observed her feed in sheer amazement and glory I couldn't help but ponder on how weird it actually was to experience such a beautiful sight. The deer looked so out of place and yet so at home. She was an alien creature in an alien land and yet she was fitting right in. Then I had the thought that perhaps to others viewing this scene, the kangaroo might appear to be the alien creatures with their tiny front paws, strong hind legs and massive thumping tails.

Webster's New World Dictionary defines an alien as :-

"(adjective)  belonging to another country or people; foreign; strange.

(noun)  1, foreigner    2. a person living in a country of which he is not a citizen."

So I guess that makes the deer an alien to me, but a freindly one that I welcome with open arms and would invite to return to my property on any given day

Putting the dictionary definition aside, how do you define an alien?

Is he an ET type character that we all came to know and love from Steven Spielberg's  1982 classic movie?

Maybe they are the scarier version outlined in the 1986 science fiction movie ALIENS directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver.

The Universe is a very large place to explore, making it possible for aliiens to come in all shapes and sizes depending on our imagination. We can choose to make them friendly, cute and cuddly, curious or even mischievous. The three Bradberrie brothers find out quickly what sort of mayhem a mischief an alien can cause in my upcoming children's alien advetnure sereis for early and reluctant readers.

In Gingerbread Aliens they mix up a whole lot of fun when disater abounds in the kitchen causing a sequence of events that madly tumbles so out of control that not even even the quick minded reader will see what iscoming next. Gingerbread Aliens is available for purchase from the side link.

Book 2, Alien Shenanigans will be released soon. The boys find themselves unwittingly in a whole lot more trouble as they discover the truth behind the alien and try to keep the secret. For more on Alien Shenanigans click on the above page link. Updates on an expected release will be posted there as well as my facebook page. Books 3 through 5 are still in the writing process.

What or who is your favourite Alien?

10 Simple Steps to Make Green Slime!

While Simon is busy making his Gingerbread Aliens his older brother Brian makes Green Slime or as he calls it "Silly Putty Ooze and Goo!" Along with the bread that David is also bakng, the mixtures inevtably get muddled and a whole lot of trouble follows.

After reading the story of Gingerbread Aliens, many kids have often asked me how can they make their own goo?  So finally here are a few simple steps to follow so that you can make your very own slimy goo at home.

You will need:

1 teaspoon borax powder (I substituted washing soda as my supermarket didn't seem to supply Borax)

1 1/2 cups waterP1080142

1/2 cup craft glue (either clear or white)   (Elmers Glue/PVA glue)

Green food colouring

Method:

  1. Add Borax to 1 cup of water, stir to dissolve and then set aside.
  2. Pour glue into a medium mixing bowl and add the remaimg half a cup of water.
  3. Add a few drops of the green food colouring until the desired slime colour is reached.
  4. Stir to mix glue solution until smooth.
  5. Pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture and watch the solids start to form. P1080143
  6. Stir for a few moments and then the fun can begin. :) Use your hands to gather the ball of goo. The slime at this stage will be very soft and wet.
  7. Keep kneading it or playing with it between your fingers and palms until it forms into a stronger blob (eeww!!!) and feels somewhat dry.
  8. Discard excess liquid in the bowl down the kitchen sink.
  9. The more you knead and play with your slime the firmer it will become. Let it droop and slide, have fun. :)
  10. Store in cling wrap, a zip lock bag or an air tight container and it will last and last

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Remember: Goo is for play only not for eating. Adult supervision is recommended.

Be creative, think of all the things you can do with your Goo, but please clean up after yourself so that mum stays happy/ :)

Take photos of your goo, I'm sure Brian, David and Simon would love to know what you do, .......but stay out of trouble!

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Super Sweet Blogging Award

Super Sweet Blogging Award I have been truly honoured once again by recieving a second blogging award. This time by the very wonderful and amazingly kind hearted "Spreading Rays of Hope...a hat a time" who knit the most superb hats for seriously sick kids. Check out their talent and support for children in hospitals at http://knittingraysofhope.wordpress.com/

So the rules for this sweet award are:

1. Thank the Super Sweet Blogger that nominated you.

2. Answer 5 Super Sweet questions.

3. Include the Super Sweet Blogging Award in your blog post.

4. Nominate a bakers's dozen (13) other deserving bloggers.

6. Notify your Super Sweet nominees on their blog.

The 5 Super Sweet Questions.

1. Cookies or Cake?

It would have to be cookies....especially gingerbread alien cookies made, photographed and emailed to me by the kids that have fun reading my book. 1132. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate.

I am definately a bit of a chocoholic :)

3.Favourite Sweet Treat?

Chocolate Mousse, but I also love a great Pavlova with lots of fresh fruit and grated chocolate on top

4. When Do You Crave Sweet Things The Most?

In the evenings while snuggled in front of the fire watching a great movie with my family.

5. Sweet Nick Name?

Can't say anything in particular comes to mind.

Congratulations to my nominees for inspiring me with their sweet words of wisdom, thoughts, kindness and often helpfulness. Reading your blogs encourages me to continue on my path towards helping parents build a better literate future for their children.

Like my kind Knitting Rays of Hope freinds I too am not nominating the full quota of recipients, mainly as I have only recently passed an award on and would prefer to nominate different worthy bloggers to the last time.

http://wherelemonsblossom.wordpress.com/

http://jrbarker101.wordpress.com/

http://seventhvoice.wordpress.com/

http://mysmallpotatoes.com/

http://glynissmyauthor.com/

http://4writersandreaders.com/

http://venerateboutique.wordpress.com/

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

http://www.munchcooking.com/

Hop on into Two Furry Cute Reads.

Freckles the Bunny Series by Vickianne Caswell Illustrated by Allissa Thompson.

Book 1. Freckles is Scared of School. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 1: Freckles is Scared of Schoo

Change can be a frightening thing, particularly when you are small and use to staying home with mum, being able to play all day with familiar toys. When Freckles learns it is time to start school, like any child who is afraid of the unknown Freckles is rather apprehensive.

This is a delightful story about how to manage that feat. As Freckles meets her teacher and makes new friends she learns that school is not the scary place that she imagined it to be afterall. We are introduced to some cute furry friends that are not all necessarily bunnies. Each have their own little quirky traits, like the duck name Donut that runs around in circles all the time, or Dreamy who always falls asleep, they are wonderful concepts that bring memorable life to each individual character.

This is a great book for parents to read to their pre-schoolers to help prepare them for the beginning of the school year, or for teachers to read-aloud during those initial anxious first weeks of Kindergarten. Wonderfully written and illustrated in delightful animal characters this tale will find its way into the hearts of pre-school aged children everywhere.

Book 2. Freckles And The Less Fortunate. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 2: Freckles and the Less Fortu

The heartwarming story of how Freckles learns to give and share with those that are not as comfortable as her own family. Like most kids, Freckles wants everything she sees when she goes shopping with her mum and doesn't understand why she can't have what she asks for. It isn't until a new clasmate arrives that barely has enough food for lunch or toys of her own to play with that Freckles realsies how lucky she really is.

The generosity and kindness in this story is so touching that it nearly brought me to tears. Beautifully written and illustrated it is an excellent read-aloud story for the whole family to enjoy and treasure. Children will learn in a gently guided atmosphere that to give is better than to receive as they read how happy Freckles and her family are when they are able to help other families that are not doing as well as themselves.

Stay tuned for more in this gorgeous little series. I am sure that it is just the beginning as Freckles still has so much more to learn and share with children young and old.

Author Vickianne Caswell. Vicianne Caswell

Vickianne Caswell is married and has one daughter, who has an amazing gift with animals (all animals wild or tame seem to love her). Vickianne was raised an animal lover, in the city and continues to pass that on to her daughter. Vickianne hopes to pass the love and joy of animals to other children through these books. She has been doing writing at home since she was a teenager, after her father got her interested in writing  when he published a poem. She has done a few articles for a small paper on animal care and continues to experience the joy of pet ownership on an acreage where her family lives. New characters may appear, as new animals enter their lives, so stay tuned!

Website - http://freckles-the-bunny-series.weebly.com Facebook Fan Page - https://www.facebook.com/Freckles.The.Bunny.Series

Books Needed For Children's Relief Efforts

Hurricane Sandy may have been last year and we all move on from news so quickly, but for those people still living in the destruction it is still very real to them. Now a tornado has devasted Oklahoma as well and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families effected from this severe weather cell. Lives move on, buildings are replaced, and we wonder what can we do to help when we are so far away? Sending a book to add to a child's library shelf may seem a small gesture, but to a child that gets to read it may be huge!

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! :)

113

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.