Category: Mouse’s Christmas Gift

Author life, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Churches in Czech Republic…home of Mouse?

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This summer my husband and I traveled to the Czech Republic.  So many adventures and cultural experiences!  For example, do you know what this is?  
What about this?

Or, what if you are in the middle of a romantic dinner for two and the waitress brings you this.  What would you do with it?
Give up?  The next thing that happens is that she pours hot water on it and it expands into this:

                                          

Of course!  A perfect towel for when you are finished peeling the prawns you ordered!!

We even rented a car and drove through the countryside to the little town of Malenovice. (Kudos to my friend Donna and my husband Doug for being willing to drive!)
Thanks to Mouse and my upcoming book, I think I’ve become a bit obsessed with little white churches! Check out these cool churches we visited along the way during our trip.  I know Mouse would love to live in this beautiful church in Malenovice.

He would also love these two churches in the little village of Ostravice.  This one was high on a hill, overlooking the village below.

                                                                    What a view!

This is the second church we found in Ostravice.
And I must include a few photos showing the charm and beauty of Prague!  

Mouse may even like to pack his bags and live in a castle or a cathedral…

But knowing Mouse, he probably would just like to visit the Czech Republic.  There is nothing like home, sweet home!

Author life, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Church in Chesapeake..home of Mouse?

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Opinions, please!  What church do you think Mouse would live in?  October 2018 is still a distant date, but I’m waiting with great anticipation. In the meantime, I find myself dreaming about how the illustrator, Dow Phumiruk, is going depict the church.

This year for Spring Break, I had the opportunity to travel to Chesapeake Bay, in West Virginia.

 While I was there, I loved the churches!  On Sunday, I attended one that reminded me of my story.  I could picture Mouse living there.  Can you guess which one it is?  How does it compare to the other choices I found on Google images?  Which one is your favorite and why? Which one do you think Mouse should live in?

A.

B. 

C.

D.

E. 
Mouse's Christmas Gift

Legend of Keyser’s Ridge

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Legend of Keyser’s Ridge

In my current WIP I have a location I have named Keyser’s Ridge.  You might be wondering if Keyser’s Ridge actually exists–and the answer is YES–in Maryland.  You can look it up on the Internet if you are interested.

For my book, I am exploring the name in my mind and inventing ideas as to why is it called Keyser’s Ridge.  I have created 5 reasons behind the name. I would love to hear from you! What is your favorite reason why the Ridge might be called Keyser’s Ridge?  Or for all of you creative types, I would love to hear your idea why the ridge is called Keyser’s Ridge.

REASON 1
Keyser is the name of the family in town with a large dairy farm.  The ridge runs just past their property line.

REASON 2
Keyser is a local resident who has discovered a large coal mine on his property–he has become a large donor for several community buildings including the school and the sheriff’s office.

REASON 3
A train robbery occurred near the town and Keyser was the name of the sheriff who arrested the outlaws.

REASON 4
The Keyser’s were newlyweds who had just moved to town.  Unfortunately they tragically died in a severe winter storm.

REASON 5
Old Man Keyser lost his wife and struggled with alcoholism after that.  He tragically drowned while fishing.  His abandoned cabin still sits near Keyser’s Ridge, and teenagers tell tales of supernatural experiences when they visit the cabin late at night.

  What’s your idea?  I would love to hear from you!

Mouse's Christmas Gift

Widow Barthomew’s Strawberry Jam

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Widow Bartholomew brings a jar of strawberry jam with her for the Christmas Eve party.  I wanted strawberry for the color–it seemed Christmasy and festive, even in a small community hit by hard times.  At the link below you can find directions telling you how to make your very own strawberry jam.  Good luck!  I would love to hear how it turns out!  And of course, if you have a recipe you would like to share–feel free!

Author life, Mouse's Christmas Gift

Mouse-sized World

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I’ve been thinking about what Mouse’s living quarters must look like in Parson’s church.  I picture it similar to the scene in the children’s book by Audrey and Don Wood entitled, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear.

As a child, I loved the book series The Littles, by John Peterson.  I read each of those books over and over!  I also had a doll house.  I don’t remember actually playing with the doll house, but what I loved to do was make my own furniture and accessories for it.  You know, like take a sticker and “frame” it for the artwork on the wall. Or use a toothpaste lid stuffed with a dab of play dough for a “vase” that a little twig could stick into. Or find a little box and a fabric scrap and fashion them into a bed.  You get the idea.  The illustrations in The Littles books inspired me, and I loved to think of what a miniature world would look like.  Nowadays there is Pinterest.  I browsed for awhile and came up with a few projects to share.  I’m pretty sure Mouse would love a few of these in his living quarters.  Aren’t they adorable?  Which project looks fun to you?