Love, Laughter, and Life

June 30, 2026
by Angie 2 Comments

Author Interview: Finley: A Moose in Chartreuse by Candace Spizzirri

Oh, I love me some picture books, especially when a trip to Paris is in order! With a friendly moose, no less! I’m excited to welcome back picture book author Candace Spizzirri! Candace is here to share about her newest picture book, FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE!

Welcome, Candace! We can’t wait to hear more about that adorable moose, Finley!

Thanks so much, Angie, for having me on your blog again!

Hello picture book lovers, young and old! (Because picture books are perfect for ALL ages!)

Do you enjoy stories full of adventure? Ones about following your dreams? Are you partial to adorable animals?

Meet Finley, the friendliest moose!

I mean, how could anyone resist that face?

I know I can’t, thanks to Chantelle & Burgen Thorne, Finley’s fabulous illustrators!

Chantelle & Burgen Thorne did such a fabulous job illustrating Finley and his adventures! So much personality! I can’t resist that face either!

Candace, for those of us who are just hearing about Finley, before we get to the new book, can you tell us about your inspiration for the first book about this amazing moose?

In book 1: FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE…

“Rules are rules” and wild animals aren’t allowed on trains…or so says Conductor Jones.

Young adventurers will fall in love with Finley, a friendly moose with a toothy grin who wants nothing more than to ride the rails across Alaska and beyond. Prepare for giggles when Finley finds a costume shop and tries to pass for anything but wild, only to have Conductor Jones see right through these disguises. Fortunately, Finley has something Conductor Jones doesn’t see coming – heart and determination – showing us all that there are some rules in life that are meant to be changed.

The idea for FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE came to me a number of years ago on a trip to Alaska. I fell in love with the gorgeous scenery and while visiting the town of Talkeetna, a moose wandered about to the delight of tourists, then disappeared by the railroad tracks into the woods. In this quaint town, I happened upon a little shop called Once in a Blue Moose and the spark for Finley, a moose who longs to ride the rails, was born.

Thanks for introducing us to Finley! I love that he is so friendly. Now, on to your new book! Tell us MORE about Finley!!

In book 2: FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE…

Finley, the beloved “moose on the caboose,” is back in this hilarious and heartfelt sequel full of fun and fashion!

Finley wants nothing more than to attend Fashion Week in Paris. He dreams of the sights, the sounds, the smells, and…the perfect suit. But when Finley arrives in the City of Love, the most famous designers refuse to work with a moose. Although feeling defeated, Finley never forgets who he truly is – a very friendly moose, and a helpful one, too! When Finley sees an accident in the making, he races to the rescue. His kindness and quick thinking help him make a new friend…and find his perfect color!

Shortly after the release of the first Finley book, I started thinking about where my adorable, friendly moose’s dreams might take him next.

A trip to the City of Love ended up sparking the perfect idea. I posted a photo on social media of myself holding FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE in front of the Eiffel Tower, and the incredible award-winning illustrators, Chantelle and Burgen Thorne, commented, “Finley in Paris! A sequel?” At that moment, it clicked. Paris was absolutely the next stop for Finley.

I love hearing how Finley decided to travel to Paris, one of my most favorite cities! I love so much about this book – Finley, chartreuse, the French words sprinkled throughout, Paris, Magnifique!

Candace, what’s next? Do you have anything else in the works?

I have a book entitled AMBER MAE AND HER STRAYS coming out in fall 2027. It is being illustrated by uber-talented Carlos Velez Aguilera. I’m thrilled!

Here is a summary:

Prepare for a rollicking adventure as Amber Mae, a determined little girl with a soft spot for stray animals, brings home one zany pet after another. When her otherwise patient parents panic and are pushed over the edge, they have no choice but to send her pets packing.

Readers will root for clever Amber Mae as she finds the perfect place for each and every one of her beloved animal friends.

We are all dying to know, I mean we’ve met Finley in two books! Will Finley make another appearance?

Finley truly has my heart, and I already have more places and adventures in mind for this friendly, determined, and completely adorable moose (thank you, Chantelle and Burgen, for bringing that cuteness to life!). I can’t share yet but be on the lookout for more from Finley! 😊

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing about FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE. Congratulations! We look forward to reading more about Finley in all his books!

Friends, be sure to check out Finley in both of Candace’s books! You can catch up with Candace at the following places:

www.candacespizzirri.com

Instagram @CCSpizzirri

Facebook @CandaceSpizzirri

Twitter/X @CCSpizzirri1

Bluesky @candacespizzirri

FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE

FISHING WITH GRANDPA AND SKYE

FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE (April 28, 2026)

AMBER MAE AND HER STRAYS (Fall 2027)

June 15, 2026
by Angie 2 Comments

Haiku Moment: fire

summer fire flames

explode across the landscape

burning with beauty

fire by Angie Quantrell

my summer garden, Yakima Valley

June 11, 2026
by Angie 6 Comments

Haiku Moment: river obstacle

river obstacle

slashes expansion landscape

wagon trains must choose-

path to north or south

pioneers brave challenges

settle the frontier

river obstacle by Angie Quantrell

Columbia River, WA side looking into Oregon

June 1, 2026
by Angie 9 Comments

Happy Book Birthday! What is a Church? by Angie Quantrell and Gayle West

I adore book birthdays! Happy book birthday to What is a Church? I’m so excited to see this book out in the world!

What is a Church?

Written by Angie Quantrell, Illustrated by Gayle West

Woman’s Missionary Union, 2026

I was honored to write this book with Woman’s Missionary Union. As many of you know, writing may be done alone, but it takes a team to make an idea and manuscript into the best version of itself it can be. I had such a huge team of collaborators who offered feedback and suggestions, from WMU friends and co-workers to preschool leaders to publishing experts to critique partners to the North American Missions Board (NAMB) and the International Missions Board (IMB). I think I counted at least 38 people who read and commented (some multiple times) during the writing and revision process of What is a Church? Thank you to all! What an amazing community! I appreciate every one of you!

One fun tidbit about What is a Church? is how we sourced the photos used in the illustration process. We reached out to NAMB and IMB asking for photos of churches. Not only church buildings, but the people who made up the churches. We wanted to show that church is not just a building (though that is certainly one use of the word “church”), but a church is the people! And people can gather anywhere in the name of Jesus as a church. That is exactly what we hoped to portray in this picture book, and the photos Gayle used (and did her special process on them to make them appear like paintings) showcase people all over the world meeting together to worship God, learn about the Bible, and fellowship with others who love Jesus. Not everyone meets in a church building! I love that!

Happy Book Birthday, TEAM!

Get your copy here. What is a Church?

I’ll leave you with a “book in the wild” sighting. Nova took a break from water and rock play in Nana’s garden to have a look and a listen. She loves books!

May 29, 2026
by Angie Leave a comment

Haiku Moment: beach stick

beach stick souvenir

sends messages to the sky

with a little help

beach stick

by Angie Quantrell

Ocean Shores, WA, Autumn’s 10th birthday trip

May 23, 2026
by Angie 5 Comments

In the Garden: New Use for an Old Gate

A dear friend recently gave me an old garden gate. Thank you, friend! It’s been sitting around for a month or two, waiting for inspiration.

Shortly after that, the back broke off this old wood bench. We thought we would have to repair the back, but were in no hurry to do so.

I looked at that bench for weeks, wondering. Sunflowers grow up and drape over the top of the back. More like they lean heavily against the back. But still. The window was quickly closing for doing anything with the bench until fall after the sunflowers were done.

Finally. An idea hit. What about the gate? My honey and I played with the idea, holding it up, problem solving how to make it work. After moving a sunflower elsewhere, he set in 2 short 4×4 posts for anchors. We attached the gate to the anchors and slid the bench into place. I love this garden gate backrest!

If you look a little bit further back, you can see I like gates. In nontraditional ways. It seems I am always bringing them home! I once picked up a gate at a free yard sale in north Seattle (fun with another dear friend). My little “truck” Mazda is game to whatever huge things I decide must come home with me. That gate (unlike the above 2) is in use as a gate into the fenced garden, complete now with an arbor and honeysuckle. It actually opens!

If you’d like to see the “working” gate leading into the fenced garden, go here.

Thanks to friends and helpful honeys!

The snapdragons are in full rioting bloom! Look at the top photo to see the crowding sunflowers. They are ready to take over. As a funny sidenote, the gate now blocks access under the bench. Before this, Monet the cat used the space beneath the bench as an easy way to jump out and attack the dog when she ran past. Poor Ginger! But we watched her last night snaking through the sunflowers to go under the bench. The confusion on her face when she was cut off by the gate was hysterical.

Do you have any gates in your garden? Working or decorative?

May 14, 2026
by Angie 10 Comments

Cover Reveal: What is a Church? by Angie Quantrell and Gayle West

Despite my recent lack of much blogging, I have been filling my days with words and more words and even photos and illustrations! Most of the words have been in my head, at my fingertips, scribbled on paper scraps, sitting in Notes on my phone, and spread throughout various Word docs filling my computer. Haha!

I’m excited to announce the cover reveal of my newest picture book, What is a Church?

Published by Woman’s Missionary Union (2026), What is a Church? has been beautifully illustrated with a variety of photos from around the world! Gayle West did an amazing job turning photos into painting-like images.

What is a Church? is written with preschoolers in mind. As the youngest audience for books, preschoolers enter the world of “church” with few preconceived understandings of church, other than they go with their family, they see (eventually) familiar faces, and spend time playing, singing, and hearing Bible stories. What is a Church? will help preschoolers understand that church is a happy place and going to church is a part of God’s plan for their lives. Not only that, but preschoolers can begin to understand that they can go to church and be a part of the church too! Because church is not just a building. The church is made up of people-the family of God!

As one can imagine, there were all sorts of readers and comments and revising and updating. It truly takes a community, and I have a fabulous community to walk beside me. Here’s a giant THANK YOU! to everyone who contributed or assisted in any way to help bring What is a Church? to life!

What is a Church?

Written by Angie Quantrell

Illustrated by Gayle West

Woman’s Missionary Union, 2026

Drumroll please!

Without further ado, here is the beautiful cover!