Source: Writing for Kids: 5 tools for success
A list I can complete! How about you, picture book writers?
Author Archives: Angie
One More Hug
One more hug.
That’s what I wish for. Just 1, maybe 2 long hugs.
Before I say good-bye.
But it’s too late. I’ve missed the chance. You’re gone.
I’ll remember our last day together.
Talking, remembering, sharing, eating.
That one half hug when I arrived.
It wasn’t enough.
So I’ll grab all those memories,
Wrap them tight in my heart.
Keep them close to ease the pain.
An invisible hug for eternity.
Missing you.
For my Dad.
My Daddy passed away on Good Friday, April 14. I was blessed to spend the day with Daddy and Mama, talking and visiting and hanging out. He went on to Heaven later that evening. We had the gift of clear-minded conversation and enjoyment of recalling my growing-up years the entire day. I even learned a few things I hadn’t known. I miss him dreadfully and worry about Mama without her love of nearly 57 years of marriage. But I know he is fine and she’s not alone. She has her kids, a part of Daddy. We will share our heart hugs about Daddy and remember the good times.
But I would still love one more hug.
Don’t wait. Hug with abandon.
Pinksickle
photos and poem by angie quantrell
orange plus pink
sweet hues of sunset
and dessert
taste yummy to my eyes
and gift me
a smile
Expecting Spring
tightly closed fists peek
pink wisps bulge with life – spring yearns,
bursts forth, nest and tree alike
The most hopeful of seasons, spring, lies in wait, gathering herself in preparation to leap into the exploding fray of growth, buzzing with energy and promise.
What signs of spring do you see in your area?
The Stack (Paper): Throwback Thursday
Originally blogged on 12-9-2015, this post gives you a glimpse into the life of a writer. Sheer amounts of paper, paper clips, organization, unfinished housework, and crazy messy office.
Meet the completed project.
And . . .
I miss my huge office! Writing in an RV is challenging, inventive, exciting, and sometimes inspiring. Oh, desk in the storage unit, I’d love to be able to snap my fingers and pop you back and forth to the RV – as needed.
 |
|
The completed manuscript with sources, sketches, and documents ; Rather, I should say 1/2 of the completed project |
(Read below from 12-9-2015)
This is what I’ve been up to. Instead of blogging.
There is not much time left in my days (weeks, months) after planning, writing, editing, printing, sourcing, compiling, emailing, packaging, and mailing this baby.
Oh, yes. This is my baby. The first half of a 12-month activity book for preschoolers and missions has been delivered (emailed and mailed) to my faithful preschool resource team at Woman’s Missionary Union.
 |
|
The completed manuscript package and its twin – the emergency copy that can be mailed if the PO loses the original |
Now they get to do their huge part.
And I will continue on with the above steps for the second half of the book.
The writing life is grand.
 |
|
A glimpse of the chaos that is my office, including desk, side table, and floor |
From Snow to Pansies
It has ever been such a long, cold, snow-bound winter for us. The first season of surprises in our RV.
Not sticker or culture, but rather seasonal challenges and lack-of-space shock.
Today dawned with swirling and dancing fog. Thick mists block sun rays, and though the weather “suggestions” report zero chance of rain, my eyes tell me the overhead clouds and heaviness may disagree.
Yet spring is here. We have moved from this:
to this:
Cheerful pansies rest and smile in rain dampened glory.
Content.
Trader Joe’s Potsticker Kale Soup
We do love shopping at Trader Joe’s. Alas, the nearest location is over the river(s), through many woods, and on the other side of Snoqualmie Pass in Issaquah. Still, we visit regularly and stock up on favorites each time.
What do you do when hunger strikes, you live in an RV, and you want a quick dinner?
Soups’ on!
Trader Joe’s Potsticker Kale Soup
Ingredients:
1 T. Butter
1 T. Olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 32-oz. Trader Joe’s Miso Ginger Broth
1 16-oz. Trader Joe’s frozen Pork Gyoza Potstickers
Approximately 4 cups chopped kale (see Trader Joe’s produce section)
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 bunch chopped green onions
Directions:
1. In a large soup pot, sauté onions and garlic in butter and olive oil until carmelized.
2. Add broth. Pour a small amount of water in the carton, swirl to rinse, and add to pot. Stir and bring to a boil.
3. Add frozen potstickers, kale, and peas. Return to boil. Cook 4-5 minutes, gently boiling, until heated through and kale is wilted.
4. Ladle into bowls and top with chopped green onions. Makes 2-4 servings.
This was so yummy! Next time, I would add julienned carrots to the onion and garlic mixture. Ohhh, julienned red peppers would be great as well.
Super fast, fantastically delicious. Too bad there are no leftovers.
Welcome Spring!
Spring Wildflower
S – shows of life, green carpeted paths
P – peek at bursts of color, winters’ grays fade away
R – renewed vigor, earth joyfully bursts forth
I – invitation to celebrate, cold passes as warmth returns
N – nature dons her new attire, fresh and vibrant
G – growing time arrives, rest is over for bounty begins
Columbia River Gorge
Book Study in an RV
Towers of picture books fill the RV. Places to sit are scarce. Tensions run high as we juggle in order to sit. Who will best survive the picture book project – him or her?
A Haiku
Space so in demand
but research is required;
Will the table hold?
A Haiku about Read for Research Month
by Angie Quantrell
Bunny’s Book Club
Look what came in the mail!
Bunny’s Book Club
Written by Annie Silvestro
Illustrated by Tatiana Mai-Wyss
(Doubleday, 2017)
Bunny’s Book Club is an adorable book about a bunny who loves books. Bunny LOVES books enough to find a way to get them from the library, though in a nontraditional way. Since I LOVE books, I sometimes feel like Bunny and stockpile books for later reading. A bag or nightstand without a book is dire indeed!
Not that I would go the same extremes Bunny did to get books. But I would love to enjoy a book club with my friends, hot tea, and mountains of books.
Thank you, KIDLIT 411 and Annie Silvestro! This is a beautiful book and I know it will be personally treasured and my grands will adore it. They might even try to borrow it for their own book hoards.
Love, Laughter, and Life 