New Idea

I am really excited for the new story I just finished last night.  When great ideas come to me, they come to me fast and I can finish in less than an hour.  I know, crazy, right? It's efficient for me.  I have now at my disposal, 3 completed stories ready to be illustrated and then published.  It's a strange thing...my best ideas come to me late at night.  Anywhere from 12am-4am.  Ah!  Who stays up that late anyways??  The very odd time, I will almost be shocked awake by a wonderful idea, and I refuse to just let it sit there until morning.  Reason for that, is simply this...I would forget the idea.  So, I scrape myself out of bed, find my pen and papers (never too far away), and I scribble my thoughts down immediately. 
This particular story is very dear to me.  It is something I am passionate about.  The only thing I will reveal to you is: Have you ever read the story by Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree?  Do you remember the feeling you got when reading it? Well, I know how I felt.  It was a very emotional and moving story.  My hope is, that I spark that similar feeling to my readers.  Yes, it is a children's book, however is has a strong message in it, that I think adults will relate to as well.  Keep your eyes peeled for it, and I will make sure to update you! You won't want to miss it, I promise you. It's a very special story if I do say so myself. If I can move just one person, then that's all I ask for! Best wishes one and all! Much love!

Pretzel Recipe-Get your kids to help!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. yeast
• ½ c. warm water
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1-1/3 c. flour
• 1 tsp. salt

Utensils:

• oven (you'll need help from your adult assistant)
• small bowl
• mixing spoon
• medium-size bowl
• cutting board, sprinkled with flour
• baking sheet, sprayed with nonstick spray
• measuring cups and spoons

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325° Fahrenheit (165° Celsius).
2. Put the yeast in a small bowl with the water and honey. Stir a little, then let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
3. Mix the flour and salt together in a medium bowl.
4. After the 5 minutes is up, check on the yeast mixture. It should be bigger than before and a little bubbly. Add this mixture to the flour and salt mixture.
5. Stir everything together. Use a spoon to start. Finish with your hands. The dough is ready when it's still a little crumbly and flaky.
6. Put the dough on the cutting board and knead it like you are playing with clay. Knead it into one big ball.
7. Break off a piece of dough that's about the size of a big gumball or superball. Use your hands to roll it into a skinny snake.
8. Twist the snake into a medium-size pretzel shape, and put it on the cookie sheet. Do this with all the dough, making 12 pretzels.
9. Bake your pretzels for 10 minutes. Let them cool and take a bite!

Serves: 12
Serving size: 1 pretzel
Nutritional analysis (per serving):
56 calories
1 g protein
0 g fat
12 g carbohydrate
0 g fiber
0 mg cholesterol
192 mg sodium
2 mg calcium
0.7 mg iron
Note: Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.