FOODFIC: The Mad Scientist's Daughter - Cassandra Rose Clarke

Did you see that subtitle? A Tale of Love, Loss and Robots. You knew that’d compel me to look inside to find out what these folks are eating! (Yes, the lovers and the robots.)

Turns out the foods that caught my attention weren’t begin eaten at all but merely seen, like when the fall “sunlight caramelized.” After that all I could think about was a caramel sun and how the heat would keep the syrup perfectly warm and gooey. Then I started getting hungry and wondering if I had the ingredients to make caramel and if it’d be hard to do. And then I remembered  I’d just bought pears, which would make perfect dipping vessels…

But ignore me; Clarke’s was a beautifully crafted image and I don’t want to take away from that (any more than I already have)! ;)

There were several other similar instances, like Cat’s parents taking her into the city where the sparkling department store windows showcase clothes “like ice cream sundaes.” She also meets a salesgirl with hair “the color of maraschino cherries,” which she’d like to have herself one day. 

Are you starting to see the pattern – how the world looks so delicious through Cat’s young eyes? That’s probably why I like her so much. ;)

Sadly, young is the operative word, and, as Cat grows up, she leaves the food similes behind along with her childhood. It’s an almost chicken-vs.-egg question: Does she stop seeing the world in a youthful way because she’s getting older, or is it her evolving sight that forces her to age? Really, the bigger concern is whether or not the adult Cat can ever find that early peace and happiness again…and what part the robot plays in all of it!

Toastworthy Teens - Jennifer Mahin

Jennifer Mahin, Day One Hero

What can you expect on your first day at a new job? Probably some paperwork, meeting a few people, maybe a little basic training.

Surely not saving a life, right?

Now, when you learn that, for Jennifer Mahin, that first job was certified lifeguard, you might be inclined to say, “Oh, of course,” as if her accomplishment is slightly less impressive. Don’t.

Because within only hours of clocking into work, the 17-year-old heroine found herself jumping without hesitation into a rip current to rescue a fellow teen. She then had to keep the unresponsive girl’s ahead above the waves – and both of them away from the rocks – until more rescuers arrived on the scene.

Clearly Jennifer – who called the rescue “the most gratifying thing ever” – was the right girl for the job. ;) 

To find lifeguarding classes in your area, visit:

http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/program-highlights/lifeguarding

 

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FOODFIC: Please Welcome Michelle Birbeck, Author of The Last Keeper

When it comes to characters who are immortal and have no need for food, trying to discern what their favourite dish is can be quite interesting. Especially when it’s an immortal called Serenity Cardea, who first started cooking some three millennia ago. Most of what she cooked back then amounted to little more than stew, which, though great on cold days, isn’t exactly exciting. 

So what do millennia old immortals who don’t need to eat actually eat?

The answer is twofold: Anything, and nothing.

Serenity has lived with an almost human family for generations, and over that time has consumed more types of food than I have names for. From stews with vegetables I’ve never seen to carved meat from animals that are now extinct. But as times change, it isn’t just tastes that vary. It’s also the availability of food, which is where the nothing part comes from. Because Serenity is immortal, she chooses to go without when her family is in need and food is scarce.

However, when food is plentiful, Serenity loves to cook. One of her favourite things to cook is pancakes. Breakfast or dinner, pancakes make everyone smile.

For breakfast she likes to get up early and start mixing the batter. Then whilst that sits in the fridge, she gets everything else out. All the fruit you can possibly want, different jams and spreads, and whatever savoury stuff happens to be kicking around in the fridge.

Everything gets their own bowls and gets placed in the middle of the table with spoons and knives. Once the table is set, it’s time to call the family down for food. This is normally punctuated by the sound of hurried footsteps hurtling down the stairs. It’s a rare occasion when Serenity breaks out the pancakes, and one never to be missed.

But the whole show isn’t just the food, it’s the production. See, Serenity isn’t just immortal, she’s fast and strong, too. So when pancake mornings happen, it’s a whole production that encompasses every frying pan Serenity has, as well as every ring on the hob. Because if there’s one thing pancakes should be, it’s hot and fresh. 

And so the whole family sits down at the table, plates ready, and Serenity cooks, flips, and serves. Normally in batches of eight, all done at about the same time. It sure is a sight to behold! What’s better than the sight, however, is the food itself. Enough on offer that lunch can happily be skipped, and such variety that it’s like eating something different every day for a month.

Thanks for stopping by to share your food for thought, Michelle!

Michelle has been reading and writing her whole life. Her earliest memory of books was when she was five and decided to try and teach her fish how to read by putting her Beatrix Potter books in the fish tank with them.

Since then her love of books has grown, and now she is writing her own and looking forward to seeing them on her shelves, though they won't be going anywhere near the fish tank.

You can find Michelle here:

MichelleBirbeck.co.uk

Facebook.com/MichelleBirbeck

Twitter @MichelleBirbeck

 

And The Keepers' Chronicles here:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007ZXKE3I

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/161213078X

Publisher: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/56

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-keeper-michelle-birbeck/1110770414?ean=9781612130798

Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/shop/michelle-birbeck/the-last-keeper/paperback/product-20107382.html

Toastworthy Teens - Temar Boggs

Temar Boggs, Child Rescuer

What would you do if you encountered a search party looking for a kidnapped child?

If you’re Lancaster high-schooler Temar Boggs, you do what he thinks “anybody else would do” – you organize your friends into an additional search party and hit the streets.

And not only did the 15-year-old take commendable initiative; it was, in fact, his group on their bikes that located and chased the suspect, who eventually pushed the girl from his car and drove off.

5-year-old Jocelyn is thankfully okay, her family is extremely grateful to their “hero,” and Temar feels like “he just did something very accomplishing today.” I’d certainly say so!

Meet Temar in an interview here:

http://youtu.be/Fd31e02l3jk

Do you know a toast-worthy teen you’d like to see featured here at BWATE? 
Comment below with your email address so we can get a post together!