Story Magic at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire!

Stephanie Robinson casting story spells

Ah, the Connecticut Renaissance Faire. What could be finer than a day spent with colorful characters greeting you with a hearty, Huzzzah! Catching whiffs of fried dough and baked potatoes seasoning the air. Mingling with artisans at an eclectic market, and watching happy faire-goers finding secret treasures along their way. Who wouldn't want to stay for a spell?   

We feel delighted to be a part of the magic, and we sprinkled in mystery from the classic author booth on Shady Lane. The Connecticut Renaissance Faire offers this cozy nook to local authors to help spread the love of reading. We appreciate their support for local authors. 

It's always a pleasure talking to readers about The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow, Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library, and hinting at clues from the third book in progress, Fairday Morrow and the Master's Emporium. This Labor Day the faire brewed up plenty of good vibes, and we told our story to curious passersby who inquired about the mystery of the Begonia House. 

Once invited in, let the story begin...

Jess Haight asking curious readers, "Are you in the mood for a mystery?" 

"In book one, The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow, eleven-year old Fairday and her family move from Manhattan to a small town in Connecticut, where her parents have bought a big, spooky, crumbling Victorian Manor called the Begonia House. They want to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, but after Fairday moves in strange occurrences start happening, and she finds out that an unsolved mystery had taken place in her home. Fairday and her friends, Lizzy and Marcus, in the Detective Mystery Squad, piece together clues to find out what happened in the house, and what they uncover is more shocking then they could have ever imagined. 

The first mystery wraps up, and in book two, Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library, Fairday finds out that the Begonia House is hiding more secrets when she receives a worrisome note from a mysterious librarian warning that words in stories are vanishing, and that a bookworm is eating them. Fairday and the DMS are on the case to save the stories! They uncover a magical portal that transports them to the Talking Library, where books come alive and story magic abounds."

Illustration from Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library 

by David SanAngelo

MMGM: American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar

 

Lekha Divekar is the only Indian American in her small town. She was born in America, but she thinks other people see her as an outsider. Lekha feels like she is two people; the girl who does her best to blend in and be invisible at school, and the girl at home who is happy eating Indian food and watching old Bollywood movies. Trying to balance it all is hard. But Lekha can't stand being called names because of her culture and having kids make fun of her because they say she smells funny. Her best friend and neighbor, Noah, is the only one who knows both sides of her. Neither of them feels strong enough to stand up to the kids who are being mean. When a new Desi girls moves in, Lekha thinks all her prayers have been answered. Now she will have a friend who understands all her struggles. But when she meets Avantika she realizes that the new girl has moved to the small town straight from India and doesn't feel the same way as Lekha. Now that there are two Desi girls in school will Lekha be able to blend in? Will there be a time when Lekha will use her voice? You'll have to read this enlightening book to find out!

American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar is up for the Intermediate Nutmeg Award and I can see why! The characters tugged at my heart, and I also loved learning about Indian culture. Middle school is hard, so I can imagine that a lot of kids try to blend in, but for Lekha it's an even bigger deal. I felt bad for her thinking about how hard it was for her to live two lives. She kept finding herself in tough spots where she was going to disappoint her family, her swim team, or herself. When she has a decision to make during Diwali, the most important holiday of the year for her family, my heart broke for her. The kids in her town don't celebrate Diwali and to them it is just another day. It made me think about important holidays in other cultures and religions. It must be hard if you celebrate a holiday and no one else in your town does, so people expect you to do regular every day things. I like how the book helped me learn about Indian foods and traditions. I would recommend this book to people in 4th grade and up who like realistic fiction and stories about standing up for ourselves and what we believe. I can't wait to read another book by this author.   

Has anyone else read American as Paneer Pie? Or have you read another book by Supriya Kelkar? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Color, Creation, and Inspiration

"Seven Royal Colors Play Rainbow Ride" 

Who but I peeps from the unhewn dolmen arch? 

(excerpt taken from a translation of the ancient poem, Amergin in The White Goddess by Robert Graves)

Hello, Readers! Sometimes stories are channeled through art. My mind tends to travel down random conceptual tangents that wind up linking different ideas together. Skipping around on the creative path, no matter where it leads, permits me to follow along and let creative spirit show the way. 

As creation grows, so do stories. I like to listen to audio books while I work. Many of the books I listen to are about philosophy and quantum science, two topics I love to engage with. The books I digest influence my creative work, and I think it's interesting to see the elements that appear in a finished project. 

There is a lot happening on the story front these days; the 3rd book in the Fairday Morrow series. The Master's Emporium, is in the works, along with a WIP that's been brewing up a storm lately. So, while the story cauldron is simmering, here are some of the art projects I've recently completed. 

The more you look, the more you see; truth lies betwixt the lines. Nature's spirits are my muse, and when I explore the essence of natural patterns on a deeper level, I always find myself lost in a mad splash of matter. After all, that's where it's all happening! 

"Myxtress Molasses" 

Microscopic Modern Art 

"Dream Dragon" 

Dream Dragon waking

Knock, knock Skull of Forever

Three fold vibe power

"Sorceress Purpura's Spell" 

Conjuring violet in the Skull of Forever

Spin, spin Rainbow Ride

Purpura’s spell, call a star

Spin, spin Rainbow Ride

When is now, and not so far 

 

Spin, spin Rainbow Ride

Xeerimoops, a stranger way

Spin, spin Rainbow Ride

Skull of Forever in play

"Colors Dancing in MIND" 

"Color Storm" 

There are clues about the stories and more artwork at Cottagefive.com if you're interested in putting some of the pieces of the puzzle together. 

Cottagefive.com is my art website where you will find drawings, paintings, copper wire characters, mood candles, Microscopic Modern Art, and more! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my art. I love to share ideas and spark imagination. Enjoy the colors! They are eternally light and free. 😍💖

~Jess

Copper wire mermaid on fluorite stone/ clam shell

"Dancing with Spirits" 

Mood candle art

Views From the Pond May/June

I was hoping to do one post for May and one for June, but life had other plans. So, like last time, I will be sharing pictures from my pond over the last two months. Although May and June proved to be very busy months, I did find moments to sit outside and soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of Spring and early Summer. Of course, much of Mother Nature needs to be absorbed in person and I just wasn't fast enough to catch many of the visitors to the pond and yard. Maybe next time! 

Every day I see the pond and surrounding area look so different depending on the light and shadows. It is beautiful and amazing. I can see why Monet created so many paintings of his water garden. The every changing views are good for the soul! 

And a few of the animals that I saw over the last couple of months. I missed taking pictures of a raccoon that comes down at dusk to wash his hands and face, a red fox, squirrels, a variety of birds, and all the fireflies. 

Last July we began a drought here, which lasted through the early Fall. The pond got down to a puddle and the brook dried up. The frogs and other animals were so sad. I hope this summer will have the right amount of rain for  all the creatures big and small. I'll keep you posted!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: The War I Finally Won l by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

The War I Finally Won picks up right where The War That Saved My Life ended. Adad had her surgery to correct her foot and there is a world of possibiliries awaiting her. She and her brother, Jamie, are living with Susan Smith, who has been caring for them more than their own mother ever did back in London. Sadly, they are no longer living in Susan‘s comforting house as it was bombed. They’re living in a cottage that belongs to Lady Thorton. This new house is dark and dismal, but they are making do. Lady Thorton is a little sharp tongued and cold, making Ada feel tense. Things become a little more difficult when a teenage girl named Ruth comes to live with them from Germany. Lady Thorton is not happy, but she has to allow it. Could Ruth be a spy? With the war going on and all the changes in her life, Ada has no choice but to change and grow.  Who will she be?

I absolutely adored The War I Finally Won. Ada is a characters who touched my soul and made me care about her and the things that she’s gone though. I was hoping now that she and Jamie are officially with Susan that there life would be easy. But, the times weren't easy and war brings a lot of sadness, and Ada had tough things to experience. I enjoyed getting to see old friends from the first book like Maggie and I enjoyed meeting new ones. It was interesting trying to figure the new characters out!  The characters will definitely stay with me, as they have made their way into my heart! This is a great sequel to a wonderful book and one I would recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction and is 9 years old and up. I bet even people who aren't fans of historical fiction will be captivated by Ida, Jamie, Susan, and their story.  I definitely look forward to reading more books by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

Has anyone else read The War I Finally Won? Or have your read another book by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.