THIS IS THE FULL-COLOR THIRD EDITION. **********#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN BAKING (JULY 2014)********** ******#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN PARTY COOKING (JULY 2014)****** ****#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN CHRISTMAS COOKING (JULY 2014)**** SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! Beautiful to look at but hard to use. That's the reputation of cookie molds. But should it be? In this groundbreaking book, Anne L. Watson restores cookie molds to an honored place in the baker's kitchen by revealing long-lost secrets of their use. With Anne's techniques and recipes, tasty cookies with lovely, detailed designs will literally fall from the mold into your hand. Learn how to make traditional molded cookies like speculaas, springerle, and shortbread, as well as modern ones like White Chocolate Lime Cookies and Orange Blossom Wedding Cookies. Learn the tricks of sandwich cookies, layer cookies, chocolate backing, and exhibition cookies. And learn about the molds themselves -- the many kinds, their history, the best places to find them, how to treat them, what makes a good one, and which to avoid entirely. With nearly two dozen recipes and almost a hundred photos, "Baking with Cookie Molds" will quickly have you making cookies that both amaze and delight. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author of a number of popular books on home crafts and lifestyle, as well as many novels. In a previous career, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne lives with her husband and photographer, Aaron Shepard, in Friday Harbor, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Expert instructions guarantee readers a frustration-free experience when using decorative metal, earthware, and wooden molds . . . After reading this, you'll want to snatch them up." -- Lisa Campbell, Library Journal, Sept. 15, 2015 -- STARRED REVIEW "A tasty treat of practical cookie making, historical cookie-mold information, and a wide range of recipes, all served with appetizing sides of baking history and great photographs." -- Kirkus Reviews, June 16, 2015 "Anne L. Watson deserves big hugs from bakers everywhere for resurrecting the beautiful and tasty art of baking with cookie molds. Loaded with practical advice on everything from the care and cleaning of molds to proper recipe formulation and molding technique, 'Baking with Cookie Molds' provides all the know-how one needs to put retired molds back where they belong -- off walls and out of cupboards, and into action in our kitchens." -- Julia Usher, author, "Cookie Swap," and Director, International Association of Culinary Professionals "Cookie molds are lovely to admire but often end up as part of your kitchen decor rather than as a baking tool. 'Baking with Cookie Molds' will inspire you to use those molds as they were intended -- to create strikingly beautiful cookies -- and shows that those cookies can be delicious as well! Detailed instructions and photographs make it feel like the author is right there in your kitchen, baking alongside you and guiding you through each step." -- Christina Banner, author, "How to Build a Gingerbread House" "A must read for novice and avid bakers! Anne's story and vast knowledge of cookie molds keeps you entertained from beginning to end." -- Karen Giamalva, President and CEO, LetsBakeCookies.com "Friendly, warm, and inviting." -- Ken Hamilton, The Springerle Baker "A 'honey' of a collection of old and new secrets for shaping edible-art cookies -- with less effort and more success. Will do much to keep this tradition alive!" -- Gene Wilson, HOBI Cookie Molds

Baking with Cookie Molds: Secrets and Recipes for Making Amazing Handcrafted Cookies for Your Christmas, Holiday, Wedding, Tea, Party, Swap, Exchange, or Everyday Treat

Cookbooks, Food & Wine

Watson, Anne L.

Baking

Shepard Publications

"Wise, timely, and truthful . . . There are as many ways of living together as there are people, and it's great that there's at last a book reflecting that with such humour and insight." -- Deborah Moggach, author, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and "Tulip Fever" *****#1 KINDLE (U.S.) BESTSELLER IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY (AUG. 2014)***** SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! You hear many reasons why marriages and long-term relationships break up, but there's one that's seldom acknowledged: Many committed couples would get along better if only they weren't roommates. But what can they do? They have to share a home, don't they? What if they chose to defy expectations -- their own and everyone else's? What if they decided to live in separate apartments or houses, nearby or even side-by-side? Wouldn't they avoid many tensions that typically drag couples down? Wouldn't they gain richer and happier times together? Anne L. Watson and her partner have lived this kind of life successfully for nearly two decades. In this groundbreaking book, she draws on personal experience to reveal the benefits of such an arrangement and tell how you might make it work for yourself. In the end, Anne helps you understand that not all couples need a common residence to live happily ever after. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author of a variety of works, including literary novels, soapmaking manuals, and a cookie cookbook. She is also retired from a long and honored career as a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne "lives apart together" with her husband, fellow author, and publisher, Aaron Shepard, in Friday Harbor, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS The Vow How We Got Here Living Room -- Decorating and Entertaining Kitchen and Dining Room -- Cooking and Eating Bedroom -- Sleeping and Sex Bathroom Housekeeping Money Kids and Elders Pets Expectations Compromise and Cooperation Dominance and Deference Time Alone Time Together The Choice Frequently Asked Questions

Living Apart Together: A Unique Path to Marital Happiness, or The Joy of Sharing Lives Without Sharing an Address

Self-Help

Relationships

********#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN SOAP MAKING (JUNE 2015)**************#1 KINDLE (US) BESTSELLER IN BEAUTY &amp; FASHION (JUNE 2015)************#1 KINDLE (US) BESTSELLER IN CRAFTS &amp; HOBBIES (JULY 2014)********#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN HOME-BASED SMALL BUSINESSES (OCTOBER 2013)** SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! Maybe you'd like to make your own soap, but you're worried that working with lye is too difficult or dangerous. Maybe you're scared off by "beginner" books that go on for hundreds of pages and leave you less confident than before. Or maybe you're already making soap, but you wonder if methods you've learned are slower and more complicated than they need to be. Whether beginner or advanced, you'll find "Smart Soapmaking" practical, helpful, and refreshing. Written by a former professional soapmaker, it explodes the myths about soapmaking and shows you how to make wonderful soap from scratch with the least fuss and bother. You'll get a wide variety of recipes, plus you'll learn how to modify them and create new ones. Want to make a luxurious gift soap? Or one that's all natural, with no artificial ingredients? Maybe a moisturizing soap for dry skin? Or one with a trending oil not yet in books? With "Smart Soapmaking," you can do all that and more, to get exactly the soap you want. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the first author to have introduced modern techniques of home soapmaking and lotionmaking to book readers. She has made soap under the company name Soap Tree, and before her retirement from professional life, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne and her husband, Aaron Shepard, live in Bellingham, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ******RECOMMENDED BY THE HANDCRAFTED SOAP &amp; COSMETIC GUILD****** "The only book [you'll] ever need." -- Mother Earth News, Feb.-Mar. 2019 "Should become THE book for soapmaking. . . . It's about time someone wrote a book like this. Most are idealistic and inaccurate. This book has a wonderful common sense approach that is SO long overdue. . . . I can recommend it with 100% confidence." -- Susan Kennedy, Oregon Trail Soaps, Rogue River, Oregon "Smart it is . . . . A simple, no-nonsense book that cuts through the curmudgery of stifling soap bibles like no other." -- Shellie Humphries, Harstine Island, Washington "A great book for beginners, with clear and easy instructions." -- Anne-Marie Faiola, Bramble Berry Inc., Bellingham, Washington "I learned more from Smart Soapmaking than from any other soaping book, and I have read quite a few. . . . It's written with the average person in mind, not a chemistry major. Directions are very simple and easy to understand. It really takes the mystery out of making soap." -- Jackie Pack, Stuart, Virginia "Groundbreaking . . . . Anne L. Watson [is the] universally respected and loved author/crafter/curator of this lost art for thousands of aspiring soapers . . . . Unquestionably the best book with which to begin. To be precise, it's probably the most accessible, most reader-friendly, and most immediately useful container of information a first-time soapmaker could hope to find." -- Wishing Willow (blog) "BRILLIANT to find the recipes are in grams as well as ounces." -- Jude Birch, Aussie Soap Supplies, Bicton, West Australia "'Smart Soapmaking' finally got me over the hump [of fearing lye]. . . . I think Anne Watson is the Elizabeth Zimmermann of the soap world -- a frugal, common sense gal, who says, 'Don't overcomplicate things. Just make soap.'" -- Amanda Blake Soule, author, "The Creative Family" and "Handmade Home," Soule Mama (blog), Feb. 7, 2012

Smart Soapmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Soap Quickly, Safely, and Reliably, or How to Make Soap That's Perfect for You, Your Family, or Friends

Business & Money

Business Development & Entrepreneurship

******#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN SOAP MAKING (DECEMBER 2013)****** SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! Do you love the feel of milk soaps but shy away from the cost? Are you looking for a special kind of gift you can make yourself? Or do you already make soap and want to try something new? Anne L. Watson's "Smart Soapmaking" was the first book based on modern techniques that eliminate the drudgery and guesswork from home soapmaking. Now, by popular demand, she continues her soapmaking revolution with the first practical, comprehensive book on making milk soap from scratch. Experience the rich, soothing, luxurious feel of milk soap you've made yourself. Your skin will thank you for it. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the first author to have introduced modern techniques of home soapmaking and lotionmaking to book readers. She has made soap under the company name Soap Tree, and before her retirement from professional life, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne and her husband, Aaron Shepard, live in Friday Harbor, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Beautiful in its simplicity. . . . A definitive book for experienced as well as beginning milk soapers." -- Rebekah Bailey, The Original Soap Dish, South Whitley, Indiana "An easy to read and understand book that will take the mystery out of milk-based soapmaking and debunk some of the myths surrounding it. It contains some great basic formulas to get you started making milk soaps of any kind, and fuel to let your imagination run wild when you are ready to formulate your own creations. A good source of information for new soapmakers, and also suitable for more experienced soapmakers who want to start making milk soaps but thought it would be too difficult." -- Amanda Guilfoyle, Bodelicious Bath &amp; Body Products, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia "As always, Anne is up to her usual excellence. This book demystifies milk soapmaking so everyone can have the luxury of a truly decadent bar of soap *easily*. LOVE this book!!!" -- Susan Kennedy, Oregon Trail Soaps, Rogue River, Oregon "If you have an interest in milk soaps, this is the book for you. . . . Debunks much of the popular wisdom that may have discouraged some soapmakers." -- Kevin M. Dunn, Author, "Scientific Soapmaking" and "Caveman Chemistry" "As uber-soapmaker Anne L. Watson demonstrates, milk soaps made properly are [rightfully] well-known for a quality of luxurious buttery softness that is undeniable. . . . Anne once again acquits herself ably as a scholar of the suds and a natural communicator." -- Wishing Willow (blog) "Enthusiastically recommended." -- Midwest Book Review, Feb. 2009, "Reviewer's Choice" "Full of information that milk soapers, whether novice or experienced, could use to make better milk soaps. Anne writes in a conversational style that made me feel as though I were sitting down with her in her kitchen. . . . Anne details what seems to be everything there is to know about the subject. Rather than simply offering her opinions and favorite practices, Anne did extensive testing and experimenting, learning how to make the best milk soap bars that could be made. Soapmakers will be impressed with the amount and quality of Anne's research and observations. . . . That leaves the question: Can a neophyte made good cold-process milk soap? I now say yes, with the caveat they have 'Milk Soapmaking' in hand." -- Beth Byrne, "The Saponifier," Sept.-Oct. 2010

Milk Soapmaking: The Smart Guide to Making Milk Soap From Cow Milk, Goat Milk, Buttermilk, Cream, Coconut Milk, or Any Other Animal or Plant Milk

******#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN BEAUTY &amp; GROOMING (JULY 2014)****** *******#1 KINDLE (US) BESTSELLER IN BEAUTY &amp; FASHION (JULY 2014)******* *******#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN CRAFTS &amp; HOBBIES (JULY 2014)******* *********#1 AMAZON.COM BESTSELLER IN SOAP MAKING (JULY 2014)********* SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! Do you love the feel of a good lotion but find yourself unhappy with the cost, or wary of the chemical ingredients? Do you ever wonder if you could make it for yourself at home? Are you afraid to try because the lotion might not turn out well, or might even be unsafe? Anne L. Watson's "Smart Soapmaking" was the first book based on modern techniques that eliminate the drudgery and guesswork from home soapmaking. Now, by popular demand, she continues her handcraft cosmetics revolution with the first practical, comprehensive book on making lotion from scratch. Whether you want to make lotion for personal use or to sell, Anne allays any fears with methods that are proven safe and approved by experts, yet simple and easy enough to perform in your kitchen. You'll soon be making lotion that's better than any you've been buying, and at a fraction of the cost. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the first author to have introduced modern techniques of home soapmaking and lotionmaking to book readers. She has made soap under the company name Soap Tree, and before her retirement from professional life, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne and her husband, Aaron Shepard, live in Friday Harbor, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "The definitive guide to lotionmaking." -- Donna Puizina, Ekoaromas, Lafayette, New Jersey "Spells out everything and makes it easy to understand." -- Cheryl McCoy, Emerald City Soap, Haven, Kansas "Anne makes it so much fun, and so easy." -- Mary Jean Hammann, Grandma Jean's Soaps and Lotions, New London, Ohio "So logical and easy to understand that my first batch was a success AND a sell-out!" -- Susan Dinion, Holiday Farm &amp; Handmade Goods, Berlin, Massachusetts ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS A FEW FIRST THOUGHTS LIES AND LOTIONS (Myths About Lotion and Lotionmaking) LOTION LINGO (Learning the Jargon) WHAT IS LOTION, ANYWAY? (What It Is and What Goes Into It) THE TWO WAYS TO SANITIZE LOTION (And How to Choose Between Them) WHAT DO I PUT IT IN? (Choosing Your Bottles) WHAT DO I USE TO MAKE IT? (Gathering the Equipment You Need) STEP-BY-STEP LOTIONMAKING (From Prep to Cleanup and Beyond) TESTING YOUR LOTION (Making Sure It's Safe) MORE RECIPES! (Different Lotions You Can Try) MILK LOTION RECIPES (Treating Your Skin to Milk) DESIGNING YOUR OWN (How to Create Great Recipes) TROUBLESHOOTING (Tricks, Tweaks, and Fixes) MAKING IT A BUSINESS (How to Go Pro, Not Bust) WHY? WHY? WHY? (Frequently Asked Questions) WHERE TO READ MORE WHERE TO GET TESTING WHERE TO GET SUPPLIES

Smart Lotionmaking: The Simple Guide to Making Luxurious Lotions, or How to Make Lotion That's Better Than You Buy and Costs You Less

SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! For centuries, the name Castile has been associated with the highest quality in soap. But Castile -- made from olive oil, traditionally in factories -- has proven hard to translate to craft soapmaking. It has earned a reputation as difficult to make, slow to cure, and lacking in rich lather. Until now. Anne L. Watson, author of "Smart Soapmaking," continues her soapmaking revolution with the first practical book on making Castile soap bars at home. With the secrets revealed in this advanced guide, you'll be making lovely, quick-curing, lather-rich Castile quickly, safely, and reliably. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the first author to have introduced modern techniques of home soapmaking and lotionmaking to book readers. She has made soap under the company name Soap Tree, and before her retirement from professional life, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne and her husband, Aaron Shepard, live in Friday Harbor, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS GETTING STARTED (Facts and Myths About Castile) THE KEYS TO CASTILE (Moving It from Factory to Kitchen) WHAT DO I PUT INTO IT? (The Ingredients of Castile) WHAT DO I USE TO MAKE IT? (Gathering the Equipment You Need) Recipe: Anne's Classic Castile STEP-BY-STEP CASTILE SOAPMAKING (From Prep to Cleanup and Beyond) MORE RECIPES! (Different Castile Soaps You Can Try) Recipe: Milk Castile Recipe: Herbal Castile Recipe: Oatmeal Castile Recipe: Cleansing Castile Recipe: Gardener's Lemon Poppy Seed Castile Recipe: Castor Castile Recipe: Coconut Castor Castile Recipe: Tropical Castile WHY? WHY? WHY? (Frequently Asked Questions) WHERE TO FIND MORE

Castile Soapmaking: The Smart Guide to Making Castile Soap, or How to Make Bar Soaps From Olive Oil With Less Trouble and Better Results

SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! Soapmakers may love to add a variety of materials to soap, but they find that some cause more trouble than others. In the heat of the chemical reaction, an ingredient might discolor, or lose its scent, or develop a bad smell. Or it might cause problems during soapmaking, giving off noxious fumes, or making the soap harden so fast that there's no time to pour it in the mold. Help has arrived. Anne L. Watson extends the low-temp techniques from her book "Milk Soapmaking" to making soap from a variety of special ingredients, including cucumber, citrus, pine tar, beer, and wine. Soaps that have long challenged home soapmakers will now pose no problem at all. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the first author to have introduced modern techniques of home soapmaking and lotionmaking to book readers. She has made soap under the company name Soap Tree, and before her retirement from professional life, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne and her husband, Aaron Shepard, live in Friday Harbor, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS GETTING STARTED (From High-Temp Soapmaking to Low) WHAT DO I PUT INTO IT? (The Ingredients of Cool Soapmaking) WHAT DO I USE TO MAKE IT? (Gathering the Equipment You Need) PROJECT #1: MILK SOAPS Recipe: Anne's Cool Milk Soap COOL SOAPMAKING STEP-BY-STEP (From Prep to Cleanup and Beyond) PROJECT #2: CUCUMBER SOAPS Recipe: Basic Cucumber Soap Recipe: Cucumber Yogurt Soap Recipe: Cucumber Green Clay Soap Recipe: Cucumber Apricot Soap Recipe: Cucumber Avocado Soap Sidebar: Designing Cucumber Soaps PROJECT #3: CITRUS SOAPS Recipe: Basic Citrus Soap Recipe: Orange Yogurt Soap Recipe: Citrus Honey Soap Recipe: Ruby Red Grapefruit Soap Sidebar: Designing Citrus Soaps PROJECT #4: SOAPS WITH ACCELERANTS Recipe: Sweet Bay Soap Recipe: Pine Tar Soap Sidebar: Designing Soaps with Accelerants PROJECT #5: BEER and WINE SOAPS Recipe: Basic Beer Soap Recipe: Chocolate Ale Soap Recipe: Red Wine Soap Recipe: White Wine Soap Recipe: Anne's Coconut Beer Soap Sidebar: Designing Beer and Wine Soaps WHY? WHY? WHY? (Frequently Asked Questions) WHERE TO FIND MORE

Cool Soapmaking: The Smart Guide to Low-Temp Tricks for Making Soap, or How to Handle Fussy Ingredients Like Milk, Citrus, Cucumber, Pine Tar, Beer, and Wine

Christmas is coming for Katie Mouse and the rest of the Mouse family! Papa strings lights on the house and takes Katie and her little brother, Dylan, to get a tree, while Mama puts up decorations and bakes cookies for Santa Mouse. Now, if only Katie could decide what she really wants for Christmas, so she can let Santa Mouse know! On Christmas Eve, Santa Mouse and his mouse elves arrive to leave gifts for Katie and Dylan. But Alvar, the newest elf on the sleigh, wanders off to explore, and winds up meeting the Mouse children face to face. From the elf, they hear all about the North Pole and the magical Christmas Door, which shows you what you want and need the most. Can Alvar help Katie discover her deepest Christmas wish? And can Katie help Alvar, when Santa Mouse accidentally leaves him behind? For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT ANNE AND MOUSE TOWN In 2016, Anne L. Watson fell in love with felted mice by Bulgarian artist Diyana Stankova. Anne happened to be working on a housekeeping almanac, so she started photographing the mice, posing them in scenes with miniatures in dollhouses, to illustrate the book. Soon she was writing little stories about the mouse family, while learning to use Photoshop to manipulate their poses and composite their props and settings in a creative blend of toys, other photos, and purchased and free art. As Anne added more mice and other felted animals from Diyana and other artists, Mouse Town began to take shape. As might be expected, these adorable but pushy critters eventually demanded their own books, and Anne obliged with the Katie Mouse series. Besides her children's books, Anne writes literary novels and how-to books for grown-ups, on such subjects as housekeeping, soapmaking, and baking with cookie molds. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and a growing family of critters. Visit her at annelwatson.com. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE "What's the Christmas Door?" Katie asked with new interest. Alvar's eyes shone even brighter. "When the Christmas Door opens, it shows you what you want and need the most." "That sounds wonderful!" said Katie. "I can never decide that for myself." She sighed. "But I guess I could never go there." Alvar thought a moment. "You don't really need to. I could show it to both of you, right here." "Really?" said Katie, all excited. "Just close your eyes and look for a red and green door at the end of a path. I'll help you." Katie and Dylan closed their eyes. Snow swirled all around them, thick and soft. As it settled, they found themselves on a misty forest path with Alvar. The mist grew thinner, and out of it, a door slowly appeared before them -- red and green with gold trimmings, brighter than their Christmas tree. A gold key hung from the doorknob. "What do we do now?" said Katie. "Just touch the key, and the door will open," said Alvar. "Who's first?"

Katie Mouse and the Christmas Door: A Santa Mouse Tale

Children's Books

Animals

Skyhook Press

Christmas is coming for Katie Mouse and the rest of the Mouse family! Papa strings lights on the house and takes Katie and her little brother, Dylan, to get a tree, while Mama puts up decorations and bakes cookies for Santa Mouse. Now, if only Katie could decide what she really wants for Christmas, so she can let Santa Mouse know! On Christmas Eve, Santa Mouse and his mouse elves arrive to leave gifts for Katie and Dylan. But Alvar, the newest elf on the sleigh, wanders off to explore, and winds up meeting the Mouse children face to face. From the elf, they hear all about the North Pole and the magical Christmas Door, which shows you what you want and need the most. Can Alvar help Katie discover her deepest Christmas wish? And can Katie help Alvar, when Santa Mouse accidentally leaves him behind? For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT ANNE AND MOUSE TOWN In 2016, Anne L. Watson fell in love with felted mice by Bulgarian artist Diyana Stankova. Anne happened to be working on a housekeeping almanac, so she started photographing the mice, posing them in scenes with miniatures in dollhouses, to illustrate the book. Soon she was writing little stories about the mouse family, while learning to use Photoshop to manipulate their poses and composite their props and settings in a creative blend of toys, other photos, and purchased and free art. As Anne added more mice and other felted animals from Diyana and other artists, Mouse Town began to take shape. As might be expected, these adorable but pushy critters eventually demanded their own books, and Anne obliged with the Katie Mouse series. Besides her children's books, Anne writes literary novels and how-to books for grown-ups, on such subjects as housekeeping, soapmaking, and baking with cookie molds. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and a growing family of critters. Visit her at www.annelwatson.com. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE "What's the Christmas Door?" Katie asked with new interest. Alvar's eyes shone even brighter. "When the Christmas Door opens, it shows you what you want and need the most." "That sounds wonderful!" said Katie. "I can never decide that for myself." She sighed. "But I guess I could never go there." Alvar thought a moment. "You don't really need to. I could show it to both of you, right here." "Really?" said Katie, all excited. "Just close your eyes and look for a red and green door at the end of a path. I'll help you." Katie and Dylan closed their eyes. Snow swirled all around them, thick and soft. As it settled, they found themselves on a misty forest path with Alvar. The mist grew thinner, and out of it, a door slowly appeared before them -- red and green with gold trimmings, brighter than their Christmas tree. A gold key hung from the doorknob. "What do we do now?" said Katie. "Just touch the key, and the door will open," said Alvar. "Who's first?"

Katie Mouse and the Christmas Door: A Santa Mouse Tale (Christmas Gift Edition)

SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! In this companion to "Baking with Cookie Molds," Anne L. Watson presents cookies and molds for many holidays and all seasons, as well as for special interests and occasions -- weddings, kids, storytelling around the fireplace, and much more. With nearly 150 photos of molds, cookies, and processes, "Cookie Molds Around the Year" features new techniques and new recipes, along with a month-by-month diary of the seasons on San Juan Island, Watson's home. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author of "Baking with Cookie Molds," as well as a number of other popular books on home crafts and lifestyle, plus many novels. In a previous career, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne now lives in Bellingham, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE DECEMBER HOLIDAYS It's cold now, here on San Juan Island. Snow is a possibility every morning, and frost is a certainty. The trees are bare, but we bundle up in layer upon layer of coats and sweaters. And the days are so short. The sun comes up, far in the south, long after breakfast, and it sets long before dinner. This is the time of year when many cultures have celebrations to drive away the dark -- Christmas, with all its lights and its star; Hanukkah, the festival of lights; Kwanzaa; Santa Lucia; midwinter festivals in several cultures; and many others throughout history. Many homeowners on the island put up Christmas lights, of course, doubly welcome outside the town limits, where there are no streetlights. There are decorations, too. I have a tiny model village I put on the mantel for Christmas, and it usually stays for most of the winter. The merchants of Friday Harbor help drive away the dark with a competition to decorate their shop fronts. On December 5, we celebrate St. Nicholas Eve with molded cookies in the shape of the saint with his horse or donkey -- some cookie molds show one, some the other. The story of St. Nicholas is not well-known, but he was a real person who performed great acts of generosity and kindness. It was St. Nicholas cookies that originally sparked my own interest in molded cookies. My husband, Aaron Shepard, is a children's author, and his children's storybook "The Baker's Dozen" is about a baker who learns a lesson of generosity from St. Nicholas himself. Near the end of December is the winter solstice, that turning point that tells us that the sun is coming back, even as we see only cold and darkness. The month ends, of course, with its cornucopia of Christmas cookies! These include almost every secular and religious motif you could think of, from jolly snowmen to medieval manger scenes. Baking cookies for family and friends is a special holiday joy, and in the spirit of St. Nicholas, let's bake some to give away as well. For this month, I feature both traditional and new recipes to bake and share.

Cookie Molds Around the Year: An Almanac of Molds, Cookies, and Other Treats for Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Other Holidays, and Every Season

Next River Books

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