My friend Robin gave me a starter bag to make Amish Friendship Bread; sweet bread that tastes like a moist cake. For the first five days I opened the gallon sized bag to release the air and then seal it and smash the contents in the bag. On the sixth day, I added a cup each of flour, sugar and milk. Then I sealed the bag again and squished all the ingredients until they were mixed together. I continued to squish the ingredients in the bag and release the air once a day. On the tenth day, I again added another cup each of flour, sugar and milk. This time I mixed it all together. I scooped out three separate cups of the mix and poured one cup into three one-gallon sized bags. I kept the last cup of the batch and added the remaining ingredients and baked a loaf of bread for my friend. 1 cup oil 1/2 cup milk 3 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well: 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 – (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup nuts Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. While the bread baked a wonderful vanilla cinnamon smell permeated the kitchen. It baked for one hour in a 325 degree oven. I knew…

Dodie Smith’s novel is just like any other charming British novel set in the countryside in the 1930s: the landscape is glorious, the cupboard is bare, and the characters eccentric. I Capture the Castle opens with the wonderful line “I am sitting in the kitchen sink as I write this.” The “I” is Cassandra Mortmain, the 17-year old narrator of the novel (which is, in fact, her journal). She is keeping vigil over her stepmother, Topaz, and her elder sister, Rose, as they attempt to rejuvenate their ragtag wardrobes with a healthy dose of green dye. Unfortunately, this lends both their clothes and their skin an interesting virescence – a state that is much lamented when their new, handsome, wealthy American neighbors come calling. This episode is just one of the many very human portraits that Cassandra draws, wittily and honestly, with her stub of a pencil. And just like humanity, I Capture the Castle manages to be funny and sad at the same time.  The castle in question, where the Mortmains reside, is magnificent but dilapidated. This state of affairs seemed romantic to the family once, but now it is simply mournful. No member of Cassandra’s family escapes her keen sense of observation, and she certainly has no shortage of material. The characters are already caricatures of themselves, even without Cassandra’s commentary. Her father is a brilliant author with one highly lauded book, whose inspiration has vanished since Cassandra’s mother died when the girls were young. When he…

Sometimes you need a change of scenery to spark your creativity, and events like writing retreats, conferences, workshops often provide a change of pace, a chance to relax and unwind, and space to focus on your craft. These events can also offer opportunities to connect with other writers and build community and a network of support. Some even double as opportunities to travel to faraway destinations. If you’re thinking about attending one this year, here are some destination writing retreats and conferences to help fuel your inspiration.   San Francisco Writer’s Conference When: February 6-9, 2025 About: The 21st annual San Francisco Writers Conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Attendees will join 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the country and around the world at this year’s event. The SFWC events are consistently rated among the top writers’ conferences anywhere. Our goal is to help writers become published authors as we help them become better at the craft of writing and the business of publishing. The event spans four days and offers optional Pre- and Post-Event 3-hour Master Classes. There is copious networking with the very people who can advance your writing career, a glorious gala, keynotes, and continental breakfasts, lots of social interaction with other writers, our Pub Quiz, and an invaluable ‘practice your pitch’ session. Want feedback? Attendees can have a free one-on-one session with an independent editor, book coach, and marketing expert. There will be exhibitors with services and tools for writers,…