Dutch Oven Cookout, Step by Step

Dutch Oven Cookout, Step by Step
by Michele Pika Nielson
208 pages
All ages!


Ever wonder how to cook in a dutch oven but were so overwhelmed that you just didn't know where to start? Then check out Dutch Oven Cookout, Step by Step!  This book covers everything from the basics, to great tips and amazing recipes.

Start by learning how to season your dutch oven, including the reason why we do it.  Once it is seasoned, create amazing meals like cobblers, soups and meat dishes.  After all the food is gone, properly clean your dutch oven in preparation for next time.  This book takes you, step by step, from the beginning to the end, with lots of helpful tips along the way!

This is an amazing book.   I worked with the author when I was younger, watched her spend years collecting data and trying out recipes.  Each part of this book is thoroughly tested, tried and tweaked until perfection has been achieved!  I love that the book has as much about caring for your dutch oven as it does recipes.  It simplifies what can seem super complicated and overwhelming.  Great tool for families, whether you camp-out all the time or are a novice.  I highly recommend it for anyone that wants to have their own dutch oven cookout!

Please see Michele's website at www.DutchOvenCookout.com for more details or to buy your own copy!  She is still doing signings at various locations, so go check her out!

You can also follow her on Facebook!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dutch-Oven-Cookout/77072900348

YA Author Visit- We have the POWER!

So, all my blogshpere friends- we have the power! The power to decide where some authors are coming to visit! There is a tour of five amazing authors, that the people get to decide where they will come!  These authors include:
Marie Lu
Marissa Meyer
Beth Revis
Victoria Schwab

Megan Shepherd

We get to vote, and say which city they visit!  Here is a link to go vote!  Of course, I want them to come to Salt Lake City, Utah, but you can vote for whatever location you want to (vote for Salt Lake! Vote for Salt Lake!)

http://ya2u.blogspot.com/p/contest-entry-form.html

Anyways, go!  Vote!  Bring authors to your city!

David and Leigh Eddings

David Eddings!  Another of my favorite authors!  Although most of his books say only his name, he later added his wife, Leigh's, name to his books and admitted that she was such a huge help to him that she deserved the credit.  Together they have created several fantasy worlds that are definitely worth reading!

Some things that characterize their work: most of their books have some truly epic range, both in characters, world size, and shear scope!  The series that starts with Pawn of Prophecy has 13 books, spans thousands of years, and sees the downfall and rise of gods.   The Elenium and Tamuli has similar scope, if not the same length. While The Redemption of Althalus is a stand alone novel, it still follows that same epic pattern.

The Belgariad and Mallorean series begin withe Pawn of Prophecy and follow the adventures of Garion, a farm boy thrust into kingship by a heritage he knew nothing of.  Magic, gods and war follow him wherever he goes.  This is one of my all time favorites!  I try to read this series every year or so, it's that good.  I never get tired of it.  Garion is a brilliant character, and the reader gets to see him grow and change from a boy with no knowledge of the world, to one of the major players in it.  Great story, that grows as Garion does.

I would recommend any of the books by David and Leigh Eddings to people of almost any age.  I love the Elenium, the Tamuli, the Belgariad, and the Mallorean series. I also really enjoyed reading The Redemption of Althalus.  While they did write another series called The Dreamers, I did not like that series as well as the others.  These books are great for boys and girls alike, with elements that will interest and intrigue both!  They are well written, fun to read, and continually surprising.  I would recommend starting with Pawn of Prophecy, and read that series first.  Even kids as young as middle school aged would enjoy them.  The Elenium I would say are better for high school aged, and Redemption of Althalus would be around the same age.

Read some David Eddings!  He is wonderful!

My Favorite Author- Garth Nix

Mister Monday, the first in
 the Keys to the Kingdom Series

     So to start this off, I would like to share one of my favorite authors that I found when I was a teenager- Garth Nix.  Originally from Australia, Mr. Nix has several series and books out, including the Abhorsen Trilogy (or Old Kingdom series), Keys to the Kingdom series, and The Seventh Tower series.  In addition to these series, he has several stand alone books or collection of stories, including Shade's Children, One Beastly Beast, and a book that is the start of a new series called Troubletwisters.

     One of the things I like about Garth Nix's books is his different approach to everything.  He has very interesting and unique approaches to his fantasy settings.  He treats death as a series of waterfalls, he believes test is mightier than the days of the week, and bells have power to calm or raise the dead.  So many of his ideas were fresh to me as a teenager, which was really important.  I read so much, I saw lots of elements that got over done- everyone had done it hundreds of times!  So when I read Sabriel, it still has some things I was familiar with, but then has so many new ideas!  I love it!  All of these books I would recommend to any teenager!

Sabriel, first book of
the Old Kingdom series

     The first book I read by Garth Nix was Sabriel.  I was mesmerized by it!  When I heard, years later, that other books set in the same world were being written, I was so excited.  I love this book so much, that it will have its own posting (soon to come!).  One of the reasons why this book intrigued me so much is the unique way it looked at death.  Sabriel also has many elements that entice teens: fantasy, action, romance, and a teen main character that even goes to school.  The story is fast paced, delves right into the action, and keeps going throughout the book.   Read the post on Sabriel  to find out more!  After reading this book, I searched out for others by him.

The Fall, Book 1 of
The Seventh Tower series

     While many of his books are intended for young adults, the Seventh Tower series is more for late elementary and middle school readers.  Tal is a young man who has lived his whole life in darkness at the castle with the seven towers.  When trouble threatens his family, Tal tries to steal a sunstone, the source of light and power for his people.  When he fails, he falls, out the the light and into the unknown.  There he meets Milla, his complete opposite, who he must trust and work with in order to save everything they hold dear.  This series of six books is a great read- continual action and twists and turns keep the reader eagerly turning the pages!

Lord Sunday, the conclusion of
The Keys to the Kingdom series.

     A series that he recently finished is the Keys to the Kingdom.  Starting with Mister Monday, we meet Arthur Penhaligon, a boy starting a new school.  While in PE, he tries to run despite his asthma, and ends up seeing what he thinks are delusions.  These delusions are Mister Monday and his servant.  This leads Arthur to the House, where everything is dreadfully wrong.  The Keys to the Kingdom series follow Arthur as he battles each day or the week for dominion over the House.  As he get closer to battling Lord Sunday, is Arthur still himself, or is he losing himself in the magic of the House?

  
    Here are some great resources to learn more about Garth Nix and his books:
http://www.garthnix.com/   Garth Nix's official website

http://www.keystothekingdom.com.au/   Keys to the Kingdom website

http://www.oldkingdom.com.au/    Abhorsen and Old Kingdom series website

http://www.troubletwisters.com.au/    website for Garth Nix's new series: Troubletwisters