Books of the week 7/17/17

The Heartwarming Tale of Surfer Dude is a must-read!

Destined for fame, Surfer Dude is known to many who looked for this colt while crossing the bridge to Assateague Island and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The story of this beloved wild stallion, who cared for his herd of mares over a lifetime on Chincoteague Island, is beautifully illustrated in vivid detail, from his distinctive blue eye to his white star and stripe, silver mane and tail, and chocolatey chestnut coat. His passing at the ripe age of twenty-three in the spring of 2015 touched people from across the United States and beyond. But the spirit of his gentle nature and the way he loved his foals lives on. His spirit lingers in breezes that ruffle the island grasses and in the sunbeams that warm the island ponies, and is celebrated in this story of love and the circle of life.

I really enjoyed reading this heartwarming story and highly recommend for children ages 7+.

About the Author
Lois Szymanski has authored over 25 books, many on the wild Chincoteague ponies. She lives in Westminster, Maryland, with her husband, Dan, and their Shetland sheepdog, Ryley. A former regional advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she teaches occasional writing classes at Carroll Community College. In her spare time she visits her daughter’s Chincoteague pony, Sea Feather, which the family purchased in 1995 at the Pony Penning auction.

About the Illustrator
Linda Kantjas began drawing and painting horses and other animals while in elementary school. She graduated from the University of Idaho with an art education degree. After college, she visited Assateague Island and began learning about and painting the ponies. Linda lives in Middletown, New York, and her Shih Tzu, Kimba, accompanies her on outdoor and travel adventures.

About the Publisher
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. is a family-owned, independent publisher of high-quality books. Since 1974, Schiffer has published thousands of titles on the diverse subjects that fuel our readers’ passions. From our traditional subjects of antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts, and military history, Schiffer has expanded its catalog to publish books on contemporary art and artists; architecture and design; food and entertaining; the metaphysical, paranormal and folklore; and pop and fringe culture, as well as books for children. Visit www.schifferbooks.com to explore our backlist of more than 5,800 titles.

I love this next one! 

Lemonade stands have become big business. Kids have been running them for decades, whether to raise money for a new bike, for a charitable cause, or simply to conquer boredom. Inspired by dozens of kid entrepreneurs from all over the country, Kathy Strahs pours her expertise as a food writer, entrepreneur and mother of two into the ultimate guide to setting up one’s own lemonade stand. Step-by-step illustrations and full-color photographs of each recipe (lemonades and snacks) and many creative crafts make each page easy and fun for budding entrepreneurs.

This one has wonderful recipes! I love the Watermelon Agua Fresca and the Polka Dot Blondies! But, it also has some really fun DIY crafts! Check out some of the great recipes here!  I recommend this one for both adults and children!

You can purchase on Amazon.com.

Looking to maybe lose weight this Summer and eat healthier? I highly recommend this next book!

Portobello Mushroom Towers

Yields 2 large servings

Dairy ▪ Gluten-Free ▪ Low Carb ▪ Sugar-Free

Calories: 181 per serving; Shani Taub Exchange: 1 protein, 1 Vegetable

One summer Sunday afternoon, my family and I passed through Monsey, stopping at the Evergreen shopping center. I really wanted iced coffee, so I headed to Hava Java. As I waited for my Skinny Frappe (one of

the best ever), I watched the hot dishes emerge fast from the kitchen. One dish that caught my attention was the towering Portobello Mushroom Sliders. I went home and recreated the dish … and it was just as

good as it looked.

MUSHROOMS

2 Portobello mushroom caps

¼ cup red wine vinegar

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp dried basil

½ tsp salt

TOPPINGS

1 red pepper

½ onion, sliced

1 tsp salt, plus more for sprinkling

½ onion, diced

8 oz frozen spinach, thawed, drained

2 (1-oz) slices Muenster OR mozzarella cheese

[1] Place mushroom caps into a ziplock bag. Add red wine vinegar, garlic powder, basil, and salt. Seal; marinate for 1 hour or up to overnight in the refrigerator.

[2] Preheat oven to 400ºF. Place mushrooms and marinade into a baking pan; bake for 25 minutes.

[3] Meanwhile, place red pepper into the oven (on its own or in a baking pan). Roast until skin is blistered, about 35-45 minutes. Let cool; peel and discard peel and seeds. Slice pepper; set aside.

[4] Coat a sauté pan with nonstick cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add sliced onion; lower heat and sprinkle with salt. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden, about 15 minutes. Remove from pan; set aside.

[5] Coat the sauté pan again with nonstick cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add diced onion; lower heat and sprinkle with salt. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook an additional 2 minutes. Season with salt.

[6] Assemble the towers: Top each mushroom with half the spinach mixture, half the peppers, and half

the onions. Top with one slice of cheese; bake until cheese is golden and bubbling, 9-10 minutes.

Make Ahead: All the components of this dish can be made ahead and stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Simply assemble and bake when ready to enjoy.