5 MG Series That I Love

Hello and welcome back!! It’s been a very manic week for me, what with work and extra deadlines and travelling various places and celebrating Thanksgiving… Let’s just say I’m grateful it’s the weekend! Today I was pondering over what to blog about, and I had a genius idea. Well, at least I think it’s quite genius. 😀

If you’ve read my blog for more than about two weeks, I’m sure you’ll be aware that I am a huge historical fiction fan. It’s my first love in the literary world and I am slightly obsessed. However, sometimes my brain is too tired to follow historical fiction (aka me right now after this crazy busy week :D) and I like to turn to something lighter. Cue: middle grade fiction. I know, I know – I’m nearly an adult and theoretically I should be shunning these childish books with every fibre in me. But, nope. I will freely admit that I do enjoy a good middle grade (MG from now on) book. And so today I’m going to be sharing 5 MG series that I love! When I pick up one of these books, I’m immediately hit with a wave of nostalgia and happy memories. These are the books of my childhood, and because I loved them then, I love them now!

Before I share my book picks, I just want to clarify MG for anyone out there that is a bit mystified by the term. According to this source, “Middle grade books are meant for younger readers who are comfortable with longer works, more complex topics and grammar, and full chapters. There’s a huge range of types and styles in this area—everything from Black Beauty to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series could be considered middle grade! Basically, if it’s appropriate for a kid between 8 and 13, it’s probably middle grade.”

I find foraying into (quality!) middle grade fiction refreshing and relaxing. For me, the markers of quality MG books include things like humour, charm, innocence, and the importance of family and good morals. Sadly a lot of MG books published these days don’t fit this criteria (that’s a whole other blog post for another time!). Thankfully over my many years of reading I’ve managed to separate the dross from the silver so to speak, and today I’m going to share my absolute favourite MG series with you! So if you have younger siblings or nieces/nephews or grandchildren or children you babysit, or if you just fancy reading some quality children’s fiction, then this blog post is for you!!

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The Melendy Quartet – Elizabeth Enright

This delightful quartet of books is one of the main series I remember my Mum reading to me as a child. I must’ve been about 10 when she read these aloud to me and my sister. I remember begging for just one chapter more on warm summer nights, and being totally immersed in the world of these hilarious children – the Melendys. One might think that living mother-less during the time of WWII would mean that these four siblings lived depressing lives. Quite the contrary! These books are filled with their heart-warming, hilarious escapades and oh what joy they bring to my heart whenever I think of them! These books make me think of summer and the countryside and the ins and outs of sibling relationships and the loyalty and love of family. These books are timeless in their story and will delight readers of any age. 

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The Penderwicks Series – Jeanne Birdsall

I discovered this MG series relatively late in the game – only about 9 months ago. But the fact that I was so much above the target age range for these books didn’t hinder my deep enjoyment of them whatsoever. These five books tell the quirky and charm-filled stories of the four Penderwick sisters and their adventures over the years as they do life together, gaining new friends, making new enemies, and seeing their family grow. I loved how unique and realistic each sister was – and I should know having four sisters myself! Birdsall is a very solid writer, and I am very excited to get my hands on the final book to see how the Penderwicks’ story ends (I’ve not read book #5 so no spoilers please!! :D). 

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The Circle C Adventures Series – Susan K. Marlow

Of course what would a blog post about books be without at least one historical fiction mention?! 😀 I was introduced to this series about… 8 or 9 years ago probably, and I have been a huge fan of Mrs Marlow’s work ever since. This series chronicles the adventures of Andi Carter – a girl living on a ranch in the 1880s wild west. These stories are full of adventure and excitement – bandits, kidnappings, horse races, gold digging and much more! From the very first book I fell in love with the Andi’s world – how could I not, being such a big history fan! These are quality adventure stories with the added benefit of being solid Christian fiction as well. Plus, Mrs Marlow has written loads of other series about Andi for basically every age – young readers up to young adults! Check out the CCA website here for more information about the many books chronicling Andi Carter’s life.

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Andrew Clements

Ok, I’m going to cheat and recommend a MG author rather than a series. (I’ve picked my top 5 of his books to put in the slideshow above.) This author is Andrew Clements – and I love his writing! I think the first book I ever read of his was Frindle, and since then I’ve read the majority of his works. He writes about kids and their trials and triumphs in daily life and school. His protagonists are real and raw and go through some hard things. But his stories are so unique and engaging and positive that it’s hard not to love his books! The plots truly are so unique and I love being able to step inside the brain of a kid for the duration of the story. These books are more ‘school stories’ rather than ‘family stories’ as some of my other recommendations are – but this makes them unique and I highly recommend them! 

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The Moffats Series – Eleanor Estes

This last series reminds me of the first series I recommended – they are both about four siblings, missing one parent, who live during the time of a world war. However, The Moffats series is actually totally different from The Melendy Quartet. Different authors make for different stories I guess! This series is so wholesome and sweet and hilarious it’s impossible not to love it! I love each and every character for their quirks and foibles and the stories that they create together. This family is one that sticks together, even when times get really rough. They truly love each other, despite all their differences. And oh the escapades they get into! These four books are such a hilarious, delightful snapshot into the life Moffat family – I just love them. 

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So there you have it – 5 MG series that I love!! And now I’m seriously inspired to go reread some MG books – I feel like I’m in need of a dosage of hilarity + sweetness + charm + children in my reading life 😀 

Let’s chat in the comments! Have you read any of these books? What are your favourite MG books?

 

Friendship from Tears – Part 2

Welcome back! 🙂 I hope that your week has gone well. Mine has been pretty crazy – I returned from my mission trip in Ireland on Wednesday (it was absolutely amazing btw!) and have since been trying to get back into the normal routine of school. Not exactly an easy task…! 😀

Today I’m going to share with you the concluding part of the short story I posted last week. If you haven’t read part one, click here to read it. I hope you enjoy! 🙂

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My eyes are caught by a brand on the horse’s flank – a ‘C’ inside a circle. “The Circle C… Have I heard of that before…?” Before I can chase the thought, another something bursts out of the bushes.

 But this time, this something is a girl. She storms towards me, hands on hips, dark braids swinging, anger oozing out of every move she makes. I back up next to Fire, poised for a quick getaway.

“You thief! How dare you?!” she throws her words at me, putting a protective hand on the palomino’s neck. The horse nickers and rests her head on the girl’s shoulder. “You know we hang horse thieves in this state?!” Her angry blue eyes throw me a challenge.

 I stiffen at her accusation, and draw my small frame up to its full height. I feel my green eyes narrow, returning the challenge, and my hands clench into fists.

“I. Am. Not. A. Thief.” I spit each word out with great disdain. “I was not stealing your horse, I was only wondering why a horse was wandering out in the middle of nowhere, and seeing if I could find out whose horse it was so I could return it.”

 “She’s not wandering out in the middle of nowhere, she’s on Carter land, and she’s a Carter horse. See the brand?” the strange girl says, pointing to the mare’s flank. “In fact, you are trespassing on Carter land. Right now.”

“I’m very sorry, I didn’t know I was trespassing.” I retort icily. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get off your Carter land.” I mount Fire, and we start to walk away from the girl. “And I was not trying to steal your horse!” I toss as a parting shot over my shoulder.

 “Wait!” Her voice has a strange sound to it. I pull the reins, and we stop, but I don’t turn around. I’m too mad. “I’m-I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions.”

 Is she going to apologize? I slightly turn my head so I can see her out of the corner of my eye. She’s standing next to the palomino, looking at me.

“Taffy disappeared, and then I heard noise, and when I peeked through the bushes, all I could see was someone standing next to her, and I-I guess I just figured that you were trying to steal her. I’m kind of protective of her, you see.”

 I turn around Fire around fully, and stare at this strange girl. One minute hopping mad, the next minute apologising – what kind of girl is she? She smiles apologetically at me, hand still laying protectively on her horse’s neck.

“Umm…” I’m still wary of her, and don’t really know what to say. I haven’t seen anyone as mad as that girl was two minutes ago in a long time. “Well…”

“Mother is always chiding me for my temper.” The girl continues on. “And I know I ought to be better at controlling it. It’s just hard to control it when you think someone is stealing your horse.” She giggles awkwardly, then stops when she sees that I’m unamused. “I guess what I’m trying to say is…” She stops, takes a deep breath, and then starts again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted at that like you. Will you forgive me?” She looks up at me, her eyes pleading instead of spitting fire.

My mind races. I guess I don’t blame her for getting mad – I would be furious if I thought someone was stealing Fire! I give a small, reluctant smile.

“Sure, I forgive you. I would be mad too if I thought someone was stealing my horse.”

“Oh thanks! I really am sorry.” She shoots me an apologetic smile. “Shall we start over?” She asks.

“Huh?” My forehead wrinkles in confusion.

“You know, start over and get to know each other properly. I’m Andrea Carter, but you can call me Andi.” She sticks out her hand and gives me another grin. Her grin really is contagious, and I find myself shyly grinning back. I slide out of my saddle for the second time in ten minutes, and walk over to where she and her horse are standing.

“I’m Anna Moore. Pleased to meet you.” I shake her hand and then back up, not sure where to go from there.

“Nice to meet you, Anna!” She chirps. “How old are you?”

“I’m 13 next month.” I reply. “What about you?”

“I was 13 in May. So we’re practically the same age!”

“Yes!” I agree, and then silence falls again. I know I should keep the conversation moving, but my mind is still spinning from the rapid transition of events that have just occurred. The girl, or Andi as she calls herself, makes the first move again.

“Your horse is beautiful. What’s its name?” She stretches out her hand and lets Fire sniff it. I can tell she has a natural connection with horses.

“Thank you.” I reply. “His name is Fire.”

“Oh he’s so lovely!” She’s now scratching him under his forelock, his favourite place to be scratched. Fire gives a little grunt of happiness and a smile creeps across my face. Anyone that can make friends with my horse has found a place in my heart.

“And you said your horse’s name is…. Taffy?” I question.

“Yes, it is. I’ve had her since I was 6 years old.” Taffy is still standing contentedly behind her, her ears whiffling at the sound of our conversation. “How long have you had Fire?” She asks.

“Oh, since I was about eight. My Papa gave her to me…” I trail off and shift my feet in the dust. Those words bring back a slew of memories – memories that hurt more than they should.

“That’s nice. My brother Chad gave Taffy to me. I’d been simply longing to have my own horse, instead of a poky little pony. It was so hard being surrounded by horses and having to ride a pony instead.” She stops her flow of chatter abruptly. “Oh I’m sorry, I should explain. My family owns a ranch. The ‘Circle C’.” She gestures to the brand on Taffy’s flank. “So we have a lot of horses. You can imagine how delighted I was to have one of my own! And Taffy is my practically my best friend. We do everything together, don’t we girl?” She turns and strokes Taffy’s nose.

Taking the moment’s silence as a signal, Fire prods me in the back with his nose and nickers. I smile and grab his bridle to keep him from pushing me further. “Hey!” I chide gently

“Anyways, enough about me. I do tend to ramble on, unfortunately.” Andi chuckles. “So where do you call home?”

My heart plummets into my stomach at this question. Oh, how I long to go back to the only place I’ve ever called home, the cabin in the Oregon woods. But I can’t.

“Um, I’m living with Whit Hereford right now. He runs the dry goods shop in Fresno.”

“Oh yes, I know the one! I didn’t know he had anyone living with him. But then I haven’t been to Fresno for a while. No need to, now that school is over and done with for the summer. Thank goodness.” She gives a mock shudder and her blue eyes twinkle.

“My mother is going to help Uncle Whit run the shop. We moved there last week.” I shuffle my feet, uncomfortable at admitting this upsetting truth.

“Hey, that’s great!” Andi offers another grin. “And what does your Father do?” The question hovers between us as the warm breeze whispers in the trees. I struggle to keep my mouth from quivering, and furiously blink back tears.

“I… ah. He… um… died.” I manage to get out. “In January. It was a logging accident.” I look down and scuff my boots in the dust, my vision blurred by tears swimming in my eyes.

“Oh I’m so sorry.” Andi’s voice comes quietly, gently. “I’m so very sorry.”

“Thanks.” I manage to choke out.

“It’s hard, huh?” She softly asks.

“Yeah. Really hard.” I can’t stop my mouth from wobbling and soon tears are once again spilling down my cheeks. “I’m- I’m sorry.” I gulp. But floods are hard to stop once they’ve begun, and my tears just keep coming. I bury my face in my hands, and turn away towards Fire, embarrassed to be sobbing in front of this girl I’ve only just met. Fire lets me cry on his neck – he’s been used to it these past months.

Then suddenly, I feel something strange. An arm steals around my shoulders, and I feel the comforting pressure of a hug. It makes me sob harder, but all of a sudden my heart feels warmer. It’s as if a soothing layer of balm has been spread across the recently opened wound. After what seems to be an eternity, I take a deep, hiccoughing breath and look up. Andi’s face is warm with compassion and understanding.

“My Father died when I was five.” She says, simply. “I know what it’s like.”

She understands me. She understands my tears. The thought is comforting, like the final squeeze she gives me before stepping back. Fire whinnies concernedly in my ear and whooshes his breath over my cheek. “I’m alright, don’t worry, Fire.” I smile shakily and pat his neck to reassure him. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I compose myself, wiping the tear stains off my cheeks, and tucking away the wayward curls of hair that have escaped from my braids behind my ears.

“I’m sorry.” I say. “I didn’t mean –“

“No don’t be.” She cuts me off. “Sometimes you just have to let it all out.” She smiles knowingly at me. “I come here when I need to do some letting off. It’s my special spot…” She gestures round the clearing, and all of a sudden I realize that it is actually quite a pretty spot.  A brook babbles off to my left and birds twitter among the trees.

“I can see why.” I say. “It’s lovely.”

“Yeah, it’s good to just come and be alone sometimes. As long as no one tries to steal your horse…” She shoots a sidelong look at me, and I see laughter twinkling in her eyes again.

“Well I don’t think a horse thief would get very far with you on their trail!” I reply. I shoot her a twinkling look of my own, and suddenly we both burst into laughter. It feels good to laugh again.

“I should hope not!” We burst into another round of laughter, and I feel a weight lift from my shoulders. All of a sudden life doesn’t seem as bleak as before. Perhaps it is possible to find joy again. Our laughter dies, and we share a companionable   grin.

Then she looks up at the sky. “Oh dear, I must dash. Mother will be expecting me back for supper soon!”

“Yes, I suppose I should be getting back to town too.”

“Do you know how to get back to town?” Andi asks. “If you head straight south from here you’ll hit a road. Just follow that east and you’ll ride straight into Fresno.”

“Oh thanks! I wasn’t exactly following a map when I stumbled upon this place.” I giggle. It feels funny to be smiling so much all of a sudden. But it feels pretty good too.

“Are you free tomorrow?” Andi questions, while climbing easily onto Taffy’s bare back.

“I think so.” I say, putting my foot into the stirrup and hefting myself into the saddle. “Why?”

“Well I figured I might ride out to Fresno, just to see what’s new… And while I’m at it I might stop by the dry goods store and see if anyone there fancies a ride…” She shrugs carelessly, but I can see the grin she’s trying to suppress.

I smile again. “Sounds like a good plan!”

“Right then, see you tomorrow!” She waves and then turns to go.

“See you tomorrow!” I echo.

“Goodbye!” She throws one last beaming smile over her shoulder, and then urges Taffy into a gallop. I watch her ride until she is out of sight, and then pick up my reins.

“Come on Fire, let’s go!” Within seconds we are hurtling faster and faster straight south. I laugh with joy, but the wind that whistles in my face whisks the sound away quickly.

 Our speed is exhilarating, but more so are the strange new feelings that bubble up inside, feelings that I haven’t felt in quite a long time – the feelings of thankfulness and joy.

 I give a whoop of delight and urge Fire to go faster. I can’t wait for tomorrow.

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So, what do you think? I’d love to hear any thoughts you have on the story! 🙂 

 

Friendship from Tears – Part 1

Hi there, welcome back! I’m so excited to be sharing the first part of a short story with you all today. I wrote this story to enter into a fan fiction contest, and though I didn’t win anything, I still had a lot of fun writing it, so it was definitely worth it! If you want to learn more about the books behind this story, you can go here. And now without further ado, my I present to you, the first half of Friendship from Tears!

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June, 1881

The wind whips my hair into my face, and the pounding of Fire’s hooves echo like drum beats in my head. I lean further over Fire’s neck, urging him to go faster. Maybe I can outrun my unhappiness.

“I hate it here!” I shout, but the wind snatches the words from my mouth and they melt into nothingness.

I never wanted to move, it was all Mama’s idea. Ever since Papa died she’d been restless. Grief does that to a person I guess… So when she got an invitation to come help out in Uncle Whit’s dry goods shop, she took it up. Now don’t get me wrong, I like Uncle Whit. But not where he lives. Fresno, California is a hot, dusty, out in the middle of nowhere place. And to top it all off, it has no forest near it for miles.

Up in Oregon, I’d spent my whole life in the forest. I loved it. It was my native habitat, my home. No place else could replace the cosy cabin in the woods where I lived with my Papa and Mama.

But now, I’m here, in a strange place without my beloved Papa. And I hate it. At least I was able to bring Fire with me. I don’t know what I would have done without him this past week. Every day, as soon as I can escape from the shop, I ride. I don’t know where I go, just out into the dusty country and scrubby hills. When I’m alone on Fire’s back, I can try to forget the weight of loneliness and grief that hangs heavy on my heart.

~

I love to ride. When I was little, Papa used to toss me up in the saddle with him and we’d ride through the woods together. When I got bigger, he gave me my own horse, a black gelding I named ‘Black Fire’. I called him Fire for short. He and Papa were my constant companions – whenever I had a free moment, they were the two I wanted to be with. We’d ride together through the towering pine trees and across the lush, green fields, talking about everything and anything, and laughing at the slightest provocation.

When dusk would begin to fall, we’d turn towards home. Tired but happy, we’d eventually come through the trees and into the clearing where our cabin stood. There Mama would be standing in the lighted doorway, waiting for us to come in. Oh the love and joy that I felt, surrounded by the people and place I loved! Papa’s ever present laughter filled our house, and Mama’s gentle smile lighted it. Our house was an island of happiness.

 “It’s a puddle of heaven, Anna girl” Papa used to say, as he’d hug me tight.

Then, this past winter, all that had changed. A freak accident took Papa, and in one swift blow, everything I knew and loved fell out from beneath my feet.

 I felt like I was falling forever though a thick, black mist of sorrow. When I finally hit the ground, everything was different.

It seemed that all joy disappeared that day Papa never came home, and heartache came in to take its place. Mama didn’t talk much. She seemed to withdraw inside herself, like a snail into its shell. The silence in the house screamed out that something was missing.

Fire was my constant companion in those dark days. Every day, as soon as school and chores were over, I’d take off on Fire, wandering the woods and remembering happier days. Many tears fell and my heart throbbed until I wished I could die too. But the woods were like a healing balm to my soul. The familiar paths and hills, the never-changing beauty and the pine-scented breezes soothed my heart. The grief that had at first stabbed me with sharp pain, slowly but surely subsided to a dull ache.

In my own way, I was happy again. Never as happy as before, but still, I was content. I had Fire, and my beloved woods, and our home was again lighted by Mama’s quiet smile.

Then Mama announced that we were moving to Fresno, and once again everything changed. I fought the decision with everything I had in me. I couldn’t fathom leaving the home that I had known my whole life. But despite my pleadings and tears, Mama had remained steadfast in her decision.

 And so, a week ago, we had taken the long journey down to Fresno. Leaving the cabin in the woods tore yet another wound into my already aching heart, and this time it felt like it would never heal…

~

All these memories and thoughts flash through my head, as Fire and I gallop over the open country.

But one thought pounds in my head above everything else, even louder than Fire’s pounding hooves. I hate it here! I want Papa back! Tears leak from my eyes and are immediately are swept away by the wind that whistles in my ears. My breath comes in great gasps, and sobs tear through my body.

“Why? Why?!” I shout.

But there is no answer.

I slowly become aware of Fire’s sides heaving, as he struggles to keep up the fast pace I’m urging him to. I slow him down, easing him out of the gallop into a lope, then trot, then finally a walk. “I’m sorry old boy,” I say, patting Fire’s wet neck. “Guess I wasn’t thinking about what I was doing. Did I run you too fast?”

Taking a heaving breath, I scrub my tears away and take note of my surroundings for the first time. We’ve galloped out of the open country, into a sparsely wooded area. Nothing like the woods back home, just some trees here and there.

Fire whinnies softly, and looks back at me with his dark, gentle eyes. He seems to know my pain, and his eyes are filled with pity. “Oh, I love you Fire!” I lean down onto his neck and hug him, ignoring his sweatiness. He whinnies again, and then walks forward deeper into the clearing.

 It’s actually not that bad here. There isn’t a lot of dust and it’s quiet – something that town never is. I miss the silence of the woods back home. Fire pricks his ears back and forth, listening for something only he knows.

Then, the silence is broken by a rustling noise coming from the far edge of the clearing. I sit up straight, gripping Fire’s mane with one hand, and the reins with the other. The realization suddenly comes upon me that I have no idea where I am. I’ve galloped for miles, and I have no clue who, or what, could be out here. The quiet clearing becomes eerie to my nervously listening ears, and the silence that I welcomed a moment ago now becomes unfriendly. My eyes dart quickly around the circle of trees, I feel like I’m being watched. “Wh- who’s there?” My voice comes out in a quaver.

 Suddenly, something bursts through the trees, and then stops. That something is a horse. I let out a shaky sigh of relief and grin at my nerves.

“Whew, that scared me. Did it scare you Fire?” He snorts and walks toward the other horse.

It’s a beautiful cream palomino, perfect from head to toe. I can tell it’s a horse of good breeding. The question is, why is it alone here out in the middle of nowhere? I slip out of my saddle, and hit the ground in a puff of dust.

Walking forward towards the horse, I reach my hand out and start sweet-talking. “Hey, beauty. Whatcha doing here all by yourself? You sure are a pretty horse to be all alone out here… Come on, I won’t hurt you.” I reach the horse, and stretch my hand out to stroke its face. Its nose flares as it delicately sniffs my hand, then it turns its attention to Fire. They touch noses, and have a little conversation in horse language, punctuated with little snorts, sniffles, and whinnies.

As they talk, I run my hand over the palomino’s creamy side down to the flank, feeling its strong muscles beneath the soft skin. I can see now that it’s a mare.  And a very beautiful one at that. “You are the most gorgeous hunk of horse-flesh I’ve ever seen.” I croon to the horse.

A jealous nicker sounds in my ear and I turn to see Fire behind me. “Oh do pardon me. I meant excepting you, Fire.” I correct myself with a giggle. “You are the prettiest horse ever!” I give him a scratch underneath his forelock.

 “But I wonder who you belong to …” I muse, turning back to the palomino. My eyes are caught by a brand on the horse’s flank – a ‘C’ inside a circle. “The Circle C… Have I heard of that before…?”

~

Come back next Saturday to read the concluding half of this story! 🙂

 

Short Story – A Smoky Lesson

Hello everyone! Today I’m back with another short story, this time an older one that I wrote last summer. Now, I need to give some background to this story before I post it…

The Circle C Adventures series by Susan K. Marlow have been one of those series that is just an integral part of my childhood. Though actually, I didn’t get into them until I was about 10, so perhaps they’re more part of my adolescence. 😀 I read the ‘Adventures‘ series first, then read the ‘Beginnings‘ (even though I was much above the target age range for them :D) In the recent years I’ve really enjoyed the ‘Milestones‘ series, buying them as soon as they’ve been published. The series chronicle the adventures of a girl named Andi Carter, who grows up on a Californian ranch in the late 1800s. They tell her story from the age of six up until she gets married. I’d totally recommend checking them out – they’re wonderful books!

My love for historical fiction was deepened through reading these books, and my love for writing was partly sparked by them. Yes, I wrote some before I encountered them, but the fan-fiction contests that Mrs M held for her readers pushed me to start writing more. I actually won honourable mention in 2015/16 yearly writing contest. (I might post that story on here one day! ;))

So anyways, now that I’ve got all that explained, you’ll better understand where this story is coming from. It was written for a small writing contest Mrs Marlow held last summer. Though it didn’t place, I thoroughly enjoyed writing it! Perhaps because it’s based on a true life story. 😀 So without further ado, here’s the story! I hope you enjoy! 🙂

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A Smoky Lesson

Six year old Andi breathed a deep shuddering sob that turned into a cough as she breathed in the acrid smoke. Mitch and Peter were frantically rushing around the kitchen, opening windows and trying to fan the choking smoke out. But Andi just stood there, staring at the charred and smouldering pot on the stove, sobbing.

My surprise for Mother is ruined! How could this have all gone so wrong? She took another shuddering breath, and let her mind go back over the events of the afternoon….

*

As Mother had left the house just before noon that day, she’d lined up Mitch, his best friend Peter, and Andi on the front porch.

“Mitch, I expect you to take good care of Andi. And Andi, listen to your brother. He’s in charge.”

“Yes Mother, don’t worry we’ll be fine.” Mitch had airily assured Mother.

“We’ll take care of Andi, don’t worry.” Peter had added.

“Good. Now have fun and be safe! I’ll be back in time for dinner.” Mother had smiled and then climbed into the buggy. As it headed away, she’d called back. “And don’t burn the house down!” Mitch looked at Peter and laughed.

“Come on, let’s go down to the corral where all the mustangs are!”

“Can I come?” Andi asked.

“No, they’re too wild now. Too dangerous for a little girl like you.”

“Please?” Andi begged.

“No, go in the house and play, we’ll be back in a few minutes.” The two boys had headed off, leaving Andi standing disconsolately on the porch. If Mother hadn’t cautioned her to obey Mitch, she would have ignored him and followed along.

But I’d better listen to him this time, I guess. She wandered aimlessly into the house, searching for something to do. It was the servants’ day off, and there was no one around in the house or yard. None of her toys looked inviting, compared to the lure of forbidden mustangs.

Maybe I’ll get a snack. Andi eventually thought, heading for the kitchen. A few minutes later, mouth full of cookie, she slumped on a chair. Mitch is no fair! He should have stayed with me instead of going off with Peter and leaving me all alone. As she slowly munched her cookie, Andi’s eyes lighted upon a large crate of rosy apples in the corner of the kitchen. Those must be the apples Mother asked Luisa to make into applesauce. Andi mused. Hmmmmm… A light bulb clicked on in her brain. I know! I’ll make applesauce to surprise Mother!

*

A little while later, the apples were peeled, cut, put into a large pot, and already sending up warm, sweet smells above the hot kitchen stove. Since she knew Mother’s warnings about using knives, Andi had enlisted the boys’ help for the surprise she had concocted, and amazingly they had gone along with it with nary a murmur. Andi’s mouth and hands were sticky with all the apple peelings she had eaten while picking up after the boys, who had raced to see how many apples they each could peel and cut.

“Well, what do we do now?” Peter questioned to nobody in particular. “This applesauce won’t be done for a while, and there’s no use just sitting here watching it.”

“Let’s go for a ride.” Mitch suggested.

“Oh yes! Can I come?” Andi exclaimed.

“Sure.” Said Peter generously. “Let’s go!” As the three headed out for the barn, all thoughts of applesauce were swept from their minds.

*

An hour and a bit later, the three ambled slowly back towards the ranch on their horses. The two boys were farther back, letting their mounts cool off after a heated race. Andi on Cocoa was in front, considering a particularly interesting dispute Peter and Mitch had had over who’d won the race. As they neared the house, she looked up, and to her immediate horror, saw black smoke billowing out of a window in the house!

“Mitch, Peter!” She screamed. “The house is on fire!!!”

*

Now as Andi stood surveying the charred pot that was still belching out putrid smoke, and the blackened stove underneath it, she wasn’t sure what to do or think. The boys had immediately jumped into action, opening all the windows in the kitchen, and throwing a bucket of water on the stove, where it had hissed fiercely. Andi had taken one look at her ruined surprise, and started to sob.

My wonderful surprise has turned into a horrible mess! As the smoke slowly disappeared, leaving the stench of charred apples, Mitch left the kitchen to open all the windows around the house, hoping to dispel just some of the smell that had permeated the whole house. Peter seeing Andi’s distress, kneeled down and gave her a gentle hug.

“Hey, it’s ok now.” He comforted, awkwardly trying to wipe away her tears. “There’s no fire, and everything will be jim-dandy once we clean up.” Peter assured her.

Mitch came back into the kitchen, and said “We’d better try and scrub out that pot. Mother will have a fit if she sees that mess in it.” He hauled the pot to the table and began to scrub it. Peter began to wipe off the blackened stove, and Andi slowly began to pick up stray apple peels off the floor.

“I guess… I guess we shouldn’t have left it.” She tentatively said.

“Yeah, it was my fault for suggesting to go for a ride.” Mitch answered.

“And it was my fault for agreeing!” Peter added.

“And it was my fault for…”

Andi was cut off by Mitch. “It wasn’t your fault at all! Don’t you worry over it, I’ll explain everything to Mother.” He flashed her a cheery grin.

*

As it turned out, Mother was so grateful that nothing worse had happened, that she really didn’t mind about the awful smoky smell or the scorched pot.

“Thank God that you came back when you did! It could have been so much worse!”

“Yeah, I’m sorry Mother, I should have thought.” Mitch apologized.

“I’m sorry my surprise for you was ruined Mother.” Andi said, hugging her Mother tightly.

“Oh darling, it was the thought that counted.” Andi grinned up at her Mother, and then straightened up.

“You know what?” Andi looked around at everyone. “I’ve learned a very important lesson: Don’t ever leave the house when you are cooking!” Everyone erupted into laughter.

“You got that right, Andi!” Peter chortled. “You sure got that right!”

*Dedicated to my dear, long-suffering Mother, who recently did come home to find her best pot ruined by my surprise that had literally gone up in smoke. Thanks for forgiving me again, Mum! 😀

~

As you can see from the dedication, this story was really based on a true life story. Like Andi, I decided to make applesauce for a surprise for my Mum, and also like Andi, I totally forgot about it and ruined it and the pot it was in. I wasn’t able to laugh about it as quickly as Andi did, but looking back now I can! 😀

That’s all for today! But before you go, I want to let you know about a new blog that has just been launched. I am part of a course called the Young Writer’s Workshop that was launched by Brett Harris and Jaquelle Crowe early this year. It has been an invaluable tool to help me grow in my writing, and is part of the reason why I started this blog! As a part of this course, there is a community where we can interact with all the other young writers on the course. I’ve met so many wonderful writers, it’s been amazing! And one of my fellow writers, Bethany, is launching her blog today! You can find her at Behind the Pen, where she’ll be posting behind the scenes of her writing, story snippets, writing tips, book reviews and the occasional fun/off-topic post. I know she’d love it if you could check her out! 🙂

I hope you all have a wonderful week (celebrating Thanksgiving if you’re in America, enjoying the lovely, rainy weather if you’re in England, and just plain enjoying life if you’re somewhere else :D) and I’ll see you back here next Saturday!