Anime and Manga

Salutations!

Something that few know about me is that I LOVE certain anime films and manga. I haven't really shared this fact about myself with many because I know it's a touchy subject for some people, especially if when you hear the word manga or anime the first thing that comes to mind is an inappropriate Japanese character... (I don't read/watch those btw)

But as with everything else in this world, "All that is gold does not glitter!"

Wait, wrong quote.

Not all manga/anime is "bad"! 

There we go.

For instance, let me introduce you to my good friend, the film company STUDIO GHIBLI.

The artwork is breathtaking.

I love the vivid colors the Japanese use.

^This one's a boy who makes and plays violins-IKR?!^

Everything to the minute detail.

Their movies are spectacular!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_Ghibli

An anime TV series that I've enjoyed is Avatar: the last airbender. I don't believe/agree with all the spiritual stuff, obviously (this goes for all Japanese things, they're all very spiritual energy centered). But all in all it's a hilarious series.

SOKKA IS THE BEST CHARACTER EVER!
He speaks for himself.

And then there's manga. Which is basically a style of Japanese drawing, or graphic novels/comics.
So far this series has been fantastic and clean (for a manga) and the character growth/storyline is one of the best. I'm not finished with it yet, so I'll let you know if it ever goes downhill. ;)
I haven't really read any others because they're too, well, your stereotypical manga.

Now you know something new about me. x)
If you have any awesome, decent manga/anime to share, please comment!
Enjoy~

Skookum... Scrumptious... Butteryumptious!

      If you haven't met me in real life, or haven't known me for long then you don't know that my mom (and occasionally myself) makes the most skookum scrumptious butyraceous cinnamon rolls in all cinnamon roll history (and yes, those are all real words...)! 
      I want to *gasp* give you the recipe, for two reasons. First, it's not our recipe, and second, THE WORLD SHOULD MEET THESE TO DIE FOR CINNAMON ROLLS, and third, because I thought of a third, I can't eat any sugar, or gluten, or dairy, or yeast, for SIX weeks. I might as well torture myself while making everyone else drool along with me. By the way, did I mention this is a guaranteed success recipe?!  
      Also, most of you probably, maybe, I dearly hope, know the Pioneer Woman, cause her food is fantastiiiiccc. If you don't know who she is, hopefully you'll be motivated to learn more by the end of this post. This recipe seems long, but in reality it's just simple, easy steps that take time.
Here is the recipe:

BEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER

Prep time: 2hrs Cook time: 30mins Servings: 8 

(Do it once, get familiar, then do triple and quadruple batches!!!)

Ingredients:

1 quart Whole Milk

1 cup Vegetable Oil

1 cup Sugar

2 packages Active Dry Yeast, 0.25 Ounce Packets

8 cups (Plus 1 Cup Extra, Reserved) All-purpose Flour

1 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder

1 teaspoon (scant) Baking Soda

1 Tablespoon (heaping) Salt

 Plenty Of Melted Butter

2 cups Sugar

 Generous Sprinkling Of Cinnamon

 MAPLE FROSTING:

1 bag Powdered Sugar

2 teaspoons Maple Flavoring

1/2 cup Milk

1/4 cup Melted Butter

1/4 cup Brewed Coffee

1/8 teaspoon Salt

This blank spot right here ^^^ I promise I'm not trying to hid an ingredient from you. Nothing's there.

Instructions:

For the dough, heat the milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat to just below a boil. Set aside and cool to warm. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit on the milk for one minute. Add 8 cups of the flour. Stir until just combined, then cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside in a relatively warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the towel and add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1 cup flour. Stir thoroughly to combine. Use the dough right away, or place in a mixing bowl and refrigerate for up to 3 days, punching down the dough if it rises to the top of the bowl. (Note: dough is easier to work with if it’s been chilled for at least an hour or so beforehand.)

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

To assemble the rolls, remove half the dough from the pan/bowl. On a floured baking surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 30 x 10 inches. The dough should be rolled very thin.

To make the filling, pour 3/4 cup to 1 cup of the melted butter over the surface of the dough. Use your fingers to spread the butter evenly. Generously sprinkle half of the ground cinnamon and 1 cup of the sugar over the butter. Don’t be afraid to drizzle on more butter or more sugar! Gooey is the goal.

Now, beginning at the end farthest from you, roll the rectangle tightly towards you. Use both hands and work slowly, being careful to keep the roll tight. Don’t worry if the filling oozes as you work; that just means the rolls are going to be divine. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. When you’re finished, you’ll wind up with one long buttery, cinnamony, sugary, gooey log.

Slip a cutting board underneath the roll and with a sharp knife, make 1/2-inch slices. One “log “will produce 20 to 25 rolls. Pour a couple of teaspoons of melted butter into disposable foil cake pans and swirl to coat. Place the sliced rolls in the pans, being careful not to overcrowd. (Each pan will hold 7 to 9 rolls.)

Repeat the rolling/sugar/butter process with the other half of the dough and more pans. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cover all the pans with a kitchen towel and set aside to rise on the countertop for at least 20 minutes before baking. Remove the towel and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown. Don’t allow the rolls to become overly brown.

While the rolls are baking, make the maple icing: In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, butter, coffee, and salt. Splash in the maple flavoring. Whisk until very smooth. Taste and add in more maple, sugar, butter, or other ingredients as needed until the icing reaches the desired consistency. The icing should be somewhat thick but still very pourable.

Remove pans from the oven. Immediately drizzle icing over the top. Be sure to get it all around the edges and over the top. As they sit, the rolls will absorb some of the icing’s moisture and flavor. They only get better with time… not that they last for more than a few seconds.

Make them for a friend today! It’ll seal the relationship for life. I promise.

If you're a picture person like me (what is the consistency supposed to look like???) here's the link: The Actual Place With the Recipe

I'll repeat, this recipe is from The Pioneer  Woman, otherwise known as Ree Drummond. 

I also recommend looking up a really (insert what you like here; is there such a thing as a healthy?) cream cheese frosting recipe to use instead of the maple. Or try both.

Enjoy~

2015 Reading Challenge

Salutations!

This year my goal is to complete this challenge.

I already have a few checked off.

I'll be updating this post to list all the books as I read them. 

Go read some books!

I'll be updating the ones I've completed soon.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!!!

Good morning, afternoon, evening, tomorrow, whatever, wherever you are!

I absolutely adore the minor holidays! Not all of them, but ones like St. Patty's Day that have actual forgotten significance. They are taken for granted and underrated from their original celebration.

This holiday has especially become quite tainted, with alcohol and leprechauns and pots o' gold.

Saint Patrick was born in Briton. According to the Confessio of Patrick, when he was about 16, he was captured by Irish pirates from his home in Britain, and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After becoming a cleric, he claimed to have a dream telling him to go and minister to the Irish. He returned to northern and western Ireland and was a missionary there, converting thousands.

It is said that he illustrated the trinity by using a shamrock-or leaf of clover.

The three leaves are individual but together make one shamrock.

This may or may not be true, but if you're wondering why shamrocks were ever associated with today, now you have an idea.

For some more background here are two excellent articles debunking some myths:

Who Was St. Patrick?

(Thank you Mrs. Pac)
The Real Saint Patrick
(Thanks Mrs. Shelley)

Sorry to my friends Sylvia and Cheryl for pinching you early...

Hope you're all wearing green! *Virtual pinch*

Can't pinch me, I'm Irish. And wearing green.

Colossions 1: 13-14

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The last day, of the first month, of the new year...

And I felt like blogging about something!
Currently we are journeying about searching for a new abode (whether or not we actually will be moving hasn't been decided). Thought I'd share some of the gorgeous pictures of the Northwestern countryside we've had the immense pleasure of staring at for hours on end.

Warning: viewing these images may cause the following side effects.
1. Wanting to move to America's Pacific Northwest
2. Wanting to spend a summer at Winifred's house (I'd love that, btw.)
3. A dual-personality with your inner hobbit running rampant.
4. "Oooohing" and "Awwwwing" over the fluffy green trees and sheep

A foretaste of brilliant green

The Gold Man

The GREEN is why I want to live here!

And the "misty" mountains

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

Great Britain almost...

The mountains were the most spectacular cloud covered things in the world!

The furry trees are my favorite. They remind me of the Two Towers.

neon-tree

Hello!

Meet the intense stare of my little brother.

 We love to play with the camera in the car. :P

Hi!~Winifred

We're in Washington now. On a farm.

Milking parlor:

The green lane

Mt. Baker, I believe.

God is magnificent; He can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to His greatness. Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts. Psalm 145: 3-4

My Infatuation with the Redwall Series

Just in case you're wondering, what Redwall is...
and wondering things like:

Why are you so crazy about a book series about animals living in an abbey, animals with swords and badgers living in extinct volcanoes and a patrol of regimental hares and pirate rats?

Well, for the short summary version, I direct thee here.
But perhaps if you were very, very, interested (or bored) keep reading!
In the hopes of keeping things organized, I shall label with (debater-y) points.
(Since I'm going debater-y, you could call these advantages to the plan of reading the series)

ADV1. Redwall is well-written and written for a purpose

The stories are beautifully thought out, and the words are interesting, unique, descriptive and definitely meet Mr. Brian Jacques goal in writing them. 

Mr. Jacques first wrote the series for the children in a blind academy he delivered milk to. He didn't think the modern novels about teens going to school were necessarily interesting or the proper literature a child (to boot, a blind person) to be reading. So he wrote his own books, with the goal of painting pictures with words for the children who could not see. He relived the tales of his childhood, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, with characters of his own, noble, chivalrous, just, and merciful. Strong morals and the classic, traditional, and well-loved themes of Good vs. Evil are what his series is founded on. Mr. Jacques grew up through WWII and knew what it meant to live on rations. In all the exciting stories he enjoyed, never did the author mention the specifics of the feast, or what they ate on the journey. So he would read his mother's cookbooks, drooling over the delicious sounding recipes. With this in mind, food is a crucial part of his works.

Originally, Jacques didn't even plan to have his books published, but a friend from the academy who knew names in the publishing business, recognized the potential and secretly sent in a book, which was immediately accepted. The man related the good news to Brian and 22 books was the outcome.

ADV2. They're Deep

Redwall isn't just about funny little British animals running about with weapons. It's about hospitality, loyalty, adventure, true friendship, hard work, your place in a community, love, cheerfulness, respect, justice, hope, peace, mercy, death, and asks and answers questions like: what makes one evil? is revenge worth it? even when death is sure, should you take a stand for what's right and face your enemies? what's a dibbun? and probably most importantly, is there any October Ale left?

“Friend is a very small word,
A little sound we make, For one who is true, one who will do, Great deeds for friendship's sake.” ~The Bellmaker


“Weapons may be carried by creatures who are evil, dishonest, violent or lazy. The true warrior is good, gentle and honest. His bravery comes from within himself; he learns to conquer his own fears and misdeeds." ~Mattimeo

ADV3. They're Humorous

“Friar Hugo, old friend, brace yourself. I am the bearer of tragic news!"
Alarm spread across Hugo's pudgy features. "Tell me, Jess. What dreadful thing has happened?"
Jess spoke haltingly in a broken voice. "I fear that Cluny has tore up one of your oldest and most venerable dishrags. Alas, Redwall will never see it wipe another plate.” ~Redwall

“Basil Stag Hare tut-tutted severely as he remarked to Ambrose Spike, 'Tch, tch. Dreadful table manners. Just look at those three wallahs, kicking up a hullaballoo like that! Eating's a serious business.” ~Redwall (or Mattimeo)

Gerul: There's nothin' as dark as the dark, me ould mother used t'say.
Clecky: Really? Well, that was jolly observant of her, wot? I'll wager she used to go on about how flippin' light the day was.
-Pearls of Lutra

Clecky: Of course I'm a hare, what'd you think I was, a long-legged tadpole out for a bloomin' walk?
-Pearls of Lutra

Basil: Got it, marm. All the weary warriors sleep while you sportin' creatures cook up a whackin' beanfeast. Right?
Cornflower: Right!
Basil: Last one in bed and fast asleep's a rotten egg. Yaaaah!
Foremole: Oi jus' bin a-runned over boi a mad creatur'. Hurr.
-Mattimeo

Mother Mellus: Come on now, little one, eat up your woodland salad. Pudding later.
Dibbun: No, Don't like sala, wanna pudden!
Mother Mellus: Salad first, pudding later. You want to grow up big and strong like me, don't you?
Dibbun: No, wanna stay lickle and eat pudden alla time!
-Mariel of Redwall

Martin (to Gonff while in prison, upon being shown the tools that Gonff had be sent to get them out): Goodness me, a stick. How helpful. We could take this place singlepawed with a stick. What a useful thing to send us.
-Mossflower

ADV4. If for nothing else, then the accents

This. I. cannot. stress. enough. WOT!
Buxton: Ho, save the choild, 'urry up and scoff quick now, lest the hinfant be drownded in yon pudden.
Tarquin Woodsorrel: Bally unthinkable, poor little blighter bein' drowned in a plate of pudden. Do not worry, young sire, help is at spoon. I'll save you. Gromff!
-Mariel of Redwall

The Wild King MacPhearsome [an eagle] to Dumble: Och, these vittles are braw eatin', Dumble. Ha'ye nae mair o'those wee veggible pasties the guid hedgepid lady made?
Drooney [dibbun mole]to Dumble: "Bohurr, you'm heagle do be a-talking funny loik. Oi carn't unnerstan' a wurd 'ee be sayen, Dumble.
-Salamandastron

Foremole fished Baby Grubb out of the panful of warm honey.
"Gurr, youm toiny rascal, wot do 'ee want ter fallen in honey furr?"
Grubb wavy a sticky carefree paw. "Hurr, better fallen in honey than mud, oi allus says. Bain't nothen wrong wi' honey. Bees makes et."
Foremole wrinkled his button nose, nodding in agreement. "Ho urr, the choild be roight, he'm be growen up woisley clever."
-Mariel of Redwall

Impact: Reading Redwall will result in eternal cheerfulness and prolonged life.
;D

If you haven't read Redwall, I recommend adding it somewhere near the top of your booklist. 

If you feel too mature to be reading such things, then bally rot to you, and if you're too ashamed to admit it and show yah flippen face, then go and read it to a younger sibling, before I go and dump you in the Abbey pond! wot, wot!

Thank you! And I now stand open for cross-examination.

ps: Since there are 22 books in the series (yes, I know, a lot, all of them worth it), the most asked question is, in which order should they be read. I have a homemade list somewhere, but I'm traveling at the moment. Comment and when I get back I'll find and send it to you. :)

Why I'm called Winifred...

First of all, I'm sorry for not wishing you all a merry Christmas. And not re-decorating. Very busy...

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!!
In short, Happy Holidays!

   The point of this blog post is to write why I'm "named" what I'm named.

A good while back, somewhere between age ten or eleven, I was experiencing a complicated and sad friendship situation. A dear adult introduced me to the wonderful book series Redwall, which continues to be a firm favorite. After devouring the first book, the rest became close and comforting mates during that trying time. Discovering there was a website, I eagerly set about constructing an account so I could join in the fun discussions about the series. I became stuck when choosing a username. Names are very important to me. When I make up a character or when I'm writing, almost all my names have a special personal significance.

   I was voicing my problem to my sibling and we took a walk outdoors for deeper discussion. From favorite characters to brave heroes, mice, hedgehogs, badgers, otters, squirrels, moles and many others were touched upon. But all were claimed by other users or not to my liking. Finally, my brother suggested Winifred Otter, from the very first book written in the series. At first I was skeptical, "Nooo," I said, she's not important in the story, and she's not one of my most favorite characters, but the more I thought about it, the more I preferred it. Winifred Otter. I loved otters and the name itself was lovely. And who said I had to be the exact same Winifred?

And so really you have my brother to thank for my christening, the name has stuck for these five years. My family and closest friends know and call me Winifred and it has become my internet (and various others) Pseudonym. Today I'm better known as Winifred Longrudder.

   I apologize for the long personal story, but many people have recently asked me, "Who's Winifred?" "Why'd you write that name?" "Is that your cup?", I felt the need to tell the entire tale of how this jolly otter person is really a person in a new stage of life, who made new friends, and found a new name.

Also, to give credit where credit is due.
Thank you Brother!