Festal Cheer!

Each age has deemed the new-born year
The fittest time for festal cheer.
-Sir Walter Scott


Well, the New Year is fast upon us! This year's card features a recipe totally unknown to me and my part of New England. Apparently, it's big around Wisconsin and Minnesota areas still. I was excited to hear about this once commonly popular drink, and look forward to giving it a try this New Years!

Tom & Jerry

Often mistaken for eggnog. a Tom and Jerry is light and spicy, with a sweet foamy crown that forms when scalding hot milk is poured onto the batter placed in the bottom of a mug, then stirred quickly, which causes the egg whites to rise. Once you've sprinkled the top with freshly ground nutmeg it is ready to drink.

The Tom and Jerry's origin is a bit of a mystery. Some say it was probably invented by Pierce Egan, a British journalist who lived in the 1800s and wrote the popular novel The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn, Esq. and His Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom (hence Tom and Jerry). Egan is said to have named the drink as a publicity stunt. Others hold that a famous American bartender, "Professor" Jerry Thomas, concocted the Tom and Jerry in the 1850s.  The only Tom and Jerry certainty is that there is no connection between the drink and the cartoon.

Ingredients
Yield: 1 Cocktail

1 egg
1 ounce Cognac or brandy
1 tsp of confectionery sugar
Hot milk
1 ounce dark rum
Grated nutmeg for garnish

• Separate the egg white from the egg yolk and beat them separately.
• Fold the beaten eggs together then add the confectionery sugar. Place  batter  into an Irish coffee glass.
• Add the dark rum, and brandy. and fill with hot (but not boiling) milk.
• Stir well.
• Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Store, covered, in the refrigerator, and use as needed. Will keep up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Mixture will probably separate in the refrigerator. Just stir and use. The drink will still turn out frothy and delicious.

Here's a sampling from Christmas Cards Past!

We Art Boston!

I am proud to share with that I am one of the illustrators who will be contributing to this coming October's We Art Boston fundraiser. We Art Boston is the brainchild of Brookline illustrator and friend Joe McKendry who wanted to do something in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.

“We realized by the time we mobilized The One Fund would be closed. This was a way of helping,” said McKendry, whose wife, Susan Hass McKendry joined the effort which kicks off with the auction Oct. 11 and ends with a family event Oct. 20 on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. I will be there creating stuffed animal portraits, and it'd be great to see you, too!
The more than 40 participating artists of We Art Boston honor the role of story time with a fundraiser featuring original works of art from some of the most beloved contemporary children’s books. Proceeds benefit the Emergency and Trauma Fund at Boston Children’s Hospital, providing physical and emotional care to families following sudden events, with the hope of helping every family feel a little safer when they go to sleep tonight.

In addition to each illustrators contributions, participating members will be creating a group illustration of the We Art Boston title. I've claimed the E! 

Please join us for an online auction starting October 10th and for a family event on October 20th at Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway. Details and times will be announced shortly.

Advanced Illustrators Workshop

August 30 – September 3, 2012

Begins Aug. 30 with dinner at 6 p.m. (optional tour of HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN and Boyds Mills Press offered at 3 p.m.); ends Sept. 3 after lunch.

I'd like to announce a wonderful weekend I and several other talented illustrators will be attending. Are you interested in an illustrative retreat in the Pocono Mountains? Well, look no further. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me or the Highlights Foundation. Here's more about the late summer event:
 

While your artwork is accomplished alone, it is only with guidance that an illustrator can begin to understand how to make it in today’s picture-book world. Let one of today’s top children’s book illustrators be your guide. Explore the children’s book market with them, learn new techniques, and enjoy the camaraderie of artists who understand your passion.

During this intensive, five-day workshop you’ll immerse yourself in illustration—oil wash on board, printmaking, pen and ink, watercolors, and more. Daily hands-on workshops will challenge you to sharpen your illustration skills, all under the support and guidance of our highly talented mentors.

In addition to illustration techniques, you’ll also explore
* dummy preparation;
* storyboarding;
* continuity;
 * portfolio expectations;
* character development;
* self-promotion; and
* finding a market.

Your work will receive personal attention through one-on-one critiques from your mentors, group critiques with peers and guest art directors, and feedback from special guests at our portfolio showcase.

 Conference Highlights
* The Barn provides space for meeting and meals.
* Support and guidance from carefully selected authors, illustrators, editors, and academics.
* A unique opportunity to network with others in the children’s literature business.
* An intimate and inspiring setting in the Pocono Mountains.
* Charming on-site lodging.
* Farm-style meals prepared by a top-notch chef.

Sign up now! I am sure that spaces will go quickly. Hope to see you there!

Major Fun Award!

Hooray! The cooperative game, Race To The Treasure, I had illustrated for Peaceable Kingdom has won a Major Fun Award! I had a blast working on this project a few months back. Being able to come up with a variety of ogre designs and the game board was a challenge since I wasn't able to see the final project until just a few weeks ago. The design of the ogre was a tricky one... and I think I still had too much fright in him with my final design, hence they decided to close his mouth a bit. I was still so excitd to be able to work not only on a game but one that had nasty beasts and ogres.

Lighted Lawn Dandruff 2011!!

Our annual Holiday festivities proved to be successful again this year! We noticed a rise in wicker animals and a decrease in inflatable snow globes. This year, the cold cold lights of the LEDs shone brightly over Little Rhodey, showing that us US Americans are indeed, trying to save money on energy consumption. A mid-nugget adventure, capped by a delicious shot served by our friend Holly fueled our fire and thirst to find the best of the lighted lawn dandruff this year. Can't wait for next year!

And as always, flasks up! Pants DOWN!

New York Times Notable Book of 2011

To add to the amazing news that I've been receiving this week, The New York Times announced their Best of 2011 lists as well. Secrets At Sea received a Notable Book of 2011 for Middle Grade. I could not be happier for Richard Peck, who wrote a fun, engrossing tale of determination and loyalty.

Hooray!

Kirkus Best of 2011

I am ecstatic this past week. Kirkus announced its Best of List for 2011, and Secrets At Sea made a lot of them!

Best of 2011 Fantasy & Science Fiction
Best of 2011 Books for Animal Lovers
Best of 2011 Graphic Novels & Illustrated Chapter Books
Best of 2011 Novels with Great Girl Characters
Best of 2011 Exploring the Past
Best of 2011 Books to Make You Laugh
Best of 2011 Adrenaline Rushes
Best of 2011 Fiction
Best Children's Books of 2011

I was so excited when news of this came through the grapevine! 2011 should have been the year of the mouse!

Round 2: Jane Au-some

I guess I am getting into this character design stuff a bit more than I should. But I had the idea for a Jane Austen girl... but named Jane Au-some. Not too sure if it either reads as someone from that time era, or the name itself tells you who she is. Either way, fun to pick up watercolors and swear at them for an hour or so. Such a tricky medium!

Secrets At Sea Christened Today!

Today, Secrets At Sea is released into open waters, off to her maiden voyage! Ok, I will ease up on the sailing references. All joking aside, I am please to have this book ready for reading eyes. It's a fun, classic tale involving the secrets side of mice living with their nouveau riche humans. It was a research heavy book, but that's something I looooove to do!






I hope you also enjoy the tiny moments I found endearing in this book.

Lights, Camera...

My new friends Mark Steensland, author or Behind The Bookcase, and a crew of four Penn State students came to Providence this past weekend.

Kelmurphy.com V6!!!

Today, we are announcing the 6th version of my website! It's always a bit sad saying goodbye to an old design, but fortunately more work is being created thus more room is needed! I am forever in debt to the master Antoine Revoy for coding and designing a more effective way to display my work. Please, come and take a look! www.kelmurphy.com

3x3 Children's Show No. 8

What a great week!
I received news that one of my images from Princess and The Golden Fish, published in Cricket Magazine, has received a silver award in the 3x3 Children's Show. I could not be more pleased!

The image is one of 10-13 images for a four part story, written by Eugie Foster. It's from the third installment, and called for a close up as the story's climax neared. Often, I am dreading searching for imagery online, so Photobooth is my best option. I've seen Joe Quinones' great photobooth posts on his blog, and this inspired me to add my own.

Well... you got to make due with what you got, right? More typically, the animals are photo-bombing left and right.

2011 Original Art Show

I am beyond thrilled to be included in this year's Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators.

"With children's book production on the rise came the strengthened interest in the art behind the book. Founded in 1980 by Illustrator and Art Director Dilys Evans, this annual exhibit showcases the original art from the year's best children's books. Selected by a jury of outstanding illustrators, art directors and editors, this year's show features 122 books chosen from 650 entries submitted nationwide.

Celebrating it's twenty-eighth year, the Original Art exhibit is not only an opportunity for artists to display their work, but has become an important event in the New York publishing calendar. It is a favorite destination for Art Directors and Editors seeking new talent as well as for school visits."

Over At The Castle, written by Boni Ashburn and published by Abrams Books For Young Readers will be on display and hopefully, but not probable, I will be able to join the opening. My teaching schedule makes it a bit complicated. I get soooo nervous at those events, so it might be a good thing to have one less sweaty, shifty eyed illustrator in the room ;). Here are the details:

October 26, 2011 - December 29, 2011

The Society of Illustrators
128 East 63rd Street
(between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10065

Opening Night
October 27th, 2011
6pm

SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!

Urban Sketchers Feature With Fred Lynch

Fred Lynch was extremely kind to mention my stay in Italy on the Urban Sketchers blog. Urban Sketchers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the artistic, storytelling and educational value of location drawing, promoting its practice and connecting people around the world who draw on location where they live and travel. Fred is one of the North American correspondents, and you can check out his other articles by following this link.

© Fred Lynch 2011, Door of Hell

His ink paintings are astounding, and if you ever get a chance to see one in person... they amaze even more!

Masterpiece wins 2011 Children's Crown Award

Yahoo!

While away, I received the lovely news (complete with a fancy framed award) that Masterpiece had won this year's Children's Crown Award.

The mission of the Children's Gallery, the Children's Crown, and the Lamplighter Awards is to encourage elementary and junior high students to read wholesome and uplifting books by providing lists each year of the best literature.

In 1992 Sandra Morrow librarian at Brentwood Christian School in Austin, Texas, applied to the Texas Christian Schools Association for a grant to establish the Children's Crown Award (the Crown Classic is the runner-up) for children's books for fourth through sixth graders. The grant was awarded the following spring. In 2002 Sandra received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Lubbock Christian University. In 2005 she received the Distinguished Alumni Citation from Abilene Christian University. She was recognized for her distinctive professional achievement for the Triple Crown Awards.

Now students, teachers, parents, librarians and interested individuals are encouraged to nominate titles for this award from books that are published or reprinted within the last two years. At the center of the award process is the criteria developed at the time of the grant. Each year twenty books that convey wholesome values, uplifting characters, and edifying themes that inspire children toward positive goals are selected by a committee of readers from participating schools.

Students vote on their favorite book each spring, and the results are tallied and the authors, publishers and schools are notified about the winners and runners-up. During winter, the lists for the following school year are sent to participating schools, as well as to authors and publishers whose books have been selected.

Thank you to EVERYONE involved! I am so pleased that Masterpiece is close to many children's hearts.

Charakarts!

I am pleased to announce studio mate (and husband) Antoine Revoy's newest project, Charakarts! I've been seeing these come alive the past few weeks, and I can guarantee more amazing karts in the future.

Charakarts™ is a character design side project by illustrator Antoine Revoy. Charakarts are an eclectic ensemble of characters driving imaginative kart-like vehicles, coexisting in a videogame-like realm. This project originated in a series of drawings created in 2002 and remained confidential till 2011, the decision now made to present the initial charakart artwork as well as new designs online.

I especially love the first sketches from 2002. He explains here, the inspiration for the project.

Secrets At Sea a BEA Top Pick!

What wonderful news! I just saw that Secrets At Sea, written by Richard Peck (and illustrated by me) was named one of the top 26 books featured at the BEA (Book Expo America). This is AWESOME news!

Here's the Kirkus review featured with the article:

Problem novels, ghost stories, historical fiction—is there anything Newbery Medalist Peck cannot do? Apparently not.

Helena Cranston, oldest surviving member of her family after the deaths of both her parents and her sisters Vicky and Alice, has her hands full: dreamy sister Beatrice and skittery sister Louise keep sneaking out at night—Helena fears inappropriate liaisons—while brother Lamont skips school for more dangerous pursuits. Worse yet, the Upper Cranstons, dissatisfied with Hudson Valley beaux, are embarking for England to catch daughter Olive a husband. Europe, as Helena knows, is across a very large body of water, and Helena, being a mouse, fears water with all her heart. Yet soon she and her family, secreted in one of the Cranstons' steamer trunks, are carried onboard ship, where they discover an aristocratic mouse society heretofore unknown, including the Mouse-in-Waiting to Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's daughter, who shows Helena that mice can in fact change history—at least on a mouse-sized scale. Peck must have had a blast writing this. Whimsical language, sure characterization, unflagging adventure, even romance—all seen through Helena's relentlessly practical beady little eyes. Think The Tale of Despereaux without the twee.

Sheer delight. (Animal fantasy. 8-12)

Pub Date: Oct. 13th, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3455-5
Page count: 203pp
Publisher: Dial

Five Years!

It's a big day here at Did You Drink My Beer! It's the FIVE YEAR anniversay! Back in 2006, I decided to start sniveling away for the world to see. All joking aside, I think it's been a fun chronological experiment to see what's been going on these last few years: work, boozin', travel, teaching, love, marriage, animals, cakes, more work, books, and more books. Pretty exciting to still be here (albeit a few pounds heavier and into the thick of my thirties) and ready to continue on.

CHEERS!

Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist Web Launch!

I am more than excited to announce the launch of the official Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist website! It's been a bit in the making, and will continuously have more content added; including more tidbits about Nate family, newer entries into the Book of Beasts, and a downloadable section for teachers and librarians. It's roughly two months before the fourth book's release, The Unicorn's Tale, so keep checking in!!

A special thanks goes out to Antoine Revoy, for his coding mastery, R.L. LaFevers for her wonderful words and creation of such a fun series, and Kate O'Sullivan, editor genius!

Ring Out The Old!

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

This year's theme? A bevie I've had a bit too much of! Blessed eggnog (and a healthy dose of rum).

The origins, etymology, and the ingredients used to make the
original eggnog drink are debated. Eggnog may have originated in East Anglia, England. The "nog" part of its name may stem from the word "noggin", a Middle English term used to describe a small, carved wooden mug used to serve alcohol. The drink crossed the Atlantic to the English colonies during the 18th century. Since brandy and wine were heavily taxed, rum from the Triangular Trade with the Caribbean was a cost-effective substitute. The inexpensive liquor, coupled with plentiful farm and dairy products, helped the drink become very popular in America.

The Captain’s Nog

2/3 part Eggnog
1/3 part Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum
Sprinkle Cinnamon on top to finish. Serve in a champagne flute. Tchin tchin!

Cheers et Bonne Santé pour 2011!