So remember how a few months ago some other writers and I went to a castle in Ireland to write for a week? Well, while we were there I made snickerdoodles.

They were very, very bad snickerdoodles. And yet, for some reason, the residents of Team Castle ate them every one and have developed something of a snickerdoodle obsession.

Thereby today I am sharing my mother's snickerdoodle recipe and declaring this week National Take a Librarian and/or English Teacher Snickerdoodles Week.

Because school is going to be out for most of you very shortly.

And librarians and English teachers do great things for the world.

And few things say love like snickerdoodles.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Cream together:

1/2 Cup Butter (in my opinion real butter works better than margarine for these)

1/2 Cup Crisco

1 1/2 Cups Sugar

2 Eggs

Gradually add:

2 1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour

2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/4 teaspoon Salt

Once blended, shape dough into small balls.

Add sugar and cinnamon to a small bowl. Roll balls in dough to coat and then place on a cookie sheet, allowing enough room for cookies to spread considerably.

Bake 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

-Allly

--Today I went my my little work-out class at the Y. The trainer made me do pull-ups. I'm typing this now because I fear that in three or four hours my arms will stop working.

--It's raining. Again. I'm just hoping I make it all day without singing the "Arky Arky" song from Bible School.

--I've heard several people say lately that they're going to go to the store to buy a copy of GG3 on June 9th--release day--to which I say YAAAAAY!

--I've also heard a lot of people worrying that their favorite store might be sold out of copies by the time they get there. Well, I really don't think that will be a problem, but if (like me) you're a natural worrier, most stores are more than willing to let you pre-order or reserve a copy. Just in case.

--I'm getting crazy excited about going on tour. Of course, I don't know exactly when or where I'm going yet, but I hear rumors from time to time and it sounds incredible!

--The rain has started again. Can the Arky Arky song be far behind?

-Ally

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Hey everyone!

I'm had a wonderful time at the International Reading Association's annual convention in Minneapolis this week. All of the teachers and librarians were so sweet and my fellow panelists yesterday were so funny. And I'm especially grateful to everyone who stood in line yesterday to get their copies of GG1, GG2, and the Advanced Reading Copies of GG3 signed. I hope you and your students love them!

But now I'm home where I will have three major concerns for the next three weeks.

1. Finishing GG4.
2. Finishing GG4 before E. Lockhart finishes her new book.
3. Figuring out what I'm going to wear for BEA and tour (all while finishing GG4).

And now for a mini excerpt!

"He can't be...bad?" Liz asked softly.

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