The Year the Swallows Came Early (15 page)

INGREDIENTS:

• 10–15 large ripe strawberries with the stems intact (as gigantic as you can find)
  
• 8 ounces dark (semisweet) chocolate
  
• 4 ounces milk chocolate
  
• ¼ cup shortening (Crisco)
  

DIRECTIONS
:
ask an adult to help

• Wash and dry strawberries.
  
• In a medium-size saucepan (or a double boiler) on low heat, melt the dark and milk chocolate and shortening. Stir constantly.
  
• Using the stem as a handle, dip each strawberry into the chocolate mixture and twirl it until it is mostly and evenly covered with chocolate. Do not cover the stem part.
  
• Place the berry on a tray lined with waxed paper to dry.
  
• Refrigerate for 30 minutes or more.
  
• Serve.
  

 

P.S. To draw the swallow (like Marisol did), after your strawberries have hardened for 30 minutes in the refrigerator, melt a small amount of white chocolate (½ cup of white chocolate chips works well for this) mixed with a teaspoon of shortening. Dip a toothpick into the mixture while it is still warm, and let the white chocolate drip off onto your strawberry into a pattern. (It is a good idea to practice first on a napkin.) Place strawberries in the refrigerator again until the chocolate is hardened.

I am profoundly grateful for the many people who helped me as I wrote this book over the last three years.

First, there is Jennifer Rofe, the most amazing, incredible agent, who helped me refine my writing beyond what I ever imagined, and asked questions that challenged me to do better.

My SCBWI critique group—Lori Polydoros, Bev Plass, Nancy D'Aleo-Russey, Nadine Fishel, Collyn Justus, and Christian Hill—gave years of kind encouragement and advice.

Louella Nelson, writing professor at University of California at Irvine, listened to early versions of the novel, and pushed me to
learn the fundamentals.

Eric Elfman, an unbelievably wise writing coach and adviser, who provided invaluable assistance.

Thomas P. Fitzmaurice, captain of the Redlands Police Department, assisted tremendously with information about California state law.

The staff and volunteers at the Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California helped with everything from finding out how many days it takes a swallow egg to hatch, to the exact date and time the swallows arrive back home to the mission each March.

Martha Shimano read many drafts and fixed things like commas and spelling errors (stuff I hate to fix).

Phyllis Westberg, who was my grandmother's literary agent at Harold Ober & Associates, gave almost twenty years of kind encouragement and correspondence. I am truly grateful for her straightforwardness and allowing me to continually ask her opinion.

My mother, Ann Green, who reads
everything
I write, and then reports back with shining reviews. Her words keep me going through the tough times.

My husband, Brian Fitzmaurice, for everything.

Kathryn Hinds; Molly O'Neill and everyone at the Bowen Press.

And Brenda Bowen, who told me less is more. I could thank you a thousand times, and it wouldn't be enough.