Care Package: Vol. 46

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The world is a rough place. Being a human can be exhausting. I can’t make the bad stuff go away, but I can share some cozy things that might help you feel a little better.

Listen: What the Fluff?!

Early fans of Care Package may remember when I shared my love for Can I Pet Your Dog, the podcast for unapologetic dog lovers. CIPYD ended its production in 2022, which left a dog-shaped podcast hole in my heart. Fortunately for me and the other bereft CIPYD listeners, three former listeners and friends banded together to create a brand new podcast for dog lovers: What the Fluff?!

A podcast for dog havers, wanters, and admirers, What the Fluff?! features conversations between Melanie, Megan, and Kirsten, three loving pet parents, animal rescue volunteers, and all-around great humans. They talk about everything from their own experiences with dog (current and previous), working with rescues, dogs of the screen, and more. Listening to one of their episodes is like hanging out with your friends who totally get it why your dog has his own chair that no one else is allowed to sit in.

Whether you’re a dog haver, a dog wanter, or just a dog enthusiast, What the Fluff?! provides so much pup-based joy.

Read: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

Ursula Vernon aka T. Kingfisher is one of those authors who can write a lot of books in different voices and styles and age categories and also somehow they’re all amazing? But I also don’t begrudge her any of her success or prolificacy because her books are awesome and she seems like a cool person, too. (Note: I’m going to refer to her as T. Kingfisher here since that’s the name this in particular book is written under.) Some of her books are definitely darker and creepier, which is great, but if you’re looking for something well crafted that’s also funny and charming, check out A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking.

The story follows 14-year-old Mona, a bread wizard who works at her aunt’s bakery and who, early one morning, stumbles upon a dead body that’s been left there. This discovery leads Mona into a world of political deception, magical assassination attempts, and a race to save her city. Mona is a dynamic character, grounded but full of spirit, who finds the good in those around her and in the baking magic she’s good at. The ensemble Kingfisher has created is strong as well, from creepy (but not too scary) antagonists to a duchess who needs to be a stronger leader to Knackering Molly, whose magic has kept her at the fringes of society. I love that it’s got a lot of humor and heart, but also grapples with some big questions about social responsibility.

Overall, it has big Terry Pratchett or Diana Wynne Jones vibes, which is one of the highest compliments I can pay a fantasy novel. Get it from your local indie bookstore or library today!

Eat: Whole Wheat Waffles

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Adapted from King Arthur Flour
Serves 4-6 with leftovers

It’s getting warmer out here, which means I’m less likely to want to cook things in the oven or even on the stovetop. But you know what food is always there for you? Waffles: they’re an anytime food.

Ingredients

3 cups whole wheat flour
4 tsps baking powder
1 tsp table salt
4 tbsps granulated sugar
1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4-1/2 tsp ginger
2 large eggs
3 cups milk, room temperature
10 tbsps butter, melted or 2/3 cup vegetable oil

Preheat your waffle iron.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and ginger.

In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk, and butter or oil.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined.

Cook the waffles in your waffle iron. The amount of batter you use per waffle and the length of cooking time can vary depending on your specific iron. Serve warm, with maple syrup. Waffles also pair nicely with fruit and bacon/vegan bacon.

Do Good

We’re still in a tough time, here are a few things to call your representatives about:

Ending the deeply dangerous, expensive, and illegal war with Iran.
Defunding ICE, which is bringing nothing but fear and violence to our communities.
Stopping H.R. 7661, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 8705, which are bills that restrict funding for schools/libraries that have diverse collections, especially those that involve LGBTQIA+ characters.

Bodo Bulletin

This week in Bodo news:

Sweetest snooze face.

Annie Cardi