Not to be a cliche...

...But my best birthday ever was probably my 16th birthday. However, the circumstances were anything but cliche.

April was a crazy month for my family. The 1st was the the date of my operation to place two screws in my leg in order to hold my kneecap in place. I then took up residence in the downstairs living room, was stuck on crutches, and was then told I would not be able to walk on my own for my birthday on the 30th.

Why did I pick this as my best birthday? Because my family and friends made it the best. For school, my mom tied balloons to my crutches and one of my friends smuggled away cookies meant for a bake sale. A group of friends and I ate said cookies in Algebra and laughed our way through the math. After school, everyone piled into the car and took the party to my house. We watched movies, ate gourmet chocolate cake, raced (read: crashed) on Mario Kart Wii, and had a great time.

It may not have been on par with the parties on MTV, but I bet you that I had more fun than any of those heiresses. A giant ball with hundreds of invitees does not an awesome party make- a group of people who love you do.

So I could have told you about my tenth birthday when I competed in a horse show prior to heading to the shooting range to fire some guns with my dad, one friend, and his dad. . . But that can wait. The story of 16 was much more heartwarming.

Iris Black is the author of Just One of the Guys (now on Kindle) and can be found at any number of places, including Sam's Space, Facebook, and Twitter.

Fun-tastic Cuisine!

Teen-Seen has been all about creative food this week- but what about a food you can play with and not get in trouble? Sounds cool huh?


This recipe has been in my family ever since my Dad's grandma won a peanut butter cookie contest with these. We always make them around the holidays. They also became a traditional snack at the Jr. Beta State convention in Myrtle Beach! Oh wait- no instructions? You just dump the ingredients in a bowl and stir?

Basically.

Yep, Peanut Butter Log Cookies are that easy. Dump the ingredients into a bowl. Stir until well blended. Then shape! This is best done on wax paper sprinkled with powdered sugar. Dust your hands with some more powdered sugar, and get your hands dirty! Usually you can get 2 logs that are each about a foot long. Then you top with powdered sugar and stick 'em in the refrigerator. Leave them in there until solid and then slice and enjoy! They're no-bake, all-fun, and completely delicious!

Log cookies are the easiest (and safest) things that I like to make. My dad and I love to whip together AWESOME desserts- cheesecakes, almond roca, chocolate mousse, jellyrolls, ice-cream cakes, ice cream, even creme brulee. You name it, Dad and I have probably made it. When I first started to really cook with my dad, it got to the point that Mom (Regan) cringed when we reached for the sugar in the pantry. Now we've slowed down some, but we still enjoy ourselves when it's our turn in the kitchen.

In my opinion, the most creative food is the one that gives you the most memories. What sorts of family recipes do you have? What's you favorite dessert? Who do you like cooking with most? Interested Teen-Seen readers and I want to know!

Iris Black

My short story, Just One of the Guys, is available on Kindle. For more information about this and other news, go to Sam's Space now!

Fantasy has Wings!

Fantasy often brings to mind images of magic, wizards, mayhem, and dragons. I've loved hearing stories about dragons, both good and bad, since I first started reading fairytales. The great thing about these creatures is that they are so captivating that they have appeared in nearly every culture of the world since ancient times. Chinese, Japanese, even Native American cultures all had some sort of dragon- whether they breathed fire or not! Dragons may never have really walked the earth, but they are part of the world's history- and are a figurehead for fantasy.

My favorite fantasy books of all time have included a dragon (or other mystical winged creature) in some way, shape, or form. Eragon and the rest of Christopher Paolini's Inheritance books are probably the most well-known dragon novels right now. I have read and re-read every one, and Paolini makes Saphira and the other creatures so real, I can almost imagine flying with them through their travels.

Even the Harry Potter books featured dragons in The Goblet of Fire.

But I am a firm believer in a classic tale- and you can't get much more classic than J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit or Anne and Todd McCaffrey's the Dragon Riders of Pern. Tolkien's Smaug may have been the villain of The Hobbit, but he was the epitome of a gluttonous, winged jewel-thief.

The Pernese dragons are probably my ultimate favorites, though. While they aren't technically magical, they're genetically engineered, plus they have telepathic and teleportation abilities. Later in the series, the dragons even discovered that they had telekinesis! Anne McCaffrey's books cross the bridge between science-fiction and fantasy. The adventures that the dragons and their riders get into are amazing, making the Pern books an epic fantasy saga that is never to be forgotten.

So go out, grab a fantasy, and grow wings! You never know where your dragon will take you next!

Iris Black

Enter Sam's Space now!

Fashion For the Ages!

Converse shoes. Nearly every teenager nowadays has a pair... or two... or three (like me!).

The great thing about these shoes is that they change with the ages. The original canvas models were made for basketball players to support their ankles on the court. Now, they come in all sorts of colors, styles, and materials: leather, canvas, suede, high-tops, low-tops, ultra high-tops, and everything in-between.

I have the misfortune of being cursed with loose joints, which has led to weak ankles. Converse high-tops have been the most stylish support solution (as compared to dull black braces in normal gym shoes). They're great for kicking back and hanging out. Another great thing: they're machine washable! Except for the leather ones...

The best part is that they have a shoe for every person, style, and outfit imaginable. Some of my friends have walked the school hallway in denim shoes, marked-up leather, purple bedazzled kicks, and even microchip/cyborg style sneakers. (I must admit to possession of black-and-red plaid textile, flower watercolor canvas, and basic black leather high-tops. I love them all!)

Not only are these shoes manufactured to be varied- but they are customizable to! Most of the shoes have a white (or other pale color) rubber toe. A creative application of ink pens and Sharpies in the back of a boring class can lead to instant artwork! Some of my friends have even used their shoes to collect phone numbers from new buds at summer camps or to write down their BFF's birthday. If you want a completely custom shoe, go to the Converse website where you can design and order your own pair. You can even get your name stitched onto the heel!

Sam, the main character in my upcoming short story, JUST ONE OF THE GUYS, loves her pink high-tops, as shown on the cover (left). They go with absolutely everything!

So what are your favorite shoes? Do you have Converse or do you prefer another brand/style? I want to know how you like to dress your feet!

Top photo courtesy of myshoeblog.com

Iris Black

enter Sam's Space now!
JUST ONE OF THE GUYS coming soon from Quake Publishing!