A word from the author...

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WATCH FOR the new Alaska Blueberry Soap, coming soon, brought to you by Denali Dreams!

The Story of the Alaska Berry Fairy Healing Vessels
© 2009 Teresa Ascone
Long ago in the land of the Alaska Berry Fairies, Ella Rose Twinkle of the Blueberry Fairy Clan held a great sorrow in her heart. Her beloved daughter, Goldeen, had been swept away in a whirlwind. Nothing could be found of Goldeen except her magic konjor, dented and scuffed, and her tattered wing pack, its contents strewn over the rocks that studded the banks of the Knik River.
No tragedy is more painful to a berry fairy mother than losing a child. Ella Rose was consumed with grief and could not be consoled.
One day, she noticed Goldeen’s drinking cup sitting on the table where the child had left it. Ella Rose picked it up, and it slipped from her grasp and broke. As she knelt to gather the pieces her tears fell into the vessel and, lo and behold, they transformed magically into tiny berries, which clung to the broken edges of the cup. Ella Rose marveled at this, but distracted by her sadness, thought no more about it. The next morning, the cup was like new. Seeing the vessel thus mended, the fairy mother was comforted and began to feel that her pain could heal as well.
She sought solace in the Sakre Ninyin, the Nine Sacred Principles that guide the Alaska Berry Fairies, finding consolation in the words of wisdom written there. According to the legend, the fairy child Goldeen was eventually found sheltering in a squirrel midden, her wing broken; she returned to her grateful family. From that day forward, her magically mended drinking vessel held a candle which was lighted each night, as a reminder that just as the vessel was mended, so wounded hearts can be healed.

New review! "... a fanciful format that marries lush illustration with enchanting text, Ascone details the lives of the Alaska Berry Fairies--from their appearance, fashions and dwellings to their relationships with animals and humans, and everyday activities. Featured is "Sehra Twinkle's Love Story", a tale of marriage, celebration and birth. There are also a glossary of fairy words and lists of facts about Alaska and Alaskan berries. This unique blend of fact and fiction, dreams and magic, is a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully engaging book for fairy lovers of all ages."
Review by Dawn Brunke, Alaska Wellness Magazine, November/December 2008

The Berry Fairies of Alaska can be purchased at the following stores:

Anchorage: Alaska Botanical Garden, Cabin Fever, Mosquito Books (Stevens International Airport), Title Wave, Firefly Arts, Over the Rainbow Toys, Fred Meyer Stores, Carr's Stores, Sleeping Lady Salmon/Gifts, and Moosellaneous.
Craig: Voyageur Bookstore.
Fairbanks: Gulliver's Books.
Glenallen: Fireweed Mountain Arts & Crafts
Homer: The Homer Bookstore. Gustavus: Bear Track Mercantile.
Haines: Babbling Book
Juneau: Changing Tides, Gastineau Guiding Co., Ben Franklin. Kenai Peninsula: Ranting Raven.
Kodiak: The Next Page, Northern Exposure Gallery.
Mat-Su Valley: Pandemonium Books and Cafe, Fireside Books, Annabelle's, Village Arts and Crafts, Fred Meyer Stores, Carr's Stores, Village Arts & Crafts in Talkeetna.
Petersburg: Sing Lee Alley Books.
Sitka: Old Harbor Books.
Soldotna: River City Books.

Wholesalers: Kindly contact www.Takugraphics.com

Cranberry-Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad

Shake in lidded jar: 2/3 C. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1/3 C. cider vinegar, 2/3 C. fresh raspberries, crushed and sieved, 1 Tbsp. toasted poppyseeds, 2 or 3 Tbsp. Fireweed honey (to taste), fresh ground sea salt, and fresh ground pepper.
Serve over a tossed mixture of 4 C. chilled chopped Romaine, 1/3 C. sliced red radishes, 1/3 C. sliced green onions, 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts, and Tbsp. dried cranberries.