Mossflower, Published in 1988 by Brian Jacques, Philomel Books

"Generations before the building of Redwall Abbey, all Mossflower bowed to the will of Tsarmina - the wildcat Queen of a Thousand Eyes. With unrelenting cruelty, her ruthless army terrorizes the woodlands - until the fabled coming of Martin the Warrior. A remarkable mouse, Martin vowed to end forever the evil feline's oppressive reign - journeying to the perilous Mountain of Dragons to reforge a mighty weapon...and to prepare for the terrible battle that would mean the salvation - or destruction - of Mossflower Woods."

This book goes way back before Redwall Abbey. It shoes the courage of Matin, and it explains why Redwall creatures would look to his guidance thousands of seasons later.

Redwall, Published in 1986 by Brian Jacques, Philomel Books

Redwall, Brian Jacques first book, was published in 1986. Here is and introduction to his fabled story:

"Welcome to Mossflower Wood, where the gentle mice have gathered to celebrate a year of peace and abundance. All is well...until a sinister shadow falls across the ancient stone abbey of Redwall. It is rumored that Cluny is coming - Cluny, the terrible one-eyed rat and his savage horde - Cluny, who has vowed to conquer Redwall Abbey! The only hope for the besieged mice lies in the lost sword of the legendary Martin the Warrior. And so the epic quest of a bumbling young apprentice - a courageous mouse who would rise up, fight back...and become a legend himself."

From there, Brian Jacques wrote the Redwall Series, boasting over 20 books and over 20,000,000 copies sold worldwide.

I think this is Brian Jacques' best book. The tale is truly captivating. He includes the bases for all the stories he wrote latter, from the Gousim to the courage and boldness of hares.

Redwall Recipes #3

Today's Recipe:

'unnymoles

• 3/4 Cup of Flour
• 1/4 Cup of Margarine of Butter
• 3 Teaspoons of Powdered Sugar
• 2-3 Teaspoons of Cold Water (Maybe More)
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Honey
• Damson Juice

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the flour, margarine, and powdered sugar until crumbly. Sprinkle in the water 1 teaspoon at a time while mixing with a fork until dough forms. Split the dough into approximately 9 lumps. Flatten each piece of dough and spread with honey. Place 1 strawberry and 1 raspberry in the middle of each piece of dough. Wrap the pastry around the berries and spread the damson juice on top. Bake them for 15-20 minutes at 359 degrees. Enjoy!
To find more delicious recipes, go to http://www.redwall.net/kitchen/desserts.html

Redwall Drinks #1

Today's Drink:


Seaweed Grog (Non-alcoholic)

• 1 Liter of Ginger Ale
• 2 Cups of Orange Juice
• 2 Teaspoons of Lemon Juice
• 2 Teaspoons of Salt

Mix the ingredients well, until the salt dissolves. Enjoy!
To find more delicious drinks, go to http://www.redwall.net/kitchen/beverages.html

Redwall Recipes #2

Today's Recipe:

Shrew Bread

• 1 1/2 Cups of Yellow Corn Meal
• 1/2 Cup of Flour
• 1/4 Cup of Sugar
• 4 Teaspoons of Baking Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt
• 2 Eggs
• 1/3 Cup of Bacon Grease
• Around 2 Cups of Buttermilk

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a cast iron skillet, put bacon grease in the skillet and coat the bottom well. Put it in the oven to heat while mixing batter. Mix all the dry ingredient well, and then add the egg, bacon grease, and buttermilk. The Batter should be like cake batter or a little thicker. Pour the batter into the hot skillet, and return to the oven until golden in color, which will be about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

To find more delicious recipes, go to http://www.redwall.net/kitchen/main.html

The Sable Quean, Published in 2010 by Brian Jacques, Philomel Books

The Sable Queen, Brian Jacques newest book, was released in February 2010. It is one of the three books that are named after the evil characters, including Marlfox and Doomwyte. It is a lot better than Brian Jacques last few books. Here is and introduction to the story:

"He appears out of thin air, and vanishes just as quickly. he is Zwilt the Shade, and he is evil. Yet he is no match for his ruler, Vilaya, the Sable Quean. Along with their hordes of vermin, these two have devised a plan to conquer Redwall Abbey. And when the Dibbuns go missing one by one, their plan is revealed.

Will the Redwallers risk the fate of their Abbey and all of Mossflower Wood to save their precious young ones? Perhaps Buckler, Blademaster of the Long Patrol, can save the day. He has a score of his own to settle. And fear not, these Dibbuns are not as innocent as they appear. After all, they're from Redwall.

Pack you vittles, bring your weapons of choice and join our friends on the dangerous search. But beware of the Sable Quean!"

Redwall Abbey

Redwall Abbey is the centerpiece of the books. If you don't know what it looks like, picture this: There are high, battlemented walls made of red sandstone surrounding the whole structure. There is a large oaken door in the center of the wall in the front of the abbey with a small gatehouse behind it. There are small, wicket gates on each of the other outer wall. Inside, there is a large pond with fish swimming in it. There is an orchard, a salad garden, and green lawns surrounding the abbey building. The building has one large door in the front. Inside, there is Great Hall, which is the largest room in the abbey. There are seven steps leading down from Great Hall into Cavern Hole, which is smaller and more cozy. There are also the kitchens. There is a wine cellar below the building where the keep all the cold beers, wines, cordials, and fizzes. On the second level there are the dormitories, the sickbay, and guest rooms and of the like. Next are the attics. First comes the larger, first attic, and second comes the smaller, second attic. There are only the upper attics and the roof that are higher. To the side of the abbey is a tall bell tower. It contains The twin Matthias and Methuselah bells, made from the split Joseph bell. Remember, you are always welcome there.

Creatures

The Redwall Series contains all kinds of creatures. All of the animals in Brian Jacques' books inhabit the United Kingdom and Europe. The good creatures are mice, field mice, assorted kinds of voles, river and sea otters, hedgehogs, squirrels, badgers, hares, moles, bats, shrews, kites, eagles, sparrows, buzzards, ospreys, owls, and sometimes cats. The evil creatures are rats, ferrets, weasels, stoats, sand lizards, newts, toads, frogs, wolverines, foxes, werrets, adders, slow worms, grass snakes, crows, rooks, wildcats, with the exception of one or two of them. There are neutral creatures too. They are sharks, eels, pikes, crabs, seabirds, and swans.

Redwall Recipes #1

Today's Recipe:

Hunter's Hot Pot

• Water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large potato
• 1 medium turnip
• 2 medium carrots
• 1 medium green pepper
• 1 medium stalk celery
• 1 small onion
• 1 bay leaf

Cut the potato into 1.5 inch pieces and for the rest of the vegetables, except for the bay leaf and onion, cut them into 1 inch pieces. Put with the onions you chop them (not dice). Boil water in a pot and add vegetables. Add the onion and the whole bay leaf. Boil uncovered with all ingredients until vegetables are tender (about 30 minutes). Let it cool. Serves 5-6. Enjoy!
To find more delicious recipes, go to http://www.redwall.net/kitchen/main.html

Redwall!

Redwall books, the action packed book series, are some of my favorite. The author, Brian Jacques, is still alive and writing. His newest book, titled The Sable Queen, is coming out February, 2010. If some of you are confused about the types of animals, all the animals in Brian Jacques' books are common in the United Kingdom, and in the rest of Europe.