Sara C. Snider's Blog, page 16

Hazel and Holly — Haunted Heart

Previous: Homeward Heart

Hazel stood near the fire in the common room. The hour was late, and she suspected everyone else slept, except for that creepy innkeeper, of course. Every now and then he would appear, fluff the pillows on the armchairs near the fire, all while grinning at her and not saying a word. It was unsettling and Hazel would glower at him, but the man seemed unconcerned with her displeasure.

She walked to the bookshelf and perused the odd selection.What kinds of books were th...

Hazel and Holly — Homeward Heart

Previous: The Tiresome Trail

Holly sat on a fallen tree trunk, twining together fern leaves into a wreath as Chester scampered in the brush. She’d like to make a matching wreath for him to wear, but her fingers weren’t nimble enough for such tiny weave-work. Maybe Odd had some tools she could use that would help her make such a thing. She’d have to remember to ask him when they returned. If they returned. Holly put down the leaves, staring at the darkening sky that seemed on the verge of swa...

Hazel and Holly — The Tiresome Trail

Previous: Willowed Remorse

Hazel and Holly waited in front of their cottage. Hazel stood near the road, her hands clenched as she watched for an approaching carriage. Holly sat on top of her luggage, resting her chin on her hand with her elbow propped on her knee.

“Who’s going to take care of the bees?” Holly said.

“Bees take care of themselves for the most part,” Hazel said. “But Aster said she’d check on them from time to time, and harvest the honey when it’s ready.”

“She’ll probably take...

New Goals and Lessons Learned

Well, it’s a new year, and with a new year always comes the refreshed optimism of new possibilities. Resolutions are made. Goals are set. I don’t make resolutions, but I do set goals for myself, which are always related to writing and publishing.

In fact, I don’t think I ever set yearly goals for myself until I started writing. Or maybe I just never cared about my previous goals enough to remember them. My goals aren’t exactly massive ones—it’s usually surrounding finishing a certain manuscri...

Hazel and Holly — Willowed Remorse

Previous: Zinnia’s Return

Hazel and Holly sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea as a lantern cast fitful shadows along the walls.

“Are we leaving soon?” Holly said.

Hazel closed her eyes. “For the hundredth time, no. It’s still too early.”

“It’s night outside. How is that too early?”

“I told you, we need to wait until past midnight.”

“But why?”

“Because that’s how this particular magic works, that why.”

“But why do we have to sit here, drinking tea? I’m bored. And tired.”

“Because it’s impos...

Hazel and Holly — Zinnia’s Return

Previous: Teatime Tribulation

A few bees crawled on the veil hanging over Hazel’s broad-brimmed hat. She brushed them away with a gloved hand and continued her inspection of the hive nestled in a corner of her garden. The honey was coming along nicely, and there were no signs of mites. Should be a good harvest this season, given another month or so.

“How’s it look?” Tum said, chewing on a strand of grass.

Hazel glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “You know, for a cellar gnome, you s...

Hazel and Holly — Teatime Tribulation

Previous: Aired Affections

Holly stared as Hazel set the table for tea. Hazel never set the table, and definitely never with the china painted with the little yellow flowers that had been their mother’s.

“What are you doing?” Holly said.

“Honestly, Holly, it’s not complicated. We’re having guests over. You’re always saying how we should have guests over for tea.”

“Yes, but we never do. You always say something like, ‘Who decided that drinking tea needed to be a social event?’ and then no one...

Hazel and Holly — Aired Affections

Previous: Wyr Weariness

Hazel trailed after Hemlock as they climbed up the steep edge of a rocky cliff. The stones were damp and coated with moss. Hazel grabbed onto a clump of the growth to pull herself up, but it tore free and she had to grab onto a tree root to keep her balance.

Hemlock glanced down at her. “Are you all right?”

She scowled up at him. “I’m fine. Let’s just keep moving before I fall and break my neck.”

Somehow, they managed to reach the top, and Hazel hoisted herself over t...

Happy Yule… With Goats

In Sweden, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the traditional Yule Goat—or Julbocken. The origins of the Yule Goat aren’t exactly clear. Some seem to think there’s a connection between the Yule Goat and Thor’s goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, who pulled the thunder god’s chariot. There’s another theory of the last sheaf of grain in a harvest having magical properties. I like this theory, as it rather explains why Yule Goats are made of straw.

“Julbocken” by John Bauer

An older Yule Goa...

Hazel and Holly — Wyr Weariness

Previous: Skyward Promises

Hazel stood in the living room of their cottage as Holly held out a box of crystal vials containing a clear liquid.

“Possibility potions,” Hazel said, her voice flat.

“That’s what Odd said they were,” Holly said.

Hazel frowned. She reached out to touch one of the little bottles but pulled her hand back instead. “I don’t understand. How are we supposed to use them?”

Holly shrugged. “He said that it will let us see decisions we never made. He said we might be able to...