My KDP Review

KDP is the book publishing arm of Amazon. KDP stands for Kindle Direct Publishing. This is where authors can publish their books as hardbacks, paperbacks, and or as a Kindle electronic version.

KDP has been evolving over the years. The first book that I wrote and published through KDP was written completely offline. It also wasn't KDP back then. Then I had to figure out what size to make my pages and which font they accepted (I had to change mine.)

Now people can look at charts and guidelines on KDP and find out what they need to get started.

First you need to know what kind of book you want to make; i.e. hardback, paperback, or electronic. You can only make one at a time, but then you can make it in another version afterwards. Sizes and margins can be different. Also with the electronic version, you can make clickable links for each chapter, etc.

At some point, you will have to decide on a title, and also a subtitle if you want one. Once a book is published on Amazon, the title cannot be changed.

With KDP, the minimum number of pages is 24. So if you're looking to write a 10-20 page pamphlet type book, this isn't for you. If you've got a minimum of 20 pages already, you can add other pages, such as book recommendations that are related to what you are writing, other books by you, a title page, this book belongs to, etc.

There are also maximum page number restrictions based on the type of book you're writing, i.e. paperback, hardback, or electronic. Page length can also be affected by paper selection, page size, and trim. You can check out the various requirements and restrictions by searching on your book type and the text, KDP size guidelines.

Once you are ready to start writing, you can be a brave and venturous soul and write it on your computer, like I did with my first venture. However, I recommend a book creation site that gives you the kind of flexibility you might be looking for. Do you know that you just want to create coloring books, for instance? Do you want to write text only books? Search for what works for you.

The site that I went with is Canva. Some love it and some don't. As mentioned, go for what is going to be most helpful to you.

With Canva, I can use a mix of my images along with a mix of images on the Canva site. In some books I have created, I used only my images, some have been a mix, and a couple have been Canva images only. With Canva, you are supposed to change up the images on their site some how, perhaps layer them with other images to make them look different than what is presented initially. However you do this, you want to make this be unique somehow. I use the professional version of Canva which gives me more images to choose from.

Another reason that I like Canva, is that I can easily adjust the page sizes with a couple of clicks, in case I didn't get it quite right in the beginning. Also, from Canva, I can easily download my book creation, and then upload it from my download files to Amazon. The interior of the book is downloaded and uploaded separate from the cover. The cover and the interior are two different creations on Canva, at least with physical paper books. They are also two different uploads on KDP.

With the forms on KDP, you can choose up to three categories for your book to be listed in. They used to give you up to ten options, and could then even add more. Those days have passed.

You can choose up to seven sets of keywords and or keyword phrases to help customers find your books.

You can also choose black and white only books, or ones with premium colored ink. Colored ink is more expensive to print and the price you set should allow for this additional upcharge for the printing of your book.

KDP gives a section to write a description that will get printed on its Amazon product page.

When writing on KDP, you can create a free author page on Amazon. Once your book is published and live on Amazon, you can create your author page. You can find it by searching for the phrase, Amazon Author Central.

When writing on KDP, you can also create and run ads for your book(s) on Amazon. These are paid ads and there are quite a few options to choose from. I recommend doing searches on YouTube for guidance and for how to videos there.

I have done some ads from time to time. For me, I prefer to do some blogs about the books instead. I also prefer shopping on Amazon when there are a lot less ads to maneuver through.

So would I recommend writing on KDP to self publish on Amazon? That depends on your goals. Authors that write on KDP are not suppose to publish those same books elsewhere. Amazon does have an option for certain types of books to be available through book stores. The main thing is that they must have text as part of their makeup. So no coloring books unless they also include words. These books can be included in a book store's web site offerings; but you may need to contact the individual book store if you would like them to carry it as an option on their shelves. Our local Barnes and Noble has a book stand dedicated to local authors.

For me, I am glad that I write through KDP. I went the old school way before the internet became available, and almost had an interested publisher for one of my children's books. It was a very long process. Also for me, although I have some text type books, I now prefer creating more artsy type books, and prefer to spend my time creating more designs, than writing cover letters, etc.

I hope that you have found some helpful information here. If you think of a question that I didn't cover, ask it in a comment below, and I will help you if I can.

Here is link for my author page on Amazon. Author page for Cheryl Paton on Amazon You can find all of my published books here.

Here is a link for my Scrapbook Paper options which is on my blog. Scrapbook Paper by Cheryl Paton. These are sorted by category.

Cheryl Paton

March is Here and the Rains as Well! ~ A Product Review

Everyone knows that March comes in like a LION and goes out like a LAMB!  

All my friends are just itching for the weather to turn to milder temperatures, melting whatever snow might be left in our gardens and surroundings!  It's the time of year when the rains come down and make walking around just a little messier than during the warm summer weather.  

The good news is that the summer weather will be here soon and you can be ready for the rains that come during spring or summer easily.  

If you are like me, getting outdoors is an important part of your day!  When it is pouring outside, it's easy to talk yourself out of getting wet!  I know I've done it a million times ( I can exaggerate a little)!

Seriously though, my exercise routine involves walking, and I prefer to do that outdoors!  So, when the rain comes down, I need to be prepared for it and I am!

A good pair of Waterproof Rain Boots is the first part of being ready!  At my age (I'm not a teenager anymore) I love putting a little Pizzazz into my choice of rainboots!  I found these lovelies at Amazon and I could not be happier with how they look!  What I love even more is that there are several different choices in patterns.  I was really having a hard time choosing between the featured Floral ones and the Sheep.  Then I started to look at the other patterns and oh my.....

There are Chickens, and Sunflowers, Polka-Dot and Owls, Funky Raindrops and Horses, and Deers!  

Now I'm thinking I need at least a pair or two! Right now they are reduced in price, so maybe there will be a second pair coming just for me!  With thousands of purchasers, I know that these boots will be an asset during those rainy days that are coming our way. After all, if you need to be out in the rain, you might as well have some fun with these great patterns on your feet.  Adulting shouldn't mean "boring"!

Hope you are getting yourself ready for the spring weather that will surely be coming soon!

Happy Puddle Hopping!

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Reviewing The Benefits of Garden Mulch

 

Mulch is much under rated, but mulching the soil is one of the best tasks you can do for your garden. The beauty of our plants and flowers, the quality of our fruits and vegetables all starts with the quality of our soil. It is easy to buy all the lovely flowering plants and bulbs only to find that they cannot thrive in our soil. Many gardeners or potential gardeners then become disappointed. 

However, If we take care of the soil and keep it healthy and weed free, the rest comes naturally. Mulch offers a wide range of benefits to the garden in terms of the look and beauty of our gardens and if organic mulch, in practical benefits for the soil and the health and beauty of our plants. For both experienced gardeners and complete novices garden mulch can enhance and transform your garden. 

You Might Be Asking What is Mulch?

Mulch is simply a layer of material thickly applied to the surface of the soil usually applied to beds and borders in our gardens.

It can be organic, such as wood chips, bark, straw and mulch compost. Organic is best if you need to improve the quality of your soil. 

Mulch can also be inorganic, like gravel,  sheeting, and rubber. Inorganic mulch can serve a practical purpose of weed suppression like sheeting but not be very pleasing to look at, or it can be very pretty especially if you use pebbles or glass beads.

Each type of mulch serves different purposes and can be chosen based on the specific needs of your garden.

What Are The Benefits of Mulch?

Mulching For A  Beautiful Garden

I am always pleasantly surprised what a difference a little time spent mulching achieves to the look of the garden. The difference can be quite dramatic! Mulch always seems to make plants look so much better and the whole garden put together beautifully. We can also use different types of mulch to create specific areas of the garden whether you want a natural look or more formal approach for different areas. 

Reducing Weeding!

This is my number one reason for spending time mulching in Spring. Although it takes time to mulch it saves so much more time in weeding. A thick layer of mulch which blocks out sunlight can inhibit much of the weed seeding and growth.  This thankfully reduces the need for hand weeding. As I never use any chemical weed killer and am not a huge fan of endless hand weeding on my knees, it is essential for my garden. It is not a guarantee of no weeds, but as long as you use a thick enough layer of mulch, which is about two to four inches deep, it can cut down weeding quite a lot.   

Moisture And Temperature Regulation

Mulch helps keep moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation. This is particularly beneficial for the summer during hot, dry periods. If using mulch for this purpose a Spring mulching is most beneficial.  Mulch also acts like a blanket to keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Our garden soil is heavy clay and it dries out and cracks in the summer and in winter becomes a hard, cold, wet block so these insulating properties are very important to our garden.

Mulching For A Healthy Soil

In gardening soil health and structure is where it all begins. Organic mulches always decompose or rot down over time. This adds important nutrients and  improves the structure and overall fertility of the soil. An improved and healthy soil promotes plants to have a healthy root development which is key to a healthy plant and good flowers, vegetables and fruit.

 Our heavy clay soil has nutrients but it is difficult for young plants roots to access via the heaviness of the clay. So it is very important to open up the structure of our soil so that plants can root more effectively. However if you have very light soil, sandy, stony or chalky soil, mulching can help to improve and add much needed nutrients and hold and firm up the structure of the soil. 

So mulching with organic matter ultimately helps all types of soil. It is a hugely positive task to do and reaps benefits no matter what your soil type. 

 

 100% Natural Cedar Shavings | Mulch | Great for Outdoors or Indoor Potted Plants | Dog Bedding (16 Quart)Check Price

Types of Garden Mulch.

There are two main types of Mulch, organic and inorganic. 

Organic Mulch

This includes materials like bark, well rotted manure, grass clippings, straw, cocoa mulch, wood chips, compost or prepared Mulch compost bags. These mulches rot down with time and enrich the soil with organic matter. Personally I prefer a mulch compost or bark. I have found straw attracts rodents which we do not want and grass clippings can look untidy and a bit messy in the main beds and borders. If you have a stables nearby they may give you or sell you their horse manure, however it will need to have time for it to rot down before you can apply it to the garden soil so you need an area to store it. A prepared mulch in bags is perhaps the easiest way to mulch. 

A word of warning if you have dogs, do not use cocoa mulch as it is toxic to dogs and very attractive to them.

 Black River Rocks Large for Landscaping Outdoor Polished Black Pebbles for Plants Garden Decorative Stones 15 Pound Black River Rock Stones, 1 to 2 Inch Black Rock (1-2 inch, 15 Pound)Check Price

Inorganic Mulch

This includes materials like gravel, rubber mulch, glass beads, decorative pebbles, river rocks, weed suppressant membranes and plastic sheeting, even old carpet. These mulches do not decompose and will not add any nutrients to the soil. They are often used to suppress and control difficult perennial weeds but some such as gravel, pebbles and river rocks can also be used beautifully for decorative purposes. 

We have used gravel and pebbles in certain areas. River rocks and large decorative pebbles look really beautiful in the right setting and can enhance the plants around them. 

We don't use plastic sheeting generally across the garden as unless it is covered with another layer of organic mulch or pebbles it looks awful. Plus plastics can leach into the soil which is not great and I would certainly not use it on any area I wanted to plant vegetables, fruits or herbs to eat. It or weed suppressant membranes are however useful if you have an area that is riddled with difficult perennial weeds. We did use this successfully for an area of the garden that had a difficult invasive perennial weed. If using it for that purpose it is best to cover the area with weed suppressing membrane, plastic sheeting or an old carpet first, then cover that with a decorative mulch of pebbles or bark. 

 Jevrench 5oz Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric Heavy Duty, 1.3ft x 50ft Dual-Layer Premium Garden Landscaping Fabric, Ground Cover Weed Control Fabric Outdoor Weed Mat Garden Lawn FabricCheck Price

How to Apply Mulch To The Garden

Choose the type of mulch that suits your garden and how you would like it to look. Different area of your garden may need a different approach to mulch type. Some beds may be better with organic mulch where the soil needs improving or you want a natural look while other areas look better with pebbles for example. 

Preparation Of The Garden Is Key

It is best to pull out any annual and perennial weeds from the beds we are mulching. It is easy and tempting to think you can skip this rather boring and tedious step but it is so much better to start with a weed free and clean area before mulching. Otherwise you may well find especially perennial weeds do still come up through the mulch. 

Applying the Mulch

It is important to spread a thick layer of mulch about two to four inches deep on the borders and beds around your plants. I always do this by hand especially in an existing border so as not to damage any of the plants there. Do take care to leave a gap at the base of each plant free from any mulch to prevent any rotting and to allow rainwater to reach the plant roots. It is always better to spread a thick layer over a smaller area than a thin layer over a larger space. 

It is best to mulch after a period of rainfall so you then keep the moisture in the soil. If no rainfall is forecast and you want to mulch, it is advisable to soak the soil beforehand with a watering can or hose. I would advise to always wear a good strong pair of garden gloves when spreading mulch to protect you and so there is no contact with your skin. 

 SLARMOR Long Gardening-Gloves Women/Men-Thorn proof Rose Pruning Heavy Duty Gauntlet-LCheck Price

Maintain the Mulch

There isn't really a lot of ongoing or regular maintenance, but we can add more organic mulch like bark or compost over time as it breaks down into the soil. Organic mulch requires a little more topping up and raking from time to time.

We tend to put it down once a year in spring, but ideally do it twice a year in Spring and again in Autumn/Fall especially if your soil is poor or impoverished. Spring mulching is great for weed suppression, locking moisture in the soil and improving soil structure. Autumn/Fall mulching can also be protective of plants when the frosts and cold weather comes.

For inorganic mulch, like gravel, stones or pebbles just add or rearrange if it needs readjusting or topping up. If you have laid inorganic mulch directly onto soil you may need to occasionally wash down with water and pick out any annual weeds that find their way into any gaps. If you do not want this task it is best to lay a layer of weed suppressing membrane underneath to minimise this further.  

So mulching is a very beneficial task to do every Spring and Autumn/Fall in our gardens. I find it an easy, rewarding task that beautifies the garden and has ample benefits for many months.

Read More Gardening Reviews on ReviewThisGardening.com

Read Diary Of A Wild Country Garden Blog

Visit Raintree Earth Designs for products designed with nature photography

Reviewing The Benefits of Garden Mulch by Raintree Annie

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Reviewing the Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker

I recently purchased the Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker and I have been enjoying fresh popped popcorn since. The Whirley Pop is a stove-top popper that helps me pop nearly all of the kernels without burning. I despise the smell of burnt popcorn. With the Whirley Pop I am again enjoying making great popcorn at home. 

Whirley Pop 6 qt Aluminum Popcorn Popper

The Whirley Pop is a stove-top popcorn pan. The wood handle remains cool and the popper pops the corn evenly due to the crank handle that comes through the wooden handle and out of the end farthest from the heat. After you add the oil and popcorn to the inside of the pan, you spin the crank non-stop. That crank is attached to a stir wire that keeps the popcorn kernels moving and prevents burning. In approximately 3 - 5 minutes, the popcorn is finished and ready to enjoy.

I ordered the Whirley Pop red aluminum 6 quart popper. There are other versions available: Stainless Steel, Copper Plated Stainless steel, black aluminum and pink aluminum. Of course, the stainless steel versions are more expensive. I purchased the red aluminum becaust I like red and because I wasn't sure I would like the popper so I didn't want to invest more initially.

The Whirley Pop lid latches onto the "bowl" portion of the pan. The lid is hinged on two halves, making it easy to pour the fresh-popped treat out of the pan.

Isn't Microwave Popcorn Easier?

Yes, microwave popcorn is much easier. We use microwave popcorn at work daily (as treats for the children). And I can't help but notice how much trash the microwave popcorn creates. Besides, at home with the Whirley Pop, I am able to:

• pop corn during a power outage
• adjust the amount - a small serving just for me or a large batch for guests or for later
• buy large jars or bags of popcorn rather than individual packaged servings
• buy different styles of popcorn kernel varieties - ladyfinger, mushroom, blue, white, yellow, extra large and more.
• I can keep a variety of salts and spices on hand and have a variety of flavored popcorn

I prefer stove-top popcorn for those reasons. But I am abysmal at using a pan with a lid and shaking it until the corn pops. With that style of stove-top popping, I always create a mess or burn the popcorn. I do not have a glasstop stove, but if I did I could still use the Whirley Pop safely as the pan sits still and the crank does all of the work.

Frankly, I think most of all, I like the retro appearance of the Whirley Pop. I think it reminds me of the ice cream makers of my childhood.

Whirleypopshop.com - Wabash Valley Farms, Indiana

On their website you can find page after page of Whirley Pop pans (including information on engraving handles), gift sets, popcorn kernel varieties, salts, oils, and fun popcorn bowls.

Whirley Pop also has a store on Amazon under Wabash Valley Farms. I ordered mine on Amazon to take advantage of the Amazon Prime free shipping. 

Related Reviews:

Our Sam wrote a review on why he does not use single package microwave popcorn (the chemicals) and instead used an air popper until recently. If you would prefer to pop your popcorn in the microwave but aren't sure what popper to use, you should take a peek at his Microwave Popcorn Popper Review.

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Delicious Spicy Chicken Bow Tie Soup

This hearty and flavorful soup is perfect for cool days. Depending on how much red pepper flakes you add, it can even help clear your sinuses!

I rarely measure, so these listed amounts are merely a guideline. If you're making a huge amount, as per below, ensure you start with an extra large soup pot.

Ingredients For Spicy Chicken Bow Tie Soup

• 5 chicken breasts
• 3 heaping tbsp butter (for frying the chicken)
• 1 bag carrots, cleaned and chopped
• 1 bundle of celery, cleaned and chopped
• 1-2 large onions, chopped
• 6-7 cloves garlic, minced (adjust to taste)
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 tbsp butter (additional for roux)
• 6 boxes of chicken broth (I usually just add until I feel it's enough, and at times, I'll use my own homemade chicken broth
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup cream
• 3 Cups of Bow Tie noodles (adjust to your desire)
• A bundle of green onions
• Parmesan Cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Red pepper flake spice
• Garlic spice seasoning - Or, use your favorite brand. I use Clubhouse Garlic Plus.
• Any other seasonings you want!

Spices & Seasoning

• 1/4 cup of red pepper flakes (adjust to taste; this amount makes it extra spicy, but simply do your own tasting, adding more as you go if needed)
• 1/4 cup Garlic spice seasoning (or substitute with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs) - Again, I never measure this; just add and taste
• Any other spices you like! It's your choice
• Salt to taste

Additional Ingredients

• 3 cups bow tie noodles
• 1 handful green onions, chopped
• Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

---

Instructions

1. Cook the Chicken

1. In a large pot, melt 3 heaping tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
2. Add 5 chicken breasts and cook until thoroughly browned on both sides and cooked through.
3. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.

2. Prepare the Soup Base

1. Using the same pot (with the browned chicken remnants for flavor), add the onions, celery, carrots, and Garlic.
2. Sauté until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Stir in ¼ cup flour and 2 tablespoons butter, cooking for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

3. Add Liquid & Spices

1. Pour in 6 containers of chicken broth and stir well.
2. Add ½ cup tomato sauce and 1 cup cream, stirring to combine.
3. Season with red pepper flakes, Garlic Plus seasoning, and salt to taste.

4. Add Pasta, Chicken and Green Onions

1. Add 3 cups of bow tie noodles directly to the pot. Let them cook in the broth until tender.
2. Return the chopped chicken to the pot and stir everything together.
3. Add the chopped green onions and allow the soup to simmer for a few more minutes.

5. Serve & Enjoy

• Ladle the soup into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese before serving.
• Enjoy this warming and spicy bowl of comfort!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Baseball is Back - Seasonal Highlights Review

Reviewing a Summary of Upcoming Major League Baseball Events for 2026.

Major League Baseball involves the regular season of 162 games played among 30 teams, followed by the Playoffs and concluding with the World Series in October.

In recent years, many changes have come to the sport, including having games played in unusual venues outside the regular 30 baseball stadiums. There have been games played at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the Rickwood Field Game in Birmingham, Alabama. There have also been several games played over the years in International locations (Japan, Mexico, Australia, South Korea and the United Kingdom) aimed at growing the sport’s popularity. These games have created memorable experiences for fans, as well as the players. 

Baseball Experiences for the 2026 Season

• Spring Training began on February 20, 2026 and will continue until March 24

• March 25, 2026 is Opening Day for the Major League Baseball Season

• April 25-26, 2026 - Mexico Series. Diamondbacks vs. Padres in Mexico City.

• July 14, 2026 - The annual All-Star Classic will be held in Philadelphia at City Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. The annual Home Run Derby will be held the day before, on July 13th.

• August 13, 2026 - Field of Dreams Game. Twins vs. Phillies in Dyersville, Iowa.

• August 23, 2026 - the annual MLB Little League Classic will once again be played during the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.  This year’s game features the Braves vs. the Brewers.

• September 11-13, 2026 - 25th Anniversary of 9/11. The Mets @ the Yankees in New York City. 

Summary

From Spring Training through Opening Day to the World Series in October, Major League Baseball will keep baseball fans entertained. Mark the dates for the MLB special events in 2026, plus enjoy following your favorite team throughout the season. 

Image Source: Pixabay

Baseball is Back! 

Let’s Play Ball! 

*Baseball Seasonal Highlights review written by Wednesday Elf 

Baseball America 2026 AlmanacCheck Price

 

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Copycat Pronto Pup or Corn Dog Maker at Home Reviewed

We love going to the fair!  One of the biggest reasons we love the fair, is the food, especially Pronto Pups.  The first stop we make when we enter the fairgrounds, is the Pronto Pup food truck.  If we attend a festival or specialty show and see the Pronto Pup food truck, we make a beeline to it immediately.  Forget the show, we need a Pronto Pup!

We didn't get to go to the fair this past fall and we felt a tremendous loss by not getting our annual Pronto Pup.  Well, okay, calling it a "tremendous loss" might be exaggerating a bit, but having a 40+ year tradition interrupted, does leave one feeling unsettled.  We simply needed a Pronto Pup to center our universe back on its axis.  And, horror of all horrors, we had not attended any shows or festivals in months.  We were, most definitely, feeling deprived.

When shopping for Christmas gifts this year, I spotted a corn dog maker on Amazon.  I added it to my wishlist so I could think about it.  I did not believe there was any way a homemade Pronto Pup could live up to the taste of the fair delicacy.  I honestly believed they must be deep fried to have the right texture and flavor.  I feared a Pronto Pup made in an electric gadget at home would be a great disappointment.  However, after my husband said he wished he had a Pronto Pup for the trillionth time since fall, I was determined to find one for him.  With no upcoming local events that would offer a Pronto Pup, I became more desperate and decided to try the electric corn dog maker.

Yowsers, I'm glad I did!  The half-sized Pronto Pups made in the electric corn dog maker were delicious.  Almost as good as going to the fair, although I haven't figured out how to get the Ferris Wheel here for the full fair experience. 

MasterChef Corn Dog Maker - Electric Nonstick Baker

 MasterChef Corn Dog Maker-Electric Nonstick Kitchen Baker, Hot Dogs on Stick, Cheese Mozzarella Sticks, Cake Pops, BBQ -Recipes +50 SkewersCheck PriceThe corn dog maker is distributed under several brand names.  I opted for the MasterChef brand because it had the best reviews and came with 50 skewers.  Including the skewers with the baker, allowed me to get started immediately.  

I was not thrilled with the recipe included with the maker because it called for pancake mix.  I thought pancake mix would make the batter too sweet for the authentic Pronto Pup taste I wanted to recreate.  I sought out a Pronto Pup copycat batter recipe and it sounded perfect as I read through the ingredients.  Since this was our first test, I decided to make a batter recipe of both types, the one that came with the maker and the copycat recipe.  After my family had tried both, the copycat recipe was unanimously chosen as the best.  However, to be fair, the pancake mix recipe tasted good, even though it was sweeter, and required less ingredients to make, but it was much thinner than the copycat batter.  We all preferred the thicker coating on the hot dogs.

It is very easy to make the Pronto Pups.  

1. Make the batter recipe
2. Preheat the maker - wait for the green light to come on & indicate that the maker is ready
3. Spray the trays with a non-stick spray  (I wipe off excess spray before adding food.  It just needs a light coating)
   
4. Simply cut the hot dogs in half
5. Insert a skewer into each half 
   
6. Dip the hot dogs into the batter, covering them fully
7. Lay the battered hot dogs on the maker plate with the sticks aligned in the depressions on the side 
8. Spoon a small amount of batter on the top of each hot dog
9. Close the maker lid and cook for 3 minutes
10. Open the lid, turn the hot dogs and cook for 3 more minutes
11. Remove your cooked Pronto Pups/corn dogs and serve  

 

Pronto Pup Batter Copycat Recipe

I am including the recipe here for the copycat Pronto Pup batter so you don't have to go on a separate search.  Since there are several recipes online, I thought it best to share the one that we used.  I wouldn't want any Pronto Pup lovers to be disappointed.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup cornmeal (white or yellow)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 Tablespoons shortening
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk

 

Instructions 

1. Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt and dry mustard.  Mix well. 
2. Add the shortening and cut it into the mixture using fork until the mixture becomes a fine crumble. 
3. In a separate bowl, mix egg and milk together. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture.  Stir until smooth (batter will be thick).

 

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Pronto Pup or Corn Dog Maker at Home Reviewed by:

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Book Review- At the Edge of the Orchard

 

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and Tracy Chevalier is among the authors in this genre that I enjoy reading.  Her careful research and delightful way of pulling you into the story make her books real page turners.  At the Edge of the Orchard was a fascinating tale that I found myself unable to put down.

Book Summary

James and Sadie Goodenough leave their home in Connecticut to head out west.  When they get to Ohio their wagon gets stuck in the muddy 1830's black swamp area.  They decide to claim some land in this area and settle down to growing apple trees.  If they plant 50 trees within 3 years, they can claim the land for their own.  James is enthralled with apple trees, that remind him of his home in Connecticut, while Sadie is more interested in the apple jack that they can produce.  She can use it as an alcoholic retreat from the tough times that visit them, including deaths of a child to illness in many years.  Their children are helpers on their farm from a very early age.

The next part of the book skips to 15 years later when the youngest son Robert is wandering through the Gold Rush in California.  He is haunted from his past and the family he left behind when he was only 9 years old.  He does find some peace working with a naturalist and helping him to gather saplings and seed of the majestic redwoods and sequoias to send to gardeners in England.

I found the book to be very interesting and really appreciate the care the author takes in describing the historical settings in the novel.  The characters are delightful, and you find yourself pulled into their lives.

I have read several of Tracy Chevaliers books in the past and have never been disappointed.

About the Author

Tracy Chevalier was born and grew up in Washington DC.  After attending Oberlin college in Ohio, she moved to London in the mid 1980's.   Her first novel was Virgin Blue in 1997 followed by The Girl with the Pearl Earring in 1999.  She is currently working on her 12th book.

She does a lot of research for each book and one thing she likes to do is put herself in some of the situations she writes about.  She tried painting for one book, stitching for another and for At the Edge of the Orchard she spent some time among trees, including the redwoods and sequoias in California.

Link to Book on Amazon

At the Edge of the Orchard, along with Tracy's other books can be found on Amazon.  Here is the link: At the Edge of the Orchard

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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