This week for Thursday Doors I am sharing the door to the Chinese Candy Dragon’s lair. I was pleased with myself for managing to insert the dragon’s head so he’s peeping through the window. The dragon features in Michael and my new Sir Chocolate high days and holidays book series. This one is all about Halloween.
You can learn more about Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2023/08/10/things-to-remember/
And, you can find Teagan Riordain Geneviene’s entertaining Thursday Doors post about a magic mirror here: https://teagansbooks.com/2023/08/09/wednesday-writing-thursdaydoors-in-atonement-tn-artifact-notes-the-mirror-of-truth/

This is the cover:

This is the book trailer video Michael and I created:
Sunday Stills this week is all about the lazy, hazy days of summer. But its winter here, so …





You can join in Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2023/08/06/sunday-stills-lazy-hazy-daze-of-summer/
This post is such fun, Robbie. Plus you worked in so many creative elements quite smoothly. The photo of the waterbuck is one of your best ever. Your drawing/painting skills have really blossomed. I love how you got the dragon to look out the window. Kudos, my friend. Many thanks for the shout-out for my post and blog serial. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 3 people
HI Teagan, it is my pleasure to share your post. I am glad you enjoyed the variety in this post. I am enjoying the drawing and its opened new writing doors for me.
LikeLike
Bravo Robbie! I love this, and tomorrow I will share the trailer of the book and more on it as well – terrific!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi John, I am delighted you like this post and trailer. I am making them shorter as under 1 minute YT videos do better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another great post with various great elements, Robbie! That “Gingerbread dragon’s house/lair” you created is amazing!
LikeLiked by 3 people
HI Dave, thank you. I do enjoy working with gingerbread.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your new book looks like a lot of fun. I love giraffes as well. You did a great job of drawing one!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Darlene, drawing animals with the variations of colour is quite a learning curve. I was reasonably pleased with this picture.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As you should be!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Creative door and beautiful photos, Robbie. It looks autumnal in your part of the world.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Merril, July is mid-winter for us. It was actually very cold when I took the picture of the giraffe as it was late afternoon and the wind was icy. Our winters are like Northern Hemisphere winters but we do get low temperatures and horrible winds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your wildlife pictures are amazing. I absolutely love them. And your giraffe drawing–excellent.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Jacqui. I am working up to my Blood River historical posts from this trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post is a delight for the senses, Robbie! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Annette.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, you are one busy person, Robbie. Congrats on the new release.
And that drawing you did of the giraffe blew me away. I know I’ve said it before but you really have a talent for art among your many other skills!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Mae. I must say that I only started drawing in March this year and it has turned into a real passion. It has opened new opportunities and ideas for children’s book with my own illustrations but my adult writing is out the window for now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robbie, you could really do amazing things with children’s books since you’re able to do the illustrations, too. What an awesome opportunity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
like your chicken pie, you packed a lot of goodies in this post Robbie!
Love the ginger bread house with the not so welcoming roar!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Wayne, yes, there are lots of good things to eat here. I’m delighted you like my gingerbread house with the dragon inside. I was pleased I managed to do that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must read Sir Chocolate and the Chinese Candy Dragon! What is that tall pile of sticks in the photo with the waterbuck? Love the giraffe drawing!
LikeLiked by 3 people
HI Vera, I think the artwork in each Sir Choc book gets better. Michael is now older and knows a bit about design which helps a lot with the artwork layout. Those sticks are a dead aloe. The aloes in this part of SA are amazing, a flaming red during the winter when they flower.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Robbie. Dan – you have the most wonderfully diverse “doors” that celebrates our amazing community.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I meant “and” not Dan. but I want to thank them for the Doors posts. . PS I love your sketch – giraffes are my favourite animals
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Rebecca, I also love giraffes and my first non-fiction based animal story will be about them. I’m drawing the baby now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Rebecca, I enjoy the Thursday Doors challenge. I makes me look for doors and attempt different photographs while I’m travelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic post with wonderful pictures and an amazing trailer, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Tim
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on your new book, Robbie! The dragon looks spectacular! Your winter days look anything but lazy–but the comfort food looks very yummy. Love the giraffes and your drawing is gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Terri. Lazy is not really how I spend my days but my busyness does result in some nice pictures to share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the Halloween book, Robbie. The dragon is excellent. Your giraffe drawing is so detailed. I love the eyelashes! 💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Colleen, I am a detailed creator, all my drawings and fondant artworks are detailed. I am drawing the cutest baby giraffe now and the non-fiction giraffe book will be coming your way before the end of this year. It will be the first of a series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How exciting! I hope you will be using your drawings in the book. I know there is a way to do this. I love your drawings! I’m looking forward to your creativity. 🦒
LikeLike
I was just going to say the same thing, Colleen – your drawings are such treats, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 2 people
was so taken by it, almost forgot to mention that I really enjoyed the video too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, da-AL. I have been making a few book trailers. It is good fun to create them and chose the music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did I miss a post where you tell how you make them? Otherwise would be a great one for you to do for my blog and/or yours 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I make them in powerpoint because I know how to use that programme well. I’ll think about a post on how I do it. A good idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Great minds think alike. 💛
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, da-AL. I will be putting them to good use to illustrate some children’s book about African wildlife.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Genius!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Andrew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow that’s an impressive giraffe drawing, and very beautiful wildlife photos and gingerbread house. The video was fun, and it seems like a fun Halloween children’s book. Thank you for an entertaining post.
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Thomas, I am glad you enjoyed this post. I am getting a lot of pleasure from drawing. I know you draw too because I examined each picture you included in your book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No I don’t know how to draw. I had help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought the pictures were yours – that’s okay, help is good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the book trailer! It’s perfectly Halloweenish.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Liz, I’m pleased you like the book trailer. I am keeping them short and snappy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The waterbuck is a handsome fellow. We were just talking about animals with horns the other day, amazing the different shapes that grow out of creatures skulls!
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Janet, indeed, buck do have an amazing variety of horns. I am fascinated by buck but the guides never want to stop for them. It is always a fight to get these pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They must assume everyone wants to only see giraffes and lions!
LikeLike
I love your creations. What a beautiful drawing of a giraffe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Timothy. I’m delighted you like my giraffe. I’m busy drawing her baby now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on your new book Robbie,,, your drawing skills are fabulous another string to your bow 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI CArol, it is quite interesting to have discovered a talent for drawing so late in my life. I am busy with a children’s book about giraffes and will include my photographs and some drawn illustrations. A whole new world …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Robbie it must be both interesting and wonderful I look forward to your drawn illustrations ….
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is very absorbing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve packed a lot into this post, Robbie! I love your photo of the waterbuck and your giraffe drawing. Congratulations to you and Michael on the new book!
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Audrey, thank you. I know I do pack my posts because I want to share a lot of things and don’t like to post to often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations to you and Michael on your new book. Great trailer. I love you images and what a great drawing, I love the eye lashes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Carla, thank you. I like this little book. The Halloween Candy Dragon is so cute. Giraffes do have long and lovely eyelashes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent stuff, Robbie! I particularly enjoyed the eerie music of the trailer and some of the characters (e.g., Lady Sweet).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Pete. It is difficult to find good music for children’s videos that is free.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to make a very ‘mean’ chicken pie, in fact, anything to do with chicken (I’m not big-headed LOLOLOL)– Just remembered—I used to cook some chicken breasts, any way you prefer, then put some slices of dolcelatte, or other soft blue-veined cheese, on top then under a grill until the cheese melts—delicious.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Danny, that sounds very good 😋. I love chicken pie but it is time consuming to make.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your drawing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on the new book, Robbie! I love how you combine writing with baking. Truly awesome. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs 🤗💕😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Harmony, thank you. I hope your weekend is a good one 💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is so much to love about this post, Robbie. I love the little door on your Gingerbread dragon’s lair, and the animal photos. The waterbuck and the giraffe are both wonderful photos. I am really impressed with your artwork! Thanks for sharing this with Thursday Doors. I’ll make sure it’s included in the recap on the 20th.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Dave, I’m pleased you enjoyed this post. Thanks for visiting during your break.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robbie, thanks for this multidimensional post. Your drawing is awesome and YAY on Sir Chocolate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Bernadette
LikeLike
I really enjoyed everything here, Robbie, from the fondant to the giraffe painting to doors.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jennie. I’m so glad 💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Robbie!
LikeLike
The book sounds ADORABLE! (And the video is magnificent!) LOVE the giraffe portrait as well as the lovely photos. The only thing I wonder is how do you find more than 24 hours in your day? ❤️ 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Robbie, This is simply wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so talented in so many areas! Very inspirational!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Donna 💕🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an awesome drawing of a giraffe Robbie, and I love the gingerbread house!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Stevie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a wonderful post, Robbie!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Charles
LikeLike
A great peek at your book, Robbie. Congrats to you and Michael. And I love your photos. I’m still blown away by what a wonderful artist you are. The drawing of the giraffe is amazing. Thanks for the fun and interesting post!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hi Diana, I am delighted you like my mama giraffe. I just finished her baby yesterday. I love animals and I think it comes through in my drawings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It does, but it takes talent too, and you have that by the bucketful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person