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Christmas
Delights Cookbook
c/o Whispering Pine Press, Inc.
An International Publishing Company
PO Box 1469
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-1469 USA
Phone: (509)
927-0404
Fax: (509) 927-1550
E-mail:
info@christmasdelights.net
Website:
www.christmasdelights.net
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| | About
the Author Karen Jean Matsko Hood
 Karen
Jean Matsko Hood began her professional writing career
later in life than she expected. She is now a prolific
writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry for adults and
children. Hood’s first books of poetry present a
distinctive combination of themes and poetic formats.
Both her fiction and non-fiction exhibit a unique voice
of compassion and purpose. Hood’s writing is
strong-minded yet lyrical. She is a meticulous wordsmith
and writes with passion. Her blend of traditionalism and
modernism brings a current freshness and uniqueness to
her poetic voice. She is versatile in her writing style
and deals with a wide range of themes and topics. Her
writing has been published in a myriad of magazines and
publications and on an international level. |
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Hood’s writing reminds us of the
importance of our link with nature and the environment
in our daily lives. Demonstrating common crises
essential to our core, her poetry also voices outrage at
social injustices and inequalities. The reoccurring
theme in Hood’s non-fiction is providing a voice for
those whose struggles are otherwise ignored. Hood’s
poetry brings poignancy to the most hopeless of
situations. She is optimistic in her quest for dignity
and social justice. Hood also writes about personal and
spiritual themes, is a passionate feminist and an
ardently active child’s rights advocate. She writes with
a proud regionalism, yet expands her writing to
international concerns. Hood reveals her twin hearts in
her writing: One is in awe of the beauty of life and
nature, while the other struggles with social injustice
and inequity. |
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As a researcher Karen Jean Matsko Hood
places her focus on child abuse and neglect and drug
abuse. She also researches to find possible solutions
to these growing social problems. Hood has incorporated
the studies of findings of research and drug abuse in
families in her writings. Hood also recently had to deal
with her own household problems in finding mold growing
in her home which inspired her to write and conduct more
research on how mold in homes can be dangerous and
unhealthy for families. Hood’s research topics include
such diverse topics as education, attachment disorder,
attachment disorder therapy and treatment, the foster
care system, human development, and parenting. Hood uses
her B.S. Degree in Natural Science along with her
research training in her Ph. D. program to conduct
research on various plants and animal topics including
equine and botanical research. |
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Hood is a certified teacher in Washington
and Idaho. Hood is in currently certified to teach in
the State of Washington in the areas of
anthropology, psychology, sociology, biology and
comparative religions for grades 6-12. She is also
certified to teach in the State of Idaho in the
areas of anthropology, sociology, psychology, and
biology science for grades 6-12. She incorporates her
experience and research into her writings. She is
especially interested in researching the principles of
leadership and finding improved methods in education.
She also strives to find ways to improve the current
educational system. Hood is a member for the Center of
Organizational Reform (COR), which advocates using
leadership skills to bring about positive changes in
organizations, communities, and schools. |
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As a speaker, Hood has appeared on many
talk radio shows throughout the nation. She is
interviewed about her writing, research completed for
her books, and also answers questions as to what
inspired her to write on some troubling issues in
today’s society. If you would like to invite Karen Jean
Matsko Hood to speak to your group or organization, may
contact Ms. Hood with the information provided below.
She would be happy to get in touch with you to set up
arrangements for speaking to your group. |
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Karen Jean Matsko Hood is an avid child
advocate. She works with children as a foster parent in
the State of Washington as well as a Court Appointed
Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer and Guardian Ad Litem
(GAL) in the Spokane juvenile court system. Hood and her
husband exhibit a strong passion to advocate for the
rights of abused and neglected children on a local,
national and international level. Hood is also an
advocate of literacy for children and is currently
interested in conducting research in this area. She has
written many articles advocating for foster children and
adoption. Hood writes to share experiences of the
children who have no voice that she encounters in her
daily work. |
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Hood was born and raised in Great Falls,
Montana. She attended the College of St. Benedict and
St. John’s University in Minnesota. She received a B.S.
Degree in Natural Science and minored in both psychology
and secondary education from the College of St.
Benedict. After graduating, Karen and her husband taught
science and math on the island of St. Croix in the U.S.
Virgin Islands. Hood also completed postgraduate classes
at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. She has
also completed post-graduate classes at North Idaho
College in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. In May 2001, she
completed her Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from
Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Hood is
currently working to complete her Ph.D. in Leadership
Studies at Gonzaga University. She will continue to
report her research findings in her new writing. |
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With her husband, ten children and foster
children, Hood currently resides in Greenacres,
Washington. Her interests include writing, researching,
teaching, and volunteering as a child advocate. Hood
also is a literary advocate for youth and adults. Her
hobbies include cooking, baking, photography, raising
Icelandic horses and Icelandic sheepdogs, indoor and
outdoor gardening and cultivating unusual flowering
plants and orchids. Hood also enjoys observing
hummingbirds and other bird-watching activities. She
demonstrates a passionate appreciation of nature and the
environment. |
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