Coming January 12th: For Better or For Worse: The Complete Library, Vol. 5

The latest volume in the popular hardcover library of FBorFW books is being released tomorrow! Order from your favourite local bookstore, or find it online!

Collect the beloved newspaper comic strip that chronicles the saga of the Patterson family in real time, over three decades, in these definitive editions.

This volume features one of the most beloved stories in the strip’s history–the saga of Farley, the family dog. When little April gets into big trouble, it is up to Farley to come to her rescue. But that isn’t the only big event in the lives of the Pattersons. Michael heads off to college while Elizabeth navigates her teen years. Back at home, Elly and John deal with adult problems such as house renovations and menopause.

Lynn Johnston keeps the ongoing narrative fresh and interesting. Includes every comic strip from April 25, 1993 to August 31, 1996. Each volume also contains annotations by Lynn Johnston detailing motivations for certain strips, funny anecdotes, reactions from fans, and much more!

For Better or For Worse: The Complete Collection volume 5

“Johnston’s groundbreaking strip remains critical without being caustic and sweet without being sentimental. Here, from a woman’s perspective, was the reality of daily domestic life—beautifully drawn social satire, unafraid to skewer male chauvinism, or explore twin challenges of women’s lib and motherhood.” –The Globe and Mail

“An exquisite tome… Fans of the highest virtuosity in cartooning will relish this deluxe introduction to the Pattersons’ heartfelt and delightful story” –Library Journal

“Anyone who has been a kid or has been a parent ought to find something to connect or re-connect with.” –Cinema Sentries

Comics Fan? FBorFW is available on Comixology

What is ComiXology? Amazon’s digital comics platform, explained:
ComiXology is a cloud-based digital comic distributor featuring more than 75,000 comics from major publishers like DC, Marvel, Image, BOOM, IDW, and more. ComiXology has a two-tier subscription model, including a free option and an Unlimited level costing $5.99 a month following a 60-day trial. You can read comics through ComiXology on multiple devices, including the iOS and Android apps, Amazon Kindle, and desktop web browsers.

Read more in Business Insider: https://apple.news/A-rpkiqHERjiBkRM2SwJBJw

Lynn’s treasury books are available in digital format from Comixology!

Lynn’s Recipes: Crispy Chicken Bake

We’ve been collecting recipes from Lynn’s family’s collection, for your enjoyment. Some of these have been featured in the comic strip, and others appeared in a wall calendar we published a few years ago. You can find the whole series here. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chicken parts (bone in)
  • 1 tsp of oregano, basil, parsley, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder
  • 1 cup bread crumbs, crushed crackers or croutons
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese
  • Chopped spinach
  • Butter
  • Italian salad dressing

Instructions

  1. Beat eggs with salt and pepper. Coat chicken with egg mix.
  2. Mix together spices, bread crumbs, and cheese. Coat chicken in spice mixture and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle with spinach and remaining crumb coating. Drizzle with butter and salad dressing.
  3. Bake at 350°

Social Distancing in the Strip?

John Patterson in mask and gloves

We’ve had a few people ask us why the FBorFW characters aren’t wearing masks and social-distancing in the strip.

As you may be aware, the current strips you’re seeing were originally written and published in the early 90s—For Better or For Worse is being re-run, and we have chosen to run the strips as they were. With that being said, we have made some changes, such as making sure everyone in a car has a seat belt on.
The issue of masks and social distancing is a tough one for us. If we were to make the changes you are suggesting, which are good suggestions, we would have to rewrite the
entire strip, which we are not in a position to do at this time.
You are not alone in your thoughts, but we also hear the opposite opinion where people are happy to see normalcy in the strip as we are bombarded with Covid news everywhere we turn these days. We certainly take your comments into consideration, but at this time, I am doubtful that we will ever reference the pandemic, or any other significant current event, in the strip.
Thank you for your understanding.

Lynn’s Recipes: Mom Ridgway’s Cherry Loaf Cake

We’ve been collecting recipes from Lynn’s family’s collection, for your enjoyment. This special cherry cake was featured in this Sunday strip (and check out Lynn’s note about how her Mom turned the tables on her one day, making Lynn bake it herself!)

You can find the whole recipe series here. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups flour
2 tsps. baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup milk
3 egg whites stiffly beaten
1 cup maraschino cherries

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. Add nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolks and vanilla. Mix until light
and fluffy.
Using an egg beater, add alternately 1 ¼ cup of flour mixture with milk and beat until smooth.
Fold in egg whites.
Sprinkle ½ of remaining flour mixture over batter, then add cherries. Sprinkle remaining flour
over cherries (This keeps them from sticking together) and mix well.
Place batter in a lightly greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour or less (until a tooth pick comes
out clean). Don’t over bake.
Warning: When cooled, this cake disappears almost immediately.