Assorted jams for filling cookies (or chocolate kisses)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350
Line baking sheet with parchment paper
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt
In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. (about 3 minutes)
Add in egg and vanilla, beat an additional minute
Add ½ dry mixture and mix, then add rest until it’s all mixed well.
Scoop out 1” balls onto prepared cookie sheet
Press thumb into balls and fill with jam
Bake until edges of cookies are golden (about 14 minutes)
Cool on baking sheet
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Historical Tidbit
The poem that we all recognize as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas is technically called, Account of a Visit From St. Nicholas
It was published in Troy, New York on Dec 23, 1823. When it was first published, the author, who was Clement Clarke Moore, chose to remain anonymous because he had a reputation to uphold as a scholarly professor.
It’s said that he wrote it on a snowy day, on a sleigh ride while he was out shopping and that he wrote it for his children.
Moore is credited with envisioning the St Nicholas as we typically think of as Santa Claus today. He did this by combining elements of the historic St. Nicholas with a Dutch handyman from his town.
To learn more, check out this episode of History, Books and Wine
The List Lassies Holiday 2021 edition– Brenna Ash, Lori Ann Bailey, Eliza Knight, and Madeline Martin
Every year we bring you our top gift giving ideas. Here’s 2021’s recap if you missed them.
Day One: Brenna Ash shared: Laptop Desk
My first pick is this awesome lap desk. It’s light-weight and just the right size for cozying up to work in your favorite chair. It comes In various designs (I have the marble look), a felt space for your mouse, a slot for your phone and it’s super easy to travel with! If you have someone that likes to work in different places, this gift is perfect! Check it out at the link below and happy shopping!
Day Two: Lori Ann Bailey Shared: Fun Mandala Coasters
Our old kitchen had tiles where everyone kept their drinks so we knew which cups belonged to who. The tiles are different in our renovated kitchen and that wouldn’t work any more, so I found these fun mandala coasters!!!! I let everyone pick out their favorite and now we are still organized. I love not having random glasses all over the kitchen. And these beautiful coasters are fun and affordable. Great gift for:
Day Three: Madeline Martin shared: Unpaper Towels and Eco-friendly Products
Today’s gift is perfect for EcoFriends friends and family or those who are looking to reduce their waste…or even those who are worried about paper shortages again (*raises hand to all of the above*)
This year, I wanted to be more earth friendly and discovered UnPaper Towels – flannel towels that wrap onto a core like real paper towels and save soooo much waste (AND MONEY!) by being washable. I loved them so much, I’ve also started using their napkins, facial rounds for makeup removal and even waterproof lined snack bags for the kids sandwiches. The company has all prints and colors, but I love the random print best because they are such a fun mix of pretty and cute! I talk about these so often, my family and friends have started using them too and are now all hooked too LOLBonus: Marlye’s Monsters ships with reduced material and no plastic. I included links to all in the images below, but here’s the UnPaper Towel link to get started:
Day Four: Eliza Knight shared: Gifts for the Reader
I’m bringing you some of my favorite reading themed gifts! These are perfect for book lovers!
Book Journals — I love to keep track of what I’m reading and my thoughts so I can spread the love to others, and also so I can see how a book changes for me when I read it again!
Reader Note Cards — I love to send out notes and even better when they reflect my love of books! These are great for thank you cards but also just a note to say you’re thinking about someone.
Reading Socks — I love socks with messages on them, and these are perfect for reading!
Jane Austen candle — I’ve shared this one before but it bears repeating! The scent is lovely, but also it really sets the mood when you settle in for a nice reading session.
Day Five: Brenna Ash shared: Portable, Bendable Fan
Today, my pick is this fun, bendable, portable personal fan. I received it as a gift last year and I absolutely love it! It’s rechargeable, which makes it even better and more convenient than having to have batteries on hand all the time. Although, it does take batteries if that’s your preference. I bring this with me whenever I travel. You can stand it up on a desk, table, or chair or you can bend it around a railing. It has three power settings and is perfect to cool you off quickly. Hot flashes don’t stand a chance against this fan.
Day Six: Lori Ann Bailey shared: Top 100 Books – Scratch-off Poster
For the reader!
100 books bucket list scratch off poster.
My daughter has this in her room at college. (I had her text me pictures last night) I think it’s a fun, unique gift for anyone who reads widely or wants to add some classics to their list.
Today’s gift suggestion is perfect for the coffee/tea drinker in your life – a mug warmer! This handy gadget has three heat settings, only turns on when you put an item on top of it and turns off automatically after two hours. I love it so much that I bring it around the world on vacation/research trips with me (some things are worth buying an adapter for )
Day Eight: Eliza Knight shared: Game Night Neccessities
I’m bringing you some of my favorite things for Game Night (w/friends or w/family!) which make great gifts!
Bananagrams is such a fun game at any age! I’ve played it with my adult siblings/parents, friends for a fun game night, and my kids love it too! It’s like scrabble and tons of fun! (Not pictured, bc I think my oldest took it back to school with her.)
Mancala is a game I’ve been playing since I was a kid. I used to make my own set out of egg cartons and dried beans. My kids love it, and just this past weekend, my parents and siblings got in on the action!
Family Edition Cards Against Humanity is hilarious! It says 8+ but it may offend some older children too, so worth looking at the samples. My 12yo did not enjoy playing it last year, but my teenagers thought it was hysterical.
Bonanza is a fun bean planting game, lol. I know, I know, the first time my College Princess told me about it I was like, Beans? What??? But I actually love the game. The price has gone up a lot since I purchased it, maybe for the holiday rush, but there are other versions I’m tempted to get like Ladies and Pirates that are less pricey!
These wine glasses make my day! LOL! They are fun for a girls (or guys) game night, or just to make yourself smile while having a glass of vino after work.
Day Nine: Brenna Ash shared: White Noise/Bluetooth/Lighted Diffuser
I love this. It connects to your phone to play whatever music you’d like and it also comes with four essential oils, but you can use whichever is your favorite. I usually switch them up with the seasons or whenever I want a change. I’ll include a link to my favorite holiday scent oils, too.
Day Ten: Lori Ann Bailey shared: Scarf with Pockets.
I absolutely love this scarf with the oversized pocket! You can put all kinds of things in there: a phone, earbuds, id, and whatever you need to take with you when you don’t have pockets. I would also totally wear this if I were traveling in an unfamiliar place to keep my valuables safe. This one has two pockets and I’ve already got it stashed away for someone special.
Day Eleven: Madeline Martin shared: The World’s Softest Socks
Today, I bring you…SOCKS! But not just any socks! These are The World’s Softest Socks (yes, that really is the brand name) and they are the best thing ever! Not only are soft and warm (without making my feet all sweaty ), but they also don’t strangle my ankles or left a deep indentation in my skin. This winter, these are my go-to socks and a comfy sock wearer in your life will love you making these your go-to stocking stuffer for them. Grab your pair of The World’s Softest Socks here:
Day Twelve: Eliza Knight shared: Mixed Tiles – Wall Art
I was seriously worried about ordering these, and probably waited over a year lol. I didn’t want them to rip the paint off my wall… But I decided to bite the bullet, because I am TERRIBLE about making photo albums or even printing photos, and my kids are always sad we have no family photos around the house. I splurged a bit to line my staircase with photos and I don’t regret it. We all worked together to hang them, and everyone pauses a little longer to look at our good times.
Oh, and it doesn’t rip the paint! We’ve already moved a few! Here is the link to their website but also a link to their gift card page, because I definitely recommend asking!
Last year for the Historical Romance Cookie Hop, I experimented with a new cookie, so this year, I thought I’d continue along that vein and attempt to make my husband’s favorite, Linzer Tarts. They turned out amazing, but they are the most difficult cookies I’ve ever made. (I ground my own almonds into almond flour.)
I’m so glad I made them though. They’re even better the second day after they’ve been stored in an air-tight container.
The dusted confectioners’ sugar on top reminded me of snow and in turn, the history of snowmen. No one knows when the first snowman was built. According to Bob Eckstein, who wrote The History of the Snowman, the earliest illustration of the beloved winter staple was found in 1380 in a prayer book called abook of hours in The Hague, a museum in the Netherlands. The National Library of Whales houses the very first photograph of a snowman. It was taken in 1853 by a female photographer, Mary Dillwyn, who took many images in the domestic life in 19th century Britain.
Email your completed list of author names, with their treat names, to Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com with the heading: “Historical Romance Authors are Sweet” to be entered into the $150 gift card grand prize random drawing.
Day Three – Eliza shared — Village Naturals Therapy Mineral Bath Soak Variety Set 3 Pack – Restless Nights, Aches & Pain, Stress & Tension: https://amzn.to/33rq1zW
Day Thirteen — We all shared a book of our own we think our readers will love .
Madeline – The Earl of Oakhurst – Set during the holiday season, this marriage of convenience gone awry is a fun, delightful way to warm these cold nights: https://amzn.to/3a8aMAb
Can a Highlander and a Jewish merchant’s daughter find love when their beliefs and a murderer are keeping them apart? This suspenseful historical novella of faith, compromise, and hope shines as bright as the lights on the Hanukkah. The stories in this anthology will inspire and keep you warm this holiday season.
Eliza – The Rebel Wears Plaid – A sweeping, action-packed Scottish historical romance filled with adventure, history, and longing from USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight. When Highlander Toran Fraser encounters a mysterious rebel for the prince, he can’t resist being recruited to her cause…
LoriAnnBailey.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah at my house. The last two years, I’ve shared Christmas cookie recipes, Christmas Eve Cookies and Christmas Fudge. This year I thought I would share a traditional Jewish pastry. These treats are versatile and great for any occasion.
The two on the left are made with walnut and brown sugar filling, the two on the right are made with raspberry preserves as filling.
Traditional Rugelach
Makes 32 cookies.
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter – softened to room temperature
1 bar (8 oz.) cream cheese – softened to room temperature
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour – plus a little extra for rolling out the dough
1 large egg – lightly beaten
Filling options: 1 cup finely chopped walnuts mixed with ½ cup packed light brown sugar, raspberry or other fruit jam, or Nutella – Topping: turbinado sugar (optional)
Thoroughly blend butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and salt until well combined with mixer using dough attachment. Add flour, and mix until a dough forms. Divide dough in half and flatten into round disks. Wrap both in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm – 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use a stone.
In a small bowl, combine the egg with 1 teaspoon water to make an egg wash.
Working with one disk at a time, place dough on lightly floured parchment paper, and roll out into an 11-inch circle (about ¼ inch thick). Dust lightly with flour as needed.
Brush circle with egg wash.
Spread filling on top in a thin layer.
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each circle into 16 even triangles. Beginning with the wide side, roll up each triangle of dough. Place on the baking sheets with seam side down. Brush top with egg wash. Garnish with turbinado sugar if desired.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack.
The events that sparked the story of Hanukkah have their roots in one of the many turbulent times in Jewish History. Around the second century BC, the land of Israel which was also called Judea, came under the control of Antiochus III, a Syrian King of the Seleucid dynasty. He allowed the Jews to continue practicing their religion.
The real trouble began when his son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes took over. According to ancient sources, he outlawed the Jewish religion and ordered the Jews to worship Greek Gods. In 168 BC, his soldiers descended upon Jerusalem, massacring thousands of people and desecrating the city’s holy Second Temple. They erected an alter for the god Zeus and began making sacrifices of pigs within it’s walls.
A Jewish priest named Mattathias and his five sons began a revolt against Antiochus and the Seleucid monarchy. When Mattathias died in 166 BC, his son Judah took over the rebellion. He became known as Judah Maccabee and had the nickname, The Hammer. The rebel warriors who followed him were known as the Maccabees. Using mostly guerilla warfare tactics, after two years, the Maccabees were able to drive out the Syrians and reclaim their land.
Upon their victory, Judah called on his followers to cleanse the Second Temple, rebuild its alter and light the menorah which was a gold candelabrum whose seven branched represented knowledge and creation and were meant to be kept burning every night.
There are two Talmuds. They are both collections of Jewish writings. The Babeloninan Talmud dates from the 5th century with a few earlier writings, plus there is a Palestinian or Jersulem Talmud which dates even earlier. According to the Talmud, Judah Maccabee and the other Jews who took part in the rededication of the Second Temple witnessed what they believed to be a miracle. Although they only had enough olive oil to keep the menorah lit for one night, it kept burning for eight. This led Jewish sages to proclaim a yearly eight day festival. According to another source called the book of Maccabees, there was an eight day celebration after the rededication but this source doesn’t mention the oil.
The religious text called the Torah is the first five books of the Old Testament. Hanukkah does not appear in the Torah because the events that inspired the holiday occurred after it was written, but it is mentioned in the New Testament when Jesus attends a “Feast of Dedication.”
The meaning of the word Hanukkah is dedication.
It used to be tradition for people to give money or gelt to one another for Hanukkah. But as Christmas became more popular, more and more Jewish people began giving gifts instead of money, but golden foil covered chocolate known as Hanukkah gelt is still prevalent. Latkes, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), apple fritters, kugel- are typical foods served at Hanukkah celebrations. These treats are popular because they are fried in oil as a symbol for the miracle of the oil that burned for eight nights straight.
The most common way to spell Hanukkah is HANUKKAH, but all of the spellings are accurate, because there is no correct way to directly translate the Hebrew sounds to English, it could be spelled a variety of different ways and all of them are correct.
LoriAnnBailey.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
I just made this fudge to take to the pot-luck for the cast in the play my youngest son is in. Everyone who tried it loved it and it was simple to make.
My youngest son in part of his costume for The Gift of the Magi.
My middle son keeping the pot stirred so it doesn’t stick.
Christmas Fudge
Ingredients:
2 3/4 cup chocolate chips
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 Tbsp. heavy cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
Christmas sprinkles
Line and 8X8 baking pan with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt chocolate, condensed milk, butter, cream, vanilla, and salt together. Stir until smooth then pour into prepared pan.
Top with sprinkles and refrigerate until set, at least two hours. Cut into squares and enjoy.
Follow along on the Christmas Cookie Hop 12/9/19 – 12/13/19 – Email your completed list of author names, with their treat names, to Heather@HeatherMcCollum.com with the heading: “Historical Romance Authors are Sweet” to be entered into the $150 gift card grand prize random drawing.
Exciting news… I’m part of a new (ish) podcast with Eliza Knight and Madeline Martin. We started up on Valentine’s day and since we’re posting every week, we already have nine episodes. Each week we have a thirty minute episode where we individually explore an aspect of history and share what we’re drinking and reading. Once a month we have an hour long episode where you get all three of us for our happy hour.
My latest episode is up now and I’m diving in and giving you the quick down and dirty on Mary, Queen of Scots and Robert the Bruce.
List Lassies – 10 Days of Valentine’s Gift Ideas Recap
This month, The List Lassies went beyond chocolate and flowers! (although we love those too!)
Here’s the list that Lori Ann Bailey, Eliza Knight and Madeline Martin put together of our favorite things and shared over 10 days on our FaceBook pages.
***Please note prices are subject to change – we are putting the prices they are as of this article***
Item 1
Unstable Unicorns
Your kids reach a certain age where teddy bears and chocolates don’t always reflect who they are. This gift is perfect for older boys in your life…. (great for girls too, but Lori’s idea for them is Item #4)
Every year, Lori gets together with my friends from college for game night. UNSTABLE UNICORNS was a huge hit with her forty-something year-old friends, her teenage son, and her ten-year-old. Even though the box says 14 (mildly disturbing cards and a little complex) you can play it younger if you learn how. Lori’s ten-year-old has been teaching it to half the boys in her neighborhood. Her teen has also been taking it to friends houses to play.
You do have to invest a little time learning how to play, but once you know it’s lots of fun. Think Sorry with a fun twist for older kids and grownups.
This can be done for your children, you parents, your friends, your partner, even yourself!
1. Get a cute jar and little pieces of paper.
2. Write something on the paper – whatever you want – about that person. Things about them that make you smile, or happy memories with them – things that will warm their heart to read.
3. Seal them all (usually with a sticker or something) and put them in the jar for them to open every day. It can be as many or as little as you like.
Price: Cost of the paper, jar and stickers mentioned above, or if you prefer a kit already assembled, $37.95
I love Audible. I can listen to amazing stories all while doing the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, and that makes doing those chores SO MUCH BETTER! *Hint — I even wear my headphones while grocery shopping!* Wouldn’t you rather spend the time you would be doing mundane tasks “reading”? Now you can! Get an Audible package!
This is the Lunar Phase Necklace and is perfect for anyone who loves something sparkly or someone you are proud of. Lori sent one to her college-aged daughter. In the message, it said, Aim for the moon, but if you miss you’ll land in the stars.
Price: $128.00, but use code WELCOME15 for a discount and any order of $75 ships free
The sprocket printer prints out on sticker paper (about the size of the palm of your hand) and connects effortlessly to your phone via bluetooth. It doesn’t require any ink and the refills are relatively low cost. It’s great for on-the-spot printing, but it’s also great for scrapbooking or leaving little pictures for your loved ones to find.
The Gift of Pampering! As a busy mom and more than full-time writer, I often forget to take care of myself! For me one of the best gifts (besides a clean house!) is a massage or bath products to relax in the tub with a good book and a glass of wine!
Ask for a gift card to Massage Envy, and get a massage anywhere! (over 1K USA locations).
Today is all about your significant other and for this, Lori went old school with a twist.
HALLMARK, PAPER WONDER, POP-UP CARDS – These intricately cut-out cards look like a work of art.
Lori’s always been one to appreciate the thought put into a gift. If you listen to the History, Books and Wine podcast on the 14th, you’ll find out why.
Her husband is truly amazing, but she never finds the time to tell him. So occasionally, Lori writes him an old fashioned love letter to tell him how much she appreciates everything he does. This year, Lori found this perfect card. She had to get it and she’s usually not a card person because she likes using her own words. But, this one fit perfectly and she’ll include a personal note on the inside.
Lori will give it to him when they sit down to enjoy his favorite meal, Eggplant Parmigiana, which takes her three hours to make. He only gets it on special occasions. She’s also going to try to feed the kids early and talk them into letting her and her husband eat alone in the dining room with candles and music on the china they never use.
The Gift of Time for Your Partner — selflessness. The most meaningful gift my husband seems to enjoy from me is when I say I’ll do something with him that he’s been wanting to do that I don’t want to do — like go see the Predator movie (LOL), or a car race, or watch football, etc… He never asks me to do these things with him, though I know he wants to, because he knows I will loathe every minute. So for him, when I volunteer (as tribute ?) it’s showing him that I love him and I’m willing to do things that are boring or uninteresting, because I’m interested in HIM and his hobbies.
So this year, as a gift to your other person, is to volunteer to do something they like, and smile the whole time you’re doing it.
*I do not endorse anything that might get you hurt or worse, like no way in heck will I be shark diving, but I’ll take a pic!*
Cost: Priceless
Item 10
Book and Wine Paired Perfectly
Eliza Knight, Lori Ann Bailey and MadelineMartin have come up with the perfect wine and book pairing for our books:
Lady Greer, daughter to the Earl and Countess of Sutherland, was a hellion. If one were to jumble up all the deeds in her life and make a fair assessment, one would see it was true. Greer preferred to think of herself as spirited. After all, to be called a hellion was not very flattering, now was it?
Paired With: Italo Cescon Pinot Noir. “Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grape varieties to be cultivated for the purpose of making wine and is often described as being a “difficult” grape… great Pinot Noir creates a lasting impression on the palate and in the memory.” ~ From the makers of Italo Cescon
A secretive lass on the run, a laird determined to keep his clan safe. When the two meet, the desire igniting between them is heady like the finest wine. As the layers of deception are peeled away, will he find out she’s the healer his people need or the spy sent to ruin him?
Paired with: Josh Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast Reserve – This North Coast Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with plum and blackberry flavors, layered with smoky vanilla wood, roasted almonds and hazelnuts, finishing long with fine firm tannins. A wine that is bold and expressive but unassuming and approachable.
A Scottish whisky smuggler who begrudgingly accepts his inherited English Earldom. An heiress whose uncle is determined to kill her. All that and an affable dog who will make your heart smile.
Paired With: Apothic Inferno When reading about a whisky smuggling earl putting his life on the line for one last run, what better wine to drink than a bold red blend that has been aged in whisky barrels?
Thank you for following The List Lassies. We’ll be back soon sharing more of our favorite ideas.
I think it’s a fun, unique gift for anyone who reads widely or wants to add some classics to their list.
)
These are The World’s Softest Socks (yes, that really is the brand name) and they are the best thing ever! Not only are soft and warm (without making my feet all sweaty 
), but they also don’t strangle my ankles or left a deep indentation in my skin. This winter, these are my go-to socks and a comfy sock wearer in your life will love you making these your go-to stocking stuffer for them. 
Grab your pair of The World’s Softest Socks here:
