Top Ten Books We Read in 2013

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Today is the last day of 2013 and that means it's high time to talk about the books you read this year that have earned a special place in your heart!

Daisy

1. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund: OMG YOU GUYS!! SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS BOOK! How did noone make me read this sooner??? I basically had ALL THE FEELINGS reading this book!

2. The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson: I have an undying love for this series. It was amazing and epic and just full of fantasy goodness and I'm SO SAD IT ENDED!! But it was a perfect ending! Also: HECTOR! ♥

3. Pivot Point by Kasie West: I cannot stop raving about this book. THIS BOOK! It made me smile and then it totally STOMPED on my heart and just need things to be fixed in Split Second ok?

4. Golden by Jessi Kirby: This was such an unexpected love! I read it on PulseIt because I was bored out of my mind with nothing to do at work and then I just couldn't stop reading and it was amazing and so, so beautiful!

5. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo: OBVIOUSLY this book made my list! I LOVE this series and Siege and Storm did not suffer from second book syndrome and it was wonderful and left me with an enormous book hangover! Also: STURMHOND! If you haven't started this series yet, do it so you can have yourself some Sturmhond as well!

Julia

6. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: I would have NEVER found this book without my bookclub at work. This was the first book we decided to read and oh wow was it amazing. I can't believe how much I loved this book and Wil Wheaton's audio narration. Check out my review here where I just gush about the whole thing.

7. Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare: This book came out of nowhere for me. I tried a ton of new to me authors last year, and while Dare wasn't new to me, this series was. This is the third book and it was great. I think this book was one of the best because the characters and writing stayed with me over time. I talked about it in one of my roundups: The poignant parts are poignant, the funny parts are funny, and the sexytimes are hot. What more can you ask for?

8. Kiss of Steal by Bec McMaster: I am kind of in love with Steampunk, but when I read the books, they have been hit and miss. This was a hit! Such a fun paranormal and historical mix! Of course there is romance and it was great. I've loved the other books in the series as well and still have more to read. I did a full review of this one.

9. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner: I saw this on Netgalley and it sounded interesting. And wow was it! It was less a space drama that I was expecting and more a survivalist story with two very interesting leads. It was seriously good and I can't wait for the other books to come out. Full review here.

10. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card: This was another surprise for me, meaning I was really shocked how much I liked it. I was putting it off for so long, and I thought I knew too much to enjoy it. But I really liked this, though I am not going to continue with the series. I like how this book ended and I am satisfied. So much better then the movie. Full review here! 

So what about you all! Link up your best of 2013 lists here!!

A Cocktail & Conversation: Resolutions of the Non-Bookish Variety

Every other Thursday here at the Broke & The Bookish is  A Cocktail & Conversation time. One of the TBTB members will pose a question to 2-3 of the other members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends. 


We have an upcoming Top Ten Tuesday topic dealing with our bookish resolutions for 2014 but what resolutions are you making for yourself in the new year that are of the NON-bookish variety?

Paula says: Every year I challenge myself to read a certain number of books... this year I want to challenge myself to make a certain number of sewing projects. I work at a fabric company and so I have endless ideas and fabric all around me. I am an intermediate sewer and would really like to feel confident in my sewing projects and skills. If only I could sew and read at the same time!

Lori says:  So many things!  I really want to work harder at developing a workout routine.  I definitely want to start doing yoga regularly because it helps me do better in most parts of my life (mood, eating habits, fitness).  I want to start some sort of cardio, probably running, or maybe just six days of yoga--I don't know.  I also want to work on eating at home more often instead of just grabbing something because I love to cook.  Lastly, I want to do better at curbing the instant gratification spending--just because I see something doesn't mean I need to buy it immediately.  There is a reward in waiting.

  
Jamie says:  I started working out and doing Pilates in 2013 and I'd like to continue that but I'd also like to start running in 2014. My husband ran a half marathon for the first time this year and, while I don't want to do that, I tried a 5K on Thanksgiving and I was so embarrassed at how out of shape I was. I'd like to run with some sort of goal to run a race. Another one of my resolutions is to introduce a new project of mine to the general population. I've been sitting on it for a year or so and I think I need to make it public so I won't procrastinate any longer.

What about you guys? What other resolutions do you have for yourselves?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Hope Santa Brings

 

To learn more about Top Ten Tuesday or see the future topics, click here!

Christmas is tomorrow! Here are some books we hope Santa will leave for us under our tree or in our stocking.

Tahleen's Picks

1. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays by Ree Drummond. I asked for this for Christmas, though apparently my dad read this and thought anything by Ree. Too bad I already own all of her other books... 

2. Three To Get Lei'd by Jill Marie Landis. I've been waiting to read this one, but I just can't bring myself to actually pay for it. I have a hard time spending money on books as a librarian, especially if I know I'll only read it once.

3. Runner's World Big Book of Marathon and Half Marathon Training by lots of authors. I have started running more and more this past year, and I've found myself wishing I had a big book of running tips and tricks and training info. This looks like it would be pretty much perfect.

4. American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard. This is my library's chosen one-town-one-read book (we call it Carlisle Reads), and it actually sound super interesting. It's something I know would take me forever to read though, so I think owning a copy might be the best way to go.

5. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh. I only recently discover this webcomic, but I love what I've seen. I'd be really happy to see this under the tree!

Jen's Picks

1. Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham: Gilmore Girls is one of my all-time favorite shows and I still have not read Lauren Graham's book!

2. Jessica Darling's It List by Megan McCafferty: Love the Jessica Darling series and need to read about her earlier years!

3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver: I've wanted to read this book for such a long time yet I still don't own it!

4. Just One Year by Gayle Forman: Can someone please yell at me until I read this?

5. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: This book isn't out yet until spring 2014 but Santa can work miracles, right?

What are you hoping Santa leaves under your tree or in your stocking?! Raise your hand if you'll probably be buying these yourself with gift cards you get from Christmas because the Santas in your life are too scared to go into the bookstore on your behalf??

Gift Ideas That AREN'T Books For The Bookworm In Your Life

Julia's Gift Suggestions for the Bookish Person:

Who on this site doesn't know what to get that person who already has hundreds of books on their TBR pile? I've found some gift for the writer or reader on your list that may not immediately jump to mind. 

Bookend Vases

• Bookend Vases - Signals
• These are the CUTEST bookends that are also vases! You can hind them among some of your other displayable books in the living room. This would look so cute on an end table or the top of a smaller bookcase.
• A similar cool way to display your books is this clear shelf from UncommonGoods. It makes them look like they are floating on your wall. 
• Book Text on Shirts, Posters or Totes - Lithographs
• There are a lot of sites out there where I've seen people put text onto posters and put cool shapes into the text. Lithographs is by far the one with the largest selections of books and the most unique designs. I've just fallen in love with the Phantom of the Opera poster, but there is everything from Walden to The Picture of Dorian Gray. It was very easy to window shop on this website!
• Typewriter Key Necklace - UncommonGoods
• There are a ton of cool typewriter things over at UncommonGoods. I personally thought this necklace was so cute, and awesome throwback to the first days of typing. 
• They have more fun typewriter good there too, like this typewriter accent pillow and this "So My Story Begins" typewriter onsie! 
• My Life Story So Far & Christmas Memories Book
• These are both really cool guided journaling. The first "My Life Story - So Far" I can't preview too much other than what the book shows in the picture, but it looks like it would help classify memories for posterity reasons. 
• The Christmas Memories Book is actually something I just purchased on a trip to Bronner's Christmas Wonderlandin Michigan. It a book that contains two pages for 20 Christmases to chronicle memories from that year. I can't wait to be able to fill this out for the next 20 years and reminisce on how things have changed and stayed the same :)

Paula's Gift suggestion for the Crafty Reader in your life

• Do you have a reader in your life that also hoards as much fabric as they do books? Spoonflower might just be the place for you to look. In their market place you can find lots of book themed fabrics that anyone would love to add to their stash. Some of my favorites are: Book Damask (which has a variety of colors to pick from), Alice in Wonderland Vintage,  and Dictionary Page with Birds.
• And if fabric isn't their thing- Spoonflower also offers wall decals, wall paper, and gift wrap (which can be used for quite a lot of crafts actually) 
• AND if you aren't quite sure what fabric they would like- there is a Welcome Pack option. The welcome pack includes a gift card and a *gasp* book about designing your own fabric. Which is pretty neat and helps get new designers started.

Disclaimer: I, Paula, work at Spoonflower. This is not a paid ad or anything like that. I just think my company is kind of awesome and thought I might share it with you. And maybe if you order something- I could be the one to ship it out to you- how cool is that!

Jamie Shares Some Ideas For The Harry Potter Fans In Your Life

Love this sweater!

For the wee Harry Potter fan in your life!

Pick up this necklace for the Harry Potter fan in your life who is still devastated they haven't received their letter.

Love this keepsake box!

Raise your hand if you are going to buy something off this list for yourself! *raises own hand* MAN I really want those bookend vases!!!

Lori's Book Buying List For The Various People In Your Life

 These are actually on my to buy list for Christmas.  I am so excited to give these because I think that the recipient will really enjoy reading them.  Plus there are a few I wouldn't mind perusing myself...OK, all of them.


1.  For the nature lover--Extraordinary Birds: Essays and Plates of Rare Book Selections from the American Museum of Natural History Library by Paul Sweet.  I think that this will be a wonderful blend of beautiful pictures and information that any nature enthusiast would enjoy.  The book includes birds around the world.  I am totally afraid of birds, but I am really looking forward to looking through this book!








2.  For the music lover--All The Songs: The Story Behind Every Beatles Release by Philippe Margotin, Jean-Michel Guesdon, Patti Smith.  Most (not all) music lovers that I know enjoy The Beatles.  I can't say that I blame them.  I really enjoy most of their songs.  Every song has a story behind it and I think that this collection will be really fascinating.  I am really interested to see what the authors' sources are for this information.  I may have to temporarily steal it from the recipient.

3.  For the Civil War buff--Mathew Brady: Portraits of a Nation by Robert Wilson.  Matthew Brady is very well-known for his amazing pictures of Civil War battlefields (even though most of them were actually staged because you don't just die neatly on your back, but I digress...).  The book goes beyond just being a collection of his photographs with a biographical note attached--it's a full-fledged biography of the man, in addition to showcasing his work.  I thought that this would be a great book to buy for the Civil War buffs in my life.

4.  For the comedian--Let Me Off at the Top!: My Classy Life and Other Musings by Ron Burgundy.  The sequel to Anchorman is almost out, so this is a great pick for lovers of that movie.  Ron Burgundy has finally written his autobiography.  It's actually a decent sized book (224 pages), thus worth the money in my opinion.  I actually enjoy humor books like this--Henri Le Chat Noir and Grumpy Cat have collections out--but I am happy to see that this one really has a story to is and is not a collection of sayings with pictures.  Not a whole lot else to say except "Stay classy."

5.  For the baseball lover--The Summer of Beer and Whiskey: How Brewers, Barkeeps, Rowdies, Immigrants, and a Wild Pennant Fight Made Baseball America's Game by Edward Achorn.  I have a lot of baseball fans in my life and I think that this will be a great addition to their collection of baseball literature.  In so many ways, the history of baseball is closely tied to the history of the US.  And there's just something special about the beer and whiskey leagues...






Hope this helps you with any last minute shopping you might have for those hard to buy for people on your list! 

Help I'm starting a book club?

In a grand plan to take on 2014 by storm- some coworkers and I have decided to start a scifi based book club. We have lovingly started calling it the "BombAss Brunch Book Club" with the idea that we will meet at various restaurants around town and sample the best brunches and mimosas we can find.

The idea here is that 5 ladies (from different areas of the company) want to bond over some good space adventures (or magic adventures... or creepy ghost stories). The problem is that all of the members are book club newbies. (Unless you count the discussion posts I made on GoodReads groups in college?):

-We aren't sure how to structure the discussions- not that scifi/fantasy novels are going to provoke deep and meaningful life conversations (although maybe we will be surprised?) OR whether the discussions actually need to have any sort of structure or similar "book club guide" questions that some books have in the back...
-We have a facebook group that we are trying to get up and running with brainstorms about books we could read throughout the year- but no way to figure out which book will be THE NEXT BOOK. And none of us have dominate personalities - so every conversation is "I'm okay with whatever you  choose"

Basically I'm turning to you all and asking for help. Have you ever tried to start a book club? How did you structure it? How did you deal with months where people were "meh" about the book (or didn't read it at all)? Do you find having a more guided discussion help or did it all just come naturally? And most importantly: Did you find that having a book chosen for you every month was fun or a chore... Did you continue to love the book club or did it make reading tedious for you?

I would love to hear your book club successes or woes. And Do's and Don'ts

Hope everyone has a GREAT holiday season
~Paula

On Your Favorite Authors’ Writer Relatives

I recently just finished reading NOS4A2 by Joe Hill, who just happens to be Stephen King’s son. I read it partly because of that, but I wouldn’t have picked it up if the premise didn’t also intrigue me.

It was interesting to read NOS4A2 because it was pretty clear where Hill developed his writing style. I believe NOS4A2 is his fourth novel, so he’s definitely not as mature as a writer as Stephen King is, but I’m confident he’ll get better. And I did really like NOS4A2! It did seem a bit slow at times, but more or less kept my attention all the way through.

I also read the short story e-book In The Tall Grass about a year ago, which was written by Joe Hill and Stephen King. It was a great little story, and now that I’ve read more of Hill’s work, I would say he actually had more influence on In The Tall Grass than King did, based purely on what I remember of the style.

Anyway, my point here is that I’m glad I picked up NOS4A2, and it’s probably not something that would have caught my eye if I didn’t know that Joe Hill was Stephen King’s son. I have to wonder, though, how much of Hill’s success is owed to his father’s fame. He’s definitely a very good writer, but there are plenty of very good writers who are overlooked and plenty of terrible writers who sell millions of books every year (James Patterson, anyone?).

It’s also interesting to me to see how similarly some related people can write, like Stephen King and Joe Hill, and how differently some related people can write, like Emily and Charlotte Bronte. (I’ve never read Anne Bronte, though I’ve been meaning to—those who have read all three, is there a big difference between Anne and the other two as well?) I’m not a big fan of Emily Bronte, but I loooove Charlotte Bronte. You’d think their styles would be a lot more similar than they actually are!

Has anyone else picked up a book specifically because it was by someone who was related to one of your favorite authors? I’ve been meaning to pick up something by Tabitha King (Stephen King’s wife), but I think she writes mostly poetry, which I’m not really interested in. And of course Anne Bronte. Other than that, though, I’ve never picked up a book just because it was by someone who was related to an author I already liked. Based on my experience with NOS4A2, though, it might not be a bad way to start expanding my horizons!

What do you think?

Daisy's Top Ten New To Me Authors of 2013

To learn more about Top Ten Tuesday or see the future topics, click here!

So since we're nearing the end of 2013, let's talk about the new to us authors we've discovered this year!

1. Diana Peterfreund: I know! I can't believe I hadn't read anything by her before either! But I LOVED both For Darkness Shows the Stars and Across a Star-Swept Sea and consider me convinced of her awesomeness!

2. Rachel Hawkins: I totally adored the first two book in the Hex Hall series! Rachel Hawkins brings the romance and the funny and the witchy goodness :)

3. Jessi Kirby: Quite possibly one of the most beautiful books I've read this year is Golden! Jessi Kirby really knows how to write and amazing book! I just wanted to quote EVERYTHING!

4. Christopher Healy: I like a man who can make me giggle :) The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom is AWESOME!

5. Sherry Thomas: Yes please bring me more epic fantasy goodness! And I just noticed that she also writes historical romance! I think this is the start of a beautiful thing!

6. Liz Coley: Oh man, I LOVED her writing in Pretty Girl-13! I just could not put that book down and it was so, SO good!

7. Bridget Zinn: It makes me both sad and grateful that we got to at least see one product of her talent! Poison was one of my favourite reads of this year!

8. Kasie West: PIVOT POINT! Do I ever stop putting that book on these TTT's? I totally loved Kasie West's writing and I hear she also writes great YA contemporary romance novels :)

9. Alex Lidell: PRETTY PLEASE WRITE ANOTHER BOOK! Preferably the sequel to The Cadet of Tildor! With lots of Savoy!

10. A.G. Howard: I adored Splintered!! That book was just amazing and I am impatiently awaiting the arrival of my copy of Unhinged!

Julia Reviews A Notorious Countess Confessess by Julie Anne Long

We now interrupt this week of holiday shenanigans with a review post! Time for some romance!

Title/Author: A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long
Publisher/Year Published:  October 2012 by Avon
How I got this book: I own the eBook
Why I read this book: I am slowly working my way through this series.

Series: Pennyroyal Green Book 7
Previous Reviews: I Kissed an Earl, What I Did for a Duke, How the Marquess Was Won

Rating: 3.5 stars

This one I just finished few days ago, or last night, I don't remember. Anyway, I had the same feeling with The Notorious Countess Confesses that I did with How the Marquess Was Won (review). 

In this one we have our sexy preacher, Adam, and the new girl in town, the notorious countess and ex-courtesan, Eve. It took me way too long to realize they were called Adam and Eve. It was over half the book...

Anyway, we have one person misunderstood for the role she has had in life and the other misunderstood, or under appreciated more likely, for the role he currently has.  And they sort of hit it off. 

My first qualm with the book actually came in the beginning because wow were there a lot of info dumps in the first few chapters. I swear in the first three chapters, two things actually happen. Everything else is mused on when people are walking or sitting near a fire. Luckily once the plot showed up things evened out and were awesome.

The tension between these two is top notch, and I think they have some real concerns between the two of them that they would have to overcome for their happily ever after. So the middle part, the falling in love part, that's good. It's the freaking ending AGAIN that ruins it for me. Everything has to be neatly wrapped up in a nice little box with a bow on it. And of course it is all solved by stuff done off screen and too many coincidences or "We can just do this and everything works!"

Bah. That's why this is rated where it is. It's not bad. The majority is entertaining and fun in a heartbreaking way sometimes. But still, good romance. But the slow start and the rushed finished just left me with a sad face. 

It's not the worst in the series, and it's not the best either. It didn't leave me wanting to shoot any characters so that's already a step up from Violet's book. I guess if they are consistently okay then that's better then me hating/loving them.

One more book and I am caught up! I thought this was the most recent. Ha. Of course not. But I may need a break before I read another. 

(cross posted on my BookLikes account)

Holiday Shenanigans -- Our Favorite Holiday Recipes

Today we are sharing some of our favorite holiday recipes that we like to make/plan to make this year!

Recipes are not ours unless otherwise noted (except for Daisy's & Jana's) and so if you Pin these or share them please go to the original source which we have linked in all cases.

Jen's Picks

One of my favorite things to do is scour Pinterest for new recipes. This holiday season I decided to search Pinterest for new holiday recipes and of course I had no trouble finding any!

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cups 

 

Image Credit to Blue-Eyed Bakers

*these are DELICIOUS. I made them for a coworker over the summer and they were a hit*

Makes 8 Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter 3/4 cup peanut butter 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips 1/4 cup milk Sea salt Directions: Line a  muffin tin with papers (you could also use a mini muffin tin if you prefer). In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter & peanut butter together for 45 seconds.  Stir until smooth.  Add graham cracker crumbs and sugar and mix to combine.  Distribute mixture evenly between the prepared muffin cups.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set peanut butter layer. After the peanut butter has chilled, combine chocolate and milk in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 25 second intervals until chocolate is just melted.  Stir until smooth.  Distribute chocolate evenly over the top of the peanut butter layer.  Sprinkle with sea salt and chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.  Store covered in the fridge. *This recipe is from the blog Blue-Eyed Bakers. Link to recipe: Crunchy Peanut Butter Cups. Image credit to Blue-Eyed Bakers. Thick Sugar Cookies  Image from Taste of Home *what is Christmas without cookies?!* Ingredients 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 3 egg yolks 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3/4 teaspoon almond extract 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt FROSTING: 4 cups confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup shortening 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk Assorted colored nonpareils, optional Directions In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, egg yolks and extracts. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Shape into a disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll. Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-in. cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar, butter, shortening, extracts and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Spread over cookies. If desired, sprinkle with nonpareils. Yield: about 3 dozen. *this recipe is from Taste of Home. Link to recipe: Thick Sugar Cookies Peppermint Fudge *tis the season for peppermint everything*  Image from A Spicy Perspective Ingredients: 1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk 1 Tb. butter + extra for buttering the dish 1 lb. dark chocolate chips/chunks 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup Andes Peppermint Chunks Directions: Grease a 8 X 8 or 8 X 11 baking dish. Sprinkle half the peppermint chunks in the bottom of the dish and set aside.  Place a medium sauce pot over medium heat with 2 inches of water. Place a glass bowl over the top--making sure the glass doesn't touch the water.  Pour the condensed milk and butter in the bowl and heat. Add the chocolate chips and salt in the bowl. Stir the chocolate and watch as it melts and thickens--about 5 minutes. The mixture should thicken to a THICK cake batter consistency--almost too thick to pour. Add both extracts and mix well. Pour the mixture into the dish. Gently tap the dish on the counter for at least a minute to allow air bubbles to rise to the surface and to smooth the surface. Sprinkle the remaining peppermint chips over the top and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, maybe longer, to set. To cut, dip a sharp knife in hot tap water, wipe and cut quickly. Dip and wipe the knife between cuts. Cut into 1 inch squares. *this recipe is from A Spicy Perspective. Link to recipe: Peppermint Fudge Jamie's Picks     Rumchata Mint Hot Chocolate **We have our book club party coming up this weekend and this is what I'm making!** Photo credit to The Cookie Rookie (she also modified the recipe I shared below to make it simpler/a little less sweet so if this one below looks too sweet check out this one) Ingredients 1 bottle of Rumchata (750 ml)  2 cans of Sweetened condensed milk  1 carton of Heavy whipping cream 2 bags of broken up Andes Mints(or the chips) 4 cups of milk  *Need a crock pot or you could possibly let it simmer for 2 hours(but be careful to watch it doesn't burn)  - In Crock pot mix all ingredients together, cook on HIGH for 2 hours, stirring occasionally  * The night before the person who made this said she put the Rumchata and chocolate in the crock pot and let it sit overnight. In a separate container she mixed all the dairy ingredients together and let them sit in the fridge overnight as well. In the morning she poured the dairy mix into the crock pot and let it cook for 2 hours on HIGH. I saw another source for this recipe and they didn't do that so I think it's optional. Recipe from With Curls & Cocktails Crock-Pot Peppermint Mocha Hot Cocoa  *If you are looking to make a tasty, non-alcoholic drink*   Ingredients: 1. 1 cup of Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha Creamer 2. 1.5 cups of cocoa powder 3. 6 cups of milk 4. 1 bar of semi-sweet chocolate 5. 1 bar of peppermint bark 6. Marshmallows (for garnish) 7. Whipped cream (for garnish) 8. Candy canes (for garnish) Instructions: 1. Combine 1 cup of Coffee Mate's Peppermint Mocha Creamer and 6 cups of milk in a crock-pot. 2. Stir in 1.5 cups of cocoa powder. Stir with a whisk, but it won't fully dissolve until the milk and creamer heat up. 3. Break-up and add a bar of semi-sweet chocolate and a bar of peppermint bark. 4. Cook on high for 2 hours stirring frequently.   Recipe from Sunny With A Chance of Sprinkles   Candy Cane White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes Last year Will and I made cookies for his family's Christmas Eve dinner (feast really) but I think this is what we are going with this year! They look heavenly!!  Image & Recipe from Tater Tots & Jello Ingredients 18 vanilla wafer cookies 2 (8oz) cream cheese, softened 1 (8oz) neufchâtel cream cheese, softened 3/4 C sugar 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/4 C white chocolate chips, divided 1 1/4 C crushed mini candy canes, divided 18 foil muffin liners Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place foil liners in 2 muffin pans. Place 1 vanilla wafer in the bottom of each cup. Beat cream cheese until smooth, add sugar, eggs, and vanilla; just until incorporated. Don't over beat. Gently stir in 3/4 C chocolate chips and 3/4 candy cane pieces. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way full. Bake 20-25 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven; let cool 5 minutes on rack and then remove from pan. Once cool cover and refrigerate for 3 hours. Before serving; place remaining chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, microwave for 15 seconds, stir, 15 more seconds, stir, repeat again if necessary until smooth. Place 1 tsp crushed candy cane in the center of each cheesecake, use a fork to drizzle white chocolate back and forth over the tops. Enjoy! * to crush candy canes, remove wrappers, place in gallon freezer bag, hit with the back of a metal spoon. Ingredients 18 vanilla wafer cookies 2 (8oz) cream cheese, softened 1 (8oz) neufchâtel cream cheese, softened 3/4 C sugar 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/4 C white chocolate chips, divided 1 1/4 C crushed mini candy canes, divided 18 foil muffin liners Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place foil liners in 2 muffin pans. Place 1 vanilla wafer in the bottom of each cup. Beat cream cheese until smooth, add sugar, eggs, and vanilla; just until incorporated. Don't over beat. Gently stir in 3/4 C chocolate chips and 3/4 candy cane pieces. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way full. Bake 20-25 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven; let cool 5 minutes on rack and then remove from pan. Once cool cover and refrigerate for 3 hours. Before serving; place remaining chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, microwave for 15 seconds, stir, 15 more seconds, stir, repeat again if necessary until smooth. Place 1 tsp crushed candy cane in the center of each cheesecake, use a fork to drizzle white chocolate back and forth over the tops. Enjoy! * to crush candy canes, remove wrappers, place in gallon freezer bag, hit with the back of a metal spoon. Read more at http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/11/happy-holidays-candy-cane-white-chocolate-mini-cheesecakes.html#ydTHd7TykZFL5RE5.99 Ingredients 18 vanilla wafer cookies 2 (8oz) cream cheese, softened 1 (8oz) neufchâtel cream cheese, softened 3/4 C sugar 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/4 C white chocolate chips, divided 1 1/4 C crushed mini candy canes, divided 18 foil muffin liners Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place foil liners in 2 muffin pans. Place 1 vanilla wafer in the bottom of each cup. Beat cream cheese until smooth, add sugar, eggs, and vanilla; just until incorporated. Don't over beat. Gently stir in 3/4 C chocolate chips and 3/4 candy cane pieces. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way full. Bake 20-25 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven; let cool 5 minutes on rack and then remove from pan. Once cool cover and refrigerate for 3 hours. Before serving; place remaining chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, microwave for 15 seconds, stir, 15 more seconds, stir, repeat again if necessary until smooth. Place 1 tsp crushed candy cane in the center of each cheesecake, use a fork to drizzle white chocolate back and forth over the tops. Enjoy! * to crush candy canes, remove wrappers, place in gallon freezer bag, hit with the back of a metal spoon. Read more at http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/11/happy-holidays-candy-cane-white-chocolate-mini-cheesecakes.html#ydTHd7TykZFL5RE5.99

Daisy's Pick

Poached Pears

Ingredients:

• 2-3 Cooking pears per person
• Bottle of Amaretto
• Sugar
• Clove

Directions:

• Peel the pears, but leave them whole
• The Amaretto gows into a big pot with the pears, add water until the pears are submerged
• You can add sugar and clove if you like, I usually only add a little bit of sugar
• Heat until the water and amaretto is cooking
• Leave on with the heat turned low for at least two hour, check often if there's still liquid in the pan along with the pears
• Serve as a side dish or with vanilla ice as desert

**This is my mom's recipe**

Jana's Pick

I make these cookies every year because they are AMAZING. And really, they are like potato chips. You can't eat just one or two. You can eat a TON and not get sick. 

Spritz Cookies

Image Source

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract 
• 1/2 teaspoon no-color almond extract 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.

• In bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract; mix well. Gradually add  flour mixture to butter  mixture; beat until combined. Add red or green food coloring if you would like! Do not chill. Fill cookie press with dough and with desired disks, press cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet.

• Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet on cooling rack. Remove from sheet; cool completely. 

Paula's Pick

There was a long time in my life where I didn't like these cookies. I was a stupid child. Now I want to eat as many as possible to make up for lost time- but unfortunately you can only eat one or two if you know what's best for you... because these cookies are filled with dates (and/or golden raisins) and can cause a tummy ache if you have too much of a good thing...    

Date Nut Pinwheel Cookies

 

Image found here

Ingredients:

1 cup butter (at room temperature) 2 cups packed brown sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 8 ounces dates, pitted and chopped 1 cup finely chopped pecans 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup white sugar

Directions:

Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Sift the cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and flour together in a second mixing bowl. Slowly stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until evenly blended.

Divide the dough evenly into three portions and place each on a square of waxed paper. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the filling by combine the dates, pecans, water and white sugar in a saucepan set over low heat. Cook and stir until the filling has a paste-like consistency. Cool slightly.

Working with one portion at a time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to make a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread 1/3 of the filling evenly over the dough; roll up to make a log. Repeat the process with the remaining dough. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease two baking sheets.

Using a sharp, serrated knife, cut the rolls into 1/4 inch slices. Place the slices on prepared baking sheets.

Bake in preheated oven until set and lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cool on racks.

This is a recipe from Allrecipes and can be found here. It's not the exact one my momma makes- but it is basically the same. The only thing she does different is half dates/half jumbo golden raisins.

What are some of your favorite recipes to make during the holidays? What are YOU planning to make this year? PLEASE SHARE WITH US BECAUSE WE LIKE FOOD!