My Santas for 2010: No Longer Secret

Thanks to my two Secret Santa bloggers, I'm starting the New Year with books from my wish list and some new cyber friends!

First up is Patty at Reflections From The Hinterland who participated in the Book Blogger Holiday Swap. It turns out that Patty lives near my hometown of Spokane.

Her package to me included Lemon Tea Bread made from an old family recipe. Lemons are a favorite of mine and her bread has been enjoyed throughout the season. My books from Patty included There Goes The Bride by M.C. Beaton, The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny and Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle.

My next package came from Melissa at Must Read Faster. It turns out that we are each others Book Lover's Secret Santa. My Amazon package from Melissa was beautifully wrapped and included a deluxe paperback edition of The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny.

I also participated in Book Bloggers Holiday Card Exchange.  Cass at Bonjour, Cass! sent me greetings from a cold Boston a few weeks ago (which I'm sure is even colder now). She recommends I read The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore. It's sitting right now on my long TBR shelf.

My other card came from Ryan at Wordsmithonia. His book recommendation is Deck The Halls by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark. I found a copy last week at Borders for $3.99 and purchased right away. Ryan also suggests I read author Timothy James Beck which I plan to do in the new year.

Have you read any of the titles I received? If you have a favorite let me know.

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway: One Man's Paradise

Welcome to the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop. If this is your first time here, I hope you'll subscribe to my updates and come back for more. I love to write about mysteries, food, fiction and classics.

This short hop offers a chance to win something book related on each of the 125 participating sites.

For my giveaway, I'm pleased to offer a new hardcover copy of the mystery, One Man's Paradise by Douglas Corleone.

Winner of the Mystery Writer's of America First Crime Novel Award, this is the promising debut from author Douglas Corleone. He's a former attorney from New York City who now lives on Oahu. I met up with Doug two weeks ago and he's an impressive guy.

My review of One Man's Paradise is coming next week. I can tell you right now that you won't be disappointed.  It's a well paced who-done-it with plenty of action, court room drama, beautiful women and a spectacular Hawaii setting.

Entry Details: Giveaway is open to USA and Canada. Just comment on this post to enter. Be sure to include an email address unless it's on your profile. All giveaways on this hop close on Wednesday, December 22, at 11:59pm. Winner has 48 hours to respond or another entry will be chosen.

I'm also including the list of the other participating blogs. Enjoy the hop and Happy Holidays!

Christmas Cookies by Lisa Zwirn: A Book Review

Christmas Cookies: 50 Recipes To Treasure For The Holiday Season
By Lisa Zwirn

William Morrow, Copyright 2008
134 pages, ISBN 9780061376962

Rating: 5/5

I discovered this cookie book two years ago at my local library. After I made one recipe I had to buy the book. Which recipe made the sale? Maple Walnut Cookies with maple icing. They became my surprise cookie hit last season.

The book includes tips and beautiful pictures that make you want to bake. Or at least dream about baking. Lisa also offers recommendations for gifting cookies and hosting a cookie exchange.

I'd love to share a recipe but they are all copyrighted. There's a way, however, I can get around it. One of the recipes is similar to a cookie my Mom made for me growing up in the 1960's. I'm including her recipe and then a summary of the updates to it from Lisa's book.

Russian Tea Cakes (Mom's Recipe from 1960)

Six Ingredients: 1 cup butter, 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup chopped walnuts.

Directions: Cream butter and sugar; add vanilla. Work in four sifted with salt. Mix in nuts. Form into one inch balls and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. While hot, roll in confectioner's sugar. Makes 4 dozen.

New update for the same cookie from Christmas Cookies by Lisa Zwirn

The ingredients are the same except 2 tsp. of vanilla extract is recommended (instead of 1 tsp).

Prep is slightly different from my Mom's recipe. Cream butter first then add sugar followed by vanilla and salt. Flour is next (no sifting needed) and finally nuts. Lisa used pecans in place of walnuts but either is fine. She suggests that the nuts be finely chopped.

The dough is formed into a large ball and then refrigerated for 30 minutes before forming into one inch balls. Oven temp reduced to 375 and cooking time to 12 minutes. Use parchment paper on the cookie sheet. Cool cookies for 5 minutes before rolling in sugar (just before serving or storage recoat the cookie with sugar).

What cookies are you making this season?

In addition to the cookies I mentioned here, I'm also baking Lisa's Sugar Cookies and Iced Lemon Rounds (using fresh lemons from my tree). If I have time I'll bake her Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti. I better get back to the kitchen with just a few days left before Christmas.

Sunday Salon: A Mix of Riskrem, Library Thing and Sedaris

Ending this week: My free giveaway for A Little Fruitcake: A Childhood in Holidays by David Valdes Greenwood (enter by midnight, December 5). You can also comment on my Chronicle Haul-idays post by December 10 for a chance to win $497.49 in books (if I'm the lucky winner).

Holiday Trip: I've got a busy day planned here on Kauai as I get ready to island hop to Oahu. We're heading over to Honolulu for a week of holiday activities. It would be a lot easier if I could load up the car and drive the 100 miles. Instead I'm confined to one suitcase for the plane and need to leave extra room for the shopping I plan to do. I always bring more books than I can read. This time I've narrowed it down to two: One Man's Paradise by Douglas Corleone (in progress) and Charles Jessold, Considered As A Murderer by Wesley Stace (a restart; maybe the second time is the charm).

Riskrem, A Scandinavian Christmas Rice Pudding: Several people asked for the recipe when I mentioned it this week on the Virtual Advent Tour. Mine came from the December 2005 issue of Sunset magazine. When I make it I use whole milk and reduce the amount of whipping cream. Otherwise it's too rich for me. Don't forget to add a whole almond; the lucky recipient gets a gift. I usually serve this Christmas morning.

Library Thing: Anyone doing Santa Thing? I am for the first time this year. When I read the profile of the person I'm choosing books for, I was impressed that all her books were neatly tagged by category and she had a wishlist. My profile, however, had no organization. I didn't even know you could have a wishlist. That all changed yesterday when I brought organization to my profile. I have 544 books which means I shouldn't buy any new books. Right.

Sedaris: I took a break from holiday books this week and read Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. Do you think its dark humor will be a thumbs up or down for me? You may have to wait a week to find out. With our Hanukkah party tonight I think my reviews will be on hold. My partner is giving me the look right now that I should get off computer. Have a good week everyone.

Virtual Advent Tour: Happy Christmanukkah

Welcome to Day Two of the Virtual Advent Tour. For the fifth year in a row, the Virtual Advent Tour is making its way around the book blogging community. Every day from December 1-24, a group of us share holiday posts. Today it's my turn along with Amy Reads, Jenn's Bookshelves and Staying Awake.

Aloha! My holidays celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. Right now we're planning a Latke party on Sunday for the 5th night of Hanukkah. On Christmas Day I'll be making my Norwegian Christmas Rice Pudding called Riskrem. All holidays here on Kauai include an ocean swim and no snow or ice.

Favorite Book Tradition: For the past three years I've started each season reading, A Little Fruitcake, by David Valdes Greenwood. I'm giving away a free copy on December 5 (international entries accepted). The book reminds me of my own childhood growing up in the 1960's.

2010 Recycled Ornament: Last year I shared an ornament with you I made from a container of SPAM. This year I have a Royal Mounted Police ornament. It was actually the top of a large souvenir pencil I purchased in Canada. I cut off the lower section, painted the bottom black and inserted a small nail on top so I could wrap around a wire hanger.

New Tradition: I started playing flute this year after a 35 year break. It began as a way to honor my late mother who always wanted me to play in an orchestra. Thanks to music lessons and lots of practice, I'm performing tonight with the Kauai Wind Symphony. That's right...TONIGHT! I'm nervous and will be practicing all day.

Cookie Tip: Form your cookie dough but instead of baking, freeze instead between layers of waxed paper. That way you can bake as needed and always have cookies on hand for guests.

Here's wishing each of you Happy Holidays and Mele Kalikiamka from the Garden Island of Kauai.