Beginning

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My writing journey has begun. The road will have some bumps and detours. I only hope that the first hill is not too high, and the journey is long.














Sunday, August 28, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (37)

Wreath
Wreath

Written by:  Judy Christie

     Wreath Wisteria Willis just lost her Mother, the only person she had in this world. Wreath is sixteen, by law, too young to be on her own and has no one to turn to. She peers from out of view of others, while they take her Mother’s body away, turns and flees before she is caught. Wreath has a plan, she made a list (as she always does), she is heading to Landry, where her Mother grew up. Here she will: 1) find a place to live, 2) buy cheap food, 3) finish high school, 4) get a job, and 5) go to college.


     Can a young girl survive, alone, still manage to finish high school and fulfill her and her Mother’s dream that she should go to college? Wreath makes a few friends, not totally allowing them into her inner circle of secrecy. She also wants to protect the people she has come to care about. Wreath learns to trust and blossoms, allowing herself to be loved and at the same time, changes the lives of the people who have come to need and love her, as well. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. I had the great pleasure of reading/reviewing this advanced copy.  This is one book to add to your TBR list, make sure you find room in your calendar and your heart for this wonderful read, it is being published by Barbour Books, and hits the stores in October, 2011.

Wreath Cookies

(Makes 15 cookies)

Ingredients:

For Cookies:

¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 ½ cups self-rising flour
1 ½ tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, lightly beaten

For Lemon Glaze:

1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease 2 cookie sheets

2) In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the butter until light. Beat in the flour. Set aside.

3)In a small heavy saucepan, combine the lemon juice and sugar and simmer over low heat for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. In a slow, steady stream, pour the mixture into the flour mixture. Beat in the egg. The dough will be stiff. Gather the dough together and knead on a lightly floured board or pastry cloth until smooth and pliable.

4) Pinch off teaspoonfuls of dough and roll each piece into a very thin pencil shape, about 5 inches long. When all of the pencil shapes have been formed, form ropes by attaching two "pencils" together at one end and rolling and twisting them together for a braided look, then form into a circle and seal the seam. Set about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

5) Bake in the center of the oven for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the cookies are light golden color and firm.

6.) While the cookies are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk or beat together the confectioners' sugar, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons juice. Of necessary, add more juice by the teaspoonful until the glaze is smooth and of spreading consistency.

7.) Using a spatula, remove the hot cookies to wire racks. While the cookies are still hot, spread the glaze over the tops. Let stand on the racks until completely cool.

Don't Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!

12 comments:

Brooke Rousseau said...

Hi Maeve! Thanks for the book rec, and especially for the cookie recipe. Yum.

junebug said...

Now, I'm hungry! Those cookies (and the book) sound great.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

This sounds like a special read. I definitely will be putting this one on my TBR list.

Writer Pat Newcombe said...

This sounds like a heartwarming read... One of those uplifting tales of people making good against all life throws at them?

ali cross said...

Ooh, I hadn't heard about this book, so thanks for the heads up! And YUM wreath cookies! My Granny used to make something like this . . . gonna have to try this recipe!

Laura Barnes said...

Now I'm gonna have to go make some cookies...

Great to meet you, I'm from the campaign :)

Janet Johnson said...

Sounds like a great book! And how convenient to have cookies with the same name. :D I love it!

D. Ann Graham said...

Hello, Maeve... what a great review. In those few short paragraphs, it hooked me. Now, I will have to track down that book and find out how everything turns out. Very glad to meet someone who is so widely involved in such titles. I'm going to go back and read more of your reviews, as I am one of those relatives who always give books as gifts.

Going to try the cookies, too, so thank you for that.

elizabethanne said...

I can tell already that your reviews are going to be a delight to read, and they're going to add many titles to my TBR list! Love the added touch of the cookie recipes -- just wish I could eat the cookies.

I'm part of the multi-genre group in the Platform-Building campaign, looking forward to getting to know you as the campaign progresses.

Maeve Frazier said...

Brooke - I hope you enjoy both!

juneebug - Love them both!

Lynda - your TBR list must be getting as big as mine! Great isn't it?

Pat - exactly, nicely said!

Ali - hope you enjoy the book. Grandmother's always make the best cookies!

Maeve Frazier said...

Laura - Happy baking! Thanks for stopping by.

Janet - I really like doing the Books With Cookies And Milk!

D. Ann - I love to give books as gifts, too. I make special bookplates for them when I am giving them as gifts. Thanks for your kind words.

elizabethanne - Nice to meet you! Hope you enjoy the reviews and reads!

Kimberly Krey said...

Sounds like a tasty combo! :)