Friday, December 06, 2019

Memories of Christmas past…


Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love the preparations—gathering greenery, decorating, sending Christmas cards, and baking. Many years ago, I would start my holiday baking in late September. Yes, you’ve read correctly. This was a tradition that began with my mother. All the goodies would be carefully sealed and tucked away in our freezer until the holidays. A truly magical time.

As a child, I can vividly recall the glimmering holiday lights my dad would string up around the house, the smell of a fresh-cut pine tree (and trying to keep the falling pine needles from scattering all over the place), and the aroma of baking thumbprint cookies. These are only a few of my treasured memories—ones where I saw the same wonder in the glow of my own children’s’ eyes. Seeing the radiance of the holiday through their gaze is a wondrous moment to witness.

But most of all, I loved celebrating Christmas with songs of the season. Music has always lifted my spirits and is a great source of inspiration with my own writing. I’ve often stated that music is my muse. Therefore, it only made sense I would eventually write a story about the holiday season. As a writer of medieval time-travel romances, I loved researching certain holiday traditions of the time for my Highland holiday stories. I center these tales around food, winter, and love. Three powerful ingredients for a magical story and ones I treasure.

However you celebrate this joyful time of year, I wish you blessings of love and peace.



Eggnog Scones

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut up
1/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup eggnog

Topping:
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Put flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg into a large bowl. Whisk ingredients.

Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender or rub in with your fingers, until the mixture looks like fine granules. Add sugar and toss to mix.

Add eggnog and stir with a fork until a soft dough forms. For dough into a ball, put onto a lightly floured board, and give 10 to 12 kneads.

To make triangular scones, cut dough in half. Knead each half lightly into a ball and turn smooth side up. Pat or roll into a 6-inch circle. Cut each circle into 6 or 8 wedges. Place wedges on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Topping: Combine 1 teaspoon sugar with 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg and sprinkle on wedges. Bake about 12 minutes, or until light brown on top.



Enjoy the holiday season in Scotland with this time-travel romance, To Weave a Highland Tapestry.

Patrick MacFhearguis, hardened by battles won and lost, desires what he can never have—peace within his heart and soul.  Yet, the ever-meddling Fae weave a new journey for him to conquer—a task this highlander is determined to resist.
When skilled weaver, Gwen Hywel, is commissioned to create a tapestry for the MacFhearguis clan, she embraces the assignment. While seeking out ideas, she finds herself clutching the one thread that can alter the tapestry of her life and heart.
Do they dare to unravel the past for a future of love?



Mary Morgan


Award-winning Celtic Paranormal Romance Author
Where history meets magic!

13 comments:

Kristal Harris said...

I'm going to have to try the recipe! I also use music regularly. Love the post. Merry Christmas!

JENNIFER WILCK said...

Sounds yummy! Good luck with your book.

Karen Hulene Bartell said...

Am putting To Weave a Highland Tapestry on my reading list. Best of luck with it - and thanks for the Eggnog Scones recipe!

Judith Sterling said...

A beautiful post, Mary. I love your holiday traditions, and I MUST try the Eggnog Scones!

Melody DeBlois said...

I enjoyed your post, Mary. What special memories you have of the holidays. I can't wait to try your Eggnog Scone recipe! All the best on the release of To Weave A Highland Tapestry.

D. V. STONE said...

What wonderful memories. I'm going to have to try your scone recipe.
Merry Christmas
D. V. 🦉

Barbara Bettis said...

Lovely memories, Mary.Thank you for sharing them. And I agree with D.V. I've got to try those scones--provided I have enough eggnog left after I have a glass. :) Happy Christmas.

Mary Morgan said...

Thank you lovely Roses, Kristal, Jennifer, Karen, Judith, Melody, D.V., and Barbara for stopping by! I hope you enjoy the scones. They're my husband's favorite at this time of year.

CB Clark said...

What a lovely post! Your scones look delicious. Thank you for sharing.

Dawn said...

Yummy

Alison Pridie said...

Oh my goodness I am going to have to try this recipe. It sounds divine. As for your book it was absolutely incredible and you my dear lady are fantastic. Sending you love, light, happiness, and higs for this holiday season ❤��

Mary Morgan said...

Thank you, CB and Dawn! And Alison, thank YOU! Thrilled you enjoyed Patrick and Gwen's love story! xo

GiniRifkin said...

Lovely post. Eggnog scones sound wonderful. Will be trying this recipe. Thank you, Merry Christmas.