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!
I'm going to have to try the recipe! I also use music regularly. Love the post. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSounds yummy! Good luck with your book.
ReplyDeleteAm putting To Weave a Highland Tapestry on my reading list. Best of luck with it - and thanks for the Eggnog Scones recipe!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post, Mary. I love your holiday traditions, and I MUST try the Eggnog Scones!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful memories. I'm going to have to try your scone recipe.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas
D. V. 🦉
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.
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! Your scones look delicious. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYummy
ReplyDeleteOh 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 ❤��
ReplyDeleteThank you, CB and Dawn! And Alison, thank YOU! Thrilled you enjoyed Patrick and Gwen's love story! xo
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Eggnog scones sound wonderful. Will be trying this recipe. Thank you, Merry Christmas.
ReplyDelete