December 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom

Hi! In case you haven’t subscribed to my Substack newsletter yet, please join me on the date and time listed above for a party celebrating the upcoming holidays and our favorite books to give as gifts. Please bring a few suggestions and invite your friends, below are some suggested menus and recipes for your gathering. Here’s what I’m making:

Glenda’s Menu

Coffee with steamed, frothy milk

Chai tea lattes made with Celestial Seasonings Chai Tea and more steamed milk

Rose Mojitos recipe from http://eatingwell.com

Recipe:

Ingredients

Rose Simple Syrup

• 1 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 cup water 
• 2 tablespoons dried rose petals or other edible dried flowers 

Mojito

• 2 ounces white rum 
• 1 ounce lime juice 
• 12 fresh mint leaves, torn 
• Ice 
• 1 ounce club soda 
• Lime wedge for serving
• Directions
• Instructions Checklist
• Step 1To prepare simple syrup: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in flowers and let cool to room temperature, about 45 minutes. Strain (discard the flowers) and refrigerate for up to 1 month. (Makes 1-1 1/4 cups.)
• Step 2To prepare mojito: Stir rum, lime juice, 1 ounce of the simple syrup and mint leaves in a tall glass. Add ice and club soda and stir again. Garnish with lime wedge, if desired.
• Tips 
• To make ahead: Refrigerate simple syrup for up to 1 month.

Sandwiches that Jane Austin’s Emma might have served at her box lunch picnic in the book named after her. Simply made: Use any bread you like spread with smoked salmon and cream cheese, cucumbers coasted with seasoned dill mayonnaise, and cranberry jam with melted Gouda.

A Christmas tree made with buns filled with, well, you have to see it for yourself on my Pinterest board:

http://Cheesy Christmas Tree.

(We do celebrate Christmas, but you don’t have to in order to attend our party. You know that, don’t you? Don’t you?) I’ll post menu versions for other religions as I can. But feel free to tell me what you serve for the holidays in the comments below!

Franco Mints! Because, you can take the people, out of Chicago, but you can’t take Chicago out of the people.

Christmas cookies (More on that later!) Or we might just purchase them from Cheryl’s online or our local bakery. Let’s see what Grammy has time to do this year.

Coming up next week: More holiday treats!

Please do a few things for me:

1) Like this post using the button below.

2) Leave me a comment about your favorite winter holiday treats.

3) Share this post on your social media using the buttons below.

4) Subscribe to my Substack newletter for craft tips, writing and publishing news, author interviews and chats, and food, fun, and inspiration! Use this link to subscribe:

Glenda’s Substack newsletter

And 5) One more thing! If you need inspiration for book gifts, visit my Bookshop.org here:

BIbi Gee’s Bookshop

As always, thank you! See you soon!