Little Bits of Christmas

I've been thinking about all things holiday related lately, and I've been collecting new recipes by the dozens off of Pinterest and other places to try in the next couple of months. I'm itching to try them all, but I'm making myself hold off for a few more weeks.

However, yesterday it was really dreary outdoors. When it started snowing, I decided I HAD to try a new Christmas recipe. So, I braved the snow and sleet to head to the store for a couple missing ingredients, then headed back to my kitchen where I created these.

 

 

 

Old-Fashioned Butter Mints. I had no idea you could make these at home. And they're so simple, too!

 

I realize it's not exactly a Christmas recipe, but since I colored them green and red, I'm saying that officially makes it one.

 

The mints are basically a dough of butter, powdered sugar, a little salt, sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring. Mix it together, roll it out into logs, and cut into tiny pieces. You can find the full recipe here.

 

I think when I make them again, I will use a little more peppermint extract than what is called for in the recipe. Otherwise, I won't change anything. It does make A LOT, but they are should keep for quite a while.

 

Enjoy!

 

 



Witches and Vampires and Daemons, Oh My!

In honor of Halloween, I like to read something a little other-worldly in the month of October. This year, I picked up Deborah Harkness's A Discovery of Witches.

It's the story of Diana Bishop, a scholar of alchemy and a reluctant but very powerful witch, who can trace her lineage back to the witches of Salem fame.

It's also the story of the charming but brooding Matthew Clairmont, a centuries-old vampire, who of course only looks 35.

One day while researching in the library at Oxford, Diana requests and receives an old manuscript called Ashmole 782. Unbeknownst to Diana, the manuscript has been missing for years and is highly coveted by witches, vampires, and daemons alike, who will stop at nothing to possess it. Her acquisition of it sets off a huge and complicated chain of events, most notably Diana and Matthew coming together in a rather strange and forbidden relationship.

I really liked this book. It's long, over 500 pages, but reads quickly. The ending leaves you hanging, but luckily a sequel came out this past summer. I haven't got around to reading it yet, but I will. Soon.

A fun read. Check it out.

The Struggle Tour

This past Wednesday night I had the opportunity to see three of my favorite bands together in concert. It was a really fun night of worship and great music.

The first band to play was Rend Collective Experiment. If I could choose to be in any band, this would be it. This was my second time seeing them, and they were just as good as I remember.

 

One of the best songs off their newest album, Homemade Worship by Handmade People, is called  Build Your Kingdom Here. Have a listen.

 



 

They were followed by Audrey Assad. I absolutely love her voice.  One of the guys from one of the other bands jokingly said that she sings so well because she swallowed an angel. I think that might be true.

 

 

Here is one of the songs she performed - Sparrow.

 

The final group and headliners of the tour was Tenth Avenue North. This was the second time I have seen them in concert, also. They are an amazing band - so full of energy and so passionate about Jesus. Their most recent album is called The Struggle. It and all their other albums are worth getting if you don't have them already.  

 

 

One of my favorite songs from The Struggle is called Worn.

 

 

I also really like Losing.

 

 

This tour is about half over, so you still have time to see it. If they come to your neighborhood, you should definitely go. You will be blessed. 

Holy (Wedding Day)

I'm loving this song by The City Harmonic right now. Have a listen.