Today, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.
In honor of the eclipse, we are sharing a heritage recipe from our home state of NY called Half-Moon Cookies. These cookies were made at the Home Dairy in Ithica, NY for over 70 years.
Recipe Courtesy of: The History Center in Tompkins County (NY)
Photo: Royalty Free Images (edited)
Caution: It is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
Today we are excited to shine the Author Spotlight on Carol James and her beautiful Christmas story, The Hope of Christmas, part of Pelican Book Group’s Christmas Extravaganza collection! As a special gift for you, Carol has included a yummy recipe for a special holiday treat!
When I grew up, Christmas was always a joyous time of family, fun, and faith. But I know now that for some people Christmas is time of loneliness and emptiness. The Hope of Christmas is a story about overcoming the pain of the past to find joy.
I base all my manuscripts on scripture. It gives me an anchor to circle back to as I write. Isaiah 43:18-19 were the basis for The Hope of Christmas. It’s a story about moving away from your past to find what God has in store for you in your future.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Forgiveness for the past…and hope for the future.
Cameron Blake has everything a man could want. Or so it appears. But in the dark of night, the contents of an old manila envelope remind him that the one thing he truly wants is beyond his reach.
Kristin Hansen has moved home after a messy break-up. While her parents think she’s come back to recuperate after surgery on a broken arm, she’s actually escaping from an abusive relationship.
When the pastor of a local church recruits Kristin and Cameron to supervise the building of the church’s float for the upcoming Christmas parade, their hidden secrets are exposed. And Cam sees in her what he truly desires…but knows he can never have.
As Christmas nears, can Kristin help him find the thing that’s eluded him all these years? The one thing his heart truly desires? Hope.
Melt butter/margarine in a 9×13 pan. Add ingredients one by one in order listed, spreading/sprinkling evenly. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cut into 2 ” squares while warm. Allow to cool before removing from pan.
When my daughters were in high school, this was a favorite dessert of their church youth group (especially among the guys).
Carol, thank you so much for this wonderful recipe and for telling us a little about your book!
Jean’s thoughts on The Hope of Christmas:
Rating: 5 Stars
I love Christmas stories and The Hope of Christmas did not disappoint. The story was delightful from the first page to the last.
Kristen Hansen seems to be having a Murphy’s Law kind of night. She awakens to find the heat in her apartment has gone out. Her loveable pup, Lucy decides she needs to go outside, and Kristin inadvertently gets locked out in the middle of the night. But things are about to get a lot better! The good -looking fill-in maintenance man, Cam, who rescues her turns out to be a lot more than just that. As a set of what seem divinely appointed circumstances bring the two together, Kristen learns that beneath his calm surface, Cam hides some painful secrets from his past. Secrets that have cast a lifetime of shadows over Christmas. She longs to trust him and build a relationship– if she can overcome her own painful experiences from the past.
I appreciated the author’s well-placed humor and the clear message of hope in this tale of faith, family, and overcoming the pain of the past to step into a bright, faith-filled future!
Fall is my favorite season, and it just seems to go with my favorite cake — fresh apple! I thought I would share my very messy and much used recipe from our church cookbook with you today. As you can see, it has been adapted and readapted over the years! Enjoy!
This summer, fellow ATT blogger Marge and I were given a lovely batch of cucumbers by a generous friend. Immediately we had the same thought: Sunshine Pickles! There’s something so satisfying about preparing and preserving your own food. Not only were there plenty to enjoy and share with others this summer, I also have lots of sunshine pickle goodness to enjoy over the winter! Here is Marge’s recipe from our church cookbook. If you are a pickle person, you’ll definitely want to set some cucumbers aside next summer for your own batch of Sunshine Dill Pickles. You’re welcome!
The sweet smell of freshly baked apple pie filled the air…
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Photo by Jean Pike
If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy treat for your fur baby, these Doggie Tuna Treats come highly recommended by Miss Emma!
1 cup Flour
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
5 oz can tuna
1 large Egg
Mix it all together and bake in 8×8 greased pan at 350 for 20 minutes. When it cools, cut into small squares and serve as requested! Keep the rest in in the refrigerator.
Are you sometimes thirsty for lemonade but you don’t want to make an entire pitcher? We know the feeling. If you want to make lemonade by the glass? Here’s what to do:
Squeeze 3 tablespoons lemon juice into a glass. About 1 large lemon or 2 small.
Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons warm water and stir until it dissolves.
Add 1 cup cold water and a handful of ice. Water it down more if necessary.
Variations:
Sparkling Lemonade: Use soda water for a sparkle!
Fresh Pink Lemonade: Add cranberry juice to make sweet tart pink lemonade
Strawberry Lemonade: Add a shot of strawberry syrup and small chunks of fresh strawberries.
I have a lifelong love affair with blackberries. Muffins. Pies. Cakes. Even just in a bowl with milk and sugar! Is there anything finer than fresh blackberries picked off the vine? So today we wanted to share with you, our readers, a delicious summer favorite, featuring this yummiest of fruits. Perfect for pot lucks, birthdays, or “ just because,” this cake makes any day a special occasion. (In a pinch, store bought berries will do the job!)
Blackberry Layer Cake
3 eggs
2 t. cloves
2 c. sugar 1 T. cocoa
1/2 c. butter 3 c. flour
1/2 c. shortening 1 t. salt
2 t. vanilla 2 c. berries
2 t. cinnamon 2 t. baking soda
Cream sugar, butter and shortening. Add eggs and spices. Put soda in berries. Add berries, then add flour, cocoa and salt, a little at a time until all is mixed thoroughly. Add vanilla. Bake in layers at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. It may take a few more minutes. Ice with your favorite icing.
Our favorite Icing:
1 c. butter
1 c. Shortening
2 lb. Confectioner’s sugar
1 ½ T. Hot water
½ c. Blackberry jam (seedless)
2 t. Vanilla extract
Mix butter and shortening on medium speed until creamy.
Turn mixer to low and add confectioner’s sugar. Add hot water, vanilla and jam.
Turn mixer to high and beat until light and fluffy.
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