Please join me for a Christmas tea as I serve Biscochitos with our tea. I’ve decorated our party with this year’s addition to our nativity collection, a gift from my husband. And we’ll chat about a few e-book Christmas novellas–which make quick gifts, if you need a few more ideas. Let’s celebrate!
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 KJV
Nativities are a passion of mine. Some sets I display throughout the year, but others come out for the Christmas season. This year we added this special treasure made by a Jemez Pueblo artist. A deer is included among the gathered animals since deer are an important animal to the pueblo. Rather than the traditional gifts, the wise men bring corn, a blanket, and a drum.
Biscochitos are the state cookie of New Mexico, traditionally served at Christmas. There are many different recipes for this cookie, which also is made in a variety of shapes. This is my mother-in-law’s recipe. She always made these for our Christmas festivities. They make lovely tea cookies.
Biscochitos Recipe
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tbsp orange juice
Cinnamon-sugar mix
Cream sugar and shortening.
Add flour, anise seed, baking powder, and salt.
Combine egg and orange juice, then beat into creamed mixture to make a moist dough.
Form dough into a long roll, about 1-1/4 inch in diameter, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm.
Remove from the refrigerator and slice cookies 1/4 inch thick.
Sprinkle one side with cinnamon-sugar mixture, then place on a cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes until lightly browned.
If you’re looking for a last minute e-gift book, I’d recommend some of the faith-filled Christmas novellas available.
The Evergreen Bride by Pam Hillman
The Evergreen Bride by Pam Hillman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a delightful Christmas story!
This historical romance set in 1887 in Sipsey Creek, Mississippi, is filled with sweet love.
I liked the enthusiastic school teacher, Annabelle Denson, who is determined to fulfill her dream of a white Christmas by traveling over her holiday to visit her cousin in Chicago, Illinois.
Sawmill owner, Samuel Frazier, is my kind of hero, with his gentleness, quiet manner, and sincere desire to make Annabelle happy.
Lovely surprises and touches of a country Christmas make this novella a charming story—a perfect story to feel the warmth of Christmas love!
There are twelve books in this collection of Christmas Bride novellas, each sold separately for 99 cents.
Hope for the Holidays-both the contemporary and historical collections by best-selling inspirational authors would be good ideas for e-stocking stuffers.
Hope for the Holiday Contemporary Collection by Mary Connealy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a collection of great authors!
I’ve just finished I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, and I smiled through the whole story. Author Tina Radcliffe has a gift for creating heart-touching characters through sparkling dialogue. Matt and Patience discover true understanding of perfect love as they move towards their Happily Ever After. The romantic tension, the interesting plot, and the touches of Christmas make this a great feel-good romance.
I’m excited to read all the other stories in this contemporary collection, as well as the stories in the historical collection, because these are all FAVORITE authors. The HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS collections are just right for enjoying the sparkling spirit of Christmas!
Thank you for joining me for a Christmas TUESDAY TEA! I wish you a treasured Christmas filled with the blessings of hope, faith, and love!
Sherida Stewart 