Sandra Merville Hart

Holiday Homecoming by Jean C. Gordon

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Part of The Donnelly Brother Series

This Love Inspired novel is a Christmas romance!

Natalie Delacrioix had turned down Connor Donnelly’s marriage proposal at Christmas several years ago to pursue career opportunities in broadcasting. Only things didn’t go as planned. She’s out of a job and back at home helping her mother recover from health issues … and wondering how her first glimpse of Conner since rejecting his proposal will go.

Conner, now the pastor of a congregation, hopes that Natalie volunteering to lead the Christmas pageant as choir director will mend the breach between them … somehow. He can’t forget her rejection of his Christmas proposal. Will he be disappointed again?

I enjoy novels set during the holidays. This lighthearted romance took me to the snowy New England area of the United States. I enjoyed the story.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Pumpkin Pie: A Holiday Tradition

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by Sandra Merville Hart

Hurrah for pumpkin pie is a line from a song often sung at Christmas— “Over the River and Through the Woods.” Originally published in 1844, this song shows the long-standing tradition of eating pumpkin pie during the holidays.

December 25th is National Pumpkin Pie Day!

The Church’s observation of meatless days led to eating more pie at the Christmas season—often fish pies. Fruit pie became popular in the 1500s with the lowering of sugar prices. The nobility enjoyed them on holidays and special occasions.

Others soon began to eat pies but kept the custom of baking them on holidays and other special occasions.

Pumpkin pie recipes are found in English cookbooks from the seventeenth century though American cookbooks generally didn’t have them until the early 1800s. Pumpkin pie soon became a staple at Thanksgiving.

Pumpkins are harvested in the fall, making them a natural addition to holiday dinners. Our family has pumpkin pie at both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The world’s largest pumpkin pie was baked on September 25, 2010 at the New Bremen Pumpkinfest in Ohio. The pie had a diameter of 20 feet!

I am including a link to the recipe for my mom’s delicious pumpkin pie.

Enjoy!

Sources

“History of Pie: Why do we eat Pie During the Holidays?” Marie Callenders, 2018/11/05 https://www.mariecallendersmeals.com/articles/history-pie-why-do-we-eat-pie-during-holidays.

“National Pumpkin Pie Day,” Holiday Insights, 2018/11/05 http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/December/pumpkinpieday.htm.

“Pumpkin Pie,” Wikipedia, 2018/11/05 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin_pie.

 

Ten Christmas Songs that Mention Reindeer

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by Sandra Merville Hart

Many of us grew up watching Christmas specials like Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. And who could forget The Santa Clause movies? I look forward to watching them every year.

It’s that time of year again. I thought it would be fun to search for songs that mention reindeer. I didn’t have any trouble finding them. Here’s my list:

  • “Up on the Housetop” – Up on the housetop, reindeer pause
  • “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
  • “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”
  • “Run Rudolph Run”
  • “Here Comes Santa Claus” – Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
  • “The Christmas Song” – to see if reindeer really know how to fly
  • “The Night Before Christmas” – eight tiny reindeer
  • “This is That Time of the Year” – To Dasher, Dancer, Blitzen, Prancer
  • “Must be Santa” – Eight little reindeer pull his sleigh
  • “Little Saint Nick” – Run run reindeer

Can you think of others?

Merry Christmas!

https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Merville-Hart/e/B00OBSJ3PU/

The Ornament Keeper by Eva Marie Everson

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A great book!

This contemporary novella is about a couple separated at Christmas. Felicia and Jackson were nearing their twenty-year anniversary when he moved out.

In spite of the separation, their three children are excited about continuing family traditions of selecting a live tree and decorating for Christmas. Felicia reluctantly agrees but tells them she’ll put on the ornaments herself.

The memories stirred by these decorations take Felicia—and readers—through the painful mistakes both she and Jackson made in their marriage.

I loved this story. The characters are believable though sometimes Felicia’s choices frustrated me. The story is woven in such a way that readers experience the children’s pain and loss as they try to cope with the situation. Though told in Felicia’s perspective, the honesty of the writing showed Jackson’s heartache and loneliness as well.

This well-written story is brutally honest. Inspiring. Recommend!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

 

Chestnuts Roasting …

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by Sandra Merville Hart

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire …

I love listening to “The Christmas Song” during the holidays. Roasting chestnuts must have been a beloved holiday tradition for many families in days gone by.

American chestnut trees once grew in abundance in the United States—so many, in fact, that they made up almost 25% of the forest. Tragically, an Asian blight attacked the trees, virtually wiping them out from 1920 – 1940. About 4 billion trees died.

There is a bit of good news–scientists working on ways to save them from extinction are making some progress.

Today, China leads the world on chestnut production.

Chestnuts are harvested in the fall and winter. When buying them, look for a shiny brown exterior. Make sure they are firm. Refrigerate until ready to use.

I had never roasted chestnuts on the fire or the oven, yet sources suggested roasting them in the oven as more reliable. I followed this advice.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Wipe chestnuts with a wet cloth.

IMPORTANT: Cut an X with a sharp paring knife, placing the slits on the rounded side. (One of my chestnuts popped inside the oven even with an X cut into the side. I will make the slits a bit larger next time.)

I placed the chestnuts in a cast iron skillet for roasting from 10 – 30 minutes. (Some sources suggested roasting at 450 for 15-20 minutes.)

I set the timer for 10 minutes to check it. Shells peel back while cooking. Watch for the meat to turn a caramel color to show that it’s done.

I roasted a batch for 25 minutes. One chestnut popped in the oven about 30 seconds before I retrieved them, so I think I left them in a bit too long. I’ll try 20 minutes the next time.

Peel the outer shell off to reveal the browned meaty portion. The consistency reminded me of a baked potato—and the flavor reminded of sweet potatoes, not the nutty flavor I expected.

I have a few chestnuts left in my fridge. I want to roast these over a fire one evening soon.

I’d love to hear if you try roasting them!

Sources

Boros, Phyllis A. “Roasting Chestnuts: a holiday tradition for many,” Connecticut Post, 2018/11/04

https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Roasting-chestnuts-a-holiday-tradition-for-many-2402856.php.

Smith, Pat. “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, a bygone tradition,” Newark Advocate, 2018/11/04 https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2015/11/25/chestnuts-roasting-open-fire-bygone-tradition/76377700/.

 

Vogel, Mark R. “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” FoodReference.com, 2018/11/04

http://www.foodreference.com/html/chestnuts-roasting-a1209.html.

 

“How to Roast and Peel Chestnuts,” MarthaStewart.com, 2018/11/04

https://www.marthastewart.com/276336/how-to-roast-and-peel-chestnuts.

Ten Christmas Songs that Mention Bells

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by Sandra Merville Hart

Traditionally, most churches had bells that rang to let folks nearby know of an important event. On Christmas, bells were rung to remember the birth of Jesus.

Here’s a list of ten traditional Christmas songs that mention bells:

  • “Silver Bells”
  • “Jingle Bells”
  • “Jingle Bell Rock”
  • “Carol of the Bells”
  • “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
  • “Sleigh Ride” – Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing
  • “Ding Dong Merrily on High” – In heav’n the bells are ringing
  • “Caroling, Caroling” – Christmas bells are ringing
  • “Here Comes Santa Claus” – Bells are ringing
  • “White Christmas” – To hear sleigh bells in the snow

Can you think of others?

Merry Christmas!

Sources

“Christmas Bells,” The Merry Syndicate,  18/11/02 http://www.noelnoelnoel.com/trad/bells.html.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Merville-Hart/e/B00OBSJ3PU/

A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs

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This historical romance is set in Stirling, Scotland, during Christmas of 1894.

Meg Campbell should never have come home for Christmas. She missed her parents, but her brother, Alan, always managed to poison her visits with his bitter remarks. On Christmas Eve, she couldn’t leave Stirling quickly enough.

Gordon Shaw’s business in Stirling had been accomplished without anyone recognizing him as the one who’d caused an accident a dozen years ago that crippled a boy, Alan Campbell. Gordon couldn’t leave Stirling quickly enough.

A chance meeting on a train might have ended there—except for the falling snow that created its own problems.

I loved this multi-layered story with relatable, wounded characters. Higgs reaches deeply to touch their hearts and, in doing so, touches the hearts of readers.

Well-written. Moving. This one will stay with you.

Recommend!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

 

WWII Gave Job Opportunities to Women

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Today’s post was written by fellow author, Linda Shenton Matchett. Welcome to Historical Nibbles, Linda!

When I was growing up, my folks didn’t believe in “girl jobs” and “boy jobs.” Hence, my brothers learned how to cook, wash dishes, and do laundry, and my sister and I learned how to mow the yard and shovel the driveway among other chores. That philosophy is decidedly different from the cultural norms prior to WWII.

Then war came, and men began to leave the workforce in droves. Support for women to seek volunteer and employment opportunities began at the highest level. In one of his fireside chats, President Roosevelt said, “There need no longer be any debate as to the place of women in the business life of this nation. The enlarging war effort calls for the services of every qualified and able-bodied person, man or woman.”

Unfortunately, for the first eighteen months of the war, organizations and employers struggled to go against deep-seated traditions and concepts making them reluctant to hire women. As a result, there were “boy jobs” and “girl jobs.” One of the organizations where a young lady could work or volunteer without recrimination was the United Service Organization (USO). Founded in 1941 by combining the Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association, and the National Jewish Welfare Board, the USO had over 3,000 clubs worldwide at its height (there are only 160 day).

Despite ties to the military, the USO is not part of the government, but rather a private nonprofit organization. Therefore, fundraising was necessary to finance its operation. Thomas Dewey (FDR’s opponent in the 1944 election) and Prescott Bush (Grandfather of former President George W. Bush) spearheaded the campaign, and more than thirty-three million dollars was raised. Activities were countless: from billiards and boxing to dancing and darts. Services ranged from sewing on insignias to writing letters on behalf of the men. Candy, gum, newspapers, and other items were available for purchase.

Strict rules ensured the clubs were safe places for the junior hostesses-unmarried women typically in their mid-twenties. Senior hostesses acted as chaperones, and the younger hostesses couldn’t dance with the same man more than twice. Soldiers, sailors, and airmen could smoke at the club, but no was liquor served. In addition, formal attire was required of the girls, and the wearing of slacks was forbidden.

For more information about this worthwhile organization, visit http://www.uso.org.

-Linda Shenton Matchett

 

Blurb: Murder of Convenience

May 1942: Geneva Alexander flees Philadelphia and joins the USO to escape the engagement her parents have arranged for her, only to wind up as the number one suspect in her betrothed’s murder investigation. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, she must find the real killer before she loses her sight…or is convicted for a crime she didn’t commit.

Set in the early days of America’s entry into WWII and featuring cameo appearances from Hollywood stars, Murder of Convenience is a tribute to the individuals who served on the home front, especially those who did so in spite of personal difficulties, reminding us that service always comes as a result of sacrifice. Betrayal, blackmail, and a barrage of unanswered questions… Murder of Convenience is the first in the exciting new “Women of Courage” series.

 

Linda’s Bio:

Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, speaker, and history geek. Born in Baltimore, Maryland a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life. A member of ACFW, RWA, and Sisters in Crime, she is also a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. Connect with Linda on her blog. 

Sign up for her newsletter newsletter and receive a free short story, Love’s Bloom!

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Rye Coffee

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As the Civil War continued, food became scarce for folks in the South. Southerners also had a hard time obtaining coffee. They seemed to be just addicted to the beverage—especially soldiers—as people are today so they searched for substitutes. Rye was one of the substitutes.

In an early scene in my Civil War romance, A Musket in My Hands, the protagonist, Callie, does not have coffee beans to make her pa a cup of coffee. Instead she offers to fix him a cup from rye that she’d boiled and dried.

Though I am not a coffee drinker, I wanted to prepare rye for coffee. There is a recipe in Confederate Home Cooking.

Finding rye berries was the greatest challenge. A specialty food store near me sells them.

I’ve never seen or tasted rye coffee so this was a learning process. The recipe mentioned “parching” after drying, so I reached out to Southern cooks for help with this term. Parching means roasting, which makes sense. (Thanks, Charlotte and Debra!)

I boiled ¼ cup of rye on a medium high heat for 10 minutes. By experimenting, I discovered that longer than 10 minutes begins to split the grain, which the recipe advises against.

Boiling softened the grain, expanding it over double the original size. The water was a clear, brown broth.

The rye was drained and then set aside while I lined a cookie sheet with parchment paper. The oven was preheated to 275 degrees to dry the rye.

After spreading a thin layer of rye over the parchment paper, I set the cookie sheet into the oven, stirring the rye every five minutes. After 10 minutes, most of the grain was dry. After 15 minutes, it was removed from the oven.

While the oven preheated to 450 degrees, the rye was transferred onto a fresh piece of parchment paper on the cookie sheet.

Because the oven was so hot, I kept a close eye on the roasting process, checking the rye every 2 minutes. After 10 minutes, I removed them from the oven.

Many homes in the Civil War era had coffee grinders. I don’t own one so I ground the roasted rye with a rolling pin. Worked pretty well.

Then I experimented with how soldiers in camp might have made the coffee. Using 1 teaspoon of ground rye in each case, I tried the following:

1) Poured boiling water into a cup with the rye and let it steep about 5 minutes.  (left side of main photo)

2) Boiled water with rye—strongest coffee flavor. (middle)

3) NOT the way soldiers made coffee but applicable for folks today—a single-serving coffee maker. (right side of main photo)

All of these tasted like coffee to me. Granted, I am not a coffee drinker, but I agree that this probably worked well as a coffee substitute for soldiers. Though #2 made the strongest coffee, the others tasted almost as strong.

Tasting the beverage made me wonder if roasting it 2 minutes less would enhance the flavor. I will try roasting for only 8 minutes next time.

This was a fun experiment! I’d love to hear if you try it.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

Mitchell, Patricia B. Confederate Home Cooking, 2014.