Lucy is the youngest of four children who have been sent to the English countryside to live in a large, old manor house with an elderly gentleman until the bombings of London in WWII have ended. While exploring indoors on a rainy day, she crawls into a deep wardrobe, and out into the land of…
Category: Christmas stories
“How to Catch an Elf” Book Discussion and Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake Recipe
Some children have decided that instead of trying to catch Santa, it would be easier to catch an elf! With candy cane temptations and tinsel traps, it’s hard to catch this clever elf, especially when one boy uses an avalanche of food and a dinner cannon! How to Catch an Elf is a fun Christmas story about…
“Christmas in Vermont” Book Discussion and Maple Cinnamon Shortbread Cookie Recipe
Emma has a problematic habit: after one year of dating, she realizes each guy she’s with just isn’t marriage material, and she breaks up with him. So now, she’s suffering through winter in New York with a broken radiator (when she should have been on a tropical vacation with her now ex-boyfriend), working on a…
“The Sugar Queen” Discussion and Peppermint Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Peppermint Whipped Cream Frosting
Josey Cirrini’s mother is a bitter, wealthy woman who judges her daughter incessantly, demanding to be chauffeured to social events, and in waiting on her, Josey missed having a life of her own. At thirty, Josey spends all of her free time alone, hiding in her secret closet filled with the forbidden sweets and travel…
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Book Discussion and Grinch Cupcakes Recipe
Every Who down in Whoville loves Christmas, but the Grinch hated the Whos and their Christmas celebrations, especially the noise and singing. So the Grinch devises a wicked plan to steal all the Christmas decorations and presents and food from every house, hoping it will ruin Christmas for the town. The Grinch dresses his dog…
“A Christmas Carol” Book Discussion and Citrus Spice Cupcakes Recipe
“Marley was dead: to begin with”—one of the greatest opening lines of a novel. Ebenezer Scrooge, money and mortgage lender, miserable miser, and wretched soul despises Christmas and anything to do with the happiness he has lost. Then the ghost of his former work partner, Jacob Marley, comes to warn him of the greater sorrows…
“Jane Eyre” Book Discussion and Orange Almond Cardamom Cupcakes Recipe
Jane Eyre is an orphaned governess who develops romantic feelings for her employer, Mr. Rochester, a man ensconced in tragedy. Sent away to an orphanage as a child by her cruel aunt, Jane’s attachments in life have been few. At Lowood, she gains a friend whose perspectives enable Jane to reign in her anger and…
Christmas at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
Polly and her adorable puffin Neal now live in the lighthouse on the Scottish island of Polbearne with her boyfriend Huckle, the beekeeper. In the mornings, she wakes early and goes down to the cold bakery and starts up the oven for fresh bread and pastries the locals will devour. Christmas is no exception, with…
“Little Women” Book Discussion and Easy Orange Cupcakes Recipe
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Little Women begins with four young women trying to make the most of their Christmas in New England while their father is away fighting in the Civil War. Too poor for any presents, the girls use creative, convicting generosity to overcome not only this, but other testing circumstances, aided…