Emma Woodhouse has just lost her former governess and favorite friend to marriage, and she is now a bored, lonely matchmaker looking for her next project. Harriet Smith is an agreeable, obedient acquaintance attending the local boarding school, with no known family or influences—the perfect pliable pupil. Emma tries to set her up with a…
Category: Literary Classics
“Pride and Prejudice” Book Discussion and Peach Cupcake Recipe
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” —such is the philosophy of Mrs. Bennet, mother to five daughters, including the opinionated, fond-of-walking Elizabeth Bennett, Lizzie to her sisters. When a wealthy, attractive young man by the name of Mr….
“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…
A Wind in the Door and Hot Cocoa Cupcakes with Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Charles Wallace frequently visits the glacier rocks not far from the Murry’s house, a place where a wise old snake named Louise lives. But one day Charles Wallace finds what he believes to be a dragon’s feather. When he returns with Meg, they find a many-eyed, winged creature called a Cherubim, and a very tall,…
A Wrinkle in Time Book Discussion and French Toast Cupcakes Recipe
Synopsis: Meg is hot-tempered and awkward at school. The only person who seems to really understand her is her odd youngest brother, Charles Wallace. He is exceptionally intelligent and eloquent for his age, but then, both of their parents are brilliant physicists. His father, however, Charles Wallace has never met. Sent away on a government…
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
With layers of metaphor, this novel redefines prejudice and contrasts, through children’s eyes, the barriers adults create. It reevaluates beliefs and their roots, and seeks trinkets in knotted trees.
“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…
“Wuthering Heights”: Two parts of one dark soul. Book Discussion Questions and Muffin Recipe
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a classic story about two despicable creatures who are both the same parts of one dark soul, mirroring that which we all have within us. They are torn apart by stubbornness and circumstance, once they’ve inexplicably obtained your sympathy. Heathcliff, a product of the dark alleys of London, was brought…
“The Hobbit” Book Discussion and Raspberry Jam Lemon “Seedcakes” Poppyseed Muffins
Hobbits are the kindest, most eccentric beings in all of Middle Earth, the land of fantastic creatures and a great evil ring. Most have heard of this story, or seen the film, but have you ever given the book a try? In case you hadn’t heard, the book is always better than the movie (except…