Can you guess from the post title which Persephone I received? It is a play on the book as well as on the location of my Secret Santa. My new Persephone is Someone At a Distance from Dorothy Whipple and it made it's way all the way from Portugal...care of Ana, also known as Nymeth, of things mean a lot.
I can't say thank you enough to Nymeth for choosing this Persephone. I have been reading a lot about Whipple at some of my favorite blogs and each time a review popped up I kept wishing I had one of her books on my shelves. Now I do and I so look forward to reading Someone At a Distance right after the new year...maybe earlier.
More meaningful than the book was the extra goodies she included...a beautiful homemade bookmark (these mean so much to me), a little something for my not-so-little sweet tooth and a recipe for Formigos, a yummy Porteguese Christmas tradition. I made the formigos on Sunday and they turned out to be the perfect hearty and warming morsel for the dreary day we had weather-wise. The dish was a hit with the whole family, and with Nymeth's permission to reprint the recipe, I hope it may be with your's as well.
Ingredients (For about 6 servings):
300 gr of sugar
750 ml (around 3 cups) of milk
1 cinnamon stick
ground cinnamon
Zest of 1 lemon
2 spoonfuls of honey
1 spoonful of butter
3 egg yolks
a medium-sized loaf of bread
1. Boil the milk, the lemon zest, the honey and the cinnamon stick for about 10 minutes. 2. Break the bread into small pieces and add them to the mix, along with the butter and the sugar. 3. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring with a large wooden spoon. You have to make sure the bread is dissolving and the mixture is becoming uniform. 4. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. 5. Add the three egg yolks, stir, and return to low heat for another 2 or 3 minutes. 6. Pour into a dish or bowl and decorate with ground cinnamon.
Thank you, Ana, for the wonderful gifts and helping to make my Christmas that much more special. When I read this book and each time I use your bookmark, I will think of you fondly.
14 comments:
How wonderful! That is one of the titles I'd be very happy to receive as well. Enjoy your book and thanks so much for hosting this. :)
claire - It has given me much joy to host, so thank you:) I was so excited to receive this title...I can't wait to turn that first page.
That is a wonderful choice from Nymeth. Trust me, this is going to start you on a year of reading Dorothy Whipples! You will love her.
You are most welcome! I had a lot of fun putting your package together :D Thank *you* for hosting this!
Oh how wonderful! Fabulous choice by Ana; I cannot praise Someone at a Distance and Dorothy Whipple highly enough.
I have some of Ana's handmade bookmarks and love them dearly :).
You're in for such a treat with Someone at A Distance! What a lovely package Ana put together for you!
That is so amazing! What a sweet treat from your Secret Santa! Can't wait to read what you thought of the Whipple. Cheers!
The Literary Stew - That's what I am afraid of...not really afraid for me but for the post office that will have to keep bringing me books:)
Nymeth - You are most welcome:) I will be checking on after Christmas to see what other goodies you received from all your Santas:)
Paperback Reader - I can see why you love them and I think she must be psychic because she picked my favorite color! Guessing I will soon be hooked on Whipple:)
JoAnn - She did an awesome job! With all these Whipple endorsements, I may have to read two books at once and start Whipple today. Must resist...
Nadia - Stay tuned...I am sure I will be sharing about the Whipple very soon:)
Lovely gifts, thank you for sharing them! I have never read Whipple though I've heard wonderful things about her writing. I have Someone At A Distance lined up to begin very soon. Do let us know how you liked the book!
leaningtowardthesun - Perhaps we will end up reading it at the same time:) I will definitely post about this one when I am finished.
Hurray, I received Someone At a Distance as well! I don't know a lot about it so it's great to see all the excited response. I'm looking forward to reading it! Thanks, thanks, thanks for hosting this marvelous gift exchange. You're the best. :)
tuulenhaiven - You're making me blush:) It doesn't seem we can go wrong with this Whipple. I only hope that I like it as well or I am going to start wondering about my reading tastes.
How lovely and such an excellent choice! You've done a wonderful job of bringing people together through books Stacy.
Darlene - Thank you. You know there would have been no Persephone secret santa at Book Psmith if not for you. I am forever thankful to you for introducing me to the wonderful world of Persephones.
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