Shannon here: Amish Romance author, Laura V. Hilton shares a recipe for Snowballs in a Jar, plus a chance to win her latest release, The Snow Globe. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated Nov 10 – 14 to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: Nov 22nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Laura:
Snow Balls in a Jar
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar (put in a snack size ziplock bag and label “confectioners sugar”)
In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar (1/2 cup) and the flour. Place into a 1 quart jar. Put the chopped pecans on top. Add the ziplock bag to the top. Close the lid and attach a tag with the following instructions:
Snow Balls
Preheat oven to 325. Grease cookie sheets. Remove bag of confectioners’ sugar and set aside (this will be used after the cookies are baked).
In a medium bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of shortening (like Crisco sticks) and 1/4 cup margarine (not diet or tub). Stir in 2 tsp. vanilla. Add contents of the jar and mix well. Roll dough into 1″ balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool, and roll in the confectioners’ sugar. Makes about 4 dozen.
About Laura: Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor and has two adult children as well.
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard in April 2015, and The Bird House in September 2015. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.
Learn more and connect:
Blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/ , Twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512, Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
About the book – The Snow Globe:
Victor Petersheim has left the Amish and works on a river boat on the Mississippi River, spending three months on the river then having three months off. During his off-work months he returns home to his Amish community and helps out on his grandparents’ farm. When he returns home after his most recent absence, he discovers his grossmammi has developed health problems and they’ve hired Esther Beachy to be a “mother’s helper.”
Victor is unsettled by this woman living in their home, but has to accept it. Esther loves listening to Victor’s grandmother’s stories and while puttering around in a store while the grossmammi’s in the hospital, she discovers a snow globe that depicts an area where the Petersheims used to live. She buys it as a gift for the grossmammi to cheer her up during her hospitalization. Victor is touched by Esther’s gift and her care for his grossmammi, and strives to be friendlier. Will Esther’s gentle heart draw him back to the community? Or will he return to the river once again?
Purchase Links:
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=laura+hilton&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/laura-hilton?store=allproducts&keyword=laura+hilton
Deeper Shopping http://www.deepershopping.com/index.php?query=laura+hilton&x=0&y=0&module=productsearch&_logmode=Y&querymodule=SPX
Question: Have you ever given or received a gift in a jar? If so, did you bake it soon or wait for a special occasion?
Come back Nov 12th for Laura’s recipe for Sour Cream Cut-Out Cookies With Cream Cheese Icing!
No I have never received a gift in a jar.
Yes I have received a gift in a jar. A brownie mix and I baked it right away! I love sweets!
I have not received a gift in a jar, but I made some for a fundraiser once.
i have received a gift in a jar!
My now 16 year old great niece made a soup
mix jar and had her mom print out the directions
so that she could attach it to the jar.
She was 6 years old when she made it for
me! It was one of my favorite Christmas gifts
I’ve ever received.
Yes, I have given quite a few gifts in a jar. Hot chocolate mix, soup mix, various cookie mixes. All received with appreciation!
no
hot Cocoa mix in a jar and brownie mix in jars given to me from my sister last Christmas
I have received a”Gift in a Jar”. What a great idea. I, then made up “Gifts in a Jars” to give a Christmas presents. Everyone enjoyed that they were “homemade”.
No, I have not received a gift in a jar, but I have made them and given them as Christmas gifts.
Yes, received pancake mix about six years ago from my daughter. Just found it in the back of the pantry last week! Guess I’ll toss it.
no i haven’t
I received a gift in a jar from a friend last Christmas–cocoa-flavored bubble bath.
Pumpkin Bread!
Several years ago, I received a jar filled with loose change. Someday, I’ll refill it and send it on to someone else.
Yes I have !It was a hot chocolate mix
I have never given gifts in a jar – but, I have received cookie and hot chocolate mixes in a jar.
Yes, I have been given gifts in jars a few times. I love them!
Yes I have received a gift in a jar,hot chocolate mix and chocolate covered pretzels.And I have also gave gifts in jars and also plan to this Christmas.
Yes, I got a package with three different kinds of jelly one year.
no, I don’t recall receiving a ‘gift in a jar’ thanks for the chance to read this story 😉
Yes I have. A Mocha coffee mix and a Hot Chocolate mix. Used them right away, Delish!
No, I have never given or received a gift in a jar but I think they are a great idea. I love Laura’s books and this one sounds great, thank you for the chance to win it.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
When I was a county home economist, we made a booklet with recipes in a jar (& some in coffee cups).
I grew up calling these Russian Tea Cakes. As a missionary in Mexico – they call these Mexican Wedding Cakes.
Hi Shannon and Laura. Thanks for having laura as your guest.I have two o her books. Would also love to have this Christmas book. Hoping to win it here. To answer the question, yes I have had a number of gifts in a jar. Get cakes baked in pint canning jars twice a year from one of my Sunday School friends. She makes one for everyone and extras in case we have extra guests. I am chicken to try the jars in the oven. LOL I have also had Hot Chocolate mix, and cookie mix.And, of course candles.I have also got canned jellie and veggies.
GOD bless you ladies. Maxie
I have given gifts of spiced tea in jars.
I love gifts in a jar and have received several over the years. I love putting them in the pantry and then having it at hand when I need a dessert to take to a party or potluck.