Visions of Sugarplums

Presented by: Lizzie at A Dusty Frame
Price: $7
Available at:  A Dusty Frame
Description:

Visions of Sugarplums: A Collection of Christmas Cookery is a delightful ebook published by Lizzie of A Dusty Frame, filled with those exceptional recipes of holidays past. My mouth waters as I examine the contents:

Gingerbread Waffles
Warm Cranberry Punch
Sweet Potato Casserole
Moravian Cookies
Toffee Squares
Epiphany Cake
Julgrot (Swedish Rice Pudding)
Triple Layer Brownies
Vintage Molasses Cake

The book is sprinkled with holiday traditions from around the world and their corresponding recipes, like finding the lucky single almond in the Julgrot. You’ll find inspirational quotes, a section on making homemade ornaments from kitchen ingredients, suggested family traditions, snow day ideas, and a list of favorite Christmas books. And, of course, lots of love.

Visions of Sugarplums is available for just $7 and is thoughtfully arranged with vintage illustrations—a lovely keepsake for yourself or a special gift for a friend


Melissa J's Thoughts:
I made the mistake of looking through this e-book when I was hungry! So not a good idea! The recipes looked amazing and some I have digitally book-marked to try out, such as the homemade hot cocoa mix, donkey chow, and Mediterranean meatballs. 

Recipes are separated by Christmas related quotes or facts. Interspersed throughout the book are also tips, such as activities to do with your children, how to display your Christmas cards, and things pertinent to cooking a turkey.  

While many of these recipes seemed quite familiar to me, and not necessarily unique,  there is a nice compilation of them to print this book out and have a month's worth of yumminess! Instead of hunting through several cookbooks for the best holiday-themed treats, they are all bundled together nicely in this e-cookbook.  




Mel's Thoughts:
Visions of Sugarplums- A Collection of Christmas Cookery is a holiday e-cookbook by Lizzie Norris. It is filled to the brim with all kinds of traditional holiday recipes, as well as some you might not have tried before from lands far away.  Featuring fifty recipes, this cookbook is sure to have a recipe for everyone.  

Like any cookbook, this one is broken up into sections.  Here are the sections with just a few of the recipes that are included in each section.

• Beverages, Appetizers, and Breads- Boston Brown Bread, Grandma Bea's Gingerbread Waffles, Warm Cranberry Punch, Hot Cocoa Mix, Peanut Butter Dip, etc.
• Meat and Side Dishes- Easy Christmas Eve Lasagna, Mom's Green Bean Casserole, Grandma's Sweet Potato Casserole, Bruna Bonor- Swedish Brown Beans, etc.
• Cookies, Desserts, and Candies- Jumballs (from England), Moravian Cookies, Mom's Spicy Gingerbread Boys, Dorothy's Toffee Squares, Grandma's Sweet Potato Pie, Leah's Three Layer Brownies, Creamy Pumpkin Pie, Turtles, etc.
• Miscellaneous- Apple Cinnamon Dough (for decorative items), Gourmet Dog Biscuits, etc.

I like how, in the beginning, the author gives a chart for measuring equivalents and one for substitutions that can be made for ingredients that might not be ordinarily found in one's pantry.  She even gives tips on how to cook your turkey just right and a temperature chart for making candy. She includes Scripture and quotes throughout the cookbook, as well as wonderful illustrations, some of which are Victorian looking pictures.  Also included are traditions that go along with some of the international recipes that are included, along with activities that can be done with your family. 

Other sections include topics on family traditions, ideas for snow days, craft ideas, and favorite Christmas books for both children and grown-ups.  The book is very unique with the author's choices and favorites listed, so it has a very cozy and personal feel to it.  When reading through this cookbook, I feel like I've stepped back in time or stepped into a Christmas movie with the little town full of Christmas cheer.  It's definitely a blessing to have at this time of year, and I can't wait to try some of the things that are included.  I definitely want to make the Apple Cinnamon dough with my boys and make special, sweet-smelling ornaments for family and even for our own tree.  The only thing that initially bothered me was that there was no table of contents.  The book is very organized, though, and with everything that's included, it makes you want to keep reading and looking, so it quickly became a non-issue for me.  At only $7, this cookbook is a true bargain in every way....you can find it over at The Dusty Attic.