Sues Diner: Easy Santa Cookies

This week's recipe is perfect for last minute Christmas gifts, treats for holiday gatherings, or an all-age activity, since they are simple enough to prepare that even the youngest child can help.

This recipe isn't featured any BryonySeries cookbook. But we have made this recipe almost every year since my own children were young. In fact. my young grandchildren made the cookies in this photo.

Just so you know, the cookbook Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties and features all the recipes referenced in the novel Bryony. 

The cookbook makes a great gift for people of all ages who like to cook, love history, or are simply curious as to the foods people once liked to eat.

Two other fun cookbooks with recipes easy enough for children to make (with the help of an adult), have mouse and cheese-themed recipes and werewolf-themed recipes. 

You can try the recipe Easy Santa Cookies on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Confetti Cookies

So after a few weeks of goose recipes and turtle recipes, we're sharing something fun today: confetti cookies!

Rebekah baked a batch for the long weekend, which are still fresh and soft now that it's Wednesday. And they are delicious!

This recipe for confetti cookies doesn't appear in BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."  But you can view it on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website.

But check out the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

The Last Fortune Cookie

So two weeks ago, Timothy and Daniel brought Chinese carryout home for all of us for dinner one night.

For whatever reason, the dinner had an extra fortune cookie. And everyone left it for everyone else.

Well, I'm not one to see a fortune cookie go to waste. So I opened it. And...

...I'm so confused by the meaning.

What are your thoughts (opened cookie is on the second photo, please scroll for it).

See what I mean? 

What does this message say to you? 

Was "setting" supposed to be "settling" instead?

Yet, even then...I'm still not sure. Maybe I should have left it on the counter?

Thoughts? (I did actually eat the cookie).

For the Love of Addy

My granddaughter Addy was recently selling Girl Scout cookies, as I did as a child and as my daughter Sarah did as a child.

Now, I don't recall any actual experiences of selling Girl Scout cookies as a child. I just vaguely remember that I did.

Sarah sold Girl Scout cookies for three years in a row. Her last selling experience was quite adventurous and the type of story for another post. 

But Sarah's goal during that final year was to earn the money to attend Girl Scout camp, which she did.

She spent a week at a week at the former Camp Pokanoka in Ottawa, Illinois, where I also spent a week the year I turned eleven and where I learned to swim. She later spent a second week with just her Girl Scout troop.

Now Addy's goal was to sell one hundred boxes. To help her out, Rebekah and I bought five. Yes, in a family rife with diabetes, fatty livers, and weight issues, we bought five boxes of Girl Scout cookies. 

But Addy made her goal. That is what's most important to us. I think all people, including and maybe especially, children, should have plenty of people in their lives who love and support their efforts and help them reach their goals.

Besides, I have lots of grandchildren. And Grandmas should always have cookies on hand, correct?

Happy Tuesday!

Sue's Diner: Darlene's Cookies

Rebekah created this recipe for "Darlene's Cookies" and we think they are perfect for Valentine's Day.

The cookie base is not super sweet; the jam and drizzle add a light touch of additional sweetness.

This recipe for Darlene's Cookies is featured in the BryonySeries cookbook: Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

This recipe is also referenced in the BryonySeries novel Bryony. Here is the explanation from the cookbook:

Decorating cookies together is the perfect time for a mother-daughter, heart-to-heart chat.

You can try the recipe for Darlene's Cookies on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

Sue's Diner: Cookie Butter

Rebekah created this recipe for cookie butter especially for Sue's Diner.

You can eat it with a spoon, spread it on toast or cookies, and use it as a substitute for peanut and other nut butters in dessert recipes that call for it.

We loved it, and the grandkids loved it (we brought some to share on Monday night).

This recipe for cookie buter does not appear in Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony," which is a permanent fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties.

But you can try the recipe for cookie butter on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

But try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place.

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner. You can't really order, of course (wouldn't it be great if you could?).

For more BryonySeries recipes, check out our three cookbooks at our BryonySeries bryonyseries.com/general-store.

If You Need Some Really Amazing Cookies or Cakes for An Event...

 ...check out Sugar 'N Spice And Everything Nice, a small in-home scratch bakery in Grundy County.

The owner, Jasmine Rosenboom, has created a variety of sweet treats for the BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet.

Scroll through these photos to see her talents...

...these WriteOn Joliet cookies in the shape of pencils for one of our first anthology release parties. (Bertrand the Mouse photo bomb not included with orders).

...like these hot chocolate bombs she created for the BryonySeries to give away with select purchases at the 2021 WriteOn Joliet anthology release party.

Here are a few unboxed  bombs.

...like this cookie with Ed Calkins' likeness on it for Calkins Day 2023:

... this edible vampire slaying kit she created for the the BryonySeries to give away with select purchases at the 2022 WriteOn Joliet anthology release party.

...like this BryonySeries-themed cake she created for my birthday in 2020.

...like unicorn cake she made for my granddaughter Jessica's birthday in 2019.

like cake with homemade macaroons she made for Rebekah's birthday in 2021.

Jasmine actually makes amazing macaroons in a variety of colors and flavors. She's done wedding cakes, too. 

For more photos and to message her with questions, visit facebook.com/sugarnspiceandeverything.