Looking out the Window: Carol James Talks about her Newest Christmas Novella, Crocuses for Christmas. She Shares a Favorite Bible Verse and a Yummy Recipe. Giveaway
A Warm Welcome to Carol James
Carol will give away a digital copy of Crocuses for Christmas to a U.S. resident.
A Favorite dish for a Texas Christmas
My most recent Christmas novella, Crocuses for Christmas, is set in a small fictional Texas town called “Crescent Bluff,” as are all my novels.
I’m sure you and your readers are familiar with Texas pride…as in everything’s bigger in Texas. Well, I’m here to tell you that somethings are, and somethings aren’t.
But, we do like our beef!
While most people enjoy ham or turkey for Christmas. My family’s favorite is beef brisket. My step-mom gave me this recipe about forty years ago. At the request of my family, I’ve been making it every Christmas (and other holidays) for years. It’s easy to make and yummy to eat. I have yet to find a person that didn’t like it. (Of course, I haven’t tried it on vegetarians.)
Bessie’s Oven Brisket
4 lb. beef brisket (If you have a big crowd you can get a larger brisket and simply cook it longer.) Be sure you leave the fat on it to make it tender. You can trim it off once the brisket is finished cooking.
Mix together in a bowl:
1 tsp celery salt 1 tsp garlic salt 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ tsp salt 1 tsp onion salt
2 Tbs Liquid Smoke 1 Tbs coarse black pepper
Mix all ingredients together a bowl and then brush the mixture on all sides of the brisket. Wrap the brisket in heavy-duty foil (use double layers to make it stronger) and place in refrigerator overnight.
Bake in the at 325 for about five hours. (Be careful not to puncture the foil while it is cooking.) Let it rest at least a few minutes before you slice it. (I remove the fat from the juices and meat.The remaining broth makes a great “au jus gravy.”
One of Carol's Favorite Bible Verses
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40: 31)
About Crocuses for Christmas
Can love bloom where grief has taken root? After tragically losing his wife, Matthew Dawson is barely holding it together, let alone ready for Christmas. His greatest concern is his three-year-old daughter, Emma, who's quietly grieving, too. Desperate for help, he hires Hannah Collins, a British-trained nanny with a heart for healing, and a secret tie to Emma's school.
Hannah brings warmth to their home, but as Matt retreats to the oak tree he planted in Natalie's memory, Hannah senses his pain. A Thanksgiving trip to the Texas Hill Country sparks joy in Emma...and something deeper between Hannah and Matt. Yet when their bond crosses the line, Hannah steps back, leaving Matt angrier and lonelier than ever.
Then, beneath the oak tree, purple crocuses bloom impossibly early, a sign of rebirth, hope, and new beginnings. This Christmas, God is writing a story of healing, love, and second chances that neither saw coming.
A tender Christian romance about love after loss, the courage to heal, and the miracles of Christmas; perfect for fans of: uplifting holiday stories, precocious children, and emotional redemption.
Connect with Carol on her Website
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