Bimonthly Book Pick We haven’t done a new book recommendation for a while, but I’ve been reading a novel I want to share. This new work by a prize-winning mystery writer popped up when I was searching online recently for an entertaining new read, and it has turned out to be fascinating. The catchy title grabbed my attention. Since I’m self- employed, what better book for me than “Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide”? The author, Rupert Holmes, has won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. This latest work, a finalist for the 2024 Audie Award for Mystery books on tape, is a already winner on my list.
For many Americans, the holiday season is all about family and tradition. We decorate our homes with garlands and lights that bring us holiday cheer, prepare for family visits, go ice skating, and maybe even send a letter to Santa. However, another special tradition spans generations and excites every family member — baking holiday cookies! Many will bake cookies just for their immediate family to enjoy along with their favorite holiday movie, while others will bake up a huge batch to bring to the big family get-together of the season. If you want to try something fun and unique this year, consider hosting a holiday cookie swap with your loved ones. This tradition will allow you to try all sorts of new and delicious cookies — there are so many different kinds of holiday cookies, and every baker has their own specialty. Start by determining whom you want to invite, setting a budget, and deciding how many cookies everyone should bring to the event. This ensures that nobody outshines anyone else through sheer volume or expensive ingredients alone. It’s a time for bonding, not competition. Once you have the ground rules and guestlist set, you need to get the decorations for the event. Treat it like a party. At your local party store, pick out decorations that fit the season’s theme. You can get unique napkins, mugs, stirring spoons for hot drinks, and anything else you think captures the holiday spirit. This is also a good time to procure all your baking essentials, such as chocolate chips or unique cookie cutters. All that’s left is hosting the party and ensuring everyone has a good time. If you want, you can even hold little contests to increase the excitement — each guest can vote on the prettiest or tastiest cookies and offer small prizes to the winner. As long as those attending enjoy themselves, your event will be a success. Plus, everyone who attends will have plenty of delicious cookies to get them through the rest of the holiday season! Leave Your Guests Smiling and Satisfied SWEETEN THE SEASON WITH A COOKIE SWAP!
A MESSAGE FROM THE FAITHFUL
“Matthew and his staff were amazing. They kept my wife and me informed throughout the process. And the outcome of our case was very favorable. We highly recommend!”
– Jay
“Did a great job! Kept me in the loop about everything and got my cases dismissed. No problem!” – Jonathan
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