Christmas Countdown with Helen Hardt

Hello and welcome to Day 8 of my Countdown to Christmas Blog! Today’s featured guest is Helen Hardt. Helen is in the kitchen with Oliver to share one of her favorite family recipes. With the heady scent of pine drifting from the beautifully decorated Douglas Fir, Oliver, donned in his Santa cap and reindeer apron, sings to Helen as she mixes up the perfect hot toddy.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It’s the best time of the year
I don’t know if there’ll be snow
But have a cup of cheer!

And here’s Helen to share her hot toddy recipe with us!

Sharon, thank you for having me today!

One of my favorite holiday traditions is my family’s rendition of this hot beverage favorite. Nothing warms you up like a mug of Wassail, especially when it’s spiked with an ounce of Wild Turkey!

Wassail

1 c. sugar
2 c. water
1 c. lemon juice
1 ½ c. orange juice
14 whole cloves
4 sticks cinnamon
8 allspice berries
1 qt. apple cider

Boil sugar and water for ten minutes. Add spices and let stand one hour. Strain the spices and add fruit juices and apple cider. Heat carefully so it doesn’t boil. Serve warm in mugs or punch cups. Great with 1 oz. Wild Turkey added! Try brandy, as well.

Happy Holidays to all!

Current releases:

Slow and Wet, Ellora’s Cave
Blood Wolf in Got Wolf? Volume On, The Wild Rose Press
Montego Lay, The Wild Rose Press, Wilder Roses

Coming December 11:

The Cowboy and the Cougar, Aspen Mountain Press

Bio:

Helen Hardt is an attorney and stay-at-home mom turned award-winning romance author. She met her real-life hero in law school, and they live in Colorado with their two teenage sons. Helen writes contemporary, historical, paranormal, and erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave, The Wild Rose Press, and Aspen Mountain Press. Her non-writing interests include Harley rides with her husband, attending her sons’ sports and music performances, traveling, and Taekwondo (she’s a blackbelt.) Visit Helen at http://www.helenhardt.com/ and http://www.helensheroes.blogspot.com/.


Sharon and Oliver, sipping on a cup of Helen’s holiday cheer, wish Helen a Merry Christmas. Oliver escorts her to the door and helps her on with her coat and scarf. But not before stealing a kiss under the mistletoe!

Have a holly, jolly Christmas!