What Are You Doing for Winter Break?

by Christine, Chapman Branch

I am always excited for Winter Break and look forward to taking a few days off. This year it will look a little different, no surprise given the year we have had. I won’t be spending time in person with family members but I still intend to relax and enjoy some time off. What are your plans to relax and enjoy your break this year? 

I always enjoy getting cozy and reading a great book! I just read the new book by Elizabeth Wein (Code Name Verity), called The Enigma Game.

It’s 1940, Windyedge, Scotland. Louisa Adair is fifteen and recently lost her parents in the war. She arrives in Windyedge to escape the Blitz and to care for an elderly German woman. Also at Windyedge are Ellen McEwen, a volunteer driver with the Royal Air Force, and Jamie Beaufort-Stuart, flight leader of 648 Squadron, who are struggling because they are always one step behind the German attacks and wish they could just catch a break.

​One day a German pilot lands in Windyedge under mysterious circumstances and leaves behind some clues that Louisa follows and discovers the Enigma machine he left behind. Louisa, Ellen, and Jamie have to work together to try and crack intercepted German codes and stay one step ahead of the German attacks near Windyedge. 

The Enigma Game was really interesting because it provides a snapshot of what it was like to live during the war and fly planes for the RAF (actually a bit terrifying), and the bravery of everyone who lived through that time. It was an exciting book and I would definitely recommend it if you are interested in WWII or enjoy a good historical fiction novel.

And if you need some book ideas check out the Teen section of the Library’s webpage for booklists and a best of 2020 booklist. Or visit our Teen Reads page for some book reviews and recommendations from some of our Teen Librarians.

If I am reading a book on a cold winter day I definitely need some hot cocoa and some cookies to go with it. This recipe for Polka Dot cookies from Guittard is one of my favorites to make this time of year:

POLKA DOT COOKIES--makes 4-5 dozen 2-inch cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups (12 oz) Semisweet Chocolate Chips        ⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) of butter                2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs                        1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar                        ½ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups (12 oz) (Guittard) Green Mint chips

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F°. Line cookie sheets with parchment or use ungreased.

• Melt semisweet chips and butter, stirring constantly until smooth. Set aside to cool. In large bowl beat eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla until light. Blend in melted chocolate, then flour combined with baking soda. Stir in green mint chips and chill for 10-15 minutes or until stiff. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes; cookies will be soft in centers but will harden as they cool.

​Note: I think these would taste great with other kinds of chips besides the mint so feel free to experiment! I have only made these with Guittard chocolate and mint chips but I think your favorite brand would work too.

I am also looking forward to leaving behind this crazy year and starting what I hope will be a better new year. 2020 has been difficult, but I wanted to sit down and think about some of the positives of 2020, because it hasn’t all been bad and I wanted to think about the good that came out of it. For example:

• Spent more time baking and remembered how much I enjoy it!
• I spent more time outside enjoying the world and going on hikes in the mountains.
• I was able to reconnect with friends online over Zoom chats.

What is on your list of good things about 2020? What are your plans for this winter break? Leave us a comment if you feel like sharing!

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Have a great Winter Break!
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