Hello Dear Reader,
June is over? Julying!
Hehe, a little humor to start of this newsletter. Happy Summer and welcome back!
I’ve been busy, busy. To kick off the season, just before the 4th of July, I made a trip to New York City and to Washington D.C.. It was my first time visiting both, so I got to check off a lot of things from my bucket list. My favorite thing from New York City was honestly probably the subway — weird, right? The videos you see about the subway are not fake; I even saw a rat get sliced in half. For Washington D.C., my favorite thing was Capitol Hill and all of the architecture. I figured that it would be nice, but I was surprised to see all of the European style architecture, especially French.
Enough about me, let’s dive into this month’s newsletter topic! I’m starting a new series where every once and awhile I explore the world of literature recipes. What is that, you may ask — allow me to explain! Have you ever read a book where the character was eating something and your mouth watered, or you thought to yourself you wish you knew how to make that? Here I come to the rescue as your one stop guide for just that! If you have any in mind, drop a comment on my Instagram @theholyrelics or click the “Questions” button at the bottom of this newsletter!
But before we get into that, let’s do our regulars…
KNEE SLAPPER THURSDAY
VERSE OF THE MONTH
“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is a sin.”
James 4:17 NASB1995
SERVINA
Summertime is for evening walks! But be wary of ticks — this is two minutes before finding some on Servina :/
She’s all good now, though, and thankfully there wasn’t any on us!
LEMBAS BREAD BARS “LORD OF THE RINGS”
One of my favorite books for food ideas is easily the “Lord of the Rings” series and “The Hobbit.” All of the delicious foods described in there have always made me curious how I could make them at home or alter them to make them more practical. Here’s the secret for the iconic Lembas Bread — with a twist!
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)
1 cup rolled oats (for that authentic, hearty texture)
1/2 cup raw honey (preferably local for maximum flavor)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil for vegan option)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar (adds depth of flavor)
1 tsp ground cinnamon (for that warm Elven spice)
1/2 tsp sea salt (balances the sweetness)
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional but recommended)
1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts work beautifully)
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. The oats add wonderful texture and make these bars more filling – perfect for long journeys through Middle-earth! Gradually stir in the melted butter, honey, and brown sugar until a thick, cohesive dough forms. If you’re adding them, now’s the time to gently fold in dried cranberries or nuts for extra flavor and texture. The dough should be firm but pliable – if it’s too sticky, add a tablespoon more flour; if too dry, a teaspoon of milk or water.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Now for the fun part – shaping your Lembas bread! Take portions of dough (about 2 tablespoons each) and roll them into small rectangular bars, approximately 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. For that authentic Elven touch, lightly score the tops with a knife to mimic the intricate designs described in Tolkien’s works. You could do simple crosshatch patterns or get creative with Elvish-inspired symbols. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each bar to allow for even baking
Bake your Lembas Bread Bars for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely magical – like walking through the Golden Wood of Lothlórien! Let them cool completely on a wire rack before serving. For that extra Middle-earth authenticity, wrap them in banana leaves (available at Asian markets) or parchment paper tied with natural twine. These bars stay fresh for several days, making them perfect for your own adventures or as gifts for fellow Tolkien fans.
Credit: Lembas Bread Bars
BOOK REVIEW
“GONE WITH THE WIND”
This month’s book is part 1 “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell.
This is one of our larger books that we have in our current and past reading challenge. That being the case, like in past newsletters, so as not to spoil anything for people who haven’t finished part 2, I will be reviewing the 1939 film adaption.
My Overall Opinion:
Ok, I may be a little biased when writing this review, because this movie is one of my favorites of all time! I’ll try to be as balanced as possible and not just try and sell you on why you should watch it, hehe. To begin, this topic isn’t one that many people have dared to cover, the America South during and after the Civil War. But this film does an excellent job of depicting just what life might have been like. Personally, I don’t like movies that show me reality, I watch films to escape it, not live someone else’s sad story. But this movie was done so beautifully that it’s the perfect balance of both. After all, this film did win 8 Academy Awards for a reason. From the beauty of the landscape to the tolls of war, to the hope and sacrifice that happened to people as they built new lives. Also, as a sucker for beautiful costumes, specifically dresses, this was my cup of tea, especially Miss Scarlet O’Hara’s dresses. While it was hard to choose, I’d have to say that the winner was her green and white party dress, a good, old fashioned hoop skirt. Moreover, the characters are also multilayered. For example, you might think that Scarlet is just a selfish, spoiled brat. And while she may be those very things, she is also intelligent, brave, hardworking, and determined. Ashley Wilkes may look like just the strong soldier, but he is also the indecisive man — no, better said child — that can’t make up his mind or hold his ground. All in all, I loved this movie. If I could come over to your house and watch it with you for the first time just to see your reaction, I would.
My Favorite Character:
Now this was a hard section for me to complete, because they’re all just so good! But after much thought, there was only one person who could take the cake — Rhett Butler. While he does dabble with a bit of promiscuity, you must also remember his candor and bravery, as well as his gentleness and generosity. Plus, whoever can deal with Scarlet’s attitude deserves a medal.
Things I Didn’t Like / Would Change:
This film has been under scrutiny over these past years for the treatment and portrayal of its cast members. While it was a different era, and I don’t in any way excuse the things that were done (let me make that clear), I think it’s important to see also just how far we’ve come. Because of this film, Hattie McDaniel (Mammy) became the first African American woman to win an Oscar.
Ranking:
100/5 — As I said, my favorite movie of all time and I could not recommend it enough! Every couple of years or so, the movie theatre chain Emagine will bring this film and other classics to the big screen. No better way to watch it not only on a jumbo screen, but with surround sound.
Other Comments:
If you have seen the film * SPOILER * then you know that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. In 1991, Alexandra Ripley wrote a continuation to the first book, named “Scarlet,” and there was also a film as well. But after I heard about Scarlet’s fate in Ripley’s version, I didn’t even bother reading or watching it. There is also a “Gone with the Wind” museum in Marietta, Georgia, much of the memorabilia and costumes from the original film!
COMING NEXT MONTH
Some exciting news 🙂
See You Next Month!
