Note from Rose: This recipe basically uses honey and herbal tea. You can use just about any kind of herbal tea you want. Some of my favorites are Echinacea— immune system, eucalyptus, or camphor—relieve congestion, and licorice—chest and throat soother. I made Josiah peppermint-honey lozenges. Peppermint is an expectorant and a decongestant.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups water
5 herbal teabags
Honey
Powdered sugar
Steep the teabags in boiling water for fifteen minutes. Pour powdered sugar into a pie tin and smooth evenly with your hand. Make evenly spaced indentations in the powdered sugar with your thumb or a teaspoon. Set aside.
Add honey to the herbal tea using the following ratio: 1 part tea to 1¼ parts honey. In other words, if you have 1 cup of tea, add 1¼ cups of honey. 2 cups of tea, 2½ cups of honey, and so on.
Using a candy thermometer, heat the honey and tea mixture in a saucepan over medium high heat. Stir until honey is completely combined with the tea. Bring to a boil and DO NOT STIR AGAIN. Wash away crystals from the side of your pan with a damp brush or cloth. Once candy reaches 300 degrees, remove from heat.
Pour the liquid into the pie tin in the indentations made in the powdered sugar. Allow the lozenges to harden completely. If it’s rainy or humid out this may take longer. You can put it in the fridge to speed the process.
Affectionately dubbed The Honeybee Sisters in their Wisconsin Amish community, the three Christner girls are devoted beekeepers who are coming-of-age—and discovering the sweet surprise of love…
Shy, skittish Rose Christner is more comfortable tending to the beehives on the family farm and keeping her aunt’s unruly cats in line than attending social gatherings with the rest of the die youngie. A childhood trauma and secret shame keep her heart under lock and key, and Rose just can’t accept the sweet attention she’s receiving from a handsome neighbor. But the more she shies away from Josiah Yoder, the more their families sneakily plot to bring them together. And when a vandal who’s been plaguing the Honeybee Farm starts targeting Rose, Josiah’s steadfast protection—and patience—just may lead her into his waiting arms…
Praise for Jennifer Beckstrand and her Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series
“Full of kind, sincere characters struggling with the best ways to stay true to themselves and their beliefs.” —Publishers Weekly
“A delightful voice in Amish romance. Sweet and funny.” –Emma Miller
“Sweet romance with a lot of heart…Readers will treasure this series.” —RT Book Reviews
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