Hi from Nashville! I’m so excited and honored to have been invited to share my latest project with you here. Whether you are an author, editor, or avid reader of romance, I hope my new book Sleigh Bells Ring will put you in the Christmas spirit.
Now let’s get real about the life of an author. It’s not as glamorous as people think. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an author, a developmental editor, and agent, and an acquisitions editor is that no matter how well organized you are, life happens and you need to be prepared. One minute you’re ecstatic about signing a contract with a dream publisher and planning out your writing schedule to meet the deadline, and the next, life throws you a curveball. I’ve seen it so many times I actually build in a “contingency” plan.
When Sue Brower, V.P. of Editorial at Gilead Publishing, called me to ask if I would be willing to work for them as a freelance editor with their new company, I jumped at the chance. She laid out their plans for the future and told me about the types of projects they wanted to publish. During our phone conversation, Sue mentioned she needed a Christmas collection of contemporary novellas, so I pitched her an idea that Sandie Bricker, Lynette Sowell, and Lenora Worth and I had been working on for an anthology. Originally, the project had nothing to do with Christmas, but as an author, you need to see the potential and pivot to another strategy if necessary. We all loved the idea of a Christmas collection, and our idea was tailor made for it. Sue loved it!
There was only one catch: we needed to deliver a final manuscript by April 1. It was March 1. Each of us would need to write a 20,000- to 25,000-word novella in four weeks. We each counted the cost in time and treasure. All of us were working on other projects with deadlines. But the opportunity was too good to pass up. We all said yes! So I set up a spreadsheet to keep track of my daily progress.
Then life happened. I had been undergoing a series of steroid shots in my lower back to relieve the pain of spinal stenosis. I had been working through the pain, and I knew if I stuck to a schedule of writing 1,000 to 1,500 words a day over the course of four six-day weeks, it would be no problem. Until it was.
The steroid shots didn’t work, and I was scheduled for a lumbar laminectomy on March 9…kind of major back surgery. Initially, I panicked, but friend and author Sandie Bricker talked me off the roof. I adjusted my schedule. Before I went under the knife, I wrote about 3,500 words and then gave myself a week to get over the worst of the pain from the surgery. Silly girl. But the Lord showed me in quite a dramatic way that His grace was sufficient for me and I didn’t need to be afraid.
For the first three days after the surgery, I refused to take pain pills, but finally caved. I spent one day taking the full dose. I’m not sure I could remember my name if you’d asked me. So I cut it down to half a dose for another three days. Better, but when I resumed writing, I reread my previous day’s output and realized I had written the same exact paragraph several times. So I went cold turkey (so to speak) and a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a dishtowel became my best friend. Immersing myself in a fictional world for a few hours every day also increased the endorphins in my brain to block pain signals.
Did I make the deadline? Yes, I turned in a completed manuscript of my novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” on April 1.
Lest you think I’m some kind of superhero, let me disavow you of that notion. I’ve worked with lots of authors on deadline who battled worse circumstances than mine—the loss of a spouse or parent, a diagnosis of cancer and then writing through chemo treatments, serious accidents, computer crashes, planning an unexpected wedding for a daughter or son. They soldiered on or an editor extended them grace. But you can’t always count on that kind of understanding. Lots of people are depending on you to deliver on time.
What’s my point? A writer is human. Embrace your humanity and always plan for the unexpected. But know that only God’s grace can help us cross the finish line.
Join us Thursday evening!
Writing is usually a solitary act, but God put together reader favorite authors (and friends) in a happy Christmas miracle for all of us to work together on Sleigh Bells Ring with Gilead Publishing. To celebrate the book’s release on October 14, we are throwing a Facebook Launch Party on Thursday, October 13 from 8 to 9:30 PM (EDT). Stop by our event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/529342940593183/ and let us know if we can plan on seeing you there.
Since you’ll be sitting at home in front of your computer, jammies and ugly Christmas sweaters are perfectly acceptable attire for the party. We’ve planned lots of fun activities, including a virtual buffet, games, videos, and prizes you DON’T want to miss out on. Would you believe a cozy electric blanket, a snow globe, lots of free copies of Sleigh Bells Ring and Cowboy Christmas Homecoming, bookmarks, and AMAZING (and real) gourmet goodies?
Stop by and get to know us and all the Tucker sisters!
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Now, for the giveaway!
Today, I’m offering free Kindle downloads or paperbacks of Sleigh Bells Ring to two people who leave comments below. Winners will be announced in the October 16 Sunday Edition.
Here’s your question of the day: What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Or you can simply comment below to throw your name into the punch bowl for the #Giveaway !
Barbara J. Scott
An inspirational book editor for more than eighteen years, Barbara has recently returned to her first love—writing!—and is working on a new contemporary romance series. She published two bestselling novels in the mid-1990s, as well as numerous gift books, before her stint as a senior acquisitions editor for several Christian publishers. Barbara lives and breathes words, whether she’s reading the latest novel, editing a new book manuscript for other authors, or writing her next novel. Married for 40 years, she and her husband Mike have two children and four grandchildren they adore. They live in the Nashville area where sweet tea is a food staple.
Lynette Sowell is the award-winning author of over 15 titles for Barbour Publishing, Harlequin, and Abingdon Press. Lynette was born in Western Massachusetts in the shadow of the Berkshire Mountains, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country. She loves reading, cooking, watching movies, and is always up for a Texas road trip. When she's not writing fiction, she works as a reporter for her city newspaper and has a weekly column called My Front Porch.
Aw…having had two lumbar laminectomies in the past, I feel your pain, Barbara. Yay you for persevering and making that deadline! I look forward to reading all of the stories. My favorite Christmas tradition is pulling out the old photo albums.
Had never heard of a lumber laminectomy until I read this- sounds awful!
Favourite Christmas tradition would have to be: reading the Christmas story from Luke around the Nativity set on Christmas morning and greeting “Santa” who tours the neighbourhood on the CFA truck (I was even able to get a wedding photo with “Santa” on the firetruck on my wedding day 14 years ago:)
God really does bless those who trust in Him! One of my favourite traditions is our advent calendar. It’s a felt one I made several years ago. In each pocket there’s a couple of verses and some chocolate. Each of the verses is part of the story of the birth of Christ, starting in Isaiah, and finishing in John.
Thanks for sharing with us your readers your writing and editing journey, Barbara. The cover is lovely and peaceful. Sleigh rides remind me of the stories my mom told avoit sleigh rides to church on Christmas Eve. My favorite Christmas traditions is celebrating the four weeks of Advent. Our Advent wreath and Advent calendars are our first holiday decorations. The Christmas tree is is decorate on December 6 for St. Nicolas Day in white lights to remember Martin Luther’s walk through a moon lit snowy forest. Our family holds dear our German heritage and traditions. Happy writing. Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian friends and Happy Columbus Day!
My family isn’t one for traditions really but I always try to make sure we have a nice meal on Christmas Eve and we eat leftovers for Christmas day.
Sounds like a great story! One tradition is cooking a meal when everyone can attend.
Thanks, Jill! Pulling out old photo albums is a great family activity. It sparks so many good memories for us, our kids, and grandkids.
I love the tradition of hanging a white stocking for the Savior and writing out our gifts to Him in the coming year. For example giving up a bad habit or beginning a new habit.
I sure hope your back is better. I just love the Christmas holiday, fellowship, family, the season smells, the food preparation and getting to eat it! And listening to Christmas music which usually starts in Sep/Oct.
Neither had I, Wemble, until the surgeon described it. lol What a great way to start Christmas morning…reading the “real” Christmas story. Santa on the fire truck sounds totally fun.
Shona, an advent calendar is a lovely way to focus our attention on the true meaning of Christmas when our holidays seem so crammed with activities and shopping. A little oasis of peace. You’re in the drawing!
Thanks for stopping by, Renate! I’ve always wanted to take a sleigh ride but never had the opportunity. I’m putting it on my bucket list. :) I love passing on family traditions from our heritage! Even though my mother-in-law was English, she always made ebelskivers (sp?), little round pancakes served with applesauce, at Christmas in honor of my FIL’s Norwegian roots.
Food is always a great tradition at Christmas, Cassandra! Stuffing ourselves with turkey or ham or goose and enjoying a relaxing Christmas Day sounds like heaven. Do you bake Christmas cookies too?
I hope you’ll enjoy reading it, Sally! Most of our holidays revolve around food too. But my husband is the kind of guy who always thinks of clever ways to hide our gifts. On my birthday this month, he sent me on a scavenger hunt around the house to find my present. I had to follow the Happy Birthday paper plates he had numbered and left in unusual places. lol
This is the fourth attempt of mine to reply to your comment. My computer has a mind of it’s own this morning. lol Anyway, I love the tradition of the white stocking hung in honor of the Savior. It really puts our attention on what’s important.
Me too, LeAnn! If you attend our Sleigh Bells Ring Facebook Launch Party on Thursday evening, we’ve put together a selection of favorite Christmas carols by Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole that will put you in the Christmas mood. We’re also featuring a virtual banquet table, so stop by and share a picture of your favorite holiday food. I wish smell-o-vision had been invented, but a scented candle should do the trick. ;-)
One tradition was when the kids were little was that we would go look at lights on Christmas Eve. This sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
We have a nativity with a removable baby Jesus. He doesn’t appear until Christmas morning. My 28 yr old son was a wee little boy when we first got it. He asked about where baby Jesus was. I told him Jesus wasn’t born until Christmas. When he ran downstairs Christmas morning the first thing he did was look to see if the baby was in the manger, even before he looked to see what Santa had brought him.
How sweet, Gail! Such a simple way to teach our children about the real meaning of Christmas. I’ve collected a couple of Nativity scenes through the years, and they always come out when we decorate our house for Christmas. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. :)
Yes!
We do the same thing, Susan! Can you believe how some people spend days decorating their homes and yards with lights and different scenes? Love driving around on a crisp winter night to view the displays. In Sleigh Bells Ring, the parents of Bella’s boyfriend spend two days hanging lights and then treat the whole neighborhood with hot cider and lots of goodies. Hope you’ll enjoy the book!
Congratulations on your book and way to go on meeting your deadline. My mom has that same diagnosis. I hope she doesn’t end up needing surgery too.
My husband is often able to take some additional vacation days around Christmas and we really enjoy spending time together, resting and recharging.
I’m reading your story later this week (NetGalley). Please throw my name in the drawing. Thank you, Barbara!
Making my aunt’s sugar cookies has been a Christmas tradition for a long time. My cousin and I used to spend HOURS decorating each cookie in great detail, and then would get upset when her dad or brothers would gobble our masterpieces down in a couple of bites! :-) Now I don’t have any decorating partners close by, but the cookies still disappear in a few bites.
Welcome to Inspy Romance, Barbara! We’re delighted to have you visit.
Christmas is packed with traditions around here. One my family’s treasures is getting together with my side of the clan. Years ago when our parents were still alive and our kids were young, my sis and I decided we all got enough turkey, so this get-together is all fun homemade appetizers. Now our kids are adults and help with the feast, and their littles seem to enjoy the fun foods, too!
After eating, the youngest person chooses their favorite Christmas carol to sing (or their mom does LOL) and then each person chooses, youngest to oldest. No repeats! Then we read the Christmas story, have a prayer time, and open the gifts. Usually we’ve drawn names so there aren’t a lot of gifts – that’s not the focus.
Now with living in four different towns in the region and several of the men on shift work, it is challenging to find a day where everyone can come. It is the highest priority already this time of year to pin down that day in December or early January! All other plans are formed around it.
Today is Thanksgiving here in Canada, and we’ll gather this afternoon (those who aren’t working). And I guarantee the first order of business is nailing down the date for this year’s family Christmas!
Thanks, Kimberly! I hope steroid shots will alleviate your mom’s problem. They work for a lot of people, and I pray they can work for her. I chose not to spend the rest of my life in pain, taking pain killers. So many people were praying for me that the surgery took an house less than the surgeon expected! And, I was surrounded by Christians in the operating room who blessed me and even held my hand until I went under.
Thanks, Valerie. I’m so glad to have the privilege of being a guest blogger here. This is such a terrific, uplifting site.
My husband’s mom did the same thing on Christmas day…lots of homemade finger foods, sausage, cheese, crackers, nuts, cookies, fudge, peanut brittle, and even fruit cake. I know most people don’t like it, but her’s was so moist and chock full of nuts. Loved it! Of course, the kids were on a sugar high for days!
When I lived at home, we always opened our gifts on Christmas morning, but my husband’s family always opened them on Christmas Eve. Truthfully, I think they didn’t want to get up at 5 o’clock in the morning with their boys when they were little. lol Sometimes Christmas Eve was the only time some of the family ever saw each other. Mike’s dad always dressed up as Santa in a really old, natty red suit, but the kids always believed he was really Santa. Good memories!
Happy Thanksgiving to you in Canada!! Hope you nail down that day.
Resting, recharging, and reconnecting are such important traditions at Christmas, Beth. Our lives are so busy these days that getting to spend time with our husbands is a real gift. That’s exciting that you’re reading our book on NetGalley! You’re name is definitely in the drawing.
As kids, decorating sugar cookies with my mom and sister was always a BIG deal. Now that I watch my sugar and fat intake, I don’t bake them at home. Too tempting! But my granddaughter Rebecca is visiting us November 10-14, and that sounds like a fun activity for us. Thanks for the idea!
I didn’t know this blog was here. Must subscribe. So thanks, Barb for the discovery. Congratulations on your release and the cover is lovely. Congratulations for meeting your deadline as well!!
Cut out cookies is our tradition. I must have three dozen cut out forms and on cookie day no one is allowed to be concerned with messes or perfection. It’s all about fun. Merry early Christmas!
When I was a child, I loved how slowly we had to open gifts. We could open our stockings before breakfast (including the mini boxes of cereal which were included as a part of our breakfast). Then we would eat. Then we could open another present before going out to feed animals/do chores. Then we could open another gift before Grandma arrived. Then we could eat lunch. And then… and on… It made it feel like Christmas lasted all day vs. just opening everything up really quickly. :)
Waving, Tina! Thanks for stopping by. Folks, if you love InspyRomance, you’ll love the Seekerville blog as well. Everyday is an adventure with a different author, giving us writing tips and sharing their hearts. Lots of fun and wisecracking, too, plus daily giveaways. And Tina keeps us up-to-date on the weekend with links to great articles and announces the prize winners. They’re celebrating their 9th birthday this month.
Back to Christmas traditions, cut-out cookies were so fun at our house. My mom was such a messy housekeeper though, we always had to go on a treasure hunt to find the forms when we decided to make them, digging through drawers and cabinets. Mess was definitely not a problem in our house. Of course, we always had to clean up afterwards, but that was part of the fun. Eating raw dough was the best! Now we’d probably all come down with salmonella. Ignorance was bliss. lol
You’re in the drawing, Tina!
That never would have worked in our house, Sarah. lol After mom and dad went to bed (usually around midnight) we’d always sneak a peek at the presents under the tree, and the adrenaline would be pumping by the time morning arrived and we could actually jump up and down on their bed to wake them up. Paper and tape didn’t stop us long from ripping into the presents under the tree. Lots of squeals and hugs and noise…and then breakfast.
Barbara, so pleased that you shared the “rest of the story” about the novella. I had no idea you were a member of the same club Kay and I are, having had back surgery. I empathize with your story about what happens when you’re on pain pills–I’ve had my experience with that, both as a participant and a caretaker. Glad you survived.
Thanks so much for sharing. And I probably shouldn’t be entered in the drawing, since I’m also one of those authors to whom Gilead has given a “second chance.” But since I had the opportunity to be one of the initial readers of your first novel, I do look forward to the novella you, Sandie, Lenora and Lynette have crafted.
Hi Richard! Thanks for stopping by this morning. As writers, we’re all pretty tight-lipped about our aches and pains lest someone thinks we can’t perform. It’s a balancing act, especially when you need prayer to get you through the surgery.
But I not only survived, I’ve done pretty well for a little over 6 months since the operation. I’m back to exercising, even though I’m not quite where I used to be. Who is at this age? Right? The most difficult challenge is standing in one place during choir on Sundays. Even though I had practiced with my choir peeps, I had to pass on singing in our fall concert after having to sit down during the dress rehearsal. Now we’re working on the Christmas Cantata. I really, really, really don’t want to sit this one out, so I’m praying my back muscles will cooperate. I’ve still got two months to work on it.
Gilead has been good to us. I can’t wait for Sleigh Bells Ring to release on Friday. Since you’re a medical suspense guy, contemporary romance novellas may not be your cup of tea, but I bet your wife Kay would enjoy it. :)
Hi y’all! I’m stepping away from the blog for a little bit to eat lunch and catch up with the news of the day. :-) Meetcha back here soon!
This is fun! We have 5 kids (mostly grown now), and my favorite tradition is putting the ornaments on the tree. We have a mish mash, and each ornament has a story, so there is a lot of reminiscing as we decorate the tree. We actually had to buy duplicates of our Spiderman ornament because the kids would fight over who got to place it on the tree! And now that they are bigger, the kids rearrange the college ornaments so their alma maters get the spotlight since all five went to different schools.
i believe you are a new author to me , i am looking forward to reading the story. Glad you are feeling better
I did that one year for a Christmas present for my sister! It was so much fun. I also like to wrap a gift, put it inside a box, wrap that box. Put it inside another box, wrap that box. And use duct tape lol.
As the kids were growing we would put up the tree early in December, or right after thanksgiving when some were in college. Christmas eve we would sing at a local nursing home with our church, go to the Christmas eve service and then look at lights. Now that the kids are grown we’re developing different traditions. We all try to get together for Christmas . It takes a bit of planning,amid the who can take off work and travel. Everyone is flexible and tries to come up with a workable plan. It’s a blessing to me!
It’s a big deal to bring down the Christmas tree from the attic. Through the years, we keep downsizing it. A real tree ended early in our marriage. But our ornaments are priceless. Mike’s mom handmade decorations every year for our Christmas present, plus we’ve added our own special ones through the years. A porcelain angel with a knitted red cap sits at the top. We call it the “children’s tree” because the decorations are so whimsical. Now we’re collecting handmade ornaments from our grandkids. So many memories on that tree!!
Sleigh Bells Ring is relaunching my career after a 20+ year hiatus from writing for a career as a book editor and agent. Most of the things I wrote during that time were short and anonymous because of my busy schedule. I hope you enjoy reading our book!
Our Christmas traditions change as we grow older to accommodate kids and grandkids schedules, Diana. I know some families who schedule their Christmas celebrations after the first of the year so they can all get together. Since our kids live on opposite coasts, it’s a rarity to be together on the actual holiday, but church activities keep us busy. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing your love for writing and its difficulties. As a reader, we appreciate the hard work of writers.
I love reading Christian books all year round, Christmas stories or not. And my favorite Christmas tradition is to bake cookies. My grandmother had oh-so-many German cookie recipes and we’ve tried to make them all to follow tradition. My sister and I (dragging along our husbands) meet at my mom’s and we have a long afternoon together when we bake most of them. Some are a bit more complex (take hour for baking or we need to wait overnight) and we either bake at home alone (I usually ask my husband to help) or skip it all together… we’re already scheduled for a baking party on 11/26 this year.
You sound like my husband! He thinks duct tape is the best tool ever. When I finally found my birthday present bag, he had stapled it shut. lol
Then I think you’ll love Sleigh Bells Ring, Sally! One of the main Christmas traditions for the Tucker sisters was baking cookies with their mother as children. When they find the missing cookie cookbook, it spurs them to bake, some with more success than others. ;-) My character Sophie, even though she’s a great equine vet, shouldn’t be allowed in the kitchen. She’s the worst cook on the planet and proves it in my story “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Enjoy!
Then you’ll love the stories about each of the Tucker sisters, Priscila. Their best shared Christmas memory is baking cookies with their mother during the holidays. Some are better cooks than others. My character Sophie is a great equine vet, but she burns everything she touches in the kitchen. Have fun at your baking party!
We have two traditions that I will share with you. The first Christmas a child joined the family (we had 3), l bought an ornament and engraved their name and the year on it. The ornament had to do with a special vacation or event that year or a hobby or sport that they were involved with. When our baby had her bridal shower, she received a box with her ornaments inside it. Our middle daughter is getting married next November, so she will be receiving hers soon. I have almost given up giving our son, the oldest, his. His collection is getting quite large. We are up to 34 ornaments. I will eventually give it to his bride at her wedding shower (I haven’t given up hope yet).
Our other tradition involves having an open house Christmas Eve. Everyone in our church is invited, all of our past friends that have moved away, people that have moved on from our lives. Everyone knows that our house is open from 6 p.m. to 11p.m., and bring a potluck dish. I cook a ham and maybe a couple of pies, but everyone is really good about bringing something to share. We have seen friends stop by that we haven’t seen in years or haven’t seen from the previous Christmas. The house can get crowded, but it is a good crowded.
Your book sounds like just the thing to get us all in the Christmas spirit. I can’t believe it’s getting so close. The best thing about Christmas is having family around to help celebrate.
Sounds like you had quite a time of it with your surgery. I hope you’re getting back to normal. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of your book. Good luck on your release!
Barbara ,I have not read your books-yet. I like reading Christimas stories anytime so would love to win and read this one….thanks for sharing.
One of my very favorite Christmas traditions is, after dinner on Thankgiving, we get out the Mannheim Steamroller CD and start it up and put Christmas music in the back ground of clean up, etc. It’s like the LAUNCH of the CHRISTMAS SEASON.
ps DON’T PUT ME IN THE DRAWING! I’VE GOT MY COPY!
I love Christmas!! I really like the cover. I think horses are so beautiful. I’m sorry for all the pain you’ve been going through. Thank you for the give-away.
What a thoughtful and special tradition for your children, Michelle! They’ll treasure those ornaments in the years to come, and I hope continue it with their kids. Don’t give up on your son yet. We thought our son would never get married, but now we have two precious grandchildren–a 14-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy. Young people are “launching” later these days. lol
You totally have the gift of hospitality! An open house event like yours would send me into a panic, but it sounds like everyone enjoys it. I hope it’s just as wonderful this year!
Can you believe we’re halfway through October, Winnie! The year has flown by. And yes, I can guarantee you that Sleigh Bells Ring will put you in the Christmas spirit and bring that satisfied Hallmark moment at the end of each novella.
I’m recuperating quite nicely, thank you. Thanks for your good wishes! Your name is in the drawing.
My favorite Christmas tradition is listening to carols and decorating our tree. Another one is to be a part of ministries that help people out who cannot afford food or gifts for families.
I’ve put your name in the drawing, Pauline. I hope you enjoy our Christmas stories. :)
Thanks for stopping by, Mary! I LOVE Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas music.What a fun way to transition from Thanksgiving to the Christmas season! Since the weather cooled off here finally, I’m in the mood for a little hot cider and the smell of apple pie.
Hope you enjoy it!!
Kentucky thoroughbreds are amazing animals, Karen! I love the horse on our cover! We don’t always get snow here in Nashville before Christmas, but there’s plenty of it in Sleigh Bells Rings. :) I’ve put your name in the drawing.
There’s just something special about Christmastime, Andrea. We’re so blessed in this country to be able to freely worship and celebrate our Savior’s birth. Not every Christian in the world has that same right as we all know. Even if I never received a single gift, that would be enough. Enjoy the holidays!
I think the thing I love most about Christmas, especially as I get older, is usually almost my whole family gets together!
BARB!!! How fun is this, my friend!!
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching Hallmark Christmas movies while putting up Christmas decorations, baking cookies, or wrapping presents. Of course, it was more fun when my daughter was home watching movies with me, but I still enjoy it. ALTHOUGH … I don’t bake cookies anymore and have downsized Christmas decorations WAY DOWN once we downsized our living accommodations, but still, it’s a lot of fun!
Don’t include me in the draw because I’ve already had the privilege and pleasure of reading Sleigh Bells Ring, so some other lucky person needs to be blessed as well.
Hugs and more hugs!
Julie
Congratulations on BOTH your new ventures, Barbara! Talk about the unexpected–wow! Glad you made it through back surgery and even managed to write a book through it all. Can’t wait to read your story!
Our Christmas tradition is to empty our stockings before opening the presents under the tree.
Looking forward to the party! My Christmas tradition is cooking all kinds of delicious treats, especially fudge!
So true, Patty! Family and friends are a treasure, especially around the holidays.
Hey, Julie!! Thanks for stopping by!!! I binge watched Hallmark Christmas movies last year and recorded every one I couldn’t get to right away. Are we romantics or what? lol Yeah, cookies are my downfall so I don’t dare bake them anymore, and as time passes, we’ve pared down the decorations. Children are what make Christmas so special. :) Hugs, back!!
Thanks, Myra! It was really fun writing about my romantic duo of Matt and Sophie in Sleigh Bells Ring. Only by the grace of God was I able to write my novella. The Lord never fails us. :) Hope you enjoy the book!
We always dug into our stockings first, too, but ours weren’t fancy. Mom always filled up Daddy’s white socks. lol
Me too!!! My mother-in-law baked every Christmas until she was in her 80s. Talk about fudge! But I think my sister made the best fudge ever. My brother-in-law was in the Navy during the Vietnam War, stationed off the coast, and she sent him packages of fudge every week I think. I was hooked on her creamy fudge. :)
I’m signing off for the day, but please continue to leave comments or tell me about your Christmas traditions. You’ll still be entered in the drawing for copies of Sleigh Bells Ring.
This has been so much fun spending the day with you!!! Thanks for your hospitality and putting me in the Christmas mood.
Blessings to you all!
Barb
Our tradition is a small one, but we buy a Hallmark series ornament each year! We have for the last 20 years of our marriage and it just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. :-) I love seeing each ornament representing a year of our lives together. Such fun memories!
I’m excited for the Sleigh Bells Ring collection and I have The Cowboys Christmas Homecoming on it’s way to me on release day :-) I love all the authors who are a part of them!
The thing I like to do at Christmastime is add on to our one of a kind ornament collection!
My favorite Christmas tradition is getting together with all of my family. Another is making peppernut cookies with my daughter. We’ve done this together for over 20 years, only at Christmas.
I love to watch Elf and Hallmark Christmas movies while wrapping gifts (my personal tradition) and I grew up making Italian Christmas cookies with my mom and grandmother. While my grandmother is gone, and my mom miles away, when I make the cookies with my daughter (they take a long time, so you have unlimited time to chat), it brings them close to my heart.
Hmmm…probably Christmas breakfast of Mom’s cinnamon cake, bacon, scrambled eggs. Such a lovely tradition of ‘togetherness’ before the gifting frenzy. The Merriest of Christmases to you. A bit early. ;)
Barbara, I don’t need to be in the drawing, my copy is preordered and I’m so excited about it!!!! Can’t wait for the facebook party, my friend! SWEEEEEEET!!!!!!
Don’t laugh, but our favorite Christmas tradition is shrimp. On the Barbie. Did I mention we live in Ohio? I said not to laugh!
My favorite Christmas tradition is a 2-mile votive walk on the banks of a river that my family takes each year. We have fun but also spend time on reflection. It’s all about being together!
I just love being with family. When everything is done we can sit back and celebrate being with the one’s we love.
We always read the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve.