Flashback Friday - Auld Lang Syne

How did your family celebrate New Year's when you were growing up? Was staying up on New Year's Eve a big deal? Was it a date night for your parents or was it a family occasion? Did your family have any particular traditions for New Year's? Were resolutions emphasized? Did you do fireworks? Watch parades or bowl games? Were there church activities you attended? Did Christmas activities extend into the new year? Was the Epiphany a focus?

My folks generally didn't do much for New Year's Eve. I always wanted to stay up late, and I may have gotten to stay up a couple of times (but only if I took a nap in the afternoon beforehand!). When I was in high school, our church had what was called a Watch Night Fellowship and Prayer Time that was always lots of fun. Everyone would show up about 6:00 or 7:00 on the 31st and there would be games and snacks. At 11:30 or 11:45, we all went to the chapel and sang a few songs and prayed the new year in. I always enjoyed that - it made New Year's Eve fun without having to deal with crowds and alcohol. I haven't heard of a church doing anything like that in 25 years!

Firecrackers were illegal in the Houston city limits, but that didn't stop some people, and I always dreaded going to bed on New Year's Eve because I knew there would be so many! I was scared of the noise and the fact that they were illegal made me more nervous, even though our family never did them.

During my childhood, New Year's Day was always predictable. I never missed the Rose Bowl Parade; the elaborate flower-covered floats still fascinate me. After that the bowl games were on, and since those were the days of the Southwest Conference, the Cotton Bowl was a priority, especially if UT was playing! On New Year's night, I loved watching the half-time of the Orange Bowl. They always had the best shows. I don't think they are near as cool now with all the computerized lighting and special effects; those old ones were the best! While we watched the parade and games, the Christmas decorations were taken down and the tree put out for the trash. We took off every one of those icicles that we had put on one at a time, and my dad carefully wrapped them in wax paper and put them in their box to use the next year. It always amazed me to drive by other houses and see icicles still on the discarded trees!

I always dreaded meals on New Year's Day. Although he wasn't superstitious, my dad always made sure my mom fixed black-eyed peas and cornbread, the traditional Southern "good luck in the new year" meal. I hated both of those. I haven't fixed black-eyed peas on New Year's since I've been an adult!

I don't know if it was churches in general or just the Southern Baptist ones, but there was never an emphasis or even acknowledgement of the Epiphany on January 6 when I was a child. I had never heard of it until I was grown. The wise men were just lumped in with Christmas.


What about you? Share your New Year's Eve/Day memories and link up here!

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Flashback Friday Prompt - Auld Lang Syne

How did your family celebrate New Year's when you were growing up? Was staying up on New Year's Eve a big deal? Was it a date night for your parents or was it a family occasion? Did your family have any particular traditions for New Year's? Were resolutions emphasized? Did you do fireworks? Watch parades or bowl games? Were there church activities you attended? Did Christmas activities extend into the new year? Was the Epiphany a focus?

Share your New Year's memories tomorrow on your blog and come back here to link up!

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Beneath the Night Tree

Beneath the Night Tree
Nicole Baart
(Tyndale)
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2323-7
February, 2011/400 pages/$12.99

I have thought about you every day for the past five and a half years. . .I'm sorry. . .Do I have a child?

Julia DeSmit knew she would face the question eventually, but she didn’t expect it now. At twenty-four, she is finally content with the way her life has unfolded. A single mother to her son and young brother, she works at the local grocery store while chipping away at a two-year degree. All her free time is spent with her unorthodox family—her boys, her grandmother, and her boyfriend of five years. It’s not perfect, but Julia is happier than ever.

So when she receives the cryptic e-mail from her son’s father, Julia’s world is turned upside down. She hasn’t heard from Parker since he left her in a college parking lot nearly six years ago. But one look at her son—the spitting image of his father—is enough to convince her that, for better or worse, Parker is a part of their story. Faced with this new reality and an unexpected tragedy, Julia begins a tightrope walk between what was and what is, what she hopes for and what will be.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nicole Baart was born and raised in a small town in Iowa, where she and husband now live with their three young sons. After the adoption of their second son, Nicole discovered a deep passion for global issues and is a founding member of a nonprofit organization that works with a church and orphanage in Liberia.

Nicole is the critically acclaimed author of three novels. After the Leaves Fall was published in 2007 and was followed by a sequel, Summer Snow, which was a Christy Award finalist. That was followed by The Moment Between, Nicole's first stand-alone novel.

Visit her website at www.nicolebaart.com.


MY THOUGHTS:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Julia immediately worked her way into my heart, as did her son (Daniel), her brother (Simon), and her grandmother. Life has held plenty of heartache for the entire family, and just when Julia's "happily ever after" seems to be nearing, her life is upended once more when Daniel's father reappears and seeks a relationship with his son. Julia is determined that Parker's presence will not impact her personally as she juggles the needs of her patchwork family. What will she discover about herself and about life Beneath the Night Tree?


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TyndaleHouse Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Actions Trump Words

It's no secret that I am a word geek. I love words. I'm one of those people who actually delights in puns; clever plays on words make me smile. And of course, I love to read; a well-turned phrase can quickly transport me into a fictional world of adventure, quicken my heart, or convict my soul. And the blogworld is full of inspired writers who make me laugh and challenge me daily.

But I've been thinking how easily at times the words can roll off of our tongues or through our typing fingers, especially related to spiritual matters, while the heart can remain untouched. How easily we I can pray a lofty prayer and walk away only to ignore a need or grump at my kids.

It struck me yesterday that God must sometimes feel a bit like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady:


Only He might change the words to something like this:

Words! Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from her, now from you!
Is that all you Christians can do?

Don’t talk of all
My glories above;
If Me you love, show Me!
Mere sacrifice, I don’t desire.
If you’re on fire,
Show Me!

Here we are together
As you have your quiet time!
Don’t pray with words
Grand and sublime.

If you really love Me
You will just do what I ask;
Take off that spiritual mask!

Wasn't your heart
Changed by My touch?
Don’t say how much,
Show Me! Show Me!
Don’t talk! Obey--that gets My “wow”!
Make Me no unfulfilled vow.
Show Me now!

Sing me no song!
Read me no verse!
Don’t just converse!
Show Me!

Don’t talk of faith, don’t talk of trust!
Your deeds are a must,
Show Me!

I’ve become so weary hearing
You speak empty words.
There isn’t one
I haven’t heard.
Here we are together
And My Spirit is in you:
Your life I long to renew!

Haven’t your arms
Longed to meet needs?
Faith must have deeds.
Show Me! Show Me!

Don’t wait until
Life’s waning years
To put your hand to the plow.
Show Me now!

(c) Mocha with Linda 2008 - with apologies to Alan J. Lerner/Frederick Loewe!


Now I certainly don't mean to suggest that God tires of hearing our prayers. The Bible says our prayers are incense before His throne. But Scripture also tells us that He is displeased when our mouths utter words that are inconsistent with our hearts and actions.

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

You have wearied the LORD with your words. Malachi 2:17

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. I John 3:18

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26

Oh Lord, may the words of my mouth be pleasing to You. And may I not be content with mere words, but may I show my love for You with the actions of my life.


Originally posted on March 12, 2008

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Possession

Possession
Renee Gutteridge
(Tyndale)
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2434-0
January, 2011/400 pages/$12.99
In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. sniper case, police detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure that his family’s new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though, losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance’s past. In an unforgettable climax, a little boy’s innocent faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees. What is at stake counts for everything, but nothing can prepare Vance for who is behind it.

You can read the first chapter here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rene Gutteridge is the author of seventeen novels, including Listen, the Storm series (Tyndale House Publishers) and Never the Bride, the Boo series, and the Occupational Hazards series from WaterBrook Press. She also released My Life as a Doormat and The Ultimate Gift: The Novelization with Thomas Nelson. Rene is also known for her Christian comedy sketches. She studied screenwriting while earning a mass communications degree, graduating magna cum laude from Oklahoma City University and earning the Excellence in Mass Communication Award. She served as the full-time director of drama for First United Methodist Church for five years before leaving to stay home and write. She enjoys instructing at writers conferences and in college classrooms. She lives with her husband, Sean, a musician, and their children in Oklahoma City. Visit her Web site at www.renegutteridge.com.

MY THOUGHTS
This is a captivating book. Full of suspense and non-stop action, it kept me glued to its pages until the final sentence. This story is a beautiful picture of the verse, "A little child shall lead them" and a reminder that life is more than possessions.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from TyndaleHouse Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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A Full Heart

My heart is full (and so is my stomach!) as I sit and reflect on the past few days. It's been a wonderful combination of baking, visiting, eating, worshiping, giving, singing, receiving.

One of the sweetest times was the Christmas Eve service at my MIL's church. When GG, my German exchange daughter, saw in the program that we were singing Silent Night at the end while holding candles, she was a bit wistful that it wasn't the original German version of Stille Nacht, which is one of her favorite Christmas songs. I assured her that she could sing in German while we were singing in English. As the pastor neared the end of his message, he spoke of the song and told the history behind its writing. He said that the first time it was sung in public, it was accompanied by a lone guitar. Then he said, "I'm going to sing the first verse as it was originally sung while (the music minister) accompanies me on guitar." GG and I looked at each other in disbelief! It was such a sweet time hearing it sung in German. GG posted on FB that God had given her "a very special gift," and that when he began singing in German, "I was so overwhelmed with joy. God was looking out for me because he loves me so much. He really is good when we least expect it."

I knew the pastor had spent a number of his growing-up years in Germany while his dad was in the military, but I never expected him to sing in German! (And he has a wonderful voice! He should sing more often!)

After the Christmas Eve service, we spoke with him and expressed our thanks, and then we went to meet their new music minister. His wife is a cousin of a man in our church, so we wanted to connect with him. When I introduced GG, he turned to her and began speaking in German! As it turns out, he and his wife were IMB missionaries in Germany for eight years! Not only that, but they were in Munich, which GG lives just outside of! We told him she had just accepted Christ last Sunday, and he told her that when she returns to Germany, he can help connect her with some believers and a Christian church. I thought my heart would burst from joy!

On Christmas Day, we enjoyed opening gifts and stockings and then headed to my man's brother's house for lunch and visiting. It was a wonderful day. And I decided no one sleeps as soundly as a parent on Christmas night!

Yesterday it was a joy to go back to church for worship, then go out to eat with my MIL, and then spend the afternoon reading, dozing, and generally relaxing with no to-do list! It's been a perfect Christmas!

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He is Born!

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

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Stille Nacht

For GG, my German Girl!

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One Baby's Impact on the World

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Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Flashback Friday is taking a Christmas break and will be back next week!

Beautiful old hymn, sung on Chris Tomlin's Christmas album by Christy Nockels.

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

Today's Wednesday Hodgepodge, hosted by Joyce From this Side of the Pond, is the last one for 2010. Joyce is traveling next week, so she's taking a break until January 5.

1. Share your Christmas Eve traditions.

My family didn't really have Christmas Eve traditions, but my man's family always has tamales on Christmas Eve. When we still exchanged gifts, those were also opened on Christmas Eve. My man said they got Santa gifts on Christmas morning but everything else was always opened on Christmas Eve.

2. What was the best book you read in 2010? (we're not going to include The Bible here)

When I was a kid and a bookworm, my mom was always asking me what my favorite book was. I asked her why I had to have a favorite?! I like a lot of books. I couldn't choose a favorite if I tried!

3. Do you have pets and if so do you allow them on the furniture?

No pets. Never have, (hopefully) never will.

4. What event from 2010 are you most thankful for?

Just 3 days ago, when our exchange student daughter, GG, accepted Christ!

5. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before.

Host an exchange student. And turned this age.

6. Brussel sprouts...friend or foe?

Blech.

7. Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?

Billy Graham. I was once again touched and inspired by his recent interview with Greta Van Susteren on Fox

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This is another one of my favorite choir songs to sing at Christmas. This is a song that you cannot sing without smiling! Such wonderful lyrics on the chorus:

And the heavens exploded with music everywhere
And the angels spilled over heaven's edge and filled the air. . .

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How Should a King Come?

I have been looking for this song ever since I started blogging. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs from a choir presentation. It is such fun to sing, and I love the words--the contrast of what is expected vs. what happened. And that line in the last section: "Earth was silent so heaven rang." I'm not overly thrilled with the pictures on this video - most of them don't particularly match the words - so I'm putting the words below the video son you can follow along.



"How should a King come?
Even a child knows the answer of course,
In a coach of gold with a pure white horse.
In the beautiful city in the prime of the day,
And the trumpets should cry and the crowds make way.
And the flags fly high in the morning sun,
And the people all cheer for the sovereign one.
And everyone knows that's the way that it's done.
That's the way that a King should come.

How should a King come?
Even a commoner understands,
He should come for His treasures,
And His houses and lands.
He should dine upon summer strawberries and milk,
And sleep upon bedclothes of satin and silk.
And high on a hill His castle should glow,
With the lights of the city like jewels below.
And everyone knows that's the way that it's done,
That's the way that a King should come.

How should a King come?
On a star filled night into Bethlehem,
Rode a weary woman and a worried man.
And the only sound in the cobblestone street,
Was the shuffle and the ring of their donkey's feet.
And a King lay hid in a virgin's womb,
And there were no crowds to see Him come.
At last in a barn in a manger of hay,
He came and God incarnate lay.

And the angels cried "Glory! Glory to God!"
Earth was silent so heaven rang,
"Glory! Glory to God."
Men were dumb so the angels sang,
"Glory! Glory to God,
Peace on earth good will to men,
Glory! Glory to God!
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Glory to God, Glory in the highest,
Glory to God, Glory in the highest,
Glory to God!

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A Very Special Christmas!

Well, I do believe this is our best Christmas ever! Yesterday after church, our exchange student daughter "GG" prayed to receive Christ as her Saviour and Lord! I had the privilege of sitting with her as our pastor talked with her and then led her in the prayer. She has been absolutely glowing all day!

Please pray for her family in Germany if you think of it. They had given their "permission", telling her it was her decision, but this is all brand new for them. When she Skyped with her mom in the afternoon, her mom was happy that GG was happy, but she didn't really understand. And pray for GG's growth over the next few months before she returns home, and for our family as we encourage her!

This was one of my favorite songs on George Beverly Shea's Christmas album when I was growing up, and it's perfect for today!

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown
When Thou camest to earth for me
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

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Immanuel

I always have to listen to this song in December. Beautiful.

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who can stand against us?
Our God is with us
Immanuel

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TSMSS - A New One and a Classic

I don't know how I've missed this song until now. I'd never heard it until I was looking up songs to post here. Absolutely beautiful.




And it's not Christmas until I hear this song. . .



I'll be posting several other songs over the next week, so come back and visit when you have a moment!

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Flashback Friday - Past Presents!

When did you open Christmas presents when you were growing up? Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? If you traveled, did your parents take the gifts, or did you open them early or late? Did your parents have Santa leave presents? Were they wrapped or unwrapped? Did you have stockings? What was generally in those? Were gifts simple and practical or more extravagant? Did you give presents to your parents and siblings? Were they homemade or purchased? If purchased, did you pay with your own money or did your parents pay? What are memories of special gifts you received? Did you ever peek and find out what your gifts were ahead of time? Did presents gradually appear under the tree in the days leading up to Christmas and were you allowed to touch/shake them?

Until I was ten or eleven years old, we always went to the grandparents' houses for Christmas. There certainly wasn't room in the car for a family of six plus luggage plus gifts, so Christmas at our house might be on the December 23rd. Or December 27! My folks didn't make a big deal out of Santa Claus. My mom didn't want us to be confused about whether Jesus was real. Which is really funny, because her dad always "went to the office" and while he was gone Santa arrived at her house in full costume. After Santa left, her dad would come back home and she would run to him and say "Oh Daddy, you missed him again!" She was apparently clueless as a child, but I don't think it caused a spiritual crisis!

All the gifts were always wrapped; in fact, they weren't even assembled.  I remember unwrapping my little metal refrigerator (with the food painted on the inside of the door!) and it was just flat in the box and my dad put it together later in the day!  A few of the gift tags might say "From Santa" but even before I went to school I could tell that was my daddy's distinctive printing! LOL And I have a vivid memory of this: When I was about to start kindergarten, my mom called me into the kitchen where she was washing dishes. She paused in her washing and said, "You do know there's no Santa Claus, don't you?" It's a good thing I wasn't heavily invested in him or I would have been crushed. Couldn't she have let me down a little easier?! In later years, she said she didn't want me to be the only kindergartener who still believed in Santa. Instead, I was probably the only one who didn't.

My brother, who was eleven years older than I, got married when I was ten, so we started staying home at least every other year as they alternated with my then-SIL's folks. It was nice to finally have it at home. But if I can't have it on Christmas Day, I'd rather have it late than early. One year since I've been married, my brother and his wife came a few days before Christmas, since it was her folks' turn to have them on Christmas Day. That same year, my in-laws had to go take care of my man's grandmother so that her caregivers could have the holiday off. (She had private care in her home for Alzheimer's.) I think we opened gifts at my folks on the 22nd and my in-laws on the 23rd or something like that. I remember seeing stores advertising last-minute sales on Christmas Eve, and it was so depressing to already be done with Christmas when the rest of the world hadn't even started!

I never had a stocking until after I was married and I made stockings for my man and myself. They weren't anything fancy, just the red velvety material and a fuzzy white "cuff" at the top.

In spite of all my trauma of no stockings and no Santa, I still have always liked Christmas! LOL I do remember as a child feeling a little restless after the gifts were open - a letdown from all the anticipation.

I still enjoy the anticipation as much as, if not more than, the actual event!

Although it may sound like it, my mom wasn't a Grinch! There are several sweet memories that stand out. One that I've shared before is my huge box vs. lots of gifts dilemma, and how she gave me both. Another year, she switched two presents. We were never allowed to touch or shake the gifts that were under the tree in the days leading up to Christmas, but we could crawl around and look to see who the gifts were for. (That was always a big deal to come home from school and see if there were any new gifts under the tree!) One year as I was looking at the gifts, I could see through the thin wrapping paper that it said Holly Hobbie, the doll that I had been wanting. I was crushed to have my surprise ruined. I didn't say anything, but my mom could tell from my face what had happened. When we were opening gifts, I opened that one, but instead of a doll it was a shoe box with a picture of Holly Hobbie glued where it had been on the real box. My mom had rewrapped the doll and put it in the back at the last, and fixed a "decoy" and put it in the spot the doll had originally been. It was fun to have a little bit of the surprise back!

One thing I always appreciated about my folks was how they handled the equality of gifts. We didn't necessarily get the same number of gifts, and we had no idea how much they spent on each of us, but it never occurred to us to think one got more or less than the others. The year my sister got her contacts, that was a bigger year for her, but another year, someone else might get a bigger gift. I knew someone who used to keep track to the penny how much she spent on her two boys, and one might get an envelope with 3.47 cents in it if his gifts cost that much less than his brother. Even as a teenager I thought that was a bit unusual, not to mention a whole lot of work!


Okay, I always write way too much! Share your memories and link up here! And please be patient with me - tomorrow is my last day that the kids have finals, and I might not be at my computer much!

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Flashback Friday Prompt - Christmas Presents in the Past!

I'm so enjoying reading about your Christmas memories! Let's share some more!

When did you open Christmas presents when you were growing up? Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? If you traveled, did your parents take the gifts, or did you open them early or late? Did your parents have Santa leave presents? Were they wrapped or unwrapped? Did you have stockings? What was generally in those? Were gifts simple and practical or more extravagant? Did you give presents to your parents and siblings? Were they homemade or purchased? If purchased, did you pay with your own money or did your parents pay? What are memories of special gifts you received? Did you ever peek and find out what your gifts were ahead of time? Did presents gradually appear under the tree in the days leading up to Christmas and were you allowed to touch/shake them?

Share your memories on your blog tomorrow and come back here to link up!

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Booked for the Holidays - Winners!

Here are the winners of this year's Booked for the Holidays giveaways! (I used Random.org to draw the numbers.)

Giveaway #1 - Disaster Status and Snow Day: #7 - Renee Ann

Giveaway #2 - Faithful and Christmas at Harrington's: #7 - Barbara H

Giveaway #3 - Faithful and Grace: #39 - windycindy

Giveaway #4 - Angel Song and Finding Christmas: #10 - Susan D

Giveaway #5 - You Were Made to Make a Difference and All I Have to Give: #31 - karenk

Giveaway #6 - Amy Inspired and Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe: # 6 - STILLMAGNOLIA

Giveaway #7 - Licensed for Trouble and The Snowflake: #3 - Amber S

Giveaway #8 - City of Tranquil Light and I'll Be Home For Christmas:
#15 - Cathy

Giveaway #9 - It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know and More Pages from the Red Suit Diaries: #4 - Diana

Giveaway #10 - Divine Appointments and Once Upon a Christmas: #13 - Maureen

Congratulations! It was such fun scrolling through the comments and counting to see who won! As stated previously, winners must email me their mailing address within 24 hours (by 8:30 pm tomorrow) or another winner will be chosen. My goal is to mail all books Friday, Dec. 17. (However, I can't guarantee their arrival before Christmas. It all depends on the US Postal Service!)

Also, if you could please indicate in your email, either the subject or the body, which giveaway # you won, that will help me tremendously! And please leave a comment here so folks will know you've claimed your books!

Thanks so much to everyone for entering, and please "stay tuned" for more giveaways!

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time once again to join Joyce From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge. What great timing this week - my brain is a complete hodgepodge as a result of my Booked for the Holidays giveaway and the busyness that comes with this time of year. (Speaking of Booked for the Holidays, today is the last day to enter! There are ten giveaways, which have been appearing daily since early last week. Comments/entries must be received by 8:00 pm CST tonight, so scroll down my blog and check it out if you haven't already!)

And now for Joyce's questions; some of are Christmas-themed, and some are not. (Hence the name Hodgepodge!)


1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'?

I would say it means NOT being a grinch! To have a generous and loving attitude and to be willing to go out of your way to spread cheer.

2. What sits atop your tree (s)? Why?

Nothing this year! LOL My girl has allergies and gets really congested and hoarse when we get a tree. However, the year we suggested getting an artificial one, you would have thought we had told the kids we were selling them (the kids) on eBay! (My girl can tell me exactly where she was sitting at a particular restaurant when we brought it up. They both burst into tears!) Last year, my girl was singing a solo at the Christmas Eve service, so when she started having problems we moved the tree onto the back porch. (We removed the ornaments but kept the lights on it) We liked that so much we did it this year from Day 1. It sits right outside our big bay window in the kitchen/breakfast room, so we enjoy it every time we sit down to eat! I do miss my ornaments, and I'm not sure how long we'll do this, but for now it works. When the tree is inside, it is topped with a big red bow. I never have found an angel or star that I liked.

3. When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?

I have absolutely no idea.

4. Which of your senses is most sensitive this time of year?

I've never thought about that, but probably smell or sight.

5. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?

Clutter.

6. What do you do for meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Big meal? Breakfast tradition? Open the cookie tins and have at it?

Traditional Christmas Eve meal at my inlaws is tamales and tacos. That began when my man's grandparents were farmers in South Texas, and their Mexican workers would give them tamales as a gift at Christmas. My in-laws continued the tradition (only my MIL has to buy the tamales now!) The grandkids have never been big on tamales, so we've added tacos and queso to the meal. Christmas Day is generally turkey and dressing mid-day and nibble on leftovers at night.

7. What is the best thing about winter?

It means spring is coming!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have no idea what I'm going to get my boy or put in his stocking this year. He needs nothing, he doesn't like candy, and he's really not big on little gadgets. He can't even come up with any ideas!

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the clouds roll away

the clouds roll away
Sibella Giorello
(Thomas Nelson)
ISBN: 978-1595545343
March, 2010/336 pages/$14.99

Forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon returns home for Christmas but discovers Richmond, Virginia running low on goodness and light.

Although her exemplary service in Seattle lifted her disciplinary transfer, Raleigh lands a hometown civil rights case riddled with problems that could get her sent away again. When she helps out a fellow cop, her life goes on the line, forcing her undercover in a sting operation. As Raleigh realizes the lines are crossing and double-crossing, her domestic life starts to unravel. Her mother's mental health cracks like ice, her closest friend grows cold, and her old boyfriend DeMott comes a-calling, hoping for more than chestnuts by an open fire.

While the city glows with Christmas lights and carols, Raleigh is forced to rely on her sharpest skills to stay alive, hoping for that one clear moment when everything makes sense and the clouds roll away.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons. Find out more about Sibella and her other books at her website.


MY THOUGHTS:
I had a bit of a hard time getting into this story, and I think part of the reason was the cover; it just didn't look like it was going to be a suspenseful book "starring" an FBI agent. I try not to judge a book by its cover, but the cover does frequently set the tone or setting of a book. I had not read the previous books in this series, and while that would have enhanced the story, it really wasn't difficult to understand the gist of what Raleigh Harmon had been through previously. Overall it was an interesting story, just not my favorite.


Sibella’s celebrating the release of The Clouds Roll Away by giving away a KINDLE prize pack worth over $150.00!

One Grand Prize winner will receive:

• Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com

To enter simply click on one of the icons below! Then tell your friends! Winner will be announced January 3, 2011 on Sibella's blog. 

About The Clouds Roll Away - "Beautifully written with exquisite descriptions, Giorello's mystery also features well-developed characters..."
—Booklist, starred review

Find out more here!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson and LitFuse Publicity as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Booked for the Holidays #10

Today is the last day for Booked for the Holidays. I hope you have enjoyed it! (Or maybe you'll enjoy it if you win?!) Remember: You have until tomorrow (Wednesday) at 8:00 pm CST to leave your comments on any of the giveaways to be in the drawings.

Here is the final giveaway duo:

• Divine Appointments by Charlene Baumbich - Snowglobes aren't just for Christmas! Read my review of this book here.
• Once Upon a Christmas by Lauraine Snelling & Lenora Worth - Two festive, romantic novellas by award-winning authors:

  The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Lauraine Snelling - Romance blooms between Blythe Stensrude and Thane Davidson after their dogs tangle leashes in the park--until Thane becomes guardian to his three-year-old niece. Blythe doesn't think she's mother material, but how can she refuse Thane's request to give a neglected little girl the best Christmas ever?
  
  'Twas the Week Before Christmas by Lenora Worth - Upon arrival at her grandmother's Louisiana plantation for the holidays, socialite Elise Melancon is confronted with a shocking request--her grandmother wants her to "reform" a handsome man so he can date another woman! Perhaps Elise will discover that life's greatest gifts don't always come in a box.

You can read the rules for entering and claiming prizes here.

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Booked for the Holidays #9

Happy Monday to you! Can you believe it's less than two weeks until Christmas?!

• It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen - Read my review here.
• More Pages from the Red Suit Diaries by Ed Butchart - This is a delightful book, and have you ever seen anyone look more like Santa?! From the inside flap of the book jacket: Here's a gift from Santa for anyone who is a child at heart at Christmas! Ed Butchart is Santa Claus--and in his first book, The Red Suit Diaries, he made fans out of readers. His knack for celebrating Christmas all year and in all ways continues to attract readers in his new book, More Pages from the Red Suit Diaries. Anyone who loves Christmas will relish reading Butchart's stories about hearing the heartfelt wishes of children. And there's much more as Santa tells all: introductions to the real-life "elves" in Santa's world, stories of entire families' lives changed by Santa's presence, and the blessings of the valuable work he does in his workshop, refurbishing wheelchairs for thousands of disabled children and adults in need. This Santa is so much more than a jolly man in a funny suit. He's a living, breathing testament to the "faith, hope, and love" for which Christians should be known. Readers of this book will keep the giving spirit of Christmas--and of faith--in their hearts all year long.
  

You can read the rules for entering and claiming prizes here.


Have a great Monday!

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