Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 26

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I have been dubbed “the official storyteller of Christmas,” which is all very flattering and nice, although I think Mr. Dickens might have something to say about it. Truth be told, I am a Christmas fanatic and writing a book every year for the holidays has become a tradition for me, plus it’s something I love. I'm pretty much nuts over every aspect of Christmas. And so, my friends, the season has begun... Decorating, baking, candy making, cards, social functions and all the rest! I can hardly wait!

 

December 1, 2014

I have been dubbed “the official storyteller of Christmas,” which is all very flattering and nice, although I think Mr. Dickens might have something to say about it. Truth be told, I am a Christmas fanatic and writing a book every year for the holidays has become a tradition for me, plus it’s something I love. I'm pretty much nuts over every aspect of Christmas. And so, my friends, the season has begun... Decorating, baking, candy making, cards, social functions and all the rest! I can hardly wait!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday of mine.  When I stop to consider all the blessings I have received I feel overwhelmed by God's goodness to me.  Each one of you is part of that.  Your notes and letters have inspired me and encouraged me.  I can honestly say I know of no other author who has as many wonderful readers as I do.  And so, on this day in which we reflect on blessings, I want you to know you have blessed me.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and have an extra helping of stuffing on me!

Grateful Every Day

When I meet people I am often greeted with the words, "Bless you" or "God bless you."  My response is always the same. I say, "He already has."

I have been blessed above and beyond anything I could have imagined or expected.  I could never have dreamed when I first rented that typewriter that my books would top the bestseller lists.  Who could have guessed that one day movies, let alone an entire television series, would be produced from my stories.  All of that was beyond the scope of my imagination. 

God has blessed me and the work of my hands and I don't ever want to forget that, or fail to give the credit back to Him.

Happy Veterans Day!

Today is special. It's the one day in the year that Americans set aside to thank those who served or are currently serving in our military.

My father, along with my uncles from both sides of the family, fought in WWII. My mom and aunts built ships. My mother, whose name was Rose, was an original “Rosie the Riveter.” And later our son, Ted, served as an Airborne Ranger with the U.S. Army. My family's roots run deep with military service, and we have gratefully served the nation we love.

This last Sunday our family was privileged to host a member of our military at the Seahawk game against the New York Giants. Meet Sergeant Snyder, and today of all days let your flag wave in appreciation to all those who serve.

 

The Gift of Laughter

This morning I'm grateful for the gift of laughter. 

Having run out of room in my prayer journal, I went in search of another.  I keep several blank ones in my bookshelves for just such an occasion, however, the one I chose this morning was a journal I'd started back in the year 2000 when the grandkids were young.  I'd written down some of the funny things they said and found myself laughing out loud.  Here are a couple of examples:

Maddy--age 3.  We were having a family potluck and the table was overflowing with a wide variety of dishes.  Maddy looked at the table and declared, "Tonight we feast."

Carter--age 3.  It was my birthday and I asked him to guess how old I was.  Carter thought long and hard and came up with the biggest number he could imagine.  "Five." 

James--age 8.  His classroom had been vandalized and he was upset enough to write a story in which he was instrumental in capturing the culprits.  The last line of his story was,  "And when they got out of jail, they were too old for bingo."

Starting Each Day with Gratitude

About 20 years ago I started a gratitude journal in which I write down five things I'm grateful for each morning. I find that starting my day with an attitude of gratitude sets my thoughts on a positive path. Thinking about all that I have to be grateful for fills my heart with joy and sets the course for my writing day. I’d like to share with you today’s list:

Swimming--there's little that gets me going in the morning more than the smell of chlorine and my half mile swim in the water.
High School friends (Cherie and I graduated from high school together. We’re having lunch today and I am so grateful we reconnected.)
The Seahawk win.
My daughter Jody (Jody worked a 14-hour day on Saturday at the gift shop with two special events.)
The book of Acts (I'm reading the New Testament and am inspired by the faith of those first century Christians.)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! As far as I'm concerned, this holiday is all about costumes, candy and pumpkins. We live at the end of a long driveway that's gated, so we don't get trick-or-treaters -- well, other than family. From sheer force of habit I continue to set out a bowl of candy, although it disappears much faster than it should.

My personal favorite costume happened when I was big and pregnant with one of our kids. We attended our church Halloween party and because I was pregnant, I had limited options. So I wore my bridal veil and Wayne came dressed in overalls carting a toy shotgun. Shotgun wedding!

Pumpkins? It Must Be Autumn!

I'm a pumpkin sort of girl.  Pumpkins symbolize autumn to me: the turning leaves, bundling up in a warm sweater, knitting and football. 

I wait all year for Starbucks to bring back their pumpkin spice lattes and for pumpkin pie to be in vogue again.  Truth is I'm a sucker for all squash (Okay it might have something to do with the melting butter and an unhealthy dose of salt and pepper).  I enjoy sharing my passion for pumpkin with my grandkids too.  We plant pumpkin seeds every year which net enough pumpkins for each grandchild.  So bring on the pumpkins!

Recently I shared this delicious recipe for a pumpkin pie latte on Facebook.  If you missed it, here it is again: http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/10/thanksgiving-pumpkin-pie-latte.html

Best Birthday Gift of My Life

My granddaughter Maddy and I share a birthday. Maddy is by far the best birthday gift of my life. The day she was born I was so excited I actually missed her birth! My daughter phoned to tell me she was in labor and I needed to get to the hospital if I wanted to be there when the baby was born. Overjoyed, I rushed out but remembered I had a nail appointment. So I stopped to cancel and let everyone in the shop--okay the entire complex--know I was having a grandchild on my birthday. Back in my car, I passed the bank where one of my best friends worked and I couldn't possibly not tell her, so again I stopped. Who wouldn't be thrilled? In retrospect, perhaps I should have redirected my excitement to getting to the hospital instead of stopping to tell everyone I knew!