Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 57

Happy Birthday, Aunt Betty!

Today is a very special day.  My Aunt Betty turns 100 today.  You read that right--100.  She's my father's oldest sister and the last surviving sibling.  Because my grandmother was diabetic and often ill, Betty became my father's second mother.  (Dad was the youngest boy.)  This summer we celebrated her birthday in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  It was a rousing time with a reception for her.  She is universally loved and admired, and people came from as far away as Guam.  She received close to 200 birthday cards, which she reads over and over.  She's still as spry as they come, witty, funny , and simply fun to be with.  Beware if she asks you to play cards--she plays for money, and she takes it seriously.  Make sure you bring cash!  She has all her faculties and only takes one pill a day.  Yup, that's just the way I want to be when I turn 100 . . . just like my Aunt Betty.  Happy Birthday, Aunt Betty!!!

Giving Tree

Wayne and I had a wonderful Friday night with three of our grandchildren.  We took them to see the new Narnia movie in 3D and then shopping.  We found a Giving Tree at one of our local stores and had each grandchild choose a card for a child their own age.  I gave them each cash and had them Christmas shop for that child. 



I was impressed and proud at how thoughtful their gifts were.  First they chose a special toy and then something practical.  Isaiah got crayons, pajamas and a warm coat for his seven-year-old.  Maddy, who recently turned 11, chose a girl aged 14 and purchased gloves and a make-up kit.  And Cameron, who's almost 14, bought a football and a shirt.  This was a tradition I started with our children years ago, and it’s one that I have passed along to my grandchildren as well.  It's called a Giving Tree but afterwards all of us felt we were the ones who had received.

Christmas Crazies

The wonderful Christmas craziness is hitting me this week.  Tonight the entire family has been invited to a party  in downtown Seattle. Tomorrow I've invited those I swim with to my house for a special Christmas Tea.  It's always fun to see what we look like wearing street clothes rather than swimming togs.  On Thursday I'm meeting with local writers for our annual Christmas Potluck.  Then on Friday, I'm hosting a Knitters Tea for my knitting friends.  It's bound to be a whirlwind week, and while it might be a little hectic, I wouldn't change a thing.

Encouragement

I'm writing our Christmas letter today.  I've written a letter almost every year since Wayne and I married.  In fact, it was feedback from family and friends to my annual letters that encouraged me to consider writing as a career.  Who would have guessed a little thing like “Loved your letter; ever thought about being a writer?” would lead to a career?  It makes me realize how important encouragement can be.  I'm going to look for ways to encourage someone today . . .

Sock Puppets?

Wayne has a bad habit--okay he's a guy, he has a number of habits that irritate me.  This particular one is leaving drawers open.  I cannot tell you the number of times I've closed drawers for my husband.  I think after what happened this week, he may be cured of this habit.  Our Bogie loves socks.  He finds it necessary to shake them until he's satisfied they are completely lifeless.  Wayne left his sock drawer open and it happens to be the bottom drawer, which was completely accessible to Bogie.  I can describe what I found in one word:  carnage.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Wayne and I had the great turkey cook-off this Thanksgiving.   He deep-fried one bird, and I stuffed and baked a second one.  I'm just too traditional, I guess.   For me, the stuffing is the best part of the meal.  Besides, I thought Wayne had a slight advantage.  Really, is there anything that doesn't taste better deep fried?  So when it came time to serve the meat, I sliced up both birds and intermingled the meat so no one knew from which bird the meat came.  I called it a tie.   



We also included two dishes in our Thanksgiving meal that came from my readers:  Lou Ann Russell’s cookie salad and a corn casserole by Peggi Boyd and Martha Boyer.  Peggi’s and Martha’s versions are similar.  The cookie salad got rave reviews, and we ran out of the corn casserole!  You can find these recipes on the recipe section of my website under salads and vegetables.  Be sure to check out the other great recipes while you’re there!

Grateful for our Many Blessings

We had one of the best Thanksgivings ever.  In the aftermath of the snow and wind storm (we lost power on Monday night) we were without power for two days--without Internet, without cable--so all Wayne and I had to keep each other warm was one another . . . and Bogie, who slept under the covers with us.  I've discovered I'm no Laura Ingles Wilder.  Personally, I require things that go flush in the night.  Not that I'm complaining, mind you.  Even with below freezing temperatures, and pipes that burst and flooded our garage, we were together as a family, grateful for our many blessings, and the fact the power returned in the nick of time to bake the turkey.

Correction to Martha Stewart Air Date

I just learned the Martha Stewart segment featuring Doris Robert and me will air on Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Day!) instead of Friday.  I'll be tuning in while cooking and visiting with family.  I hear we've been getting snow all day in Port Orchard, so who knows, Thanksgiving just might be white!

Happy Thanksgving

I'm flying to New York bright and early Monday morning to tape a short appearance on the Martha Stewart show with Doris Roberts.  (I’ll be in the audience with my daughter, Jody, and we’re both excited to see the taping up close!)  The show will air on Friday, November 26.  All this is part of the promotional package Hallmark is doing to promote the Hallmark Channel movie, CALL ME MRS. MIRACLE, which will air on the Hallmark Channel at 8 p.m. ET on November 27th. 



As I don't arrive home until the wee hours of Wednesday morning, I plan to take the rest of the week off.  So today I'm sending my Thanksgiving greeting to all of you.  No writer has been more blessed by her readers than me.  I am humbled and honored at your responses to my stories.  I enjoy every comment, every letter you send, and am grateful beyond words that you are part of my life and that you've made me part of yours.  It is with a grateful heart that I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Birthday Isaiah!

This is a red letter day for me.  First, it's my grandson, Isaiah's, 7th birthday.  I was in the room when Isaiah was born and was the first one to tell my daughter, Jenny Adele, and her husband, that they had a son.  He's a bright, cheerful first grader who asked his mother to read him THE TRULY TERRIBLY HORRIBLE SWEATER . . . THAT GRANDMA KNIT before he left for school this morning.  (Little does he know I knit him a sweater for his birthday!)  My second reason for celebrating--release the balloons and blow those whistles--is that 1105 YAKIMA STREET, the 11th installment in the Cedar Cove series, is finished.  I'm doing a bit of editing, and then it's off to the hands of my editor.