Shelley Shepard Gray's Blog, page 21

Congratulations to Amber!

Congratulations to Amber Horton! You are the winner of the two Amish-made potholders and a signed copy of one of my books. Please contact me privately with your mailing address, and don't forget to tell me which book you'd like me to send!

If you didn't win, please stop by tomorrow. We'll be holding another drawing then!

Shelley

Another Book Drawing!

Last week's drawing were such a success, I thought I'd host another two drawings this week! Today's winners will receive two of  Mary's absolutely adorable potholders(Mary is Amish and made them at home, with help from her son), an Amish Tour bag, and a signed copy of one of my books! All you have to do to be entered is share your favorite Christmas story or book. Mine is A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. I have a beautiful illustrated version and I love to read it every December.  Winners will be announced tomorrow.
Hope you enjoy your week! Thanks for stopping by! Shelley

Mary's lovely homemade potholders!

Making Chicken Pie

I made a chicken pie yesterday.

  I imagine that doesn't sound like a big deal. However, to the people in my family, it is a pretty special thing. See, I don't make chicken pie all that often.  I make the whole thing from scratch-homemade pie crust, fresh vegetables, thick gravy. I'm a rather messy cook, so by the time I'm done, I've got flour everywhere, at least four pans to clean, and assorted cuttings boards to wash up, too. Making this dish takes me a while-usually a couple of hours from the time I pull the margarine out of the refrigerator to when it's served on a plate.

Because of all that, for me, making a chicken pot pie really is a labor of love. I make it for my kids their first evening home from college. Or when we have company for dinner. Or when a friend is sick.

 Two days ago I found out that Helen, a friend of mine from church, is doing poorly. Her cancer has spread, and she's weak and exhausted. For almost ten years I volunteered a few times a month at our church's 'Welcome Desk'. Helen always did the shift before me. Helen's old enough to be my mom, and she's the nicest lady ever.  So when I was asked if I could bring her a meal this week, of course I knew what I had to make!

 I have to say I had the nicest afternoon making that pie for Helen. Doing something for another person is such a gift, I think. While it was baking, I decided to make her cookies too. 

 Last night, my husband helped me take the dinner to Helen's house. We quietly set the items down in her kitchen and went out the back door. Then came home to another chicken pie! I decided if I was making one pie today, I might as well make two. My husband was very pleased.  I told him it was no trouble…because, you know, I like him a lot too.

 So, do you have a dish or a meal that you only make on special occasions? I'd love to hear about it!

 Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

with blessings,

Shelley

Congratulations, Lora!

Congratulations, Lora Patten! Between Facebook and comments here, we had well over a 100 entries. Please contact me privately sometime today with your mailing address, and please don't forget to tell me which of my books you'd like to have!

I now have a notebook full of great ideas and time periods for the next series. I can't wait to share all of it with my editor!

These contests have been so popular, I'll be offering several more before New Years Day. The next will be on Monday.

In the meantime, I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Shelley

Another Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone for the enthusiastic response to Monday's drawing!  It was so much fun giving away a free book that I'm offering another opportunity to win today! Today's item is so, so cute. It's a mini quilted coloring tote! On the outside are spots for four crayons. Inside is a cute hand-drawn coloring book of Amish farm animals! I purchased it in Bird-in-Hand while on tour. So the winner will receive this little tote and a signed copy of one of my books-the winner's choice.

All you have to do today to win is help me do some planning…I need to come up with a new setting for an Amish series for 2013, and I'm kind of/sort of thinking about writing an Amish historical novel. Write a comment about historicals or a series setting idea…either here or on Facebook. One winner will be drawn by tomorrow afternoon.

Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for participating!

blessings,

shelley

Lots of great movies!

Dear Readers,

Thanks for sharing your favorite movies! I now can't wait to sit down and watch It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and all the others mentioned.  I did work on Christmas cards yesterday and watched The Bishops Wife.

The winner for yesterday's drawing was Lindy Enlow! Lindy, please send me an email with your address information some time today. Please also let me know which of my books you'd like signed and sent to you!

Didn't win but would still like to win a book and assorted other goodies? Please stop by here tomorrow! That's right, I'll be hosting another drawing on Wednesday!

If you've never joined me on Facebook, please consider doing so! There's a great group of us there and we'd love to have you join us in the discussions!

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday!

Shelley

Christmas Cards and Christmas Movies

 

     Do you still send out Christmas cards? I put my daughter in charge of ordering ours this year. It's a photo of us from our trip to Alaska last June.  The box came last week. Ever since then, I've been staring at the cards, knowing I've got a job to do.  This morning I decided I needed a little motivation~so tonight I'm going to watch my favorite Christmas movie and complete those cards. 

     Do you have a favorite Christmas movie? Mine is The Bishop's Wife.  Yes, it probably has a lot to do with Cary Grant. But I love the story, about a couple needing a little romance back in their life, and about God answering prayers. And I've always loved the very beginning, when Cary is a blind man's guardian angel.

     If you'd like to share your favorite Christmas movie and why, I'll enter you in a drawing! Yep, for the next two weeks, I'll be doing lots of drawings~and giving away Amish Country Tour Bags, little souvenirs from the trip…and…a book! The winners can choose from any of my books!  Today's drawing winner will be announced tomorrow. 

     Happy Monday, and good luck!

     Shelley

             

















           


            

A Quick Wednesday Hi

I've had a pretty busy twenty-four hours!

Yesterday evening, I was a guest on Janet Parchall's radio show. We talked about Christmas in Sugarcreek, writing, and the Christmas season. If you're interested, you can stop by Moody Radio's website and listen to the taped interview.  www.inthemarketwithjanetparshall.org

After that, some of my dear girlfriends from church came over! We ate cookies (I made peanut butter with chocolate kisses~yum!) and stuffed gift bags for seniors. My county has a program where you can 'adopt' a senior citizen for Christmas, and make up fun gift bags for them, too! We had more fun sharing all the candy, lotions, toiletries, and other small items we collected, then stuffing them all into bags. One gal's job was to hole punch the sacks for the gold ribbon we tied them with. (funny how none of us liked using that hole punch)

Now today, I'm back in my jeans and writing-and visiting fellow author Lena Nelson Dooley's blog today. There, I'm talking about A Texan's Promise and my journey to get that book published. Lena will also be giving away a copy of A Texan's Promise~ so, if you've ever been interested in the book (or know someone who you'd like to give the book to) I hope you'll stop by! Here's the link: www.lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

All this visiting and cookie-eating and chatting means it's time for me to get back to work! I have a good reason to get my pages done today, too…my husband's taking me out to dinner. I love the thought of no dinner dishes!

Thank you for stopping by~

Shelley

What I Want For Christmas

Every so often, I write a column for a local Mothers of Preschoolers Organization. This is the latest one. Do any of y'all also have 'memorable marks' on your dining room table?

How has your holiday shopping been going? Now that my kids are both in college, their Christmas lists are very short, and very easy to fulfill. They want money.

 Back when the kids were smaller, however, things were far different.  The things they wanted for Christmas depended largely on what was on TV, and what their friends had. My husband and I used to have a 'Christmas date' at the beginning of November. That evening, we'd take care of the Christmas shopping, then carefully hide it all in the attic over our garage. I still remember staring up at the garage ceiling with the greatest sense of accomplishment.  It's nice when you know the gifts you're giving are going to be received with huge smiles.

This past weekend, both kids asked me what I wanted for Christmas. When I told them my 'Christmas list', they groaned. It's not very fancy or exciting, but I will enjoy my 'gifts' with a big smile, too. Want to know what I asked for? Maybe some of you moms can relate to it… I asked to spend time with them.

See, I want a couple of Sunday dinners back at our dining room table-the table with the big scratch across from it from one child sliding a casserole dish to the other instead of picking it up. Our table still looks pretty, but if you look closely at it, you'll be able to notice that the chairs have a couple of nicks from too-short legs kicking them.  There's a couple of stains on the cushions, and a nick on one of the legs of the table-back when the kids used to sneak broccoli to our beagle and she got a little anxious. Though I didn't think it at the time, those moments were gifts to me. They provided memories that will linger for a very long time, maybe even until my children have children of their own.

  What 'gifts' have your children given you this year? Maybe it's a scrape or a nick on your dining room table, too. Maybe it's a couple of peaceful dinners. Maybe it's the way your daughter says a prayer, or the way your son tells you about a new pet at school.  

  The memories from those dinners  have lasted longer than any cookbook, candle, or bottle of bubble bath that I've ever received. Every so often, I'll pass our scarred table or pat a scratch with a nostalgic smile.

  So, this Christmas season, I hope you get everything on your list-plus a few memories you didn't ask for. But most of all, I hope you get to share at least a few meals with the people you love. And try not to be too upset when that casserole dish makes that scrape. I promise, one day you'll remember that moment with a smile.

   With blessings,

   Shelley

Win a Set of Cookbooks!

How neat is this? Below is a link to enterto win a set of cookbooks published by William Morrow! If you click on the link, you'll be able to read about the cookbooks highlighted…and see that Christmas in Sugarcreek is one of the books being given away!

Those of you who read my blog often know that I love to bake, and I love watching the cooking reality shows on Food Network and on Bravo. (right now I'm addicted to the Next Iron Chef! ) I feel so honored to have one of my books listed with them!

http://www.facebook.com/morrowcooks?sk=app_166013376782265&hc_guid=FA66A257-4330-421E-8D9A-09251F48FFA8

Now, if I could only find a way to enter this contest myself…. : )

Since I can't, I wish you the best of luck, and please feel free to share the link with your friends~

with blessings to you,

Shelley