Sharon Wray's Blog, page 24

A New Year of Old Traditions

I’ve always felt late to my own life. While I’m good about getting to meetings and appointments on time, I am always behind when it comes to my own life. I decide to be at the gym by 6: am? I’ll stroll in at 9 am, after a few hours of writing. I sign up for an online class? I almost always end up watching the replay. When it comes to other peoples’ boundaries, I work hard at being the competent adult. But when it comes to my own? It’s just so much easier to curl up with my laptop and write another chapter in whatever book I’m working on. I’m admitting all of this to say that I’m behind on the New Year.

There are so many things I want to have in place before January 1, but inevitably I am traveling for the New Year and then end up sick and exhausted. So over time, I’ve taken some of my favorite New Year’s traditions and moved them to later in the month, and a few are now in February. Here is a quick rundown of the Winter Traditions I love but now happen weeks after the New Year festivities are over.

Winter Traditions Hoppin’ John : My husband is from Charleston, SC and eating Hoppin’ John (a dish of black eyed peas and rice) with collard greens is a must for New Year’s Day. If we are down there for New Year’s Day, we eat it at my sister-in-law’s house. If we stay home, then I usually don’t make it until later in the month when the kids have returned to school and their other homes. Why do I wait? Because they hate black eyed peas and collard greens and complain while I make it. That makes me grumpy and defeats the purpose of the dish… so I wait.Carry an empty suitcase: This is tradition from Colombia where people walk around their towns with an empty suitcase to signify their desire to see more of the world in the new year. Since it would look odd if I carried an empty suitcase up and down my street, I do it around the house. And I usually do this once I’m home after seeing family for the holidays, just before I store the bags away for the next trip. It’s silly, but I love to travel so it’s worth it to look ridiculous as I tromp around the house carrying an empty bag if it means I get an unexpected trip. I just hope it’s to Paris and not someplace scary or boring.Smash a Peppermint Pig: This is a pink candy pig that I order from a store in New York state. The tradition, which dates back to the 19th century in Saratoga Springs, NY, says that if you smash a candy pig with a hammer and share the pieces with your friends and family that you’ll have good luck all year long. The problem is that I always forget to the order the pig before Christmas and it doesn’t arrive until later in January or early February.Wear my polka dot dress: This is a Filipino tradition that I learned about years ago while in graduate school. Apparently, if you wear polka dots on New Year’s you’ll have good luck and prosperity all year long. So I have a silk dress that I only wear for this occasion, except it is a summer dress so I wear it around the house for an hour and then take it off before I freeze. Next year I’m buying a polka dot scarf or hat. That will make this tradition so much easier. Eat round fruits: This is another Filipino tradition I learned about from a friend of mine in grad school. Apparently, round fruits (like mandarin oranges and grapes) resemble coins. So you’re supposed to eat 12 round fruits and the sweetness and shape symbolize all the sweet things in life that are waiting for you. But it’s a lot easier to eat 12 grapes than twelve oranges. Also, the directions were never clear on if you had to eat the fruit all at once or could eat it all month long. Since I don’t like grapes, and prefer mandarins, I just eat 12 of them over the course of a week once I get home from my holiday travels.Chalking the Door: This old Christian traditional house blessing is usually done on Twelfth Night (Jan 5) or on the Epiphany (Jan 6). Using chalk, I write a code on the lintel over my front door with the pattern 20  C  M  B  25. The numbers represent the calendar year 2025 and the crosses represent Christ. The letters C, M, and B stand for Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, the names of the Magi. The letters also represent the Latin blessing Christus mansionem benedicat (May Christ bless this house). Writing this in chalk over your door will protect your home from evil doers and illnesses throughout the year.Leap into the New Year: This one comes from Denmark. At midnight, you’re supposed to jump off a chair and land on the ground to signify leaping into the New Year. Instead, I just jump over my threshold once I chalk the front door. It’s safer that way. I’m not really sure what the leaping itself signifies, but I’ve always assumed it meant good luck because you’re excited to see the new year come and the old one pass away. But I could be wrong on this one.Clean the house & Open the Doors: I always wait to do this after all the Christmas decorations are taken down as it seems silly to thoroughly clean around trees dropping needles and poinsettias that are still dying through my neglect. But cleaning your house in January “sweeps” away the bad luck from the previous year. And then opening the doors allows fresh air to blow through with new vitality and excitement for life.Cleanse with Sage & Light a Candle: Once the house is clean, I purify the air with sage to invite fresh energy into the home. Then I light a candle with my favorite scent to invite people I love into the house.Blow cinnamon: This is something that can be done at the beginning of each month, but as I already stated I’m always late on stuff like this so I just do it whenever I remember. Apparently, blowing cinnamon out your front door brings prosperity and good luck. I have no idea why. But I like the smell and it’s fun to do. Welcome the First Footer: This is a Scottish/Celtic tradition where the first person to enter my home after New Year’s brings good luck and friendship. Tradition holds that the first footer must be male and have dark hair, probably because blond men in ancient Scotland were probably Vikings who were not seeking friendship and bringing luck. But now, I’ll welcome anyone with a smile. And bonus points if they’re bringing Christmas cookies. Write a letter to myself: I love to do this later in the month, once the house is clean and quiet. But first I read the letter I wrote to myself the previous year, and then I write another one to open next year that expressed everything I’m thinking at that moment. I’m always amazed at what I say to myself — my worries and hopes and dreams. Some are the same that carry over from year to year, but others disappeared without my realizing it, proving that most of my worries are for naught.

Regardless of how you celebrate the New Year, I hope we all have a blessed and prosperous 2025!

The post A New Year of Old Traditions first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Peaceful Lasagna

It’s Friday, and all of the Christmas decorations are finally sorted and put away until next year. I’ve also completed my first full week back at work, and all of my guests have gone home. The sheets have been changed, and the house is clean and put back into order. That means I’m exhausted and hungry. And it’s also freezing outside since we’re in the middle of another polar vortex. So, tonight, I’m making my favorite winter meal known as Peaceful Lasagna. It’s a variation on the regular lasagna recipe that is creamier and not as heavy as the original. It’s perfect for a cold winter’s night where we’ll eat by the fire with a loaf of crusty garlic bread and, maybe, a glass of red wine and leftover gingersnap cookies.

PrintPeaceful LasagnaCourse Main CoursePrep Time 45 minutes minutesCook Time 45 minutes minutesServings 12Calories 345kcalIngredients12 lasagna noodles1 pound ground beef2 cups finely chopped spinach1/2 onion finely chopped2 cloves garlic minced1 24 ounce jar of favorite tomato sauce2 8 ounce blocks cream cheese softened1 pint sour cream3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese dividedInstructionsPreheat the oven to 350 ℉.Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and boil the lasagna noodles according to the package. While the water is boiling and the noodles are cooking, make the cheese and meat filling.In a frying pan, brown the ground beef. Reserve 2 Tablespoons of beef fat and strain the meat, putting it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain even more. Saute the onions and spinach in the frying pan with the beef fat until the spinach is soft and the onions are turning brown. Stir in the garlic and keep stirring for one more minute. Stir the meat back into the pan and mix the meat with the onions and spinach. Then stir in the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer for five minutes and set the pan aside.In a large bowl, use a fork to blend the sour cream, cream cheese, and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese until well combined. Set aside.Once the noodles are done, and the cheese and meat are ready, begin layering the lasagna in a 9"x13" pan. Place some tomato sauce on the bottom of the pan, then layer with three lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the cheese mixture, and a 1/3 of the meat. Do the same with the second and third layers. Top the third layer with the last 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Peaceful Lasagna first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Time to Pack Up & Put Away

Since I’m still recovering from traveling and cleaning and putting things away, today’s post is a revised post from the archives. It’s a simple-yet-fun project, especially if you love to organize things and shop for things on sale!

Today’s post is about organizing holiday decorations and serving pieces. Why are we talking about this after the holidays? Because January and February are known for a few different types of sales. First, these two months are known for sales of furniture and linens (towels, sheets, etc.). Second, these months have also started to be known for sales of organizing tools like stackable boxes, wreath and light bags, and china/flatware bins. And today I want to talk specifically about tools that help you organize and store your holiday decorations and your china/flatware that you only use a few times a year.

First I want to talk about china. Not everyone uses fancy china anymore, and I’ve noticed with my daughter’s wedding, as well as my many nieces’ weddings, that they don’t even register for china. But chances are that one day, if you entertain, you will end up with dishes and cups that you use for certain holidays, not even just this time of year. One of the things I recently invested in are these soft-sided quilted storage containers. They are available from many different vendors, but at the time I was writing this post Amazon had the best prices. (I am NOT an Amazon affiliate and make no money from any links on this blog). You can also find similar items at Walmart, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, etc.

I have five full sets of china that I inherited from grandmothers, etc., and I just recently invested in these quilted containers with felt dividers. Not only to they protect the dishes from small scrapes that lead to crazing, but they also prevent chipping and keep the dishes clean and free from dust. I also use this flatware box to keep my silver flatware together. While it’s not lined with silver felt, if your flatware is sterling silver you can add these inexpensive silver protector (anti-tarnish) paper strips to protect the silver from tarnishing and pitting. I also love this storage box for water and wine glasses. I have enough room in my china cabinet that I don’t need to pack them away, but I used them at my mother’s house and they were definitely sturdy enough to protect the finest crystal. I also have some random silver serving pieces that I received from my grandmother, and I store them in these silver bags and place them in my china cabinet.

Why do I go to all this trouble? I do this for many reasons, some emotional and others financial. First, these items came to me from my female relatives (many of whom who’ve passed on), as well as from my wedding. I have deep emotional ties to these things and would like to pass them down to my own children. So I want to keep them in good condition. Second, many of these things have value on the secondary china/silver markets. If I ever need quick cash, I can sell them on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, or I can even sell them on consignment to auction houses or even Replacements, Ltd. Third, some these things are insured and I need to prove that they are being stored correctly and safely in order to prove that I’ve stored them correctly (yes, I take photos of these items in their storage containers) in case I ever have to make an insurance claim. Fourth, I have moved many times over the years and having these items already boxed up properly will make the next move even easier. Then there is the fifth reason–if we ever need to leave the house quickly, I can grab the silver. I know it sounds silly and dystopian, but crazy things have been happening in the world lately. While I wouldn’t take the china with me, I would take the sterling silver because it could be sold quickly or traded for something else we may need.

Yes, that fifth reason is a stretch but one thing the last two years have taught me is that weird things happen when you least expect them.

Okay. Let’s move on to decorations. Yes, your decorations are probably all stored away now. But since these packing items are on sale now, you may want to get them and store them away until next year. Or, during a blizzard or your spring cleaning, you may want to reduce and reorganize your decorations to save space.

Here are some of my favorite storage tools to look out for when they go on sale: (Again, these are Amazon links but you should shop around to see if there are better prices elsewhere. And, like I said before, I am NOT an affiliate and receive no money from these product links)

I love these ornament storage boxes. They have acid-free linings to prevent discoloration as well as removable trays for stacking. Here is another style that’s in a stackable square form. And I have three of these wreath bags that I’ve been using for years for my fake wreaths. (I only use a real wreath on my front door). These wreath bags are soft sided and I stack them on top of each other. While I loved the harder plastic wreath bins, the plastic clips keeping them closed kept breaking off! These soft wreath bags are made out of a sturdy canvas with a strong zipper.

For larger, fragile items like snow globes and porcelain villages houses, I use these bins. They have strong dividers and can be stacked on top of each other. They also store collectible caroler statues and medium-sized nutcrackers. For random items that are still in their original packaging, or soft things that I can store in ziplock bags, I use these bins from Lowe’s. They are strong, waterproof, and stack safely in threes.

A while ago, we talked about storage and organization for holiday wrapping supplies. Here’s a link for that blog post, and many of those items will also be going on sale this month and next month.

Finally, outdoor lights. While my husband takes care of these items, he does use the Lowe’s bins (mentioned above as well) as well as these storage containers as well as these light storage containers. While all of these containers can add up in price, now is the best time of the year to find them on sale. Even if you buy them now and store them until the end of the year, before we know it we’ll be dragging all of these things out to decorate the house again. Then, when you’re putting things away in January 2026, you’ll have everything you need to organize your holiday decorations then. And you will have done it with 2025’s sale prices!

The post Time to Pack Up & Put Away first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Winter Storm Home Emergency Plan

This week, like in most of the country, it’s snowing. A lot. And the temperature is stuck a few degrees below freezing. More cold weather is coming and there is always the possibility we’ll lose power. I’ll be honest, this storm took me by surprise. Since Christmas, we’ve been traveling and hosting guests and driving up and down the east coast. We’ve been dealing with sick family members, and cleaning up after a wonderful and hectic Christmas and New Year’s. So when I heard about the storm a few days ago, I filled up the car with gas and ran to the grocery store. But within hours of the storm hitting, I remembered all the things I meant to do to prepare for storms like this one and forgot to do. That means today’s blog post about preparing for winter emergencies is as much for you as it is for me.

I usually go through the list below in early November, when the weather turns in a winterly direction. But this year, for many reasons that don’t matter now, I didn’t. Luckily, since I am usually pretty good about working through my seasonal lists, I had a lot of this work already done. But it never hurts to go through the list a few times each season because you just never know when the power grid will go down or your neighbor’s house will burn down during a blizzard and you have to seek alternate shelter due to safety reasons (this just happened to a friend of mine).

This is not a complete list, and everyone has their own family/living situations to deal with, but I hope it’s enough to get you started. And don’t forget to stock up on your favorite romance novels to pass the time while you’re curled up in front of the fireplace, even if it’s just a YouTube Fireplace ambience.

Winter Storm Emergency Home Preparedness ListCash. I always have cash in the house. You never know when you’re just going to be too tired to shovel the driveway and will want to pay the neighbor’s kid to help you do that or run other errands for you. And make sure your cash is in smaller denominations, like ones, fives, and tens.Emergency weather radio with AM stations. Or a CB radio, if you prefer. If the power goes down, a battery-powered and/or solar powered emergency radio may be your only way to find out what’s going on. The newer radios can also power small USB devices, including certain cell phones.Charge all laptops, phones, etc. Even if you lose power, there may still be some cell service available to make calls and set up a hotspot.If you have a car that doesn’t fit into the garage, cover your car with a canvas tarp to make it easier to clean off the car after the storm.Open the cabinets below sinks to let the house’s warm air circulate around the exposed pipes. This can help the pipes from freezing. You can also wrap the pipes with towels to help prevent freezing.Set all the sinks and showers to a small drip to help prevent the pipes from freezing.Consider shutting off the house’s main water supply if the temperatures will drop below 25 degrees F. If you do this at the street, you may need to drain the pipes in the house.If you lose power, consider shutting off the main power supply in the house.Cover any exposed outdoor hose bibs and/or faucets to keep them protected from snow and ice.Small camping stove, either propane or butane. This is critical for heating up/cooking food, making coffee or tea or even hot chocolate. Propane stoves and fuel are cheaper, but in an emergency the small propane tanks sell out first. So consider butane. It’s more expensive, but it’s also the fuel that’s left behind on the store shelves when there’s an emergency.When using these stoves, or propane heaters, you must ventilate the room. For every 1000BTUs of heat, you need 1″ of ventilation.Water. You need at least 1 gallon per person per day of clean water. Have enough water in the house for at least five days per person. If the town’s power goes down, so do the town’s water pumps.If you have a well with an electric pump, consider having a manual backup.Berkey water filters and bottled water are a good place too start with easy water preps.Fill the bathtubs with water (and maybe even large pots or other containers) that can be used for bathing and filling toilet tanks. It can also be boiled and used for cooking.Don’t forget the water in the water heater tank. That can be tapped in an emergency.As a last resort, you can melt snow and boil it on a propane or butane stove to be used for hygienic purposes.Heat. If the power goes out during a snowstorm, and you’re stuck in the house, you need to be able to stay warm. If you have a generator, that’s great as long as you have enough gas to keep it running. If it’s hooked up to an underground gas line, you don’t have to worry too much. But those kinds of generators are really expensive. If you have a portable generator, then make sure you have enough gas with a place too store it safely, and you’ll need to keep the generator in working order. (I’m looking at you, gunky carburators!)If you have a wood fireplace, or a woodburning stove, you can build a “Heat Cube” around that. That means, you keep that area of the house closed off as much as possible so you only have to heat that room. And that room is where you spend your daytime hours and even, possibly, where you can sleep on sleeping bags and/or air mattresses.Having extra blankets, including mylar thermal blankets, are always a good idea, especially if you don’t have a fireplace or stove where you can build a Heat Cube.If you use candles, make sure you have fire extinguishers and/or fire blankets nearby, just in case.Propane heaters. These are great and can be bought on sale during the summer. But if you have one and are using it inside during a snowstorm, remember that it must be vented. Any heat source that comes from combustion and uses oxygen will release Carbon Monoxide. So the irony is that you’re using the heater to heat the room but may have to crack a window in order to vent the heater.Another idea for keeping warm at night is to pitch a tent in the middle of the Heat Cube. It may seem strange, but setting up a tent where you all sleep together can conserve body heat. Carbon Monoxide sensor/detector if using a propane heater.Remember to watch out for your pets. Luckily, dogs and cats have fur but they can get cold as well and may want to cuddle with you in your Heat Cube.Heavy blankets to cover the windows and stop drafts.Rolled up towels to place against door thresholds to stop drafts.Food. I always have prepared food in the pantry in case of emergencies. Although it’s difficult, I try to choose the healthiest prepared foods I can find. Before a big snowstorm (or any other kind of storm) I run to the grocery store to stock up on perishables that will hopefully last us through the the worst of it. Because if the grid goes down, the grocery stores may go down as well. Here’s a short list of what I keep on hand for emergencies. At least, during a snowstorm, I don’t have to worry about the food in the freezer/fridge going bad. I’ve been known to pack the food in coolers and bury it in the snow drifts, a technique I learned from my grandmother who was from New York State.Winter’s seasonal perishables like mandarin oranges, bananas, fresh pineapple, salad makings, carrots, celery sticks, etc. Fresh, nutritious fruits and veggies will help keep up your strength and fight against the flu and other respiratory ailments.Breads, cereals, and pastas. I don’t eat a lot of bread, but during a storm I like to have a loaf of sourdough or focaccia bread to eat with canned soups (see below), as well as my favorite sandwich bread. They won’t last forever, but you can even toast them with butter over a camping stove. And you can make sandwiches, like PB&J. I usually have at least one loaf of bread in the freezer that I can pull out during storms like these. It’s also easy to make grilled cheese sandwiches and oatmeal on a camping stove. Dairy products like cheese sticks, blocks of your favorite cheese, yogurt, and coffee/tea creamer. I also always have ice cream because even if I’m cold, it’s nice to have a treat when I’m stressed.Granola bars/protein bars/crackers/other non-sugary snacks.Peanut butter or any other kind of fat that can be used to make sandwiches or eaten as a snack with crackers or veggies.Canned soups, both condensed and ready-to-eat. These can be easily heated on a camping stove.Your favorite easy-to-heat or no-need-to-heat foods, like canned chicken and tuna, pasta, or instant oatmeal.Extra food and treats for pets.Don’t underestimate the power of a cookie or candy bar. Having a few extras on hand, or even the ingredients to make S’mores, can really help morale for adults and children.Clothing.Layers are key to keeping warm. You want air to circulate between your layers of clothes. Begin with a thin, wool or silk layer like long johns (long underwear). Then layer on long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, and then jackets. The same with pants. Begin with long underwear or tights, leggings, and then jeans or snow pants. I’m always cold, so I wear lots of layers. But my husband and son are never cold, so they wear 2-3 layers instead of my 5-6. If you’re not moving, though, you’ll need more layers to keep warm.If going outside to play or shovel, you’ll need winter boots and thick socks, heavy-duty winter jackets, hats, mittens, and gloves. But if you don’t have power and a working clothes dryer, you’ll need multiples of these items so they can dry thoroughly in between usage. Don’t put on damp clothes before going outside. That will cause all sorts of problems you don’t need.At night, you can sleep in your day clothes or layer up in your Heat Cube with sweatshirts, socks, and lots of blankets.Tools.Wood and fire starters to build a fire in your fireplace, stove, or even an outdoor fire pit.Battery-powered LED lanterns. While I love candles, they are a fire hazard and these lanterns can last for days without recharging.Good shovels and ice scrapersGood solar kit with a 25W solar panel with two USB outlets.For the cars, you’ll need an ice scraper with a long handle, preferably that has a glove-type covered handle.De-icer for cars (windshield and mirrors) as well as the sidewalks and outdoor stairs.Headlamps and flashlights.Cell phone battery block with multiple USB slots and a small LED light, as well as the cords to hook up small electronics.Make a connection bag that holds the different types of cords you need for your electronics. Lots of batteries in different sizes for portable radios and chargers.Swiss Army knife or something similarAxe for chopping wood if you have wood and a woodburning fireplace. Hopefully, your woodpile is close to the house.Lifestraw for water you’ve melted from snow, if necessary.UV purifying water bottle and/or water purifying pills.Extra glasses ~ If you can’t see without glasses (for reading or driving), get an extra pair. Same thing if you wear contacts. Duct tape and paracord ~ My husband was in the army and we always have these two things in the garage. And we’ve used both of them in emergencies. Good work gloves to change tires, collect wood, etc. Gas-powered chainsaw with extra treated gas.Games and books. You and your family may find yourself stuck in the house with no power for hours or days and it’s always nice to have a game (or a few), or some good books, to help you and others pass the time. For kids, coloring books, playing cards, puzzle books, and fun puzzles are a great way to keep them occupied.High quality First Aid Kit along with a pair of scissors (if not included). This is the one I keep in my cars. This is the one I love for the house.Ibuprofen and acetaminophen Hot Hands and hand warmersExtra medications for meds you take daily or during emergencies, especially things like insulin, etc.Sun protection ~ I know we’re planning for winter, but you can still get a sunburn on your face if you have to shovel off your driveway once the storm is over and the sun comes out.Identity documents in a plastic, waterproof bag. If you have to make an emergency evacuation, you should have these documents on a thumb drive. These documents include driver’s licenses, car registration and insurance information, medical cards for emergencies as well as anything else you might need quickly like prescription refill forms, shot records, etc. Also include your pets’ vaccination records, and don’t forget any licenses for weapons you may want to bring with you. Here is an article I wrote about how to collect and stores this information.Personal Protection: If you carry a weapon, make sure you know the legal requirements in your state as well as have enough ammunition and the tools to clean your weapon. If you have a license for your weapon, keep it with your important documents in case you need to evacuate. Starlink. I don’t have one of these satellite-based devices, but I’m considering getting one and then, if I need it, I can set it up and pay the monthly fee. I know people who’ve done this and wanted to pass on the information.

I hope you find this list helpful and not stressful. The point it to get prepared and then forget about it because you’ll know that no matter what craziness happens, you and your family will survive. And maybe you’ll be in a position to help others as well. 

The post Winter Storm Home Emergency Plan first appeared on Sharon Wray.

An Epiphany for All

This is an edited repost from the archives.

During Elizabethan times, the twelve days between December 24 and January 6 were the most joyful of the entire year. The celebrations began on Christmas Eve with the Yule log being placed in the fireplace and set ablaze. It had to be large enough to burn, 24/7, until January 6th, also known as Twelfth Night. As they waited to attend midnight mass, the halls of great homes were decorated with holly and ivy and people visited their neighbors and sang carols in exchange for a spiced wine known as wassail. (The word “wassail” comes from the Old English phrase “waes hael” meaning “be well.”)

[image error]

On Christmas Day, a young man would be chosen to preside over the twelve days of activities and he was called the Lord of Misrule. He would dress outlandishly and lead all of the dancing and games. He was basically the emcee for the twelve days of fun and festivities. He also coordinated with the local choirs and traveling mummers so there would always be music. 

On New Year’s Day, small gifts were exchanged like oranges spiked with cloves, ginger cookies, and small bags of spices. On Twelfth Night, the last night of celebration, the Lord of Misrule would present one final night of feasting, dancing, and music before giving up his title. And, of course, there was a Twelfth Night cake. Usually it was a heavily spiced fruit cake that made up for the lack of sugar with tons of wine. Today, people serve fruit cakes, cheese cakes, and pound cakes. Basically, any kind of cake will do. The Elizabethans also added a coin or a bean to the cake. Whoever found the bean or coin would be King or Queen for the day and everyone had to do what they said, even the Lord of Misrule.

But why did this holiday season last until January 6, exactly 12 days after Christmas? Because January 6, aka The Epiphany, is the celebration of the day that the three Maji (wise men) arrived in Bethlehem to offer their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. This moment represents the moment God as man was presented to the world. The word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek word “epiphaneia” which means “manifestation” or “reveal”. This feast day refers to the day that Jesus manifested himself to the gentile kings from the east. These kings represented all of humanity. 

Here is the visit spelled out in the Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 2: 

“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, … behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.’ …. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” 

The Western Christian church names these kings as Melchior (Persian scholar), Caspar (Ethiopian scholar), and Balthazar (Arabian Scholar). The gifts they offered were the kind normally offered to a king. Myrhh was an anointing oil, Frankincense was a perfume, and gold was the most valuable asset available. These gifts also had a spiritual meaning since gold represents kingship on earth, frankincense was an incense that represented deity, and myrrh was used an embalming oil and represented death.

The Epiphany takes the birth of Christ, presents Him to the world, and hints at what was to come (Death and Resurrection). Therefore, in the Elizabethan world, this day was the final and most important day of the season. With dancing and cake and lots of festivities, the season ended with a promise of next year. Even the embers of the dying Yule log were collected to help start the Yule log fire the next year. But the next day, also known as Ploughman’s Day, was when all the decorations came down and people headed back to work. Most importantly in an agrarian society, those who worked in the fields took stock of what needed to be done to get ready for spring. It was even considered bad luck to keep the holiday decorations up after the Epiphany. So after you eat your Epiphany cake (recipe below), save your embers, and clean up your last holiday meal, it’s time to return to work. Until next year’s holiday season comes around!

I usually make an eggnog cake for the Epiphany, but this year I’m attempting a Galette de Roi! This is a French cake made of of frangipane (a sweet almond-flavored custard) between two puff pastry circles. It has a “fève” (a small coin, nut, or a bean) baked into it , and it can be decorated with a paper crown. Whoever finds the “fève” gets to wear the crown for a day. Here’s the recipe I’m using–it’s a combination of three recipes. One from my grandmother, one from my sister-in-law, and one from my best friend. I’m hoping for the best!

PrintGalette de RoiCourse DessertKeyword CakePrep Time 45 minutes minutesCook Time 30 minutes minutesServings 10Calories 465kcalIngredients1 cup almond flour1/2 cup sugar3 1/2 ounces unsalted butter, cubed at room temperaturezest of 2 tangerines2 large eggs1/8 teaspoon almond extractpinch salt2 teaspoon rum1 pound puff pastry divided in two pieces1 small almond1 egg yolk2 Tablespoons milkInstructionsIn the bowl of a food processor, combine the almond flour, sugar, salt, tangerine zest, butter, eggs, rum, and almond extract. Using the burst mode, process the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spread butter over the top.On a lightly floured counter, roll out the first piece of puff pastry and form it into a 9" circle. Place the dough circle on the baking sheet. Gently pour the almond filling into the middle of the dough and spread outwards, leaving a 1" border all the way around the dough circle.Put the almond on top of the almond filling. Using a pastry brush, brush water around the exposed edge of the dough. Roll out the second piece of puff pastry into another 9" circle. Place the pastry on top of the first and press down the edges so they form a tight seal.If you want, you can use a fork or a knife to draw a design in the top of the cake's pastry.In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk and brush it evenly over the top of the dough. Poke steam holes in the top of the cake (about 5) and bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is a nice golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a baking rack. Serve at room temperature.

The post An Epiphany for All first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cheesy Lentils & Brown Rice

It’s been such a long week, with lots of company and even more cooking, and I was in the mood for an easy dinner that everyone would love on a cold winter’s night. That’s when I remembered this recipe a writing friend gave me a while back.

[image error]

A bunch of authors had met at her house for dinner before going to a book signing at a local bookstore, and she served this with crusty bread and homemade cookies for dessert. This meal is both easy to make and so filling, especially if you’re tired of turkey and stuffing. And for dessert, I suggest these apple oatmeal cookies as the perfect way to end the meal.

PrintCheesy Lentils & Brown RiceCourse Main CourseKeyword Crock pot, Instant potPrep Time 15 minutes minutesCook Time 8 hours hoursServings 4Calories 535kcalIngredients1/2 Vidalia onion finely chopped4 cloves garlic minced3/4 cup brown rice uncooked3/4 cup brown lentils uncooked2 1/2 cups chicken broth15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes4 ounce can green chilis diced1 Tablespoon taco seasoning2 teaspoons dried oregano1 teaspoon Kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper2 cups cheddar cheese grated1/4 cup fresh parsley for garnishInstructionsIn a large slow cooker or instant pot, combine all of the ingredients EXCEPT the cheese and parsley. Stir the ingredients until well mixed.For the instant pot, cook on high pressure (manual) for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes Then release the last bit of pressure.For the slow cooker, cook on low for 8 hours.For both the slow cooker and instant pot, once the recipe is finished cooking/reducing pressure, take off the cover and stir in 1 cup of the cheese. Serve in bowls, using the last cup of cheese and the parsley as toppings. Serve immediately.

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Cheesy Lentils & Brown Rice first appeared on Sharon Wray.

All in the Public Domain

On January 1, 2025, many people (including myself), celebrate Public Domain Day. What, exactly, is this special event? It’s the day when copyrighted works (including books, poems, movies) from 1929 become available for public use. Also included are sound recordings from 1924. The great thing about Public Domain day is that all sorts of creative material is now freed up for artists to share, adapt, and teach from. Here is a link to the Catalog of Copyrighted Entries managed by the U.S. Copyright Office. And this year, some of the works include books that were once banned for political, moral, obscenity, and/or war trauma reasons including A Farewell to Arms, A Room of One’s Own, and The Sound and the Fury.

Below I’ve only included a brief selection of books, films, musical compositions (from 1929), and sound recordings (from 1924) that are now in the Public Domain. For more information, I encourage you to check out the Catalog of Copyrighted Entries. And here is a brief description of last year’s list. Also, this new Public Domain list is for the United States ONLY. It’s always a good idea to check with other countries’ copyright laws if you’re using a copyrighted work you don’t own. Also, there are all sorts of legal issues going on right now about if specific characters in a story/movie/etc can be copyrighted. So the best practice is to ALWAYS check with a lawyer who specializes in copyright law before using any book/movie/poem/recording/etc. you’re not sure about.

Disclaimer: This article offers a snapshot of what’s entering the Public Domain this year, but it does not constitute legal advice.

[image error]A Selection of 1929 Books in the Public Domain: The Sound and the Fury , William Faulkner A Farewell to Arms , Ernest Hemingway Red Harvest , Dashiell Hammett All Quiet on the Western Front , Erich Maria Remarque (first English translation) Berlin Alexanderplatz , Alfred Döblin A High Wind in Jamaica , Richard Hughes The Roman Hat Mystery , Ellery Queen (first Ellery Queen mystery) Dodsworth , Sinclair Lewis Hitty, Her First Hundred Years , Rachel Field A Room of One’s Own , Virginia Woolf Good-Bye to All That , Robert Graves Look Homeward, Angel , Thomas Wolfe Mamba’s Daughters , DuBose Heyward The Bishop Murder Case , S. S. Van Dine Les Enfants Terribles , Jean Cocteau The Magic Island , William SeabrookA Selection of 1929 Films in the Public Domain: The Cocoanuts , directed by Robert Florey and Joseph Santley, the first film starring the Marx Brothers (Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo)Disney’s Plane Crazy (sound version),  The Karnival Kid  (in which Mickey Mouse speaks his first words),  The Plowboy  (first appearance of Horace Horsecollar), and  The Skeleton Dance  (the first Silly Symphony cartoon) Jungle Jingles ,  Race Riot , and  Weary Willies , along with several other Oswald the Lucky Rabbit shorts Small Talk , the first Our Gang short to be released with sound Pandora’s Box  (Die Büchse der Pandora) and  Diary of a Lost Girl  (Tagebuch einer Verlorenen), both directed by G.W. Pabst and starring Louise Brooks Say It with Songs , directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Al Jolson (Jolson’s first full-length talkie) The Broadway Melody , directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Anita Page and Charles King (the first musical released by MGM and Hollywood’s first all-talking musical) Welcome Danger , directed by Clyde Bruckman and starring Harold Lloyd (Lloyd’s first sound film) Dynamite , directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Conrad Nagel (DeMille’s first sound film) On with the Show! , directed by Alan Crosland and starring Betty Compton and Arthur Lake (the first all-talking, all-color feature-length film) Hallelujah , directed by King Vidor and starring Daniel L. Haynes and Nina Mae McKinney (one of the first films with an all-Black cast produced by a major studio) Blackmail , directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Anny Ondra (sound version voiced by Joan Barry; Hitchcock’s first sound film) Eternal Love , directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring John Barrymore and Camilla Horn The Virginian , directed by Victor Fleming and starring Gary Cooper, Walter Huston, and Richard Arlen The Return of Sherlock Holmes , directed by Basil Dean and starring Clive Brook (the first sound film to feature Sherlock Holmes) Spite Marriage , directed by Buster Keaton and Edward Sedgwick and starring Keaton Bulldog Drummond , directed by F. Richard Jones and starring Ronald Colman The Three Masks  (Les trois masques), directed by André Hugon and starring Renée Héribel, Jean Toulout and François Rozet (the first French sound film, though filmed in London) Behind That Curtain , directed by Irving Cummings and starring Warner Baxter and Lois Moran The Black Watch , directed by John Ford and starring Victor McLaglen and Myrna Loy (Ford’s first sound film) Where East Is East , directed by Tod Browning and starring Lon Chaney Land Without Women  (Das Land ohne Frauen), directed by Carmine Gallone and starring Conrad Veidt (the first full-length German-speaking sound film) Show Boat , directed by Harry Pollard and starring Laura La Plante The Desert Song , directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring John Boles and Carlotta King Applause , directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Helen Morgan Disraeli , directed by Alfred E. Green and starring George Arliss Woman in the Moon , directed by Fritz Lang and starring Willy Fritsch and Gerda Maurus The Love Parade , directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald Gold Diggers of Broadway , directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Winnie Lightner and Nick LucasA Selection of 1929 Musical Compositions in the Public Domain:“Honeysuckle Rose,” w. Andy Razaf, m. Thomas “Fats” Waller“Ain’t Misbehavin’,” w. Andy Razaf, m. Harry “Fats” Waller & Harry Brooks“What Is This Thing Called Love?,” w. & m. Cole Porter“Am I Blue?,” w. Grant Clarke, m. Harry Akst“Singin’ in the Rain,” w. Arthur Freed, m. Nacio Herb Brown“Tiptoe Thru’ the Tulips with Me,” w. Al Dubin, m. Joe Burke “Moanin’ Low,” w. Howard Dietz, m. Ralph Rainger“Happy Days Are Here Again,” w. Jack Yellen, m. Milton Ager“I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling,” w. Billy Rose, m. Thomas “Fats” Waller & Harry Link“You Were Meant for Me,” w. Arthur Freed, m. Nacio Herb Brown“I’m a Dreamer, Aren’t We All?,” w. B.G. DeSylva & Lew Brown, m. Ray Henderson “Can’t We Be Friends?,” w. Paul James, m. Kay Swift“Without a Song,” w. Billy Rose & Edward Eliscu, m. Vincent Youmans“My Kinda Love,” w. Jo Trent, m. Louis AlterA Selection of 1924 Sound Recordings in the Public Domain:

It’s not easy finding and listening to old recordings. But one great source is the Library of Congress National Jukebox. The Library of Congress has made all of the 1924 (and earlier) recordings in its collection available for download. All recordings from 1925 and forward are streaming only until they enter in the Public Domain.

“Rhapsody in Blue,” Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra“It Had to Be You,” Marion Harris“California, Here I Come,” Al Jolson“Somebody Stole My Gal,” Ted Weems and His Orchestra“Somebody Loves Me,” Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra“Memory Lane,” Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians“What’ll I Do,” Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra“I Wonder What’s Become of Sally?,” Al Jolson“Wreck of the Old 97,” Vernon Dalhart“Jealous,” Marion Harris“June Night,” Ted Lewis and His Orchestra“Nobody’s Sweetheart,” Isham Jones and His Orchestra“Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy,” Uncle Dave Macon“Mandalay,” Al Jolson“Everybody Loves My Baby,” Louis Armstrong with Clarence Williams’ Blue Five“How Come You Do Me Like You Do,” Marion Harris

The post All in the Public Domain first appeared on Sharon Wray.

Happy New Year!

I wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2025. May all your dreams come true in this new year!

The post Happy New Year! first appeared on Sharon Wray.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Peppermint Cocktail

It’s New Year’s Eve! While I don’t drink much alcohol, I do enjoy fancy drinks around the holidays. And this year, this peppermint martini is my current favorite. It’s easy to make and perfect for tonight. I hope you enjoy it and that you have a lovely New Year’s Eve! (And don’t look at the calorie count on this drink. Calories don’t count on NYE!)

PrintPeppermint CocktailCourse DrinksKeyword cocktailsPrep Time 5 minutes minutesServings 1 cocktailCalories 1135kcalIngredients2 ounces vanilla vodka2 ounces half and half1.5 ounces peppermint schnappssugar for rimming glasspeppermint stick for garnishcrushed candy canes for rimming glassInstructionsOn a small plate, stir together the sugar and crushed peppermint candy canes. Wet the rom of a martini glass or a double old-fashioned glass. Dip there I'm of the glass into the sugar/candy mixture on the place.Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Then pour in the soda, half and half, and peppermint schnapps. Cover the shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Then strain the drink into the prepared glass. Serve immediately

The post The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Peppermint Cocktail first appeared on Sharon Wray.

A Soft Landing to a Hard Year

I love this time of year, the quiet week between Christmas and New Year’s. For one thing, my whole family is usually together and none of us are working (or maybe hiding it while on their phones). After the Christmas feasting, it’s a time of eating leftovers, watching movies, and reading the last of the year’s books. I have to admit that I’ve always been a quiet end-of-the-year kind of woman. I don’t love huge New Year’s celebrations because I’m tired from Christmas (all the cooking, cleaning, traveling, and company). But I do love to spend this time, either in Virginia or Charleston, setting up my planners and journals for the next year and then redoing my vision board.

[image error]

This process begins in December with my best friend Mary. Mary is a bestselling author and a renowned speaker, and we choose one day in early December to do our in-depth reviews of the year and then work on our future goals. We don’t just review business stuff, we tackle personal stuff as well. Because we both have large families, years ago we started doing this review in early December before family obligations kick in and we run out of time. We also both have an LLC, so we use this as our annual meeting with notes to reflect on our entrepreneurial businesses and our plans for the next year.

But after our planning day in early December, I put all of my notes away… until the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I always take one of these days and go someplace quiet. I’m usually in Charleston visiting family, so I’ll go find a charming coffee shop in the historic district and review all the notes from our December meeting. Then, once I’ve reacquainted myself with my annual review and all of my future goals, I begin the process of building my calendar for the next year, and then deciding which of the goals I’ve chosen I actually have time to accomplish. It doesn’t matter how or where you do planning this. It’s just the act of doing it that can clear your mind, put the past to rest, and reset yourself for the upcoming year.

I call this second day of the annual review process, usually the day before New Year’s Eve, my End of the Year Ritual. This is a time set aside where you can think deeply and honestly about things. For some people, they need lots of noise and music to help them focus. They even go on a retreat with friends. Other people need complete solitude. Some others need an in-between space like working on their own in a crowded cafe. Then, once you’re settled in a comfortable space, you begin to ask yourself questions. (see below) They can be answered in a journal (my preference), or spoken aloud into a recorder, or not captured at all. Maybe you just want to think through your answers and will remember them as you plan for next year.

The primary point of this exercise is three-fold. First, to celebrate all you got done last year. Second, to put to rest those goals that didn’t get finished. Set them aside and forgive yourself, if necessary. It’s okay. You’re right where you need to be. Third, it’s to finalize your goals and projects for next year. Maybe even the next five or ten years. So let’s get started:

End of the Year Ritual Set the mood

Decide where you’re going to review your goals that you set earlier in the month. If you stay home, you could light your favorite candle and drink your favorite tea. You could check into a small inn and work in the sitting room. Or you could take a hike and journal along the way. It doesn’t matter. Do what works best for you.

Reflect on the last year

This can be as simple as mentally reviewing your memories. Or you could journal about the year. Whichever you do, make sure to include the things you accomplished as well as those you didn’t. We have a tendency to focus on our failures instead of our successes, but in this exercise we want to focus on both. For work, review your business income, sales, and other specific goals. For personal, think about your relationships and other situations you worked on or are concerned about. This is a time to tie up loose ends, reflect on what went well, and feel good without putting pressure on yourself. One of the keys to success with this exercise is to tamp down the inner critic. Sometimes I bribe her (me) with a treat after the ritual is done like lunch with a friend or going to my favorite thrift shop.

Here are some questions to get you started:

What went well this year in business and in life?What moments in my life do I want to remember from this year?What lessons did I learn this year that I can carry into next year?What do I want to see change in the next year?What do I want to keep from the last year?What am I grateful for right now? What will I be grateful for this time next year?What were some of the highlights of the past year?What were some of the challenges from the past year?What things did I have no control over? Write a future letter to yourself

I used to think this was a silly idea… until I started doing it. Now I realize it’s a powerful tool for positive self-reflection. If you wrote a letter to yourself last year, now is the time to read and reflect on it. Then write yourself a letter for next year. In this letter, I like to write down my dreams and hopes and visions for the year ahead. I also write down my intentions, as if I’m writing them into future existence. I end my letter with gratitude, usually a list of all I’m grateful for. Then I seal it in an envelope and put it away until next year’s ritual day.

Set intentions

Instead of resolutions, I prefer to set intentions. Intentions are purposeful. Intentions are about alignment with my future vision and goals as well as about discipline. I spend time in prayer and meditation in order to intuit the intentions I set for the next year. They are very personal and yours will look nothing like anyone else’s. In fact, I suggest you not share them with others. Keep them in your journal so you can review them throughout the year. I like to set one intention for each area of my life, and I write them in my journal. These are the areas I tend to focus on, but you can add your own and change mine. I like to have at least one intention per area, but sometimes I’ll have more in an area I need to work on.

Here is a list I use, in no particular order, to set my intentions.

Career/BusinessLove Life/MarriageFinances/WealthFamilyFriendsPhysical EnvironmentFun/RecreationHealth & FitnessPersonal DevelopmentSpiritual DevelopmentTravelVision Board

I love working on my vision board throughout the year, but I especially love rebuilding it at the end of each year. While my bigger dreams still seem so far away, I’m always amazed at what smaller dreams did come true. Even those that came true in a different way than I expected. I used to build my vision board on poster board with magazine cutouts and tons of glue sticks, but now I choose and edit my photos on Canva and build myself a vision board presentation with PowerPoint. That way I can have different slides, one for each area of my life listed above. Working with a vision board helps align your intentions. And don’t be surprised if you change your intentions after doing vision board work. Sometime what you think you want or need is different than what you truly want or need. (I hope that makes sense!) When I sit down to do this, the first thing I do is review the past year’s board and journal about it. Then I build the next year’s board, also journaling about my choices. That way, as the years pass, I can read about and remember my previous intentions, and hopes, and dreams. It’s a great exercise in being flexible. While so many things on my boards have happened, many have not–and that’s okay. Building a vision board helps you visualize your future but also helps you let go of the things in your past that weren’t working for you. And it’s all okay!

Once End of Year Ritual Day is over… it’s time to greet the First Footer.

My grandmother used to say that how you end the old year and begin a new year sets the tone for all the months in between. (Maybe it stems from the ancient Scottish New Year’s tradition of Hogmanay and First Footing. In Scotland, on New Year’s Day, people clean their houses to ward off bad luck. At midnight, people stand outside their homes in a circle, holding hands, and sing Auld Lang Syne. Then, after midnight, they invite neighbors to enter their clean home. The First Footer is the person who enters the home first on New Years Day who is supposed to be harbinger of good fortune.)

Anyway, one of the things I was taught is to clean your house around the New Year. I know it’s hard with all the holidays (decorations, company, cooking, etc) but I love to spend the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve cleaning up as much as I can (although I leave my Christmas decorations up until the Epiphany). Then, come New Year’s Day, I feel like I’m starting the year with clean house and clearer head. Once the house is clean, I light a candle and say a blessing over our home. The other thing I include in this section is making sure I connect with those I love. This is a good time of year to revise your contact lists birthday calendars and, if you send cards out, to buy them in advance. In January, I will set aside a day to purchase and address cards I know I’m going to send out all year long. Then, a week before the event, I’ll write out the card and mail it. (Yes, I still love to mail and receive cards!). I may also make a note in my planner of when I’m going to call certain people, or make lunch dates with my friends. If it’s on my calendar, I’m much more likely to remember.

End of the Year Rituals set you up for success.

They give you permission to set aside time to help you reflect on the past, offer gratitude for the present, and dream about the future. And I don’t know of any better way to both end one year and begin a new one. But the most important thing to remember is that your ritual is private and personal and you can make it all your own. The above suggestions are just that–ideas to help you build your own rituals so you can meet your own goals and fulfill your own, beautiful dreams. I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year.

The post A Soft Landing to a Hard Year first appeared on Sharon Wray.