Sarah Price's Blog, page 22

Christmas Cookies! By Becky Wade

I have fond memories of making Christmas cookies with my mom each December when I was growing up. In particular, I recall baking thumbprint and snowball cookies. Does anyone remember those?

My hat’s off to my mom — who was always game for celebrating holidays, for cooking, and for cleaning up the resulting kitchen mess. Now that I’m a mom myself, I realize how much effort she put in!

I’ve continued the Christmas cookie making tradition with my own kids (ages 15, 12, 6). I let each of them pick out one recipe to make with me. Then we douse the kitchen in grains of flour and delicious smells as we bake all the cookies in a single afternoon. That done, we divvy them up and hand-deliver them to our neighbors. It’s fun to make holiday recipes I only make once a year, fun to collaborate on a joint project with my kids, fun to eat the cookies warm out of the oven. And it’s fun, in the true spirit of Christmas, to give them away as gifts.

My own love of Christmas cookies is what inspired me to set a portion of my Christmas short story, The Proposal, at a cookie party. (The story also includes a few singing firefighters, though those sprang purely from my imagination and sadly aren’t a part of any real life Christmas tradition of mine.)

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Becky

The Proposal is currently available at Amazon for .99!

A cold night in Texas, a dream of marriage, a happily ever after….

Single mom Amber Richardson spends every holiday season working to give her young son the best Christmas possible and striving to ignore the empty chairs around her table, chairs she wishes her mother and father and extended family occupied.

She’d hoped that this holiday would be fuller and happier than the rest. Her handsome firefighter boyfriend, Will McGrath, has brought immeasurable joy and love into her life. Up until recently, they’d even been talking about a future that included wedding bells. Lately, though, the wedding talk has been nonexistent and Amber can’t help but worry that Will’s starting to have second thoughts….

Until a fire station surprise brings very good tidings.

 

 

 

Becky’s a California native who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas.  She published historical romances for the general market before putting her career on hold for several years to care for her three children.  When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction.  She loves writing funny, modern, and inspirational contemporary romance!  She’s the Carol Award, INSPY Award, and Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, Undeniably Yours, Meant to Be Mine, and A Love Like Ours.

 

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Recipe and Giveaway by RaeAnne Thayne

This is such a chaotic time of year, running from holiday parties to concerts to the mall. I don’t know about you, but sometimes my stress level can go through the roof and dinner just seems like one more thing on my to-do list. During the holidays, I look for easy, comforting meals for my family to eat on the run. This is one of our favorites and I keep the ingredients on hand all winter long. You can throw it in the slow cooker ahead of time or just warm everything up on the stove a half-hour before dinner.

Warm-up White Chili

2 cans white chicken, drained (rotisserie works great too)

2 cans white corn, juice and all

2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed

2 cans chicken broth

2 (4 oz) cans diced green chilis

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp lemon pepper

1/4 c. minced dried onion

1 clove chopped garlic

2 to 4 chopped limes

white corn chips

grated cheddar and monterey jack cheese

Mix all ingredients except the lime, chips and cheese in a large pan. Bring the chili to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer 30 minutes. Cut the fresh lime in quarters. Fill the bottom of each bowl with broken corn chips and ladle chili on top of chips. Squeeze fresh lime juice on top of the chili and top with cheese.

What’s your favorite go-to dinner recipe during the holidays? I’ll give a copy of my latest book A COLD CREEK CHRISTMAS STORY to one person who responds.

(Giveaway starts today, Tuesday, December 15th and ends Tuesday, December 22nd.)

 

 

RaeAnne Thayne is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty books. Her books have won many honors, including four RITA nominations from Romance Writers of America, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and a career achievement award from Romantic Times magazine. She finds inspiration from the beautiful northern Utah mountains, where she lives with her family.

 

 

 

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Cookie Day & Recipe By Amanda Flower

For the last twenty-one years on the weekend before Christmas, my friend Delia and I have held Cookie Day, where we bake Christmas cookies for our friends, our families, and ourselves. Delia is an excellent cook and baker. I’m a terrible cook and a fair baker, but this is one day of the year that I look forward to working in the kitchen because I’m with one of my very best friends. We were just teenagers when we started Cookie Day, and it’s such a blessing to have a tradition continue without fail for so long. Even when we lived far away from each other, we made sure Cookie Day happened. We have baked thousands of cookies over these last twenty-one years. It’s a wonderful tradition that celebrates a lifelong friendship.

Traditionally, we each pick three cookie recipes. The last couple of years, I have picked cookies that related to my books. Amish cookies are always popular to match with my Amish mysteries, but this year, I chose lemon madeleines as one of my recipes because I will be launching the Magical Bookshop Mysteries in April 2016 with Crime and Poetry. One of the central settings in the series in a French café, and the head chef there bakes wonderful cookies. Lemon madeleines are a favorite at the café.

Here’s the recipe…

Lemon Madeleines

1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 tsp. grated lemon zest

Preheat an oven to 375°F. Butter and flour the madeleine pan evenly. In a large bowl, combine eggs, granulated sugar and salt. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. Add flour to the mixture. Fold in lemon zest and melted butter. Divide the batter into molds and bake the madeleines 8-12 minutes. After removing pan from the oven, flip it over on a wire rack to release the cookies. Let cool.

Enjoy!

Amanda Flower, a three time Agatha-nominated mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. Amanda is a librarian in Northeast Ohio. She also writes as USA Today Bestselling Author Isabella Alan. www.amandaflower.com

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A Yule Log Worthy of Tears by Meghan Marentette

When my mother was younger, with my brother and I at her heels, she was extremely enthusiastic about craft making. She was always learning new arts and teaching them to us, like weaving macramé potholders and wrapping yarn around popsicle stick crosses to make God’s Eyes (Remember those? Yes, I’m dating myself now!) There was always a craft in process on our dining room table, especially at Christmas. And if it wasn’t covered in crafts, it was covered in Christmas cookies, ready to package up for gifts.

As I grew up, I looked forward to Christmas like no other child. Every July, when other kids were out roller skating, I would drag the boxes of tree ornaments out of the basement and stack them on my bedroom floor. I’d study each ornament and either mimic what my mother had made, or create new designs of my own, for the next five months. There were sparkles on my carpet ’til that tree went up in December. It was the joy of my life.

Now my brother was equally bitten by the Christmas bug, but in a totally different way. He lost interest in crafting, but stayed absolutely focused on my mother’s Yule Log. Lord help her if she didn’t make it for our family Christmas dinner. I remember one year she had the bright idea to try out a new dessert recipe. When she brought the ‘non-Yule-log’ to the table, my brother was so disappointed, he nearly cried. He was 35 years old!

You’re probably wondering how the absence of a specific dessert can ruin a Christmas when your family is all around the table, and everyone is healthy, happy and secure? Well, if you taste the Hazelnut Yule Log, you might understand why. YUM!

Thanks to Sarah Price, I am delighted to share the recipe with you today. Better get a slice before Mouse eats it all!

Hazelnut Yule Log (serves 8-10)

5 eggs, separated

¾ cup sugar

⅓ cup graham cracker crumbs

1 teaspoon (tsp) baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

⅛ tsp salt

⅛ tsp cream of tartar

1 cup lightly packed ground hazelnuts

¼ cup roughly chopped hazelnuts

Filling:

1 cup whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered (icing) sugar

Caramel frosting:

¼ cup butter

½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons milk

¾ cup powdered (icing) sugar

Directions:

1. Grease a 10×15” baking pan with butter, line with wax paper (including the sides). Grease again.

2. Beat yolks until light and lemon colored. Gradually add all but 2 tbsp sugar. Beat until thick.

3. Mix in graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add salt and cream of tartar, and continue beating until stiff. Beat in remaining 2 tbsp of sugar (from step 2).

5. With metal spoon, fold egg whites into yolk mixture alternatively with ground hazelnuts.

6. Pour in batter and smooth evenly over pan.

7. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes (16 min in convection oven), until the cake springs back when touched lightly.

8. Let stand 5 minutes in pan, then turn out on tea towel that is lightly dusted with icing sugar.

9. Roll cake up in towel, short side to short side, and let cool on rack.

10. Whip cream with icing sugar. Roll out cooled cake and spread with cream, then roll back up (without towel) and place seam side down on serving dish.

11. Frosting: Melt butter in small pot. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to full boil and cook over low heat (do not be tempted to speed it up by turning the heat higher), stirring constantly for 2 minutes.

12. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Gradually add icing sugar and beat until smooth. Spread quickly over cake roll, before it hardens into fudge! Draw the tines of a fork over frosting to create bark texture.

Sprinkle chopped hazelnuts over top. Add your favourite decoration.

Enjoy!

Meghan is the author of The Stowaways, a middle grade novel about a family of audacious mice. In 2014, The Stowaways was a finalist for the Monica Hughes Science Fiction and Fantasy Award and the Canadian Library Association’s Book of the Year. She lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Check out Meghan on Instagram @meghanmouse, where she follows her friend Mouse all over town! (seen above, licking the Yule Log)

Stop by  www.meghanmarentette.com to learn more about The Stowaways.

 

 

 

 

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Christmas Memories by Robin Lee Hatcher

Christmas has always been a beloved season for me. My head and heart are full of memories, from my childhood, from my daughters’ childhoods, from my grandchildren’s childhoods. Choosing one to share isn’t easy because once I start “flipping” through those memories, all I want to do is just sit and keep recalling them.

My hyper-excitement over Christmas began early. When I was four and a half, I came out of the bedroom on Christmas morning, saw the tree, and passed out. And throughout my childhood and teen years, I woke my mom up about every hour throughout Christmas night, asking if it was time to get up yet. Many a year, my mom, brother, and I opened gifts around 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning.

Fast forward to when my daughters were old enough to know that we opened gifts on Christmas morning. Imagine my surprise upon learning these two little girls—related to me by blood—were able to sleep in! And so I found myself walking up and down the hallway in the wee hours of the morning, opening and (noisily) closing doors until I managed to penetrate their peaceful slumbers. (Yes, you may pity my husband.)

Fast forward to after my daughters were married and had children of their own. Because extended families require it, we had to adjust the way we celebrated. Christmas Eve became our time to gather, share a meal, open presents, and usually watch a Christmas movie together. Which meant that on most Christmas mornings, when I was still up at 4:00 AM, there was no one besides my husband to try to wake up, and that just wasn’t the same.

Of course, Christmas is so much more than opening presents. I try to keep Christ the focus of the season. Yet those holidays from the past make for sweet, sweet memories that I will always treasure.

Not quite a Christmas release, Keeper of the Stars is set in the months of December and January in Kings Meadow, a small town in the mountains of Idaho. As the cover suggests, it is the perfect sort of novel to read while curled up in a comfy chair beside the fireplace on a cold, wintery day (or if you are reading it in a warmer climate or in a warmer time of year, to imagine yourself doing so).

Here’s a little bit about Keeper of the Stars:

When her mother died from pneumonia, Penny Cartwright was heartbroken. But now, after burying her younger brother just 12 years later, she is devastated. Anger, guilt, and sorrow cloud Penny’s mind, and the last thing she wants is to be reminded of her pain—but that’s exactly what happens when a stranger comes to town.

Trevor Reynolds has been chasing fame for more than a dozen years, but his musical career can’t get off the ground. While on the road, an accident kills his young drummer, Brad Cartwright. Trevor wasn’t behind the wheel, but he still blames himself… and so does Brad’s sister, Penny. Now Trevor finds himself in Kings Meadow, determined to follow through on his final promise to his friend.

Still feeling the pain of Brad’s death, Penny and Trevor must learn that forgiveness is the only thing that can heal their hearts. And if they do forgive, something beautiful may rise from the ashes of heartbreak.

 

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers, Robin has authored over 75 books which have won many national awards. She and her husband make their home in Idaho where she enjoys spending time with her family, her high-maintenance Papillon, Poppet, and Princess Pinky, the DC (demon cat). To learn more about Robin and her books, please visit her website at www.robinleehatcher.com.

 

 

 

 

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Sarah’s Gift Suggestions

A lot of times, I mention different products during my Morning Coffee Live Stream. People ask me about some of them sooooooo…since it is holiday time, I thought I’d compile this little list with my reviews!

The Truth About Me & Christmas Baking by Melissa Tagg

The following events may or may not have happened in my life:

…an entire kitchen filling with smoke due to burning peanut brittle which I stirred absently while my nose was buried in a Nancy Drew novel

…sparks in the microwave due to me heating a couple Pop-Tarts still in the aluminum wrapper!

…an entire pitcher of orange juice spilling over a full batch of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies

…the SAME COOKIES into which I accidentally put four tablespoons instead of four teaspoons of salt

…a legit fire with flames and everything due to me putting a metal travel mug into the microwave.

Um. Yes. That whole baking and cooking thing? We’ve got a bit of a bumpy relationship.

To be fair to myself, when I’m actually paying attention to what I’m doing and following a recipe, probably eight times out of ten I can actually pull off a casserole or soup or dessert. And I have even been told I make the best chocolate chip cookies ever…that is, when I’m not overdoing the salt or spilling juice on them.

But all this to say, Christmas baking is not really my forte. Which is why I looooove people who make Christmas treats for me.

However, there is at least one Christmas recipe I seem to be incapable of messing up! Mom my introduced me to this fudge recipe, and I’m serious, it is the easiest thing ever…possibly impossible to ruin. So I thought I’d share that today on Sarah’s blog just in case anyone else—like me—tends to be slightly kitchen-challenged.

The Easiest Fudge Recipe Ever!

1. Buy a container of frosting—chocolate or fudge flavored—and a jar of peanut butter. Creamy or crunchy, your choice.

2. Soften them both just a bit in the microwave. (But not in a metal dish because trust me, once you’ve started a microwave fire, no one will ever let you forget it!)

3. Stir them together by hand and then spread in a greased pan (whatever size you want, depending on how thick you like your fudge).

4. Stick it in the fridge…and ta-da! You’re done!

I promise, you just can’t mess this thing up!

Do you know what I can’t help thinking, though? For all the kitchen disasters I’ve caused in my life—the ruined recipes and microwave fires—my family and friends …they all seem to still accept me. And love me. And they even entrust me with meal items now and then. Just last month I contributed something to our family’s Thanksgiving meal and I’m sure at Christmas I’ll be asked to bring something.

And it reminds me of God. I mess up. So often. Like, kind of ridiculously often, really. I mean, I’m 34 years old. Shouldn’t I get it together one of these days?

But no matter how I often misstep, God still accepts me. Still loves me. And the kicker I really can’t get over: he continues to entrust me with a calling…to tell stories, to love people, to serve him.

The truth is, I—we—can never out-disaster God’s grace or his ability to use us, messes and all.

And that’s an amazing gift!

Your recipe sounds fabulous, Melissa! Ok, who needs a good Christmas book to snuggle up with? How about Melissa’s newest book, One Enchanted Christmas, which is now available to purchase?!

Last December, mystery author Maren Grant had the most perfect night of her life. On a glimmering winter evening, she got to watch the photo shoot for her very first book and ended up on a magical date with the cover model himself—Colin Renwycke.

Fast forward one year. This December, with a looming deadline, restless spirit and her creative spark long since gone, Maren is desperate to get unstuck. And she can’t get Colin out of her head…or his year-old open invitation to spend a couple weeks writing at his family’s farm.

Drew Renwycke never planned to come home and take over the Renwycke family farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel, including his brother, Colin, after one terrible family mistake. If moving to Maple Valley, Iowa, renovating an old farmhouse and switching careers is what it takes to put the Renwycke family back together, he’ll do it.

But his simple plan upends when a scrappy author lands on his doorstep. And she just might be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he wants her all to himself? Drew will have to choose between his Christmas wish and the enchantment of a holiday romance that just might be the happy ending they all long for.

 

 

Bio: Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing coordinator for My Book Therapy. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at http://www.melissatagg.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Gift of Family Traditions By Kelly Irvin

When my two children were growing up, we had a series of traditions that make Christmas special for the Irvin family in those years when we were unable to travel to be with our extended family. We started on Christmas Eve making cut-out sugar cookies and frosting them. I made small dishes of frosting in red, green, blue, and white, and provided half a dozen kinds of sprinkles to add as well. In the early years, more frosting got eaten than lavished on the cookies, but with time they learned how put their special touches on the cookies. The house smelled of cookies baking and the kids loved picking out an angel or a Santa or a reindeer from the pile of cookie cutters. In the evening, we went to the candlelight Christmas service at church. I have vivid memories of Nicholas falling asleep in the pew; he was so tuckered out from the excitement. I also remember worrying about one of them accidently starting a fire in their excitement of holding a lighted candle. Fortunately, no incidents occurred!

Afterwards, we each opened one present while watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” or another Christmas movie. Then we read “The Night Before Christmas.” and put cookies and milk for Santa on the coffee table. Off they went to bed, too excited to sleep, but anxious to go to bed so Santa could come.

Of course, that’s when my husband and rushed around putting out the gifts and filling the stockings. If toys had to be assembled, Tim got busy. Invariably we stayed up too late and ate too much candy. The next morning we dragged ourselves out of bed so he could throw on his robe, tromp down to the living room, and turn on the silly Christmas music like Alvin and the Chipmunks and “All I want for Christmas are my Two Front Teeth.” He turned up the volume and the kids would race down the stairs.

Paper and ribbon flew. Ohs and Ahs resounded. When it was all said and done, Tim and I turned to the traditional Christmas breakfast of pancakes with chocolate chips. We always had movies under the tree so we slipped those into the machine and enjoyed lounging in our PJs and watching movies together while the kids played with new toys. Because Christmas in South Texas can be balmy, I remember standing out on the cul de sac, watching and encouraging as both kids learned how to roller blade in their new skates. Other Christmases, it was remote control cars zooming along the sidewalk, and once, a remote control airplane. Times to remember and cherish.

I never thought too much about these traditions or even thought of them as traditions until my children were grown. Now my daughter is in Norfolk with her husband, who is a sailor in the U.S. Navy. They have two children of their own. This is Brooklyn’s second Christmas and Carson’s first. They are coming home for the holidays, and my daughter has specifically mentioned a number of these traditions. She wants to make sure we’ll decorate cookies on Christmas Eve Day and go to the church service in the evening. She’s talking about the movies we’ll watch and the pancakes we’ll eat. It seems that she has lovely memories of these Christmas traditions, and she can’t wait to share them with her children.

Those family times are truly in the spirit of Christmas. It must make God smile to see us laughing and talking together. It makes me happy to think that my daughter has good memories of those special family occasions. They’re the true gifts of the season. That we get the chance to share those traditions with another generation is even a greater gift. Celebrating the birth of Christ with family is the best gift of all. I wish a happy and blessed Christmas and New Year to each and every one of you.

 

GIVEAWAY TIME! One person who leaves a comment will be picked to win a copy of An Amish Christmas Gift AND The Bishop’s Son (The Amish of Bee County). For an EXTRA chance share this post and leave a comment if you do.

Giveaway starts today, Monday, December 7th and ends Monday, December 14th.

*Giveaway is only open to US residents*

Kelly Irvin  is the author of the critically acclaimed The Beekeeper’s Son, called “a beautifully woven masterpiece” by Publishers Weekly. The book is the first of three in The Amish of Bee County series from Zondervan/HarperCollins. Kelly also penned the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series, both from Harvest House Publishing. She has also authored two inspirational romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine.

The Kansas native is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalism. She wrote nonfiction professionally for more than thirty years, including ten years as a newspaper reporter, mostly in Texas-Mexico border towns. She has worked in public relations for the City of San Antonio for twenty-one years. She is a member ofAmerican Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and serves as secretary of the local chapter, Alamo Christian Fiction Writers.

 

 

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A Christmas Adoption by Lisa Bull

Last night we were able to reconnect with cousins we hadn’t seen for quite some time. As I (eh hum) “mature”, my family…my roots…become more and more important to me.

For Christmas, my mom gave me family history on the Edge side of the family. I am thrilled to read about my family from England…association with WILLIAM PENN…that I have roots in Kentucky and Tennessee (I never knew that)…AND, we have ministers on my mom’s side of the family (didn’t know that either!)

I have a very large book about the Seidner side of my family. There were ministers in that family as well, including an Ohio Mennonite. I love to allow my mind to wander back and imagine their life, and how what they did, so long ago, impacts my life now. They didn’t know anything about Lisa Bull, but yet, their choices and their decisions shaped my life.

Maybe you don’t have a heritage like mine. Perhaps you were adopted and know nothing about your ancestors. You might be like a dear friend of mine who has abuse and neglect in her past. Maybe your family line has a long list of things you’d rather forget than embrace.

I have good news for everyone today. Whether you come from a distinguished line or a history riddled with controversy we all have the opportunity to be children of The King. We have a Heavenly Father who waits for us to come home to Him. You see, He gave us free will…He won’t force Himself on us. He wants us to love Him because we want to love Him. Do you need a loving Father…a heritage of love, joy, and peace? All you have to do is ask and He will adopt you, making you His child.

It can be a Christmas adoption!

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Romans 8:15 (AMP)

For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!

Lisa Bull sees her life as a journey along God’s divine plan. While considering herself an expert on nothing, she enjoys laughing and has made “choosing joy” her motto. Lisa has experienced God’s unfailing love and grace in her life and wants nothing more than for others to enjoy that same gift in their lives.

Lisa is the daughter and granddaughter of ministers. She has multiple relatives in ministry on both sides of her father’s family including several pastors, pastor’s wives, and missionaries. In fact, ministry in her maternal grandmother’s family can be traced back several generations. She loves being a wife and mother of two terrific young men.

Visit Lisa at Walking Bare Souled in the SONshine and JoyGurls.com

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A Selfish Christmas Wish

Earlier today, someone asked me what I’m getting my children for Christmas.

*sigh*

And so it begins.

(eye roll)

Being a fan of Google, I decided to see what it had to say about this whole gift giving thing which drives me CRAZY. Here’s what I found: One of the main reasons we have the custom of giving and receiving presents at Christmas, is to remind us of the presents given to Jesus by the Wise Men: Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh. Frankincense was a perfume used in Jewish worship and, as a gift, it showed that people would worship Jesus.

That seems fairly straightforward.

So what has happened to the Christmas holiday? When did it become about new flat screen televisions, new computers, $100 gift cards, etc.? Why are we expected to send gifts to people that we never see or hear from?

Why do children receive gifts from people they never see or hear from throughout the year?

At what point does giving end and gluttony begin?

It seems the focus of the holidays is on the gifts received, not the real point of Christmas: Jesus.

Maybe I sound like a Scrooge. I want to assure you that my stance is not about the money. Perhaps it’s about the expectation of something magnificent and amazing being tucked under the tree or hidden in a corner.

Personally, I love the idea of “giving” throughout the year. When I receive a card from one of my fans or friends, that is an amazing gift! When my parents spend time with me and Marc, that’s far more meaningful to me than anything else. What gift could replace the relationship I have with my parents?

Answer: Nothing.

I want my children to learn that being together and making time for each other is more important than anything else. They don’t need electronics or clothing, perfume or gift cards. Those things are not truly reflective of the gift of Jesus and he is the reason for Christmas.

Last December, I published a small book called Plain & Simple Traditions: Amish & Mennonite Holidays. I wrote the following passage and I wanted to share it with you:

To give without expecting anything in return.

To show kindness even when there is no chance of gratitude.

To show gratitude whenever there is a hint of kindness.

To speak with a soft tongue and considerate heart so other people are not injured by harsh or selfish words.

To refrain from retaliating when people speak in a cruel and heartless manner.

To use the word “you” more than the word “I.”

If I can “gift” this very “selfish” wish to my children, whether they believe it or not, it will be the best Christmas ever!

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