Vashti Quiroz-Vega's Blog, page 55
December 25, 2013
Happy Holidays from Florida!
I want to wish a joyous Christmas and wonderful holiday season to all my fans, followers and readers. Thank you for all your support and feedback! I enjoy your visits and love reading your comments. Love you guys! I’m going to share a cheery and Christmasy poem by my friend AJ from ajwrites57 . Enjoy!
Santa sat
Santa sat in calm reflection,
his heart was set in one direction,
Christmas day is near.
His opened list, he checked it twice
Who was naughty, who was nice,
Christmas day is near.
Soft white beard, stroked in thought,
Making sure no one’s forgot.
Christmas day is near.
Santa’s head chock full of names,
Who gets dolls and who gets games.
Christmas day is near.
Santa’s workshop in a flurry,
Santa pushed the elves to hurry.
Christmas day is near.
The North Pole filled with jolly hustle,
Santa laughs at frantic bustle.
Christmas day is near.
Santa’s Workshop
Mrs. Claus feeds and stuffs her man,
To make him jolly as she can.
Christmas day is near.
Toys for Tommy, toys for Jane,
No one forgotten, it is plain.
Christmas day is near.
Mrs. Claus loves to sing,
Fa-la-la’s when bells do ring.
Christmas day is near.
Santa’s elves outdo themselves,
Stacking toys upon the shelves.
Christmas day is near.
Presents packed in his red sleigh,
Elves have worked night and day.
Christmas day is here.
Eight reindeer groomed and fed,
Rudolph waiting at the head.
Christmas day is here.
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,
Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
Christmas day is here.
Santa’s Full Sack
The children, good as gold each day,
You-Know-Who is on his way!
Christmas day is here.
His pipe fit tight between his lips,
His red suit wrapped round his hips.
Christmas day is here.
Through the night sky his team flew,
On the way to me and you.
Christmas day is here.
On the rooftops, click-click-click,
Tiny hooves landed mighty quick.
Christmas day is here.
Down the chimney with full pack,
Stockings stuffed with Cracker Jack.
Christmas day is here.
“To All, A Goodnight!”
Eats your cookies, drinks the milk,
Up the chimney, smooth as silk.
Christmas day is here.
“Happy Christmas to all tonight
To all I wish a fond Good Night!”
Christmas day is here.
~Aj
I wish we could store some of the Christmas Spirit in little mason jars and open a jar of it each month throughout the year!
Have a happy, safe and fun holiday season!
December 23, 2013
Turn It Up Tuesdays Blog Hop
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Welcome to Week 15 of Turn It Up Tuesdays – the Holiday Edition!
We had another great week, filled with some awesome posts!
This week we’re looking for the best Holiday-themed posts! Share your posts (new or old) and 2 will be chosen Best of the Best – Holiday Edition!
This will be the last Turn It Up Tuesday for the year, so I’ll be leaving the party open for 2 weeks. We’ll back on January 6th with some great changes for 2014!
Thank you to all that have linked up with us from week to week and welcome to those that have just found us!
Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy and excited and energetic, and having fun! Link up your favorite posts and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments — anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time!
Welcome our hosts!
Natasha at Epic Mommy Adventures,
Jessica at The Wondering Brain
and Stacey at This Momma’s Ramblings!
Welcome our lovely co-hosts for December!
Megan from Meg’s Menagerie
Tiffany from Mrs Tee Love Life Laughter
Cathy from A Peek Into My Paradise
Maritza from Surprise You Are A Mom!
Marcie at Marcie’s Nook
Laura at 2 Girls With a Food Blog
Vashti from Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s Blog
Jan from An Ideal Mom
Interested in co-hosting?
If you are interested, please complete this form. Monthly co-hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis. Co-hosts will receive free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures for 60 days!
And here are the posts featured for the Week:
Santa Treat Holder – The Pin Junkie
Something For My Happy Jar – Blogitudes
Cranberry Popcorn – Like Mam Used To Bake
The Competition of Motherhood – Forever Fitting In
Christmas Tree Science – We Made That
True Colors – New Mama Diaries
Mommy Anatomy 101 – Creating Mom
True Colors – New Mama Diaries
If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!
http://epicmommyadventures.com/turn-it-up-tuesdays/”; title=”Epic Mommy Adventures”>
And now The Best of the Best is…(drum roll please)
Christmas Tree Science – We Made That
Santa Treat Holder – The Pin Junkie
As the Best of the Best, you win free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures or 60 days! Please showcase the badge below with pride on your blog! Natasha will be in touch to provide you with all the details!
http://epicmommyadventures.com/turn-it-up-tuesdays/”; title=”Epic Mommy Adventures”>
Epic Mommy Adventures is celebrating its 1st year blogiversary this month with a BIG giveaway!
Enter for a chance to win an Amazon Kindle Fire + more prizes!
Click on the image to enter this giveaway!
So now that you’ve seen the Featured and the Best of the Best, met our hosts and co-hosts, and saw our big giveaway, let’s get started!
Please add our button to your sidebar!
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A Christmas That Almost Wasn’t
Muscle Santa Claus
by _JULIANNA_
Hello everyone and welcome! It’s hard to believe there are only two more days before Christmas. Christmas Eve is tomorrow people! I have so much still to do (don’t panic).
Anyway, in today’s post I am sharing a short story I wrote using these prompts: Santa Claus, Christmas tree, Magic and Clairvoyant child. I had challenged my friend and talented fiction writer Dyane Forde with the same prompts and she did a magnificent job. So I decided to challenge myself. Now, this is not a competition between me and Dyane. I was blown away by her story and wanted to challenge myself using the same prompts. You can read her story here. I hope you enjoy both stories. Thank you!
A Christmas That Almost Wasn’t
by Vashti Quiroz-Vega
He had a crazed look in his bloodshot eyes. He staggered toward me, holding an enormous shotgun.
“Don’t move!” he yelled, waving the gun at me. “How did you enter my house?”
He continued to move in my direction, the barrel of the gun waving around like a banner. I was afraid it would go off by accident.
“Wait a moment,” I told him. He moved like a drunkard, expending tremendous energy with each step forward. I feared for my life. I retreated and bumped into the Christmas tree. The ornaments came crashing down all around me. I leaped forward to avoid getting hit by one.
“I told you to stay back!” he slurred. I could barely understand him. “I mean it. I will shoot you!”
I swung my shaky arms in front of me. My foot stepped on an ornament, and I tripped forward. I heard the gun go off. Pain ripped through my chest, expanding like lava. A mist of darkness surrounded me, and I fell to the floor. The last thing I heard was the sound of a woman screaming.
“What have you done?”
*
“Mrs. Claus, your husband’s health is deteriorating rapidly. He may not be able to do his Christmas Eve’s rounds this year, or any other year for that matter, unless essential changes are made immediately,” said the North Pole’s physician.
“Oh, no! That would mean the end of Christmas!” screeched Pepper Minstix.
“No more Christmas?” cried Jangle. Santa’s elves waggled and blubbered in despair.
“Shhh. Hush, now,” Mrs. Claus told the distraught elves. “Of course, Christmas will go on. We are going to do everything the good doctor advises in order to help Nick get better.” She turned to the doctor. “Now, what is it you’d have us do?”
“First and foremost, Mr. Claus must lose weight,” ordered the doctor to a symphony of gasps.
“Santa Claus lose weight? That’s impossible!” cried Pepper.
“Nothing is impossible, my dear Pepper,” said the doctor. “Santa Claus can lose weight and regain his health if he gets help from all of you.” He pointed at Mrs. Claus and the surrounding elves.
“I do want to help him. I do, but how?” said Jangle.
“Well, for starters, you elves can help by creating a gym where Santa Claus can exercise every day. I charge all of you with the task of keeping him motivated.” The elves glanced at each other. “Mrs. Claus will have to cook healthier meals. Santa Claus must eat a diet of lean meats, fish, vegetables, fruits and grains. It is the only way he will lose the excess weight and regain his health. It is the only way to save Christmas.”
Everyone heeded the doctor’s advice. Mrs. Claus cooked food low in fat, salt and sugar. Nicholas Claus was not thrilled with his new diet of mostly vegetables and fish, but he knew what was at stake if he did not do what the doctor ordered.
The elves got busy and fashioned a gym that would put envy in the heart of any man. Pepper and Jangle woke Santa at the break of dawn every day and accompanied him, grumbling and whining, to his exercise routine.
For months Santa Claus ate lean meats, chicken and fish, steamed vegetables, fruits and grains. He exercised every day in the gym the elves had built for him, and later, he was seen running up and down the snowy hills of the North Pole.
Santa Claus working out
A week before Christmas, the doctor returned to see Santa Claus’s progress. What he saw caused his jaw to drop, his eyes to widen into saucers, and a large grin to form on his face.
“I can’t believe you are the same person I saw months ago,” the doctor cheered. “You don’t have an ounce of excess fat on you. You have completely transformed yourself.”
Santa Claus was no longer the rotund, jolly fellow of old. He was lean, muscular and powerful. He passed his physical exam with flying colors. As a reward for all his effort, Mrs. Claus made him a new red suit to match his new svelte and youthful form.
Mrs. Claus
Santa Claus was ready to do his rounds on Christmas Eve.
*
It was eleven o’ clock Christmas Eve. My wife and I had just returned from a Christmas Eve party at a neighbor’s house. We left the party early because my wife can’t have two glasses of wine without wanting to first, take her clothes off, and then, fall asleep. I put her in bed, and the snoring began immediately. Damn, how such noises could come out of that pretty mouth, I’ll never know.
I wasn’t done drinking yet. I took a bottle of whisky from the fridge, where I had left it to chill. After I drank about one third of the bottle, I saw it: the large shadow of a monstrous man creeping around in our family room. I put the bottle down on the counter. I moved stealthily across the room and pressed myself against the wall between the kitchen and family rooms. I peeked around the doorway and saw him. He must have been nearly seven feet tall. He had muscles on top of muscles. My heart began to rush liquored blood to my head. My face was burning.
I could hear my wife snoring upstairs. I can’t allow any harm to come to her. I was so glad the kids were staying at their grandpa’s house. I ran as fast and as quietly as I could and grabbed my shotgun from the hall closet. I must defend my home is all I could think about.
I ran into the family room and startled the big man. He dropped a large bag he’d been carrying. No doubt filled with my things. Things I had worked so hard to get.
“Don’t move!” I yelled. “How did you enter my house?”
“Wait a moment,” he said in a deep, raspy voice as he walked toward me.
“I told you to stay back!” I pointed the barrel of my gun at his chest. He continued to move in my direction.
“I mean it. I will shoot you!”
“Wait! Wait, I…”
I shot him.
He fell with a loud thump on my wood floor. My wife ran down the stairs.
“What happened? I heard a gun shot!” she yelled. She turned the lights on in the family room. Damn! Why didn’t I think of that? When she saw the big guy sprawled on the floor in a pool of his own blood, she fell to her knees. “What have you done?”
“I killed Santa Claus.”
*
The doorbell rang.
“Oh my God! It’s the police!” my wife screamed.
“No, I didn’t hear any sirens,” I responded, unable to control my quavering.
“What are we going to do? How could you kill Santa Claus?”
“I didn’t know it was him. I didn’t recognize his silhouette in the dim light.” My entire body trembled, shaking me sober.
“Never mind that now. What are we going to do?”
Someone jiggled the front doorknob. I grasped my shotgun, which lay on the floor. My wife placed a hand on my arm and squeezed. I sprang to my feet. I pointed the gun at the door. Was I really going to shoot someone else? The door opened. I lowered the gun.
My eleven-year-old son ran in. He didn’t stop to say hello to me, or even look my way. His eyes were fixed on Santa’s corpse.
“Oh, my!” gasped my father-in-law as he walked through the door and saw the red-suited body lying limp on the ground.
Next, my fifteen-year-old daughter walked in. She did not say a word. Her hands were crossed over her mouth and her eyes were wide as she treaded lightly toward Santa’s body.
“He woke me up,” my wife’s father told me, pointing his chin at my son. “He said I had to bring him home right away. There was nothing I could say to convince him otherwise. I had to bring him.”
“He said you had done something awful and he had to make it better,” said my teen girl, her violet-blue eyes glittering with sadness and reproach. “I guess he was right.” She shifted her eyes to the gun I was holding. I instinctively moved it behind me. Her eyes narrowed.
“I, I didn’t…” I couldn’t find the words to explain, and she turned away from me and stared at her brother.
We were all hovering over Santa’s body now. My son was on his knees. His hands floated in circles over Santa’s head.
“What…?”
“Shhh!” my daughter strangled my words and threw darts at me with her stare.
I gulped and stumbled backward. The bright red blood on the ground began to sparkle and retract toward Santa’s body until there was none left on the ground. A chorus of gasps ensued.
My wife, her father, my daughter and I gaped in awe as my son began to glow like a star. He placed his small hands on Santa’s forehead until he, too, began to glow.
My wife’s lips moved, but words did not come out. My father-in-law smiled faintly as if he knew something no one else did. My teen daughter watched her little brother, frozen in place, hypnotized by the intense glow reflected in her eyes.
Santa trembled and slowly levitated off the floor. Then he gently went back down. He began to cough. He inhaled deeply and opened his eyes.
Santa Claus lives again!
My daughter burst out laughing. My wife sobbed in relief. Her father placed a hand on her shoulder and grinned at my son. My little boy gazed at Santa Clause and smiled. I couldn’t move. I watched all of them through a blur of hot liquid pooling in my eyes.
My son got to his feet. He extended his hand, and the man in the red suit took it and stood. He looked at my boy with a familiar twinkle in his eye, and then they exchanged embraces. When they were done, they both looked at me. I couldn’t contain myself any longer. I fell to pieces on the ground; relief, happiness, pride and love streamed down my face.
My son ran to me and hugged me. I held him tight. I didn’t understand how he knew to come home or how he did what he did, but those were questions to be answered at a later time. All that mattered at the moment was that my boy saved two lives this Christmas Eve—Santa Claus’s and my own—and he saved Christmas, too!
My wife joined my son and embraced us both, and then my daughter and grandpa and even Santa joined in. We held each other tightly and rejoiced in the Christmas miracle.
“Say it, Santa Claus!” yelled my son. “Go on, say it!”
“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
30 Creative Illustrations of the Christmas Man: Santa Claus
Meandering Mondays Bog Hop!
Happy Monday everyone! It’s that time again. Pick your favorite posts and link up! It’s time to grow your blog and get to know a lot of other interesting and fun blogs. So get to hoppin’!
I would like to say thank you to all of our regular linkers and to all of the new ones who happen by, your support is wonderful and greatly appreciated!
Now lets all give a big, resounding “howdy” to all of our awesome December gang!
The wonderful Jessica from The Wondering Brain and Natasha from Epic Mommy Adventures.
And now for the wonderful group of ladies who are our co-hosts for the month of December!
If you would like to know more about each of these amazing ladies, please read “Welcome to my December Ladies”!
Without further ado, please say, “Hello” to!
Millie & Kristina from 2 Crochet Hooks!
Tiffany a.k.a Mrs Tee from Mrs Tee Love Life Laughter
Sinea from Ducks N a Row
Vashti Quiroz-Vega from Vashti Quiroz-Vegas Blog
Megan from Meg’s Menagerie
Be sure to stop by and share some love with each of these awesome ladies!
Grab a badge and join the party!
Now it is time to introduce our favorite This Momma’s Meanderer’s from last week, and boy oh boy it was a difficult choice! Don’t forget to grab your “I Was Featured” badge of honor! Congratulations to you all!
Jessica‘s favorite came from Missy Homemaker with the post Mothering Boys!
Saying, “I can so relate! I’m a mom to two boys – 2 and 20. Although they are far apart, I can remember having to raise the 20 year old and all the “boy” stuff that came along with it. Because of him, I am prepared for the 2 year old when it is time to go through all the boy stuff. Right now, I am dealing with potty training and bath time, kinda like the “smell” she is referring too. LOL!!”
Natasha‘s favorite came from Missy Homemaker with the post Mothering Boys!
Saying, “Although I have one boy and he’s only 2 years old, he is definitely a wild child. He is really turning from my baby to a boy, right before my eyes. He’s wild, he doesn’t listen, and he’s a joy to watch. I can’t imagine having 4 of him, though. That must be tons of fun and exhausting too! This is a great post with a brand of humor that I so appreciate!”
Millie and Kristina‘s favorite came from Krafty Cards with the post The Spouse 12 Days of Christmas!
Saying, “This is such a great idea! A wonderful way to show someone love and really you could do it any of the year!”
Mrs Tee‘s favorite came from Darlene Nemeth with the post Happiness is…Shopping!
Saying, “I loved this post because I am in a place where I myself am learning to find happiness in even the smallest moments and I think this post was a great example of that!”
Sinea‘s favorite came from Feeding Big with the post Dollar Tree Christmas Wreath!
Vashti‘s favorite came from Purely By Accident with the post Bullying Is Wrong Regardless Of Your Reasons!
Saying, “I loved her raw honesty and her insight on this subject.”
Megan‘s favorite came from The Pinterested Parent with the post Daddy’s Slow Cooker Turkey Soup!
Saying, “You can’t beat a good soup in the crock pot! I wish I had some right now!”
And my fave came from Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic with the post Brown Butter Pecan Coconut Cookies!
I just love coconut and nuts, especially in a cookie. The best part is that no one else in the family can or will eat them! LOL! Cookies that would be all mine!
Congratulations to all of you amazing and wonderful linkers! Don’t forget to grab and display our “Featured” badge!
Thank you to all of you who joined us last week!
Don’t forget to enter this amazing giveaway!
Epic Mommy Adventures is celebrating its 1-Year Blogiversary with a big giveaway!
Enter for a chance to win some awesome prizes!
Natasha – Epic Mommy Adventures
Stacey – This Momma’s Ramblings | Angie – God’s Growing Garden
Millie & Kristina – 2 Crochet Hooks | Angel – Sew Crafty Angel
Cathy – A Peek Into Paradise | Janine – Confessions of a Mommyaholic
Megan – Meg’s Menagerie | Alma – A Conquered Mess
Justine - Une Coccinelle à New-York | Stacy -Along Came Life
Not Pictured:
Betty – Losing My Gut | Anna – Cuddlebug Cuties
The Epic Mommy 1-Year Blogiversary Giveaway will start on December 2nd, 2013 at 12:00AM and end on December 30th, 2013 at 11:59PM. Entries will be accepted from both US and International entrants. Winner(s) will be randomly chosen from the Rafflecopter widget. If an international entrant is the winner, US $100 in Paypal cash will be provided in lieu of the Amazon Kindle.
Now let’s get this party started!
Remember everyone enjoys a little comment love!
Feel free to “meander” by some fellow bloggers and find a new recipe to make for the family, a helpful blogging tip, a funny story to read, and best of all a new friend to make! There are really no rules to follow, only some suggestions to keep in mind…because we are all to enjoy the friendships that come along by doing these few simple and wonderful things…
1. Link up your favorite post…a story, a recipe, a photo, or a helpful tip…As many as you want!
2. Please follow our Host’s and Co-host’s
3. Find some new friends to follow, friendships are what it’s all about!
4. Be sure to leave some comment love, to get it in return.
5. Grab our badge and display on your blog, sharing the love is what it’s all about.
Meander through the links and make some new friends, find some amazing and useful tips, and maybe even a new treat to try!
I am looking for January co-hosts for This Momma’s Meandering Mondays? If interested, please drop me a line at ssgannett@gmail.com. I would love to have you along for the ride! You can also check out my sponsor page for more info.
This Momma’s Meandering Mondays, now offers more ways to link up all of your favorite sites, so that we have more opportunity to Meander around and share the love! So happy Linking everyone!
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Stacey
This Momma’s Ramblings
December 21, 2013
My Favorite Posts SHOW OFF Weekend Blog Party
A toasty warm welcome to my blog. Thank you for visiting. I’m excited to bring you once more the Favorite Posts SHOW OFF Weekend Blog Party! I’d like you writers and poets out there to give it a try. Share your favorite stories and poems with many who are eager to read them. Click here to enter Fill out the linky form with the title of your piece, the link to your piece, your email (will not be posted) and your name. Then click on a button that says FROM WEB and it will take you to a page where you can choose a picture to go with your post. Try it! It’s easy, believe me.
Fill out linky form and click FROM WEB button.
Then you can see your post HERE or HERE.
Happy Friday! Thank you for joining us for another fun weekend of making friends and finding new blogs! Please welcome my hosts:
Stacey
Natasha
Cathy
Say hello to my December team:
Kim from This Ole Mom
Meg from Meg’s Menagerie
Melissa from Deliciously Savvy
Miranda from Myra Bev’s Corner
Vashti from Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s Blog
Let’s SHOW OFF some of those awesome posts from last week!
Natasha’s favorite from last week comes from Jenny’s Evolution:
“I’ve been looking for some ways to make this Christmas special for my son. Christmas cookies and desserts are at the center of making it great. I’ve been following Jenny’s Christmas Cookies series, and I have not been disappointed yet! Great post!”
Stacey gives New Mama Diaries a thumbs up: “These last few months, I seem to have taken on more and more, which has led to me feeling overwhelmed with the day to day. This reminded me that I need to find a way to slow down and stop trying to do so much.”
Meg loved this DIY from Taylor-Made Ranch: ” have been wanting to make my own laundry detergent for months and just haven’t jumped in and done it yet! This DIY laundry detergent post from the Taylor-Made Ranch Homestead Blog has re-inspired me to give it a try. It’s too simple not to!”
Melissa was excited to see this post from Put a Bird In It: ”This grabbed me because my hubby is always a lover of a good cup of hot cocoa as well as his entire family! I am going to do this concept at his family’s Christmas Eve Party… everyone will love it!!! Awesome post and creative idea having a Hot Cocoa Bar!!! Thanks You!!!”
Miranda thought that this post was awesome coming from Lady Blogger: ”I love Yoga but I found it so hard when I initially started to make matters worse we had an 80 year old wonderful lady who used to do the splits like there was not tomorrow, she made it look so easy I was very encouraged to continue. Such a lovely Post.”
My favorite goes to Taylor-Made Ranch. I am very big on supporting non-profit organizations. Part of my job resposibility at work is to work with non-profits within the community and I see what happens and who they benefit. Tammy’s post was a wonderful way to help non-profits not just for the holidays but throughout the year through your donated goods thst you do not need anymore. Thanks Tammy!
Congratulations to our featured bloggers! Take our awesome badge and SHOW OFF your blogger skills by displaying it on your sidebar and encouraging others to join us!
A quick announcement to all our faithful participants of My Favorite Posts SHOW OFF Weekend Blog Party. We will be taking a short hiatus starting January 2014. However, The Wondering Brain will still be hosting two other wonderful blog parties: This Momma’s Meandering Mondays and Turn It Up Tuesdays with Stacey and Natasha. If you’d like to co-host these 2 awesome blog parties, please reach out to them. We’d love to have you!!
Ready to party? We are! But first… some guidelines to follow:
Link up your favorite posts. It doesn’t matter which one, just make sure it’s family friendly!
Follow all 4 of your hosts
Follow all co-hosts
Leave a comment if you’d like them to follow you too
Visit at least 5 other bloggers
Show them your blogger love by leaving a comment if you’d like them to follow
Remember, it’s not a party unless you mix and mingle, so mingle around and make some friends!
Let’s Party!!You are next… Click here to enter
December 20, 2013
Dyane Forde’s Christmas Challenge
Author Dyane Forde
Hi everyone! I’m so excited to introduce today my friend and a very talented author: Dyane Forde
Dyane recently released her fabulous book Purple Morrow. Purple Marrow is a (light) Fantasy aimed at an adult audience. At the end of this post you will see the book cover, read a blurb from the book and there will also be information on how you can get your own copy.
Dyane Forde’s love of writing began with an early interest in reading and of words in general. She was always amazed at how linking words together in different ways had unexpected and pleasing results on others. People enjoyed what she created! This sparked a life-long desire to write all types of things, from short stories, novels, flash fiction, poetry…she enjoys trying genres and forms of writing which are different from what she’s used to; every story or book represents new joys and challenges. Dyane views writing as an amazing and intimate communication tool, meaning that it becomes a means through which she seeks to connect with others on a level deeper than intellect.
Knowing what a creative writer Dyane is and wanting to give you a taste of her brilliance I decided to give her a Christmas challenge for this post. I asked her to write a short holiday story using Santa Claus, Christmas tree, magic, and clairvoyant child as prompts (I know. I wasn’t easy on her), but I knew she was up for the challenge and she did not disappoint. So without further ado here is Dyane Forde’s Christmas story.
Oh! There’s a WARNING attached to this story: If you are overly sensitive, offend easily or are a hardcore Santa Claus fan who cannot stand the thought of viewing him in a negative light, DO NOT read this story.
Just Desserts
by Dyane Forde
He’s here.
The clattering on the rooftop followed by the clomping of heavy boots confirms it. After a flurry of grunting and neighing and the stamping of cloven hooves, the commotion on the roof falls silent. I must give the man credit. Sweet-faced and dolled up in red, white and black, the apple-cheeked hypocrite has trained them well. The team of massive, horned beasts cower at his every whim.
I narrow my eyes. He claimed he’d chosen me on a whim all those years ago. But it was righteous rage which had drawn me to him this holiday eve. That, and the voiceless cry of a child awakened in the dead of night by the shattering terror of a nightmare.
Huddling wide-eyed in the shadows cast by the multicoloured lights, that same boy, Ryan, watches me from across the room. Pine scents the air, and white-powdered garlands twist around banisters and snake along the edges of the door frames. In the far corner hulks the tree, gorgeously decked from the bottom up with all manner of holiday cheer, right to the garish star on top. It’s Christmas Eve and the fact fills me with more dread than joy.
Feeling for the child, I glide across the floor. Streaks of ice linger on the wood slats behind me. “Are you ready?”
The boy nods, dark hair flipping over a dark-brown eye. Even now, I’m amazed me he can see me. Very few can and, even then, doing so requires the help of a special ‘gift’. Ryan can’t speak, but he can see.
The clattering on the roof starts up again. The boy reaches for me but I back away. Ice crusts my slippered feet, spreading into glistening circles on the floor. “No, you can’t.” When he cocks his head to the side, I reach for the window and press my fingers against the glass. Frost blossoms from the tips, spreading outward in an etched, white coat. Ryan’s eyes widen with excitement and glee, but the trickle of ash suddenly dusting down from the chimney snares his attention, erasing the smile from his face.
“You remember the plan?” I ask him. “Don’t accept anything from him. Nothing at all, you understand?”
Ryan nods before dashing off to his spot.
Everything is ready. The plate of cookies and the tall glass of milk by the fireplace, the fire itself nothing but softly glowing embers in the grate. Christmas music plays softly over the radio. And snowflakes, fat as cotton balls, flutter past the windows outside.
He lands on the grate in a burst of soot and ash, cursing the closeness of the shaft. Squatting, he eases his rotund body out of the chimney and into the room. Oblivious to my child-sized spectre standing nearby, he brushes the soot off his coat and then stops to stretch the knots from his back.
He must smell the candy, for his beady black eyes flick towards the little table. Spying the milk and cookies, old St. Nick smacks his lips, readjusts his floppy red hat and hurries over only to slip and fall on the carefully concealed ice patches on the floor.
“Hello, Nick,” I coo, cutting off the string of curses spewing from his mouth. “Such bad language from someone who claims to adore children. One would think it’s bad for your image.” I kneel beside him, letting my hand hover over his rotund belly. Then heeding temptation’s call, I lay a finger on his coat.
“You!” He spits the word at me. Looking down, he grimaces and shrinks from my touch where a melting ice patch darkens the red velvet. “I thought I’d taken care of you ages ago!”
“Oh, no. One’s mistakes just don’t ‘disappear’. They hang around, waiting for the chance to come back and bite you in the ass!”
“You’re not a mistake! You’re a menace!”
“If that’s what I am, then you made it so! I never asked for it!”
“Oh, but you did, you little devil. The moment you accepted my gift, you were mine.” He points with a finger. “Just like Ryan over by the tree. Children never refuse my presents.” Shifting, he pulls a beautifully wrapped package from behind his back. “Come here, son. Old St. Nick has something for you.”
Ryan looks at me and then at the gift. I shake my head vigorously.
Seeing he had the boy’s attention, Nick sits up and jiggles the box so it rattles. “Come now, boy. Don’t you want something from dear old Santa Claus? Aren’t you curious about what’s inside?”
We’d gone over the plan a few times but I should have known the lure of a gift from the man in red would be too much. Eyes fixed on the shiny wrapping paper, Ryan steps into the glow of the flickering lights and, arms outstretched like a sleepwalker, advances.
“You never could stop them from coming to me,” Nick says. “Children are all the same: easy as hell to trick.”
“How many have you swapped? How many parents have found gifts under the tree in place of their children?”
“Everyone likes my gifts.”
“No gift can replace a child!”
Nick laughs, a great booming trill. “How many? Lots! And like you, the stupid sprites run amok, filling the world with blankets of snow, bathing it in white!”
Ryan’s now only a few feet away. Nick yanks the box out of reach, replacing it with the open mouth of his great, big sack. Grabbing Ryan by the arm, he starts jamming him inside.
Ryan’s thoughts call to me. “Ja—!“
“Frost!” Nick screams. He drops the boy and the sack to grab his midsection. “How dare you!”
He charges, coming on like a red and black battering ram but I easily dodge his attack. Dancing around him like an imp, I poke him with a finger, laughing at the white patches forming on his coat, then poking some more, egged on by his irritated grunts. Finally, breathing hard, Nick quits lumbering around.
“You think saving one boy will make a damned bit of difference? I’ve been swapping for generations! If not this one, then the next–!”
“Not if I can help it, fat man!”
Nick gasps and goes pale. He looks at his chest, sees the flowers of blood forming on the white fur trim and pooling on the floor. I withdraw the ice knives, the red-coated icicles extending from my fingers gleaming in the fire and flickering lights. From the wounds, frost crackles across Nick’s body, freezing him solid.
I punch his face. He shatters. Santa-sicles slide across the hardwood floor.
At a slight touch from me, Ryan snaps out of the trance. Seeing the Santa pieces strewn about his feet, he smiles.
“You’re safe now, kid. How about you go on off to bed?” Waving a hand over him, I add, “And while you’re at it, forget about everything you’ve seen tonight.”
Ryan blinks. He stares as though seeing me for the first time until his eyelids droop and fatigue pulls at his face. Yawning, he heads for the stairs.
I walk over to the cookies, kicking aside the red, white and black chunks in the way. In three long gulps, I down the glass of milk.
And grinning, I bite into the thick layer of sugar frosting, savouring the sweet, sweet taste of revenge.
Dyane Forde’s book:
BLURB: (A short description of the book)
The Rovers had been sent to decimate the Southernlands. Instead, they awoke its savior.
Ten years have passed since the Rover army tore through the Southernlands, leaving behind a trail of devastation and death. Most believed the attacks were random acts of brutality. The wise, however, knew the truth: the Rovers sought to destroy the one thing powerful enough to thwart their conquest. They were searching for the Papilion.
A new commander, bent on completing the mission left unfinished by his predecessors, leads the Rovers back into the Southernlands. Fierce and determined, he comes armed with a precious artifact and a secret purpose.
While the Southernlands reel under the new terror, the Purple Morrow, a harbinger of hope, appears to Jeru, an unsuspecting and solitary clan hunter. Finding himself enmeshed in a series of incredible events beyond his control, Jeru is compelled to take the first steps towards discovering his ultimate destiny.
You can purchase Dyane Forde’s book, The Purple Morrow on amazon.com You can also buy it HERE and HERE.
Also check out Dyane Forde’s fascinating Blog: Dropped Pebbles
Gift a book for Christmas!
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I hope you enjoyed Dyane’s holiday story. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. Happy Holidays!
December 18, 2013
It’s That Time Of Year Again
Hello and a warm welcome to my blog. It’s that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joy of Christmas. People are nicer and more civil to each other this time of year. Have you noticed that? Sometimes I wish December could go on all year long (or at least the spirit of December).
Anyway, this time of year there is a great deal of entertaining. All that hosting can be a bit stressful and could potentially damper your holiday fun. We can’t have that! So in order to make life easier for all you terrific hosts out there I’m sharing some awesome posts I found on the net that I believe will truly help you this holiday season.
I LOVE Nigella Lawson! She’s a domestic goddess. So who better to give us entertaining tips?
Lawson’s Top Five Entertaining And Party Hosting Tips
Nigella Lawson
If you’re struggling to figure out your Christmas menu here’s a great post by Epicurious
Nigella Lawson Christmas Menu
The Brit hostess extraordinaire shares her favorite recipes for a scrumptious holiday feast; plus, timeline and tips for effortless prep, setup, and serving.
Table settings for the holidays have become an art form. You too can create a beautiful holiday tablescape. Get inspiration from these sites.
Cyndi Mathews (no, I didn’t write her name backward that’s how she spells it) shows us how to decorate our holiday table using ornaments in Festive Holiday Table Settings at She Knows Holidays And Seasons
You can use candles, fruit, flowers, pinecones, colorful dishes and tablecloths to create your own unique holiday tablescape.
I grew up in New York City and I think everyone who’s grown up there has tasted or at least heard of “Coquito”. It is a traditional Puerto Rican holiday cocktail. It’s delicious and I have a friend who makes a bottle for me every Christmas and I share it with my family on Christmas eve. I serve it in shot glasses. I decorate the rims of the glasses with melted white chocolate and shredded coconut. They look really cute! (I’ll show you how I do this at a later time)
Here’s a simple Coquito recipe I found at 12 Bottle Bar. You really should try it.
Coquito
Last, but not least some adorable recipe ideas from Holly Ehlenfeldt Stockman’s Pinterest board: Christmas Delectables
Homemade Candy Canes recipe from Whirly Bird
Roxana shows us a great holiday cake log recipe on Roxana’s Home Baking
Vanilla Roll Cake
I love these hot cocoa stirring sticks. So adorable! I wish it would finally get cold here in Florida so that I can serve them with some creamy hot cocoa. I got the recipe from this incredible blog: Bridgey Widgey : Life’s A Party
That’s all folks! I hope I’ve been of some help. 
December 16, 2013
“Turn It Up Tuesdays” Blog Hop
Hello my friends! It’s Tuesday. So what does that mean? It’s time to TURN IT UP! You have another chance to link up your favorite posts and share it with many other bloggers. So come on writers, readers, beauty and food bloggers it’s time to grow your blog!
CLICK HERE TO LINK UP YOUR POST
Welcome to the 14th week of Turn It Up Tuesdays! Woohoo!As usual, we had some awesome posts this week! It was truly difficult for us to pick our favorites!
Thank you to all that have linked up with us from week to week and welcome to those that have just found us! 
Turn It Up Tuesdays is all about being happy and excited and energetic, and having fun! Link up your favorite posts and meet some awesome bloggers in return! Link up your funny stories, DIY posts, recipes, mommy moments – anything at all, as long as it is family-friendly. We want to laugh, be entertained, be inspired, and have a good time!
Welcome our hosts!
Natasha at Epic Mommy Adventures,
Jessica at The Wondering Brain
and Stacey at This Momma’s Ramblings!
Welcome our lovely co-hosts for December!
Megan from Meg’s MenagerieTiffany from Mrs Tee Love Life LaughterCathy from A Peek Into My ParadiseMaritza from Surprise You Are A Mom!
Marcie at Marcie’s Nook
Laura at 2 Girls With a Food Blog
Vashti from Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s Blog
Jan from An Ideal Mom
Interested in co-hosting?
If you are interested, please complete this form. Monthly co-hosts will be chosen on a first come first-serve basis. Co-hosts will receive free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures for 60 days!
And here are the posts featured for the Week:
I Gave it A Thumbs Up Until It Gave Me the Middle Finger – Being a Wordsmith
Christmas Wreath Craft for Kids – The Jenny Evolution
Tacos de Papa {potato tacos} – Latina Mama Rama
All Natural Coconut Oil Bath Fizzies – Cats on the Homestead
Sinterklaas Don’t Beat My Child With That Stick – A Life without Borders
Chasing Rabbits: karaoke time and the serious business of walking
Sinterklaas Don’t Beat My Child With That Stick – A Life without Borders
Front Row Seat – My Life as an Adventure
Build a Felt Snowman – The Pinterested Parent
6 Layer Butterscotch Crack Bars – Foodista
All Natural Coconut Oil Bath Fizzies – Cats on the Homestead
Homemade Chili (Stove or Crockpot) – La Strawberry Adventures
8 Reasons Someone Envies You – Darlene Nemeth
Monsters Work in Progress – 2 Crochet Hooks
Yummy! Popcorn Garland – 2 Crochet Hooks
If you were featured above, feel free to share the badge below with pride on your blog or website!
And now The Best of the Best is…(drum roll please)
I Gave it A Thumbs Up Until It Gave Me the Middle Finger – Being a Wordsmith
Tacos de Papa {potato tacos} – Latina Mama Rama
As the Best of the Best, you win free ad space on Epic Mommy Adventures or 60 days! Please showcase the badge below with pride on your blog! Natasha will be in touch to provide you with all the details!
My blog, Epic Mommy Adventures, is celebrating its 1st year blogiversary this month with a BIG giveaway! Enter for a chance to win an Amazon Kindle Fire + more prizes!
Click on the image to enter this giveaway!
So now that you’ve seen the Featured and the Best of the Best, met our hosts and co-hosts, and saw our big giveaway, let’s get started!
Please add our button to your sidebar!
Link up your posts, make some new friends, and earn the chance to be featured or become the Best of the Best on Turn It Up Tuesdays! We will feature the favorite posts each week! Share as many posts as you’d like!
CLICK HERE TO LINK UP YOUR POST
Do you want to join in the voting fun? Have you seen a post that should have been featured because it was so awesome? Use the “like” feature to like your favorite posts and the post with the most likes will be Featured!
Epic Mommy Adventures
Meandering Monday Blog Hop & Linky Party!
Hello everyone! Do you know what day it is? It’s MEANDERING MONDAY! That means it’s time to link up and get to hoppin’. Join us every Monday and grow your blog. ;D
Stacey’s words…
I would like to say thank you to all of our regular linkers and to all of the new ones who happen by, your support is wonderful and greatly appreciated!
Now lets all give a big, resounding “howdy” to all of our awesome December gang!
The wonderful Jessica from The Wondering Brain and Natasha from Epic Mommy Adventures.
And now for the wonderful group of ladies who are our co-hosts for the month of December!
If you would like to know more about each of these amazing ladies, please read “Welcome to my December Ladies”!
Without further ado, please say, “Hello” to!
Millie & Kristina from 2 Crochet Hooks!
Tiffany a.k.a Mrs Tee from Mrs Tee Love Life Laughter
Sinea from Ducks N a Row
Vashti Quiroz-Vega from Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s Blog
Megan from Meg’s Menagerie
Be sure to stop by and share some love with each of these awesome ladies!
Grab a badge and join the party!
Now it is time to introduce our favorite This Momma’s Meanderer’s from last week, and boy oh boy it was a difficult choice! Don’t forget to grab your “I Was Featured” badge of honor! Congratulations to you all!
Millie and Kristina’s favorite came from Mama Dish with the post Holiday Card Holder.
Saying, “Every year you get tons of cards and this is a fun way to keep up with them and show them off!”
Mrs Tee’s favorite came from Latina Mama Rama with the post Tacos de Papa (Potato Tacos).
Sinea’s favorite came from Carrie Elle with the post Holiday Decorating Ideas by Gingerbread M&M’s.
Saying, “I love the M&M Christmas Trees.” ♥
Vashti’s favorite came from The Wilderness Wife with the post Soft Moist Gingerbread Cookies.
Saying, “I enjoyed reading her witty post and the instructions for making my favorite holiday cookies were clear and easy to follow.”
Megan’s favorite came from Carrie Elle with the post Holiday Decorating Ideas by Gingerbread M&M’s.
Saying, “I just adore the cute little Christmas trees in the Holiday Decorating Inspired by Gingerbread M&M’s post from Carrie Elle. They are so festive!”
And my fave also came from The Wilderness Wife with the post Nana’s Christmas Candy Recipes.
“I remember my mom making lots of different kinds of holiday candies and many of these bring back wonderful holiday memories.”
Congratulations to all of you amazing and wonderful linkers! Don’t forget to grab and display our “Featured” badge!
Thank you to all of you who joined us last week!
Don’t miss out on this amazing giveaway!
Epic Mommy Adventures is celebrating its 1-Year Blogiversary with a big giveaway!
Enter for a chance to win some awesome prizes!
Natasha – Epic Mommy Adventures
Stacey – This Momma’s Ramblings | Angie – God’s Growing Garden
Millie & Kristina – 2 Crochet Hooks | Angel – Sew Crafty Angel
Cathy – A Peek Into Paradise | Janine – Confessions of a Mommyaholic
Megan – Meg’s Menagerie | Alma – A Conquered Mess
Justine - Une Coccinelle à New-York | Stacy -Along Came Life
Not Pictured:
Betty – Losing My Gut | Anna – Cuddlebug Cuties
The Epic Mommy 1-Year Blogiversary Giveaway will start on December 2nd, 2013 at 12:00AM and end on December 30th, 2013 at 11:59PM. Entries will be accepted from both US and International entrants. Winner(s) will be randomly chosen from the Rafflecopter widget. If an international entrant is the winner, US $100 in Paypal cash will be provided in lieu of the Amazon Kindle.
Now let’s get this party started!
Remember everyone enjoys a little comment love!
Feel free to “meander” by some fellow bloggers and find a new recipe to make for the family, a helpful blogging tip, a funny story to read, and best of all a new friend to make! There are really no rules to follow, only some suggestions to keep in mind…because we are all to enjoy the friendships that come along by doing these few simple and wonderful things…
1. Link up your favorite post…a story, a recipe, a photo, or a helpful tip…As many as you want!
2. Please follow our Host’s and Co-host’s
3. Find some new friends to follow, friendships are what it’s all about!
4. Be sure to leave some comment love, to get it in return.
5. Grab our badge and display on your blog, sharing the love is what it’s all about.
Meander through the links and make some new friends, find some amazing and useful tips, and maybe even a new treat to try!
I am looking for January co-hosts for This Momma’s Meandering Mondays? If interested, please drop me a line at ssgannett@gmail.com. I would love to have you along for the ride! You can also check out my sponsor page for more info.
This Momma’s Meandering Mondays, now offers more ways to link up all of your favorite sites, so that we have more opportunity to Meander around and share the love! So happy Linking everyone!
Blog Link Up:
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Facebook Link Up:
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Twitter Link Up:
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Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Stacey
This Momma’s Ramblings
Carpe Diem!
December 13, 2013
My Favorite Posts SHOW OFF Weekend Blog Party
It’s Friday the 13th but that’s not going to stop us from partying!
Say hi to my lovely hosts:
Stacey
Natasha
Cathy
Say hello to my December team:
Kim from This Ole Mom
Meg from Meg’s Menagerie
Melissa from Deliciously Savvy
Miranda from Myra Bev’s Corner
Vashti from Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s Blog
Let’s SHOW OFF some of those awesome posts from last week!
Stacey loved the recipe from This Silly Girl’s Life: “I love sweets more than I should and these just look fabulous!”
Cathy’s thumbs up belongs to Scarlett’s Excellent Adventures: ”I love eggnog and blending it with one of my favorite breakfast, French Toast, sounds delicious! Perfect breakfast for a cold holiday weekend!”
Melissa’s favorite also comes from This Silly Girl’s Life: ”OK… so I feel Like I am always picking something from The Silly Girls Life… but seriously…. I did it once again w/out realizing! I saw this post and picked it immediately even though there were many other posts that grabbed my attention afterward. But… I am a big believer in first instincts… and who does not need a stress reliever this time of year? 2nd…. Who cannot use the occasional Jello Shot! It makes you feel youthful and fun and who cannot use a little of that once in a while? Plus it tastes fabulous! For those who are not accustomed to a normal “shot”, this is the shot for you! Thanks so much… I am going to make these, to help eliminate any unnecessary stress due to the holidays!!!”
Meg chose On A Wing and A Prayer for her fave: ”I enjoyed the Holiday Joy DIY Air Freshener post by On a Wing and a Prayer. I have recently gotten into using essential oils and making my own natural beauty and cleaning products to reduce the chemicals I’m exposed to. This homemade air freshener will make your home smell like the holidays naturally!”
Miranda’s pick goes to 100 lb. Countdown: ”I loved 5 tips on how to get fit with your partner, me and I have been looking for ways to get fit with my fellow.”
My favorite goes to Smart Living 365. What an awesome post on gratitude. It’s perfect for this time of year since it’s allowing me to reflect on what I’ve done in the past.
Congratulations to all our featured bloggers! Take our awesome badge and SHOW OFF your blogger skills by displaying it on your sidebar and encouraging others to join in!
Ready to party? We are! But first… some guidelines to follow:
Link up your favorite posts. It doesn’t matter which one, just make sure it’s family friendly!
Follow all 4 of your hosts
Follow all co-hosts
Leave a comment if you’d like them to follow you too
Visit at least 5 other bloggers
Show them your blogger love by leaving a comment if you’d like them to follow
Remember, it’s not a party unless you mix and mingle, so mingle around and make some friends!
Take our beautiful badge and proudly display it on your side bar to encourage others to party with us!
Let’s Party!!
