Virtual Advent

Welcome to Day 19 of the Virtual Advent!

I've been doing these for a few years now and I have to admit I wondered what I could do new this year. And I settled on sharing a few of my favorite Christmas things I might talk about less often.

I love these things so much! I think they are really underrated to be honest, people don't go around talking about how great they are. But really, there's nothing better than the sweet candy cane flavor followed by a burst of chocolate! And also it's really hard to stop at just one. Do yourself a favor and go get some right now! I didn't discover them until they were on sale after Christmas one year and I was buying them for my students (I'm cheap okay?), but now they are a must have every year.

It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite Christmas movie but I also really love Holiday Inn and watch it every year. It's absolutely a movie of its time, by which I mean racist and sexist. But the music is really lovely and the dancing is a lot of fun. And I love the idea of the Inn so much, a place open just on holidays where a special performance is put on centered around the holiday. And I think there's a lot of fun humor as well. For me, it's like the ultimate comfort movie. Also! This is the movie White Christmas was first performed in. It came first okay? Before the movie White Christmas

I don't read a lot of romance anymore, but I always love discovering a collection of Christmas novellas each year. For some reason, the shorter nature of the stories plus all the Christmas cheer makes Christmas romance novellas really appealing to me. I really really like the ones that are all connected in some way, like they all take place in the same town, or there's a recurring character, or the characters from one story pop up in another. The YA collection, Let it Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle would be a good example of that. In any case, the one pictured here is one I plan to read this year!

Andrew Peterson must always be mentioned! This CD is a favorite as it goes through the whole story of Jesus starting from the Old Testament and I always cry the first time I listen to it every year. It's Andrew Peterson, y'all, and that means it's meaty, beautiful, touching, funny, artistic, lovely, and true. For me, it's a great way to keep the perspective of the season, and I can't imagine my Christmas season without it. I always wanted to go to the show they put on in Nashville every year, but it still hasn't happened.

Every woman in my family has this nativity set. When I was like..in middle school my mom and I discovered some of the pieces on sale without boxes for like a dollar. So we got it for my grandma, who had just started my mom on the set. Eventually my sister and I started collections as well. I think it's a really beautiful set, and it's fun to collect new pieces for it when you can. So while this is my favorite nativity, I just love them in general. I love looking at the different collections or sets people have. And I have to admit it was adorable when my nieces knew to say "Baby Jesus" before many other words when they were little. Seeing how children connect to the Christmas story helped me understand why it has remained such a deep and important part of my life to this day.

So those are some of the things I love about Christmas! I want to know if you share any of them. Also I recommend you go and visit the other great stops today at Rebecca Reads, In Spring is is the Dawn, and Lighting my Light. Happy Holidays everyone!

Review: Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas by Alonso Duralde

It's true, I confess. I love stories set around the holidays. I think the holiday movies I so love rank among my favorite movies of all time....few films do I watch as many times as these!

Therefore, I was eager to dig into Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas. I was skeptical, though, that Duralde would really be able to introduce me to any new Christmas films. After all, I consider myself rather an expert on digging up as many Christmas films as I can each season. But alas, I was so so wrong, and I'm so glad!

Duralde divides the book up into several chapters, starting with films for the whole family. His choices for kids movies are among my favorites, Ernest Saves Christmas, Little Women, and Prancer. (and more) This gave me a lot of hope, that the other films in the book would also appeal to me. There's such a trust factor in recommendations and he established it early on. He gives a brief synopsis of each film and goes on to describe why it's particularly suited for the holidays along with a brief review. He doesn't give every film a glowing recommendation, but mentions why it may or may not suit you for the holidays. Finally, he shares several fun facts. I appreciated this, because my knowledge of film history is not that great and it was kind of like having all these blank spaces filled in or dots connected...AND it made me really curious to learn more about it.

Following the section on kids, he had a section for grown-up movies. Some of these admittedly seemed like odd choices to me (The Box?) and several of them were adult themed (Eyes Wide Shut). But the great thing about a guide like this is that you can look for what interests you and I still managed to find several films in this section I'd like to look for. I was surprised by how many classics I was unaware of.

The sections on comedies and holiday tearjerkers also introduced me to several films I'd like to check out during the future holidays. There are also sections on crime/action/adventure and horror films for the holidays. I have to admit that while I read the crime and action section, I skipped over the horror section. I am just not interested in horror films during Christmas! I know such a section is needed to make a guide like this complete, though.

One of the most fun chapters is on the all of the adaptations and modernizations of A Christmas Carol. I was pleased to see all of my favorite versions mentioned...George C. Scott, Mr. Magoo, and Mickey's Christmas Carol. (I can't help it, I just love it.) He mentions who plays all of the various characters and how they do, what makes the version unique, how it rates as an adaptation and how faithful it is to the original. He then wraps it all up with his own awards for who is the best at what! A true treasure for fans of this story.

The final chapter in this book includes what Duralde considers the untouchables...the wonderful classics. Of course, It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street make this chapter but I was beyond delighted to see Meet Me In St. Louis there as well, along with a mention of how artists have brightened up the sadder lyrics to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (thus making it less meaningful in my opinion) There was one I'd never heard of We're No Angels, which I guess I'll have to check out! I thought it was interesting that he felt he couldn't fully recommend one of my favorites, Holiday Inn, due the scene where the characters wear blackface. While I do see the racism of this part of the film, I also find it true to the times. (this doesn't make it right) I was glad he mentioned it though, and why it wasn't included fully in the guide. Additionally, there's an appendix in the back with more holiday films listed.

I absolutely loved reading this book and can't wait to check out some of these movies. Again, it should be noted not all of the movies are Christmas movies, but they contain ties to the holiday in some way. Highly recommended if you love to think about the holiday through film.

Here are a few movies I want to watch after reading this. Have you seen any of them? Would you recommend them?
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
The Store
Remember the Night
The Gathering
The Homecoming (the launch of the Waltons show!)
Meet John Doe
3 Godfathers

What are some of your favorite holiday movies?

Rating: 4.5/5
Source of Book: Provided by publisher for review
Publisher: Limelight Editions, a Hal Leonard Imprint

Also, I am interested in reading more books on film like this one. Do you have any recommendations?

3 Great Picture Books from Candlewick Press for Christmas!

The Christmas Eve Ghost by Shirley Hughes is a charming picture book about a young boy and girl growing up in Liverpool during the 30's. They don't have a lot of money and their mom needs to spend every day gathering up the washing in the neighborhood. She has to leave her children alone much to her distress. A good portion of the book describes her backbreaking exhausting work. But it also describes some of the their other moments, such as going to church. They have neighbors that their mother is distrustful of, it would seem to be due their differences in religious belief, but it's not entirely clear. But one day, Christmas Eve, that will change! And you have to read the book to find out.

The illustrations are lovely as well, evoking the feeling of the time period.

The Christmas Giant by Steve Light is a lot of fun! It follows a giant and his tiny friend who are normally in charge of Christmas paper but are given the opportunity to be in charge of the Christmas tree. But disaster strikes and they have to creatively salvage their special Christmas. This is a fun and engaging book and perfect for children learning to read, the pictures aid strongly in the comprehension of the text and there is a lot of repetition so that it can be easily understood. The pictures also have whimsical fun Christmas feel. This one I really recommend!

The First Christmas illustrated by Sophy Williams tells the story of the first Christmas--as in the birth of Jesus as you might imagine. But it's an absolutely gorgeous book. It's a changing picture book, so you tug on the tabs on the pages and the pictures change. The illustrations are beautiful so this might be just the perfect book to read with the little ones in your life or maybe you'll just enjoy it as much I did!

I'm not going to rate these books, but I do thank Candlewick Press for sending them for review!

Review: Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

This is quite simply, one of the most beautiful picture books I have ever read. It manages through glorious illustrations and text to capture what the essence of Christmas is for me...dark days where we reach out to one another...and in those moments find warmth and joy.

It's the story of a little girl, Frances, who sees a man and his monkey on the street performing day after day. "Where do they go at night?" she wonders. She loves the music...it's sad and feels like a dream. Meanwhile, she's also preparing for a pageant at her church. Her mother doesn't really answer her questions to her satisfaction, but Frances can't get the man out of her mind.

The illustrations depict dark winter days with snow swirling everywhere and Christmas lights and home lights providing some sparks of life. The story is touching...I cried when I read it. Not because it's sentimental or cheesy, but because it's the celebration of simple human contact.

I was first interested in reading this book when I saw Kate DiCamillo at the National Book Festival and an audience member told her it was his favorite Christmas story ever. And while I can't quite say that, I can say it's a beautiful treasure of a book that belongs in your Christmas book collection. I know I plan to treasure my copy for years to come.

Rating: 5/5
Things You Might Want to Know: A Christmas book
Source of Book: Received from publisher for review
Publisher: Candlewick Press

Virtual Advent Tour: What Christmas Means to Me

Welcome to Day 8 of the Virtual Advent Tour! This is a special time each year when the blogosphere shares how we celebrate at this time of year and stir up all kinds of festive cheer.

I am Christian and I celebrate Christmas. I have loved Christmas forever, ever since I was a young girl. I used to count down the days starting in September, longing for the season to come. I always break out the Christmas music earlier than anyone else. I grew up in the Midwest where we sometimes had white Christmases. My family always savored the day, eating huge special meals, opening presents one at a time, and performing a family Christmas program before we opened them. The Christmases of my childhood and girlhood are special and beautiful.

But Christmas now runs deeper. I am an adult. This year, I lost my job and I have yet to come into a steady source of income. I also lost my home..my roommates decided to move when our lease was up and I was too broke to live there on my own. And on the personal front, I had some conflicts with friends that were never resolved. While there were some definite bright spots in my year, it was also very difficult. Christmas ushers in the end of the year and it comes faithfully, every single year. There's no time to tell it so slow down, or wait until I'm happier or have more money for presents or in the mood. It just comes.

And every year, just like when I was a little girl, I welcome it. But it's no longer the time of bright eyed wonder it was when I was a child. Instead Christmas sweeps in on dark cold days. The music of Christmas holds the memory of every shattered heart, broken dream, and serious let down of Christmas past. Christmas comes and with its stunning beauty, it brings its aching sadness.

I believe in the religious story we associate with Christmas. I believe a young girl named Mary gave birth to a baby in humble circumstances and that baby was God wrapped in the flesh of humanity. I believe that single point in history is the most hopeful and radical of them all, a moment when God sent his reminder to mankind..you are not forgotten, you are not alone.

You are not alone. This is to me the very most important message of Christmas. It's why we gather with our family, and open our home to strangers. It's why, I think, we give small gifts to others. To let them know they are not forgotten, they are not alone. It's why we write Christmas cards to each other and reconnect with the important relationships of our past.

This year has been a difficult one. There are times I'm tempted to think based on the strength of my own emotion that God doesn't care. Every day I turn on the news and I wonder if we also have forgotten each other. It's the years like these we need Christmas the most. I need it. To set aside my fear, my hurt, my uncertainty and open up my heart, once again, to possibility. To love without reservation. To accept love and kindness. To believe that in fact, life goes on. That the hard grounds of winter are hiding away a secret of resurrection. That the isolation we feel every day as humans can be bridged, even if ever so slightly, through our efforts to be kind to one another.

Oh how I want to believe.

Thanks for visiting me on this advent tour! You can check out the other wonderful posts for today at:
Mysteries in Paradise
Tina Says
Peppermint Ph.D

Virtual Advent: No Man is a Failure Who Has Friends

It's my day on the virtual advent tour and I thought I would write about my favorite Christmas movie. I love Christmas movies no matter how sappy they may be, there's something nice about watching something that fans the flames of hope. There's enough in the world to bring us down, what I love about Christmas is that it gives us permission to set aside the skepticism in our hearts and believe.

From the quote, you've probably figured out that It's A Wonderful Life is my favorite Christmas movie.

It really is, in my opinion, the perfect Christmas story. It's the perfect Christmas story, because it's about imperfect people and imperfect circumstances and that joyful reality that even in our imperfection we matter to each other. We matter. Our lives matter.

It's a Wonderful Life is the story of a good man, though not a perfect man, who faces a crisis on Christmas Eve. Overcome with the weight of a great sum of lost money, he wishes he had never been born. When an angel shows him what that would have meant in the lives of those he loves, he realizes his live has more value than he thought.

Another thing I love about the movie is that it consistently makes something new from what has been broken or lost. And love and friendship is the means by which this happens. Nothing demonstrates this so beautifully as the old house George and his wife move into and start to restore.

There are many ways by which we measure success in this world. Money, career, number of books read in a year. ;) But the truth is that I believe that each of your lives are your own beautiful gift to this world. To love one another and show friendship is the greatest value we can give. Nothing else will ever matter as much in importance or last as long.

So I'm here to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, to encourage you to cherish and treasure the family and friendships in your life and to simply remind you that you matter and your life is of great worth. I'm thankful to all of you that I call friend.

I've been sharing a Christmas song everyday this week, and in honor of It's a Wonderful Life, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". It's Amy Grant, because I had a hard time finding a version of the song I liked, which is basically one that sounds like we'd sing it in church! :)

Santa Claus Has Come to Town! Twice!

Um, this is the part where I confess to having joined two book blogger holiday swap/secret santas. I can't help it, I just love these things!

They both came last week, and I was thrilled, but I had to find the cord for my camera so I could show you pictures! Here's what I received from Santa Number 1, who chose to remain a secret, but gave me possibly the best ornaments I've ever seen!



And here's what I got from Santa number 2, Ashley from Ashley's Library! I love those bookmarks she made for me based on things she found on my blog as well as Sweethearts by Sara Zarr which I'm eager to read and the adorable stickers. Thank you so much Ashley!



I was also Santa to myself and completely indulged in buying the Dharma Orientation Kit edition of the LOST DVDs. This means I'm a super geek because knowing this existed, I could not be happy with the regular set. I have decided to share some photos with you, because I'm a geek, and also so you can drool with envy!














And now a little gift to all of you....the Spanish language LOST promo that has me counting down the days to February...

What Christmas Means to Me

Earlier in the Christmas season, Shaun Groves wrote about how he struggles to find any wonder in the Christmas story having heard it so many times throughout his life.

Well, I've heard it a lot, too. I am after all a PK, a pastor's kid, and spent many hours at church growing up. But for some reason...there's something about Christmas that disarms me. Throughout the rest of the year, it's quite easy to harden the old heart, to forget that miracles still do happen, to remember that God loves me. But at Christmas...at Christmas I am reminded that He does.

At Christmas I feel free to hope, because I am reminded that God loved mankind enough to send His son to earth as a human. At Christmas, I feel free to bask in the wonder of all that hope and joy and love...at Christmas we haven't gotten to the death part yet or all the torture. There haven't even been any miracles...Christmas is the beginning....the birth of hope or as the song says, "the dawn of grace." At Christmas, I am celebrating the life of Jesus...a King born into the humblest of circumstances reminding us that "He knows our needs, to our weakness is no stranger." Reminding us that His heart is tender for the poor and oppressed. Reminding us that we're not alone. We're not forgotten. We are loved and deeply so. Unfathomably so.

This Christmas is a low key one for me. I'll go over to my parents, but no other family members have made the trek to Cali this year. I spent considerably less than in years past, and I am content with what I have. The truth is, the most important part of Christmas to me is when the wonder ignites in my heart...as I listen to the familiar Christmas songs or read the familiar words in the Bible. When I let my guard down and just celebrate being loved so much. Christmas for me is an intimate time with God.

I know not all of my readers share my beliefs or even celebrate Christmas. But for those of you who do...Merry Christmas. You are loved and not forgotten. Let yourself rejoice in that today.

To all who celebrate...Merry Christmas!

Review: Christmas Promises by Leann Weiss

About the Book: Heavenly Gifts for the Holiday Season
The Bible is packed with promises concerning the daily life issues that are closest to our hearts. Unfortunately, as we get caught up in the routine of life, we often forget to seek the illumination of the Bible. Experience the refreshment of God's Word and be blessed during the Christmas season and throughout the year by reading about topics such as God's Promises to Provide, God's Promises of Peace, God's Promises of His Presence, God's Promises of Rest, and many more. Let the inspiring quotes and messages, true stories about God fulfilling promises, thought-provoking life reflections, and prayers remind you that a personal relationship with your Creator and His Son brings heavenly hope to your weary soul.

My Review: I've really been enjoying all the stories in this book as well as the refreshing and creative ways the Bible verses are presented. Christmas, while busy, doesn't kill me. However, I know that there are a lot of issues that rise to the surface for people during Christmas and I think this book is exactly the nice soothing promises and truths you need during the Christmas season. I even recommend reading it this week after Christmas as you recover from all the festivities and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

Review: The Paper Bag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne

About the Book: Dr. Christopher Ringle is the last person you’d expect to find moonlighting as Santa Claus at the mall on the day after Thanksgiving. But it is there that he meets a young man named Molar Alan, who desperately needs a new perspective on the underlying value of Christmas. Dr. Ringle recruits Mo and his older brother as volunteers at a nearby children’s hospital for the holiday season. At the hospital, Mo is tasked to help bring holiday cheer to the young cancer patients on the fifth floor. His biggest challenge is befriending a decidedly angry girl who is so embarrassed by her scarred appearance that she hides her face behind the safety of a paper bag. Almost in spite of himself, Mo finds that Christmas joy emanates from a source far greater than the North Pole, while the young girl learns that she is more beautiful than she had ever imagined.

My Review: If you are by chance still out shopping today and haven't read this book, I recommend you pick it up. It's a very heartwarming book...full of warmth and humor. I read it quickly and honestly, I'm glad I saved it to read closer to Christmas because this is a full on Christmas story. It's sweet in every way and taps straight into the heart of Christmas. It kind of reminded me a little bit of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. If you are overwhelmed by the commercialism of Christmas or looking for a Christmas filled with meaning, you will really enjoy this little novel. Highly recommended. My mom also loved it and reviewed it today over here.

Review: Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn

About the Book: Miranda Carson can't wait to return to England for Christmas and to be with her boyfriend, Ian. She has spent a lifetime yearning for a place to call home, and she's sure Carlton Heath will be it, especially when a hinted-at engagement ring slips into the conversation.

But Miranda's high hopes for a jolly Christmas with the small circle of people she has come to love are toppled when Ian's father is hospitalized and the matriarch of the Whitcombe family withholds her blessing from Miranda. Questions run rampant in Miranda's mind about whether she really belongs in this cheery corner of the world. Then, when her true identity threatens all her relationships in unanticipated ways, Miranda is certain all is lost.

And yet . . . maybe Father Christmas has special gifts in store for her after all.

My Review: I read and enjoyed Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn last year and enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to this sequel. I think this book was even better than the first one. These are quiet novels...with simple events and uncomplicated plots. Yet, I think of them as healing books...books of hope and the renewal of a soul. Taking place in a small town in England with rich Christmas tradition, they are perfect for the season. I have to admit, I got a little teary eyed while reading. So if you have some spare time over the next week to sit down with a sweet novella, I recommend this one! There's still time to rush out and buy another book for Christmas. :) Or you can buy it on Amazon and save it for next year!

Blog Advent Tour--Christmas Music I Love!

Hello and welcome to my humble little spot of the blogosphere for the Blog Advent Tour 2008. Christmas is my favorite time of year so I absolutely had to sign up to be a part of this. A huge thanks to Marg at Reading Adventures and Kailana at The Written World for organizing this tour.

There are many things that are important to me about Christmas, but I love the music! I love all Christmas music from the festive fun tunes to the more somber church music. I buy lots of new Christmas albums each year and am always in search of the best versions of each song. Today I wanted to share some of the Christmas music that I love.

Church Music

O Come O Come Emmanuel as heard on Casting Crown's Peace on Earth.
This is unbelievably gorgeous and if you listen to only one of these songs I hope it will be this one!

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is perhaps the epitome of the somber sound, but I love this beautiful hymn with it's poetic words.

Other favorites of the classic church songs are: O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. But I'm still looking for satisfactory versions of those!

Now for original Christian Christmas Music:

Labor of Love by Andrew Peterson is a classic for me now. I love Jill Phillip's voice as she sings and always seem to get goosebumps. :)


Welcome to Our World is another modern Christmas song that I love. It's the kind of song I wish I could have written! :)


Bethlehem Town from the City on a Hill album is another of my favorite modern Christmas songs. Such a great sound and words that make me think about how it really was for Mary and Joseph.

Other Christmas Songs:

I absolutely adore River as performed by Sarah McLachlan. I don't know why, this has to be one of the most depressing Christmas songs ever. :) But as much as I love the joy of Christmas, there is a part of Christmas that is sad...full of reflection and longing, and I think Sarah McLachlan captures that beautifully on her Wintersong album.

Of course, I love Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You. I have really happy memories of this whole album as well.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) as performed by U2 is another favorite. (I seem to like songs that have some variation of please come home. :)

I have always felt chilled by 7 O'clock news--Silent Night by Simon and Garfunkel

But to wrap things up on a high note, there is really nothing more fun than Relient K's Nuttin for Christmas.

The truth is I could go on and on, but this is a good representation of some of the Christmas music I love. Now, I'd love to share this complete playlist with someone! So I will! To enter to win this customized playlist from iTunes, just leave me a comment and tell me which of these songs you like the best! Please also absolutely be sure to leave your email address so I can send it to you. I'll close comments tomorrow at 5 p.m. PST and choose a winner so that someone can enjoy this music for Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas everyone and I hope you enjoy the tunes of the season! Be sure to visit the other blogs touring today!
Think Pink Dana
Linus's Blanket

Christmas Movie Extravaganza

Hello and welcome to the Christmas Movie Extravaganza! To participate, all you need to do is write a post on your blog about the Christmas movies you love. Or don't like. Actually, just make it about Christmas movies and that works for me! Then come back here and drop your permalink in the Mr. Linky and visit everyone else's posts. Remember, if you participate and mention the Orville Redenbacher giveaway with a link back to the giveaway post you get 5 extra entries!!!

By the way, if you have already written about Christmas movies on your blog, feel free to add the link in.

1. Amy @ My Friend Amy 2. Lauren (Reading Comes From Writing) 3. Amy(The Sleepy Reader) 4. Lori L 5. Becky

6. Andi @ Radiant Light 7. bookworm 8. Christy 9. Jen 10. Jeanette

11. Becky C. 12. Bookroomreviews(Tracy) 13. Maggie Reads

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

The Christmas Movies I Love

I've already mentioned that It's a Wonderful Life is my favorite Christmas movie. It's wonderful and heartwarming, and not only a favorite Christmas movie, but a favorite movie in general. Every life matters! :)

But there a few others I love. Jimmy Stewart was also in a short made for TV movie created by Brigham Young University and featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir called Mr. Krueger's Christmas. I love this charming little movie for its simplicity. Instead of being about big department stores and the latest hottest toy or trying to create the perfect Christmas--it's about an elderly lonely man who daydreams himself into many wonderful situations and its about the kindness of a child. But of course my favorite scene is when he imagines himself in the stable talking to Jesus. :)

And I also adore Holiday Inn. I love the concept of Holiday Inn first of all, but I also just really love the humor, dancing, and singing in this movie. I think I love it because I fell in love with it as a little girl watching late one night on a free channel on TV and so now I look forward to watching it each year.

I also like to watch some variation of A Christmas Carol each year. When I lived in St. Louis, we had a tradition to go with friends to see the stage play every year at the Fox Theater. How I miss those times! I used to love to walk into the Fox Theater and see it all festively decorated. And even though I know every bit of this story, I loved the musical production. I have many dear memories associated with those times. For the good ole TV, though, the George C. Scott version is my favorite. :)

I like a lot of the modern movies that have been made as well, like Elf, Christmas with the Kranks, The Family Stone, etc. But I do think these old classics that focus on the heart and spirit of giving and life with meaning are my favorites. (well Holiday Inn is kind of superficial, it's the exception!)

Do you Love Christmas Movies?

Saturday night my favorite Christmas movie was on. It's a Wonderful Life gets me every time. It's the story of a life and how all lives matter. It's funny and heartwarming and hopeful and shows what a community can accomplish together against even the richest and most powerful of men. It's a story about how our sacrifices for others make a difference. I love it.

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie? I'm going to host a mini Christmas Movie Extravaganza this Thursday December 18th. I'll write about the Christmas movies I love and have a Mr. Linky up so that if you want to do the same you can enter your post into the Mr. Linky. Maybe we can learn about some new Christmas movies to watch. I tend to go for the sweet and sappy ones, but if you prefer the A Christmas Story variety I won't hold it against you! I hope many of you will participate..there will also be a fun contest to go with it!

Oh the Christmas Music

I've had a major new assignment given to me at work and I haven't been feeling well all week. So this space should be occupied by a book review, but it hasn't happened. In its place I offer a discussion question. What is your favorite version of your favorite Christmas song?

Music Monday..The Christmas Music is Starting to Come!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Being the eager beaver that I am for Christmas music, I got Travis Cottrell's Ring the Bells and Casting Crowns Peace on Earth last week.

I've mostly listened to Ring the Bells and it's fantastic. It is truly beautiful with gorgeous arrangements, Travis's beautiful voice, and a great selection of songs. Many thanks to Boomama for making me aware this CD was coming back in the summer when she pointed us to a free download of "O Holy Night" Stand-out tracks are: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" "O Holy Night" and "Jesus Saves." Definitely worth picking this one up, as I believe it's the sort of Christmas CD to be savored and cherished in the years to come.

I haven't had much chance to listen to Peace on Earth yet, except for the fact that I've had the last track on repeat. I do think it's quite possibly the absolute most breathtakingly beautiful rendition of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" I have ever heard. I got major chill bumps and had tears in my eyes the first time I heard it. It's haunting, it's beautiful, and I might keep listening to it on repeat til December 25th. Okay, probably not, but I highly recommend that you at least download that song off iTunes even if you don't purchase the whole CD. (By the way, it's instrumental.)

In other good news, there are still several good Christmas CDs to come! Like these:

Olive Snook sings Christmas songs! Yay!











This will undoubtedly be fantastic.











I love Sara Groves! I'm sure this will be great, too.

Blog Tour: A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

I am so excited to present this Christmas book to you! I haven't received my copy yet, but the very fact that the first hints of the season are in the air thrill me! Leave a comment about what you read here....there might something in it for you!


A SCRAPBOOK OF CHRISTMAS FIRSTS

(Leafwood Publishers, October 2008)


A wonderful new gift book, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, is available in October for Christmas giving. Today, I’ve invited the six coauthors to share their unique story of how they came together to publish this exciting book full of stories, recipes, tips for simplifying the holidays and so much more (click on bookcover to see the trailer!).


First, let me introduce Cathy Messecar, Leslie Wilson, Brenda Nixon, Trish Berg, Terra Hangen and Karen Robbins. Thank you for being here today, ladies.


Karen: Thank you for the invitation.


You are from three different areas of the country—Texas, California, and Ohio. How did you all meet?



Terra: We all six joined The Writers View, an online group for professional Christian writers. Trish and Brenda met in person in 2004 for lunch, I understand, and on 9/18/04, after reading a post Brenda sent to TWV, I sent an email to Brenda, asking if she would like to join with me and walk alongside each other, as a Barnabas group. Brenda said yes that same day, and suggested Trish too. Very quickly Cathy, Leslie and Karen joined in and our stalwart band of six was formed. Living in California, I was so happy to find 5 Barnabas writers in other states so we could bring together a wealth of different viewpoints and expertise


Brenda: Actually, We haven’t met. We’re all great colleagues and friends via the internet. Four years ago Terra and I formed a dyad to support each other as Christians who write in the secular markets. Along came Trish, Cathy, Karen, and Leslie (not necessarily in that order) and we formed a close knit bond of support, creative energy, and professional accountability.



Karen: I met Trish through an online forum called The Writers View and she invited me to join the group.


Trish: Although we belong to the same Yahoo writing group, we met one by one online. Eventually, the six of us decided that since we all write as Christians for a secular market through magazine articles and newspaper columns, we could support and encourage one another.


Leslie: Though we met virtually through The Writers View, I have been blessed to give and get hugs from Trish (at a MOPS conference), Cathy (in the area on business) and Karen (in town for a writers' conference). I can’t wait to meet Terra and Brenda face-to-face, though I feel as though I already know them!


How did you come up with the idea to do a book together?



Brenda: The book is Cathy’s brainchild. She mentioned the concept of telling stories of events that happened for the first time at Christmas and sharing holiday historical tidbits and recipes and each said, “If you need any help, let me know.” That offer morphed into each of us equally contributing and co-authoring A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts.


Trish: Yep, Cathy came up with the idea and the title, and asked us if we wanted to join her on this project. Of course, we said Yes!


Terra: Cathy mentioned the idea for a Christmas book to the group, and someone (I think it was Leslie) suggested that maybe our group could all write the book together. Cathy agreed to lead the way on the project. The earliest email I have on this is from 9/7/05, which shows that this has been a three year collaboration from idea to publication.


Karen: (Chuckling) Terra is a librarian and keeps our historical records by saving our e-mails.



Leslie: Actually, Terra, I wrote that comment (in a group e-mail) kind of tongue-in-cheek. Cathy, the ultra-sweet person she is, took my joking at face value and here we are. However, I believe God prompted the passion and ideas we all bring to the project and that He will do mighty things as a result of our collaboration!


Why did you decide on a Christmas theme?


Brenda: It was Cathy’s concept to write a book centering on Christmas.


Cathy: For several years, I’d been thinking about Christmas as a threshold to introduce Jesus to folks who aren’t familiar with him, and I love a simpler Christmas with the emphasis on family, friends and doing for others. I knew of some families who had experienced “firsts” at Christmas—reunions, losses, special surprises—and I wanted to collect those stories.


Terra: Cathy’s idea immediately resonated with me because Christmas books are “a way past watchful dragons,” as C. S. Lewis wrote. Many people won’t buy a book about being a Christian, but will buy a holiday and family fun book, thus the “past watchful dragons.” People who want to grow in their faith, and people who have no faith but celebrate Christmas will buy our book and hopefully be led to put the focus back on Christ for the holiday, and for their lives.


Leslie: Though Cathy birthed the idea, the rest of us quickly hopped on board. Not only is Christmas special to me—especially now that I have a family of my own—but also that particular holiday cries out to be simplified, to return to the meaningful aspects of celebration, and to lose some of the hype and commercialism.


Tell me a little about what is in A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts? What is your favorite part?



Cathy: I like that you can read one chapter in about 15 minutes and, with all the different suggestions, it feels like Christmas Eve. Makes you want to set up the nativity! Many of the suggestions for family activities can be adapted for any family get-together.


Karen: There are heartwarming stories about things that happened for the first time at Christmas. For instance, one of my stories is about the first Christmas with our adopted children. And the book is pretty. When I first saw the colorful pages and drawings, I fell in love with the illustrator’s work.


Brenda: I don’t have a favorite part – I love it all!


Terra: I like the way the parts are woven into a seamless whole, like a patchwork quilt, that is stronger and more beautiful than the parts.


Trish: It’s like everything you ever wanted to know about Christmas, all the best tips and recipes, and neat stories all wrapped up in this perfect little package.


Leslie: I love reading the special stories, hints, recipes—whatever—and imagining the precious family time that precipitated each moment. Plus, the book is gorgeous, beautifully printed, truly something to be proud of. And we are.


I’ve heard that the book is really a nice gift book; can you tell me a little about the format?



Cathy: Yes, it’s a hardbound book, full color interior. The layout makes it easy to read. It has a definite scrapbooky look on the interior. Different logos identify sections, such as an oilcloth-look Christmas stocking appears beside the “Stocking Stuffer Tradition” (help for connecting family members), and the “Cookie Canister” recipes are on a recipe card, and the back ground of “A Gift For You” is a gift box with bow. It’s a classy gift that they can be placed on a coffee table or in a guest bedroom during the holiday season.


Brenda: I like to describe it as a Starbuck’s sorta gift book. It’s high quality, crisp, and practical.


With six different personalities and areas of ministry, how did you manage to put this all together and still remain friends?


Karen: We pray a lot for each other and it helps that none of us have an over-inflated ego.


Cathy: There were no squabbles. Surely, we had differing opinions, but we knew that any of us could suggest an idea for this book and that each idea would get fair reviews from others. We actually voted on some aspects—everyone in favor say, “Aye.” If you’ve ever watched women at a Dutch treat luncheon when they divide up a meal ticket, it can be intense as they split the ticket down to the penny. As the project came together, I was in awe of my gracious coauthors, unselfish women who respect each other.

For some decisions, we did a round robin—things like book title and chapter titles and what categories to put into the book. Then, as compiler, I’d send out a list of needs to The Word Quilters, that’s what we call ourselves. For instance in a section we call “Peppermints for Little Ones” (hints for children’s activities), I’d put out a call, and the WQs sent in their hints, and then I put them into appropriate chapters.


Brenda: (Smiling) Are we still friends? Seriously, we each have our own platform, ministry, and family life, and those interests kept this project in perspective – it was important but not the only thing on our plates. No one was so enmeshed in this project that she campaigned for her own way. We never had a bitter disagreement or insistence to be “right.”


Terra: We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders.We offer support and ideas for our separate writing projects and for personal prayer requests. I love these ladies, and I have only met one of them in person. So far, Karen is the only one who has met each of us, and one day we hope to meet in person, in a circle of friendship and love.


Trish: I think we are all very flexible and forgiving. We do have a variety of personalities here, but God has worked amazing things through our little group.


Leslie: Though I have seven non-fiction projects in various stages of completion, I could not be more thankful that this is the one to reach publication first. I am truly blessed to have worked with these women, learned from them, watched as they’ve poured heart and soul into crafting a product that will impact lives for the Lord.


Where can my readers get a copy of SOCF?



Cathy: The coauthors will all have a supply, plus our publisher, Leafwood Publishers, will have plenty of copies and discounts for buying five or more. Or they can be ordered at most online stores or by your local bookstore.


Karen: And anyone who leaves a comment here can be entered in a drawing for a free book and a gift basket worth $200! For a list of its contents, check our blog, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. And while you're there, leave another comment and increase your chances of winning!


Tell me more about your blog.


Karen: We started our blog in July and it is accumulating a wealth of information about Christmas. Each of us posts one day a week following the theme for that week. Watch for new recipes, tips, ways to simplify, stories, etc., similar to what is in our book.


Leslie: Ooh, ooh, let me answer this one. I’m probably the newest to blogging among the group, but I LOVE it. I’ve enjoyed posting and receiving comments back from readers. What an amazing adventure having an online voice can be! This blog will focus on a different theme each week—anything from tips to avoid overeating during the holidays to how to give a guest room special touches—and expand on the material in the book. I think readers will get to know the authors’ individual personalities and connect on a more personal level. Plus, they get that many more ideas, information, inspiration (!) at no additional cost.


WQs: As an added bonus for inviting us to your blog, we’d like to pass along this Christmas tidbit to you and your readers:

Enjoy a blessed Christmas this year! And thanks for inviting us to share our book, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, with you.

Three Points

One day I will return to normal blog posts. I still have over 100 hundred nominations to work through for BBAW and I want to get the final voting started by Friday, so that is my priority at the moment. So until then...

1) Have you registered for BBAW? If you're a book blogger you should definitely register, by sending me an email. You'll stay in the loop if you send me an email at bookbloggerappreciationweekATgmailDOTcom.

2) Have you signed up for the Couch Potato challenge? Three more people needed for a chance for someone to get a season of Veronica Mars...by Friday!

3) Christmas is coming!! (i'm a Christmas nut) Pretty soon, Christmas CDs and books will start releasing. I haven't had time to investigate what's new this year (apart from some books I'm reviewing) but maybe you know of something? Leave me a comment with what's going to be new this year! I can't wait! :)

Merry Christmas, Darling Blog Readers

Well, it's just about that time.

I'm close to being on vacation for a week and a half. My sister's family is here, and Christmas is close. It's the loveliest time of the year.

I won't be doing much blogging over the next few days, I have a few things I'll post before Christmas, but this is my version of the blogcation. (love that word Euphrony!)

I'll stop in next week to share some thoughts on 2007 and resolutions for 2008. And of course you can look forward to a new chapter from a Christian fiction book on January 1st. Then life will return to normal once the new year kicks into full gear. I think you'll be doing the same thing, taking a break from the computer and work and just enjoying your families and friends. I wish you all the best, a day of joy and peace. But most of all, I wish you love. (if you now have a song in your head, I apologize, I simply couldn't help myself)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!