tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post3122470624441748902..comments2024-03-28T07:27:17.868-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Searching for the Perfect ChristmasJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1463876712229283052015-11-18T18:40:42.967-05:002015-11-18T18:40:42.967-05:00Thanks for the heads up about the Book Bub deal to...Thanks for the heads up about the Book Bub deal too!holdenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563239351498816805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75017787429071374872015-11-18T12:05:16.426-05:002015-11-18T12:05:16.426-05:00I am so looking forward to reading this one. I'...I am so looking forward to reading this one. I've just got caught up on all the Molly books and am ready for more!Gizkokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01654947960515403887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47717829072801388562015-11-18T11:43:01.796-05:002015-11-18T11:43:01.796-05:00Sorry I wasn't able to stop by yesterday. Con...Sorry I wasn't able to stop by yesterday. Congrats on the new book. Mine is on the way from Barnes and Noble as we speak, and I can't wait to read it!!Mark Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11567392254011373198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24889893393779383582015-11-18T09:06:08.594-05:002015-11-18T09:06:08.594-05:00I stumbled across your books (Her Royal Spyness) b...I stumbled across your books (Her Royal Spyness) by accident and completely fell in love with them. I was so intrigued; I started reading everything in the series and couldn't wait for a new release. Getting a signed copy would be a dream and I cannot wait to read Away in a Manger :).<br /><br />P.s. I am also eagerly awaiting the next Royal Spyness book.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14521927325858701145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60712277407973682472015-11-18T01:16:15.771-05:002015-11-18T01:16:15.771-05:00My copy of "Away in a Manger" arrived th...My copy of "Away in a Manger" arrived this morning, but I'm going to hold off reading at least until after I conduct seminars at three local libraries on "A Christmas Carol" and "The Haunted Man," two of Dickens's Christmas Books. <br /><br />And I have to hear Brenda Lee sing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." <br /><br />Then I'll be ready for a delicious Rhys holiday treat...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00014242874264804584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54224980802556171182015-11-17T23:25:48.813-05:002015-11-17T23:25:48.813-05:00In books ( and memories) we can have the perfect, ...In books ( and memories) we can have the perfect, simple, heartfelt celebrations, and then go on to appreciate messy reality.<br />I am heartened by the businesses opting to be closed on Thanksgiving . . . it's a start ;-) Looking forward to this angelic tale.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27450944046794028442015-11-17T20:42:16.387-05:002015-11-17T20:42:16.387-05:00Rhys, Away in a Manger sounds lovely, and I am loo...Rhys, Away in a Manger sounds lovely, and I am looking forward to it.<br /><br />I think you are right about the truth's being the general state that "... we have too much the rest of the year." My church in California had pre-season workshops to help families and individuals without families or other connections create new holiday traditions. It was well-received and ongoing from year-to-year. Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64245919801562056292015-11-17T20:37:34.933-05:002015-11-17T20:37:34.933-05:00Yay, another Molly book! I can't wait to read...Yay, another Molly book! I can't wait to read it!NatureWomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272529400065960820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85011313344167217812015-11-17T20:37:21.142-05:002015-11-17T20:37:21.142-05:00Yay, another Molly book! I can't wait to read...Yay, another Molly book! I can't wait to read it!NatureWomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272529400065960820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43095523434533131712015-11-17T17:28:51.229-05:002015-11-17T17:28:51.229-05:00The perfect Christmas always involves children! Th...The perfect Christmas always involves children! Their anticipation and excitement makes the holiday magic. First it was my sister's children. Now it's her grandchildren. For more than 30 years, I have spent Christmas with my sister's family. I drive in on Christmas Eve, with bags of presents (no matter how much we say we'll cut back!) and spend the night. Christmas Eve is spent watching as many versions of "A Christmas Carol" as we can fit it (George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart, Muppets, etc.)! I always bring a Christmas jigsaw puzzle, which we start Christmas Eve and finish Christmas Day (max 750 pieces, please!). As many of the remaining family members as can show up on Christmas Eve, also (crowded!). The rest come Christmas Day.<br /><br />As for food, Christmas Eve is ALWAYS tamales and chili (Texas here), with Christmas Day being more Tex-Mex favorites (pre-prepared), chips and dips, vegetables and dips, fruit and dip, with yeast rolls and ham for mini-sandwiches. Our big pull-the-stops-out turkey meal is always Thanksgiving. Who wants to cook Christmas Day?<br /><br />Rhys, the new book sounds wonderful. I'd be happy to take it off your hands! Three in one year? I salute your stamina.stitchkathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13386818613507497168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75199065381671985692015-11-17T16:23:30.303-05:002015-11-17T16:23:30.303-05:00I love Christmas and with me it's all about th...I love Christmas and with me it's all about the family getting together to celebrate Jesus. I was looking at nativity scenes the other day and my husband reminded me that one of my daughters last Christmas said, "Mom, how many nativities does one house need?" They obviously think I have too many, but I disagree. The Christmas book that I read every year without fail is The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke. It is awesome in the truest sense of the word. <br /><br />As for gifts, we always say we won't do too much, but every year we have trouble with that. One tradition that can never go away is that everyone gets a new pair of socks in their stockings. One year I did something else instead and my daughters and sons-in-law were incensed that they didn't get a new pair of socks!Bev Fontainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46899132133728512622015-11-17T15:36:31.405-05:002015-11-17T15:36:31.405-05:00I just finished Away in a Manger - found it on my ...I just finished Away in a Manger - found it on my Nook this morning! Loved it. Molly, Si And Gus made Christmas pudding and it reminded me of my Scottish grandmother making her steamed pudding every year! Love the story!Beth Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22193597376974426162015-11-17T14:49:40.239-05:002015-11-17T14:49:40.239-05:00I, too, was lucky enough to receive an ARC for Awa...I, too, was lucky enough to receive an ARC for Away in the Manger, and FChurch described perfectly how it felt reading it. I was truly transported to a world of simple joys and pleasures, where that one special gift was treasured and appreciated, no looking for the next one and the next. I am featuring Away in the Manger on my blog today (http://www.readingroom-readmore.com/) with a spoiler-free review. I'm posting the link only to make sure that everyone knows what a wonderful bonus gift this book is from Rhys. Rhys, you've worked hard and deserve a restful, magical Christmas yourself this year. Even though I received an ARC, I'm buying at least one copy to give as a Christmas present. Oh, and Hank, yes, you will cry.<br /><br />Lucy, one of my best Christmas dinners was in Key West, a simple but yummy one. When my daughter and son-in-law lived there for a year, both families went down to visit for the holiday. The guys and my daughter (she's always loved to fish, due to her grandfather) went out in the morning and caught cobia, which just happens to be the most delicious fish ever. My daughter's mother-in-law is an expert at grilling fish, so we all had well satisfied tummies that day. <br /><br />I enjoy the activities around Christmas these days as much as the actual day. This year I planned a special event for the older granddaughter, who is a freshman in high school. The other grandmother and I are taking her to see The Piano Guys and out to dinner before. We are going to dress up and make it a grown-up ladies' evening, and my granddaughter is very excited about it. I remember how when I was twelve-years-old, my Christmas changed from being a kid and it pretty much centering around that to my older sister's new baby and it centering around that. I got over my the baby usurping my place pretty quickly, but I wanted to do something for my teenage granddaughter that would make her feel magical, too. Of course, the younger granddaughter, who is six, looks at everything as magical, and we'll be doing some younger kid stuff, too. These days we gather at my daughter's house and get to see what the kids got from Santa and exchange presents and eat a lovely potluck meal. I still help out on the kids' stockings, as one of the things I love most is finding little extra touches.Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72080075553199466162015-11-17T14:47:04.911-05:002015-11-17T14:47:04.911-05:00But it is the joyous memories of past Christmases ...But it is the joyous memories of past Christmases that fuels my contentment with current celebrations. Looking forward to the new book. mlsainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724677467377459175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28223299815105543942015-11-17T14:41:15.605-05:002015-11-17T14:41:15.605-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.mlsainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724677467377459175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80084427773644220352015-11-17T14:30:27.518-05:002015-11-17T14:30:27.518-05:00Anticipation is what makes Christmas magical for m...Anticipation is what makes Christmas magical for me. Your book would give me the present I always request. Thanks for the opportunityMaureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09788154786147975274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36532525124630282932015-11-17T13:41:59.805-05:002015-11-17T13:41:59.805-05:00The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are still ...The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are still magical to me, even though they will never again achieve the wide-eyed wonder of my childhood. It's all about family (and food), of course. Nowadays our younger son and daughter-in-law have to be mobile at the holidays to accommodate both families (hers is MUCH bigger than ours) and we never know where (and when) we will be celebrating Christmas until (hopefully) the month before. But as long as we're together, sharing a warm home, the most precious company ever, and some food we only eat during the holidays, we're very happy.Margie Buntingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67665322875905012762015-11-17T12:53:45.614-05:002015-11-17T12:53:45.614-05:00I always set an extra place or two for Christmas d...I always set an extra place or two for Christmas dinner... my feeling is that there is always room for one more, room for love, room for someone who has no other table to sit at, or people to spend the day with. I try to keep that alive all year round, but most especially at holidays. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06855837360712402292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38994219687206299682015-11-17T12:46:47.384-05:002015-11-17T12:46:47.384-05:00Loved "Twelve Clues of Christmas" and lo...Loved "Twelve Clues of Christmas" and look forward to this! Like many families, ours gathers rather piece-meal for Christmas. This year I will do a Boxing Day brunch for my children and grandkids (missing only one daughter and son-in-law). I'll make my "famous" cinnamon rolls (biscuit dough!) and we'll distribute presents. I hope it will feel "old-fashioned."Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7089535114491796242015-11-17T12:17:12.209-05:002015-11-17T12:17:12.209-05:00Wah! I pre-ordered the book and was so looking for...Wah! I pre-ordered the book and was so looking forward to it, but it didn't come this morning! Bah humbug!<br /><br />I love Christmas, but we don't do a lot. Usually Christmas Eve at my in-laws--hubby has four sibs, all of whom have spouses/partners, and kids, and now one grand-niece--so it's a big noisy party. For years we went to my aunt's on Christmas Day, but a couple of years ago we had the most magical Christmas. We got snowed in. Literally. On Christmas Day. We knew there might be bad weather so we had food just in case. The four of us stayed home in front of the fire, watched Christmas movies, and played games. And ate, of course. It was the best Christmas we could remember, so now we are making an effort to do that, snow or not. And I was always just exhausted from two big get-togethers in two days.<br /><br />My daughter and I like finding little fun things for each other's stockings, and stuff for the guys, too, of course. We like giving gifts, too, but nobody goes overboard. It's all pretty relaxed. And I love the Christmas tree, that's my big thing, as I'm sure I've mentioned before.<br /><br />When I was child I always got an orange in my stocking, so we still do that. I got a book, and when I was older, a record, a toy, and something to wear. Kayti and I still give each other books. "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without any books," to paraphrase!<br /><br />And next year, oh, that will be so much fun!<br /><br />We all still believe in Santa, by the way:-)Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12211128148392848962015-11-17T12:04:43.895-05:002015-11-17T12:04:43.895-05:00Yay! I'm so excited! I actually added the rele...Yay! I'm so excited! I actually added the release date to my calendar, so it was the first thing I saw on my phone when I woke up this morning! It definitely put a smile on my face! I love Christmas books, mysteries and your books. What could be better than a Christmas mystery written by you! Thank you for writing it. I can't wait to read it!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13102068417066610882015-11-17T11:52:04.161-05:002015-11-17T11:52:04.161-05:00"It was the simplicity the rest of the year t..."It was the simplicity the rest of the year that made the holiday season so special. In times of plenty what is there to look forward to?"<br />Too true.<br /><br />Look at children's birthday parties. They are so over the top extravagant at such early ages, that there is no where to go with them. <br /><br />Thank you for an excellent essay and a lovely book to get lost (or, perhaps, found) in.Libby Doddhttp://www.libbydoddart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91166737049683163892015-11-17T11:21:11.458-05:002015-11-17T11:21:11.458-05:00Don't you love auto correct? Nutcracker became...Don't you love auto correct? Nutcracker became nut racket!Jungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41647567646226155762015-11-17T11:18:56.627-05:002015-11-17T11:18:56.627-05:00You're so right, Julia. My grandmother got an ...You're so right, Julia. My grandmother got an orange, wrapped in foil, in her stocking as that was a huge treat. For me getting the family together is biggest present and having the money to fly them all in gives me great pleasure.<br />And I always take my granddaughters to the San Francisco ballet's the Nut racket. Now they are teenagers I ask if they still want to go and they look shocked. Of course they do!Jungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48510603206937513572015-11-17T11:00:10.304-05:002015-11-17T11:00:10.304-05:00About fifteen years ago, I read a couple of books ...About fifteen years ago, I read a couple of books that helped me change Christmas into something more meaningful for my family: <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780688109615" rel="nofollow">Unplug the Christmas Machine</a> and <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781476754796" rel="nofollow">The Hundred Dollar Holiday</a>. The primary take-away is that the reason old Christmas traditions were so magical in their time is because they were based on scarcity. In the days before television, radio or cinema, seeing the decorated windows at Macy's would have been an amazing spectacle. When your diet was limited due to finances or availability, sweet treats like cookies and candies and oranges were precious. When someone had to spend a month or more knitting you a sweater, you were grateful to receive it.<br /><br />Of course, as Rhys says, now we can eat whatever, whenever and buy our own factory-made clothing off the rack. So the trick is to identify what are <i>your</i> areas of scarcity. Time together? Time spent outdoors? Gathering with friends? Real, home-cooked food? Eating out? If you make those things the center of your holiday, you'll feel like you're experiencing something special. Because you will be! <br /><br />So in my family's case, we love hosting all our friends for a <a href="http://www.jungleredwriters.com/search?q=christmas+dinner" rel="nofollow">huge dinner</a>. We only do it on Christmas and Easter (and some years Thanksgiving,) so it's rarity makes it a delight instead of a chore. We love live music, and don't get much of it due to the cost of tickets, so we go to the Portland Symphony's Christmas concert. We spend a lot of time together playing board games, something we don't make time for during the rest of the year. We all go out to see one of the big holiday season movies. <br /><br />Try sitting down with your spouse or friends or family and asking them what they really love about the holiday, what they could live without, and what they don't get enough of in their lives. The answers may surprise you!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.com