Tag: Holiday

Did you party while 2025 slipped into 2026?

Did you sleep through the transition?

Or were you awake and distracted enough to miss the moment?

At one time or another in my life, I’ve managed each of those three possibilities. I do need to admit, most of the times I was awake during the turning of one year to the next I was a number of years younger than at present. In recent years, I feel accomplishment if I make it to only one time zone away.

At least twice, New Years Eve was celebrated at the movie theater followed by a breakfast buffet. (And that was followed by sleep.) One benefit I did not anticipate from those celebrations was minimal clean-up. No discarded party hats. No empty beverage bottles. No confetti on the carpet.

A modest party hat, suitable to wear during clean-up duties is modeled by Ms. Foamhead.

“Three…two…one. Happy New Year!”

Starr Tree Farm, a wholesome contemporary romance, begins at a community party. A young widow, expecting a peaceful interlude tending a few animals on her uncle’s Christmas tree farm, finds surprises — from an unexpected old friend to gunshots where they don’t belong. Find more information at the link: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

Take it easy — I’m not here to harm you.

Angels tend to issue reassurance before they deliver the assigned message. Are they scary? Huge? Glowing?

In holiday displays they tend to have a different demeaner. Friendly? Pretty? Sparkly?

This angel, from a neighborhood display, appears friendly enough. I’d like to invite her to sing in the choir. Or play her harp with us.

Polly Black, seamstress, changes her place of worship near the Christmas holiday. To learn the reason, read STITCHING A DREAM, a sweet historical romance set in 1851 Illinois. Here’s the book link: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

Bright red berries against dark green leaves. A little prickly around the edges — but looks great in a wreath or vase.

Small children in your house? Think twice. The berries contain poison. Same thinking required if you have pets. While certain species of birds eat the berries with no problems, the story is different with children and pets. Adults? Still poison — but more likely to have stomach upset — think body weight.

Holly — fresh from a friend’s bushes gives a festive note to my home. No small children. No pets. Not expecting any guest to be mentally challenged enough to eat the decorations.

Americans in the 1850’s decorated their homes for the holidays. Often the decorations were ties to their European country of origin. Holly would have been a favorite of English and their descendants. Deutsch, like the characters in the sweet romance, New Dreams, would have set up a Christmas tree. Check the book link for details on a story of new arrivals. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

Thanksgiving in the United States was a month ago.

Christmas was earlier this week.

One more holiday dinner to avoid — if you’re poultry.

Hang onto your feathers, ladies. Encourage the advertisements for beef, pork, and fish. Lay a few extra eggs to prove your worth to the farmer and his family.

What have you enjoyed at the end-of-year holiday feasts?

Did you gather with family? Friends? Neighbors? I hope you shared a few lively conversations and more than one laugh. Too soon 2024 will be part of history and our thoughts will turn to 2025. Enjoy these final days of a year — I heard a rumor that holiday calories don’t count.

In the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream, at least one family hosts a Christmas party. And the young girls will have new frocks. Check the details at the link below and step into the fictional town of Elm Ridge, Illinois when the year changes from 1851 to the more promising 1852. https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh