Christmas

Happy Day After! Shopping, Anyone?

/ Marcia Meara / 36 Comments

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving or Thursday, whichever works for where you are. Anyone heading out to the stores on Black Friday? They’d have to be giving away boxes of actual cash before I’d go anywhere near a store today. Nope. Nothing would be worth wading through crowds like this day generates, as far as I’m concerned. However, it’s our tradition to put up the Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving, so Mark will be doing that shortly. 

Sad to say, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be able to handle our full Christmas House of A Thousand Decorations this year. The spirit is willing, but the flesh … well, you know what they say. Five Christmas trees (2 large, 3 small) and 300 Santas are more than I have the energy to deal with. We will definitely put up one of our big trees, and I’ll unpack enough Santas to fill the mantle. Probably. But I’m saving my energy for our upcoming trip to Denver, so I’ll really be able to enjoy our time with Erin & Crew.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to feel well enough to enjoy this?

By the time we return home, I plan to resume blogging, though I’ll start off slowly and work my way along. Blogging is one of the things that has enriched my life immensely, and I have hated being away so long! Lots to chat about, lots to share with you guys, and lots of blogging friends to visit, as well. *smiles at new blog header and whispers “Soon, my precious … sooooon.”*

In the meantime, hope you enjoy the start of the Christmas season, preferably someplace far from the madding crowd! 

A Doggie Dictionary (Just for Fun)

/ Kassandra Lamb / 5 Comments

by Kassandra Lamb

I thought I’d share a fun little post I put up on my site…

A Dog’s Dictionary to Describe the World

I took my dog for a walk the other day. And as I was dragging him away from his fascination with a crumpled leaf in the road, I thought about how the world must seem to our dogs.

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As we walked around the neighborhood, this “dictionary” of doggie views of the world came to me.

1. Those brown, crunchie things all over the ground (dried leaves) – definition: something that might taste good.

2. Those tall green thingies (bushes) – definition: my favorite place to pee.

3. Those gray clumps of stringy thingies (Spanish moss that has fallen from trees) – definition: my second favorite place to pee.

4. That delicious-smelling pile of gooey stuff that makes Mom yell “leave it!” (three-day-old roadkill) – definition: something that definitely will taste good… READ MORE

Happy Holidays from Watson and me!!

And don’t forget to grab a copy of my new Christmas novella. Just $0.99

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A Mayfair Christmas Carol, A Marcia Banks and Buddy Christmas Novella

A Christmas extravaganza in Mayfair, Florida, complete with an ice skating rink. What could go wrong?

When excavation for the skating rink uncovers a decades-old skeleton, its secrets threaten more than the town’s Christmas plans. Worried about her friends in her adopted town and feeling responsible since the let’s-attract-more-tourists idea was hers initially, dog trainer Marcia Banks is determined to help her police detective boyfriend solve the mystery—whether he wants her help or not. Perhaps she can wheedle more out of the townspeople than he can.

But will she and her Black Lab, Buddy, be able to keep the ghost of Christmas past from destroying what is left of Mayfair’s founding family, or will her meddling make matters worse?

AMAZON     NOOK     APPLE     KOBO

#Christmas at My House, Continued (Sort of)

/ Marcia Meara / 28 Comments

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A Few Old World Santas on Mantle

I had actually meant my earlier post to be more about how Christmas inspires me all year, than about my own decorations. (With the exception of Bob & Boberta, which I thought might garner a smile or two.) But for those who were confused, I figured I’d share a  couple photos of actual decorations here.  NOT many. It would be overkill, for sure. But just one or two to give you a wee little hint.

Remember that Santa Collection I mentioned? Well, here’s the Big Daddy of them all, six feet of Jolly Old Elf, pointing with pride at my Santa-covered library tree.

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A close up of the Santa tree. (The face ornament is one I painted years ago.)

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Some little vintage figurines and mugs in the pass-thru window
from kitchen to library.

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Close up of some favorite ornaments on my blue & silver tree.

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And a close up of my little Wizard of Oz tree,
just so you know I’m not making that up.
😀

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And there you have a TINY teaser for what Christmas looks like at the house of a
bona-fide Christmas fanatic.  Not too many photos, but probably as many as a
normal person can stand! Ho, ho, ho.

#InspirationBoardSunday – Books and Christmas

/ Marcia Meara / 32 Comments

santa_claus_wallpaper_5fc04HO, HO, HO!

At my house, Christmas is a big deal. No, I mean a really big deal. I am, shall we say, a bit over the top about the whole  Christmas season. I love the Christmas story and all the traditions, from the Star and the Wise Men, to the tinsel and holly–including, but not necessarily limited to, the music, the colors, the lights, the trees, and Santa Claus. (More on him, shortly). I don’t even mind the commercial aspect much, because I believe at the heart of it, there is a real generosity of spirit and love. This might be naïve, but don’t try to talk me out of it. I believe it anyway–people looking for just the right gift to light up the faces of children on Christmas morning, or to bring a sparkle to the eye of a husband, wife, or friend. And underneath it all lies a desire to make others happy.

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Books for Christmas Would Make ME Happy!
(Note: This is NOT my tree. Just an idea I love.)

Christmas inspires me, not only during the season of giving, but all year long, and I try to keep the spirit alive in my heart long after I’ve put the ornaments and wrapping paper away. Oh, and the Santas. Did I mention them? A lifetime of collecting them has added up to more than 300, in every costume, from every era and country. From my six foot all Coca-Cola display Santa to a tiny 1/2″ tall miniature, I love them all!  And at my house, a Santa hat makes you an official Santa’s helper, even if it looks a wee bit odd to folks who stop by.

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Take Bob the Skull. Bob resides on my Dresden Files bookshelf all year long, keeping an eye on things, and reminding me why writers like Jim Butcher inspire me to jump in the Author’s Pond and swim with the big fish. (Okay, so I’m paddling around in the adjacent wading pool. I can still SEE the big fish, and aspire to be like them.) At Christmas time, Bob dons his jaunty Santa hat, and makes eyes at his girlfriend, Boberta, who lives on a bookshelf across the room. She makes eyes back.

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Boberta, Who Thinks Bob is ALL That!

*Ahem* In summation, I just want to say that if you look past the ANG (Annoying New Gadget) commercials and the 3,000 times you’ve had to listen to The Little Drummer Boy, Christmas is still Christmas. A time for love and giving, family and friends, and if we’re very, very, very lucky–someday–Peace on Earth, Good Will to All.  And THAT inspires me every day of the year.

img_1429Even my Computer and Desk Get in on the Act!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Christmas at the House of 1,000 Santas

/ Marcia Meara / 5 Comments

Since it’s slow this week, due to Christmas being right upon us, I thought I’d share a picture or two, just for fun. The Meara household is famed far and wide–okay, here on our block–for having the biggest collection of Santa’s in the world neighborhood. When this life-sized guy comes out from his regular hiding spot (under our bed), and takes his place beside the Comfy Chair, I know it’s time for the festivities to begin.

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Big Santa was given to me several years ago by my daughter, who batted her baby blues at the manager of our local Publix, and persuaded him that having spent all her money on an airplane ticket home for Christmas, she had none left to buy her poor mother a gift. Voila! Instant addition to my collection. (Erin said it was so easy, she thought maybe she’d do all her Christmas shopping that way from then on, but I convinced her that some store managers might expect more than a hearty thank you & a wish for a Merry Christmas.)

Off to visit my son & his family for the afternoon. Will share some more photos tonight, perhaps. (BTW, Santa is obviously letting me know that a string of lights has gone out on the tree. Good thing I have him around.) 🙂

On the Second Day of Christmas…

/ Jenny / 1 Comment

12 days banner

Hi everyone, and welcome to Day 2 of the 12 Days of Christmas Reader Appreciation Event. I have no idea who today’s author is, *whistles innocently,* but I hear this Jennifer Melzer person is giving away the first two books in her Serpent of Time series. You can find out more in today’s video.

With ten days left, after today, and still time to take advantage of Starla Huchton’s giveaway from day one, you can grab tons of goodies. It’s a great way to not only discover new books, but meet other readers, so I hope to see you there. You can find the event right here, just follow the link to join us for the all day, every day celebration, and feel free to share with everyone you think might enjoy a few free books in a variety of genres.