A Warm and Fuzzy Christmas

 I'm going to share a few things in today's post, jumping around a bit. Bear with me please. 

First, I'm taking a moment to acknowledge my Daddy's 79th birthday today, December 10th, with a couple of pics from his last birthday on earth and how awesome it was!! He sure was tickled. We had watched some TV show together while he was visiting me featuring these flight simulators right near Disneyland. I asked if he'd ever want to do that? He emphatically said, yes! I got online immediately, checked costs, got on the phone w/the sibs and everything came together for us to meet there the next day! Brother Joe joined the ride while we watched and listened as dad tried to fly into space with warnings from the tower to knock it off, repeated crash and burns and multiple "Top Gun" quotes. He absolutely loved it and we loved it for him. We didn't know then it would be his last birthday, but the Lord knew and I believe He helped orchestrate this very last-minute amazing adventure that we can look back on with full hearts. Happy heavenly birthday Daddy.

Here is a 3.5 minute video of Daddy reading the children's book Santa Mouse: Click here if you can't see video

Wonderful reflection of the season
filled with rich, gorgeous illustrations on every page by Robert (Bob) Giordano, ribbon bookmark with 24k gold plated metal snowflake charm attached, quotes and reminders captured in a miniature hardbound book that give you all the Christmas feels. 🎄

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." Agnes Mae Pahro (1904-1985)

🎶 Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat, Please do put a penny in the old man's hat; If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do, If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you! -

Traditional English Carol

🎄"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. -Andy Rooney (1919-2011 American radio and television writer who was best known for his weekly broadcast "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney", a part of the CBS News program 60 Minutes from 1978 to 2011.)

📸When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things- not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness. -Bob Hope (1903-2003 comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, and author)

🎁Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. to a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. -Oren Arnold (1900-1980 American journalist and novelist)

📚 For those of us who regularly use Goodreads, this one certainly fits the bill: "Do give books- religious or otherswise- for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal. -Lenore Hershey (1919 - 1997 former editor of McCall's magazine and Ladies Home Journal)

💗"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." -Charles Dickens (1812-1870 Victorian-era English writer and social critic)

Other quotes from authors like Shakespeare, Clement Clark Moore, Charles M. Shulz

Published by: PeterPauper.com

I was lucky enough to find this book in the Friends of the Library bookstore in my local library for .50¢. What a steal! All opinions are mine alone.
 

I hope you are already making wonderful seasonal memories, reading touching Christmas stories and hugging up on your loved ones, and as always drinking copious cups of tea!
God bless and until next time, hugs and a cup of Christmas tisane (wink!) 

This snarky teacup pic cracked up my Daddy, 
because he used to call us this whenever
we were talkin smack with him!

Heather Elizabeth

Natl Christmas Card Day is Dec 9th

DECEMBER 9TH IS NATIONAL CHRISTMAS CARD DAY
SO I AM ALL SET TO GO WITH CHRISTMAS MUSIC,
CHRISTMAS TEA, CHRISTMAS COOKIES
PINE SCENTED CHRISTMAS CANDLES & CARD NECESSITIES!

Dec. 9 is #NationalChristmasCardDay  & even though I had every intention of being done before Thanksgiving, well that didn't happen. What better day than today! Can you believe a standard U.S. postage stamp is now .50 cents? 

 The first Christmas cards were sent in 1843 & commissioned in London by Sir Henry Cole. John Callcott Horsely illustrated the card, featuring a family toasting and feasting.

King George V and Queen Mary —
 Queen Elizabeth II's grandparents —
 sent this greeting card to their troops fighting in World War I.

Since the beginning of their use, Chrismas cards have been collected. Queen Mary had a large collection that is now exhibited in the British Museum.

1942 To follow in her grandparents' footsteps, a young
 Princess Elizabeth mailed out cards to the Grenadier Guards
 regiment of the British Army, who were fighting in World War II.

I adore vintage postcards IF they have legible messages. Attached is my 1909 post card that reads: 

Merry Xmas Lee. I will be good to you and send you a card because you were good and came to see us this summer. 

Your friend, Mrs. L.N.S.

🤣 Apparently, her cards had to be earned!

I wonder if senders felt a one cent stamp was a lot?

Wishing you every joy this season.

Why not spread a little cheer

with a Christmas Card and a sweet note inside?

Hugs and a cup of Christmas tea to you!
Cheers!!

A HONEY OF A CHRISTMAS

•°o•:*:•.ALL THE CHRISTMASSY FEELS.•:*:• o°•

If you want a book you can squeeze into the busy holiday season, I recommend this one.  At just ninety-nine cents, it ticked all the boxes for me, even though I don’t generally reach for contemporary stories. 

“Agnes, did you know,” Agnes Piercy sang out as she dug through the trunk of her Ford Focus for her event binder, “that your Christmas plans, would one day sink in water? Did you know, that your great ideas will tank all sons and daughters? Did you know that your childhood dreams would come to make you puke… this idea that you delivered, would soon come to sever you?”

“Agnes, did you know, that your voice sounds like nails across a chalkboard?” Tuck’s tenor voice belted out, and she almost jumped out of her skin.

This amusing scene is reminiscent of ones that happen often between 28-year-old Agnes and Tuck and had me laughing out loud a lot!  Agnes dreams of growing a new business and the Honeyhaven Winter Wonderland is her opportunity to shine.  But, she will need some serious help from her sort-of-friend Tuck.  He is extremely busy taking over his father’s construction business, but the pleading in her eyes tugs at his heartstrings, despite her bossy attitude.

These two are forced together often in order to pull off the Christmas festivities but each has some family drama they are dealing with.  Her parents are rich and want more for her life. His dad wants to retire, but can’t quite let go and let him run the company.  Some judgy busy-bodies in the town also add to the drama.  I cried a couple of times and laughed a lot! 

There are plenty of cultural references as well:  “Demo Day. Tuck and Chip Gaines’s favorite day.”

“Tuck turned on the radio as K-LOVE played Steven Curtis Chapman’s newest Christmas tune.”

“I can’t believe it either. Agnes Piercy at a loss for words. It’s a Christmas miracle. God bless us all. An angel just got his wings. So much for a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.”

Tea Quote: She sat in her robe drinking a cup of tea. “Can we talk?” “Of course,” she said quietly. “Kettle’s hot if you want tea.” Agnes poured a cup of Christmas Tea, the scent of cloves and cinnamon filling her senses.

{I generally find Twining Christmas Tea at Cost Plus World Market for around $4. The first box is what I have from last year, but it looks like they have changed to a green box this year, and added a couple of more holiday flavors as well.  I think I like the look of the first box best!}

I purchased a copy of the eBook on Amazon (due to Kim on Inspirational Fiction Reader posting about it on IG) and am sharing my honest opinion with no further compensation. This is a clean, contemporary read with a sprinkling of faith as well. The cute cover caught my eye, especially the sweet, smiling snowman!

Connect with the author at Jessica Patch dot com.

Jessica is the author of the

contemporary romance series 

Seasons of Hope and 8

Love Inspired Suspense novels. 

No matter what genre she’s 

writing in, you’ll always find romance, 

adventure, lots of laughs, and a 

heap of hope. Check out her 

book club page for bonus 

features and extras, and don’t 

forget to sign up for her newsletter 

to stay “Patched In.”

Jessica lives in the Mid-south 

with her handsome husband 

and 2 kiddos.

The Honeyhaven Series

Under the Honey Moon, Novella 1, “a novella in the Once Upon a Laugh Collection along with 7 other romantic comedies by an array of talented and award-winning authors! Only .99 cents [for entire eCollection]” 07/23/2018 {I have not read it}

A Honey of a Christmas, Novella 2, 11/1/2018 

© 2018 Bales Publishing 5 stars

I hope you find time to slow down,
sip a cup of Christmas tea
& read a great book!