Happy New Years!

 Wishing you a Happy 2025!

Memorial Day and Its Personal Cost

 Memorial Day always brings to mind my Dad. 

He served yet his service caused irreparable damages that wouldn't be seen for many years.
These damages were stealthy, damaging as they made their way throughout his body.
By the time there were physical signs it was already too late. But efforts were made,
we had hope that maybe he could hold on a little longer. Maybe a new treatment would be
discovered. But his service in Vietnam exposed him to Agent Orange. And it worked all too
well. It affected him on a cellular level, altering tissue, lying in wait, and taking his life too soon.
He was only in his 50s and never had the opportunity to see his daughters step into the roles that
life would offer them. His love of the written word had an impact and I appreciate the love of
book he shared with me.
I wish you had been able to write the books you had planned to.
May the words I share be a legacy to honor both you and our Heavenly Father.

Happy Easter

 

Memorial Day ~ In Dawn's Waning Light

 

In honor of those who served.

This poem was written several years ago

following my own father's death which

was a result of his own service.

This was taken from Gossamers and Wisps

New Years Wishes

May your New Year be filled with new books!

 

Stores Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas ~ Review

Stories Behind the Great
 Traditions of Christmas
By Ace Collins

There are so many traditions involved with Christmas and all too often they are just done because it is the thing to do. But how often do we wonder about the reason behind these traditions and when they began?

In Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas Ace Collins shares with readers what he knows about a variety of the traditions. And the nostalgic yearning for Christmas of old - well it may not be how you imagine it was. Christmas was a celebration that would not bring a nostalgic remembrance before the nineteenth century - be sure to read the introduction and I think you'll agree it would have been a day to avoid.

The various aspects of what we have come to associate with Christmas are presented in 26 chapters starting with Advent and ending with Yule Logs. Some of these traditions have a spiritual aspect while others have just been accepted as part of the season because they draw friends and family together in a sharing of "the wonder, joy, and magic of the season. ... And that spirit is something worth celebrating."(pg. 148)

I enjoyed the history of the candy cane, mistletoe, and the X in Xmas (which has been in use since the sixteenth century). This is a book with much to offer in just over 200 pages and one that would be useful to have on hand whenever one has a question arise about any of these traditions. Did you know that The Nutcracker was vastly different than the ballet that is performed every year? It went through several transformations before it became the beloved performance that it is today.

This is a book that you'll want to share with friends and family - I know I did as I read through it which may have slowed down my reading as I went back to different sections that caught my attention. This book would also lend itself well to family reading time with all hearing it together and then discussing what was read. But however, you choose to read and share you'll enjoy and value the knowledge you will have gained.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:
The fascinating stories and origins behind Christmas traditions such as the colors of red and green, the Christmas tree, caroling, nativity scenes, the Yule log, gift-giving, stockings, advent wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.

The cheer of a crackling hearth fire. Colorful cards from friends and loved ones. An evergreen tree festooned with ornaments. The golden traditions of Christmas—gifts, wreaths, stockings, carols, mistletoe, and more—infuse our celebration of the season with meaning and glowing memories. And, in ways you may not realize, they point us to the birth of Christ. Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas reveals the people, places, and events that shaped the best-loved customs of this merriest of holidays. Here are spiritual insights, true-life tales, and captivating legends to intrigue you and your family and bring new luster and depth to your celebration of Jesus’ birth. 

Discover how 

• after eighteen centuries of all but ignoring the event, churches began to open the door for believers to commemorate Jesus’ incarnation. 

 • the evergreen tree, once a central theme in the worship practices of pagan cultures, came to represent the everlasting love of God. 

 • the magi’s three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—are filled with spiritual symbolism.

The traditions of Christmas lend beauty, awe, and hope to the holiday, causing people all over the world to anticipate it with joy. The stories in this book will warm your heart as you rediscover the true and eternal significance of Christmas.

Merry Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas from (l-r)

Winston, Sampa Claus, and Drea

The Nutcracker and Christmas Anticipation

Christmas is a time of anticipation. The planning and expectations. My favorite Christmas present was a China doll that was dressed in a Scandinavian dress. She had a strawberry blond hair and was peeking out of my Christmas stocking. I was totally overwhelmed with excitement seeing that I had a special doll just waiting for me that morning. 

Christmas is also a time of special once-a-year treats which are as fun making as enjoying on Christmas. Krumkaka, a thin batter that is poured onto a small griddle and then rolled after cooking before it is cooled, it is then filled with a sweet cream filling. Which though totally delicious is not quick or easy to make and unfortunately require special tools to make.

Ruspaballs are a family favorite that is anticipated all year. Not sure what these are? I'll share the recipe which is fairly easy. 

Prepare mash potatoes and cool so that you can handle them without getting burned. 

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil

Add flour to the mash potatoes and mix in. 

Add flour by the half cup, adding more until the dough doesn't stick to your hands. 

You will then form the dough into balls the size of a large orange. 

Place the potato balls into the boiling water. 

Balls will sink down and when they rise to the water surface you will know that they are done. 

Lift from the water and allow to drain.

After the balls have cooled they can be refrigerated for a couple of days (or frozen).

The balls are then sliced about 1/4" thick and fried till lightly browned (or spray with oil and bake in a pan flipping so that they cook evenly on both sides. 

Serve this way or with a little butter.

The Nutcracker is something that many look forward to enjoying each Christmas and this year we have a new Nutcracker to anticipate - The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. And if you are a book lover this has been turned into a book too (which I might add I've checked out from my library and hope to review shortly).

About the Movie:  

All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

Journey to the Four Realms featurette:

Fall on Me music video:

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS: starring Kiera Knightley, Helen Mirren, Matthew Macfadyen, Morgan Freeman and Mackenzie Foy as “Clara.” 

For more information, please go to:  https://movies.disney.com/the-nutcracker-and-the-four-realms

Christmas Wishes

Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas holiday!

May it bring you 

Joy, Peace, and New Books...

Wishing All a Happy New Year!

The Spirit of Christmas ~ Thoughts and Giveaway

✧
The Spirit of Christmas 

Over the years Christmas has changed as evidenced by the songs 

that we sing and have sung through the years. Is Christmas still the 

happiest time of the year? Do strangers go out of their way to smile 

at the passerby?

Christmas has been caught up in the rush to get through our to do lists,

our to buy lists, and our end of the year lists. But Christmas doesn't have 

to be a struggle and a stress. When we look to what we consider the first

Christmas we see it was a simple stable with animals and bedding. There

were no grand gifts or grand visitors. The only ones to celebrate the night 

of Christ's birth were simple shepherds who left their fields in the clothes 

that they were wearing, they didn't stop to get the most fashionable look of

the day. They celebrated a special event in the quiet of the night, surrounded 

by the sounds and smells of animals.

The simplicity of the season is what I love.  A lighted candle, the beauty of song

and the remembrance that a child's birth was about to change the world forever.

But the manger, most likely crafted from roughened wood, was but the first step to 

the cross, which was also crafted from roughened wood. 

Faith is what makes the season come alive.

It isn't about getting.

It is about receiving 

the greatest gift 

of  all.

Life 

with

God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HILLSONG – LET HOPE RISE and  GREATER release to DVD on Tuesday, December 20th.

And the producers would love to be able to share these with you.

Please leave a comment below saying what Christmas means to you or share a favorite memory.

Be sure to mention which DVD you would like to be gifted in your comment.

On December 26, 2016 someone will be selected to have a copy of their preferred DVD sent to them.

Due to postage costs this is only available to US residents - when contacted please respond with your 

US shipping address by December 29, 2016 so that your DVD can be sent to you as soon as possible.

St. Patrick's Day Reading Suggestions

Do you need some Celtic reading suggestions for St. Patrick's Day? 

Here are a few titles that might you enjoy reading

Ellis Island series by Cindy Thomson

	Grace's Pictures
	Annie’s Stories
	Sofia's Tune

Pangur Ban Celtic Fantasies series by Fay Sampson

	Pangur Ban The White Cat
	Finnglas of the Horses
	Finnglas and the Stones of Choosing
	Shape-Shifter: The Naming of Pangur Ban
	The Serpent of Senargad
	The White Horse is Running

The Green Hills of Snowdonia series by Michael R. Phillips

	From Across the Ancient Waters
	The Treasure of the Celtic Triangle

Caledonia series by Michael R. Phillips

	Legend of the Celtic Stone
	An Ancient Strife

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing all a 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone 

a joyous Christmas...

Happy New Years ~ 2015

Watch for the Light ~ Review

Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas 
with writings from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Annie Dillard, C. S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen, and more
Released by Plough Publishing

Watch for the Light is a collection 45 selections to read and contemplate throughout the Advent season.  The selections are dated beginning with November 24th and continuing through January 7th (Epiphany).  

This book allows us to take a step back from the hectic and relentless pace we've let ourselves be caught up in, to truly grasp the meaning that this season should hold for us.  It's not endless activities - parties, programs, present buying, year-end brag-bemoan letters.  But rather this is a time of remembered celebration of a simple, humble birth and a life of sacrifice that ended not on a cross but continues yet today and is endless.

If you have ever wondered what it's all about take the time to Watch for the Light and reawaken the wonder of the season in your life this year.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Plough Publishing House through Handlebar in exchange for my honest review.



The Book:


 Though Christians the world over make yearly preparations for Lent, there's a conspicuous lack of good books for that other great spiritual season: Advent. All the same, this four-week period leading up to Christmas is making a comeback as growing numbers reject shopping-mall frenzy and examine the deeper meaning of the season. Ecumenical in scope, these fifty devotions invite the reader to contemplate the great themes of Christmas and the significance that the coming of Jesus has for each of us--not only during Advent, but every day. Whether sampled at leisure or used on a daily basis, Watch for the Light gives the phrase "holiday preparations" new depth and meaning. Includes writings by John Donne, Meister Eckhart, Dorothy Day, T. S. Eliot, Gustavo Gutierrez, Eberhard Arnold, G. M. Hopkins, Martin Luther, Edith Stein, Thomas Aquinas, Dorothee Soelle, Philip Yancey, and others. 

From Publishers Weekly:
   It's hard to go wrong with writers such as these. . . . Born of obvious passion and graced with superb writing, this collection is a welcome--even necessary--addition.

Guest Post from Author Cindy Thomson

Today we have a special treat - a guest post from Cindy Thomson.  Cindy is the author of the recently released Annie's Stories and its prequel Grace's Pictures.  Today Cindy shares a little about the special foods that play such an important part in a traditional Irish Christmas.  

With a month until Christmas Enjoy this gift from Cindy and be sure to check-out 

Cindy's live Facebook Christmas party on Monday December 1st 

5:00pm - 7:30pm EST  http://on.fb.me/1wTigIz!

Giveaways, chats, and guests are on the schedule!

Trim, County Meath Ireland from Flickr credited William Murphy

Why is it holidays seem to revolve around food? Possibly because sitting around a table to eat is the best way to bring families together for conversation and good times. I used food in my latest novel, Annie’s Stories, to evoke a sense of home for Annie who was searching for that place after her life was disrupted. (You can find some of the recipes from that novel here.)  http://cindyswriting.com/2014/07/06/early-20th-century-recipes-from-annies-stories/

Since my stories feature Irish characters, and much of what I’ve written centers on Ireland and Irish culture, I’d like to share some traditional Irish Christmas recipes with you.

Christmas dinners traditionally feature a roasted goose. Turkeys are a more recent substitution. Other dishes included three types of potato dishes: roasted, boiled, and mashed. You might also find roasted parsnips, cabbage, and brussels sprouts. For desert you’d have plum pudding. On St. Stephen’s Day (Dec. 26) you would serve Irish Spiced Beef.

If you’d like to learn about some Irish foods like mash, bread sauce, and celeriac, check out a post I did for the Irish Fireside. http://irishfireside.com/2013/12/16/christmas-dinner-irish-style/

Plum Pudding is no quick dish to make. Perhaps that’s why there are traditions about the family helping. Below is a recipe I copied. I’ve never made this myself. I’ll stick to cookies. But if you’re adventurous, go for it. I’d love to hear how yours came out. (You can contact me through my website www.cindyswriting.com)

Christmas Pudding from Flickr, credited: Peter Hilton 

Traditional Christmas plum pudding recipe

By CHEF MICHAEL GILLIGAN, Irish Central Staff Writer.

10 eggs
1 cup white flour 

4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons allspice


2 teaspoons nutmeg
4 ounces chopped almond pieces

1 grated apple
1 pound light brown sugar 

1 medium carrot, grated (this optional ingredient probably crept into the recipe 

    during WWII when fruits was in short supply) 

Rind and juice of an orange and a lemon

3 pounds raisins use some currants, some yellow, and some sultanas. The more 

    variety in fruits, the better the pudding. 

8 ounces candied cherries or natural dried cherries

24 ounces bread crumbs

12 ounces candied peel (candied pineapple chunks, citron, mixed peel)

1 pint of Guinness

5 tablespoons of hard liquor 

1 pound butter or finely minced suet if preferred

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Rub the raisins and other fruits with the flour and spices. The flour adheres to the stickiness of the fruits and gives the pud a nice even texture.

Cut the butter into fine pieces and mix well with the dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl mix the liquid ingredients. When the liquids have been well stirred, add them to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix all together very well.

The batter should be a bit loose, a little thicker than a cake mix. If it’s dry like bread dough, add more Guinness.

My mother would grease a big square of unbleached muslin and pour the pudding into this, tying off the top with string. In these modern times, heat-proof bowls are an acceptable substitute for the cloth bag method...and much easier.

Line the bowl with parchment paper; fill to within an inch of the top of the bowl. Cover the batter with parchment paper and use a lid for steaming. Sealing the top of the bowl with foil will work if there is no self-lid for the bowl. Fill the pot in which you are steaming the pudding to just below the top of the pudding bowl and gently boil for at least 12 hours. I use the slow cooker for this and it works very well. Depending on the size of the bowls used, you may get about three puddings from this recipe. I triple it and get at least a dozen quart-sized puddings. (Big family!)

When the pudding has cooled, remove it from the bowl, dribble brandy (or any other whiskey-type stuff) over the top of it, letting as much sink in as possible. Seal the puddings in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. (Don’t let the aluminum touch the pudding as there is a reaction that dulls the foil and I suspect this is not good for the pud or the people eating it.)

Let it sit for as long as possible before serving. Three or four months is not too long. Occasionally dribble the pudding with a shot of the spirit of your choice: brandy, whiskey, bourbon, etc.

Traditionally, the pudding was steamed again for an hour before serving. There are two possible methods: Remove the wrapping, return the pudding to the original bowl, and steam again for an hour.

Turn it out on a heat-proof serving plate and proceed to the lighting process that follows the brandy butter recipe---or---unwrap the pudding, place it on the serving platter, and microwave for 10 minutes at 50 percent power. The microwave method, though obviously not traditional, works exceptionally well, and has become traditional in my family!

Brandy Butter (Hard Sauce)

1 cup butter

1 cup confectioner's sugar


1/2 cup brandy (or whiskey, Irish or otherwise)

Soften butter. Beat the butter with an electric mixer until it’s fluffy. Slowly add an equal amount or more of confectioner’s sugar. You will see that the mixture changes texture. 

Slowly add the brandy after this textural change in the sugar/butter blend. Beat further until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Spoon the brandy butter into serving dishes and chill until firm. When turning the mixture into the serving dish, finish off the top by swirling it into a circular pattern with the bottom of the spoon for a decorative effect.

Garnish everything with Holly in berry if you have it.

To light the plum pudding, pour a generous cup of Christian Brothers Brandy (none other!) on top. There’ll be a little puddle on the plate. That should light pretty easily and the blue flames will creep up the sides.

Douse the lights in the dining room to bring in the pudding to the acclaim of all at the table. Don’t be disappointed if the flame is out quickly. That’s how it goes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cindy Thomson is a writer and an avid genealogy enthusiast. Her love of history and her Scots-Irish heritage have inspired much of her writing, including her new Ellis Island series with Tyndale House Publishers. Cindy is also the author of Brigid of Ireland and Celtic Wisdom: Treasures from Ireland, and is co-author of the baseball biography Three Finger: The Mordecai Brown Story. In addition to books, Cindy has written on a regular basis for numerous online and print publications and is a mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Cindy and her husband have three grown sons and live in central Ohio. 

Visit her online at www.cindyswriting.com or on Twitter: @cindyswriting.

The Beauty of a Wisconsin Snow Day

Today was a snow day here in our portion of Wisconsin.  This winter has been one of extreme cold over extended periods of time.  And we have had snow.  In fact we are running out places to pile the snow so that we might go about our day-to-day living, but there is also great beauty to be found in this blessing that is giving the soil what it needs for the coming year.

Here are a few pictures from today's snow that I just had to share....

 This is from last night.  

Isn't the snow covering the tree beautiful?

This is from the early morning

just as the sky was lightening with dawn's coming.

Same view but midday.

Such beauty found in snow!

Happy 2014!

Wishing you a Happy New Year

filled with books to enjoy

and to fill your days!

A Christmas Kindness ~ Review

A Christmas Kindness
By C.C. Gevry
Illustrated by Caroline Mabey

As Robert impatiently waits for his chance to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas he meets Glenn.  Glenn is a shabbily dressed boy who doesn't seem to be anticipating his visit with Santa.  When Robert questions Glenn about his Christmas wants he is shocked by Glenn's single want.

Glenn's reasoning behind this want causes Robert to rethink his request to Santa.  And his request is one that will make someone else happy for Christmas.  A Christmas Kindness is a sweet and touching story that looks at the needs of others rather than ourselves, and it is a message that will touch the lives of your children and/or grandchildren.  A powerful message of kindness is found within these 15 pages.

I was provided a copy of this book through Pump Up Your Book in exchange for my honest review as a part of this blog tour.


About the Book:
Eight-year-old Robert is eager to share his wish list with Santa at the mall on Christmas Eve.  When he meets Glenn, who has only one request for Santa, Robert is confused over what he should do. Can he cast aside what he wants and ask Santa to bring his new friend a special gift?