A Wish List for 2011

Congratulations to Kathy ~ winner of Veronica's giveaway!

A Wish List for 2011

Not necessarily in this order, these are the things I wish for in the coming year:

1. A repeat Emmy win for Kyra Sedgwick of The Closer, one of the few shows on the boob tube that makes me laugh.
   

2. And speaking of things that make me laugh, continued success, including excellentratings for Hawaii 5-0. Scott Caan may be short but he's got a look in his eye that's just like his father.

3. A World Series win for the Texas Rangers and my personal heroes Josh Hamilton and and Nolan Ryan.

4. A short, tepid winter for Western New York State. Prolonged sub-zero temps and snow fall in excess of 100 inches are getting old. Either that, or my bones and muscles are too worn for this crap.

5. Somewhere in my travels, I find the perfect hot dog. If anyone reading this list has a suggestion, I'm ready, willing and able to hear it.

6. Continued growth for Lilac City Rochester Writers, my home fiction writers group. As out-going president, I wish each member success, as they define it, while they travel their writer's journey.

7. A decent offensive line for the Buffalo Bills who at this moment in time could not rush against my four grandchildren.

8. And speaking of gifts from above, I wish that my grandchildren, Meredith, Ashlin, Owen and Kieran continue to thrive and grow in peace and love.

9. Continued success for Decadent Publishing.

10. That my cable company keeps the Fox Network available. My Sunday afternoons won't be the same without Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy whatshisname. If they drop the Fox network, I'll have to find something else to do on Wednesday nights because I won't get to drool over the hero on a show called “Human Target”. Now there's hunk if I've ever seen one.

My Give Away: A Veronica Lynch tote filled with a few of my favorite things ~ Leave a comment!

Find Veronica at her BLOG

Christmas with Keta Diablo

Today we have Keta Diablo visiting us. Hi Keta!

[Keta waves]

Decadent Publishing: Let's talk about the Holidays. What are your earliest memories of Christmas?

Ah, my favorite holiday. Well, I remember waking up when I was five years old and scrambling down the stairs. I had asked Santa for a special doll that year and didn't know if got my letter. I was thrilled when the doll was beneath the tree. My mom has a video of this moment and not too long ago we watched it. Wow! Where have all the years gone?

Did you have a favorite Holiday book as a child?

Not really a favorite book, but my mom often read Nursery Rhymes to me. She recited poems too that she learned from her grandmother. Not long ago, I asked her to write them down so aren't lost to history forever.

What was the best book you read this year?

Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne. I love this series, but then I'm a huge historical addict. I like her writing and her twisted plots. You never know what will happen next.

What was the best Holiday gift you received as a child?

We had a very good family friend who never married. Every year, he'd come to our home for the holidays. He didn't know much about children because he never had his own, but he was such a kind person. He bought lovely Christmas gifts, but had a hard time asking the store clerk what he should purchase because he was deaf. Every year he brought me this horrible perfume called Evening In Paris. I imagine he asked the woman at the perfume counter but forget to tell her my age. I dreaded opening his gift because I knew what it would be. Mind you, I just didn't get a bottle of the perfume -- I got the whole shebang, powder, cologne, perfume, oil and whatever came in that darn gift box. Then one year he came with an envelope and $100 for me. He said I was old enough to buy what I wanted now and he wanted me to choose something I really like. If I never smell Evening In Paris again, I'll be a happy cat.

What are your favorite books to give as gifts?

I buy books only for my youngest son because he's a reading fanatic like me. My other two children never open a book unfortunately. I buy my youngest American history books, particularly anything about World War II and the Civil War. I can never go wrong if I stay in those categories.

What are you reading now?

Oh, boy. Here's how I read. I have five books going at once -- short attention span. I'm reading the series, Hunger Games and loving it. And I'm reading G.A. Aiken's Dragon series. I'm on the first book, Dragon, Actually. Next up is a string of books by Kate Pearce because I like her writing. Finally, I'm reading The Bronze Horseman (historical again). I still have books from last Christmas that I haven't cracked open. Pitiful, I know. Such is the life of a writer.

What would you like to get from Santa this year?

A Kindle

Ah, come one, Keta, leave us with some wise words or something we pass on.

Be happy to. I’m a proverbs nut, spend too much time surfing the Internet for sayings from all walks of life. I’ll leave you with some of my favorites today about the Holiday Season.

Whether you observe Christmas, Hanukah or another holiday celebration, may yours be filled with wonder, and most of all love.

Namaste,

* * *

Time was with most of us, when Christmas Day, encircling all our limited world like a magic ring, left nothing out for us to miss or seek; bound together all our home enjoyments, affections, and hopes; grouped everything and everyone round the Christmas fire, and make the little picture shining in our bright young eyes, complete.

Charles Dickens

* * *

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 M. Pharo

* * *

It comes every year and will go on forever. And along with Christmas belong the keepsakes and the customs. Those humble, everyday things a mother clings to, and ponders, like Mary in the secret spaces of her heart.

Marjorie Holmes

* * *

Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display--so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn't the holly, it isn't the snow. It isn't the tree not the firelight's glow. It's the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.

Unknown

* * *

You can find Keta here on the Internet:

Keta’s Haunt

Keta’s Keep

Gay Fiction Blog

Keta on Twitter

Kitchen Witchery For The Holidays

by Kelly Yeakle

Congratulations to Leni! She won Kelly's holiday giveaways!

I get so excited when the holidays approach each year, mainly because I get to cook A LOT! I consider cooking, the art of mixing things together to create something, magical! What better time of year to share that magic than the holidays, no matter what holiday you celebrate. Did you ever realize that most holidays are centered around good food shared with family, and friends? Coincidence? I think not!

I’m always in the market to try new recipes for celebrations and family gatherings, and thought I would share a new one I found with you!

Mulled Wine

(Courtesy of wiccantogether.com)

1 Bottle Red Wine

2 Cinnamon Sticks

1 tsp Cloves

Pinch Nutmeg

1 Orange, sliced

1 Lemon, sliced

75g (3/8 cup) brown sugar

Warm the wine in a large pan on the stove, medium heat. You don’t want it to boil. Add the fruit, cloves, nutmeg, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the cinnamon sticks, turn off the heat and let the sticks soak in while the liquid cools. Reheat when you’re ready to serve. Remove the cinnamon sticks and fruit, drain off the spices, and pour into glasses to enjoy!

According to ehow.com there are a few easy ways to celebrate a Wiccan Christmas, if you live in a mixed household like I do. Here is my interpretation of what they’ve shared on their website…

Make wreaths. The circular design can be viewed as a symbol of the life cycle, of birth and renewal which is one of Yule’s meanings. It can also make a very beautiful decoration for non-wiccans. It is also something really fun to do together with children, let them decorate their own wreath, exposing their creativity!

Burn a Yule log. Having a fire together on a cold winter night is a great way to spend the evening, and burning a designated Yule log is part of Wiccan tradition.

Create a Yule tree, preferably using a living tree in your yard or one bought at a greenhouse that can be planted in the yard when you’re finished using it as a decoration. Use quartz crystals and garland strands made of dried fruits such as apple or orange slices.

Hang evergreen boughs in doorways to celebrate the life cycle. Mistletoe anyone? Woohoo!

Prepare traditional foods, such as the great mulled wine recipe I’ve supplied above to bring a little of the past into the present!

Christmas and Yule are both holidays that share in the element of togetherness. This might be a great time to share your beliefs with those around you!!

I’m always looking for new ways to blend my Wiccan practices into my everyday life.

Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again!!

Blessed Be.

I will be giving away a copy of my book, as well as an autographed post card and a little something else I haven't decided what yet! (leaning towards the Irish Charm Willow Tree figurine).

Find Kelly at:

Kelly's Writer's Block

Kelly's Blog

Twitter - KYeakle27

Facebook

Email: KYeakle27@yahoo.com

The Magic of Christmas

by Jennifer Madden

I love Christmas. I mean, seriously love it. I love the smell, and the hype, and I’m probably one of the few people that actually like wintertime. Although this 6 degree weather is stressing even me out. My favorite thing about Christmas, though, is the magic.

I have a lot of fabulous memories of Christmas, but my absolute favorite was the year of 2004. My daughter was 1 at the time, and my son Jake was 4. Jake has always been very skeptical of Christmas and Santa Clause. I don’t know why, but he seemed to know that something fishy was going on, and it was difficult to sell him on the idea of a jolly fat man giving him things. Well, Christmas morning, we woke up, and he didn’t believe that Santa had brought all those toys under the tree. My husband and I told him that we had heard the reindeer on the roof the night before, so we knew he had visited the house. Jake went to the French doors of the sunroom, looks out at the snow, and turns around in disbelief. ‘He was here!’ he yells. ‘Look.’

Snow had fallen the night before, and there in the pristine snow were perfect deer prints on the deck. The second story deck.My husband and I were stunned, but as parents we knew when to take advantage of a good thing. We told him they were definitely Reindeer prints, and he believed in Christmas for several more years.

We never saw the actual deer that made the prints. We assume, though, that they had come up to look in at all the love inside the house. I took pictures, of course, and the proof has perpetuated several extra years of innocent childhood for my daughter. I bring the photos out every year to remind them of the magic of the season.

Hopefully, this year, I will have a special Christmas gift for me under the tree, or on the computer, as it were. My debut release is scheduled for later this month, and I am so incredibly anxious. Second Time Around is a contemporary romance set in Kentucky horse country. Here’s the blurb:

Officer Shane Caldwell responds to a routine end of shift call with some annoyance, but when she tackles and handcuffs her ex-lover and the father of her son, things turn hot in a flash. Four years before, Quinn Scott disappeared to make his fortune, and she hasn’t heard a word from him. As his touch ignites old passions, Shane is torn between telling him about the son he’s never known, and protecting young Jackson’s heart from the man who walked away without a backward glance.

When Shane storms back into his life, Quinn isn’t surprised by the incredible attraction which sparks between them. He wants to take up where they left off, but years of lies and unexpected betrayals from family and friends endanger his Thoroughbred breeding operation and his dreams of a future with the woman he never really left behind.

Will old prejudices separate them again or can love grow stronger the Second Time Around?

In celebration of my upcoming release, and because it’s Christmas, and my birthday, I’m shipping one lucky commenter a Kentucky-themed gift box. Inside will be a horseshoe made of Chocolate, a Kentucky mug, and several other horse and book themed items. You will also receive a copy of Second Time Around when it comes out. You just have to tell me your favorite Christmas or Holiday story, in relation to your children. Come on ladies, I know you have your favorites. Share. The winner will be picked at random. Please leave your email address with your comment!

Thank you so much for your memories.

JM

You can find me at www.jmmadden.com.

On Facebook, I am J.m. Madden, or you can follow this LINK

Or you can Tweet me @lilbighorse.