12 Books of Christmas: THE EXPECTANT FUTURE CHRISTMAS by Sheryl Holmes

There are just some questions that are too big to answer.  Every year at least one of my nine children asks me,

“What do you want for Christmas, Mom?”

Inevitably, I sigh, and deflect, and say,

“Well that’s something for me to think about….”

I never really give an answer to that question…except once – a few years ago, I said:

“Peace. I want Peace for Christmas.”

That year, I got a decorative pillow with the words P. E. A. C. E. embroidered on it.

Every year, I contemplate what I should say – how much do I tell? I know the kids want a tangible answer like, a new pair of slippers, or lipstick, or bottle of lotion…something easy to search for and obtain at the local mall.  Yet, what I really want can’t be found at Target.

Even to this day, I have never given voice to the words that express my deepest desire.

I do believe it is what every Jesus-loving mother wants in her heart of hearts. The desire that God places in a mamma’s heart the moment He begins to knit inside her womb.  The desire that grows stronger and more intense as the years go by and the child grows taller.

Dare I whisper it?

Child, it is love.

Child, it is salvation.

This is what I want for Christmas.

I want it for you.

There is nothing I want more than for my child to know he is loved, by me, by his father, and even more so, by the Father.

I don’t desire to get anything for Christmas 

except to know,

you, my child, know you are loved by the Author of life.

I want you, my child, to take that gift of salvation 

that was born to us all on that first Christmas.

Is this not exactly what God wants for each of us?

Is this not why He gave us Jesus in the manger?

Ask me again this year, my child.  Ask me:

“What do you want for Christmas, Mom?” 

I think, this year, I will not sigh.  I will not deflect.  I will speak an answer definitively louder than a whisper.

“Child, I want you to know you are deeply loved.”

Until you ask me, I am praying, expectantly.

IN hope, I wait.

About the Author:

Sheryl Holmes, a daughter of the King, enjoys a loving marriage with her husband of twenty-six years. She is a devoted mother of nine, currently home educating five of her children. You can learn more about Sheryl and her book, TOWDAH, at her author page on our Write Integrity Website. And below, you can enjoy her recipe for her mother-in-law's special cookies.

Grandma's Christmas Cookies:

In love, my mother in-law made these every year for Christmas. When she passed away, I continued, in love, to make these for my husband and my children every year since.  It’s the only cookie they care about having; it’s just not Christmas without them!

This cookie bar is made in three layers:

1^st layer - beat ½ cup of better, 1 egg yolk, 2 TBS of water together.  Add in 1 ¼ cup of flour, 1 tsp. of sugar, and 1 tsp. of baking powder.  Press into a 13x9 inch greased pan & bake at 350 degrees for 10 minute.

2^nd layer - sprinkle 1 bag of mini chocolate chips onto the hot crusty bottom layer and return it to the oven for 1 minute. Take it out of the oven and smooth the chocolate out with a frosting spreader knife.

3^rd layer – beat 2 eggs, ¾ of a cup of sugar together and add in 6 TBS of melted butter, 2 tsp. of vanilla, and 2 cups of finely chopped walnuts and mix til smooth and creamy.  Pour onto the chocolate layer (optional: sprinkle with colored sugar) and bake for 30 minutes.

Cool, and cut into squares using a plastic knife.

12 Books of Christmas:

You can win a copy of Sheryl's book, TOWDAH, along with 11 other books (US residents only) by commenting below and leaving your email address for us to add to our monthly newsletter list. (Unsubscribe anytime.) Here's a question you can answer: What is some special or traditional that you or one of your family members share each year?

Oh, and don't forget that tomorrow this book along with 9 others will be available for 99¢. So if you don't win the contest and get them all for free, you can still enjoy some Christmas reading at deep discounts! But the price is only good tomorrow, December 13, for our Turquoise Tuesday sale!

12 Books of Christmas: THE MAN CAVE by Cynthia T. Toney

He’d always been a saver. Not of money but of things.

He’d saved broken fixtures, unrecognizable hardware, scraps of wood and plastic and fiberglass, every old nail, bolt, and fastener.

Now he had to save whatever scraps were left of his dignity. An unexpected layoff claimed his good-paying job with bonuses. Who was he without his career—heck, without even a minimum-wage job?

Everyone turned him down, even the home improvement centers where he’d spent much of his time—and money, back when he had some. They didn’t know what an expert in building and maintenance they rejected. “Overqualified,” they said. Sure, he had a good education, but he was more than his degree. He had once helped build a fine house with his own two hands. Not the framework, electrical or plumbing, but a good deal of the interior and exterior, using the finest materials.

Lately he searched the discard piles at those same centers for pieces of two-by-fours, fractions of plywood sheets, and sections of molding too short for most builders to bother with.

When friends heard what he was doing, they searched their garages and attics. Soon he had a door, a window, a ceiling fan. A garage sale turned up a scratched sink. A family member donated some used light fixtures.

He drew up some plans and framed up a small building, using an existing slab where a rusted metal prefab once stood.

The wife spotted a neighbor’s weathered fence boards piled at the street for trash pickup. Placed at a 45-degree angle, they became a contemporary façade for the front door and a hinged window over the counter top, which he tiled from mismatched surplus, politely requested from a local flooring supply.

“What do you need for your building?” was the question from mother, wife, and children when Christmas, birthday, and Father’s Day rolled around. That got him the things he couldn’t find for free or on the clearance tables.

Each weekday morning after his wife left for her workplace, he walked out the back door of their home and traveled the few yards to reach what was now his full-time job. He found peace in the routine. 

“I’m afraid you’ll get depressed,” his wife had said at first. “You aren’t used to having so many hours to fill during the day. I don’t like the idea of you feeling sad or lonely.”

“I don’t want you to think about me while you’re at work,” he’d replied. He pointed to his project. “When I’m busy in there, I’m safe and happy.”

In his little building, he focused his energy, contained his worry, and sheltered his ego. Through hundreds of rejections of his resume, he pursued his endeavor. Each evening, he presented to his wife the small accomplishments of every stage of completion. Together they celebrated them.

The building became the place to go, whether he wanted to relax in solitude or entertain his wife, family, or friends.  It was his own creation, the nonliving thing he was most proud of.

When almost two years had passed, he received a job offer in another state. Of all the changes he had to make to take it, including a permanent move, parting with his man cave was the most difficult.

At Christmas, I look back at that period in our lives and think of that building. It reminds me of Joseph doing the best he could with what he had for Mary and Jesus. And Joseph was a carpenter like my husband.

Joy fills my heart, because God used the man cave to show me the kind of person my husband really is.

About the Author: 

Cynthia is a former advertising designer, marketing director, and interior decorator who holds a BA in art education with a minor in history. While employed by a large daily newspaper, she tried to rewrite some ad copy without permission and got into trouble for it. At that point, she knew she was destined to become an author.

When she’s not cooking Cajun or Italian food, Cynthia writes historical and contemporary teen fiction containing elements of mystery and romance. For more about Cynthia and her books, check out her Author page on our Write Integrity Press website.

And before you go, Cynthia has left a special recipe from her Christmas to yours! Enjoy!

SALMON PATTIES/CAKES

A Recipe (sort of... I don't use measurements) for holiday parties or when you’re tired of turkey and ham.

One can 14-16 oz. Alaskan Pink Salmon,  Drained but not dry
2 Eggs
Milk
Italian Bread Crumbs
Slice of Wheat Bread or some Saltine Crackers (optional...can use less bread crumbs if using either of these)
Zatarain's Fish Fry (or other seasoned cornmeal-based fish fry—Louisiana Fish Fry, Tony Chachere’s, Cajun Injector, Bootsie’s, Cajun King)
Flour
Chopped Bell Pepper (one large)
Chopped Onion, or onion flakes
Garlic, or garlic powder
Celery (optional...would be nice if you have it, but I used celery salt)
NOTE: If you use any saltine crackers or celery salt, DO NOT ADD EXTRA SALT to the patties.)

Mix some flour with a little fish fry to give the flour a pale yellow color, and set aside.  You will use

Cynthia's first book from her Bird Face
series is part of our giveaway! Leave a
comment for your chance to win. And
come back tomorrow for another entry!

this to dredge the patties in.

Pour about a half inch depth of vegetable oil in a frying pan, and have some extra oil ready for adding later.

In a bowl, mix the eggs, salmon, bread crumbs, bread/saltines (optional), a LITTLE  fish fry (Zatarain's is very spicy), the bell pepper, onion, garlic, celery (or celery salt if you like). When all this is mixed well, add enough milk to moisten and allow you to form a meatball in your two hands with the mixture. Test cook a small glob of the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds to see if you like the taste.

Heat the oil in the pan to medium. Form one meatball at a time and flatten it and coat it with the flour/fish fry mixture. (If you make the patties too big, they will crack.)
Place in pan and continue to form patties, dredge, and fry. Turn each one when bottom looks brown. Lower the heat so that the oil does not begin to burn.
Add more oil before beginning to fry your next batch. (This recipe will make 10 or 12 patties.)
Drain patties on paper towels on large plates or a long pan.

They freeze and reheat well. (and taste even better)
Good with ketchup or tartar sauce.

12 Books of Christmas: 

You can win a copy of Cynthia's YA book, 8 Notes to a Nobody, along with 11 other books (US residents only) by commenting below and leaving your email address for us to add to our monthly newsletter list. (Unsubscribe anytime.) Here's a question you can answer: Grieving losses at Christmas is normal, but have you had a change in your life is stirred up in happy memories, like Cynthia's?

The Art of Nuance and Nana's Carrot Cake

[UPDATE: The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt is now available on Kindle! Only 99 cents for a limited time!]

Yesterday, Joan Campbell posted Chapter Nine Part One of The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt on her blog. Today, she posts Part Two.

Author Jennifer Fromke wrote the tenth and final chapter of The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt. Here, she shares her favorite memory and recipe. Over on her blog, she gives us a special treat and a special announcement, so head over there as soon as you read her post here! 

The Art of Nuance

by Jennifer Fromke 

My Nana never learned the art of nuance. She said what she thought, often without filters. Especially toward the end of her life. It’s one of my favorite things about her.

A couple years before she died, I was blessed to see her during the Christmas season. I opened the gift she brought for me and found an old pair of candlesticks. I looked up at her and she shrugged, saying something like this: “Well, I figured I have so much stuff I don’t need anymore, I might as well start giving it all away.” I had to laugh. Those candlesticks are in use in my house today.

The Christmas before she died, Nana’s Christmas gift blew me away. It was another gift from her “stuff” but this time it yanked my heart - hard. I opened the box and drew out an old velvet envelope - remember when jewelers used those? I tipped it, and a string of huge freshwater pearls slipped into my hand.

I knew these pearls well. Each pearl has its own shape, and is about the size of a thumbnail. I loved it when Nana wore these pearls and I had admired them for years. The best part is, I don’t think I ever told her how much I loved them.

I’m not a crier. It takes an incredible book/movie/moment to draw actual tears from my eyes. But holding those pearls in my hands turned me into a puddle. I still tear up when I lift them from my jewelry tray and slip them over my head.

I wear them periodically throughout the year, but somehow, I love wearing them best at Christmas. Maybe it’s because growing up, Christmas Eve was always spent at Nana’s house. Maybe it’s because she gave them to me for Christmas. Maybe it’s because this particular Christmas gift meant so much - from my Nana’s neck to mine, those pearls connect me to a sweet lady I love and who I know sits in Heaven today, awaiting my arrival.

Oops! Just teared up again. Sheesh! I promise, I’m really not a crier! J

In honor of Nana, I’m sharing her recipe for Carrot Cake. Simply the best one ever. She used to serve it on Christmas Eve as a birthday cake for Jesus. The youngest grandchild always blew out the candles for Jesus. I was the oldest grandchild, so I don’t remember ever doing it. Still love this cake.

 Nana’s Carrot Cake

2 c flour

1-1/4 c vegetable oil

3 c grated carrots (finely grated)

2 c sugar

2 tsp soda

1 tsp salt

4 eggs

2 tsp salt

4 eggs

2 tsp cinnamon

Sift flour into a bowl and add oil, stirring slowly and constantly (a mixer is best)

Add carrots and mix well.

Add the rest of the ingredients, mix, pour into 3 layer pans – buttered and fitted with buttered waxed paper in the bottom.

Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and cake pulls away from edge of pan.

Icing

1 8oz brick cream cheese

1 stick butter

2 tsp vanilla

1 box powdered sugar (3-1/2 cups)

½ c toasted pecans

Soften cream cheese and butter

Mix well and add sugar.

Stir and blend. Gradually add vanilla.

Spread on cooled cake. Sprinkle with chopped nuts or decorate with pecan halves. (I leave the nuts off because that’s how I liked it as a kid.)

Store in refrigerator (icing will melt at room temp)

I would also recommend making 1-1/2 times the icing – it’s just barely enough and you have to be frugal with it. If you make extra, you’ll have plenty, plus you can dip pretzels in the extra icing for a snack the next day. J

About Jennifer:

Raised in Michigan, Jennifer Fromke served tours of life experience in Wheaton, Minneapolis, and St Louis. Ten years ago she landed in North Carolina.

When forced to separate from the laptop, she can be found with her nose in a book, one hand around a latte, and the other hand stirring something on the stove. Soul food for Jennifer includes laughing with her family and teaching Bible studies.

She is a lover of words, mother of three, and wife to one extraordinary man. In 2010, she won the ACFW Genesis Award for women’s fiction. That award-winning novel, A Familiar Shore, was published by Write Integrity in March 2012.

A Familiar Shore is part of our Give One Get One Free sale through tomorrow! 

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt

Grace takes delivery of a package and her life is turned upside down by nine sealed mystery envelopes from her late grandmother. Grammie’s instructions require Grace to take the journey of her lifetime, not only to far off places, but also into the deepest parts of her heart. As she follows the trail laid out for her and uncovers her family’s darkest secrets, Grace is forced to confront the loss and betrayal that has scarred her past and seek the greatest Christmas Treasure of all.



Chapter One by Joan Campbell
Chapter Two by Ruth O'Neil
Chapter Three by J. A. Marx
Chapter Four by Deanna Klingel
Chapter Five by Marji Laine
Chapter Six by Sheryl Holmes
Chapter Seven by Fay Lamb
Chapter Eight by Debbie Roome
Chapter Nine by Joan Campbell

Come on over to Jennifer Fromke's blog for a special announcement, a contest, and more!

Jennifer is the Featured Guest today at Magnificent Hope's Christmas Party! Come on over and join the fun!

[UPDATE: The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt is now available on Kindle! Only 99 cents for a limited time!]

An All-Together Christmas and Mom's Orange Pudding

[UPDATE: The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt is FREE on Kindle December 14-17 - Grab Your Copy Here!]


Yesterday, Fay Lamb posted Chapter Seven Part One of The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt on her blog. Today, she posts Part Two.

Today, Debbie Roome posts Chapter Eight Part One on her blog. Here, she shares with us her favorite Christmas memory and one of her mom's recipes.

An All-Together Christmas

by Debbie Roome

Christmas has always been a special time for me. It’s a day for family and friends, good food and lots of fun. My most memorable Christmas in recent years was in 2009. My parents and sister from South Africa were visiting us in New Zealand and during the build up to Christmas Day we took advantage of every Christmas event we could think of. Together we went to Christmas in the Park, the Santa Parade and the Grotto. We drove around looking at homes sparkling with Christmas lights and lingered at store windows with a life-size nativity story. The week before Christmas we went to a community party at our church and on Christmas Eve we sang carols with friends and family. On Christmas Day itself, we had a huge family lunch. My five children and daughter-in-law were with us and we had a wonderful day, celebrating, telling stories, pulling crackers and laughing at silly jokes. It was bittersweet in a way, not knowing if our lives would ever intersect like this at another Christmas … but we made the most of it.

Mom’s Orange Pudding

My mother loves to cook and bake but somehow those skills escaped me and jumped to my younger daughter. This is Mom’s orange pudding recipe that is nice and light after a heavy Christmas lunch.

2 eggs
½ cup sugar
¾ cup orange juice
1 dessert spoon gelatin
½ cup milk

Beat egg yolks with sugar. Add orange juice and gelatin which should have been dissolved in ½ cup of boiling water. Add beaten egg whites and cold milk and refrigerate until set.


About Debbie:

Debbie Roome was born and raised in Africa and moved to New Zealand in 2006. Writing has been her passion since she was six years old, and she now works at it full time. Her first novel, Embracing Change, was released in 2010. Her latest novel, Contagious Hope, was released in October by Write Integrity Press. Recent nonfiction books include Cyber-Bullying is Never Alright: Dealing with the Pain of Cyber-Abuse and Magnitude 7.1 and 6.3. She also has stories in a number of anthologies and over 500 articles on various websites. In the last few years, Debbie has received a number of awards for her writing as well as placing in many competitions.

Contagious Hope is available in our Give One Get One Sale going on through Saturday!

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt

Grace takes delivery of a package and her life is turned upside down by nine sealed mystery envelopes from her late grandmother. Grammie’s instructions require Grace to take the journey of her lifetime, not only to far off places, but also into the deepest parts of her heart. As she follows the trail laid out for her and uncovers her family’s darkest secrets, Grace is forced to confront the loss and betrayal that has scarred her past and seek the greatest Christmas Treasure of all.

Chapter One by Joan Campbell
Chapter Two by Ruth O'Neil
Chapter Three by J. A. Marx
Chapter Four by Deanna Klingel
Chapter Five by Marji Laine
Chapter Six by Sheryl Holmes
Chapter Seven by Fay Lamb

Debbie is the Featured Guest today at Magnificent Hope's Christmas Party! Come on over and join the fun!

Her Own Miracle on Ayshire Drive - Favorite Christmas Memory and Recipe

[UPDATE: The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt is FREE on Kindle December 14-17 - Grab Your Copy Here!]


Chapter Six of The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt began yesterday on the Pix-N-Pens blog. Pop over there today to read Part Two.

Fay Lamb wrote Chapter Seven and you can read Part One of it on her blog today, and Part Two tomorrow.

Fay's favorite Christmas memory reminds me of a movie ...

Fay’s Christmas Memory

Our first Christmas together, my husband, Marc, asked if the boys and I would like to take a drive and look at Christmas lights. My sons were excited as we traveled through Sherwood Park, a neighborhood known for its hospitable holiday spirit.

Most houses were lit up with decorations. Sidewalks were lined with luminaries, music played outside, and the residents waved and called, “Merry Christmas” to the long line of cars weaving through their streets to take it all in.

My husband reached for my hand and smiled back at the two little boys, six and four, that I’d brought into our relationship. “Wouldn’t it be nice to live here one day?”

Warmth still fills my heart as I think about his words. A once confirmed bachelor, Marc never gave much thought to where he would live, but things had changed. He had two sons who needed a good school, and where we lived then was not in the best of districts. We were running out of ploys to keep them in the school nearest to Sherwood Park.

A few months and a limited budget later, Marc and I found ourselves looking at house after house to purchase, but we couldn’t find the one we wanted. Finally, the real estate agent pulled up in front of a house on Ayshire Drive—in Sherwood Park. From the outside, the house was beautiful, but we were a little doubtful that we could afford it.

When our oldest son jumped out of the car, he noticed friends from school playing in the streets around us. His excitement grew, and I was afraid we would have to disappoint him.

Then I went through the house. It was open and spacious. The bathrooms were larger than any I’d seen in a house that size. The boys could share a room or each have their own, although, I knew what that decision would be. I fell in love with the place.

The house was a little pricier than we’d expected, but the real estate agent had some good news for us. The mortgage had a rare, “assumable without qualifying” tag on it, which meant as long as we stayed within our personal budget, we didn’t have to qualify for a larger loan.

While the boys chattered about the new house in the neighborhood where their friends lived, Marc, in his quiet unassuming way, studied our options. He was getting ready to head out of town, and we hadn’t made a decision—or so I thought.

The day he had to leave, I was late getting home and picking up the boys from daycare. We rushed to our apartment, and I was disappointed. Marc’s car was gone. He’d already left for the airport. Deflated, I gathered our belongings and ushered the kids toward the apartment where I found a note taped to the door.

“Your new home is located on Ayshire Drive. I love you, Marc.” He’d signed the contract to purchase the house as a surprise for us.

I cried as I read this love note to me. You see, it wasn’t about the house. Any home would have done for me. In those few little words, my husband showed not only the depth of his love for his wife, he also showed me how much he loved the sons I brought into the marriage.

We lived on Ayshire Drive for seventeen years, making precious family memories there. And each Christmas our family would decorate our home to the hilt, place the luminaries along the drive, and we’d stand outside waving to all the visitors driving through our neighborhood, and I still never cease counting the many blessings that came when God brought Marc Lamb into my life.

[ED. NOTE: I've only known Fay a short time, but she recently revealed her skills as a cook on Mary Anslee Urban's blog. After reading that, I was a little worried about asking her for some recipes ...]

Fay’s Holiday Recipe(s)

I am not an overly ambitious cook. The joke around our house is that I cook only to remind my husband why we eat out so much. Therefore, the recipe I’m about to share comes with a disclaimer and an escape hatch for the not so adventurous. First, let’s get rid of the disclaimer: In no way should the aspiration it took to throw this wondrously delicious masterpiece together be construed as a Fay Lamb original. I most likely found it in one of those magazines that share lots of recipes for those more inclined to spend more than five minutes in the kitchen per day.
Okay, over-zealous holiday cooks, are you ready? Here’s the recipe for Cookie Dough Brownies—a three layer treat of scrumptious dimensions:

You will need:


For the brownies:

2 cups sugar
½ cups all purpose flour
½ cup baking cocoa
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla extract

For the filling:

½ butter-softened

½ cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour

For the glaze:

1 cup (6 oz) chocolate chips

1 tablespoon shortening

Now the fun begins:

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa, and salt. Add oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed for three minutes. Pour into a greased 13”x9”x2” baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for thirty minutes or until brownies test done. (I’ve yet to learn how to give a brownie a test, so good luck on that one). *Cool completely! And there is a reason I use an exclamation point and an asterisk. Warm brownies do not help the glaze set, and when the glaze does not set, and you are carrying your dish to the Christmas party, and you end up wearing chocolate on your pants, it presents some wonderfully funny Christmas memories—for others. Trust me on this one.

Okay, let’s start with that second layer. For the filling, cream the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl. Add milk and vanilla. Mix well. Beat in flour. Spread over cooled brownies, chill until firm. *See the asterisk above. Same memories apply.

And finally, that all important chocolaty-glaze goodness: melt chocolate chips and shortening in a saucepan, stirring until smooth. Spread over filling. Chill until the chocolate is firm. *Again re-read that asterisk.

This will yield you three dozen Cookie Dough Brownies.

And I did promise an escape hatch for those of you who’ve broken into hives thinking about the measuring, mixing, and mayhem that is bound to happen in your kitchen if you are anything like me. The genius of this recipe belongs solely to my friend Wanda Colebaugh who had me in a fit of laughter one evening as everyone raved about the delicious concoction, and I looked at her and said, “Isn’t this…”

Two boxes of ice cream sandwiches (well frozen)
One bowl of Cool Whip

And, “Didn’t you just …”

Place the ice cream sandwiches side by side, cutting a couple to fit the pan
Layer with Cool Whip
Then stack a second set of ice cream sandwiches side by side over the Cool Whip
And chill

As she waved my laughter away, attempting to keep a straight face, and nodded to our pastor who’d come into the kitchen to compliment the dessert, she was also providing me her answer.

About Fay:

Fay Lamb offers services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel is available at all book retailers. Her second release, Stalking Willow, is currently available for pre-order through Write Integrity Press and will be released in May 2013.

Fay has served as secretary for American Christian Fiction Writer’s operating board and as a moderator for ACFW’s critique group, Scribes. For her volunteer efforts for ACFW, she received the Service Members Award in 2010.

Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren.

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt

Grace takes delivery of a package and her life is turned upside down by nine sealed mystery envelopes from her late grandmother. Grammie’s instructions require Grace to take the journey of her lifetime, not only to far off places, but also into the deepest parts of her heart. As she follows the trail laid out for her and uncovers her family’s darkest secrets, Grace is forced to confront the loss and betrayal that has scarred her past and seek the greatest Christmas Treasure of all.

Chapter One by Joan Campbell

Chapter Two by Ruth O'Neil

Chapter Three by J.A. Marx

Chapter Four by Deanna Klingel

Chapter Five by Marji Laine

Chapter Six by Sheryl Holmes

Chapter Seven by Fay Lamb

Fay is the Featured Guest at Magnificent Hope's Christmas Party today, 

so drop by and say hello! 

Lists, a Chain, and Gifts

[UPDATE: The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt is FREE on Kindle December 14-17 - Grab Your Copy Here!]

On Friday, Marji Laine posted Chapter Five Part One of The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt. Today, she posts Part Two.

Chapter Six begins today on the Pix-N-Pens blog. Author Sheryl Holmes wrote Chapter Six and today, she shares with us her favorite Christmas memories, and a recipe that I'm definitely going to make - probably BEFORE Christmas!

Lists, a Chain, and Gifts

By Sheryl Holmes

Lists.  Secret lists. Not Santa’s, but mine.  That’s how it all started.

Giving and being the giver.  Now that is the Christmas Tradition I will call my favorite.

This tradition was always tagged on the end of the Thanksgiving weekend.  I would grab a notebook and a pen and retreat to a quiet corner of the house and begin by listing all the names of my family members and friends with whom I so desired to surprise with a gift.  My mind would swirl with ideas of crafty things to make.  Ever so carefully I would browse through the catalogs and choose just the right item for this one or that one.  Lists of materials & resources needed were made.  Lists of days of days were outlined to make time for the crafts & creations.  My secret list would be stashed somewhere in my room to ensure there would be no other eyes upon it.  This is how I began the tradition of lists and giving,  when I was a pre-teen.

Many years have passed, yet I still seek out a clean sheet in a notebook, retreat to a corner of the couch, scrawl the names, and brainstorm gift ideas the weekend following Thanksgiving.  The process delights me!   One solid tradition that resulted from my long standing ritual of list making is my “Christmas Chain.” Colored construction paper cut into 1” strips were laid out and prepared.  When my first children were about 4 years old, I began this 25 linked chain tradition to help them count down to the long awaited Christmas Day.  Inside each link I would write special activities to do in preparation of the holiday upon us; Scavenger hunts, ornament making, cookie baking, card creating….doing secret good deeds, crafting gifts for shut-ins, praying for loved ones, making  a meal for the neighbor….and always scripture readings to focus on the familiar Christmas story in a fresh way.  Each day, beginning Dec. 1st, a new chain link was taken down and read and my children and I would engage in the love of preparing our hearts and minds for the celebration coming on the 25th. I was giving each of my nine children time to revel – time to ponder – and I think I gave them the gift of considering.  Considering Jesus and the gift of love He is to us, from God.

Giving.  It is my heart’s desire and joy.  I love to plan the activities for the chain and the gifts for Christmas morning.  I love to watch the anticipation and the excitement of the receiver.  It makes me smile and giggle til my cheeks ache.

Currently, my youngest is nine and my oldest is twenty three and this year we decided to consolidate the actual paper chain into tiny slips of paper placed inside our advent wall/box display.  This morning, my twelve year old lifted my two year old grandson up to open the box and take out the “chain activity” – the Tradition is jumping into the next generation – wheee!  My heart was so tickled.  I love to give!  I love being a giver!

I suppose it is the natural course of my born-again status.  As I am being molded to become more like Christ, I should inevitably love to do as He did.  Jesus, the ultimate giver, gave up His own life for each one of us.  In love, Christ humbly came to earth as a baby and we celebrate this birth every December 25th.  Yet, I believe the true joy in our celebrations is in the knowing that His birth was just the beginning of the gift.  In His death, I imagine Jesus must have felt the most exquisite joy as a giver, as He made the Way for us to receive the inheritance of eternal life with Him.  Oh, if I can imagine it ... what achy cheeks He must have!

Yes.  Giving.  It’s decidedly my favorite Christmas Tradition.

Mom’s Christmas  Morning Egg Souffle

by Sheryl Holmes

This is the casserole my mom prepared for every Christmas morning since I could remember.  The delight was that it could be put together & refrigerated up to two days prior to Christmas Day and so only requires the energy to pop it into the oven an hour before eating time!  Ever since I was married and on my own, I have prepared this same soufflé casserole for my family, accompanied by cinnamon buns which also can be made ahead of time.  Let’s face it, who wants to be cooking on Christmas morning?

8 slices of bread – I use the white air bread – buttered then cut into cubes
½ lb. of grated cheddar cheese

*********

4 eggs – beaten with all the stuff that follows:
1/8 tsp of paprika
2 TBS of prepared mustard
2 ½ c. of milk
½ tsp of salt (pepper if you like or season salt also works)

Layer the bottom of an 8 cup baking dish with 1/3 of the buttered bread cubes.  Top with cheese.  Repeat the layering 2 more times.  Pour the egg mixture over the layers.  Chill 1 – 2 days.  Bake uncovered in an oven 350 degrees till puffed and golden – about 1 hour.


About Sheryl: 

Sheryl Holmes, a daughter of the King, enjoys a loving marriage with her husband of twenty-six years. She is a devoted mother of nine, currently home educating five of her children. Sheryl serves as an active member of Dwight Chapel’s Christ Community Church, in Belchertown, Massachusetts.

Sheryl is the author of:

Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope which is available in our Give One Get One Free Sale!

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt

Grace takes delivery of a package and her life is turned upside down by nine sealed mystery envelopes from her late grandmother. Grammie’s instructions require Grace to take the journey of her lifetime, not only to far off places, but also into the deepest parts of her heart. As she follows the trail laid out for her and uncovers her family’s darkest secrets, Grace is forced to confront the loss and betrayal that has scarred her past and seek the greatest Christmas Treasure of all.

Chapter One by Joan Campbell
Chapter Two by Ruth O'Neil
Chapter Three by J. A. Marx
Chapter Four by Deanna Klingel
Chapter Five by Marji Laine
Chapter Six by Sheryl Holmes

Sheryl is the Featured Guest today at Magnificent Hope's Christmas Party! Come on over and join the fun!

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt Halftime Recap

[UPDATE: The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt is FREE on Kindle December 14-17 - Grab Your Copy Here!]

Wow, it's been a busy week for everyone involved in The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt! Are you enjoying the story so far?

Someone asked for a list of all portions of the story, and I decided today would be a good time for a recap of everything posted so far.

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt

Grace takes delivery of a package and her life is turned upside down by nine sealed mystery envelopes from her late grandmother. Grammie’s instructions require Grace to take the journey of her lifetime, not only to far off places, but also into the deepest parts of her heart. As she follows the trail laid out for her and uncovers her family’s darkest secrets, Grace is forced to confront the loss and betrayal that has scarred her past and seek the greatest Christmas Treasure of all.


Chapter One by Joan Campbell - Part One, Part Two

Grace takes delivery of the package and must decide whether to embark on this journey of a lifetime.

Chapter Two by Ruth O'Neil - Part One, Part Two

Decision made, Grace opens the first envelope, which points her home.

Chapter Three by J. A. Marx - Part One, Part Two

Envelope #2 lands her in Colorado where she must confront some family secrets.

Chapter Four by Deanna Klingel - Part One, Part Two

Envelope #3 finds Grace in North Carolina, and she discovers she cannot continue to ignore the past.

Chapter Five by Marji Laine - Part One, Part Two.

Envelope #5 sends Grace to Honduras, where she gets a glimpse of Grammie's past - and perhaps her own future.


The authors from these chapters also shared with us their favorite Christmas memories and recipes.

Joan Campbell wrote about Intruders and Wash Baskets. (Her recipe appears next week!)

Ruth O'Neil shared with us her Favorite Christmas Gift (loved the photos!) and her family's tradition of German Coffee Braid.

J.A. Marx cautioned us to Never Underestimate an Elf and shared a delightful recipe for Martha Washington Candy.

Deanna Klingel recalled Christmas at Grandma's House and provided us with a recipe for Gingerbread, and a few instructions and photos for assembling gingerbread houses. 

Marji Laine wrote about her Traveling Christmas and shared with us a recipe for her Dynamite Stuffing. 


On Monday, we'll pick up with Part Two of Marji's Chapter Five, and dig into Sheryl's Holmes delightful Chapter Six. During the week, we'll also read chapters by Fay Lamb, Debbie Roome, Joan Campbell, and then on Friday, Jennifer Fromke has a special treat for us - and a fun announcement! 

While we're taking a breather over the weekend, be sure to pop in over at the Magnificent Hope Christmas Party! Everyone who participates receives an entry to win one of two gift baskets we'll be giving away next week! 

Traveling Christmas and Dynamite Stuffing - My Favorite Christmas Memory and Recipe

[UPDATE: The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt is FREE on Kindle December 14-17 - Grab Your Copy Here!]

Yesterday, we posted the first part of Chapter 4 of The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt on the Pix-N-Pens blog. Today, we've posted Part Two.

Chapter Five was written by the winner of our Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt chapter contest, Marji Laine. She has posted part one of her chapter over on her blog, and she'll post part two tomorrow. Here's her favorite Christmas Memory and Recipe.

Traveling Christmas

by Marji Laine

Christmas is one of my favorite seasons. It’s so hard to choose just one memory. The best part of the holiday is spending time with my family. Laughter, singing, delicious food, and thought-filled gifts make this holiday so special. But a few years stand out in memory. One was the year before I married my sweet hubby – yes, taxing the gray cells to remember that far back. I went with his family to Kansas and we traveled back down to Dallas on Christmas day, reaching my mom’s house late that evening. That year, my mom had outdone herself with gift buying, requiring us to create an assembly line, singing the whole time moving the presents from under the tree into the family room where we had enough room to open them. After a couple of hours unwrapping packages, we snatched some sleep and rose pre-dawn to drive to Red River, New Mexico for a few days of skiing, ten of us in all. The best part about the holiday wasn’t the gift-opening, though that was fun. The best part was spending a solid week together; singing, laughing, skiing, snow-mobiling, and just enjoying each other’s company.

Dynamite Stuffing

I'm taxing my brain for a good recipe to share. We do have yearly dishes: Apple Crumb Pie, Pumpkin Bread, Green Bean Casserole, and Deviled Eggs. Most of them are short-cut dishes - I'm so not a cook! But I have been taught to make a dynamite stuffing that I love.

Ingredients:

1 loaf of stale bread
2 cups of celery - chopped
2 cup onion - chopped
1 stick of butter
1 egg
1 tsp each of salt, sage, pepper
2 tsp of parsley - chopped

Step 1: (We usually do this step in front of a movie!) Pull the bread into half-inch to inch-sized squares. I've since been taught that this is called cubing, but it was always pulling to me.

Step 2: Melt butter in the microwave with celery and onion on high for 3 minutes (cover while cooking). Stir and repeat until celery is tender.

Step 3: Blend seasonings into the celery/onion mixture and add the egg, beating it all together. Fold in the bread, stirring it well so that the mixture is fully absorbed and the vegetables are evenly spread through the bread. It will be rather dry. No worries. The juices from the bird are what make this work.

Step 4: Stuff it inside your turkey cavity and cook as directed. If you want to bake this as a casserole, press the bread mixture into a dish, then pour a full cup of chicken stock over the top of it to let it soak in and saturate. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350° for an hour.

Mmmm! I love it with turkey gravy, but it's moist enough to eat without. I'm not sure how many it officially serves, but we have 10-12 at our place and all of us eat on it - rarely leftovers.

About Marji:

Marji is a home-schooling mom of four with the oldest at UT Dallas. When she can't indulge in her passion for story-telling, she's transporting teenage volleyball players, teaching writing classes at a local co-op, and directing the children’s music program at her church. She loves acting in musical comedy, has directed many stage productions, leads a worship team, sings in her church choir, coordinates high school classes for a large home-school group, scrap-books, crochets, and designs Love Story books for newlyweds. She invites readers to unravel their inspiration, seeking a deeper knowledge of the Lord’s Great Mystery that invites us all. You can find her hanging around her website, Facebook page, or you can follow @MarjiLaine on Twitter. 

Find her on the web:

Website 
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt

Grace takes delivery of a package and her life is turned upside down by nine sealed mystery envelopes from her late grandmother. Grammie’s instructions require Grace to take the journey of her lifetime, not only to far off places, but also into the deepest parts of her heart. As she follows the trail laid out for her and uncovers her family’s darkest secrets, Grace is forced to confront the loss and betrayal that has scarred her past and seek the greatest Christmas Treasure of all.

Chapter One by Joan Campbell - Part One, Part Two
Chapter Two by Ruth O'Neil - Part One, Part Two
Chapter Three by J. A. Marx - Part One, Part Two
Chapter Four by Deanna Klingel - Part One, Part Two
Chapter Five by Marji Laine - Part One, Part Two

Marji's the Featured Guest today at Magnificent Hope's Christmas Party! Come on over and join the fun!

Christmas at Grandma's House and Gingerbread - My Favorite Christmas Memory

J.A. Marx posts Part Two of her Chapter Three in The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt today, so be sure to pick up where you left off on her blog.

Chapter Four is written by Deanna Klingel, and today, she shares her Favorite Christmas Memory and Recipe with us.

Christmas at Grandma's House

by Deanna Klingel

When you are old (like me) you will realize there isn't one memory, there are many, and each one you think of reminds you of another. But, in a nutshell, all those memories land me at my Grandma's house. It was hot because Grandma's coal furnace belched heat, the big oven and four burners had been on for hours, and a zillion people were crammed into the living space. The kitchen windows were open because my aunts, crowded into the kitchen, washing pans, drying silverware, and bumping into each other were close to a faint from the heat.
 
My cousins, brothers, and I played outside. In Michigan we built snowmen so tall we had to stand on Grandad's ladder to finish them off. We sailed down the hill in the middle of the road on our sleds, created snow angels, and hid in snow forts until we were called in for dinner. The kitchen table, the dining room table with so many leaves in place it barely fit in the room, and lots of card tables and tv snack tables shoved together made room for everyone. Everyone had a place to sit. Cousins shared the piano bench, toddlers sat on laps and old wooden high chairs, some of us sat on crates and phone books. Everyone had a place at the tables.
 
Our wet mittens and boots lay smouldering on the heat vents filling the room with the aroma of wet wool and hot rubber. They'd be warm and almost dry when we needed them. Funny how I always thought Grandma had a big house. It's all relative, I guess. Her house was probably smaller than any of the many houses I've lived in as an adult. My tables have probably all been bigger than hers. I probably have more "real" chairs than she had. But the memory lingers as a big warm place with room for all. I love the kitchen smells of Christmas dinner, but most of all, the smell of wet woolen mittens and steaming rubber boots takes me back to my joy-filled childhood Christmases and Christmas dinner at Grandma's.

The recipe my family has had the most fun with is a gingerbread recipe. We've made houses, stables with animals and the Holy Family, Santa's workshops, reindeer and sleigh, an entire village one year. I made little ones with Cub Scouts and Brownies, stables with Sunday School classes, and one year my Girl Scouts made  houses, decorated them and sold them at bazaars to raise money for backpacking in Europe. I make large gingerbread people wearing basketball or soccer uniforms for team mates and ornaments for the tree with names on them. The smell of gingerbread baking signals Christmas for our family.

Klingel Gingerbread, 1979

7/8 c Dark Karo Syrup
1 1/4 c sugar
1 1/4 c margarine (2 1/2 sticks)
2 eggs, beaten

Heat syrup until it bubbles. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and sugar. Cool a little, then add 2 beaten eggs.

Sift together:
6 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinamon
1 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Add syrup. Mix. Pour out on Saran Wrap. Wrap into a tight loaf. Refrigerate at least 24 hours. Roll thin directly on the cookie sheet. Cut out the pieces and peel away the trims. Trims can be reused. all dough must be kept refrigerated pulling off only the wad you are rolling. Trims go into a ball, wrap in Saran and put back in refrigerator.

Bake cookies 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

Remove immediately and unto a cooling rack.

If you are using this for houses do not bake it on a rainy day. If you are constructing houses, let it sit out at least a day before using it. Don't construct on a rainy day. For cookies it won't matter, but they should sit out a day before storing them. If you want ornaments, use a drinking straw to create a hanging hole before baking, and immediately after baking. Let them sit a day before handling them to put the ribbons through.

About Deanna: 

Deanna K. Klingel was raised in a small town in Michigan. She left for college, married, and spent the next twenty years moving every two years with her IBM husband Dave. Their family grew with each move. They eventually settled in Atlanta with their seven children where they put down roots for nineteen years. The children grew up, left home, and Dave retired. They moved to the quiet mountains of western North Carolina. It was here, in the quiet remote setting that Deanna returned to her love of writing, and began the life of a writer.

Her book, Cracks in the Ice, was published by Write Integrity Press in October. It is available in our Give One Get One Free sale, going on now!

The Christmas Tree Treasure Hunt

Grace takes delivery of a package and her life is turned upside down by nine sealed mystery envelopes from her late grandmother. Grammie’s instructions require Grace to take the journey of her lifetime, not only to far off places, but also into the deepest parts of her heart. As she follows the trail laid out for her and uncovers her family’s darkest secrets, Grace is forced to confront the loss and betrayal that has scarred her past and seek the greatest Christmas Treasure of all.

Chapter One by Joan Campbell

Chapter Two by Ruth O'Neil

Chapter Three Part One by J.A. Marx

Chapter Four by Deanna Klingel

You're invited to Magnificent Hope's Christmas Party! Come join the fun!