Grief During the Christmas Season

Dear Gentle Readers,

Well, I am finally finished shopping, wrapping, and mailing and now would like to snuggle up on the couch with my wonderful husband and enjoy the holiday season. Christmas music, tree lit, a glass or two of Sweet Baby Red. Ahh...

And yet, in the midst of all this holiday cheer, it's hard not to look back with some sadness when we think of loved ones who are no longer with us. My father was the head and the heart of our family. Memories of Dad are entwined in every single Christmas activity.  "I'll Be Home For Christmas" always brings a tear or two. As these years roll by more and more dear, sweet people are gone.  And it's only natural to remember them and think of all the good times and love we shared with them.

It's okay to visit, but don't live there! Focus on the right now. Find something to enjoy right now. Loss is part of life. Don't let it consume your holiday.  As we age it is harder and harder and takes more conscious effort not to be sad, missing those who made us feel loved, unconditionally loved.

My Christmas short story Madison's Christmas deals with grief during the Christmas holiday. It is free today for the last time this year! It can be found at http://tinyurl.com/lys6yqj and I hope you get a chance to pick it up.

I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2015. We have today only once. Make the best of it.

Hugs,
Carol

Josey's Christmas Cookie Blog Tour

JOSEY'S CHRISTMAS COOKIE BLOG TOUR

BY SHARON KLEVE

http://www.amazon.com/Joseys-Christmas-Cookie-Sharon-Kleve-ebook/dp/B00ACLW8QQ/

FIVE STAR REVIEW

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovable Story!

By Debby Lee

I loved this heartwarming Christmas story.
Josey was a workaholic who spent all her spare time at the office in order to cope with the tragic loss of her parents and being jilted by her fiance. I really felt for her.
Clint was a handsome veterinarian Josey met at an animal rescue event who helped her buy a large slobbering dog named Cookie. Clint handled the animals with professionalism, sincerity, and great care.
The two Morning Dove's in the story, Harry and Beatrice, were desperate to see Josey and Clint get together in time for Christmas.
If you enjoy sweet plots, whimsical animal themes, and stories that make you go "aaawww" this one's for you.
Highly entertaining, highly recommended!

Book Description:

In the blink of an eye, Josey lost the most important people in her life, her parents.

Can a hound dog named Cookie, a pair of mourning doves, and a passionate vet bring the holiday spirit back to Josey's life in time for Christmas?

EXCERPT:

As I stared at the pathetic dog in his diaper, I realized no one wanted the dog, they were just gawking at him. The sign said his name was Cookie, part Basset Hound and part Redbone Coonhound. I didn’t know anything about either breed. I did know he was very large and he was slobbering everywhere and he should have a diaper around his neck. I turned to continue my search and a felt a tug on my pant leg. I looked down and Cookie had a hold of my jeans. When our eyes met, Cookie's eyes twinkled, just like Clint's.

A glob of drool hit the top of my shoe. He let go of my pant leg and licked the goo off my shoe. I wanted to say, "gross," but instead I said, "thank you." I was hooked. His fur was a reddish brown and soft as silk. Not caring about drool or dog hair, I sat down on the floor next to Cookie, wrapped my arms around his neck, and finally felt at peace.

Another glob of drool hit the floor next to my butt. He looked sad, like that was a deal breaker and I'd leave him behind. I looked Cookie in his sad eyes and laughed. He pulled back his goofy lips and smiled back.

That's when I heard Clint's voice, "Well Josey, it looks like you found your soul mate."

He laughed, but not at my expense.

ABOUT SHARON KLEVE:

Sharon Kleve was born and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband.

Sharon is a multi-published author of paranormal and contemporary romance. She loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other's arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve—with a few bumps and bruises along the way.

One of her favorite things to do is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her.

When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels.

CONTACT SHARON HERE:

Email: sharon.kleve@yahoo.com

Blog: http://authorsharonkleve.blogspot.com/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/sharonrkleve

Facebook Timeline: https://www.facebook.com/#!/sharonkleve

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKleve

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/srkleve/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5399389.Sharon_Kleve

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sharon-kleve/56/ab/691/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Kleve/e/B006JAH14S

Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/sharonkleve

Library Thing: http://www.librarything.com/profile/SRKLEVE

Publisher: http://bookstogonow.com/

YouTube trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSg5xNSTl9U

Thoughts on Christmas by D.G. Kaye

Thoughts on Christmas
by D.G. Kaye

I love Christmas. I always have since I was a small child. The fascination began with the beautiful decorations and the presentspeople received and gave. As I grew older, I began to love it for the good spirit it seemed to evoke in many people in the festive season, and a time for bonding with friends and family.

I grew up raised as a Jew. We didn’t celebrate Christmas as children, yet I wanted so badly to share in the joy. 



Because we weren’t religious or hardly practicing Jews, I decided at the age of ten to make my younger siblings believe in the magic of Christmas and Santa. I took my allowance to the variety store and bought candies for all three of them, and when Christmas Eve approached, I hung stockings for them on our fireplace and placed the candies inside. I did this for a few years, and for those few years, they really believed there was a Santa and were so excited that he visited our home.

When I moved out on my own at eighteen, my homes were never without a Christmas tree. Later, I married a Catholic man and happily, Christmas became an important part of my life.

Amazon Link to D.G. Kaye's book:

http://www.amazon.com/Words-We-Carry-Obsession-Self-Esteem-ebook/dp/B00OQJGE42/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415288677&sr=1-3&keywords=D.+G.+Kaye

Merry Christmas from Reina Cottier in New Zealand

Merry Christmas from  our friend, the fabulous artist Reina Cottier in New Zealand:


"Christmas for us is a very laid back affair, we live at the beach and it is summer here in New 

Zealand, so we sometimes have a picnic and champagne on the beach, or a bbq at home with casual 

friends dropping by when ever they want. There is no schedule, the day just unfolds and we go with 

the flow. "

More Christmas Recipes from Echo of Heartbreak, A Recipe for Life

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

I have a few more quick and easy recipes from Echo of Heartbreak, A Recipe for Life that I have made for the holidays.

Angel Pie was a favorite of my family.  It is also very easy and quickly disappears  on the buffet table.  Cut the pieces small.

These Cream Cheese Danish  are absolutely delicious and are a staple for Christmas morning.  My advice:  Double the recipe.  Make them the night before.  Chill in the refrigerator overnight.  They cut into neat pieces much better when they're chilled.  And they taste even better than the day you bake them. 









These Spinach Cream Cheese Foldovers are one of my family's favorites.  They are great for an early morning around the Christmas tree while the children are opening their presents.







Link to Echo of Heartbreak, A Recipe for Life for more family recipes:
http://www.amazon.com/Echo-Heartbreak-Recipe-Carol-Kauffman-ebook/dp/B00ES2H0BS/ref=la_B0076OMJY8_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417641010&sr=1-3

Echo of Heartbreak, A Recipe for Life is a short story written in the for of a letter from a seriously ill mother to her unborn daughter.  She tells her about the incidents surrounding her birth, gives her advice on everything from clothes to housekeeping to love life, and she leaves her the family's favorite recipes.

I will be giving  few digital copies of Echo of Heartbreak, A Recipe for Life away in my Christmas Giveaway.  If you would like to be eligible to win one, email me at carolannkauffman@gmail. com with your name and email address before Christmas Day.

Have a great day!
Hugs,
Carol

Book Cover Christmas Ornaments by Carol Ann Kauffman

Book Cover Christmas Ornaments

by Carol Ann Kauffman

     Last year my Christmas project was to make Christmas ornaments out of my nine novel book covers for the little tree in my study.  It was an easy and inexpensive project.  I found cute little wooden filigree frames at Michael's for less than a dollar each and painted them white.  (I tried other colors, but they didn't show up on a green tree.)

    I shrunk down my book covers until they would fit.  This was the tricky part because not all my novel covers were the same dimensions to begin with.  I needed my smart and patient husband's mathematical sense to figure out this part.  Shiny photo paper worked best to print them on because the colors showed up well and the thicker paper gave it stability.  After trimming them to fit and gluing them in place, all that was necessary to complete the project with a little red bow and a hook.

    This could work well using photos of your child's favorite books, vacation pictures, like trip to Disney World, or  photos of family members. 

    I hope you are enjoying these Christmas-related posts this month.  I know I am.  Having former guests return with a favorite holiday memory or special activity is a real pleasure for me. I also hope you are enjoying this particular Christmas season.  Life is short, you young ones!  You will be old before you know it...if you're lucky and last, that is.  So, lighten up.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  In fact, it's better if it isn't.  It's more interesting, more individual.  Find what's cute, funny, sweet in the moment and squeeze all the pleasure you can from it.

Hugs,
Carol