'Tis the season...
For far too many lists to finish, too many gifts to buy, too many commitments to fulfill. Are you overwhelmed and stressed out? Have we lost the spirit of Christmas? Is the true meaning of the holiday season instilled in our children, or has it been replaced with “all I want for Christmas is…?” Will this be a season to remember? A celebrated tradition?
Do you remember your past Christmases full of traditions, family gatherings, and just sharing time with your neighbors? I remember my Christmases when I was a very young child. My mom baked cookies, made huge dinners, and we spent time with our family. There were no iPhones, Facebook, Twitter, or Amazon. We spent time, face-to-face, telling each other about our day and sharing stories. Time shopping in stores, looking for that perfect gift.
I grew up in the village of Sherburne, New York. We left our doors unlocked, neighbors stopped by unannounced, and we spent the entire day playing outdoors. I remember my early childhood Christmases. They’re ingrained in my memory, so much so that I based my Christmas Collection, Forever Christmas in Glenville on them. It truly was a time of magic, memories, and spreading joy.
Forever Christmas in Glenville Collection
Forever Christmas Tree Farm is the heart of Glenville. The place where locals and visitors gather and attend events, not only at Christmastime but all year ‘round. An enchanting place, a place of new beginnings, a refuge for those in need—a place of love.
Christmas Reflections, Book One
Reflecting on one’s life can sometimes lead to discovering a path you never knew existed.
As a teenager, Juliet couldn’t wait to get out of her hometown of Glenville, WA and move to the big city. It didn’t take Juliet long to realize that clawing her way up the ladder at others expense wasn’t the life she wanted. She moved back to her hometown and fell in love with the ‘family feel’ of living. Now, if she could only find a way to make her dream career a reality she would have it all, except—Mr. Right.
Colton is a city guy who eats and breathes his career as a project manager for an acquisitions corporation. Colton is assigned to acquire the Glenville Ski Resort, along with the Christmas Tree Farm. By Colton’s estimation, it will be a quick and easy close. What he never planned on, was butting heads with Juliet Swanson. Juliet’s not the typical, small-town girl.
Christmas Ivy, Book Two
Ivy has always been a part of Christmas; can this Ivy put down roots in Forever Christmas, where the spirit of the holidays never fades?
Ivy is a survivor. Due to a myriad of disastrous events, she finds herself homeless and jobless. Ivy’s one chance is an intern program offering a new life on a farm outside a small town. But can a farm job provide Ivy’s artistic soul the security and fulfillment she needs?
Mason is exhausted. A leading surgeon and ER doc, Dr. Weatherly is in constant demand. Frazzled and desperate for a break, Mason decides to visit his brother, Colton. Mason needs to discover for himself how a small town and a tree farm managed to tame his career-driven brother.
Forever Christmas, where the spirit of the holidays never fades.
DEDICATION
To my hometown of, Sherburne, New York. Where bringing home your Christmas tree meant treading through the snow and hiking the hills to find that special one.
Where Christmas was celebrated with a life-size manger in the village square. Santa arriving on a big red fire engine, handing out oranges and candy canes.
Where brightly colored lights glistened through a thick layer of sparkly, pure-white snow.
Where carolers strolled from house to house, stopping along the way to partake in their neighbor’s offerings of piping hot apple cider and cocoa.
And children could spend the day sledding, building snowmen, making snow angels, and having friendly snowball fights.
Christmas is the time to give thanks. Take the time to reflect on your life and be grateful for those you love…
Immerse yourself in the spirit of the holidays.
Until next month...
Have a Merry Christmas!
Joanne
8 comments:
I love the Christmas holiday and have many fond memories of big dinners spent laughing around the table while we all ate way too much and nobody thought about checking their phone. I've seen a return of this lately and I'm crossing my fingers that it's not just a phase, lol! Thanks for the lovely post. I will check out your stories!
Thank, Paris! Sounds like your family has some wonderful traditions. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Very nice Joanne. Wishing you a Beautiful Christmas.
Thank you, Herm. A very merry Christmas to you and yours!
Christmas was always a special time for us when I was a kid and I tried to make it a special time for our kids. Your early Christmases sound very similar to mine. It brings a smile to remember.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a delightful New Year's.
From Pattymac and company.
Thank you, Patty. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I'm glad it brought a smile to you, Jacquolyn. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
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