SKYPE MAKES OURS A FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Please welcome Judy Ann Davis, award winning author and member of the Smart Girls Read Romance blog as well as her own blog. Please remember to comment to be entered in the giveaway for a Kindle Fire 7 tomorrow. 

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

When I was in grade school, our family used to scour our dairy farm for the perfect pine tree to decorate for Christmas. It was unheard of to purchase to one with pine forests on the land. My mother had the most beautiful, cardboard star reflectors with mirrors on each point that surrounded each lighted bulb on the tree. Even the scrawniest tree looked perfect.

Search for the perfect
tree was a tradition

What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

When my son was deployed in the Mid-East, we postponed Christmas and celebrated later in the next year. As part of a four-generation military family, you realize it’s not the presents that count, but the people.

Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

I have always liked “Silver Bells” since childhood, and I love “Mary Did You Know.”

Tell us about your family’s Christmas traditions.

On Christmas Eve, my husband and I attend church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. With a son and daughter-in-law in Alaska and another son and daughter-in-law in Texas, we open presents via Skype close to midnight, allowing for a four-hour time difference. The six of us (and perhaps seven of us with a surprise baby) are on Skype for a loooong time each December.

Taken at New Smyrna Beach, Florida

What about Christmas do you most enjoy?

I have to admit that it’s the Christmas songs that keep me in the holiday mood. I have continuous Christmas music playing throughout the house after Thanksgiving. I also set out little lighted ceramic and artificial trees around the house.

Judy's lighted ceramic decorations

Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

I dislike the commercial attitude of having to start displaying Christmas products before Halloween.

What do you hope for this Christmas?

I’m hoping for a very healthy, happy first grandson and first grandchild who’s due on December 21 up in snowy Alaska.  Fingers crossed, he’s not late.

Do you have a treasured Christmas food? If so, would you care to share the recipe?  

Below is a family favorite.

Sugar cookies are always a favorite

DELUXE SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup butter

1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla (clear)

½ teaspoon almond extract

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Granulated sugar for decorating

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix thoroughly butter, confectioners’ sugar, egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Blend in flour, soda and cream of tartar. Cover and chill 2 to 3 hours.

Divide dough in half. Roll each ball 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut into desire shapes, sprinkle with colored granulated sugar. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown on edge.

NOTE: Because these are a more delicate crisp cookie, sometimes the designs of intricate shapes do not bake with clear lines. Trees, wreaths, simple shapes work best.  Yield: About 5 dozen cookies.

Do you have a book you’d like to share?

Sorry, I do not have a Christmas book, but I had a new May release, a humorous romantic suspense with a touch of ghostly intervention entitled, FOUR WHITE ROSES.

Here’s a link to my Amazon Author’s Page of all my books:  https://www.amazon.com/Judy-Ann-Davis/e/B006GXN502/

Judy Ann Davis, Author

Judy Ann Davis has wanted to be a writer since she was a child. She was born and raised on a dairy form in northeastern Pennsylvania. Judy began her career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, PA. Throughout her career, she has written for both industry and education.

Many of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines and anthologies and have received numerous awards. Nineteen of them are now collected in UP ON THE ROOF AND OTHER STORIES. Her novel UNDER STARRY SKIES features the Ashmore family and many of the same characters as in RED FOX WOMAN, her first novel, which was a finalist in the International Book Awards and USA Book News Best Book Awards. KEY TO LOVE, her second novel published by The Wild Rose Press, is a contemporary romantic suspense. SWEET KISS offers comedy with a hint of mystery. FOUR WHITE ROSES is her latest release.

When Judy Ann isn't behind a computer, you can find her looking for anything humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club, where the chuckles are few. She is  member of Pennwriters, Inc. and of Romance Writers of America and lives with her husband in Clearfield, PA.

Website: www.judyanndavis. com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judyann.lashinskidavis

Twitter: @judyanndavis4

Merry Christmas!