COUNT YOUR BOOK BLESSINGS!

By Caroline Clemmons

Forgive me if I copy my friend Liz Flaherty's recent blog by listing some of the many things for which I'm thankful:

Freedom of religion

My sweet husband, Hero, and our two precious daughters

My love of writing

My love of reading, which opened the world for me

Friends, both online and in person

Home

My memorabilia--yes, I'm one of those people who collects this and that. I love angels, wall crosses, nativity sets, Texas landscapes, a particular kind of ceramics one daughter finds, family photos, and more.

Family history--I'm grateful my dad started me on the trail of investigating our genealogy and tracking down stories of events in our ancestors' lives

Computers--what a great improvement over typewriters! 

That I have the luxury of spending my days writing stories I love for readers. 

Surprise. Not. Here are the two stories I am publishing in December. I hope you'll preorder them, read them once they're released, and leave a review.

First is MAIL ORDER GLORIA: IMPOSTOR FOR CHRISTMAS. This was a fun story to write and I love the characters. That may sound silly, but writers love some of their characters more than others. To me, they're real people who speak in my mind. 

https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Gloria-Impostor-Christmas-ebook/dp/B09GQLXMVL/

The next is Amy, who starts out as a swindler. Don't you love a bad girl who reforms? Not that she was all bad--she sort of became trapped into being a swindler. Young people takes risks without realizing the where those chances will lead. Although, Amy didn't have that many opportunities for another choice. When one comes, she seizes it. Imagine her surprise when she learns the man she's come to marry is a sheriff.

https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Angel-Creek-Christmas-Brides-ebook/dp/B098GK1PCH/

From our house to yours, have a wonderful, Thanksgiving. Count your blessings and tell those you love that you love them. 

IS IT HERE YET?

When I was a kid, the Christmas catalogs came about the middle of September and coincided with my birthday. That was the first clue that fall was here. We wouldn't see decorations up until the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Being a kid, it never occurred to me that a lot of people worked while I was overeating turkey and dessert at my aunt and uncle's house. Nope, the stores just magically had Christmas displays the day after Thanksgiving. Oh, I did see men hanging the street decorations, but the lighted ones were never turned on until the day we now call Black Friday.

Whew, how times have changed. As soon as school classes are in session, out comes the Hallowe'en and Christmas decorations. Poor Thanksgiving doesn't warrant much space.

Don't think I mind. Fall is my favorite time of year and the holidays are a joy for me. For many years we lived in a rural area and had no trick or treaters. I look forward to having them this year. Have my wreath and plan to get a pumpkin or two this weekend.

We have a small family now, so our celebrations are laid back.

Except for Christmas!

I am a certifiable nut about Christmas. Not the day.
The preparation.
The decorations.
The gifts.
The cards.
On the day, there's a let down. All the fun is in the anticipation.

Yes, I know it's a religious holiday. I get all that. We observe the meaning as well as the secular traditions. We read the Christmas story from the Bible before we open gifts to remind us of why we give them. We give thanks for our many blessings. And I am grateful for all the true meaning of Christmas. Truly I am.

But giving gifts is so much fun. Choosing the perfect gift for each person is important. Not just a gift card, although those are nice. No, a gift I picked out because I knew the person who received it would love that particular thing. A gift I receive that proves the giver knows me and planned for my gift.

And I shop all year, of course. (Sadly, I usually forget where I've stashed a few gifts and find them about February. ☺ )

So, when I ask "Is it here yet?" I mean the Christmas season.
Can I decorate the tree?
Put out the yard decorations?
Hang the stockings?

Just for you, I'll wait until after Thanksgiving.

Thanks for stopping by!

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS!

For What Are You Thankful?

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thanksgiving heralds my favorite season--Christmas. I look forward all year to Christmas and buying gifts (most of which I do online). But I don’t want the upcoming Christmas holiday to wipe out the importance of Thanksgiving. Most of us have a great deal for which we can give thanks. First, I'm s-o-o grateful I'm not a turkey. Facetiousness aside, Hurricane Sandy and other recent disasters have emphasized how temporary are our physical possessions. We love our tangible comforts, but there is way more to life than "things."

A reminder of our blessings are the Four Freedom series painted by the late Norman Rockwell. He remains one of my favorite illustrators.

I have a loving family. Okay, I admit we are eccentric, but within socially acceptable range (mostly☺). My Hero husband is truly my soul mate for whom I give thanks to God several times daily. Our daughters are loving individuals who have tried their best in all their endeavors.

Freedom From Want

Each of us can worship wherever he or she wishes. There is no state religion, religion is not forbidden. We are privileged to live in a country that guarantees that freedom, thanks to Thomas Jefferson's foresight. The United States is primarily a Judeo-Christian country, but all religions are welcome.

Freedom of Religion

Each of us can get an education. Even those unable to attend college can continue their education through reading books without limitations. Yay, reading! No one tells us what we can or can't read. Well, if you're a kid, your parents can curtail your reading subjects, but there are plenty of kid-friendly books in all genres. Adults also have wide choices.

Freedom of Speech

We recently had an election in which mud was slung in all directions. Yet, in all of that, I am thankful that we can vote our choice as we choose. There is no need to argue, because our vote speaks for us. Now we can all move forward and--please--get along! Aren’t we lucky to have the freedoms we have?


What would we do without our computers, air-conditioners, heaters, appliances, electricity, iPhones, e-readers, and more? Who could have imagined they would become so important to us, but I am grateful for all my gadgets and appliances, aren't you?

The weather this time of year is glorious here in North Central Texas. Contrary to some opinions, we do have color changes, and this year the leaves are especially colorful.

I am able to write the books I love and publish them when and where I choose. I love the power that gives me. Not riches, but I am doing something I love and am actually earning money from my endeavor. And I am grateful readers are buying my books.

Freedom From Fear

That’s not all for which I’m thankful. How could I list everything here? One major area of gratitude is for YOU, Dear Reader. Thank you for reading my blog, my books, and showing up. I appreciate each of you more than you can ever know!

Whether you go over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house or eat dinner alone in front of your television, may your day be happy. Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

If you have wondered about the history of Thanksgiving, please read the posts at Sweethearts of the West and Cowboy Kisses

Remember the Kindle Fire 3G giveaway on December 15th to one subscriber to my occasional  newsletter. If you haven't already done so, you can sign up for my occasional newsletter on the sidebar at the right where you see a large white square with some of my book covers fanned out inside.

Stop back by on Friday-Sunday for a visit with my friend, Nicole McCaffrey.

Thanks for stopping by!

Paintings from Royalty Free Google.

RECIPE TO MAKE YOU THANKFUL!

Fall has arrived and Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Where did summer go? Never mind, I much prefer the cool, crisp days we now enjoy.

Since holidays mean cooking for some and eating for most of us, I thought I’d share a favorite recipe. Whenever I’ve prepared this, people take seconds and many ask for the recipe. It’s not original with me, but from a friend who now lives in San Angelo, Betty Beadle.

     SPINACH ARTICHOKE CASSEROLE


Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 25 to 30 minutes.
Serves: 8


2 pkgs. 10 oz. Frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 can 13 ¾ oz. Artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
½ cup heavy cream
1/8 tspn. Salt
1/8 tspn. Pepper
2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese [she uses block cheese she grates]
1 package 8 oz. Cream cheese, softened
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees


Combine spinach, artichoke hearts, cream, salt, pepper, and 1/3 cup parmesan cheese in a bowl with mixer on medium. Beat until fluffy.


In separate bowl on low mixer speed, beat cream cheese until fluffy and gradually add milk until blended and smooth.


Spoon spinach mixture into greased 8x8 glass baking dish or into 1 ½ qt. casserole dish. Pour cream cheese mixture evenly over spinach mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup parmesan cheese. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until edges and top are golden.


Doesn't that make your mouth water? I'm drooling on the keyboard here. But then, I've had the good fortune to taste Betty's casserole.

Bailey helping me write

I'm busily writing the EXCLUSIVE FREE read to go into my November newsletter. If you haven't signed up, please do. One lucky subscriber will receive a $10.00 Amazon gift certificate this month. The form is on the sidebar at the right just under my photo.
Each newsletter will include an EXCLUSIVE FREE read, a recipe, news, and miscellaneous whimsical information.

Thanks for stopping by