Creating Cozy Christmas
by Pepper Anthony
For our family, the best part about Christmas is bringing the special ambiance of the holidays into our house. Since the time my sons were small, we spent many happy hours in November and December making ornaments, wreaths, candy, cookies and center pieces. Pots of potpourri or cinnamon candles burn 24/7, so the first thing you smell when you walk in our door is a promise of cheer and warmth. A big lighted star shines at the end of our driveway; you can see it from a quarter mile away as you come down the dark tunnel of woods toward our home.
The first weekend of December my husband and youngest son are charged with venturing forth to cut a tree. Then a whole day is spent decorating it with white twinkle lights and a collection of homemade and one-of-a-kind ornaments. As we unbox each ornament, we recall another Christmas past. Before long, the memories are strung together like the garland of popcorn and cranberries on the tree. We are present to the poignant sweetness of holiday tradition and an awareness of time passing more quickly than we had realized. We are present to continuity, loss, and love, all at the same time.
There is nothing glitzy or showy about our family Christmas. It’s all about the clay gingerbread men my boys made in Cub Scouts, and the paper chain we all worked on for hours many years ago. It’s about the simple, fragrant Douglas Firboughs and cones in the big red bowl in the center of the coffee table. Martha Stewart would throw up her hands at the mismatched tableware and friendly hodgepodge of red and green placemats we use; she would no doubt blanch at the crumpled edges of the paper snowflakes we unfold each year to tape once again to our windows. We don’t care. We like it this way. Warm. Friendly. Easy. Cozy. Christmas.
In my latest erotic novella, Macy’s Awakening, Macy understands very well the wounds in Jerrod’s heart, and the power that cinnamon candles and fir boughs on the mantle might have to heal those wounds. She knows that nothing is more special than the glowing promise of a family Christmas, and nothing is as enduring as the treasure of love at its core.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
You can find Pepper on the web at the following places:
Website: http://www.pepperanthony.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/pepperanthony
Spicin’ It Up Blog: http://spicyauthors.blogspot.com/
Romance Mavens Blog: http://www.romancemavens.com/
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BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY:
Beachwalk Press will be sponsoring giveaways at the end of this blog tour. Everyone who comments on a post will have their name placed in a drawing (be sure to include an email address so we have a way to contact you). On Monday, December 19th we will randomly choose four people who will win a Beachwalk Press eBook of their choice from any of the authors who participated on the tour. The more blogs you comment on, the more times you are entered to win! For a list of all the blogs we will be visiting on this tour, click here: http://beachwalkpress.com/2011/11/beachwalk-press-holiday-blog-tour/
BEACHWALK PRESS HOLIDAY SCAVENGER HUNT:
During the month of December, Beachwalk Press will be hosting a Holiday Scavenger Hunt. There will be multiple winners, and the prizes will include gift certificates, Godiva chocolates, and a Kindle Fire! Visit our website for more information.
I also am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction. I want to win your book!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun read and something that will help me unwind after the frantic holidays.
Forgot to include my email. mcv111@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks mcv!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your Christmas traditions. I like all the lights that go up this time of year.
ReplyDeletelinze_e at hotmail.com
I love the smells of Christmas. It's amazing how just a smell can bring back good memories and make you smile :)
ReplyDeleteA huge thanks to all the sites who hosted us on our Holiday Blog Tour and to the readers who participated. We really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteFor a list of the blog tour winners, visit: http://beachwalkpress.com/2011/12/holiday-blog-tour-prize-winners/
Happy holidays!
Pamela Tyner
Publisher, Beachwalk Press, Inc.