'Tis the season to be jolly...

Let me tell you, I'm living that phrase from the well-loved Christmas carol!

Although life has thrown many different opportunities—and, not to mention, a good number of curves—my way, the one constant since I was a little girl has been the knowledge that I wanted to be a writer.

I started scribbling stories well before I knew my ABCs—and I'll bet you can just imagine the trouble that gave my parents when I asked them to read my efforts.  LOL

After I learned how to use the alphabet to make spelling words, I knew the only thing better than being a writer would be becoming an author so I could share my stories with people outside my elementary school.  That wish came true a few years ago, and with two more books out this year and the recent sale of another Flagman's Folly story, I feel as though Santa came early to my house!  This explains why I'm so happy this holiday season.  J 

Along with the above, I have a lot to be thankful for, including the fact you've taken time out of your extra-busy schedule to stop by and read this post. 

I hope you'll also take a minute, maybe by sitting down with a glass of eggnog or a cup of tea and a cookie or two, to stop and think about what made your year wonderful.  And please share that with us!

To you and yours, I wish happy holidays and a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous year ahead.

All my best, always,

Barbara

~~~~~~

Barbara White Daille

http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com

http://www.facebook.com/barbarawhitedaille
https://twitter.com/BarbaraWDaille

The latest Flagman's Folly books:

The Rodeo Man's Daughter

Honorable Rancher

I love the holidays. No, really I do.

Or at least I’m trying to. Up until three years ago, my husband worked in retail. So from Thanksgiving until Christmas all he heard every day were Christmas songs. By the time he got home if I had Christmas music playing, he grimaced until I turned it off. He hated it. But he’s beginning to come around now that he’s in a different field. He even went shopping with me tonight. Not at a mall mind you, but shopping and that’s a big deal for him.

Funny thing is, I’m the one who hasn’t been in the Christmas spirit this year. Even with a brand new granddaughter, the holiday mood has escaped me. So back to my earlier comment, I’ve been playing lots of Christmas music to try to get in the spirit. At home and in the car. I took my mom and her sisters to a live Vocal Majority Christmas performance that was wonderful. We got into a discussion after Vocal Majority as to what the best Christmas song is. One started out with how O Holy Night makes her tear up. Her twin likes Silver Bells because it makes her smile. My mom chose White Christmas because it reminds her of WWII. I have quite a few favorites, but The Christmas Song is topping my list this year. You know, ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’. I’m also fond of Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow because of the romantic element.

So tell us what your favorites are and why. Do they remind you of a special person or Christmas memory?

If you have time, please stop by the Harlequin Community Open House tonight. The Harlequin American chat is from 7:00 – 8:00 EST. Hope to see you there.

http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/cafe-social/2010-annual-open-house-author-list

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday!

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Are you in the Christmas Spirit yet? On the first day of December I was thinking about everything I had to do for the holidays and getting a major headache. But then we had the Advent coffee at our church and sang beautiful Christmas carols. That always gets me into the spirit of Christmas.

I said “we sang”, but even though I love to sing I didn’t embarrass myself. When I was a kid, my brothers and I went to a Catholic school. All the kids at various times sang in the choir. There were a couple of us who couldn’t sing. A nun christened me and another girl the hummers. And we were the best hummers, she said. So I’m still a hummer. I only sing when no one is listening.

My dh is an exception. When we put up our Christmas tree, it was cold. My hubby’s nose was slightly red from going in and out of the house so much. I started singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, inserting his name for Rudolph. He didn’t think that was funny, but you have to sing when you’re putting up a tree, even if you can’t. Right? He said if I didn’t stop the dogs in the neighborhood were going to start howling. They didn’t. We got the tree decorated without incident, except he wouldn't stand by it when I took the photo. Now we’re ready for Christmas, except for shopping, cooking and all the other stuff.

To add to the spirit it snowed. Yes, it did. Right here in Texas. Beautiful snow flakes looked like confetti falling from the sky. It wasn’t cold enough to stick to anything but it was pretty while it lasted. A winter wonderland. Sleigh bells ring, are you listening… Tis the season, and yes I’m singing.

Silent Night is my favorite Christmas song. I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas is another, and O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, Little Drummer Boy and so on. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree is a fun-get-you-in-the-mood one, as is Jingle Bell Rock. What is your favorite Christmas Song? One that gets you into the spirit of Christmas.

This is my last post for 2009. Happy Holidays everyone!! Let the Christmas spirit ring. Rockin’ around the Christmas tree…. (It’s really good you can’t hear me)

And a Happy New Year!!!!

Linda
http://www.lindawarren.net/
Skylar’s Outlaw – Jan 2010