Debbie Macomber and me!!

I am thrilled to announce that In the Spirit of Christmas, my very first book for Love Inspired is being re-released as a 'bonus' book. And the most exciting part is that it is being released TODAY with one of Debbie Macomber's wonderful Christmas stories, The Gift of Christmas.

If you haven't read these heartwarming stories, I do hope you'll pick up a copy. Debbie writes wonderful, clean stories and I consider it an honor to be included in one of her publications. Order Here or download to ereader.

 

You have to look really close down at the bottom to see my name. lol!  I don't mind a bit.

GREAT NEIGHBORS and Good Party

When you live out in the country, your neighbors may live several miles away, but they're still neighbors. In fact, country folk make some of the best neighbors. They watch your place when you travel, help you fight grass fires, and are always ready to lend a helping hand or a shout of encouragement.

Yesterday, my neighbors gave me a shout of encouragement. Spider and Nadine, Julie and Dave, George and Mary, along with Nadine's Mom, Nelda put together a neighborhood gathering in my honor to celebrate my RITA Award. I don't know what I've done to deserve such a thing, but my heart was really touched. I was a little embarrassed, too, at the attention, but hey! who am I to spoil a terrific gathering of great friends.

We gathered at the old Fry Lake, a former church camp, now turned into a Christian marriage retreat by Dave and Julie. (Check out their website for photos and more information about the retreat.) It's a gorgeous area and I wish I'd taken some photos to share with you, but there are plenty on their website. Be sure and click on the 'more photos' button to see photos of our get-together. (I only wish I'd known there would be pictures--I would have dressed up!!)

Anyway, George and Mary have built a lovely new home, complete with a long back deck overlooking the lake. Talk about paradise in Oklahoma! Beautiful!

We had a delicious meal of Mary's roast beef and all the fixings, plus tasty desserts that included layered chocolate chip cookies that were to die for! I have to get that recipe from Nadine to share with you. Check out Nadine's art website. She's wonderful!!

All in all, it was a great afternoon of fellowship, tall tales, and lots of laughs. I am grateful for the blessing of good neighbors who aren't as backward and shy as I am and who drag me out of my writing cave once in a while!!

Thanks, good neighbors!

Territorial Birthday Gift

Oklahoma is 100 years old this year. I'm having a birthday too but I'm not quite that old. However, I love old historical things and Oklahoma is full of late 1880s history. In fact, one town, Guthrie is a step back int time. The old buildings and homes of this first state capital town have been beatifully perserved. Every December, Guthrie hosts the Territorial Christmas celebration. Townsolk dress up and step back in time. There are carriage and trolly rides, historical tours, and at night a Victorian Walk in which the shop windows are filled with living Christmas cards, shop owners welcome you inside with a cup of wassail and warm cookies, carolers abound, children in period dress sell peanuts on the streets, and an entire building is filled with Christmas trees decorated by hand in wonderful old-time methods.

Visiting Guthrie and partaking of the great historical fun was my birthday present this year. And it was also GREAT research for the historical Christmas novella I am currently writing for Barbour.