Reading in 2009

I was thinking that I didn't get as much reading done as usual this year and then I took a look at my list.   I currently have at least a dozen books sitting on my shelves waiting for me to read in 2010 that I wasn't able to get to.

I realized that I did a lot of reading online doing research and reading blogs this year.  Another thing I read more of this year was my Bible, which was one of my goals.  I'm referring to my real own leather-bound Bible rather than reading the Bible online which I have become accustomed to doing.  There's something about holding the Word in your own hands that draws you near to the Author of that remarkable book.

I also spent more time writing, especially in the winter.  To me, that counts as reading because I'm telling myself stories and then reading what I write.  OK, maybe that only makes sense to me. Yet, on the same token, everything I read I also am thinking about writing as I'm doing so.

Another thing I did this year that is reading related is volunteering to teach others to read and at work I trained more adult literacy tutors.  By the way, if you're looking for a way to volunteer in the new year I highly recommend this. 

Prose to Print: Writing Greeting Cards

I'm not ready to blow out the Christmas candles yet. Here's one more post for this Christmas season . . .

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away;
While quite unselfish, it grows small.
Eva K. Logue

Last year I wrote an article about Christmas Card History and recently posted it at my Something Olde blog.  It got me thinking.  Christmas is over this year, but it's not to early to start thinking about writing for Christmas in the coming year.

If your like me, you've received some great Christmas cards through the years.  Some depict the true meaning of Christmas so nicely, some are sentimental, and some are just plain funny.  How many times have you said to yourself, "I could write something like that."  In the past, I've actually made some handmade cards for various holidays with my own prose for a few close family members.  For years I've said I'd write up a few sentiments and submit them.  I haven't got around to it.  I'm going to make it one of my goals for this year.

What did your characters get for Christmas?

Have you ever wondered what Christmas gift giving was like in another time period?  Or wish to sneak a peek at others Christmas lists?

Vickie McDonough created a great post over at Bustles and Spurs - Christmas Shopping in 1897.   where she pretended to be a 10 year old girl with $10 to spend on her family for Christmas.  She shares the gift selections that she has chosen out of a Sears & Roebuck's catelog. What an interesting post and so much fun! 


It got me thinking about what kind of gifts the characters from my wip Hope Springs Eternal would exchange for Christmas.  The story is set in 1816, Maine, during the year there was no summer.

Our Family Christmas

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmases!  I thought I'd share ours with you. We had our family Christmas on Christmas eve as has been the tradition for the past few years and spent  Christmas day with the grandparents. Although our family has had some exceptionally lean Christmases in the past, this year was wonderful in every way.  None of us had expectations as far as gifts go and we were all pretty content, even our sons.  Last year my husband was layed off (he's a carpenter) right before Christmas and it was very disapointing.  We were only able to spend about $100 total.  It was the worst Christmas as far as gift giving goes.  This year, by contrast, ended up being the best that our family has ever had. It's not just the gifts, but it is God's provision for our family that has been a wonder. This year, Brad was layed off again, but they hired him back a few weeks ago and gave him a raise and a Christmas bonus. This enabled us to get some nice gifts without going in to debt and satisfied our computer geeky family very nicely.