* NINE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS?! *

Yes, Virginia there IS a Santa Claus....and yes, Becky is still alive and kicking! 😉

My 5 talks at the assisted living centers became only 3; I missed one because of illness, and the other was cancelled due to a large snowstorm we had.

I was a bit rusty in talking, but it seemed to go well. People laughed and smiled at the proper times.

I brought door prizes, print-outs of helpful online sites for writers, and lots of books to sell.

I sold Five Books 😞

Oh well... it was a great experience and I met some wonderful people. That's a gift in itself. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have I mentioned that Ron and I are moving again?? In August, we bought a used double-wide mobile home in a lake community and hope to actually move in next month! It was a mess and we're totally rehabbing it and it will be like a brand new home. If I'd never seen some of those make-over shows on HGTV, I would've never agreed to buy it. It was that bad! I'll share some before and after photos after we've moved in!

I'm not sending snail mail Christmas cards this year...first time in over half my life, but I just couldn't find the time or energy to do them. So, please don't think I've forgotten you, I wish all of you a

Very Merry Christmas!

May 2019 be a year of good health
 & happiness for us all!

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time For Another Nostalgic Sunday

I'm sharing some photos I've posted during past Decembers.....

These are from 2011, but I baked the [same looking] cookies for a cookie exchange earlier this month. The difference between then and now is that these were made from a Betty Crocker sugar cookie package. The ones I made this year were made from scratch! Yes! I haven't done that in quite a few years, and I also used a recipe I'd never tried before. Pretty brave, daring, or just plain idiotic when participating in a cookie exchange....with people I didn't even know! (except for ONE woman!) Yikes! BUT, I did have a "back up plan," a package mix in the pantry, just in case! ☺

But, everything worked correctly and this year's batch was just as pretty and tasty as 2011. I keep saying I'm going to make more, so we'll have some to take to others, and still have some to hide share at home. I better start today, dont'cha think??

I also posted this in December of 2011. It's a Christmas card holder that I made. (Yep, another astonishing fact!) But, before you start applauding my "talent," let me say that it's a "no-sew" project, and I used my hot glue gun. When I was a little girl, my mother made a couple of these "boots," but they were more elaborate with rick-rack and were actually sewn together. (I mention these in my memoir.) She let me help with some of it and I loved them so much, I decided to make my own. The back material is green felt, and the pockets are light-weight, cotton fabric pieces. Then, just glittery glue for the names.

This is Vern from last year. I've taken new photos, but just haven't gotten them uploaded yet. When he and I were out early this morning, it began to flurry on us, which made us both Happy! (See that wad of peace signs behind him? That's one of his very own blankies!) 

"It's true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, especially for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul." -- Caroline Kennedy

Correspondence, a Campaign, and a Cake

Yes, I "owe" but it's not credit card bills because of Christmas shopping. 

Nope, what I owe: E-mails and Christmas cards!

source: Cafe Press

Please don't think I've forgotten you, but I just didn't send Christmas cards. If you did receive one, it's either because your last name is in the first part of the alphabet, or you're just lucky, because I did send out about ten of them!

So, to catch up on my correspondence, I intend to send something after January 6th, which is my birthday!

If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you'll know that particular date is very significant and for TWO BIG reasons this year. That's the date my Kickstarter Project ends. Please help me reach my goal. And it will be the best gift I've ever received and it will be for.....

source: bookriot.com 

  my 60th Birthday. Yikes!!  

source: onesweettreat.com/2011

"Authorities say brain cells may shrink, but they don't necessarily die. Frankly, I am cheered by the fact that something is shrinking. I'd be even more thrilled if what was shrinking affected by dress size, but you can't have everything." -- Erma Bombeck

Books and Christmas...Christmas and Books

While blog hopping the other day I came across a photo of a Christmas tree made out of books. It was the coolest thing, but I don't remember where I saw it. (see previous blog post about my confusion and lack of attention span!) 

Then yesterday my awesome friend, S. who is not a blogger and didn't even know I'd recently seen such a thing, sent me this:  

http://thedecorologist.com/a-book-lovers-christmas-tree 

I just love this! It's not the same one I saw on the other blog so that prompted me to Google Christmas trees made from books....and oh my gosh, you won't believe how many creative "trees" there are. Here's the link for hundreds of images that also includes "trees" made from recycled products. The book trees though are my favorites, naturally! 

https://www.google.com/search?q=Christmas+tree+of+books&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=x3fAUNKZJ6mq2gXV34DQAw&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=667 

photo by Becky

And speaking of Christmas and books.....how about books wrapped in "book" Christmas wrapping?? 

And do any of you remember these adorable Christmas cards I bought a couple of years ago? I found them at: Bodleian Library - University of Oxford.  Love them!

Whatever you do today, take a little time to savor the joy of reading, especially if it's a printed book!

"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.-- first line of Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott  (one of my all time favorite books)

* Nostalgic Sunday *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

I didn't realize it had been such a long time since I last posted a Nostalgic Sunday, but it looks like it was July 22nd. (Time to get back into my routine again.)

Since it's almost October, let's talk about purchasing Christmas cards!

A couple of years ago I somehow stumbled upon the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, in Jolly Old England! Yes, it's THAT Oxford University! The library sells truly unique items and two of my favorites are their Christmas cards and wrapping paper. That first year I wasn't aware of the store until really close to Christmas, but the sales staff is so competent and good to their customers that I received my cards in time. The design below is what I bought that first year.

Jolly Girls Christmas cards. Aren't they adorable? 

Last year, I ordered much earlier and bought three designs of cards and two designs of wrapping paper. All of the items are made of such quality, heavy-weight material.

Last year, besides Jolly Girls, I bought this design and one other.

This is one of the wrapping paper designs. It comes folded, so it's easy to ship and it's such good quality.

Also: All profits from your purchases help fund the conservation, collection and care of the Libraries' important papers and manuscripts.

I honestly don't remember how much my total was, including shipping, but I didn't think it was that bad, considering everything! Please check out their site and browse their online store. And if you have any questions, just e-mail Wendy at sales@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. Tell her "Becky sent me!" (Wendy or other staff members can calculate the cost in American dollars, of course!)

Since this is Nostalgic Sunday and I'm writing about Christmas, I must take a moment to mention how sad I was to hear that Andy Williams passed away last week. When I was growing up, I watched his TV show every week, bought a couple of his record albums, especially the Christmas ones, and his family Christmas show was by far my favorite all year.

Image Courtesy Wikipedia

So, both of my favorite "Andys" are gone now: Andy Williams, and of course, Andy Griffith. But, how fortunate we are to have them on film, and vinyl, and tape, and CDs, etc. They will  never really leave us.



"Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times."  ~Kate L. Bosher

Blue Mountain Arts Contest & Calls for Submissions!

How would you like to see your brilliant, creative writing on a Blue Mountain Arts greeting card?! (Hopefully everyone is very familiar with these delightful cards!)


I just heard they are still in need of Christmas card submissions. The deadline is coming up soon: JULY 15th, but that still gives you time to submit your best work. Wouldn't it be incredible to be one of their writers?

  

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Blue Mountain Arts is also having its Twentieth Biannual Poetry Card Contest. Be sure to read the contest guidelines before you submit. I'd also recommend reading some of the previous winners to get an idea of what they're looking for. Another fast approaching deadline: JUNE 30th. 

                   NO ENTRY FEE. ENTER AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE.

Prize money: 1st Place - $300      2nd Place - $150       3rd Place - $50

"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any." - Orson Scott Card