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Travel, Interrupted
Lesson learned in 2018: Perhaps avoid planning travel excursions during the holiday season when people are getting sick and germs are running rampant. Last week, the day after Christmas, for the second year in a row, we had planned a trip to Asheville, North Carolina, with two days in Williamsburg to follow at Christmas. We’ve been trying to do a little more travel and less material gifts with our kids now that they are older teenagers. And so, last year, the trip was put off because my son, as a then senior in high school, had a ton of homework and presentations to put together for both school and…
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Holidays, Miracles, Hallmark & Traditions: A Blogger’s Paradise
Hello, there. You probably thought I fell off the planet because I haven’t been here in a while. It sort of feels that way, at least to me, anyway. I’ve been trying to take some needed time away to clear my head, focus on my teaching, and get ready for the holidays. I’ve also been dealing with a health issue that’s had me a bit sidetracked. It’s not always easy to juggle everything, is it? So often we wonder where time has gone and how we can get more of it to enjoy the things we want to be doing. The truth is, life throws us some curveballs we didn’t…
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My Holiday Archenemy
It’s Sunday, and a few days ago we all gave thanks. Truly, I am thankful for so many things in life. I’m blessed beyond measure, and as the holiday season calls upon us to be merry and bright, there is one thing that can inevitably turn me into a Grinch or a Scrooge, if only for a few shining moments until the moments pass. Illuminating, yes. Infuriating, maddening, vexing, exasperating…yes to all, as well. Of what do I speak, you may ask? Every year, I vow to tackle this nemesis of mine, and yet, I become lazy and complacent; when the happy season is over, I just want to put…
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Walking Through the Park and Reminiscing
I was a sophomore in high school and a member of the cheerleading squad. We decided that as part of the Christmas season, we would get together out of a sense of “goodwill towards men” and go caroling. Dressed warmly for the weather, a handful of Christmas carols up our sleeves, we set out upon the neighbors directly across the street from Severna Park High School and began to ring doorbells and sing some of our favorite Christmas songs. The night was off to a good start. People listened at the doors as we mostly got the lyrics right, and as we went from house to house, there was a…
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The Power of Being Nice During the Holidays
One of my loyal readers wrote to me earlier today after I asked for suggestions of what to blog about this week. Her reply: “Can you write about why it’s important to be nice to those around you during the holidays? Some people are forgetting that it’s a time for kindness.” Without getting into too much detail about her immediate situation, I decided to tackle this topic. While I’m certainly not Ann Landers, let’s see where I go with this… In my mind, the holidays begin with the arrival of Halloween, because very quickly afterward, we move into the Thanksgiving season and then we move swiftly into the December holidays.…
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Cookie Recipes from La Pancia Affamata
If you’re not familiar with La Pancia Affamata, let me acquaint you with it for a moment. In BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE, my novel, which is set primarily around the holidays, the main character’s mother owns a Pasticerria in Annapolis. The name of the Pasticerria is La Pancia Affamata—translation—The Hungry Tummy. It’s a bakery that makes cookies and breads. I’m hungry just writing about it. When I head out to do book talks, I bring one of my family’s recipes with me as a gift to the hostess and guests who have invited me to their talks. It is a plate of homemade cookies. Since it’s time to get into…
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Conversations With My Daughter & Elf On The Shelf
Yesterday, my family and I went to Washington, D.C. We walked around Georgetown and did a little pre-Christmas shopping. It was a beautiful day to be taking in the sights and sounds of Georgetown, and the place was hopping! Before we left, we were discussing what was in Georgetown to see—and we were talking about the holidays as they are quickly approaching. “You know who’s going to be here in a couple of weeks, right?” my daughter said. I knew who she was talking about. She’s been obsessed with him since we first got him. “Elfis?” I responded. “Right!” she said excitedly. Elfis is our Elf On The Shelf. Every…
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Mimosa Trees & Christmas Trees: A Letter From A Reader
This morning, I thought I’d share a letter I received from a reader. Dear Stephanie, I read your novel, “Beneath the Mimosa Tree,” and enjoyed it from the first page to the last. It’s such a perfect read for this time of year! While your title reflects something that happened “under the tree,” I wanted to tell folks who haven’t read the book what a perfect time of year it is to read this novel. It takes place primarily in the fall season, and moves through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. The sweetness of the characters as the plot unfolds makes it a perfect book to cuddle up with as…
