Every time the holidays roll around, I’m conflicted. I don’t really want to decorate, but I do it anyway, for a couple of reasons.
The main reason is that my family will be coming over on Christmas Eve for dinner and presents. The second reason is best illustrated with two stories.
One year, I don’t remember when, I was being very stoic with a diet program, and I deprived myself of all the fatty, sweet, delectable treats that keep the pounds on. I was such a hero, I made it all the way until the first week of January before my willpower gave out, but all the special goodies were gone. I wanted pumpkin pie with whipped cream! Stuffing with all the extras! Those magic cookie bars with the coconut and graham cracker crust!
Nope. Nada.
Another time, my ex and I skipped Christmas entirely and went to a hotel by the beach (yes, chilly, but delightfully solitary). We were rebelling against familial and societal expectations/demands. We didn’t want to be part of the commercial hubbub.
And frankly, it was depressing.
I learned and relearned an important lesson from these two episodes in my life: don’t miss out on the special things. Savor, appreciate, indulge. Nothing lasts forever. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Magic Cookie Bars
Key Largo Blues wins praise from Writers’ Digest Magazine
Here’s what was said about KLB by a Judge at WDM:
“The cover is gorgeous. I like the promise made in the opening, that there’s going to be “a show.” And of course, someone comes along to interrupt. The CRS ladies are an interesting element. I like how you don’t explain it all right away. Piques the curiosity. An interesting shift to the male point of view, p. 23. “Her hormones stirred at the thought” – good line, p. 51. I love this image of Maddie as a blue heron. Beautiful bird, p. 76. You have a lovely balance in your writing. The digressions are long enough to inform, not so long that they distract from the pace. This description of Savannah on p. 98, for instance. Perfect. I really enjoy your dialogues. Your characters are lively and humorous speakers. Nice sex scenes, just little bits of feelings that paint a good picture. I like this feeling that she can’t get comfortable at home because she’s too sensitive to the needs of others…Tough trying to get away from a violent man, p. 265.
—Judge, 25th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
For your copy, click here, and tell a friend! Don’t miss out.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to my dear friends here at AnyShinyThing. I’ll see you in a few weeks. Until then, indulge, celebrate, and enjoy. And here’s the recipe for Magic Cookie Bars.
Lynne such simple yet profound words. “Don’t miss out on the special thing.” Hope your holiday season is filled with special things for you to savor and enjoy including the sweets.
Every year I bake as a connection to my childhood memories of baking with my Mom and sister,my brother sneaking dough, a connection to more hopeful, innocent times. I ship most everything to our families on the opposite coast and feel guilty eating any remaining cookies and candy. Not this year! Thanks for the perspective, Lynne. Merry Christmas – see you next year!
And you put baking into a lovely sentimental light, Trish. Merry Christmas.