Title: Shattered at Sea
Series: Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries
Hi, Savannah here. It's Christmas Eve! I love this day because so many things surround me that remind me of love, peace, and joy.
For me, this is a time to reflect on traditions and what they mean to me now. Every year, Mom would clear off the dining room buffet and set up a simple centerpiece. It was always there and I didn't pay any attention to it. I was only nine, I was more interested in trying to be a good girl for Santa.
After she died, Dad continued the tradition. He would find a little greenery, buy the bag of mixed nuts at the local Publix and put fresh candles in the arrangement.
The candles would be lit for Christmas eve, Christmas day, New Year's eve, and finally on New Years's Day when we took down all the decorations.
A few years ago, I finally asked him about it. He smiled and said that he had been waiting for me to ask. Each piece is a remembrance of a family member. My grandmother crocheted the beautiful table runner. My grandfather hand turned the wooden bowl. My mother had bought the candle holders for her mother as a Christmas gift.
Now I know why Dad always smiled when he lit the candles.
What family traditions make you smile?
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There's a #GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment and your email address in the form of yourname(AT)server(DOT)com to avoid the SPAM bots. Do this by midnight on December 26 for the chance to win a signed copy of Shattered at Sea. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes.
About Shattered at Sea
A Mediterranean cruise gives glass shop owner Savannah Webb a chance to demonstrate her expertise--and fire up her skills when it comes to foul play.
When Savannah signs on to perform glass blowing on a cruise ship, part of the appeal is that she'll get to meet her boyfriend Edward's family in England. As an added bonus, Edward's cousin, Ian, will be joining them on board. But when Ian disappears at the beginning of the cruise, the ship's authorities initially consider it suicide.
About the author:
Cheryl Hollon writes full time after she left an engineering career designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and India.
Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines writing with a passion for creating glass art. Cheryl and her husband George live in downtown St. Petersburg visiting museums, walking the parks, and sampling the adult beverages.
Cheryl Hollon writes full time after she left an engineering career designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and India.
Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines writing with a passion for creating glass art. Cheryl and her husband George live in downtown St. Petersburg visiting museums, walking the parks, and sampling the adult beverages.
Posts
I am a fan of this series and cruising! I would love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance and Happy holidays!! lindaherold999(at)gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love riding around Christmas Day after we have eaten and opened presents and then going back for a Movie. Thank you for a chance...Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Putting up the tree that has homemade ornaments, hanging the homemade stockings, putting up the fairie lights, these are the things that say Christmas to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book giveaway. I love this series!
Happy Christmas to you and your family!
debprice60@gmail.com
Many of my ornaments bring back memories and smiles.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
I've read another book in this series and I love cruising so I think I would enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteSmarchisello@hotmail.com
DeleteI have read and enjoyed every book in this series.
ReplyDeleteLight the menorah with my adult children -- although they won't play dreidel with me anymore. Cheers (at) MarjimManor (dot) com
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! We always get together to trim the tree and bake Christmas cookies.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
We always decorate the tree together after Thanksgiving and watch old Christmas movies during December. Thanks for the chance and Merry Christmas! JL_Minter (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI always love putting the ornaments on the tree because they bring so many memories with them.
ReplyDeletesuefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
What a lovely tradition.
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
Happy Holidays.
ReplyDeleteI love all the decorating, baking and eating at this time of year.
My resolution for the new year is to read more.
jwisley(at)aol(dot)com
We're spending today (like we do every year) making treats for Santa.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
That is a sweet story about your family tradition. We will turn A Christmas Story on when its marathon starts, attend midnight mass, and then go eat at Dennys afterwards about 2am when it is busy and jolly.
ReplyDeletebrowninggloria(at)hotmail(com)
Attending midnight mass in a small chapel and enjoying hot chocolate and cookies after with the other attendees.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
For me what matters most is spending time with family (even if at times it is just my mom and I). Playing games, watching the Disney parade, listening to Christmas music, etc. Thank you for the chance to win. robbfan141729(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteBaking the goodies for family to enjoy, storytelling which we all love and precious time together. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletelighting the menorah, eating latkes, apple cake and playing dreidel games. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOur family being together eating a great meal together, talking, laughing and just having a good time. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI love when my family gets together on Hanukkah - lighting the menorah, eating latkes, kugel, brisket and chicken matzoh ball soup. We exchange and open gifts after our dinner. Thanks for the chance. ematov (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteI love this series. Thanks for the giveaway. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIt makes me smile when I see my nieces' pics on Facebook showing their little kids all the favorite traditional Christmas shows like Charlie Brown, gotta keep the next generations taught right ;) Merry Christmas! Tari H, barbie17(at)gmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteWe open our gifts on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
We put my deceased father-in-law's hat on the top of our Christmas tree so the kids can remember him on this special day. That makes me smile. Thank you for this chance. Carolyn 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletenani_geplcs(at)yahoo(dot)com... How sweet, Dad had been waiting for you to ask..a lovely tradition and memory for you
ReplyDeleteGrandma's Scottish Shortbread is one of our traditions. I make it every Christmas in honor of Grandma. cgstratman(at)Hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWe gave our daughter all of the Christmas ornaments that I grew up with on my family tree and each year as we decorate her tree with her family, I tell our 3 grandchildren all about what the ornaments represent and all about their great grandparents and their Grammy and and two great aunts and the stories of them growing up. It has been a lovely bonding experience and let the kids know how different it was all those years ago.
ReplyDelete