Well, I decided to go ahead and join this challenge also. It is the first TBR Challenge I have done - especially deciding 12 books to read for sure this far ahead of time, lol. We will see how well I accomplish this one, lol. Here is my list:

Titles to read in 2008

1. Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard
2. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
3. The Rapids by Carla Neggers
4. Copy Cat by Erica Spindler
5. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
6. Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
7. Waking Up in Charleston by Sherryl Woods
8. If You Could See Me Now by Celelia Ahern
9. The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle
10. Delicious by Susan Mallery
11. Feet First by Leanne Banks
12. The Woods by Harlan Coben

My Alternative List:

1. Lisey's Story by Stephen King
2. Sex, Murder and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis
3. Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs
4. The Final Victim by Wendy Corsi Staub
5. Deep Freeze by Lisa Jackson
6. Black Rose by Nora Roberts
7. In The Dark of the Night by John Saul
8. Kiss Them Goodbye by Stella Cameron
9. The Finishing School by Michele Martinez
10. Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz
11. Total Rush by Deirdre Martin
12. The Chocolate Mouse Trap by JoAnna Carl

2008 Jane Austen Challenge

I just purchased Emma and Northanger Abbey to read for this challenge. I am very anxious to read both and this challenge is an excellent way to do that! If this sounds fun, please bop on over to Becky's Book Reviews and check out the challenge for yourself!

Jane Austen Mini-Challenge

I just came across this one that Becky at Becky's Book Reviews is hosting. All that is required is to either read and/or watch at least two books/movies by Jane Austen. I thought this sounded fun and am really enjoying getting involved in the different challenges that I come across.
Becky is also hosting another mini-challenge - to read at least two novels each by J.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis - movies once again count with this one also. I am considering this one also - as I have not really read or know much about these authors - I have of course heard of them, just never taken the time to read them or view their work. This would be a great chance to do so.

The Aftermath of Christmas

My living room has exploded! Or at least that is what it looks like, lol. Now that the wonderment of the holidays are over and the last gift has been unwrapped and carted home, it appears as though a tornado has blown through our house, leaving half of Toys R Us behind! Yikes! I know that many of you know what I mean and are feeling the same way. Ah well, tis the season! I can't say that I haven't had fun playing with all of the new goodies with the kids - I am pretty sure that I will never grow up. So far, the biggest hits have been Lucky - The Wonder Dog (this is such a fun and awesome toy!!), a singing Hannah Montana doll, a Home Depot Big Digger ride on toy and a talking Elmo chair. Oh the innocent joys of childhood! Though I cannot complain - my husband actually gave me a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble!!! There is such a thing as Christmas miracles! I have that dear little card stashed in my purse and burning to get used tomorrow! I also received Saving Grace by Danielle Steel from my wonderful Mother - in - Law, so I am as happy as can be.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas filled with great friends and family - a few treasured gifts as an added bonus. I cannot believe we are entering into the end of 2007! It seems as though it just began - now I will have to get used to writing '08 on everything and just when I was getting use to '07! Ah well, as is life. Hopefully the new year will bring great things for everyone - along with tons of great reading and great blogging.

Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber

Where Angels Go

By Debbie Macomber

I actually finished this one up a few days ago, but am just now getting to the computer. Talk about withdrawals, lol.

Where Angels Go was a delightfully fun story - as all of the Debbie Macomber stories that I have read have been.

This tale focuses on three angels, Prayer Ambassadors, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy. These three love to visit earth and tend to create a bit of havoc in their wake. However, three very special people need a bit of heavenly intervention. Archangel Gabriel decides to assign these three very special angels to help these three very special people.

Harry Alderwood has just found out that he has much less time on earth than he would like. His biggest prayer and wish is to have his beloved wife, Roselie, moved into an assisted living environment, before he passes. Knowing that she will be well taken care of, is the only thing Harry worries about. However, Roselie has no desire to leave her house, which is filled with so many treasured memories. Harry has to figure out a way to change his wife's mind in just a few short days - without letting her know that his time on earth is nearing an end. Mercy is sent to aid in this task. But even with her help, will Harry be able to convince his wife in time?

Beth Fischer is a divorced single woman and is quite happy to remain so. However, her Mother wishes for nothing other than to see her daughter meet someone special and marry. With this in mind, she lights a candle, sending a prayer, that such a person will soon enter into her daughter's life. Beth is very content since she discovered an online role playing game - The World of Warcraft. It is through this that she meets Peter and they join forces to conquer all that is evil. Six months into their team game playing, they begin to chat online about more than the aspects of the game and discover that they have many things in common. Both are afraid of once again getting hurt, so they hesitate about meeting face to face. It is Goodness who is sent to earth to aid in this possible union. However, something very unexpected happens changing everything.

Carter Jackson is a young boy of nine. His one and only wish is to have a dog of his very own, and he reaches out in prayer for help. His Mom and Dad would like nothing more than to be able to grant Carter's most heartfelt desire, but they are barely getting by with day to day expenses and cannot afford the care a dog entails. Suddenly, without warning, a disheveled lonely dog appears in the school playground. Carter quickly befriends him and the dog seems a gift from God - an answer to his prayer. After the dog finds his way to Carter's house, Carter cleans him up and presents him to his parents. His Dad continues to remain firm and tells him that they are going to have to take the dog to an animal shelter. Gabriel sends Shirley to earth to help settle things for Carter. There seems little hope of Carter keeping the dog, until one fateful night something near tragic happens to change every one's life.

Shirley, Goodness and Mercy are great friends and try to help one another as they work on their assignments. They get into a bit of well meaning trouble along the way, but their hearts are always in the right place.

Where Angels Go is a very lighthearted and fun story. A perfect read for this time of year - or anytime. It is sure to warm your heart and bring several smiles to your face!

Add a few great books and I would be in heaven in this setting!!

Merry Christmas!

I wish each and everyone a very blessed and Merry Christmas. I hope the day is filled full of friends, family, love and laughter. Please remember among the gifts, glitter and twinkling lights, the true meaning of Christmas and that the greatest gift of all is having those you love in your life - whether they are near or far. Give your kids an extra tight squeeze and give thanks for them - as there is no better gift.

A Christmas Visitor by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer

The Christmas Visitor

by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer

I actually finished this one a couple of days ago, but am just now getting a chance to write my thoughts on it. I greatly enjoyed this story and found it to be very heartwarming and a perfect read for this time of year. Each time I read one of the "A Cape Light Novels" I feel as though I am visiting old friends and getting better acquainted with previously lesser known characters.

This story focuses on Miranda Potter, a single woman who is trying to figure out her life and what direction she wishes to take it. One evening while out for a walk, she comes across an unconscious man in her and her Grandmother's orchard. She takes him back to their house where she helps to nurse him back to health and helps him to deal with his amnesia (together, the three come up with a substatute name for him - Adam). As they struggle to find out who the mystery man is, an attraction forms between him and Miranda - but will the truth of who "Adam" really is tear them apart?

Then we have Reverand Ben. In previous novels, he has been a bit torn and unsure of his faith. After dealing with this, he comes across a mysterious angel statue in the Church's basement. He decides to display it in the church for all to see, bringing a perfect touch to the Christmas season and all that it stands for. However, miracles start to happen to several people after they have prayed and/or come in contact with the Angel. News of this miraculous Angel spreads and soon people from all over are traveling to pray and behold this blessed statue. Ben is torn about this - he is worried that his church will be seen as something other than it is - a place to worship and communicate with God, not a place of fraud, using a prop to bring in more visitors and worshipers to the church. Will the Angel bring more heartache than good, or will everyone end up blessedly touched by her presence?

Lastly, we have Molly. Molly has just achieved great success with her catering business and her life seems to be on the exact track that she has always wished for. She is married to a wonderful man, Matt, and between the two of them, they have three wonderful girls (two hers and one his) who are nearing adulthood. Molly has great plans for her future - until one day she discovers that she is pregnant. Her husband is thrilled when she shares the news with him, however she is anything but. How is she ever going to manage a baby and her blossoming business? Will she have to give up her dream to stay home and raise a baby? So many things are uncertain - until one wintery afternoon, when a near tragic accident happens and changes everything.

Once again, the authors have brought a wonderful world to life. The words paint such beautiful and vivid pictures within the readers mind. The characters are so easy to get to know and become a part of the readers life - at least for a little while.

Grab a soft comfy spot, something relaxing to drink and visit the wonder people of Cape Light - you'll be glad that you did.

What fun!

Yesterday I went out to the mailbox to discover a fun and wonderful surprise! I participated in a Secret Santa Exchange hosted by Nymeth at Things Mean Alot. My Secret Santa is Lightheaded at Everyday Reads. Enclosed within my package were 2 gorgeous bookmarks and a graphic novel titled The Mythology Class - Special Collected Edition by Arnold Arre. I have never actually read a graphic novel before, so this will be something fun and new for me. I love everything and what to say a very very big thank you and send warmhearted Christmas wishes to my santa!

Merry Christmas to me!

I ordered an early Christmas present for myself and just received them today. I now have, in my possession, The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright and the booked set of The Twilight Collection by Stephenie Meyer containing the first 3 books in the twilight series. How excited am I!?!? lol I can't wait to sink my teeth into these delightful sounding gems!

A bit of holiday fun

Here's a fun little puzzle/card for the season!
Jigsaw Card

Blog hopping

I've taken some time to do some blog hopping and catching up on my favorite blogger's pages this evening. I came across the "A Novel Challenge" blog and love it. I think that I am going to try out the 2008 TBR Challenge. It's just figuring out which books to put on the list, lol. I had never really thought of reading challenges before joining the blogging world. I have participated in the Cozy Mystery Challenge and a couple of others the past couple of months and find it to be very enjoyable! What a great way to try to whittle away a few of those books that have been sitting on the shelf for awhile. The funny thing is, after reading a book that I have had for several months, I often think to myself "Why didn't I read this sooner?! It was a fantastic story!" It's almost like finding a lost treasure.

Christmas Stockings

Christmas stockings
Christmas stockings are hung near the chimney on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to fill it with goodies for the children. It is an empty sock or a bag that is given the shape of a sock. The children in United States and some other countries have been following this tradition of hanging a Christmas stocking, believing that Father Christmas will fill it with sweets and gifts for them. The items that are believed to be stuffed in the Christmas stocking by Santa Claus are known as stocking stuffers.
The tradition of the Christmas stockings began by a story told since ancient time about a kind noble man who had three daughters. The wife of the nobleman expired and the daughters and their father were left in a state of sorrow. The daughters had to do all the work in the house. When the daughters became young and eligible for marriage, the poor father could not afford to give the huge dowries to their husbands.
One evening the daughters, after washing their stockings hung them near the fire place to be dried. Santa Claus being moved by the plight of the daughters came in and put in three bags of gold one in each of the stocking hanging by the chimney. The next morning the family noticed the gold bags and the nobleman had enough for his daughter’s marriage. The daughters got married and they lived happily ever after. Since then children have been hanging Christmas stockings.

Christmas stockings are supposed to have the gifts given by Santa Claus. The other gifts are wrapped in present papers and placed near the Christmas tree. It is believed that a child who misbehaves during the year will not get a gift in their Christmas stocking. The Christmas stockings are traditionally hung on the fireplace. But as most of the modern homes do not have a fireplace, any location is suitable for hanging the Christmas stockings. In many traditions the Christmas stocking is to be stuffed by a gift that will stimulate the five sensory organs.
The gift given by Santa Claus would be something to eat, a thing that makes a sound and gives a pleasant view to the eyes or gift which has a lovely fragrance.In the present modern culture there are special Christmas stockings available in the market. Some families design unique stockings for each family member.

A bit of Christmas trivia for the day

The modern Christmas custom of displaying a wreath on the front door of one's house, is borrowed from ancient Rome's New Year's celebrations. Romans wished each other "good health" by exchanging branches of evergreens. They called these gifts strenae after Strenia, the goddess of health. It became the custom to bend these branches into a ring and display them on doorways.

My current read

Right now I am reading A Christmas Visitor by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer. So far I am really enjoying it. I love the characters and the story is so heartwarming. We are going though an ice storm here, so it is the perfect day to snuggle up on the couch and just read. We'll see how long the kids cooperate with that idea, lol!!

Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright

After reading a fellow blogger's review on this, I decided to pick it up at B&N and give it a try. I was in no way disappointed. This is a tale of what Christmas truly means. The unselfishness and love for mankind that, if lived in everyone's heart, would make this world a perfect place.
Hope Jensen was a newborn infant, dropped off in the booth of Chuck's Chicken 'n' Biscuits. She is shortly discovered by a single, childless woman, Louise Jensen. After all legal issues are settled, Louise and Hope become very close - treasuring their small family. As Hope delves into the life of a young woman, following her dreams to become a journalist, it is discovered that Louise has cancer. Just short of a year later, Louise passes on and Hope is left alone.
The following year, on Christmas Eve, Hope eats alone at Chuck's Chicken and Biscuits, where she once shared this yearly tradition with her Mom, Louise. After returning home from her meal, she discovers that her apartment has been broken into and several things missing. It is here, too, that she discovers the Christmas Jar. After stepping away from her door, for just a few minutes, she returns to find the jar in her doorway.
It doesn't take long for Hope to become intrigued by the Christmas Jar and she decides to do some research, just knowing that this will be her big break - landing her a story on the front page of the newspaper. Through her "investigating" she is led to the Maxwell family and a complete eyeopening experience that will change her life forever.

Did you know...

The real St. Nicholas lived in Turkey, where he was bishop of the town of Myra, in the early 4th century. It was the Dutch who first made him into a Christmas gift-giver, and Dutch settlers brought him to America where his name eventually became the familiar Santa Claus.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Ever wonder how the Christmas tree tradition got started? Well, here is a bit of info on that very thing!

Christmas Trees
In 16th-century Germany fir trees were decorated, both indoors and out, with apples, roses, gilded candies, and colored paper. In the Middle Ages, a popular religous play depicted the story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
A fir tree hung with apples was used to symbolize the Garden of Eden -- the Paradise Tree. The play ended with the prophecy of a saviour coming, and so was often performed during the Advent season.
It is held that Protestant reformer Martin Luther first adorned trees with light. While coming home one December evening, the beauty of the stars shining through the branches of a fir inspired him to recreate the effect by placing candles on the branches of a small fir tree inside his home
The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, the Christmas tree became by the late 19th century.

The Gift by Richard Paul Evans

The Gift
By: Richard Paul Evans

What a beautiful and touching story this is. It has everything that the holiday season should stand for. The author reaches out to all with The Gift, leaving the reader feeling emotional and as though a true lesson has been received - a gift in and of itself.
Ethan Hurst is a man carrying around an enormous amount of guilt. A horrible tragedy occurred during Christmas, when he was just a young child, destroying life as he knew it. Christmas from then on was a day to wish away, rather than celebrate.
Addison Park is a young mother of two wonderful children - Elizabeth and Collin. Not only is she raising her children as a single parent, she has to be strong for Collin, who has leukemia. Collin also has a precious gift that the three hold secret - knowing that if it ever became known, it may bring his life to an end.
One day, fate brings them all together during a snowstorm, which has left everyone stranded at the airport. From that moment on, Ethan, Addison, Elizabeth and Collin’s lives begin to burn just a little bit brighter with promise.
The power of love combined with the precious innocence of a child is beyond compare. This story reminds us that everything about life should be held dear and that true miracles can happen - all you have to do is believe.
Richard Paul Evans is a true master of words. He is able to reach out and grab a reader with his truly beautiful stories. I look forward to each of his works and know that I will definitely come away from them as a better person.
I would wholeheartedly recommend The Gift to everyone.

As you may have been able to tell already, Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. Because of that, I love to search different Christmas related websites to find fun games, trivia, recipes, etc. So don't be surprised to find several posts on this subject, lol!
My five year old daughter and I decided to brave the mall this past Sunday. Now mind you, the nearest mall for us is about 45 minutes away, so it is a treat to get to go there! Our most important stops were Barnes and Noble (of course, lol!) and Build A Bear. Whenever I take her up there, that has strangely become a common stop, lol! We had a lot of fun and it was nice to have a "girl's day" together. It is so nice that she shares a love for books and B&N! Every year they have a book drive to donate books to those who don't have as much. I soooo love to do this!! What could be better than providing a child with a way to visit another world, time or have a great adventure. So we spent a bit of time choosing books for that and purchased 6 Christmas books for my daughter and son and then I also picked up Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright and An Inconvenient Book by Glen Beck for myself. I'm about half way through with The Gift by Richard Paul Evans and I am immensely enjoying it!! Be on the lookout for my review on that one very soon!!

Thought these were interesting:

Did you know that…
In Brazil, Christmas presents are hidden outdoors (it is warm and they do not have to worry about snow) and children have to search for them.
The words 'Kriss Kringle' mean Christ-child and form the basis of a medieval legend that the infant Jesus himself gave presents.
A South Carolina mother had her 12-year-old son arrested for opening his Christmas presents too early in 2006.
Buy-Nothing-Christmas is a movement that wishes to de-commercialize Christmas by inviting people to become members and practice the group’s ideals. The campaign later changed into a broader “Buy Nothing Day”. The “Buy Nothing Day” website says the special non-buying day is now observed in 55 countries.
Have you ever wondered about the total cost of each item in the "Twelve Days of Christmas" song? The grand total of the contents of the song for 2006 is $18,920.59. And that's in U.S. Dollars!

A bit of fun

Today's Christmas trivia:

Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas as an official holiday. This tradition began in 1836.