By: Merry Wynter and Jaymie Leighton
From: Much Ado About Muffin & White Colander Crime
Series: Merry Muffin Mysteries & Vintage Kitchen Mysteries
Author: Victoria Hamilton
Merry Wynter and Jaymie Leighton talk about Christmas.
Merry Wynter: It's not even quite Thanksgiving yet. Feels a little early to talk about Christmas, but I am getting in the mood already. So... here goes. I'm new to small town living. I grew up in New York, and my grandmother would always make a big deal out of going to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and the skaters, and hot cocoa at the cafe with a view of the ice rink.
Jaymie Leighton: That is really neat! I've always been a small town girl, but every year I go across the border to the Ontario city where my sister and Grandma Leighton live, to spend Christmas with them. They have a park in the middle of the city with lots of lighted trees and big wooden cutouts, as well as a sleigh and reindeer... it just lights up with Christmas and holiday cheer every December.
Merry: It's really been different spending Christmas in Autumn Vale. Special and fun, but in different ways than in New York. In Autumn Vale things center around community groups, like the Brotherhood of the Falcon Women's Auxiliary, and the Methodist church. Both have potluck dinners and dances, Christmas sales, that kind of thing.
Jaymie: Sure, I get you. Queensville is like that too. But it's a coordinated effort in my town. We have what's called 'Dickens Days', put on by the heritage association, which I belong to. And now with the new heritage house museum we've furnished and run, we're really in fundraising and advertising mode. Our more vocally talented members dress in Victorian garb and stroll through Queensville caroling with some traditional and many more modern songs. I can't sing a note, but I can bake! So I make treats for them to share and sell at the booth where they give out hot cider and hot chocolate.Merry: I bake too! Mostly muffins; this year I'm going to come up with some Christmas-y muffins, I think. That gets my imagination going... maybe some hot cocoa muffins with marshmallows!
Jaymie: Sounds soooo good! Chocolate anything, please! But for me Christmas is mostly about time with my family... my parents, Grandma, sister Becca and her boyfriend Kevin, and this year Jakob and his family. And I can't forget Denver, my crabby tabby, and Hoppy, my cheerful little Yorkie-Poo!
Merry: Sounds lovely. I don't actually have any blood relatives, but I truly have made family out of my friends, Shilo, Pish, and now, in Autumn Vale, my adopted cat, Beckett, Hannah and her folks, Binny, Janice and Simon, Doc English, of course, and especially Gogi and her gorgeous son Virgil Grace.
Merry & Jaymie: So to all of you... Happy Holidays, whatever you celebrate! And... how do you celebrate holidays in your home town?
~::~
Season's Readings Giveaway!!
To enter:1 - Comment on today's blog, one entry only, please! If you enter after midnight on the 21st, your comment will go to moderation first, so please don't be concerned if it doesn't show up immediately! I'll make sure all entries are valid.
2 - Open to US and Canadian addresses only.
3 - Enter by Midnight, November 23rd.
4 - There are two packages; please indicate a preference. The first name I draw using random dot org will receive the package they have indicated, and the second name drawn will get the other.
5 - Please leave your first name and email address - however you want to do it, I suggest yourname (at) yourserver (dot) com - in the comment! Only entries with a name and email will be considered!
To kick off our holiday giveaway in a big way, I have TWO packages to give.
Package 1: One signed copy each of Much Ado About Muffin (Merry Muffin #4) & White Colander Crime (Vintage Kitchen Mysteries #5) as well as a cool skull teaspoon, a pocket sized coloring journal and watercolor pencil crayons.
I'm including a handmade beaded bookmark!
Package 2: Audio Book CD versions of the first four books of the Merry Muffin Mysteries and the cool skull teaspoon. You can keep the audio books, or give them away as a gift! Or donate to a library, or nursing home... the possibilities are endless!
Posts
Our city has a festival of lights that is set up in the city park. Every year it gets bigger and more extravagant, you have to drive thru to see it. It runs from day before Thanksgiving to New Years and is a real show stopper. Catherine [email protected]
ReplySo exciting! The first day! I would choose number 1 if I were oh so lucky to win. Thanks very much!
ReplyBecky
Rlewis11797 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I plan to take my little guy to see the Lights at Jones Beach. It's a big display of decorations and lights that you drive through so you stay nice and cozy in your car! Thanks again!
December weekends in our small area is when you will find the Clauses strolling through the streets, along with a ouple real reindeer! Loved the dual post with two of my favorite characters! I would choose prize 1 first, thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
There is a park nearby that decorates and we drive through every year. They had something all the time. I think I would go with 2 but would be happy with either.
ReplyThanks
debby236 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the opportunity. For me I'd love the actual books. Lxsum1258 at aol dot com
ReplyWrong email address correct one is: lsum1258 at aol dot com
ReplyThank you for the opportunity. If I win I would like pkg 2. pgenest57 at aol dot com
ReplyOur small community decorates for the holidays and there is a Christmas Parade the first Friday in December. I would choose Prize #1 So that I could color with my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter 😀
ReplyThanks for sharing!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
There is a holiday parade in my city. We always seem to miss it, but I enjoy looking at all the lights throughout the city. I prefer package #1. [email protected]
ReplyI loved the interview. I would love to win package number one. Thank you for the chance.
Replymoonbay7399 at Gmail dot com
What great prizes. I would like to win prize #2. I just love your books! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Replypatti(dot)s(at)comcast(dot)net. [email protected]
Thanks for the chance to win! I would like either prize. Both look great.
Replynerdsrgood (@) msn (dot) com
I would like package #1 if I win. Thanks for the opportunity!!
ReplyJanet - harbingerdc(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for this great giveaway. I would like prize #1. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyWe had the Santa Claus parade here yesterday and the first snow. I would love to win package 1. Thanks for the chance!
Replykaren(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway. My preference would be package 1.
Replysgiden at verizon(.)net
Prize #! is my choice. Thanks for your wonderful giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyOne of my favorite things about the upcoming holidays is an excuse to stay inside curled up with a good book. I love the Merry Muffin series and would love Merry's recipe for a hot chocolate muffin!!! Prize #2 would be my choice - Pam/ [email protected].
ReplyMy favorite things about the holiday are all the holiday themed books. I would choose the #2 prize. Email address is [email protected]
ReplyHolidays are all about my grandkids now. I can't wait to see their faces. This is a great giveaway. Thanks for the opportunities.
ReplyI love spending time with my family cooking and sharing stories. I would love the first package but I'm not picky. [email protected]
ReplyWe have bazaars and the Festival of Lights. Many homes go all out with the lights and decorations. People take a relaxed drive down the street where they have the Festival of Lights and gawk to their hearts content. Only time of the year you don't get a ticket for parking in the middle of the street for 2 minutes while you gawk. Because everyone is doing it. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc ((dot) com
ReplyThere is a whole festive weekend after Thanksgiving in my home town with tree lighting ceremony and other activities. If chosen, I would love package 2. Thank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
ReplyI love to cook for the hubby and me for the holidays. This year we already have enough snow to make it feel like the holiday season. My first choice would be package #1 since I like the feel of real books.
Reply[email protected]
What an awesome giveaway!! If I win I would choose Package #1. Sheila Siarkiewicz [email protected]
ReplyDelightful choices!
ReplyI'd be happy with either one.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
thanks for the chance to win some great books.
ReplyI would like the first package - I don't have an e-reader.
We have several light displays in the area. There is
always a crowd driving to get into them.
Mary Lou at txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
2 terrific series! I'd like Pkg #1 as I don't do the audio books. Happy Thanksgiving.
Replykpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Our Thanksgiving has family and family of choice. This includes people who were friends of our children growing up who drank the Kool Aid and were assimilated (Borg Style). One of them is Uri a C.I.A. graduate baker (who doesn't work as a baker). He gets to show off his hard learned skills by preparing all the lovely pies for our desserts.
ReplyI do a lot of cooking for the event but everyone knows their jobs and what sides or extra mains they will prepare and have it here early enough to rewarm. This year we'll have close to 30 warm bodies in our 3 bedroom apartment. From 6 months old all the way up to those in their mid 70's. You can either enjoy it or join me in my library/den with the sound proof door. LOL
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
Oh, I'd prefer gift pac number one if I'm the lucky winner.