I know not everyone celebrates Christmas. Some celbrate Hannukah, some Kwanzaa, some Yule and some nothing at all this time of year, but me? I celebrate Christmas and I really get into it!
I love the store decorations that go up before Halloween, the music, the energy, the love and spirit of giving that infects so many this time of year. It’s not perfect and I won’t pretend it is, but the good stuff is GREAT and each one of us can do our part to overcome the negative aspects of this season. Don’t you think?
So, I’ve done a ton of shopping and the pile of presents to be wrapped is huge. It’s a good thing Drama Queen needs to earn some money because she and her older sister have offered their services wrapping all those presents. Yes, they *did* in fact offer to wrap their own, but silly me – I vetoed the idea. LOLOL Can you imagine? What was I thinking? That’s what they want to know anyway!
We decorated for Christmas this weekend and the house looks great. What do you think?
DQ is in charge of decorating the big tree in the family room. She roped the K-boys (our longterm Korean foreign exchange students) into helping her while I supervised and well, yes…organized my nutcrackers. 
I decorated the mini tree for the landing with the ornaments left over from the big tree. I think they both turned out beautifully.
We had to forego outside lights this year though. Really weird for us. But the outside plug went bad and right now, on top of everything else, I just can’t deal with getting an electrician out here to fix it. Hubcap has promised to get one of those decorative image projectors for the front of the house and figure out some way to power at least it. He’s such a wonderful guy! And I’m sure my pouty lower lip didn’t have a thing to do with his offer.
I love having books out this time of year too. We’re still celebrating the release of DEAL WITH THIS on my personal blog. I’m doing a Twelve Days of Christmas daily giveaway as well as some other fun stuff this month. So, make sure you visit!
But let’s keep a little of the celebrating right here…sound good? I’ll also draw a name from the comments on this post to win a copy of Satisfaction Guaranteed as well as another suprise Brava title from my store of wonderful other author books to give away!
So, what are you all up to while I try to get my pages in, remember to blog and get organized for several huge family celebrations coming up?
Hugs,
Lucy
Award winning author Lucy Monroe published her first book in September of 2003. Since then she has sold more than 50 books to four publishers and hit national bestsellers lists in the US and England. Her highly charged, sensual stories touch on the realities of life while giving the reader a fantasy story not easily forgotten. Whether it's a passionate Harlequin Presents, a sexy single title for Kensington or a steamy historical paranormal for Berkley, Lucy's books transport her readers to a special place where the heart rules and love conquers all. 
WOW, what a cool thing to collect…I don’t really collect anything…well, I guess I do collect books…LOL
You know, I once offered to wrap my own presents…my mom vetoed that idea too…LOL
I have been getting Christmas cards ready to mail, making lists of who to buy for, and reading.
Congrats on the releases!
I’m still scrambling to get gifts for family and friends. I’m having trouble deciding on what to give. Hopefully everything will be bought and ready before Christmas arrives.
I love Christmas too! The tree is up, the cards are out and now I just need to find the perfect gifts. Oh, and in a week or so it will be time to bake all those special Christmas goodies!
Jennifer Y…I collect creches, angels & nutcrackers. Am I compulsive, or what? LOL So, you and DQ have not only your favorite programs in common, but that oh so innocently sneaky side too.
No wonder I like you!
Jane…the scrambling I get. I’ve got more shopping to do and our Christmas letter has to do out! Oy!
Commisserating hugs from one frazzled gal to another.
Other than books and recipes I’m not much of a collector. We’re all pretty much set for the holidays since our immediate family is small.
Happy Holidays everyone! Remember to take the time to enjoy it.
That’s a beautiful tree and those nutcrackers, how cute! I have a very small Charlie Brown tree. Lots of open space and only a few ornaments.
My shopping is done but I haven’t even started wrapping. Time goes by so quickly…I can’t keep up.
I collect lighthouses. I just finished my Christmas shopping! Yay!! Fixing Christmas cards to mail and wrapping presents is all I’m doing.
Oh, Sue A. – what a great reminder. I mean we hear it all the time, but do we listen. And I don’t know, as I read your comment, it just really struck me that I need to thoroughly experience and enjoy each moment of this holiday season.
Kim…LOL on your Charlie Brown Christmas tree. My dh would be in alt. He loves that kind of thing. It’s kinda funny but he would seriously find it more “Christmas-y” than the most done up tree in the mall, you know? Time does go by way too fast though!
You go, Stacy S…I had a dear friend once who collected lighthouses. I still think of her every time I see one or a depiction of one.
Good morning Lucy!
I still need to put up our tree and do some more decorating. I don’t mind the decorating but the taking the stuff down and putting away….well let’s just say everyone becomes a magician on that day and they all disappear.
I collect Boyd’s Bears (but lately, due to space, I’ve become more selective) and I never pass up their elf bears. I also collect bookmarks, which are much easier to store. I found some really neat ones at a small store yesterday that I will give as gifts.
Hey Jennifer–I’m as bad as you….I just asked my mom yesterday when she was going to be out of the house so I could come over and snoop. This was after we spent the afternoon shopping for MY birthday and Christmas gifts form her and my dad. (I didn’t look, really )
Hi Lucy. I am trying to buy presents and prepare for Christmas festivities I have to bake/cook for.
My DH just got out of the hospital, so all my holiday preparations had been on hold. He is doing much better after surgery to correct the problem and hopefully be be back up to full speed soon.
However, I have been able to sign and seal the Christmas cards, I just haven’t had a chance to address the envelopes! The tree went up on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but I finally had a chance to decorate the rest of the house this past weekend. Unless I can persuade Spawn 1 and Spawn 2 (aka: the teenaged sons) to put up the outside lights, I guess we will forgo those this year.
As far as collections, I collect Santas. I guess I have around 20 or so, so far!
I used to collect nutcrackers and still have some but now it’s books, books and more books!
I used to collect the David Winters cottages, but they just got to the point where they were to expensive to keep it up. I do have a nice collection of them though. Now it is books, and even that can run up, but not one I will be quitting soon.
I have my shopping all done, and just have a few things to put out for decorations, since I live alone I don’t do the decorating up like I did when the my husband was alive and the kids lived at home.
I’m still trying to get my shopping and decorating finished. aarrgghh Then I’d like to get started on my baking.
I like to collect vintage Christmas salt and pepper shakers.
I collect Nativity scenes, village houses (the ones that light up) and ornaments. I think I need a bigger house so I can actually display everything!
I still have lots of shopping to do. The Christmas cards for family have not even been started. I’m hoping to get our picture done tonight. We took one last week, but it was pretty blurry and not card worthy!
So much to do and so little time! Tell me why I am on the computer!
what a great collection you have.each year we try to add one new thing to display in our house for christmas.
wishing you a merry christmas
I’m studying for my midterm. It’s tomorrow and omygod, I am FREAKING OUT. I just had my evaluation and my instructors all said that they have complete confidence that I’ll do well tomorrow but I’m still freaking out.
After tomorrow, I go on a three-week winter break – I can’t wait!!!
Lucy, I love the nutcrackers and DQ did a fabulous job on the tree. I am like you I love seeing all the decorations go up before Halloween. I went into Hobby Lobby back in July and they already had their Christmas Decorations out. I spent hours going thru it all.
We usually decorate outside but my hubby crashed his dirt bike and wound up with severe 2nd degree burns on his foot and leg so we didn’t do anything outside this year either. We have our tree up. All my Santa’s, Nutcrackers, Angel’s and Christmas Villages are sitting around the entire house.
I am almost finished with my Christmas shopping. Just a few more things to get.
Congrats on Deal With This and Rancher’s Rules. Both books are fabulous!
My main collection is dolphins, although this recently got out of hand I know am trying to collect autographed books. Haven’t started my shopping yet, will get started next week.
We’re keeping our decorations simple this year as we’re spending the holidays out of town plus we’re moving house in the new year. I’ve always loved just sitting in the dark with the christmas lights twinkling away. Happy holidays to everyone!
I collect crystal figurines and book of course. I have been been done with my shopping for over a month!
Your tree and those nutcrackers looks wonderful!
LOL I love hearing that I’m not the only compulsive collector around here. Sounds like most of you have your holiday plans well in hand. Way to go!
The big family get together with my sister’s and their families is this weekend, so I am scrambling a bit. It’s a totally fun time with lots of good food and laughter, so I don’t mind doing whatever I need to to make it special. Then I get a week to recover before my kids start trickling home.
Cathy…that sounds so nice. Enjoy yourself!!!
What a lovely Nutcracker collection. I think you did a wonderful job decorating. Don’t feel bad. I am seriously behind on my wrapping as well. Have not even done one Christmas card yet either so I am seriously behind in that as well. I caught my one year old’s throat infection so I have been feeling lousy and that has really slowed me down.
Thanks for all these great opportunities of winning!!
I am studying… and we never have big gatherings during the holidays… only the small direct family having a copious meal
I have baking done, most gifts wrapped but no tree up(not sure I’ll be putting one up).
We have Christmas day at my sister/brother-in-law’s where everyone contributes to the meal(my siblings). There should be 18-20 there.
I also have a Nutcracker collection but not as many as you have. My Mom gave me one and then I started collecting them because I thought they were so neat.
I like your collection. I used to collect Santas. Now with each year, I decorate less and less – getting a bit older and harder to lug all the stuff out. Bah, Humbug – lol.
I’m trying to get some wrapping done before Christmas Eve which has been my habit for so long. Your collection of Nutcrackers is awesome! We have one, and Son broke his gun. Oops. *g* I also have family gatherings to attend and am expected to bring some type of food. Do ccokies count? *G*
Nice seeing you on the Brave Blog Lucy!
Oh, Cherie…I hope you and your little one are both feeling better!
No problem, Nathalie…I love giving away prizes.
Robyn…I’ve gotta wonder if I’ll ever do a big tree once the kids move out. Maybe they’ll come over and decorate it? LOL
LOL Pat! I hear you.
Thanks, Brandy! Smooches!
I love your tree and nutcrackers. I’ve been collecting ornaments for 38 years and we always have a tree trimming party – live tree of course lol. I just finished up the majority of my shopping today which always makes me feel so much better knowing it’s almost done. The wrapping is pleasurable to me – I put the music on, pour a glass of wine and have a ball.
Wow, Catslady…you sound like you love the holidays and I adore hearing that. I used to love to wrap presents too. Not sure what changed – but it was shortly after selling my first book that I found it a bigger chore than a joy. Hmm…could simply be time constraints. LOL
I cannot tell a lie – there are times when I resort to the gift bags
They have such pretty ones now and you can add pretty tissue and ribbons – They’re great for some of the weird shaped gifts. I really try to keep up the things that are enjoyable and not feel guilty for the things that aren’t as important to me. For me it was the baking that I gave up. Maybe some day I’ll do it again but although friends and family think every woman has to bake cookies I refuse to feel guilty about it! If it’s become a chore, it’s defeating the whole purpose – so I say write those books for us and do what you enjoy 
Your decorations are beautiful. I haven’t decorated yet but it will get done in the next few days. Christmas can be stressful so I try not to get too concerned about everything and it all seems to get done.
Oh, Catslady, I *love* gift bags. LOL As for the baking – I agree, when it becomes a chore, you let it go.
Thanks, Maureen…I tend to agree. Stressing won’t make things go any smoother and they do all tend to get done.
The tree is absolutely beautiful. Great Job!! Nutcrakers, there goes my dirty mind. Nice collection. Happy Holidays to one and all.
And the WINNER IS….
For the autographed copy of SATISFACTION GUARANTEED and a second Brava book by another author – Laura J. Hon, just email me at lucymonroe@lucymonroe.com with your full name and mailing address and my PA will get your prize out to you next week.
And our SECOND WINNER for the DAY 3 prize in my 12 Days of Christmas giveaway (as I told the readers on my blog, I included all comments on this post, my post on I *Heart* Presents and my personal blog) – prize description on my personal blog – is Catslady. Again, please just email me your details and I’ll get your prize out to you.
Hugs to all,
Lucy
Thanks so much, Lucy. What a great prize and what a fun idea!
I collect pug things since I’m owned by two beautiful furry babies. This season will be sad because we had to put to sleep our third pug, Ebony. She was truly the life of the party and will be missed.
I’m so sorry, Laura. It is hard to part with the animals we love. I still grieve every time we take out the stocking for our cat that died two years ago. I can’t make myself throw it away and I keep it with other stockings, so I see it every year. Just a quirk I guess.
Hugs on your loss!
Lucy