A Simple Christmas

By Diana McCollum

Christmas season is upon us everywhere we go. Christmas music plays in the stores and on the radio. Houses are decorated inside and out. I love the colored lights and the music and everything about Christmas. The best part of course, is sharing Christmas with family and friends.

I enjoyed a Christmas pot luck lunch with a few writer friends in Bend last week. Kathy had her house decorated so pretty!

Husband and I are having a simple Christmas this year. Family is not coming from CA this year, and I'm having surgery too. We've opted to not have a tree. I've just put a few simple decorations out. We need some joyfulness! I wanted to share some decorations that I love with you.

This is the entry way to the house. The little snow man holding a sign with our last name on was made for us by my daughter over 20 years ago. I had to have that out this year, and every year.

The poinsettias at the top of the page we bought one at Costco, and the other I order every year from a girl across the street. The money goes to the Bend choir she belongs to.

Last year the group toured England and Scotland and sang with choirs from those countries.

The two pictures of the Christmas elves and angels only shows about half of all the ones we have.

I call them my Iowa elves. There is a story behind them. My sister Sarah and family were helping an elderly lady move out of her house in Iowa. She was going into an assisted living home and asked that Sally and family take what they want and get rid of the rest. That is how the story went, isn't it Sally?

My Sister was kind enough to send this collection to me. Every year the Iowa elves sit on my kitchen window sill so I can look at them every day.

On our coffee table is an arrangement with a candle and twinkle lights. The wooden Christmas train I painted a long time ago. My husband loves it and I do too! So the train got to come out of the Christmas box for this year.

That is all the decorations for 2019!

Do you decorate a lot or not much or not at all? and what part of the Christmas tradition is your favorite? And if you don't celebrate Christmas, what part of the holiday season do you enjoy?

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Bright light in the dark night....

As I've mention before I live in cold Northern Michigan. Not only is it cold...it's gloomy. November had less than 9% sun! BOOO!

Because of the lack of sun, the short days, and the cold, Christmas lights have become my favorite part of the holiday. You are never too young or too old to enjoy Christmas lights. AND they can be enjoyed while eating a doughnut or hot chocolate cookies (the recipe is on my blog if you are interested - )

I love the Christmas parade...I really think I enjoy this more than the summer ones. Granted I'm dressed in 10 layers of cloths but it's soooo beautiful.

Then is the guy who has been doing this for years and now has over a 500 people come and visit his house...

He has a fire to roast marshmallows...

Christmas music is in the background....
It's soooo much fun!

And for those fans of the Polar Express... We've got that!

Now with all this visiting you'd think my house would be something out of movies - right?

Wrong! I have a tree...and unless you come inside you won't be able to see it.

Christmas lights is a tradition I love to observe but have no desire to be a part of.


While I don't do lights in my 'real life' I do in my writing. In my sweet Christmas romance - The Christmas Reunion - they decorate the animal reserve in lights. Each animal guest has their own theme.

Is there something you enjoy observing but have no desire to be a part of?

The Christmas Reunion is available - here

Blurb: 

Five years ago, Joleigh Nelson turned her back on the only man she'd ever love to save her father and unborn son's lives. Now that man may be the only one who can save her home, the New Forks animal reserve.

Spencer Thompkin has spent the last five years in an emotional wasteland.  Unable to let anyone in after Joleigh disappeared without a word.

On a routine foreclosure of an animal reserve, he finds not only Joleigh but a son he never knew about.

Can he get over the feelings of betrayal and help Joleigh save her home – the animal reserve? Or will the heartless lawyer part of him prevail leaving Joleigh homeless and without her son?

A Christmas Reunion may not even be enough to save the animal reserve and restore their love.