The Christmas Tag

Happy Christmas Eve, dear readers! I was tagged by Natasha over at Simple Things for The Christmas Tag (which she actually made up), so here's for a bit of festive holiday cheer on the blog!

Hope you all enjoy, and may you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS tomorrow!

Favorite Christmas drink?

Hot, spiced apple cider.

Favorite Christmas color to wear?

I will say red. But a wintery blue is also lovely ... and I would like to try a festive green!!

Favorite Christmas cookie or dessert?

Chocolate Cherry Pudding Cake! This is a fairly new tradition in my family. I make this delicious cake on Christmas Day and we enjoy it very much!

Some favorite Christmas flavors or spices?

Hmm. Peppermint? Chocolate?

Does your family do stockings?

Yes, they do! It always starts feeling fun and festive when we hang up the stockings.

Favorite Christmas hymn?

O Holy Night. Ah, I just love the lyrics. I also discovered this year that I really love Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. What a beautiful song! (I think it's considered a Christmas hymn ... ?)

Favorite "secular" Christmas song?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Warm, cozy, nostalgic.

Do you enjoy Christmas shopping, or does it just stress you out?

I like shopping. I like getting people meaningful gifts that they'll enjoy. I usually don't get gifts for a ton of people, but if I did get gifts for everyone that I would like to, I probably would get a little stressed. But I think I would still enjoy it for the most part!

Favorite Christmas decoration?

I love the sparkling lights on the Christmas tree.

What small thing gives you that special "Christmas feeling"?

Crackling fire in the fireplace. Soft Christmas music playing. Family relaxed and enjoying each other's company. Sparkling lights shining. Sweet, meditative spirit.

Favorite pre-Christmas activity?

Baking cookies. Shopping for little gifts. Singing beautiful Christmas hymns.

Birthday Blessings!

Hello, friends and readers! I hope this day finds you well.

I turned twenty-two a few days ago! Yay! It's fun to have a birthday celebration to brighten up the winter.

I was so blessed to be able to celebrate with my mom, sisters, aunts, and friends. All special ladies! *hugs them* We got ready, packed lunches, met up, and spent the day in the city.

I wore my "new" shirt! Simple, black, and comfortable. I bought it from Goodwill for around $2. And I found a purple, sparkly choker from Walmart for $1. Fun, fun! ^_^

What better way to spend my birthday than roaming around a giant bookstore?? I could hardly tear myself away from this store. *laughs*

A big stack of books, and I'm only $1.70 poorer for it! Look at these lovelies!! I found lots of Christian Living, Christian fiction, some children's & classics, and a couple movies.

So exciting to find Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery, which is the last ANNE OF GREEN GABLES book that I need to read, and will complete my collection!

And I was thrilled to get Recovering Redemption by Matt Chandler, which I had been looking for!

Super excited to read The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen, An Ocean Away by Lisa Harris, and To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain by Matt Chandler.

This bookstore is one that you can trade books in. So I brought about one and half bags of books to trade in, and got $40 store credit! Thus, the reason I didn't spend much from my wallet.

**

After spending a good deal of time in this amazing store, we did a little grocery shopping.

And then we went out for pizza! This was not planned, but I looked up restaurants and found a place with gluten-free, dairy-free pizza. The place was cozy and fun, and the food absolutely delicious!

It was such a wonderful day. Praise the Lord! So glad I have family and my Bible study ladies to hang out with!

Here are some darling gifts I got from sweet family and friends. Stocking up on the chocolate, yes, indeed! *grins*

Such a good day. And I'm looking forward with hope and expectation to what God, my Joy, is going to do in my 22nd year of life!

Ilyon Chronicles & Blades of Acktar BLOG TOUR!

Jaye L. Knight’s newest novel, Bitter Winter, and companion novella Lacy have been released! Bitter Winter is the fifth book in the Christian fantasy series, Ilyon Chronicles. Tricia Mingerink's newest novel Decree is also releasing! Decree is the fifth book in the Christian fantasy/kingdom adventure series The Blades of Acktar. Read about these books below and be sure to check out the other blog stops on the tour by visiting the official tour page. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

The Ilyon Chronicles

About Bitter Winter Already struggling with a harsh winter and the threat of food shortage, a catastrophic event leaves those in the Landale camps reeling. Just when things couldn’t get much worse, camp members fall ill with the same devastating sickness that’s sweeping across the country. Determined to gain the cure, Jace sets off to Valcré. However, there are only two sources—the queen, or a powerful gang of smugglers who have made the dangerous city their home. When Jace gains audience with the gang leader, he finds the price of the cure is steeper than any of them imagined, forcing him to make an impossible choice—betray his conscience or let those he loves die.

Available now on Amazon!

About Lacy The last thing Aaron ever envisioned was falling for a prostitute. Everything about it spells trouble. However, he can’t help noticing the way her smile lights up when she sees him and how much brokenness she hides behind it. Neither can he ignore how desperately she needs rescue and protection. When Lacy shares a life or death secret with him, Aaron is willing to risk everything to help her and to show her Elôm’s love. Yet, such a choice could destroy his reputation and maybe even cost him his freedom. An Ilyon Chronicles Novella

Available now on Amazon!

Haven’t discovered the world of Ilyon yet? Find out more at the official Ilyon Chronicles website! 

About the Author Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Etsy.

The Blades of Acktar

About Decree The Adventure Continues. Discover more of The Blades of Acktar in this collection of novellas and short stories. The Blades as They Should’ve Been A test and the Gathering of Nobles will decide Leith and Martyn’s futures. Can they fight to become more than the Blades they were? Will Keevan accept the man who attempted to kill him as family? The First Mission When Martyn visits Surgis, his past seems determined to haunt him. Can he figure out how to forgive, especially when confronted with an enemy in need of his help? To the Far Great Mountains A death sends Leith and Martyn far beyond the borders of Acktar. Will they be able to arrest their quarry before they are caught themselves? From the story of how Leith and Martyn met to Ranson’s search for a life outside of the Blades, these stories will answer plaguing questions and expand the world of Acktar.

Available now on Amazon!

Haven’t discovered the The Blades of Acktar yet? Find out more at on the official Blades of Acktar page.

About the Author Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country. You can connect with Tricia on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Giveaway!

Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win a full signed set of the Ilyon Chronicles and The Blades of Acktar! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.) Click on this link to enter. Be sure to stop by each of the character chats (links in the blog tour schedule) for additional giveaways throughout the tour!

Halfway Through December!

Hello, folks! How is your December going? Mine has had a lot of lovely in it ... I really feel I've seen people way more this month than I usually do. *grins* So yay!

Going to do another post of pictures and snippets from my life. So here we go!

Saturday, 17th of November: I made a batch of hot-process charcoal soap, because I had some orders for it.

Sunday, 18th of November: Family Bible study! My sister and I drove together. I ended up feeling a bit sick. I don't know if it was because I hadn't had enough protein, or I was getting a migraine. Anyway, I took some Advil and did get to enjoy the evening!

Starting to get ready for Thanksgiving Day! My mom made homemade stuffing ...

And sweet potatoes, turkey and gravy, and pies, and such! I made a gf apple pie, gf rolls, and a Paleo dessert. Unfortunately, the Paleo dessert was a bit of a flop. *sad face* It wasn't a complete disaster ... just didn't taste as good as I had hoped. I'm actually thinking it might have still had too much sugar with the honey and coconut sugar combination! Or maybe because we did lemon instead of lime.

Later, my sister and I ran to town to pick up a few ingredients we were missing.

Thursday, 22nd of November: My outfit for the day! If you want to see better pictures of it, follow the new fashion Instagram account my sister and I started!

Happy Thanksgiving! I had such a sweet and lovely day with family and friends. Good food, lots of laughter. Just a pleasant, joyful and relaxing time.

The next day, all of us ladies went out for lunch, and then did a tiny bit of shopping. It was very nice. I enjoy hanging out with my mom, sister, aunts, and grandma!

Wednesday, 28th of November: Ladies' Bible study!

Book mail!!!! Who loves getting books in the mail? ^_^ I got Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson for free from Reader's Rewards. Go sign up if you want free books! I love the cover and title of this book. And I love the story inside! Such a great series ... and I've almost collected them all now!

Thursday, 29th of November: My sister and I made a hot-process batch of peppermint pumice soap (this is our most popular kind thus far). And a cold-process batch of orange peppermint.

Then we spent time labeling soaps ...

And making lip balm! Clove-orange, hot chocolate, and peppermint shimmer!

And also body butter and salt scrubs. I didn't do much with these two besides whipping up the body butter, which took a good while!

Ready to sell some things! We really enjoyed having a table at a bazaar ... Talking to people, selling soap, and seeing what everyone else was selling!

Sunday, 2nd of December: We started an Advent family devotional! This is the first time my family has participated in Advent. I found a study on YouVersion called Advent: Christ is Coming!

We read Scripture, discuss, pray, and sing! And eat snacks! One night we had a veggie tray and ranch dip. Christmas cookies. Sparkling water with fruit in it. Hot apple cider. Fruit bowl. Etc.

It has been a blessing.

Tuesday, 4th of December: I made a hot-process batch of lavender soap! A couple people had requested this one as well. It smells amazing. I love lavender.

Met with some of my Bible study ladies at Starbucks! ^_^ It was so fun chatting and getting to know them a little better. 

Set up a Christmas tree one of these days! I love Christmas traditions ... and pray that my light for Christ will shine like these sparkling lights and draw people to the beauty that is our Lord!

I made yummy mashed sweet potatoes to go with supper one night. Who else enjoys cooking? ^_^

I watched Holiday Inn with almost all six of my younger siblings, and quite enjoyed it! *grins* It was a bit silly, but ultimately quite sweet. And I loved all the dancing! Such fun. It's definitely a movie I would watch again - especially with my siblings.

Sunday, 9th of December: Out to eat with Sunday school group. Family Bible study later. Great conversations with my ladies. Great food. Just such good fellowship with these families. I'm so grateful that God brought us all into this group.

And ... I've been shopping a lot. Searching for fun, unique things to make up a family Christmas gift. Also, finding deals on clothes & books at Goodwill. *grins* I bought two nice shirts and three books (one for someone else) for about $7. And grocery shopping.

I brought my siblings to a meeting of a group they're part of. Went to my ladies' Bible study. Went to a cookie exchange. Lots of fun Christmas cookies! (Nearly all that I couldn't eat, but they were still lovely to look at!)

Sold some more soap. Got orders online. Packed up boxes of soap to ship out. Figured out how much money my sister, my mom, and myself each made. More organizing, and calculating, delivering orders, and such ...

Also, sang with some families at nursing homes. I really enjoy singing Christmas songs, and then chatting a little with these dear folk.

I love Christmas season! Can't believe December is almost halfway over! Looking forward to doing some lovely things on my birthday. *smiles* And looking forward to celebrating with family on Christmas Day.

Hallelujah! Christ is King forever! <3

HOW HAS YOUR LIFE BEEN?