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Joys of the Season Blog Hop

12/4/2016

15 Comments

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
​Welcome to the Joys of the Season Blog Hop!

The blog hop starts December 4, and ends December 17. 

I hope you will pull up a chair, chat and visit all the authors in the event!

My sister and I, for many years, had several traditions that we did each Christmas season. In early November, we put together our Christmas lists, and we schedule a day with just the two of us, Christmas shopping. We would meet for breakfast, and plan our day, and get most of our shopping done. After that, we'd either grab some dinner to bring home to the guys, or the two of us would just go to a nice restaurant and have a few drinks and dinner. We laughed, we cried, we talked about yesteryear, the times when things were good, and the times when things were not so good. 

Our families spent Thanksgiving together, and during that time, my sister and I would plan the cookie/candy bake day. It would be at her place or mine, and we'd plan what cookies we wanted to make, and what candies we wanted to make. We'd split the ingredient list between us, and set the date. When the day arrived, we'd get together and plan our day of baking. By the time we were done, we'd have enough cookies and candy to split it between us, so we could make goody baskets for others. We had so much fun, we'd laugh, listen to Christmas music, and chase the guys out of the kitchen. By the end of the day, we were exhausted, but happy with what we've accomplished.

We concluded our Christmas season by getting together Christmas Eve for a wonderful dinner, and exchange our presents. We'd sit around to talk, play games, or watch Christmas shows on television, snacking on all the goodies and gaining about ten pounds in the process.

It's a wonderful Christmas tradition, and in 2015, I moved from Michigan to Montana, so the tradition had to stop. By Christmas 2017, I plan to be back to Michigan, and to resume the tradition. I missed not doing the traditions with my sister last year and this year. She's my best friend, and confidante. While I love Montana, the mountains, and the pine trees, I miss my family more.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and I would love to hear about one of your family traditions. Feel free to share them!

During this blog hop event, I will have a rafflecoptor going below, for a free ebook called Book of Love. The book is not a Christmas book, but story ends at Christmas, so I think it's appropriate to offer a free copy to one winner.

Book of Love
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Love-Constance-Bretes-ebook/dp/B00QYB16QQ/

Blurp: When her marriage came to a devastating end, Janice Meyers moved to Montana to try to escape her past and get a fresh start. She's sworn off men, but she didn't anticipate meeting Chris.

After the death of his wife, Chris Jamisen focused all his time and energy on running his auto repair shop and raising his children. He's not looking for love, and when he first meets Janice, the town's new librarian, he never imagines they might embark on a relationship. Sure, he'll admit he finds the smart, sexy blonde attractive, but the frustrating woman expects miracles from him. Her vehicle is practically beyond repair, but she insists he has to keep it running.

As Chris gets to know Janice, he begins to develop feelings for her, but he's reluctant to pursue a relationship. He's Native American, and he worries about the complications of a biracial relationship. He's experienced prejudice first hand, so he knows how difficult it can be.

When Janice's ex-husband shows up seeking revenge, things could reach a horrible end. Will Chris save Janice in time? And will he and Janice be able to set aside their painful pasts and give their relationship a chance?

​
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​
15 Comments
Mary Preston
12/4/2016 04:56:51 am

Traditions are very important. They help us to feel connected.

Reply
Connie Bretes link
12/6/2016 05:15:51 am

Hi Mary, thanks for stopping by and I agree with you, they do help us feel connected. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Reply
Anna Durand link
12/4/2016 07:47:53 am

What a lovely post, Connie! So glad to have you in the hop. I live in Michigan, and so do my mom, aunts, and uncles. We get together on Thanksgiving every year, and often on other holidays. Merry Christmas!

Reply
Connie Bretes link
12/6/2016 05:17:48 am

Hi Anna, thank you so much for visiting. Where do you live in Michigan? I lived in Jackson. We can't wait to get back to Michigan so we are nearer to family.

Reply
Diane Burton
12/4/2016 08:28:43 am

What a lovely post, Connie. When Mom was alive, my sister & I would get together at her house to bake cookies. My daughter is so busy with her own activities and her children's that we don't do them together. Sad when traditions fall by the wayside, esp. because of distance. BTW, I love your new blogsite. Meant to tell you before. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Reply
Connie Bretes link
12/6/2016 05:21:18 am

Hi Diane, thank you for visiting! I never realized how much I'd miss doing the things with my sister until we moved to Montana. We plan to move back to Michigan next year so my sister and I can resume our traditions.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Connie

Reply
Tonya S. Lee
12/5/2016 12:13:54 am

I love the Christmas tradition!
I love everything to do with Christmas!

Reply
Connie Bretes link
12/6/2016 05:23:26 am

Hi Tonya! I've always loved Thanksgiving more than Christmas until I moved from Michigan to Montana and no long share the holiday traditions with my sister. Now, I love both holidays.

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful Christmas.

Connie

Reply
Casi Mcl=Lean link
12/5/2016 11:27:17 am

What lovely traditions. Christmas is always a wonderful time of the year. Our traditions evolve over time, but the memories linger. thanks for such a heartwarming post.

Reply
Connie Bretes link
12/6/2016 05:25:54 am

Hi Casi, thanks so much for visiting! I've never been much for New Years, and I've always felt that Christmas was the best way to end the year.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Connie

Reply
KyAnn Waters link
12/5/2016 08:38:14 pm

I love traditions too. Merry Christmas!

Reply
M. S. Spencer link
12/8/2016 03:45:43 pm

Sisters are special, aren't they? My sister and I used to sing Sisters from White Christmas for the family--not always in tune and not always remembering all the lyrics, but we did use feathered fans! M. S.

Reply
Valerie Bargewell link
12/14/2016 07:09:16 am

Constance, I love this post. I don't have any traditions but, after reading about yours and your sister's, I wish I had some. I hope you make it home to be with your sister Christmas 2017.

Reply
Jana Leah
12/16/2016 04:55:58 pm

We spend Christmas Eve day making treats for Santa (& ourselves).

Reply
Patricia Kiyono link
12/17/2016 12:12:34 pm

I'm so glad to hear that you're moving back to Michigan! Yes, family traditions are important. Yours sounds lovely. Merry Christmas!

Reply



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Website Copyright  © 2023 Constance Bretes
  • Welcome
  • My Books
    • Love Songs
    • Book of Love
    • Delayed Justice
    • Jarillo Sunset
    • The Last Dig
    • Jade's Redemption
    • The Christmas Ballet
    • Midnight Escape
    • Love, A Second Time Around
    • The Haunted Love Affair
    • Rekindled Christmas Mystery
    • Elkhorn in the Moonlight
    • Operational Code Name:Desert Love
    • Blue As Sapphires
  • Trailers & Videos
  • Coming Soon
  • Connie's Blog
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy