Now on sale . . . Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life by Suzanne Beecher, and when you purchase it, request a free autographed bookplate, by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/Muffins-MayhemPO
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Dear Reader,
Christmas was an easy-going holiday for me this year because I didn't try to do it all. I didn't bake Christmas cookies and I didn't even put up a tree. Instead, I filled my home with Christmas flowers and accents including a huge, cuddly, Santa sitting on my side porch. The outdoor cats I take care of loved Santa and snuggled up to him on the cold Florida nights we had over the holiday.
After a big event in my life I like to look back and mentally review each day, revisiting conversations, interactions and how I chose to spend my time. These are three of the memories I'll hold dear from this Christmas.
The big holiday delight for me this year was cooking a fancy Christmas dinner for family and friends. The rooms in my home were turned into a lovely buffet and dining area. Tables covered with miniature rose linens and poinsettias, my best dishes, silverware and glasses and way too much food. But so many choices--that's what makes a holiday dinner special. I love waiting on folks and I hope I created a memorable experience for my guests. They certainly created one for me.
My daughter called from Wisconsin on Christmas evening to tell me she'd went to a friend's home for dinner. "I don't want to sound ungrateful," she said, "but those people don't really know what good food is. I missed your cooking Mom."
A reader requested an autographed bookplate a few days before Christmas, and in her email she also shared a little bit of the stress she was dealing with in her life this holiday season. So along with the bookplate I sent a "thinking of you" package.
"Oh, Suzanne...your box was waiting for me when I got home yesterday! 'Wow,' I thought, 'that's an awfully big box for a bookplate.' Then I got all excited because I knew that something was afoot. When I opened the box and saw all the treasures you sent, I was overwhelmed. My dad went home Monday; the doctor said it was a miracle...Suzanne, you remind me of my dad in the way that you touch so many people's lives. That is the highest compliment I can give to anyone. When I read your note, I just cried, again. With all that has happened in the last few days, your thoughtfulness really touched my heart. When I thought about why you would remember me out of all the folks that you encounter...you are 'just being Suzanne.'"--Cheryl
Time spent with family and friends, "I missed your cooking Mom," and "you are just being Suzanne." Special holiday memories I'll never forget. I am blessed.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Warm holiday wishes to you,
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.muffinsandmayhem.com/
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