Thanks for the "Little" Things, by Susan Aylworth

As this post appears, I will be far from home visiting with a son and his family. I'm grateful for easy air travel that makes this trip possible. We in the U.S. have just celebrated Thanksgiving and the opportunity to consider our blessings. We all think of those for which we are most thankful such as our beautiful families, good friends, and loaded tables. 

A friend recently reminded me of the many small things I daily take for granted. When I have lived without them, I have remembered how important they are. Here are just a few.

I'm grateful for hot and cold running water, light at the flip of a switch, and window screens that allow me to have natural light without fighting flies and mosquitoes.

I'm grateful for days when the sun shines brightly and cloudy days when we expect rain. In drought-plagued California, I'm especially and deeply grateful for rain, whenever and however it comes.

I'm grateful for headlights on cars so we can drive at night, and I'm deeply grateful for tail lights on everyone else's cars so I can see them and not have a meeting of the minds in the middle of a dark city street.

I'm especially grateful for tail lights on large trucks. By following them at a safe distance, I can drive securely on a dark night when our valley is thick with fog.

Modern HVAC systems are a blessing we often neglect to consider. I hate to think of how my recent ancestors managed in below-zero temperatures in the Rockies without central heat. My grandparents lived in the sweltering central Arizona desert (sometimes in the low 120s!) without air conditioning. In their earliest days, they managed without evaporative coolers or fans. In contrast, I can set the temperature in my hallway thermostat and stay comfortable. I appreciate it!

I appreciate the glasses that allowed me to see for many years, the intraocular lens implants that are helping me see now, and the sunglasses that keep the light from blinding me when I'm outside on a bright day. 

I'm thankful for a supermarket nearby so I don't have to grow all my own food, for people who grow the food I eat, and for safe agricultural practices that help me trust the food I buy. 

At this season and in this year, I'm glad to be part of the "Puppies for Christmas" series produced by the authors of Sweet Romance Reads. If you haven't purchased your puppies books, this is a good time to do so. <wink, wink>

In fact, the more I consider, the more blessings I remember. I'm thankful for all the big things, but I'm also deeply grateful for those "little" blessings that make my comfortable life possible. Today I'm thankful for you, my friends, for all of you who read and live and love. May this coming year be your very best ever.

Susan Aylworth is the author of 23 published novels including four books in the Christmas Town series. Watch for Book 5 coming in time for Valentine's Day. Susan lives in northern California with Roger, her writer husband of 52 years. Contact her at her website: susanaylworthauthor.com, @SusanAylworth, or via susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com. Susan loves travel, music, her large and scattered family, and perfect raspberry jam. She also loves to hear from readers, especially if you'd like to have your name as a character in a future book. (Beware: You may be the plucky sidekick or jealous rival!)

Don't trifle with my dessert - Laura Ashwood

I'll never forget the first time I met my mother in law. It was Thanksgiving and my husband (then fiance) was bringing me to the family meal. It was the first time I would meet his parents and his family. His mother assured me that I didn't need to bring anything, but my North Dakota German background insisted that I did. So, she told me I could bring Jell-O.

I spent the next two weeks searching for the "perfect" Jell-O dessert recipe and finally found one that would be guaranteed to impress. I showed it to my husband, whose only comment was, "Don't you think that's a bit much?"

The answer to that, as you may have figured out, was a resounding no.

Early in the morning, the day before the big meal, I began working on my masterpiece. Seven layers of Jell-O and fruit with creamy whipped topping. I would surely make a big impression on his family.

Unfortunately, this was long before taking pictures of food was cool, so I don't have photo proof (which is probably a good thing) of the dessert, but the photo here is just a small representation of what it actually was.

Picture a large, clear glass trifle bowl. FULL TO THE TOP with layered Jell-O in seven different colors/flavors. The layers were perfection, the topping creamy and glorious.  I think it weighed close to 10 pounds.

I'll never forget the look on her face when I presented her with my creation, or the long pause while she tried to find something nice to say. I think it was something along the lines of, "Oh my, isn't that...colorful." But, she set it on the food table in its proper place at the end with the bars I later found out she'd made as back up.

To make a long story, short - I took a nearly untouched, almost completely full trifle bowl back home with me. There were two spoonfuls taken out it. Hers and my husband's. I was mortified. I asked him about it on the way back to my house and he said it wasn't that it wasn't good, it was, it was just that they had never seen anything like it before and were not comfortable asking me because they didn't know me.

I later found out his mother had told me to bring Jell-O because "how can you mess that up?" Well, I found a way. In trying too hard to impress, I ended up creating something they were afraid to try. If I had stayed true to myself, instead of trying to be over the top, the end result would have been a lot less stressful.

I was lucky enough to marry into that family (so lucky) and had a very close relationship with my mother in law until she passed away in 2013. It was a running joke between us every holiday when we discussed the menu for the family meal. I volunteered every year to bring the Jell-O and she would laugh and laugh. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her. But my favorite memory of her hits me hard every holiday when I make a simple bowl of Jell-O for our family.

Do you go over the top when you are trying to impress? Was there a time you had to bring a dish for an important meal and it went sideways? I'd love it if you'd share. It's all good after the fact.

Enjoy the rest of the month and I'll see you at the Cafe!

xo, Laura


P.S. If you click here, it will take you to the recipe I used that has a much more accurate photo (copyright laws being what they are, I couldn't use their image) of what the end result looked like.

November is the Month of Gratitude by Josie Riviera

For many of us, November is the month when we celebrate Thanksgiving.

But, how can we nurture gratitude in our hearts?

Here are some simple ideas that may jump-start the season of giving.

Say "thank you" more often. Your loved ones do many things for you during the day, whether it's walking the dog, preparing meals, or brewing the morning coffee. Express your gratitude by saying "thank you" for everyday, mundane tasks.

Then, take the time to share with people how much joy they give you.

We've all heard the term, "Count your blessings," and are aware that many simple items in our lives are considered luxuries elsewhere.

So, give a name to your blessings, write them down, and share these blessings with your friends and family.

Many of my readers are aware that my daughter lives in Ireland, and I won't see her for Thanksgiving. However, I'll make a point to call her, and let her know she is missed and loved.

What are you grateful for? Please leave your comments below.

 

I'm grateful for all our readers and wish everyone who celebrates a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving.

 

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Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.

To see her latest family adventures, follow her on Instagram.

And remember to join our Sweet Romance Reads Facebook cafe.

Thanksgiving Conversation Starters by Josie Riviera

Thanksgiving is near, and I'm assuming you have the perfect recipes for Thanksgiving dinner.

So instead, I'll concentrate on some great conversation starters to ensure a smooth, pleasant holiday meal for your family and friends. Here's some safe ideas that should maintain everyone's interest and won't ruffle any feathers. (Pun intended!) :)

 First, let's begin with the classic conversation starter:

What are you most thankful for?

If your friends and relatives flew in for the holiday, you can always begins with, "How was your flight?"  Then, initiate a conversation regarding airline travel and ways to improve the process. For instance, did you know that although many airlines board from back to front, it's considered the slowest and least efficient method? According to Mythbusters, one of the fastest methods of boarding is no method at all, simply boarding altogether with no seat assignments!

Here's some other ideas for interesting conversation starters:

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming holiday season?

Who's the funniest person in the room?

Engage parents and grandparents with these questions:

 Where and how did you first meet?

How did you celebrate Thanksgiving when you were a child?


Do you have a favorite conversation starter when dining with family and friends? 
Please share in the comments below. 



 USA TODAY Bestselling author Josie Riviera writes Historical, Inspirational, and Sweet Romances. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and an old house forever needing renovations.

For more conversation starters which will be posted later this month, check out my new website and subscribe to my blog and newsletter at josieriviera.com

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We are Thankful by the authors of Sweet Romance Reads

This year at Thanksgiving, several of the Sweet Romance Reads Cooperative authors have paused to reflect on their blessings. What are you thankful for this season? Please share with us in the comments section below.

“There are so many wonderful things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, but I'll keep it to this short list: Captain Cavedweller, sunny days, hope, sweet romance, roses, measures of grace, and really good chocolate.” ~ Shanna Hatfield

“I am thankful for my wonderful husband and the thirty-two happy years we’ve been married, for my two wonderful children, who aren’t children anymore, and for the wonderful life I have in my dream home in the countryside, doing what I love most, writing!” ~ Helen Scott Taylor

“I have so much to be thankful for. I am blessed beyond measure. Most of all, I am thankful for my family and the love we share.” ~ Merrillee Whren

“I'm thankful for friends, family, good health, and a cozy place to live. I'm also very grateful to be a member of Sweet Romance Reads.” ~ Magdalena Scott

“This past summer, my husband retired, we sold our home, and moved to the seaside where I watch the sun rise over the ocean each morning and I am filled with a deep and utter gratitude. When I think about my blessings, my family always comes to mind and warms my heart—my husband, my sons, and my daughters-in-law make me feel loved.” ~ Donna Fasano

“I'm thankful to be born a woman in a free country in a pivotal time in history. Life has never been so complicated, yet hold so many possibilities, especially for women.” ~ Denise Devine

“This Thanksgiving, as always, I'm thankful for my wonderful family, friends, and best buddy, Bailey, my French bulldog. However, I'm also very thankful to be doing what I love for a living and to the readers who've taken the time to let me know how much they've enjoyed my stories.” ~ Raine English 

“I'm thankful for the hope that God gives us as well as my family and friends. Also I'm thankful that I can do something I love as a job.” ~ Margaret Daley

“I'm thankful for my husband and children and our little granddaughter and for the prosperity I often take for granted.” ~ Lyn Cote

“I'm thankful for the love that surrounds me from family and friends, for every day of good health, and of course for my loyal readers. “ ~ Alicia Street

“I'm grateful for a new day job that will start in January! Totally exciting as it involves a move to a different state!” ~ Beate Boeker

“I am thankful for my husband, children, extended family and friends, and for the wonderful readers who make my life as a writer possible. I appreciate you all very much!” ~ Ginny Baird

Wishing you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday from all of us at Sweet Romance Reads.  

Want to keep up with news from Sweet Romance Reads authors? Sign up for the SRR newsletter today. Like chatting about Sweet Romance? Join the authors of Sweet Romance Reads in our cyber Café. View our newest releases here.

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What are you thankful for?

Two $5.00 Amazon Gift Cards will be randomly awarded to two readers who answer this question. Winners announced Monday, November 30^th.

A Quiet Thanksgiving

November. Autumn. Pumpkin pie. Turkey. Parents. Kids. Cousins. Friends. Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is always at my house and the food is hot and ready on the dining room table at 2PM. But not this year.

The kids and grandkids alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas with us and the in-laws. Pretty typical, I think, for most families with married children. But this year is not OUR year and my mom won’t be coming to my house either. She has Alzheimer's. My husband and I will definitely be visiting her, but it’s too stressful and confusing to disrupt her too much. So, this year, at home on Thanksgiving Day, my husband and I will be alone.

We considered inviting other guests, or inviting ourselves out to enjoy someone else’s turkey dinner, but then we decided that maybe ‘alone’ was okay. Other people, people who don’t have lots of family, often spend holidays alone. Is it a first choice? For them? For us? I don’t know, but after the last several years – illness, Alzheimer's, full time job plus writing, and so on – the idea of a lonely…or rather a peaceful Thanksgiving began to seem appealing.

A different Thanksgiving. Still blessed, but not with the usual noisy, bustling, fragrant chaos of tables end-to-end and filled with loved ones.

We’ll still have turkey, of course. We’ll enjoy a little Thanksgiving with my mother and the other ladies in the memory care unit. And with time off from work, maybe I’ll have a little bonus de-stressing by being able to focus solely on editing the new book.

LOL. Sounds like the day is filling back up again – just not in the way to which I’m accustomed to for celebrating Thanksgiving. Not good, not bad. Just different.

Did you read SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES last year? My contribution was BEACH CHRISTMAS which deals with how life may change and letting go. In SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES 2 this year, my contribution is BEACH WALK in which two strangers each think they know what they want (one house) but discover that getting one’s wish isn’t always the happiest ending.

SWEET CHRISTMAS KISSES 1 (19 novellas and novels!) & 2 (14 novellas!) are both on sale for only **99 cents** each. Download them now and enjoy them when you have downtime or are able to indulge in reading time in the holiday season.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at the SweetRomanceReads.com site, and hang out with us at the Sweet Romance Reads Cafe on Facebook.

 

*****

Grace Greene writes contemporary romance and suspense, and women’s fiction. Please visit her website: www.gracegreene.com and sign up for her newsletter.

Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Centerpieces by Raine English

With all the work that goes into planning and preparing your Thanksgiving meal, you want your table to look festive and pretty, but who wants to spend a lot of time on a centerpiece? I sure don’t, and I bet you don’t either, so I’ve come up with a few quick and easy ideas to spruce up your holiday table.

Idea #1: Begin with a fall wreath. Place a large candle in the center—I used one with a sugar cookie scent—then fill in around it with colorful items you have on hand. I used gourds, but you could use apples, oranges, or pears.

Idea #2: Begin with the same fall wreath, but instead of the candle, use a small pumpkin and surround it with squash.

Idea #3: Fill a basket with gourds and squash.

Do you have any quick and easy centerpiece ideas?

~*~

USA Today bestselling author Raine English writes sweet small-town contemporary romance, along with steamier paranormal and Gothic romantic suspense. She’s a Daphne du Maurier Award winner and a Golden Heart finalist. Her latest sweet release, SAVING LAUREL, is about a tortured actress who finds love at Christmas with the help of a ghost from the past. To receive information on all her new releases, you can sign up for her newsletter, go to her website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

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