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The Buchanan Holiday Extravaganza aka The December Newsletter

December 1, 2023

It happened alright. Thanksgiving-Birthday-Christmas celebration over the course of mere hours is a Buchanan tradition (every other year…does that count?). I was so busy I didn’t get to take many pictures, but we did manage to pull this one off. I’m being particularly brave publishing this because I didn’t brush my hair before we took the picture! It didn’t even cross my mind that day. Fortunately, I sleep on a Blissy, and it wasn’t a total wreck. Well, don’t look too closely…Just enjoy the kids. They’re the real stars.

Merry Christmas from the Buchanans!

We put the Christmas tree up on “Christmas Eve,” which happened to be the Friday after Thanksgiving if you were in our universe. I haven’t moved a single ornament since the grands did the decorating. Hubster put some ornaments on the higher branches, but mid-way down was all the grands’ doings. I think they did a pretty good job! They had favorite branches that received multiple ornaments, and they found another use for the red noses we wore verrrrry briefly.

I love how the little ones hung several ornaments to a branch.
Foam red noses gave our tree a polka dot effect. I'm gonna get more of 'em.
I painted my mercury trees this year. I love the bright colors.
EJ Santa close up
I treasure my EJ Santa --look at the book he's holding!

The Hottest Gifts We Gave...

What are you giving everyone for Christmas this year? Since we’ve already exchanged gifts with our kids and grands, I can steer you toward the hits at our house.

This shape shifter box was a MEGA-hit with the boys–little and big. One of the grands forgot his so it’s now sitting on my desk, and I’m so intrigued with it. I tell myself I’m keeping it there so I won’t forget to take it to him when we travel to see them at the end of the month, but really it’s just so satisfying to fidget with.

I got gift certificates for both couples to get charcuterie boards from specialty shops in their home cities. If someone would like to get me one from Amazing Graze here in Paducah, feel free! I’ve never had anything from them, but their pictures look AMAZING!

The oldest little girls got journals and cases to hold their pens and markers. Huge hit! (I was secretly envious…all those fresh markers! Wow!)

The oldest grandsons were smitten with these two gifts: A Top Secret Spy Science Kit and the game Avocado Smash. Everyone–from 4 to 84–loved the game, but Pop never could get the concept of the “smash” card, which made for some riotous laughter.

Book Recommendation Straight from the North Pole...

Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace isn’t a “Hallmark Christmas” book, but the main character does have to endure the holidays, which makes her a little grumpy. Even so, Santa himself recommends you give my book to everyone on your list–naughty and nice. All elves are on board with that, too. I mean, who could resist that face? Plus, Danette Humphreys, of Cookies in a Bag by Danette, has a great idea. She suggests sitting down with the book and a pile of cookies and devouring both. I wholeheartedly agree–cookies make everything better. It’s the perfect way to guarantee you love the book!

Grab your copy here or here or anywhere you like to purchase  your books. If you really want to give me a gift (I’m not trying to twist your arm or anything), you could leave me a review on Amazon and Good Reads. Even one sentence helps me out a bunch!

Thanks for reading my blog aka newsletter these last few years. And, since it’s the season of sharing, why not share it with a friend?

Now, that was an awful lot thrown at you, so let’s go over it one more time…1. Buy the book. 2. Write a review of it. 3. Share the blog. All of that will take you no more than five minutes, tops. And, no kidding, it would be amazing if you did even one out of three!!! Imagine me doing a happy dance like Snoopy (but if that’s too jarring, just forget that part)

Thanks again. Merry, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone. The next time you’ll hear from me it will be 2024! 

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