Thirteen years ago my little story about one of our family’s long-standing traditions was published in the December 2001 issue of the now (sadly!) defunct Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Magazine, which was a huge favorite of mine. I think I was a subscriber from the very beginning to the end of the magazine’s publication. I’m still a fan of Mary Engelbreit’s illustrations and decorating books, and it was such an honor for me to make it into the pages of her magazine. Now, more than a dozen years later, I think our older grandsons just might be big enough to revive the tradition! (I hope you’ll be able to read the print from this scan of an actual page of the magazine.)
Six years after my column appeared in Mary’s magazine, I had the privilege of meeting her and having her sign my copy of the magazine my column appeared in, along with a copy of her beautifully illustrated Mother Goose book to give our little grandsons for Christmas.
If you happen to be a member of my Deborah Raney Readers Page Facebook Group, I’m doing a giveaway of my novel SILVER BELLS, and today we are sharing favorite Christmas decorations! If you’re not a member but would like to be, click on the GIVEAWAY graphic below, and come on over to join the fun! Feel free to share in the comments here as well (but be aware the giveaway is only happening on my Facebook group page this time.)
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I discovered if you click on the image of the Snowflake story, and then, when it appears in another window, click on the image again, it should enlarge to an even more readable size.
Love your snowflake tradition. Traditions are so special and so personal. I love it when the kids carry them on to their own families.
Thanks, Gail. I agree. There’s something so comforting about carrying on traditions you grew up with, and then seeing your own children carry them into the next generation.
I’m a fan of Mary Engelbreit’s work, too! I used to subscribe to the magazine. It had a paper doll to cut out in every issue, right?
The snowflake party sounds like fun! I’ll have to get paper and scissors ready around here….
Yes! I used to save those paper dolls for my daughters. (Now, I wish I’d saved every magazine intact because it was my favorite and it is no more. 🙁 )
Love your story. It makes me want to grab a pair of scissors and a piece off paper and cut away.
Go for it, Janetta! 🙂 The thing I love about cutting snowflakes is that even a non-artistic person can make something beautiful with just a few snips!
What an awesome tradition! I don’t think I’ve made snowflakes with my daughter yet – I’m going to have to fix that!
Have fun! And with the great kids’ scissors, and edge-cutting craft scissors they have now, you can do some amazing things!
I had read it before but love it and all of you even and ever more today.
Love you, too, Mom! Can’t wait to spend some time with you at Christmas! Enjoying the Advent Calendar you sent!
I LOVE Mary Engelbreit too! I have a number of her books and love her motivational posters and that magazine…bliss. I paint funky furniture in Mary’s vibrant style…not nearly as well as she does, but she’s the inspiration.
Your snowflake party sounds like a wonderful tradition. And such a testimony to simplicity providing lasting memories.
I read Silver Bells this time last year. Great story! And I have Winter Brides winging its way to me…soon I hope! The mail is a bit slower these days. Can’t wait to read it though. And I’m so glad you posted about those novellas being published in paperback collections. I don’t have an ereader so I have to read ebooks on my laptop which isn’t fun or very comfortable so I kept passing up on reading the individual novellas. I’m thrilled that I’ll get a chance now that they are going to be published in seasonal collections.
Kav, I’d LOVE to see the “funky furniture” you painted! I always loved her painted furniture, but didn’t DARE try it, as I’m NOT artistic with a paintbrush. So glad you’ve got the print version of the Brides stories on the way! Enjoy!
Our little family has been making snowflakes for a few years now. I like to hang them from the living room ceiling, ceiling fan, furniture, etc., to create an indoor winter wonderland! Like you said, Deb, even the artistically challenged like myself can create a beautiful paper snowflake 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas to you, too, fellow snowflake maker! So glad your family has discovered the joy of the simple snowflake!