What is a word for the year? The concept of choosing a word of the year for the English language started in 1990; Germany already had its own Wort des Jahres that was started in 1971 with aufmüpfig (Rebellious, insubordinate; a characterization of the 1960s counterculture). On December 19, Allan Metcalf who is a real…
This is a list of hacks, suggestions, and omg-that’s-brilliant tips to make the holidays run smoothly and stress less at Christmas. These are the little things that take the pressure off, ease the stress, keep you from rushing to the store at the last minute or from waking up in the middle of a deep…
Historical Fiction Historical fiction is my kinda genre. My first introduction to this kind of writing was Margaret George’s Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles which I followed up immediately thereafter with The Autobiography of Henry VIII. Lengthy reads, but exceptionally detailed and well-researched novels that capture the essence of the Medieval era. I…
These are my favorite perfumes that embody the Christmas mood. There are a variety of scents that trigger our nostalgia for Christmas. They might have been gifts, they might be au natural like evergreen, vanilla baking, apple spices, or mulled wine. Your mind is transported back in time to places, people and events that make…
Is it possible to describe Christmas in a simple word? I decided to take a look at a few ways of coming up with a single word to describe the merriest of seasons. The idea of coming up with a word that is meaningful and all encompassing, yet universally understood is a challenge. The word…
On the first day of Christmas… your true love gave you a nod and a wink because they were too tired from all the holiday prep, planning, and visiting they didn’t have anything left in their tank. If you could break the holidays into two parts, there is the Advent, which begins four Sundays before…
Holiday Burnout is a real thing. It can sneak up on you, even though you’ve probably had a few signs along the way, until you find yourself breaking down in the dairy aisle because the butter you like is sold out and now your little house of holiday-perfection is tumbling down leaving you in a…
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