An Old-Fashioned Christmas by Ellen Stimson is simply a delightful book to curl up with in your favorite chair and savor page by page and be sure not to forget that all important cup of coffee! Ellen shares with us her family’s Christmas traditions along with delectable recipes and wonderful family tales in a witty and conversational tone. I could picture myself sitting in Ellen’s kitchen enjoying a cup of coffee, nibbling on some of the wonderful cookies she describes in the book, and of course snuggling the furbabies.
Ellen lives in a small Vermont town in an isolated mountain home where I think they may quite possibly have even worse winters than we have here and I have to admit all that glistening snow makes for a wonderful Christmas. Ellen most definitely knows how to celebrate the holiday season and in Vermont it seems even more magical with all the snow and sleigh rides. It sounds to me like a magical beautiful wonderland even though I do know how harsh a winter can actually be.
Throughout this book we are invited to make new and special family traditions or embrace the ones we already have. Ellen shares many of her family’s traditions with us like their annual Christmas Adventure or buying special ornaments every year for the tree. When she describes all the hustle and bustle of her Christmas with putting up all the decorations and the beautiful tree they put up in the library and all the food and family I must admit to be thoroughly envious. The recipes are wonderful and as I was going through them I was making notes on which ones I intend to make and there are quite a few … Pig Candy, Golden Tassles, Corn Pudding, Cheddar Grits, and many, many more. Even better she even includes a few recipes for dog treats – most definitely a woman after my own heart.
I think most importantly the message in An Old-Fashioned Christmas is to keep Christmas in your own way. It doesn’t have to be some huge celebration where you run yourself ragged and barely have time to enjoy a second of it. It should bring you joy. Like Ellen my idea of the perfect Christmas is to be able to curl up with my book and my dog for at least some part of the day. The rest is meant to be spent with family and enjoying all the goodness of Christmas and especially all those special treats that so many of us save for the Christmas season. I highly recommend this magical book of Christmas cheer and wouldn’t it just make the perfect Christmas gift! I think so!
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GIVEAWAY – OPEN TO US & CANADIAN RESIDENTS
1 copy up for giveaway
*CLICK HERE* and fill out the form to enter
Draw Date November 25/15
This sounds so good. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love Christmas, but admit my ideal Christmas is a quiet one. This year will be busy as we’re having it at our house. I am doing this more for my daughter–knowing she’ll love the company and attention.
Thank you for hosting this lovely giveaway, Darlene. I’ll add it to my blog’s sidebar. Christmas is a feeling to me, a feeling of warmth and home and family.
It really does sound good. I hope I win!
This sounds like a lovely book. There is nothing like curling up by the fireplace with a cup of tea and a good Christmas story. Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway.
Hugs to you and Sammy.
Oh my gosh, this book sounds amazing and I would love to read it.
I want to go for that sleigh ride!
I love the cover! Beautiful horses! (Altho it looks a bit cold and wet….)
I think this will have to be a year to start new traditions for us. David and I always had holidays with my uncle (who lived about a mile away) and he is gone now. But, spending time with folks and sharing food (and time with the animals and good books) are good.
Looks like a very nice book.
Have a good week Darlene, and hugs to Sammy!
This sounds like the perfect book to start the Christmas holidays with.
Learning to make Christmas a joyful time is certainly something I’m working on this year – I’m doing the things that make me and my son happy and continuing the traditions we both enjoy while letting other things go.
Thanks for being a part of the tour!