All I Want for Christmas #11 - Favorite Tradition or Memory

It's not coincidence that my favorite traditions/memories have all happened in recent years. They all have to do with grandchildren...MY grandchildren to be specific. The more I have, the better the memories. Between my hubby and I, we have ten grandchildren, with one more on the way...two more if I count my future daughter in law's son from a previous marriage...which I do, of course. The more, the merrier.

Up until three years ago, the biggest tradition we had was to watch "The Christmas Story" from start to finish at least twice between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then I had a minor brush with breast cancer that scared the bejeezus out of me. I began thinking seriously of my immortality. I wanted to start a tradition that was sure to be near the top of my children, as well as their children's, list of favorite memories.

Every year at the beginning of December, I rent a couple of cabins at a nearby state park. Both cabins are on the lake and share a wharf. It's perfect for fishing if it's not too cold outside. We've had weekends when it was warm and balmy (remember, I live in south central Louisiana) and we've had cold fronts move in, bringing icy wind and rain, in which case we light up the fireplace inside and the bonfire outside. We bring one of my artificial trees, and the kids make homemade decorations to adorn the tree. We open gifts the first night so the kids can play with their toys all weekend. The children open first then the adults play the white elephant gift game. It's turned into a real blast for everyone and a weekend that we all look forward to. I'm including a shot of one of the gorgeous views we get to take advantage of.






So what's your favorite Chritstmas tradition? Leave a comment (along with your name and email address so I can contact you if you win) and you will be eligible to win a free copy of my first book, Some Day Somebody. Either an autographed copy in paperback, or a free download...your choice. I'll also throw in a download of my new short story, Hart's Desire, as well as a little souvenir from Cajun country.Have a wonderful Christmas!Lori

Lori Leger
Author Contemporary Romance with a Cajun flair
Some Day Somebody: Book 1 of La Fleur de Love series
Last First Kiss: Book 2 of La Fleur de Love series
Hart's Desire: an ebook short

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY #6

Christmas would be nothing without gifts, right?  So, why would I have a difficult time writing about the best Christmas gift I ever received?  Probably because I'm the worst person to buy for.  My husband has said it, my mother has said it, even my children have said it.

The problem is not that I'm picky, quite the contrary, I'm not choosy enough.  I'm so excited that anyone thought enough to get me a gift, I can't say I've ever gotten anything I wasn't grateful to receive.  Maybe that's what it boils down to.  I'm one blessed person, and I know it.  I may not drive the fanciest car or live in a castle of a home, but I have everything I could ever need, so when people ask what I want, I honestly struggle to think of anything.

That's why four years ago, I was actually surprised that my husband got it right without my even telling anyone the one thing I wanted but thought was too expensive to ask for.  Not jewelry, not fur, not even spa treatments (although I wouldn't say no to the last one).  No, after eleven years of marriage, he knew me well enough to know what I go crazy for and sprung for an e-reader.

I realize this is a fairly common gift now, and even at the time, e-readers were already growing in popularity, but the prices were still very high, and I was amazed he'd sprung for such an expensive gift.  I finally understood how other women felt when they opened a little black box and saw the sparkle winking back at them, except my ultimate sparkly wasn't a diamond--it was a way to get instant reading gratification, anonymity, and portability.  I was beyond happy and gushed about it to anyone who would listen.

Sometimes they get it right, and I have to thank my husband for my best Christmas gift ever.

How about you?  What's the best gift you ever received?  Are you easy or difficult to gift?  Leave a comment and your e-mail addy for a chance to win a $10 gift card to the online bookseller of your choice.

Cherie

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All I want for Christmas Giveaway # 3

Welcome to day three of our Christmas Giveaway. Today I'll be talking about Christmas Holidays. Those two words can strike fear into people's heart or warm them to their toes. They bring about memories of spending time with family sharing stories or trudging through airports trying to catch a plane ride home or to visit family, giving us Thanksgiving flashbacks.

Because I live in the Cayman Islands our holidays are always filled with sunshine and our "Christmas weather" is the temperature dropping to the 70's with wonderful cool breezes.

Until last year neither my son nor I had seen snow, so we were excited to visit family in North Carolina. It was in the 50's when we got there which for us was cold, but lovely. On Christmas day we woke up early (my son is seven), and opened presents. Shortly after, it started snowing. We couldn't have planned it more perfectly.

(Had to include this picture of my cutie)

My son rushed outside in a hoody and shorts before I could convince him he needed more clothing. Thankfully five minutes later he ran back inside to put on pants, thicker socks, gloves and a proper jacket. We stayed outside eating the snow that had fallen on the front step staircase and sliding down the driveway in a makeshift sled. By ten o'clock there was eighteen inches of snow and when we drove to town later there were snowmen by every house. It snowed the whole time we were there and my son, husband and I were outside everyday having snowball fights and sledding down the driveway. It was to date the best Christmas vacation we've ever had.

My giveaway today is the famous Cayman Islands Tortuga Rum Cake. For a chance to win this tasty treat tell us about your favorite Christmas vacation and don't forget to leave your email information.

All I Want for Christmas Giveaway #2

Hello everyone and welcome to the next two days of giveaways! Here's what I want to know: What is the worst Christmas gift you've ever received?

As a kid, I remember receiving a brown sweater. What's wrong with that you ask? Well, I didn't want to wear it because it was the color of poo and I was afraid of being teased by the kids at school. As an adult, I think the worst gift I ever received was...SOAP! (I apologize to all those little gymnasts and their parents who thought it was a good gift.) To me, soap is kind of personal, like underwear. You see, I'd never go to Victoria's Secret and purchase undies for a friend because of a thing called PERSONAL PREFERENCE! In my mind, different people like different scents so purchasing soap is kind of a crap shoot. Perhaps to the purchaser of said gift, it doesn't really matter because soap can be relatively inexpensive. But people have different skin sensitivities and some soaps can leave your skin dry and flaky if it's not the right kind for you.

Plus, if you're not purchasing those little $5 gift baskets from your local Wal-mart and going to places like The Body Shop, Lush or Bath and Body Works then you're shelling out big bucks on the hopes they'll like what you pick. I'm guilty of giving soap as a gift too (hangs head), and hoping that the smile the receiver pastes on their face is because they like it and not because it stinks! Because not all citrus scents are zestfully refreshing, some flowers should've stayed in the field, and - WHAT THE HECK IS THAT SMELL?

I really don't mean to complain. A lot of soap is packaged ever so pretty. Some of them are such vibrant colors and interesting shapes. When someone takes the time to at least remember you in a small way, it's a wonderful thing. And I have received some soap I absolutely loved. Any  I didn't like, I let my kids use, or I use it to keep my dresser drawers fresh. (Don't look at me weird - my grandma did that all the time!)

Okay - now it's your turn! What is the worst gift you've ever received? Tell us in a comment below, leave your email addy and you'll win.........not soap. LOL I've got a copy of Bridget Jones' Diary to give away and if you have that, I've got loads of other stuff you can choose from! And while you're here, please follow our blog and you can find us on twitter @AssCheekAngels  :)

Beach Love was our winner from the 1st days of giveaways! Congrats :)

Happy Holidays! Kellie Kamryn

Christmas Carols

Today kicks of the Ass Cheek Angel's All I Want for Christmas Giveaways extravaganza. Every two days will be giving away a small gift and the last few weeks we will have a post for a grand prize. How do you win? It's easy as Christmas pudding. All you have to do is respond to that day's post (along with your e-mail address) to be entered in the drawing. If we randomly select your name as the winner, we will e-mail you get your address so that we can send the prize. So, be sure to check back often throughout the month of December because we have some awesome Angel giveaways headed your way!

Today's topic is Christmas music and the winner will win a Christmas CD, Have Yourself a Merry Little Country Christmas. It has a wide variety of holiday favorites from country singers like Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney and more.

I love Christmas music. Which is a good thing this time of year because it is everywhere. In the grocery stores, malls, restaurants and all over the radio. It's to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas. So, today I am going to list ten of my favorite Christmas songs, both old and new that always get me into the Christmas Spirit.

10. "Christmas is All Around" - Billy Mack (Played by Bill Nighy), I love this song from Love Actually. I get it stuck in my head for days after watching the movie and it is really catchy.

9. "White Christmas" - Bing Crosby. Need I say more. :)

8. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Frank Sinatra or Judy Garland. I love both versions and it is such a great song.

7. "My Only Wish" - Britney Spears - It is just one of those fun songs that I remember from high school and it is so fun and upbeat.

6. "Belleau Wood" - Garth Brooks. This song was not released, but it was on one of his CD Sevens. It is the beautiful story of the Christmas truce during World War I in which both sides sang Silent Night in their own languages together.

5. "Last Christmas" - Taylor Swift. I like the original version too, but I am a Taylor Swift fan so it is a guilty pleasure.

4. "All I Want for Christmas is You" - Mariah Carey, although the little girl in Love Actually rocked it too.

3. "Silver Bells" - Rosemary Clooney & Bing Crosby - it is just such a cute song and always has been one of my favorite Christmas duets.

2. "Silent Night" or "Stille Nacht" - I have no particular version of this song that I like best, but it is one of my favorite hymns. It is beautiful both in its original German and in English.

1. "O Holy Night" - There are also many beautiful versions in of this song and it is definitely my favorite one during the holidays.

Honorable Mention Holiday Song - "The Chanukah Song" Adam Sandler. It is just so funny, I had to put it out there.

It is hard to narrow down the list to 10, but I think I got most of my favorites on there!

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs? Don't forget to include your e-mail address to be eligible for the Christmas CD.