Christmas/Holiday Traditions Around the World!

Fun things about Christmas/Holiday traditions. Take for instance, the Land Down Under, because, well, someday I want to visit there, just probably not at Christmas. The English and Irish predominately settled Australia so it stands to reason their traditions reflect those countries. Here’s a few of of their Christmas Traditions.
Christmas Bell FlowerAussie’s decorate their homes with ferns, palm leaves and evergreens along with Cockatoo Christmas bushblooming flowers of Christmas Bush and Christmas Bell Flower. It’s summer time in December down under, when most of the United States is looking forward to big flakes and blankets of snow for a white Christmas.
Carols by Candlelight is one of the popular events in Australia. People come together under the stars at night to light candles and sing Christmas carols. Seems to me, it’s not far from our own tradition of Christmas carolers. I just can’t imagine Christmas/holiday without snow, that’s why I live in Colorado. Hehe!
christmas-dinner-1 AussieChristmas rooChristmas Day is when families and close friends gather from all over Australia for a holiday midday dinner. Some enjoy a traditional British Christmas dinner of roast turkey or ham and rich plum pudding doused in brandy and set on fire before it is brought to the table. Other families head for the backyard barbie to grill their Christmas dinner, maybe shrimp, in the sunshine or go to the beach and enjoy a picnic of cold turkey or ham and a salad. To the delight of children,  Father Christmas  in shorts may appear to greet children at the beach on Christmas/holiday! If you can’t have snow, that’s the way to celebrate Christmas.

Because I am of Swedish descent, let’s take a peek at Christmas Traditions in Sweden where in December the days are quite short, the nights long and the ground is usually snow covered. The Christmas/holiday season begins at church on the first Sunday of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Children use an Advent calendar to keep track of the first day of December until Christmas, just like some of ours do. Each morning, they open a flap in the calendar’s Christmas scene to see the charming picture behind it. This year, I have a Victorian Advent calendar on my computer and enjoy a surprise behind each door daily.
Christmas princessThe festivities in Sweden really begin with St. Lucia’s Day, December 13th, a swed treecelebration of the patron saint of light. A Christmas market held in the old medieval section of Stockholm is where you can find handmade toys, ornaments, and candy. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Some people write a special verse to accompany the gift and even seal the package with colorful sealing wax. I have enough trouble with scotch tape and wrapping paper, I can’t imagine what would happen with hot sealing wax. Not a pretty sight, I’m sure. A Christmas tree is selected by the whole family just a day or two before Christmas and decorated, while the delightful aroma of gingerbread cookies in the shape of hearts, stars, or other festive shapes waft through to house. Christmas Christmas-TableEve is when the main feast is eaten. Presents might be brought by Santa knom(Jultomten) or  by gnomes/elves  named Tomte or Nissar. Many families set out a sheaf of grain on a pole for hungry birds. My hubby and I always put out special treats for the wild birds in our Aspen grove on Christmas.

christmas treeAs for my family, we put up the tree, Christmas decorations inside and out, the weekend after Thanksgiving. Or try to. No it’s not a real tree, only because I’m allergic. <sigh> We watch Christmas movies throughout December and make candy such as Divinity, Fantasy Fudge and Beaver Dams. What are beaver damsBeaver Dams, you ask. Well, take a package of butterscotch chips, melt them in a double boiler, stir in half-package of crispy Chow Mein Noodles and one half can of cocktail peanuts. Spoon the concoction onto foil in small mounds and let set. They look like beaver dams hence the name. YUMMY.

This year I’m going, to once again, try my hand at gingerbread cookies. Its become a Christmas Tradition of sorts, an make my family cringe. Why you ask?  I haven’t had a lot of luck in previous years getting a good tasting cookie. But last year, thanks to a great recipe, not only did they turn out, but it’s become a beloved tradition now. Goes great with hot chocolate and marshmallows. LOL

 

Speaking of things that go good with hot chocolate. A heartwarming holiday tale, fits the bill!  I’ve got just the one for you AND it’s on sale #99cents. A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING. A small town paranormal romance/mystery paired with hope of wildlife rescue, second chances, the magic of family & friends make this a must read.  Check out my other paranormal romance/mysteries here!

Next week My Favorite Things About Christmas. What Christmas or holiday traditions do and your family observe during the month of December? I look forward to hearing from you. I’d love for you to tell me about your traditions in the comments! 

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A Witch’s Holiday Wedding #99cents #MFRWHooks

Happy Holidays! #MFRWHooks presents a heartwarming Holiday tale. A Witch’s Holiday Wedding. AND THE E-BOOK IS ON SALE FOR 99 CENTS! WooHoo! You’re not going be believe what happens during the holidays in Lobster Cove in A Witch’s Holiday Wedding, my paranormal romance/mystery.  Also available on audiobook!

A small town paranormal romance/mystery. Torn in too many directions, with a covert military mission thrown in, will Pepper and Lathen make it to the alter?   Join the #fantasy#adventure, download a copy today! 

 

#MFRWHooks, wildlifePull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler. Take your choice of a Chocolate Chip or Pumpkin, or Peanut Butter cookies from the plate, and let’s find out a little about A Witch’s Holiday Wedding.  part of A Witch Journey and Lobster Cove Series. All books can be read as stand alone.  Go ahead you know you want to grab a copy and join the #magical #fantasy, #adventure today! You’ll be so glad you did.

What is A Witch’s Holiday Wedding all about?

Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.

When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?

Sneak peek between the pages of A Witch’s Holiday Wedding: 

After she set her glass down, Lathen brushed a couple strands of hair out of her eyes and searched her face. “Are you all right?”

“I’m tired, my wedding is in a couple weeks, I have ghosts fighting over who is going to do what. Guests that have no idea the place is haunted and… Your family and pack, my parents, Gwen… To top it all off, the head of my clan, who is a ghost, is sitting in front of me wanting to know who is coming to the wedding and whether the ghosts will be outed. How could I possibly be all right?”

“When you put it that way.” Lathen chuckled. “It sounds just a bit… I don’t know…crazy?” His right eyebrow winged up. She saw mischief sparkle in his eyes. “We could still elope,” he offered.

“No sir. Not after all the trouble—Not on me watch.” Ghost Aidan shook his head so vehemently his upper torso blurred.

Available from: Available atAmazonKobo, Barnes & Noble, audible, and other online retailers!

Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click  here.

This is a blog hop! Visit all the Book Hooks from #MFRWHooks – Your next GREAT read is waiting!

Thanks for stopping in for #MFRWHooks.

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All Hallows Eve Spirit Search and Halloween Safety for Pets!

All Hallows Eve (Halloween) only eight days left!  Can you believe it? Toil and Trouble continue their search for the Halloween Spirit. This week, you won’t believe what they found. LOL! But Toil and Trouble’s quest for the Halloween Spirit continues. Do you decorate for Halloween? What do you do? Do you dress up your pets for Halloween? Do they hate it or enjoy the fuss you make over them when they’re dressed up? Let me know in the comments.  I’d love to hear your experiences!

Well, October is here with cooler days, chilly nights and snow on Pikes Peak.  Yippee! As we continue the annual All Hallows Eve (Halloween) countdown, the aspens have turned to gold and the Colorado high county received its first snow.   Toil (Unicorn) and Trouble (dragon)  are hard at work in search of the All Hallows Eve Spirit. This week they discovered pumpkins and ghosts who’s seen the Spirit. Talking with each ghost behind dead trees and carved jack-o-lanterns Toil and Trouble determined they were really close this week and called Dave told him.

Their friend, Dave (Skeleton), from Texas (thank you Jessica)  after a days search for the Halloween Spirit, after calling in friends to help in a long day of searching, Dave, Mort, Buster and little one took a much needed rest enjoying the beautiful October weather. Though the wrong dates continue on his pictures. Eight days Dave and Jessica!

Each week, on Friday, there will be new pictures of where Toil and Trouble are searching and how Dave is helping.  As the month of  October draws to an end, will their search been successful? Check back each week to find out  This week Toil, Trouble and Dave will help me list Spooktacular tips to keep your pets safe on All Hallows Eve.  Do you suffer from Samhainopobia? Its the fear of Halloween. LOL I sure don’t. !

Only eight days days until All Hallows Eve! Where is the Halloween Spirit? Bwwwaaaaaaaaaa!!!! 

Spooktacular Tips for Pet Safety on All Hallows Eve!

  1. Treats – Chocolate is poisonous to both cats, dogs and parrots. The darker it is the more toxic is its. One ounce of dark chocolate can poison a 50-pound dog. Keep these treats out of your pets’ reach. Make sure everyone in your household understands, especially children, how crucial it is that human treats not be given to pets.
  2.  Alarming sounds and sights – The constant doorbell, ringing, unfamiliar guest and little monsters running around is a recipe for disaster for your pets. They could try to escape or display unexpected aggression.  Keep your pet sequestered in a section of the home where they can avoid this anxiety-causing activities. Provide food, favorite toys and check on them often.
  3. Don’t leave pets outside! Pets have been know to be abused or killed on Halloween night by cruel people. I owned a black cat for twenty-two years, he was the best cat ever. But we made sure to keep him inside several days before Halloween and several days after.
  4. Never take your dog trick or treating for all of the above reasons. Dogs can easily be spooked by all the Halloween hubbub. If they run away or bite someone it will end your evening of fun.
  5. Dangerous Decorations – Electrical cords and batteries used to operate the exciting Halloween decorations can be hazardous to your pets. Chewing on cords can cause electrocution, chewing on batteries  can cause chemical burns, if swallowed can cause intestinal blockage. Artificial cobwebs look cool as heck, but they can also present a choking or entanglement hazard to curious pets.
  6. Nightmarish Pet Costumes – Most pets are happiest in the skin they were born in. LOL Yet
    pet owners will dress their fur, scaled, or feathered babies up for Halloween. Don’t put your pet in a costume unless they are completely comfortable with it.  I admit I dress up my dog and parrot for Halloween. I choose costumes they’re comfortable in, do not hinder movement, sight, hearing or ability to breathe, bark, scream, or meow.  Yep, my bird meows.
  7. Eerie Glow Items – Glow necklaces and Glow sticks can help keep people safe on Halloween, but pets not so much.  They can cause gastrointestinal distress and chewed fragments can pose a choking hazard.
  8. One last thought – Opening the door repeatedly for trick-or-treaters creates the possibility of pets to slip outside. Collars and tags work if someone locates and collects your wayward pet. Make sure the information on the tags is up-to-date. Microchips offer permanent identification. Just make sure your information is correct with the company who supports your pet microchips.

Plus a Halloween themed book from my collection will be featured each week:  You do know I write paranormal romance/mystery. Right? This week, we are talking about Witches!  What’s Halloween without witches, spells and curses and things that go bump in the night? A Witch’s Journey.  So hurry grab your copy and join the #magical #fantasy #MYSTERY #adventure! You won’t believe what happens at their Halloween Festival.

All Hallows Eve, Halloween, SamhainA little about A Witch’s Journey:

Pepper McKay comes from a long line of powerful witches. Unfortunately, magic brings her nothing but trouble. She learned the love of wildlife rescue and rehab from her Aunt Ashling. After graduating from college, Pepper works for Salem Wildlife Sanctuary and lives from paycheck to paycheck until she inherits the McKay property in Lobster Cove. With the family land and resources, she dares to dream of starting her own wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center.

Lathen Quartz, a former Navy SEAL turned handyman maintains the enchanted McKay property for the McKay estate. But someone is trying to steal the McKay magic. Lathen offers to help Pepper achieve her life-long dream of building a wildlife center. During the long hours spent together on the project, their mutual attraction can’t be denied. But each harbors a deep, dark secret. Will they overcome their demons and give love a chance?

A peek at the All Hallows Eve prep in A Witch’s Journey:

Lathen put his hand on her shoulder. “Where’d you go? Been sitting there, knife extended above the pumpkin, for fifteen minutes. Are you going to carve it or just threaten it?” He guffawed and wrapped his large callused hand around hers holding the knife, brought it to the pumpkin, and made carving motions, then tried to hand her an erasable marker. “Try using this first.”

She pushed his hand away and frowned at him. “Oh, stop it. I was thinking about this evening after the celebration. I don’t want anything to go wrong.”

“It won’t. We have a solid plan and several powerful witches to bring it to fruition. So relax and enjoy the festivities of your favorite holiday. But the decorations will be lacking if you don’t get to carving. We need twenty-five jack-o-lanterns, by your own count, for the gazebo and surrounding area tables in the town square. I have the candles and holders for each right here.” As he swung the bag in front of Pepper, the tinkling sound of glass clinking together had her frowning.

 

Hope you enjoy Toil and Trouble’s search and  Spooktacular Tips for Pet Safety on Halloween , along with a snippet of my book A Witch’s Journey. Happy Halloween.  We are nearly down to the wire, check back next week and see what Toil and Trouble have discovered as well as the haunting of Cripple Creek, Colorado!

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Scarlet at Crystal River by Randy Overbeck

Give a warm welcome to Randy Overbeck, author of The Haunted Shores Mysteries. His newest, Scarlet at Crystal River releases on September  13, 2021.  Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Randy and Scarlet at Crystal River. 

Randy tell us a little about Scarlett at Crystal River

All Darrell Henshaw wanted was to enjoy his honeymoon with his beautiful wife, Erin, in the charming town of Crystal River on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida. Only a pair of ghosts decide to intrude on their celebration. And not just any ghosts, the spirits of two young Latino children. Unwilling at first to derail the honeymoon for yet another ghost hunt, Darrell finally concedes when a painting of the kids comes alive, weeping and pleading for his help.

When he and Erin track down the artist, they discover the children’s family were migrant workers the next county over. But when they travel there, their questions about the kids gets their car shot up and Erin hospitalized. Torn between fear and rage, Darrell must decide how far he will go to get justice for two young children he never even knew.

Purchase Links

Amazon, Barnes and Noble

 

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

★★★★★ “Blood on the Chesapeake has something for everyone: mystery, romance, paranormal, history…it transported me to the locations where the main characters became my friends as I travelled their journey with them.”—Another Amazon reviewer

I loved everything about this book. As a ghost story combined with a mystery, a romance, a social injustice and stunning historical details, Crimson at Cape May has something for everyone.★★★★★ReadersView

Scarlet at Crystal River is a suspenseful paranormal novel with compelling characters and an enigmatic mystery that drives the story to a riveting conclusion.” ★★★★★—Literary Titan

I know you can’t please everyone, but my new series, the Haunted Shores Mysteries, has something to offer pretty much every reader.

Do you like a good mystery?

Do you enjoy a little romance with your story?

How about a little eerie in the tale?

Do you pick up books that whisk you off to beautiful locations?

(Insert pic of beach)

Are you drawn to stories with compelling characters?

Are you happy when you finish a book you feel like you’ve learned something new?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you’re probably going to enjoy the books in my series, #1 BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE (2019) #2 CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY (2020) and #3 SCARLET AT CRYSTAL RIVER (2021).

But don’t take my word for it. (insert Goodreads graphic) Readers on both Amazon and Goodreads have raved about the novels, rating them all high, 4.5 average. You can check out their comments for yourself but here is a small sample:

  • “a vacation to a beautiful seashore”
  • “a book I could not put down”
  • “a ghost/mystery filled with suspense and action”
  • “Overbeck is mystery master”
  • “Thrilling! Haunting! Convincing!”
  • “a great romance story weaved into it”
  • “the story has elements of humor, friendship, suspense, romance and heartbreak”
  • “each character, carefully drawn and compelling in the many layers, draws the reader in and refuses to let go”

And the  critics agree. The novels have earned more than a dozen five star reviews from national and international reviewers. (Insert 5 star graphic)  Also, all three novels have won national awards including the Gold Award—Literary Titan, Silver Award for Mystery of the Year—ReaderViews, Crowned Heart of Excellence—InD’Tale magazine.

Oh and did I mention the first entry, BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE became a #1 best seller on Amazon and B & N this summer! (Insert BLOOD cover bestseller)

Check out for yourself what all the readers are talking about.

About the Author:

Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he served children for four decades in a range of roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent. His thriller, Leave No Child Behind (2012) and his recent mysteries, the Amazon No. 1 Best Seller, Blood on the Chesapeake, Crimson at Cape May and Scarlet at Crystal River have earned five star reviews and garnered national awards including “Thriller of the Year–ReadersFavorite.com, “Gold Award”—Literary Titan, “Mystery of the Year”—ReadersView.com and “Crowned Heart of Excellence”—InD’Tale Magazine. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentation, “Things Still Go Bump in the Night,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.

Social Media Connections;

https://twitter.com/OverbeckRandy/media

https://www.facebook.com/authorrandyoverbeck

https://www.instagram.com/authorrandyoverbeck/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-KOC0LH2GQRSAjwxOFr5rg

Tik Tok @authorrandyo

It’s been great having you with us today.  Good luck with Scarlet at Crystal River. 

 

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