From the Heart...Cheryl St.John

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Victoria Bylin

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:38:00 +0000

My friend Vicki just relocated and got moved into her new house, so I'm thankful she took time to take and send me a photo of her darling tree.

Vicki says: "This has been an exceptional year in so many ways, including how we're doing Christmas. This is the first year we haven't done a fresh-cut tree with 1400 mini-lights and a bazillion ornaments. It was just too much with the move and all, so instead we made a Christmas forest. There are four trees here. The biggest is decorated with 12 or so forest-themed ornaments, including a black bear, a squirrel, a rabbit and a chipmunk or two. The manger scene under the trees has a long family history and is dearly loved."

From Vicki: Kansas Courtship is scheduled for release in March 2010. I loved doing it! My heroine is a lady doctor who travels to High Plains, Kansas in 1858 to serve a tornado-ravaged town. There she meets the man who hired her without knowing her gender. The story is part of a broader series called “After the Storm.” The historical part of the continuity launches in January 2010 with Valerie Hansen’s High Plains Bride. Renee Ryan is doing the second book. Heartland Wedding releases in February 2010. Kansas Courtship is third. I’ve gotten sneak peaks at the books by Val and Renee. This is a powerful series!

Christmas Decorations

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Well, there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations.

The good news is that I truly outdid myself this year. The bad news is that I had to take them down after only two days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories.

But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the ladder and almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). She was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.

I think I made him too real this time . But it was fun while it lasted. ;)

:::JOKE:::

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Lenora Worth

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:22:00 +0000

Here is Lenora Worth's tree in her powder room. How adorable is this?
Thanks, Lenora!

The Perfect Gift
Steeple Hill Love Inspired
October 2009

"Daddy, can we keep her?"

So asks widowed rancher Rory Branagan's six-year-old when they find a pretty stranger sleeping on their sofa. Disoriented after a car accident, Goldie Rios is definitely not staying. It might be Rory's job to rescue wildlife like armadillos and alligators, but damsels in distress are another story. Yet when Goldie's family heirloom locket goes missing, the Branagans spend the holiday season helping her search for it on the farm. And in the process they all find the perfect gift: a family that feels just right.

Order from amazon:

Steeple Hill Love Inspired Authors blog

Great Christrmas Tree Tour: YEE HAW!

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:30:00 +0000

I'm blogging about--what else--Christmas trees over at Petticoats and Pistols today!

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Cheryl's Crocheted Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:07:00 +0000

I've never shown you these before. In my living room, I have an antique bureau with handkerchief drawers. My mother made these crocheted trees for me, and they sit on the drawers, surrounded by tiny packages.

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Charlene Sands

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:15:00 +0000

Here's how Charlene describes her trees:
The Best Fake Tree Ever: It's always perfect and lit! It sits in our Living Room where we open presents on Christmas morning.

A Bit of Nostalgia: This is our "remember when" tree, bringing my hubby and me back to our childhood. It's decorates our TV/family room!

For Texas Cattleman’s Club member Kevin Novak, failure is not an option.

And his about-to-be ex-wife will discover that the hard way!

No one walked away from this Texas mogul…especially not his wife! So when Cara chose to leave rather than play second fiddle to his company, Kevin plotted his revenge. Four years later, she returned, intent on finalizing their divorce. But Cara had no clue that Kevin had constructed the perfect payback plan. It’s a wager she can’t refuse. The divorce would be official...if she agreed to one last week of playing house. And nothing would be off-limits.

Order a copy from amazon

Thanks for sharing your trees, Charlene! Smooches.

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Ginger Simpson

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:32:00 +0000

This is my friend Ginger Simpson's Christmas tree. She decorates an adorable little tree each year, and this one is as cute as ever.

Virginia Collins fears her life is almost over. The one thing that still brings her joy is spending time with her young grandson, Davey. It's Christmas, and despite trying to view the holiday through a child's anxious eyes, Virginia still feels empty, alone and can't find her spirit. So many loved ones have passed, the yuletide is forever changed... until she receives a special Christmas Eve message.

Excerpt:
Tiredness pulled Virginia's mouth into a huge yawn. Tomorrow would be hectic with everyone there, dinner to prepare-a time to give thanks. It would be a good time to let go of her anger at God, if only she could. She had to restore her faith. for Davey's sake. Somehow! With her palms pressed together beneath her chin, Virginia repeated the same prayer she chanted nightly since her mother's death. "Dear Lord, please help me find forgiveness in my heart and to understand why things happen the way they do. I know you have a plan for everything, and I ask you to watch over my little grandson, especially. Keep him safe, and please, please help me to teach him right from wrong. Amen."

Tree in a Teapot

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:32:00 +0000

I always intend to decorate a tree with my teacups. I will do it one of these days.

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Patty

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:05:00 +0000

One of our regulars here, Patty, sent me these photos of her Rudolph Christmas Village. These are just the cutest ever - and I've never seen them before. Thanks so much for sharing!

Remember, you can click on a photo so see it larger.

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Mary D

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:21:00 +0000

Mary says:
"The main tree seems to contain a lot of Husker ornaments - wonder how that happened ;) The rest are mostly ornaments we've collected here and there. Almost all of them have a memory and a story."

"The other tree is in my daughter's room. This tree was the one I bought when she was a toddler so it was short enough to be put on a table, out of reach. Now that she's older we have the larger tree in the living room, so she puts this one up in her room and puts her ornaments on it. She also has the tiny tree which was a project with her Grandma a couple years ago."

I love your daughter's room with those bright pink curtains, Mary! It looks like a perfect room for a princess. Thank you for sharing your Christmas trees with us!

My friend Mary's a great photographer and a helpful geek--er--techie. Visit her blog here: http://marysramble.blogspot.com

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Barbara Phinney

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:08:00 +0000

Barbara says:
"The angel is crooked because our son, the tallest in the family, is out at a meeting, and none of us can effectively fix our poor angel! Still, we're all proud of our tree here, its decorations all have significance to us. Why, we even have a tiny Bible about an inch tall, with real font (totally unreadable to the naked eye)!"

Thank you for participating in this year's Great Christmas Tree Tour, Barbara!

Who killed the bride and groom?
Everyone thinks it was "that troublemaker," Peta Donald. Gossips say she came home to stop the wedding. That jealousy led her to murder.

No one on Northwind Island believes that Peta has changed since her youth. And nothing has changed in town. Peta is still shunned by everyone. Everyone except Lawson Mills, whose appearance on the island is as mysterious as the double murders. Peta is sure he has an ulterior motive for helping clear her name. Full of questions about another set of murders, Lawson is secretive about himself. Until they discover what's behind Peta's deadly homecoming…

Order a copy from amazon

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Gary and Laurie

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:02:00 +0000

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

This tree looks gorgeous, and I wish I could see it in person! Great photo, too. Good job, guys. Thanks for sharing with us for the 2009 Great Christmas Tree Tour.

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Donna K

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:51:00 +0000

Donna K is another of my critique partners. This is her tree and her ceramic tree.

Thanks for sharing trees with us for the tour, Donna!

Great Christmas Tree Tour: *lizzie starr

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:51:00 +0000

*lizzie says:
"This tree is a fun, memory tree this year, with antique ornaments mixed with Disney, dachshund, and some sillies. Unfortunately, some of my sillies are too heavy for this skinny tree. The Santa at the base was my brother's from when he was little. The candle on the mantle was used in a centerpiece at my grandparents for as long as I can remember. In the background are my Grampa's baby dress from 1907, and a painting by Cheeta. Yes, that Cheeta--from the Tarzan movies."

Duty before love. As much as Breanna’s heart protested, Gowthaman would have to wait until she returned with the rescued Alfar-Sindhu prince.

Love before self. Following Breanna into the world between worlds, Gowthaman faces the pains of his past, risks his intellect, his sanity, and his life. For her.

Destiny before all. In the time of the blue Keltic moon.

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Great Christmas Tree Tour: Patty

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:21:00 +0000

Who wants to head over to Patty's for a evening by the fire and a cup of hot chocolate? It looks so cozy and inviting, doesn't it?

Thank you for sharing your tree, Patty!

Dr. Seuss Who-ville Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:58:00 +0000

The 22 inch tall Who-ville ttee is avalable from Urban Outfitters. Cute, huh?

Great Christmas Tree Tour: AusJenny

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:56:00 +0000

Jenny says:We don't really have a theme. I always put it up, and 2 years ago we got a new tree. The top is small ornaments that you cant really see. The bottom is a range of ornaments. A couple of the big balls we have had almost 50 years. Mum and Dad got them when my brother turned one. He's 50 this December.
Also a few of the smaller glass balls, the bird, and a few other glass ones are that old. We have some newer that are around 25 years. They are bells and satin balls.

About 20 years ago Mum got some from the Readers Digest. They are sweet. The cloth balls I made. We have an angel made from a stocking someone gave us, plus some beaded ornaments from a penpal. I have an Operation Santa bear (for the USA troups) from an internet friend, and this year received 3 lovely ornaments one bear and 2 glass bonbon type ornaments. You may just see them at the bottom. Oh and my University of Indiana ball from a online friend too. There are some beaded stars I made last year also. We then add some tinsel and finish with the icicles. I may be alone now, but its not Christmas without the tree. I take a tiny one with me when I go away, which I will be this year. Can't stand having my hotel room not being decorated for Christmas.

Jenny aka Ausjenny

Thank you for sharing your tree with us, Jenny!

Upside Down Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:52:00 +0000

This 7-foot upside-down pre-lit Christmas tree evokes a 12th century Central European tradition of hanging a tree from the ceiling at Christmas, this unique fir is inverted to ensure a smaller footprint for less-spacious areas, and allowing more room for the accumulation of presents underneath. Originally designed for specialty stores to display delicate ornaments using a minimum of floor space, the unusual tapering shape allows the tree to stand in places that do not accommodate a traditional holiday tree.

I have to find the photos that I took in the Amana Colonies, because a Christmas shop there had made their own tree on the ceiling and I was completely enamored and wanted one. I still plan to have one of those someday. But not like this. This is just weird.

It's sold throughHAMMACHER SCHLEMMER, but sorry they are out of stock.

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Barb & Darlene's Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Thanks for sharing your tree, Barb and Darlene!

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Holly Jacobs

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:48:00 +0000

From Holly:
"This isn't our big tree...that's real and comes later. This small one sits in the front window of the house and is decorated with handmade ornaments my dh's dad made us. For me, Christmas doesn't really start until it's up!"

EVERYTHING BUT
A CHRISTMAS EVE
by Holly Jacobs
ISBN 978-0-8034-9984-3
Avalon Books, 12/09

For years, Nana Vancy Bashalde Salo believed that she’d cursed her own family to bad weddings. Now that the curse is broken, she’s bored. Her best friends, the ‘Silver Bells,’ convince her to try her hand at matchmaking. And Nana has just the person in mind, Salo Construction’s new office manager, Eve Allen.

Eve is coming out of a bad relationship and longs for a little quiet and order. That’s definitely not in the cards with Nana Vancy around. And it’s even less possible when Nana tries to hook her up with TC Potter, a boy who broke her heart in kindergarten when he told her there was no Santa, and then broke it again in 9th grade when he stood her up for a dance. Eve’s heart still healing from her last bad relationship, she doesn’t need it broken by TC for a third time.

Freelance writer, TC Potter makes his living by writing articles about Every American Man. His life was pretty much perfect until he was named one of America’s most eligible bachelors last year. He’s spent the last twelve month hiding out from women who’d like to de-bachelor him. Now he’s finally met someone he’d really like to date, but Eve’s not interested. But maybe with a Hungarian grandmother’s help, and a little Christmas magic, he can convince her that they have something too special to ignore?

Rejoin the Salo family in Everything But a Christmas Eve and discover if Nana Vancy really does have some Hungarian magic!

ORDER A COPY FROM AMAZON
Ask your local library to order a copy!

What a deal: One year magazine subscriptions for $5

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:26:00 +0000

There are one year magazines subscriptions available for $5. at amazon.

Need a Christmas gift? Or just treat yourself. I just ordered a few, and there's no gimmick.

Who loves ya, baby?

The Great Christmas Tree Tour: Beer Bottle Tree?

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:02:00 +0000

For all you beer-guzzling, eco-friendly holiday hounds who are trying to save on a tree this year, how about a beer bottle tree? Yeah, uh huh.

Shopping For a Live Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Last year sales for live trees were down 10 percent and articfical tree sales were down 35 percent. Apparently, this year more people are buying trees. Tree farms say there are more new customers and more optimism.

The Omaha World Harald offered this advice for selecting a live tree:

Does using a live tree harm the environment?

The trees in lots are not taken from forests, they come from tree farms, some as far away as Washington and Michigan. They typically are grown on soil not productive enough for food crops. As with other crops, ag chemicals are used to deter pests and disease.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture encourages the purchase of trees from local Christmas tree farms, a practice that would reduce your carbon footprint but may limit selection.

I’ve heard that trees in lots are spray painted. Is this right?

The evergreens at many tree farms are sprayed in late summer with a colorant-sunscreen. This prevents the needles from fading due to the combined effect of declining levels of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plant leaves and needles, and continuing exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This is the “spray painting” some refer to, which a Christmas tree trade organization says is an incorrect description. The colorant, they say, washes off before the tree is harvested.

How old are the trees in my local lot?

Trees typically are cut for a specific retailer, so they normally would be living until shortly before being shipped to the lot. At the start of the season, trees might only be a week or two fresh from the field. Ask your retailer when the trees were shipped.

How can I tell if a tree is fresh?

Bend the needles and a branch — both should be pliable. Lightly grip a branch with one hand and use the other to pull it through your grip. Relatively few green needles should come off — don’t be alarmed by dropping brown needles.

Where are local tree farms?

Obtain a list from your local county extension office.

Why are fir trees more expensive than pines?

Fir trees are slower growing, so farmers have to invest more in them to get them to market. Also, firs have difficulty growing in this region, summers are too hot, soils are too clayey, so they typically are shipped in from significant distances, adding to the cost.

What are the differences between trees?

Generally speaking:

– Pines (Scotch, white, Austrian): Tend to be densely branched; retain needles well; gain symmetrical appearance through pruning; not a lot of aroma; fast-growing, so the most affordable of trees; strength of branches and ability to hold ornaments varies. Scotch pines have strong branches, while white and Austrian pine branches can’t hold as much weight.

– Blue spruce: Relatively stiff branches will support heavy decorations. If tree dries out, needle drop can be a problem. Sharp, stiff needles can be painful.

– Firs (Fraser, Canaan, Concolor, Noble, Douglas): Fragrant, natural symmetry, strong branches, soft foliage, retains needles well.

How much water does a tree need?

A fresh tree may require a gallon a day for the first few days. You must keep it well-watered to keep it from drying out, becoming prickly and dropping needles.

Why so much water?

Evergreens have gone dormant by the time they’re cut for the holidays. Bringing them indoors, where it’s warm, brings them out of hibernation, so they will consume a great deal of water for several days while they re-hydrate. Once they’ve fully resupplied their branches with water, they’ll consume less water.

How do I keep a tree alive the longest?

Before standing it in water, cut off at least one-half inch of the trunk. Make a level cut, not a V or angled one. Trees seal off wounds, so an old cut —- made more than six to eight hours earlier —- already would have begun sealing itself. A fresh, well-watered tree should last until New Year’s, or even longer. Do not, at any point, let the tree dry out. The stand should have a deep basin, and be sure to regularly check the water level.

Sources: Nebraska Forest Service; University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Ohio State University Extension, National Christmas Tree Association, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Sierra Club, local retailers.

Great Christmas Tree Tour: Jina Bacarr

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:57:00 +0000

"My mother passed away a few days before Christmas several years ago. I didn’t have the heart to trim a tree that year. Then I remembered her piano and how important it was to her. Why not decorate the piano instead of a tree? I thought. After all, a piano is made out of wood and that wood was once a tree, so why not a Christmas Piano Tree?

"I decorated that same old, wonderful studio upright with Christmas ornaments that year and have been doing so every Christmas since then as a tribute to my mother.

"I also wrote a one-act play, "The Christmas Piano Tree," based on my tradition about a lonely widow lady who’s forgotten the true meaning of Christmas until a girl with pink hair, a dead cell phone and a big problem helps her re-discover the magic of the holiday season. It was produced at the Malibu Stage Company Theatre in Malibu, CA.

"Here is the link to the video I made with stills of my play, "The Christmas Piano Tree' with my voiceover: http://vimeo.com/2625351 "

The Blonde Samurai
Spring 1873

I arrived in Japan a virgin bride,
Heartsick and anxious beyond measure.
Yet I embraced this perplexing world
With my soul laid bare after uncovering
An erotic, intoxicating power I hardly knew
That I, Katie O'Roarke, possessed.

Japan was a world away from my tedious Western existence, a welcome distraction from my recent marriage to a cold and cruel husband. But when James attacked me in a drunken rage, I could tolerate it no longer… I had no choice but to escape into the surrounding hills. I awoke in the arms of Akira, a young Samurai, and it was he
who took me to Shintaro, the head of the powerful Samurai clan.

At first distrustful, Shintaro came to me every day for a fortnight until my need for him made my heart race at the every sound of his feet upon the wooden floor. He taught me the way of the Samurai--loyalty, honor, self-respect--and the erotic possibilities of inner beauty unleashed.

It is his touch that shatters my virginal reserve, evoking danger and physical pleasures that linger beyond our fervent encounters. But James means to find me, to make me pay for his humiliation. I can no longer hide amongst the orange blossoms as rebellions rage, and as my own secret continues to grow…

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Great Christmas Tree Tour: Margaret Moore

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl St.John) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:31:00 +0000

No, it's not a tree. Margaret is currently swamped with moving things - furniture in - furniture out - but she found time to do a little Christmas decorating. Her kitty, The Count, is not impressed with her efforts. But we like the snowmen, Margaret. Thanks for sharing a holiday moment.

The beauty...and the beast

Lady Roslynn knows not what to expect of her future husband, the infamous "Bear of Brecon." Offered in marriage to the powerful Welsh lord by the king, Roslynn fears the worst. She has no right to hope for a love match, but in her heart the lady dreams of a home and family of her very own....

One look at Lord Madoc of Llanpowell makes her blood run hot. The rugged warrior proves a passionate lover and attentive husband -- but too soon turns cold and aloof. And when secrets from Madoc's past threaten to take him away from his bride, Roslynn knows their future together is at stake. Can she uncover the truth beneath her warlord's armor and lay siege to his heart?

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