Christmas Stories from the ER with Candace Calvert!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! One week from now will be Christmas Eve and you will all have far better things to be doing than reading my blog, as I would want you to : )

Today I am so happy to bring another favorite author to you! It's the super fun Candace Calvert!! She was nice enough to stop by for a bit to share some of her special Christmas memories with us.



H: Welcome, Candace! I know you stop by sometimes when you have time, so it's cool to finally be "spotlighting" you! Are you a big celebrator of Christmas?

C: Yes, though I don’t go as hog-wild as I did in the past: I once created an entire hospital emergency department out of gingerbread. Complete with gingerbread men and women in “scrubs,” and a Santa Claus “overdosed” on cookies and milk.

H: What an image that puts in my head! SO cool!!! What is your favorite part(s) of the Christmas season?

C: This question is as hard as choosing the single best chocolate cream from a 2 pound box!
So I’ll have to say that I love the whole wondrous mix of the Christmas season: the celebration of Christ’s birth of course, but also the lights, music, ribbons, scents of pine, peppermint and gingerbread . . . and especially the excitement on children’s faces.

H: Completely agree. It definitely just wouldn't be Christmas without any one part of these. What are some of your traditions? (i.e. food, gift giving, family traditions, etc)?

C: When my children were young, attending the Nutcracker Ballet was a favorite Christmas tradition. I remember my son’s first time-- hair-slicked down, dress clothes tidy, barely able to see over the seats in front of us. He was wide-eyed at the music, lights and glittery stage props. Then, maybe 30 minutes into the ballet, he finally whispered: “Mom . . . when are they going to start talking?”

H: That is too cute, Candace!! We used to go see the Nutcracker every year, I wish we could go again : ) Whenever I see these dancers, I can't help but question how I thought I was ever going to become a ballerina....I made it through one class! LOL! If you had to pick one “symbol” of Christmas (i.e. ornaments, the tree, the lights, the nativity set, etc.), what would you pick as your favorite?


C: My mother gave me a lovely Italian nativity set, and it’s the first thing I display every year. I think of her when I do that—and of how my daughter used to call it the “activity set” when she was little. This year I had the joy of showing it to our 18 month old grand daughter for the first time.

H: That's so beautiful, how lucky for you to have it. Congratulations on your granddaughter, even though she's not so new anymore! What did you ask Santa for this year? *wink*

C: “Santa” is always too generous . . . year round. I’m more than blessed. We’ve recently moved back to northern California, and this will be our first Christmas here.
Those folks who follow me on Twitter and Facebook know that I’m a passionate cook, and I’m still pinching myself over the kitchen in our new home. My guess is that “Santa” may indulge me with something culinary-related. A win-win, since we all know that “jolly old elf” loves to eat!

H: Hahahaha!! I love this Candace and I bet you're a great cook too! What was one gift that you always wanted, but never got?

C: Cliché as it sounds, I always wanted a pony. Hoped beyond reason to find one waiting under (or munching on) the Christmas tree . . . every year. I finally got a horse when I was 38 years old. And I still love them, as evidenced by the important role a horse plays in my newest medical drama, Code Triage.



H: Okay since you mentioend your book, I HAD to show readers this picture you sent me! It's sooooo funny! And the caption read that this is "McSnarly McGrinch" LOL!

These are some bests. Just fill them in with your favorite/the best.

Favorite Christmas?Oh, that’s too hard! “First” Christmases, I suppose: first-love Christmas, first married Christmas, first Christmas in a first home, first Christmas with each baby , grandbaby . . . and this one, the first Christmas back home in California.

Christmas song?I love the old romantic ones, like: “Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas,” A Marshmallow World,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” And traditional ones like “Angels We Have Heard on High”, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Joy to the World”—and “Silent Night,” of course.

Character in the Christmas Story (maybe you played them in a church pageant one year? Lol!)?
I didn’t get to play a character in the Christmas Story, but I sang in the choir. And, since I CANNOT sing (ask anyone who sits near me at church), my part amounted to saying “Prum, Prum, Prum” as a background chorus in “The Little Drummer Boy.” And I once played a Candy Cane—because I was taller than most kids, not because of talent.

Place to spend Christmas day?
Crazy as it may sound; I liked working the PM shift in the ER on Christmas. I’d wear my green scrubs with a bright holiday vest and candy cane socks. People don’t come to the hospital on Christmas unless they are really injured or ill, so it felt good (in the true spirit of giving) to be there for them on that day.

Christmas food?
Gingerbread, absolutely. Even better if it’s the wall of a “house,” scalloped with white royal frosting, cinnamon imperials and gumdrops. That’s the best kind of demolition—ask my kids!


Thank you for hosting me here. I wish you and all your readers an abundance of Christmas blessings.
Candace

Thank you, Candace! This has been so much fun! I think it is absolutely selfless how you would love to be in the ER on Christmas. I know someone has to do it, but not everyone would want to. You, however, have learned to embrace what you have and for that we thank you for all you do! I think I speak collectively for all the readers when I say that we do hope you continue to write though, also!!

I am so sorry for the lack of post yesterday. I was heading to make a post of all things Christmas here, lol, but my camera won't load the pictures. I'm still working on it because I'd love for you to see!! Coming up we've still got a couple giveaways, a special story sent to me from Cindy Woodsmall, and some of my very favorite blogger buddie's interviews!!! So be sure to stay tuned, just because we're getting close doesn't mean it's over!!

Okay, I've got two songs for you again today and yes it's our first official David Archuleta day! LOL! Some of you pointed out that I put up a lot of David's songs. Yes, I do, but they're good, right!? I've had some diversity too : ) But today, since it's Friday and we all need some good music to start our weekend, it's David again lol! Here's Song Number One and Song Number Two. #1 was sung at the concert we were at in Boston last year!! He was fabulous, wish we could do it all over again. Alicia and I stood on the floor and were right near the front! Song #2 is just a festive Christmas song for ya : ) It was also the first song I played in my first Christmas recital as a kid. Obviously my arrangement was different on the piano, but still lol!

Okay, off to do some Christmas stuff! Wishing you a great Friday!!
Hannah