Cold Greetings from Ruth Logan Herne!!

Well folks, how about it? You up for another day of festivities? We're on Day 8 of this endeavor and so far I think it's going well, what about you?

Anyway, today is very special. Not to say our other days haven't been good, boy have they been good! But today we have our first author joining us. You know her, love her, and just want to give her a big ol' hug!! It's Ruth Logan Herne visiting us today!!! *the crowd goes wild*


Yes, she is sticking around to answer a few questions. So here it is, Ruthy Revealed ; )

H: Ruthy! I am so glad that you are finally on my blog! It seems like a long time coming, which has finally....well...come! Lol...so tell me what is your favorite part(s) of the Christmas season?

R: I love the lights. I was a poor little girl in a dark house, and Christmas lights and candles have always been special to me.
I’m drawn to the light and just love how Christmas lights brighten dark, rainy or snowy streets in December.

But I love the music too, and both are a huge part of me, so I can’t pick between them. I love Advent hymns of waiting and watching, they’re so prayerful and warm. But I love upbeat carols too, and TRANSIBERIAN ORCHESTRA!!! Love them!

H: I just listened to Carol of the Bells by them and it's fantastic!! Great choice : ) What are some of your traditions? (i.e. food, gift giving, family traditions, etc)?

R: The kids are grown now so we collectively pool money and adopt a family from the Salvation Army. We don’t need more things, and so many go without that it’s silly to go crazy with gifts for each other, you know? But we still make sure the grandkids get cool presents from Grammy and Grandpa because they’re part of our heart…

H: That's great of your family to do, Ruthy. We "adopt" local children through our church. They're all different ages and we get clothes, toys, etc for them. Also our high school works with The Upper Valley Haven. We always donate towards that also. Do you have a favorite Christmas themed book/recommendation? Movie?

R: .
Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life. LOVE IT! And Anne Tyler’s Saint Maybe. Great inspiration about atonement
Book: The Crippled Lamb and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. When I read that to little ones, I know I used to be one of those Herdmans, just wanting to be clean. Wanting to belong. Love that story.

H: Oh Ruthy, The Crippled Lamb is what KC said was her favorite book too!! It's a small world, eh? I just dug out our copy yesterday, will read it this weekend! How have your Christmas traditions changed since you were a kid now that you have a _________ (family, at college, etc)?

R: My traditions are all new ones except that I’ve been doing them for 35 years, so they’re not so new, LOL! We love going to Midnight Mass now that the kids are grown, but with grandchildren now there’s only a couple of kids that can go along. Babies have to be zonked and doing that whole visions of sugarplums thing, you know?


Food. Lots of food. My husband’s family spends Christmas Eve with us, we spend Christmas day with our kids/grandkids and friends and then we have a mid-December Christmas party for my family at my niece’s house.
And yet more food. ;)
We read Luke’s gospel telling of the first Christmas at my family party, a tradition my mother began in her later years. Very nice memories go with that!
I love lights and kindergarten ornaments. They’re the best.

H: We don't have a Midnight Mass here, but even if we did, we probably wouldn't go to it because we get up so early (see yesterday's post to know what I mean!) on Christmas!! LOL! Food is always good, no harm there! 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?

R: The crèche/manger scene. Love it.


H: Again, great choice! Stay tuned and later on I'll be posting our many nativity scenes we have around here : ) What did you ask Santa for this year? *wink*

R: I’m such a boring mother now! I just want to see my kids and grandkids. Everything else is ordinary compared to that.

H: Not boring at all! It just proves that you're an exceptional mother and grammy, Ruthy!

These are some bests. Just fill them in with your favorite/the best.
Christmas present as a child? Tearie Dearie. Great doll!
Favorite Christmas? No faves, are ya’ kiddin’ me? Each one’s better than the last….
Christmas song? “What Child is This/Child of the Poor” medley.
Place to spend Christmas day? At home, with family, feeding everyone even though I’m not Italian!
Christmas food? Pie. Cannolis. Shrimp. Tiramisu. Quesadillas.

Ruthy, thank you SO much for taking the time out of your busy, busy writing schedule, not to mention keeping up with that family of yours!
We all love you Ruthy and your books are excellent!!! Please everyone, especially if you're not familiar with Ruthy's books, visit her at her website. She LOVES hearing from her readers : )

Today there is a giveaway!! We will be giving away one copy of Winter's End by Ruth Logan Herne! I know it's not quite the end of winter yet, but ah well!! LOL! We want to know what your favorite part about winter is? Also be sure to leave your email, without these two parts, you will not be eligible for the drawing.

Okay onto the Mystery Song of the Day!!! Hint: This song is incredibly sad. There is a book and movie that stemmed from the song alone (I think that was the order). Hope you enjoy it!

That's all for another day, friends! Tomorrow you're all in for a treat when our favorite redhead stops in for a bit ; ) Can you guess who it is!?
It's getting closer!
Hannah