Have a Holly Jolly Christmas with Surprise Guest!

Ho ho ho! Though I am in the middle of working on a research paper, I'm hoping I can find this to be a relaxing time for my possible all-nighter lol : ) Hope this week is finding all of you much LESS stressed than me!

What a joy it has been to know this mystery guest in person for.....actually, I've lost count how long now! Can you remember when we met? Anyway, not only a brilliant author, but mother, wife, avid church-goer of course! She has many roles and I know I haven't even begun to touch upon them. I am sure many of you know her, possibly (hopefully!!) have even read her books too : ) Everyone please help me give a second warm welcome to Missy Tippens!!

Hannah: WELCOME Missy! Or should I say welcome back? I'm thrilled that you agreed to join us all here again this year : ) To refresh everyone's mind, HERE'S the link from last year's visit. We sure know how to have fun, eh? Lol! Anyway, let's get to it, shall we? When does the Christmas season officially start in your household? What is the first thing done that marks the start (i.e. putting up Christmas tree, baking first gingerbread men, etc)?

Missy: We don’t start doing anything until after Thanksgiving. Usually, the first thing is the kickoff of Advent at a church service. Then we go pick out a gorgeous, live tree (Fraser Fir). It always smells so good!

H: Mmmmmmmm, they so do! And Advent : ) I'm a lil worried I won't be there for much of it this year, even though it's my favorite time of the year in the church :( My supervisor works me every Sunday morning, usually at 8, 9, or 10 all of which would mean me missing the service entirely, right before it starts, or right after it started. So my sister and I miss church every week now (we work at the same place). It stinks for sure. So enjoy it for me too : ) Why is it special for you to have written a Christmas novel?

M: I had a Christmas book, A Forever Christmas, out in 2009. I loved writing that story because of the two little boys in the book. It was so fun having them ask Santa for a mom for Christmas. :)

H: They were adorable, Missy! Enough to break your heart lol, I could just picture them. Again, great job with that book! Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

M: My favorite character in my upcoming book (A House Full of Hope, coming in February) is my heroine’s son, Tony. He’s lost his dad and is having a hard time. But he begins to bond with the hero and come out of shell. I cried for him as I wrote some of his lines!

H: WOW! Must be awesome! Can't wait for it to come out ^_^ You're on my must read automatically list lol. I recommend everyone else do so as well ; ) In a Christmas fantasy land – who would be the famous figures, past and/or present, at your dinner table and why?

M: You know, I never can think of someone famous to have a talk with or to have a meal with. I would just wish for all my family and my husband’s family to have a meal together (which we’ve never been able to do because we’re spread out from Georgia to Kentucky to California.)

H: I absolutely love that answer. I never expected anyone to answer with that, but it's so genuine. I can't imagine because since my parents are divorced all my mom's family (who we celebrate holidays with) lives in town. So it's never been an issue until now when my cousin goes to his fiancee's parents house and my other cousin and her new hubby have to work on Christmas. I wish I could make that happen for you! Ah, the age old question....what did you ask Santa for Christmas this year? *wink*

M: A Coach handbag! Maybe you can put in a good word for me, okay? :)

H: I sure will try! That'd be amazing :O And I'd be sufficiently jealous :P What have been the highlights throughout 2011 for you?

(At RWA after a night of dancing with fellow Seekers: Janet Dean and Debby Guisti!)

M: RWA conference in New York. I took my husband with me for the first time ever because our 25^th anniversary fell during conference. So that 25^th anniversary is a highlight as well! Spending it together in NYC was icing on the cake.

H: I LOVE that picture of you ladies!! Must've had aching feet though ; ) And what a great present for your hubby and experience for you both! New York City can certainly be....enchanting. Do you have any New Years resolutions for the upcoming 2012?

M: To write faster and better.

To step out of my comfort zone.

H: Hey, those are good ones! May God grant you the strength to complete both of them : ) These are some “short answer” questions. You can answer them in as few words as possible – even simply one word.

Favorite Christmas book read this year? Movie seen?

I haven’t read or seen one yet! But Ruthy’s Yuletide Hearts and Mary’s A Home for Christmas are calling my name.

Last Christmas song you heard?

Angels We Have Heard on High

Favorite food to make or eat during the season?

Monkey bread. :) (MAJOR props for answering with this! LOL loooooooooove monkey bread!!)

Briefly describe your favorite ornament.

I love all the ones my children have made through the years. Some are from preschool!

Anything else you would like to say? J

Thanks for having me, Hannah! I hope you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas season!

Thank YOU so much, Missy! Such a busy time of the year and you took time out for me : ) It's been great fun again this year! Wanna make it three? ; ) Anyway, don't mean to cut this short, but gotta post our song and get back to my paper!

Be sure to check out Missy at her website, blog, Facebook reader's page, and Twitter (@MissyTippens). Her books are sold....well....at all the normal places :P

I think THIS is a perfectly appropriate song for today and hopefully a good way to start your week :D

Thanks for joining, see you all tomorrow! Right? Hope so! Back to writing I go!
Hannah