Fast and Easy Christmas Stockings

I decorate for the holidays in drips and drabs, starting with wreaths and setting out little touches as Thanksgiving approaches. Every year I add at least one craft item.

Our old Christmas Stockings were getting worn, so I bought some new ones on sale, but when I hung them up, I realized I hadn’t gotten one for my dog. If you have a fur baby who’s a member of the family, you understand this.

Since the big stockings were knitted, I decided to knit Buffy a small one. Trouble is, I never learned how to turn a heel. Or is it called setting a heel? My knitting skills are limited. So, I turned to crochet and used a technique that doesn’t require shaping at all for either knitting or crochet. And the added thickness inside helps hold the stocking in shape.

For this project, you need yarn in two colors. (I used red and white.) A pattern cut in the shape of the stocking. I winged it, but children’s coloring books have lots of stocking shapes. You’ll also need a yarn needle and knitting needles or crochet hook G or J.

All you have to do is either knit or crochet 2 rectangular swatches in one color, big enough to cover your pattern from the lower right to the upper left. And 2 triangular swatches in the opposite color, big enough to cover the heel and toe area. (To knit the triangles, cast on 2 stitches and increase at each end, repeating until the triangle is big enough.) (To crochet the triangles, chain 2 and increase by 2sc at each end, repeating until the triangle is big enough.) Finally, knit in ribbing or crochet in sc rows a strip about 5 inches wide and long enough to go around the top of the stocking.

With all pieces complete, lay one of the rectangles on a flat surface, position the triangles in the appropriate places on top and lay the other rectangle over all. Now, position the pattern over your work, making sure the toe is hanging lower than the heel. Pin in place and sew all around the pattern, through all layers. Turn the stocking inside out. Whip stitch the heel and toe in place and sew the cuff strip to the top opening. Fold over the cuff and add a loop at the top with ribbon or crocheted string.

I’m going to add Buffy’s initial if I can find some black felt.

Now, the mantel is complete.

Even if you don’t knit or crochet, if you have a stocking pattern, you can sew anything together to create a festive stocking.

What was the best gift you ever found in your stocking on Christmas morning? Buffy will be excited to find a bone. But what is the perfect gift for a stocking?

Comment today or anytime before November 27 for a chance to win a copy of my Christmas novella, The Perfect Gift, either ebook copy or print. Incidentally, the perfect gift my heroine searched for would fit in Buffy’s little stocking.

It's Christmas 1963, and Macy Lance has it all. She'll soon graduate from a prestigious southern college, and a position in a top pharmaceutical firm waits for her. Best of all, Jonathan Tennent has proposed. But Macy has a secret. She isn't the woman Jon thinks she is. Knowing she must confess by Christmas Eve, she searches for a gift to rival the engagement ring Jon is giving her. Maybe she'll be able to convince his society-obsessed family she's good enough for their only son.

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Happy New Year!

Homemade Christmas Eggnog

2 eggs
1 can Eagle Brand Milk
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 pinch of salt
Slightly over 1 quart of milk
1 pint of whipping cream
Nutmeg

Beat 2 eggs until fluffy. Add Eagle Brand milk, vanilla, salt, and milk. Beat ingredients together. Whip approximately half of the whipping cream and put on top. Add nutmeg to taste and serve.

About the author:

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, released in April 2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 20 years. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 39 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/

One Woman Who Made a Difference

Hi Lovely Readers, Elaine here, hoping you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving week. I’ve been working on my website for my author’s platform, which is almost non-existent at the moment. Today I’m going to share a bit of my research into the great women of history. Since this is the season for helping the poor, this is the woman who epitomizes Christian charity—Mother Teresa.

How did this diminutive nun, born in Macedonia and living in the poor sections of Calcutta most of her life, become the icon of good works to both secular and Christian alike?

In 1946, Teresa experienced what she later described as “the call within the call” She was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them. Sister Teresa became Mother Teresa and began tending to the needs of the destitute and starving. She had no income and had to resort to begging for food and supplies. Then her efforts caught the attention of Indian officials and funds to support the ministry grew.

Teresa received Vatican permission in 1950 to start the diocesan congregation that would become the Missionaries of Charity. Its mission was to care for, in her words, “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.”

In 1952, Mother Teresa opened the first Home for the Dying in Calcutta, a free hospice for the poor. Her goal was to provide a place “for people who lived like animals to die like angels—loved and wanted.”

Mother Teresa has won numerous honors, including the 1979 Novel Peace Prize. After her death in 1997, the Catholic Church began the process to elevate her to sainthood.

Matthew 25:32-46 tells of the great throne judgment where all are judged by the measure of their help to the needy. None of us may accomplish all that Mother Teresa did, but we will all face this same judgment.

With the holiday season coming, the opportunity to help the needy will increase as it always does. Each one of us can do something to make the season better for those in need. It’s good to remember, not all of the needy are poor. Some are starved for companionship. A kind word spoken at the right time can be as helpful as working in a soup kitchen.

What is your favorite charity? Comment to win in the Weekly Giveaway.

***Special Notice***

I'm offering an early Christmas present to all, Book 2 of my Annex Mail-Order Bride Novellas, will be free on Amazon.com through Nov 25. Just go into Amazon and pull it up by my name or the title. I tried to put in the link but my computer went wonky. Enjoy.

Ramee's Fugitive Cowboy: While attending the Harvard Annex, Ramee Abbott gains acclaim as a dress designer and foolishly accepts a New York textile tycoon's attentions. When he steals her designs and threatens to ruin her socially, she must leave town immediately. Josh Volker, a California cowboy offers her an escape--if she'll be his mail-order bride. Trouble is, Josh has a past, one that comes back to haunt them both.

One more thing. If you're in the mood for a good Christmas story, download The Perfect Gift, just released, also available on Amazon in eBook now. It will be available in print within a week or so.

It’s Christmas 1963, and Macy Lance has it all. She’ll soon graduate from a prestigious southern college, and a position in a top pharmaceutical firm waits for her. Best of all, Jonathan Tennent has proposed. Jon is not only the love of her life, he’s the son of Macon, Georgia’s wealthiest and most prominent family, and heir to Tennent Pharmaceuticals. 

All would be perfect except Macy isn’t the woman Jon thinks she is. No one suspects her persona of a wealthy, college co-ed is a charade meant to help her fit in with the in-crowd—and hide her past. She must confess by Christmas Eve. But before then, she searches for a gift to rival the engagement ring Jon is giving her, and convince his society-obsessed mother she is good enough for her only son.

Will a mistake from Macy's past threaten her perfect future?

Happy Boxing Day!

Happy Boxing Day! Never heard of it, you say? The origins of the holiday and its name are a vague, but several websites I looked at indicate that it began in England sometime in the Middle Ages. In the countries (most of which are or were part of the UK) where it’s celebrated, it’s a “bank holiday” – a day when banks, government offices and the postal service are closed.

Some historians believe the holiday developed because

servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but given the following day off and presented with gifts [boxes]. Others think it started because the alms boxes in churches were opened and the contents distributed to the poor. Regardless of how the day started, over the years it has developed into a time of charity, a time when service and tradespeople are typically given tips and bonuses for their work during the past year. It has been expanded to include giving to non-profit and needy organizations.

When I decided to blog about Boxing Day I recalled an episode of the TV show M*A*S*H during which the 4077 gives medical treatment to a British regiment who talk about the tradition of enlisted personnel and officers trading places on Boxing Day. I did quite a bit of research but found only two references to this custom. The first was in a blog by a man who tells a story about his son’s army regiment participating in the tradition, and the other is an episode of The Nanny during which Mr. Sheffield refers to the custom and suggests that he and Niles switch roles.

The lack of evidence makes me wonder just how “traditional” this tradition is. What do you know about Boxing Day? Do you have traditions of your own?

 

A freelance writer for over ten years, Linda Matchett also writes historical fiction. She is currently seeking a publisher for her series about war correspondence Ruth Brown Visit her at www.lindashentonmatchett.com

Lonely? You're Not Alone.....

Tuesdays here are Tidbit days, but since it's Christmas Eve, I'm going to share something I posted on my blog earlier in the holiday season.

The holidays are a time for celebrating. Jesus. Life. Love. Family. Friends.

Yet, they are some of the loneliest times of the year.

Maybe you're missing that family member who used to sit next to you at the family table.

Maybe you're mourning the loss of a loved one.

Maybe you're longing to get pregnant.

Maybe you're waiting on adoption papers to come through.

Maybe you're praying for that family member in jail.

Maybe you're forgotten by those you love.

Maybe you're like me, single and waiting for the one God has for you.

Whatever reason you're lonely, the feelings are the same. They are overwhelming floods and burning flames.

Many times, we fill that loneliness with busyness. Or food. Or shopping. Or fake smiles. (Or maybe those are just mine.)

But, I'm going to try something new this year. I'm going to walk through it. Pretending my feelings aren't there is exhausting. Hiding them is frustrating.

But, wallowing in my feelings is just as futile. 

So, I'm going to surround myself in the truth of the Word until my feelings fade and only the truth remains.

I don't normally post about my feelings. Heck, I don't even talk about them with my closest friends. But, I'm putting them out here just in case there's someone who needs to hear he/she is not alone. You never have been, and you never will be.

Here are the verses I've been reading a lot lately as I have felt those feelings of loneliness creep in (and get worse with each Kay Jewelers commercial I see).

Isaiah 43:2 ESV

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 49:16 ESV

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

Philippians 4:11 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

So, if you're lonely this holiday season, please know there's a gal in Houston who feels the same way you do. If there's something I can pray for you about, leave me a comment or shoot me an email at laurajacksonwrites at gmail dot com.


Laura Jackson is a bookworm. She serves an elementary school as librarian and spends her evenings writing books.

Her debut YA novel Worth the Wait releases February 4, 2014.

Find her at http://authorlaurajackson.blogspot.com/.