“I usually have my Christmas shopping done by now,” a girlfriend told me last week.
My stomach lurched. “Really?” I was astounded, because I knew she wasn’t shipping overseas. I was just happy we’d purchased a birthday gift for our grandson, who’s about to turn six. Was I living in the land of denial? No, I reminded myself, we haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving yet. And I’m busy finishing a manuscript. Shopping can wait, although retailers are raring to go, as if the world is spinning at double-speed. Hurry up, already, and spend your money!
My generous sister-in-law hosts a fabulous Thanksgiving feast each year. We don’t get leftovers, but I’m spared the ordeal of attempting to create perfection, which includes a turkey cooked at the right time and no lumps in the gravy.
I asked an Old Order Amish woman in Lancaster County, PA, if they celebrate Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. She said, “Oh, my, yes!” Her voice brimmed with enthusiasm. I imagine her daughters and in-laws help her, and that her home is already neater than ours. She’s industrious and organized. Still, many relatives might arrive and cleanup time without a dishwasher would be a tremendous chore. No matter, she’d have a system of shared responsibility. And genuine thankfulness.
Along with disappointments and loss, our household has much to be thankful for, including a miracle in the health arena that would make many doctors shake their heads in amazement. My husband and I sure did. The AMA accepts a double-blind study that prayer works, so why am I always so surprised? Yet not all prayers are answered the way we’d like.
How about you? Have you found a way to keep November and December from spiraling into anxiety-filled fast-forward? I’m not ready for 2015! If you have teenage kids showing signs of mental health conditions, you may help them seek residential treatment for teens in Phoenix. You can also learn more about trauma-focused bodywork as a complementary approach to support their healing journey.
Please share a tip or leave a short comment to enter to win this petite Amish-made purse (approx. 4” X 9”) from Lancaster County, plus a copy of one signed book from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. An early Christmas or Chanukah present from me! USA & Canada. Winner has five days to respond.
Would love to win the pruse.
Thanks for entering the contest, Angela! Good luck!
Would love to win one of your books and this cute little purse!!
Wishing you the best of luck, Angie! Thanks for leaving your comment!
I have a hard time dealing with the Holidays every year, It’s just not the same anymore. I do all my Christmas shopping around Christmas eve. It hasn’t been the same since my husband passed in 2004, therefore I really don’t look forward to it. The most depressing time of the year for me, and by the way, I love reading your books.
I am so sorry to hear about the death of your husband, Diana. I think many people are depressed around Christmas because it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. I hope you find ways to elevate your sadness. Thanks for entering the contest and for your kind words about my books. Good luck!
I keep my wee three month old for my son and sweet daughter-in-law during their work day. As I hold her, I sing hymns to her. A two fold purpose…
One to leave with her the memory of Mommaw singing songs of faith, and the other to help lift my spirits as well!
You sound like a perfect grandma, Virginia! I understand your dual purpose and also love to sing hymns, only I usually forget the words as I didn’t grow up with them. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Everyone is always in such a rush and wishing their lives away! This is a beautiful time of year as we have just finished our short fall with the beautiful leaves. Here in Kentucky as we had a lot of rain this summer everything kept beautifully green, so we didn’t have all the brown grass this time as fall arrived with all the georgous colors of leaves. Now we have snow! White wonderland, much surprised for this time of year, although not all that unusual…57 years ago when we got married on Nov. 9, there was snow on the ground and oh, so cold….so see it does happen. I wish blessings for everyone and our family is so blessed this year for our great-grandson is cancer free for the second time in his 8 years of life. We pray he will continue to be so and can enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas. God is good! Always remember that point!
Thanks for your wise words, Joyce! And for sharing your good news about your great-grandson, an encouragement to everyone. Good luck in the giveaway!
I have a hard time with the cold, but this year it’s too cold too soon. Cute purse, fun giveaway ~ thanks!
Thanks for writing and entering the contest, Patti! Hope you keep warm. Good luck in the giveaway!
Id love to win, best way to contact me is pm on fb
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Chandra! Good luck!
I love your books. Thank you making me feel as if I was living the life of Amish. Thank you so much.
I appreciate your kind words about my books, Cathy! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
I have always enjoyed this season but as i get i find it more stressful. When that happens a find a quiet spot in my house and ask God to calm me. And i also sing songs with my grand daughter
Singing songs with your granddaughter sounds like a perfect way to rid yourself of stress, Carol! No matter how hard I try, stress creeps into my life this time of year, even before Thanksgiving. Maybe I need to sing more in the shower or doing the laundry. Thanks for entering the contest!
Yes my shopping is usually done by now. I’m stressed because I am out of a job this year. But thankful to be blessed.
Sorry to hear you are out of a job, Michelle! If your shopping is usually done by now I can imagine you are super-stressed. I pray that your feeling of being blessed continues throughout the year and that you find employment. Thanks for writing and good luck in the contest!
Hi Kate!
Over the years I have learned to not let this time of year stress me out. I strive to have all my Christmas shopping finished before Thanksgiving, that way I can enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Years ago I worked retail for many years, so I know how frantic it can get rushing around buying the perfect gift. Because of that, I always shop early; and now since I have retired and have many health problems that are preventive to in-store shopping, I do most of my shopping online and they get delivered to my door.
I enjoy reading your books and share them with my mom, who will be 83! Dec. 23rd. I would love the Amish made purse.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!!!
Blessings, Tina
What a blessing to have your mother alive at 83, Tina! May she live to be 103! I do a lot of online shopping too, to avoid anxiety and driving around trying to find a parking place. Happy Thanksgiving and an early Merry Christmas to you. Good luck in the giveaway!
Love this time of the year (not as much as when I was much younger, but nonetheless I still like it). A cup of hot chocolate and a good book is a great way to spend an evening relaxing.
It sounds as though you found an ideal way to spend the evening, Mary Jane! Yum. I read every night before bed; can’t get a good night’s sleep without it. Thanks for entering the contest!
I try to block out the cold with reading and making old family favorites from a recipe book my Mom made me in 1992. She loved to cook and bake and past it on to her 10 kids. I will be looking at my local library for your book, if I can’t find it there Amazon hete I come. I’d love to add your books to my Amish collection. Happy Writing
Thank you, Sal! I hope your library carries my books and that you enjoy them! I wish my mother had left me a personalized cookbook. What a fabulous gift! Makes me hungry just thinking about it. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
I like this time of year usually however this year is going to be hard as my daughter as made the decision to separate from my great son in law
Oh, that would be a terrible disappointment, Sue. My hope is that they will reunite. Thank you for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
this time of year is not usually stressful for me, I love fall and the holiday season. We keep it low-key, minimal fuss and gifts, quality over quantity. This year, however, will be different. I will be having brain surgery in a few weeks which will make christmas…different, to say the least. So yeah, we’re a little stressed!
I am praying for successful brain surgery, Kristin, and complete recovery. It would be pretty hard not to be stressed with that looming in the future. A while back, I got appendicitis two nights before Christmas. Fortunately, it was the first time I’d ever filled the stockings ahead of time, which helped on Christmas morning. I stayed home Christmas Eve and watched old black-and-white movies, and enjoyed them. Thanks for writing and entering the contest!
I think it’s important to stop and simply be thankful. LIfe can be busy, but I take time each day to just sit with God and be thankful. It helps keep my perspective in place!
When you’re filled with gratitude, it’s harder for stress to barge in and take over, Kathryn. I appreciate your perspective and will attempt to remember it. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
This year is a little more out of our normal mode, my husband has had a health issue and we are really getting to the bottom of the money barrel since he hasn’t worked for 5 months. Christmas is looking slim for the grandkids but I still have the thought that everything will be ok! Trust in the Lord we always say! I love this time of year! Winning would be a real treat!
Having you visit my blog and leave a comment is a real treat for me, Amanda! I’m praying your husband’s health improves. Best wishes for a joyous Christmas. Good luck in the contest!
This time of year is so less stressful since my granddaughter is older. I just get her Amazon and itunes gift certificates which makes it so much easier since I have trouble getting around
Glad your Christmases are less stressful, Ellen! Our daughter-in-law sends us an Amazon Wish List, which has been a big help since I’m not much of a shopper. Sounds like you have your situation under control. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
This year has been a stressful one because of my father’s health problems, which causes lots of problems for my mother’s stress level and health as well. Hopefully, we will be able to share a happy holiday season together. You wrote a great blog article as we always need to remember to count those many blessings, one by one!
Sorry to hear about your father, Sonja! I can imagine your mother is terribly upset. I’m glad you enjoyed my blog post. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
I cope by counting the days to the winter solstice (33) so I will know that the days will start getting longer, even by a little, until spring arrives.
Too dark for you, Rachel? I am amazed by how short our days are. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the contest. Good Luck!
I would love to win this.. Cute purse… I am getting worried at Christmas shopping.. Don’t have a clue what to get kids this year…lol
Thanks for entering the contest, Janice! I don’t have a clue yet either. Good luck!
We had a beautiful fall here in Nebraska. It ended with a Blast of cold that we were not ready for, and snow. It could be worse we only got a couple of inches. I do not deal with cold, and snow and grew skies very well. I stay home, I read, I crochet.
I would love to be a winner
Staying inside to read and crochet sounds perfect, Sharon! I don’t need much of an excuse to stay home. Thanks for writing. Good luck in the giveaway!
I could use a new purse, and I like blue. Didn’t know they sold handmade purses.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Blue is my favorite color. This purse was made by the Esh family in Lancaster County. Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi,
I wrap my gifts when I bring them home. Also, gifts that are to be mailed also go in their mailing box after gift wrapped. I also try to shop at stores that has free gift wrap 🙂
These 3 things help me alot and takes stress off of me. Thank You for the give-away. Happy Holidays to You and Your Family.
Sandy 🙂
Wow, you are organized, Sandy! Thanks for the good tips. Good luck in the giveaway!
Beautiful purse, I am not ready for Christmas,,Have downsized the Christmas list, only doing for the grandchildren, My oldest grandson just left yesterday for Parris Island, so his Christmas will be delayed..I am seriously contemplating doing a simple Christmas this year, to focus on the miracle surrounding the Christmas holiday instead of all the commercialized hype. Gifts that are exchanged will be handmade and created with love. I need the peace and contentment in my home..to celebrate the blessings of those gone to heaven, to be thankful for having them in my life, To celebrate the joy of those in the family who gather round,, May you be blessed with the joy and celebration that the holidays bring
Lori
We have also downsized, Lori! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on celebration. Peace and contentment is exactly what I strive for. Good luck in the giveaway.
I try not to Stress out around the Holidays but it is hard. Our Oldest Son’s Birthday is 2 days before Christmas and trying to figure out what day his Birthday Party is going to be on and what to get him Plus the Christmas Gifts for him and our younger Son it gets Stressful. My Husbamd waits the Weekend before Christmas for Us to Shop. It seems the Holidays sneaks up to fast every year. I would love to Win that Beautiful Purse.
It is hard not to get stressed, Tammy, especially with a birthday close by! Thanks for writing and entering the contest. Good luck!
I don’t stress a whole lot. I really did when I was young and had 4 boys under foot plus making sure everything turned out well, Now those 4 boys have grown and have spread out from Hawaii to Portland,Oregon to a few towns away. They all have families of their own. My parents have passed so not having a big meal to prepare things are kept simple and calm around here..still do the turkey and the rest but it is more relaxed. That is the way it is suppose to be when we reach a “certain age” ….relaxed and a time to reflect back on all those years…. that sure gives you plenty to be thankful for!
Sounds like you once had a busy household, Carol!” I like your time to relax, reflect back, and be thankful idea. I’ll strive to make that my goal this year. Good luck in the contest!
You know you live in northern Ohio when you have 2 seasons-winter & summer. Of course, this year we did have a little fall
I guess there is no perfect place to live, as far as the weather goes, Barb! Otherwise, we’d all want to live there. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your comment. Good luck!
The days are getting shorter, & my Christmas shopping list is getting longer! How does that happen??? Thanks for a timely Giveaway!
You made me chuckle, MS Barb, as that seems to happen every year. Why am I surprised? Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
I just enjoy each season for as long as it lasts. Each day is a gift from God to enjoy
So true, Rita! I try to embrace each day and enjoy each season, even if it rains for a month. Thanks for writing!
I try so hard not to be stressed at this time of the year, but money is always tight, any time of the year. My four young grandsons know grama is on a limited income and they are so good about not asking for anything expensive. They just want me to be there Christmas Day. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your books and that cute little purse. Have a Blessed Day.
The fact that your grandsons want you there tells me a lot about you, Deb! Congratulations on being such a wonderful grandma. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Best of luck!
Would love to win this. A nice offering. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless all reading this.
Take care and God bless all
Thank you for writing, Patti! I appreciate your blessings. We can never receive too many. Good luck in the contest!
I really hope that I can win this time, Kate! I know for myself, I try to take it one holiday at a time, and as a Catholic, try and focus on the importance of Advent. Thank you for this giveaway, and God bless!
As always, fun to hear from you, Mallory! Good luck in the contest!
I love Christmas time in spite of the hustle and bustle. Going to try to not get so stressed this year!
Great attitude, Donna! Good luck in the giveaway!
I usually have my Christmas shopping done by the end of October. I haven’t even started this year. I missed the autumn this year. Late summer & early winter and autumn was a thin piece of sandwich in between. I love to decorate indoors and outdoors. My Christmas tree is a hodgepodge of everything. Homemade ornaments, bought ones, unusual ones, ones that were gifts and the ornaments date back to our first Christmas together in 1967. Every year I try to find one thing for Christmas decorations but have stopped now. I have enough things to decorate my sons homes, my grandchildrens’ homes when they are grown and married and still have plenty for my husband and I. I love being with family and friends for the holidays & especially Christmas. We do Christmas gifts at our house on Christmas Eve and then the children can be at home on Christmas morning. Christmas dinner is always at my parents house & we share the food detail.
Your tree ornaments sound delightful, Pat. My mother used to start shopping early, early, and then would forget to give some of the presents to us. Thanks for writing and good luck!
I just love the changing seasons. Winter is so beautiful with all the snow. It just glistens when the sun shines on it. It gets really cold, but you just have to bundle up for it. Would love to win and may God Bless!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Deborah! I love the changing seasons too and hope we get a little snow this year. Good luck in the giveaway!
I have lots of help in the kitchen at Christmas & Thanksgiving so having my family home is a treat, no stress 🙂 Nice gift a way ! !
dkstevensne AT outlook DOTCom
Wow, Dee, lots of help in the kitchen is a rarity. And it sounds like you totally enjoy having your family home. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
I read, bake, and gather with friends during the holidays. For those friends and family far away I send long letters in a Christmas card or I call them. I shop for gifts all year long and find the perfect little gift for someone. Sometimes I will craft some gifts which seem to be the most treasured by my friends. I also like to read the story The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, as it puts things in perspective.
I can imagine the gifts you craft are treasured by your friends and family. As well as your Christmas cards and telephone calls. Thanks for mentioning The Gift of the Magi, a good reminder for me to dig out my copy. Good luck in the giveaway!
We have a very small family so I make most of our gifts. I start in the spring and try to be finished by the end of October. The gifts for the two little ones are easy and always include books. De stressing comes in the form of weaving, spinning and reading Amish stories. Everyone helps with dinner and clean up. Thanks for a chance to win and good luck everyone.
Yes, anxiety has set in as it does for many this time of year. Ways to cope: I read Amish books because they’re so well written that I feel so though I’m in the story with them. It helps me to stay focused on God, strength my faith and helps me to have a closer walk with God .
I applaud your remedy for stress, June! It sounds as though you are focused on all the right things. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
You sound both organized and talented, Sparkle! Since we’re past the end of October I imagine you are all set to go. How lucky for the recipients of your gifts. Thanks for your note and good luck in the contest!
I guess I get more stressed out at Christmas time than Thanksgiving . We just had our Thanksgivings dinner at Church . We have our daughters and their family , grandchildren , G. G. Children and a brother all for Christmas on Christmas Eve . I am more stressed out then because I do all the cooking .. I love having them all over together . I love your books and I love the purse . Would love to win . Thanks for the chance .
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
Having a Thanksgiving at church would be great, Elizabeth! I should just go out and buy a turkey; I want some so much. Doing all the cooking on Christmas Eve would be stressful, but what a joy to entertain your family! Good luck in the giveaway!
What a sweet little purse.I would also like to have one.I have a very small family,that tries to get together at holidays.This year a few of them has to work on Thanksgiving,so Im prepareing dinner on the Sunday after.And for Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ birthday Christmas eve,with a dinner.Blessings to all.
Your family get-togethers of celebration sound wonderful, Joyce! And now I’m feeling hungrier. Yum! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Happy Thanksgiving all, when you get to be my age you just go with the flow and don’t worry about as much as the younger days. I am not surprised they have decided Prayer is good. We might not get the answer we want but HE knows what we need even when we grumble. Love to read your books,thanks for sharing.
Going with the flow sounds like a great plan, Pauline. Think I’ll do it starting right now. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
I destress every evening with a book. With the cold days coming I look forward to curling under a blanket with these same loved books.
Yes, at the end of the day there’s nothing like reading, Barb! It calms my mind. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
First of all– I like your books.. I had four surgeries this year so getting rid of stress is a little hard right now but I’m determined to do it.. its cold out so I’m sitting here with a fuzzy blanket and my computer.. when typing starts to bother me then I’ll switch over to a book.. both are relaxing to me.. I think the purse is adorable. Have a happy Thanksgiving..
That’s not the kind of busy year anyone wants, Sue! I pray your body is healing. Good luck in the giveaway!
I’d love to win.
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest, Peggy! Good luck!
I try not to stress over the holidays. As my children were growing up, I baked and sold cookies and pumpkin rolls for Thanksgiving and Christmas. That profits was solely for gifts. Made me feel good as a stay at home Mom, we didn’t break the bank for the holidays. We are anxiously waiting for adoption of 3 more boys to the family of grands. While DS and wife were waiting, she got pregnant so we have a miracle birth also. DIL had a few mini strokes at the end of her very normal pregnancy and hemorrhaged after almost dying. So this year I am very thankful for our 5 grand children and the 3 fosters. 7 boys and 1 girl. My husband is also a 5 yr survivor of breast cancer. These are truly gifts to me. I don’t cook for Thanksgiving, we travel for 3 hrs to our oldest son and only daughters homes, 3 hrs away. We all get together usually the weekend before or after Christmas to celebrate. And with our daughter and 2 daughter in laws ( all named Jennifer, by the way) clean up is simple for me.
I love reading Amish stories and usually when weather permits, I sit on the back deck with my morning coffee while reading, and always at bedtime with my kindle.
Thank you so much for your generous offer and contest. Fingers crossed I can win.
I really enjoyed reading all the responses. Thank you again.
Thanks for writing, Linda! I enjoy reading all the response too. What a wonderful family you have and so many blessings. Best of luck in the giveaway!
I can honestly say, I have never truly stressed the holidays. It is not that I plan or prepare ahead (usually I don’t)..but I keep the same traditions, same limits set each year since I was still living at home. I believe this is because I never saw my mom stress (although she may have in secret).
Wow, Cynthia, you have won the prize if you never get stressed! Sounds like you had a great mom to emulate. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Love the holidays. Just hate that it is so rushed. The Amish know how to celebrate the birth of Jesus and enjoy family time.
Thanks for the contest. Love the purse.
I agree with you, Donna! I feel rushed this year and haven’t even started. I also appreciate the Amish and how they celebrate. Good luck in the giveaway!
We decorate early & enjoy the season. As a rural mail lady, I am all “involved” in the season. Thank you for the contest & prizes.
Thanks for writing, Tina! I don’t many rural mail ladies. Good luck in the giveaway!
Love the Holidays. People need to find joy and peace in all the stress and business that it can bring.
The purse is beautiful and I would love to be entered to win it and one of your books
A wonderful outlook, Andrea! Thanks for writing. Good luck in the giveaway!