One.
Twenty-three of the most charming towns to visit at Christmas means we have traveling to do! I have been to four of the places on this list, but only two at Christmastime. Like I said: looks like we have some traveling to do! Any of you been to any of these at Christmas?
Two.
If you're looking for some subscription-themed gifts to give this year, here's a list for you! You'll also see at the end of the blogger's list that if you hunt around a bit on her blog, you can find gift lists for other themes too!! Kind of fun! Not to make anyone panic, but we only have a couple of weeks until Christmas!!
Three.
This is a fun twelve-days-of-Christmas idea!! If you're looking for a good, yet simple tradition for your family (or yourself!) this year, give it a shot!
Four.
Going to a white elephant exchange? Good ideas here!! (If you get the cookie one, invite me to your party!! I don't care if it is silly. I like cookies!)
Five.
I saw something very similar to this recently, and I actually loved it! The one I saw had hooks on it, and it was perfect for housing a whole bunch of ornaments in a very small space. I filed the idea away for our future RV days. Wink, wink. ;)
Six.
Well this book was so much fun to read here right before Christmas! This week I read Michelle Griep's new book, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. The book is apparently the start of a new series called "Once Upon a Dickens Christmas," and it looked like a lovely Christmas story that wasn't all kinds of predictable. (I've read many Christmas novels that are kind of like a Hallmark movie on paper.)
This book is kind of like Downton Abbey meets Clue, and I mean that in the best of ways. It's set back in 1850 on the grounds of a huge estate, but the story line is a bit of a mystery. Clara Chapman is a young woman still reeling from the previous year's embarrassment of being left at the altar. When her marriage fell through, she was forced to move in with her aging and ailing aunt. As Christmas approaches, both women find themselves destitute, thanks to the apparent theft of their family fortune.
But then Clara receives a mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at Bleakly manor, and invitation promises that if she remains for the entire twelve days of Christmas, she'll receive 500 pounds as a reward. Though Clara hates leaving her aunt behind, her aunt urges her to go and complete the twelve days.
The entire trip is a mystery to Clara, and it takes an even further unexpected twist when she realizes her fiance, Benjamin Lane, is also staying at the Manor. So many questions - about their relationship, Ben's whereabouts for the past year, and the purpose of this strange gathering at the Manor.
The book is a quick read at just 182 pages, and it's fascinating to read about Christmas in this time period and location. I confess it whet my appetite to learn more about the actual twelve days of Christmas celebration! (I know shockingly little about it.)
If you're looking for a bit a of a different read this Christmas, give 12 Days at Bleakly Manor a shot! And it looks like next Christmas, a second book will follow!
** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. **
Two.
If you're looking for some subscription-themed gifts to give this year, here's a list for you! You'll also see at the end of the blogger's list that if you hunt around a bit on her blog, you can find gift lists for other themes too!! Kind of fun! Not to make anyone panic, but we only have a couple of weeks until Christmas!!
Three.
Four.
Going to a white elephant exchange? Good ideas here!! (If you get the cookie one, invite me to your party!! I don't care if it is silly. I like cookies!)
Five.
I saw something very similar to this recently, and I actually loved it! The one I saw had hooks on it, and it was perfect for housing a whole bunch of ornaments in a very small space. I filed the idea away for our future RV days. Wink, wink. ;)
Six.
Well this book was so much fun to read here right before Christmas! This week I read Michelle Griep's new book, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor. The book is apparently the start of a new series called "Once Upon a Dickens Christmas," and it looked like a lovely Christmas story that wasn't all kinds of predictable. (I've read many Christmas novels that are kind of like a Hallmark movie on paper.)
This book is kind of like Downton Abbey meets Clue, and I mean that in the best of ways. It's set back in 1850 on the grounds of a huge estate, but the story line is a bit of a mystery. Clara Chapman is a young woman still reeling from the previous year's embarrassment of being left at the altar. When her marriage fell through, she was forced to move in with her aging and ailing aunt. As Christmas approaches, both women find themselves destitute, thanks to the apparent theft of their family fortune.
But then Clara receives a mysterious invitation to spend Christmas at Bleakly manor, and invitation promises that if she remains for the entire twelve days of Christmas, she'll receive 500 pounds as a reward. Though Clara hates leaving her aunt behind, her aunt urges her to go and complete the twelve days.
The entire trip is a mystery to Clara, and it takes an even further unexpected twist when she realizes her fiance, Benjamin Lane, is also staying at the Manor. So many questions - about their relationship, Ben's whereabouts for the past year, and the purpose of this strange gathering at the Manor.
The book is a quick read at just 182 pages, and it's fascinating to read about Christmas in this time period and location. I confess it whet my appetite to learn more about the actual twelve days of Christmas celebration! (I know shockingly little about it.)
If you're looking for a bit a of a different read this Christmas, give 12 Days at Bleakly Manor a shot! And it looks like next Christmas, a second book will follow!
** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. **
4 comments:
One of the towns on the list is in Vermont, I've been there in the winter - it's perfection!
I've only been to one of them at Christmas time. We hardly ever travel around the holidays as we usually have so much going on at home. I'd love to go to some of those cities but not necessarily to see Christmas lights/festivals, etc. They just seem like neat cities to visit any time.
I was fortunate to attend a 'winter' conference in Washington with Leavenworth en route to my destination. As advertised, it was a festive, lovely place though when I visited there was no snow. It was still lovely!! At the other end of the country and spectrum, I went to Williamsburg because I was at a meeting and only three hours by train from my friend who lived there. Again, it was a refreshing look at a 1790's era Christmas and I enjoyed it very much (but hey, I was with a friend). One of our local area towns, Morro Bay (California central coast), also has a Christmas parade on the water. It's a joyous tradition to see the boats parade along the strand in their decorated, lighted finery!! Lois
Thank you so so very much for including a link to my subscription services gift guide! I saw some clickover form your site and had to come over here to check it out asap!! Thanks again girlfriend!
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