tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post495593653781637212..comments2024-03-11T06:05:31.870-05:00Comments on Natalie Monk Author: 1 Question Interview with Darlene FranklinNatalie Monkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10197043273258414949noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-9615922975635124242015-10-07T15:20:55.115-05:002015-10-07T15:20:55.115-05:00I must say that my Christmas memory is actually in...I must say that my Christmas memory is actually in my parent's town near me. Dominos Pizza delivery guys/gals can recognize their house by the Christmas lights on the house year round. They even have it in their system so that it prints out on the label for the pizza. When giving directions to others, I also advise them to look for the house with the Christmas light on it. Of course, the don't have the lights on all year round, just left on the house all year round. Love my dad, he's a great guy.<br /><br />princessdebbie1_2000atyahoodotcom<br /><br />or<br /><br />princessdebbie1underscore2000atyahoodotcom<br /><br />whichever works.Debbie Clatterbuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07074658021634132985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-69476337800393537582015-09-29T19:03:54.055-05:002015-09-29T19:03:54.055-05:00Christmas sounds like a full-time job in your part...Christmas sounds like a full-time job in your part of the world, Bonnie!Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-65748379868174603092015-09-29T18:11:55.113-05:002015-09-29T18:11:55.113-05:00Christmas in my area contains numerous wonderful e...Christmas in my area contains numerous wonderful events: choir Christmas programs at my church, with dinner also, if wanted; some church choirs have a "Living Christmas Tree" - in which the choir members are elevated in rows to form the shape of a tree & decorated with lights (not the easiest thing to do as you stand on a narrow platform, are elevated in increasing heights, & it is very warm). There are outdoor nativity scenes; one church previously had "A Walk Through Bethlehem" - the town of Bethlehem was created, complete with animals, merchants selling their wares, Joseph & Mary looking for a place to stay, etc.. Our church has a candlelight service on Christmas Eve; a neighboring church has a dinner theater (more theatrics than music)I have attended several times. <br /><br />The cities each have a day when all the Christmas lights downtown are turned on, Santa arrives, there are booths of food & crafts, etc. for purchase; there is also a weekend flea market where customers can buy homemade items for Christmas gifts. The local theaters always have productions of 'The Nutcracker', & 'A Christmas Carol'; there is also a dinner theater in which a secular Christmas play revolving around famous Christmas songs, is performed. There is a decorated Christmas tree event, in which numerous decorated trees are donated for sale - the proceeds go to charity. <br /><br />Other related charity functions include the annual Christmas tree Angels that provide Christmas for families; our church houses the local food pantry (which distributes special food baskets during holidays); also provides handmade/filled Christmas stockings for needy children in the community; a Christmas tea for the women in the church - in which women from a near-by jail have attended (via our prison ministry); fills shoeboxes for needy children in other countries (through Franklin Graham's program); provides Christmas gifts/goodies for the local nursing home occupants & "shut-ins" of the church; & numerous other programs. <br /><br />There are Christmas light displays around town, both indoor, & out- including an underground drive-through display, a foot tour of decorated Victorian homes, & drive-through tours of decorated parks. There are other events - too numerous to mention. The most meaningful to me are the Christmas Eve church candlelight service, & the time my family spends together observing Christ's birth. My birthday is Dec. 25th, however, it has never been a day about me - in my family, rather one about Christ & my total family.<br /><br />Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!<br /><br />bonieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com Bonnie Roofnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-88702581570175039922015-09-29T13:41:07.334-05:002015-09-29T13:41:07.334-05:00Karen, parade at night AND during the day. That mu...Karen, parade at night AND during the day. That must be a lot of work!<br />Hmm, I wonder if we could a Christmas parade of sorts through the nursing home. . .Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-41194459448201364912015-09-29T13:39:45.469-05:002015-09-29T13:39:45.469-05:00Barbara, "family with their kids." That ...Barbara, "family with their kids." That is the best memory of Christmas.Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-3192069808859729402015-09-29T13:26:32.451-05:002015-09-29T13:26:32.451-05:00Not really one big on Christmas.....even though i ...Not really one big on Christmas.....even though i do like all the light decorations. Last year i remember going to the Christmas parade. It was just like i remember going to it as a kid. Have not lived in my hometown for almost 20 years and moved back and everyone was saying that this was the best Christmas parade they had seen in a long time. They also had the Christmas Train in town here too.. Was so nice, as they had lights all over the train. Everyone was taking pictures of it and taking their kids to see it.. The lines were way to long so i was not able to see it. That is the way i want to remember Christmas.......Family with their kids.<br /><br />Barbara<br />Email is barbslv at hughes dot netBarbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04161278355732705680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-3261832867969306592015-09-29T11:56:55.603-05:002015-09-29T11:56:55.603-05:00I do love Christmas. Our city has two parades one ...I do love Christmas. Our city has two parades one at night with lights and one in the daytime.<br />I enjoy novellas.<br /><br />Karen Hadley<br />karenskrayons@gmail.comKaren Sue Hadleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16873379685837435419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-80544230727379955122015-09-29T11:02:06.082-05:002015-09-29T11:02:06.082-05:00Kay, yes, I've heard of Chautauqua, very inter...Kay, yes, I've heard of Chautauqua, very interesting! Wendy, interesting to hear how Christmas is celebrated so far south . . .Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-9964944307824234262015-09-29T09:48:12.587-05:002015-09-29T09:48:12.587-05:00There are lots of activities in the towns around u...There are lots of activities in the towns around us, we live in Florida in between towns a small area with 500 to 1000 people. Our area usually has a Christmas party and in the surrounding towns there are Christmas parades, one at night with colorful lights on the floats.<br /><br />Thank you for the chance to win some of Darlene's books, would love "A Texas Christmas" as I love novella's!<br /><br />wfnren at aol dot comWendy Newcombhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07155923100367204852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-87064867064709661192015-09-28T21:17:13.814-05:002015-09-28T21:17:13.814-05:00We have a very "artsy" community -- ever...We have a very "artsy" community -- ever heard of Chautauqua Institute? That's our area. So there are constantly musicals and concerts and performances to attend in celebration of the season, as well as holiday parades and craft fairs. The main streets are decorated and lit, and since we live in the snow belt off of Lake Erie, the weather contributes to a very picturesque terrain.<br />Unfortunately, unless you're a skier or a fan of ice hockey, the next 3 months of snow are neither as attractive nor as fun, once the charm of Christmas is past! But for the month of December, the magic thrives around here.<br />Arlene<br />sweetbeans38[AT]yahoo[DOT]comA. Kay Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09127820418406559897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-70828003595229962272015-09-28T18:33:25.043-05:002015-09-28T18:33:25.043-05:00Deanna, Heidi, Amada--thanks for your interest in ...Deanna, Heidi, Amada--thanks for your interest in the books. Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-4738062338884049252015-09-28T18:33:24.749-05:002015-09-28T18:33:24.749-05:00Deanna, Heidi, Amada--thanks for your interest in ...Deanna, Heidi, Amada--thanks for your interest in the books. Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-32204858073930451752015-09-28T18:33:24.385-05:002015-09-28T18:33:24.385-05:00Deanna, Heidi, Amada--thanks for your interest in ...Deanna, Heidi, Amada--thanks for your interest in the books. Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-33590082322719955222015-09-28T18:33:23.629-05:002015-09-28T18:33:23.629-05:00Deanna, Heidi, Amada--thanks for your interest in ...Deanna, Heidi, Amada--thanks for your interest in the books. Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-15682893045507431772015-09-28T15:23:40.459-05:002015-09-28T15:23:40.459-05:00I've been VERY excited and wanting to read and...I've been VERY excited and wanting to read and review A Texas CHRISTmas! It sounds like a great seasonal read!!!<br /><br />Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)<br />amada_chavezATyahooDOTcomASC Book Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05219182071736438971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-62430598156661728362015-09-28T14:25:26.808-05:002015-09-28T14:25:26.808-05:00These stories sound wonderful! Looking forward to ...These stories sound wonderful! Looking forward to reading the collection :)<br /><br />colorvibrant at gmail dot comHeidi Reads...https://www.blogger.com/profile/02572805983285715116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-10487873811342821832015-09-28T11:09:26.497-05:002015-09-28T11:09:26.497-05:00I do enjoy Christmas Stories! We love to go around...I do enjoy Christmas Stories! We love to go around Christmas Eve & look at all the lights & displays. <br />dkstevensne AToutlook )dot)comDeanna Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01589351351698020082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-53420401958398418492015-09-27T11:59:25.435-05:002015-09-27T11:59:25.435-05:00Kelly, that sounds AMAZING. I wish I could spend D...Kelly, that sounds AMAZING. I wish I could spend December with you.Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-7817452848705673952015-09-27T00:33:19.916-05:002015-09-27T00:33:19.916-05:00Oh I just love Christmas in our town. I live in P...Oh I just love Christmas in our town. I live in Prescott, Arizona and Christmas is a very big deal to us! We hold the claim to being Arizona's Christmas City (I have no idea where all this comes from but it makes sense as we are a close enough drive for those in Phoenix to take a run to enjoy the cool, some snow and lots of Christmas beauty). In the beginning of Christmas season (this year December 5) we have a Christmas day parade that culminates in the square in town which is beautiful all year round. This year will be the 33rd annual parade. The parade goes until 3 pm and that is usually followed by everyone in town gathering to shop or enjoy treats at the various restaurants in the square and at 5 pm there will be various musicians singing and playing and that leads to the 61st annual lighting of the courthouse square. It is beautiful. Sometimes we have snow and sometimes we just enjoy a grassy stroll. It is hard to miss it. We always hang out after the parade because parking gets crazy! After the courthouse square is lit, lots of people head to the old museaum to enjoy a look into a frontier Christmas. It makes for along and blessed day. <br /><br />Later on in the month we also have what is called Acker Night. Local musicians play Christmas music at venues all over town. Everyone scurries from one place to another and enjoys hot cocoa, coffee and cookies. And when I say various venues, I mean it. There are performances in the knitting store, the Baptist Church, the Harley Davidson shop and the post office. I mean EVERYWHERE! It is so fun! You have to really bundle up but it is a blast! And of course there are live acts all over town. They provide a map so you can try to catch as much as possible while at the same time running into neighbors for a quick hug and hello. <br /><br />Several living nativities take place throughout the month too! We always catch at least one every year. Some really go all out too and build an entire Bethlehem like town. :)<br /><br />Did I write enough there? I can't help it. I've been here 8 years and I love it more and more each day. <br /><br />KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)comKelly Blackwell @ Heres My Take On Ithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07580631316468681457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-35649140435146604322015-09-26T14:24:46.449-05:002015-09-26T14:24:46.449-05:00Martha, so true. My upcoming devotional book for A...Martha, so true. My upcoming devotional book for Advent gives some insights into all those problems. . .but Christ is still at the center of Christmas in our hearts.Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-2540281026812616142015-09-26T13:35:43.576-05:002015-09-26T13:35:43.576-05:00We live in a suburb of a larger city. Of course, t...We live in a suburb of a larger city. Of course, there are special concerts and church services. Unfortunatley, I see too much commercialism. People hurrying around filling Christmas lists that are more than anyone needs. If we could all slow down, and just spend time with other people.<br /><br />Martha<br />josieringer(at)gmail(dot)comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05146253065011193292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-27088991647424440962015-09-26T07:02:14.749-05:002015-09-26T07:02:14.749-05:00Chris, back at you, dear friend. Chris, back at you, dear friend. Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-17915335120423465392015-09-26T07:01:15.670-05:002015-09-26T07:01:15.670-05:00Deanne, I just wrote a scene with a hayride in my ...Deanne, I just wrote a scene with a hayride in my next book. What a fun idea for Christmas!<br />Darlene Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12309528220394646410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-43256650649657271342015-09-25T22:07:57.448-05:002015-09-25T22:07:57.448-05:00Im not in the contest but I want to wish Darlene...Im not in the contest but I want to wish Darlene a wonderful,terrific, God-blessed dayAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17957295057243140443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3746822123336250115.post-63789570979381321352015-09-25T21:58:41.226-05:002015-09-25T21:58:41.226-05:00We live in a small rural town. Mostly elderly peop...We live in a small rural town. Mostly elderly people live here. Santa comes in a hay wagon with sleigh bells and takes the children for a ride and there is a Christmas party at the Community Center. There are beautiful candle light services at the churches in town.<br />Deanne<br />Book1lovingmomma at gmail dot comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10177464574035007539noreply@blogger.com