I’m looking at Christmas in a new light this year. My kids are teenagers now, and while they haven’t lost all of their magical appreciation for the season, they do have a very frank understanding of Santa which significantly alters the gift-giving angle. After all, the reason for the season isn’t gifts, its God. Jesus.

Makes a gal feel kind of superficial and materialistic focusing on the shopping business. So I won’t. This year isn’t going to be about finding the perfect gift, the one that lights up their faces on Christmas morning. Nope. There will be gifts Christmas morning, but greatly reduced. I’ll carry the sentiment through Christmas dinner. As hostess for the family gathering, I’ve asked the relatives to dispense with our customary gift exchange. It only adds chaos to the evening, anyway. I mean, we’re talking 25 people for dinner and my house is far from a mansion. Trust me when I tell you it gets a little crazy. And to exchange gifts right before we’re serving a home-cooked meal? Double the chaos. We need all hands on deck to carve the turkey, make the gravy, toast the marshmallows atop the sweet potatoes, warm the veggies… The list goes on.

Recently, I discovered that one family in our community celebrates the season without gifts. For themselves, that is, including their kids. Instead, they wrap a gift box, cut a slit in the top, then deposit money into it throughout the month. A week before Christmas, they take the money and buy food for the hungry, clothes for the homeless; wherever they see a need, they fill it.
I like it. It embraces the charitable spirit of the season and reminds me it’s time to focus on the basics. Family, friends, charity, hospitality, song and prayer. How about you? Any changes this season to your celebration?

Who are Bloomin’ Warriors, anyway? 

Women who love romance, believe in happily ever after, but are savvy enough to understand that it doesn’t happen overnight.  “And just why not?” demands that spit-fire from the back. 

Always was my first question!  Because personal growth takes time.  We have lessons to learn, wisdom to share—and that’s what my novels are all about:  a woman’s personal journey in overcoming the trials and tribulations of life as she blossoms into her own. 

“Given the proper care and feeding, a woman will bloom in time; her own sweet time!” 

Why the garden analogies?  Because I LOVE my organic garden–but also because in spending time between the rows, I’ve learned to reflect on life in the most simple of terms.  We plant a seed, we give it the proper care and feeding and watch with awe as it matures into the most amazing produce.  I realize “awe” may be a strong word for some of you experts out there but for me, every potato, onion, squash and tomato is a hard-won victory to be celebrated!  Between Jack Frost and Mother Nature, I never know what to expect.  He’s a tad harsh while her sense of humor can run a bit dry at times, if you know what I mean.

But I digress.  Like my fruits and vegetables, my flowers and herbs, women mature at varying rates.  They come in all sizes and shapes, colors and scents.  Some sway in the breeze while others tuck themselves away in the quiet of shade yet no matter how you slice them, women share common challenges.  We carry the children, hold the emotional power and despite the fact that we work outside of the home, we remain primary caregivers to our children in the home as well.

These are but a few issues we face, but face them we will.  (There are no shrinking violets in these parts!) And then we will handle them in our own way, on our own terms and in our own sweet time.

As a woman, as a mother, I find these topics fascinating.  I could write about them all day long (and do!)  But I couldn’t do it without you, the reader.  So Team Bloomin’ Warrior was started as a way for me to give back to you and a way for you to help spread the word. 

Members will receive a free Bloomin’ Warrior T-shirt (my tag line runs across the back), sneak peek at my books before anyone else as well as promotional items like recipe cards from my garden, garden tips & seed saving packets (just to name a few!).  And as an added thank you, you’ll also receive special discounts on my novels and short stories as they release, plus unique gifts throughout the year. 

So what do you say?  Join Team Bloomin’ Warrior today and help me spread the word about my novels!  Simply subscribe to my website (be the first to know!) and then watch your email inbox for FULL details. :)