Another Church Tradition – Christmas Nativity Plays

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 48 Comments

When we remember a special Christmas, it is not the presents that made it special, but the laughter, the feeling of love, and the togetherness of friends and family that made that Christmas special. ~Catherine Pulsifer Sunday we talked about Candlelight Services, and how much those of us who had been to one of those services liked that worship experience.  …

Have Your Christmas Tree Up Yet?

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 23 Comments

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that? –Bob Hope I’m guessing most of you do have up your Christmas tree, but I’m confessing that I don’t. But when I do get it up this weekend, I hope, it …

The Most Memorable Gifts for All the Right Reasons

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 2 Comments

“All those cliches, those things you hear about having a baby and motherhood—all of them are true. And all of them are the most beautiful things you will ever experience.” —Penelope Cruz On Christmas after the birth of my first grandchild twenty plus years ago, I had her father set her down on the floor in front of the Christmas tree …

Memorable Gifts for All the Wrong Reasons

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal Leave a Comment

Have you been shopping to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones? Sometimes that perfect gift is illusive and sometimes even when you think you’ve found the very thing that will most please someone, the gift doesn’t live up to expectations. That’s when we try to believe it’s the thought that counts. But sometimes we wonder what they were …

An Appalachian Christmas

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 31 Comments

  Have you ever wanted to attend a book event hosted by an author you’ve wanted to meet? Well, now’s your chance to meet at least three authors, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Cindy Sproles, and me. All of us have written stories set in the Appalachian Mountains. Sarah has set all her books somewhere in the mountains. Her new release, The …

Gift of The Little Drummer Boy

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 21 Comments

The greatest gift is a portion of yourself.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson At this time of year with Christmas days away instead of weeks, some of us may wonder how we’re going to get everything done with time enough to enjoy the visits and special events. I’ve got a few busy days to get things ready for fun times with my …

That Impossible Christmas Perfection Deadline

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 45 Comments

“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” – Ruth Ann Schabacker. December is here. That means Christmas is right around the corner with all the traditional activities. There’s the reason for the season – the birth of the Savior. Shepherds in the field watching their flocks. Angels singing on a starry night. A baby born in a stable …

Memories and Love on a Christmas Tree

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 22 Comments

Some Christmas tree ornaments do more than glitter and glow, they represent a gift of love given a long time ago. ~Tom Baker My son and a couple of my granddaughters came to visit Saturday night and helped me decorate my Christmas tree. I’m not a tree in every room big Christmas decorator. And usually I’m not this early with …

Missing Mom’s Smile

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 13 Comments

“Christmas is far and away my favorite holiday. I love everything about it, from the event that inspired it, hoping for a white one, to wrapping presents. But mostly I love having family and friends gathered, and sharing traditions.” ~Ellen Hopkins I hope you all had a merry and joyous Christmas with your families and friends. And if you couldn’t …

Christmas Means Parades

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, Heart of Hollyhill 8 Comments

December 3, 1966 Jocie Brooke here reporting from Hollyhill. Wow! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I did a report. I guess it’s true that when you get in high school, you get really, really busy. Too busy, Aunt Love says. But I still do all the chores she has for me at home. That’s not as many …