Some New Year’s Thoughts for 2024

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 6 Comments

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake.   —Francis Bacon Sr. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, I guess this is the time to come up with some. I’ve made plenty in my time. Even maybe kept …

Jocie Reporting the Christmas News from Hollyhill

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, Heart of Hollyhill 5 Comments

Jocie Reporting from Hollyhill – the News of Christmas I love it when I get a new notebook for Christmas. All those blank pages just waiting for me to fill them with words. My favorite thing to do. But right now I don’t know where to start. So many good things to write about. So many Christmas blessings. But I’ll …

Christmas with My Characters

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 46 Comments

May we not spend Christmas or observe Christmas but rather keep  it.  ~ Peter Marshall Christmas Day has come and gone. Seems each year it comes quicker and is overtaken by a New Year just as fast. Since we had our family Christmas gathering early this year, Christmas seemed to come and go faster than ever. But that’s just the traditions and busyness of Christmas. Christmas can dwell …

The Magic of Christmas Eve

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 20 Comments

  Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it — you feel it, you know it, you believe it. ~Kevin Alan Milne One of the times when that magic is so real, especially for kids, is on Christmas Eve. I do remember feeling that magic, that anticipation, that feeling of wonder. Do you? The picture is of my family’s tree …

A Rosey Corner Favorite Pie

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 35 Comments

  In a post on my Facebook Author Page last week, I asked what pie people liked to see on their holiday table. That grabbed people’s interest and I had many comments. I was a little surprised that lemon may have been the most popular answer. I’m not sure why I was surprised since I love lemon pie. Other favorites …

An Early Family Christmas & A New Chance to Win a Book

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 28 Comments

Christmas with family is good on whatever day your family can all get together at one time. This year for us it was yesterday. That’s a little earlier than usual. We generally try to make it work a day or so before or after Christmas. That couldn’t happen this year. So, I had to get busy with my shopping and …

Do You Remember Counting Off the Days Until Christmas?

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 19 Comments

Do you remember when you were a kid and you counted the days off until Christmas? You always knew exactly how many there were to go. Fourteen, thirteen, twelve and on. Well, I had to count them off on the calendar, but now there are ten days until Christmas Eve when many families will be gathering to enjoy the holiday …

Top Ten List of Christmas Joys and a Giveaway Chance

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 44 Comments

Do you like to make lists? At Christmas, I go a little overboard making lists. I make lists of those I want to give gifts. Then, I make lists of the gifts I’ve bought for them. I even make lists of the presents I’ve wrapped. When you have nine grandkids, a few grandkids in love, three kids and their beautiful …

Christmas Tree Memories

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 12 Comments

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions — give off the greatest glow of happiness. –Bob Hope Do you have your Christmas tree up and decorated? I don’t. Yet. I will. Soon. Tomorrow I’ll get the ornaments out of the attic and maybe drag up my tree from the basement. …

1st Sunday Devotional – My Neighbor’s Bible

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 10 Comments

“Many people who will not read a Bible will read a Christian.” (Author unknown) We had a special holiday service at our little country church this morning. Instead of our regular hymns and sermon, we had special music from our talented pianist, Christmas songs from a guest singer and from our preacher. We did sing “Joy to the World.” That’s …