*Here's an oldie but goodie post*

I've been thinking about something I thought I knew by heart: A Charlie Brown Christmas.  I mean, I am the original CBC fan--I saw the original airing in 1965 (I was seven) and I've loved it ever since.  I can recite the lines and sing the songs.

But when I watched it this year, it was after I'd seen an ad.  You see, one can now purchase a replica of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.

You can buy it at Sears, for example.  Well, I was charmed.  But a funny thing happened.  As I looked at the ad, the wooden stand at the bottom of the tree really stood out.  Maybe it was the angle, but why had I never noticed before that the old school Christmas tree stand is...a cross?

So the wheels really started turning.  I recalled how Charlie Brown and Linus go to the Christmas tree lot, and all the trees are...artificial.  All but the single live tree.  It's an evergreen tree, right?  Surely that's a symbol of eternal life among all the artificial symbols.  And get this--it's nailed to a cross. 

A line that's always seemed out of kilter for me comes near the end of the show.  When Charlie Brown attempts to add something--a red Christmas ornament--to the perfect little tree, the branch bends.  So what does Charlie Brown say?  Not "I've ruined it," but "I've killed it."  Clearly, though, the green tree isn't dead--just weighted down--so this line always seemed wrong to me. 

But after all these years, I think I've figured out what Charles Schulz meant when Charlie Brown says he has killed the symbol of everlasting life which is nailed to the cross.  Maybe the rest of you figured that out a long time ago.

I'm thankful that Charlie Brown's friends shared with him that the little tree of life is alive and beautiful.  Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Hey guys, I first shared this recipe on Pam W's blog last year. 

   Thanksgiving is coming!  What better time to share a trusted recipe?  This recipe of mine is not going to replace green bean casserole or orange cranberry relish, but it may help you to be a better writer.

              If you want to write, you need to work up an appetite by reading.  Read many styles of writing, not just your favorites.  You can learn great techniques from other authors.  If you read library books, you can brush up on reading free of charge, yet the payoff will be huge.  I believe reading is the single most important ingredient in this recipe aside from the Lord.  Reading helps you soak up grammar, spelling, style, flow, dialogue and setting. 

            You may have heard that you should “Write what you know.”  This means you should write from your own experience.  I would tweak the recipe a bit: write the kind of book that makes you smack your lips and beg for seconds.  I love to read about real people, so that’s the kind of books I write.  As a Christian, I believe the Lord inspires me to write the way I do.  Look at the Bible: there are many writers, many styles, and many subjects, yet the Lord inspired every one.  The Lord has planned your writing career since the beginning of time, and he’s been leading you by enriching you as a reader.

            As you write, remember the most important person: your hungry reader.  When you read, do you like it when a mystery writer holds back on clues?  Or how about when you find a mistake in a non-fiction book?  When a novel is filled with boring characters, do you keep reading?  Is it realistic when characters laugh at something that’s not really funny?  How disappointing to sit down for a feast and then leave the table hungry.  The most important part of writing is not throwing together random ingredients like you’re trying to get dinner on the table at 6 o’ clock sharp.  It is assembling all the best ingredients with love—revising your work by fixing mistakes.  Trim away the fat!  When you revise your writing, you show that you care about your reader.  Your writing is not done until it’s well done.

            Before you serve up your writing, do a taste test.  You don’t want to invite company over when you’re trying out a new dish.  Trade your work with another writer or two.  Don’t be shy.  Critique partners can make helpful suggestions on how to fix something you may have missed.  If you trade with someone who seems harsh, pray about it.  I have two critique partners who read each manuscript, and I do the same for them.

When you critique someone else’s work, make a sandwich.  Start with a healthy slice of honest praise, add a dollop of helpful suggestions, and top it off with another slice of praise.  Yum!  After all, what we as writers most want to hear is that someone enjoyed our work.  What could be better?  So take my suggestions to your test kitchen and try them out.  And don’t forget—all the best cooks add their own flourishes to tried and true recipes. One last tip: remember to ask the blessing before you serve your readers.  It won’t be long before readers will relish what you write.

All rights reserved.  You may reprint this article by contacting me by email and asking for my permission.  All other use is strictly prohibited.  In other words, you can share this recipe, but ask me first and say where you got it!  Thanks.        

...and it's really stressful for me.  Time to go back to work for the school year, time for my daughter to head back to college, time to get back into it.

I guess I don't do very well with transitions. 

So here's an image of summer to tide us over as we (meaning those of us involved with school in any way, homeschool or otherwise) ease back into it.  My daughter and I spotted this sign at the Ohio State Fair.  It will either intrigue you or repulse you.  It sure stuck with me!

Frugal Femina interviewed me and asked some great questions.  A giveaway is coming up, too.  Please visit with me at Katie's place, and bookmark Frugal Femina to take advantage of the fabulous deals she's catalogued for you.  You'll be amazed at the free offers she's found.  She shares frugal tips, too, and she even has yummy recipes and meal strategies. 

So head over to Katie'$ place and leave a comment, pretty please?