Follow My Book Blog Friday Hop #17

Happy Follow Friday!!

And Happy New Year!!

This weekly feature is hosted by

Rachel at Parajunkee's View 

and 

Alison at Alison Can Read. 

Rachel not only has fabulous features,

but is a web designer

'par excellence'!!

Alison has a beautiful and very

interesting blog!

You can find the rules at the links above.

Join in the fun and make new blogging friends!!

This week's featured blogs are:

Ex Libris

and

Kristin Can Read!!!!

This week's question is:

The New Year is here — and everyone

wants to know your New Year's

Blogging Resolution!

What are you going to try

to revise, revamp and redo

for 2012 on your blog?

Interesting question!  This is an issue that's been on my back burner for a while now...

I have learned a lot since I first started blogging, which obviously meant some risk-taking on my part, and it's been pretty exciting. However, I don't want to drastically revamp things at this point in time.  That's because I'm no computer geek!  True, I've managed to get this far without major mishaps, but I'm still too scared I might make a huge mistake during "a revamping session", and then all my hard work would go down the drain!  (Hey, I think being honest always pays off in the end, so I'm being very upfront here.)  Therefore, I won't be making any dramatic changes to my blog, such as switching to a new template, or completely re-designing the whole blog.  Besides, I happen to love the current template, with its cosmic blue background!  (And I love the color blue, period.  I'm not contemplating changing my color scheme at all, either.) 

I have been changing my header from time to time, as well as rearranging things in my sidebar.  I'll continue to do that.  I love to change book widgets occasionally, for instance.

One thing I've been mulling over, though, is the possibility of hosting book tours.  I'm researching a couple of tour sites, to see if I'll be able to do this.  Tours would add more variety to my blog, and I know that readers love to hear about new authors, especially if an interview/giveaway package is included!  However, time is a very important factor for me, since I hold down two jobs.  Blogging is so time-consuming!  I do love it, of course, but it does take a lot of time to keep up a blog.  Along with that comes promotion of one's blog, as well as commenting on and following other blogs, etc.  But I am seriously considering the possibility.

In regards to the blogging community, I am fully committed to following back those who follow me, as well as commenting on those blogs whose creators have commented on mine.  So I will continue to do this to the best of my ability, because I believe it's the courteous thing to do.  I will also strive to continue replying to comments made on my posts -- not only here on my blog, but on the commenters' blogs, as well.  Yes, doing this takes up more time, I know, but again, I think it's the courteous thing to do.   It's also important for me to try to comment more often on other blogs, and I will certainly work on this, since I do feel I need to do more of it.

I would also like to host more giveaways, although that, too, can be a problem because of the time factor.  However, I will soon be using Rafflecopter, which will definitely expedite this process! 

Another of my goals for 2012 is to post more reviews!  It's ironic that I would say that, I think, because I've noticed that reviews don't get that many comments.  However, I do enjoy writing them!  In order to do more of them, though, I need to read more books, and I go right back to the time problem...and I'm not a fast reader.  I've never been interested in speed reading courses, either.  Reading more slowly means that one really gets to  savor a book.  But what's a book blog primarily for, if not for posting book reviews?  So I've got to do something about reading a little bit faster...

Yet another possibility is to cook up a couple of new book memes, perhaps combining them with blog hops, although, in my experience, it hasn't been easy to get people interested in joining new book memes/blog hops.

Well, as you've just found out, I'm not planning a drastic re-designing of my blog, although I do want to add some variety to it.  You can look forward to new headers periodically.  (I might revert to an older header every now and then, too, if it's one I'm really fond of.)

I sure do hope my present followers continue to enjoy this blog, and I also hope to attract new ones!

Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a holiday rich with traditions; in fact, no other holiday can compete with it in this respect. It is a fascinating mixture of Christian and pagan customs, so much so that, like intertwined threads in a multicolored tapestry, they can no longer be separated, although many devout Christians insist that the real reason for the holiday is the birth of Jesus Christ, and everything else is commercialized, pagan, and therefore superfluous.

The birth of Our Savior is, indeed, the fundamental reason for this holiday. Yet, the traditions that have become attached to the celebration of Christmas make it what it is today – a beautiful, joyful time of light, love, and peace.  Christmas traditions cannot and should not be done away with, for they give this holiday its distinctive style, which is strongly appealing at various levels of the human psyche, not the least of which is the emotional one.

The one basic theme of all of these traditions is that of loving relationship with God and one’s fellow human beings. The legend of Santa Claus, for example, is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, who gave gifts to poor children at Christmastime. Christmas trees blaze with lights and glittery ornaments, reminding us of the light of goodness that shines in the midst of the winter darkness. Mistletoe has long been used as an excuse to kiss that special person one loves, or would like to get to know better….

These traditions and customs also serve to remind us that the Christmas season is a time of miracles. If there really is no physical Santa Claus, still, the Christmas spirit is alive and well. It can move someone to make an anonymous donation where it’s most needed. An embittered veteran of a horrible marriage can suddenly encounter a new love, a new beginning. We can even entertain angels unaware…

Books are also, of course, an integral part of Christmas, especially such classics as Dickens’s A ChristmasCarol, as well as the story “The Gift of the Magi”,  by O’Henry. One of my own Christmas traditions, which I’m sure I share with many readers, is that of reading Christmas romances. If there’s anything truly magical in this world, it’s the magic of love, which can transform people and situations almost overnight. So, last year as well as this year, I went on a little shopping spree for such books, buying a couple of book lots on eBay, for instance. I have plenty of them now, so I need not fear that I’ll run out of romantic holiday material!

I especially enjoy Regency Christmas romances and paranormal Christmas romances. I recently reviewed the first installment of a series of three Silhouette Nocturne romances, dealing with Christmas and vampires, and am almost done reading the second.

Mary Balogh, my all-time favorite romance writer, has a number of absolutely beautiful Regency Christmas romances. One of them, which I read last year, is titled A Christmas Bride. I really should revisit it so that I can review it.

Another very nice Christmas read is A Magical Christmas Present, a paranormal anthology that I also read last year.

I’m currently reading another paranormal anthology, titled A Dreamspun Christmas, which I will soon be reviewing. This book was published back in the 1990’s, and it was one of my eBay acquisitions. As an inveterate book addict, I’m always buying books that attract me, with the intention of reading them at some time in the future…. So, this year, I went through my treasured collection of Christmas romances, and picked out this one. It’s not the only one I want to read, naturally. There will be more following! Give me plenty of romance at Christmastime!

Here are five other books I would like to investigate, as well.  Two of them deal with the central place of Jesus in the celebration of Christmas, while the other three are about the traditions associated with the season.

The first one, by Lawrence Driskill, is titled Christmas Stories from Around the World: Honoring Jesus in Many Lands. 

The next one, by Ann Christian Buchananan and Debra Klingsporn, is illustrated by Thomas Kinkade, and is titled Christ, the Light of the World: Celebrating the Glory of Christmas.



This one deals with the pagan customs that have become an integral part of the holiday.  It's titled, aptly enough, Pagan Christmas, and was written by Christian Ratsch and Claudia Muller-Ebeling.  It is lavishly illustrated.



This one deals with the evolution of the holiday in the United States.  The title is Merry Christmas! Celebrating America's Greatest Holiday, and its author is Karal Ann Marling, who is a noted art historian.

This is a decorating book, with loads of beautiful pictures of Christmas trees and other holiday decorations.  It's authored by Debi Staron and Bob Pranga, together known as "Dr. Christmas".  The title is Christmas Style.

Ah, Christmas! The wreath is on the door, the tree is twinkling with lights and several types of ornaments, Christmas carols are sofly playing in the background, and I’m all curled up with my magical Christmas romance book, sipping some eggnog, although there is no blazing Yule log in my non-existent chimney, and no snow outside. This is Florida, and all we get is a bit of cold and rain…

“MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!”

My Very First Blog Award!

Well, there I was, having just another boring old Hump Day at work -- this past Wednesday -- so I decided to sneak a peek at my blog to see if I had gotten any new followers, or maybe Rob Pattinson had left a comment, or something...

And then..."what to my wondering eyes should I see, but eight tiny reindeer..."  Naw, just kidding!  What I DID see was my very first blogger award, "Life Is Good", graciously bestowed upon me by Jennifer, of Book Noise, a new follower, and a very nice one, too!  Thank you so much, Jen!  You  really and truly made my day!! 

I'd like to encourage you guys to drop by Jen's blog -- it's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! 

Now, here's how this award thing works:

1. Thank and link back to the person that gave this award.
2. Answer the 10 survey questions below.
3. Pass the award along to other bloggers whom you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked to let them know about the award.


Survey Questions:

1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this?   If you are not anonymous, do you wish that you had started out anonymously, so that you could be anonymous now?

Well, to be honest, I was a little nervous at first.  After all, I was going to be putting my thoughts and feelings out there.  Maybe I felt somewhat insecure.  Now, however, I'm totally ADDICTED to this!  I wish I had more time to do it!  It's a great outlet for all my pent-up creative energy, which I wouldn't be able to use up any other way. 


I started out just using my first name and the initial of my last name, but then decided to use my full name.  What the heck -- if I want to publish a book someday, I might as well start using my real name from the start.  So, of course, I have no wishes to suddenly begin blogging anonymously.  Also , I'm feeling much more confident now.  This is like riding a bike -- the more you do it, the more comfortable you feel, and the less likely that you'll fall!


2. Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side.

Oh, this is a good one!  I tend to be stubborn when involved in an ideological argument.  I have very strong values and beliefs that I will not give up easily.  I can consider diverging viewpoints on trivial matters, but it's hard for me to do so regarding matters of great moral importance. 


Also, I've noticed that, when I really make up my mind to do something, I tend to get it done.    It's the making-up-my-mind part that's hard.  Lol.


3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?

Honestly?  A visitor to this planet!  I don't think I'm all here yet! 


4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?

A bottle of Zephyrhills water.  (I do try to recycle, but this is a weakness....)


5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?


I always do something having to do with books -- either read, post a book review, visit a book blog, or go to my favorite book sites, to browse, buy, or both!


6. Is there something that you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?

I think it's high time I got a novel written and published!  I've been writing in a rather desultory fashion up to now.  I have to stop hoping the muse will come down from Mount Olympus, and simply follow Julia Cameron's advice: show up at the page!  Things will take care of themselves thereafter.


7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?

I was definitely very shy, and off in my own little dream world most of the time.  I used to wish, back then, that I was popular and belonged to some clique.  When I grew past that phase, I realized that most high school cliques tend to be rather shallow groups.


8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?


It was the time my husband and I were driving down from a club in Fort Lauderdale one Saturday night, and he kept glancing over at me every few seconds, to say "I love you" with deep feeling.  His eyes got a little moist, too.   It was so unexpected.  I will never, ever, forget this!


9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?

I think I prefer to write about other people, events, books, etc.  In fact, I'm a little surprised that I'm opening up here.  Maybe I'm starting to feel the need to do this, in order to connect with my readers more closely.  I do think, though, that every time someone posts something -- whatever it is -- on their blog, or writes a novel, short story, or poem,they are unconsciously revealing themselves.  It might not always be a very personal or intimate revelation, but it's a revelation nevertheless.


10. If you had the choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?


Withoutt hesitation, I will always prefer to sit down and read a book, especially since my time is pretty limited.  (I have two jobs, you see.)   Not that I'm antisocial, but....getting lost in a fascinating book is such a pleasant experience!  Besides, I prefer talking with people online, anyway.




And now, I will happily bestow this award on the following bloggers:


J-9 at Blood Rose Book Reviews
Trudy at Once Upon A Twilight
Cyndi at Dog-Eared & Bookmarked
aobibliophile at aobibliosphere





LIFE IS DEFINITELY GOOD!!

Blingee: "Love Sparkles"

Some time ago, I discovered this really cooool site -- blingee.com!  It attracted me right away, since I was an art major in college (although I always enjoyed writing poetry). 

Since I don't have the necessary space to do art, I figured this was the next best thing.  So I began creating what are known as "blingees".  Of course, the theme that motivates me the most is.... The Twilight Saga!! 

Although I haven't visited this site for a while (except for a few minutes ago, in order to pull the code to post this blingee here), I do have several of my creations saved there.  I will post them here, one by one.  Also, I will be frequenting this site again on a regular basis, so that I can create new ones to display on my blog.

Hope all of you -- especially the TWIHARDS!! -- enjoy!!  : )



Glitter Graphics

Thoughts on reading "Twilight" for the third time...

Rain falls softly in my mind… I am Bella Swan, sitting on my bed, writing down my thoughts of Edward Cullen in my private diary.  

Dragging a hand through my tangled hair, I sigh, and stop my writing momentarily.  I stare out my window, which is partially closed, letting in a gentle breeze.  Rivulets of rain flow in crisscrossing patterns down the windowpanes, but I stare past them, into the thick darkness of the night.

What and who is Edward Cullen?  What mystery beckons to me as I bring a picture of his hypnotically beautiful face to my memory?

My mind returns me to my own identity.  The second-story bedroom in Forks fades into the pages of the book I’m holding in my hands, and I am forced to face myself.  I am Mari.  I am not Bella, although I do identify very strongly with her.  It’s easy to see why.  She doesn’t quite fit in, somehow, although she’s made friends at Forks High School easily enough.  Yet none of them know the real Isabella Swan.  No one, that is, except Edward.  In the short time he has interacted with her at school, he has seen her true essence.

This is the nature of true love, isn’t it?  That we are known for who we truly are.  That someone else in this world is as comfortable in our inner landscape, although they don’t quite share it, as we are.

I look back down at the pages of my book, and feel the pull of the story, dragging me into it, into Bella’s world.  Into Edward’s world.

I become lost once again in the dream that is “Twilight”…