Christmas Traditions Make the Holidays Bright!
One of the fun things about Christmas is traditions. Take for instance, the Land Down Under, because, well, someday I want to visit there, just probably not at Christmas. The English and Irish predominately settled Australia so it stands to reason their traditions reflect those countries. Here’s a few of of their Christmas Traditions.
Aussie’s decorate their homes with ferns, palm leaves and evergreens along with 
blooming flowers of Christmas Bush and Christmas Bell Flower. It’s summer time in December down under, when most of the United States is looking forward to big flakes and blankets of snow for a white Christmas.
Carols by Candlelight is one of the popular events in Australia. People come together under the stars at night to light candles and sing Christmas carols. Seems to me, it’s not far from our own tradition of Christmas carolers. I just can’t imagine Christmas without snow, that’s why I live in Colorado.
Christmas Day is when families and close friends gather from all over Australia for a holiday midday dinner. Some enjoy a traditional British Christmas dinner of roast turkey or ham and rich plum pudding doused in brandy and set on fire before it is brought to the table. Other families head for the backyard barbie to grill their Christmas dinner, maybe shrimp, in the sunshine or go to the beach and enjoy a picnic of cold turkey or ham and a salad. To the delight of children, Father Christmas in shorts may appear to greet children at the beach on Christmas! If you can’t have snow, that’s the way to celebrate Christmas.
Because I am of Swedish descent, let’s take a peek at Christmas Traditions in Sweden where in December the days are quite short, the nights long and the ground is usually snow covered. The Christmas season begins at church on the first Sunday of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Children use an Advent calendar to keep track of the first day of December until Christmas, just like some of ours do. Each morning, they open a flap in the calendar’s Christmas scene to see the charming picture behind it. This year, I have a Victorian Advent calendar on my computer and enjoy a surprise behind each door daily.
The festivities in Sweden really begin with St. Lucia’s Day, December 13th, a 
celebration of the patron saint of light. A Christmas market held in the old medieval section of Stockholm is where you can find handmade toys, ornaments, and candy. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Some people write a special verse to accompany the gift and even seal the package with colorful sealing wax. I have enough trouble with scotch tape and wrapping paper, I can’t imagine what would happen with hot sealing wax. Not a pretty sight, I’m sure. A Christmas tree is selected by the whole family just a day or two before Christmas and decorated, while the delightful aroma of gingerbread cookies in the shape of hearts, stars, or other festive shapes waft through to house. Christmas 
Eve is when the main feast is eaten. Presents might be brought by Santa 
(Jultomten) or by gnomes/elves named Tomte or Nissar. Many families set out a sheaf of grain on a pole for hungry birds. My hubby and I always put out special treats for the wild birds on Christmas.
As for my family, we put up the tree, Christmas decorations inside and out, the weekend after Thanksgiving. Or try to. No it’s not a real tree, only because I’m allergic. <sigh> We watch Christmas movies throughout December and make candy such as Divinity, Fantasy Fudge and Beaver Dams. What are 
Beaver Dams, you ask. Well, take a package of butterscotch chips, melt them in a double boiler, stir in half-package of crispy Chow Mein Noodles and one half can of cocktail peanuts. Spoon the concoction onto foil and let set. They look like beaver dams hence the name. YUMMY.
This year I’m going, to once again, try my hand at gingerbread cookies. Its become a Christmas Tradition of sorts, an make my family cringe. Why you ask? I haven’t had a lot of luck in previous years getting a good tasting cookie. Do any of you have a favorite recipe that I could try? Feel free to leave the recipe in the comments section.
Something for everyone. Two books on sale for 99cents each, A DEMON’S WITCH – The adventures of Bruce, Angie and friends are an entertaining escape from the ordinary world. Be swept away into a magical romantic fantasy adventures, you’ll never want to leave. These spicy tales have it all intrigue, humor, thrills, danger and a splash of magic to keep you on the edge of your seat. https://www.amazon.com/Tena-Stetler/e/B014E0PEPM or A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING – Tales of redemption, magic wildlife rescue, true love, and paying it forward will leave you breathless! https://www.amazon.com/Tena-Stetler/e/B014E0PEPM
!
Next week My Favorite Things About Christmas. What Christmas Traditions do and your family observe on Christmas Eve and Day? Or during the month of December? I look forward to hearing from you.
Views: 1
Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Australia, Charm Me Again, Christmas, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Sweden, Tena Stetler, Traditions by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
An Average Day in My Life #L&SR’s Weekly Blogging Challenge
Happy Holidays! Welcome to #L&SR’s Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge December 2, 2020, An average day in my life. That I can do! Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cauldron. Take your choice of a Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate.
My writing cave!
While COVID upset a lot of things socially, for me not a lot changed. Writing is a solitary endeavor. I do miss interactions with my writer friends for lunch and eating out, but over all, I consider myself and hubby lucky. An average day in my life. Starts at 5:30 a.m. LOL Nope, not a morning person I’m a night owl, but hubby has to go to work. Fix breakfast for hubby, Taco our parrot, Mystic our dog, and Sammy turtle. Pack hubby’s lunch. Eat breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day, you know. Figure out what to fix for supper, take out any necessary ingredients.
Yes, Taco and Mystic are plotting to take over the world.
Then its a 30 second commute to my home office where I work at promos for a couple hours, dive into my fantasy world see what my characters are up to in my work in progress manuscript, direct their activities. Ha, they tell me what they are going to do and I write it down. At 10:00 a.m., Take the stairs to my basement home gym and work out for 35-60 minutes, depending on the day and the time I can spare. Or if the weather is nice, I’ll take Mystic for a nice long walk! Pesky deadlines dictate a lot of my day.
Lunch is then on the schedule. Afterward I work on my WIP until 4:00 p.m., when Taco 
reminds me with a loud squawk followed by “Hi Guys” or any number of phrases she knows, it’s time to let her out and go into the sunroom. Dinner time arrives shortly there after and either I’ve gotten it prepared or hubby picks supper up on the way home. Kinda depends what kind of day I’ve had. Now weekends I take off. Need to give the muse a rest and recharge. The summer time included working in my garden. So there you have it An average day in my live. How about your day? Tell me about it in the comments.
Alas, I must return to my writing cave preparing promo on HIDDEN GYPSY MAGIC, 99¢ sales on A DEMON’S WITCH, and A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING. Stay tuned! Chocolate Raspberry Magic release date been extended until April 2021. And I’ve turned in the sixth book in A Demon’s Witch Series to my editor at The WIld Rose Press. She likes it! Yippee! AND I’m starting a new project Wylder West Assignment. Keep an eye out for more information. Now let’s see what the other author’s list as an average day in their life. LOL L&SR
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Need help with your gift list? Check out the award winning A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING: Psssst…. A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING is on sale for 99c cents. Grab a copy today. Also makes a great gift for the Paranormal Romance/Mystery reader on your list.
A bit out A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING:
Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. Wedding planning goes awry when the couple spends Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife, Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, and Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?
A sneak peek between the pages of A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING.
After she set her glass down, Lathen brushed a couple strands of hair out of her eyes and searched her face. “Are you all right?”
“I’m tired, my wedding is in a couple weeks, I have ghosts fighting over who is going to do what. Guests that have no idea the place is haunted and… Your family and pack, my parents, Gwen… To top it all off, the head of my clan, who is a ghost, is sitting in front of me wanting to know who is coming to the wedding and whether the ghosts will be outed. How could I possibly be all right?”
“When you put it that way.” Lathen chuckled. “It sounds just a bit… I don’t know…crazy?” His right eyebrow winged up. She saw mischief sparkle in his eyes. “We could still elope,” he offered.
“No sir. Not after all the trouble—Not on me watch.” Ghost Aidan shook his head so vehemently his upper torso blurred.
Thanks for popping in. I really appreciate it. Wow, only 23 shopping days until Christmas. Yikes! Anyway, next week’s blogging challenge December 9th, A profession from a book I’d love to try! Oh this will be fun!! Until then have fun, stay safe, and never let the world get you down!
Views: 1
Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged #L&SR's #Wednesday's Blog Challenge, A Witch's Holiday Wedding, An average day in my life, Ghost, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 10 comments.
A Demon’s Witch Series – Silver Dagger Tour
Demon’s Witch
Demon’s Witch Series Book 1
Tena Stetler
Paranormal Romance
a lid on all the paranormal beings inhabiting Washington D.C. is a
daunting job. Bruce, a six hundred year old demon and the Territory
Overlord of the Western Hemisphere, keeps his finger on the pulse of
DC’s power players through the activities at his highly successful
Wycked Hair Salon. His movie star good looks and body builder
physique keeps his dance card full and the rumor mills running.
Within these walls, his anonymity is safe, mostly.
world spins out of control when Angelique, a pint size, gorgeous
witch, with an attitude breezes through the doors of his salon. She
is the younger sister of Tristian, Bruce’s long time trusted
enforcer, whose professional skills are second to none. Tristian is
furious at the relationship between Bruce and Angelique, a dangerous
situation. The undeniable attraction between demon and witch promises
to tear apart both their professional and personal worlds.
Warlock’s Secrets
Demon’s Witch Series Book 2
ago, a sacred ceremony at the Dragon’s Moon Coven turned deadly.
Son of the high priestess, Tristian Shandie’s life changed forever.
With a price on his head and revenge in his heart, he has no choice
but to follow in his father’s footsteps to a profession shrouded in
secrets. Now his skills as an enforcer for the Demon Overlord are
second to none. But dangerous secrets he harbors are a liability he
can no longer afford.
chance meeting with a woman he finds irresistible flips Tristian’s
world upside down. Hannah is a cyber security specialist with secrets
of her own. Bad boys never appealed to her until Tristian, who
changes everything. In his darkest hours, she is dragged into his
magical world.
they survive, is she strong enough to heal his heart and tame the
warlock? Or will their secrets destroy them?
Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance
Demon’s Witch Series Book 3
is a Native American vampire, former assassin for the Vampire
Council. In a twist of fate, he now DJ’s the midnight shift for a
small radio station in Whitefish, Montana, on the edge of Glacier
National Park where his secret is safe until…
in Ireland, Brandy now works as a park ranger and trail guide in the
park. During a full moon, Stefan and Brandy’s paths cross in a near
physical collision on a trail. Their attraction is immediate and
undeniable, almost as if fate demanded it. Their union was foretold
long ago in Irish folk tales where vampires and gryphons, warlocks
and demons, witches and faeries must work together for the good of
man and magic kind.
a trip to Ireland the key to unraveling secrets and returning the
magic? And even more importantly, will their love survive the trip?
Angel’s Unintentional Entanglement
Demon’s Witch Series Book 4
warrior angel, Caden Silverwind, lives alone in Colorado’s rugged
Rockies, healing from physical wounds as well as the mental anguish
suffered during battles with dark demons. Then he finds a woman
barely clinging to life after a horrendous beating. He is not
prepared for the entanglement she brings to his life, nor the
feelings she awakens in him.
of Indian Affairs Agent, Mystic Rayne’s personal dilemma and
assignment nearly gets her killed. Divine intervention is a
complication she never expected and her growing attraction to Caden
is undeniable. Can she trust him with her secret?
quest to uncover her attacker takes them from the pristine mountains
in Colorado to the wilds of Wyoming. Along the way, they find answers
which may place them in more danger. Determined to solve the mystery,
they must also navigate their feelings and fears to find love and
unite heaven and earth.
Magic Redemption
Demon’s Witch Series Book 5
a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more
within her than she dreams. Kidnapped as a child, her captors
murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior
assassin.
an assignment goes horribly wrong, she finds herself at the mercy of
the friends and family of her intended target. Offering valuable
information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it
is not without its challenges.
Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain
Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find
a way to convince her their future together is stronger than the dark
memories that haunt her dreams.
her past comes calling for revenge, will their love survive the
raging inferno she brings down upon them? Or will the searing path of
destruction destroy all they hold dear?
the majestic Rocky Mountains just outside the window, I sit at my
computer with vampires,demons, witches, faeries, and a variety of
paranormal creatures gathered around telling me their stories! That
makes me an author of paranormal romance novels and cozy mysteries
with magic spark. The everyday world is mundane, but sprinkle a
little magic and you have fantastic!
is home. I share my life with a wonderful husband of many moons, our
brilliant Chow Chow, a terribly spoiled companion parrot, and a
forty-year-old box turtle. We enjoy hiking, biking, and camping, also
love water sports including kayaking and whitewater rafting,
especially on the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge.
passion of mine is reading a good novel. You can find me any winter
evening curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a
mug of hot chocolate, and a big bowl of popcorn. While growing up, if
I didn’t like the ending of a book, I’d rewrite it, which led to
writing my own books.
I discovered that in real life it’s tough to rewrite an ending.
Amazon giftcard,
Views: 1
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged A Demon's Witch Series, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Vampire, Witches by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Mystic Maples #MFRWhooks
Happy Holidays! For #MFRWhooks this week a tale about Mystic Maples– When Mercy discovers the truth, Silvanus’ well-ordered life unravels and they’re catapulted into the past to right a wrong.
So pull up a chair and get comfy, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about MYSTIC MAPLES!
Click on the cover to read more or purchase
A little about Mystic Maples:
Earth/Fire witch Mercy Rose’s insatiable curiosity always gets her in trouble. After a break-in at her Colorado flower shop, and a court battle that comes to a screeching halt in her favor, she arrives at Deerbourne Inn for a much-needed getaway. Looking for peace and quiet, she finds just the opposite in a startling handsome but mysterious man and his dog.
Silvanus Forrest’s gypsy/fae heritage is a double-edged sword. The land he inherited from his parents is rumored to be enchanted. But when Mercy discovers the truth, his well-ordered life unravels, and they’re catapulted into the past to right a wrong. Along the way their lives intertwine, and they discover the true meaning of family and love. Will they change the past in time to save their future?
A peek between the pages:
Several trees had a slight glow to them, then it was gone. Am I imagining…She raised her arms out from her sides and turned her face to the starlit sky, letting the magic surge through her. It had been almost a year since magic of any kind called to her. It felt so good, she was lost in the moment. Suddenly, she heard footsteps that came to an abrupt stop.
“You ready?” A deep resounding voice asked.
She paused and frowned. “‘S’pose so. We need to decorate your cabin too.”
“I was thinking about having a cabin decorating party. You know singing Christmas carols around the tree after we finish decorating it and the cabin. Mugs of hot chocolate, hot apple cider, an informal dinner maybe invite Jim and Penny, Zac can bring his friend, then you and me? It’s been a long time…” He appeared lost in thought.
She waited a couple beats and grinned.”The loan spruce tree out front of the cabin is begging for bright multi-colored lights.” She winked at him wiggling her fingers. “I could arrange for that to happen.”
“Frivolously use of magic? Not a good example for Zak.”
“I beg to differ with you, sir. It’s for everyone to enjoy. Your family, my family and by the time I’m done, the whole town will be able to see the tree. I mean enjoy it.” She snickered.
Pssst… While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my paranormal romance/mysteries click here.
Views: 0
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged #MFRWHooks, Mystic Maples, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Tena Stetler, Time travel, Witches by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.
