Holiday Traditions – Time for a Change

Holiday Traditions - Time for a Change

By Cathy Perkins

Clicking out Heels is also changing. Rather than our group’s question and answer posts for First Wednesday, we’ll focus on a peek behind the scene element. Barbara Plum kicks it off for us in January. Can’t wait to see what she shares!

Sometimes change is good. Doing the same things over and over can provide continuity and a sense of tradition, but they can also become stale and lose their original meaning.

Holiday traditions are changing in our family. Our children are grown, married, and starting their own families. While certain foods are still ensconced on the holiday table, this year, the family will gather around one of our children’s table. Added bonus? I don’t have to cook!

Because I’m not the hostess this year, rather than spending hours preparing, my husband and I took off for a working vacation in Hawaii. The vacation part? With warm sunshine, vibrant foliage and a blue ocean for inspiration, we had a wonderful time, hiking and snorkeling. 

While my husband played golf, I drew on that inspiring scene and finished Calling for the Money, the next book in the Holly Price mystery series. Now that we’re home again, initial comments are returning from my beta readers. The good news is they like it. Even better, they had a couple of great suggestions that I’ll work in before sending the manuscript to my editor.

What about you?

Are there certain traditions that endure with your family? Or are you making changes as well? 

An award-winning author of financial mysteries, Cathy Perkins writes twisting dark suspense and light amateur sleuth stories.  When not writing, she battles with the beavers over the pond height or heads out on another travel adventure. She lives in Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd.  Visit her at http://cperkinswrites.com or on Facebook 

Sign up for her new release announcement newsletter in either place.

She's hard at work on sequel to The Body in the Beaver Pond, which was recently presented with the Claymore Award.

See Ya, 2016

December is traditionally the month of reflection—a time to look back at the year to assess goals and accomplishments.  My husband and I were talking last night, not so much about which goals we met, but rather about 2016 events that made us happy. While engagements, new jobs and houses for our kids top the list, I’m very happy to report we finally finished our house without killing our builder.

My mom would’ve loved this house—the setting, the birds and animals, the river and pond, and especially the snow at Christmas. 

I miss Mom a lot at the holidays. One of my favorite holiday memories is Mom making cookies with the kids. While unpacking, I found the cookie cutters in one of the boxes marked “Christmas. ” I think I’ll head into my new kitchen, whip up a batch of gingerbread dough, and invite the neighbor’s kids over.

What’s on your list of “good things” for 2016?

Cathy Perkins started writing when recurring characters and dialogue populated her day job commuting daydreams. Fortunately, that first novel lives under the bed, but she was hooked on the joy of creating stories. When not writing, she can be found doing battle with the beavers over the pond height or setting off on another travel adventure. Born and raised in South Carolina, she now lives in Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd. 

You can also visit her online at the following places:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Creme de Vie!

by Maria Geraci

Every Christmas there are traditions that I strive to keep alive. Such as buying my kids their own Christmas ornament (no matter how old they happen to be!). Another one is making traditional Cuban eggnog (or Creme de Vie) to enjoy on Noche Buena (or Christmas Eve).

If you've never made homemade eggnog, then this might be the year you need to start. Creme de Vie is not only easy to make, it's extremely tasty. It's also not for lightweights. Bacardi Rum is a major ingredient!

Here you go:

2 cups sugar
1 cup water
8 egg yolks (no whites!)
1 can evaporated milk
1 can sweet condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups white Rum
ground nutmeg for garnish

Add sugar to water and bring to a boil over med heat until the sugar completely dissolves and the syrup lightly coats a spoon. Set aside and allow to cool.

Lightly whisk egg yolks. Add the evaporated and condensed milks and whisk until blended. Mix in vanilla and rum. Slowly add the cooled syrup, mixing in well.

Strain the mixture.

Pour into bottles and let sit one hour, then refrigerate. Most recipes call for you to allow the Creme to Vie to settle for a couple of weeks before drinking, but I think it tastes perfectly awesome within 12 hours. Yum!

Enjoy! And Feliz Navidad!

PS: This also makes a great Christmas gift or host gift!