Christmas Memories

by Jan Scarbrough

Why do we run ourselves ragged before the Christmas holidays? Why do we shop until we drop? Decorate the house inside and out? Fret over new Elf on the Shelf locations? Because we have wonderful Christmas memories of our own childhood—family gatherings at grandmother’s house, toys from Santa under the tree, church pageants and choir concerts, and volunteers at red kettles ringing bells in the cold. My cousin recently posted an old home video on Facebook and memories of my childhood came flooding back. There, in color but with no sound except music someone had added later, were grainy movies of Christmas long ago. In a line, my family entered the back porch where the tree and presents were displayed: my grandfather and grandmother, five of their six children and spouses (my mom and dad included), my great-aunts, and my little cousins.

How times have changed. Each woman wore a dress or skirt and blouse, very formal compared to today. Not a pair of blue jeans in the house! (I didn’t buy my first blue jeans until I was a freshman in college.) The tree was covered in silver tinsel. I don’t think you can buy that any longer. My boy cousins played with new toy guns. My girl cousins and I hugged our big bride dolls.

The most poignant moment of the movie was at the very end. My grandparents, my father and his brother and sisters gathered to sing. I wish I knew what they were singing. I wish I had a recording of it, because music was so important to the family. My grandfather started a marching band in his hometown, my father was a band director, and my aunt played an organ at church. They were a family of The Depression. They didn’t have much back then, but it was evident that they had each other. They were bound together by their love for each other and the joy of music.

On this Christmas so many years removed from those treasured home movies, I wish you and yours the same joy of family and friends. May you be blessed this season and, in the year, to come.

Here’s my favorite dish for the season.

Christmas Chicken Casserole

1. Cook and bone 2-2 ½ lbs. chicken breast diced.

2. Combine 1 – 8 oz. pkg Pepperidge Farm her seasoned stuffing, ¼ lb. melted margarine and 1 cup chicken broth

   Spread ½ of mixture in a large, greased pan or casserole

3. To chicken, add 3 t. chopped onion, ½ cup chopped celery, ½ cup mayonnaise, and ¾ tsp. salt. Mix and spread in casserole on top of stuffing mix. Cover with remaining stuffing.

4. Beat 2 eggs and add 1½ cup milk. Pour over entire casserole. At this pint, casserole can be stored overnight in refrigerator (or at least several hours).

5. Spread 1 can cream of mushroom soup over top and sprinkle with paprika.

6. Bake at 350 degrees (uncovered) 30-40 minutes until bubbly

   

 I’m Jan Scarbrough from Louisville, Kentucky. Novelists are told to write what you know, so I set many of my books in my home state. I also have two series set in Montana after a wonderful 2016 vacation. My hobby was riding American Saddlebred horses, so some of my books take place in the Kentucky horse show world. Most of my books are sweet, but the ones that aren’t are just spicy. I live with two female dogs and two female cats.

Seven authors have joined together to create a continuing series set in the fictitious Christmas town of Dickens. Each November-December, new books are added to the Dickens Holiday Romance series. All books can be enjoyed as a standalone. Most include cameo appearances by favorite characters from across Dickens. The books are perfect for fans of sweet second-chance romances and feel-good Hallmark Christmas movies. These are my books:

Book 12: Santa’s Wish Fulfilled, a Dickens Holiday Romance (https://amzn.to/4p31sAB)

Last Christmas, Santa made a wish…and Roz Henry’s world turned into a Hallmark-worthy miracle. She lost her job and her boyfriend but found herself back home in the charming New England town of Dickens—and unexpectedly reunited with Cooper Brown, the childhood sweetheart she left behind. One magical holiday brought rekindled romance, a Christmas proposal, and a second chance at love just like in the movies. It was the perfect happily-ever-after ending… or so it seemed.

This Christmas, Santa’s wish is about to be fulfilled—but love’s next chapter is proving complicated. With a sprinkle of Dickens holiday magic, Roz is about to learn that happily-ever-after’s take courage, compromise, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit.

Book 23: Christmas at North Hill, a Dickens Holiday Romance (https://amzn.to/4nKW8AP)

The small town of Dickens is alive with Christmas activity. Joni Smith shares the infectious joy spreading through the shoppers. There had been a time when she’d been desperate to be loved and had nearly lost her mind when it didn’t work out. Thanks to insight gained in a Sunday church service, she’s found contentment. She doesn’t need a man in her life. She’s done looking for love. But Mrs. Northrop’s grandson, Christopher Northrop the Third, sets Joni’s heart fluttering in a way that says that maybe love isn’t done looking for her.

If you’re on Kindle Unlimited, two more holiday books might interest you. Both are free for everyone 12/5-12/9.

A Groovy Christmas: Step back to CHRISTMAS 1968 AND CHRISTMAS 1969—two novellas in one book. (https://amzn.to/3LsePff)

Santa’s Kiss: Dawn’s world is crumbling. She needs to get away from the bright lights and heartache of Hollywood, but it’s Christmastime. There’s no way she can face her family this year. (https://amzn.to/4r7cXZR)