This is it people! The last First Wednesday of 2022. I’m shocked that we’ve met here for an entire year to talk about writing, reading, and life experiences. I’ll leave this year with a lot of good memories, many interesting experiences, and some treasured friends. Thanks for all your visits and your wonderful comments.
Now onto the final IWSG question for 2022
The awesome co-hosts for the December 7 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Chemist Ken, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
It’s holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?
I definitely fall far behind in any goals I have–the writing ones included. My priorities shift to food (especially biscotti which I bake in copious batches), to my kids, to all the decorations that I’ve stored away for years. I seem to return to my “old” way of doing things and become more domestic and much more social.
The writing will be there when I put the decorations back in their boxes and when I’m no longer planning dinner parties or going to them. And when the festivities come to an end, I’ll be at my computer or scribbling in one of notebooks. But I’ll have a lot of wonderful memories of those biscottis, the kids with their presents and wide-eyed wonder at Santa, and the shared time with friends.
May you all have a wonderful December and meet the new year in high spirits and good health.
The December WEP Challenge is on.
Read the submissions
HERE!
Quote of the Month:
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Christine Rains says
I write less in December too, but I’m more lenient on myself, especially after the frenzy of NaNoWriMo. Have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.
J Lenni Dorner says
☕ What time should I arrive for this delicious biscotti and a tasty hot beverage? 😁
Dewey Decimal System Day is December 10. 📚
“The only limit to your success is your own imagination” – Shondra Rhimes
I most recently blogged about my upcoming book and launch party.
I wish you a merry holiday ⛄ season, and a New Year full of peace, joy, and creativity.
Beth Camp says
How I’ve appreciated your presence this year, your words of encouragement, and your openness about writing and cherishing each day! Your story about biscotti reminded me of my first time baking scones at 6am. I used a baking pan without rims, the butter melted, ran, and started a fire in the oven — which set off the fire alarm. Everyone had an early breakfast, enjoyed the scones, but said no more baking before 9am! Happy holidays and Happy New Year!!!
Denise Covey says
Hi Lee! My writing definitely takes a back seat when I have a house full of guests, but life is more important to me. Thanks so much for the WEP shout out. Entries are slow to trickle in.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Looking forward to our to and fro.
Denise
Louise (Fundy Blue) says
Yes, I can access your blog again, Lee! You expressed so eloquently how I feel about Christmas celebrations and traditions with family and friends. January will come soon enough. I need to get back to making homemade biscotti again. I haven’t made it in a while, and it tastes so much better than commercial biscotti. I’ll be making my mother-in-law’s whiskey cookies which everyone in Terry’s family enjoys. Have a merry Christmas filled with love and joy and meaning. Hugs to you!
Thomas Edward Anderson says
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
Forgive me for being so tardy, dear friend. I am backed-up due to family obligations and holiday events. Today, we welcomed a family member who arrived on a flight from San Diego for a month long stay.
With family considerations playing a significant role during the holidays, I do not have very much time to spend on writing. Like you, I hope to resume after the first of the year. I could eat a bushel of your biscottis. I’m sure they are a hit with every member of the family.
I wish you happy holidays and peace, health and prosperity in 2023, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
Sandra Cox says
Homemade Biscottis. Yum.
Love this month’s quote:)
Happy Holidays, Lee. Hope they’re wondrous.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m sending you the same wishes, Sandra.
Jacqui Murray says
Life back then is when it all started. Wonderful pictures. The mannacles didn’t bother me. Seeing how much we’ve progressed helps us be more accepting of where we are now.
JQ Rose says
Congratulations! You know how to make it a merry holiday! My go to baking is pumpkin bread. I’ve not tried biscotti, ever. I may experiment this year. Have a FABulous holiday season!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Pumpkin bread sounds scrumptious! Let me know how the biscotti experiment comes out.
Loni Townsend says
Does sound like you’re going to be busy this season. I hope you manage to stay on top of it, and then start the next year fresh with the writing again. Happy Holidays!
C. Lee McKenzie says
The same wishes to you, Loni!
Elizabeth Seckman says
I love biscotti. I’ve never tried to make it. I’ll have to look that up.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It’s really easy, and I’ve taken to experimenting with mine, so I have a variety of tastes. So far the double chocolate ones are the best sellers!
L. Diane Wolfe says
I love biscotti. Banana bread will be what I bake in huge batches.
C. Lee McKenzie says
We should do a bake swap! Merry Christmas, Diane
H. R. Sinclair says
And we all (or most all) need that return to something home and family to recharge and prep up for the new year and winter! Happy Holidays! Hooray for biscotti!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It is definitely a time to share with those we love. May you have a joyous Christmas and more wonderful books coming in 2022.
Elephants Child says
Enjoy your friends and your family at this special time. Hopefully your muse will be very busy in the background and greet you happily when you return.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’ll give her your message just in case she’s dozing. Have a wonderful holiday. See you in 2022.
Jeff says
The holidays are so busy, but after Christmas, things are really slack for me till about mid-January (in time perhaps to plan a Burn’s Night for Robert Burn’s birthday?) Also, I have a book of yours to read!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know you’re busy this time of year, Jeff, but it’s a wonderful busy. Glad to book arrived! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rebecca Douglass says
Christmas this year will be pretty small and low-key, so I should have time for writing. Whether I have any writing in me after the Nano sprint, I’m not as sure. Enjoy your holidays and biscotti!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Congratulations on the NANO success. Now you’ve earned some time to s…l…o…w write.
Liz A. says
Your priorities are where they should be. The writing will be there later. This time of year is temporary.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hope you have a great holiday, Liz! No subbing for a few days, heh?
Olga Godim says
Baking and visiting is always enjoyable, and the writing will always be waiting for you. Happy holidays, Lee.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Same to you, Olga. See you in 2022.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
A whole year of first Wednesdays, coming together, and we’ve done it for years. That’s really wild when you think about it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It is darned amazing.
Natalie Aguirre says
I totally agree with your focus on baking and enjoying social time with those we love during the holidays and that the writing can wait. Happy Holidays!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I find a break can often make me more prolific when I return to a WIP. Hope you and your daughter have a wonderful Christmas.
Cathrina says
I also become involved in baking, decorating, and shopping. Like you, after all is packed away, I hope my muse will return, and write vigorously, while I hibernate for the winter.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think we have the same plan! See you in January.
Jemi Fraser says
We sound very similar in our approach to December!
Family, food, and fun are definitely first up!
Enjoy your time with your family 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Kindred spirits, Jemi! How great that is. Merry Christmas and a great 2022.
Jacqui Murray says
It has been a wonderful year of camaraderie hasn’t it. We will go back at it next month.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Absolutely! Looking forward to it, indeed.
Esther O'Neill says
The baking ?
I have a problem. Where to hide everything ? Only Wednesday, and everything baked on Sunday’s vanished.
Back to my desk next year ? Sounds like the right idea .
C. Lee McKenzie says
I used to have that issue. I’d no sooner take the baked goods out of the oven than they’d be either decimated or gone! The truth is I miss those days a lot.
Merry Christmas and thanks for the great comment today.
joylene says
Biscotti sounds mmm good. I love Christmas Carols. I don’t bake or prep or do anything in preparation any longer. My family is too far away, and so we end up sharing the day with friends. It’s good. Merry Christmas, Lee. Best to you.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Friends are very important and more so when your family lives at a distance. Merry Christmas to you, Joylene.
Tyrean says
I love the quote because the Grinch is my favorite holiday movie. 🙂
Merry Christmas, C. Lee!
C. Lee McKenzie says
All that philosophy tucked into such creative characters! Have a wonderful Christmas, Tyrean.