Thursday, December 12, 2019

Advent Day 12 – When You Can’t Be “Home” for Christmas

Please welcome guest, Candee Fick

I’m thrilled to be back on Seekerville in time for a Christmas countdown. And like the others so far, I’ve got a Christmas memory and a giveaway…

First, the memory.

A few weeks ago, here in Colorado, we got a dumping of snow. And while we had to dig out from almost 20 inches of the white stuff right before Thanksgiving, it wasn’t the biggest storm I’ve experienced. That one was dubbed the Blizzard of ’82. (Yes, 1982. And if you’re into math as well as reading, I was eleven at the time with two younger brothers.)

It was Christmas Eve and we began our annual trek from the foothills of Colorado four hours south into New Mexico to celebrate with my grandparents. I say began, because even though my parents roused us long before dawn due to the falling snow, it was after noon before we’d made it to the south side of Denver.

At which point the Interstate was closed and we were forced off the highway into the small town of Castle Rock. The highway patrol made it sound like the unhindered plows were going to sweep down the road and then traffic would be allowed access again.

 
But the snow kept falling and their plans changed and suddenly we were stranded away from home for the night while every available hotel room in town was already taken. I can’t imagine what my parents were feeling to be out of options, but I do remember Dad pulling into a gas station to fill up the tank thinking we’d be staying in our car overnight with the engine and heater running.

Merry Christmas, right?

But once inside to pay (we used to do that back in the day), he learned that a local church had opened their doors as a shelter for stranded travelers and our family headed there instead.

What happened next was the most meaningful Christmas I’ve ever celebrated. Away from home and extended family. Surrounded by strangers. Eating a haphazard potluck donated by local women and grocery stores. Attending a very traditional Christmas Eve service in jeans and snow boots (a far cry from my Pentecostal, dressed-to-the-nines childhood) while my mother played the piano and my brothers and I were asked to light the Advent candles (something I’d never heard of before). Sleeping with my mom on a couch in the ladies’ restroom while my brothers and dad slept on the floor in a nursery. Awakening on Christmas morning with no presents in sight…except the gift of more donated food and the laughter of new friends as a white-bearded fellow traveler in a long-sleeved red shirt handed out donated net stockings filled with candy and small toys to the smaller children.



It was the heart of Christmas amid two feet of snow. And even though later that day we were able to continue our journey to my grandparents’ house, I’ve never forgotten the reminder that the home of Christmas is rooted in the celebration of Christ’s birth not our traditions or decorations.

Now, the giveaway. Actually, there are two. First, since Audra loved it so much, I’m letting you all download the recipe for Pumpkin Pecan Tea Bread https://candeefick.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Pumpkin-Pecan-Tea-Bread-Recipe-1.pdf that I gave to all my newsletter subscribers. There are those who think pumpkin is a Thanksgiving flavor, but I find the mixture of pumpkin and cinnamon equally festive for Christmas.

And for one lucky random commenter, I’ve got an ebook copy of my next book that’s releasing on the 15th. (It’s on a pre-order special of just $.99 so grabbing it now would be a good idea.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081BB5RNF Home For Christmas is the final book in the Wardrobe Series and continues the plotline of a secondary character from Sing a New Song, so you might want to pick that one up too. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QHYNTJC/



The blurb:
Grace Mitchell's dream of creating music derailed when she saw firsthand how fame could change a person. After choosing a more stable career, she's content to build her future in backwoods Missouri until the reminder of her broken heart walks in the door of her father's bait shop.

Tyler Sherwood left it all behind for a chance at the national spotlight, but a backstage revelation changed everything. Embarrassed to face his family after his failure, he retreats to a rustic cabin to regroup...and comes face to face with an intriguing young woman and an old guitar.

When sparks fly, will they leave her singing or singed? Can the message and the music reignite dormant dreams and bring him home for Christmas?

So, here’s the question for you. How would you celebrate if you were far from home at Christmas? And have you ever been stranded in a storm with strangers?

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BIO: Candee Fick is a romance editor for a small Christian press and a multipublished, award-winning author. She is the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome. When not busy editing or writing, she can be found cheering on the home team at sporting events, exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book.

You can find out more about her and sign up for her newsletter on her website  https://candeefick.com or head straight to Amazon to find all her books. https://www.amazon.com/Candee-Fick/e/B0056B94VE/



37 comments:

  1. Best Pumpkin Pecan Tea Bread EVER! Welcome back to Seekerville, Candee and Merry Christmas!

    I remember that snowstorm of '82! I was living in Englewood that year and was supposed to go to Boulder to spend Christmas with my aunt and uncle. Then it snowed. And snowed. And snowed. I wish I still had the picture of the cone that swirled into a doorway-sized pyramid blocking the entrance to my apartment. It was amazing! Anyway, I was feeling quite sorry for myself when my aunt called and said my uncle and cousin were on their way to dig me out. It took 3 hours for them to get there, but THEY CAME!! It took an additional 3 hours to get to Boulder (usually a 45 minute drive) but ahhhhh, I did make it home for Christmas!

    Thanks for bringing back that holiday memory. And I'm glad your overly-snowy Christmas created wonderful memories for you, too.

    Hey everyone, I just finished the ARC for Home For Christmas and it warmed me inside and out. Definitely a Christmas story to savor!

    Enjoy your day with us, Candee!

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    1. Oh, my, the human spirit prevails! Storms and Christmas, that's what makes a great story, doesn't it??? :)

      Candee, congrats on your new book and now I have to try this bread!

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    2. It definitely made for a very white Christmas! Ruthy, enjoy the bread. You'll see I did the math to expand to 3 loaves because 2 just don't last long enough around our house.

      And Audra, you read fast! Hope you didn't lose too much sleep while reading this time... Thanks for the thumbs up!

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  2. Hi Candee:

    That was some Christmas story about there being no room at the inn. This same thing happens in Oklahoma when there is too much snow and people get stranded on the Turner Turnpike. Churches take drivers in time after time. Thank God for churches.

    I pre-ordered your "Home for Christmas" and have a question about the series, "Do you become a Diva by being pampered or is being pampered a reward for being a Diva?"

    I hope I love the book because I really enjoy reading a whole series of books when you know they are going to be good and you like learning more about the characters and location.

    Merry Christmas,

    Vince

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    1. Hi Vince.

      You've asked the proverbial question of which comes first, the chicken or the egg. But no matter where it starts, the cycle continues. Until--in the case of my fictional diva--God steps in and changes the trajectory of her life. Hope you enjoy the series.

      I find it slightly ironic in an "only God" way that He uses storms alongside His obedient children to bring strangers into the house of God and show them His Love in tangible ways. People who would never set foot in a church suddenly find themselves thanking God for shelter and kindness. Kinda cool!

      Merry Christmas to you, too.

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  3. Wow, Candee, I'd say you experienced a true Christmas that year. I'm so happy you found shelter and didn't have to sleep in the car. Thanks for visiting here today.

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    1. Thanks for the welcome! I can't imagine how that would have gone, especially since my younger brothers were definitely right in the middle of that "she's touching me" phase. We would have driven my parents crazy. Ha. I guess finding shelter was a miracle in yet another way.

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  4. Candee, what a touching story. You hear of these things, but to actually experience it. What a blessing and it did bring home the true message of Christmas. I love it. I hope you have included that experience in one of your novels. Its very powerful. smile. The bread sounds yummy. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Sandra, after all these years, I have clear visual images of sitting in the car, the fellowship hall where we ate, the church sanctuary, the nursery, and even that bathroom where we found the comfy couch. I'm still searching for the right character to face that kind of situation...but will definitely pull out the memories when the time comes. Hope you enjoy the bread.

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  5. Always good to have you here, Candee! I always enjoy your books and thank you for sharing that wonderful memory. What a great reminder of what is important and how we should be the people prepared to welcome the stranger in their moment of need.

    And I can't wait to make that bread! I have a little pumpkin in the freezer left from Thanksgiving that was just waiting for the perfect recipe :)

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    1. Glad you found a use for that pumpkin after all. :-)

      And it's so true. We sometimes get consumed with our own problems and miss the needs around us...until we get slammed by a bigger community crisis. I think that's when God's light shines brightest.

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  6. I am making this pumpkin bread right now. I had everything on hand and I wanted something home-style to have because I have a cold and I am WHINING.

    So there's that.

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    1. Ruthy, I hope you feel better asap. Don't want to be sick on Christmas!

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    2. Oh, I'm fine, just whiney. Or is it whiny??? Yes, it's whiny. :) AND THE PUMPKIN BREAD IS AMAZING. It's as good as Starbucks. Easily. I love it, Candee!

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    3. Glad you like it! I'm always nervous that my favorite recipes won't turn out as well for others. Take care of yourself and Merry Christmas!

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  7. Candee, what an amazing story!! No wonder you remember it so many years later! I just love how the town pulled together to help the stranded travelers. Note to self: Story idea!! :)

    Thanks for sharing the recipe! And congrats on the new release!

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    1. Thanks, Missy. And if you want another story inspiration, just do a Google search for "Colorado town helps stranded travelers over Thanksgiving." As in a couple weeks ago. A closure on the interstate rerouted folks to a place where the roads were even worse...and 700 people got stranded in Fairplay. Now THERE is plenty of story inspiration. Almost enough for a series or box set. Hmm. How many random strangers became friends (or more) under those circumstances?

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  8. Great story, Candee. I also remember the blizzard of 1982. That was the year I had mono for Christmas (fun times). I had to come home early from my teaching job for the Christmas break because of it. That also meant we couldn't go from Nebraska to my grandparents' in Colorado because I was sick, but as it turned out we couldn't have gone anyway because of the storm.

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    1. Sandy, Mono stinks. Been there, survived that. Twice. But I'm glad you were somewhere safe and warm during the storm. Thanks for stopping by today!

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  9. Candee, your story repeats itself over and over as Christ moves his ordinary people to extraordinary kindness and love. I'm amazed and humbled at how He reveals himself and cares for us. Thanks for sharing your story.

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    1. Thanks Gretchen. Whenever I'm tempted to think He's forgotten or doesn't care about my current situation, He steps in and orchestrates everything down to the smallest of details. He's done it before, and He'll do it again.

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  10. Candee, what a touching Christmas story. How wonderful that shelter was provided, along with food and warmth and welcome and an opportunity to give thanks to the King of Kings. The net stockings filled with candy were a nice touch as well.

    Thanks for sharing. I'll be remembering your story for years to come!

    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Hi Debby, You just can't make some of this stuff up. The man who handed out the candy was also stranded with us but agreed to pretend he was "Santa's brother" and bring smiles to a few kids' faces. And the only reason the pastor asked part of our family to help with the service was his "regular" congregation was snowed in/out. I bet he never forgot that Christmas either.

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  11. Thanks for sharing your recipe and congratulations on your new book. I've been blessed to always have been with my loved ones at Christmas so it's hard to imagine being alone or away from home. I would hope that if I was in that situation that I would have my phone with my Bible app and once again, read the incredible story of Christ's birth. I imagine there would also be a lot of off-key singing of my favorite Christmas carols. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Connie, I love your idea of the Bible app for the story and singing. I'd just be worried my phone battery would die. Ha. Then again, any eavesdroppers to my impromptu concert might be glad for the reprieve.

      Thanks for stopping by today and Merry Christmas to you, too.

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  12. I love hearing Christmas stories like this. I remember Christmas in '82. I was in sunny southern California :) and my first year at college. Thanks for sharing your story, stories and the recipe!

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    1. Hi, Jamie! Thanks for stopping by today. We usually made the trek to see our "California relatives" in the summer, but that year might have been a good time to swap plans. If we'd known. And yet, then I would have missed out on such a life-changing experience. Nope. Guess I wouldn't change a thing. :)

      Merry Christmas!

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  13. Candee, thank you for sharing your beautiful Christmas memory. As a frequent traveler in Colorado, I do appreciate your adventure, made more poignant on Christmas Eve. During the week before Christmas three years ago, we were driving during a terrible storm from Denver to our home in northwest New Mexico. After creeping into Walsenburg on icy I-25, my plow-through-anything husband took pity on his white-knuckles wife and stopped to see if we could stay overnight. We got the last room available at an old inn. The hotel lobby was decorated with a gorgeous nativity set, and the dining room was lined with the owner’s nutcracker collection. It turned out to be a magical evening. We were filled with the peace of Christmas, and thankful to be safe and warm after our tense driving experience.

    Seekerville’s advent season posts of traditions and memories are all special. It’s good to reflect on the past holidays and on the ways we share common Christmas blessings. I must try your pumpkin tea bread! Thank you and merry Christmas!

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    1. Sherida, Your travel route was our original plan since my grandparents lived in Raton, New Mexico. We'd driven past/through Walsenburg many, many times. I'm glad you found a true shelter in the storm.

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    2. Raton! Really?!?! I taught at Longfellow school while my husband finished a yearlong research project in Raton. We have good memories of this small town and great people! If you’re ever through Walsenburg again between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I recommend a stop at La Plaza Inn for a tour of the charming Christmas decorations. I do hope you’re not stranded there because of road conditions, but was definitely a lovely “shelter in the storm” which turned into a peaceful blessing.

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  14. Love your story, Candee, even more than your terrific tea bread. Thanks for telling us all about it in such an interesting style. You've got to write a novella bout it, I'd say. And have a Merry Christmas! Cheers

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    1. Thanks so much, Marilyn. And a tea bread compliment coming from the Queen of English tea shops is quite the coup.

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  15. Love your story! I'm looking forward to trying your recipe you shared. I've been blessed that I haven't been stranded anywhere, but I pray that if it ever happens, then I have the type of experience that you had. Merry Christmas!

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    1. I don't wish being stranded on anyone. But like you said, in our family's case, God was certainly watching out for us. Merry Christmas!

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  16. What a touching story! A beautiful demonstration of God's people coming together to care for strangers and show them God's love. Thanks for sharing your memory and the recipe with us. :)
    I echo Joy's comment above.
    Merry Christmas!

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    1. Merry Christmas, Lee-Ann! I enjoyed sharing with everyone today and hopefully reminded all of us to be on the lookout for ways to share God's love this season. Even without the snow, many folks are living in the middle of a storm.

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  17. I'm sooo late to the party! Candee, I remember that blizzard! Our family canceled our annual Christmas dinner get together, and they all lived in town. My family and I trekked to a nearby Village Inn for Christmas dinner . . . and it was closed. It was truly one for the books.

    I loved your story of your memorable Christmas. I can only imagine how unsettling yet special that Christmas must have been!

    I hope your Christmas season is filled with God's joy and lots of pumpking-flavored yummies. ;)

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