Book Review: "The Christmas Shoes"

"The Christmas Shoes" by Donna VanLiere
Originally published in 2001
My rating: 4 out of 5

Warning: if you decided to read Donna VanLiere's "The Christmas Shoes," be sure you've got a box of tissues handy. This book is the very definition of a tearjerker. Normally I don't care for novels with super-emotional passages but the sentimentality of the book made it a good Christmas read.

"The Christmas Shoes" features the typical holiday themes of forgiveness, second chances, kindness, hope, love and faith. VanLiere introduces us to two strangers -- a workaholic lawyer whose homelife is falling apart and a young boy whose mother is dying of cancer. A chance meeting at a department store on Christmas Eve causes a life change for both characters.

I came away from this read with a reminder about how fleeting life can be and how important it is not to squander our precious time on earth. Though Christmas has passed, the meaningful messages in "The Christmas Shoes" ring true all year round.

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Mele Kalikimaka

For some reason, being away from my family this Christmas has hit me harder than the past two Christmases we've spent in Hawaii. So I set out to make it a memorable holiday season for us by dragging Jarrod along to do some Hawaii Christmas activities!

We went to Oahu's Christmas tree farm and picked ourselves out a (slightly oversized) Norfolk pine to adorn our living room.

We went to the Pearl Harbor Festival of Lights again this year. The boats used to transport vistors to the USS Arizona Memorial cruise around the harbor giving passengers a great look at all the Navy ships and submarines decked out in Christmas lights.

We also visited Hanapa'a Place in Kapolei to check out the storied Christmas tree made of Heineken beer bottles. The tree itself was amazing -- the lights in the bottles were timed to flash with Christmas music and it even had a train running around the bottom.

It was just a bonus that the rest of the cul-de-sac was decorated roof to yard in Christmas lights. It was like the Griswolds' house times five!

Last night we checked out the Honolulu City Lights display. The main attraction is the giant Shaka Santa and Mrs. Claus.

"Hau'oli Makahiki Hou" means "Happy New Year" in Hawaiian.

I came across a fun Christmas survey when I was checking out the blog Why Girls Are Weird and thought I'd participate too.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?
I love cocoa, especially the Ghiradelli kind. Jarrod and Conan both love egg nog. Conan goes crazy when Jarrod lets him lick the last drops of egg nog out of his cup.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Santa wraps them, of course. That's why they always have special Santa-themed wapping paper and calligraphy-penned tags!

3. Multi-colored or white lights on tree/house?
We have multi-colored lights on both the tree and the house, although sometimes I think I'd prefer the more classic look of white lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, but that's not a bad idea!

5. When do you put up decorations?
This year we hung the lights up a little earlier -- the weekend after Thanksgiving -- and picked out our tree the first weekend in December.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Wow, this is tough. My mouth has started watering in the short time I've been pondering this question! We'll just say I love ALL holiday dishes, but right now I'm especially in love with homemade cranberry sauce.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child.
Asking Santa for a sign that he does exist and receiving an elf bell in my stocking.

8. When did you learn the truth about Santa?
Third grade. I accidentally found all the letters I'd written and supposedly mailed to Santa in my parents' filing cabinet.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We usually open one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas morning.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lights, ornaments (my mom made sure I left the house with plenty of Hallmark ornaments) and colored balls. We have a lot of ornaments already, but I've instituted a tradtion where Jarrod and I buy at least one meaningful ornament each year. This year we bought a gorgeous glass ornament from Kauai.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Being from Colorado, I adore snow especially if it means a white Christmas. Unfortunately, there's no snow to be had on Oahu so I just have content myself with looking at all the snowy pictures my family sends from home.

12. Can you ice skate?
Yes! I even took an ice skating class in college.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Hmm... that's tough. Maybe the pogo stick I got from Santa in elementary school.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?

Making happy memories and eating good food.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
I love all kinds of cookies and treats, but my favorite evening snack at Christmastime is a cheese ball with crackers. I only get a cheese ball once a year -- it started as a tradition with my mom and me -- and I savor each and every bite.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." My family even has some inside jokes derived from the movie -- i.e. "the Cousin Eddie," a wound-up swift kick to the behind.

17. What tops your tree?
Nothing this year. Our normal tree-topper wouldn't fit on our Norfolk pine. I was going to tie a bow on top but never got around to it.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
Giving! I pick up Christmas gifts for people all year long and save them up until December.

19. Candy canes. Yucky or yummy?
I love anything peppermint!

20. Favorite Christmas show?
We watch them all -- Frosty, Rudolph, Charlie Brown. The new "Prep and Landing" Christmas specials are cute too.

21. Saddest Christmas song?
"I'll Be Home for Christmas." It was written during WWII and is sung from the perspective of a soldier overseas who's dreaming about spending Christmas at home. The Josh Groban version has clips of deployed military members sending Christmas well-wishes to friends and family back home and it almost makes me tear up. But maybe that's just because I know my husband is going to deploy soon.

22. Favorite Christmas song?
I like pretty much all Christmas music but my current favorite is "Carol of the Bells." When I was little my favorite song was "The Little Drummer Boy" on a vinyl record my parents had.

Spreading Christmas Cheer With Cookies

I have an annual tradition of taking plates of homemade goodies to my neighbors each December. Today was treat-making day and I had a blast baking and listening to Christmas music while it drizzled outside -- about the closest thing we get to wintry weather on Oahu.

This year I made my quick and easy chocolate fudge and experiemented with three new cookie recipes: cinnamon-sugar elephant ears, pecan-caramel surprises and ginger cookies.

I was really pleased with the results of all three recipes. The elephant ears -- incidentally, one of the easiest cookies I've ever made -- were my favorite.

The ginger cookies were amazing as well, although the dough was really sticky and difficult to work with. I eventually found success with the technique of dropping a small clump of dough onto a plate of sugar, covering all sides with sugar and then rolling it into a ball. The recipe was supposed to yield two dozen cookies and instructed bakers to make dough balls about the size of walnuts. Apparently I have absolutely no idea how big a walnut is, because I ended up with six dozen! But really... how could extra cookies be a bad thing?

Book Review: "The Christmas List"

"The Christmas List" by Richard Paul Evans
Originally published in 2009
My rating: 4.5 out 5

I've been reading as many Christmas novels as possible this holiday season and, not surprisingly, Richard Paul Evans' "The Christmas List" was my favorite so far. Evans makes a living predominantly by writing Christmas-themed books, so it's no shocker that I loved this fast-paced, feel-good story.

When we meet the main character, wealthy real estate developer James Kier, he's a total jerk with apparently no morals and no qualms about manipulating and destroying others to make a buck. He served his wife divorce papers on the same day as her first chemotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer and he hasn't spoken to his son in months.

But James is forced to reevaluate his life when another man of the same name dies in an automobile accident and the city's newspaper mistakenly publishes an obituary for James Kier, ruthless real estate mogul. After Kier reads the hateful, vindictive and celebratory remarks people posted beneath his online obituary, he realizes that his current legacy is not the one he wants to leave behind. He is no longer the kind, generous and happy man he used to be. So he decides to make a change and sets out to rectify things, starting with the five people he's hurt the most -- his "Christmas list."

I've only read one other Richard Paul Evans book -- "The Gift" -- and though I enjoyed it I didn't go into "The Christmas List" expecting to love it. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of sentimental tear-jerker books. But, while this book was indeed sentimenal and a bit of a tear-jerker, it wasn't sappy. Despite the predictability of the plot, Evans' writing kept me turning the pages so quickly that I finished this book in just over two days. I closed the book thinking of second chances, family and love -- all perfect themes for this time of year. Happy reading!

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Book Review: "Blue Christmas"

"Blue Christmas" by Mary Kay Andrews
Originally published in 2006
My rating: 4 out of 5

I breezed right through Mary Kay Andrews' "Blue Christmas," which details the mishap-filled holiday season of antiques-dealer Weezie Foley. The book was short and sweet -- great for getting into the Christmas spirit fast. And since it's part of a series, you can always get more Weezie if you find the characters to be interesting and want to read a longer novel.

This book is one part sentiment, one part "Meet the Parents." It actually got me laughing out loud a couple times. Andrews' writing is fast-paced and sassy, and I think pretty much everyone would like this fun Christmas novella. Happy reading!

Furry Friday

Happy Furry Friday! Today I thought I'd share some pictures from the photo shoot we did in November with our friend, Li. She's a professional photographer and Army wife, and she's currently in the process of moving from Hawaii to the Washington, D.C., area. If you live there and want to do a photography session, Li is amazing! Plus, she's running a promotion that the first four people to book with Total-Li Photography in February or March will get 50% off! Visit her website or Facebook page for more info.

After much deliberation, this is the shot that we chose to send with our Christmas cards. Mele Kalikimaka!

But this picture is my favorite.

We did some pictures of just Jarrod and me too, but since this is Furry Friday I wanted to show you all the adorable pictures we took with Conan. I just had to sneak this one in, though. The sunset that evening just happened to be stunning!

Book Review: "The Christmas Quilt"

"The Christmas Quilt" by Jennifer Chiaverini

Originally published in 2005
My rating: 4 out of 5

"The Christmas Quilt" is part of the long and ongoing Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini. I've never read any of the other books (although now my interest in the series is definitely piqued), but even so I completely enjoyed this novel. It was an easy, heartwarming read and had all the themes a Christmas novel should: love, family, friendship, forgiveness, generosity, overcoming hardships, a happy ending.

We meet the main character, Sylvia Bergstrom, in present day and follow her as she reminisces about Christmases past, taking us on a journey back to the Great Depression and WWII. The nexus of the story is a Christmas quilt worked on by four generations of women, Sylvia herself, her Great-Aunt Lucinda, her estranged sister Claudia, and now her young friend and business partner at Elm Creek Quilts, Sarah. It's not hard to get lost in the tales and traditions of an old-fashioned Christmas, but Chiaverini keeps us hooked by slowly unraveling the story of what came between Sylvia and her sister, Claudia.

This was a good, quick, festive read and I enjoyed it. But I will give you a short disclaimer: this novel may make you want to take up quilting ASAP. But first you'll probably want to scour the internet searching for a  recipe to replicate the much-written-about Bergstrom apple strudel. Happy reading!

Tuesday Ten: What I Love About Christmas

We're in the midst of the Christmas season -- arguably the best time of the year -- and I'm definitely feeling festive. So for today's Tuesday Ten link-up with Miss Mommy, I decided to share 10 things I love about Christmas.

1. Watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is something of a holiday tradition in my family. Even though I've seen it dozens of times and can practically recite the movie by memory, it still gets me laughing every single year. And I am in love with those moose mugs! Someday I'll track down some of my own.
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2. Christmas novels are usually short, happy and perfect for getting into the Christmas mindset. Some of my favorites are "The Gift" by Richard Paul Evans, "Visions of Sugar Plums" by Janet Evanovich, any of the Christmas mysteries by Mary Higgins Clark, and Debbie Macomber's Christmas novels. Last year I checked out "The Mischief of the Mistletoe" by Lauren Willig from the library and loved its Victoria Christmas charm. It's the seventh book in Willig's "Pink Carnation" series; I hadn't (and still haven't, though I had vowed to) read any of the other books in the series, but I thought "Mistletoe" was a super-cute and cozy Christmas read.

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3. Gingerbread house decorating! This is our very colorful 2011 creation, which we made at a gingerbread house decorating gala with Jarrod's squadron last weekend.

4. Christmas music! Part of its appeal (like most other things associated with Christmas) is that it only comes around once a year. Though I'm not picky, I do have a few favorites: "Carol of the Bells" by Celtic Woman, "The First Noel" by Josh Groban and "Mad Russian's Christmas" by Trans Siberian Orchestra. Jarrod's prefers Jeff Foxworthy's "Redneck 12 Days of Christmas."

5. Hallmark Channel Christmas movies. These are pretty much without fail heartwarming, festive and sweet. Some of my favorites are "A Dog Named Christmas," "Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle" and "Debbie Macomber's Trading Christmas" (which you'll love if you enjoyed "The Holiday).

6. Christmas baking! Just as fall is all about pumpkin, Christmas is all about peppermint! I especially love peppermint frosting on chocolate cookies. You can see some of the cookies I baked in the last week here.

7. There are some special Christmas things that come with living in Hawaii. We enjoy going downtown to see the Honolulu City Lights, the main attraction of which is a giant Shaka Santa. (If you have no idea what I mean by shaka -- which I had never heard of until we moved to Hawaii -- it's the sort of "hang loose" gesture Santa is making with his hand.) And there's a special free Christmas attraction the weekend before Christmas at Pearl Harbor; visitors board the boats used to ferry passengers to the USS Arizona Memorial and, while singing Christmas carols, cruise around Pearl Harbor to see all the ships and subs decked out in Christmas lights.

9. I've always looked forward to decorating the tree at Christmas. My family usually puts up an artificial tree, but Jarrod is a tree traditionalist and absolutely refuses to let a fake tree come through the door of our house. Regular Christmas trees don't really grow in Hawaii, but they arrive on-island in huge shipping containers from the Mainland the day after Thanksgiving. This year we decided to forgo the shipped-in trees and visit Oahu's Christmas tree farm, which sells Norfolk pines. They're definitely different (more pictures of our tree to come) but I love our Hawaiian Christmas.

10. Christmas brings President Obama and family to the island, and Air Force One is parked right by my husband's office (a restored aircraft hangar) each year. I was giddy with excitement the first year we were here (also the first year the Obamas came for Christmas) and I got to stand mere feet away (behind a wall, of course) from Air Force One.

The Joy of Christmas Baking

One of the many things I love about the Christmas season is the excuse to bake all kinds of delicious treats. There are holiday events that are just begging for baked goods, Jarrod's office to surprise with cookies, and my annual gift of treat plates to the neighbors. And the base hosts a Cookie Caper homemade cookie drive each December for the single airmen living in the dorms. I bake more in December than the entire rest of the year put together and I love it!

I made these triple chocolate cookies with cream cheese/white chocolate/peppermint frosting (and a crushed candy cane garnish) for the gingerbread house decorating gala we attended this weekend. The cookies are so rich and chocolate-y and the frosting is aboslutely sinful. I had to force myself to stop swiping little (i.e. huge) fingerfuls from the leftover frosting in the bowl as I was cleaning up. I made these pretty much as the recipe called for, but I used a little more cream cheese and added some mint extract to the frosting. I used Ghirardelli semisweet and 60% cacao baking chips, which are my favorite chocolate chips. They always appear at the commissary around Christmastime and I stock up so I'll have them on hand all year!

These almond-raspberry thumbprint cookies, which I made for the Cookie Caper cookie drive, were also a winner. The recipe calls for ground hazelnuts but I had three half-full pouches of slivered almonds in my pantry and thought I'd use those up instead. These were really yummy and fun to make, and they'll probably be awarded a spot on the the neighbor cookie plates this year. I think I'll increase the spice level a bit on the second go-round, though.

Happy baking!

Book Review: "The Real Macaw"

"The Real Macaw" by Donna Andrews
Originally published in 2011
My rating: 4.5 out of 5

A couple years ago I picked up a book at the library with an intriguing cover and title, "Owls Well That Ends Well" by Donna Andrews. I loved the book -- which at the time was the newest book in Andrews' Meg Langslow mystery series -- and quickly devoured the rest of the novels.

I've always referred to Donna Andrews as Janet Evanovich Lite. The Meg Langslow books are humorous murder-mysteries, just like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels. But Andrews writes a cuter, less gory, less abrasive book. Considering the langauge, crude humor, sex and violence in the Stephanie Plum books I'd only recommend them to certain people whom I know wouldn't be offended. But the Donna Andrews books are suitable for readers of all persuasions. I used to prefer the fast-paced, quick-witted writing of the Stephanie Plum series, but I've actually liked the recent Meg Langslow books better. In fact, I laughed out loud more times during "The Real Macaw" than Janet Evanovich's new release, "Explosive Eighteen."

Most of the Meg Langslow books take place in the small college town of Caerphilly, Virginia, and feature an increasingly motley and interesting cast of characters. In this installment, Meg has recently given birth to twin boys, and helping to solve Caerphilly's crimes is the last thing on her mind. But she awakes in the middle of the night to find the entire population of the town's animal shelter has been burgled and is currently housed in her living room (including a macaw -- hence the title) thanks to her father, grandfather, brother and a group of similar-minded citizens who acted after budget problems forced the town to reverse the shelter's no-kill policy. When Meg discovers the menagerie in her living room is due to the murder of the man who was supposed to transport the newly liberated animals to their temporary homes, she can't help but do some "snooping."

I've enjoyed every book in the Meg Langslow series and I highly recommend it. While it's best to start with the first book, "Murder with Peacocks" (are you getting the bird theme here?), it's not necessary to understand the plots of the individual novels. If you like mysteries, animals and some good laughs, you'll definitely enjoy Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow series.

Furry Friday

An afternoon nap.

Tuesday Ten: Family Photos

Aloha, friends! Today I'm linking up with Miss Mommy for Tuesday Ten. I stumbled upon her blog by accident last Tuesday; as soon as I saw the Tuesday Ten post, I  knew I couldn't resist the idea of making a list of 10 things each week (I LOVE lists!) so I decided to join the linky party! Last week she provided a prompt, but this week the instruction was to make a list of any 10 things you want.

I've been preparing my Christmas cards this week and since I'm putting a picture of Jarrod, Conan and me in all the cards, I guess I have family photos on the brain! So this week I decided to show you 10 of my favorite family pictures (and by family I mean they include our furry child, Conan). I love family photos even more than I love lists, so it was really tough to narrow it down to my 10 favorite shots! (We had our friend Li -- who just so happens to be a professional photographer -- take our Hawaiian-themed Christmas card shot this year and I'll be sharing it with you soon!)

Thanksgiving 2007, Florida: This was the first Thanksgiving after we graduated college and our first real family picture with Conan. We got him that August.

Christmas 2007, Colorado: This is the only picture on this list that doesn't include Conan, but it's one of my favorites and I just had to share it. That's my brother Andy, me, my grandma, and Jarrod. I smile every time I see this because it's so kooky!

Our wedding, June 2008, Florida: Conan was our ring-bearer!

Thanksgiving 2008, Colorado: Jarrod thought it would look stupid to wear similar shirts but I'm glad I made him do it! I love this picture!

Conan's 3rd birthday, Texas: This was the year we started the tradition of taking a family party-hat photo on Conan's birthday.

Our first Christmas in Hawaii, 2009: We attempt to take a family photo with the tripod every Christmas; this is by far the best one (i.e. we're all actually looking at the camera at the same time and Conan's not trying to lay down or run off!).

New Year's Eve 2009, Hawaii

Spring 2010, Hawaii

4th of July 2010: Conan's bandana was the first project I made on my sewing machine!

October 2010, Hawaii: This is the picture that went in our Christmas cards last year. Poor Conan... 

 

Books On The Big Screen This Winter

I love a good book, and -- if done right -- I love a good book-based movie. I think it's fascinating to see how others have envisioned the characters and setting in a novel and compare it to what I imagined in my own head. I've learned a very valuable lesson over the years, though: it's imperative that I don't read the book so close to the movie release that I remember each little detail, or I'll spend the entire film nit-picking every single change or missing element. There are several of upcoming theatrical releases that are based on books and I thought I'd share with you which ones I'll be dragging poor Jarrod to over the next few months:


"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" -- Though I like Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Sherlock Holmes, I was kind of disappointed with the 2009 installment. The sequel looks better -- similar but a bit more on the mark. Plus it stars Noomi Rapace, whom I absolutely loved in the Swedish version of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."


"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" -- I liked the books by Stieg Larsson and I really, really liked the three Swedish movies based on the series. I don't think the American Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) will be quite as perfect in the role as the Swedish Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace) but I'm excited to see Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist. While I'm sure this Hollywood blockbuster will be entertaining, I strongly suggest renting the Swedish movies as well.


"We Bought a Zoo" -- This movie, starring Matt Damon, is based on a memoir by Benjamin Mee. I haven't read the book (yet), but I definitely want to see the movie. It looks cute, heart-warming and funny.


"One for the Money" -- Sigh. I adore Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, especially the early books. But if this trailer is an accurate portrayal of the long-awaited movie, I think the legions of Stephanie Plum fans are in for a real disappointment. This looks like it could be about as bad as the "Confessions of a Shopaholic" movie disaster. Even so, I'm sure I'll haul myself to the theater to see it anyway.


"The Hunger Games" -- This doesn't come out until March, but just watching the trailer puts me on the edge of my seat! I read devoured the entire series a couple months ago after a friend recommended the books and fell in love. The movie looks like it'll be fantastic as well!

Book Review: "Explosive Eighteen"

"Explosive Eighteen " by Janet Evanovich
Originally published in 2011
My rating: 4 out of 5

If you read my review earlier this year of Janet Evanovich's lackluster "Smokin' Seventeen," you know that I've been nonplussed lately with my former favorite author. She managed to redeem herself slightly with her November addition to the Stepanie Plum series, "Explosive Eighteen," but I've lost hope that the Plum books will ever return to their glory days of laugh-out-loud humor, edge-of-your-seat suspense and seductive romance.

This installment was far better in the plot department than the last few books, but I didn't laugh once. The funniest line was when Lula compared a boxy Scion to a toaster. That's a far cry from the guffaws and snorts Janet's writing used to elicit. And in this book, Stephanie is "off men" so there's not really much of a romantic element.

In general, this book follows the same basic plot as all the others. Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum somehow gets entangled in a dangerous web of crime, she's followed around by some bumbling idiots and murdering maniacs, she debates between love interests Morelli and Ranger, catches some bond-skippers along the way with the help of her motley crew of friends, and ultimately has a run-in with the murdering maniacs, which she escapes with luck and/or desperation.

As much as I love returning to the Burg and catching up with Stephanie, Lula and Grandma Mazur every year, I think it might be time for the series to be laid to rest. There's only so many ways Janet can re-write the same story, and plus we all know Stephanie is going to choose Morelli in the end. In the meantime, I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the second book in Janet Evanovich's clever and hilarious Lizzy and Diesel series, "Wicked Business," which comes out next June. Even though the Plum series has become a bit of a dud, at least the "Wicked" series proves Janet has not lost her mojo entirely!

Holiday How-To: Yarn-Wrapped Napkin Rings

Hello, friends from Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop! This week's prompt is "Holiday How-To" and I thought I'd share my homemade yarn-wrapped napkin rings with you. They're super easy and cheap to make.

1. Gather your necessary supplies. You'll need a thick, sturdy cardboard tube. Saran Wrap tubes are fantatic. If you don't have one, you can always substitute a paper towel or toilet paper roll -- just note that it won't be as durable. You'll also need a utility knife, some yarn (about 18 feet per napkin ring), craft glue or hot glue, and some cute adornments.

2. Get a ruler and mark every inch on your cardboard tube. Cut the tube into 1-inch sections with your X-Acto knife. The cut doesn't have to be perfect since it'll be hidden by the yarn.

3. Cut off about 18 feet of yarn and wind it into a ball. Tape the tail to the inside of your cardboard tube and begin wrapping it. I wrapped mine twice around, getting any spots I missed on the first pass. Leave yourself a bit of a yarn tail -- you'll glue it to the ring with your decoration.

4. Get your adornmanets for the napkin rings. I used some rosettes that I knitted, but you could use a gazillion different things -- felt or fabric rosettes, buttons, cute little ornaments, small pinecones, jingle bells, ribbon, etc.

5. Glue your yarn tail to the napkin ring in the exact place you want your decoration to go. Then glue the adornment on top of the yarn tail and you're done!