Christmas Pictures!

Christmas program night with the nieces. 

Christmas Eve with the family.

Christmas Day, we went to Grandma Ortmann’s. Even with a new place, her Christmas decorations still made it feel like home. 

I miss Grandpa, especially at Christmas, but it was special to see his wooden Christmas army with his flag. 

Her piano and churches look as great as ever! 

We played an awesome escape room/clue game. 

And apparently, I leave my phone around too much, because after Christmas, I found dozens of selfies of the nieces and nephews. 😂

They even snapped a pic of me! 

I hope you all had a great Christmas! 

 

My old car…

When we were cleaning up Grandma’s basement for the auction, the box of cassettes was voted into the dumpster because apparently, cassettes are archaic or something.

Well, I bought my grandma’s car last year, and it has a cassette player! So I maybe, sorta, kinda snuck the cassettes out of the dumpster…🫣

On the way to and from work, I’ve been listening to these cassettes, and while a lot of them are just grandpa’s old favorites, like Johnny Horton, or Johnny Cash, there have been a few super special ones. Like this one. 

It’s a recording of my great-grandmother Ortmann’s memorial service. 

I never met her, but it was incredible hearing about her godly legacy, and how much she prayed for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and me. Even though she died a few months before I was born, her greatest prayer was that I would know God. 

Then, I cried a little when I heard my grandpa’s voice reading a poem. 

I miss Grandpa a lot, especially at Christmas time, but I know he’s in heaven now, telling his mom all about the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren who know God.

I’m so thankful for the godly legacy I was given from Grandma Tina, and I hope someday, future generations will know God because of my faithfulness.

So, if you see me driving and think my car is old and ugly, I wouldn’t trade it for any of your Bluetooth vehicles for anything.

ZANDRA’S Christmas Morning Scones!

 

I know it’s not Christmas morning yet, but these scones freeze well!!! 

And with a cup of coffee, what could be better? 

The problem with getting a recipe from a fiction book, is that it’s easy to read while waiting for the oven… and sometimes you forget the things in the oven! 

Christmas happenings…

 

Our Christmas program is this Sunday night, if you’re in town, stop by! 

And if you’re babysitting niblings around Christmas, you have to decorate cookies! 

And Grandpa has to tell some stories… 

And if you leave your phone around the nieces… you’ll get some great selfies! 

And at my cousins bridal shower, we did a great bridal bake-off! And the mother-of-the-bride won!!! 

Ten Years?!?!?!

 

December this year, marks ten years since my first book went live on Amazon. 

I’ll never forget the night that first box of books came! I was SO excited, and even though it was pretty late, I jumped in the car, and drove over to my best friend’s house to give her a copy. 

The first book, was actually three-in-one. And started the Adventures of Amy series.

Then, came the fourth book, and the split series…

And then, came a few more… 

And seventeen books later… 

It makes me feel like a recluse writer! But somehow I’ve still managed to hold down a job and have a life too! 😂 

I never imagined ten years ago that I’d be where I am right now. In some ways, I feel way ahead of where I’d planned, but in other ways, so many of my plans are definitely not where I planned on them being.

I’m glad that God holds the future, and I can trust his plans! I’m excited to see what God will do in my life over the next ten years. 

A Busy Week!

I had my book signing this past week! I think it surprises people who’ve never been to a book signing, when they pop in at mine. 

If you watch movies, they depict book signings as an author sitting with a long line frantically signing books. Unless your name is Steven King, or J. K. Rowling, that’s not exactly accurate. 

They say an average book signing sells about 8 books, and many authors skip them all together, deeming them a waste of time. 

I’m super blessed with a supportive community who always makes my book signings well worth my time, but even if I didn’t sell any books, I love the opportunity to interact with readers! 

Okay, these pictures are way out of order. I wasn’t planning on mentioning this till the end but, here it goes. 

Lord willing, I’m going to spend my birthday, (St.Patrick’s Day) in Dublin, Ireland!!!!

A friend of mine sells L’BRI products and will be attending with the group, and I’m going along for the ride! 

My friend still needs a few more points before the month is up to meet her goal, so if you like healthy products from a local, check her stuff out! 

Check out her variety of products from makeup, to skin care, to hair care and more!

They make great gifts, just be sure to enter show # 247001 at checkout. 

Some orders even qualify for a free travel jewelry box! 

Back to my week… My sister and I got to help my grandma decorate for Christmas, and then she pulled out the tea, china, and treats. It’s such a blessing to be so close to her! 

And yes, my book signing went well!

I don’t know why I always cut it so close, but my author copies didn’t arrive in the mail until 3 days before my signing! 

And then, I tried making home candy canes! And decided… I’m never doing that again. I’ll just buy them! 

I managed to get a few mint patties before the candy hardened into a culinary disaster! 

Earlier this month, a few friends and I went to a Handel’s Messiah performance. It was incredible! I know the picture just shows a few of them warming up, and doesn’t show either choirs, but it was incredible! 

And my crazy cool niblings stopped by my book table!