Have you ever wondered why advent traditionally is celebrated with a specific kind of wreath? Why with a wreath, at all? The circle as well as the evergreen boughs it is made of both symbolize eternal life; a wreath also is a reminder of a crown of thorns, of Christ’s endless love. As of here, […]
Advent Calendar December 2: Evergreen
Have you already placed any evergreens in your home? A garland over the mantlepiece, on a window sill, or on a sideboard? A few branches in a vase? An arrangement or a wreath on a table or at your front door? The scent will fill the air and lend a room the flair of the […]
In the Book Nook with … Courtney Campbell
Author Courtney Campbell from Gig Harbor, Washington, is also a singer/songwriter, musician, storyteller, and the writer of many screenplays for a TV show she had. She has been writing songs and stories for 35 years. Her first book was last April. She is a member of the Writers Cooperative of the Pacific Northwest. When Courtney […]
Advent Calendar December 1: Advent Calendars
Are you counting down the days till Christmas? Advent calendars are a fun way to celebrate the season AND to do the count. There are countless kinds of advent calendars. The easiest ones to have are the boughten ones with chocolates, truffles, perfumes, cheeses, or even alcoholic beverages. The ones that are truly personal are […]
In the Book Nook with … Katherine Cobb
Author Katherine Cobb from south central Virginia splits her time between being an author and her boutique marketing communications agency. She wrote short stories, beginning in junior high. She started writing professionally in 2002 when she landed an editorial column which she wrote for 15 years, earning her a Best Lifestyle Columnist award from the […]
Across the Fence: Gemütlichkeit
Who doesn’t know the Germanism Gemütlichkeit in the English language?! Gemüt (approximately pronounced ga-‘moot) has a bunch of meanings: mind, soul, disposition, feeling. You might recognize that the English term mood is related. Gemütlichkeit (approximately pronounced ga-‘mootlih-kite) means coziness, snugness, homeliness. The concept of Gemütlichkeit seems to have developed during the German era of Biedermeier […]
In the Book Nook with … Terry Persun
Author Terry Persun from Port Townsend, Washington, owns a marketing services agency. He has been writing since he was in grade school. His first published poems came out in the early 1970s, his first novel in the early 1990s. Terry has received multiple awards, including two Book Excellence Awards, a Silver IPPY Award, a Star […]
Across the Fence: Sprachgefühl
We all know the power of gifts as well as of weapons. But let’s ponder that of words. Because there are so many nuances to what has to be ascribed to something Germans call Sprachgefühl (approximately pronounced ‘spruh-ga-fool), the feeling for language. This term has actually made it into the English language because it describes […]
In the Book Nook with … Tennison S. Black
Author Tennison S. Black from northwest Washington State works as a writer and the managing editor at Sundress Publications and at Best of the Net. They have been writing poems and stories as a kid as well as “lexicons,” long lists of words, grouped by theme. In 1995, they wrote a novel but the agent […]