December 24th, 2023 Royce Shook
I love Christmas candy; it runs through my veins. Back in the days of my youth, when the holiday season would roll around, our household wasn’t awash with presents, but there was always one constant: the stocking, carefully hung by the chimney in hopes of creating some Yuletide magic. Nestled snugly in that stocking was […]
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December 23rd, 2023 Royce Shook
The snow is falling, Snowflakes dance from the sky so high, Cars inch along, catching the gleam in their eye. The news is depressing, no one is moving. Snow piles up, a winter wonderland’s claim, Adventure awaits, not two days the same. Travel is discouraged, So, as travel dwindles, laughter takes hold, Fun is encouraged, […]
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December 23rd, 2023 Royce Shook
Christmas holidays are almost over. The most wonderful time of the year is soon to be over. We can start to relax, the time we are stressed out with endless to-do lists trying to create the perfect holiday experience for everyone will be gone in a day or so. But amidst all the chaos, it […]
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December 22nd, 2023 Royce Shook
In 1996, my wife, mother-in-law and I spent our first Christmas away from home and family. Our children were both living in Australia at the time, and we wanted a different type of Christmas. We thought that spending Christmas in a warm holiday resort without extended family would be a unique, delightful, and tranquil experience. […]
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December 21st, 2023 Royce Shook
COVID changed the world, and one change it brought was the idea of virtual celebrations, such as Christmas. A few years ago, my brothers and I received a wonderful gift. We found we had a half-brother. I have talked about how we discovered each other, so I will not discuss it now. Before COVID, one […]
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December 10th, 2023 Royce Shook
My question is which gives more joy, the act of giving or receiving presents? Each creates lasting memories. Every fall for some and in the first week of December for me, the hunt for the perfect gift begins. When my children were younger, we bought them way too much. They each received a present from […]
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December 9th, 2023 Royce Shook
We will be changing our Christmas Eve routine this year. My daughter is coming from Australia and part of her tradition is to have a Christmas meal with friends and family on Christmas Eve. The reason is simple, it is very hot on Christmas day where she lives and so it is easier to cook a […]
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December 8th, 2023 Royce Shook
Family gatherings are an important part of the season and the day. Every holiday season brings forth a magnificent display of culinary delights that graces our dinner tables. Our holiday feast has a variety of delicious foods. The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves brings back happy memories of family gatherings. For my wife and […]
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December 7th, 2023 Royce Shook
As December unfolds and the holiday season approaches, the air becomes imbued with a special kind of magic, marking the arrival of Christmas. It’s a time when the world transforms into a winter wonderland, adorned with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the delightful aroma of freshly baked treats. The spirit of Christmas envelops us, infusing […]
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December 6th, 2023 Royce Shook
Ah, Christmas memories. They hold a special place in our hearts, don’t they? The holidays are a time when recollections of past celebrations come flooding back, accompanied by feelings of warmth and nostalgia. These memories are like little time capsules that transport us to a place where joy, love, and the magic of the season […]
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