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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like. . . what?!

I just looked at the calendar and realized that Halloween is sneaking up on me in just a couple of days.

All Hallow’s Eve. . . Samhain. . . . The day when the veil that separates the world of humans from the world of the fae is at its thinnest and most vulnerable. . .

Lately, I’ve been overwhelmed with all things fae. I just read Karen Marie Moning’s latest book, FAEFEVER, and it ends (no spoiler here!) on Halloween. I’ve been researching the mythology and history of fairies for a new trilogy I’m working on for my first BRAVA release. I received an invitation from a friend to attend FAIRIE-CON in Philadelphia, where there will be fairies and costumes and social events and leading authors and everything I could possibly ever want to know under one roof.

So, I should be ready for Halloween….

But, then, it snowed today. It’s only October and it snowed here in the northeast! An actual Nor’easter formed off the coast yesterday, rained out the World Series last night and dumped some snow in PA and NJ today.

And snow always makes me think of. . . yep!. . . Christmas! I don’t know why that link is still live since my area in southern NJ hasn’t gotten a good Christmas snowstorm in decades and actually got very little snow at all these last couple of years. But, it still happens.

I already pulled out my matching snowman cups and plates in case I need to make hot chocolate. I went hunting for the little mouse that marks the days of December as we move closer to the holiday. I even found myself checking my Holiday card mailing list. And worse, my local grocery store has already shoved the Halloween candies to one side and begun setting up the Christmas items! Yikes!

So, now I’m getting ready to get ready for Christmas!

I am so confused! This is beginning to remind me of the routine in the Mel Brooks’ movie SPACEBALLS when Dark Helmet and his commander are watching the previous scenes of the movie IN the movie. And he keeps asking, “Is it now?” and the answer is always, “No, it’s not now, it’s then.” Or “When will it be now?” “Soon!”

So, tell me – is it now? Or are we waiting for then? Are you celebrating Halloween this week or have you already moved on to Christmas? And, ohmigosh!, when is Thanksgiving? Which is your favorite? Post a note and tell me and I’ll award a small prize to a random poster.


Terri is celebrating the release of her novella BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE in the Regency Christmas anthology ONE CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS, on shelves today, from Harlequin Historicals. Visit her website at
www.terribrisbin.com for more info about her upcoming books and other events, both now and then!

23 comments:

Helen said...

Terri
I live in Australia and it is really starting warm up here although today it is raining and cool and we don't celebrate Halloween but Christmas is getting closer and I have started buying mixed fruit for the Chrissy cakes I make as gifts for friends I need to get this done fairly early this year because 2 of my daughters are expecting babies on 13th Dec I really need to be organized before they arrive,and BTW most of the shops here in OZ have their Chrissy decorations up already and you can hear carols playing gotta say though Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year.
Have Fun
Helen

Avi J said...

l have moved stright on to Christmas. Plans are huge this year, cooking, gifts, attending other parties.

Gina said...

l love christmas. All that baking and special music l just love it

Avi J said...

Christmas wins every time. Where l live we do, not have thanksgiving, but for Christmas we do have that big turkey on the menu.

january said...

l just love Christmas time.

Anonymous said...

I jumped stright on to christmas from since September. I have so many friends and family living in different countries that gift giving alone is a task before the mail rush in December

Mau J said...

Christmas is my favourite time. The look on my neice and nephew faces alone makes the hassle worth it.

Carol said...

l love christmas time most because all of my family make the trip to spend the holidays with me. Most of the time we keep in contact with email or phone so having them here is always a celebration.

Dina said...

Wow, so many people shared on Christmas l feel l am just repeating . But yes l have jumped stright to Christmas, l have all the decorations for the tree lined up, the menu for over 10 parties l am having, plus the list of gifts l have to buy.

LJ said...

I love Christmas, all the family reunions are my favourite. My credit card can testify to that since it has been getting exercise online for the past 2 weeks. LOL

Dina said...

Hi Terri,

Our area did Halloween trick or treating last Sun, so it's over for me, I don't do parties or anything, so waiting for Thanksgiving and Christmas now. :)

Unknown said...

My kids are anxiously awaiting for friday CANDY CANDY CANDY.

I like to do holidays one at a time.

Karen H said...

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Can't believe it is less than 2 months away. At my age, that time will go by in the blink of an eye. Guess I'd better not blink...

Cherie J said...

My kids would not allow me to forget Halloween, especially the 5 year old. Definitely love Christmas best though. I love the joy and excitement of the kids. It is contagious.

Maureen said...

It snowed on us yesterday too and it made me think of Christmas which is definitely my favorite holiday.

robynl said...

as for celebrating we are giving out treats but the decos stayed put away.
Christmas planning has already started and gifts bought(some).

Jane said...

I haven't dug out my Christmas decorations yet. I think I'll put the tree up before Thanksgiving.

Estella said...

I am celebrating Halloween Friday. I do the holidays one at a time,altho Thanksgiving is my favorite.

Pat Cochran said...

I like holidays! I guess because it means family get-togethers! I like Halloween because of the costumes and the children trick or treating. I like Thanksgiving because we get to share in giving thanks for all we are given. I
love Christmas because we celebrate the birth of our Lord. I love the 4th of July because we join in celebrating the birth of our
nation.

Pat Cochran

cheryl c said...

Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love baking, decorating, buying gifts, listening to Christmas music,and so much more! I have already started shopping!

MoB said...

ok well....Christmas is my favorite holiday. I never grew up. I still love getting gifts LOL

But even with the snow we got yesterday that left parts of my town without power....I still go holiday to holiday. Therefore..I have my porch decorated for Halloween ;0

Mo....who loves to tease Terri when we get snow and she doesnt LOL

Michele L. said...

Well, I love all holidays! I do love Christmas most of all but to skip Halloween and Thanksgiving? How terrible! I love seeing all the little kids who dress up in costumes.

Then on Thanksgiving my husband and I gather with all my relatives. There is usually about 25 or so of us depending on whether someone else had a baby. Everyone brings something so it is a big party! I just love it!

So here at my house it's beginning to look like Halloween because I celebrate them all!

Michele L.

Pam P said...

Terri, congrats on the Brava trilogy contract, love reading about fairies, can't wait.

I like all the holidays - Halloween the kids love to dress up and get all those treats and for us to come over and see; Thanksgiving, getting together, turkey and all those yummy pies, and starting to plan for Christmas. Christmas is my favorite, it's often wild and wacky with all the young kids still in our family, I love the decorations, singing carols (Midnight Mass), family and friends taking time from busy lives to catch up and celebrate when the day finally comes.