IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME IN PORT O’CONNOR! Well, almost. But to help to get you into the Christmas and Holidaze feelings, do come see us and possibly see some of the following books. I can attest to the fact that reading through them will definitely get the Santa urge going; not counting the food and other decorations. My favorites are the CHRISTMAS WITH SOUTHERN LIVING books to the point that I have almost 20 years of a collection. Here we have both the 1995 issue along with the one dated 1997. The book dated 1995 starts with information on how to make a lemon leaf wreath, continues with gilded apples, and a peppermint tower; under various decorations to make, a tree skirt with felt cutouts and a woodworking project of an angel should inspire plans for next year. But the recipes in this book are my favorite including the menu from Elizabeth’s from Savannah, Georgia, that ends with a Chocolate-Pecan Torte.

But the issue of 1997 starts with satin stockings you can make to hang on your mantle and really exude elegance; goes on to feature a holiday brunch serving a Southern brunch casserole and cinnamon raisin bread pudding with ham scones and ambrosia punch. But the topper for all desserts in the stained glass holly cake, and luckily includes full instructions for how to do it.

And another book is Family Circle’s Christmas Treasury as issued in 1990 which features lots of gingerbread men, a stunning needlepoint stocking, and lists a typical Victorian Christmas dinner of nine courses plus champagne and ending with Amaretti Oranges. I’m sure that a dinner that extensive would require not only an extra cook, but several hours for the dinner party.

Some of our very favorite, and at times, prolific authors have taken to writing books all set in the Christmas season. Debbie Macomber is one who has four, some a part of a series, and others stand-alone. Call Me Mrs. Miracle is one that has become a Hallmark movie; Christmas Letters is part of the Blossom Street series; and A Cedar Cove Christmas is part of the series of Cedar Cove. And the book, When Christmas Comes reminds you of the many unintentional mixups during the Christmas period.

Thomas Kinkade, the painter, has several books all set at Christmastime; although I’ve not read these yet, I think I probably will shortly as the book covers are more than a little intriguing. The Christmas Angel, as issued in 2005, is a part of the Cape Light series, and the jacket design was executed by the author himself. And A Christmas to Remember with the sparkling trees on the book cover as accompanied by the ice skaters before a glitterly lit home incites the urge to remember the era of 1955 when doors weren’t locked and trust was normal.

Hope you all enjoy the foregoing; and Shirley and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2014 as our New Year to come.

We still have books for sale at the Library, thankfully, with donations from residents coming in regularly. Luckily for Shirley and me we have received a number of current books that cover a variety of subjects; even some for handcrafting special items. The monies received from these sales go to add to our DVD collection and to purchase additional books, many times those missing from a series. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.

“When an old person dies, a Library burns down” -Karin Gillespie