Today I'm thrilled to be hosting Vannetta Chapman as part of the Countdown to Christmas Party! You met Annie Yoder, one of her characters, the other day, and today Vannetta herself is here to to talk about Christmas past, give away a book or two, and share about her book, A Simple Amish Christmas. (Be sure to check out the rest of the party here.)
i blog 4 books: Hi Vannetta. Thanks for sharing some Christmas memories with us today! What is your most memorable Christmas and why?
VC: It would have to be going with my dad to see some of the elderly in our neighborhood and take them Christmas dinner. None of us wanted to go. We wanted to stay home and play with our toys. But moments like that, with my dad, have stayed with me all these years. And now that he is gone, I cherish them all the more.
ib4b: Name three words that you associate with Christmas.
VC: Joy Grace Family
ib4b: How will your family celebrate Christmas this year?
VC: I have a "blended" family, so it's always a bit of a challenge to see everyone. But we aim for the least amount of pressure possible and give everyone a "free pass" if they can't make it. We'll probably spend Christmas eve with my husband's family and then be home on Christmas day.
ib4b: What is the best gift you’ve ever given?
VC: When I was in high school, I found out one of my close friends (from Pakistan) was having financial troubles. her father had been laid off. So I prodded the neighborhood into buying gifts for the entire family, and we left them on the front porch—anonymously. It was a very fun thing to do, and hopefully, blessed them during a difficult time.
ib4b: That sounds like a wonderful gift! Who gave you the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? What was it?
VC: My parents gave me a pair of suede shoes one year. Oh, I wanted those shoes so badly that I would dream of them at night. They wrapped them up and hid them in the dishwasher. I was VERY surprised when all the presents had been unwrapped, and then my parents said, "There is one more …"
ib4b: I love that! I'll have to keep the dishwasher in mind as a hiding place. :) Tell me about the Christmas tradition that means the most to you.
VC: I love Christmas Eve service - whether we're home, at my in-laws or visiting family in Dallas … I love the peace and joy of a midnight service.
ib4b: How do you keep your focus on Christ during this hectic but wondrous time of year?
VC: Music helps. When you're singing along about the Christ child, then it's easier to focus on His birth. We really don't get too caught up in buying lots of gifts. I focus on stockings for each child (all grown), and then we just enjoy our time together.
This or That ...
- White or colorful lights? White
- Turkey or ham? Both!
- Tree - real or fake? Fake.
- Hot cocoa or apple cider? Both!
- Frosty or Rudolph? Hmmm … how about Snoopy? Doesn't he have a Christmas show? Oh yeah, Linus reading about the birth of Christ.
- Wrapping paper or gift bag? I like wrapping paper better, but I do sometimes use gift bags!
About a Simple Amish Christmas
Will Annie find acceptance in the Amish community she left behind?
Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of Rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make.
About Vannetta Chapman
Vannetta Chapman has published over one hundred articles in Christian
family magazines. She discovered her love for the Amish while
researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania.
Vannetta is a multi-award winning member of Romance Writers of America
and holds a B.A. and M.A. in English. She currently teaches in the Texas
hill country, where she lives with her husband in the city of Austin.
Connect with Vannetta Chapman Online
Giveaway
Abingdon Press has graciously offered to give a Vannetta Chapman prize pack to one reader! One reader will win a copy of each of the following books: The Christmas Quilt and A Simple Amish Christmas. Giveaway is open to US residents only and ends December 17. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*** All participants must be 18 years or older. The winner will be contacted via email. Once contacted the winner has 72 hours to respond with the required information. If the winner does not respond within the timeframe specified, another winner will be chosen. I am not responsible for shipping mishaps. Void where prohibited. ***
Ham, hands down. Ü
ReplyDeleteTurkey.
ReplyDeleteThis year its going to be ham. Had turkey for thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteTurkey!!!
ReplyDeleteTurkey
ReplyDeleteHam
ReplyDeleteI think it's going to be a Fried Turkey we had one for Thanksgiving and it was the best. So we shall see.
ReplyDeleteoh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
I love Turkey!!
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
We always have ham
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Turkey, but I am probably saying that because we had ham for Thanksgiving. :) Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeleteKellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com
I have not read Vannetta's new christmas book , would sure like to
ReplyDeleteHam
ReplyDeleteHam....but can we not have both.I love turkey too.
ReplyDeleteTurkey is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteHallo, Hallo,
ReplyDeleteHonestly!? It depended on the year and what the family was interested in having, therefore, one year it would be ham and another it could be turkey! Laughs. One year I remember we had both as no one could pick! Laughs. Nowadays, I think I'd rather create a new tradition and keep it vegetarian! :)