​Our home turns very jolly during the holidays. My collection of decorations, both old and new, are pulled from storage and incorporated into countless vignettes in almost every room. I even have four full size Christmas trees up this year. Each is different, and every one gives us joy.

Growing up, my mom spent days decorating all the main rooms of our house. Each season, along with my Grandma Onie, we would spend one Saturday afternoon at open houses of local flower shops and boutiques, gathering decorating ideas to incorporate at home. Festive centerpieces were the rage back then. We’d buy a few small things on each outing. Once home, we’d pull out last year’s creations and the messy craft box, then give our centerpieces an upgrade for the current season.

Those centerpieces are long gone, but I’ll forever cherish the memories we made. Maybe this is why vintage Christmas decorations intrigue me. Every piece holds a history, even though we usually have to recreate what that history might have been, using our imagination. Whether a decorative holiday piece is old or new, all can be combined to create our own kind of magic.

Our memories are like that, too. Old and new memories entwine to reveal the pathways we took to get to where we are today.

Ten days ago, on the tenth of December, I launched my latest book, Life with Friends. It’s the fifth and final book in my newest series, The Kaleidoscope Girls. On the same day as the book launch, a Facebook memory popped up in my feed from two years earlier, reminding me of a fun-filled book signing I’d done at Zandbroz, my forever-favorite bookstore, to celebrate the launch of my first book in the series, Better with Friends.

Zandbroz, an iconic store in downtown Fargo, ND for thirty-three years, offered a fabulous collection of curated books and more, up until it closed this past summer. The owners, Greg and Renee Danz, decided to retire. The closure was bittersweet for me, as it was for so many in our community.

Back in 2018, mere months after I released my first book, Whispering Pines, I approached Greg to ask if he’d consider selling my book in their store. Did he sense the terror and imposter syndrome I was feeling? My knees were shaking so hard. How could he not? But he never let on. He graciously agreed, patiently explained their process for consigning books, and offered me a local “home” from which I could begin to offer my book to a yet-to-be-developed following of readers.

Later that year, after releasing Tangled Beginnings, my second book, Greg invited me to take part in a local author holiday book signing. It would be the first of many for me at their fabulous store. I remember purchasing an old-fashioned silver wreath—an example of the quality decorations Zandbroz always offered—that very evening to commemorate that important milestone on my early author journey. The wreath still hangs in my kitchen every Christmas.

In June, while the owners of Zandbroz prepared to close their doors for good, they held one last rummage sale. You can bet we were first in line that day, hoping to purchase a few last treasures. A glass globe now sits proudly on top of the light pole outside our lake cabin, and a set of old milkshake glasses and spoons are on display inside. I also picked up small boxes of vintage holiday stamps, hoping the stamps would fit inside my treasured printer box when Christmas rolled around again. They'd remind me of the fun times at Zandbroz.

​When I saw the memory post pop up on FB last week about the book signing in 2022, I felt a flood of nostalgia. Those holiday stamps had found their way into one of my favorite holiday decorations in our family room. The printer box they’re now housed in was a gift from my sister-in-law and niece, back when I started writing. It stays up all year long and I change out the items displayed in it each season. The sleigh bells are authentic, too, and make the prettiest sound when you give them a little shake. Those were a gift from my dad.

Compelled by my feelings of nostalgia, I reached out to Josie Danz, Greg and Renee’s daughter and the longtime manager of Zandbroz. Josie resides out of state now, but we’ve kept in touch. I shared a quick snapshot of the printer box and stamps, hoping she’d enjoy how yet another item I’d purchased at their store had found its way into my holiday decorations. I had assumed the vintage stamps were simply items they’d purchased to resell at Zandbroz. Was I in for a surprise!

Josie immediately got back to me with the following note and, hopefully, a smile on her face: Fun fact – those stamps were used for years to stamp the brown paper Zandbroz bags during the holidays! I have so many happy memories of coming up with fun designs and hand-stamping the bags we sent home with customers. I’m so happy that they ended up in a good home. (sharing with Josie’s permission)

I wonder if the bag I brought my wreath home in back in 2018 was adorned with a scene she’d created with these very stamps. Learning the backstory of the stamps ensures they’ll remain a favorite of mine for years to come.

Like my mother, I spend days decorating our house for the holidays. Is it worth the effort? While I may question it when the mess of half-empty storage totes surrounds me and before everything is in place, but it always comes together. The trees and lights and decorations provide the perfect backdrop for creating more fun-filled memories in the days ahead. The new-fangled candles I use need batteries instead of matches, and they may lack a little of the charm of real candles, but our two-year-old grandson can change their color with the press of a button, and what could be more magical than that?

May your holidays also be filled with plenty of joy and a bit of magic. Kim

Last week, after celebrating our family’s Thanksgiving traditions, we indulged in too many turkey leftovers and barely survived the chaos of Black Friday shopping. Then we settled in to watch Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy, a new Netflix documentary exposing the dark side of overconsumption. While sobering, I highly recommend it—it certainly made me reflect on my buying habits.
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By late Friday, we were ready for a change of pace. That’s when I came across a post by Aasness Auctioneers advertising a live estate auction in Dalton, MN. It was described as a rare opportunity to browse hundreds of exceptional primitives and antiques from Mary Lou Johnson’s estate. Mary Lou, well-known in the area for her extensive collection of rare country and Scandinavian pieces, had amassed treasures unlike any other.

Live auctions like this have become rare, especially ones with the quality and quantity of items this sale promised. With no online bidding allowed, it was bound to draw a large in-person crowd, including many deep-pocketed antique dealers. Still, the idea of experiencing the event, and perhaps gathering a little story inspiration, was too good to pass up.
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We left early Saturday morning, braving a frigid six degrees Fahrenheit for the 80-mile drive. Despite arriving 45 minutes before the auction began, most of the metal folding chairs were already claimed. We settled for seats farther back, tossed my heavy winter coat over two, and began inspecting the sale items. The pictures on Facebook hadn’t done the collection justice—there were so many items I’d have loved to take home! But I suspected this wasn’t going to be a bargain-hunting kind of day.

The auction kicked off with a heartwarming story from the auctioneer, who shared how Mary Lou had helped teach him the ropes of the business decades earlier. He recalled her braving a muddy farm auction in high heels, painting a picture of the woman behind this incredible collection. Many in the crowd knew Mary Lou personally and hoped to take home a keepsake from her lifetime of collecting.

As the sale commenced, the auction team demonstrated their expertise, balancing the need to keep bids competitive while maintaining a steady pace. The sheer volume of items meant it would be a long day. By noon, we’d only purchased coffee and pulled-pork sandwiches for lunch. I had my eye on a twisted-wire Christmas tree that would have been perfect for my vintage ornaments, but the bidding quickly exceeded our comfort level.
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Mary Lou’s rare, often handcrafted items were fetching high prices, making it clear that we’d likely do more watching than buying. Still, the event itself was fun. We struck up a lively conversation with the couple seated in front of us, discovering shared interests. I hope our paths cross again. The auctioneer even paused the sale for door prizes and to highlight Dalton’s annual Christmas Fest, a small-town celebration featuring a nightly light show ranked among the top in Minnesota. It was a heartwarming reminder of the pride and community spirit that too often feels missing these days.

By mid-afternoon, I’d made just one purchase: a set of three small crocks in a beautiful springtime blue. While other items—like a quaint antique feather tree—went for more than we were willing to pay, the day was still full of inspiration. A hand-hewn wooden baby cradle, with tiny heart cutouts, will undoubtedly become a family heirloom in one of my upcoming stories. A squat red wooden bucket labeled “sugar” might find its way into a vintage cabin on Silvermist Lake.

As the hours passed, the crowd thinned, but prices remained high. Finally, near the end of the sale, the flat of candlesticks I’d been eyeing all day came up for bidding. Two dealers poked through it right before the auctioneer began, and I cringed, worried they’d drive up the price. With only the crocks to show for our efforts, we decided to splurge. It was now or never. The candlesticks—and their vintage candles—were coming home with us, no matter what!

​I’m happy to report that we won the bid. As we drove home, the hot air blasting from the truck vents around my feet softened the old candle wax, causing it to droop. But a little gentle reshaping later, they looked as good as new and are now proudly finding their way into our holiday decor.

That Saturday auction was the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. And as a bonus, our bidding number was drawn for one of the auction’s turkey giveaways! It’s safe to say I’ll be spending more time in the kitchen this week, cooking yet another turkey.

Wishing you joy and moments of gratitude as you navigate this holiday season. If the season starts to feel overwhelming, consider taking a quick road trip—you never know what unexpected delights might await!  Kim

​Have you ever thought about how your reading habits and preferences have evolved over time? I was reminded of this yesterday while dusting a couple of shelves at the cabin that house some old paperbacks.

​Maybe you enjoyed reading lots of romance or sci-fi books years ago, but now you prefer a good mystery. Or instead of the small, thick paperbacks like these that you used to pick up in stores years ago, you’ve come to prefer the convenience of e-books. Or the slightly larger paperbacks available now with easier to read fonts.
 
E-books are handy. I purchase plenty of them because I like to read on my phone or tablet, especially while traveling or before I go to sleep at night. But my favorite versions will always be physical copies. I don’t think you can beat the enjoyment of holding an actual book in your hands. My problem is space. While there are still piles of books throughout the house, I have to cull my collection occasionally. But I haven’t touched this small selection in years. Some of these books even transitioned from our camper to our cabin twelve years ago.
 
Besides our preferences of genres and books forms, most readers also have a list of their favorite authors. This lineup grows and expands. Unless an author keeps putting out new books, they risk fading from a reader’s radar, replaced by the writers publishing current bestsellers. Even though we might not actively search for new releases or backlist books written by our once favorite authors anymore, their works have undoubtedly shaped both our reading preferences and our personal lives.
 
Yesterday, as my gaze skipped along the faded and creased covers on the shelves, certain author names jumped out at me and made me wonder. I know some are still writing and publishing, but I wasn’t sure about others, so I did a brief search of each of them. Curious?
 
Here is what I found:
 
Barbara Delinsky–She has over twenty New York Times bestsellers to her credit. Her latest book, A Week at the Shore, came out in 2020. A paragraph within her website’s bio captures why I have always loved her books: she writes relatable characters about everyday people facing emotional crises and challenges.
 
Julie Garwood–Her stories encompass both historical and contemporary timeframes. According to her website, her themes focused on family, loyalty, and honor. She published her first novel, Gentle Warrior, back in 1985. The book on my shelf, The Secret, came out in 1992 (over 30 years ago). She was an incredibly prolific author with many bestsellers. Sadly, Julie Garwood passed away on June 8, 2023. She leaves behind a legacy of beautiful stories that readers will enjoy for years to come. 

​Kristin Hannah–If you are a reader, you are already familiar with this amazing author. Her list of amazing books goes on and on. I found her latest novel, The Four Winds, to be a gut-wrenching account of the dusty days of the Great Depression. I splurged on a beautiful hard copy version of that book when it first came out. They adapted another of her books, Firefly Lane, into a #1 Netflix series. A few weeks ago, I sat alone in front of the television, wiping away tears as I watched the show’s conclusion. This heartwarming story ended with Katherine Heigl swaying and reminiscing on the gift of her beautiful friend to the iconic song “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.
 
Books are so much more than simply a compilation of words.
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​Mary Alice Monroe–This award-winning author continues to put out incredible books, including her latest instant bestseller, The Summer of Lost and Found. I follow her on social media and admire her dedication to the environment. When I think of Mary Alice Monroe, I think of sea turtles and monarch butterflies.
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​Fern Michaels–No wonder I can’t remember a world without books by Fern Michaels. According to her website (which is a delight and includes personal, current updates), she is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over 161 published works! Fern Michaels is the pen name of Mary Ruth Kuszkir. If you enjoy Fern’s books, you’ll likely enjoy her website, too, for more insight into the person behind the pen name.

​Nora Roberts–Johanna Lindsey may have kept me reading past my bedtime, but I’ve read (and loved) more books by Nora Roberts than any other author. She is a queen as far as I’m concerned. One report I found stated she has published more than 225 romance novels and has held the number-one spot on the New York Times Best Seller list for a crazy number of weeks throughout the years. She also writes as J.D. Robb. Unfortunately, her popularity isn’t without its shadows, including the plagiarism of her work and book bans. I appreciate that she isn’t afraid to push back against these atrocities. I’ve heard that she also maintains a rigorous writing schedule to this day, despite the incredible success she’s already enjoyed.

LaVyrle Spencer–While I don’t have any of her books on my shelves at the cabin, this trip down memory lane brought her to mind, too. I was an avid reader of her books when I was younger. Her romances extended beyond the primary couple to include families and intriguing plots. This Minnesota author had massive success, but retired from writing years ago. Her books helped shape me as a reader, and probably as a person, as all good stories can.

​It’s doubtful I’ll go back and reread any of these books. Maybe I’ll box them up someday and donate them. But having them near is a bit like having old friends around. All we need to do is crack them open again, and we can travel back in time.
 
While researching these authors, I saw lots of instances where their older books now have updated covers. This makes sense. If a book looks like it’s thirty years old, because cover styles do change, few people will pick them up today. But a modern cover is a smart way to reach more readers when the stories inside are practically timeless.
 
Books stuck in electronic form in our phones and tablets can be like all those photographs we take but never look at again. Sure, they don’t take up space or add potential clutter to our homes, but a physical copy on your shelves is harder to forget and easier to appreciate over time. A dusty old novel may even spur us down a trip on memory lane, reminding us of how certain stories quietly weave themselves into our memories, and perhaps even our souls.
 
Are you a fan of any of these authors or does your list of favorites look completely different? Who would top your list? 

​This is our first Christmas as grandparents! Having a little one around brings back lots of memories from when our kids were young. Last night, as I was sewing the baby’s name on a Christmas stocking, my mind drifted back to one of his daddy’s early holiday seasons. The only thing our nearly three-year-old son asked Santa for that year was the Disney movie “101 Dalmatians”.
 
Back then, Disney would bring certain movies “out of the vault” for a limited time. You’d only find it on store shelves during those windows. Little Josh’s timing was off and the Dalmatians movie wasn’t currently available, so Santa was having a tough time finding that movie for him. As the elf assigned to help Santa find that perfect gift for our son’s third Christmas, I refused to give up.

​Help arrived from an unexpected source that year. My youngest brother had moved to Ohio for work and he was dating someone we hadn’t met yet. As luck would have it, the young woman collected Disney movies. Not only did she have an impressive collection, she generously offered to help Santa out so he wouldn’t disappoint Joshua.
 
Now, nearly any movie you want to watch is available with the click of a few buttons—and maybe a few dollars—to stream directly into your living room. But this was long before streaming. This desperate elf / momma found her brother’s friend’s offer of a movie from her personal collection to be very generous indeed.
 
I still remember Joshua standing in front of my parent’s picture window, his little feet balancing on the heat register while he gripped the narrow trim, his eyes searching the sky for any sign of Santa Claus.

​Joshua thought he heard a sound on the roof, and when the knock at the door came, his excitement edged toward terror as the big guy himself strolled into Grandma and Grandpa’s house. It helped that Santa brought the movie he’d asked for, but only a little. 

​My brother’s new girlfriend had hand delivered her movie to Santa Claus before he swung by the house to say hello to Joshua, and she’s been back with us for the holidays almost every December in the twenty-six years since that first Christmas.
 
Her willingness to help us out was an excellent sign, and she’s been an amazing sister-in-law and aunt  ever since. Oh… and an awesome wife to my brother, too!
 
Thank you, Joey, for making a little boy’s Santa wish come true.
 
Love, Santa’s elf / aka Joshua’s mom