Let's Talk with Terry Ambrose
December 9, 2021
Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose
Perfect holiday moments
by Terry Ambrose
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I’m glad we’re fully into the holiday season now. Christmas is my favorite holiday Unfortunately, I’m one of those people who remembers very little about my childhood. So even though we lived in Connecticut when I was really young, I don’t know if I ever experienced a white Christmas. I’m sure my mother, who passed away about a decade ago, is probably looking down right now and is really, really irritated with me. I can just hear her saying, “You don’t remember that, either?”
It’s possible I love Christmas movies so much because I don’t remember the ones from when I was a kid. In the movies, I get to see happy people frolicking in the snow, standing with their faces turned toward the sky, snowflakes kissing their cheeks, merry melodies playing in the background…what could be more perfect? Okay, I admit it, I’ve probably seen one too many Hallmark movies.
We actually have a running joke in our house about some of those perfect Hallmark moments. It all started with the full moons directors seem to be so fond of. My wife started calling it a Hallmark Moon. Next came the Hallmark dogs. Then it was Hallmark kids. Now she’s talking about wanting a Hallmark husband…sorry, honey, but after 40+ years, I’m non returnable.
I’ll admit I indulge myself with a few of those ‘perfect moments’ when I write. In the Trouble in Paradise mysteries, it’s usually a sunset or a walk on the beach. In the Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast mysteries, it might be a tender moment between Alex and Marquetta or her dad. True to my feelings about my favorite holiday, both series have a Christmas mystery. The Killer Christmas Sweater Club is the third Seaside Cove book and came about when I was a guest at a December mystery readers event. All the group members were wearing ‘ugly Christmas sweaters.’ My first reaction when I saw all those sweaters was, what if an ugly sweater was the motive for a murder? The idea was a hit with the group, so a book was born.
Leave a comment to win!
For this holiday season, will you get to indulge yourself in a few perfect moments? Leave a comment to let me know your favorites, past or present. Contest is closed and winner selected.
Happy Holidays to you all!
Terry
ps While you’re here, enter our December book giveaway. It runs from December 1-18, with the winner selecting the book of their choice (print books available to those with US addies only) from the seven books in the contest image. Click here to enter!
Posted in Let's Talk, with Terry Ambrose • Tags: BLB Discussion, Christmas movies, Hallmark moments, Holiday Traditions, Killer Christmas Sweater Club, Let's Talk, Terry Ambrose | 24 Comments
Christmas is magical to me! Hallmark moments would be gathering with family, kids faces on Christmas morning, helping the less fortunate. Your book sounds great!
Indeed, Kathy, those are wonderful moments.
Our Hallmark moment in my family is on Christmas Day, we gather around the tree to open our presents. Laughs, giggles, and wrapping paper fly in cheer. Priceless.
Sounds like lots of fun!
Since I had no Hallmark moments growing up, I’ve worked hard to create them for my kids and grandkids, establishing holiday traditions that have continued year after year, even though we’ve had to tweak them as they’ve grown older.
I’m sure your kids and grandkids appreciate how hard you work to make those moments, Lois!
We weren’t really a Hallmark kind of family (nothing bad, just a lack of sentimentality), but what does stand out in childhood memory is going to Midnight Mass. There was something exciting about being out so late in the dark and cold. The church was always filled with poinsettias and candles and incense, and instead of boring hymns the choir sang Christmas carols. A perfect prelude to Christmas morning.
Sounds like a magical experience, Diane.
We celebrate Hanukkah, and our perfect moment is when we’re all together to light the candles and open presents plus have a traditional holiday meal. I’m a Hallmark fan myself. I like this season’s diversity and how different cultures are represented by their foods.
Happy Hanukkah, Nancy! And yes, Hallmark really has ramped up the diversity this season.
Happy Holidays! It is always magical to me as we get the house decorated bit by bit and the lights are twinkling. Today is swapping out the everyday dishes for the holiday set and all those goofy mugs, tomorrow the tree. And of course “those Hallmark movies” as my family refers to them (with a smile, they watch some too, but I am addicted).
Enjoy the season.
Happy Holidays to you, too! Like you, our decorating happens bit by bit, but it’s almost done. 🙂
Love the holiday season. Love the music and spending time with those I love.
Totally agree, Lori! Best of luck in the contest.
I enjoy getting holiday cards. With so much of my life onliine, I like to hold family photos and to trace the signatures of the little ones who are now old enough to sign their names. I love Hallmark movies. Nice post!
I love to bake Christmas cookies and then give them away to family and friends. It is fun to see all the happy faces.
Christmas is to my family is all about being together. We love to spend the month watching all the Christmas classics, decorating the house, and of course making Christmas goodies. The last 2 years have been even more special since I now have my own son to pass along our traditions and have help put up decorations and enjoy Christmas classics. My other favorite part of this time of year is snow. I have moved to North Carolina so we unfortunately don’t get much down here but when I lived back NY it was the best to always have a snow storm and just watch the snow fall all cuddled up qith a cup of coco or tea and of course Christmas cookies or fudge .
Sounds like some wonderful Christmases Tara! I bet you’ll enjoy the holidays even more now that you have a son to share with.
Love this time of year. Especially the Christmas Hallmark movies!!
Happy Holidays!! I enjoy the whole ambiance of Christmas. The smells of baking, sparkling lights, kindness of strangers and loved ones, the hope that seems to permeate the holiday season. We bake, play games, watch movies, enjoy light displays and hold onto that hope that next year will be better than the year before. Hallmark is always there for us, we enjoy it all year long.
There’s no better season! 🙂
I love the music, and the Hallmark movies, and a few of the oldie moldy Christmas movies. (DH doesn’t understand why ANYBODY would watch a black and white movie). I also love all the popup Christmas markets. I’m terribly sentimental.
Happy holidays, Terry!
Happy Holidays, Karla! I agree with you. Some of those old movies are great!
I am hoping that I will take the time to take time for me. Thank you.