Part Three

Finally it became unhandy to have our Christmas tree in the center of the busiest room in the house, so we moved it out of the kitchen and into the hallway. Then the family room. Then the downstairs bedroom. Only lost a couple of ornaments that time.

When friends asked us if we still had a Christmas tree in our kitchen, we smiled sweetly and say, “Oh, no! It’s in the guestroom.”

By Christmas Eve, our traveling tree found a home for the holidays: the dining room. A bit worse for wear, but still a glorious sight. We hadn’t lost a single twinkling bulb in all that hauling around, and the angel stood proudly at the helm, looking up at a freshly painted ceiling just inches above her halo.

When Bill’s parents arrived for our traditional bowl of homemade soup and bread, we hurried them in to see our tree. “It’s lovely!” my mother-in-law exclaimed. “It was free,” our son, Matthew, said proudly.

When New Year’s Day came, traditionally the day for taking down a cut Christmas tree and sweeping up the dried needles, I came to a wonderful realization: this tree would never lose its needles. We could enjoy it right through Epiphany.

By mid-January, still cozy in one corner of the dining room, the tree continued to look fresh and green, though a tad off-season. I removed all the yuletide ornaments and left only the twinkling lights and a scattering of white snowflakes on the branches. “It’s a January tree,” I informed the family, and there the tree stayed.

When February came along, it seemed appropriate to replace the snowflakes with valentines, so the kids and I had a ball covering the tree with paper hearts. Not every family has a valentine tree, I thought warmly.

Frankly, the shamrocks in March got lost amid all the green, so on the first of April we moved quickly to Easter eggs of every hue, with pink cellophane grass dripping from the branches. It was my favorite month so far.

Friends were less impressed. When my in-laws came for Easter dinner, they took one look and said, “Well!”

When I explained, “It’s an Easter tree,” they said, “Yes, it is.”

By May it was getting harder to keep the branches dust-free. The little flags in June were flagging by month’s end., and even my cheery sunflowers couldn’t overcome the Christmas-in-July look. By August the tree was history: a two-piece memory shoved back into a corner of the garage.

November rolled around, and it was time for my annual holiday presentation for that very charitable organization. With a request for my speaking services came their generous offer: “Liz, may we give you another tree this year?”

“No, thanks,” I said. “I’ll take a wreath.”

About Liz:

Newsletter: http://www.lizcurti

Part Two

“When was this Christmas tree delivered?” my husband, Bill, asked with a here-we-go-again sigh.

“A week ago,” I confessed, picking up an ornament that had survived the cat-astrophe. “Think you can carry it?”

No man in his macho mind would say, “No, it’s too heavy for me.” Bill valiantly grabbed it at the base and pulled. It moved 1/16th of an inch. Another pull yielded almost an inch. Progress.

Bill wiped his brow. “Did one man move this in here?”

“Two men. Big guys.” He was not comforted by this news. “I can help,” I offered, grabbing the trunk midway up. “You take the bottom, and I’ll take the top.”

Which is exactly what happened—I took the top right off the tree.

Never having owned an artificial tree, I didn’t know they came apart. Imagine trying to steer five feet of heavily-decorated Christmas tree into an opening the size of a pencil sharpener. With one hand.

“Help!” I gave Bill room to reach through the prickly branches and grab hold of the trunk. Somehow we managed to get the tree back together. Even the angel looked grateful.

Fifteen minutes later we’d covered all of three feet. I looked up to see two noses pressed against the kitchen window, as our children watched this moving experience.

Down the driveway we went, then across the yard, until we were finally staring at the front door. A new challenge presented itself. The tree was four feet wide with ornaments. The door was three feet wide with hinges.

“We go in backwards,” Bill said decisively.

I winced at the sound of breaking glass and squishing cranberries. “Pull in your tummy!” I shouted to the tree.

A final heave-ho brought it swiftly into our foyer. The kids danced around in excitement, as we surveyed the possible landing spots for our tree. There were boxes in every room but one.

“The kitchen!” we said in unison, starting to regain our Christmas spirit.

Two doorways, both narrower than the first, dislodged a few more ornaments, but soon the tree stood more or less straight in the exact center of the kitchen. I cautioned the kids that under no circumstances was the ceiling fan to be turned on, then we crawled off to bed, while visions of sugar-plums danced in our heads.

At first I was surprised every time I came around the corner and found the tree standing there, quietly taking up half the room. Opening the fridge meant a guaranteed tickling from a teddy bear ornament, and stray tinsel ended up in odd places—our hair, mostly.

Soon we grew accustomed to the green giant in the kitchen, and were amused when friends would walk in and do a double-take.

“What is that?” they’d ask.

“A Christmas tree,” we’d answer. “Don’t you have one?”

-
(Will the tree go up in smoke when Liz starts cooking? Pop in for Part 3 tomorrow…)

About Liz:

Newsletter:

Part One

In our family every Christmas has its own special memory: the Christmas I made smoked turkey without meaning to; the year I handed out gifts in brown paper bags with drawn-on Sharpie bows; the Christmas Day we spent on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, featuring a great deal of whining and not much ho-ho-ho.

Then there was the year I spoke our Christmas tree into existence.

I don’t mean, “And then God said, let there be….” I mean, I gave a speech for a local charitable organization, and my honorarium was a ten-foot artificial tree, decorated from top to bottom.

Since we were in the middle of moving at the time, it was truly a gift from heaven. A free Christmas tree, ready to plug in? Oh baby.

I was painting the dining room ceiling when the phone call came: “Mrs. Higgs, we’re ready to deliver your tree.”

“Great!” I said, my voice bouncing off the bare walls. “How ’bout next Wednesday?”

A long silence. “We’re a block from your house.”

“Are you kidding?!” I hastily backed down the ladder, looking at the paint cans, the moving boxes, the decidedly not-ready-for-prime-time house.

They were not kidding. I met them in the driveway, then watched, wide-eyed, as two men unloaded our fully decorated tree.

It was enormous.

“Where do you want it?” one guy asked, grimacing beneath the weight.

Our empty garage seemed the logical spot.

They grunted and sweated as they dragged the tree down the driveway. Surely it wasn’t THAT heavy. Relieved to check one thing off my lengthy to-do list, I headed back to my painting, as the garage door slid shut behind me, the tree already half-forgotten.

A busy week flew by before it popped back up on my radar. “Time we brought in the Christmas tree,” I announced to my husband, Bill.

He frowned. “What tree?”

“The one in the garage. I’ll hold the door open while you carry it in.”

Rolling his eyes, he pulled on his coat, then headed out into the night. When the garage door swooshed open, I heard a distinct groan with my name in it. “Liz-z-zz!”

It was not a pretty sight. Bundles of cinnamon sticks, once neatly tied to the branches, now dangled forlornly, having served as a holiday lunch for some hungry squirrels. A stray cat had celebrated the season by knocking the mice-sized ornaments from one end of the garage to the other. The angel perched on top was drooping sideways, obviously ashamed of what had transpired below.

“Oh, Bill!” I moaned, my eyes stinging with tears. “It’s ruined!”

* * * * *

(Any hope for a holly jolly Christmas at the Higgs house? Pop in for Part 2 tomorrow…)

About Liz:

My first novel had scarcely been out for a year when I was asked to teach a class non fiction writing at a Christian writers’ conference in 1989. It wasn’t that my novel was selling so well, but my women’s devotional that released at almost the same time was selling beyond our wildest expectations and being reprinted as fast as they could keep the presses rolling, so my name was hot at the moment. Unfortunately they didn’t need anyone to teach a class on devotional writing, but Christian fiction? No one wanted to touch it! After all, as I heard more times than I could count, “Why would you want to write fiction? As Christians, we should write something more serious.”

Now for all you fairly new-to-CBA writers, that sort of attitude is hard to fathom. Everyone wants to write fiction now, Christian or otherwise. But in those days, a lot of people had issues with Christian fiction, and they certainly weren’t positive ones!

However, I accepted the challenge and ended up with exactly two people in my class. Discouraging? Absolutely! With my own passion to write fiction flickering in the
winds of criticism and disapproval, I wondered if the trend would ever change. Needless to say, it has, and though I haven’t ruled out writing more nonfiction books in the future,right now my focus is almost entirely on fiction. But does the Christian reading world’s current romance with novels mean that writers—even good ones—are assured of success? Not by a long shot!

Good writing is a given, and great writing should be our goal. But even that isn’t do well at that genre. Historical novels run in cycles—in one day, out the next. Chick-lit
or fantasy may be the order of the day when you begin your novel, yet completely passé by the time you’re done. And though we all love those sweet stories of the Amish, how long can “bonnet fiction” survive before it too is replaced with a newer and more popular trend?

If I’ve learned anything through venturing out into writing fiction based on controversial issues, it’s to forget about the current trends and overloaded bandwagons, and ask God to help identify and pursue the passion He’s put in our heart. After all, there’s room in Christian fiction for lots of issues, and when they’re God-driven, they will fulfill the purpose He has intended.

So aside from gift cards, rounds of golf, and breakfast in bed, I’ve asked myself what would make this Father’s Day really special for my husband? All of the above are gifts my husband would love but I think a thoughtfully chosen book would hit the spot this year. He has an e-reader, which we love, but there is just something about a book and new pages and amazing cover art…

My husband has a stable of authors whose work he eagerly awaits, John Piper being the leader of that pack. However, if we had unlimited funding and my husband could have any book; I’m thinking it would be The Four Holy Gospels featuring original, full-color commissioned artwork by Makoto Fujimura. This book is epic. Not only is it commemorative of the 400^th anniversary of the King James Bible (the version which it has been published in) but it is reflective of the gorgeous illuminated texts that artisans devoted their lives to in centuries past. Given a choice, I would absolutely buy this book for my husband before any others. I would probably love the book too – who doesn’t love a fabric bound book? It’s so old school. The leather edition is gorgeous as well.

Speaking of old school, I know I shouldn’t shop for books based on aesthetics alone, but the books published by the Resurgence look amazing (and they’re excellent reads too). My husband has most of Mark Driscoll’s books at this point but some other editions look promising in the Resurgence collection, like the e-book Money: Gift or God by Jamie Munson.

A collection of theology books and the gospels is my husband’s cup of tea and so is music. My husband is a worship leader at our church and has an affinity for older hymns which are musically balanced and can’t be improved upon according to him. I should mention my husband is a professional Choir Director and music teacher. So my final gift choice would be the Trinity Hymnal. He doesn’t currently own a hymnal but would love to have one for reference.

I suggest these gifts based on my husband’s tastes. I also know all men are different and that is just a sign of God’s grace to us as wives. Above all, our husbands can know two things this Father’s Day: that God created them specifically as the husbands to their wives and fathers to their children. God made our families with his glory in mind. That knowledge alone is the most epic Father’s Day gift of all.

A few weeks ago my eleven year old daughter laughed when she saw the first commercial for it. She thought it was funny that the film was not yet rated. I went on to explain the rating process and how it works. She found it fascinating that there are people who are paid to watch movies all day and figure out whether it’s good for her to watch or not.  Her first response was that she wanted that job. How cool would that be? But then when I mentioned that all the fans of Twilight would probably want to go see this movie, it dawned on her what a heavy responsibility that must be for those people.  What if they rate the movie PG-13 just to make sure to include the Twi-hard fans and they let unsuitable material slip through?

So then she asked me what I was going to do about it. What? Me? What could I do? I have nothing to do with how films are rated or what’s involved with that process. But then she looked me square in the eye and said, “But you review books. It’s based on a book. Isn’t it your responsibility to tell other moms what they might need to expect about the movie because of that?”

Wow. Talk about a knock your socks off moment. I was stunned. And then I picked up my laptop and requested the book from the publisher. (Who very kindly responded to me – thank you Algonquin!)

This also made me look at all of those trailers and posters and book covers completely differently. I own a marketing company in my ‘spare time’ and if I were covering this title, I’d very surely be using (and probably abusing) Pattinson’s celebrity on this title. As of right now the Twilight movies aren’t going to be new for at least a year when Breaking Dawn comes out. There aren’t any new books or any new Twi-things on the market. So  putting a pretty picture of Robert Pattinson in a tuxedo in front of all of those Twi-hards is a perfect marketing plan.

If you’re a mom who isn’t sure what to expect but your teen or tween is begging you to go see Water For Elephants, you can find my review of the book here. I can’t promise the movie will be the same way. (They rarely are.) But I can say that Water for Elephants is very much not a Young Adult title. It’s not listed as juvenile fiction. It’s a book about grown ups written for grown ups. The situations in this book were unsavory. Harsh. And very descriptive about some things in life. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed the book. But I’m far past my tween years.

 Perhaps the movie producers kept it cleaner knowing that the Twilight fans would flock to it. I can’t say whether they did or didn’t. I can only tell you what I found in the book. And the reality is that someone who loves Robert Pattinson and Twilight has probably read the Twilight book and might want to own this book as well. (Hey, he’s pretty on the front cover!)  This book would not be one that I would recommend for tweens or younger teens without a mom knowing what’s in it first.

If you’re a mom looking for good books you can read or share with your teenager or tween, please drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you! lori@radiantlit.com

One of the things I love best in fiction is when I’m not only captivated by the story and characters, but also feel like I’ve been on a mini vacation in “visiting” that story’s setting. My favorite authors spin a descriptive web of sounds and sights and smells, so intricate and wide, that I feel like I’m “on location” too.

I suppose it takes even more skill to put characters in a white box of a setting and still capture an audience, but I’m afraid I’d bow out early, as a reader or writer. There’s something about a locale that tells us a bit more about the characters themselves, their history. What brought them there? Kept them there? Will they be there forever? Just for a time?

It speaks of possibility…or limitations. For example, characters on a mountain ranch might be susceptible in their isolation…and yet perhaps closer to God without the bustle and sway of city dwellers. Characters in a city might find unique opportunities in brushing up against so many others every day…or never get deeper than the surface layer.

The romantic in me loves a lush, vibrant setting for my lush, vibrant characters. That’s why I’ve settled into Italy for a time. It’s a land of passionate, open people, curving, green hills, ancient, crumbling ruins, food with explosive flavor, lavender gardens buzzing with fat bees, sage you can smell on the wind, tolling bells in the distance, rainstorms that close in, pound for a while, and then disappear as if they never happened at all. Can’t you just taste a bit of Tuscany in those details? I love that you-are-there feeling as a reader. I hope I pass on a bit of it to my readers too.

Because of my passion for a story’s setting, I’ve placed characters in Alaska, Montana, New Mexico, Maine, Colorado, Italy, France…territory I’ve fallen a little in love with. Next up will be books set in England, France, Switzerland, and yeah, you guessed it, back to Italy. Because it seems I can’t get far from Toscana, even if I leave her for a time.

How ‘bout you? Name a novel that made you feel like “you were there.” Or where would you place characters if you were writing a novel? Please comment below.

One look at my calendar (and probably yours, too) will show you a red-inked labyrinth of due dates, appointments, birthdays and anniversaries, and reminders.  On the sidebar, there are lists of things to do, people to call, things to buy, and bills to pay.  If there’s one thing Americans truly excel at, it’s being busy.

But of course there is more to my calendar than making it past hump day every week, which is why I am currently making myself a student of sacred time.  If I am a Christian, Christ should be my axiom, my reference point, guiding all areas of my life and my time is not excluded.  But to be honest, I am often selfish with “my” time, which really isn’t mine at all but a gift with which I have been entrusted.  God lends me His time and asks that I devote it to Him, yet sometimes I am “too busy” in my mornings to pay Him any attention, or I become annoyed with someone who needs to talk, viewing them as an interruption rather than an opportunity for ministry.

If each day is a gift, how does one become a good steward of the time God has given us? Are we ticking off our days like items off our to-do list or are we moving with purpose, pushing forward, gaining momentum as we run headlong toward the Kingdom of God? Do our weeks demonstrate the commotion of the rat race, or a liturgical lifestyle, one that gracefully cycles through seasons of anticipation, repentance, and celebration?

As I read Putting God Back in the Holidays: Celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Birthdays, and 12 Other Special Occasions with Purpose, I am reminded and reassured that I do not live aimlessly but purposefully as a child of God with a significant role to play in an eternal scope.  Written by Bill and Penny Thrasher, Putting God Back in the Holidays illuminates how we can live out our year intentionally by celebrating our holidays with spiritual purpose.

What’s at Stake: The Battle Underlying our Holidays

According to the Thrashers, many holidays have drifted from their spiritual moorings, pulled away by a variety of distractions: consumerism, political correctness, party-planning stress and out of town guests.  The materialism of Christmas clouds our focus with decadent distraction.  Additionally, for many people, Thanksgiving and Christmas usher in a season of grief rather than of joy because of the loss of a loved one, a family crisis, or personal struggles.

On account of these issues and others, Bill Thrasher believes that holidays are surrounded by a distinct spiritual battle.  As Christians enter the holiday season in late fall, preparing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, they are presented with a unique opportunity for community, worship, and reflection of what God has done for them and will continue to do in the future. This is a pivotal point in time for God’s people to draw close to Him, but the truth is we have an Enemy who actively opposes our worship of the Father.  And if these holidays are communal celebrations of what God has done, Thrasher concludes, such holidays will be Satan’s targets.

After taking note of the exhaustion he and his wife felt as the holidays approached, Bill Thrasher says, “For many, the myriad of our family, work, and church obligations during these times deplete physical, emotional, and mental energy.” [12] Being at such a low point makes us spiritually vulnerable and disrupts our attention to the spiritual significance of the season.  The time God has set aside for peace, worship, and rest is distorted.  After 30 years of ministry experience and practicing holiday traditions within his own family, Bill Thrasher’s learning on the subject culminates in this practical, pastoral book.

Remembering What God Has Done

Out of all the Old Testament law, it has always fascinated me that one of God’s commandments for His people is to celebrate.  The same God that dwelled in fire on His holy mountain and sent plagues upon Egypt commanded His people on certain days of the year to lay down their work, feast, celebrate, and worship.  In other words, Jehovah God declared a national holiday, a landmark of remembrance for the Israelites to recall His mighty works of the past and to teach their children the significance of the day.

In Putting God Back in the Holidays, The Thrashers encourage their readers to follow the same tradition: remember God’s blessings to us, and impart the importance of thanking and seeking Him to our children.  They illustrate from their own family many creative ways to commemorate God’s working: reading from a family journal of God’s blessings at Thanksgiving, giving gifts to Jesus as Christmastime, or writing New Year’s spiritual goals together.  Such external practices arrange an internal spiritual focus, and cultivate the significance of the season in our children.  Bill and Penny make it clear they do not expect you to duplicate their traditions in your family, but each chapter includes practical tips and ideas to get you thinking.

Resisting the Rush to Dwell in Christ’s Presence

In Thrasher’s opinion, the spiritual, physical, and emotional pressures of the holidays should give us all the more reason to draw near to Christ during this hectic time.  Thrasher gives the well-known example of Martha, who served her guests hand and foot while resenting her sister who got to sit and visit with Christ. “Luke 10:38-42 is not technically a story about Christmas,” Thrasher writes, “but it provides us with some helpful insight into celebrating this holiday.” Thrasher notes that Martha did the right thing by inviting Christ into her home as an honored guest, but she also missed the point by not enjoying His presence.  Instead of sitting at Jesus’ feet like her sister Mary, Luke says Martha was “distracted with much serving.”

This story inspired the Thrashers to start a new family tradition: every year around Christmas, they have a grand meal at which an extra table setting is placed at the head of the table.  To the Thrashers, this is a tangible reminder of the presence of Christ in their lives and home, and as they celebrate Christmas they direct their prayers to their Special Guest and ask for His direction for their holiday.  Penny Thrasher writes that two key questions are asked: What are Your priorities for us during this holiday? How would you have us minister to others during this season?

Dwelling with Christ not only influences those within the home, but everyone your lives intersect with because as you seek the Lord He fills you to serve.  Serving like Martha before you have abided with Christ like Mary is like running on empty, a feeling far too many women are familiar with.  We can’t do it all in our own strength, and we become bitter or resentful of others when we try.  Thrasher encourages his readers to return to the Source of our strength, “When Christ is the honored guest of your holiday celebrations, His love will flow to you and through you.”  And our small act of service may not be noticed or even appreciated, but “if [Christ] prompts it and empowers it, it will be remembered and rewarded forever.” [176]

Reclaiming God’s Purpose for the Holidays

The holidays can be a whirlwind of stressful activity or a powerful anchor for the soul, touchstones throughout the calendar year that serve to remind us of the glorious God we celebrate.  As I approach this year’s holiday season, I intend to follow the Thrasher’s advice by slowing down, reflecting, listening, and abiding in Christ.  I know that these goals will be challenged from every angle, but take heart that the battle at hand is an opportunity “to let the Lord draw you into a deeper surrender of yourself and all the details of the occasion to Him.” [147] It is my hope that this year that each holiday meal that is prepared, each Thanksgiving prayer that is prayed, and each Advent candle that is lit will teach me, as God taught the ancient Israelites, to remember His providence in the past and rely on His goodness for the future.

Love those elegant scenes of Regency Balls in Pride and Prejudice? What about the glam hair-dos, the sparkling jewels and modish accessories? How did the ladies back then get themselves ready beforehand? How long did it take? Read on, for an excerpt from Before the Season Ends to glimpse one young lady’s preparations for just such a ball, and see for yourself. (Hint: It wasn’t fast, cheap, or easy!)

If you are a woman and attended a High School prom (here in the States), you can easily imagine the sort of feeling a young regency miss would have before her first ball. Perhaps before each and every succeeding one, too!

For the Bennet girls, a ball was especially exciting, for it wasn’t something that took place often in Longbourne. Prior notice of the event was essential so that ladies and gentlemen had enough time to prepare for it. Which brings us back to our question: What sort of preparation was needed?

The answer is that you needed to be ready in two ways:

• With the proper clothing, and,
• With an adequate knowledge of how to do the latest dances.

For this article we will discuss the first concern: Costume, and the ladies “toilette.”

First and foremost would be the question of what to wear. A Ball required full dress, the components of which were as follows:

• A short-sleeved, low-necked gown, usually white or light-colored. The dress would naturally have an empire-waist (right beneath the bust). It could be ornamented, layered, embroidered, frilled with lace, etc.
• A pair of genteel “slippers” for the feet, often made of satin, silk or some other light material
• Implicit beneath it all was proper underclothing, such as a chemise, stays, and perhaps a petticoat, as well as stockings.
• Hair done up in a modish style, ornamented, or braided, or bearing an elegant tiara or headdress or ribbons
• Jewellery was appropriate here, if not actually required. Ladies commonly wore necklaces, bracelets, armlets, “ear-rings,” brooches, tiaras, or, for royals, coronets; Not to mention other jeweled hair ornaments, fans, lorgnettes, or seals. Rings were often worn over the gloves, so they would be seen.
• A pair of ball-room gloves, three-quarter length (past the elbow) should be worn.

Now that we know what a lady needed to wear to a ball, let us move on to watching her at her “toilette.” The following is an excerpt from my regency Inspirational Romance, Before the Season Ends. Ariana Forsythe is getting ready for an evening party at which there will be dancing. In other words, a ball! Here is our upclose look at the rigors of her preparations:

“At length Mrs. Bentley sought out Ariana to direct her remaining hours in preparations for the ball that night. It seemed outlandish, but she insisted Ariana soak in a hot tub, and then quickly into and out of a cold one. She called this “polishing the skin.”
Harrietta, the lady’s maid, then took over, trimming the nails on Ariana’s feet and hands, and supplying her with an enormous array of vials and lotions, perfumes and powders and other solutions. Some were for her face and neck, others for her hands, elbows, and even her feet!

Later Ariana was allowed a small meal, followed by tea. Then, to her surprise, Mrs. Bentley announced it was time to “earnestly prepare for the evening.” Ariana had to wonder what they had been doing all along, if not earnestly preparing for the evening!

They fussed over her hair, her chemise, her stockings, her gown.  Mrs. Bentley had insisted upon a small corset, or stays. Only wantons, she declared, did without them. But now she decided it needed to be tightened, and the gown was promptly removed; the stays were tightened, more so than mama had ever insisted upon, and Ariana felt sure she would have to adjust to breathing differently.

Once satisfied, they pulled the gown carefully back over Ariana’s head and arms and smoothed it into place.

By the time the two women had finished pulling, pinching, poking and pressing, Ariana felt more than ready to face the ‘Paragon‘. Her hair was coifed elegantly atop her head, with curled tendrils about her face. (Ariana wished she had jet black hair, but Mama said her lighter tresses matched the light in her eyes, and indeed, this night her words rang true.) Ariana was a picture of sparkling, beauteous youth.

Still, Mrs. Bentley insisted upon loaning her a matching set of jewels consisting of a necklace, earrings, brooch and bracelet. And, as a last dignifying element, a tiara: a delicate, lightly embellished headpiece, which was placed gingerly over her head and fastened into place with pins.

When at last she stood quietly resplendent in a pale pink gown of satin and net, with elegant white gloves that reached past her elbows and pale pink satin slippers upon her feet, even Mrs. Bentley had to smile. “You do me credit, my gel,” she said, almost affectionately. “Even Mornay will be smitten, I daresay, eh, Harrietta?”

“Oh, yes, ma’am!” breathed Harrietta, fully as pleased with the way Ariana had turned out as her mistress. “So tall and strikin’ as miss is, just like a princess!” Ariana’s aunt smiled. “I thought at first you were too tall,” she admitted, “but it turns out that ‘tall’ can be ‘statuesque’ as well!” Ariana was bustled out of the room and downstairs, to wait for Mr. Mornay in the parlour.”

Excerpt taken from, Before the Season Ends, a regency inspirational romance.

Did you enjoy this brief glimpse into Regency life? For more articles like this one, sign up for Linore’s mailing list at her website. You’ll also get her monthly regency e-magazine, Upon My Word! For Free!

Linore Rose Burkard is the creator of ‘Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul.’ Her books give readers a sense of traveling back in time to Jane Austen’s regency world, while discovering that happy endings are possible for everyone!

“Preparing for the Ball”

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Hosting an English Tea with your book club can be a fun and tasty way to liven up your next meeting. If you need recipe ideas, visit www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com for a free resource called “Regency Recipes.” Ideally, try to get several group members to volunteer and bake or bring an appropriate “goodie” for the Tea. Great examples include scones, English biscuits (ie., cookies), a tea cake, plus anything you like, will do, so long as there is a fun array to choose from.

Consider the following ideas as optional. Depending on how authentic or fancy you want to be, choose whatever will help you meet your goal of creating a fun historical experience. You’ll find more ideas below than you need. But, don’t worry, a teapot and something tasty to drink is the bare necessity, along with an English tea. After that, it’s all icing.

* Ask for a volunteer to bring a fancy tablecloth; lace, faux lace, even vinyl lace, or any white or light-colored cloth. Damask, sateen, or a lace cloth over a dark one are all pretty. Avoid a loud or colourful print as it will detract from the beauty of your elegant teapots and accessories.

* Make your party a “bring your own” favourite tea cup and saucer. The daintier and prettier, the better. Make sure that if someone doesn’t have their own to bring, that there will be extras for use.

* Same for teapots. Avoid using one large, boring stainless steel urn. If someone happens to own an elegant tea urn, wonderful. If not, most women hang on to a pretty teapot or two. This is the perfect occasion to take them out and put them to good use!

* Use linen or fancy white napkins.

* Sugar and cream should be served from a handsome set, never the containers they are bought in.

* An old-fashioned epergne would sit well in the middle of the table (see picture on LinoreRoseBurkard.com). However, a modern three-tiered dessert server can be substituted quite satisfactorily.

* If evening gloves are available (and this is just for fun) wear them when pouring your tea. You’ll be amazed at what a different feeling this will lend to the whole affair!

* A small dish of lemon slices is fine to have on hand

The most important element of the affair is to have fun, to enjoy some light refreshments, fellowship, and a good book discussion. If preparations for the tea get troublesome, forget the idea of doing it up pretty, or elegantly, and just make some tea! Serve a store-bought cake, relax and enjoy!

What to Serve:

For groups who wish to be more authentic, serve an English brand of tea. If you have the time and inclination, there are English stores in the US, and if one isn’t near you, you can mail-order supplies. A few resources are listed below for your convenience.

Your browser may not support display of this image. Suggested teas:

* English Breakfast
* Earl Grey
* Lady Grey

Suggested refreshments:

* Scones
* English biscuits
* A tea cake
* Seed cakes
* An English Trifle
* Crumpets

Suggested Accompaniments:

* Your browser may not support display of this image. Strawberry or Raspberry or Blackberry Jam
* Real Cream
* A Fruit Salad

Mail Order Sites for English Goods:

* www.britsuperstore.com
* www.britishfoodshop.com

Once everyone is seated and taken their first choice of refreshment, enjoy discussing my Regency romance novels. You can find questions in the back of the book, or visit the Reader Resources page of my website.

Enjoy!

About the Author:
Linore Rose Burkard writes Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul. Her characters take you back in time to experience life and love during the Regency in England (circa 1800 – 1830). Ms. Burkard’s novels include Before the Season Ends and The House in Grosvenor Square (coming April, 2009). Her stories blend Christian faith and romance with well-researched details from the Regency. Experience a romantic age, where timeless lessons still apply to modern life. And, enjoy a romance that reminds you happy endings are possible for everyone. For more information, visit: www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com