Tag: Christmas

Uncategorized, Writing for Children

Happy Holidays!

Patti Richards, Children's Author

It’s been almost two months since MRS. NOAH set sail, and as we turn our hearts and minds towards family time, gift-giving, and saying “Goodbye” to 2021, my thoughts turn again to thankfulness.

Here are just a few of the things I’m thankful for this year:

 

  • I became a grandmother for the very first time a little over two weeks ago, and he’s just the most precious thing! Baby Benny came quite early, so he’s spent the last two weeks in the NICU sleeping, eating, and growing! I can’t wait to meet him and hold him and tell him just how much Grammar loves him!
  • My youngest graduated from college back in May, and she’s working at a nonprofit job she loves helping teen moms through support, community, and love. I’m so proud of her!
  • My older daughter received a full scholarship to Wayne State University Graduate  School of musical composition. She’s teaching full time too, and we just couldn’t be prouder.
  • My son and daughter-in-love are just the most amazing new parents! Their courage and faith as they’ve spent a month in the hospital while waiting for Benny to be born as well as the last 2 weeks with him in the NICU has been such an incredible thing to witness.
  • My family, in spite of some health challenges over the past few months, are strong and happy!
  • My first book launch has gone well and I’ve learned so much about marketing…something I was pretty nervous about…and I’m just so grateful!

 

I encourage each of you to find some quiet moments this holiday season to think about all you have and be grateful. A thankful heart is a happy heart! And in our house, the Joy of the Lord is always our strength.

O Come Let Us Adore Him!

 

Blessings,

Patti Richards

 

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A Christmas Give Away!!! “Christmas for the D” Concert Tickets

Patti Richards, Children's Author

My church is involved with a great organization called Central Detroit Christian Development Corporation. Together with the CDC our church purchases and refurbishes homes and gives them away to needy families in Detroit. This organization and its partners are helping to bring the city back one family and neighborhood at a time. The CDC also provides after-school tutoring, job skills training, parenting classes and has several vegetable gardens that provide fresh produce to the neighborhoods. Recently, the CDC purchased an abandoned church building that will be transformed into a preschool to provide the early educational opportunities so desperately needed in the community it serves. I’m proud of my church for being part of the healing and renewed sense of hope we are seeing in our beloved “D”.

This Saturday evening, my church, Ward Evangelical Presbyterian in Northville, Michigan, is hosting a benefit concert for the CDC. All proceeds from “Christmas for the D” will go to purchase more houses, help to renovate the new preschool building and generally support the work that’s going on in the city. American Idol star, Jena Irene Asciutto headlines the event hosted by Chuck Gaidica and former Miss America Kirsten Haglund. Concert-goers will also enjoy the musical offerenings of Detroit’s Selected of God Choir (America’s Got Talent), the Northville High School Choir and Drumline and the Clarenceville High School Choir. It’s going to be a fabulous night of Christmas music!

So, in honor of the work of the CDC I’m giving away two tickets to the 7 PM show!!! All you have to do to win is write one sentence about why you love Detroit or share a Detroit memory and your name will be entered into a drawing! You’ve got a little over 24 hours to leave your comments. The drawing will take place at Noon on Friday, December 4!

You don’t want to miss this incredible chance to hear some of the best music of the Christmas Season and celebrate the amazing work of the CDC! Now, let’s get those comments rolling!

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Christmas Eve Reads and Happy Holidays from Sensibility and Sense!

Patti Richards, Children's Author

It’s Christmas Eve (eve), at our house. Cookie baking and present wrapping are in full swing, and I’m finally sure every gift is accounted for and my pantry is stocked and ready for Christmas Day. Whether you’re winding down from last-minute shopping or making one last trip to the mall, I hope you’ll take a moment between now and Thursday to focus on the true meaning of this very special holiday.

And to help you do just that, I’ve picked two of my absolute favorite Christmas picture books to share on this my last post of 2014. Both of these cuddle-up-on-the-couch stories help bring the season into focus in unique ways. So pour yourself another cup of hot cocoa, gather the children ‘round, and take a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle to create a new memory with those you love the most…

 

THE SWEET SMELL OF CHRISTMAS, by Patricia M. Scarry, Illustrated by J.P. Miller (Golden Books, September 2003)

the-sweet-smell-of-christmas

In this scratch and sniff story, Little Bear can smell Christmas coming– and so can you! From bringing home the tree to hot cocoa and candy canes, Little Bear knows Christmas is just around the corner. Your little ones will enjoy scratching and sniffing the piney Christmas tree, apple pie, big, juicy orange and other sweet smells in this one-of-a-kind Christmas book.

 

ROOM FOR A LITTLE ONE: A CHRISTMAS TALE, by Martin Waddell, Illustrated by Jason Crockcroft (Margaret K. McElderry Books, October 3, 2006)

download (3)

When kind Ox invites his friends to seek shelter for the night—Old Dog, Stray Cat and Small Mouse—they are surprised when Kind Donkey brings two new visitors to the stable: Mary and Joseph. As the unlikely friends wait for morning together, they are happy to welcome the last and most important visitor of all, the baby Jesus! A perfect Christmas Eve story for little ones learning about the birth of Christ.

 

I’d like to thank everyone who has followed, shared, liked or left a comment for me here at Sensibility and Sense this year. There are so many ways to spend your time in this busy world, and if you’ve been at all blessed and encouraged by spending some of it here, then our time together has been a success.

I look forward to seeing all of you in 2015! Happy Holidays!

Sensibility- Savor the holiday season by celebrating traditions and creating new memories.

Sense- Take time off from writing for the next few days! It will do your brain and your muse good to have a rest!

 

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2: 10-14