Books and Jams Readalong discussion

Hello friends! Sorry for the delayed start this month. I would love to know who is joining in the discussion and reading Peace Like a River this month! Give a shoutout if you're here. It's been a while since we've heard where everyone is from so let us know that as well as one of your favorite winter/holiday/Christmas traditions.

I'll start. I'm Krista and I currently live in the Richmond VA area. I am a huge fan of my tree. I don't love putting it up or taking it down, but I love having it up for the whole season. I leave the lights on the whole month (hello electric bill) because it just makes me so happy! So many of my ornaments have special meanings, but others are just pretty ones I've collected over the years. It's not a fancy tradition, but something I love about this season.

Hello!! I'm joining in this month, and I am so excited! I'm from Wisconsin. My favorite traditions are making lefse with my grandmother and mom. Lefse is a Norwegian thin crepe made out of potatos...we usually eat it with butter and cinnamon and sugar, but lots of other Scandinavians put meat on them or whatever! Looking forward to reading this book with you all!

I married into a Scandinavian family and lefse is one of my favorite adopted foods! They typically only use butter and sugar; I've been saying for a few years that I bet cinnamon would be a great addition.

I just picked up this book from the library so I'll be reading along - but maybe won't start until next week.

I'm from Texas - the Panhandle. I love the lights out at Christmas - on the tree, other candles or votives around, Christmas Eve service. Funny - but true story. Two years ago we were at Christmas Eve and they decided to go outside and lift out light to heaven. They told us to take our things with us and so as I leaned down to grab my purse, my long hair swung forward into my flame. It could have been so bad, but the lady behind me thought quickly and patted it out. I only had a funky bare spot and smelled like smoke for a bit.

Hi guys! I'll be joining in sometime this month. Not exactly sure when yet. I'm excited to get to this one as I've heard Katie from LifeBetweenWords rave about it for a while now haha
I'm from Florida, born and raised, so we don't exactly have a wintry atmosphere! It does get cool down here in December and January, but not as often as I'd like, that's for sure. I don't like the freezing cold, but I'd much rather be cold than hot.
My favorite Christmas traditions are putting up a tree with meaningful ornaments, and eating cinnamon rolls and orange danishes on Christmas morning at my Nana's house. We also love doing scratch-offs on Christmas lol! The most any of us has ever won was $20.
I'm excited to join you guys this month!

Hi all, I live in Florida, we've had nice warm weather so far this fall, but we ARE getting cold weather later this week (high temps only in the 50's, that's cold for us FL folks!!) I may be following along with this book if I can find it at the library, might go this afternoon or tomorrow, not sure. Hope everyone is getting in the holiday spirit!!

Robyn wrote: "Hello!! I'm joining in this month, and I am so excited! I'm from Wisconsin. My favorite traditions are making lefse with my grandmother and mom. Lefse is a Norwegian thin crepe made out of potatos...."

So glad you're reading with us again, Robyn! :) I've never heard of lefse. I'll have to go look it up. It sounds delicious!!

Cassie wrote: "I married into a Scandinavian family and lefse is one of my favorite adopted foods! They typically only use butter and sugar; I've been saying for a few years that I bet cinnamon would be a great a..."

Oh my word, Cassie! So glad your little candle fiasco wasn't worse! haha. What a story. I love lights at Christmas too. My family always drives around a bit after Christmas Eve service to look at all the lit up houses. I leave the lights on my tree on 24/7 until Christmas. They make me so happy! Glad you're reading with us this month.

Jenna (JenTheLibrarian) wrote: "Hi guys! I'll be joining in sometime this month. Not exactly sure when yet. I'm excited to get to this one as I've heard Katie from LifeBetweenWords rave about it for a while now haha
I'm from Flor..."

I love the picture of you and your family sitting around doing scratch offs at Christmas. That's so fun! haha. I am craving cinnamon rolls now. We often make monkey bread on Christmas day, which is a pull-apart bread covered with brownsugar and honey. Yummo!! Glad you'll be reading with us this month! I think Katie did such a good job of inspiring people to read this book! haha.

Sharon wrote: "Hi all, I live in Florida, we've had nice warm weather so far this fall, but we ARE getting cold weather later this week (high temps only in the 50's, that's cold for us FL folks!!) I may be follow..."

Hi Sharon, I hope you're able to join in the reading of Peace Like a River. It should be a really good one!! Hope you stay warm in your cold front coming through! haha.

I’m here and on page 71 ... a little too excited to be reading a large print edition from the library! Loving it so far and very intrigued! Christmas is my favorite! This is the second time we’ve opted for a “living” tree. It’s about 3 feet tall and we’ll plant it outside after Christmas. This will be a crazy week for sure ... but excited to spend the holidays with family and friends. 🎄

My name is Jaylan. I live in Minnesota, so this book is extra special to me because the author lives in Minnesota and the story takes place in Minnesota. I have had this book on my shelf for quite a while and decided to read it when I saw this group. My favorite Christmas memory is from my childhood when I would wake up before everybody else and start to dig through my stocking and count my presents without waking anybody up. I was a total rebel back then :)

Jaylan wrote: "My name is Jaylan. I live in Minnesota, so this book is extra special to me because the author lives in Minnesota and the story takes place in Minnesota. I have had this book on my shelf for quite ..."

Welcome Jaylan! I'm glad you're here to read with us. Your Christmas memory made me laugh! I can totally see it. I never was "that kid" but my brother sure was! haha.

SO I am still planning to get this book read before the end of the month! I've been a bit distracted with holiday stuff, but now that Christmas is past it's time to buckle down to finish it! Hope you're all still planning on reading it and joining in the discussion!