 Two of my favorite things. Lucy Belle (on the rug) and my mama's hummingbird cake. It's the Most...Wonderful...Time...Of The Year!! It is for me, especially once I hear Frank Sinatra bellowing, "I love those J I N G L E Bells, oh! Those holiday J I N G L E Bells, oh! Those happy J I N G L E, B E double L S, I love those J I N G L E Bells!" THAT'S the song that kicks Christmas off for me. It's the first song on the A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra soundtrack, and as soon as I hear those bells I'm overcome with a lifetime of memories. I can almost see my Mama curled on the couch, a cigarette dangling from her lips, and her long, slender foot tapping along to Frank Sinatra's tunes. Listen to it here!  In my opinion, Frank Sinatra is definitely The Boss when it comes to Christmas songs. Just like Christmas Vacation is the Must-See movie in my family every year. No matter what, every Christmas I have to hear Cousin Eddie say those magical words.... Come on, I know you know them. If you've read Paint Me Fearless, and you remember when Cousin Eddie is mentioned in the book, Email Me with the answer. I'll give you 10% off the paperback, and I'll sign it for you. Wouldn't Paint Me Fearless be a great gift for someone you love?  "The ____________was full!" After Christmas Vacation, I love to watch Santa Claus is Coming To Town. You know the one with Fred Astaire as the Mailman? As a kid, I was fascinated by Kris Kringle's red hair. What is YOUR favorite Christmas movie? Please let me know here!  This movie stands the test of time. It's a work of art with all the special touches, like the way the scenes were grayed when the dastardly Burgermeister Meisterburger bans all the toys!  See the red hair!! Christmas stockings, eggnog, and twinkling lights are all part of the pageantry of Christmas, but of course, the meaning of Christmas goes well beyond the festivities and traditions. I have the pleasure of introducing you to someone very special. She's a brilliant writer, and much more qualified than me to launch you into a joyous Advent Season. Her name is Angi Aymond, and we grew up together in a small Louisiana town much like Shady Gully. We were cheerleaders together in junior high, and as often happens, our paths diverged after graduating high school.  That's me standing at the top, and the elegant and always poised Angi standing with her hand perched jauntily on her hip :)  Angi and Mike, her high school sweetheart, who is now her husband! We recently reconnected on Facebook, and it turns out, besides our childhood history together, we had something else in common. We were both called to write. While I express myself through quirky, imaginary characters who exhale angst, heartache, and faith through the veil of their crazy, made-up lives, Angi writes from a place of absolute truth. Total honesty. She unselfishly tears the veil away (from herself) to expose her own fears. Her own regrets. Even her own sinfulness. And in doing that, she provides a path for her readers to do the same. Her writing is sometimes painful. It often calls for self-reflection. And above all, it's always, always honest. I'm happy to introduce you to my friend, Angi Aymond. She is a treasure. Her gift is her truth, her humor, and the joy that falls off her in beautiful, approachable, and hilarious waves. Fasten the seatbelts on your Christmas sleds, folks, and enjoy the ride!  Angi Aymond Angi: IN HER OWN WORDS: My given name is Angela. It falls a bit fancier on the ears. But the only people who call me Angela are strangers. Acquaintances. People from the bank. The people who love and care about me? They call me Angi. I invite you to call me Angi as well. I married my high school sweetheart thirty-six years ago. We have three beautiful daughters. One of those beauties has given us a delightful little boy who calls us Gigi and Pappy. He is smart and funny, and well. You get the picture. It’s just the two of us here in our little empty nest. We’ve acclimated well. I will be honest. It was worth the wait! With my nest mostly empty, I've begun writing about the God revealed in the pages of the Bible, and His deep love for us. I mostly focus on the work He is doing in me, because if I focused on you, well — that would be meddlesome. Here’s your first warning: I have been laid bare by God’s truth. Exposed. Wrecked. But, I have been tenderly clothed in His grace. And it’s from that sweet place I speak to you. Oh, I’ve got scars. But they no longer define me. They gently remind me how deeply I am loved. I won’t claim to be a Bible teacher. I am just a Bible learner sharing what I have learned along the way. Often, the very long and hard way. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” PHILIPPIANS 1:6, ESV I encourage you to check out her website, her hilarious video below, and her first post of the 2021 Advent Season! Merry Christmas to you all! I pray that you and your loved ones are blessed with a wonderful and joyous season!!
Stay Fearless, Hallie
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