Christmas Novella Giveaway & Cranberry Walnut Recipe

Christmas Novella Giveaway & Cranberry Walnut Recipe
Thursday, November 30, 2023 by Sally Jo Pitts

For those who love a sweet Christmas story… and a chance to win a copy

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene comes from my novella, The Lost Box: A Hamilton Harbor Christmas. LEAVE A COMMENT ABOUT A CHRISTMAS TRADITION IN YOUR TOWN FOR THE opportunity to win a FREE BOOK.

HERE IS THE SCENE at the Harbor Town Bagel Bistro in Hamilton Harbor:

Elaine Robinson held a tray of bagels, filling the room with yeasty fresh baked smells. She stayed busy in the bistro but always managed to look perky with her pixie haircut and quick smile.

“This must be the Maury, I’ve heard about. You are just in time to try my latest Christmas experiment, cranberry walnut bagels.”

“We love her experiment days,” Dave said.

“Grab napkins, Tony, and serve our newcomer first.”

Tony complied, took two bagels, and handed one to Maury.

Maury took a bite. “Mmm, very good.”

“Thanks.” Elaine beamed.

Tony bit into his sweet and nutty bagel. “These will be a hit for the Christmas season.”

“I hope you’re right. Pass these out, will you?” Elaine handed Dave the tray and motioned to Tony and Maury to sit at the counter. “I’m making coffees for Olivia and Claudia outside. Coffee or tea for you?”

“I’d love a mocha,” Maury said.

Tony ordered a black coffee.

Elaine busied herself at the coffee machines. “How is the play coming along?”

“Actually, we’ve hit a snag and that’s why we’re here.” Tony swiveled around on the stool for everyone to hear him. “The play is progressing, but we ran into a problem, and hope you can help.”

“We’ll do our best,” Lake said.

“We need a life size manger.”

A special Christmas treat from Hamilton Harbor

Cranberry Walnut Bagels

For the recipe go to Investigatin’ Recipes above under Investigator’s blog or Click Here.

Be sure to leave a comment about a Christmas tradition in your town for a chance to win the Christmas book.

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Comments

Donna M. From Douglas, GA At 12/6/2023 9:58:55 PM

Christmas Parade

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A classic. Ours got rained out this year. Thanks for stopping by.

Mary Garback From Ridgecrest, CA At 12/6/2023 1:51:47 AM

A man in our town decorates every inch of his yard with light displays and was on Season 10 of the Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC TV, 2021). His name is Tony Malone. This an article about him/his lights: https://www.ridgecrestca.com/news/holiday-spirit-revealed-in-christmas-light.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thank you for sharing. How special!!

Heidi From Whidbey Island, WA At 12/3/2023 11:31:19 PM

On the island a Christmas tradition is a Lighted sailboat parade from one town to another.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That sounds amazing!

TexasMomma From Santa Fe, TX At 12/3/2023 9:59:45 PM

Our town has a lighted Christmas parade & a Winterfest every year. The lighted Christmas parade is so fun! I love seeing the creativity of the decorated floats.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice!

Donna Stearns From So. IL At 12/2/2023 9:49:47 PM

Our town has a Light's Fantastic Parade.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Don't you love the lights of the Christmas season!

Joye Isley From Colorado At 12/2/2023 3:43:45 PM

In the small town I grew up in there were a lot of tumbleweeds. In the town square, a tree was built out of the tumbleweeds and it had Christmas lights on it.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

How unique!!

Nancy Urtz From Maricopa, AZ At 12/2/2023 11:42:11 AM

Today, Dec. 2, 2023, our city is hosting some holiday fun at our regional park. There will be music, food, hot cocoa, and crafts. There will also be a tree lighting ceremony ??in the evening, along with a visit from Old Saint Nick ??.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds like great fun.

Linda F Herold From Lodi, CA At 12/2/2023 9:10:27 AM

We have a Christmas lights parade!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice.

Laurel From New Hampshire At 12/2/2023 4:07:32 AM

There is a tree lighting ceremony in the town common at which one of the elementary schools performs holiday music. There is a crèche there, too. After the event, one of the local service groups provides hot chocolate and cookies, as the community gathers. This takes place on the Saturday after th

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

This sounds so cozy with the whole community involved.

Marilyn Rushing From Amory Ms At 12/1/2023 10:41:16 PM

Out town has a Christmas Parade

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

We do too! Always fun.

Miranda Summerset From Warner robins At 12/1/2023 10:22:41 PM

Christmas parade & Christmas brunch

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Christmas brunch is a nice touch.

Debbie Bise From Pea Ridge, Arkansas At 12/1/2023 8:03:08 PM

We have a Christmas parade in December every year. This year we are in the parade

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds fun!

Karen From California At 12/1/2023 7:44:44 PM

Lighting the tree in the town square, then carriage rides around town.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

It sounds like a Hallmark movie!

Debra Pruss From Toledo, Ohio At 12/1/2023 6:56:28 PM

Our zoo has the Lights Before Christmas. It has been nominated as one of the best Christmas light shows in the country.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I would love to see it!

Sam From At 12/1/2023 6:52:39 PM

Don't live in a town - out in the boonies - but I guess the snowmobile Santa would be one

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

How fun!

Alicia Haney From Texas At 12/1/2023 6:05:32 PM

Hi, in my town we have a Christmas Parade and then the tree on the Gazebo downtown is lit. It is so much fun! Thank you for the chance. Have a great weekend. God Bless you and your family. Your book sounds and looks like a great read.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

The gazebo lights sound special.

Theresa Norris From South Carolina At 12/1/2023 4:07:15 PM

I always enjoy the Christmas Tour of Homes. So pretty and so many good ideas.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice. We used to have that in my town but they haven't in years.

Joy Wolfe From Lincolnton, NC At 12/1/2023 3:30:27 PM

Our downtown area is all decked out for Christmas. The stores decorate their windows, and the light poles have large Christmas decorations on them. There is a Santa house set up so the children can visit and share their wishes. They have also offered horse drawn carriage rides.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds special.

Linda Kish From Nuevo, CA At 12/1/2023 2:11:28 PM

I live in a small town. There is a Christmas parade down the main street with horses and kids can walk in the parade if they want. Santa is on an old fire truck at the end. Santa is scheduled to greet kids this weekend at the Christmas tree farm here in town

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds fun.

Carol Ross From Dahlonega, GA At 12/1/2023 1:53:39 PM

Our tourist town has a Christmas parade and lighting of the Christmas tree. The town is beautifully decorated with white lights. They also have romantic carriage rides.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Very Hallmark movie like!

Kate Sparks From Bloomington indiana At 12/1/2023 1:46:02 PM

Downtown has a canopy of lights celebration. The lights extend from the top of the courthouse to the surrounding blocks which also have trees wrapped on lights. There's a parade and Santa to kickoff the holiday season.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Wow. That sounds amazing.

Beverly Lewis From Jasper, GA At 12/1/2023 1:33:16 PM

We're newcomers in this little mountain community> I know they begin with a Christmas parade on the 1st Saturday of Dec. Main street is beautifully decorated. And I went on a tour of the Tate house - a local marvel built entirely of pink marble with lavish decorations this time of year.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

You moved? The Tate house sounds intriguing.

Deborah Clark From Eugene, Oregon At 12/1/2023 1:23:17 PM

tree lighting and Christmas lights

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Always fun.

Sue White From Fallon Nevada At 12/1/2023 1:16:59 PM

We have a tree lighting ceremony tonight on Main Street 1 Dec at 6:30

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Have fun!

Jennifer Black From Fort Wayne, IN At 12/1/2023 12:01:18 PM

A Christmas tradition I have observed is their Fantasy of Lights. It is a drive through Christmas light show that not only has about 2 miles of lights to enjoy but also helps serve members of our community who are working to get back on their feet again. https://www.bluejacketinc.org

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That is wonderful!

Donalyn Paulsen From Woodland, WA At 12/1/2023 11:10:14 AM

I grew up in a small town. I don't remember any traditions our town had other than decorating for Christmas. They put up a big sign over the main road into town and decorated the street lights. The best part was the nativity and decorated tree at the park. I loved it when all the decorations went u

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds quaint and nice to have the nativity scene central to the celebration.

Susan Heim From Florida, US At 12/1/2023 10:22:54 AM

Since my town is on the Atlantic coast, we have a festive boat parade every December!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I love seeing the lights reflecting on the water.

Janet Estridge From Florida At 12/1/2023 10:17:52 AM

My hometown has a parade every year. You can feel the Christmas Spirit in the air. Merry Christmas to One and All!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yes!

Sandy From SW Colorado At 12/1/2023 10:14:33 AM

Our small town always has a Christmas Parade of Lights the evening of the 1st Thursday in Dec.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Love it!

Kim From Colorado At 12/1/2023 9:47:44 AM

Our town has a fun Parade of Lights the Saturday after Thanksgiving to start off the season.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Sounds lovely.

Dana Boersma From At 12/1/2023 9:14:05 AM

We have a big tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving. There is music and Santa. It is so much fun!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice!

PHOEBE HOWARD From Mississippi At 12/1/2023 8:01:52 AM

They always have tree lighting in the square and a Christmas parade. Santa always arrives for the kids.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A special time.

Rose Ward From Pennsylvania At 12/1/2023 7:25:02 AM

Tree lighting

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

A classic.

Lisa Sabatini From Pittston, Pennsylvan At 12/1/2023 7:14:59 AM

I recently moved to a new town and learned that there is an organization of local folks who have a few fundraisers, and then they distribute toys to the children in the community at Christmas time. It is a big event with a parade and a location where the children can go to select a toy.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Nice.

Michelle From U.S.A. At 12/1/2023 7:13:43 AM

The biggest Christmas tradition is winning the best decorated Christmas house.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Oh, fun.

Jacqueline Jones From Fontana, California At 12/1/2023 6:44:05 AM

The annual Christmas parade is special in Fontana. Classic cars are everywhere in our Annual Christmas parade. Our city has Route 66 as a part of its heritage so the mayor, city council people and even Santa ride in the parade with their holiday outfits and cool vintage cars.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

That sounds very unique.

DebraG From Florida, USA At 12/1/2023 6:28:48 AM

I am going to try that recipe. We like to eat special foods on Christmas.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I hope it works well for you.

Linda Gawthrop From East Berlin, PA At 12/1/2023 5:18:30 AM

Merry! Merry! Every December our community orchestra presents a holiday concert including a sing along for residents and a free will collection for PA Wounded Warriors.