The Gracie Lee Hot Mess Christmas Tree

Yesterday was one of those idyllic sort of days because I spent the entire day baking and decorating my teeny two-foot tabletop Christmas tree. I’m calling it my Gracie Lee Hot Mess Christmas Tree. I decorated it totally vintage 1972, just as Gracie Lee would have done (and don’t ask me how I know, I just do).

Tomorrow night, I’m hosting a book club party discussion of my book, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee. So, of course, a Gracie Lee tree was in order, complete with icicles, delta cotton, a paper chain, and whimsical handmade ornaments. (Many made by my kids.) I packed lots of memories on this little tree, proving you can have fabulous without ginormous.

Yes, hot mess Gracie-style, and I love it.

A marketing idea for my author friends— I donated ten copies of my book and a “Cocktail Party with the Author” as an auction item for a local fundraiser. Not only was this a fun way to donate to a wonderful cause (in this case, Tommy’s Nite Out) but this was also a good way to generate buzz about my book. See how I did that? Winner-winner.

[tweetthis]Fun way to generate #book buzz and give back! @syppublishing #author #marketing [/tweetthis]

So, tomorrow night is the cocktail party and book discussion. I’m excited this particular book club not only purchased my auction item, but also chose to redeem the party during Christmas! I’m still working on my menu, but so far I know it will include chocolate crinkles and cheese crackers (recipe coming) along with amazing roasted nuts I bought at the Cattywampus Co-op a few days ago.

It’s beginning to feel like a Christmas party!

Confession— I gave in to the Christmas light thing. A couple of weeks ago I was adamant that I wouldn’t do any outside lights, but with a party and a bah humbug porch, well, I couldn’t have that. Of all the things I am, I’m NOT a Scrooge.

Even so, I kept it simple. I strung red lights around the two front porch windows which involved nothing more than a step ladder and an extension cord. Easy peasy other than the fact that, in typical fashion, one string of lights worked when I initially checked it, yet only half-worked after I hung it. How/why does that always happen?

Twelve sleeps y’all!

[tweetthis]My hot mess Christmas tree #vintage #GracieLee[/tweetthis]

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

P.S. Today is my daughter’s 28th birthday, my first born, the day my life changed forever and for the better! So, this time 28 years ago, I was in hard labor. This morning my stomach hurts from eating so many of those chocolate crinkle cookies last night. Thought there was some humor to that LOL. Happy birthday to my beautiful daughter.

Musical Pairing:
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Christmas Time Again