Here’s my Christmas medley of milestones and memories — plus one mouth-watering holiday recipe.
This beautiful stag was lying on our lawn, surrounding by the twinkling Christmas lights reflected in our front window!
Welcome to Letters From Windermere, where I write about:
- HISTORY: mostly Western Canada history, but I love it all.
- WRITING: info about my writing and publishing journey.
- BOOKS: I recommend a good book every month.
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Christmas Medley: My Book News
What a whirlwind it has been since Finding Flora debuted on April 1, 2025.
My last public appearance was at the Fernie Heritage Library in Fernie, British Columbia, where I spoke to a lovely audience in an historic building. Just look at those arched windows.
I was happy to meet accomplished Canadian author Angie Abdou. She lives in Fernie, and invited me to be interviewed for her very own author speaking series at the library.
Thank you once again, dear readers, for supporting this book. I suspect many copies will be placed under Christmas trees in Canada this year!
My very last event (and the thirty-ninth speaking engagement of 2025) was at Windermere Elementary School, where I spoke to the Grade Four class about how to become a writer.
This was special because two of my granddaughters are in this class, Quinn on the left and Juliet on the right. They were thrilled when I reminded the class that I had dedicated my book Wildwood to them!
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Christmas Medley: Playing Scrabble
I begin each and every day drinking coffee in bed and playing online games.
First I play scrabble with two killer players whom I met through my book events: Gail Amendt from Breton, Alberta; and Esther Chamberlain from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It’s a good day if I can beat either one of them.
I follow that with Wordle, and then the more difficult Quordle. I am stuck at 89 percent and cannot seem to advance beyond that score. So frustrating!
I often wear my scrabble pyjamas, printed with scrabble words and dogs!
Here’s a photo of a model wearing these pyjamas, which would make a great Christmas gift. I ordered mine from Cloud Nine Pyjamas in Edmonton, and the brand name is P.J. Salvage. They even come with a headband.
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Christmas Medley: My Guilty Pleasure
After scanning the headlines of all the major Canadian newspapers, I read the most interesting stories.
After that depressing exercise, I turn to the salacious Daily Mail newspaper from London, a tabloid specializing in crime and celebrity gossip, plus all the latest news about the royal family. I am especially fascinated with Meghan Markle!
Read more here about my history with the royals: The Royal Family and Me.
I tried to watch her holiday special on Netflix, but it was pretty dull.
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Christmas Medley: Singing With Julie Andrews
I drove 130 kilometres to Cranbrook with my friend Donna to watch The Sound of Music on the big screen, and warble along with the audience!
“High on a hill stood a lonely goatherd . . .” You get the picture.
It was a dark and rainy night when we set out for home and all was well until I RAN OUT OF GAS!
Poor Donna stood in the ditch while I sprinted to the nearest gas station (thankfully, not far away), bought a plastic gas can, filled it at the pump, and sprinted back to the car. (Note to self: watch the gas gauge, and don’t spend so much time talking.)
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Christmas Medley: Jigsaw Puzzle
Each Christmas I bring out one new 1000-piece puzzle. This one could be a real challenge. When I finish, I will post a photo on Facebook and Instagram. Those are my only two social media platforms, but I try to post something there every day. You are welcome to follow me there.
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Christmas Medley: Recipe
People often ask me where I find the time to do so many things.
The answer is very simple: I NEVER cook anything, EVER.
My husband Heinz does all the cooking. In fact, he regards the kitchen as his personal territory. You don’t need to tell me how fortunate I am!
Some years ago I put together a family cookbook and he shared this recipe, which is a family favourite.
I described the process here: How to Publish Your Own Cookbook.
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Christmas Medley: Decorating
Decorating the house and both Christmas trees — one real and one artificial — is my department.
A drunken skeleton holding a bottle of tequila is not everyone’s idea of a sentimental Christmas tree ornament, but we bought it in 1994 when we were living in Mexico and it has been on the tree ever since. See more photos here: Tour My Traditional Tree.
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Christmas Medley: The Mail Must Go Through
I am finding some beautiful cards in the mail, several with hand-written letters, and dread the day we no longer receive real mail.
This reminded me of the blog post that I wrote several years ago about the importance of mail in wartime. Canada Post, the armed forces, and even high school volunteers knocked themselves out sorting all the mail!
Read more here: Morale Squadron Made Mail Their Mission.
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Book of the Month
As always, I tried to find an uplifting book recommendation. The Art of Racing in the Rain is unusual because it is told from the dog’s point of view. He’s a very intelligent dog who guides his master, a racing car driver, through life’s thorny passages.
Even if you don’t love dogs, I think you will love this book.
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We spend the first three months every year at the same rented condo in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There we continue our life much as before, but in a warmer climate. I’ll be chained to my desk (albeit with an ocean view) working on my new novel titled Touching Grass. To follow my writing journey, please subscribe or forward this newsletter to a friend. Watch for my next post on January 21, 2026.
Until then, Merry Christmas and the very happiest of New Years.
With fondest best wishes, Elinor
