A Lancaster Family Christmas

A Lancaster Family Christmas is a feel good holiday story about a Mennonite family and a city girl. Diana Manzella agrees to take an out of town trip with co-worker Betsy Yoder to visit the Yoder family in Lancaster County. Diana is an only child who comes from a family with distant parents.  She muses that her parents do not even know what subject she majored in during college. When Diana arrives in Amish Country she discovers that their world is completely different from her own on the Upper East Side of New York City. She isn't sure that she can make it through the weekend. However, Diana is fascinated by the huge homes and buggies but takes note that these families get along and have huge home cooked meals every day. This, too, is vastly different from her parent's household.  Diana also notices Betsy's brother Brett and his Amish friend Jesse.  She is attracted to both of them even though she knows nothing can come of a relationship with either of them because of their religious faith.

The food alone that Betsy's mother cooks will get you in the holiday spirit. It is hard to believe that there are women in the world who spend that much time in the kitchen. They seem to have limitless energy.  A Lancaster Family Christmas is a good book to start the holiday season with.  I am rating it 5 out of 5 stars.

Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge and Readathon

It's that time of year again, and time to sign up for the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge and Readathon co-event! I am signing up at the Mistletoe Level and will read 4 books.  I probably won't participate in the readathon but I have been known to change my mind.

Dates: November 22, 2021 through January 6, 2022

Three ways to participate:

1. Challenge - Pick a level
2. Readathon - read as much (or as little) as you want
3. Participate in both!

Regarding the reading of Christmas books, for the readathon, you do not have to read only Christmas books. Please do try to read at least one though. 🎄

For the reading challenge, these must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, children's books (we even have a level for them!), etc.

Reading Challenge Levels:
--Candy Cane: read 1 book
--Mistletoe: read 2-4 books
--Christmas Tree: read 5 or 6 books, or more (this is the fanatic level!)

Additional levels:

--Fa La La La Films: watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!
--Visions of Sugar Plums: read books with your children this season and share what you read

*the additional levels are optional, you still must complete one of the main reading levels above