Christmas Spotlight on Character Lucy Collins

What a treat we have on Write by Faith today. We have Lucy Collins the heroine is The Chirstmas Edition by Robin Shopes. I had the pleasure of interviewing both of these amazing women about one of my favorite times of the year Christmas. If you leave a comment to this post your will be entered to win this beautiful ornament which has been part of the Collins Christmas tree for years.

Donna, Thank you for having me on. Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered into a drawing for this heart ornament from The Collin's Family Tree. This ornament has been a part of my life for several years. Will it be on your tree this Christmas? And why am I getting rid of it? The answer to the last question is in The Christmas Edition.

I remember sneaking with my sister into the living room one day where the tree stood and together we untapped all of the packages to see what we were getting. Thinking that we would get away with our little caper we rewrapped all of the presents. As my children would say we were ‘busted’ when our parents came home to presents that were not shall we say wrapped to perfection. Are you a person who loves the secrets and surprises or do you want to know what is hidden in the packages under the tree? As a child did you do any sneaking around to discover hidden presents?

Gasp! Never! Peeking at presents spoils the wonderful surprise on Christmas morning! My little brother did enough sneaking around to satisfy a troop of nosy children. He’d try to report back to me about my gifts but I would cover my ears and tell him to go away!

Those little brothers certianly can ruin the surprise for all. Of course I was the little sister and took my job as pest very seriously.

What is the best Christmas present you ever received?

My grandfather made a dollhouse for me. He painted the outside yellow and gave it a wonderful red roof. It was two stories and all the windows went up and down. My grandmother made lace curtains for the windows out of her wedding dress slip and lined with rooms with old wallpaper. My parents drove all the way into Chicago during a blizzard just to buy furniture for it at a big department store. Each time I look at the dollhouse I see a family that loves me.

Are there any foods that you only have a Christmas dinner? Could you please share a family favorite recipe?

I love hot chocolate, here is my family recipe.

2 cups whole milk

8 tsp sugar

1 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

1oz unsweetened chocolate,chopped

1 tbs brown sugar

A splash of vanilla

Real whipped cream

Heat everything in a saucepan, except the vanilla, until chocolates melt and sugar dissolves. Pour half into a blender and mix until foamy. Return to the saucepan and add vanilla. Stir briefly and then serve with three inches of whipped cream. Be sure to enjoy it with someone you love!

What traditions do you hold most dear? The most special Collin’s Family tradition is, each year is my parents, Mike and I buy a special ornament for the Douglas fir tree. One by one we take ornaments from the boxes and reminisce the story behind it and then we hang it on the tree. The memories along with the ornaments multiply with each year. My favorite ornament is in the shape of a house with a red roof. It’s made of German mercury glass. It reminds me of the special dollhouse that I love so much.

What pet peeves do you have associated with the Holiday season? People pin their hopes on this holiday, expecting it to somehow solve all their problems and make their life perfect. This holiday is to remember Christ birth and that He has already done everything for us. To take that inspiration to the world. Our focus shouldn’t be inward but outward.

What would you like most so see happen this holiday season?

My Christmas wish is to hire a new editor for The Turtle Creek Newspaper. One who will knock the socks off our readers with his fresh ideas and perspective! They will be emotionally driven stories with an honest principle. When our readers pick up one of our newspapers, I don’t want to fail them. I want them to be awed, moved to laughter or tears, or both in the span of a few lines. I want them to talk to their friends and neighbors about The Turtle Creek Newspaper, that they have found a keeper in sticking with us and they cannot wait for the next editorial column. The man I have prayed for will write with heart.

If you would like to win this beautiful ornament and be entered to win a copy of The Christmas Edition, please leave a comment telling me: What you wish for this Christmas?

For extra entries:

1 extra entry Subscibe to my blog

2 extra link this blog to your own be sure to leave me the link.

Contest is limited to the U. S. Please leave a way for me to contact you if you win. Contest closes December 19th.

Read my interview with Robin Shope and enter a drawing to win a copy of the Christmas Edition Here

Read an interview with Joe McNamara (hero in The Christmas Edition) at Wendy's site Here