Heart Book Series

The Christmas Movie Card

Terri Marie Whitewing created this special three-minute "Christmas Movie Card" complete with her own music playing in the background to touching photos and statements.

Terri Marie Whitewing is a contributor to the "Heart of the Holidays" book by Sheryl Roush, with her story and poem, "A New Christmas Song? There’s a Reindeer in My Gate" based on a true story.

Clinton Daily News Book Review:
Heart of the Holidays

Dee Ann Ray, book review columnist for the Clinton Daily News (Clinton, Oklahoma), reviewed Heart of the Holidays by Sheryl Roush in her Gift Books column on December 8.


Looking for a great gift?
   Heart of the Holidays, Holiday Inspirations, Yuletide Treasures and Traditions" is a delightful book covering Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. Even Scrooge could find enjoyment and peace in preparing for the holiday season in this book.
   It is written by Sheryl Roush who is a top-rated international speaker who offers humor, heart and boosts moral and the human spirit.
   This book is a collection of 67 original stories, 36 poems, 193 quotations and scriptures from 71 contributors.
   Families will enjoy this collection and might create a new holiday tradition be reading the contents together, with half an hour each night shared in enjoying the reading of this book. This book will help revive the readers’ memories and recall similar occasion and experiences.
    It is published by Sparkle Press in San Diego. Toll Free number is 800-932-0973.

WHERE TO BUY:
Heart of the Holidays is available at Amazon.com, Borders.com, Borders Stores nationwide. Heart of the Holidays is also available with a brand new release BONUS MUSIC CD, not in stores, available here, set $19.95.

MORE INFORMATION AND SAMPLE STORIES:
Click here.

Christmas Poem/Prayer:
NATIVI-TEA

At the moment of my birth there was a celebration, too.
The angels sang and God was all I knew.
God was all I remembered – for on earth
as in Heaven we are all one.
To remind us of this God sent us his Son.
Once a year we are reminded of His special birth.
It is a rejoicing that encircles all of the earth.
Gifts are given, hearts open wide, the focus is on good
and we all take pride.
The hope for my daily rebirth is now understood.
A child in a manger, simple and pure –
a symbol of peace and innocence –
that we are all safe from danger, sound and secure. 
To be in God’s presence is the present I truly need. 
In this time of celebration I am freed from my own greed.
I live to give – my gifts I share. 
I do not hide them or disguise them,
nor place them under a tree.
My gifts of love and laughter, kindness and caring
were meant for sharing –
not just once a year or for a select few. 
The gifts I have are unique to me
and I celebrate my own nativity. 
Every birth is planned, every child has a right,
every life is precious, delicate and meant to be. 
On the tree of life every child’s light shines bright for all to see.
 Thank you, God; my own light clears my visibility.
There is a place for each and every one of us
on God’s special tree. 
We glisten and twinkle in colourful harmony. 
We each have our place and together
we light up the world as we claim our space –
next to each other, side by side,
loving and grateful God takes pride
 at the birth of each and every one of His children –
that’s you and me.
Christmas is a celebration of all we are and all we can be.
Thank you God, for this divine festivity. 
Amen.

Dharlene Marie Fahl
Author/Inspirational Speaker/Tea Specialist
http://www.takeupthecup.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/takeupthecup/
http://www.youpublish.com/dharlenefahlbrittian/
(C) December 2008

Dharlene’s Tea Prayers are also published in the Heart of the Holidays, Heart of a Mother, and Heart of a Woman in Business books by Sheryl Roush.

Let Every Day Be Christmas

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself…
 
Norman Wesley Brooks
"Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHANUKAH
 
‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHANUKAH…
OY! WHAT A SHOCK!
SOMEBODY OUTSIDE
WAS PICKING OUR LOCK!
 
AND THERE AT THE DOOR
STOOD A ‘ZAYDA’ IN BLUE-
AND HE WORE ON HIS KUPP
A BLUE YARMULKA, TOO!

Translators available at 1-800-YIDNITE

This humor was submitted to us for posting. Author unknown.

Dec. 20 Sheryl Roush Book Signing Event at Borders

Heart Book Series Contributors
Signing & Reading Event

UNIQUE MULTI-AUTHOR EVENT!

Sheryl Roush and contributors to the Heart of a Woman, Heart of a Woman in Business, Heart of a Mother, Heart of the Holidays and  Corazón de Mujer books will be autographing copies on Saturday, December 20 from 2:00-6:00pm at BORDERS bookstore in Eastlake of Chula Vista, San Diego County, California.

More than a book signing, contributors will READ THEIR original STORY or POEM to shoppers! Contributors present will include: Helen Blanchard, Dharlene Fahl-Brittian, Consuelo Sanchez, Adria Manary, Eldonna Lewis-Fernandez, Elisa Castaneda, Lanie Adamson, Lyn White, Michelle Burkart, Morgana Rae, Effie Horning, Michelle Weisser, and Sheryl’s mother Beverly Roush, joining series originator Sheryl Roush from San Diego. The group will be celebrating with dinner locally following the book signing event.

COME MEET THESE AUTHORS and have your books personally autographed!

Perfect for Holidays gifts!

BORDERS
Eastlake Chula Vista
878 Eastlake Parkway
Chula Vista, CA 91914
Store Phone: 619.482.9883

Poem: A Christmas Commitment

Being happy is our first commitment
It is a huge gift for our loved ones
It is a box full of wonderful surprises
They will delight us through enchantment
 
Christmas is time for having fun
Enjoy the brightness of the winter sun
When you sometimes are feeling blue
Remember think about God’s route.
 
New Year’s Eve is a true ending
When we are ready to go back and review
What we have learned through living memories
Which make us stronger for a new beginning
 
God gives you a chance of surviving
Keep this greatness in your mind
Sharing love, joy and understanding
They are powerful from a new humankind.
 
By Consuelo Sanchez
December 2008

Consuelo is published in Corazon de Mujer, the inspirational gift book, Heart of a Woman fully translated in Spanish. CLICK HERE TO ORDER.

ORDER the Heart of the Holidays Book here.

Feliz Navidad

Fortuna de amor sean siempre tu sagrado alimento
Esperanzas resurgen en tu cansado y rojo corazón
Latirá aprisa para sentir la suave frescura del viento
Invita a sobrevivir en armonía con una dulce canción
Zurita que manda un mensaje de paz y de amor.
 
Nació Jesús redentor para enseñarte a luchar y creer
Amarte a ti mismo para irradiar alegría y compartir la fe
Voluntad para sobrevivir  ante la adversidad y crecer
Ilusionarte para guardar el regalo de la vida en tu cofre
Dadivas valiosas para rescatar la lejana esperanza
Amigos, familia y sueños de un magnánimo líder
Divino señor siempre a tu lado para que seas más fuerte.
 
Un abrazo cálido y fuerte,
Navidad 2008     
Consuelo  “Cani” Sanchez
Libros en Espanol, Corazon de Mujer

Sheryl Roush interviewed
on Heart of the Holidays
Music CD Release

ORDERING INFORMATION:
Heart of the Holidays (book only) is available at Amazon.com, Borders.com, and Borders bookstores (find location near you).

SPECIAL OFFER!
Order the Book with Bonus Music CD for $19.95 and receive the Sparkle-Tudes! A-Z Quotations eBook (value $14.95) free.

Sheryl Roush is President of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., based in San Diego, California. She is a top-rated international conference speaker, and 12-time author. In additional to Heart of the Holidays, her other books include: Heart of a Woman, Heart of a Mother, Heart of a Woman in Business, Corazon de Mujer (Heart of a Woman in Spanish), and Sparkle-Tudes!
Heart of a Mother also has a Bonus Music CD available with the book.

Darlene shares two of her sacred Tea Prayers,
“Festivi-Tea” and “Sereni-Tea.”
"You can change your life in the 10 minutes… all it takes to mindfully sip a cup of tea."

SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER:
Purchase the Heart of the Holidays book with the Bonus Music CD ($19.95 US), before Christmas Day, and receive the eBook by Sheryl Roush, Sparkle-Tudes! Inspirational Quotations for Creating Sparkling Attitudes, emailed as a PDF to you for FREE. (Value $14.95) Order directly from www.SparklePresentations.com to receive this offer, with secure payment on-line through PayPal. Email Sheryl@SparklePresentations.com with autographing instructions.

Darlene Fahl-Brittian
www.TakeUpTheCup.com

Sheryl Roush
www.HeartBookSeries.com
www.SparklePresentations.com

Quotations for Christmas & Hanukkah

To the American People:
Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy,
is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior
and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.
~Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), United States President
Presidential message (December 25, 1927)

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first.
~George Matthew Adams

Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it "white."
~Bing Crosby

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?
~Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian

My Christmas wish is that we will continue to be thoughtful throughout the year.
~Patti LaBelle

At this time of year, when the sun is most hidden, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the rays of hope and light… At such times, we yearn for the sun, and the light and warmth that it provides. Often, it is through simple and unrecognized miracles that we are able to feel the warmth of hope and light.
~Rabbi Rafael Goldstein

Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.
~Marianne Williamson, Author of A Return To Love

The lights of the Hanukkah menorah that we kindle in our homes are a reminder both of the Menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem and the light that shines brightly within each one of us.
~Libi Astair

When a person is "being with" or "present in the moment" their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual "being-nesses" are in the same place at the same time.
~Brian Klemmer

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
~Roy L. Smith

Giving really starts to be better than receiving. I guess that’s a sign of growing up.
~Jewel

Home is familiar and filled with tradition. It’s aunts, uncles, cousins and lifelong friends.
~Brian Naylor

Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.
~Johnny Carson
 
I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six.
Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.
~Shirley Temple

Once again, we come to the holiday season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.
~Dave Barry

There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.
~Erma Bombeck

It is the personal thoughtfulness, the warm human awareness, the reaching out of the self to one’s fellow man that makes giving worthy of the Christmas spirit.
~Isabel Currier

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."   
~Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)
Pastor, Speaker and Author

For Yuletide quotations, stories, poems, traditions and treasures, see the book Heart of the Holidays, by Sheryl Roush

Heart of the Holidays book is available only here with a BONUS MUSIC CD of Christmas and Hanukkah selections, by talented pianist Laurie Z., and beloved actor Jack Palance.

Turkey Baking Tips

Whether you’re tackling a Thanksgiving turkey for the first or hundredth time, our top 10 tips will ensure your big bird is the best it can be.

10. Remember to carve your turkey with a very sharp or electic knife.

Courtesy of Food Network

Thanksgiving Gratitude Candle Ceremony

Robert Silverstone
Silverstone Consulting
www.thegrowprinciple.com

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Gratitudes are expressions of gratefulness for things outside of yourself: people, place, situation and things that are external.  Always be specific as possible in your gratitudes. Gratitudes are very powerful; they can literally change your perspective of the world.  You see opportunities where there were none before.  You are open to possibilities that, in the past, would have felt impossible. You become more positive. You see people differently.  You begin to notice little things.  Stress dissolves. Your smile returns. Life seems doable.
~Rhonda Britten, Change Your Life in 30 Days

25 Ways To Say Thanks

As I look back through the archives of "Living Wisely," I see that gratitude has been the theme of several of my articles around the holiday season. The old words seem to drum home the importance of being grateful for what
we have. This year, in the face of financial crises and the loss of veritable institutions that we’ve relied on for employment it may be more important than ever to find a silver lining in order to endure. In a time when our feelings probably outweigh our ability to express them, I thought it might be helpful to explore some ways to say thanks and experience feeling grateful.

Giddy, ecstatic, humbled, moved, awed—grateful.
However, the emotion registers for you, each of these actions can likely get you there. It is that intense  feeling of being alive that we crave. Despite any troubles we may be dealing with, remember the feeling these 25 ways give you and recreate it every day. That is living. That is worth Thanksgiving.

by Laura Berman Fortgang, Speaker, Author, Coach
Copyright ©2007-2008 Laura Berman Fortgang.
Reprintable when full credit is given.
www.LauraBermanFortgang.com

Suggested Reading
Attitudes of Gratitude: How To Give and Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life
by M. J. Ryan
Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier
by Robert Emmons
Heart of the Holidays: Yuletide Treasures & Traditions. Stories, poems and quotations, by Sheryl L. Roush
Heart of a Mother: A tribute to a mother’s love. Stories, poems and quotations, by Sheryl L. Roush
Heart of a Woman: Insights on the strength and wisdom of women. Stories, poems and quotations, by Sheryl L. Roush
Heart of a Woman in Business: Stories, Strategies and Skills for Business Success, by Sheryl L. Roush

Thanksgiving Peace

This photo was taken during a silent retreat at Spirit Rock.
This proves even turkeys seek inner peace through prayer and meditation.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy!
 
Dr. Luann Linquist
…as seen on OPRAH
Business Relationships & Communication
www.DeleteStress.com

62nd Annual Mother Goose Parade

THEME: "Heroes of Might and Magic"
Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

The extravagant Mother Goose Parade is recognized as the official start of the holiday season in San Diego County.

The tradition of the Mother Goose Parade is to unite friends and families on a day of free family entertainment; and to understand the value of unity, family bonding, and social togetherness for all ages, races, and ethnicities that this parade is designed for.

Each year, the Parade entices new elements to insure the highest entertainment value of our partners and sponsors; and the enjoyment of the thousands of spectators that line the streets. Grandstands open at 7:00am. Parade kicks off at 10:00am

Pre-Parade Concert entertianment is MENUDO!

The 2008 Honorary Grand Marshals are Tori Spelling (90210), KayCee Stroh, and the San Diego Padres Adrian Gonzalez.

This year we are proud to present our family-oriented theme, "Heroes of Might and Magic" that will guarantee to bring smiles to children’s faces. "The Hulk" Lou Ferrigno is appearing!

This is more than a parade, it’s an event!

Volunteer Parade Route Announcers are members of Toastmasters International, the world’s largest non-profit educational organization dedicated to effective communication and leadership. Local Toastmasters are members of District 5.

HISTORY OF THE PARADE

Prominent El Cajon businessman Thomas Wigton was driving home from Los Angeles one rainy evening and had a brainstorm! The El Cajon business community had to give the children a Christmas present and he hit on the idea of a parade. Everybody loves a parade and El Cajon didn’t have one yet but Tom knew the kids in El Cajon would love it!

Seven of them met in El Cajon accountant David Cathers living room in 1947. Jack Maranda remembers it well. "When Tom Wigton asked you to help, you really didn’t say no to him," Jack chuckled. "We all thought it was a great idea but we really didn’t know how we were going to do it."

The parade’s success and reputation spread throughout the country. The third parade drew 100,000 and an ad hoc committee was formed to plan the next parades. In 1950, the non-profit Mother Goose Parade Association was formed. By-laws were created, officers were elected and the Mother Goose Parade Association logo and name were registered as trademarks.

In 1950, the parade expanded to include a parade Queen and Court. Young women in the area were invited to compete in the Queen’s contest to raise funds for the parade and the Rotary Club, El Cajon Lions, Kiwanis Clubs and Chamber of Commerce actively participated to ensure the parade’s success. Decals were sold to raise money and grandstand seats were made available. The growth was visible but Mother Nature stepped in to throw a curve. Rain fell so hard that year a float driver smashed into a light pole because he couldn’t see. The parade was postponed until 8:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night and, despite the holiday, the parade still drew over 100,000 spectators. In 1982, a weekend downpour forced cancellation.

In 1963, history stepped in. More than 300,000 spectators and 94 units were in place when word was received President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The parade was postponed to December 1st due to the tragedy.

The parade attracted over 400,000 in 1973 when Mickey and Minnie Mouse were Co-Grand Marshals and brought many Disneyland friends along to delight the spectators. That year, the "Mother Goose Ball" was the event of San Diego County and drew socialites from all over the Southland.

The parade association Board of Directors continues to consist of prominent members of the community who volunteer time and money to keep Tom Wigton’s dream alive and thriving. The association also receives much volunteer support from everyone who cares about supporting an event that honors family values, children and giving back to the community. The Mother Goose Parade Association is part of El Cajon’s fiber, and supporters and sponsors proudly participate in the parade and program and display their membership certificates and decals.

The Queen’s Contest has become a valuable and impressive experience for young women in high school and college. In addition to raising money for the association through sales of decals, memberships in the association, program ads and coronation tickets, they are given lessons in a variety of areas to enhance their personal and professional lives. They attend meetings where guest speakers tutor them about salesmanship, courtesy, family values, wardrobe, hair styling, makeup, walking, public speaking and other topics. They also receive instruction on various skills like karate and the end result is a well-rounded instruction to give them poise and experience to handle real-life situations at school, home and in the work place. Academic achievement is a pre-requisite to acceptance and written essays and response to questions asked by judges are some bases for selection. The winning queen and princesses make appearances at the annual parade and other events throughout the year. Scholarships are also given for college tuitions.

The parade has evolved into San Diego’s largest parade and the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi. The event is broadcast on local television for viewers of San Diego County which increases in number each year.

Parade weekend signals the beginning of Christmas festivities and is truly what it was originally intended to be . . . a "Celebration of Children Everywhere" because without the children, there is no future. It’s also a gift to our city and our country. But it’s mainly our gift to children of all ages . . . a day of mystical imagination, unhindered joy and excitement – a day to be remembered the rest of the year and the rest of their lives.

Thanksgiving Tips: Save Your Sanity

Interview with Sheryl Roush

Lorri Allen, the Producer/Host of FamilyNet Television & Radio, interviewed Sheryl Roush, author of Heart of the Holidays today, on "Mornings with Lorri & Larry," broadcast from Atlanta, Georgia.
 
Sheryl shared tips to save your sanity over Thanksgiving, including these good reminders:

• Get plenty of SLEEP.
• Eat healthy, and drink wisely.
• Get outside for a short walk.

LISTEN TO THE LIVELY INTERVIEW HERE.

To enjoy the most of the holiday, she added these tips:

• Set positive intentions for the day/event.
• Be optimistic and stay flexible… plans change.
• You reserve the right to say NO to invitations.
• Schedule OPEN TIME on your calendar for YOU.
• Have your meal catered…. or potluck/buffet style….
• Have a "relief" staff to clear the table, and do the dishes.
• Plan the meal ahead of time, to avoid procrastination and stress.
• Serve dessert 1-2 hours after the meal, in another room.
• Focus on the “together-ness time” not the doing-ness tasks.
• Cherish the quality and sacred time.
• Bring fresh flowers to your hostess.

BONUS: Larry’s Sour Cream Pound Cake recipe (and his special secret), from Savannah Georgia

Sheryl’s Heart Book Series are available at: Amazon.com, Borders.com, Borders stores,
Order personally autographed copies from Sheryl Roush at www.SparklePresentations.com

“Heart of the Holidays”
Book Review
by Angela England

Type-A Mom Gift Guide – Gifts for Moms
Monday, 10 November 2008
Click here to see original post.

The perfect size for giving, a woman who enjoys reading could not get a better gift book for the Yuletide Holidays than this charming book, Heart of the Holidays: Holiday Inspirations Yuletide Treasures and Traditions by Sheryl Roush.

This delightful book came at the perfect time for me as I begin to look forward to the holidays and felt the stress of Thanksgiving preparation creeping up on me. Heart of the Holidays: Holiday Inspirations Yuletide Treasures & Traditions is written by Sheryl Roush and was published by Sparkle Press. As I curl up on the couch to feed my newborn, this holiday collection is easy to thumb through for a few minutes.

Not too heavy or bulky, the easy-to-read format of Heart of the Holidays, makes this book the perfect present to tuck into a stocking, present as a hostess gift for Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, or give on one of the days of Hanukkah. It makes the perfect book for bedroom end table, bathroom magazine rack, or to read just in bits and pieces if you are as busy as I am.

What Readers Will See in Heart of the Holidays

Heart of the Holidays presents readers with over 225 pages of delightful poems, quotes, stories, excerpts, songs, and inspiring sayings in six categories: Thanksgiving; Christmas; Yuletide Around the Globe; Hanukkah; Winter Solstice; and Ringing in the New Year.

I appreciated the range of quotes that were included by Sheryl Roush, covering the range from proverbial sayings, to traditional historic figures, to humorous quips by modern celebrities. For example, in the Thanksgiving section she quotes Oprah Winfrey saying, "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."

Not just quotes and songs, Roush has brought together the best of the holiday stories and essays available and gathered them altogether in one place. One of my favorites of these was in the Yuletide Around the Globe chapter, an excerpt from Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn, who says in a portion of Christmas in Sweden, "Even if you happen to live in a huge country mansion with a large dining room, on Christmas Eve you always eat in the kitchen together with those who mean something to you. Even if you are very sick you should appear for this meal to show the spirit of Christmas. Because at Christmas there are no barrier and no separations."

These thoughtful and uplifting samples are only a taste of what Heart of the Holidays by Sheryl Roush has to offer as a charming gift for a book lover, or harried housewife alike.

Where to buy Heart of the Holidays: Holiday Inspirations Yuletide Treasures & Traditions

JUST RELEASED: Heart of the Holidays the book plus the Heart of the Holidays BONUS MUSIC CD…. for only $19.95.
CLICK HERE