It's That Time of the Year. . . The holidays. They are here!
- Patti Callahan Henry
- Nov 26, 2019
- 9 min read
Hello Friends!
Halloween is over. The pumpkins are caving in on themselves and Thanksgiving is fast on our heels. And I am here with more Thanks than can be expressed in this newsletter.
Writing is a solitary effort, but paradoxically can’t be done alone. From my writer pals, family and friends who drag me through the sloggy parts of the process to YOU my readers. A story isn’t alive until you read it. You give it life. You pass on the word.
Thank you. 🙏 Simply thank 💕 YOU.
AND
Some things I love. . .
A Read
A Listen
A Look
A Guest
A Recipe.
That’s where we’re headed today!
📚 I’m Reading:
Non-fiction:
We are the Luckiest by Laura McKowen – doesn’t come out until January but its wisdom blew me away. Go check it out. It’s not just about getting sober, although it is very much about that – it is about living a life of presence, about being aware of what takes us from that presence and how to dive deep into the magic of our own life.
Fiction:
Ask Again, Yes A Novel by Mary Beth Keane. I spent most of the novel asking myself, “How did she just do that?” The writing is completely immersive, and the story so real and alive that it was breathing itself into my daily life. Just wow. That’s it. Just wow!
🎧 I’m Listening:
Audiobook:
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This audio book is narrated by an entire cast of actresses /actors. I fell into it as one would fall into a movie. Spoiler – it has been bought by Reese Witherspoon for an Amazon Series. But I am telling you – don’t wait for that! Listen to it on audio. If you loved music in the 70’s, or even if you didn’t and you just love an immersive story – download NOW!
Podcast: 🔉
Well known fact – I am a podcast junkie. I have one playing all the time – in the house, folding laundry, driving, on the plane. I ask everyone I meet – what’s your favorite podcast right now? And of course, I started my own – which is a subject below.
But this month, I want to tell you about one that is older, in fact, it is over a decade old, but it is one that changed my life and set me on a course I am still on today. So head over to one of my favorite podcasts – ON BEING with Krista Tippet and give John O’Donohue a listen. You will thank me. I promise.
A 💌 Look
Something I’ve seen that I want to share.
I am eternally fascinated with aesthetic design, and my mood consistently (and probably wrongly) is influenced by it. I want to share these little beauties I find.
The Copper Straw
This month, it is these copper straws Housecopper.com made by hand by the ONLY woman coppersmith in the country – Sara Dahmen Saradahmen.com and her House of Copper. Not only is she an author, but a woman who understands that not only craft things by hand but our lives should be the same – made by our own hand.
PS – While you are checking out those copper straws, can you even believe how beautiful the Traditional Victorian handmade tinsel is?
A Special🎤 Guest
Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking
By Authors: Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Stevens Graubart
"Southern cooking is the Mother Cuisine of America."—Nathalie Dupree
Through more than 600 recipes and hundreds of step-by-step photographs, Dupree and Graubart make it easy to learn the techniques for creating the South's fabulous cuisine
Nathalie Dupree is the author of twelve cookbooks, including two James Beard Award winners: Nathalie Dupree’s Southern Memories and Nathalie Dupree’s Comfortable Entertaining. Her latest books include Shrimp and Grits and Southern Biscuits. She has hosted more than 300 television shows and specials that have shown nationally on PBS, The Learning Channel, and The Food Network. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
A 🥘 Recipe
"I asked James Beard Award winner, Nathalie Dupree for her favorite recipe for Thanksgiving. 🦃 Here you go. Enjoy!" —Patti
Sweet Potato and Turnip Gratin
Serves 10 to 12
An exciting alternative to a potato gratin, turnips, and sweet potatoes complement each other beautifully, particularly when large turnips are blanched to remove their bitterness.
Photographer: Kimberly Davis
2 to 3 pounds white turnips, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 to 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick 1/2 cup butter 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme, oregano, or tarragon Salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan and/or Gruyère 1 cup breadcrumbs 2 cups heavy cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole. To remove their bitterness, add turnips to a pot of boiling water, cook 5 minutes to blanch them, and then drain thoroughly.
Gently combine the turnips and sweet potatoes. Cover the bottom of the casserole with a layer of the vegetables and dot with butter. Sprinkle generously with half of the herbs, salt, and pepper, and cover with half the cheese. Make another layer, finishing off with the herbs, butter, and cheese. Pour the cream around the sides. Cover with foil.
Bake until the vegetables are soft but not mushy, 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake an additional 30 minutes. May be made ahead several days or frozen up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat for half an hour to 45 minutes in the oven, or reheat in the microwave, uncovered.
Variations: 1. Use turnips and no sweet potatoes for Turnip Gratin.
2. Use sweet potatoes and no turnips for Sweet Potato Gratin.
3. Use a combination of zucchini and/or white potatoes. Tomatoes
My 📺 News
Something I’ve experienced, and I want to share.
2019 The Christy Award®
Book of the Year Winner!
Becoming Mrs. Lewis
and Winner (tie) Historical Romance Category
by Patti Callahan (Thomas Nelson)
Award Gala Nov 2019
Congratulations to the 2019 Winners
and Finalists!
Book 📚 News
Holiday 🎄 Gift Giving
'Tis the season! Yes, it is that time of the year. I hope you will consider one of these special books "true to my heart" for your holiday gift-giving this season. From Contemporary to Historical Fiction —be sure to take a moment and read the "story behind the story." Wishing you joy, Patti.
Buy 🎁 Links:
The Perfect Love Song | Contemporary Fiction
Historical Fiction | Becoming Mrs. Lewis
The Perfect Love Song
My Dear Readers,
"Every Christmas season we can find ourselves asking what is most important, who is most important. We can get lost in the chaos, the frivolity, and even the beauty of the season. But what happens when our hearts quiet? What opens up when our souls reach for what lasts?
I hope this story allows you to answer those questions for yourself." Website
THE PERFECT LOVE SONG — A CHRISTMAS STORY is available now.
Can one song save a life?
This Christmas story has been close to my heart for over a decade! Last year, I picked it up again and like all stories we delve into a decade later, it was a different tale to me. I wanted to expand, deepen and add to it. So that is what I’ve done!
Now the novella is an expanded edition with bonus content and new scenes. It was a great thrill to enter back into the lives of Jimmy and Jack, and their music. It was a joy to again discover Kara and Charlotte, and to immerse myself in the romance and mystery of the Claddagh Myth of Ireland.
Join me on a journey of music, lost love, myth, and a Christmas miracle or two that will lead our characters to the love they were meant to find.
Bonus Content ❄ Included:
Shortbread Recipe
Charlotte's Southern Garland
The Legend of the Claddagh Ring
The Story Behind the Story
Discussion Questions
An excerpt from the novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis
With💕JOY,
Patti
"Christmas Books to Enjoy or Give as Gifts"
The Perfect Love Song Patti Callahan Henry
"With Thanksgiving so late this year, you may also be thinking about Christmas, which is only a little more than five weeks away. So we wanted to give you some ideas about new holiday books that might be good for you to read or give as gifts to family and friends."
—Compliments of Pegosa Springs Sun, Colorado and the Pegosa Springs Library.
A perfect gift 🧧 for the upcoming holidays. Available in e-book, hardcover, 🎁 audiobook, and audio CD formats.
December Event
The Alabama Booksmith
HOMEWOOD, AL | Tuesday, December 03, 2019 - 5:00 PM
If you are in the area, join me for a book signing "The Perfect Love Song" A Christmas Story at Alabama Booksmith. You can reserve a copy at $17.99.
Becoming Mrs. Lewis
The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis
My Heart is filled with 💌 Gratitude
There have been many steps and mountains to climb . . . from the initial spark to the present. Join me in celebration of the first year anniversary of Becoming Mrs. Lewis. There are many people to thank for helping make this rewarding journey possible. And the best is yet to come!
Now a USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and The Globe and Mail bestseller!
2019 Christy Award Winner "Book of the Year."
Available in Hardcover, e-book, audiobook, and MP3CD
Coming in Paperback March 24, 2020
My Dear Readers,
I am so both grateful and thrilled to share this novel with you—Becoming Mrs. Lewis—the Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis.
Poet and novelist Joy Davidman once wrote in an essay, “What in the world would ever become of us if we should ever grow brave?”
In this novel we answer that question as we follow Joy on a decade long journey of transformation from a wife and mother in upstate New York to the beloved wife of C. S. Lewis.
Behind the Scenes of Becoming
Mrs. Lewis 🎧🔊 Podcast Series News
Episodes One-Seven— now live and posted on my website for your viewing. Thank you to all listeners and contributors! If you have not listened, please tune in.
Dear 🎧 Listener and Friend,
Those eight weeks of podcasts flew by!
Today is the last one — grab them wherever you listen to podcasts. January 2020 they will be combined with two bonus episodes (with surprise guests!) as an audiobook.
This audiobook will also include cut scenes, poetry and extra material!
Welcome to SURPRISED BY LOVE, episode seven will focus on Joy’s love poetry and Jack’s final shattering to love.
All 💕JOY, Patti
You can "binge-listen" all episodes during your Thanksgiving holiday travel. Don't forget to review and share!
Subscribe. Listen. Share. Review.
Available everywhere you download podcasts.
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Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Audiobook
Coming Jan 7, 2020!
This edition collects all the interviews from Patti Callahan's Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis podcast, as well as extensive bonus material not previously released. Including two additional episodes not released on the original podcast. Two hours of additional bonus content!
Perfect for fans of the best-selling Becoming Mrs. Lewis as well as anyone interested in the story behind the story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis. Includes additional podcast episodes, bonus chapters from Becoming Mrs. Lewis, and a special letter from author Patti Callahan to Joy Davidman.
Noteworthy New Podcast Shows in Q3 Include:
Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series from Harper Collins, hosted by best-selling author, Patti Callahan
"New Podcast Shows Continue to Fuel Opportunities to Expand Audience" —
Reported by: Barrons, Nasdaq, Benzinga, DigitalJournal, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, and Libsyn. View Blog Post
Publishers Weekly PW LitCast
PW LitCast speaks with 'New York Times' bestselling author Patti Callahan about her seven-part original podcast that explores the improbable and beautiful love story between C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a brief excerpt of the podcast featuring Douglas Gresham, and find more info about 'Becoming Mrs. Lewis' here. View Blog Post Listen to LitCast
Patti In the 📰 News!
A few recent highlights
Good Grit Magazine
The Character of the South
Patti's journey as a writer from past to present — and her engaging characters.
"Local author takes a contemporary journey with C.S. Lewis’ wife"
Village Living Mountain Brook News
If you had asked Patti Callahan Henry a year ago what 2019 had in store for her, she never would have guessed. View Blog Post
ECPA: Ten Novels Honored as the Year’s Best Christian Fiction
“Becoming Mrs. Lewis” Patti Callahan Winner Book of the Year
Gala Highlights View Blog Post
Q&A with Patti Callahan
Mobile Bay Magazine
Patti Callahan Henry has always been enamored by the concept of stories — telling them, hearing them, reading them and especially writing them. View Blog Post
Podcast: Authors on the Air Global Radio Network: Wine Women & Writing Listen to Podcast The Favorite Daughter with Patti Callahan Henry and host Pamela Fagan Hutchins
A ‘hurricane named Dottie’: Dorothea Benton Frank tribute
"Dottie Frank was a bright light and a force of nature. So often she would say, “People just don’t dream big enough.” But Dottie did dream big enough and she encouraged all of us to do the same." —Patti Callahan Henry View Blog Post
Want to join me out there on the road?
Here are some of the places I’ll be. Would love to see you!
Save the Date: Check out some of the exciting upcoming 2020 Events.
About the Author & Podcast Host
Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times best-selling author of fifteen novels, including the historical fiction, BECOMING MRS. LEWIS—The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. Now a USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and The Globe and Mail bestseller. A most recent recipient of The Christy Award 2019 Winner —"Book of the Year."
The author is also the host of the popular seven-part original "Behind the Scenes of Becoming Mrs. Lewis Podcast Series" launched October 2019.
THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER, (Southern Contemporary Fiction) was released June 4, 2019. Patti's holiday Christmas Novella THE PERFECT LOVE SONG was released October 8, 2019, and available now.
A full-time author and mother of three children, she now resides in both Mountain Brook, Alabama and Bluffton, South Carolina with her husband.
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November 26, 2019
Patti Callahan Henry
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