Bringing Life Into Focus: FRIDAY FRIENDLY FOCUS: Lisa Carter

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

―Luke 2:7, KJV

Welcome to Friday Friendly Focus. It is my privilege this week to feature a rising North Carolina novelist, Lisa Carter.

I met Lisa a couple of years ago at my first Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference. As a newbie to the writing world, I was probably as impressed as she was excited when she was awarded a three-book contract from Abingdon Press. Today, two of those books, Carolina Reckoning and Aloha Rose, are a reality and available for purchase through Amazon at the links provided below.

In today's blog, Lisa recounts some of her favorite sights, sounds and traditions of this magical season—capturing the essence of a Carolina Christmas. We invite you to reflect upon the season with us by sharing some of your own Christmas memories and traditions in the comments section.

Mahalo, Lisa, for being my guest today.

A Carolina Christmas with Lisa Carter

I love Christmas. How about you? Here are some of my favorite things about a Carolina Christmas—

1.The Meaning of
Christmas—The Chrismon tree

Each ornament is symbolic of Christ and handmade for me by my mother. One of my favorite December activities is to do morning devotions based on the different ornaments and Scripture truths as I contemplate the real meaning of Christmas.

2. The Sounds of the Season—Christmas carols

One day when my children were much younger, we were listening to Christmas songs on CD. What Child is This? was playing. One of my children looked up at me and asked, "Did they just say they're bringing the baby Jesus lard?"

You can imagine my confusion. Then I realized the carolers were singing, "Haste, haste to bring him laud."

Not lard.

This kind of misunderstanding might only happen with a Southern child and a Carolina kind of Christmas. J

3. Time to Savor the Flavors of Christmas—And Visuals Feasts

I try to take the month of December off from my usual work-a-holic writer schedule. Instead, I sip my favorite Christmas Eve tea by Stash and read the Christmas books I’ve been saving till now. If I feel a little crazy, I may go fabric shopping. Some of us live life on the wild side. And I’ll probably watch/tape every new Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel, too.

4. The Tastes of Christmas—It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas at my house.

Spicy Cheese Straws are in the oven—my Christmas baking attempt for the week. Last week it was Sausage Balls and Toasted Pecans. Welcome to a Carolina Christmas.

5. The Heart of Christmas—Nativity Sets

I collect nativity sets from around the world. Here are a few:

A set from my oldest daughter’s mission trip to Kenya and an Aloha Rose Hawaiian nativity.

The beautiful textiles of Guatemala reflecting in this nativity from our family mission trip over the summer.

And lest you think a Carolina Christmas is without its humbug moments there’s this—

Decorating the house today.
Fa-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
Prelit Christmas tree lights aren't working.
Fa-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
Donned our Christmas sweaters though it's seventy degrees out.
Fa-la-la-la-la. La-la-la-la.
Why does it look so easy when Martha Stewart does this?

(Sing it with me.)
FA-LA-LA-LA-LA. LA-LA . . . LA . . . LA!

So I’m wishing you Mele Kalikimaka from Aloha Rose and Happy Yule to all Ya’ll from Carolina Reckoning. J

As a frequent speaker and vocalist at women’s ministry events, Lisa Carter shares her own journey of faith regarding the sufficiency of the cross and His grace in her life. She is the author of Aloha Rose, a contemporary romance in the Quilts of Love series, and Carolina Reckoning, a romantic suspense novel. Another romantic suspense novel, Beneath a Navajo Moon, releases in March. She and her husband have two daughters and make their home in North Carolina. When she isn't writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales, quilting, and researching her next exotic adventure. www.lisacarterauthor.com