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Romance, American style: a part of holiday tradition Christmas is both a sea­ son for a family celebration and • special time for lov­ ers. For authors in Harle­ quin's American line of convemporary romance novels, Christmas tradi­ tion? are also a cherished part of their heritage. •'When I was a child, we had a Norman Rockwell- style, Iowa farm Christ­ mas," says author Kathleen Seidel. "From the home- canned tomatoes and corn to the cranberry relish and baked desserts, nothing was 'boughten.' We even had to pump the drinking water from the wen by the wind­ mill!" "Like many midwestern families, my grandparents were out milking the cows each morning, even on Christmas. We exchanged gifts the night before so the kids wouldn't die of impa­ tience waiting for the chores to be done." Long-standing custom Though there's no longer any livestock to tend on the farm, Kathleen's family still unwraps presents on Christ­ mas Eve. "In the morning, we open our stockings, which my mother carefully hides until Christmas Day; then we feast on home­ made goodies*" For New York's Barbara Bretton, Christmas is a ro­ mantic time --< and a day to remember old friends. "Every time my husband and I go on vacation, we'll buy an ornament. My par­ ents and friends do the same, and we swap every year. That way, if I don't see my friends the following Christmas, I have the orna- ment as a reminder of them." Barbara and her husband open their gifts topne an­ other privately On Christ- / mas Eve. "It's more Special that way; then we'reJready for a huge dinner with the family." remembers Christmas as a day of British cooking and Southern traditions. "We'd cut our own cedar tree from my mother's backyard," she says. The men of the family had a unique method of ob­ taining holiday decorations, says Rebecca. "They'd shoot down mistletoe and boughs of holly from the trees with their shotguns!'* For Rebecca, Christmas still means a tali cedar tree and plenty of roast beef and yorkshire pudding for din­ ner. Texas author Sandra Brown looks1 forward every year to an old-fashioned hol­ iday spent with her parents, four sisters and their chil­ dren. "I'm from a very reli- g ious background , so Christmas is a highly emo­ tional day for us," she says. y PACE IS - PLAINDEALEH Sandra and her family pay special attention to dec­ orating their home. "I make sure each room in the house has some sort of holiday or­ nament, whether colored lights, a nativitv scene or a TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 22. simple sprig of holly. "On Christmas Eve, my husband, children and I join to s ing ca ro l s . I t may be corny, but it's my favorite part of my favorite season." Mixture of traditions an Raised in Georgia English mother, author Rebecca Flanders equin ndc WARNING: f v 4 MUSI BE CAPTURED BY DECEMBER 3RD FOR GUARANTEED CHRISTMAS DELIVERY f,Le(s r# Careen C v. 3s McHENRYFLORAL 508 S. ROUTE 31 385-0404 FRESH & ARTIFICIAL ARRANGEMENTS i 1 lWt! MANY IN-STORE CASH AND CARRY SPECIALS JUST WAITING FOR YOU! BRING THE FAMILY POINSETTIAS ALL SIZES OPEN SUNDAYS 10 AM-4 PM DEC. 4 THROUGH CHRISTMAS! B ARMADILLOS* Versatile, go anywhere looks. You'll love the versatile, go anywhere looks of our "Skimmer" boot. Fashioned from soft, supple suede on comfortable bottoms. Pamper your feet and slip into a comfortable pair of Armadillos* today! 100% * American Made Yyy ^Morgan Qutnti $2995 Skimmers' 1307 N. Riverside Dr. McHenry 385-2801 HOURS M-F 8-5:30 SAT 8-4 ) NIES STUDIO m w F R E E P R E S C R I P T I O N D E L I V E R Y S E R V I C E M O N S A T 4 T O 8 P M ENT/IBLE "YOUR PRESCRIPTION HEADQUARTERS" OTOIWBKMTB HHHVTWTTTT I f to f pm 'WHILE SUPPLIES SUNDAY (STOW) % md f J A I I a | act 'to7PM W 1 1 1 LA5T SUNDAY (PHARMACY) 'to3pm 1327 RIVERSIDE DRIVE - McHENRY, ILL. (815)305-4426 # u*rt yafip,y _/ hank±g Lcrcng STORE HOURS THANKSGIVING DAY 9-2 LIMIT 1 CASE £31.99 IKII# SiOISI Steel Wool Soap Pads S9!_ I f f L I M I T 2 I GOOD H/M/M-M, 28.83 J D0W Ziploc 1 Storage Bags sit M i m »« Frito Corn Chips vnannin Bath Tissue 100 SQ. FT Damassage 7§SS« Dishwashing b LIMIT 2 u/»/» nwcrHase^^ Dry Roasted Peanuts LJoton Cmtn Styfe Cup-a- Soup 3 M Arrid Jason INFLATION FIGHTER PRICE! LIMIT 2 COUPON oooo mm» . Liquprin SSCT " 3 DIET PEPSI- PEPSI FREE 8-16 OZ. BOTTLES ~ MICHELOB KJH\ 6 PACK >I(HUWA NR. BOTTLES MEET GAS LINE ANTIFREEZE 12 OZ. 12 PACK CANS INFLATION /D1C F I G H T E R / / X I I PtICII Mm I V I LIMITS I V COWONOOOD J