Twelve talented writers from Eastern Iowa celebrate food and family, reflect on holidays past, and explore what the winter season means to them in this collection of original and heartfelt stories, essays, and poems. Let their memories, characters, and contemplations--along with a few delicious recipes--bring joy to your season and peace to your heart as they summon up true holiday spirit.Pat Bieber, Paul Carroll, Judy Haskins, E.D. Martin, and Heather Orr remember holidays spent in Eastern Iowa, while Elaine Rochevot, a new arrival, sees the holidays through new eyes. Judy Chapman, Anna Counter, and Denise Smith reflect on the spirit of Christmas--and the joys of snow forts and shopping--while Dan Titus relates a true Christmas miracle. Hal Green provides seasonal wisdom for people of all ages, and Misty Urban explores what the holidays are like when joy is accompanied by grief. Together, these authors offer a heartfelt celebration of the laughter, love, tears, and surprises that the winter holidays bring us every year.Proceeds from this volume benefit Writers on the Avenue, a nonprofit organization that has been supporting local writers and promoting the literary arts in and around Muscatine, Iowa, since 1989.