Spec the Halls Newsletter 2008-2

[abracanabra]

Note from the editor

The first contest submissions have started trickling in! Take a look.

This week snow fell for the first time this year in Minneapolis, MN, where I live. I found this a bit dismaying, since this week is also when the leaves started falling in earnest from the giant maple tree in our backyard. All the other trees in our neighborhood shed their leaves two or three weeks earlier, but this tree's tough. I admire that, but it means that there's the all-too-real prospect of raking up mounds of leaves amidst wind and snow! On the bright side, despite the gray winter day, I have only to look out my window to see a beautiful golden carpet--of leaves waiting to be raked.

Happy holidays,

Abra Staffin Wiebe, Editor

Recommended Submission

The human race may perish, the stars themselves may fade and die, but what if Christmas went on and on forever?

Last Christmas
by Graham Storrs

It was at least a thousand years since Solvay had had toes or fingers. And now her toes and fingers were cold.

So she made her boots and gloves warmer and pressed on through the deep snow towards the house she could see across the fields. The Moon was full and the sky as clear as space itself. The snow sparkled as if sprinkled with fairy dust and the elves giggled as they played in the hedgerows.

Read more.

Holiday Tip

With the difficult economic times that seem to be upon us, some of us have smaller Christmas gift budgets than last year. Whether it's a hand-knitted scarf, candy-infused vodka, or classic cookies-in-a-jar, DIY gifts might be the way to go. And there's a lot of ideas out there!
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/holiday_gifts_ms/
http://lifehacker.com/software/diy/alpha-geek-diy-gifts-for-the-holidays-217225.php
http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2008/09/homemade-gifts.html
http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/2006/11/50-homemade-gift-ideas-from-around-the-web.html
http://lifehacker.com/tag/gift-ideas/ (gift ideas in general, but a lot of them are DIY)


Handy Links
Abra Staffin Wiebe's main webpage
Abra Staffin Wiebe's blog
Aswiebe's Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Market List
Spec the Halls Main Page - http://www.aswiebe.com/specthehalls.html
Submission Guidelines - http://www.aswiebe.com/specthehalls/guidelines.html
Recommended Submissions - http://www.aswiebe.com/specthehalls/recommended.html
All Submissions - http://www.aswiebe.com/specthehalls/submissions.html
FAQ - http://www.aswiebe.com/specthehalls/faq.html