Well hello there, Reader,

The Willow Creek Christmas Home Tour is just a few weeks away, and if you’ve never been, let me tell you… this is not one of those “walk past a house and admire a wreath” situations.

No ma’am.

Every year, Sarah and Kevin Shoreman of Shoreman Realty pull the whole thing together with the kind of grace that makes the rest of us suspect they’ve got a secret team of elves working out of the back office.

Families all over town open their homes for the evening, decked to the nines. One might smell like a pine forest moved in and took off its coat. Another might have every room decorated around a different carol.

And every single one serves refreshments, because this is Willow Creek, and we do not ask folks to admire a mantel without handing them a cookie.

But the best part is where the money goes.

This year, every ticket helps a family who lost their home in a fire. Thank the Lord, everyone got out safe, but that was all they got out with.

There is something mighty special about watching a town turn Christmas lights and cookie trays into real help.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Willow Creek if everything went exactly according to plan.

I heard the Henderson house on Main Street had a pipe burst and had to back out of the tour.

Terrible timing, bless their hearts.

But I heard from Lisa at Coffee with your cream cafe that Sarah has already found another house to take their spot.

And when I heard which one it was…

Y’all.

I nearly dropped my coffee right there at the kitchen table.

I’ll tell you all about that next Sunday. 😏

Much love, Lora Bennett 🫶

P.S. I’ll give you one little hint: I know this house very well.

P.P.S. If you just can’t stand the wait, the whole story’s already written down and coming soon to a kindle near you!