Festive Fun with... Camilla Downs

Today it's my pleasure to welcome Camilla Downs back to the blog for the latest Festive Fun with... feature. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m mom to two beautiful people, 20 year old Lillian, and 16 year old Thomas. We live in the high desert of Northern Nevada, USA, next door to Northern California, and about 20 minutes from gorgeous Lake Tahoe.

I love going for walks, taking nature photographs, reading, and going for swims and soaks in our community’s year round pool and jacuzzi. I’m a Shared Living Provider for my special needs daughter, and volunteer 18p- Coordinator for The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society. 

My son and I are fans of the Star Wars and Marvel movies and series. We have movie night at least once a week, using a projector, and projecting onto our living room wall. It’s like being in a theater in the comfort of our own home. Lillian enjoys taking nature photographs with me when we’re out for walks. We have many memories of walks, with hundreds of nature photographs. 

Describe your ideal Christmas.
My kids and I would spend Christmas week in a cozy cottage in the forest. I would wake to find a steady flow of plump snowflakes falling, the ground covered in a sparkling, thick layer of snow. While the kids are still sleeping, I sit in front of the fire, with a view of the trees, my hands wrapped around a mug of hot coffee, made from freshly ground beans. I spend time reading while taking in the beauty of the moment. 

Later in the day, after gifts have been exchanged, we bundle ourselves, going for a breathtaking walk amongst the snow covered trees. When we return we unbundle, slip into bathing suits, and have a soak in the warm, relaxing jacuzzi. We end the day by watching a favorite movie before drifting into a peaceful, restful sleep.

Do you have any Christmas book traditions?
When my kids were younger, we always read, “The Night Before Christmas” before they went to bed. Sweet memories.

What is your favourite Christmas song?
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

What is your favourite Christmas film?
This is such a difficult question. I can’t choose just one. I’m going to have to cheat!

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Polar Express (2004)

It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)

The Bishop’s Wife (1948)

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Quick-fire questions

Roses or Quality Street? Not going to lie. Living in the US, I had to look this up on Google. I’d choose Roses as it seems they cater to the coffee lovers with their flavor selection.
Mince pies/Christmas cake or Yule log? Yule log
Turkey or ham? Neither. I’m vegan. 🙂
Brussel sprouts or roast parsnips? Brussel sprouts.
Gravy or cranberry sauce? Homemade cranberry sauce.
Fake or real Christmas tree? Fake.
White or coloured lights? Coloured.
Giving or receiving presents? Giving.

About Camilla:

Camilla Downs is a bestselling author, indie publisher, volunteer, and mom. Nature and life experiences are a constant source of inspiration for her writing. She enjoys living a minimalist lifestyle, reading, going for walks and swims, and capturing nature’s essence with photographs. Camilla is the founder of MeetingtheAuthors.com and lives in Northern Nevada, USA with her two kids.

Blurb:

Words of Alchemy is the poetry memoir of a single mom who travels life with reverence and reflection, reading at times like magic spells of love and good wishes. A book for those in need of uplifting, easy to read poetry that leaves one feeling comforted, inspired, with a different view of how life can be lived.

In Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs invites you to walk with her to share her love of Nature and Life through a heartfelt free-verse poetry memoir.

During her daily strolls she is mindfully present as she delves into life in the raw.

Camilla embraces what happens when she opens her heart and invites the written words to flow. The Alchemy of Love and Healing is what happens.

Website: http://camilladowns.com 
Twitter: @camilladowns 
Instagram: @CamillaDowns
Amazon Author Central: amazon.com/author/camilladowns
Meeting the Authors: http://meetingtheauthors.com
Amazon - Words of Alchemy: mybook.to/WordsofAlchemy