other publications, lectures across the country, and often appears on radio and television. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.Just what makes a Southern Christmas so special? Is it the festiveness of the South's acclaimed hospitality? What accounts for its unmistakable charm? Emyl Jenkins writes that the answer lies in the South's rich traditions and heritage. For Christmas in the South is not just a day -- it is a season. All other seasons pale before the joys of Christmas as it has been observed through the centuries, from the Colonial days to the Civil War to the present. Christmas traditions in the South are deeply cherished, but you don't have to be Southern born and bred to enjoy a Southern Christmas.brbrIn Southern Christmas, Emyl Jenkins offers the timeless stories and histories, the sentimental lore and celebrations inherent to the region. In these pages are heartwarming and cheerful accounts that will bring smiles and gentle memories of your own Christmases to mind: mile-high stacks of grandmother's best china taken down from pantry shelves for yuletide parties and scrumptious meals...magnolia boughs, longleaf pine, red-berried hollies, and deep green boxwood gathered for wreaths and garlands. Indeed, decorations on Southern doors, windows, even tucked-away niches turn every scene into Christmas cards to greet friends and strangers alike.brbrSouthern Christmas is a book you will cuddle up with by the fire and read aloud to your family. Emyl Jenkins takes you on a Southern Christmas journey from Maryland to Texas with more than 250 stunningfull-colorphotographs. She visits private homes, museums and restorations, grand hotels, and charming inns in her chapters on Southern Christmas ?Р (less)

Museum, and Colonial Golf Club. The Fort Worth Stockyards are just under 12 miles away, while the Texas Motor Speedway is a short 29 miles north on I-35.  (less)

and Angelina Center for the Arts are nearby. Stay here for horse shows, church conventions, baseball tournaments, the Purgatory Bike Ride, Texas Forest Festival, Angelina Benefit Rodeo, Downtown Hoedown, and the Neches River Rendezvous. We are close to all health & medical facilities, plenty of restaurants, and shopping at the Lufkin Mall. If you are visiting the La Quinta Inn Lufkin just to relax, lounge on the pine shaded deck around our sparkling outdoor Swimming Pool. Our courteous staff promises an enjoyable stay in spacious rooms filled with amenities: Coffee Maker, Iron/Ironing Board, Hair Dryer, Pay-per-View Movies, and Nintendo. We provide a Free Bright Side BreakfastTM every morning. Located a quarter-mile south of Loop 287 off Highway 59 south. See you soon!"  (less)

is not far, and it's just a short drive to Caddo Lake and the casinos in Shreveport. Join us for Marshall's fun-filled annual festivals including Stage Coach Days, Fire Ant Festival, and Wonderland of Lights. The La Quinta Inn Marshall provides spacious and comfortable rooms with lots of useful extras, including free high-speed Internet access, a microfridge, and in room pay per view movies. Two meeting rooms hold up to 25 people each. We have larger conference facilities available and a business center with fax/copy services at the front desk. Enjoy a seasonal outdoor pool and a well-equipped fitness center for use at your leisure. Wake up to a Free Bright Side BreakfastTM and a USA Today in the lobby breakfast area. We are north of I-20 at the junction of Highway 59. Our location is perfect for visitors to Josey's Barrel Racing School, East Texas Baptist University, Texas State Technical, and Wiley College. We have Laundry Facilities, so stay as long as you like!"  (less)

of downtown Houston near the prestigious Texas Medical Center and MD Anderson (free shuttle weekdays). Walk to the theater or Astroworld Theme Park. Visit the Museum district (Fine Arts, Natural Science, Holocaust, Texas Children's). We are close to restaurants and shopping at the Galleria and Rice Village. We are convenient to seasonal Livestock shows, rodeos, BBQ Cook-offs, and the annual Offshore Technology Conference. Start each day at the La Quinta Inn Houston Reliant - Medical Center Astrodome with a delicious Free Bright Side BreakfastTM prepared by our friendly staff off the lobby each morning. We have a refreshing Swimming Pool and a long list of amenities, including free high-speed Internet access, a microwave, and refrigerator in all of our spacious rooms. Located on the southeast corner of the Buffalo Speedway at the Loop 610 intersection."  (less)

* Brazosport is a favorite tourist area with its wide expanse of sandy beaches 44 miles, its picturesque coastal plains and its green forests. * Brazosport is the home of the largest basic chemical complex in the world which includes chemical manufacturing, petroleum processing, varied other manufacturing, off shore extraction support complexes, deep water port activities, tourism, sports and commercial fishing. * Many of the guests of the Lake Jackson Super 8 Motel come for the annual Freeport Audubon Christmas Bird Count and the Spring Migration Celebration of birds on the central flyway. * You can also enjoy Sea Center Texas, a world class marine development, aquarium and educational center. * Sport divers can catch a glimpse of a wide array of fish including manta rays, hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, dolphins, and sea horses. * You'll find art, museums, theater and planetariums here as well as nearby golf facilities. * Hobby Airport 45 miles, and * Galveston Beach is only 45 minutes via the BlueWater Highway * Bush International Airport 55 miles. * Malls, beaches, fishing, dining, mini golf nearby  (less)

RDU Area. You can walk to great restaurants like Carmen's Cuban Cafe and Texas Steakhouse. South Point and Crabtree Valley Malls are only a short drive. There is always something happening at the North Carolina Museum of Art, and don't forget the eclectic offerings at Art space. For events at RBC Center, Carter Finley Stadium, and Duke University, book your rooms here. We are just off I-40, 15 miles west of downtown Raleigh across from the Prime Outlet Shops (only four miles from major business like IBM, Glaxco, Biogen Idec Corporation, Nortel, and Cisco Systems). For great service with a smile, come to the La Quinta Inn & Suites Raleigh Durham Airport South. Start the day with a delectable Free Bright Side BreakfastTM in the lobby while enjoying a copy of USA Today and where our staff will make you feel right at home. Access all amenity-filled rooms through secure Interior Corridors. We have a well-equipped fitness center on site and a sparkling seasonal outdoor pool. There is a laundry facility for our guests and fax/copy services are available at the front desk."  (less)