I am grateful for so many things in life! My friends and family. Good Health. Being able to continue my passion for writing. Of course, I am also very grateful for all of you! Last, but never least, I am so so grateful to be able to live in the United States. God Bless America and have a very very Happy Thanksgiving!
#WisdomWednesday – The more things change…
The more they stay the same? It’s already been a different Thanksgiving and now it’s going to be a very different Christmas. Unlike Christmas’s of the past, we won’t have all our family with us in person, but I know they will be with us in spirit. We’re in a smaller home so the massive Christmas village I normally put together has been pared down and adapted to deal with our new space. So different, but the same in some ways. Today I’m sharing some photos of the new Christmas village which is now spread out across the one floor of our new place. What do you think?
#FunFriday – Christmas Decorating Ideas
I love getting the house ready for Christmas! It’s the one time of year I really go all out with garlands at various windows and along the staircase, the Christmas village, lights outside, the tree and of course, the table for Christmas Eve. I must confess the table is a two person operation as my husband has it down to a science as to where the china and crystal are stored and how to lay out enough spots for all the friends and family that are attending. Once he gets the basic layout done, I come in and do the decorating.
We usually have three tables and I try to do something different on each one. The fun part is mixing in new with old family favorites, like my husband’s Lionel train set, gifts from friends who know I love Christmas, or handmade items my daughter or mother had made. Of course, everything around the house has color. No monochrome displays or just white lights. Sorry. It may be “elegant” but it’s just not for me!
Just in case you need a little Christmas decorating inspiration, here are some links to some fun sites for you to check out!
- For those with a country flair: http://bit.ly/2zXEqoN
- Tap your inner Martha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/274574/christmas-decorating-ideas
- Want to try out different colors for Christmas? https://www.bhg.com/christmas/indoor-decorating/christmas-color-schemes/
- How about a little Southern, y’all? https://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/christmas-decorating-ideas
- Or are you feeling a little wacky this year? https://yhoo.it/2zVxnwM
FYI – this photo is of one of our Christmas Eve dining room tables!
#ThrowbackThursday A trip to the Fall in Love with New England Conference
I attended the Fall in Love with New England Conference last year for the first time and had such fun that I just had to do it again this year! I got to meet up with some dear friends and make new ones. Here’s an album of photos from this weekend’s festivities!
Have a great Thursday!
#WriteWed I am inspired by all of you . . . and #Giveaway to say Thanks!
Thank you for the friendship and inspiration!
First of all, sorry for the delay in posting, but it’s taken me two days to catch up with work and writing obligations after my trip to RWA 2017. I had a blast, despite the Orlando heat and humidity. I got to spend time with old and dear friends, make new friends, and of course, get in a number of very interesting and useful workshops to help me be a better writer. A win-win situation!
Here’s a collage I did of some of the fun people I got to meet and spend time with at the conference. I will have a lot more photos for you to tomorrow!
Prizes for Readers Giveaway
I’m participating in a fabulous contest with my author friends at: https://www.prizesforreaders.com/
Enter for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Amazon or Barnes & Noble (your choice,) while voting for best blurb and cover. Super easy one-click entry, no Rafflecopter or anything complicated. Winner will be announced on Aug 16th or Aug 17th.
No matter what, you are a winner! Even if your name is not selected for the gift certificate, you will be receiving free book download links from us for your reading pleasure.
Must be 18 or older. US, Canada, UK only. Void where prohibited.
#ManCandyMonday Singer & Model Steffen Hughes
Many thanks to my friend Kym A. for turning me onto singer and model Steffen Hughes! It was so awesome getting to spend time with you Kym at the Fall in Love with New England Conference. I met lots of really nice people and some other friends face-to-face for the first time. So awesome. I highly recommend this conference!
But back to Man Candy Monday! Steffen is a singer and model from Alabama. Steffen got his first guitar at age 16 and released his first EP in 2014. Steffen is also an avid fitness advocate. You can find out more about Steffen at his Facebook Fan Page. Thanks to his fan page for this image! Is it getting hot in here or what? Time to call a firefighter!
#ThrowbackThursday Mothers, Mentors, Role Models & Friends
I was very lucky to have a mom who was not only an amazing role model, mentor and mother, she was an awesome friend. In the year before she passed, I was able to work with her and get to spend a great deal of time with her. She taught me the importance of hard work and following my dreams, although she never really got why I wanted to be a writer. Still, it was the drive that she instilled in me that moved me to pursue what I wanted. I hope I have been all of these things to my very best friend, my daughter Samantha.
