It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas....

The granddaughters spent the night on Friday and helped me wrap the presents that had piled up in the corner of my bedroom waiting for just such an event. We also watched Miracle on 34^th Street (the remade version, not the original, black and white just doesn’t hold their attention) while munching on a tray of homemade goodies. We’ll gather at one son’s house on Christmas Eve and another son’s house for Christmas Day and I’m looking forward to watching the girls tear into their gifts. The little one hidden amongst the presents in this picture wants a specific princess kitchen so badly she shivers when talking about it. (That present has been wrapped for some time and I sincerely hope ‘some assembly required’ doesn’t take hours!)

Today I will make a trip to the grocery store to purchase the times I need to create the dishes I will bring to both gatherings, and we have a lunch date with our oldest granddaughter. She turns six today and with the holidays so close, we’ve made a tradition of celebrating it early and going out to eat at the restaurant of her choice on her actually birthday.

One the writing side, all is going well. I had the unique opportunity to write a Christmas story during the Christmas season. It seems I’m usually writing about July in December and vise versa. HQN asked me to write a story for their 2013 Christmas anthology in November, and just this week I received the edits. I plan on completing them this coming week. Anna and Tanner’s story will be released next October. 

It’s hard not to think about all that’s going on around the world, and the tragedies right here in the United States. Please say a prayer, offer sympathy and empathy, but also take the time to reflect upon your blessings. All that you have and hold dear. That’s my Christmas wish for you.

Tea Party

Oldest granddaughter will turn six on the 23^rd of this month. Yes, a Christmas gift we treasure all year long. She had a princess tea party today where fourteen little girls had a glorious time, and each took home their very own china tea cup and saucer. (This picture was taken a few weeks ago by a photographer.) After her friends left, extended family arrived and we had a second birthday party. This weekend will also include her first gymnastic meet tomorrow. Life just gets busier and busier the older the granddaughters get, and more wonderful. 

Last weekend we put the tree up, with help from the granddaughters so the bottom is more heavily decorated than the top, and it looks absolutely perfect. I also spent a day preparing the Mustang for storage, and afterwards, I needed to give my winter car some TLC. She needed a good cleaning after sitting for so many months. I love driving the Mustang, but have to admit, the Grand Am has seats that are much more comfortable. She is also a bit easier on gas, and I’m extremely thankful for how my husband keeps her on the road for me. 

I received another cover this week! His Wild West Wife will be released in February from HQN UNDONE. I’m turning the corner toward THE END on my latest manuscript. The heroine is a mail order bride with six kids in tow, and hero is, well, he’s the wrong cowboy. 

The holidays are approaching fast, and I hope you are each finding the time to savor the season. Make memories, and create a new tradition for the next generation. They’ll appreciate it.