New Release and Vacation

The Harlequin Christmas anthology, Christmas Cowboy Kisses will be released tomorrow! My story, Christmas with Her Cowboy, introduces readers to Tanner and Anna. I must admit, I’m a Christmas story junkie. Any genre, if it’s a Christmas story, it goes to the top of my TBR pile around November first.

And VACATION! 

DH and I spent seven days traveling from Minnesota to North Dakota and Montana, and then back home through Wyoming, and South Dakota. We stopped at museums and National Parks including the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and Yellowstone. We also visited several western wear stores. Needless to say we had a wonderful time, saw too many buffalo to count, and brought back some unique souvenirs. My favorites are the pistol towel rack, toilet paper holder, and hand towel holder that I bought for my bathroom. They are adorable, and match the antique photos I have hanging in there. 

My favorite stop…Cody Wyoming! The Buffalo Bill Cody Museum was fabulous. However there was another museum on the edge of town that I loved. Old Trail Town was so unique, and so untouched! I spent hours there, and am already looking forward to a return visit someday. This is also where I bought my above mention bathroom accessories. Another little museum in Mobridge, South Dakota, was a close second to being utterly fascinating. 

As much fun as the trip was, we were very glad to arrive home. We’d not only missed our oh-so-comfortable bed, we missed the grandchildren tremendously. This week I’ll be blessed to go on a first grade field trip to the apple orchard. My granddaughter and I are going shopping on Wednesday night to buy supplies for our ‘bag lunch’ and we’ve already decided to wear our matching Yellowstone sweatshirts. It just doesn’t get much better than that. Other than the pumpkin patch field trip in October with the preschool classroom. Yes, that granddaughter and I will be wearing matching sweatshirts, too. 

Be kind to yourself—if you aren’t, no one else will be either.

Slipping Away

Summer is slowing slipping into fall. The grandchildren are all back in school/childcare. The days are getting shorter. The temperatures are cooler. I’ve even pulled out a couple pair of jeans. Yes, time is marching forward. We had a wonderful summer. Lots of fun days spent with the girls, and the most wonderful day of all, the arrival of our grandson Connor. 

I must admit, I’m a four-season person. As much as I love summer, I cherish each of the other seasons for all they give us. I feel fortunate to live in Minnesota, where we truly get a full serving of each and every season. 

I also love Minnesota for our rich history. When I started researching for my roaring twenties stories, I was astounded with all that took place right here in my home state. Last week my friend and I took a ‘field trip’ to White Bear Lake, where gangsters where known to visit in the twenties and thirties. We visited the historical society there, drove around to get a feel of the area, spent some time in an antique store, and overall had a simply marvelous time. I came home with all sorts of tidbits to include in my stories. 

My editor said she raced through the pages of my first roaring twenties short story, and that she believes this time period will be a roaring success. I truly am enjoying it and have started a second story. Currently, though, I’m working on edits for Don’t Tempt a Lawman. I’ll never give up my westerns. Hubby and I are planning a trip west—Montana and Wyoming. He’s putting together the itinerary and I’m looking forward to all the places he’s found for us to visit, which I know will spark story ideas.  

I hope you all have a spectacular week. Life if full of choices and one is to be happy. Take it.

Gotta Love Those Long Weekends!

We had a lovely long weekend. Our youngest granddaughter spent Saturday night with us. She and I went shopping on Saturday for all the things we’d need on Sunday for the family gathering of her baby cousin being baptized. Papa gave her a list of things he needed and she had a one-tracked mind to get everything on it, until we came across a Doc McStuffin Doctor’s Kit. She does make a wonderful doctor. Granddog Bear will agree. Really. Just ask him. 

Sunday arrived and although Grandma got up extra early so there would be plenty of time for us to be at the church by 8:30, we were still strapped for time. One forgets how long it takes to get extra little people ready. We made it in plenty of time for the service, which was beautiful, we just needed to stop back home to pick up all our foodstuff before going to the celebration. 

Little Connor was a real gem through all of it. Not a fuss or peep during the service, and he didn’t mind being passed from arm to arm as all the family members needed a turn to hold him. His new God parents were so proud, as we are of them. His Godfather flew in from Oklahoma for the wondrous event and his Godmother worked until 5:30 am, showered, and drove an hour to be at the service in plenty of time. Yes, we are truly blessed with our wonderful family, and I do thank the Good Lord daily for each and every one of them. Here’s three generations of Robinson boys. 

Monday was calmer. We had a nice visit with old friends while our house was being bug zapped to get rid of the bees we stirred up while removing the retaining wall in front of the garage a couple of weekends ago.

Last Friday Papa and I took a jaunt to a car museum, where the museum owner allowed me to ‘cross the chain’ and get up close views of cars from the 1920’s for my latest WIP. It was fabulous, and this coming Friday a friend and I are going to take a cruise to where Al Capone was known to hideout in Minnesota. I am really enjoying researching the twenties! What an amazing era! 

Give your loved ones an extra hug today. They deserve it. And so do you!