Ask and you shall...

Due to requests, here are pictures of the pistol bathroom accessories I bought in Wyoming. I do love them, and I do enjoy hearing from readers, so thank you. I’m including a picture of the ‘antler’ door knobs I bought for the kitchen cupboards, too. I didn’t buy those in

Wyoming. They were on an online purchase I just couldn’t resist. I figured they matched all the ‘dead’ things hanging on the walls from dear hubby’s hunting over the years. Various fish, birds, deer heads and a very old elk head we inherited (long story) decorate our living room walls. The coffee table and lamps are made from moose antlers and I’m still on the lookout for the ‘right’ ceiling fan made from antlers to replace the one over the dining room table. I’ll find it eventually.

On to writing. I’m hoping to wrap up the final edits of my first roaring twenties story today. What a hoot this story has been. The second one is well underway too, and I’m having just as much fun writing it as I did the first one. I’m meeting a very dear friend for supper this evening. She’s going to help me brainstorm the story that blasted into my head while hubby and I were in Cody, Wyoming. This story has a ghost in it, and I need her expertise to really flesh it all out. I like to have two or three stories going on at the same time. That way, if I run into a block on one, I can work on another one while the first one gains momentum again. I have a Colorado lumber baron picking on the back of my mind I’ll have to get outlined soon, too. It’s all good and I’ll never complain. Not about writing anyway. 

Thank you, too, dear readers, for keeping Christmas Cowboy Kisses on the historical and holiday best selling lists. You are so awesome! I do hope you are enjoying Tanner and Anna’s story!

One final thing—the field trip to the apple orchard was fun. Cold and rainy, but spending the day with Isabelle gave me lots of inside warmth. Next week is the pumpkin patch with Hayley and I’m looking forward to it. They will spend Friday night with us. Hayley brought her suitcase over last night—since she was already packed. 

Count your blessings every day, you’ll be amazed by how many there are!

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!  

Dedicated to:

Book dedications are usually looked upon as a thank you. An opportunity for an author to publicly acknowledge someone for the inspiration they’ve provided. 

I’ve dedicated books to several people over the years because I’ve sincerely appreciated their inspiration, help, support, and/or assistance in creating/writing the story, and I’ve had them thank me with authentic sincerity, but I’d never watched someone as they read the dedication for the first time. That changed last week.

My next release, Christmas with Her Cowboy, part of Harlequin Christmas anthology, Christmas Cowboy Kisses, is dedicated to our oldest granddaughter. “To my oldest granddaughter, Isabelle. Born on December 23^rd, she continues to be a Christmas miracle we enjoy year round.”

After receiving my box of books, I gave one to Isabelle, and pointed out the dedication. Following the words with one finger, she read it aloud. My heart literally swelled when she finished reading and looked up at me with her blue eyes sparkling. Overly excited, she wrapped her arms around me. “Oh, Grandma, thank you.” 

I never imagined she’d be so impressed, but watching her read it over and over, and then aloud to Grandpa and her parents, I saw just how special it was to her. 

Granted, Isabelle is only six, and she loves me unconditionally as I do her, but her reaction gave me a new insight to dedications. They truly are a one of a kind gift that is not given or taken lightly. A true honor to give and receive. The sweet little event that she and I shared when I gave her a copy of this book on my front patio last week will stay with me for years. 

Cherish those little moments that take your breath away—they are the heartbeats of life.