It's beginning to look a lot like.....

I've always been a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas. When my boys were young we would got out as a family on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree, chop it down ourselves, haul it home and decorate it. This signaled the beginning of Christmas in our house.

Once my boys were older and out of the house, I realized pre-lit and fake-o were two new words I had to add to my vocabulary. Going out, chopping down, and hauling home a Christmas tree by myself was too cumbersome, not to mention, not quite as much fun! And that was as far as I was going, my tree might be a poser, but at least from a distance, it looked natural.


At 60, I realized I might not have a plethora of Christmases in my future, so I thought why not get something fun?  Something funky?  Why not do an un-traditional Christmas.  But pink? Could I really be that UN-traditional?

So I started looking for pink trees and the first one I found online was $549.00.  I gasped.  No way would I pay that much for probably a one shot deal.  Fortunately a very practical friend of mine suggested a big box store and sure enough, I found my gem of a tree for $20.00.  (Even cheaper than my original budget of $75.00) and it came prelit (pink wire) with its own little stand.  It’s only 3 and a half feet, perfect to keep away from my grandson.  So here we go—non traditional, funky Christmas! Let the good times roll.

And Happy Holidays to everyone, traditional or non, pink-tree-loving or real tree go-getters, and everyone in between!

Cyber Monday........and Tuesday, and Wednesday, and.........

Uh-oh, as my adorable grandson likes to say. I think my on-line shopping habit may be getting a little out of control! I thought I'd get a jump start, but now I think I'm almost D.O.N.E. with my shopping and I have NOT set foot in the mall.

I'll be the first to tell you, I don't like malls. Well, it's not malls I don't like, I don't really like shopping. SHHHHH! Don't tell anybody! Fighting through crowds, scanning racks and shelves for the size/shape/color you want, not my cup of tea. But, I don't know, there's something about shopping during the holiday season that's OK. Everything is decorated so beautifully and it's a great excuse to treat myself to a full-fat gingerbread latte.

So, I'm going to try my best to save a few things to purchase in an actual store.

Let it ((NOT)) Snow!

Ok, so I don't know what it is, but I've really got the Christmas spirit the last couple of days. Maybe it's that the trees are completely naked, or how my neighborhood is suddenly illuminated at night? I'd say, the only thing missing is snow, and truthfully, I'm fine with that!

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the snow. It's beautiful. It brightens a winter day, and night. Snow says winter is HERE! But it's no fun to try to get around in. Especially here, in the Pacific Northwest, where we aren't all that used to snow and a couple of inches can really bring the city to a stop. So, for now, I'm content with the Christmas trees glowing in the windows and chimneys with billowing smoke. Let's save the snow for when the shopping is done and all we have to do is enjoy the company we're in.

Black (and white) Friday

At least, for me. If you follow me on Facebook, you saw that I was working on revisions for YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW over the holiday weekend. And I've gotta say, even though revisions aren't usually all that fun, I think they're way more fun than being pepper sprayed! After I heard about that I vowed to NEVER to go out on Black Friday. Some deals just aren't worth it.....

July 2012

But with the revisions for YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW wrapped up and back in my editor's hands, I can get back to hangin' with Pescoli and Alvarez. Those two keep me on my toes, with Pescoli and her trouble with her two kids (we won't even start with her ex and his new wife......). And then there's Alvarez and all the skeletons in her closet, yikes!! Seriously, though, these are two of my all-time faves, and I love writing about them.

June 2012

AFRAID TO DIE is out next June, and while that seems a ways off now, I know it'll be here sooner than I think! And of course with everything that goes along with the holidays, a little shopping, a little celebrating, I won't get as much done as I've planned. Which makes me think.......hmmmmm......resolutions.........

Thanksgiving Week

It's a short week, so that's a plus. I get to spend time with all those people I love so much! My niece, her husband and kids come up from Southern California. My boys and their families join in. We all usually end up at my sister's house with a few other family members and maybe even a few friends for a genuine feast!

This year I am thankful for so much, my family, friends, my health..... But I am also so thankful to have finished YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW (and truth be told, I think my editor is pretty thankful for that, too!). I can say I will thouroughly enjoy the holiday knowing that that is checked of my list! I really had a lot of fun with this one, but it's holiday time, and then onto the next!!

This year we'll try something new, a turducken (I'm not sure if that's even how you spell it??). My son, who's a trained chef, had the idea, and my family is usually up for just about anything, so we said, go for it!! For those of you unfamiliar, and I was until he explained it to me, a turducken is a turkey stuffed with a duck that's stuffed with a chicken. Ok, I think that's right.... Anyway, should be an adventure, and who knows, maybe a new tradition!

I would love to hear about your holiday traditions, let me know some of your favorites! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday! And for any of you braving Black Friday, good luck! You won't catch me out that day!!

OMG! Christmas Music Already?!

OK, don't get me wrong, I'm all about Christmas. A couple of my favorite detectives, Pescoli and Alvarez, have solved some of their toughest cases between buying Christmas gifts and shoveling their driveways. I've never been, but Montana in the winter is on my bucket list.

Hot Buttered Rum by a warm cozy fire, time spent with family and friends, and I do love Christmas Music. But there is something about Christmas music in early November that just doesn't seem right.

It seems like each year Christmas creeps up on Thanksgiving, and now even Halloween. Some of the stores had Christmas merchandise right along side the Halloween. Personally, Halloween is my absolute favorite and so I don't want to gloss over it on the way to Christmas. I think it deserves it's own celebration!

Bring on the Christmas music--but wait until December! Or even after Thanksgiving. Plus, can you really listen to Christmas music for two whole months??

OK, OK, so enough of me on my soap box. Just a little vent I had to get off my chest. But, I'm not the only one who feels this way......

(Nordstrom is one of my faves and yes, this was from a couple of years ago!)

Autumn Has Arrived

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year! Why you ask? Because......

The Holiday season has begun

Bright crisp mornings

Mulled wine

Mist rising from the lake
Eerie nights

Falling leaves

Corn mazes

Burning candles

Big pots of hot, spiced cider and even hotter soup

A great time to work and get into the creepiness of a book

I bought a pumpkin spice candle to create the ambiance in my office and I am hard at work on YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW. Halloween has past, Thanksgiving is on the horizon, what a wonderful time of year!