Weekly Update
Christmas is coming! I can’t believe how fast this year has gone. I will be thinking about my favorite books of the year for the next two weeks for those end-of-year updates. Today I wrapped a bunch of presents, with the help of Opie the cat. Doug tried to get the dachshunds to pose for a Christmas picture and was unsuccessful. I managed to catch a shot of Opie, however.
I have to show you our cat-proof tree. We tried to put up our usual artificial tree, and it wasn’t long before Opie was climbing it. So Doug made this beautiful Opie-proof tree for us to enjoy. At least he hasn’t tried to climb it yet!
Last Week on the Blog (Two Weeks Before Christmas)
Last Week I updated the Review Requests policy and did an article about Scams Against Indie Authors. I didn’t get any reviews posted. I have been busy with my Reviews Editor role for The Historical Novel Society so I’ve been working on that, plus reviewing books for them too, but I will get back to my regular posting soon. But now to focus on Christmas!
Next Week on the blog (One Week Before Christmas)
I’m going to review at least one Christmas book and get some Indie Spotlights up. Hang in there, Indie authors. I hope to be caught up by March.
Book Haul
In the Spirit of French Murder is the fourth book in the “An American in Paris” mysteries, with supporting character Julia Child. I loved the other three and was happy to get this one on Netgalley, even past the publishing date! I am excited to read it.
I don’t have this one yet, but every single year since the beginning, Jodi Taylor has written a Christmas novella for her readers, sold it for 99 cents, and released it on Christmas Day. This year is no exception, and I just preordered it. It has become a Christmas tradition for me to read my Jodi Taylor Christmas novella in the morning as soon as I get up (I’m usually an early riser). Since she’s now a big-time bestseller, you would think she would raise the price, but she hasn’t. That’s one of the reasons she’s my favorite author.
Other Christmas Traditions We Enjoy
Our church gives all the members gift bags, and soon we will be meeting to fill them up and hand them out. Our contribution to the bags this year: Terry’s chocolate oranges, our favorite. This year, our church has been collecting food for the Living Waters food bank in Cherokee, and I love that we are helping people get the food they need.
Doug and I have a tradition with presents that we’ve done as long as I can recall. Each gift to each other is labeled From: somebody famous or infamous who is a clue to what’s inside. I have gifts waiting for me from Mike Tyson and Paul Hollywood, among others. I’m sure the one from Paul Hollywood has to do with baking, but I have no idea what the Mike Tyson clue is. Doug’s gifts from me range in givers from Jesus to Liam Neeson. It’s fun to figure out the clues.
What are your Christmas traditions?
I love your Christmas tradition! We don’t really have any except that Paul always gets a Terry’s chocolate orange under the tree. These days it’s usually from the dogs. That Opie is a monkey but a lovable one. I love the special tree.
Those Terry’s Chocolate Oranges are awesome, aren’t they? I think Doug did a great job on the tree and I’m not always having to pull a cat out of it. 😉
That photo of Opie is so sweet and your gift labels are hilarious! I’m really looking forward to Murder at Martingale Manor as well!
Thanks Nicki. I can’t wait for the Jodi Taylor Christmas novella too!
We used to get chocolate oranges but I haven’t seen any in years!
We have to order them on Amazon now.
Love the pic of Opie and ‘his’ tree:) I know you wait all year for Jody Taylor’s Christmas novellas – enjoy!! Meanwhile, I am frantically looking up Terry’s chocolate oranges!! I never heard of them:0
It’s a really awesome orange flavored chocolate shaped like an orange, and the same size as an orange. There is a sticker on top, and you slam the orange on the counter on that sticker, and it will break into sections you can eat one at a time. So good!
I love chocolate oranges, they are always on the shelves in our shops and I have resisted so far. I love your idea of the FROM labels. If we have enough people for Xmas day we do Secret Santa for the adults, usually under £5 and must come form a charity shop or made locally.
That sounds like a great idea, too!
Your traditions are so nice, Bonnie! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Tim!
Your Christmas traditions are awesome. I love the cat-proof tree too.
Cute cat! Hope you have a good week
Thank you, Bree!
I love your Christmas traditions! We always drive around looking at the lights on Christmas Eve, followed by a fire and hot chocolate at home. For the past few years, we’ve been opening our gifts with our daughter and son-in-law as they open theirs. (They’re in San Diego.)
I think that is definitely a cat-proof tree!
I must remember to seek out that new book in the American in Paris series.
Thanks Deb. I just love that series!
What a wonderful Christmas tradition!
Your tree is a practical solution and looks very festive.
Wishing you a wonderful week
Thank You! I hope you have a wonderful week as well!
The cat-proof tree is beautiful! Glad you found a solution!
My husband Doug gets all the credit for that one!
I love your Christmas tree, Bonnie, especially since it’s been made with Opie in mind. He’s adorable and such a sturdy little guy, what a lucky soul he is with you two!.
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and relaxing Christmas time. Enjoy the company, the live and the good reads. xx
Thank you for this your blog posts and your wholehearted support and enthusiasm. They are treasures.