Sunday Ramblings - Giving Some Thanks AND Giving Away a Great Book

Jill is the winner of BURIED LIES. We've been in touch and Jill knows the book will be winging its way to her.

I wish I had copies to send everyone who dropped by. Even though I don't - I feel pretty good about being able to tell you about a book you might enjoy, but may not have heard about. I hope you'll give it a try.

Sometime next month, I'll be hosting another give-away, so keep watching. I'm not sure what it'll be, but I'll find something that will, hopefully, appeal to many of you.

In the meantime - many thanks for your support, and I wish you all the Happiest of Holidays!



Are you all still in the Thanksgiving spirit?

Still giving thanks for the blessings in your life?

Or has it already been replaced by the hustle and bustle of trying to get ready for Christmas?

If you're getting stressed about Christmas, I suggest you take a deep breath and back up from it all. Just a bit. Back up to a little over a week ago when you were giving thanks for family, friends, loved ones and the good things in your life.

Last week I did a long photo post giving thanks to Harley. That was certainly not to mean I wasn't (and still) giving thanks for the two most important people in my life.

My Mom - -




Is she not just the cutest?!

I love her to bits (and so does Harley Doodle Barley).

AND so does her son-in-law.

My mom is 83 and as feisty as she was when she was a new mom of 22 (my dad will love hearing this. He's no longer with us, but since I chat with him in my mind most days, I know he also reads my blog). Even at age 83 she remembers everything (unlike her daughter). If there's anything she might ever forget, it's that Donald is her son-in-law and not a son she gave birth to. The two of them couldn't possibly love one another any more if they really were mother/son. They're the best of buddies and are able to laugh together and tease one another unmercifully. And for that I am thankful. (notice the weaving loom in this picture? more on this in a minute.).

So.

Here we are a week later (and I'm another year older - oy! Sixty-one years old. HOW did that happen?!)

And I have a cold.

ugh.

I'm thankful I didn't have it the week of Thanksgiving.

There were just too many delightful things happening that week to slow down long enough to have a cold.

Mother and I shopped the day before Thanksgiving for Christmas gifts. We used to shop all year. Now, however, we've become more practical, AND because of the economy, don't seem to have as much disposable cash, so we've cut back on our gifting. And, again, because of the state of the economy, good sales are readily available if you have the time to look for them.

Thursday we ate and celebrated my birthday.

Friday Donald and I put up the tree (teeny tree!), and decorated the house (less than in previous years).

Saturday I wrapped gifts (fewer than in years past).

Sunday I baked -- I baked fifty-nine (59 ! !) little mini-bundt cakes for Donald and I to share with co-workers. They were adorable and why I didn't take pictures I have no idea! I used a recipe from one of my all-time favorite little cookbooks - Bibb Jordan's "The Pound Cake Cookbook." I did Bittersweet Chocolate-Orange cakes. Delish and a highly recommended recipe.

And while we were having a productive, but fun and relaxing long holiday weekend, Donald did some weaving.

Y'all.

I am SO impressed with how Donald has taken to this whole weaving thing like a duck to water. Lookie here - here's that other very important person in my life I give thanks for -


My Donald - -




and here's what he's already done as his learning piece -




unbelievable.

I'm over the moon proud of my Donald. Always.

One of the things I love most about him is his unending curiosity. About everything. And when he's curious, he'll delve into whatever is tickling his brain to learn everything there is to learn. And then - like this weaving thing; he'll just, by golly, do it. I love that.

hmmmm - - -

and now I've meandered into one of those corners I have no idea how to get myself out of other than just jump.

So.

Jumping back to my cold.

(You knew I'd have to come back and whine about my cold didn't you?!)

I have the worst cold ever. THE worst. You think YOU'VE had bad colds?! Pfft! Never as bad as this one I'm sure. (insert evil imp right here).

o.k.

I've whined about my cold - I feel better now.

And here's what I've been thankful for while battling the damn thing -




do you guys have favorite comfort foods when fighting a cold? and what might they be?

It's jello and good ol' Campbell's tomato soup for this gal.

And now I'm going to finish up my Sunday ramble with a give-away, with a brief little story behind it.

Peter Rennebohm is an author. A quite talented one. I "met" Peter at DorothyL. He is, without a doubt, one of the most gracious people on God's green earth. A few years ago, he offered DorothyL readers an opportunity that a reader just cannot resist. A free book.



But, there was a catch. He would send you a copy of his book "Blue Springs," OR a copy of his "French Creek" if you would promise to "pay it forward." Read it, send it along to someone who might enjoy it, and ask that they do the same. Greedy me asked for both. Lucky me received them. Even luckier was the friendship I received. A friend by the name of Peter Rennebohm. Who also happens to be a VERY talented writer. I passed along "Blue Springs," and I passed along "French Creek" and I kinda held my breath till they got back home where they belonged. They did and I was happy. Peter sent me an autographed ARC of "Buried Lies" when it came out last year and, not surprisingly, I loved it.

I haven't chatted with Peter in awhile, and he's not much for blogs, but I'm going to give him a little nudge in hopes he'll know that even though we don't talk often, I'm thankful for him, his talent, and his generosity.

Here's a picture of the cover of "Buried Lies" - isn't it great?!

And so is the book itself - It is terrific! An old fashioned treasure hunt, along with a puzzle mystery, AND a dash of romance. Full of interesting, well-drawn, believable characters AND one of the coolest covers ever. I enjoyed it tremendously.

And so did another of my favorite authors - William Kent Krueger - Here's what he has to say about it: "Buried Lies is one big scavenger hunt of a book. Crossing both territory and time, the story is built around a couple of engaging puzzles. One is literal, with plenty of intriguing clues. The other, quite simply, is the mystery of the human heart. Author Peter Rennebohm tackles both puzzles with great gusto. The result is a thrill ride of a read that you'd be a fool to miss."

AND another favorite writer, and very good friend, Shane Gericke (whose third crime thriller "Torn Apart" will be published in July) says this: "The X marks certain death in this very special treasure hunt. Buried Lies is a ripping good mix of hot action, cool characters, and compelling drama. Highly recommended."

I'm not giving away my signed ARC, but I'm quite proud to offer one of you a first edition copy of "Buried Lies." It was one I "paid forward," so it has been gently read. VERY gently. I doubt any of you could ever tell it's been read. The dust cover appears to have been removed each time it was read and has been very respectfully cared for.

Just leave a comment along with your email address and next weekend I'll draw a name and one of you will become the owner of this lovely book. Check back here next Sunday to see if you're the lucky winner.