Dear Reader,
Thank you for visiting my website. For those of you who were impacted by Helene, my thoughts for healing and recovery are with you. The devastation is unimaginable, and my heart breaks with each photo.
Here we are in October. Time to start preparing for the holidays. I know. I know. We haven’t gotten through Halloween yet, but time goes by Lickety split so don’t get caught without your knickers. Plan ahead. Make lists, especially those for naughty or nice, and focus on the nice. Be cordial to those who haven’t been kind to you this past year, but don’t tie yourself up in knots worrying about them. Whenever I find myself tossing and turning and thinking about people who have been rude or uncaring, I stop myself and ask, “Mary, do you think they’re losing sleep over you?” The answer is usually a resounding, “I doubt it.” Then I turn over―if the fur-kids aren’t in the way―and get some sleep. I repeat: focus on the good people in your life. Yes, there will be cranky people you encounter every day. Smile, say hello, compliment their shoes, handbag. Something. Anything. You’ll both feel better. My point is, no matter how much you want to smack the snot out of someone, take a minute and think about the outcome you want. Peace or fisticuffs? And that’s today’s lesson in tolerance. It ain’t easy. Try to be patient.
On to fun stuff. I am happy to say SANTA’S SECRET is now on-sale. It’s a panorama of Italy during the holidays with lots of food and fun. It even includes recipes and a menu for an authentic Italian Christmas Eve dinner. Can you tell I’m a big fan of the cuisine?
The kitty patrol is up to their usual tricks. Mz. Boo keeps turning on the TV in the middle of the night. I have to remember to hide the remote, except I forget where I put it. Need to leave a post it, but I’m sure Mz. Boo will figure out a way to hide that too!
Halloween is in a few weeks and we surely need a few treats. For the bakers I want to revisit a wonderful seasonal pie, courtesy of Heidi Dugan, and comfort food recipes.
Now for some contest news! Since the holidays are in the not-so-distant future, we are going to help you with your Christmas shopping. This contest will run until November 15 and features a grand prize that includes three hardcovers starring the gals from Santa’s Crew: Santa Cruise, Santa & Company, and the latest novel, Santa’s Secret. But that’s not all, folks! It will also consist of a bundle of holiday favorites: Holly and Ivy, No Place Like Home, Falling Stars, Spirit of the Season, and these wonderful anthologies: The Most Wonderful Time, Silver Bells, Winter Wishes, and Making Spirits Bright. That’s a lot of Christmas presents, if you don’t keep them for yourself. LOL.
We are also going to spread a little more holiday cheer and have two second place winners, who each will receive a copy of Santa’s Secret.
Happy reading and Happy Holidaze.
Be well, be safe, be kind.
All the best,
Fern