I’m up at O-dark-thirty because the 8-year-old will wake soon. I have to enjoy these times while I can because, one day, she won’t still believe in Santa. Her mom wasn’t as smart as me. I “preserved” the magic of Christmas by telling my kids Santa doesn’t leave gifts for kids who don’t believe. I’ve never heard them deny Santa’s existence! 🙂

Here’s hoping you have a lovely day. While you sip your hot cocoa in a lull during your holiday activities, enjoy a puzzle. My Christmas gift to you.

UPDATE: The winner is…Jeanine Lesperance!
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In January 2020, I lost my mom. After losing my grandmother and father the two previous years, one after the other, my family and I were drained. We inherited their home, and my daughter and her family moved in—and immediately, we had the job of paring down their belongings to make room for my daughter’s family’s possessions. A lot of things that held precious memories went to other family members. My mother was an artist, and most of her paintings flew out the door to relatives who had favorite pieces. Things that hung on the wall for years were gone. It was sad, but we all wanted a memory, something we’d treasure from a woman who was the center of our family made with her own hands and talent.

I inherited all of my mother’s art supplies. And admittedly, and to my daughter’s dismay, I didn’t pare down the treasure trove she left me. She was more into oil paintings, and I keep those paint tubes thinking someday I’ll make the leap and follow her there, but she also enjoyed watercolor painting.

The other day, when I was looking for a piece of paper to begin a new watercolor painting, I picked up an old pad of mom’s paper, and something fell out from between the pages. It’s a painting in neutral sepia tones of my sister, Elle James, and myself as children playing dress-up. I sat with the painting in my hands, smiling. It was “loose” with fun pencil squiggles to portray the flowers on the fabric. I loved it and immediately went in search of a frame. It’s now on my office wall. All I have to do is look to the left at the wall next to me to see her painting. It’s so nice having something of hers right there beside me. I feel like she’s looking over my shoulder.

First, solve the puzzle to see the painting! Next, tell me whether you have a possession from a loved one that brings you closer to them for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Karla Campos!
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First, solve the puzzle! Share your time, if you like. Then we can talk.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether you have one, and if you do, what does yours feature?

UPDATE: The winner is Ani S!
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This is where I’ll be today! My daughter and I will have a table. We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare, but we have some “things” to sell!

So, I’ll leave you with this puzzle because—it’s Saturday! Solve the Puzzle, then tell me what you’re doing to get “holiday ready” for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Liddy!
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So, funny story. My daughter and I decided to buy a VERY small turkey for the feast because we really hate the endless leftover turkey that has to be dealt with. We bought a 9-pound turkey. Yes, they do exist! But what’s funny is that when we thawed it and removed the plastic wrapping, we discovered how they made it weigh so little. NO LEGS OR WINGS. Or innards in the little plastic pouch. Yeah. But hey, the turkey was delicious, and we only have two days of meat to finish off. Actually, it was the least dry turkey I’ve ever eaten.

Puzzle Contest!

Solve the puzzle to see a yummy solution for all those leftovers hogging up your fridge. Then post the name of your favorite dish using Thanksgiving leftovers for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card.

Open Contests

1. Diana Cosby: Nature’s Beauty – Inspiration For The Muse! (Contest) — Will end soon! Get a FREE pretty tote bag!
2. Getting in the Thanksgiving Spirit! (Puzzle-Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Boys Behaving Badly Poll & Open Contests! — Win an Amazon gift card! (The poll is closed, but you can still comment!)
4. New Poll & a Favorite Quote (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Diane Sallans!
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U.S. Thanksgiving is just days away! One last grocery shop tomorrow, and then we’ll be spending the week with the kids, hunkered down for the cold and getting ready for the big feast on Thursday. This year, it’ll just be us. We’re still observing COVID protocols to keep the seven inside this house safe. We’ll miss visiting with family, but it is what it is. And truthfully, we’re looking forward to the downtime—playing board games in the evenings and watching movies together. I cleared my calendar of work so I can enjoy the time, although I might work on some jewelry and art projects, maybe make some potholders, too, to get ready for the crafts show my daughter and I are participating in early December. We’re not nearly ready. However, this kind of rush is the kind I enjoy when I get to create something with my hands, beads, and paint.

But onto the contest! I’m wondering two things. Solve the puzzle, because it’s fun! Then tell me, are you enjoying an expanded family gathering this year? Are you traveling to get there? Answer for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Bridget Werbin!
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It’s Saturday, so you know it’s Puzzle Day! Yay!!!

Okay, so you know I like making you work your minds a bit. A very little bit, so don’t get scared. I found this picture, and I thought it would be perfect for this Saturday’s challenge. For a chance to win your choice of downloads from among the books in my backlist, tell me this…

What would you do if you found this is in the woods?