Happy Holidays

Me & the BFF goofing off.

Happy holidays, everyone. I hope your holiday season is full of happiness, love, and extreme joy. Please, love the people around you. You never know when they won't be there.

This is the first Christmas without my mom and I've already been reflecting deeply on her passing. I miss her every day, but it's times like this I miss her even more. I saw a craft the other day on Pinterest and for a single split second I wondered if Mom still had Dad's wood burning kit. It only took a moment to realize what I'd done, but for that single flitting moment I'd forgotten she was gone. It isn't the first time either. One day I saw something and thought, I need to call Mom & tell her about that. Boy, that would have been one interesting roaming charge!

I've been through this so much in the past years that I know it gets easier. These moments will pass and I'll be left with happy memories. The pain will get easier, but I think it may take longer when it's your mom.

Last Saturday, I hosted a Friend-mas party with my BFF, her hubby & kids, my sister & her hubby, plus my hubby & our three, and two of their friends. My small house was filled to the brim, and it was soooo much fun.

We made a lasagna meal with salad and garlic bread, as well as three different desserts, but the main attraction was our big punch bowl full of ADULT PUNCH! Oh, my goodness it was sooooo good. My sister and I downed an entire bowl between us just while cooking before everyone arrived. It's a wonder the lasagna tasted as good as it did. LOL.


My sister & me. LOL!

Then I was "tipsy" texting my BFF telling her she was missing out and to hurry up and get over ASAP. LOL! We made two more bowls once the BFF arrived and the three of us downed those two together (the men were all DDs).

BFF playing with her Snapchat.

Overall, we had a great party. We laughed a lot and just enjoyed spending time together. My mom would have loved it. And in just a few days I'll have a peaceful Christmas Eve and Day with just the hubby and our girls. We'll open gifts, eat too much, and laugh together. It will be a nice ending to a difficult year.

Happy Holidays to you all! I hope you find happiness in the days that follow. I am grateful for each and every one of you reading this.

Pick That Drink Contest

Who would like to win an e-copy of Time for Death (Liz Baker, book 1) and have their name immortalized in my next Liz Baker book?  How might you accomplish this?  Well, it's quite easy, actually.

Starting tomorrow, for the next seven days, I'll be taking entries via drink ideas in the comments section of this blog post.  Simply comment below with your idea on what the first drink served in book 4 should be. 

As we know, Liz Baker is the owner and bartender of her small town bar Athena's Ambrosia.  She serves anything and everything her patrons ask for.  Most of the country guys just want a Budweiser, but there are the occasional orders for Strawberry Daquaris and Fuzzy Nipples.  You just never know what someone will want.

Well.... now you CAN know what the first drink served will be.

The winner will be drawn via Random.org to receive an e-copy of Time for Death and have their name included on the Acknowledgements page of book 4.

Date(s): July 15th - July 21st
How:  Comment below.
What:  Post your suggestion for the first drink served in book 4.
When: Winner will be drawn & announced on July 22nd.
Goodies: Winner receives e-copy of Time for Death & their name in book 4.