I love doing blogs, I really do and usually don’t forget, look forward to gabbing but I think the holidays have completely fried my brain. Kids coming in tomorrow from Baltimore and Savannah, last minute ideas for prezzies…what the heck to you buy twenty-somethings??, food to get, house to clean…you get the picture. Then I tried to install my new printer. I think that’s what really drove me over the edge! Nothing ever installs for me.
So, here I am LATE, LATE, LATE! I suppose better late than never but I do apologize.
Okay, you know how my holidays are going…how are yours? Are your ready? Are you sane or are you going nuts like me? The one really fun thing that happened is that I got my ARCs for Hot and Bothered today, my BRAVA that comes out in April. I’m so excited about this book…mystery, steam, ghosts, best-friends-forever and set in Savannah.
I’m keeping this blog short and if you share with me how you’re doing this holiday season, I’ll pick a name for an ARC. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Hugs,
Dianne Castell
DianneCastell.com
I have everything wrapped and ready to be put under the tree, but my baking? STILL NOT DONE! Ack! If I don’t hurry up Santa won’t have any cookies. (According to my kids.) I have to survive a Family Christmas party sunday, Christmas Eve with the In-laws (who I call the Out-Laws) and then Christmas morning with the kids and hubs. Our cats think it’s okay to climb the tree, try to eat the try, knock the ornaments off the tree……..I think I might take it down the day after Christmas! *G*
Happy Holidays! *G*
I just completed my shopping today but nothing is wrapped. I have 3 20 year olds to buy for but I don’t think there’s any one specific thing. Clothes always for the 2 girls, anything WII related for two of them, books, picture frames, dvd’s, jewelry, I could go on and on. My biggest find for the year are tempurpedic slippers!
I got the easiest cookies and they’re good. Get the waffle pretzels, put a rolo on top, bake 6 min at 250 and put a nut on top. let cool. Yummy.
My cats eat the tinsil and play mouse with the ornaments.
tempurpedic slippers sound fab!!!!! I need them for my head, I keep getting these horrid headaches.
Girls are so easy to buy for, guys are impossible!
My holidays have not yet begun… in three day, I will be officially having a break
I thought I had all my shopping done. Of course I was wrong. My dh tells me I have to get several more gifts for some people! My baking is pretty simple ( a five minute fudge ).
Hope everyone has a great holiday.
dinner with in-laws and then my family has snacks.
I am doing pretty well – only have a few things to get,& get the special cards and shop for the Christmas dinner.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.
Hi Dianne,
Wow! You sure are one busy person! Hey, don’t worry about posting late. We all understand! I have been very busy also working everyday. I don’t even have my tree up yet! My husband just got it down from the attic yesterday for me. I have been to busy to put it up.
I do have most of my presents bought. I still have a few to buy for my mom and my hubby. We always like to buy some fun gifts for each other to put in our stockings. I think the little funny gifts are so special!
WOO-HOO! Congratulations to you! HOT AND BOTHERED sounds like a really fun book! Mystery, steam, ghosts, best-friends-forever, what a fun mix! Here is a toast to you!
gurgle, slurp! Clunk. (I put the glass down on my coffee table a little to hard. Ha!)
Anyhoo, have a fantastic holiday! Remember to save room for pie and all the christmas cookies!
Michele L.
I haven’t done much shopping. I only got two gifts ready. I’ll have to brave the crowds this weekend. Macy’s is going to open continuously from now to Christmas. I think it might be fun to shop in the middle of the night.
I’ve bought absolutely NOTHING. Really. Not even for the kids. Can we say procrastination? I’ll be one of the morons at Walmart on Christmas Eve frantically shopping!
one word—-HECTIC! I still have presents to buy, food to buy, wrapping to do. We are having both my family and my husband’s family over on Christmas day, 2 seperate celebrations. Fortunately my husband is in charge of cooking when his family comes over and I get to cook for my family. Good news is we don’t have to go anywhere and I can just hang out in my socks all day.
Dianne- do you think your kid coming in from Savannah would mine stopping by Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House and bringing me some of their cooking? We LOVE that place.
I’m really looking forward to Hot and Bothered since it takes place in my favorite city (really I would move there in a heartbeat).
Merry Christmas Dianne to you and your family and to everyone else too!
For some odd reason, Christmas isn’t its usual frantic pace this year. Not complaining though! Merry Christmas to all (and Happy Birthday to me!)
visitng relative is LA, it should be fun
I am actually pretty organized this year. It helps that my son doesn’t have leave until the 27th, which gives me those extra days to get all my last minute baking done.
Nathalie, Yeah, holidays don’t start till you don’t have to go to work. Then you can really relax. Enjoy!
Stacy, I hear you on the still need to buy presents. I always forget someone or one of my kids brings home a friend etc so I just buy some extra things to have in case.
Patti, you’re one of the organized ones. I keep trying and it never happens.
I need your secret.
Michele, thanks for the good thoughts and cheers on Hot and Bothered. Good luck on getting that tree up!
Jane, I’m always shopping at the last minute. We’ll be out there together.
Brownone, there are a lot of great deals for the last minute shopper. I think we’ll do great.
Laura, you sound like me…going nuts. All the times I’ve been to Savannah I’v never been to Mrs. Wilkes. I can’t believe it either. I mention the place in my books, know that it’s fab but never been. I think I have a treat waiting for me.
Cyndi, I’m jealous. You get to sit back and enjoy the season. Good for you.
Cathy, yeah that extra time help. Where is your son now?
Thanks everyone!
Hugs, Dianne
The Hot and Bothered ARC Winner is…
Brandy! I picked her name from a box.
Thanks, everyone, for coming in so late in the game. I’ll do better in the future, get my blogs in on time..least I’ll try to.
Have a great Christmas and if you’re not into Christmas have a wonderful holiday season.
Hugs to you all.
Dianne
I only have a few things left to wrap—thank goodness!
I have everything organized, and managed to get the things into the mail that needed to be mailed, before the deadlines – so that was cool. All have arrived at their destinations in time for Christmas which makes it a relief for me.
Hope you have a wonderful Holiday Dianne with your family. Hugs
Hey, Cryna, what’s the weather like in your neck of the woods? A white Christmas in Canada?
Have a wonderful holiday.
Hugs, Dianne
Estella, when you finish up your wrapping you can hop over and do mine. I haven’t started.
Dianne
wtg brandy