Baby its Cold Outside

                

It is Christmas weather in the South...that is to say it is cold and rainy. The perfect day to stay tucked up inside with a good book. That is what Mom is doing at the moment. She is upstairs in her bedroom reading a murder mystery.

Hutch is flying home from DC as I write this. Thus the picture of our nation's Capital at Christmas. 

We got out this morning and did a little Christmas shopping. We went by Goodwill and I was able to find several great new books for my Aunt and Uncle. They both are big readers and Mom helped me pick the books out so I'm fairly certain I got ones they haven't read. My Goodwill is a great source for nearly new hardbacks. There's just something so satisfying about getting a book that looks brand new and would sell at Sam's or Walmart for 18 to 24 dollars for $2.50. Finding those kinds of bargains makes me happy.

Mom loves old music from way back and she found several cassettes to play in her car for fifty cents each. I found a couple of 'how to' books for myself as well. I'm a sucker for the 'Dummies' books and they had a nice selection of those this morning at Goodwill.     

I'm going to make peanut butter cookies with Hershey Kiss tops later this afternoon. Those will be for the weekend. Jon is coming over Saturday to help Hutch cut down another sickly tree in the back yard. We need to get it down before it topples over on the house. I'm grilling steaks for the boys Saturday night. 

We've got a big pot of spaghetti on the stove right now and the house smells like an Italian restaurant. I think I'll also make a little batch of yeast rolls to go with our spaghetti tonight. Along with a tossed salad that should be enough.

I sent my holiday post cards out this week and Mom sent her cards as well. They really did turn out cute. Maybe I can scan one and post it here so folks can see. Oh....I'm ahead in the gin rummy competition {for once LOL}. Maybe Mom will end up buying the manicures....one can only hope.  

I'm making pretty good progress with the YA novel I'm trying to finish. It's always a challenge to get down here and sit in the chair and start typing ....but I'm doing it with God's help. This novel is so different from anything I've ever written that its kind of breaking new ground for me. I can't reveal too much but I will say it is a Christian novel of the supernatural/papranormal type that explores a concept I've never seen done in a fictional book before.     

It's been fun to see where the Holy Spirit leads with this one. Yesterday three new characters popped up to enrich the story line. They are Christians from Korea....with a very special set of talents. I fell in love with them immediately. Sure hope others do. 

Anyhoo, I sure hope that you are sitting in a warm cozy spot reading this with a cup of spicy tea next to your mouse pad. More tomorrow.