First, our winners: Mary Jane and Judy. Congratulations, both of you. This week’s prize, as always, is an autographed copy of my latest book. The new contest is underway now; to enter, simply comment. Two winners will be chosen at random, notified by Super Jen, and announced here. Stay tuned!
My Christmas was lovely, quiet, and a little lonely, since Wendy and Jeremy are now in California, where they have long wanted to be, with my two grand-dogs and sweet grand-kitty. The trip has been quite an adventure for them; both contracted severe cases of flu, not much fun anywhere, but especially not in an RV. 🙂 I’m happy to report that they have recovered and so very happy to be back in Southern California. I missed them, but enjoyed Christmas anyway, as I always do. We had a lot of snow, so I couldn’t visit my mom, but we chatted, and I’ll be getting together with her tomorrow, after Weight Watchers, carrying a pile of presents. On Christmas Day, I joined Larry, Mary Ann, Jen, Dustin and Nola for a nice dinner and a gift swap. The dogs were absolutely delighted by their presents; in fact, after toys and treats had been distributed, they thought every package was for them. 🙂 Since they liked the wrapping paper just as well, they were thrilled. They seem undaunted by the snow, even though it comes up to their chests! They’ve forged a path to their favorite lookout, up by the fence, and over to the flowerbeds in back, where they like to bark fiercely at deer and wild turkeys.
I’m working on NORTH OF EDEN, and loving it, though after a near-miss of my own with the flu, I didn’t get as much done as I’d hoped. Oh, well. What matters is the story–I want you all to enjoy every word. If you don’t, it won’t be for lack of effort on my part.
I’ve developed some new interests, in addition to cooking and art and stones/crystals, all of which still fascinate me. My favorite stones quite literally help me fall asleep (moss agate), soothe pain (malachite), and restore creative energy (labradorite) when it flags. I’ve discovered herbal teas, and plan to make ointments for gifts and for my own use. I haunt Pinterest, where I find terrific Paleo recipes, beautiful photographs of nature, advice on starting tomatoes indoors, and plenty of other things, too. I am constantly amazed by how creative people are! I also enjoy YouTube, and turn to it whenever I want to learn how to do something in particular, like unclog my coffee machine or operate some new gadget. 🙂 I LOVE gadgets, and I’m determined to USE them instead of stashing them away unopened, looking at them regretfully now and then, and finally giving them away. I am especially fond of my air-fryer and my Instant Pot pressure cooker–in which I cooked a tender, delicious roast in–wait for it–30 minutes flat.
I hope each and every one of you had a warm and beautiful holiday. Let’s make 2017 a year to remember with smiles.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
