So it’s been a while—apologies! Fall and early winter have been crammed with work, holidays and other personal stuff. Coming up for air now, and all’s well.

First, BW is so much improved, which is huge relief all around. Logan, so willing and able, did so much to help when we needed it. And still shows up whenever we call. I don’t know how we’d have managed without him.

BW continues PT, and is making big strides, literally. That area of life is getting much closer to normal.

Our holidays were fabulous. I carved out a couple of days for our annual holiday girl trip. So much fun, and a whirl of shopping with our friends at Saks. They always make our day there so special for all. A short and lovely break from the madness of holiday prep, plus that precious gift of girl time.

A zillion cookies were baked, with loads of help from Kayla, JR, Colt, Logan and Logan’s gorgeous girlfriend, Loren. Much deliciousness enjoyed, with Kat doing heroic work on the clean up!

Then, boom, it’s Christmas, so all those presents bagged or wrapped (while I watched Hallmark Christmas movies) are torn open in a glorious kind of chaos. I love the noise, the happy faces, and the crowded mess of it.

One of my fave gifts is a sweatshirt that says:

Be Kind . . .  Of a bitch.

My grandkids know their nana!

We had the whole gang having fun, then sitting down to the three casseroles of lasagna I made, slices of garlic bread from the Italian bread I baked. And no room after for the planned ice cream bar.

I loved every minute.

During all this, I’m working on next year’s standalone and signing ten million books as orders for The Seven Rings flooded in, along with orders for the In Death cookbook. The TTP staff worked like maniacs through all this. And hey, me, too!

A quiet New Year’s—I made chicken en cocotte—with Jason, Kat and Griffin. Griffin lasted until about ten minutes before the ball drop, then announced Bedtime! But he enjoyed the screening of the first part of Wicked.

We saw this on Broadway years ago, with the original cast. It left such an impression on me. The movie didn’t disappoint.

The very next day I started my full house purge. An exhausting but satisfying annual task. It’s restricted to weekends because I write all week, but I got ‘er done.

My house is organized, clean and shiny. As I purge a room, I clean the room which includes feeding all the wood. We have about 24 wood doors in this house, not to mention shelves, trim, windows, beadboard, wainscoting, furniture. After all, I married a carpenter.

Still working on the first draft of the standalone, and that work will go with me when we take a much deserved week break to Nemocolin with Jason and family and our friends Bill and Nicole. Another annual tradition I very much prize. I’ll work some, hang out some, get a longed-for massage, have time to read—haven’t had much of that—and recharge from the crowded, busy, chaotic, stressful few months.

Hope your holidays were as full of fun, family and friends as mine were, and that the new year brings health and happiness.

Nora