10 Things To Love About December
Guest Blog from author Caroline Linden:
10 Things I Love about December
1) The weather. This might sound strange, given that I live in New England, but December weather is usually pretty nice. Crisp and cool, only sometimes brutally cold, a chance of snow (which is perfectly acceptable), and that stark blue sky you only see in winter (or technically, for most of the month, fall).
2) The lights. I am a total sucker for those strings of little lights every mall and shop window is decorated with this time of year. Plus, they help make up for the fact that it gets dark in the middle of the afternoon now.
3) Baking. Yum. Need I say more? Even if you hate to cook and think your kitchen is inhabited by evil gremlins who will suck out your brains if you enter, you can still enjoy holiday baking. Just stop in front of your favorite bakery and breathe deeply.
4) Drinking. ‘Tis the season of hot mulled wine, mulled cider, eggnog, and champagne.
5) Fire. Candles and fireplaces were invented for December.
6) Books. Anyone in possession of a crackling fire and some cinnamon-y, clove-y, whipped-cream-topped hot apple cider, must be in want of a good book.
7) Sales. Especially at bookstores. Especially when those bookstores email the extra coupons right to you.
The internet. OK, I love the internet year ’round, but particularly in December, when it saves me from going to the shopping center with everyone else in creation. The books are mailed right to my door!!!
9) Catalogs. Yes, I like this form of junk mail. Holiday catalogs are so shiny and pretty (although there is a bit of confusion when the Victoria’s Secret catalog comes with the King Arthur Baking Catalog. So I want to fit into that underwear, or make the double-chocolate gooey oatmeal squares? Hmmm). And, then you can order online. See #8.
10) Vacation. Everyone deserves a day off at the end of a long year.
Anything to add to my list?
Lyssa: The one thing I’d like to add to the Things to Love about December is Caroline Linden’s latest (December 2009) release FOR YOUR ARMS ONLY, which, by the way, was just nominated for a Romantic Times award for Best British Isle Set Historical Romance. Congrats, Caroline!!
In a wonderful mix of MISSION IMPOSSIBLE meets Regency England, Caroline creates an exciting, intriguing, romantic world with dashing heroes and daring heroines, page-turning plots and breathless passion. Don’t miss FOR YOUR ARMS ONLY this December, and be sure to read DEEPER THAN DESIRE, an original companion story to this delightful romance.
Happy reading–and happy holidays!!
Magical Snow
Nope, sorry, not engaged. Ha ha, don’t I wish but I loved this photo and then realized she has this ginormous engagement ring on! Jealous! 
Hi Ocean Dreamers! Thank you so much for your thought inspiring and real responses to my last post, you don’t know how much it meant to me! It really put me in touch with reality and this past weekend was beyond amazing with Big Kiddo! We had quality time together, a good conversation, and it was much needed. I’ll be back tomorrow with some ocean pictures from our beach visit.
Lately I have been in the mood for snow…especially since I might be seeing it soon {depends on the weather} when I fly home to Utah on Wednesday night and I also get to visit our cabin again. I can’t wait.
What is it about the snow that you love? Or maybe you don’t love it. I know I do. It makes me feel like this lovely ballerina…
I wish I could kiss Big Kiddo in the snow. Maybe someday if he visits with me.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if it snowed near the beach? Cold, but it would be so beautiful…
I wish I could listen to sea shells by the snow. So whimsical!
Make a magical snow wish!
Mittens always make my hands warmer.
Aww, what a cute little guy!
Do you love the snow?
Obviously I don’t like driving in it, {don’t miss that at all when I lived in UT} and that is why it is ideal that I can visit when I go home for the holidays!
It makes me feel so happy when gazing out the window and soaking in the snowy mountain view. I love the coziness by the fire side, reading a good book, and bundling up when heading out into the snow. Sigh. It is just so magical.
Snow is just around the corner!
XOXO,
*all photos are from weheartit.com!
Ocean Dreaming
Happy Friday dolls! So…just dream with me a moment. What are some of your best memories at the beach, if you have been to one recently? Or what would you do if you could go to a beach right now?? I would do this…
The dreamer in me would like to be this couple at the beach… (maybe when I get married someday)** wink wink Big Kiddo…
But realistically I think this picture reminds me of Big Kiddo and I at the beach…love in the making for a grand love story!
So the best thing about the beach?
*the sand in between your toes
*the way the waves sound
*how peaceful you feel
*the sea splashing on your feeet
*sea shells
*bonfires
*heart to heart prayers and thoughts
*romance, aww, sweet romance
*kissing on the beach (Big Kiddo in particular, he he)
*eating on the beach
*picnic on the beach
*laughter, reading a good book
*wearing a hott bathing suit
*long walks and talks
*can I just live on the beach?!
Happy Friday Ocean Dreamers, remember to take the time to dream this weekend.
I’m heading to the film 500 Days of Summer tomorrow night, can’t wait, oh, and going to the beach with Big Kiddo later this weekend! Of course! 
There is no place I would rather be. Hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Thanks for taking the time to dream with me.
It’s The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of & Awards
I don’t know about you, but Wednesdays just seem to drag on and on, don’t they? Well, I think I would love to be in a hammock right now, sipping on a martini or daiquiri, reading a good book, snuggling with my Big Kiddo, and listening to the ocean waves. Ohhh, can I go there right now? Come dream with me and look at these pictures, all from the Apartment Therapy site.
By the way, thank you so much for your prayers and your support about my dad and Big Kiddo. They are both hanging in there! Also, I had an amazing time with my family over the weekend. It was well needed. I went and saw Big Kiddo last night after I got back from my trip – he is still pretty sad so I am trying to cheer him up. I put together a movie red bucket giftie for him with some popcorn, a red t-shirt, snacks, candy, and classic movies…that made him feel a tad better. I love giving gifts! 
Hope my men are feeling better, I feel bad when both my dad and boyfriend are down and out!
So…now on to some fun awards I recently received. Thanks so much for spoiling me ladies! So…The Dutchess gave me an award that she created herself for her readers, I love crowns so naturally I fell in love with this award! Go check out her blog, you will find so much creativity, love of tea, the color pink, and of course her warm caring nature for her readers! Thanks Dutchess. You truly make me feel like a tea princess.
Thank you Duchess of Tea @ Rose Tea Cottage
I recently received the Blog Loving Award from two fantastic ladies. Ali and Ela are two bloggers that make my heart happy. Not only do they have amazing blogs, but they are two very sincere and genuine people that I am proud to be friends with. Thank you for blessing us with your radiance and happy blog worlds!
Thanks Ali @ The Way I See It and Ela @ Extra Dressing on. the. Side
By the way, if you haven’t voted for Ela to win a fabulous scarf…go there right away! Let’s help her win!! Go to this link:Polished Sense Blog
I am awarding the Blog Loving Award to these Ocean Dreamers, who are some new friends and also some lovely Ocean Dreamers whom I have known for a while as well. I love all of your blogs:
* My Teacups in Peony
* It’s Unbeweavable
* Summer Wind
* Life Is Bananas
* Brown Girl Blogs
* Delectable Swank
* 20 Something Dreams
* Ambar’s Thoughts
* Dustjacket Attic
My friend Jennifer passed along this marvelous humanity award. You must visit her blog, she is so down to earth and I have enjoyed getting to know her very much!
Thanks Jennifer @ The Novelista Barista
I am awarding this award to the following Ocean Dreamers:
* A Little Bit of Everything
* Holden It Together
* Then I Got to Thinking
* Absolutely Ladylike
* Life As We Know It
Well Ocean Dreamers, I hope you are enjoying your day. Which hammock did you like the best? Get dreaming! Time’s a wasting!
Beach reads, baby
We’re in the midst of summer, which means hot days, steamy nights, and one of my absolute favorite things—beach reads.
Now, I won’t be lucky enough to actually get to a beach this year, much less lounge by the ocean and listen to the soothing sounds of the waves rolling in. But I can still lose myself in the pages of a good book, even if the location is only the brown plaid expanse of my not-quite-tropical couch. If you squint real hard, my beige carpet sort of looks like sand. Okay, maybe not.
I don’t know where the term came from, but I think of beach reads as books that are light, frothy, and just plain fun. Something that fits in with the slow flow of the days. After all, if you’re actually at the beach, there’s also lazy lounging by the ocean to be done and perhaps a fruity boat drink or two in the offing. A girl has to have her priorities in order. 
I love reading all year long, of course, but there’s just something about summer that appeals to me. It’s the perfect time to just read whatever you want to, instead of all those boring office reports. To treat yourself to that one special book you’ve been looking forward to for a while now. To re-read your favorite author’s series. Or to pick up something on a whim at the bookstore because it looks good. Or maybe even because there’s an actual beach on the book cover. Whatever floats your boat.
Me? I’ve been whittling down my TBR pile this summer, reading everyone from Jim Butcher to Kresley Cole to Jeaniene Frost to Eric Van Lustbader. Now, I don’t know if wizards, Valkyries, vampires, and a superspy named Jason Bourne exactly qualify as beach reads or not.
But I’ve been having a blast with them—even if I’m stuck on the couch at home. Hey, at least there’s air conditioning. I’d take that over sand any day. 
What about you? Which so-called beach reads are you looking forward to? What great books have you already discovered this year? Share in the comments.
Copyright
Book Ideas For Mom
With Mother’s Day nearly upon us, don’t forget to pick up a great book for mom. Then, make sure part of your gift is giving her the peace and quiet to enjoy said book.
Here are some great suggestions…hot off the presses. Happy Mother’s Day!
HOME REPAIR by Liz Rosenberg. Eve has lost two husbands: one in a tragic car accident and one to a vanishing act right in the middle of their garage sale. Different circumstances, same outcome. She’s left with the son from her first husband, the daughter from her second husband, and her mother who comes to “help.” But life goes on. Eve might even end up learning that she’s gained much more than she’s lost. A great story of love, family, and survival, and a perfect way to show mom how much she’s appreciated.
LARRY’S KIDNEY by Daniel Asa Rose. Okay this is not women’s fiction, but it is just wacky enough that mom might just love it. Larry Feldman desperately needed a kidney. After two god-awful years on dialysis while waiting on a transplant list behind 74,000 other Americans, he decided to risk everything and travel to China, the controversial kingdom of organ transplants. But, since he was already shelling out for a trip to China, he decided to make it a twofer: He arranged to pick up an email-order bride while he was at it.
So begins the quest to rejuvenate Larry’s failing body and ever-romantic heart, while avoiding getting tossed into a Chinese slammer. An unforgettable adventure filled with Red Guards who waltz at midnight and former enemies who prove more true than family, LARRY’S KIDNEY is the funniest yet most heartwarming book of the year. What better gift for mom?
Lots of great choices. Or, don’t make a choice and get them all!
I, of course, already got the marigolds my son planted in pre-K and the card he made. Love them!! But I wouldn’t mind a good book to go with it. Hint hint!
What was your favorite mother’s day gift–to give or get?
