The holiday season is upon us, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by gathering around a beautifully set table with family and friends. Modern Christmas table settings blend tradition with contemporary style, creating a festive atmosphere that’s both elegant and inviting. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner or a grand feast, here are some tips to help you create a stunning modern Christmas table setting. Modern design often emphasizes simplicity and clean lines. Start with a neutral tablecloth or runner in shades like white, cream, or soft gray. This creates a blank canvas that allows your decorative elements …
My Seasonal Home Barista Bar
Writers are known for being coffee (and/or tea) drinkers. Not every writer, of course, but hundreds of us thrive on the stuff. I’ve been known as the Coffee Queen by my readers for many, many years. My characters are famous for the amount of lattes, mochas, and coffee that they drink. In fact, I’ve often been asked if they really reflect my caffeine consumption. And the answer…used to be yes, now that much caffeine is a lovely memory. For a few years my chronic illness forced me to stop drinking coffee, and I felt so bereft. I love the buzz …
A Yuletide monster
When most of us think about the holiday season our minds turn to images of cheerful Santa, glowing Christmas trees, and warm gatherings with loved ones. But lurking in the shadow of these festive traditions is Krampus, a dark and devilish figure from Alpine folklore whose origins are as chilling as the winter winds! Said to be a horned, half-goat, half-demon creature said to roam the snow-covered villages of Europe, Krampus isn’t about spreading the festive spirit. Unlike Santa, who rewards well-behaved children with gifts, Krampus has a much darker role—to punish the naughty. He carries chains, birch branches, and …
Friendship
In this era where most of us have hundreds, if not thousands, of social media “friends” we’ve never met, there’s a tendency to either steer clear of our real friends, or not bother with flesh-and-blood relationships in favor of sitting in front of a screen. Virtually all of my writer friends are, well, virtual. There are only a couple I truly know. And if it weren’t for attending conventions, I wouldn’t know them. So where am I going with this? Quite a while ago someone did a study on social support. It’s been replicated a number of times, so I’m …
Finishing My 85th Book: My Love-Hate Relationship with My Brain
A few weeks ago, I wrote “The End” on my 85th book. Eighty-five books! That sounds like a number I should by shouting out with the bravado of someone who’s cracked the code of life, productivity, and maybe the Many-Worlds theory of quantum physics. Let me reassure you, that’s not the case. My first book was published in 2005, and I went indie in 2014, so you would think that after two decades as a published author each new story would be a breeze at this point, but nope–every single book I write is a struggle. It’s not a lack …
Umm… dinner is gonna be late. LOL
It simply wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the turkey taking a bath in the tub at our house… Did this happen last year? Yes. And the year before? Umm… yes. Are we idiots? Possibly. What did we do to avoid this frozen debacle this year, you might ask? Well, we put the freaking turkey in the fridge to defrost on Saturday. ONE day earlier than last year. Did it make a difference? No. LOL Next year we will put it in the fridge on Friday. If that does’t work, we’ll switch to ham. Anyhoo, after a nice hour and a half …
Witchy Chicks’ December Releases
This month we have two planned releases from the Witchy Chicks: December 1: Polly Holmes: An Act of Murder (Melting Pot Cafe, Book 9) December 22: Renee George: A Witching Pits-giving (A Barkside of the Moon Book)
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, to all our US peeps. Have a wonderful holiday and if you’re outside the US–a wonderful week. We’ll be back on December 1st with more posts and fun!
Backlist Blitz: Polly Holmes
Hi, everyone! Welcome to my Backlist Blitz. I’m excited to share my book series with you all! Polly Holmes is the pen name I use when I’m writing paranormal and culinary cozy mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense. My books are rich in storyline with action-packed scenes, a touch of comedy and fun-loving characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. While I love writing paranormal romantic suspense, my favorite genre to write is cozy mystery. What is a cozy mystery, I hear you ask? Imagine Jessica Fletcher moved into your neighborhood from her quaint town of …
Savor the Season: Delicious Fall Comfort Foods
As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like indulging in hearty, comforting foods that warm you from the inside out. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy rich flavors and seasonal ingredients. Here are some delightful fall comfort foods to savor this season. 1. Butternut Squash Soup Butternut squash soup is a quintessential fall dish. Its creamy texture and sweet, nutty flavor make it a comforting choice for chilly days. Add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth. 2. Beef Stew A hearty beef stew is perfect for fall. Slow-cooked with tender chunks of …