Highlights of 2024

 It often seems like we only show the highlights on social media. 

The lows were pretty low this year and I haven't talked about them on this blog because they really involve other people. I had to start taking anxiety medicine because all the chaos in the first part of this year. Someone pointed out that I wasn't do well and I accepted the help.

Some pictures of the highlights

visiting my favorite college student at GCU but more importantly hanging out with my best friend

Entered the Recycled Art Show

heading to Beth and Micah's Wedding

spending every day until the wedding in my best friends garden

officiating this wedding

Def Leppard in Denver

my Dad's 80TH birthday

Sharon McMahon Book Tour

The Small and the Mighty

Meow Woof -- Santa Fe

My husband retired

Books Read this Year 2024

 I actually thought I had read less books this year. (I read 17 in 2023)

Books by the Number -19 total

Fiction - 10

Nonfiction - 9

January

Fever in the Heartland - review

Trail of the Lost

February

Necessary Lies

Mrs Kennedy and Me

The Personal Librarian

March

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

April

Jimmy Blue Feather

May 

Bones of the Master

June

Class

The Women by Kirsten Hannah

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

July

China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande

September

A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe

October

The Small and The Mighty by Sharon McMahon

November

Reconnected by Carlos Whittaker

December 

James by Percival Everett 

End of The Year Roll

How you survived your Christmas and about ready to Ring in the New Year! Scarlett is ready.

Linky Love

Unconventional Packing Tips

Book Clubs, Book Bars and Book Tok

Flower Letters - I got this as a gift from my Best Friend. I can't wait to receive all the letters. So original and cool

Deep Thoughts

Christmas Words

 

December Happenings - Cookie Stockpile Shortage

 I am well known to have a cookie stockpile in my freezer normally at all times. I like to be prepared for a cookie emergency. However, there wasn't a single frozen cookie cooked or raw frozen in my freezer this month. This was a real emergency according to my family. I even tried to convince them we should have a family cookie exchange. I only had one taker, and my husband had the audacity to say he would bring Oreos. I don't know what is wrong with my family.

I spent the last week trying to remedy that problem. Below are some of the new recipes I tried

Chocolate Snowflake Cookies - Lakeside table recipe from Lakeside Table. I ended up making a second batch because first disappeared. This recipe used cocoa instead of semi sweet baking chocolate. 

I made a double batch of Andes Mint cookies this is Becky Higgins Recipe. This was easy and very good.

I also made a double batch of my World's Best Cookies - Chocolate Chip/Butterscotch.

My son made ugly cowboy cookies - Recipe Cider Press Lane

My husband did come through with 2 loaves of snickerdoodle bread with cinnamon chips

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BAKE COOKIES!

except if you don't have the ingredients 

Before Christmas Linky Love

 

Book Tree at Local Library

Are you ready for Christmas? My short answer is I don't know.

Linky Love

Scientist Developed a Questionnaire to decide if your Cat is a Psychopath

Royal Christmas Cards from Around the World - Do you send cards? I usually don't do many Christmas cards.   I am a Valentine Card person. Another question is do you hold onto Christmas photo cards? I know if I received one from the royal family I would.

Viral Box Photos DIY for Instagram and TikTok Has anyone tried this 

Our Family Tree

Inappropriate Thoughts

My husband had the audacity to ask me if I have started my Valentine Cards.  Does he even know me? Short answer is YES!   Not the most complicated design but sourcing materials has been challenging.

Tree in the Oasis

Deep Thoughts

I hope you find calm in the season. It is too easy to fall in the trap of consumption, overdoing, and comparison.  May your season be perfect for you and your family. 

Chuck's Fish Tree

Wordy Wednesday

 A map is really just permission to get lost.

Percival Everett

Percival Everett said this during our book club discussion with him. I like it.  Percival Everett wrote the book " James".