October Skies…monthly wrap-up and a CONTEST!!!
November 14, 2020
The month of October means we’re back to this….
So does that make the little cherry tomatoes desperately hanging on in the corner…freeze dried? HAHAHAHA
Anyway, October was a weird month. I read a lot, didn’t go anywhere (except for Denver Halloween weekend) since COVID is on the up rise in South Dakota. Mr. James does all the grocery shopping since he’s out to work anyway (and they have rigid protocols in place, they already have to wear masks, which is why they’ve been able to stay open throughout this entire pandemic). I was distracted too, since I’d been sitting on such a big secret with the 6 all new short stories written for the Cowboy Bites Cookbook that releases in February 🙂
WHAT I READ
I found this author, TJ Kingfisher, just by happenstance and read these connected books back to back to back to back. Very different world, interesting characters, unique take on religion and religious orders and the priests sworn to those orders, lots of swashbuckling type of fantasy action, some romance. Really enjoyed them all.
I started Nevernight, the first book in Jay Kristoff‘s series, probably a year ago. I could not get into it and kept coming back to it and having to reread what I’d already read. But this time I got past that magical 10% of the book AND COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN. It is an assassin’s book, where the main heroine is chosen for a religious order’s prestigious, secretive school to train and kill in the name of their god. I loved the twists and turns throughout the books. Since they are dystopian fantasy books, they are very long. They are also incredibly violent — lots and lots of deaths and vivid descriptions of those deaths, so if that’s not your thing, I’d look elsewhere, but it ultimately is about love in all its various forms. I enjoyed the series a lot. The covers are gorgeous too.
I’ve been looking forward to Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow, since I read her book Ten Thousand Doors of January.–which I hardcore loved. While I liked this new book, I didn’t love it. Although, I do appreciate that she wrote something completely different — I respect authors who don’t write the same damn book over and over and over and over…
Sarina Bowen CANNOT WRITE A BAD BOOK. As with everything this crazy talented lady writes, I loved Lies and Lullabies. I think I actually finished this the very end of September and full disclosure, this is the last romance I read. Not a single romance story has appealed to me since…that said, Sarina does have a new book out next week 🙂
WHAT I WATCHED
Okay, it’s gonna look like I watched a lot of TV, but a few of these shows were weekly, meaning I’ve been watching them for several months and opted to wait until the season was finished to share my thoughts on them.
Lovecraft Country, HBO — AN ASTOUNDING series. Brutal in the honesty about what being a black man/woman/kid meant in the 1950s and I HATE that it seems like not much has changed in the year 2020. Very sobering, and it just drives home the point to me, of how ugly and how long racial injustice has gone on in our country. This is not a political issue, but a HUMAN issue. The show was beautifully and stylistically shot. The acting was top notch…whew, can Jonathan Majors hit it out of the park with his rage and tears and when that man takes off his shirt? I swear I heard angels singing. The occult/sci-fi premise worked very well, in showing how the characters learned that monsters and the occult were real. It is VERY violent, and I had to cover my eyes a couple of times, but I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
Just Mercy, movie — I’ll admit I watched it because in the way back when I was still a mystery writer, I had that title chosen for my next Mercy Gunderson book. Alas, that didn’t happen. I love Jaime Foxx’s performances, and again, he did an amazing job portraying a man sentenced to death row for a crime he didn’t commit. Another eye-opening story of racial injustice that had me searching for more information on how this continues to happen. Loved this movie too.
Utopia, Amazon series — twisty story about a cult-like comic book character, and a “found” manuscript that details her further adventures…except…it is a true story and that killer teenaged cult heroine comes to life. It is different from what I expected and again, super super violent (in fact my son-in-law texted me and asked… YOU watched this? because I am notorious for hating anything horror related onscreen) Again, not for the faint of heart. I’ll definitely watch the second season when it comes out.
The Good Place, final season, Hulu — somehow I managed to avoid all spoilers as to how this funny, original series ended, and it didn’t disappoint (guest appearance by Timothy Olyphant? YES PLEASE) I’m really glad I took my daughter’s advice and watched this series.
The Vow, HBO limited documentary — I’ll be honest, the only reason I started watching this was because it came on after Lovecraft Country. It held my interest, but it could’ve been shortened into like 4 episodes. What I found interesting, is the entire time the people were in this cult…they didn’t think they were in a cult (sound familiar?) I guess the show has been renewed for a second season, and yeah, I’ll probably watch it too.
The Mandela Effect, movie, Netflix — too twisty for me to try and do justice to as far as alternate timelines, it was a bit slow (Mr. James fell asleep) but it was thought provoking. For more on what this effect means, jump to this link and then leave a comment, Mandela Effects
The Boys, Season 2, Amazon series — I watched the first season and LOVED it. I’m not a super-hero fan (except for Deadpool) and it made me smirk to think of what if all those so called super-heroes were super assholes behind the scenes? This season was good, twisty, again…SUPER violent, and I love me some Karl Urban, no one can utter such cutting things with as much feeling and in that accent…swoon. Also, I didn’t know the one of the main characters Hughie, played by Jack Quaid, is the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, cool huh? I’ll definitely watch season 3 because JENSEN ACKLES from Supernatural is joining the cast!
WHAT I CRAFTED
Kind of a slow month, because I figured out the nickel-plated needles I’m using are wreaking all kinds of havoc on my fingers since I’m allergic to nickel, but I did manage to finish this for myself. Part of me wondered if the kit contained the wrong beads, since the picture included didn’t show the center of the dandelion as pink but as a darker gray. I’m framing it and adding it to my 2020 pandemic posies collection 😝
WHAT CULINARY CONCOCTIONS I CREATED
Nothing fancy, besides standard day to day cooking. But ugh, not a good month for my jam making. First off, I had these lovely red grapes, that were supposed to be seedless, and in fact looked seedless…until the damn seeds started popping up after the grapes had cooked for a while. It threw me off because I’d made blueberry grape jam the month before with what I thought were the same type of grapes and it was glorious. And because I’m about being honest, here’s pics of the failed jam:
It tastes good, it’s just a little…crunchy. But because I’m also loathe to throw it out, I canned 5 little jars anyway and the only family member who said they’d eat it was my mom 😆😘
But that’s not all…I also had an EPIC failure with this date/bacon jam. I love the bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese appetizers, I mean I devour them whenever I come across them on a menu. I found a recipe for a jam that’s not meant to spread on toast but as a savory type of conserve added to burgers or a charcuterie board. I was so damn excited. I stunk up my house caramelizing 4 big yellow onions. I cooked half a pound a bacon, chopped it up, and boiled 15 dates to soften and create a date syrup. Added 3 cups of sugar and mixed it up, boiled it and it was supposed to be divine. WRONG. This is what I ended up with:
It was just weird, and when I refrigerated it, it got globs of bacon fat showing in spots in the jar. I still have dates kicking around so I might try another recipe…or maybe I’ll just make my own bacon wrapped goat cheese stuffed dates.
That’s it for me for October — sorry the post was delayed due to technical difficulties! As always, I’d LOVE to hear what you all did in the month of October!!
CONTEST — I was going to offer a mass market copy of SPUN OUT which released last Tuesday to some lucky random commenter, however, due to the backlog of printing issues my publisher is experiencing, I haven’t received my author copies yet! So instead, I’ll offer a code for the audio version of WANT YOU TO WANT ME, or a giftcard or a signed book. Just leave a comment and I’ll announce the winner next week.
As always, thanks for your support and stopping by the blog!
XOXOXO
L~
BONUS — check out this cute little stinker! Yes, her mama made her costume 💖💖💖💖💖
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bn100 said:
cute costume
Christiana Hernandez said:
I have wanted to try to make strawberry jam forever. Although I do applebutter every October when our apples are ready. Oh and I absolutely love your books!
Pamela said:
I can’t wait to read the cookbook! I also loved Sarina’s book. Loved the trilogy. I must read ten thousand doors.
Rose Trestka said:
I love the skunk costume. I miss when my boys were small and I would make any costume that they wanted. Those were the easy times. Little kids, little troubles. Love your writing, thank you.
Zoua said:
You are such knockout western romance writer!! Can’t wait for Cowboy Bites!!
Jennifer Shiflett said:
I love homemade jam. My mom used to make the best fig preserves when I was growing up, but it’s one thing I’ve never attempted.
Juli Hall said:
My brother has been raving about The Boys on prime, guess I’ll have to give it a try.
Dionne Dyer said:
I am glad you seem to have such a good reading and watching month and sorry your jam making didn’t go quite as expected, very excited about the new book coming soon and I wish I could offer advice but the closest I’ve ever come is bacon jam, no dates were involved. but I wish you good luck with the next try at a recipe.
Tambra Byrne said:
I’m super excited for the Cowboy Bites Cookbook. Hubby is off deer hunting, so I’m doing some fall/winter house cleaning and organizing.
I love bacon, but I’m not so sure about date/bacon jam.
Linda McCoy said:
I’m so happy your back to writing and being able to live your life. At least as much as COVID allows.
Karen Lauterwasser said:
Wow, you’ve been busy! I’ve had bacon jam (from Trader Joe’s). Not sure they carry it all the time. That version was sweet/tart in flavor (reminded me of the warm dressing used on wilted spinach salad). But it didn’t have noticeable bacon fat.
I’ve made bacon salted caramel brownies which were outstanding – great combination of flavors.
Renata said:
Can’t wait to read the short stories and recipes in cowboy bites. Also, I enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing your life.
Amy Levy said:
Too bad about the date jam, should have been yummy
Mary C said:
I binged As Time Goes By starring Judi Dench.
kc said:
Lorelei, since you’re allergic to nickel, I think you need to switch to the gold-plated needles. They’re really not that expensive and hey, you can stitch & not have your skin do whatever it was doing! I couldn’t find any links for gold-plated beading needles but John James Needles out of England makes theirs from steel wire. They are very slender, however! Most of the stitching companies do carry gold-plated needles and you should be able to check if they have gold-plated beading needles. I’ve used 123Stitch.com out of Utah for ordering stitching materials and they’ve been very helpful when I have questions. Hopefully, they can help. If you go with the John James needles; when they say “short” needle–it’s really short! Some folks like that, I prefer a longer beading needle…but they can snap if too much force is used.
My sister makes a lot of jams out of leftover things like wines, etc but she’s never tried bacon/date jam. And she’s a vegetarian so I doubt I’ll ask her to try! But I love the idea of such a combo on steak or burger! Good luck!
Nancy said:
I am so happy that you have a new book coming out! I always am so happy for your emails. I can read about what you are writing, cooking, and creating. It is very nice thatI get to know you as well as read what you write. Thanks for the great books!
Roxanne Farrington said:
I don’t do audio books. So I’d love anything else. Still only working two days a week but trying to keep up with our new kitten!
Janice Clark said:
Love all your books and looking forward to the February release. Dates are good just to eat too! Happy November!
Teresa Green said:
Looking forward to Cowboy Bites…with the snow, short daylight, and COVID can use something to look forward to getting.
Diane Amato said:
I’m excited for Cowboy Bites. I think I am going to ask for it for my birthday. October was a weird month for me as I got laid off the last week of September, I’m just getting used to being home but loving the opportunity to watch my granddaughter more often.
I joined a bunch of cooking and baking groups on Facebook and have a bunch of new recipes that I want to try for the holiday baking.
Mary Preston said:
October was a quiet month for me. I have done some Christmas shopping though. I like to start early. More enjoyment that way.
Laura Larocca said:
You do beautiful needlework.I do beaded jewelry and bead embroidery.I’m slowing down now cause I’ve got cataracts,but I’m having the surgery and I think I’ll try that beading you do once I’m better.Love your books and can’t wait for the next new one.
Jacey said:
My siblings and I took a much needed vacation from cold weather MN to Sanibel Island, Florida for our dad’s 80th birthday. It was so awesome and amazing!! I believe we were all able to recharge with COVID going on!
I love seeing what other authors you recommend since I don’t always choose very good ones when I’m done reading your newest book and waiting for the next one. 😉
You’re daughter is so talented creating the skunk…love it!
Dar said:
I love your monthly wrap ups!
Joanne B said:
Adorable costume!
Glad you had the free time to read and catch up with some shows. Sorry about the cooking fails. Better luck next time.
Amanda Ralls said:
I love your monthly wrap up email. Thank you
Stacy G said:
I’m going to have to check out some of the shows you mentioned. I do watch The Boys and absolutely love it. Definitely not what I thought it would be.
Jenny Black said:
Cute costume!
I tried watching The Boys, for Karl Urban of course (I’ve loved him since the days of Xena and Hercules), but I really struggled with it. I may need to try again.
I’m still working on a winter cardinal cross stitch.
Rita Wray said:
Love the little stinker costume. lol
STACEY WHITE said:
Looking forward to the new book! A nice escape from the COVID stuff.
M. Jane Epstein said:
Best tail I have ever seen on a costume.
She did a great job.
Sorry about your jams. I have never tried to make jam. That’s what Welch’s is for.
Tracy Urschler said:
Great work on the costume! That should make up for the date jam 🙂
Jayme Maresh said:
Thanks for the chance
Lynne Lee said:
I am looking forward to the new book. I finally got to decorate for Halloween it has been years since the last time I decorated but I was so sad because of COVID there wasn’t any one trick or treating in my subdivision. The costume your daughter made was adorable. My mother use to make homemade jellies and jams before she passed away. Unfortunately I don’t have that talent.
Debbie Watson said:
Absolutely loved Spun Out! Thank you for the chance
Kristie Galindo said:
My grandma always made different types of jams and jellies but I haven’t been brave enough. :). The skunk costume is adorable.
Elizabeth Sullivan said:
Wow you’ve been busy! That is an adorable costume! I am very excited for Cowboy Bites!
Debbie L. said:
I love your eclectic reading choices and the embroidery needs framing.
Stay safe and well x
Patty Harrison said:
Such a variety of shows and books during October.
You have snow and we have tornado watches in Missouri. I think I might prefer the snow. 🙂
Haly said:
So many crochet projects during quarantine! I did my best to keep my hands busy and my mind occupied. Instead of my Friday movie night with my girls, we stream together while texting. Not near as fun as wine and snacks and gossip and 90’s romcoms, but it’s the best we can do now and it’s a tradition we refuse to give up!
Amy Levy said:
Ccv c dd
Lisa Seiters said:
I love the Rough Riders series along with the rest!
Virginia Campbell said:
Cutest little skunklet ever! Oh, the cooking, the jammed-up jams–the angst–could be a book right there! Would love to win a signed print book : )
Monica Lemmers said:
I love when you post what you watched. I have been so disappointed in television lately. Now I have a few things to look into. Thanks!
Anne Wright said:
I’ll never forget my mom making tomato jam. Interesting. I loved her cherry jam, from our own trees, but it was rather runny.
I also love Sarina Bowen’s books. Loverboy is everything! You will love it!
Sonya said:
Loved the blog!! I always enjoy your books!! Would love the audio version of the new book. Love the little stinker too!!!
Angel Hollmeyer Crum said:
I love date bars, now I am going to have to find the recipe because after reading your blog post, I want some.
October was blah here, just work and work!
Happy Novemeber!!
PEGGY HENRY said:
Love the chance. It’s still sunny and in the 80’s here in the Houston area. Hope your tomatoes survived.
Shannon Taylor said:
I miss you my friend 🙁
Lacey Waters said:
I’ve had my own food experiences since quarantine lol. At least I’m not bored!
AnnaMarie Melchiorre said:
Already ordered the short stories. I can’t wait. I feel terrible reading your jam stories. I know they take a lot of time.
AnnaMarie Melchiorre said:
Already ordered the short stories. I can’t wait. I feel terrible reading your jam stories. I know they take a lot of time. I tried jam a few times. I thought it was hard.
Sandra Marlow said:
Hi, Laura lie!
Be sure to finish the other two books in the Hush Note series by Devney Perry Rebecca Yarros. It’s a terrific trilogy! It was my first time reading Sarina Bowen, and I will be hunting down more of her books.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Sandra Marlow said:
Oops, Sorry, I was dictating my comment and I forgot to correct the way it spit your name out! Fix it for me if you can. LOL
Sandy
Rolanda Tovey said:
I have a lovely bacon jam that is so good on brie but I didn’t make it. Store bought but so good. I make a lot of jam but has to be sugar-free for me. I am going to pre-order the cook book. 🙂
Caroline said:
That’s the cutest little stinker I’ve seen in a long time!
Anne Stevens said:
Always love reading your blog. Especially love Mondays haha. Thanks for the awesome book and show/movie reviews!
Michelle said:
Can’t wait for the Cowboy Bites Cookbook! 😆
Joy Avery said:
Really looking forward to the cookbook!
Kathleen Bylsma said:
Sorry to hear about the nickel allergy…just like my sister… 🙁 but your cross stitch is lovely.
I’m with you: loathe to waste and besides, it tastes good plus you get a bit of fiber 🙂
Even though your cherry tomatoes paid the price, better snow than all the fires you were having!
A print book for me, failing that, a gift card, thanks…
Thea Alvarez said:
For weeks my Dave kept saying “babe you need to watch these shows with me, you’ll LOVE them”, me with my nose always in a book or dealing with household stuff and our dogs and cats, or dealing with our grown up kids who live on their own, I usually say no, but I caved and binged watched Lovecraft Country and both seasons of The Boys and man was I hooked. Loved Loved Loved both. Dave had a smug ass grin on his face, I have to admit I’m glad he hounded me, and I’m so looking forward to season 3 of The Boys. Looking forward to Cowboy Bites. Thanks Lorelei, Happy Holidays..
Lisa said:
Your cooking adventures made me laugh because that is what usually happens to me when I try something new and different. Really enjoyed reading this post. My first time!
Gladys Paradowski said:
Looking forward to sharing Thanksgiving with family, but dreading shopping for Christmas.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Julie Schopp said:
Love love the needlework! Plz show all your pandemic work together! Cannot wait for the new release either. I have a killer Christmas Jam recipe (strawberries & cranberries & a ton of sugar lol) that’s literally fool proof! I promise 🙂
Latifa Morrisette said:
I’m so excited for the cookbook. I love collecting them.
Lesley Lindsey said:
Ok – I watched The Vow and I was hooked. I even watched Seduced, the short series Starz did which was India Oxenburg’s side of the story. I am baffled by your comment that The Vow will have a season 2 – what the heck is left to talk about? Meanwhile, super excited for Cowboy Bites!!!
Bobbie Sue Kearse said:
I can’t wait for February. I’ve been doing the rough rider books on audio and I have to say IF and that only IF you are wondering I’d really love to know west brothers and the doctors book. She always seems so sad in the books. I want her to be happy
Gloria Nelson said:
Love your granddaughters costume. Your daughter is very talented.
Erin Dixon said:
I always love reading your newsletters!! Thanks for all you do!🥰
Lisa Rounsley said:
Thanks for the wonderful suggestions.
Lisa Rice said:
Loved all your books and the skunk costume is adorable. Can’t wait to read your new book in February and to try out the recipes. Reading and cooking-love it. I listen to books via Bluetooth while I cook. Especially since my kitchen TV DVD player got stuck!
Limecello said:
That costume is so cute!!! And it sounds like you did a lot in October!
I’ve had a lot of trouble reading lately – haven’t read anything in like a month and a half really :X Lies and Lullabies is on my list – I need to review it/owe a review :X
I can’t focus on watching much, but I did manage to catch most of the newest season of Archer, and I’m glad it’s back to being how it was the first few seasons.
I’ve been listening to a lot of audiobooks though, so there is that. And listening to the same ones over and over 😛
Hope said:
I love seeing others’ food failures. Makes me feel less alone.
Can’t wait for Cowboy Bites!
Tristi Palmer said:
Ahhh that costume though!! It’s so cute. Thanks for being so amazing and providing us all with amazing content all the time. P.S. My 10 month old daughters name is my favorite authors. Her name always stuck with me as a favorite. Lorelei Elizabeth Alannah Palmer.
Anne Fortunato said:
In my younger years I made jelly and jams all summer long. It was my Mother-in-law’s favorite gift.
That’s a GREAT costume!!!
Amy Perrault said:
Love the adorable skunk costume photo. My daughter grew up with homemade costumes with how our weather can be snow or cold on Halloween. I love reading your newsletters. I’m doing diamond art crafts & one is my family.
Joyce Mull said:
Lots of beading and knitting getting ready for Christmas presents. Love audio books so I can do two things at once. 😊
flchen1 said:
That’s amazing–I haven’t tried making jams yet, but love eating them, LOL! I just heard about Kingfisher, and have a couple on the TBR to try… Can’t wait for Cowboy Bites!
Moran said:
The costume is so cute!
I watched the last season of The Good Place as soon as it came out and I have to be honest that I enjoyed the first 2 seasons more than the last 2.
I love Sarina Bowen’s books so much, the all Hush Note series was amazing ( the other 2 books are by different authors)
I already pre ordered 2 of her next books.
Nancy Alexander said:
That little Stinker costume is so cute. My mother used to make all kinds of jelly, jams & preserves since we had are own garden. I sure miss that. I don’t know where she ever found the time
Elisa said:
Cute little skunk! 🙂
October for me was more cleaning up in the gardens (vegetable/fruit and flower). I also tried making some red pepper jam to use as gifts for Christmas. First batch – not so great. 2nd batch – turned out much better after I made some adjustments!
I started to watch a documentary series called Enslaved. It uncovers information about the many slaves captured in Africa and brought to the ‘New World’, some 400 years ago. Samuel L Jackson was a driving force behind the series being filmed. I’ve watched 3 episodes so far, and each one has made me cry. The inhumanity!
On a lighter note, I’m glad that the regular TV season has started. My go-to shows: Young Sheldon, and NCIS (original, New Orleans and Los Angeles). I really miss Madame Secretary!
Jen Hickle said:
The first time ever, I did some canning this year and went ALL OUT. I canned plain tomato sauce, tomato sauce with peppers and onions, green beans—all from my garden—and STRAWBERRY JAM. Everything I canned turned out great and I am so pleased with it that I definitely plan on canning again next year.
I love reading your books. I am an avid reader and read an average of 4 books a week. My husband has his fishing and I have my books – LOL.
Janice Moore said:
Yes the costume is so stinking cute, ha ha couldnt resist. It really is such a cute costume.
Love your books.
Clare said:
Wow, that cross stitch looks so good, I tried it once but failed lol and I watched the boys and really liked it.
Marina Marinova said:
I love your blog posts. They are always so much fun to read. Thank you for the chance ❤❤❤
Rebecca said:
A new book!!!! So excited. My daughter asked me what other authors books I buy….. I couldn’t answer her. Lol She says are you going to tell me. I said I can’t, there’s only one LJ! I just love her. She wanted to buy me a new book for Christmas but because I only buy your books and I have every one she was speechless. Now she can get me this for a late Vday gift! February can’t come soon enough. Thank you for another book I already know it’s going to be worth the wait.
Ginger Connatser said:
Cowboy Bites looks interesting.
Toni Whitmire said:
I can’t wait to read Cowboy bites.
Dorothy said:
What a cute costume. When my niece was little, her mom used to make her costumes ever year. Her mom had never sewn before making her first costume and enjoyed learning from my mom.
Karen Hrdlicka said:
I’ve made a lot of jams and jellies, always disappointing when they don’t turn out as planned. My favorite is chokecherry but it’s touchy, half the time I end up with syrup, which is fine because it’s great on pancakes. Maybe next time run the grapes through a cone sieve with a pestle and the seeds will be sorted out. Good luck.
Sheila Renner said:
I can’t wait till February for the new cookbook. I still make the lemon 🍋 bars and lemon pound cake 🍰 from the earlier ones. South Dakota has really seen some crazy weather. In 24 hours time East River had Horrible wind, rain 🌧, sleet, snow ❄️, and sunshine ☀️. Have a Great Sunday!!
Valina Rackley said:
Hey Miss Lorelei James..
I spent some time in prison a couple years ago and a friend of mine in there got me turned onto your cowboy series. My, how my time flew by. Lol. I have been out some time now and getting my life turned around. I would love to have any one of your books signed. Would be so amazing. I currently live in Central City, Kentucky. I was born a Yankee but by the grace of God a southern girl.. I look forward to your new book coming out in February.. Cowboy Bites. I’m excited.
Thank you for reading my post. I don’t do these at all to often.
@– Valina –%—
Heather Scully said:
I love the fact that you just never give up, even with some fails under your belt. Because the thing is. And there’s really two things here. Cooking and baking, they’re not just a craft. They’re a science. It’s all about trial and error. Because no matter where you are in this great wide world. No recipe is ever going to turn out the same. Ingredients differ. Environments differ. People differ. And you know what? That’s all totally okay. Don’t make it solely about the result. Make it about the process. Because the second thing is.. if you never fail, you can never succeed. Failures are just lessons to learn from. If you keep those things in mind and learn to tweak things as you go, eventually you’ll get the hang of whatever you want to learn how to do. Getting discouraged is a human thing, so let it happen. Then pick yourself back up and try again.
As to Jensen joining the boys.. I am really having a hard time letting my SPN family go. And I would love to watch him take up the twisted super hero uniform, I think he’ll do the character incredible justice.. but, as much as I love SPN, some of the scenes were a bit too much for me (insert inner voice laughing because I write so much gorier scenes without blinking lol). I’ll hopefully catch some clips as the show releases, and see if I can watch then. Either way, he’s born for the role. Just like he was born to be our favourite protective broody Winchester.. lol
Judy Cohen said:
I love the costume your granddaughter is wearing. I have no sewing skills, so my kids always wore store-bought costumes. I used to like needlepoint, but I’ve gotten away from it. I filled out a form recently that asked what my hobbies were. I wrote “reading” and realized there aren’t many others that I enjoy. Guess I’m getting old and cranky. LOL.
Love your books. I would love a signed copy of anything.
pat said:
Skunk outfit sooo cute!
As for jam…jam and I must not having aligning karma, mine has never turned out right. And I loooove jam 🙁
Lisa Kendall said:
What cute little skunk. I like the Boys but I didn’t realize Hughie was a Meg Ryan/Dennis Quaid project. Cool fact. Thanks!
Julia said:
The book recommendations are great. Very intrigued by the Kingfisher series and also a fan of Sarina Bowen. May have to get HBO to check on Lovecraft Country.
Tiss Johnson said:
What did I do in October? Well, gathered cattle, worked calves. Don’t remember much. Crocheted some. Canceled my November craft shows because Covid is ramping up here. I only canned pickles this year. My garden got hailed out in July. I bought the cucumbers. Not much.
edmira vojka said:
I love your books, they are amazing. Thank you for this chance. 🤩
Victoria Weston said:
Awesome. Thanks so much. Keep Safe 💛
Kim Burson said:
I can’t wait for the Cowboy Bites book. I’ve finished all your books that I bought within 2 days. I usually can’t put them down. We all have cooking failures my son still reminds me of a few of them. Grandchildren make the world a better place. My newest one was a kitty cat.
Shannon G said:
Thanks for sharing your jam failure. I think all of mine would look about like that and worse if I had pictures to share. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Amber Cummings said:
Thank you for the chance in your giveaway! ☺️ I hope you all are staying safe.
Melissa said:
Thanks for the book suggestions! I’ve been trying to find some new reads.
Pamela Gomes said:
Don’t envy you the snow, but we’ve had frost here and out went the last of the tomatoes and peppers. Found a winery in Ca. that has a line of James Gang wines and they’re yummy. Would love to send you one…
Bettie Lou Norman said:
Can’t wait for the cook book. Haven’t had much time to read. I’ve been taking care of the two granddaughters (ages 1 and 4 years) since 29 October. Covid is starting to ramp up here in NC.
Happy Thanksgiving y’all
Melisha Bonnette said:
I’ve been in a reading funk so I’ve been listening to a lot of music and watching stuff I added to my Netflix queue forever ago. I binged Supergirl and The Crown most recently.