fave things + new stuff

I blinked hard the other day when I saw the calendar. How was it only January 11? It felt like February 20. I'm not built for so much stuff happening at once, my mind cannot process it. Obviously when the world gets crazy, it makes sense to hunker down occasionally and re-calibrate so the stress levels don't go totally bonkers. For me that means writing a new book, and readers, I AM OBSESSED with this project. I'm closing in on 48,000 words this week (which means nothing to people who aren't writers, so in pages, double-spaced that's close to 180). It pains me to close my laptop at the end of the day and come up for air, but there you have it.

I'm waist-deep in writing a rom-com because during dark times I need to escape into light content, and the research has been an absolute blast. My inspiration includes (but is not limited to): my trip 2 summers ago to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood, this NPR story about the Old Fiddler's Convention, a real place called Taylor Hollow and Larkspur Conservation, prairie restoration, and Benson Boone. I'm writing the story in alternating POV, close 3rd person. The story came fully formed into my brain one afternoon while hiking. The big plot twist, full reversal of character arc, midpoint game-changer, baggage for characters, settings, all of it, including the names of my MCs: Crow Lucas and Honey Maybelline Reneau. I mean, COME ON!

Are you intrigued?

And I'm gearing up for the release of Nun the Wiser Mystery #3: A Fatal Habit. If you somehow missed me shouting about the Goodreads Giveaway, do sign up and tell your friends! The month ahead are chock-full of online activity as I'll make the rounds on various Facebook reader groups, blogs, etc. Book 3 takes Bernie and AJ on a wild ride at a comic con event where Bernie's bestie goes missing. I enjoyed showcasing AJ in his world for a change, and of course bringing Sister B out of her element makes for a great story, too.

Astonishing progress happened last weekend as I knuckled down to tidy 2 of my bookshelves and I wound up cleaning 19 before puttering out. One wall of my library is bookshelves, so I have 7 left to tidy which exceeded my goals for the month. This also resulted in 8 boxes and bags of books I plan to unload next week. Steady on, right? I also made decent progress on the TBR pile. If you want to know what I'm reading, that info's a regular feature in my monthly newsletter.

January means planning events for the year, which conferences I'll attend and trips I'll take. Getting those on the calendar makes me happy.

Other stuff adding to my JOY this month includes:

finally trying Tomaso's, the new pizza place downtown (it was good!)

discovering Little Known Art House (next to the pizza place)

The Great British Baking Show (we have one episode from last season left--was anyone else gutted by the last person sent home? I was rooting for them SO HARD)

Emily in Paris--I mean, it's SO bad, over the top and obnoxious, but it's PRETTY to look at

those 5th and 6th grade girls at church on Tuesday nights, they have great energy and optimism and remind me faith doesn't need to be complicated, it's enough to remember how God LOVES us

this neighbor plowing our super-long driveway whenever it snows:

finding the PERFECT giveaway swag for Nun the Wiser Mystery # 4!

Cheetos. I have a huge weakness for them. Crunchy, cheesy, salty, so unhealthy but so delicious.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream. Still the best.

putting away the Christmas decorations and relishing that sense of extra space

gorgeous new stationery from a friend

constant, wild activity at our bird feeders always providing a show out our back window

Spill it, reader. What's new? What's bringing you JOY? (We need to spread that around, as much as we voice our discontent to our elected reps and lift our collective voices to advocate for what is right, to advocate for the powerless and disenfranchised, to advocate for justice.)