I put up my Christmas tree. Not one decoration on it, but the tree is up. It’s a new one, so it was easier to put it up now rather than stow it and fetch it later when the mood struck. ‘Cause I’m thinking the mood ain’t gonna strike real hard.

Now, I bought this skinny tree so I wouldn’t have to move furniture around. The tree fit perfectly where I wanted it to go at the end of the hearth, in front of the French doors. (Should that be door, since the tree is in front of just one of them?)

However the branches snagged on the curtain and I worried the heat from the lights could start a fire. This is the curtain I’ve meant to take down and replace with vertical blinds forever. Yes, I have the blinds.

I haven’t done it before now because. Because is a perfectly good reason. 🙂

*big sigh*

Now I have a better reason. So I took down the curtain and put up the vertical blinds. And it wasn’t a big job at all.

Hauling the big honking wreath up from the basement and hanging it outside was a job. Every year I ask myself why did I make such a huge grapevine wreath. (We’re talking 4.5′ circumference.)

I’m not much over 5’ so this is a challenge. Yes, vertical challenage and go on and laugh.

Anyway after the wreath is up and I test the lights, I know why I made it this size. It’s perfect at the end of the porch facing the street. And my mom just loved it, so with her affirmation it’s always a go.

Remind my back of this in the morning. 😮

I will admit I could be an all out decorate to the nines at the holidays. I slam on the brakes with it. Do you?

My Kensington editor sent me the back cover copy on A Cowboy Christmas. 🙂

Closer than brothers, bonded forever after growing up in an orphanage, three best friends set out to become cowboys, not knowing destiny will also make them heroes. But one fatal betrayal divides them, and now each man must face the West alone. Reid Barclay’s story is the first in Janette Kenny’s dazzling new trio of historical Western romances…

A COWBOY CHRISTMAS

Reid Barclay has never celebrated Christmas—but this year, the rugged cowboy is going to change that, even though there’s trouble brewing at the Crown Seven Ranch. What with a herd of prize thoroughbreds to protect and a long-ago wrong that he wants to make right in time for the holidays, Reid’s in deep, but he’s not the type to give up. Or become distracted. Which is why he fights so hard to resist the beautiful cook who’s taken over the ranch kitchen. Not that Miss Ellie Jo Cade can cook—why, she burns everything from gingerbread to roast beef. But her sweet face and sensual womanliness are pure temptation…

Cornhusk angels…bright berry garlands…spun-sugar snow—everything about Christmas holds fond memories for Ellie Jo. A twist of fate gave her the chance to spend the holidays with her pa at the Crown Seven for what may be the last time and she’s doing her best to make peace with an ornery wood-burning stove and make the old ranch house truly festive. Reid and her father don’t see eye to eye, though, and she doesn’t know who to trust. Yet Ellie Jo’s heart tells her to believe in Reid…and the only-at-Christmas magic that heals lonely hearts…

It finally happened.

The weather was nice yesterday, so to take a break from writing, Sam and I went for a two mile walk. Probably because we hadn’t walked in a week, Sam was more boisterous than usual.

I should explain here that Sam is my 60 lb dog. He turned one year old mid September, and he’s all rough-house playful boy except for one tinsey thing – he squats to pee.

Some dogs just take longer to mature. At least that’s what I’ve read. Karin Tabke made the remark that Sam might have a gender issue. Funny girl.

Well, on the walk back yesterday, Sam stopped at the lightpole, hiked his leg and took a whiz on the city.

I was so proud of him. 🙂

So a milestone for my boy.

I was surprised that Amazon Canada has listed Pirate Tycoon, Forbidden Baby, my debut Modern Romance already. No image, but my first hardback is available for preorder from Canada. Cool, if you live in Canada.

Sometimes it’s the small surprises that make my day. 🙂

I submitted my second Modern/Presents to my Harlequin editor yesterday. It felt so good to have another novel off to a publisher!

Now it’s time to cowboy up and write the first book in my historical trilogy for Kensington. Now, some of you may remember that this was Reid’s story which I’d called One Real Hero.

Fact of life: editors change titles all the time.

So Reid’s story is now Christmas Cowboy. I am thrilled to have a Christmas slot. But the story I’d written no longer works for so many reasons, so it’s a total rewrite and it’s due Jan 3. 😯

To those who entered my contests, hang with me. I’ll pick a winner for Her One Desire soon. And I’ll pick a namesake winner for Reid’s story also.