A New Year

Happy New Year 2011!  My debut novel will be approaching its first anniversary next month, and there's so much to look forward to in the days ahead. I'm most excited about starting Ebram's Story: Book 2! At last night's meeting of the Third Monday group, I was asked about its status. I have an outline of the story but delayed writing while juggling book signings and other demands on my time.

After much thought, I've decided the third book will be fantasy fiction influenced by a special book I recently read.

While home over the Christmas break, my seminarian son gave me a copy of The Wonder of Guadalupe, by Francis Johnston. This book drew me closer to the Blessed Virgin Mary and motivated me to list the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City as one of the places I'd most like to visit in my lifetime.

The Twelfth Day of Christmas!

Three years ago we started building our very own outdoor nativity set to display for the Christmas season.  In 2008, we constructed Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. In 2009 we added the angels, and just last year we made two sheep.

After today, we'll be taking down the Christmas tree and putting away all the holiday decorations, including the manger scene.  We look forward to adding the magi at the end of the year...