One Sweet Christmas in July

On this last day in July, I'm celebrating Christmas in July. 

Before you head to the beach this weekend, grab your e-Reader and download a copy of One Sweet Christmas from Amazon for only $2.99!

Then cool off in the shade of the umbrella with this holiday themed romance, where you'll find Santa and plenty of chocolate.

"He wants a divorce. She needs a Santa."

"Some Christmas miracles come wrapped in red suits and seconds chances."

https://www.amazon.ca/One-Sweet-Christmas-Redford-Falls-ebook/dp/B0F8RC2YSF

https://www.amazon.com/One-Sweet-Christmas-Redford-Falls-ebook/dp/B0F8RC2YSF

Red Panda Family

I designed this Red Panda family graphic a few weeks ago. They are discovering the magic within a book. I remember when my daughter was little and I would read her a story every day. Reading together makes special memories that last a life time.

Under Construction

You may notice a few changes on my blog. Some labels might be missing and a couple of new ones have been added. Over the next several days, I'll be revamping my blog. I'm placing my book labels in one section, as well as my art - which will only be visible on this blog as I am closing down my art blog. I'm currently posting my art designs in two spots, which takes time and I'm just duplicating the information. I have to move key elements from my art blog over here. I'm also adding a new blog feature. Fingers crossed that construction will be completed soon. Until then, regular week day posts will still continue.

Dee's Deliberations #2

"My hobbies include overthinking and pretending I'm not overthinking."

Today, Dee is surrounded by blue sky and hydrangea...and she's overthinking while pretending not to overthink. But can you pretend to 'not' overthink? I think...no pun intended...there's no way to not overthink, at least that's how my mind works. I tend to overthink most of the time. I'm a planner and organizer (maybe even a bit OCD with the organization). Sometimes overthinking is necessary, and I think that's okay.

Monday Moments - Monday Is a Fresh Page

A Monday Moment from Still Moments Magazine

Monday Is a Fresh Page

There’s something quietly powerful about a Monday morning. Not because it demands anything from us, but because it offers something. A beginning. A blank space. A fresh page waiting for the first mark.

We often treat Mondays like a hurdle, but what if we saw them as a canvas instead? Not a test of productivity, not a race to catch up, but a gentle invitation to start again. You don’t need to fill the whole page today. You don’t need to write a masterpiece. You just need one honest stroke. One choice. One moment. One small action that feels true to who you are becoming.

Maybe it’s taking a breath before you open your inbox. Maybe it’s choosing kindness in a conversation that could go either way. Maybe it’s giving yourself permission to move a little slower or dream a little bigger. Fresh pages don’t ask for perfection. They ask for presence.

Take a small moment as you step into this Monday to consider what you want your first mark to be. A word. A feeling. A tiny intention. Let it be simple. Let it be yours. And let it be enough to begin.

On Vacation

In case you’re wondering why I haven’t posted in the past few days, I’m on an impromptu vacation this week. We only planned to take a couple of days, but we got deep into a few home renovation projects, so my husband decided we should just take the full week. I’ll return to the office on Monday. Until then, this is me, dreaming of being at the beach instead of painting and moving furniture.

 

Summer Bloom

My garden is in full bloom! The perennials are thriving.

In the front yard, under our tree post, we have several flowers that have awaken after a long winter and chilly spring. The bleeding hearts arrived before the rest and are still in flower. They look delicate, but are extremely hardy. There are also Sweet William (Dynasty Orchid), and a few other varieties that I can't remember their names...but I'll remember as soon as I publish this post, lol.

In our side yard, we have several barrels and planters. We have two varieties of Hydrangea that we bought this year. Also new to the yard are two Kirigami (Aquilegia) that are stunning with blue and purple flowers, and another in hues of pink. They were in planters, but we recently moved them to the front flower bed, where they are thriving again.

Not pictured are two containers filled with miniature red roses. I'm keeping a close eye on those as sometimes aphids like to destroy roses.

But my favorite flower on the whole property is the lily...and I have a barrel full! Last year, I got a few blooms. I don't think they liked where they were planted, and the earwigs hid inside the buds. So, in the fall, I put all the buds into one barrel and stored them in the shed until the following spring. After the previous year's disappointment, I didn't have high expectations. BUT...thirty bulbs sprouted! Several Enchantment Lilies, a couple of Pollyanna, and many Stargazers. I'm thrilled that so many survived last year's disaster. 

This is what I love most about summer...the flowers in bloom. They brighten a yard and your mood. "For those whose soul is a garden, smelling flowers is the most beautiful way to breathe."

Bookstore Adventure

On Sunday, my daughter and I went on a adventure to a new bookstore. We'd heard about Fluffy Cat Books, but hadn't stopped in. I'm so glad we did! What a charming bookstore.

Filled with mostly used books, but all in such great condition they look new. Each shelf has a different theme from fantasy, romance, YA, children's books, biographies and so much more.

My daughter picked up the first two fantasy books in a series by Hannah Witten. I grabbed The Bright Spot by Jill Shalvis. I haven't read any of her books before but the back cover blurb sounded interesting with some drama mixed with romance. However, once I got home and browsed the first couple of pages, I discovered this is book five in the Sunrise Cove series. It states the books can be read in any order, but I'm a reader that likes to start a series at the beginning. I think I might have picked up the first book and put it back on the shelf (slaps hand to forehead). So, book five has been put on my shelf until I find the first four...which means another trip to a bookstore. :-)

Dee's Deliberations #1

I'm having fun with my alter-persona as I combine my love of art with a hint of humor and sarcasm.

It's summer time and Dee is chilling in a tropical garden at the beach. She also has a little advice for those of us who might be struggling with the aging process. But as Dee said, we're not old...we're just too fabulous for one decade. :-)

Monday Moments - The Magic in the Middle

A Monday Moment from Still Moments Magazine

The Magic in the Middle

If Mondays had a personality, they’d be that overly enthusiastic friend who shows up early with a to-do list, a smoothie, and big plans. But the real magic of Monday isn’t in the grand plans or the color coded calendar.

It’s in the goofy little moments hiding between them.

The mid morning spark when your brain finally clocks in.

The discovery of a pen that actually works.

The laugh you didn’t expect.

The idea that pops up out of nowhere.

The tiny victory that reminds you you’re doing better than you think.

That’s where the fun hides. That’s where the week begins to sparkle.

Take a small moment to celebrate the middle—the messy, funny, ordinary bits. That’s where Monday stops being a menace and starts nudging your week in the right direction.

Christmas in July

Celebrating Christmas in July with One Sweet Christmas!

In Redford Falls love just isn't a Christmas story, it's a Christmas miracle. And some of those miracles come wrapped in red suits and second chances.

https://www.amazon.com/One-Sweet-Christmas-Redford-Falls-ebook/dp/B0F8RC2YSF
YouTube Teaser: https://youtu.be/N-Ikjv_Zd5s
YouTube Trailer: https://youtu.be/iDv1zPhAuTQ

Beach Sign

I designed this beach scene last night. I wanted to create something fun and this is where my art muse led me. A tranquil beach scene with a sign that isn't sure which direction is the best one...or the worst one, lol.

Which path would you take? :-)

Art logo included for copyright purposes.

Saturdays - Sneak Peek 3

My last Saturdays update was in May, so I'm overdue with sharing another sneak peek.

"Sometimes family finds its was back."

This is a fun teaser with photographs, memories, flowers, and hearts. The cute squirrel peaking from a tree isn't story related. He's just interested in what's going on with the story, too! :-) 

This is one of the longer books I've written. My word count goal is to reach 50k. I'm slowly reaching the end with 10k remaining. I have an idea where I want the story to end, but I don't know how many secrets I want to reveal in this particular book. I guess the characters will lead me in the right direction.

Welcome to Dee's Deliberations

Say hello to Dee. She’s my alter persona. A woman who’s collected enough life experience to be wise, enough attitude to be interesting, and enough humor to keep you coming back for more.

Dee carries ageless wisdom like it’s tucked in her back pocket. She’s lived and learned. According to her, “She’s not old, she’s seasoned.” And honestly, she’s right. She’s where experience meets attitude. She's seasoned and spicy with opinions shaped by a life well lived and a spirit that refuses to slow down. Dee doesn’t preach - she nudges. She doesn’t scold - she smirks. She doesn’t lecture - she delivers one liners sharp enough to make you think and warm enough to make you smile.

Her personality? Bold, but charming. Humorous, but grounded. Clever, but never condescending. Always real, always Dee. In her world, age is just a number. So, when Dee speaks, expect short, punchy one liners that land with flair, reflections with a twist you didn’t see coming, sassy denials of anything old, and confident reminders that she’s still got it.

Welcome to Dee’s Deliberations…where the seasoned woman finally gets the mic.

Join me weekly for Dee’s latest seasoned-to-perfection take on life.

Monday Moments - The Monday Morning Challenge

A Monday Moment from Still Moments Magazine

The Monday Morning Challenge 

Welcome to that weekly obstacle course none of us signed up for but somehow keep competing in.

Challenge One: The Bed Extraction. Your blanket weighs a metric ton, your pillow begs you to reconsider, and your alarm is aggressively optimistic about your abilities. 

Challenge Two: The Coffee Quest. You fumble through cupboards like a raccoon in a recycling bin, praying caffeine arrives before your brain starts sending error messages. 

Challenge Three: The Inbox Ambush. Overnight, your inbox has become a digital booby trap of urgent emails, mystery tasks, and at least one reply all that needs to be studied by scientists. 

Challenge Four: The Social Interaction Sprint. Someone chirps “good morning!” and you attempt a smile that looks medically concerning. 

Challenge Five: The Motivation Maze. Has your motivation fled? Is it hiding under a blanket in another dimension? You chase your motivation with coffee in hand, a smile on your face, and hope your motivation arrives before lunch. 

Take a small moment because despite the chaos and the emotional negotiations with the five challenges, you’re upright. You’re participating in society at a level that is, frankly, impressive for a Monday.

Mini-Vacation Wrap-Up

Our mini-vacation wrapped up yesterday. Even though the weather called called for showers most of those five days, we were lucky to get some sun and warmth. A couple of late day showers, but overall nice weather. On Saturday, my husband and I left the city and went for a drive to the valley. We left the clouds and a chance of rain behind and drove toward sunshine where it was hot and sunny in the valley. I took the above picture to send to my daughter to show her the blue sky. This stop was at one of my favourite farmer's markets.

I bought this succulent plant, called a Kalanchoe (Window'-Thrill). It loves light but not direct, and it also likes darkness. I think it will do well on this cabinet across from the window in the sitting room. I need to transplant it into a bigger pot this weekend.

My husband bought me the hummingbird trinket on the right. It's beautiful and sparkles when the light from the skylight hits it. I hung it on the plant stand with the other birds.

I should have taken more pictures during our drive to the valley as there were several new painted murals, but my phone was in my bag and I was busy enjoying the scenery and drive. I hope we get to go again before fall, and maybe I'll remember to take more photos.

My husband resurfaced our driveway, so on that day, I went grocery shopping. Another day was focused on laundry. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze, which is perfect for drying towels, sheets, and comforters. Canada Day was smack in the middle of the week. The days flew by. I played catch-up yesterday. Today, I need to finish chapter twenty-one on my women's fiction manuscript. And with the heatwave outside, I have a great excuse to hide inside.

Sometimes stay-cations are busier than if you were to go away.

Happy Canada Day

To celebrate Canada's 159th birthday, I designed a graphic of the Canadian flag with some important symbols that reflect Canada.

#HappyCanadaDay #ProudCanadian