COFFEE ... COFFEE ... COFFEE .... COFFEE ...

HI, All,

Well, thankfully I made it back to Chicago safely. Thanks to all of you and your positive wishes. The weather was a bit sketchy in Indiana with a twenty-five minute mini blizzard, lol. But I managed to get through it fine. When I arrived in Chicago, it was a clear, chilly, 34 degrees. Not too bad.

I arrived last Tuesday and it has taken me all this time to put up a few... and I mean ... FEW decorations. It took me a few days to get through all my mail. But I did have three wonderful surprises waiting for me ...

First, I won a copy of L. Diane Wolfe's book... YAY... Thanks, L. Diane! This book is loaded with fantastic information for those who are self publishing. Make sure you get your copy if you are contemplating that journey in the coming new year!

Second, I received a BEAUTIFUL signed copy of The Ghosts of Aquinnah by Julie Flanders. Julie was kind enough to send me an autographed copy since I designed the cover and wrote the blurb. I was to excited actually seeing it in print. Even thought it's not my book, it's the next best thing! Thanks, Julie... it was such a thrill to work with you on your fantastic novel....

And finally, I received a signed copy of Memories of Murder, by Yolanda Renee'... This was my first profession blurb writing job. It was so cool to see my blurb published on the back of this amazing novel. Thanks so much, Yolanda!

Playing "Catch UP" is taking me quite a bit longer than I had planned. There are just not enough hours to do all the things I need to do. So I do apologize for not visiting. I know you ALL understand and that's why I love you guys so much!

NOW ... COFFEE ANYONE?

Yes, you've read correctly, lol. I am planning a REALLY fun blog hop. I wanted to do it during this festive holiday season, but since we are all CRAZED with family, shopping, and celebrating, I think it's best to wait a bit for things to calm down. I think we'll ALL need a JOLT of caffeine to jump start our year. So let's plan on a New year's blog hop... sound fun?!!! We will all be dragging by this point .. LOL. I hope to have the badge done and the linky up for the fest within the next few days.

In honor of my trip to Colombia, I plan to give away a few pounds of AUTHENTIC COLOMBIAN COFFEE... For all you coffee lovers, and I know there are LOTS OF US ... you will REALLY appreciate the sensational aroma, rich color, and robust taste of this elixir of life... lol. Seriously though, the Colombian coffee you buy here is NOTHING like what I have sneaked in... lol.

I am really looking forward to sharing my good fortune with a few of you. All you have to do for the hop is state why you LOVE coffee. EASY... EASY.... If you want to add a comment about including chocolate or a homemade biscotti with it, that is fine. I'll also be sharing my amazing biscotti recipe with you, too! Nothing like a cup of Colombian coffee and an Italian biscotti!

So, please stay tuned.

Tomorrow is a very SPECIAL hop, hosted my our wonderful blogger pal, Mark Koopmans ...

Even though it is Christmas Eve, what better way to connect with our blogger family than through prayer ...

So, I'll be seeing you all for Mark Koopmans' Fifty States of Prayer TOMORROW!

HAVE a LOVING, SAFE, and WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS HUGS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!