#weeklyforecast
#NF #biodiversity #naturalitsy #buddyread #NF #philosophy #libraryfind #sundaybuddyread #advent #readyourkindle

#adventpoetry
#WilliamButlerYeats #WalterdelaMare #SaraTeasdale

#hyggehourreadathon #midwintersolace #buddyread
My book & Cinnamon milk at the ready for tonight.

#adventuresinbiodiversity #naturalitsy #midwintersolace #buddyread

As I had already read up to page 128 a year ago,I picked up from there this month. My favorite stories,each one unique, are: The suspenseful My Object All Sublime (Anne Perry); the twisted The 74th Tale (Jonathan Santlofer; the reflective The Lesson of the Season (Thomas H.Cook; the romantic Cold Reading( Charles Ardai).
#ChristmasCrimeChallenge #prompt5 #adventcalendar #shortstories

Beautiful illustration for 12/14. The Lost Words, by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris: “a spell book, offered to conjure nature-words that have been lost from the language of children”(“347).

#beautybreak #wintersolace #
#catchthemomentsofbeauty #porchlife

It‘s 27 degrees & snowing. Perfect indoor,cozy, relaxing day.

During the height of Christmas season in the quaint village of Berrywick,amateur sleuth,Julia Bird discerns that what first appeared to be two accidents are actually murders.One man is a surly ladies man, & generally disliked. In contrast, the other man, a local beekeeper, was generous & kind,loved by all. Are these two murders linked? If so, how? #JuliaBirdMysteties #8 #ChristmasCrimeChallenge #prompt6 #snowflake #setduringwinter

What an adventure being back with the enigmatic Richard jury as he investigates an unusual crime at a public local pub.A sideline investigation is Wiggins search for his missing sister, which leads to a rounding out his character for the reader. #RichardJuryMystery #libraryfind

Sunday morning coffee, biscotti & a book. Em has found my lap. #booksandcoffee #catsoflitsy

I just can‘t. #haiku

#advent #libraryfind #sundaybuddyread

Waiting for my sister to pick me up for a trip to Northampton, MA. Meeting up with my 2 other sisters for a holiday sisters day! It‘s 27 degrees here so I am so bundled up I look like I am swaddled!
This library find reads slowly like the landscape- the land & its creatures, weather, etc. are written in a beautiful lyrical style. While the main character seems to merge with the landscape, I as the reader, do too merge. #coffeeandbooks

Tonight‘s sunset. #beautybreak #midwintersolace

#FridayHappyReadingHour #happyfridaydrinks
Yay yay yay it‘s Friday!
Enjoy everyone!

#5JoysFriday

1) poetry
2)PJ day at HS
3) Advent reading/refection
4)#MidWinterSolace
5)#ChristmasCrimeChallenge

Found this today in NYT newsletter.
Analysis:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/12/11/books/louise-gluck-poem-early-dec...

If you cannot open the NYT I will ask my husband after work to show mw how to post as a gift article.

Just 2 prompts left for #ChristmasCrimeChallenge

My early morning contemplation/meditation/prayer time - theme advent. I dwell in the 5:00 am quiet of the house. Of course, with coffee! ☕️📚 🙏🏻 #contemplation #advent #coffeesndbooks

#WDNCW
We do not care that after a zany, teenaged drama & angst filled work day, tonight‘s dinner menu is frozen pizza, potato chips & a BIG glass of wine.

#ChristmasCrimeChallenge #prompt4 #chimney #lockedroom Set on the mystical Isle of Wright,business owner Merra has restored its old mansion & is desperate to make it a success.Press mogul Duncan Fern is arriving with his family for a special Christmas weekend celebration.Unfortunately Meera injures herself so begs her friend Susan to come & run the activities.During an unexpected snowstorm the first night,family tensions smolder.In the morning,⬇️

#ChristmasCrimeChallenge #prompt3 #star #famousdetective
While dining at some friends,Miss Marple is asked to recite a murder mystery involving Christmas.What transpires is a tale of a time she knew just from a man‘s behavior that he was going to kill his wife.With her astute detecting, she managed to uncrack his alibi that was considered by the police as uncrackable.

#ChristmasCrimeChallenge #prompt2 #angel #cozymystery
Lady Bella and Marcus Quinn investigate two murders in Holly Village, one of which is her aunt whose death is billed as an accident. But they know it‘s murder when they discover her Manet is gone. The notes she left behind our neighbors doings provide some clues.In this village of retired aristocrats & eccentric retirees,the duo find many worthy of investigation.

#ChristmasCrimechallenge #prompt1 #rudolph #redcover

Setting is lovely, on Folly Beach,an island of the coast of Charleston,SC. Other than that,it was a rather boring story.The colloquial language in the dialogue with the local surfers is totally cringe worthy.The surfers sound rather dumb like Beavis & Butt-Head from an early 1990s sitcom.

A little watermelon,cheese,wine while reflecting on my zany day. Emmy has joined me.

Today‘s reading is a poem ofJane Kenyon‘s
Mosaic of the Nativity: Serbia, Winter, 1993. Her words juxtapose the birth of Christ and the Bosnian War.

https://poets.org/poem/mosaic-nativity-serbia-winter-1993

Early morning coffee & a book before leaving for work.

Concocted cinnamon milk for my before sleep soothing treat. #hygge

The remainder of my #winternaturecardswap cards were mailed today. It feels good to welcome & celebrate winter for its gift of a time to retreat,reflect,cuddle up in blankets & read!

Finished the top row of books- 4 for #ChristmasCrimeChallenge
The bottom row I am in various stages of reading.
Thanks for hosting @LiseWorks ! I always love the idea that others are reading along with me!

This is my husband‘s FB post about our Poe who left us Wednesday, Dec. 3. I added the Poe pictures. The last one is Emmy in the bedroom radiator. She is beside herself: smells places he slept, wails in every room of the house, is restless & oh so clingy. I wish I could tell her what happened. We can only give her the love & cuddles she needs but we are not Poe. They are birth brother & sister; have never been parted. 💔

My house is on a corner lot. Outside my window to the left is this Church with a tiny Christmas tree. I love this view. In the afternoon sun pours in.

I can‘t thank you enough Denise for this thoughtful gift for our tree memorializing #preciousPoe. Your tenderness & empathy made both my husband & me cry.

This community‘s outpouring of support & love during this time has been such a balm of comfort. Thank you to every Litten! That‘s what we do best: care for each other as we read. 💚❤️💚

#WeeklyForecast
Continuing with my advent books and Mary Oliver- her book will probably go into January as I want to savor her words with no deadline. Then #sundaybuddyread- behind, I intend to read sections 1 & 2 for next Sunday. #Hashtagbrigade #achapteraday #ChristmasCrimeRead #prompt1 #redcover #readyourkindle #ALinleyNovel

#bookreport
Top 2 rows: currently reading
Bottom row: 3 finished reading for #ChristmasCrimeChallenge

Watched the fascinating documentary, “The New Yorker at 100” on Netflicks tonight. What fun!

Finally getting some #winternaturecardswap cards out in the mail. I am behind, but should have them finished by Tuesday.

My son & I picked it up today, & fell into the rabbit wholeheartedly into the rabbit hole of contemporary composer Eric Whitacre.We listened to his rendition of Lux Aurumque,or Light and Gold,based on a poem by the poet Edward Esce.Whitacre said of this poem: [whose] “genuine,elegant simplicity…[means] “A simple approach was essential to the success of the work, and I waited patiently for the tight harmonies to shimmer and glow.”His chorus shines.

It‘s after midnight- my coughing kept both me & my husband up,so to be fair, I came downstairs to sleep. Made hot cinnamon milk, which I am sipping with a ginger-man cookie.

Singing & dancing as I listen to @dabbe Holiday Music! Great to slice & dice to!

Inspired me to post mine. Warning: some songs repeat!

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/christmas/pl.u-06oxpzaIoXZP84

#Fridayhappyreadinghour
Warm apple juice with my book. Happy Friday everyone!
Please add @guinsgirlreads to our group!
@mcctrish
@TheBookHippie
@Aims42
@Tamra
@dabbe
@melissajayne
@CatherineCook
@Ruthiella
@BarbaraBB

Bruno finds a highly successful businesswoman apparently dead by suicide in her car.Case closed.Still,he has his suspicions.Meanwhile,there‘s a movement to usurp him from his job as Chief of Police.Never one to bow to a pressure,Bruno continues his inquiry.During this process he meets a love interest.Featured is the usual emphasis on growing & scavenging for food,on farm to table meals with friends,on sunrise horse back riding,& hiking with dogs.

#5JoysFriday

1) Em hugging the warm radiator this morning.
2) Poe on his last night at home. We said goodbye to him this past Wednesday.😢
3) a stop at Starbucks this morning with Husband & son.
4) Our first snow! 5) Coffee, always

#DashingThruDecember #day4 #holidayfilm

Watching this movie is a Christmas tradition in our house.🎄🎅🏻🧑🏻‍🎄

I am so enjoying Julie Bird, the amateur sleuth in this cozy. Series #8 #ChristmasCrimeChallenge #prompt6 #setduringwinterinsnow

Excited about this list from my #AuldLangSpine match @Sharpeipup Thanks do much for hosting this another year @monalyisha

While this uplifting,gem of a novel is about the effect of books on people,mostly it is about the friendship that blossoms between Carl, an elderly book walker book walker a Schascha, a precocious 10-year-old girl. Together, they walk the streets at night to deliver books curated by Carl to shut-ins.Themes include the magic of reading,the power books to unite people & form friendships, & the power of books to create community.#10BeforetheEnd

Anyone relate to this quote?!!!! 📚📚📚📚

#DashingThruDecember #day1 #green #day2 #iceSkating

A day home.Snow/freezing rain expected.I was surprised! I have to laugh when I think of all of you in states with heavy snowfall,because today we expect 3-4 inches.Snow supposed to start falling at 10:00. We have no walkers in our district due to lack of sidewalks.Thus, it becomes a busing issue & at times the bus company‘s call. No complaints here; I woke at the same time I always do.It‘s been quiet, contemplative.☕️📚🙏🏻

#MondayMood
A joyful mood.
~Came back to work completely “rested”.
~ Starting literature circles with grade 9; such fun “book shopping” today.
~Did not pay attention to the news with the exception of student chatter: “Bet we”ll have tomorrow off!” “Snow and rain predicted”. “School will be cancelled.” “maybe not.” “What do you think?” Etc. all day
~ #ChristmasCrime Challenge - reading holiday books!
~ Book mail today!