For the past few years, I have wanted to include Butternut Squash Soup in our Thanksgiving meal. And I never do it. Making it from scratch takes longer than I have time for. This year, I'm going to *buy* pre-made soup. All I'll have to do is warm it up and put it in bowls! YAY!

Party went really well! WAY more people than I expected attended! Lots of overflow from the event space! Wide range of ages as well! My crafts got good reactions! I also appreciated the walruses and the cephalopod!

Picked up some craft items for Nephew's Kids Party! Looking forward to it!

I have signed up for Yuletide, and plan to spend the rest of the weekend refreshing the sign-up summary. As one does. 😜

I wrote a trilogy of novels published by HarperCollins about a brother and sister caught on opposite sides of the war to unite Viking Age Norway. Today is my birthday and if you are inclined to share this, it would be a lovely present! The first: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-half-d...

Squirrel friends

Yuletide Signups are open! #Yuletide yuletide-admin.dreamwidth.org/128413.html

Dishwasher is broken again. (Facilities person)

Last night, I persuaded the sibling to sit down and watch PRACTICAL MAGIC with me, and it was just as enjoyable as I hoped it would be for him! Soon it will be time for OVER THE GARDEN WALL!

Also, the tag set for Yuletide is open! #Yuletide!

After 10 years, I am *finally* seeing HAMILTON! Touring company is in town, so I went to the box office like a civilized person who hates Ticketmaster. Had no problem buying a ticket, and in two weeks, I'll finally see it! YAY!

Getting a good start to my October with the newest October Daye book and Le Creuset pumpkin mugs that I have been longing for since last year. So adorable!

Just finished SILVER AND LEAD by @seananmcguire.bsky.social. Have now completed the Great October Daye Re-Read and New Book! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Yes, I enjoyed the whole ride! Now to decide what to read next! ::eyes The Enormous Pile of TBR::

I've been thinking about this for a couple of days. Just Can't Get Enough -- Depeche Mode youtu.be/_6FBfAQ-NDE?...

I kind of want to read this and use it as background for a pre-serum Steve and Bucky fic. Book is "Gotham At War" by Mike Wallace. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/b...

All my Yuletide nominations were approved!!!

Happy October!!!!

On the walk to the train home, I saw a VERY GOOD DOG, a chocolate lab walking with his human and carrying a STICK which was the Best Stick Ever and he was very proud of that stick. One of the things I love about my commute is seeing all the Good Dogs being walked.

Got my flu shot today. Took a nap. Finished a cozy mystery and started a cozy romance. Tomorrow is laundry day!

12 hours to go to nominate for Yuletide! yuletide-admin.dreamwidth.org/126109.html

Oh thank goodness!

And a reminder, Yuletide nominations close Friday, so get yer nominations in this week! WHOOHOO! yuletide-admin.dreamwidth.org/125053.html

On book 15, WHEN SORROWS COME, of the Great October Daye Re-Read. I need to take a break, because I've been blowing through them so fast! So after this one, I'm going to read one or two of the cozies lurking on my TBR. It is a *wild* ride!

Just letting music videos run on YouTube, and "Careless Memories" by Duran Duran came up! And now we are being rickrolled.

Today I went to Newbury Street and I felt very happy to be walking around there. One of my favorite places in Boston!

Yuletide nominations entered!

I think I just got a bot comment on my fanfic... "I just read your story, and it honestly kept me hooked from the very first line. The writing is so lively that I could clearly see it as a manga or animated piece." It...is fanfiction. WHUT?

1. Woke up this morning missing Minnie, especially her morning snuggles. 2. Yuletide nominations start tomorrow! 3. Finished A RED ROSE CHAIN (book 9) last night, and started ONCE BROKEN FAITH (book 10) this morning.

Dessert mode ACTIVATE: Best pie: Triple Berry in Spring/Summer, Pumpkin in Fall/Winter Best ice cream: Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk Best donut: Apple Cider from the orchard where we go apple picking. Best bar: brownie cheesecake Best Cake: chocolate Best Other: Macarons

Okay, the three people have spoken! I'm going to continue on, and will revisit after book 12. If I hit book 12 before the 20th/21st, I'll take a break and read some of the cozies lurking on Mount TBR. If not, I'll keep going. Trying to time finishing Book 18, THE INNOCENT SLEEP, for Sept 30th!

So. In the last 10 days, I have read the first 8 October Daye books. I did this by reading on my commutes, lunch hour, and before bed. Should I: A. Take a break and read something else to slow down a bit. B. Keep going!

Listening to music while I read, and I just love this song! Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In by The Fifth Dimension! youtu.be/vbCH5lnZ6sA?...

Currently on book 6, ASHES OF HONOR, of my annual Great October Daye Re-Read. I've been noticing places in these early books where it is obliquely implied that October is not Amandine's only child, and once again @seananmcguire.bsky.social impresses me with her craft and plotting. WOW.

Home today. We have no hot water. Very annoying.

Scheduled covid vax! I only do one at a time, because I'm usually knocked out for the rest of the day when I get a vaccination. So I plan for it!

Binged the second half of WEDNESDAY tonight, and S2 E6 is on my list for BDP-Short next year.

I'd build the Practical Magic house, with extra bathrooms, space for guests and family, and room for an herb garden. I'm a terrible gardener, but I'd like to try.

Starting my Annual Great October Daye Re-Read tomorrow. Hopefully I'll finish in good time for the newest book! Was going to wait until next week, but screw it, I need it now.

Laundry and potato salad complete! We'd had dinner, and I've folded/hung all my clean clothes! Very productive day! Tomorrow I set up my velvet pumpkins at work for the start of the autumn season. I'm planning to wear my owl print skirt which is so pretty and a great way to start the season!

* picked up velvet pumpkins from storage unit * lunch from local non-chain * eggs boiled and chilling in refrigerator Still to do: * laundry * make potato salad

Thanks to @aliascelli.bsky.social for reminding me of this gem. Happy September! www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/its...

YULETIDE SEASON!!!!!!!

Went to bed early so I could finish my re-read of SWORDHEART by @tkingfisher.com. Got a solid 7+ hours of sleep afterwards. Did I miss anything?

Anyone else pondering what they want to nominate for Yuletide? Just me, then.

Have started watching cozy autumnal content on YouTube, and now tempted to dig into my storage unit for my complete set of Anne of Green Gables mass market paperbacks, and maybe see if I can find that Tasha Tudor book from my childhood as well...

Had a good time at the Northeast Tea Festival on Saturday! It did get very crowded, so I was only there for 1-1/2 hours. Here's a pic of the Swag Bag contents (and the t-shirt!)

On my way to the Northeast Tea Festival!

Saturday I'm going to the Northeast Tea Festival! I'm hoping to taste some teas and learn new things!

introduce yourself with the last 5 concerts you attended: um * Mediaeval Baebes (2018) * Darren Criss (2013) * The Pretty Reckless and Marilyn Manson (2012) * Loreena McKennitt (2007) * Mediaeval Babes (2002) ...yeah Honorable mention: Siouxie and the Banshees, also in 2002.

Last week, Boston received a letter from AG Bondi threatening to prosecute officials and withhold funds unless we cooperate with carrying out mass deportations. The US Attorney General asked for a response by today, so here it is: stop attacking our cities to hide your administration’s failures.