Christmas with the Queen by Gaynor and Webb is a charming historical fiction set in the 1950s, following the Queen’s Christmas addresses. A BBC reporter & palace chef have a history of poor timing, but are drawn together each Christmas at Sandringham. Will the stars ever align? ❤️ 4/5🌟’s #booksky

Know your rights. Protect your neighbors. New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants.

I fell asleep on the couch with the glow of Christmas lights, the heater rumbling, and the Youngest Teenager sitting next to me while we watched Die Hard. Such a perfectly little Friday night in December. 🎄

Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Let them in!

Good Spirits by B. K. Borison was the perfect book to start off my holiday reading. This story kept me up until 3am, brought tears to my eyes, & is filled with Christmas magic. I loved Harriet & Nolan’s stories and their growth. Add this one to your holiday reading list. 5/5 🌟’s #booksky

It’s hard work being so soft, fluffy, and handsome. He needs to get his beauty sleep so he can keep at it. #catsky

Quinn snuggles and a Christmas read ❤️🎄🐾. #catsky #booksky

Ladies and Gentleman.. I give you … Raaaandy Rainbow 🌈 HHS..🖕🏻 Enjoy… #SheShed

Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz is a cozy sci-fi story set in San Francisco in the 2060s after California gains its independence. I love the found-family elements, how the robots work around the broken system, and how they come into their own in this post-war setting. 3.8/5 🌟‘s #booksky

I feel seen.. maybe not an accurate description of my personality but a picture of the style of books I often have going at one time.

First day of winter break, and I built the kitties a log cabin with my own two hands. There have already been complaints that it's more of a single-occupancy dwelling than a double (even though I feel like they still wouldn't share if it were double-occupancy). #catsky

Let’s join together to support Starbucks Baristas-don’t cross the picket line, don’t shop at Starbucks until there’s a fair contract in place.

A little trip to the bookstore will fix me? Maybe improve my mental health a little? I picked up Good Spirits by B.K. Borison because all my favorite readers here are reading it (fomo) and Brimstone by Callie Hart. #booksky

A pause to Christmas decorating while I look for some missing decorations, but the good news is that bookshelf Stephen King has his Christmas tree and feels very festive.

The birds, squirrels, and I all needed some festive treats.

Cheers to the end of the semester!

I’m heartbroken to learn of Claude’s passing. I've been visiting him since I was an elementary schooler on field trips, I’ve celebrated my birthdays with him, & I've been taking my kids to see him since they were babies. He was a beloved fixture & the Academy won't be the same without him. 💔

Posey staring into your soul.

This is your December reminder that it's absolutely acceptable to try and get to a set annual book goal by cramming in as many novellas and cookbooks as you can find before Christmas swallows you up! #booksky 💙📚

Phillip J. Fry, elf on the shelf extraordinaire, is giving us a very creepy side eye while sitting in Frank's mouth waiting to be discovered in the morning. Phillip dropped off the Eldest and Youngest Teenagers' Advent calendars, flies 🎣 for the Eldest, and Pokémon for the Youngest.

We haven't had finches in weeks! I was so excited to see these two today. 🪶 #birds #backyardbirds

Quinn wore his Santa hat for exactly the time it took me to snap this picture. Then he decided to attack the little ball on the end and eventually abandoned the hat in the middle of the kitchen floor. 🎄🐾 #catsky

A little ice cream treat after decorating. I watched all three Princess Switch movies and didn't finish but made good progress. 🎄

It’s time for The Princess Switch and decorating 🎄

New Christmas mug for the season: Krampus.

Phillip thought he was going to get to retire this year, but Youngest Teenager still enjoys him, so here we are. Phillip J Fryer, Elf on the Shelf extraordinaire, hanging out with the Stephen King book collection.

Youngest Teenager is getting REALLY into Pokémon. We are going to our first card show today and he’s practically vibrating with excitement.

Home Depot wanted holiday cheer, got a whole-ass choir calling out their partnership with ICE instead…

I wasn't ready to jump into a Christmas story so I grabbed Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz from my TBR pile. So far there are robots who want to start their own restaurant in San Francisco. California successful succeeded from the union & nobody wants to be sent to America. I'm in. #booksky

Quinn is plotting world domination. At this point, I think we should give him a chance. #catsky

We’ve definitely been getting fewer birds to the backyard feeders, but my favorite little chickadees are still stopping by. #backyardbirds #birds

Youngest Teenager is learning how to cook. This morning we made brunch together: banana, toasted walnuts, cinnamon pancakes, bacon, and tater tots. Probably time for a nap now…

I loved Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree. In his Acknowledgments, Baldree shared concerns that readers may not enjoy a story about grief, disappointment, & saying no. I think it made for a better & relatable tale. Characters, new & old, were great; the journey was fun. 4.5/5 🌟’s #booksky

Would it be to obvious to make tonights dinosaur fact about turkeys? Sometimes I’m a simple creature. Did you know their heads change color? Yep. Depending on their mood. The more intense the color, the more intense their emotions are. 👇👇

Breakfast = cookie dough The math must have all worked out for the chocolate chips and double batches of cookies. The dough turned out perfect. I will keep these teenagers and this spouse for another year.

The teenagers are in the kitchen making cookies with their dad. Debate & math are happening on how many cups of chocolate chips are left & how many double batches they can make. 🍪🍪🍪

Definitely have to share one of the most iconic Thanksgiving Day reenactments today. Grab those cardigans and highballs and enjoy! 🦃 🍁 🪶🔥🍽️

Eldest Ternager and I caught up on the last two episodes of Welcome to Derry. It's such a good show! Definitely a top-tier Stephen King adaptation(?).

Iconic! #booksky @ dailybookishdeals

For my one concession to Thanksgiving, I got out my Turkey bookmark that the Youngest Teenager made me in elementary school.

I finished three homework assignments today, the semester is almost over, and my Christmas TBR has started arriving. #booksky

It’s getting real for Home Depot. The flash mob is only the warm up, the nationwide boycott hits on November 27th. Chant: “Tax the rich tax, the motherf*cking rich.”

For everyone competing with themselves to see how long they can hold out before turning on the heater… I officially surrendered on 11/26. RIP to my energy bill.

Posey is happy everyone is home this week and she’s enjoying extra snuggles. 🐾❤️ #catsky

Yes, at a time when we’re already facing nurse shortages, early retirements, and increasingly complex patient care (both technical & social), all while Medicare & Medicaid cuts threaten lower reimbursement and added system strain… sure, let’s remove nursing from the list of professional degrees. 🙄

Starbucks response that unions aren't necessary makes it easier to continue boycotting them:

The kitties are storing up their energy for Caterday ❤️🎄🐾

Lol. Everyone is calling out sick for tomorrow. This will be another fun weekend to work in healthcare 🫠