November 27, 2017 QUEEN OF HEARTS

A whirlwind. The QUEEN was home for the holidays--AND when she's around--IT'S ALL ABOUT HER. Breakfast--lunch--dinner--THE WORKS. There's not a second to spare for READING OR WRITING MY BLOG. SERIOUSLY!! She is a lot of fun to be around--BUT I WAS LITERALLY PUSHING HER OUT THE DOOR ON SATURDAY. It's not that I REALLY wanted her to go--I NEEDED HER TO GO-because I COULDN'T get anything accomplished.  The laundry quadrupled-- food bill doubled--And Chef Lactose Free had to spend HOURS cooking all the family favs without dairy!! Mind boggling. Pretty sure she put me in a trance at the store too because she left with new boots, a sweater and a bunch of bags from Target. NOT sure how THIS happened EITHER but I've  inherited another pet. Now I'm taking care of 2 dogs, 2 frogs, crickets AND a betta fish named ALLEN.  Did I forget to mention that FRED--the elf on the shelf--is back too!! Have NO fear though--life is ALL good for the queen. Before she left, her footman topped off the gas and checked the oil so that her journey back to Neverland would be flawless.  Wouldn't want  the QUEEN to open her wallet--or get her hands dirty.  HUMMM. Can't wait til she comes back for round TWO in December--ONLY THREE WEEKS TO REST UP!!

If you're looking for the perfect Christmas gift, for that special someone, this holiday season--then look NO further. I have the perfect gift. In my world, the perfect gift is always a book, right? So, in that spirit, I am recommending Celebrating the Holiday in classic New England Style A Connecticut Christmas by Caryn B. Davis. Davis has been a professional photographer since 2000 but her career in visual arts has spanned thirty years  and includes as a cameraperson, editor and producer of documentaries. Her book, A Connecticut Christmas, is a photographic journey through New England capturing Christmas traditions, festivals, decorated churches, bridges, town greens, and Christmas trees all over Connecticut. Talk about getting into the Christmas spirit!! Every photograph captures the magic of the Christmas season and is a real treasure.  I enjoyed the entire book and  the narratives that accompany the photographs; especially, the chapters "Nautical Noel", "Christmas Cheer", "Bells, Garlands & Mistletoe" and "Eat, Drink & Be Merry". If you're looking for a gift that keeps on giving, year after year, then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this wonderful book.  Pretty sure it's available at your local bookstore or contact Caryn Davis at www.carynbdavis.com to get your signed copy. Fun Fact--her book just made the Sunday New York Times Travel section.  ONLY 28 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS.