Merry Christmas! My family of four is very big on being in our home for the holiday (as both my husband and I were dragged around to other family members houses as children and we hated it). But now that the kids are grown adults, we switched it up this year and drove down to be with my family in North Carolina.
My family always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve (dinner, presents, movies, driving around looking at Christmas lights, etc) and that’s what we did yesterday. Today we woke up to Santa’s gifts under the tree at my mom’s place. After opening all the gifts we ate a pancake breakfast. Later on today we are going to my sister’s house for dinner. A very much a low-key day is planned… exactly how we like it!
I hope everyone who celebrates has a fantastic Christmas!
What is the Sunday Salon? The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. Hosted by Readerbuzz.
What is the Sunday Post? The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.
My husband worked late almost every day this week, so after I got in from work I was mostly home with the dog.
Monday I did take my bests friend out to lunch for her birthday. Did I take a photo of the two of us eating our lunches like I had planned to do? OF COURSE NOT!
I took off of work on Wednesday to go pick up both kids from college, as it’s both of their winter break.
We are exhausted from the long car ride lol
Saturday we went to Lancaster, PA because my husband got us tickets to see Noah at Sight and Sound theater. We absolutely LOVE that place and haven’t missed a show since 2016.
Currently:
I am making significant progress in The Shadow of What Was Lost. And I am really liking this book! Once my library eBook is due back I borrowed the physical copy from the library too, so I can actually finish the book!
Just Finished:
This series doesn’t feel like one of those too cheesy Hallmark Christmas stories so it was a nice change of pace in between other books I was reading. Also, if you’re trying to read a book with Hanukkah in it this is a good choice.
If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page. I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.
These are the challenges I am signing up for next year.
The kids are home from college till the middle of January, so we threw on some Christmas movies a couple of times this week!
The third Friday in December is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day!
This ugly sweater is the best because it has a pocket in the front that is supposed to hold a beer, but it fits my Kindle also!
I received an ARC of Christmas In Chestnut Ridge last year and just couldn’t fit it in to my holiday reading then. So this year I decided to read it… and I finished it the other day!
In the enchanting mountain town of Chestnut Ridge, where tree farms blanket the hillsides and the promise of a white Christmas is ever-present, a heartwarming holiday romance is about to blossom. When Sheila’s best friend convinces her to help decorate a tree in the annual Christmas Tree Stroll fundraiser, she embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery, all wrapped in the cozy embrace of a tight-knit community. As she immerses herself in the joy of twinkling lights, hot cocoa, and the camaraderie of the townsfolk, Sheila’s world begins to transform, and she finds the sense of belonging she never knew she needed.
Meanwhile, Tucker, the town’s reliable fire captain, is gathering volunteers to help a family with four young children who have just lost their home to a devastating fire weeks before Christmas. Sheila offers her helping hand, and as the town rallies to support the family in their time of need, sparks of love begin to flicker between her and Tucker.
In this charming town where dreams come true, and Christmas magic is everywhere, come along for a tale of love, community, and the true spirit of the season.
What is the Sunday Salon? The Sunday Salon is a place to link up and share what we have been doing during the week. It’s also a great opportunity to visit other blogs and join in the conversations going on there. Hosted by Readerbuzz.
What is the Sunday Post? The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up.
I worked all week of course, and everyday at work was something…. someone calling out and leaving us short handed, someone not pulling their weight on a crazy menu day, etc. When I got home I didn’t want to do much because the work day totally did me in. I should be doing holiday stuff, but it did not happen.
I have been working on getting the blog set up for next years challenges. I always say I will only sign up for a few and then just end up rejoining all the ones I have a good time participating in.
Yesterday my husband started a new video game so I sat on the couch reading my library eBook and drinking lots of hot chocolate. I’m really liking it, but it’s a thick book and I sort of read slow (or so I think). I may need to figure out that “put it in airplane mode” trick so the library can’t take it back when it’s due in a week, haha!!
Currently:
Just Finished:
If you’d like to be friends with me on Storygraph, this is my profile page. I stopped using Goodreads and refuse to go back.
The husband and I love this random musical. I bought him the DVD for Christmas a few years ago because we like the movie so much and can never find it streaming anywhere. On Friday night we decided to put it on before bed.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my book friends celebrating in the USA! Today will consist of smoking a turkey, cooking all the yummy side dishes, baking pies, and spending time with family. Hopefully I remember to take some photos! (I never do, haha!)
I probably won’t get to read until I go lay in bed later tonight. Hopefully I don’t fall asleep before actually making some real progress, lol!
It’s a few days after the exact middle of the month, but I wanted to share how my reading been going for November. Nothing excited- mostly short and to the point post…
I finished 6 books so far, ranging from novellas to regular length of books. I’ve been listening less and physically reading more. I’ve read some sci-fi, some fantasy and of course my beloved thrillers lol.
My reading is going to slow down as I am focusing on holiday shananigans now. Lots to do before Thanksgiving as we host at my house every year and I am having family sleeping over.
I am making reading plans for next year already. Less ARCs and more library (even more than I already do!). And I am working on setting up a personal shelf goal/challenge.
I will be off the grid as much as possible again, out in the wilderness, camping with my husband, children, and my niece and nephew this time. The weather is supposed to be rainy on Saturday so that’s definitely a bummer! But we’re gonna make the best of the situation and make lots of memories!!!!
Also want to try to get in a good amount of reading… that’s my plan anyway. We will see what happens, lol.
Enjoy this holiday weekend (if you’re in the United States)!
I want to make sure in 2026 I try to read books that I have in my possession as much as possible. I already decided to stop accepting ARCs because I just have too many books I’ve neglected. I don’t have a huge amount of physical books in my house, but I definitely have a ton of eBooks on my Kindle. Note: I will ALWAYS use my library as my best source for getting to read books for free. That will never change!
If you’ve been around my blog long enough you know I love me an awesome spreadsheet. Randomly because I was not looking for anything book related I found a free spreadsheet through BookTube (thanks to Library Unbounded) and plan to input my entire owned books into said sheet (which I know will take me from now until the end of this year) so that when 2026 comes around I’ll be all set up and ready.
I do keep up with too many reading spreadsheets, but honestly, I love them all equally!
