Hi, friends!

Happy new year, belated merry Christmas, and just happy holidays in general! I hope you're doing well and enjoying winter (or summer if you're way south of me).

Let's jump right in with all the goodies —

What I've Been Reading

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What has turned into an annual tradition is a trip to the local bookstore where my husband patiently let's me peruse the used books to try completing the series I want in my home library. This year I only focused on the Murder, She Wrote series, with five additions, which of course I binged over a few days.

I'm into the second book in the Verity Kent series, and I do like it. It's a WW1 era setting so fits in with my historical fiction interest. The one thing I'm not sure about is the main character's husband. I'm curious if he stays in the series, but currently I'd prefer the MC to be single! lol

Not mystery, but I just read these two lovely cottagecore books that I got from the library's Evergreen system, which allows us to borrow books through more than 100 other libraries in the state, basically a free interlibrary loan. I enjoyed reading these while I'm in my winter hibernation phase. (Escape Into Cottagecore and Cottagecore Simplified)

Animal Shenanigans & Tomfoolery

This cat has a serious case of continual grumps, although my daughter thinks she looks happy. We obviously have a different interpretation of cat facial expressions!

And the dog has decided after 4 years that it's time she made a bed out of the cozy den couch. I think her aging bones needed more cushion than the floor rug. 😍

Life in Pictures

Our oldest daughter turned 27 on Christmas Eve so of course I had a fun few hours of looking at pictures of her life! I'm terrible at taking pics so it seems to have focused on her first few years and her last years in high school! lol The guy in the pic is my late brother, her Uncle Chris. They were close friends in the early years when we lived next door to him. Sweet memories 💕

And a funny...

A reading friend sent me this image in a text, and I just laughed and laughed. I'll admit to having a very few frustrating months with a couple of issues related to selling our house, and sometimes you just have to laugh and release it.

Speaking of selling a house...

We actually have two properties for sale in the Missouri Ozarks, so if you know of anyone looking to move to a wonderful area smack in the middle of nature, reach out and I'll send you links. Between this project and plenty of client work, my reading time has been seriously affected! 🤣

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As always, hit reply if you'd like to discuss anything, and thank you for being a cozy mystery friend!