Snowbound!

Nine inches of the white stuff and it's still coming down. Honestly, it is really pretty outside, and we are all inside with a fire going in the stove and our little electric throw blankets across our laps and legs. I have scalloped potatoes and ham in the oven as a nice comfort meal for this afternoon's meal. Just a normal Hoosier winter storm.

The dogs are vying for my attention...or else they are trying to see who can snag a piece of heated blanket. The little dog won out because the big queen doesn't seem to like the recliner. So, now she is laying on the couch moaning and groaning at her poor misfortune. I think she will be just fine...she can't see out the front window from the recliner anyways.

Yesterday, we had our first independent author meet up at the shop and our turnout was pretty darned good considering the frigid temperatures. We have a good plan for upcoming author events which will include workshops on all the "how to" things that new independent authors struggle with.

I finally finished reading my first book of the new year. I had higher hopes for myself, but I've been too busy on bookstore stuff and writing. I have been able to finish up a book on Audible too...so, that should count as two books...right? The book I finished reading was The Highland Kiss by Amy McGavin who I discovered is a wife and husband writing team with the real first names of Amy and Gavin. Overall, I rated the book as a 3-star read because I found myself skimming over parts that didn't add to the story for me. I loved the setting and the general premise of the story...girl gets left at the altar and flees to a location of her past to heal her heart. I am going to read the next book in the series, though. The book I just finished on Audible was Ready to Die by Lisa Jackson. She is one of my favorite authors and this one didn't disappoint. It is actually the fifth book in her Selena Alvarez/Regan Pescoli series. Set in Grizzly Falls, Montana, it is one of those audiobooks that you keep finding time to listen to. Since I generally don't listen to audiobooks unless I'm in the car, I found myself taking the long way home or making excuses to go somewhere just so I could listen to it. Definitely a five-star for me.

Even though the weather outside is definitely winter, it doesn't mean that I haven't been doing research on gardening topics. I have discovered a new way to start my seeds for the garden that I cannot wait to try out. It's called snail planting. You basically lay out strips of cloth, paper, cardboard etc. that measures about 6 inches wide by maybe 20 inches long (or less) and cover it with damp soil. Roll it up like a jelly roll and tape it to hold it into the semblance of a pot and sow your seed the recommended depth and sit it in a windowsill inside a foil baking pan. You water the roll from the bottom and wait for the plants to sprout. I'm definitely going to try it!

The last thing I want to mention is that there is another one of those promotions to stuff your eReaders with free romance books of all subgenres. One day only...on January 27th...go to https://www.romancebooklovers.com/ and take advantage of over 700 FREE books!!

For all you wonderful people who have been affected by this winter storm...stay safe...stay warm!!