Saturday, December 05, 2020

Weekly Mewsings: Wrapping Up November, Lockdown News, and My December TBR List Poll (Please Vote!)

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking The Sunday Salon hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz where participants discuss what they are reading and other bookish topics. I am linking up to Nicole of Feed Your Addiction's Monthly Wrap-Up Post, where any book bloggers who write monthly wrap-up posts can link up and visit other bloggers to see what they have been reading.   I am linking to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews and Marlene of Reading Reality a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently. 


New to the Shelves:

Recent book purchases: 


The Plot is Murder (Mystery Bookshop #1) by V.M. Burns
The Read Herring Hunt (Mystery Bookshop #2) by V.M. Burns



Navigating the Stars (Sentinels of the Galaxy #1) by Maria V. Snyder
Chasing the Shadows (Sentinels of the Galaxy #2) by Maria V. Snyder
Defending the Galaxy (Sentinels of the Galaxy #3) by Maria V. Snyder


Deadlines & Dryads (Terra Haven Chronicles #0.5) by Rebecca Chastain (freebie)



City of Ghosts (Cassidy Stone #1) by Victoria Schwab
Tunnel of Bones (Cassidy Stone #2) by Victoria Schwab



Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie


What new books have you added to your shelf lately?


What I Am Reading: I am in the middle of four books at the moment. Which I wish I could say explains why I did not read all that many books in November, but that would only be partially true. I just haven't been reading that much. Among my current reads are How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse by K. Eason, which I am loving. 

I am slowly making my way through the pandemic short story collection, Together, Apart. I really like the stories, but I find myself having to stop after each one and read something else for awhile. 

I am still working my way through Wonder by R. J. Palacio. As some of you may know, my daughter is reading it with her class, and I am reading it as well. I'm trying not to get ahead of them and so it's going slower than it normally would for me to read a book like that. I think Mouse is actually ahead of me now though. I had better catch up!

Mouse and I are reading and enjoying Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life (Dork Diaries #1) by Rachel Renée Russell together. It's such a fun book. Mouse read it before on her own but wanted to read it with me this time around.

What I Am Watching: I actually have not been watching as much lately as I was earlier in the month. My family and I are still working our way through Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, watching one or two episodes most the evenings. My husband is keeping track of the order we watch each episode of which show in--which I appreciate.  We continue to enjoy The Masked Singer.

Off the Blog: As of a minute before midnight tomorrow (Sunday), my part of the state will go into lockdown again. The new stay-at-home-order is a result of a drop in available ICU beds due to the pandemic. It's actually a lighter lockdown than the original one in March. This time retail businesses will be allowed to remain open, but with a 20% capacity. Before, they had to close all together unless they were considered essential businesses. Hair and nail salons have to close again (Mouse and I are going on a year since our last hair cut). Restaurants will have to go back to just take out and delivery. In my county, we never got back to indoor dining being okay (not that it stopped some restaurants). Any schools with waivers to have students in physical classrooms can still do so--although Mouse's district is still strictly remote learning. Travel is out. Social gatherings are prohibited. This new lockdown is supposed to last for 3 weeks and then will be re-evaluated. The sheriff of my county has made it very clear where he stands on the matter--quite publicly even--and so I imagine enforcement of any kind will be low. Other than perhaps businesses risking their state licenses. 

The virus has found its way into my 103-year-old grandmother's long-term care facility on the other side of the country. Last I heard a week ago, 29 residents and 16 staff tested positive. As far as I know, my grandmother is virus free. My prayers are with everyone, the residents and the staff. 

On a lighter note, I was able to take the week of Thanksgiving off. My house has been sorely neglected as of late. I finally got to a few cleaning/organizing projects I had been putting off. Now to decide where to store the stuff we want to donate until we actually can donate it . . . I probably could have used another week or two off work to do more, but it's something and I will take it. 

We had a very quiet Thanksgiving, just the three of us. That is usually how we spend the holiday, and so it was not that different for us. We had a nice homemade meal and watched Christmas movies. Over the weekend we put up the Christmas decorations. Our tree had been up all year, so that was one less thing we had to do. We did decorate it though. I have been doing most of my holiday gift shopping online this year (if you have an Etsy shop, please let me know--I like to support fellow bloggers when I am able). I am nearly done, thankfully. 

Mouse is still dancing and singing. Her interest in dance has flagged considerably having to take classes on Zoom, but she keeps at it. She seems to enjoy her musical theater classes the most. School is going about as well as can be expected. It's more of a struggle on some days than on others. 

We are enjoying our evening walks. Several people in the neighborhood have holiday lights up, and we have been enjoying seeing them. Some are quite elaborate. Someone in the neighborhood Facebook group posted a flyer announcing a "Come See Santa" event. Evidently they are inviting kids and families to come see Santa, sit on his lap and take pictures with him. Masks are optional. Yeah. I wish I could say that was an anomaly, but that seems to be a common attitude among too many. Especially where I live. It feels that way anyway. 

December is here, and I imagine it will go by quickly. I am looking forward to more time off later this month. I hope you and your loved ones are well and staying safe. 

What I Am Grateful For: Christmas lights and warm blankets. Cuddly cats and sharing laughs with my daughter over book--or anything for that matter. I continue to be grateful to all medical staff and frontline workers. And all the teachers and social workers. 

My Sleeping Cat
Here is what I finished reading in November:
  • Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary
  • Leads & Lynxes (Terra Haven Chronicles #1) by Rebecca Chastain
  • Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
My reading pattern in November seems to always find me reading less. I am enjoying my continued reads and had fun with what I did finish last month. Mouse chose both Ramona and Her Mother and Bridge to Terabithia to read with me. I was a little hesitant about her reading The Bridge to Terabithia yet given . . . well, if you have read it you know. Mouse liked both, although her favorite of the two was Ramona and Her Mother. Beverly Cleary was one of my favorite childhood authors and I am so glad my daughter is enjoying her books too.

Blogging wise, I have been keeping a pretty regular schedule. Staying on top of comments and visiting other blogs seems to be where I struggle, but I do not think I did too badly last month overall. I really enjoy visiting your blogs and seeing what you are up to and reading. 

This Past November In Reading Mews:

Tell me what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your November? Do you have anything planned for this month?


Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 




For this month's TBR List Poll theme, I went with green covers. They also have a holiday theme in common. I think they all sound fun. Which one do you think  I should read this month? 


Mrs. Claus  and the Santaland Slayings
 by Liz Ireland
It's the first Christmas in Santaland for April Claus--but it may also be her last unless she can uncover a villain with a killer Christmas wish. . . . 

Love is full of surprises--though few compare to realizing that you're marrying the real-life Santa. April Claus dearly loves her new husband, Nick, but adjusting to life in the North Pole is not all sugarplums and candy canes. Especially when a cantankerous elf named Giblet Hollyberry is killed--felled by a black widow spider in his stocking--shortly after publicly arguing with Nick. 

Christmastown is hardly a hotbed of crime, aside from mishaps caused by too much eggnog, but April disagrees with Constable Crinkle's verdict of accidental death. As April sets out to find the culprit, it'll mean putting the future of Christmas on the line--and hoping her own name isn't on a lethal naughty list . . . 
[Goodreads Summary]


Royal Holiday
by Jasmine Guillory

New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory makes her hardcover debut with a heartwarming Christmas romance.

Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain Private Secretary and his charming accent and unyielding formality.

Malcolm Hudson has been the Queen's Private Secretary for years and has never given a personal, private tour...until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy fling come New Year's Day...or are they? [Goodreads Summary]


Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas
 by Nancy CoCo

In Nancy Coco's eighth Candy-Coated Mystery, Christmas on Mackinac Island brings a flurry of festive activity for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy--but also a body in a snowbank. With fun recipes, cute pets, quirky characters, and an endearing young protagonist, the Candy-Coated Mysteries have the perfect ingredients for cozy mystery fans!

All Allie wants for Christmas is for renovations to be finished on the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop so she can move back home for the holidays. But for now she's staying in her friend Frances' apartment, busily baking batches of holiday fudge. After someone leaves a mysterious note on the door to meet up, the curious fudge maker goes to the rendezvous with her Bichonpoo, Mal--only to discover a woman facedown in a snowdrift. With her dying breath, the woman gasps, Frances. The police suspect she named her killer, but Allie knows that's impossible. She needs to wrap up this case before the trail runs cold--and give her friend the gift of freedom this Christmas season... [Goodreads Summary]



Thank you for voting! I hope you all have a wonderful week! Happy Reading!


© 2020, Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

55 comments:

  1. Our next-door municipality just went into Lockdown again. So we are very nervous that we will be forced too.

    I can't wait for you to read City of Ghosts and tell me all about it! I really want to read it. Didn't even know there was a next one! Guess I need to get reading those ones.

    Hope you had a good week and that your upcoming week will be great.

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    1. Elza - I hope you won't have to go on lockdown like your neighbors. Stay safe, regardless!

      I am looking forward to reading City of Ghosts. There is a third book coming out this next year, I believe.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  2. That is scary that the virus found its way into a nursing care. I hope people take the shut down seriously. Stay safe!

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    1. Gayathri - Yes, care facilities like that are so vulnerable. :-( Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. We are halfway through our second lockdown. Much the same as yours, although non-essential retail is not open. We did go back to indoor eating but restaurants had to cut their number of seats in half. Luckily I had just got my nails and hair cut before the lockdown. Hopefully I can get them done again if we lift this lockdown before Christmas. It will only be the two of us for the holidays which is fine by me.

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    1. Jackie - I think our governor was trying to compromise a bit with those who are protesting any type of closure. It hasn't worked. I am glad you were able to get your hair cut and nails done before the recent lockdown. My daughter and I haven't had a hair cut in about a year now. Hers is down to her waist now and she loves it. We will have a low-key Christmas too--just the three of us this year.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  4. Your grandmother is 103, wow ! My thoughts go to the residents of her home and to the staff... We're still on lockdown for a whole week, here, and then the situation will be re-evaluated. Have a great Sunday with Mouse and give a caress to the cats for me :)

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    1. IzaBzh - My grandmother has good genes. :-) I hope the situation where you live improves soon so the lockdown can be lifted. Thank you for stopping by!

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  5. I'm glad so many people are on the VE Schwab wagon. And how Amazing is it that you're grandmother lived so long!

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    1. Trin - I look forward to giving her work a try. She's so popular! Thank you for visiting!

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  6. Our state (Pennsylvania) hasn't gotten on lockdown again...yet. Schools keep going back and forth between remote and in-person with debates aplenty. As my wife and I don't have children in school, I'm not sure what to think exactly but think probably that it would be best to go remote until after the holidays especially as cases are increasing in our rural county. To be honest, I'm not as worried about the kids as I am about the schools having enough staff to teach.

    On the positive side, I also am grateful for cuddly cats. :)

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    1. Bryan - Pennsylvania is where my grandmother lives. It has been interesting to see how differently all the states have handled the pandemic. I know the school debate has been taking place here as well. Many parents want their kids in schools and a good number of teachers don't feel it's safe. At least that seems to be the arguments I am hearing where I live. Most schools in California are remote--and all of them in my daughter's district. I think some of the special resource classes have recently allowed students back in the classroom, but in a very limited way. It's not ideal, remote learning, but I think it is the best option for us personally at this point in time. The least of the worst, I guess would be a better way to put it.

      I think the cats have really appreciated having us home more. :-)

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  7. Hi Wendy, This COVID is getting worse not better everywhere. We haven't done indoor dining since February (last time I colored my hair too.) We do curbside pick up once a week or so and are still having groceries delivered. Occasionally I have run into a store. Everyone here seems to be very good about wearing masks. Enjoy our walks when weather cooperates and reading and as well as a few movies.

    I'm glad Mouse still likes dance and it sounds like you Thanksgiving was sweet and cozy...us too (2) of us. So thankful we have our 2 cats for additional entertainment as well. I like the looks of your cozies. Hope the rest of the month is good for you. Stay safe and hope your grandmother stays safe as well.

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    1. Diane - We keep ourselves fairly isolated too. My husband goes to the grocery store once a week and I have to go into the office every other week, but otherwise we are home. Mouse's schooling and dance is all virtual right now.

      It sounds like you had a nice Thanksgiving. Our Christmas will be much the same--low-key and just the three of us.

      Thank you for the well wishes. I hope you stay safe too. Thank you for visiting!

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  8. Yes most places are going into another lockdown although from what I have seen most aren't as severe as what happened in March. Hope you get a great Sunday and I LOVE your felines.

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    1. Renee - Thank you! The cats definitely rule the house. :-) Thank you for stopping by!

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  9. I'll be praying for your grandmother and all the residents and staff at her care facility. That's so scary.

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    1. Ashley - Thank you for your prayers. I haven't heard much news about how everyone at the facility is faring, but my grandmother seems to be doing well, which at least is good. Thank you for visiting!

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  10. I'm so glad to hear that you and your daughter are reading Wonder together. What a great experience.

    Let's hope your lockdown slows down visits to the ICU. I have four friends who are undergoing cancer treatments and all of them are having trouble getting their treatments because the hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid patients.

    I love the idea of evening walks to see the lights. I think we will try that this evening.

    It was hard to decide which book to pick for you. They all look good.

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    1. Deb - She seems to be enjoying Wonder. I listen in when I can on her class discussions of the book each book (I don't have much of a choice, really. Our work spaces are within hearing distance--and Mouse keeps the volume up loud for some reason). And Mouse and I will talk about it too. I think I'm a little ahead of her and her class again.

      I sure hope this current lockdown will help slow the spread down for the hospitals. Your friends undergoing cancer treatment are a good reason why it's so important. Overwhelming the hospitals affects all of us--all medical care, not just those with COVID.

      I hope you are able to see some holiday lights in your area on your walk.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. The timing of the lockdown isn’t great but hopefully it works to take the pressure off your hospitals. I hope your grandmother remains well.

    You’ve added some great books to your shelves, I’m looking at getting the Cassidy Stone series for my daughter.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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    1. Shelleyrae - Yes, with the holidays here, the timing is bad--but the pandemic stops for no one. Thank you for the well wishes for my grandmother. So far, so good. Hopefully it will stay that way.

      I hope my daughter is as excited about reading the Cassidy Stone books as I am. :-)

      Thank you for visiting!

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  12. Reading 4 books? I can only read one at a time. My mom would have books in every room in the house and would read whatever book happened to be in that room at the time.

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    1. Mary - Four is my limit, but even that I do not do very often. I prefer one at a time. Two at the most. It just worked out that way that I have four going since two are my daughter's books. Maybe that's why I can't finish anything--too many books going at once. LOL Thank you for stopping by!

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  13. I wish that we could all take the virus seriously for a bit so we could make some progress. I see a lot of the same attitude you are seeing in my area as well. I actually found my childhood copy of Ramona and Her Mother just a bit ago so I love that Mouse enjoyed it. Your Thanksgiving sounds perfect. I love a quiet holiday but usually do more to keep other people happy. I hope your grandmother says virus-free! Have a great week, Wendy!

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    1. Carole - I wish that too. It feels like even more people have given up on even trying. It's frustrating. Especially to those of us who are trying to do what we can.

      There is something to be said for quiet pressure-free holidays. :-)

      Thank you for visiting!

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  14. Well my Mom made it through without symptoms but I worry about long term effects because I hear 6 months later or so things start up again and worse. I'm glad you are getting some time off at Thanksgiving and later this month. I think we all need to drift a little this year. We don't pay attention to the restrictions because we don't go out unless for a med appt or pickup. I do have a trip this week. Hopefully we have learned something since March but I always wear a mask. Our weather is still good so we are enjoying some walks too.

    Anne - Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

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    1. Anne - I am glad your mom was able to remain asymptomatic. Hopefully she doesn't show long-term effects and it's completely out of her system.

      We are similar in that we really don't go out either. My husband does the necessary grocery shopping. I still have to go into the office now and then, but am mostly working from home. We do go on our walks, but we wear our masks and social distance if there are others out and about (there usually aren't). We are trying to do our part.

      Stay safe and thank you for stopping by!

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  15. We live in the same state, since I recognize all the Covid measures you mentioned. I was hoping my work work fall into the category of non essential but my boss never called me to tell me to stay home, so I guess I'm going to work tomorrow😬

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    1. Tammy - I was hoping my boss would let me work from home 100% of the time since technically my job can be done remotely, but no such luck. So I hear you! LOL Thank you for visiting!

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  16. As I'm in southern California, I am in the same lockdown as you. Sigh. Let's hope people can follow it.

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    1. Helen - I hope more people are following it than not. Sometimes it is is hard to tell because those opposed are so vocal about how their rights are being infringed on. :-(

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  17. Oh dear, I hope the lockdown helps to stem the number of cases! But I guess it won't work unless everyone follows the rules...

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    1. Eustacia - I hope it will too. It's very disheartening, the division and lack of cooperation out there to try to control this virus. Thank you for visiting!

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  18. Ooh! What a glorious selection. Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings definitely sounds like one for my wish list. And what about your sleeping cats, Oh I do miss our three.

    Having just come out of a second 'lockdown' here in England, we have resorted to a Three Tier system though with measures relaxed over the holidays it is very much anticipated that we shall have another surge in cases resulting in yet another country wide lockdown.

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    1. Felicity - Thank you! I can't wait to see which one won. I haven't peeked yet, but I probably should soon so I can announce the winner.

      I know cases have surged here because of the social gatherings for the American Thanksgiving holiday. They say hospitalizations for those impacted the worst will come around Christmas time. Such a sad state of affairs. Hopefully with the vaccines coming soon-ish, relief of some kind is in sight.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  19. We came out of a second lockdown at the beginning of December and - like yours - it was much lighter than the first lockdown although they did close non-essential businesses again. We're now back in a tier system which has different control measures depending on how many cases per 100k of the population we have... I'll never understand why people are so lacking in common decency that they won't minorly inconvenience themselves for the good of the majority... I hope your grandmother remains safe from covid and that your numbers come down enough to protect your hospital capacity.

    Snuggly cats are the best this time of year. Fingers crossed the little things keep making you smile!

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    1. Nicci - Thank you. I agree. I just don't understand the lack of common sense out there. Instead of working together and trying to get this virus under some sort of control, too many people just don't care. I don't know what it will take to make them see why we need to take precautions. The lack of human decency is disheartening.

      Thank you for visiting!

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  20. I'm sorry about the lockdown. I'm in Florida and our numbers are increasing but they haven't put in any restrictions. We just stay home on our own.

    The V.M. Burns series looks so good. I have it on my TBR. I hope you enjoy it and have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - It's been interesting to see how different states respond to the virus--some so very different from one another. It would be great if people would just stay at home and take precautions on their own, but that doesn't seem to work in many places. And in others, where there are restrictions, people refuse to cooperate anyway. I can only do my part in trying to stay safe and protect those around me.

      I really like the sound of the V.M. Burns series and am looking forward to reading it.

      Thank you for stopping by!

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  21. Hi Wendy,

    The Covid restrictions have been lifted here in the UK for a five day period, which is terribly wrong IMHO, as we are all undoubtedly going to suffer for it in January! Hubbie and I have decided that we will be staying firmly locked up in our own home alone this year. We have taken all precautions and stayed safe so far, so what is the point in blowing it all now!

    I have relatives living in the LA suburbs and my ninety year old aunt is in an elderly persons shelter there too, so I have my fingers crossed that she manages to stay safe and well - The same goes for you and yours also, of course :)

    I just had to vote for the fudge shop story, as that is my most favourite sweet in the whole world! I will give just about any flavour a try, but original, traditional plain old fudge, will always be top of my list!

    I also like the sound of the V.M. Burns cozy mysteries - fudge and bookshops in one post - what more could a girl ask for!

    A lovely post, thanks for sharing and Stay Safe :)

    Yvonne Xx

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    1. Yvonne - I hope the COVID numbers remain down despite the brief re-opening in the UK, but I fear you will be right. I know it is a hardship on many. And I really feel for the businesses who are suffering because of these restrictions. I don't know what the answer is. All I know is, like you, my family and I are doing our part, staying home when possible and taking precautions.

      I hope your relatives remain safe and well. I know Los Angeles has been hit really hard in recent weeks by the virus. Thank you for the well wishes for my family.

      The fudge shop story sounds really cute, doesn't it? Thank you for voting!

      Thank you for visiting!

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  22. I hope the number of cases will go down quickly with the lockdown. We are still at Phase 2 now, meaning that businesses and schools resume as usual although there are still some limitations.

    Hope you enjoy those books and that you've a good week, Wendy!

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    1. Melody - Thank you, I hope so too! I am glad things are going better in Singapore. America could take lessons from your country. Thank you for visiting!

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  23. First off, thank you for the Christmas card! You beat everyone this year and in fact, so far your is the only one I received! Ha! I am glad you had a nice Thanksgiving. We did too. I am sorry to hear about your grandmother's care facility though. It seems those areas get hit so hard by this virus.

    This is my last week of work until Jan 11th but I have no backup now for my job so I suspect things will implode and I will be called to fix something. It happened over Thanksgiving and it wasn't even important at ALL.

    So your daughter likes musical theatre? Welcome to the club. These musical theatre college auditions are brutal all day affairs that start at 5am. I'm sure my neighbors just love her belting at 5am but all the schools are on the East coast. I wish they would take West Coast students into consideration. What if we lived in an apartment?? We'd be evicted.

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    1. Ti - You are welcome. :-) A friend of mine did Thanksgiving cards this year.

      I hope you are able to enjoy your break and you don't end up being called in. I had to go into the office this weekend to get a little work done, but fortunately it did not take too long.

      Mouse really likes musical theater. She has a recital this coming Tuesday--well, we need to film tomorrow and then her instructor will splice together the different parts. I think they're doing a little skit, but I'm not sure. I hope your daughter did well in her auditions.

      Thank you for stopping by, Ti!

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  24. Being that I'm in Texas, I suspect we won't ever go into lockdown again, though we really should. We have some areas where ICU beds are at critical capacity. But, like you said, even when we were in lockdown enforcement was laughable. I do, at least, live in a county where our leadership wants to enforce measures to the extent they are allowed to (they've been pushed back from the Governor multiple times).

    I understand the desire to take the kids to see Santa - I really do! I have 1 year old! But I can't understand the constant state of denial people seem to be living in. I work for a hospital, so maybe my vantage point is different?

    I can imagine dance doesn't feel quite the same for Mouse at home, but I'm glad she's at least enjoying her musical theater. And Wonder is such a great book, I'm glad y'all get to read it together. What grade is she now?! I feel like that's a 4th grade level book... she's not in fourth already is she? I remember when she was in Kinder!!!

    I voted for the second book - royalty is fun sometimes! But honestly, all 3 books sound really good.

    I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Berls - It seems like the pushback is everywhere. I hope you are able to stay safe and well.

      I'm with you. As a mother, I would love to keep things as normal for my daughter as I can, but health and safety are my priorities at this point. We do what we can.

      Mouse is in 4th grade now. Even I have trouble believing it sometimes. :-)

      Thank you for voting and for visiting!

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  25. I voted for Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings because it sounds like a fun and atypical Christmas read :)
    I was just saying the other day that I'd love to rewatch Buffy The Vampire Slayer, I loved that show!
    Sorry to hear you're going in lockdown again, albeit a lighter one. We've been in a new lockdown again here as well. Hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy!

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    1. Lindsey - Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings does sound fun. :-) We love Buffy. It's been fun revisiting the show.

      Thank you for stopping by and voting!

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  26. We are on a tight lockdown here regardless of what's going on around us because I don't trust most people! The Santa thing is ridiculous. I hope your grandmother is able to stay safe. So scary in those situations Thankfully the hospital has been really amazing about keeping it off campus. We are tested once a week minimum and more if we have any symptoms. Plus there are no outside visitors and only one parent is allowed to be with a patient regardless of circumstances. With all that it makes me crazy to see people living like nothing is happening. Okay deep breath - rant over! Love the cat picture! My cat loves the bean bag in my son's room and I think he'll be so excited when we get home and he sees it again! I had forgotten about it until that picture. Hope you're having a great week.

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    1. Katherine - You and your family definitely need to be on a tight lockdown given Will's illness. It frustrates me that people are being so cavalier about this. I am glad the hospital has been so good about taking precautions.

      I hope you and your family are having a great weekend. Thank you for visiting!

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  27. Rita - Masks are mandated here as well, although it's not enforced. My husband says people are generally good about wearing masks in our local grocery store. And everyone at work is required to wear masks at all times when in the office.

    Kudos to your daughter and the work she is doing. I know it can't be easy.

    Thank you for the recommendation! I will have to check out Memories in the Drift. Lighter reads seem to stick better with me right now than other types of reads.

    Thank you for stopping by!

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  28. In my state we had to go backwards on restrictions too as cases were soaring and deaths in the hundreds. We don't go anywhere other than to pick up take out or online grocery orders. I loved City of Ghosts and Tunnel of Bones and will read the next one in the series. I really want to read Snyder's series too as I've read great reviews. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season with your family and that your grandma is still virus-free.

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    1. Danielle - I am glad to hear you enjoyed Schwab's books. We are looking forward to reading them. :-) My grandmother did end up contracting the virus, but she seems to be managing okay right now. I hope you have a happy holiday too. Stay safe.

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