So excited for my #jolabokaflod book @LeslieO —thank you so much! And we love the chocolates, the sponge candies especially, they just melt in your mouth. Merry Christmas wishes to you! I appreciate your kindness 💗

The 2 cute pooches of the house are VERY excited to see (or rather, smell) the 1st package under the tree—nearly as excited as I am! 😃 #jolabokaflod

Oh yeah, I forgot to post this on 11/30–when I sent out #jolabokaflod package! Thank you @MaleficentBookDragon for putting this all together and @Julsmarshall for reminding me to post a pic.

@jenniferw88 I opened your lovely #staycationintimeswap and I love every bit! The coloring book is so charming and I can‘t wait to read all of the books, though I‘m starting with the tagged book. Can you see the bookmark? It says “Talk Darcy to Me” 😁 Now, if anyone needs me tell them I left for Pemberley and I won‘t be back soon! Thank you Jenny and @Chrissyreadit what a great swap! 📚💕

@jenniferw88 your #staycationintimeswap 3/3 is on its way! (Sorry, it‘s the package, not the fish. Bob is pretty outgoing, but doesn‘t care for travel.)
@Chrissyreadit many thanks~ 😃

Couldn‘t wait any longer for the last book! At last @jenniferw88 your #staycationintimeswap is on the move. Hope it reaches you by opening day! But the book I‘m still waiting for was kind of the whole unifying theme, darn it! I‘ll just send it (3/3) as soon as it arrives.
Our poor USPS is the newest target of our (corrupt, IMO) administration, so that plus COVID are making for delays I‘ve never seen. I‘m really sorry. Also, thx @Chrissyreadit

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

Pretty exciting and tempting to have this lovely #staycationintimeswap package sitting here 😃! The ides of August are just around the corner though. Thank you @jenniferw88 ! I‘m waiting for one more item to go into your 2/2 pkg—unless I decide I can‘t wait, put in more chocolate and just send. Hi @Chrissyreadit 👋

1. Yes & no~raised in Ft. Collins, CO for junior high & HS (GO LAMBKINS!), went to uni in Denver. Long time away & Denver-metro has grown a lot. Traffic‘s worse, but mountains & people are still awesome.
2. Thankful for book I‘m reading, The Toni Morrison Book Club. By 4 brilliant profs/writers, it‘s smart, thoughtful, timely & ❤️rending.
Liked tagged—years ago. #thankfulthursday @Cosmos_Moon @jenniferw88 @Nute @Julsmarshall @Chrissyreadit @Eggs

I love how accessible NDT makes this subject! He narrates in such an engaging way—the audiobook is the only way to fly! Yes, there were times I got temporarily lost in the chemistry, but he circles back for us non-pros.
I particularly liked how he wove the history of astronomy throughout; introduced readers to the ‘stars‘ of the interdisciplinary sciences😄; his clear analogies; his humor; and his reminder to take the “cosmic perspective.” ❤️

Between my terrific public library, my sister who lends me books, and my sweetheart who doesn‘t limit my book buying or reading time (he may not be perfect, but he‘s perfect for me!), I‘m set on one and three. I choose four! How awesome would that be?! Thank you @Eggs @Julsmarshall 😃

Mask-maker, Mask-maker, make me a mask!
I‘m making reusable masks to send to The Bronx—using a pattern posted by Deaconess. I‘ve made more than 100 so far. Not as valuable as N95s of course, but the nurse I spoke with said they can use them for non-contact workers, patient companions or mask liners for staff.
Any stir-crazy, sewing Littens (Sittens?) want to join me? 😃 Sew some for you/your public health office? Perfect project for audiobooks!

“Freedom is going to Dobby‘s head.”

Our sweet Lucy is at doggie daycamp today. She loves going so much—she likes romping with the puppies a lot—but even more she loves the teacher who calls her Dobby (she says it with love). 💕😄 Potterheads are everywhere!

“The Revolution will not be Televised [until after midnight].” Gil Scott-Heron was a supremely talented poet, soul and jazz artist, and a progenitor of rap.
Sometimes when I want/need poetry in a moment, I pull up a song on Apple Music and let the lyrics stream. Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, Gil, and so many great poets are in my playlists.

Sincerest THANKS to you superstars who put so much into organizing, tallying and maintaining #wintergames as well as all my #elfies with your sweet cards! So much postal fun and love really made an already special time feel more so—and made me feel like I belong ♥️ A Blessed and Happy New Year to you all! @Julsmarshall @Bookwormjillk

Thank you Kayla, for the lovely flood of chocolates and bok 😄! I‘ve been a little stuck in biographies and political fare as of late, so this Christmas surprise is most welcome. I appreciate your generosity Kayla, Merry Christmas! 🎄

We had a gingerbread house making contest tonight! It was team father/daughter vs. team mother/son, and this was what my boy and I came up with. So much fun 😁

Putting together the menu for Christmas Eve, I realized the book that I reference more than any other (TBH, this includes my desk calendar or Bible) is my sister‘s cookbook. I credit @Julsmarshall and her husband for all of my (few) holiday culinary wins. Following directions=delicious results, even with ADHD!😃
In case of fire—Heaven forbid—this is the book I grab (okay, calendar and Bible too)!

Watching the 1999 adaptation with Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer—I believe it‘s the first time I‘ve seen it from the very beginning. Dominic West as his nephew and Richard Grant as Bob Cratchit, the whole cast is amazing! Favorite version of my favorite Christmas story ♥️.
#wintergames #elfies #holidaymovie @Bookwormjillk

Thank you to the Litten who posted about Egg Nog French Toast a few days back. My poor hubby is the only one of us working (all day) today, and I think this little marriage of his favorite beverage and breakfast food made the morning a wee bit better! ☀️
#wintergames #elfies @Bookwormjillk

Homemade ornament by none other than @Julsmarshall of first ever mothers/son snowboarding trip; homemade by daughter; homemade by son; sparkledy reindeer
#ornamenthunt #wintergames #elfies @Bookwormjillk

While books and dogs top the list, I also totally ♥️ Christmas, postage stamps and jigsaw puzzles. Look at what I found on usps.com! Like a good book, I‘m a little sad it‘s finished.
Got my mom the love stamp one and mom-in-law the classic stamps. Not as expensive as most 1k piece puzzles either.
#audiopuzzling #itscoldoutside

Don‘t get me wrong, I love a real tree—but then January comes along and they have to go, and it‘s just too sad for this ol‘ softie!
#elfies winter games @Bookwormjillk

We‘re a Lego family; so even though my high schoolers are a little old for a Lego Advent calendar, I couldn‘t resist.
They trade off every morning building the little treasure. A couple days ago, Anna said, “Mom you made the calendar!” Apparently I‘m the lady reading a large book, lamp side, on the edge of the curling pond 😄

#wgwouldyourather #elfies #wintergames @Julsmarshall
@Bookwormjillk
+60 points

I‘m more of a housecat with each passing year, so as much as I‘d miss room service, I‘d rather be at home. What do you think?

#WGWouldyourather #elfies #wintergames
@Bookwormjillk

+81 points

Stuff of nightmares this scenario, but I think I‘d choose all of the cleaning. Cooking for lots of folks, especially multicourse/involved holiday cooking, stresses me out.

#WGWouldyourather #elfies #wintergames @Bookwormjillk

+87 points

I think I‘d rather have silence—there are certain songs I can only handle one time per year...

#WGWouldyourather #elfies #wintergames @Bookwormjillk

+69 points

For me, probably depends upon what the handmade gift was, but I‘d generally rather lose my baggage~

I needed a break from my usual politics or audiobook while I rustle up dinner. Xfinity on demand came through—Frank Capra‘s Its a Wonderful Life. I kind of love that angel Clarence was reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer when he was called to help George Bailey.

#itsmyparty 🎉 @LibrarianRyan

Favorite Litten‘s my sister: @Julsmarshall (sorry, not a fair fight 😄). She‘s not only a brilliant, encouraging sis, but an AMAZING mama, wife, baker/cook, event planner & has an inborn good-book radar!—even tho‘ I have the lit degree/librarian background.
Tagged book & Corduroy were faves, packed them around like security blankets. @Eggs @FashionableObserver @Moonprismpower @veritysalter @goodbyefrancie @julesG

1. Snow! Walkin‘ in it, snowboardin‘, or just lookin‘ at it
2. Tagged—((Hidden Figures) Mathematician Katherine Johnson‘s autobiography, but with civil rights movement and historical references) my favorite book for YA. Audio is outstanding!
3. New fiction
4. @Julsmarshall @mermaidglow

@Eggs

Okay now I‘m hungry 😋 I‘ll have one of each . . .

#wintergames #elfies @Bookwormjillk

No offense, but reindeer are better than people. Sven told me so.

#wintergames #Ornamentscavengerhunt #elfies @Bookwormjillk

I made this Baby Yoda snowflake (handmade ornament) from Anthony Herrera‘s website. He is a bonafide Kirigami genius, and has for years provided print and cut snowflake patterns of Star Wars characters and vehicles—from A New Hope to The Mandalorian. Sorry I‘m fangirling, but you should check it out! He also has Frozen and I think Guardians/Marvel.
#ornamentscavengerhunt #wintergames #elfies @Bookwormjillk @Julsmarshall do you need one Sis?

One more post and then I need to get some work done!😄— selfie with a Disney decoration. #Wintergames #elfies #Selfiescavengerhunt @Bookwormjillk

Book—The Precious Present
Book/Movie—Clear and Present Danger (w/Harrison Ford, swoon)
Song—Santa Baby

@JoScho #manicmonday

It‘s a balmy 58 degrees today in our pocket of Colorado, so I shoveled the driveway and walk—and now don‘t I deserve an hour or two uninterrupted reading time?!
P.S. I‘ve got Christmas on my mind AND on my door!🎄💕 #elfies #selfiescavengerhunt @Bookwormjillk

Just back from the Post Office~sent #JolabokaflodSwap out, and first few #wintergames notes for those #elfies 😃 Thanks @MaleficentBookDragon for organizing jolabokaflod!

Wrapping a book for my #JolabokaflodSwap friend while listening to Apple Music classic Christmas channel, and sippin‘ black tea with milk. I‘m feeling like a bonafide #elfies! #selfiescavengerhunt @Bookwormjillk

Not the most points, but lots. Wish that audio and ebook check outs had been worth points, I‘d have been a contender😄. Fun game, and goes to show how reliant we are on our phones, even for fun stuff.
#Wintergames #elfies @Bookwormjillk @Clwojick

I have not actually read this book—just grubbing for points for team #elfies for #wintergames. Can you put us down for a mama/daughter blue lights pic for #selfiescavengerhunt? Thank you!

@Clwojick @Bookwormjillk

My son works at a movie theatre, and gets free tickets each week. Warms this mama‘s heart when he invites me. “[I could eat him up—I love him so!]”
We both loved “Knives Out” last night. But it was the trailer for Little Women that got me LIT-erally motivated —gonna have to reread the book before the film releases for sure. Have you seen the cast?!

#selfiescavengerhunt #wintergames #elfies

Dear Evan Hansen
Bambi
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer

#manicmonday #joscho

(TBH, eating cookies is not only allowed but expected when baking cookies at our house)

@Bookwormjillk #wintergames #elfies

1–60 (best guess from my bookshelves and Libby)
2–didn‘t have a goal—moved this year—will in 2020.
3–Becoming by Michelle Obama. Super inspiring!
4–Snow: forces me outside to snowboard and forces me inside to read 📚😊

#wintergames #elfies @Bookwormjillk @Bookwormjillk @StayCurious @Clwojick

Our sister (my literal sister, and your Litsy sister), @Julsmarshall , has a huge event—which she planned—happening this week! It is going to be amazing, just like she is! Will you join me in sending her support and love?

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie-A. Bradley (❤️)
Stand by Me (book/movie, pie eating contest)-S. King
Cherry Pie-Marvin and Johnny, or Warrant!
#manicmonday
@JoScho

This darling shop is everything my sister says it is! All manner of books and gifts, though the children‘s section is the sweetest. Our mom—aka the one who raised us rabid readers—was with us. I had a bad case of the “wants.” It‘s probably good that it‘s 900 miles away for me.