Thanksgiving/Christmas Countdown

Yes, believe it or not, I'm still here.

Thanksgiving is in TWO days and Christmas is less than a month away.  Am I prepared?  No, I am not.

But I'm trying.  I have procured all the supplies necessary for the pies that I want to make for Thursday.  And I plan on making them tomorrow.

This will be a slightly different Thanksgiving this year as we are not hosting - but instead will head two doors down to celebrate with our dear friends.  A and S will unfortunately not be joining us; heading to her parents instead.

I am being a good sport about this - this first Thanksgiving without my "baby" at the table.

Turns out that our Thanksgiving feast will also be a first.  Apparently, instead of the usual turkey dinner we will be dining on brisket and salmon.  And although, I thought I was ambivalent about turkey - I will miss the gravy, stuffing and turkey.  I have promised my husband that I will harass him about this travesty several times on Thursday; since our child won't be here to do the honors (that child is fanatical about tradition).

Yesterday, I tried to take advantage of the warmer weather to set up our outdoor lighting situation.  My pre-lit garland foiled that plan.  So this morning, I headed out to Michael's to procure new garland.  Only to have to turn around and go back to Michael's as the garland I bought wasn't long enough.  This wouldn't be an issue except for the fact that Michael's is at least 20 minutes away (one way).  But I persevered and got the lighting up before the cold weather hits (tomorrow).  And I hounded The Husband to get it all connected and ready to go.

Then, in a spurt of productivity I was able to get the rest of the decorations (tree, etc.) up.

Now, I just need to sit down and focus on present buying.  This particular chore has been put off even later than usual and now I need to get it done! 

I'm vacillating on whether or not to do cards this year.  Maybe if I can find some decent cards after making pies tomorrow.  No pictures since we haven't seen the kids often enough to find the time for pictures.  I really need to be more proactive about that next year (seems like I say this every year).

So what about you?  Are you set for Thanksgiving?  How about Christmas?

Book Review: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

So far, Riley Sager has yet to let me down when it comes to his novels, and The House Across the Lake was no exception.

Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress, trying to elude a run of bad press, is pushed to her family's lake house in Vermont by her mother against Casey's wishes.  The very lake that made her a widow in the first place.

Once ensconced in the old lake house, armed with plenty of booze and an old pair of binoculars she inadvertently becomes obsessed with spying on her neighbors - a tech whiz and a former model.

A couple which makes it nearly impossible to not spy on.  Particularly after Casey pulls former model, Katherine, from the lake saving her from drowning.

From there you kind of think you know where this story is headed.  You are wrong.  Dead wrong.  I audibly gasped at one plot twist - it came out of nowhere.  

If a psychological suspense stories are your jam; you will love this one.  I promise.