Yesterday we threw caution to the wind and went a little crazy decorating this place for Christmas. (This is the first time I've ever done it right after Thanksgiving, and I have to say it was a blast. We won't get a tree yet, though. Sometime within the next two weeks.)

So now everything sparkles with little white twinkle lights and candles and garland and satin-gowned angels and velvet-suited Santas and art deco reindeer, and a little tree on the window seat in the kitchen, and wreaths with scarlet berries and pine cones. The cats' stockings flank the fireplace and ours will be added when the tree goes up. 

It's just beautiful. I love the holiday season.

I found a wonderful custom guitar-strap artisan named Bob, over at Brookwood Leather so if you're in the market for guitar straps, he's the man to see. Prairie Land Herbs is also a wonderful for soaps, spritzes, lip glosses, etc.. And my favorite tea site so far is Special Teas, but I've also heard that Teavana and Stash Tea are good, too. And you can never go wrong at Zappos, who have been my alltime favorite for a couple of years, now.
 
Anyway.

I'm working on a new book right now, but so much of it is still in the listening stage. That stage, for me, is really important, because I don't know most of what's happening or where these characters are going yet, so I need to keep my mind open and listen for their voices. And I need to try not to herd them where I want them to go, but to let them run free in their own lives and lead me where they want me to go. It's a pretty funky time, wide open to possibility.
 
Very cool.