Merry Little Christmas Story Part 2

 

A Merry Little Christmas Story Part 2

  

* Start the story here: Part 1

Today we feature the second part and conclusion to an original Christmas tale by Robert W. Walker, author of  90+ - and counting -  novels including the fabulous gaslight thriller, CITY OF THE ABSENT, featuring his detective, Ransom.  Check his website for his latest thrillers and novellas. 

(If the photos don't show properly, you can read part 2 of the story at last year's post.)

While Robert is known for his spooky and often creepy-gory horror books, he has a soft side, too! Never fear, this two-part story is rated PG. 

Part 2 Continued --

 "The Thief of Christmas Present"

By Robert W. Walker

(Photos: Christmas Santa House by C. Verstraete, see more pix here - click miniatures; Festive gold and white holiday scenes featuring the miniatures of Lissu, used w/ permission. See more pix and visit her blog) 

To recap: the family are watching the film to see who is stealing the Cluewellens' Christmas from Julia's dollhouse. (See part 1 in the previous post.)

Shortly after, Stevie entered the room, asking, "What kinda movie is this?"

"The movie that's gonna prove you stole the Cluewellens' Christmas!"


"I didn't touch that stuff! I didn't do it, Mom!"

Joannie came down from her room and asked, "Are you still blaming that on Stevie? He wouldn't do that!"

"We got you on tape this time, Joannie...or Stevie...whichever one of you guys did it, so there!" Julia set her jaw, determined to watch every hour of the unmoving movie frame by frame. "Mom and me...we gotcha good now. Liar."

Joannie came at her sister. "Who're you calling a liar? Me?"

"If the shoe fits!"

"Enough, both of you! Stop it. Either sit down and watch the tape or leave the room, but please, no more accusations, Julia, and no more shouting, Joannie-and you, Stevie, stop crying."

"I didn't do it," he complained through tears. "I always get blamed for everything!"


"All I know is somebody stole the Cluewellens' Christmas tree now!" Julia shot back.

"Hey, what's that?" asked Joannie, pointing at the screen. "I saw movement-a shadow-back of the miniature."

Julia, Stevie, and Mother Waldron stared at the slight squeaking noise, too, and in a moment, they all watched a pair of whiskers and a brown button nose rise over the back of the miniature at the chimney.

"It's Newton, my ferret!" shouted Stevie. "He's escaped again."

Newton lived up to his name, always finding ways to escape his cage, and often, Stevie allowed him 'free run time' but Newton always returned to his cage. Newton had even found a way out of the house one night.

"What's he doing?" asked Julia. "OMG-he's going down the chimney."

"Like Santa," said Stevie.


"No...more like The Grinch," replied Joannie. "There's your Christmas thief, Julia!"

"But...I mean how...why?" she asked. "Why's he terrifying the Cluewellens and destroying their Christmas?"

"You really think Newton is thinking along those lines, Julia?" Joannie couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Shhh...watch him. Look, look," said Mom. "The little thief! He's dragging the entire tree out the front door."

With the tree clear of the door, it snapped closed, and Newton scurried away with the five-inch high tree, ornaments trailing. He truly did look like a miniature version of The Grinch except that he was brown and not green.

"Stevie's pet's the thief...the whole time," Julia muttered in disbelief.

"What's he doing with all the stolen goods?" asked mom. "Shall we find out?"

"I think you're gonna need a ferret whisperer or a pet shrink to figure that out, Mom," replied Joannie, still laughing.


"Nothing funny about that little rat destroying the Cluewellens' Christmas!" countered Julia.

"Why don't we all just go on a scavenger hunt?" began Mom. "To see where Newton is stashing all the decorations and presents."

"And stockings!" added Julia.

The four of them started for Stevie's room where Newton lived in a cage. Everyone in the family had gotten so used to Newton's escapes and escapades about the house that no one took great notice of him of late.

"What's going on?" asked Jack Waldron, their father, who'd caught them gathered at the foot of the stairs as he came through the door, home from the office.

Everyone spoke at once until Anna calmed them and pointed to the still action shot on the TV. "We caught Newton red-handed. "He's Julia's Christmas thief."

"Must be the shiny stuff attracts Newton, eh?" asked Jack.


"But he's never done this before!" Anna replied. "Any rate, we're heading up to Steve's room to see where he's stashing the goods."

"Say, did anyone read that book that came with the ferret when you bought Newton at the pet store?" asked Joannie, who was browsing the book for any clues.

"Who's got time to read?" asked Julia.

They all went for Stevie's room, and looked into Newton's cage, a made-over fish tank. There, amid the usual sawdust and toy shelters and fake greenery, was a stash of Christmas miniatures, from the tree, to the presents and the stockings. All of it lay in a neat, orderly circular design. The look on Newton's face said, "I confess."

Joannie handed the paperback book on ferrets and ferret behavior to her mother. "Take a look at the last section on page sixteen."

She glanced at the page. "Oh, dear...then this means..."

"What is it?" asked Julia. "Nothing in that book could possibly excuse this rodent's behavior, and as for you, Stevie-this is all your-"

"No, Julia!" countered her father, who'd now read page sixteen. "No way is this Stevie's fault!"

"You owe Stevie and me an apology," Joannie said to Julia, having closed in on her, nose-to-nose. "And all our friends, too!"

"You do owe everyone an apology, Julia," her mother agreed. "In the meantime, Newton is going to need a new name."

"Whataya mean?" asked Julia.

"New name?" asked Stevie.


"Newton is a girl, and she's stealing shiny objects to make a nest, because she's going to have baby ferrets."

"OMG!" replied Julia. "That's it! That explains the mystery."

"But if Newton's not a boy...what're we going to call Newton?" asked Stevie.

"Newtonia?" suggested Joannie, a snicker escaping.

"Why don't we make it Madame Curie," suggested Mom. "I think she outsmarted us all. In any event, case closed."

Stevie lifted the flimsy lid and started to reach in to retrieve the Cluewellens' Christmas stuff-his sister's stuff, but Julia stayed his hand. "No, Stevie. She-Madame Curie-she needs it now more than the Cluewellens."

"Aren't you ahhh worried about the Cluewellens?" asked Anna of her daughter.

"They'll understand when I explain it to them," Julia replied and shrugged, "and besides, there's always next year."

Anna hugged Julia and Jack put a hand on his daughter's shoulder, and with the entire family looking on at Newton-now Madame Curie-every one smiled, and if ferrets can smile, Madame Curie smiled back, a knowing glint in her eye.

"I have an idea for the Cluwellens' Christmas," said Stevie.

"What's that? asked Julia.

"Why not give them a front row seat for Christmas?"

"Meaning?"

"Put their house under our tree!"


Everyone agreed it was a wonderful solution, and that Julia had a lot of apologies to make, and that she'd tell and retell Newton's story between now and Christmas quite often indeed.

The End.

(c) 2008, 2023 RW Walker published by https://candidcanine.blogspot.com

** I hope you enjoyed this "little" Christmas tale as much as I enjoy presenting it every year. 

Merry Christmas and the best in the New Year to everyone! 

As Tiny Tim said, "God Bless us, every one!"

Merry Little Christmas Story Part 1

  It's become something of an annual tradition that I've been sharing this little Christmas story my friend and fellow author Robert W. Walker penned for me. It first ran here in 2008. Enjoy!

Today I have the pleasure of presenting an original Christmas tale by Robert W. Walker, author of - gasp! over 90  - and counting -  novels including the fabulous gaslight thriller, CITY OF THE ABSENT, featuring his detective, Ransom. Check his website for his latest thrillers and novellas.  

While Robert is known for his spooky and often creepy-gory horror books, he has a soft side, too! Never fear, this story, which will run in two parts, is rated PG. 

(If the photos don't show properly, you can read the story at last year's post.) 

(Come back tomorrow for Part 2.) 

The Thief of Christmas Present
By Robert W. Walker

(Photos: Christmas Santa House by C. Verstraete, more photos see website, Santa's House page.)




Julia rushed into her mother's room, her eleven-year-old arms flapping as she said, "Joannie stole my Christmas presents! I just know it was her!"

"Your big sister wouldn't do that, Julia."

"Then its one of her girlfriends."

"I've talked to Joannie, and she's given the third degree to every friend who has been visiting the house since Thanksgiving."

Julia's eyes filled with tears. "Musta been that boyfriend of hers then!"

"He seems like a nice, respectful boy, and whatever would possess him to steal your miniature Christmas presents from beneath your miniature tree?"

Anna Waldron hugged her daughter to her. "We'll find the stolen goods. They're likely somewhere on a shelf. Thoughtlessly moved by one of your little friends."

"No, no mom! I don't let anyone reach into my dollhouse and take out anything, not the figurines, not the furniture, and certainly not the presents under the tree."

Anna wondered how this could keep happening to her daughter. Julia had put heart and soul into her miniature house this year. In fact, she'd begun creating the tree, the ornaments, lights, stockings hanging over the fireplace, and the presents beneath the tree since last Christmas.

She'd got it in her head that her dollhouse ought to have all the ornaments and decorations of any home, that Mr. and Mrs. Cluewellen and their three children who lived in the miniature house ought to have a wonderful Christmas too.



Julia had worked so hard to make it happen, and now, day-by-day, all her work was coming unraveled. The day before she noticed an ornament missing from the tiny tree. The day before that one of the stockings she'd labored so hard to make was gone from the mantel. Poof. Now two of the tiny presents from beneath the tree-gone. Stolen.

"At this rate," moaned Julia, "by the time Christmas gets here, the Cluewellens won't have anything left."

Anna patted Julia's hand. "And The Christmas Crook of the Present will have won!"

"We can't let that happen, mom!"

"We must act, set a trap."

"A trap?"

"Yeah, we'll wire up a trap that will snap on those sticky fingers."

"Then you think it's Stevie?"

"I hope not, but your little brother is at that age. I sure hope he hasn't lied about this."

"Well...it's not a ghost. I asked the Cluewellens if they'd had any problems with anything like a poltergeist, and they said no."

"You believe them?" Mother Waldron laughed, but Julia stared at her, eyes saying, 'not funny'.

"They don't lie, cheat, or steal, mom."

"Neither does your brother or your sister for that matter, young lady."

"Well I'm not lying about it! Someone's stealing the Cluewellens' Christmas right under our noses."



"You set the trap," suggested Anna. "I'm going to set up a concealed camera, so we can get to the bottom of this before..."

Julia looked up at her mother, wondering why she'd stopped talking. "Before all of the presents and decorations are gone?"

"Before you make your sister and your brother angrier with you than they already are."

"Angry with me? I'm the victim here. Me and the Cluewellens."

"Honey, you have accused both of them of stealing and lying about it. Then you accused their friends."

Julia nodded, and for a moment Anna thought her child understood and agreed, but then Julia said, "It could've been one of Stevie's dumb friends."

"Well now, we're going to find out, aren't we?"

"You think it'll work, Mom?"

"At the rate things are disappearing, my hunch is that whoever's behind the theft will be back."

They put the trap into play.

They wisely left the miniature house untouched and unmoved, the same enticement as ever.

An entire day and most of the evening went by with young Julia wanting to check the Cluewellens' living room and tree every hour, while her mother insisted they wait and see. When Anna decided the camera's battery would be in need of help, mother and daughter went into her room to determine if anything had been taken. They found the front door closed. Julia gasped when she looked in through the windows. The entire tiny Christmas tree had been taken! All about the front door and steps, glitter appeared like colored snow. Whoever was behind the theft, cleaning up after him-or herself-wasn't a concern.

"It's got to be Stevie or one of his goofy friends," Julia said, tears forming. "Maybe Stevie's too chicken to tell on Tad."

"Let's reserve judgment and see what the camera says."

They made popcorn and popped the film into the USB port of the TV and sat down to watch the unfolding events. Unfortunately, during the first hour, nothing unfolded.

"This is a real snore and a bore," Julia complained, tiring of the popcorn as well.

After a while, Julia began making up a storyline to go with the miniature people inside the house on the screen, and it was so vivid that her mom could almost imagine that the little Cluewellen family was as real as Julia believed them to be. She began to see Mrs. Cluewellen move that feather duster in her hand. But clearing her head and eyes, Mother Waldron thought better of saying she'd begun to see the miniature people roaming around inside their miniature house. Maybe the miniature was haunted at that....

(c) 2008, 2023 RW Walker published by https://candidcanine.blogspot.com

* The story continues tomorrow, Christmas Day - see Part 2.) 

Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders!

 

Yay! The unique anthology, (I Just) Died in Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders is now up for pre-order! Get one for a late Christmas or Hanukah gift!

Based on some familiar songs, including my haunting tale, "Wildfire," inspired by the haunting hit of the same name. I can't wait to read all the stories!

* Pre-order here! (If any problems, use main link here.) Paperback only $10! (Note: the link may change so I'll indicate if it has.) * Pre-order now available on Kindle and at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo - UK, Kobo - US 

(Note: affiliate link may earn some commissions.)

                                   ***********

Authors and Stories: (links are to YouTube videos)

* Vinnie Hansen: 96 Tears

Song: 96 Tears, ? and the Mysterians (1966) - Listen 

* Jeanne DuBois: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye

Song: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye by Steam (1969) - Listen

* Josh Pachter: The Rapper

Song: The Rapper by The Jaggerz (1970) - Listen

* J. M. Taylor: It’s Hard to Die

Song: Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks (1974) - Listen

* Christine Verstraete: Wildfire

 Song: Wildfire by Michael Martin Murphey (1975) - Listen

* Sandra Murphy: Pigeon Talk

Song: 867-5309/Jenny) by Tommy Tutone (1981) - Listen

 * Joseph S. Walker: Come On Eileen

Song: Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982) - Listen

* Wendy Harrison: It’s Raining Men

Song: It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls (1983) - Listen

* Bev Vincent: Somebody’s Watching

Song: Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell (1984) - Listen

* Leone Ciporin: Life in a Northern Town

 Song: Life in a Northern Town by Dream Academy (1985) - Listen

 * Adam Gorgoni: Bitch

* Song: Bitch by Meredith Brooks (1997) - Listen

* Barb Goffman: Teenage Dirtbag

 Song: Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus (2000) - Listen 

Making Progress: Half Scale Mansion 2

  

Finally! I am making progress even if it doesn't feel like it.

(See last post or see other links in left column archives. Click photos for full size.)

A preview: So far, it looks pretty good, doesn't it? There is a goof as when I put the light in I totally forgot about the top piece over the door and the side pillars! It looks fine without it but I like it so luckily, it looks like the insides only have to be sanded down a bit to fit. Bad when you read the directions, then go ahead and forget a piece! I've had to make many adjustments because of that kind of thing.

The stairs aren't in yet as I had to wait for glue to dry and wanted to keep them square. I have to add the top treads yet and the rails, too. All the doors and the stairs are painted Rookwood Red, which I also used on the Fairfield. Thought it added a good contrast.

For some contrast, I decided to put the white brick paper on the outside of the front staircase, which required tracing the shape since the sides came in one piece. Then I had to cut out a paper pattern and then trace that to the brick. But I thought it looked better than just painting it. In case you're wondering, those square holes are for brick pillars and the "iron" rail fences, which all have to be painted yet.

After getting all the lights in last week (oh, don't ask!) I took a break... Getting the top floor in took some doing as was dealing with warping so had to weight (and wait!)  Finally did mange to get the top on and the front center tower on... This house requires lots of sanding of tabs that don't want to fit otherwise. Glad we have a giant electric belt sander which has been very handy! Large life-size clamps are also a must!

Here's the back of the roof. Will touch up the brown paint (the brick) and then put some green flock or velvet paper down for "grass" to make a rooftop garden. I'm thinking of putting large planters around the top edge so no one falls off. ha! I found some "Christmasy" fake ferns that are kind of snowy/glittery looking but they're pretty so I hope they work out.

The third floor so far:

I decided later to take out that wall on the left so I have to cover the ceiling slot. The false wall, with a brown door, still has to go on the left side. The larger room will be the bedroom/sitting room where the diner owner lives. Have to add the brown door in the divider wall, too. 

Right side room will probably be a kitchen. Since the diner owner/chef lives here maybe I should make a messy kitchen for a change where he "experiments" so he doesn't poison the patrons. ha! 

I decided to give this a worn look with old brick and added some color with the turquoise blue paper and curtains. Matched pretty well with the blue tile floor from Melvin's Miniatures. I also used their black/white tile in the second floor of the Witch's cottage. All floors are from MM except the first floor. First time I decided to use all tile and not wood in a house but it's a nice change. Have to put in all the trim moldings yet.

Second floor:

Decided instead that this is where the rich widow/building owner lives, Have to paper the right wall yet where I'm putting a fireplace and maybe some shelves. Also have to add the false wall on the left side. Each floor has a different color door to match better, so this floor has a white door. The hanging light was an older kit that I shortened and wrapped with gold cord. I'll get a better photo later. Still have to put in all the trim.

First floor:

I decided to use the red brick here as it went better with the rest of the room. The diner will be on the right. The hanging lights were made using textured "crystal" globes from LED Christmas lights. Replacement bulbs are cheap (a package of 4 is $1 and change.) You just have to pull the plastic balls off and drill the hole slightly larger if needed. The false wall also has to be added on the left side. I'm happy with how the door and doorknob came out. Cut new trim and used a straight pin, bead, and sequin for the knob. I'll pull the light through the box and have to glue a transparency sign in. (Already printed out.)

So... a preview as the house is all together but trim is not done, etc. Lots more painting yet. Not my favorite thing to do either, ha! But I can put on some sappy Christmas romance movie and just paint! 😁

 Next, I'll have to get back to making this year's Half Scale group swap items. Got some done. The theme was Pot Luck, meaning make what you want. Last year's theme was Kitschy. Here's a previous Antiques swap and a previous toy swap, which also was fun. The group members are always very creative!

That's it for the moment.

Thanks for visiting and stay tuned for more updates! I'll be doing a year-end wrap-up, too. And there's the annual Christmas miniatures story re-post coming up!

Music Crime Fiction Cover Reveal!

 

As I mentioned, I have a new story coming out soon in the anthology, (I Just) Died in Your Arms, Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders.

My story, "Wildfire," is inspired by that 1970s hit of the same name. It's a sad song and as I'm a horse lover, it's a favorite, too, so I'm super excited about this!

So... ta-dah! The cover!

It's sharp and classy. Some may object to the gun on the cover, but that is a common element in crime fiction (and crimes). That said, it's definitely attention-getting, which is what you want!

* Pre-order here! (If any problems, use main link here.) Paperback only $10! (Note: the link may change so I'll indicate if it has.) * Pre-order now available on Kindle and Barnes & Noble.

(Note: affiliate link may earn some commissions.)

Here are the authors and stories in the anthology, though I'm not sure of the final order they'll appear in. I've put them in order here according to year, from the oldest to more recent.

Do you know the songs? If you're not familiar with them, I listed YouTube links to each one. Have fun listening, (most are pretty familiar), and reading the stories! I know I can't wait to read them all, too! 

Authors and Stories:

* Vinnie Hansen: 96 Tears

Song: 96 Tears, ? and the Mysterians (1966) - Listen 

* Jeanne DuBois: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye

Song: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye by Steam (1969) - Listen

* Josh Pachter: The Rapper

Song: The Rapper by The Jaggerz (1970) - Listen

* J. M. Taylor: It’s Hard to Die

Song: Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks (1974) - Listen

* Christine Verstraete: Wildfire

 Song: Wildfire by Michael Martin Murphey (1975) - Listen

* Sandra Murphy: Pigeon Talk

Song: 867-5309/Jenny) by Tommy Tutone (1981) - Listen

 * Joseph S. Walker: Come On Eileen

Song: Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982) - Listen

* Wendy Harrison: It’s Raining Men

Song: It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls (1983) - Listen

* Bev Vincent: Somebody’s Watching

Song: Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell (1984) - Listen

* Leone Ciporin: Life in a Northern Town

 Song: Life in a Northern Town by Dream Academy (1985) - Listen

 * Adam Gorgoni: Bitch

* Song: Bitch by Meredith Brooks (1997) - Listen

* Barb Goffman: Teenage Dirtbag

 Song: Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus (2000) - Listen 

Progress: Half Scale Mansion Dollhouse

 

It's a start!

Yes, the Park Ave. Mansion is moving along. I guess I need to post more often. ha!

Well, I hate those stages of dollhouse building where you have an idea in mind, not sure what'll look right, and don't like how it looks at the moment. (See last post; see other posts in left column archives list. Click photos for full size.)

But... I've moved beyond that now and have made some progress I'm happy with!

I decided to put two outside lights, one by each door, top and bottom. I used the tops I took off those smaller Christmas village light poles and attached them to small wood ovals I cut in half and painted for bases. They work well for outside lights on the cheap. I also cut some 1" scale railing pieces to make window boxes (not shown). Then I just had to glue small pieces on each side to make the box. I'll paint them to match the trim and am thinking of putting in red flowers and greenery. 

Here's the top door: (minus the stairs yet to be built and painted.) Stairs: Hmm, just saw a TV commercial with a similar (real) house. It had a green door. What caught my eye was the stairs were painted the same color. The reddish color stairs could look interesting instead of the white? Will think on that as I think the white is ok in small spots, but would be too blinding in  a large item. 

Initially I thought I'd stain the doors, but they weren't dark enough. I wanted a reddish color so I decided to paint them the Americana Rookwood Red, which I also used partly on my Fairfield house. I think the reddish-brown gives a nice contrast. I have to finish painting the doors (and find some doorknobs!) with another coat and do the trim. Painted the trim the same Vintage white as the windows too. That hole at the right is where the center tower goes. I'll show the finished doors in the next post.

First floor: 

 Yes, it is going to be a diner and a small gift shop. I saw someone had used the same color scheme and I liked it as I had the same thing in mind. I got several bar stools (image from site) from MiniEtchers. Just wondering if they'll look right painted silver, or if I'll do them in wood? 

I'll make two small counters against the back and right side wall (which isn't attached yet), one for cooking and one for eating. I want to put a couple cafe tables, too. The fun will be making some food and figuring out things like a griddle, French fry maker, etc. I'll have one or two cafe tables as well.

The center globes were an idea that worked out well after other disasters with two other light fixtures each having bulbs go out. I found round LED Christmas replacement lights (cheap, 4 for $1 something.) Took them apart and drilled the hole in the plastic globe slightly larger and sanded it. They have a kind of textured design on them.

The back wall was touchy getting the wall fixtures on as I had to put a hole in the paper, solder the lights, and then glue the paper and then the lights, A balancing act for sure!

Left side faux walls:

To save space, I decided to  forgo all the stairs and instead make fake doorways leading to the unseen hallways. See the brick wall on left side of photo above. I'll have brick on that back wall, too. That leads to the boxes below:

Of course some ideas sound good and then you have to figure out how to make them, ha! So these tiny boxes (about 3/4" wide) will cover the holes drilled on top of each fake side wall for an exit  sign. I have lights attached on each floor to pull into the boxes and hope to print out the word EXIT on transparencies. The boxes are primed white and I painted them brown to blend into the brick more. Yeah, these gave me fits to put together! To make it a "little" easier, I glued wood corner angles together around a wood base inside and then cut pieces for the sides. I have to drill holes inside the boxes yet so hoping that works!

Second floor:

I decided to put a fireplace on the right side for the sitting room as I liked how Jeanne did hers in her house (see previous post.) Well, I have another one which I couldn't find, so I had to use this one and modify it by adding some depth to the back. I glued cardboard over the sides and brick to the inside supports and painted it all white, I also made a bottom brick piece and will have brick on the back. I made a new top mantle and glued on some shiny marbled paper. I think it turned out well!

Yes, I'm going for a different look here with the gold-striped paper and will also put in some vintage white wainscoting. I wanted a "richer," more dramatic look but make it look a bit more updated. 

So far, so good! I've made a few other changes, too, that I'll show later.  Getting there!

I'm gluing scrapbook paper in as I write this. I like the designing, the papering, not so much, ha! Made some curtains for the second floor also. Vintage looking. Will show those next time. Hey, gotta leave some surprises! ha!

That's it for the moment! Thanks for visiting again and taking a peek.

** It's also that time of year that I started on what to make for the annual half scale group swap. Something useful, even if it only gets stuck in an attic. ha! That's all I can say for now! This year's theme was "Pot Luck" meaning anything. The themes are only suggestions as you can make what you want. (Here's a past toy swap and last year's Kitschy swap.) 

Come back soon for more updates!

Happy Birthday!

 It's my birthday today! So I'm celebrating with some minis, Egg Nog, and maybe a custard donut! No cake, just in mini! 😉

Oh I have plenty of half-scale cakes in my bakery! See more pix here.

I'm working on some neat updates on the half-scale Park Ave. Mansion and do have a post scheduled so stay tuned. The doors are painted and of course, I had to go get some new lace for the door windows but I think it'll look good. Made some curtains for the second floor window, too, which look pretty good. Hint, hint...

My real-life crafting space (above) should look so neat! (From my yellow half-scale Victorian house.) See video on website; scroll past blog on top on the page.)

What else? I'll meet virtually with friends in my writing group... My "office" should look so good... I type at the kitchen table or move the laptop to a small table in the other room. Just easier. (Room shown is also in my half-scale yellow Victorian. I love that chair as it's so different - and it swivels, too! It's from the discontinued Monticello collection, and I wish I would've bought more than one.) 

After that, I think I'll have some Brit-style fish and chips. (It's frozen but I can't get to England so it'll do. ha!) And more Egg Nog. 'Tis the season. Boy, I miss those Egg Nog shakes from McDonald's. Worst decision they ever made getting rid of them. Saves me some calories, though. haa!

Scene from my Christmas house...

Thanks for visiting! Come back soon for another post. 

What I'm Reading: Jean Rabe's Dead of Sled Run Mystery

 If you read anything this year, The Dead of Sled Run, book six in USA Today Bestselling Author Jean Rabe's Piper Maxwell mystery series is a must for your TBR list!

The book opens with a bang, literally, as longtime Deputy Oren Rosenberg's house goes up in flames....

About the Book:

Two weeks before Christmas yards glow with twinkling lights. Carolers serenade neighborhoods. All is merry and bright.

But more than chestnuts are roasting. A raging fire sweeps through the holiday landscape of Sled Run, destroying the home of Chief Detective Oren Rosenberg and killing two.  Could this be an accident? Or did anti-semitic hate fuel the flames?

Sheriff Piper Blackwell and Detective Basil Meredith believe Oren Rosenberg was targeted. How did the arsonist get into a secure, gated subdivision?
With scant clues and a festive but ill-timed snowfall, will they be able to find the culprit? Or will the brightness of the season take on a deadly glow as a murderer walks free to strike again? 

Excerpt, Chapter One:

11 p.m. Friday, December 11th

The keening wail of a smoke detector shredded his dreams. Oren Rosenberg jumped out of bed and slammed into his slippers. Acrid burning scents attacked his nose and throat, making him cough. Faint light showing through the window hit the rolling haze hugging the ceiling.
   The wail continued, joined by another, and another, until all the detectors in the house screamed a cacophonous chorus that terrified him.
   Shaking, he scooped up Cipin, the bonus gray tabby who always slept with him. Next came Razzleberry, another bonus cat, a tuxedo who had been curled on the bedside rug. Cursing for leaving his cell phone on the charger in the kitchen, he looked for the other two cats along the way.
   “Freya! Buttons!”
   A section of the house had been rewired a handful of days ago after a few shorts and an electrician’s warning that things needed updating. Had shoddy work caused this?
“Freya!” he shouted, voice competing with the alarms’ dissonance. “Buttons! Freya!”
   The smoke was thicker in the hall. He held his breath and fumbled through the space, hearing the sizzles, pops, and spitting, finding Buttons, a Hemmingway—his third bonus cat—hissing under the kitchen table. He fumbled for their carrier sitting by the wall, somehow persuading all three squirming bodies into the mesh and canvas enclosure meant for two, ignoring the claws raking his hands and arms. He closed the zipper and stood, the carrier tight in one fist.
   Everything looked blindingly bright, flames reflecting in the stainless steel of the refrigerator, licking up the walls, racing across the ceiling like yellow-orange flowing water. Sweltering, Oren felt like he was roasting.
   Something fiery dropped on his shoulder. He brushed it aside with his free hand, a piece of wood trim from the ceiling, burning his fingers. The fire moved fast, growing in all directions, its crackling competing with the wails. He smelled something plastic burning, melting, sickly sweet. Everything blazed.
   Oren ripped the cell phone from the charger by the sink, punching in numbers, fighting down horror and struggling to find air amid all the smoke while still managing to hold the cat carrier’s handle.
   So damn hot. He was solid sweat.
   “9-1-1. What is the nature of your emergency?” Candace, the new hire for the 11 to 7 shift, the one who dressed like she was about to have a photo shoot for some fancy woman’s magazine, perfect hair, manicured nails.
   Oren tried to talk.
   “Say again. What is the nature of your—”
   He worked up enough saliva and shouted: “This is Oren! Oren Rosenberg.”
   “Yes, Chief Deputy Rosen—”
   “My house is on fire. Sled Run in Santa Claus.” He squeezed the cat carrier tighter and started hacking so loud he couldn’t hear if she said anything in return. The phone slipped from his sweaty fingers, lost in the smoke swirling on the floor.

Review: This is a gripping new entry to an engaging series. As the series continues, the characters' lives have changed and matured, especially Piper as she grows into her job as sheriff. But this time the crimes hit home, and then become even more personal.  Great series with characters you love, descriptive writing, and everything you want in a mystery, with lots of explosive action - literally! 

You're sure to enjoy this latest in the series! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

** Get it at: B&N - Bookshop.Org - Goodreads  - Kindle/KU

About the Author:

USA Today bestseller Jean Rabe's impressive writing career spans decades, starting as a newspaper reporter and bureau chief. From there she went on to become the director of RPGA, a co-editor with Martin H. Greenberg for DAW books.  

Rabe is an award-winning author of more than forty science fiction/fantasy and murder mystery thrillers. When she's not writing, she's tossing tennis balls to her beloved dogs. Weather permitting.