Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H. P. Mallory

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is the first book of the Jolie Wilkin's series, and also my first read for the Paranormal Romance Challenge that I have joined that is hosted by Bitten by Paranormal Romance. Also the first book that I read on my kindle app for Android! I have to say it's a little strange reading an entire book on such a small screen, but very convenient to have a book (or many) with you all the time. I do usually have a paper book with me all the time, but just in case I forget, I now have them on my phone! woohoo!

In honor of the release of her second novel in the Jolie Wilkins series, currently the kindle edition of Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble is still just $.99 at Amazon, so check it out! This is apparently a US only sale.

Jolie Wilkins owns a new age shop, which her best friend Christa helps her to run, where she performs psychic readings. Life is going pretty well, until Jolie sees a ghost, and a handsome stranger named Rand Balfour hires Jolie to do readings for him. She feels that she isn't making any headway, but Rand assures her that he is pleased and so they continue. He was testing her, because he wanted to hire her for the job of finding out who murdered the ghost that she saw earlier in her shop. During the job, Jolie accidentally discovers that she is able to bring back the dead. Once her power is realized, life can never be the same, and she becomes the focal point between factions that are about to go to war. The attraction between Jolie and Rand is undeniable, at least Jolie can't deny it, though Rand seems to try, claiming that it just would never work since he is her employer. His resolve is put to the test when Jolie is taken captive. There is also a sexy vampire in the mix, not to mention werewolves and faeries, all having to choose sides in the coming power struggle.

I will give this one a 3/5, I liked it, but I had some lukewarm feelings about the characters. I just couldn't bond with them, so while the story was fun, I'm not sure if I will continue the series. I really think that characters sometimes just speak to a person and other times they don't, and that's very much subjective to the reader, so give it a try!

For more information on the author and her books, check out her website!

Dante's Girl by Natasha Rhodes

This is the first book of the Kayla Steele series (of which there are now 3 total) and my second read for the Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge at Book Chick City.

This is a busy story! Kayla Steele is a perfume counter girl, who just wants her boyfriend Karrel Dante to propose to her. She believes he works at the humane society, with no clue to the secret life as a supernatural hunter he's been leading. She's about to be introduced to that world up close and personal, when she finds out about Karrel's death and true vocation, then becomes a target in the treacherous game being played between the different paranormal factions. Karrel is not completely gone, and by making a bargain he was able to pass along his strength to Kayla so that she can avenge his murder. Along with general mayhem, there's double crossing and back stabbing, biological research and testing, and power plays for dominance.

I'm only giving this one a 3/5, I liked it, but not really enough to pursue the rest of the series. There was too much going on for me, and not enough explanation or background for my liking. There are two big baddies that have branded their followers with their initial, but one of them is absent for almost the entirety of the book. I just felt like there was a lot of backstory on their history that I was missing. There are likable characters, Phil and Ninette from the hunters are fun, but I think I really expected Karrel Dante to be a much bigger player in the story than just the catalyst and a few small cameos.

Natasha Rhodes has done film novelizations for some horror, and sci-fi/fantasy franchises, and I feel like that is how this reads, like a sci-fi action movie, which is fine, but not my fave style. There is lots of fighting and chasing and running and more fighting and breaking things and blowing up places, and it's all quite well done. I say that because I often have a hard time keeping track of things during scenes like that, but I felt like the action was pretty well diagrammed here.

Check out Natasha on Fantastic Fiction to see her other novels.

My Favorite Commercials

I'm usually annoyed by commercials, especially all the food ones, tempting me with a greasy hamburger or a cheesy pizza, because yeah, I want that stuff, quit showing it to me! But sometimes commercials are really funny, usually they're the ones that I don't even have the service of, or buy the product for, but I still appreciate the entertainment! Here are a few of my favorites, and no, I don't have Allstate, and I've never tasted Dos Equuis, and yeah, I'm a girl, so no Old Spice for me, but I guess they've still accomplished their goal if I'm saying their name because I like their commercials, huh? Ah well...

"OMG, Becky's not even hot!" This guy cracks me up, I just tonight saw the GPS commercial for the first time.


I think this is most of the Most Interesting Man in the World commercials that are on, but they're just so funny... "the right look should suffice", "He can speak French in Russian..." or something like that! ;)


And I think by now we've all seen the Old Spice guy commercials, but have you seen all of his twitter video responses? Probably not, they're great, so go check 'em out, especially if you just want to ogle him standing there in the towel.


What are your favorite commercials?

Giveaway: Your Big Break by Johanna Edwards

From the BOB: Dani Myers has become an expert at romantic breakups ever since she was hired to "facilitate" them for clients of Your Big Break, Inc. In other words, she dumps people for money. But company rule #5 (do not get personally involved) is getting harder to obey. One of her dumpees is turning out to be the kind of guy she might just want to pick up on the rebound. and a new client has just walked in, begging for Dani's help breaking up with The Big Jackass, who's been leading her on all this time-and now turns out to be married.

It would be a routine job except for one problem: the so-called Big Jackass is married to none other than Dani's mother.


Shaunie's opinion: This was a fast and fun read, I'm really enjoying Johanna Edwards' books. The idea of the breakup company is hysterical, and the clients that hire them are just so painful you want to strangle them, it's great!


The Giveaway: This is a gently used, and Bookcrossing labeled copy, that I'm ready to pass on to make a new friend! To enter, please comment on this post and tell me what you are reading right now, no answer, no entry. You get an extra entry if you are a follower, and another if you are a Bookcrosser, please tell me your Bookcrossing name to claim this extra entry. I will choose the winner on February 5th, 2011. Giveaway is open internationally.

Vamped by David Sosnowski

I loved this book! It was a surprise, not because I didn't expect to like it, but because of how much I liked it. The concept sounded kind of silly, and in many ways it was, but there were serious heart tugging moments as well, and that was completely unexpected. So at the same time I'm laughing and shaking my head, I'm also thinking this guy gets it, and is somehow displaying it with this unlikely duo of vampire and little girl. It comes across as a strange mix of horror, chicklit and family drama, but it works!

Martin Kowalski is a vampire, just like everyone else. In fact, he's part of the reason that almost everyone else is a vampire, and he's getting bored with life. He begins taking chances, driving too fast, letting things fall out how they may, in fact, the night he finds Isuzu is the night he'd planned to possibly be his last. Everything changes when he decides to take her with him, at first as a test in delayed gratification, real humans are rare, and expensive. Somehow that delayed snack never happens, and instead Isuzu worms her way into his not-so-dead-as-he-believed heart. Somewhere along the line Martin stops being a predator and starts being a parent. Every day brings humor and horror in equal measure.

I gave this one a 5/5 because it was just so different and gripping. You're holding your breath along with Marty that this little girl is going to grow up and make it in a world where everyone views her as a tasty snack! I had to read many passages out loud to my husband because they were just too good! Sosnowski's first novel, Rapture sounds like an interesting read as well, so I will definitely be on the lookout for it!

This is my first read for the Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.

David Sosnowski on FantasticFiction.com

2010 Wrap up

Now that we're a week into 2011, I'm finally getting around to my 2010 wrap up/faves post. It's a difficult thing, I read a lot of books in 2010 that were really great, and I'm having a hard time picking which ones to talk about, because talking about all of them would be much too long!

Just for Fun Reading Stats:

Books read/listened to: 132 (a personal record yay!)

Pages read: 33,794 avg of 91 per day, I was really shooting for that 100 per day mark, but didn't quite get there!

Genre Breakdown: I'm a little ashamed to say Young Adult/Teen was my most read category since I'm in my 30's, but there are so many great books for that age group now, and I'm loving the teen paranormals!

29% Young Adult/Teen
18% Romance
14% Fantasy and Sci-Fi
13% Audiobooks (ok, not really a genre, but that's how I kept track)
11% Mystery
15% All that other stuff (Chicklit, Non-genre fiction)

Oldest Copyright Date: 1979, Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson (a very cute YA Fantasy book!)

Events: I participated in Dewey's Read-a-thon both times this year and had a lot of fun, reading, blogging, and visiting other blogs! The next one has just been announced, so mark your calendars for April 9th, 2011! It's a fun friendly reading frenzy!

Now for the hard part, picking favorites!

Best reads:





*Mind Games by Carolyn Crane (I think my top fave of the year, looking forward to Double Cross!)

*Heart of Stone by C. E. Murphy (I'm listening to the second book now and loving it!)

*The Ruby Ring by Diane Haeger (historical fiction about Raphael the painter)

*A War of Gifts by Orson Scott Card (quick, but powerful)

*Inside/Out by Maria V. Snyder (looking forward to Outside/In!)

*Interred With Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell (Shakespearean themed thriller)

*Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison (Teen paranormal)

*Firespell by Chloe Neill (Teen paranormal)

There are actually many more I could mention, but it would probably take me until next year to get it all posted! Good luck with your reading in 2011, I can't wait to see what the year brings us!

Christmas Revels by Mary Jo Putney

Christmas Revels by Mary Jo Putney is my fifth and last read for the Christmas Spirit Challenge. This was a collection of five short romances all by the same author, the first a contemporary, and the other four historical. I have to say I think this was my favorite read of the Christmas books I read this time, and I'll definitely be looking into more of this author!

In A Holiday Fling a British actress and an American cameraman rekindle their relationship while filming a local production as a fundraiser to save a historical building.

The Christmas Cuckoo is a historical case of mistaken identity that actually turns out well for everyone.

Sunshine for Christmas brings together a despondent Englishman and a relocated English Governess in Italy, as he is trying to escape winter doldrums.

A young French seamstress accepts an indecent proposal to make ends meet when she is unjustly dismissed. It turns out to be the best decision of her life, in The Christmas Tart.

The Black Beast of Belleterre is a Beauty and the Beast story, where the young and beautiful wife proves to the "beast" her husband that her love for him goes far beyond the surface.

I'm really not sure which one is my favorite as with each one I read, I decided it was the best at the time! These were very enjoyable short romantic novellas, and Ms. Putney does a good job of making the characters likable, and fills each story with good description of action and setting. This was the first book by Putney that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last, I'll be adding some to my wishlist! Highly recommend this one to someone who wants some holiday historical romance!

And that concludes my Holiday Challenge reading! Bring on the next challenge!

Sookie it is!

Well my first poll ended in a tie between the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris and the Women of the Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong, so I STILL had a make a decision darn it! WestofMars suggested that a tie meant I had to read all of both series that were tied, but I'm not going to even try that! So here it is, Sookie wins! Which is not to say that I won't start reading the others as well, but I'm going to TRY to read all of the books listed below in 2011.




1. Dead Until Dark (2001)
2. Living Dead in Dallas (2002)
3. Club Dead (2003)
4. Dead to the World (2004)
5. Dead as a Doornail (2005)
6. Definitely Dead (2006)
7. All Together Dead (2007)
8. From Dead to Worse (2008)
9. Dead and Gone (2009)
10. Dead in the Family (2010)
11. Dead Reckoning (2011)

This didn't go so well for me on Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series, as I missed it by two, and there were fewer books to read that time, but I'll give it a go. At best I'll catch up, and at worst, I'll still hopefully be farther than I am now!

I've set 3 challenges for myself, and signed up for 4 more hosted challenges, for a total of 95 books if I don't let any of them count for multiple challenges. *faints* Um... yeah... well, I guess I'd best get to readin' huh?

Good luck on your challenges, or just in your reading, I look forward to seeing what books the year brings!

Teaser - "The Christmas Cuckoo" in Christmas Revels by Mary Jo Putney

		"Please, don't say anything more -- words are never adequate for the deepest truths." Wanting to remove the shadows from Jack's anguished blue eyes, she laid a gloved hand on his arm. "My trials have been different from yours, but I have learned that heroism lies beyond despair. And while it is certainly admirable, it is never glorious." -- pg. 132 of "The Christmas Cuckoo" in Christmas Revels by Mary Jo Putney

I'm reading this as my last book for the Christmas Spirit Challenge, and was really struck by that quote, so I thought I'd share. I think this might be my favorite of the Christmas books I've read this season.

Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City

Here are the basics, please click on the picture above to get full details on how to sign up.

* Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

* Rules: To read TWENTY FOUR (24) horror & urban fantasy novels in 2011

I hope it's okay if they are all Urban Fantasy because I'm just not much of a horror reader. Urban Fantasy on the other hand... ;)

And this is the last challenge I'm signing up for, really, I mean it! No, really I do mean it!

Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2011 hosted by Book Chick City

I read mysteries anyway, so this should be an easy one, I hope! Here are the basic details:

* Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

* Rules: To read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2011 (12 is the minimum but you can read more if you wish!)

* You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

* You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.

* At the beginning of Jan 2011, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews. There will be a monthly prize too courtesy of the lovely Simon & Schuster - you must be signed up to the challenge and add the link to your review to be entered into the monthly prize draw.


There are also ARC's and other prizes involved, so if you'd like to join, click on the picture above, and read the details carefully, there are certain things you must do in order to qualify!

Last day to tell me what I'm reading next year!

Today is the last day for my poll to help me decide what series to catch up on next year. So far you all have been really unhelpful in making it a tie between 2-3 of the 4! ;) I guess that just means I picked some good ones! If you haven't told me what to do yet, now's your chance! Yes, smart aleck remarks are okay, as long as they're not too mean! Just check out my side bar and you'll see the choices.

Working on finishing up one more book today I hope, that will bring me to 133 for the year, my best ever! I will post a year end favorites sometime in the next couple of days I hope. I've read and listened to some great ones this year!

All You Need is Now - Duran Duran

Quick plug for one of my favorite groups, their new release came out on 12/21, I think it might have been an iTunes only release. I finally got to listen to the whole thing today and really like it!

Here is the video from the title song, All You Need is Now. Notice the high tech foil background! ;) Enjoy!

The Bite Before Christmas by Heidi Betts

The Bite Before Christmas by Heidi Betts is a collection of 3 novellas, with the tie between them being Angelina Bertolli, a vampire matchmaker. This is my 4th Spirit of Christmas Challenge read. I may try to squeeze one more in before I call it quits for the year, to see if I can't reach that Christmas Tree level!

This was a fun read, I could easily see a series based on cases from Angelina's matchmaking service. I have a few criticisms, but they're all about the cover, front and back. The cover picture is cute, it really is, but who is that guy? He doesn't match anyone in the any of the three stories that I could tell. I think it would have been better if the picture had been of Angelina in a slinky, Christmasy number, since she's the character that loosely ties these three stories together. But otherwise a very cute cover. Now, the blurb on back... someone didn't proofread because two of the stories name different men than are in the actual stories! LOL! Instead of Nick and Sergio, we actually had Sean and Ian. But anyway... on to the stories!

In All I Vant for Christmas, vampire Connor Drake just wants a traditional Christmas with all the trimmings, but his rebellious, teen-age acting siblings won't cooperate. Enter human Jillian, an event planner sent in by Angelina to give Connor the Christmas he dreams of. Not only does she decorate, she gets Liam and Maeve interested and helping. Along the way Connor realizes that he wants Jillian to stay with him, not just for Christmas, but always.

Angelina again takes charge in A Vampire in Her Stocking, when she turns terminally ill Sean (not Nick!) into a vampire and leaves him wrapped up in a bow for her friend Vivian, his secretly vampire assistant who deeply loves him, and is now faced with losing him. Vivian refused to turn Sean herself, believing he would not want that life, and she's afraid that she may be right when at first he seems to reject her. But Angelina is rarely wrong...

Angelina herself is the star of It's a Wonderful Bite, as she's watching the happy couples she's brought together, and then examining her own life with sexy vampire cop Ian (not Sergio!). She loves him deeply, and begins to think that perhaps she'd like to make their commitment more permanent, but Ian just doesn't seem like he'll take the hint without a big push. Angelina has a dream after watching Ian's favorite Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" for the millionth time, where she and Ian are not only not vampires, but not together, and almost loses Ian forever. No worries though, of course it ends on a high note! ;)

The wreath decorating scene with Connor and his siblings was cute, I think though it's a toss up for me which story I liked the best between It's a Wonderful Bite and A Vampire in Her Stocking. These vampire stories seen a little outside of Heidi's norm but I enjoyed them, and I think her Chicks with Sticks series looks cute, and may have to give it a try.

For more information on the author, please see her website:

Heidi Betts

Hallelujah

I shared this from another facebook friend, but wanted to share it here too. Hallelujah we've made it through the big day! As my husband punnily said "We've Handel-ed another Christmas!" LOL! This is very fun if you haven't seen it, almost as bad as a game of Twister for some of the kids!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!



Here is the group I think the kids were emulating, also very funny. The kids did a great job!

Carry On, Santa...

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope your Holidays are peaceful and filled with love. Please remember our family members who are not able to be home with us right now.

Below is something I heard on the radio today, and then found a wonderful picture collage set to it on you tube. It is a tear jerker, so if you're already feeling fragile and emotional, maybe save it for later. Take it from one who understands, I've cried both times I've heard it today, but I do really like it. There's just one line that gets me every time, if you listen to it, I'm sure you'll know the one! ;)




Here is the poem itself, and some info about it: Merry Christmas, My Friend

Merry Christmas to all... and to all, a good night!

How Mrs. Clause Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn

How Mrs. Clause Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn is my third read for the Spirit of Christmas Challenge. I highly recommend this one if you are looking for a "Meaning of Christmas" read rather just a story set during the holiday.

This is the story of Mrs. Claus, Layla, and how she met her husband Nicholas as the desire to bestow gifts on poor families brought them together. They are joined by other famous companions, but this is more quick backstory. The real focus is on England in the 1600's when the Puritans are rising to power and having difficulties with King Charles I. The Puritans felt that celebrating Christmas was actually sinful, as the December 25th actually corresponds with a pagan holiday, and that people used it as an excuse for bad behaviour, that it was actually offensive to God. There was a lot of interesting history presented here that I was not aware of, and will be interested to find out more about. Mrs. Claus feels called to stay in England during the troubles and try to save the holiday that was the only highlight for many of the people during the year.

The main theme of the story is gift-giving. Not the lavish presents we often bestow on our family and yes, let's face it, ourselves, but the kind of giving that embodies the true spirit of Christmas, food and clothing for those in need, and yes, maybe a toy or some candy. The kind of giving that comes from the desire to make someone else's life just a little bit easier and happier. I practiced my own version of this during my reading of the book, as I donated a batch of toys to Toys for Tots yesterday, embarrassingly getting quite emotional as I handed them over to the retired marines manning the bins. I had a lot of fun shopping for these gifts with my Mom and my husband, (who wouldn't, I mean, toys, come on!) as I imagined a child opening them on Christmas Day. And Mom, if you're reading this post, no I really don't need a blue Barbie horse of my own, I promise! ;)

It's a wonderful yet poignant feeling to freely give gifts to someone in need, especially because we never know when the tables might be turned and we're the ones in need of help. I was amazed to find out how many people are at poverty level in my own county, I honestly had no idea as we're joked about being rather affluent in this area. So if you feel the need to make a difference, there are many opportunities. You can contact places like Harvesters, and the Salvation Army, or look for some local charities in your area, we have several here, they are constantly in need of volunteers and funds, and many make it easy to donate to them even through online websites. It may feel "too easy" to just make an online donation, but trust me, these places have become masters at stretching a dollar, so anything you can give will help them. I hope someday to step up my own "giving" into some volunteer time as well, but until I'm ready for that kind of commitment, I'll continue donate here and there as I buy my groceries, and buy toys at Christmas, little things here and there. Because if everyone is doing little things, they add up to big things!

I did not really see any official website for Jeff Guinn as an author, but here is a link to an article where he is talking about the Christmas Chronicles, of which the Mrs. Claus book is a part: Jeff Guinn Interview

ETA: I stand corrected, I did not think at first this site was for the correct Jeff Guinn, but it does appear to be, as he does mention a book about Bonnie and Clyde in the interview, so here is the Official Jeff Guinn Publisher Page.

Candy Cane Murder by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine and Leslie Meier

I decided to go with a mystery Anthology for my second Spirit of Christmas Challenge read. All three of these stories are about established series characters.

Joanne Fluke is the headliner with her bakery owning character Hannah Swensen in Candy Cane Murder. Hannah must solve the murder of department store owner Wayne Bergstrom who is playing Santa Claus. Many people had reason to dislike Wayne, but Hannah solves the case with help from both of her male friends, Norm and Mike. This story is sprinkled with a lot of cookie recipes that sounded absolutely delicious! I did actually figure out who the killer was in this one, much earlier than I normally do, so I was kind of proud of myself!

In The Dangers of Candy Canes by Laura Levine, ad writer Jaine Austen is called in by one of her clients who owns a roofing company, when one of his customers falls to his death from the roof while decorating for Christmas. Jaine discovers many suspects and some unsuspected relationships, all while telling some whopping lies of her own. It almost backfires on her however, as she nearly becomes a victim herself! Jaine's foray as an LA Girlfriend in this one is also funny, a little bit of charity almost gone wrong! I was surprised by the killer in this one!

Candy Canes of Christmas Past by Leslie Meier has her character Lucy Stone remembering a particularly difficult Christmas in her life, before her second child is born and during the renovation of a house that is taking every cent she and Bill had. It seems like anything that can go wrong for her in the house does, but she also discovers what a caring town they have moved to. The mystery in this one is a historical murder, the mother of the town's librarian Miss Tilley. It was never clear if Mrs. Tilley's death was an accident, her daughter has always suspected the worst, and Lucy is able to help her solve the crime. I admit I didn't figure this one out either!

Again I'm having a hard time deciding which story was my favorite, but I think I have to go with Candy Canes of Christmas Past by Leslie Meier. This is the first Lucy Stone character mystery I have read, I was already familiar with of the other characters.

For more information on these authors, check out their websites:

Laura Levine
Leslie Meier
Joanne Fluke

Hot for the Holidays by Leigh, Knight, Bast and James

Hot for the Holidays is an anthology of Christmas themed paranormal romances from some of the best known names in the industry, Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast and Allyson James. These are hot, explicit stories, so be prepared! This is my first read for the Christmas Spirit Challenge, and it was a snow melter for sure!

Vampire's Ball by Angela Knight is set in her Mageverse world, where Kat Danilo learns of her magical and historical Arthurian heritage and is shepherded into her Maja powers by Ridge Champion, a vampire. She is course tested right away, before she really knows what she's capable of or how to wield any of her new found power, when she must help take down a rogue werewolf.

In A Little Night Magic by Allyson James, Jamison Kee returns to protect his love Naomi and her daughter Julie from the Changers he that are following him. Naomi is still hurt and angry by his apparent abandonment a couple of years before, but quickly comes around when she learns his story. As expected the Changers do come after them, and they get a little bit of help from above in the form of the Native American god Coyote.

Anya Bast takes us to the Fae court of the Seelie in Sweet Enchantment where Dark Fae Ronan is set to be executed for a treasonous act, and former love Bella makes a last desperate attempt to save his life by offering to marry him. He refuses, but is given hope by her offer, which tells him she does still care for him, feelings he believed he had destroyed in her. He is determined to make things right so that they can be together on their own terms, their love unmarred by a forced bargain.

A Christmas Kiss by Lora Leigh takes place in the Wolf Breed compound of Haven. Jessica is being held in the compound under guard, for her own protection and to prove her trustworthiness. She had betrayed the Breeds while under the influence of a drug that her father had given her, but she also helped to save the mates of several Alphas. Hawke knows that Jessica is his mate, but he controls himself carefully around her until her innocence can be proven, and she is welcomed into the Pack without reservations.

This is a nice paranormal collection to read during the holidays, excitement, sizzling scenes, and holiday miracles. I have a hard time choosing a favorite, but I think I would have to say A Little Night Magic by Allyson James.

For information, visit these links:

Anya Bast
Allyson James
Angela Knight
Lora Leigh

Christmas Decorations

It's that time of year again. That time we all have aspirations of being the most awesomely decorated house on the block... okay well, not really, but we do feel a little "deer" pressure when our neighbors start decorating, and in order not to be a humbug, we feel the need to put some decorations out too!

I have a rocky track record with outside decorations. My mother bought me some lovely grapevine, light up deer (in order not to feel deer pressure, one must actually have some deer to put out), very classy. Their heads move, the doe moves her head up and down, the buck moves his from side to side, slowly, as gracefully as a motorized light up deer can, and I've had them for several years now, they were my first outside decorations.

A few years ago, some of the neighborhood kids apparently decided that my deer were not already animated enough, and decided to rearrange them for me... enough said. Everyone pretty much thought it was funny but me. I was pretty unhappy and it caused me to not put them out the next year, mostly because I didn't want unknown people tampering with my things and breaking them! so there was bump in the road number 1, everyone else still finds it pretty funny, except me!

So I got over my fear of the deer being rearranged and tried it again, luckily with no mishaps, and we even added some critters and an igloo in the back this time, very cute, a polar bear and a seal, they also move, the seal turns his head and flips his tail, the polar bear moves his head. The igloo didn't move, it just sat there looking homey and cute. Until I decided it was time to bring them in, during which I discovered just how homey the igloo had become. As I went to pull the little spikes out, a big rabbit exploded out of it and took off across the street! Now this was funny, or so I thought, until I realized what had happened. The igloo was no longer attached to it's plug. I guess the rabbit had decided that he wanted to get back to basics and having an igloo with electricity was too posh!

My husband made a valiant attempt to resurrect the igloo this past weekend armed with wire strippers and a soldering iron, but to no avail, too many wires had been chewed through too close to where connections had to be made. And so we had to bid the igloo farewell. We're trying spiral trees this time, much less welcome shelter to a bunny we hope. I just think it needs a little more though. Maybe more trees, a penguin or two, I don't know. I did see a really cute lit up giraffe in a Santa hat and coat that I had to point out to a friend, but I just don't think it would go with the whole winter forest/arctic theme I've got going.

Anyway, below is our contribution to lighting up the season. I'm sure anyone who's decorated outdoors has many funny yet frustrating stories to tell!