If I have to decorate another Christmas Cookie this year I'll...

Jack and I are still watching the kids. We'll have them for several more days, and as many of you know, entertaining children is challenging to say the least.
I got this brilliant idea to bake Christmas cookies.
I love to bake so I thought it would be fun and easy. It was fun, but not so easy.
We had bought some fancy cookie cutters with designs in the middle of them. Candy Canes, Angels, Christmas Trees, Santa, Stars and Reindeer.
I made tons of colored icing and we used toothpicks to decorate them.

Well...

Jack wanted us to make enough for him to take to work, so I doubled the recipe. We ended up making 4 dozen cookies! The kids did a fabulous job of decorating and being creative with their designs. They might not be professionals, but they definitely took pride in their creations.

Let me just quickly point out that the picture I posted looks totally different than our creations! Our were fabulously creative and much more colorful!

It took most of the day for us to get it done. By the time we were finished, ALL of us were over it! I swear next year I'm just buying plain cookie cutters next year! Of course, Jack came home after we were finished...lol!

At least he took us out for Pizza and drove us around to look at Christmas Lights.

Today we're tackling Gingerbread houses...gulp! Am I crazy? Wait don't answer that! Wish me luck!

Our Christmas Tree

This week Jack and I are babysitting his sister's kids. They had no Christmas Tree, so I came up with the brilliant idea to make one out of beer bottles.
It took some effort and a lot of drinking from all of us, but this is what we created. Isn't it fabulous? The kids have a hangover, but they think it was worth it.


Before you call Child Protective services...just joking! Actually this picture was sent to me in an email. Isn't it a riot? I always wonder who sits around and thinks this stuff up??

Everyone have a fabulous day!

I would have continued reading the series if...

Not too long ago, Shawn and I were talking about how we envisioned some of the heroes in movies and in books, should be with paired up with their sidekick, or male counterpart instead of the heroine.
She emailed me a painting of Captain Kirk and Spock together in this heated embrace.

Earlier, I was looking through images of gay couples when I came across this one starring Hatty Potter. I liked it so much, I decided IF Harry had a boyfriend instead of a girlfriend, then I might have continued to read the series! LOL! I think they look kind of sweet actually, in a young love-teenaged sort of way.

Tonight Jack and I are going to meet some of our Movie and Game night friends for supper. I'm anxious to see some Christmas Lights as we go to and from the restaurant!

Hope everyone else has a fabulous day!

Our Christmas Tree

I thought I would post the Christmas Tree Jack and I decorated. Just kidding! This is actually a tree that my Beautiful BFF saw and took a picture off. Isn't it huge? Can you imagine putting the lights on that bad boy? I'm afraid our tree is much more modest than this one!

Our tree is in between Charlie Brown's and Clark Griswalds. LOL! We do the multi-colored lights and we have tons of decorations we put on it. I bought some really fabulous peppermint lights I put on it from QVC (yes I love the Q) and it makes our tree fabulously unique.

Isn't it funny how soothing a Christmas Tree is? It's not unusual for me to get lost in thought while looking at our tree. I don't know how many times I've watched our tree and it's twinkling lights and fallen asleep. They're totally mesmerizing!

Jack and I always argue about when to take the tree down. I always take it down on January 2nd. Jack thinks it should be taken down before the New Year. I usually win this argument because I'm the one who takes it down. GO ME! LOL!

I've heard of many people taking it down the day after Christmas. That's very practical. I think I'm just too attached to it to take it down so soon! When do you take your tree down? What does your tree look like? What do you like best about your tree?

Thank you for being Fabulous!

Jack and I had a busy holiday. I spent two days cooking. I don't think I left the kitchen unless it was to let the dogs out or to take a quick bathroom break. Lucky for us, I love to cook! But, by the time I was finished baking pies, casseroles and so on, I can honestly say I was over it!

This is the first year Jack and I had Thanksgiving at our home by ourselves. In the past, we've gone over to his families house, but this year we decided to start our own Thanksgiving Tradition. I have to say that I really enjoyed it.

We still went over to some of our friends house and celebrated a belated Thanksgiving with them. Instead of a big meal, we had dessert and coffee. (tea for me) It was nice to just sit and visit for a while.

Jack wrote a very sweet post on what he is thankful for. There is no way I can be as eloquent as he is, but I will say this year has been a year of ups and downs. It's amazing how much things have changed in our lives just from a year ago. We've had family move away, illness, conflict and other crazy things happen this year. But, we've also had some fabulous things happen this year, too.

Jack and I have formed a stronger bond between us. We've had some trying times, but we have worked through them and come out better and happier than before. Jack has proven time and time again how much he will always be there for me, whether it's good or bad times, he's always supportive and loving. I couldn't ask for a better life partner. We are very lucky to have each other.

When Jack convinced me to join goodreads last year, I admit I was hesitant to do so. Basically, I'm a pretty private person. I've had bad experiences with people in general, just like many other people have. I had no idea by joining a book/reading site that I would become acquainted with and become friends with several of you. I am very thankful for that.

The best surprise was I met my best friend at goodreads! I NEVER in a million years would have thought I would find my kindred spirit there. Shawn has brought many things into my life in which I am most grateful for. She has been my voice of reason and has enabled me to learn to trust again. I will always be thankful for that.

So in hindsight, in many ways this year has been one of the best years I've had in a long time.

So, between Jack, Shawn and my friends online here, thank you for being there for me (us) this year.

Simply put...Thank you for being FABULOUS!

M/M Questions Answered...The Next Victim is My Friend, Eyre!

Damn you, Andi! I knew I wasn’t getting out of this one! LOL!

Rules:

1. Answer all the questions below in either the comments here or post it on your own site. If you post it on your own site, you have to come back and give the link here so I/Kris can mosey on over there and see if you have a Sticky Beak.

2. You have to tag two people once your done and pester them relentlessly until they do the meme too.

3. Instead of the Meme image thing you have to post a cookie, preferably a twofer. It is a M/M meme after all:)


*Rubs hands together with Glee*


************************************************************************************


QUESTIONS:


1. How long have you been reading GLBTQ fiction? Reading has always been an important outlet in my life. I’ve been reading a variety of genres, GLBT fiction has been one of them I’ve been reading forever.

2. What was the first book you read in this genre? I really don’t remember. One of the first books I read that I liked was With Love by J.L. Langley.

3. Are you out as a reader? We are. Jack and I talk about what we are reading to our friends and family.

4. Ebooks, Print or Both? Both. I prefer ebooks to paperbacks, but we still read paperbacks too.

5. Do you buy directly from the publisher or secondary seller? We buy directly from the publisher.

6. Prove your a book slut. How many books would you say you buy a week? I’m not a book slut. LOL. We read a couple of books a week if we are lucky. Since we read together this takes longer than the average reader because we also discuss what we read as we go along. There are some books we read on our own, too. This still does not qualify me as a book slut. Damn it!

7. Are you a cover, blurb or excerpt buyer? Like everyone else, I simply adore a gorgeous cover. We honestly buy books because of what our friends say about it, or if it is an author that is a favorite of ours. We don’t ‘blind buy’ very much.

8. Yeah, you read reviews, but do you actually take notice of them? I love to read reviews on Goodreads. I don’t necessarily trust the professional review as much. For one thing, I don’t know them, so their opinion doesn’t mean much to me. On Goodreads, there are several people Jack and I trust when it comes to reviews and recommendations.

9. Who's your favorite publisher? Amber Allure from Amber Quill Press

10. What about authors? Your top two only!! That’s so easy! Those who know me know my favorite author is Shawn Lane. Not only is she a very versatile writer, her character’s are interesting and beautifully flawed. I love them! It’s harder to pick my second favorite author because I really like so many. Probably JL Langley.

11. Is there a sub/genre you particularly dislike? I’m not into the BDSM themed books too much. I do like some of Sean Michael’s books with this theme, but not many. I’m not into the Science Fiction thing either.

12. Short or long? *rolls eyes* And no I'm not talking about cocks! I really liked Andi’s answer on this. I think it depends on the author. As a rule, I think I prefer shorter novels.

13. Is there anything that turns you off about m/m or is it all glorious smut to you? Menage based romances, fisting and I don’t like any kind of humiliation some BDSM themed books get off on.

14. Finish this sentence. You know it's M/M two wuv when...he gives over the remote control. LOL!

15. What theme are you heartily sick of in M/M Romances? I HATE MENAGES. I really wish they would just go away.

16. If you could choose any 3 characters for a M/M/M who would they be? *sigh* Must I? If I have to pick I would say: Tyler Curtis (Alec Tyler) from The Curtis Reincarnation, Hell from Heaven Sent Hell and Kevin from Car Wash.

17. What new GLBTQ new release are you most hanging out for right now? My BFF, Shawn Lane has two books coming out in December that I am anxious to read. They’re called Ticket to Ride and The Best Gift. I’ve been hearing about them forever, so I’m ready to read them! We are looking forward to read Andi's book that comes out in December, too.

18. What new GLBTQ book has completely blown you away this year? I loved Car Wash by Shawn Lane. Kevin really is quite delicious! YUM YUM YUM! I also read and loved The Elegant Corpse by A.M Riley, Without Reservations by JL Langley and the Curtis Reincarnation by Zathyn Priest. One of my all time favorite books is Perfect Man by Shawn Lane. Alex and Craig's story will always have a very special place in my heart.

19. What do you think well see more of M/M romance in 2010? Beats the hell out of me! It would be nice to see it become not as taboo to read as it is right now. A lot of people are embarrassed to admit they read romance, so I know people being proud to admit they read GAY romances is out of the question!

20. Don't you agree that Josh Lanyon should just kill off arsehole character Jake Riordan? Nah. Even assholes need love too! LOL.

I’m going to break the rule and just pick one person to do this. I have one other person left I can pick that I follow and actively talk too. I’m actually pretty surprised she hasn’t been picked yet!

Have Fun, Eyre! http://eyre32.wordpress.com

I'm Having Withdrawals

I should be resting. I know I'll probably get into trouble for blogging instead of doing as I should, but I thought I would take my chances and say a few words anyway.
This has been an interesting month for Jack and I. Just when we think things are starting to smooth out, both of us have gotten the flu. Grr!

I've been sick for about nine days now. Fever, upset stomach, cough, sore throat and sniffles have been on the agenda at our place.
The really bad thing is I've had to cut down on some of my favorite treats. Sweets aren't good for an upset stomach. I haven't had a Starburst in over a week! Talk about Hell on Earth! Grr! I swear I'm having withdrawals, but Jack and Shawn swear to me that I'll survive. I'M NOT SO SURE!!!!

Lucky for us, we've had some good friends who will leave us food at our doorstep so we are being taken care of. Jack is starting to feel better, but I'm still sick. Of course, I've always been the puny one between the two of us. Damn it.

On the bright side, my Dear Sweet Shawn Lane is posting free updates on some of our favorite heroes that she has written about in the past. This week is Jake and Damian's turn from Jake's Regret. She's posted two of the three installments about them and so far it's been fabulous. If you haven't read Damian's feast check it out here:

http://smlgr8.blogspot.com

I don't know about everyone else, but I simply adore it when we get to read how our favorite characters are doing after everything is said and done. It's always fun to glance into their lives long after their story is over, even if it is a quick. (Hey quickies can be VERY good! :-)

I hope everyone is safe and stays healthy for this upcoming holiday season. I've got to go drown myself by drinking more Mint Tea and some gag worthy Theraflu is in the near future for me. Yum. NOT!