This will be my last entry for 2011, and I absolutely cannot believe the year is over!

I just want to take a minute to wish you all a Happy, Healthy, and Safe 2012!

I am so excited! Santa DID bring me what I asked for! I am now the owner of a Kindle. >>> I was so sure about Santa bringing my new Kindle, that I also asked for the black cover. Some of you probably remember that I wrote about my Wish List in early November. Well, it’s now late December, and apparently Santa thought that I had been a very good girl, ’cause he brought exactly what I wanted.

Today I spent some time on Amazon finding out which mysteries – by which of my favorite authors – are currently in Kindle format. In the past, I have gotten letters asking for me to list mystery books that are available in Kindle form. I haven’t done that because it seems like every day more and more books by more and more authors are added into the Kindle format. And, since the Kindle books appear on any given book’s Amazon page, why bother to make a separate list?

I also went through my husband’s library of Kindle books and picked out a few that I transferred to my Kindle. He had a few mysteries by Ellery Queen and Patricia Wentworth that I haven’t yet read. Also, I bought a Monica Ferris and Miranda James.

How about you all? Was Santa good to you this year?

I hope that you are all having a wonderful, happy Christmas day. 

 

A few weeks ago, Alfred posted a great comment that I thought would be ideal to post during the week before Christmas. (Thanks, Alfred!) Here is Alfred’s comment:

“Danna – Just a quick note. How about since it is coming up Christmas time – Do the readers have any family traditions or special foods they like to get or make for Christmas time. Thought it might be a good column for future.“

Alfred, I totally agree>>> This is a great entry idea!

We have a family tradition that has sort of come out of “necessity.” Since our Riverwalk is so beautifully decorated during the holidays, we make our way down there every year. But, because the traffic is so absolutely atrocious during the holiday season, we don’t go down with the rest of the crowds. We wait until Christmas Eve to go take in the beautiful lights.

As for food, it is the only time of year when I actually bake cookies from scratch. I don’t know if that qualifies as a special food, though. Oh, and also, since all four of us have been able to spend the holiday seasons together, I make a meal that all of us love during the week either before or after Christmas: Mary Bass’s Tacoritos. Love them! And one more thing, I am going to try to make some felt ornaments (copied from some that my grandmother made years and years ago) so that I can sort of share the tradition of hanging her hand-made ornaments with my family. I know my sister would especially love them.

Do any of you have special family traditions that you keep alive during the holiday season? How about special foods?