Like many families across the United States, Thanksgiving is a big event for us. When I was a little girl, my dad and mom would load up our station wagon with six kids and head to Oklahoma to visit my Grandma Floyd and my dad’s side of the family. My dad had nine brothers and sisters, so you can imagine the joy of gathering with all the cousins, watching the dads play basketball, and, of course, enjoying an abundance of homemade food prepared by all the women who loved to cook. The next day, we would pile back in the car and visit my great-grandma Terrill on my mom’s side, where even more cousins would join in the fun.
Mom and Dad set the standard for what a Floyd Thanksgiving should be. Today, our families still gather, spouses and new faces included, to keep the tradition alive. We’ve lost loved ones along the way, but my brother Larry always leads us in a blessing, and we remember those who are no longer with us in our prayers.
I am grateful to come from a large family that celebrates not only our heritage and the harvest but also the gift of life and the importance of giving back to the world.
I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with love and laughter. Thank you for your support, your kindness is a true blessing in my life.
Book Release
It’s finally here! Boomer Sees the Town has been rereleased, and the story has a whole new look thanks to my publisher, Plum Creek Press. Boomer himself shines in this fresh edition, brought to life with vibrant colors that truly capture his spirit. I’m thrilled to see Boomer heading off on new adventures. The bold artwork is already catching the eyes of young readers, and I’m delighted to hear that children are loving the new edition. Be sure to check it out, it’s available now in Kindle and paperback, with a hardcover coming soon!
TEA Miss Liz
It’s always a pleasure to join Miss Liz on her show. I truly believe you’ll enjoy watching the replay! Since it’s live, the discussion can go in so many unexpected directions, which makes every appearance memorable. This time, we had a lot of fun talking about my historical fiction, especially book two in the Ruby Takes Chicago, published by OC Publishing.
Royally Confidential Show
Helena Chard and I had fun with our last show “A Right Royal Dressing Up. Helena shared insights as well as highlights of the United States President being a host to King Charles and Queen Camila. It is something to see the ball room. Highlights of Princess Kate and First Lady Melania Trump having a fun time working with the children on an art project. Check out some of the beautiful clothing from Dress Code from various queens and that Princess Diana. The history behind the clothing is fascinating. We also had the guest Clare Copleton.
Hollis Chapman Show
The Hollis Chapman Show is a podcast where we recently dove into a discussion about Ruby Takes Chicago. What made my interview with Hollis so special was his deep knowledge of the story, he’d actually read it, which meant his questions were thoughtful and insightful. Since it was a live show, every answer was genuine and led naturally to the next topic. In fact, Hollis even encouraged me to sing Amazing Grace! I hope you’ll check out the replay and enjoy it as much as I did.
Peni Jo Renner Blog
It was a pleasure to be interviewed for Penni’s Blog, where we focused on my newly released book, Boomer Sees the Town, Book 1. Sharing the inspiration behind Boomer’s adventures with Penni and her readers made for a truly enjoyable experience.
Baking
With our home renovation still underway and no kitchen since April, I’ve been lucky to spend time baking in my daughter’s kitchen here in Virginia. It’s been a treat to test out new recipes in preparation for the Christmas holidays.
I started off with Strawberry Banana Bread from All recipes, it turned out delicious! For a playful touch, I made mummy hot dogs, which were a huge hit with my grandson.
The real showstoppers were the cupcakes topped with Landor chocolate balls. I’m still working on a name for them, but I’ve been experimenting with snowy icing and leafy candy decorations. One thing is certain, they’re more than just yummy!
Stay tuned for next month’s baking adventures, I can’t wait to share more new recipes and festive treats with you.
Family
It’s been a year since I lost my brother Mike. While everyone experiences the loss of loved ones, it never gets easier to say goodbye. Just five days before he passed, Mike had been at my house, everything seemed normal until that call came, and it was such a shock.
Mike married a wonderful woman who brought joy into his life, and together they raised three children. He truly loved life, and I believe he’s watching over us from above. I want to pay tribute to my little brother, because I miss him deeply.
To all of you who are missing someone special, I send caring hugs and hope you find comfort knowing your loved ones are in heaven, watching over you.
