#FunFriday-Grab Bag Giveaway!

As you may know, I hope to move soon and I’ve got a lot of goodies to give away before I do that! So we’re having a giveaway today! Just follow me on Bookbub for a chance to win a box filled with goodies and your choice of one of my releases. If you’re the lucky winner, just let me know if you’d like something paranormal, contemporary, erotic, or romantic suspense and I’ll ship it out to you along with the goodies. To follow me on Bookbub, just visit bit.ly/CaridadBookbub. This contest will end on Wednesday, June 3, Midnight EST.

#FridayFunday – What Happens When You Mix…

What happens when you mix someone with too much time during “the Pause”, someone who is “cheap, cheap, cheap”, and someone who likes to work with their hands? You get me and this convertible coffee table! Actually, since retiring to write full-time, I have more time for not only doing the writing but projects I’ve been wanting to do for some time. But “the Pause” made it tough to find some of the materials for converting a coffee table that I had into this convertible table. I had already researched and bought the hinges, but the coffee table I was salvaging (hence the cheap, cheap, cheap) didn’t have a bottom shelf. I ended up using an old Ikea coffee table that I had planned to toss and chopping it down to make the bottom shelf. New coats of paint on the table sides and bottom shelf and voila! An easy way to have our casual Friday dinners when we usually order out and sit on the couch. No more hunching over. Now we just lift the tabletop and sit comfortably to eat take-out. What do you think?
convertible coffee table

#FlowerFriday #FunFriday – Fav Colors for Flowers

My fav colors for flowers are pink and purple. They just make such a great blend together. I also like to mix in some blues and there’s a great benefit to using those colors in your yard: They will attract bees and hummingbirds! So unless you are allergic to bees, help out your local population by putting in some nice pink, purple, and blue flowers in your garden. This photo was taken in Bryant Park where they have all the spring bulbs and flowers out. Love them!
Pink and Purple Flowers Bryant Park

#FridayFun – Girls’ Nights

With my daughter working in the city, Friday nights have become about the two of us getting together either for the whole night or for a quick meeting before heading home. Tonight we’re headed to a sample sale and then off to Brooklyn for a visit with the grandma! But for now, I’m sharing a montage of some of our other Friday night adventures!
girls' night out

#FunFriday – Christmas Decorating Ideas

I love getting the house ready for Christmas! It’s the one time of year I really go all out with garlands at various windows and along the staircase, the Christmas village, lights outside, the tree and of course, the table for Christmas Eve. I must confess the table is a two person operation as my husband has it down to a science as to where the china and crystal are stored and how to lay out enough spots for all the friends and family that are attending. Once he gets the basic layout done, I come in and do the decorating.

We usually have three tables and I try to do something different on each one. The fun part is mixing in new with old family favorites, like my husband’s Lionel train set, gifts from friends who know I love Christmas, or handmade items my daughter or mother had made. Of course, everything around the house has color. No monochrome displays or just white lights. Sorry. It may be “elegant” but it’s just not for me!

Just in case you need a little Christmas decorating inspiration, here are some links to some fun sites for you to check out!

  • For those with a country flair: http://bit.ly/2zXEqoN
  • Tap your inner Martha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/274574/christmas-decorating-ideas
  • Want to try out different colors for Christmas? https://www.bhg.com/christmas/indoor-decorating/christmas-color-schemes/
  • How about a little Southern, y’all? https://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/christmas-decorating-ideas
  • Or are you feeling a little wacky this year? https://yhoo.it/2zVxnwM

FYI – this photo is of one of our Christmas Eve dining room tables!