The Sunday Post The Ho-Ho-Ho RAT Is Almost Over Already!

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

It was a great day to bake some cookies! I have been doing a crummy job keeping up with my Christmas TBR. But I did have time to bake! I made peanut butter cookies, peanut butter chocolate chex bars, oatmeal scotchies, and a batch of brookies!

 Now I'll need to muster that much energy for the school week! Only 5 days til Winter Break!

How is the Ho-ho-ho Readathon for you? Share below! And here is the link to my cookie recipe exchange challenge!

https://victoria7401.blogspot.com/2025/11/ho-ho-ho-rat-holiday-cookie-recipe.html

Ho-Ho-Ho RAT Holiday Cookie Recipe Exchange! Share and be entered to win!

 

I'm super excited to be a blog challenge host this year! Have you signed up to be part of the 2025 Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon? If not, here is the link: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2025/10/13th-annual-ho-ho-ho-readathon-sign-up.html 

I have a stack of Christmas-themed reads I'll be reading during the readathon. 

And when you're taking a little break from your reading, share a cookie recipe you love below, and you will be entered to win a $10 gift card! 

I've got my family's buy-in for a day of cookie baking this December, and I'd love to try some new cookie recipes. Please share a favorite below--and if you don't bake, just search for your favorite cookies to eat and then share that recipe!

Happy reading! I'm going to go make some cocoa now so I'll be ready for some cookies! 

A picture of Christmas past cookies!

Darkness is coming #The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

This week is the last week before we fall back, and night shows up before five p.m. I am not a fan of such early nightfall. How about you? 

Yesterday I attended a very fun event--a brunch with authors and readers! How was your weekend? 

We also watched the movie The Substance It was filled with body horror, but had a very affirming message about life. Then we watched A House of Dynamite, which reaffirmed that if there is an apocalypse, I don't want to be part of the post-apocalypse--just take me in the first round of disaster, please. 

A ghost cloche I made. It was a kit from our local library! 

The Sunday Post Morbid History

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Our library has some great programs, and this one was no exception. It was called "Morbid History." And the content lived up to the name. The presenter talked about some of the strange (and gross) history of human burial and cemeteries from around 1830 to the present. 

It was so fascinating, I actually borrowed on of the books on the presenter's recommended books list. I listened to the audiobook Stiff by Mary Roach. It was hard to turn off! The book is all about human cadavers. I actually fell asleep listening to it and had a great night of sleep--don't ask me why! I have no clue--the book is super morbid. I mean, it's literally all about what happens to the body after death. 

In lighter news, I got my manuscript back from my editor and am halfway done revising it. Then it will go to my proofreader, and then I'll revise it some more, and then I'll format it and revise it again! I still need to come up with a cover and the blurb for the back of the book--ugh! So hard!

How was your week? Any fun plans for the upcoming week? 

We are all decorated for Halloween! If it was dark you could see the orange and purple lights as well! 

The Sunday Post! Life on the Farm

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

If you could allow me to complain for one moment. Yesterday it was like 90 degrees outside (31 Celcius). Come on now! There are only a few days left in September--where is my sweater weather! 

Thanks. Now moving on. This past week, I got to be part of a book signing at a working farm.  https://www.rosewfarm.com/ They have a really nice event space, so you could imagine the fun weddings that are held there. I sold some books and enjoyed the surroundings. The evening weather was very nice, and I think I only got two mosquito bites. 

Caffeinated Reviewer shared a link to the read-ins to protest banned books event that will be held October 5-7th across America. So I'm sharing the link as well! You can find an event near you and get a free audiobook!  Here is the link: https://blog.libro.fm/banned-books-read-in/

How was your week? Did you do anything fun? We watched Art Detectives on Acorn. It's a delight! 

Pictures from the farm:

Have You Ever Been to A College Football Game? The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Yesterday, the hubs and I got to attend a University of Illinois football game. We got the tickets via my son, who works for a local television station in Champaign/Urbana. It was raining by us, but fortunately, not down at the game. We live about two hours away from the U of I. 

Have you ever been to a college football game? Which one?

It was super hot at the football game! We are melting in this picture.

Tomorrow is the hub's bday so we are going to see a Blues musician that he likes at local brewery that also has yummy food. The kids are coming in to celebrate--which is great since it is a monday and all. 

The rest of the week I'll be writing my book and putting up autumn and Halloween decor around my house. 
 What are you up to?

A Trip to a Small Town - The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

This weekend, I took part in a book signing event called Romantic Galena Reads. It's held in the picturesque town of Galena, Illinois. I stayed at the DeSoto House hotel, which is the oldest operating hotel in Illinois. It's the town where Ulysses "Zaddy" Grant started his presidential campaign. I say Zaddy because, as far as past US presidents go, he was one of the few who were/are handsome. Obviously, Barack Obama is #1 on my list. 

See what I mean? Handsome with a good beard.

Here are a few pictures of the town. There were so many cute shops and restaurants. 

How was your week? 

Oh Shoot It's My Birthday Month. #TheSundayPost

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I would say it seems like school just let out at the beginning of June. But honestly, it's been a long summer. And a hot one. I am imagining that we will have hot weather into October. We finished our third raised garden bed finally, and I think I'm going to go ahead and try planting some herbs and see how it goes. If they get to be around six inches high, I can transplant them and bring them inside for winter. And if they don't come up, I can get some mums in containers the second half of September and have some nice color by our walkway. 

It's my birthday month, so wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have to cook all month? Maybe I should ask for a no-cooking month for my birthday?

Streamingwise, we watched High Town on Netflix it's a good show. I like the main character Jackie, she is very compelling. The actress that plays her is Monica Raymund. How about you? What are you watching or reading? 

The Sunday Post -- Just a Few Days Left in July!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I hope you had a nice week! I began writing my next book. This one is the love story of Hannah and Kate and will be the first book in my Marley Creek spin off series. In this book I'm planning to have it be lower level of spice. Wish me Luck!

Also, Your Mr. Brightside comes out on Wednesday!  I am excited for people to watch Brandee and Luc's story unfold! 

Streaming TV we watched this week included the show "Untamed" which stars Eric Bana. It's a good short (less than 8 episodes) binge watch. I think if you enjoyed the show "Big Sky" this is one to watch. 

We also watched "The Hunting Wives" which is based on a book and it's pretty bonkers. If you like murder mysteries with questionable people and can turn off the logical part of your brain, give this a watch. It's like very R rated with mini series of the 80s vibes (but takes place now). 

My zucchini plants have begun producing! I'm so excited!

More Hot, Hot, HOT Days ahead. #TheSundayPost

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

This summer has been a real hot one in Chicagoland. The forecast is calling for temperatures to be nearly 100 degrees (35 Celsius). I don't even want to know what the humidity level will be. 

I hope my cucumbers survive!  Recently on a cooler day I went on an art and garden tour in Beverly Shores, IN. The community is on the shores of Lake Michigan, so there are dunes and wetlands. 

Here are some pictures: 

Have you done anything interesting this summer? Tomorrow I have a post about a big free book event that takes place on Tuesday! 

167 School Days Down, 13 to Go! The Sunday Post!

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I don't know who is more excited for school to be over, the staff or the kids. If I had to pick, I'd say the staff. I am really looking forward to summer break, especially since we had summer weather this week. Now the upcoming week is going to be standard spring weather so maybe I won't have summer fever. 

I'm almost done drafting my latest book Your Mr. Brightside. Since I have already shared the cover reveal with my newsletter subscribers, I can now share it here! 

I spent Saturday at a bookstore lit fest in Ottawa, Illinois. The store is called Prairie Fox Books and it is located in the quaint downtown of this town which is near the state park called Starved Rock. I had a lovely afternoon and now I can say that my books are available in store for anyone who is visiting the area!  I hit some ridiculous traffic on the way home, but at least the weather was nice and I had good music to listen to.

How was your week?

Yesterday I watched the first two episodes of "Murderbot" on Apple TV and it was as good as I hoped it would be! Last week I watched the Kdrama The Trama Code: Heroes on Call. It is a great show! If you like medical shows, you practically have to add it to your list!

Next week is a 3-day weekend. We usually have crummy weather for Memorial Day Weekend, but my hope springs eternal. On Saturday, I'll be picking up my heirloom tomato seedlings! 

Happy Mother's Day 2025 The Sunday Post!

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

This year we get a real treat of a Mother's Day. It's going to be sunny and in the 70s (low 20s Celcius). My plan for the day is to go for a run, write 1,000 words in Your Mr. Brightside and enjoy carryout from a favorite local restaurant. Still working on dietary adjustments from having diverticulitis, I probably won't enjoy a nice crisp glass of white wine. I'm also planning to get some reading in. I won't be doing anything with the garden because I need soil and plants and someone needs to put together the new raised bed we got. That someone is not me. 

Do you have any plans for this Sunday? 

If you need more free books on your TBR here is the link to the small-town romance free book promo I am part of this month:
https://books.bookfunnel.com/freesmalltownromancereads/7iz7fven21

What are you streaming?  I am really enjoying "Friends and Neighbors" on Apple TV. Jon Hamm, the main character, does things each week that put him closer and closer to completely imploding his entire life and it's very interesting to watch. 

Here's a picture of me and the hubs with our youngest back in 2022. Since then I decided I'd rather pay to have my hair colored than to live the grey hair life. And our youngest is finishing her third year of college!

Talk About Escalating Quickly #TheSundayPost

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I've had a craptastic time since I last posted. After Easter, I took myself to the ER because I thought I might have appendicitis. I didn't have that, what they found instead was diverticulitis. I've known I had diverticulosis for years, but I've never had a diverticulitis infection. I was admitted to the hospital and put on antibiotics. The recovery after the hospital has been exhausting. I am feeling a million times better now, and I'm still not at 100 percent. I'm also feeling my way around what foods are OK to have. I'm on a low-fiber diet for now, which turns out to mean I can't eat almost all the fruits and veggies I love. 

In mid-June I have to go get a colonoscopy to make sure the infection is gone and that nothing else is wrong. I guess it's good to get the follow-up and have biopsies taken and everything. However, the whole process is anxiety-producing. The weather around here has been more March than May, so at least I'm not stuck recuperating indoors while beautiful weather is outside. 

I did learn that if I am stuck in the hospital, it's easy to read a 500-page book. So there is that. In fact, if I ever go to the ER again, I'm bringing at least three books. I had two books at the hospital and I could have read another one. Physical books work best in this context. 

Garden update- the peas are growing!!!

How was your week? Read anything good? Stream anything interesting? I watched Last Breath which is streaming on Netflix or Hulu and was interesting. Diving stuff fascinates me because there is no way I would dive.

Five More School Days Until Spring Break!

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Yes indeed, it's the final stretch before our school district is off until April 2nd! My fingers are crossed that the weather will be free of snow. This week we had some unseasonably warm weather and I wouldn't mind that weather popping back in when I'm on break. I'll be getting some things done during my break including:

For life maintenance: Two doctor appointments (routine follow-ups) 

For self-care: A facial and a massage!

For the writing life: I'm doing two boozy book fairs. One on the 23rd- to kick off my break, and one on the 29,-to wrap up my break. And a podcast recording this week as well!

I'm also looking forward to the show from Shondaland called The Residence and it looks like it is going to be fun. I love a closed-room mystery and the cast is stacked with great actors! 

What are you reading this week? I'm continuing on my Alex Delaware kick. I'm currently listening to this one:

In Like A Lion, March is Here. The Sunday Post

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Well, we made it through another  February and finished the month. This weekend is a three-day weekend for me. Our school district has off Casimir Pulaski Day. Casimir Pulaski is recognized for his contributions to helping America in the Revolutionary War. This is when everyone in America didn't want to be ruled by a king. Fourteen school days after Pulaski Day, we have our spring break. 

I made a grievous error and scheduled an endoscopy I have to have for my day off. What was I thinking? I really, really should have used a sick day for it! I'm not looking forward to that tomorrow. I scheduled it for super early in the morning, so I will have most of the day afterward. I should spend the day in bed reading, right? Recuperate and all that? 

March also means it's time for me to start drafting my next book!  Your Mr. Brightside, will be out this summer (knock on wood). What plans do you have for March? 

Later this month I'll be at an adult book fair! These are so fun! Will I buy more books than I sell? A distinct possibility!!!

The Sunday Post. The Big Game, Do You Care?

  

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I don't pay much attention to football, but my husband enjoys it. I like to watch the awards shows each year, he likes the playoffs and the Super Bowl. He mentioned something about ordering pizza and that works for me. Are you planning to watch the game? Do you have a favorite football food?

I'm currently reading:

Happy Black History Month! The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

Happy Black History Month! I read that the administration is trying to cancel the celebration of Black History. Now IMO, Black History is America's history and it can't be canceled. This week I'm sharing some of my favorite Black authors and their books. 

Wishing you a good week in these trying times.

Say There, Would You Like A Bunch of Free Books? The Sunday Post

 

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. you can write about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly, or for a monthly wrap-up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

On Tuesday, over 1,000 romance ebooks will be free. Some are free on Kindle and some are free on a bunch of different places, so if you don't do Kindle but you do Nook or Apple Books or Kobo, you are in luck! You can go to https://romancebooklovers.com and pick what books you want to grab on Tuesday.

My first book No Gouda Without You is free under the small-town romance section of the website. If you plan to pick up some books let me know!

I have a cold or a sinus infection--to be determined, so I've been laying around hoping to feel better and trying to read. Here is what I've been reading: