Friday, December 25, 2015

Sights and Sounds - A Holiday Post


It's the day before Christmas and I've been cleaning and cooking all day (getting stuffing ready for tomorrow and pot roast for tonight), but I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday, however you celebrate. My daughter Mary will spend the night - we'll eat pot roast and watch Star Wars VI. We've been watching all the movies in preparation for Star Wars VII. The plan is to see it next week for her birthday. My older daughter Beth will be here in the morning - one of the few times in the year that the stars align and we can all spend time together. We'll try to Skype with Josh and family in Iowa - my idea of a perfect day. Christmas is precious to me for many reasons.

I don't keep a lot of traditions during the year, but this season is my favorite and I have a few traditions I like to keep, both old and new. One of the more recent is a trip to San Francisco. I live fairly close, so the trip itself is no big deal. I go many times a year but I especially like to go near Christmas.


I especially like to go with both my daughters - get something to eat, do a little shopping. Mary was working and unable to get away so she didn't come. Beth was escaping to a cabin in the snow the following day and I had some music I wanted to give her (some of which will be in a review next month). I figured I could go up to the city, do a little shopping, then pick her up from work (downtown) and take her home.

This may sound like no big deal to most people, but it's sometimes a real crap shoot for me - whether it's "fun" or just completely overwhelming, which I usually avoid like the plague. And I almost didn't go, but I'm glad I did. I always am.

Union Square is always a pretty cool place, but at Christmas it's extra sparkly and noisy and crowded. The Christmas tree is huge,


and there are lights in the palm trees, of course. This is California, after all. There is seasonal ice skating,


which I haven't been brave enough to try, but want to - one of these years. I haven't ice skated since I was about ten. I'm sure I'd spend most of the time on my butt on the ice. But it's fun watching others and certainly adds to the holiday atmosphere.

Then there's Macy's.


We usually spend some time there, but it wasn't my goal this day. There are, however, kittens.


Many, many kittens, all available for adoption.

Unexpected was the free entertainment further down the street. There was this guy,



and a host of other strange performers looking like they had escaped from a Cirque du Soleil troupe; actors in Victorian garb reading, I assume, from appropriate Dickensian texts (I didn't stop long enough to listen carefully); and a neat animated mural.

I always enjoy street performers (if they're any good) and I appreciated this guy,



before reaching my goal, the Market Street shopping center, where I got Mary a cute jacket and Beth a nice shirt. Shhh....don't tell them. We're having a "small" Christmas this year. Not that we ever have really "big" Christmases, but this year none of us has much extra to spend and that's not the point anyway. There are a few gifts under the tree, we'll have a nice meal, and we'll spend time together. That's all that really matters.

I hope your holiday, whatever you celebrate and however you spend it, is peaceful and happy and perfect. I'll see you in the New Year!





Reviews for The Glister Journals: Bronze
More Glister Journals info at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com
The Glister Journals: Bronze can be purchased through any bookseller or purchase now at Amazon.com New edition coming!
Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2015 to B B Shepherd.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop, hosted by Mary of Bookhounds. I am giving away a $15 gift card to the book store of your choice!

a Rafflecopter giveaway






Reviews for The Glister Journals: Bronze
More Glister Journals info at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com
The Glister Journals: Bronze can be purchased through any bookseller or purchase now at Amazon.com New edition coming!
Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2015 to B B Shepherd.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Best of 2015 Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the Best of 2015 Giveaway Hop!

My favorite book this year was Cress, the third book in the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer. I have really been enjoying this series and can't wait to read Winter. Since you may have already read one or more of these books, I'm giving away your choice! I hope you'll love it too!



This giveaway is hosted by I Am A Reader and
Bookhounds. Giveaway ends 12/18/15. US and Canada only.

Open only to those who can legally enter. US and Canada residents only. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway






Reviews for The Glister Journals: Bronze
More Glister Journals info at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com
The Glister Journals: Bronze can be purchased through any bookseller or purchase now at Amazon.com New edition coming!
Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2015 to B B Shepherd.

Friday, December 4, 2015

In the Nick of Time Giveaway


A wonderful group of authors and bloggers have joined with I Am A Reader to bring you one fabulous prize! The winner will be selected on December 23rd - just in the nick of time to help with last minute Christmas shopping!

We're giving away $250 in Paypal Cash you can choose a $250 Amazon.com eGift Code!

The following awesome bloggers are sponsoring this giveaway.

Sponsor List
I Am A Reader
Taking Time for Mommy
The Discerning Reader
Raven Haired Girl
Unshelfish
Literary Winner
Nicole Tone
Here We Go Again...Ready?
Simple Wyrdings
Coupons and Freebies Mom
Author Devon Ashley
Julie Antonovich Reece
Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke
Nikki Jefford
Heather Gray, Author
Simply Sherryl
The HomeSchool Village
Jennifer Bardsley
Author Ednah Walters
The Page Unbound
Confessions of a Frugal Mind
Once Upon a Twilight
Krysten Lindsay Hager author
Books R Us
Author Cindy C Bennett
Lori's Reading Corner
Laurie Treacy, Author
Heather @ Townsend House
Author Erin Richards
Lise McClendon, Author
D'Ann Burrow
Heather Boyd, author
Cynthia Luhrs Author
Echo Ridge Books
Rachelle J. Christensen
Dorine White
Lucy McConnell
Taylor Hart
Patricia B. Tighe
Author Jeanette Lewis
Heather Justesen
Babs Book Bistro
Glistering Bs Blog
A Leisure Moment: A Casual Conversation about our Love for Literature
JL Weil

Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card

Ends 12/22/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or who can redeem an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Reviews for The Glister Journals: Bronze
More Glister Journals info at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com
The Glister Journals: Bronze can be purchased through any bookseller or purchase now at Amazon.com New edition coming!
Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2015 to B B Shepherd.