2012: One Word

I first learned about the concept of adopting one word to focus on each year when Lisa of Shwartz Chronicles spoke about it. I love her 2011 word, "Move". Something I definitely need to do more of.

I was reminded of the one-word concept again earlier this week by Amanda of Lilahbility (have you chosen your word yet, Amanda?), and again today by Robin of Farewell Stranger who is also looking to adopt one word for 2012.

Last fall, I bought a few painted stones that spoke to me. Each one contained a word that I want to focus on.

I pondered them this morning and selected one.

Can you guess which one?

Here it is:

Why did I choose it? The others are just as important, but I'm making some progress with those. In my life now, there are many challenges. What I need most is to allow myself to rejoice in the fun and the joyful, and to recognize my accomplishments. Too often, I gloss over those things, not taking the time to celebrate them.

REJOICE! 

I have decided something else too. I am not meant to be a hand model, and I need to moisturize more often.

Have you chosen one word to focus on this year? 

What does that word mean to you?

Happy New Year! Resolutions: What I should do, and what I actually will do.

I'm back! I had a nice break with the family - punctuated by two flus and a cold. I took a break from my personal blog, but there was still LOTS going on at the book club.

If you're looking for e-books to load up that e-reader, iPhone or tablet you acquired over the holidays, visit Cookie's Book Club (the list of giveaways is at the top of the right sidebar). Some interesting guest posts too from some of my favourite 2011 independent authors!

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays and are slowly acclimatizing yourselves to the new year. Happy 2012!

I can't tell you how happy I am to usher in a new year. In our house we dubbed 2011 'The Year of the Cold'. We had a minimum of twelve colds and flus last year (I lost track towards the end). In fact, 2011 went out with one final hurrah, as our tiny human woke up early on December 31st with the flu. Suddenly, today, January 1st of a brand new year, he is miraculously well. I've spent the morning feeling grateful and hopeful while at the same time crossing all of my digits and knocking on everything made of wood.

BOTB is on hiatus! See you at the end of January.

Just a quick post to let you know that the Best of the Blogosphere link up is on a break. There will be no BOTB post and linky for December 2011 (you may have already deduced that since here it is January).

Start noting your favourite reads this month (I keep track of mine in a draft post), and come back at the end of January to link up your list!

Happy New Year! All the best in 2012!

Happy Holidays

Source: google.ca via Sue on Pinterest

I'm taking a break to enjoy the holidays with my family, but there is plenty still going on at Cookie's Book Club through December and January:

My favourite indie reads of 2011 with guest posts and loads of great giveaways from the authors.

Be sure to subscribe to my RSS feed so you don't miss a thing!

Here are some of the authors who will visit Cookie's Book Club this month:

Andre Jute, author of IDITAROD A Novel of the Greatest Race on Earth, STIEG LARSSON Man, Myth & Mistress, and many others.

Christopher Bunn, author of The Tormay Trilogy and others.

Patricia Sierra, author of J.D.: The Plot to steal J.D. Salinger's Manuscripts, Sheet Music and others.

Lin Pardy, author of Bull Canyon: A Boatbuilder, A Writer and Other Wildlife and many others.

Steve Konkoly, author of The Jakarta Pandemic and Black Flagged.

Deborah Ross, author of Northlight, Jaydium, and many, many others.

Donna Fasano, author of Taking Love in Stride and Mountain Laurel, among many, many others.

And introducing...

Dakota Franklin, author of the multi-book series Ruthless to Win.

Deborah Bryan, author of The Monster's Daughter.

I am also going to be hosting a number of giveaways in participation with a number of giveaway hops. These are BIG giveaway events you don't want to miss.

Three giveaway hops! Hundreds of bloggers linking up to bring you hundreds of book giveaways!

December 21-27, 2011


December 27-31, 2011


December 30-Jan 3, 2011

╰☆╮╰☆╮╰☆╮╰☆╮╰☆╮╰☆╮╰☆╮╰☆╮

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!
from Cookie's Chronicles
and
Cookie's Book Club

Introducing Dakota Franklin PLUS a giveaway: Be one of the first to read Le Mans!

For the past several months, I have been involved as a co-editor of a new series of books by first-time author Dakota Franklin.  

Today I am proud to have Dakota as my guest at Cookie's Book Club, and to announce the release of the first in her Ruthless to Win series, Le Mans.

I asked Dakota how it feels to now be a published author. Come and see what she had to say!

And enter to win a copy of Le Mans, the first published book in the Ruthless to Win Series.

Wordless(ish) Wednesday: Paper Mache Guitar

Okay, I know I said I was on vacation, but just look at this cool guitar Jack and I made today! We recycled a mandarin orange box and a tube from something (I collect stuff from who knows where). A little papier-mâché, some paint, a few elastics and a bread bag fastener for a pick! Et voilà! A GUITAR!

 

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Sick boy overnight - stomach flu. : (

Any bets on how long before mama is retching over the porcelain throne? Mama hasn't been feeling so hot these past few days.

You know you're a mom if, even though you feel like you've been drug through a knothole backwards, you can't say no when your child sweetly asks, "Mommy, can we make a paper mache guitar today?"