The tree is undecorated, the leftovers are frozen (except for the chocolate), the pipes froze but luckily didn't burst, the adult kids have all returned to their respective domiciles, and as soon as we all recover from the holidays, Normal Business will resume.
(That's Otis in the foreground, there--my son's pug; the two black lumps just visible behind me are Homer and JJ. Charlie--son's corgi--doesn't like to get on the couch, and a good thing, too; he's under it.)
(Yes, my T-shirt does say, "She Who Sleeps with Weenies.")
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Happy New Year! It's always nice to have things get back to normal - I had a sigh of relief myself today as the kids went back to school, the husband went off to work, and it was just me and the dog and cats and QUIET again. :) You look very comfy there with the pooches! I have to ask an important question though - what book were you reading? *g*
ReplyDeleteMaria
Happy New Year and great to see you back - and comfy :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI spent New Years eve painting my daughter and husband's new place...New Years day was spent moving them to their new place. Yee HA! Fun!
So the New Year started with good change and I have hopes that it will continue.
Knitting little goodies for my future grandbaby is the only thing on my agenda for now...oh, and reading.
Bright Blessings...
lauren
ps: Otis, seeing this picture made me chuckle and made my morning...thanx!
You are one of those people that dogs love. Hard to reconcile that with the streak of Captain Randall in you!
ReplyDeleteSpurdles have appeared twice (that I've noticed) in the Outlander books, and I was curious. Just in case anyone else is the same, here is an interesting site with a photo and more information about the spurdle, spurtle, spirtle,thivel. http://www.seafoamwoodturning.com/Shopping/porridge.htm Happy New Year! Mary AEIOU
Happy New Year!!!! I have a Wiener dog too and if I'm laying on the couch he is right there with me just like yours :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Best wishes to you and your weenies!
ReplyDeleteI had the same question....enquiring minds want to know. What book are you reading in the pic?
ReplyDeleteDiana,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. Best wishes to you and your family.
Do tell... what does Herself read?
ReplyDeletemany happy returns from the frozen north.
rachel
The book there is an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) of THOUGH NOT DEAD, the newest Dana Stabenow Kate Shugak mystery. It's due out February 1, and it's _fabulous_; one of (if not _the_) best she's ever done. It comes out...(going to check)...Feb. 1. Highly recommended!
ReplyDelete(On another note, let me also recommend Dana's Liam Campbell mysteries. These are available only in Kindle editions, but Liam Campbell is the closest thing you'll find to Jamie Fraser in the 20th century. {g})
--Diana
Happy New Year! Hope you and your family had a blast.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year too, Dear Diana. (nice T-shirt ;) )
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I am jealous that you get to read an advance copy of Though Not Dead. I can't wait for it to come out. The Liam Campbell series was great too! He was a good substitute between Jamie books.
ReplyDeleteSo jealous that you get to read Though Not Dead!! Can't wait for it to come out....
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Received, and read, The Exile from the Book Depository yesterday. More! More! More! More! More!
ReplyDeleteDiane - Are you able to change positions when napping with your dogs? My 13-pound Havanese can lock me into a fixed position until one side of my body seems to fall asleep too!
ReplyDeleteAt least the first 2 Liam Campbell books are also available as Nook books. I just grabbed the first one.
ReplyDeleteJoan
Diana, Happy New Year to you and your family! 2011 will be wonderful...I can feel it!
ReplyDeleteDear Lolly--
ReplyDeleteThe dachshunds weigh about 30 pounds each (well, they're _supposed_ to; they actually hit about 32...), but that couch is sufficiently wide that they and I can nap comfortably together. If I have Otis on the other side, though, that does inhibit free flipping from side to side, and I have to semi-wake up in order to shove dogs out of the way.
--Diana
Dear M&M--
ReplyDeletePerhaps fortunately {g}, our female dogs have all been too big to even think of napping with.
--Diana
Diana:
ReplyDeleteThis picture reminds me of what I did the day after Christmas. The difference is that I have a cat and she curls up in the crook of a bended leg, purring the whole time. It's very nice.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
This is my favorite position every Sunday afternoon! Great way to start a new year too.
ReplyDeleteThe pug is hilarious! It looks like he passed out face down. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful new year!
Hello Diana,
ReplyDeleteI am sure you get notes/posts from fans all the time telling you how much your books mean to them and how much they enjoy them. I doubt I can say anything original or new that you have not heard before. I just want to let you know that my oldest daughter and I read your books at the same time and love to talk about the scenes that move us to laughter and tears. She is 24 and I am 44 and it is wonderful when the same scenes move us in the same way. We hold our breath waiting for new excerpts and as it gets close to the time for the next book the anticipation is more intense than the wait for our birthdays:-)We love Claire and Jamie and Ian, and Rollo who is after all a "very good dog". William, Lord John and Brianna and Jem - all of the wonderful people you have introduced us to that now feel like family. So, thank you for sharing with us the life and times and joys and heartbreaks of these incredible characters.
Sincerely,
Corena Dragoo
Dear Corena--
ReplyDeleteWhy, thanks! It _always_ means a lot to me to hear that the books do something for people, whether that's simple enjoyment, or escape from some dire circumstances.
Glad to hear they give you and your daughter something to share!
--Diana
I also love the way the Pug is sleeping. I will picture this dog whenever I hear the term "dog-tired" from now on, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to the Outlander series and love your work Diana!
Angie
Hello Diana Gabaldon - I'm Sandra Dee - a new reader on Goodreads - this months challenge was "pick it" challenge, "Outlander" was number two on the reading list - I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered the author to this highly recommented novel lives here in Arizona, I live in Camp Verde - I normally do not shout - "Howdy neighbor" but since I have developed a passion for reading and the desire to broaden my boldness - I give a friendly "Hello" and I look forward to reading "Outlander" - I will add it to my January reading list - I am also training for the Sedona Marathon (Feb.12) so this month I will be busy with reading and running. I wish there was a book store I could run to and pick up a copy of "Outlander" but I will need to order online but for now I am trading the reading glasses in for my pair of running shoes and I am off and running - Thanks for writing Outlander
ReplyDeleteDear Sandra--
ReplyDeleteHowdy, neighbor! {g} I'm impressed! at your marathon training--best of luck with it.
As for OUTLANDER, you can get it electronically, either as an ebook or an audiobook (don't know if you can listen to an audiobook while pounding along; I listen to audiobooks all the time while walking, but that's a trifle more sedate. {g})
Hope you enjoy it, regardless!
--Diana
Love your shirt!! I'm currently in Scotland on holiday and my buddy just told me this cheesy joke I thought you might get a chuckle out of ;) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHear about the skeleton that wore a kilt? It was Boney Prince Charlie.
'escape from some dire circumstances'
ReplyDeleteLOL - your series kept me sane during a dire winter cooped up with a beloved but exasperating toddler and a preschooler who remindes me of Germain. I'll always be thankful to you for your stories and can't wait for more (Scottish Prisoner, Book 8, bring 'em on!!)
LOL Diana, you are truly a girl after my own heart.....I too, "Sleep with Weenies"
ReplyDeleteMy weenies are my best bed mates! LOL
Gotta love a dog lover!
Thank you for the book recommendations! I just started Echo and am starting to have panic attacks as to what on earth I'm going to read now that will come close to the experience I've had with the Outlander series. I did pick up Into the Wilderness and plan on starting it next when I'm finished with Echo.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Diana!! You look so comfortable, I need a day just like that to recover from the Holidays. :)
ReplyDeleteMy kids loved that picture! Since we have a Corgi, they want to see a picture of Charlie. :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane (and kids) in GA
Happy Birthday Diana - hope you have a fabulous day.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Hi Diana
ReplyDeleteJust a note to say Happy Birthday I am a huge fan of the Outlander series and today is also my birthday
Lisa