REALLY TRYING TO "BE HOME" FOR THE HOLIDAYS

DOWN TIME

I've been a writing-slug since "Oh, Say Can You See?" hit the shelves last month. I've been marketing and signing, but I've taken a break before the final push on the last book of my Free Men and Dreamers series, "In God We Trust," due out next spring.

In truth, I heard the happy sighs of my family when the Herculean push, (up at six and at my desk until midnight and beyond) to meet deadline on OSCYS was over, and I have to admit, I was a bit fried. We've been kicking back, and living a normal life. I've spent hours playing with my two local grandchildren without watching the clock. There was a trip to Utah to visit my other three cut cuties who I get far too little time with. Tom and I have been watching reruns of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and I've been cooking again. Imagine?

This week is my last slug-week. I need to decorate the house and make the final Christmas purchases, then it's back to the computer, but I feel ready now. In truth, I couldn't have written a decent word this past month. You know when you're forcing the work, and when it's flowing from inspiration. I feel the juices flowing. The thrill to create is calling to me again. Yeah, the time is right to write. Not obsessively. I want to feel the peace of this season, but there is also joy in creating during this time.

I'll be signing once again at This Is The Place Book Store in Kensington, Maryland, from 10 until 3 on Saturday, December 4th. I'd love to meet a ton of readers that day, so come out if you can.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me a kind note about my books. What a wonderful Christmas gift that has been. I hope all your holiday preparations bring you joy.

Here's my best holiday cookie tip. This recipe can create about a million options. The cookies are inexpensive, and for busy families, it's an option that reduces the stress of cookie-exchanges and holiday serving. Enjoy!

Laurie Lewis

Cake Mix Cookie Dough

Take any cake mix, 2 eggs, and 1/3 cup of oil to create a basic cookie dough. Now let your imagination run wild and design some beautiful variations. Here are some of my favorites. I add about 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups of additions.

Yellow Cake Mix and Toffee Chips, (Not butterscotch morsels but real toffee.)

Chocolate Cake Mix, Macadamia nuts and White Chocolate morsels

Chocolate Cake Mix and Peanut Butter morsels

Butter Cake Mix and Chocolate Chips

Yellow Cake Mix and instead of adding the oil., add 1 cup of Peanut Butter. Add Chocolate Chips is desired.

White Cake Mix, Dried Cranberries and Toasted Pecans.