Christmas Tree 2011

This year, we went with a tree the hubby would like: The Great Outdoors. I found the coolest buffalo check plaid ribbon online (Karaboo Ribbons, if you're interested). To that, I added my wooden cranberry string, flicker flame lights, bobbers, a whole mess of clearance lures (with hooks clipped off for safety) from The Bass Pro Shops, wildlife, and S'more characters. There are also some other outdoorsy things, like a cute little sweater. And yes, that's a hunting hat on top. ;) I give you the Greenwood House 2011 Christmas tree:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you celebrating with good food, family, and friends today. Enjoy your day, and take some time to think about what you're thankful for this year. Gobble, gobble!

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations to Terri P., who has won a special gift basket giveaway containing a variety of Nantucket-themed items, all packaged in a beautiful lightship basket:

• A bottle of Wegmans non-alcoholic Concord Grape flavor sparkling grape juice


• A seashell tealight holder


• A Yankee Candle votive in Beach Walk scent


• An adorable Monet seafood cooking pot trinket box


• Decorative seaglass accent stones

This gift basket was offered exclusively at the book signing on November 19th at Books 4 Less in Liverpool, NY! Click the picture below for a larger view of this wonderful gift basket.



Keep an eye on this blog for announcements of future prizes and upcoming book signings. I'll list them all here as they come up. Congratulations again to Terri P., and Happy Reading!

Hydrofracking Concerns

Hydrofracking has become a growing concern among environmentalists within the past several years. It's the process of extracting natural gas or petroleum from within bedrock by the injection of pressurized fluids. You can read more about it here - Wikipedia on Hydraulic Fracturing or see a video from Fox News here - America's Energy Boom: What Is Fracking?

The concerns about this process range from possible air and water contamination to the influx of industrial traffic to areas that may not be equipped to handle it. There have also been worries about how fracking affects the stability of the bedrock, resulting in earth tremors. That could lead to rupture of the pipes that inject the fluids into the bedrock, or the wells that store the fluid afterward. The fluids used in fracking normally contain mostly water, but chemicals are used also, and the drilling company doesn't have to tell you which ones.

Fracking does not have enough government regulation to adequately protect the environment due to exceptions in the law. There are known cases of pollutants damaging nearby property and groundwater.

If you live in NY State, please tell Governor Cuomo not to allow fracking. New York has vast and beautiful natural areas that may be damaged by this procedure. It's just not worth the risk until more regulation for fracking can be secured. Go to A Million Fracking Letters and use your voice to protect our environment! Thank you!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Many thanks to all our veterans and soldiers today, wherever you are. I appreciate what you do to make us safe!

Another Great Review for WATER!

WATER has received another great review, this time from a reviewer at Romancing The Book, who calls WATER "enchanting and charming" and awards it the Lovely Rose (Recommended Book) rating!

I'm thrilled with the feedback on this book so far, and I can't wait to share WATER with some of you in person at its premiere book signing on November 19th at Books 4 Less!