Goodie Haul: Beaver Lake Nature Center's 45th Annual Golden Harvest Festival

Goodies!

There's nothing like autumn in Central New York. While the trees haven't dressed out in their fall colors yet in Baldwinsville, NY, Beaver Lake Nature Center's seasonal spirit was in full swing last weekend at the 45th Annual Golden Harvest Festival.

I can't seem to attend a book signing at a craft fair or festival without finding a treasure (or several) to take home. This festival was no exception.

My first stop was Link's Stained Glass Creations, where I picked up this gorgeous autumn-toned piece for a window in my living room and a sweet bookmark-sized piece featuring pine trees, which now has a home in my office.

Next, I visited Woodpecker Turnings, where I scored a tiny Russian olivewood bowl, and a larger one of spalted maple. As a graduate from a forestry and agricultural college (and an all-around fan of nature, if my name wasn't any indication), I have a deep love of trees and woodworking.

 

Finally, I nabbed the cutest, tiniest little rattan basket for an empty hook in my living room, where it will now display seasonal flowers. Bouquet of Baskets offered hand-woven baskets of all sizes and in different shades. Anyone who's seen the inside of my house cannot deny my love of baskets and lanterns.

 
Buy Local, Buy Small

It's important to buy from local artisans and small businesses when possible. Not only are you supporting your local economy and human creativity, but you're also getting handcrafted, one-of-a-kind goods that you'll never find in those big-box stores. Your purchases also act as reminders of memories made with friends and family, as I have over my years of traveling to shows with The Wandering Wordsmiths. I love looking around my house and finding little reminders of good times. Who doesn't want more of those?

Hope to see you at a future event, readers! Until then, Happy Autumn from NY!

October Signings and Appearances

 
October Signings and Appearances

My autumn appearances are underway, with Beaver Lake Nature Center's 45th Annual Golden Harvest Festival just past (Photos of my purchases to come!) and the CNY Pagan Pride's Autumn Equinox Festival coming up this weekend on September 16th!

Autumn is a beautiful time here in Central New York, and the cooling temperatures are perfect for enjoying a day out. If you're looking for things to do, you can't go wrong attending one of these festivals.

The fun continues into October, too! I'm giving a workshop to a Baldwinsville, NY Girl Scout Troop, and then attending the 7th Annual Authors' Meet & Greet at Baldwinsville Public Library with fifteen other authors writing in a wide variety of genres. Books make terrific holiday gifts, and with so many authors in attendance, you're sure to find a personalized, signed gift for that hard-to-shop-for bibliophile in your life.

• October 15, 2023: 2:00PM-3:00PM
  WORKSHOP: “Kissing the Frog: A Crash Course in Editing” for Girl Scout Troop #10210 in Baldswinsville, NY. Click here for details on Nicki’s workshops!
• October 28, 2023: 12:00PM-3:00PM
  Book signing at Baldwinsville Public Library's 7th Annual Authors' Meet & Greet, Baldwinsville, New York. Click here for directions. Check out the PAC-B television spot!

Work in Progress

In the meantime, I'm nearing the end of my forthcoming Christmas novella, and I can't wait to share it with you. It'll be released in print as an anthology with THE PEPPERMINT BARK PROPOSAL, so you can cozy up this holiday season with two sweet romances to warm your heart.

Fans of FREAK FRAT will be happy to know that my next project will be returning to Book Two in that series! The sequel needs some work, but it's getting there. If you haven't heard it yet, click the linked book title to learn where you can sample the FREAK FRAT audiobook! Narrator Derek Urichich does an amazing job bringing Joe and his friends to life.

Happy Autumn to all of you in the Northern Hemisphere (while our southern friends settle in for spring), and Happy Reading!