This year we thought we would be by ourselves for Christmas, but plans fell through and now the kids are coming for the Christmas Eve dinner and I’m so happy. We missed Thanksgiving because we were sick, and although we are all meeting for New Year to celebrate my birthday, I’m looking forward to tonight.
Some years ago, I mentioned to Gordon that one year I wanted to do a themed tree, where you pick a couple of colors and stick with them. But usually we decorate with ornaments we had for years, because it’s tradition. After we survived Thanksgiving and managed to drag the tree out of storage, Gordon looked at me and said, “You know, the kids are not coming. If you wanted to color coordinate, this year is it.”
Me, thinking: I have a ton of red and gold: What color would you like?
Gordon: Blue.
Me: O_O
It’s blue, silver, and gold technically, but I think it turned out. Gordon informed me it looked like a Hallmark TV movie, and I am ridiculously flattered.
Everyone’s Christmas Eve present is wrapped and ready to go under the tree at the end of the dinner.
I think I might be getting yarn. I am so excited.
The menu is simple. We are doing the hobbit ham from Rhubarb and Lavender, stuffing, roasted potatoes with that awesome Wagyu lard Grace Draven gifted me, mac and cheese, and fried oysters, because they are Kid 1’s favorite. We usually have lobster tails for Christmas, and we splurged on some. I need to soak them, because although I thawed them in the fridge, I’m pretty sure they’ve turned into a small iceberg.
I might make Olivier salad. Nobody will eat it, including me – I will take two bites and be done – but I’ve been craving it this year. Gordon’s cousin sent us a charcuterie board and it will be perfect to set out while we are finishing up cooking. Kid 1 requested a banana cream pie on behalf of her boyfriend and I’ve never made one, so that will be an adventure.
Oh, I have to tell you about my awesome gift. I’m a fiend for mushrooms. There are some foods that will forever be marked as luxury for me because of my childhood. Oranges, bananas, and also mushrooms.
One of the simplest comfort meals for me, which I make when I don’t feel like making anything, is the imitation crabmeat or shrimp, stir fired lightly with broccoli, Korean rice cakes, canned Polar Straw mushrooms, and lobster sauce, which actually has zero lobster in it and is just thickened broth. It warm and delicious, and the rice cakes are chewy. If I feel spicy, I throw gochujang in there.
Recently, the straw mushrooms vanished from the grocery shelves. So I can’t have my favorite dish anymore. I tried adding regular mushrooms, but it’s not the same.
A few days ago, Grace Draven came over and dramatically set a massive gift wrapped in candy cane striped paper on my kitchen table. It was hella heavy.
Guess what I saw when I tore the paper?
12 cans. She bought me 12 cans. Best gift ever.
This has been an exciting, but difficult year. The work is a mountain climb. Not the horrible Sisyphus kind of mountain, but more like a really beautiful hike. You love the scenery, the air is fresh, and you keep climbing, but it is tiring. Gordon and I have kept up the pace, but I have to tell you, getting the dining room table clear was like excavating a dinosaur fossil. It was covered with all the special edition signing sheets. I’ve been wrapping the signed sheets in butcher paper and hiding them in boxes. I keep being paranoid that one of the cats decides to ruin them.
Kid 1 has gone back to college to finish her degree – it makes every older adult in her life deliriously happy – and despite being diagnosed with a math disability in high school, she not only finished all of her college math classes, she has 4.0 for the semester. We have conversations about philosophy and politics.
Kid 2 has promised to deliver a complete manuscript next year. Her father and I are a bit pissy at the moment, because the 2/3 of the draft we’ve read was good and we want the rest. We are being told to w*it. The nerve. She also has been trying to help us with the workload. Check this out.
Is this not sick? She just threw it together.
Maggie 2 has crossed 90,000 words. It is NOT done. Not at all. We know where we are going, but getting there is taking a lot of words. It will be another brick.
Without promising anything, we are hoping to invite you to a wedding next year. It will have fangs, weapons, and former mothers-in-law who are in serious need of comeuppance. And there will be an Augustine novella at the end of January, hopefully. I wish I could show you the cover, but our agency is insisting we wait until we have a firm pub date.
I can’t tell you anything. I’ve turned into CIA. I can neither confirm nor deny…
Well, it is time for me to clean the house and start this mac and cheese. I wish you the best holidays: calm, boring, peaceful, and warm. Whether you are spending this season with family, friends, or alone, I hope it will restore a little bit of happiness for you. ::hug::
Thank you for the wonderful year.
I can’t help it, I like blue. I always have. Given that we were to be abandoned by the children this year, I reckoned we could do as we pleased. Also, I have very reliable intelligence, from the imaginary Irish Intelligence Agency, that you are mostly likely getting yarn. And possibly tea.
LOVE blue as a Christmas color, but when I get blue or purple wrapping paper and ribbons, no one else in the family uses it – just me! You go, Gordon!
It has always been blues at our house to celebrate that half our family is Jewish. I think it conjures images of snowy icy nights – very pretty!
The tree does look like a Hallmark tree. #christmas tree goals. This year we experimented with putting a christmas train in our tree. My husband enjoyed the project. Merry Christmas and thanks for all the writing gifts! 🎁🌲🌌
This year my tree is navy blue, silver, white. I just sit and look at it. It makes me happy.
Guess you’ll have a blue Christmas, that’s certain.
I used to have a blue and silver tree, to go with the other blue vases and pillows and things I used to have, but after moving in together with my partner, most of that got retired because very different tastes and so the blue didn’t go with anything anymore. So since then, my tree has been silver and clear glass. Works with absolutely everything 😉
Happy holidays one and all! And to our gracious hosts HA (and ModR), thank you for all the stories!
Maggie, Maud&Arland’s wedding AND an Augustine novella!
2026 is going to be the goodest year, ever.
Happy holidays everyone.
+1
blue and gold and silver works really well. it does look like a hallmark tree.
Wishing you and the family and Mod R and her family a very merry Christmas and welcome to the Wa*t club with the rest of the BDH as Kid 2 holds the goodies in check 😂
You might be able to convince them to release snippets to you both if you all enough times, it’s a tried and true BDH tactic 😉
The tree is very c*lm and giving n*nchal*nt vibes. I hope y’all had a lovely feast.
My year was an absolute clusterfuck except it got better because I kept my job and then randomly got the Maggie Arc because Tor was giving out Arcs at Dragonsteel Nexus Convention.
I’m so glad we could help, even a little. Yea for job. It’s been a tough year all around I think.
Thank you ….your posts are so lovely. Have the most wonderful feast!
Yes! It’s been such a hard year.
I’m a new library director and my job has been a nightmare. My library was poorly run and I’ve got mountains to fix… and my half a dozen friends of the library groups are both unreasonable and tried to get me fired for crimes like “buying romance.”
2 months ago I cold-emailed Tor and said “I’m a librarian and a fan, here’s my libraries email can I has book?”
I didn’t get a response and thought “well that’s about right for this year,” and then one day it just showed up in the mail.
Seriously one of the highlights of my year.
Merry Christmas and thanks for brightening my year!
From a former library director, friends groups are often a wreck so don’t take it personally, change is hard for many people so don’t take dug in heels personally either, and you’re doing awesome!
A clusterfuck…EXCEPT YOU GOT TO GO TO NEXUS!!! How was it?
I hope the next year is better than the last.
Nexus was amazing and exhausting. Getting Maggie Arc was cherry on top. And I didnt know that there are BDH sanderson fan crossover. maybe we all should meet up at Nexus
Thank you so much for creating these worlds that we can step into and enjoy! It means a lot when the actual world we live in seems to go in the wrong direction! This year I have re- read everything you ever wrote plus enjoyed the new books- can’t wait for the wedding and whatever else you choose to write in 2026. Sending the biggest hug and thanks from Norway your way 💕
Be still my beating heart, but it seems you just teased us with a much needed Innkeeper follow up🎉
GASP former mother in laws!!!! I was trying to place who that could be and if it’s Maud and hers I will DIE OF GLEE
+1
Oh my goodness, I was wracking my brain trying to remember who had a mother in law. I sure hope it’s Maud. This made me Squee
+1000
x ♾️
Oh please oh please oh please oh please!
Yea!!! 1000++
yessssss so need this ..+1
+1 Oooh
+1
I’m currently listening to the GA version of Sweep of thr Blade and my jaw dropped when I read “former mothers in law”. SQUEEEEEEE House Andrews is so good to us. Happy holidays everyone!
A brick? Wonderful!
The writer becomes the w*iter! 😈
The GASP I GASPED at the wedding news. I’ve been doing a re-listen to the GA editions and yesterday started a list for Innkeeper 5 bingo!
Now the shoe is on the other foot! Ha ha ha.
Seriously, the talent that HA cultivates is beautiful to read about.
Thanks for giving us a little peek into your holiday and personal life.
The tree is lovely! And look at all the presents you’re getting the BDH [next year]! We promise to love and cherish them!! <3
Merry Christmas, y’all.
The tree looks Beautiful! I may be biased because I love blue, but I agree that it looks like one you would see in a Christmas movie.
Thank you for the worlds you bring to life.
Wishing you the best holiday in return. Hope it is full of warmth, calm and peaceful joy with family.
It sounds like a very full and fun holiday for you all.
I’m going to have eggnog and home made mushroom soup, and read quietly, probably with a cat in the small of my back. I have weird cats. This one wants to be wherever I am but doesn’t want to be a lap cat. He likes best to be squashed between me and the sofa cushions.
That sounds absolutely lovely.
Merry Christmas. I read your blogs to my husband, and we chuckled over the iceberg in the fridge. We are having Cornish Game hens and forgot to defrost so he is filling deep pots with cold water on and off today to hasten the process. Going to Harpoon Larry’s for lunch – crab legs, etc.
Our neighborhood “loop” did luminaries last night so we got to visit with neighbors. By ourselves but feel very blessed.
Thank you again for the pleasure you give through all your writings.
“I’ve turned into CIA. I can neither confirm nor deny…”
thank you for the giggles.
wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday.
What a nice Christmas gift from Grace Draven. It stinks when the grocery store stops selling stuff you’ve always bought.
The tree looks really nice. I was able to put my tree up and put a few ornaments up. I’m slowly getting myself to decorate for Christmas. I collect Christmas ornaments. When I visited family in Indiana, I bought really nice blown glass ornaments. A friend of mine and her husband got me an ornament from Tiffany! It’s so pretty.
Congratulations to Kid 1! Also, go Kid 2!
Thank you, Ilona and Gordon for keeping the Horde updated with everything. Enjoy the time with your family.
Onward to the new year and more goodies!
I cannot believe that your daughter used the w word to you. Did she escalate and use the P word? This might deserve using her middle name…
Merry Christmas to you & your family 🎄🎅! thank you for all of your wonderful books over the years ❤️
To you, your family and to the BDH
MERRY EVERYTHING AND HAPPY
ALWAYS.
thank you for enriching my life with fantastic stories
I’ve devoured everything you’ve ever written. Thank you for so many wonderful worlds to sink into.
I had saved The Inheritance audio book for my east to west coast flight yesterday. It made my airplane time much better. Thank you for writing books that cheer me. Wishing all of House Andrews a beautiful holiday together.
Merry Christmas! I hope you get some beautiful yarn and time to knit.
Aaaaw, happy holidays to you too, House Andrews. Thank you for a wonderful year from Slovakia
wish you a wonderful holiday..
we are getting many wonderful news. The bigger the brick happier we are. And the wedding, are we finally gonna see the evil former mother in law???!!
And agustine is backk…yaay
I love y’all’s updates they make me giddy with happiness. Thank you do much .
May you have a Merry Christmas and I love the tree
Christmas is great. I’m glad I’m not getting an apocalyptic one like some characters.
the tree does look good- and I’m glad family will be there after all!
I hope you both, along with the rest of the family, have a wonderful Christmas and rest of the holiday season!
I’m looking forward to all your projects to come!
Thank you for everything, happy holidays to everyone!
It’s lovely to know there are new stories coming. That alone is a gift. Your tree is amazing. Merry Christmas!
PS: Do the wedding guests need a new suit of armor or will the everyday suit do? I need to go shopping. I need to go to Baha-char. I need things and money!
Merry Christmas!! Love the tree! All our trees are themed- one is cream, gold, & crystal, another is burgundy and deep pink, and the third is red and cream. Have a wonderful holiday, enjoy family time, and know how much your fans love your creations. You are both so talented- it is truly an honor to read your stories and dive into the worlds you have created. Thank you!
Happy holidays!! Thank you for all the amazing words this year. Wishing your family health and peace.
Thank you. Just a simple thank you for all that you write for us. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
“invite you to a wedding next year. It will have fangs, weapons, and former mothers-in-law who are in serious need of comeuppance”
Be still my beating heart!!!💗
Best present 🎁 ever…..
(Even though it’s not official.)
Merry Christmas! I wish you joy and laughter today and always.
Merry Happy and thank you for the updates!
What a beautiful tree ! I wish you a very nice Christmas eve with your family ❤️🎄🎅🏼🤶🏼
love the tree. didn’t manage to do cards or much decorating but we will enjoy the holidays
Merry Christmas and happy New Year
You are so good to us. Be extra special good to yourselves, and those you care for.
The adventures of life – lol
The tree is beautiful, the food sounds festive, and spending the time with family is magic.
Enjoy!
have a wonderful Christmas ❤️
Merry Christmas to you and yours!🎄✨️ thank you for always keeping us updated about your writing projects. It’s been a tough year but here’s hoping that 2026 will be much better than 2025. Looking forward to your new releases next year 🌟
Wishing all of you the best for the holidays and for all of 2026 too!
I understand the chaos of Christmas presents and pets. No cats here. We have 1 very good dog who is almost 3. My 2 boys each have 2 dogs and we end up dogsitting fairly often. So 5 dogs running around becomes a chaos party.
I cannot wait for the Maggie books. I love that they will be bricks, so that I can curl up with them for a week and be spoiled.
A friend of mine buys dried Shitake mushrooms in a big container and takes them out as needed. I don’t know if you can find those near you or if they would help your mushroom needs.
Thank you HA for everything!
The best Christmas gift “former mothers-in-law who are in serious need of comeuppance” thank you.
Thank you so much for all you do! Loving the fact you have Christmas with the family! Sending energy to all! Can’t wait to read everything, including Kid 2’s book when finished. And kudos to Kid 1 for going back to school!
Also, your tree is amazing!
Merry Christmas, House Andrews!
It’s sad to say, but I think it was a difficult year for many of us. I want to say a big thank you to Ilona, Gordon, and Mod R for bringing us little bits of joy and making all of the BDH’s lives a little bit better with you blog updates and content. It’s always the highlight of my day when I see a new post. And thank you also for continuing to share a bit more about your own lives. You feel like family to me, and I celebrate your successes and feel your trials and tribulations as strongly as I do my own loved ones.
To the BDH, I wish you all a wonderful holiday! I love this community!
+1
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you so much for all you share with us.
My neighbors all went away for this week but their dogs are at our home. I make all my dog food so we are their favorite. Marley (minidoodle) who is picky at home is a member of the clean plate club here. Abbey (elderly beagle) is also picky but eats almost everything here. My Lulu (chihuahua mix) who normally eats is so excited by having her friends here to play with her, she isn’t eating as much. They are good girls and all enjoy walks and naps.
cute!!! happy puppers!
Enjoy your family and the gorgeous tree! Thank you for sharing all the worlds and words with us.
E_
You tree is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for all you have written and for all you share with the Book Devouring Horde.
You tree is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for all you have written and for all you share with the Book Devouring Horde.
Happy Holidays! Thank you for inviting us into your imaginary worlds and helping us escape this mundane one when we really need a break from it.
Happy Holidays! Thank you for inviting us into your imaginary worlds and helping us escape this mundane one when we really need a break from it.
Our first tree after our oldest child was silver and blue. It was incredible. The next year guess what my mother-in-laws tree looked like! Did I get any credit from her dozens/hundreds, no I did not. Anyway, merry merry day!
And we have a greenhouse/nursery operation, our dining table is covered with bags and envelopes of seeds, a special label maker for outdoor labels and assorted stuff. So we know your effort to clear it.
Happily hyperventilating at my desk (and scaring the cat) at the mention of possible but not promised weddings next year…especially for the former mother in law in need of comeuppance… Brick #2 is great future news and excited about Augustine, but House Ervan has had it coming for years
Wishing HA, ModR, and all the Horde a wonderful holiday!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! The tree is beautiful 😍 And it is HILARIOUS that Kid TWO told you to wait lol. I wish you, your family, and all of BDH a peaceful holiday season
Im glad the kids are able to make an appearance. This is the first year that we no longer have to put out cookies for Santa, the baby of the family is 12 and he informed us he knows, and was playing along for us for the last 2 yrs. He still wanted to decorate and eat his ginger bread house though!
Happy Holidays everyone!
thank you for the insight into your holiday traditions – lurve the blue too. and thank you so much for the hints for upcoming Innkeeper and Legacy books. happy christmas to all – be safe. I am groan at work but get off a bit early.
I love a themed tree. yours turned out beautiful! congrats, kid 1, on an amazing semester! OMG, I am sure Kid 2’s book will be really good if y’all need to have p*tience. Maggie, Augustine, and possibly the next Innkeeper, best Christmas gift! Grace Draven is an awesome friend (and excellent writer). hope you can rest this holiday before continuing that uphill climb. happy holidays!
what a great, happy, pre-Christmas post – thank you.
I am seeing the sun for the first time in weeks and the creek is not ravaging my yard. I will be having my kids home for Christmas and my heart is full. I am so looking forward to reading adventures from HA.
Wishing everyonea safe and healthy holiday!
Merry Christmas. Have a wonderful New Year. May words flow into both your minds live a river.
Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for sharing your joy with all of us!! I’m going to go squeal with extra holiday joy now
Oh my gosh!! You have just given the BDH the best gift. Wonderful things coming!! Love the mushrooms, Grace for the win! Your tree is beautiful. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Being out of state working through the holiday, this was a wonderful slice of holiday home life! Thank you, because my family is currently marking time until next Monday when we will bury my last grandparent, my grandmother. her last two weeks were hard, so as much as I will miss her, I am relieved that her suffering has ended. She lived past 100 and lived a full life, and I was blessed to know her my whole 50 plus years of life. But it is just not real joyous for us at the moment, so read a slice of Christmas Joy and chaos was a blessing that lightened my heart today.
Hugs.
Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
And thank you for the little tidbits of news! I would love to see the former MIL get her just desserts after everything…
Merry Christmas! Im happy for you the you get to celebrate with family. It’s been a tough end of year for me this year. But me, my husband and kids just had a wonderful low key Christmas Eve together. (Im in Sweden so evening here right now). My daughter (3) is asleep next to me and I squealed a the most quiet squeal I could manage at the book news.
Merry, Merry! And, mushrooms…what a great friend. I’m finishing decorating our animal tree. Been collecting the ornaments for more than 50 years. Your tree looks elegant and Hallmark movie ready. Wow! Gordon had a great idea. I’ve got miles to go and need to finish wrapping gifts. I want some of that pie….Enjoy it all and thanks for my primary escape from reality.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Thank you for being awesome Author Lords. Your BDH wishes you a healthy, happy new year.
Happy holidays to you and all of the hoard. Maud is my favorite, I have read her book more than any other in the innkeeper series. Please let us witness the x mother in law take down. We want ripper cushions!!
A lot of banana cream pies use banana pudding mix. There are two kinds, instant and baked & chances are good, you want the instant. Speaking from experience, check the box very carefully to make sure it’s the right one.
Thank you House Andrews for the (possible) upcoming Augustine and Wedding creative soul gifts -squeeeee!
Yay for blue and silver trees (blue is my favorite color)! Yay for solid friends having your back with mushroom inventory! Yay for creative and motivated offspring! Yay for gifts of yarn!
Thank you, Ilona , Gordon, ModR and the Horde for reminding me regularly with each post that this corner of the internet (and this subset of humanity) is safe and positive and wholesome! The space each of you ‘holds’ for others is PRICELESS. I am truly grateful for you all!
Sending peace, health and safety to all!
So so true! Your words brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you Ilona, Gordon, ModR, and the BDH for bringing joy to my life on a regular basis!
Happy holidays to everyone!
Merry Christmas! May it be both joyful and restful!
Thanks for sharing with us and looking forward to the possibility of the things you can’t promise yet . . . Because we will do bizarre things with that info. 🙂
Happy Holidays to the Horde!
Exactly! This is how I feel. You have spoken for us. Thank you. Merry Christmas to all of the Horde! Thank you House Andrews for all your hard work. Please take care of yourselves.
So glad you are having a precious Christmas, filled with family, love and yarn.
Thank you for the lovely, happy post! The best present is having family about!
The blue theme tree turned out lovely, I think it was a very nice color choice, especially with the colors of the rest of the house.
Many banna cream pie recipes say to do only one layer of banana slices. I think it is much better with two or three layers of banana slices.
I agree that K2 should hurry up with her writing. I am hoping that once she tops the best seller list a few times that you will share her pen name as I am worried about missing out on a great new author.(I’ve read the bits you’ve posted. She is definitely take my money good.)
Congrats to K1 for tackling college again. That is a hard challenge to start again. And 4 point- Yeah!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy Everything!
Thanks so much for the book news. What a wonderful Christmas gift. And then laughing at the shoe being on the other foot and having to w*it..
Also – the recipes at Rhubarb & Lavendar look really GOOD! My DH makes White Chocolate Bread pudding but now I want the Eggnog Bread Pudding with Hot Buttered Rum Sauce they have!
Just want to say thank you…your books, posts, all of it…they are always a bright spot in my day. I hope you find rest and have a wonderful time with your family this holiday season.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. It’s snowing! It’s exciting. It won’t be a white Christmas because some science nerd has some dumb requirement of an inch or so to be on the ground but the way I see it, it’s snowing and I won’t need to shovel it. Ambience is everything . I’m going to light the wood stove and hum “the weather outside is frightful”. It’s going to be a wonderful Christmas Eve snuggled with coco and then tomorrow it’s back to work. Peel and cook the potatoes and butternut then show up for family dinner. Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful time.
I’m so excited about an Augustine novella and possibly Maud and Arland’s vampire wedding from Innkeeper.
Such a beautiful tree! Thank-you for sharing! Now I must hunt for the wonderful canned mushrooms. On banana cream pie, I’ve never made one but my sister- in-law made hers with chocolate pudding. If the bananas turn brown it supposedly doesn’t show. I think she just loved chocolate!
Hello! Merry Christmas from Florida and a Happy Healthy New Year! The tree is lovely as always and the menu sounds delicious. The best part is family all together. I have a can of those straw mushrooms in my cabinet for my own soup or stir fry that I will make this weekend while family is away (they don’t like mushrooms at all). You know what I can’t find? My husband’s favorite Smuckers sugar free orange marmalade. He ran out just this week and I don’t even see a shelf tag marking the spot in Walmart, Publix, or Target. Can’t wait until all the author goodies in store for us next year. Love to you and all BDH family and friends!
Your tree is lovely. So happy your kids could join you for the holiday. Thanks for sharing your great stories. They are my comfort books always. Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, peaceful New Year. Enjoy your yarn and tea!
Thank you as always for your inclusiveness. You have created a community of quirky people who in the real world are probably not seen. Wishing all the best this Christmas!
+1 yes! Great description. Thank you HA and Mod R. Happy holidays and a healthy and joyous new year!
All of the above.
My Mother, born in 1922, after marrying my father in 1952, had a blue christmas tree, and still spoke of it in 2018, just a few months before her passing , when I re-created it for her again—-(I did this about 5 times over the years)
Beautiful tree! I would wish to do a tree as beautiful, but i am lazy and would rather read about the Baylor Family
Wow, beautiful tree!
Sending you hugs and wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Wedding news, Augustine novella and a gorgeous tree picture, you guys are the best 👌 Merry Christmas from New Zealand and the very happiest of New Years to come
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Health and joy! Thank you for all the wonderful books you have written; they bring joy and comfort to our lives. Hope to read the wedding next year and Augustine novella(I will be ptient) like the horde Lol Lol
Thank you, beloved House Andrews for the HOURS (weeks, really) of enjoyment I have gotten from your work in this year alone.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
P.S. I have been a college math professor for more than 40 years, so you have a friend in the business. If anyone in your circle needs math help, please call on me. It would be my honor and my pleasure to assist. I have a document camera (belongs to my school) and with that it is almost like tutoring someone sitting right beside you. The student can see what I write and hear what I say.
Right there with you, Rebecca. Only instead of what I call straight up math, I’m in the Biostatistics realm. I was encouraged to teach after I graduated, but that path didn’t happen. So, I teach nurses and my boss about basic statistics when people ask me. 😁
Merry Christmas to House Andrews and thanks for all your posts this year. The BDH is always hungry for new material, but we all want you happy and healthy so please tell us to w* and enjoy a family holiday break. I got yarn myself so on to new projects while I wait for my wedding invite.😘
Very pretty tree! 🎄
(Still hunting for the kind I want – artificial but not pre-lit. Sigh.)
Congratulations to Kid #1 – going back is hard, and a 4.0 average!! 🎉
Kid #2 manuscript 2/3 done – YAY!! When she publishes, will you let us know? The BDH stands ready to devour!! 📚
Merry Christmas to all at House Andrews, and Mod R & Mr. Mod R!! 🎄
Thank you so much for the joy you bring all year long and for including us in the goings-on of HA. You cultivate such a positive relationship with us, the BDH, which makes us even more devoted.
On many difficult days, your blog has brought light into my day, even if you are recounting your difficult days.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you all!
P.S. I have so many BLUE and white Christmas lights outside that some people think we are Jewish and wonder why we put up Christmas lights!
Merry Christmas and all of those wonderful Seasonal Holiday greetings that are celebrated. Kay, Texas
My family is due over any minute! Have a wonderful and safe Christmas!!!
Sounds like the perfect holiday. All the best to you and yours! ☃️🌟🎁🎄🎅
Oh my god!! A wedding!!! Merry Christmas to the best writing duo alive!
I absolutely adore reading about your adventures. You know the hoard would get you all the mushrooms you could possibly want, just give us a pi box to send stuff to and we can make it happen! Merry Christmas
Ilona, I’m with you on the red.
However, to everybody who has said the tree with blue is gorgeous (or whatever synonym you used), you are absolutely correct.
Have fun! And may all of us have a healthy, happy and prosperous 2026.
Squee! The wedding! AND a Pancakes novella! All that and Maggie, too! House Andrews, you rock! Your Horde loves you so! Happy holidays! ❤️
Merry Christmas! Enjoy the holidays and relax with loved ones.
Augustine NOCELLA possibly end of January??? I’m ecstatic!! Until recently, I wasn’t even sure if I dreamed that it will be a Novella not only a bonus chapter in another future book.
And more Arland and Maude next year? Awesome!
Thank you so much for writing!
Merry Christmas to you and yours. I get to celebrate with my parents and my sister’s family Christmas Eve and Christmas. Then a delayed one with our son who gets to visit afterwards.
Merry Christmas! Your tree looks beautiful. Your anecdote about a daughter returning to college sparks hope for me. Thank you!
Wedding ?!?,(;))5);!? Wedding ❤️💯🥰😍💕💯❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Merry Christmas with ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Omg omg omg! Maud and Arland and Helen! I will keep my fingers crossed so hard!
Looking forward to Augustine’s novella, too but…..Maud and Arland and Helen! Yippee!
The tree looks amazing, I must say. Sounds like you will have a very nice Xmas, too. Tell Kid2 we all want her book, please. And could she expand that delicious little snippet she gave us while she’s at it?! 🤣🤞 And congrats to Kid1 for successful semester!
Merry Christmas!
Yay, a Maud/Arlen wedding! There will be ripper cushions.
Merry Christmas and may 2026 be a better year for us all!
Wishing you and the extended House Andrews the merriest of Christmases and the BDH already knows that we have an exciting 2026 publication schedule to which we can look forward to enjoying.
Merry Christmas!!!
aaah you saved the best for last – would *love* to see a wedding and House Ervan’s comeuppance!!!
and Augustine in January?? so many goodies
Thank you, author friends! Blessings on your household, your larder, and your health. A gentle hope for better days ahead. Fulfillment, contentment, and wonder be yours.
Most loved author EVER. (even if we can’t have it – the fact that it is moving up in your brain space is sufficient gift)
Merry Christmas.
Happy holidays!!
Merry Xmas! And thank you… your books and your posts are helping me a lot with staying afloat in this mad world.
An Augustine novella?!? We’ve had snippets but I missed the grand announcement of a NOVELLA (read, novella for our author lords but a full length BOOK from lesser authors!!). Colour me excited 🤪
Merry and Happy Christmas to you and yours! Thank you for all the joy you bring to all of us. And the cat napping on my lap right now agrees with me that you all deserve wonderful things (and our cats are generally a bit self-involved).
Merry Christmas. I love it.
Wishing you a Merry, Happy Everything!
May your new year be filled with joyful times.
My Christmas colors are blue too, I go with a snowman theme.
Thank you for the presents of promised stories.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and thanks so much for the teasers!
Hooray for family Christmas!
Hooray for Augustine novella! And for the (hopefully arriving) vampire wedding!
I laughed at Kid 2 telling you to w*it.
Happy Holidays. As part of my new traditions. I now enjoy cookies and egg nog while listening to Sanctuary and wrapping gifts. I also made a personal charcuterie board with the Gertrude Hunt inn logo with the help of my local library ‘s Makerspace’s laser cutter. I have afternoon tea and my cheese board pin it. Simple fare but makes me smile imagining Orro made the tea items of small savory sandwiches and buttery scones and pastries.
I don’t even have the words to describe how excited I am about the Augustine news – so sooooon! -, Maggie coming out soonish & Maude kicking butt in 2026! Sounds like an awesome House Andrews year to come!
Oooooh! Whose wedding?? No, really, I don’t care whose wedding it is. Just tell me when I can preorder! And bricks are terrific. You know the horde operates on the thesis that more HA is better!
Happy holidaying to all!
Happy Holidays!
I love that you are BDHing your daughter, for her book.
That tree is beautiful. Mind is heirlooms, and ridiculous hand made stuff made by various grandchildren, which I love.
And you gave us a wonderful gift of hope for more books! Thank you!
Merry Christmas!
Augustine novella? House Andrews trained the BDH to expect bricks!
Serious Xmas Eve tease, Hidden Legacy, Innkeeper and Maggie next year. Salivating SQUEeeeeeeeeeeing!
Thank you for making my year so comforting through the books and more importantly the blog – there was always something in your voice to look forward to about regular life or writing or anything! Merry Christmas!
Have a Magical Christmas 🎅🎄 House Andrews. Enjoy your beautiful tree and the kids.
What a wonderful friend Grace was to you Ilona: now you can make your comfort food.
Thanks for the goodies this year despite everything,
🥂 to the probably wedding next year with fangs and ripper-cushions,
🥂 to an Augustine novella, always a pleasure to go back to that world.
we, the BDH, promise to be chalant and w**t 😜.
The tree is gorgeous, Gordon is right, gives hallmark vibes!! Can’t wait for This Kingdom which I ordered from a small independent bookstore in Petaluma California owned by a friend of mine. Merry Christmas!
The wedding! The wedding! The wedding!!!!! We’re finally getting THE WEDDNG!!!!! I guess a former MIL is going to finally get some ripper cushions. 😂😂😂😂😂
“It will be another brick.”
This is the best Xmass present for the BDH. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I hope you have a fabulous Christmas! I’m so excited for the Augustine Novella and Maggie and the surprises!
Wonderful post about so many lovely things. Even book news, too!
Seriously, so glad my favorite authors are having lovely holidays with their family and friends and enjoying togetherness, good food, great gifts, and fun. Best wishes to you all. And thanks in advance for my reading joy next year.
Merry Christmas! The tree looks fab, it’s wonderful the kids are joining you after all, Grace’s gift was very thoughtful, and I’m super excited about your upcoming publication schedule!
(Also, I am ridiculously excited at the thought of Maud’s former Mil getting her her butter handed to her, ha ha.)
My wish for you:
Good food, good wine, good health, good friends. . .
And the time to enjoy them all.
Happy Christmas to the best authors in the universe and beyond!
Merry Christmas! Hope you and the family have a wonderful time together.
Can you tell me what books kid2 has written? I would love read them.
Oh the non spoiler spoilers, very excited about the plans, annnnd NEVER upset when one of your books ends up longer than anticipated:)
YourChristmas tree looks so beautiful, 😍. I love looking at people’s differently decorated trees.
My brother’s tree is a bit of a Charlie Brown sapling sibling, and a friend of mine decided to have Santas legs sticking out(as if he fell in the tree).
My Mom has had the same tree for almost 20 years! She places a plastic construction bag over it and pulls it out of a closet when it’s Christmas.
So however you all celebrate I am wishing you all happy tidings and a great new year.
PS I am RSVPing , I hope coffee is served during the nuptials 🤣 and let the titles be slung…Maud the red, the Sariv, the learned one, Maven to house Krahr, kill count more than 68. Hahaha, can’t wait!
Does anyone else wonder if their parents (Maud, Dina, and that Auditor) might make it to the wedding?
Ooh! Dina DeMille Innkeeper, kill count? And her Consort….
Merry Christmas & thank you AUTHOUR LORDS 🤗
Your tree is gorgeous! Merry Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful new year 🎄
That’s better than a Hallmark Christmas tree.
Aaaaaaah!
Wedding!
Augustine!
I am SO chalant right now 🎉
Wishing you both a wonderful Christmas and New Year. You are my favourite authors and cannot wait for Maggie. As a Christmas present to myself I am rereading Kate for the umpteenth time. Hope Santa is good to you and your family and enjoy the holidays.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
*
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May your Xmas be safe ,warm, and joyful. And your new year safe, healthy and productive. May it be so. Blessings
Be well. Take care. Sleep when possible.
Was anyone else excited to hear about all of the upcoming promised stories? Because just mentioning the possibility is, in fact, a promise.
I was hoping for more Inheritance 2 😔
It just has so much potential.. for romance 🤩
Manifesting another book in 2026….
Merry Christmas! My mom does themed Christmas trees, she has one we call the Victorian tree, it is soft pinks, creams, and gold. It’s probably my favorite one to decorate. This year she also put up her red & green tree, which has a crafty sort of vibe, plaid flannel birds, cowboy Santa’s, and the like. I can’t wait for a possible Augustine novella! Even if I have to wait that is a great gift to anticipate! Your tree is beautiful, I really wish I had room for a tree that large. I hope the BDH has joyous holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ❤️ So looking forward to all the great books coming in 2026!
This makes me happy, thanks for sharing!
Wishing you the best in 2026, House Andrews. May all the joy you have given us through your writing be returned to you tenfold. 🌟
Merry merry merry to my favorite authors and favorite Horde! Hurray for bricks, we love them! Hurray for hobbit ham, because I am nt a ham person, and that made me drool. And double triple hurray for fanged weddings with weapons, because that right there is a gift.
This year sucked all around. Let’s all raise a glass or a cup of tea to a better 2026!
Merry Christmas to all and I hope you can be with those people/places that bring you joy and peace! Had major spinal surgery couple weeks ago, recovering fine, and the peace the time of year provides has been sorely needed. I wish health and happiness to all the wonderful people that make this community the oasis it is!😊
Love the tree! Love the fact we are getting an Augustine novella and am over the moon about a Maude and Arland wedding. The ex mother in law getting ripper cushions will be the best!
^What SunnyD said.^
Merry Christmas house Andrews! Thanks for making every year special with your awesome books.
Biggest fan from UK
Merry Christmas!! Your tree is lovely and dinner sounds amazing. It’s my turn to have the flu and apparently it was making up for an unusually healthy year! It’s early early Christmas morning and I am enjoying Christmas lights and some PediaLite. It will get better. In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday and a healthy new year!
Merry Christmas 🤶 🎄🎁
Your tree is beautiful! I’m not usually a fan of single color trees but the way you did it is “chef’s kiss.”
Thanks for the cooking site. I’ve cooked organic, from scratch almost everything I eat for decades and, as others like me, collect cookbooks and cooking newsletters. I had no idea there is site such as this one. Now I’ll look for more. I read The Hobbit when I was 8 (60 years ago) and have been hooked on speculative fiction ever since. Recipes that are book themed, sign me up!!
Happy Holidays!
Katy
Dear Ilona and Gordon, I wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
You shoudn’t thank us but we are thanking you. You’ve made our year with your novels.
Please tell Kid2 thank you from me. She’s making me giddy because payback is a bitch. Now you have to w**t and need p****nce.
I’ve finished two cakes this morning, Cheesecake and a plumtart. As soon as my oven is free again the potato-vegetables-dish goes in. Everything else waits in the fridge since Yesterday. The feast can begin.
Be happy, eat well, enjoy your Family, rest for a while and stay healthy.
A wedding, a wedding 🙂 And a Augustine Novel – 2026 looks brighter and brighter.
Thank you so much for giving me great books to read and for coping with us noisy and demanding fans.
Have wonderful holidays and may your 2026 be peaceful, happy and full of nice people.
You forgot to censor one w*it at the end there. Seriously, this blog has gone downhill tsk tsk tsk 🤭
Now being serious, that tree is gorgeous. Blue is also my favourite colour. I also would like to do themed trees but I am so lazy. Kudos to you. Don’t the cats destroy the tree though? They must be remarkably behaved.
Happy holidays!
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Years. Thank you for all the amazing gifts of your words, thoughts, ideas and story arcs that you have so graciously given us through the years. This is the time of year to remember all those most precious and dear to us. The BDH; (I am a long standing member) have had the joys of opening your presents and we are humbled and teary.
Yor tree belongs in a Hallmark movie, or even better yet, a book from House Andrews!
Merry Christmas my friends, my family.
Merry Christmas! Wishing you and your family all the best in 2026!
I’m a letter carrier. In Maine. We just had a 16” snow storm, on Christmas Eve and still delivered. It’s the job but after a month of 11+ hour days, it almost broke me. Innkeeper is my comfort series (I listened to the graphic audio editions again this week) even the hint of a new one is the best present ever. I won’t hold you to the next year but I’m so glad it’s coming and had to jump in and say thank you.
thank you for all your hard work!!!
Thank you for all you do! Postal carriers rock!
Beautiful tree. The artwork looks great and if that’s more Innkeeper I’ll wait patiently. They are my go to for talking books while working out.
Hope everyone has a lovely holiday season.
“All good things come to them who w*it” is in my humble opinion as bad a curse as “may your life be interesting”… I much prefer the French “l’espoir fait vivre”.
So I hope you have a wonderful family Christmas, enjoy good health, keep climbing workmountains, and that w*ating gets easier (!!!!) with all the training we get for it
Sometimes I wonder if w*iting would get easier if we don’t know what we are w*iting for, but then I think of all the shenanigans of the BDH we would then miss and (almost) get reconciled to w*iting
The tree is amazing!
Your tree is gorgeous!! thank you for the update and Merry Christmas and happy new year to your family!
also… omg the wedding!!! I’m so excited for Mauds ex MIL to get what’s coming to get! cheers to a better 2026 all around!
I like blue on the tree also Gordon. Merry Christmas to the Andrews family from mine. Remember to enjoy the holidays and stay healthy.
Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a productive, healthy and joyful new year
Happy holidays. My first thought was the cats don’t attack that tree? I am saving this tab to read all comments later.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas. I love the tree. Blue is my favorite color. I did a blue and silver tree for years.
Squee! I love a good comeuppance. We are not worthy!
Glaedig Jul!
Merry Christmas! Thank you for this update, great gift.
Question: was Gordon “first”?
Happy Holidays to the BDH 😀
Merry Xmas and a wonderful New Year to House Andrews!
You are the gift that keeps on giving! I enjoy reading about your slice of life you share almost as much as your books! Now I have even more to look forward to than just Maggie!!
thank you so much! happy holidays 🙂
Gorgeous tree! Gordon and Ilona, wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, prosperous and happy New Year! Thank you for all the gifts you’ve given your Horde this year.🤗
Gorgeous tree!
You guys are AWESOME! Have a fabulous holiday season!
Gorgeous tree, wonderful family, work you love, yarn! and adoring fans of your superb books – thank you for sharing so much wisdom with us. Wishing you all a year of joy, good challenges and warm hugs.
Merry Christmas to House Andrews! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday together. Your tree is beautiful and the menu sounds amazing. Here’s to good things in 2026 (including that Augustine novella 😉 ).
Cheers!
Merry Christmas! This blog has been a bright spot in my life for a while now, both the posts and the comments from my fellow BDH members, and I am so thankful for all of it. So thank you, thank you, thank you! (I’m also very excited about the possible wedding, armored shenanigans, and ex-MIL comeuppance in 2026!)
Merry Christmas to you and yours. I wish you peace and love and togetherness.
Merry Christmas! This was a core food memory unlocked. My immediate family didn’t like turkey, so we had steak and fried oysters for holidays. So good. I didn’t do a tree this year, but yours is so beautiful. Our decorations are a mix of burgundy, royal blue, and gold, but we’re in a tiny little space now, which is great, honestly, but no tree room with 5 adults and 2 dogs for the holidays.
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday. I just finished reading “The Inheritance” and I absolutely loved it. I can hardly wait until book 2 is ready. It gave me a much needed boost.
You sound better, that is good. Maybe a happy couple of weeks now will set up a better 2026. The tree is gorgeous, and that ham sounds AMAZING!!
If a cat or dog does manage to ruin a signed page, I am happy to take the damaged page off your hands. It would tickle me to no end.
Happy holidays!
Agreed. Nothing like a little fur or chewed corner to make it a team effort and a fun conversation starter. 🙂
The tree looks lovely & is that a tiny little Nechist ornament in the first photo by any chance? Also looking forward to Pancakes in action plus the grand tradition vampire wedding (lots of blood & severed limbs to go with the invite:)). Merry Christmas & hope Maggie doesn’t kill you!
I make that “salad” for a client – I’m pretty sure each serving takes a week off your life, you’re smart to have a couple bites and be done 😂
Merry Christmas!!! Sending all the happy thoughts and hugs for next year!!
So excited for the wedding!!! Thanks for all the good news. Beautiful tree just like my mom always did, a blue decorated tree! Love it!
Thank you for this Christmas present! Have a wonderful day with the family!
Best wishes to all today, including those who aren’t celebrating, and those who are celebrating alone, and those who only wish they were celebrating alone. Any day of peace is a gift. Hoping for a universal Christmas truce that every last one of us needs.
Ditto
That is a beautiful tree. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
What a lovely tree. I have never done a themed tree. We collected ornaments from all our vacations and trips and I have a few favorites that were gifts from students over the years. I also still put the ornaments the kids made as elementary students and have made ornaments with my oldest grand daughter last year as well. But I am inspired by your lovely tree. Maybe a themed tree will be on the holiday list for next year.
I hope you and all of your family have a lovely holiday. And ModR, I wish the same to you.
Thank you for your lovely books. They are a joy to read and always lift my spirits when I need a comfort read like a hug from an old friend.
Best wishes to everyone for a joyful New Year.
I hope everyone is having a lovely, snug, comfy Christmas.
Christmas morning, no one’s awake but me, I see this post, read “vampire wedding, ex mother-in-law” apparently I make a sound that starts low in my throat, then moved to a very high pitched, loud sqeal.
I wake up all the dogs, cats, my husband, and my mother-in-law who comes to the upstairs railing and asked what’s going on, I reply that Maud and Arland might be getting married next year.
She asked if they are friends of mine, and since I can’t lie I say, “yes.”
I love it when you give me bricks!
We had quiche and Stollen this morning. Mid afternoon Beef Wellington and Loaded Baked Potatoes. Charcuterie platter tonight.
Happy Holidays from our house to yours!
The rice cakes and mushroom dish sounds amazing. Is there any chance you could share the full recipe?
Wishing you very happy holidays!
I’m happy for you that you get to spend Christmas with your kids. My parents live in another state, so I spend winter holidays at home with my husband, as the weather is usually too bad to travel 6 hours.
I’m excited Maggie 2 is another brick, even though we don’thave 1 yet. I love long books, give me all the books that I can use as doorstoppers. (I’m currently reading Return of the Runebound Professor, the shortest books are around 500 pages, but most of them are 700+)
What a lovely post, like a friendly letter. Thank you and Happy Christmas to all of you at House Andrews, House Mod R, and my fellows of the BDH. May you all have time to read today.
Merry Christmas! The tree genuinely looks amazing! Blue was the way to go.
May this next year be better, because 2025 was absolutely not my year, at all. I don’t know that most anyone in the US had a great year, TBH.
The Maggie ARC was genuinely the high point of my entire year until Christmas Eve-Eve, when I received a call and it was a formal job offer! Such exciting news and the best possible Christmas present. I’ve been floating on a happy cloud for the last 2 days and, of course, accepted the job offer.
It’s also really amazing to hear that we’re possibly-probably-hopefully getting more Innkeeper in 2026, because the Innkeeper Chronicles are my very very favorite series of all time, and have brought me so much comfort this year via many re-reads.
I hope y’all have an amazing day!
It is a true blessing when your friend knows you well enough to choose a gift that delights you. I would Love to suggest appropriate ends for that evil Mother in Law, I have every faith that what you select will surpass my offerings… I do believe that the formal adoption of Helen into Khrar and the family (as separate occurrence from the wedding, preferably as a first things first?) would be amazing.
I am thrilled at the teaser we might finally be getting Maude and Arland’s wedding! This inspired me to read Sweep of the Blade today. I wanted something familiar with a happy ending to read today since I can’t spend Christmas with family, so I will spend the day with Maude 😘
Ilona and Gordon:
You made my day and next year with this news.
Thank you and have a wonderful Christmas.
The tree is beautiful.
Thank you for all that you do to make this world a brighter place.
Happy Holidays to House Andrews and Mod R
That Kingdom art looks amazing. No lying, I’d love a special hard cover edition like that, with the old timey clasp, the thick, slightly warped covers, leatherbound spine and general epic library vibe (I know it won’t happen, but one can dream).
Wishing everyone happy, relaxing holidays and lots of love!
+100 agree
Merry Christmas to one and all! The Hallmark tree is beautiful 🎄
Wishing you and the BDH a day of calm, beauty, laughter, a nap or a walk or both 🙂
Woke up to sunshine when I was promised (and prepared for) rain — not gonna lie, I’m more than a little annoyed, but hopefully caffeine will kick in soon and I will adjust to reality. ✨
Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, joyful Christmas! Your tree is indeed gorgeous, and I’m deliriously happy at the possibility of new Innkeeper. You guys give the bestest gifts! I’m making Christmas crack for my lovely 83 year old neighbor, and making homemade lasagna (with bechamel sauce!) and tiramisu for dinner.
Happy, Happy Holidays!
thank you for your wonderful stories and merry christmas to you and your family
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all! Wishing blessings of joy, peace, good health and love on you and your loved ones in Jesus name ❤️
So excited to hear about the alleged 😂upcoming books for Maud and Augustine🎉
Happy Christmas and I’m so glad things are going relatively well for you all! (Gorgeous tree.)
May you find Joy and Peace in the season and the coming year!
Thank you for the wonderful gifts of the coming year. The tree looks amazing!
Your tree looks amazing 🙂
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Happy New Year!
Re Themed Trees.
One year, Mom will have a Red/Gold tree. Next year it will be Blue/Silver/White. And some years she’ll do Purple/Teal, but she claims she doesn’t have enough stuff for that yet.
This year was a Red/Gold year.
Ilona, thank you for the HA update. I love hearing about how things are going and how you persevere through trials and tribulations and also share the humor and joy of life! Being part of the BDH keeps me sane.
It’s great having the best of friends that buy what you need. For future reference, have you tried shopping on Weee (https://www.sayweee.com/en ) for mushrooms? I haven’t purchased from the site but it’s recommended by family and friends.
Merry Christmas! The tree is beautiful. Yay for mushrooms and the bestie’s that gift them. Glad all the critters are healthy and the kidlets are coming!!! I’m definitely going to make hobbit ham for our next party!!!
Hugs from mine to you and yours! Merry Christmas.
Thank YOU for the wonderful year <3 and for your open and generous sharing of your own lives. I appreciate reading each of your blog posts.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Your books make everything better
The tree turned out beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! Wishing you more rest and relaxation in 2026!
Merry Christmas! Thank you for the lovely holiday blog post!
Thank you very much for the well wishes and happy holidays to you and your family as well!! I love that picture she created, it looks amazing and the book looks great in it!
Joyous greetings to the BDH and HA. I hope everyone has a safe and happy time and a blessed and prosperous new year.
The tree is beautiful. I’m envious! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!!
OMG Arland and Maude!
There will be ripper cushions!
also merry whatever you celebrate 🎉
Oh squee! I want the wedding with fangs and evil ex mother-in-laws!
Thank you for all you have revealed to us this year, as well as the teases of things to come. We are blessed to be part of your worlds.
Happy Holidays!
That tree is so beautiful! Agree with Gordon: Hallmark movie good looking.
Have a wonderful holiday with the kids. So happy you get to spend it with them.
Our kids are home also for the holidays. And my sister is visiting us. Some family fell ill but this is so much better than last year when I, hubby and both kids were sick 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
Love the blue and silver tree, did a red and silver tree for my women’s club here in Virginia. I was especially impressed with your lovely wrapped presents.
I love the tree and blue is my favorite color so to me it was the best choice! It looks so elegant. I agree, it’s like a Hallmark moment for sure. And I am so excited about the Augustine novella. He and Diana have me intrigued for sure. Of course, I love everything you write! I am so glad you are feeling better, the kids are coming and that Santa is probably bringing you yarn for Christmas! Merry Christmas!
I think today is the actual start of the 12 Days of Christmas, right?
If any of you are in search for a gift to others that may also increase the numbers of the BDH, I noticed the 1st part of the Tapas Innkeeper graphic paperback is $2.38 on Amazon today.
I know this is off topic, but I just got the second graphic novel for clean sweeps for Christmas. Is tapas planning to make more of the innkeeper chronicles as a WEBTOON or graphic comic? I figured it wasn’t super likely since they finished the adaptation in 2023, but wanted to know for sure.
Just wanted to let you know Polar stir fry straw mushrooms are available on Amazon, $36 for 12, 15oz. cans. The packaging is different but the description reads as the same.
Your tree looks very festive! I love glass ornaments and snowflakes! And the little feathery guy was really cute!
We’ve passed the Solstice, so days will be getting longer.
Augustine…a wedding…and Maggie! Wheee!
A Very Merry to you, your family and BDH!
Thank you so much for the wishes Ilona. Our holidays were all that and it was great. I hope yours were all that as well. Reading these little tidbits always brings a smile to my heart (and face), so thank you so much for letting us in like that.
Happy family Christmas time! I hope you all had fun and delicious food and quiet cuddles and kitschy music and bad jokes and made wonderful memories 💜
Your tree is beautiful! Seasons blessings to you and all your family! And the furkids!
It was a touch to warm for us yesterday for Christmas Day. At 42C we were sweltering!
Former mother-in-law needs some serious Rippercusions!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Your tree is gorgeous! I am sitting here in a food coma of my own making (literally…I am the resident cook!) Herb roasted brined pork tenderloin, butternut squash in browned butter and sage with goat cheese, apple rum raisin pie and way too many cookies are some of the highlights. It’s a lot of work but I love cooking for my family, especially on holidays. 🥰💕
Congrats to Kid 1 on going back to school…it’s never too late. At almost 67 I am going back for an Associates in Liberal Arts just because I want to. (I’m not planning on doing anything with it, but I love learning new things so why not?) I hate math too, but Kid 1 has given me hope! 😂
Here’s wishing everyone (HA, Mod R, BDH, etc etc) a wonderful holiday week and a Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for all you do! The blue tree is gorgeous. You’ve made me very happy with the possibility of that wedding invitation. I’m now even more hopeful for 2026. Happy New Year! May 2026 be your best ever (so far). 💛
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The tree is gorgeous.
We’ve had a wonderful Christmas here and hope HA and Mod R had the same!
Thank you for giving us Panthercakes, Innkeeper and Maggie to look forward to for next year!
Your tree is lovely. It sounds like you are having a wonderful holiday. Sometimes the best gatherings are the unplanned ones. I am very excited to read this coming year’s stories from you.
Your tree is beautiful; it does look like a holiday movie come to life. Thank you for sharing your plans and stresses. I want you both to know how much your work means to me. It is truly magical and uplifting. I read and re-read your collected works all the time, including listening to graphic audio in the car (because you know accidents…). Anyway, your work is like finding new friends and revisiting old ones whenever I can. I see how much you put into everything despite all life’s challenges, and I want you to know that I am truly grateful for everything you do. Thank you so much. I wish you the very best holiday with your family.
Your tree is beautiful and blue is my favorite color. I look forward to the unconfirmed possibles in the future. Thank you.
Thank you so much for The Augustine novella! Hope your Christmas was everything you wished for.
Merry Christmas to you all!!
And OMG, I am sooooooo excited for those teases!! Woop woop!!!
The tree is very much a Hallmark tree! It came out beautifully!
And apologies if this has been answered already. I went through the Maggie tag but may have missed it! Has it been announced where signed editions can be ordered from?
Thank you and Happy Holidays to your household and family.
Wedding! I kept going thru the various series trying to figure out where there was a congruence of fangs. weapons and former mothers-in-law … the penny finally dropped. So excited. Good thing there is a convenient door. Squee!
Oh that tree is a dream, a royal dream, all blue and gold. so beautiful. Merry Christmas!
All the BEST to all of you. 🎉
Wedding teaser *squeeee*
AND
augustine???
2026 is coming in FIRE(positive fire only pls and ty)
HAPPY HAPPY MERRY MEERY HOGFATHER HO HO HO
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you too!
I wish you all (and I mean all of you) a great holiday season surrounded by loved ones and at times alone. (Who does not need a bit of alone time to dily daly). Rest, energize and next year we keep going.
How terrible that you’re being told to w*it
It’s so cruel that anybody would even consider saying that…
Beautiful tree, the blue reminds me of the winter wonderland!!
So glad you got your canned mushrooms, I’m the only one in my family that loves mushrooms so I can understand what happiness is getting your favorite mushrooms.
Happy Holidays!!
I have also been looking for straw mushroom! Ended up just using cremini . What an awesome gift!
Your tree looks spectacular. And thank you for a year full of fun and adventure stories. I can’t wait for what you’re giving us in 2026.
Wow, such a beautiful tree – I agree just like a Hallmark movie.
Congrats to Kid 1 & Kid 2 – it’s amazing watching adult children’s journeys to becoming wonderful people 🙂
2025 was a tough year for me too; this blog – BDH, Mod R, Ilona and Gordon bring sunshine and light to a hard day or week. When I see a new post, I smile and the sun shines 🙂
2026 is going to be an amazing year!! Maggie, Maud (maybe) and Augustine. January and March woohoo I can’t wait!!
Thank you Ilona, Gordon and Mod R for encouraging/ creating the Book Devouring Horde family. I am blessed beyond measure to consider myself part of the BDH. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays – let’s kick the dust from 2025 off our feet and make 2026 ROCK!
Love y’all
I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE WEDDING, I AM DOING THE BAD WORD AND W*ATING EAGERLY!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH
(takes a breath)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
And I was so excited I even misspelled the bad word!
your tree is lovely.
heh. my dad is getting several boxes of raisin bran with cranberries for christmas because they don’t sell them near him anymore. it took 6 grocery stores, but my guy found them!
hope your christmas was amazing!
the real question: how do you have bows on your wrapped gifts when you have cats? my whole family has given up on ribbon and bows because ALL of our cats (5 different houses worth) will not allow bows or ribbons to survive and the packages are usually collateral damage.
That art of “Kingdom” is incredible. I would totally frame that.
OOOOH!! I’m so excited!! I cannot wait to see this comeuppance!! It couldn’t happen to a more deserving vampire b-word.
Happy holidays to all, and may your 2026 be better than you could have ever imagined. Wishing peace, love, and resilience to everyone!!
Merry Christmas and thank you so much for all the books you write. Your books are a happy light, a wonderful respite and a little square of joy.
❤️❤️❤️ Agree that tree is gorgeous & very Hallmark! I have also wanted to have a coordinated tree & one day I shall!
Also love the updates on kids 1&2, on awesome friendship presents with Grace Draven (you turned me onto her work earlier this year), and surprise Christmas gathering! Sounds wonderful.
And as always, so inspired by your writing work together & grateful for it!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a great New Year in 2026!
Thank you for your artistry with words. I ran across Kate unwittingly and read the series. I then found The Legacy series and have read them all. And some twice. They are my comfort books. I just stumbled on all your books and then sought out more. I’m about to re-read The Inkeeper series. Thank you again from a fan. Happy New Year
For the former mother’s-in-law I hope there will be serious ripper cushions.
Indeed!!
OMG…I sooooo want to read about Matilda’s ex-mother-in-law getting her cumuppance…
I want to read Augustine’s novella…March will be here very quick, so Maggie is on the horizon…2026 is looking good!
Its been about one or two books a year from my favorite actors to look forward to each year. So far You guys are still on that list! Thank you!
Merry Christmas all! Love being part of the BDH, even if it means w*iting sometimes and I have to practice my p*tience. Hope your coming year brings you all as much joy as I’ve gotten from each of you this year!
My biggest mistake was challenging Death to a pillow fight.
I was NOT prepared for the reaper cushions
thought everyone here would appreciate this dad joke
:hug: back! Thank YOU house Andrews and Mod R for this wonderful year! Happiest of Holidays and restful days!
Thank you HA for all the love and family that you share with us. I think the tree is spectacular. My little tree is gold, silver and white. It makes me happy; it’s so sparkly.
I am a senior so p*atience is no longer my forte, but I will contain myself while w*iting for all the exciting surprises in 2026.
Happy New Year everyone!
Such a lovely update. Thank you for sharing. The tree looks great, so happy the kids are doing so well, congratulations.
We are in our first house and I wanted to do hardcore decorating for all the holidays. I started decorating for Halloween in July. Then it was Thanksgiving, which we hosted. By the time December rolled around I was a bit worn out. I got the mantle and the console. Then we put the tree up and I ran out of steam. We had trouble with the lights. And after a couple tries to fix it, we gave up. It was good enough. Then we looked at the ornaments and thought, we’d put them up, then have to take them down again. So… we opted out since we weren’t hosting.
We had a lovely holiday and have minimum decorating to clean up. Next year I am scaling back.
Your blue tree has made my heart ridiculously happy. Thank you!!!!
I understand the dilemma with Christmas ornaments. I finally spread everything and sorted. 2 bins of blue/silver/white with touches of pink and 2 bins of red/green/gold. The special kids and sentimental ornaments are sorted by colour too so they get seen every other year. At least my kids are old enough so that I no longer have the yearly sacrifice of broken ornaments.
I used my convection oven for my duck this year. The duck was not overcooked – the dressing was. There was also roasted veggies and scalloped potatoes and other stuff I didn’t eat – and my daughter got me a bottle of Dragon’s Milk stout to have with dinner. I don’t mind white wines, but the offspring prefers red which I don’t like at all, so I mentioned I was yearning for some stout. It worked.
I got her a couple of cookbooks (two kids who can also follow recipes if they want to eat) and two featuring Edward Gorey (which haven’t arrived yet – she’ll get them for New Year.
A WEDDING!!!! I AM SO BLOODY EXCITED!!!! Thank you thank you! I cannot wait!!!!
Ps merry christmas and a blessed new year ❤️😋😁
I am a librarian with the Chicago Public Library. Your books have helped me escape the stress during a stressful year. I couldn’t be more grateful for your imaginations and storytelling. Wishing you both a happy and healthy New Year!
Cheers,
Annie Ayres
Many blessings and joy to your house and family in the coming New Year.
Hmm…wedding, fangs and weapons, former mother-in-law needing comeuppance? Now who in the Universe???
I kid, I kid. I shall be p*tient. I shall be chalant. I will w*it for the official announcement.
OH MY GOD!!! The wedding of the millenium. You have just made 2026 worth staying up to welcome in. Thank you 10,000 and Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays, House Andrew and Mod R! Thank you for lifting spirits for the BDH – you all are MUCH appreciated! Happy early birthday, Ilona! 🙂 May we all enjoy a bright, happy and calm (read: boring, which is vastly underrated IMHO) 2026! Cheers, all! 🙂
My Christmas tree also is blue, gold, and silver ornaments! My husband is read green colorblind so we have a snow flocked “white” tree and blue ornaments so he can see all the colors!
Just, thank you. You are wonderful in so many ways.
Happy Holidays! And may you have rest and joy between all the chaos.
Happy belated birthday!. I hope you and your family had a very merry Christmas and a most happy New Year. The Innkeeper Chronicles are the best books I’ve ever read, and it brings me great joy knowing the series hasn’t ended. Thank you for keeping the story going.
I love that word….COMEUPPANCE.
There is another word I love…..UPPITY.
is anyone out there at all surprised that my voracious brain of book nibbling has decided to combine these two word?
No?
Huh. Me neither.
Friends, allow me to present
COMEUPPITANCE
THIS is what happens when a Very Bad K**** gets too big for her britches…shortly to be followed by Dire Pronouncements Regarding A New Place To Live If Things Do Not Improve.
Hey…this just seemed like a whimsical sort of place to introduce a new word