NaNoWriMo report

I finished my 50,000 words--and a little over--for National Novel Writing Month last night.  I had hoped to finish sooner, but I did take some time off for the Doctor Who marathon, and I had to stop periodically to figure out where I--and my characters--were going.  And then there was the ending.  When and where was that going to be?!

Holiday decorating

The holiday decorating ideas in the December/January issue of Country Living include lots of greenery and wrapping paper; I loved the hardback books covered with red plaid wrapping paper that filled a bookcase--so colorful and eye-catching--and lots of work.  There are also Christmas ornament suggestions and decorations with nature motifs.

At our house we fill bowls with Christmas ornaments and hang them from our pegboards, and I'll be getting out the creche soon too.  And I always keep an eye out for little animals to add to it.

Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!

The Doorway and Other Stories

Here are fourteen of my favorite stories (available now in paperback!), and since my favorite genre is science fiction, they are mostly SF except for The Princess Quest, a tongue-in-cheek sword and sorcery epic, and Old Rex, a ghost story. They've all been published elsewhere, except for Royal Guardians; this is its first time in print. If you like reading about aliens, time travel, symbiotes, and humans searching for a home, family, their own bodies, etc., I think you'll enjoy this collection of characters and their adventures: http://www.amazon.com/Doorway-Other-Stories-Joy-Smith/dp/1492857599/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384620336&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Doorway+and+Other+Stories

Design and holiday ideas

There are plenty of design ideas and entertainment suggestions--and just look at all those cookie recipes--in the December issue of Southern Living!  However, I'd rethink removing the porch railing 'cause it looks unwelcoming (having people fall off the porch is way more unwelcoming), distressing mirrors to make them look old (why?!), and paving the back yard.  Okaaay, maybe they don't have dogs...

I do like the paint color, Green Smoke (Farrow & Ball), in the study.  And there are Christmas ideas and recipes, of course.  Pass those Peppermint Divinity Bars over here, please!

Christmas gift ideas: Joy's e-books

Merry Christmas!

For those of you who got an ebook reader for Christmas--or couldn't wait,
here are my e-books. Or you can read them on your computer. Your choice.

Detour Trail

My western novel, Detour Trail, is now available from Melange Books, the publisher--and elsewhere online : http://www.melange-books.com/authors/joyvsmith/detourtrail.html

http://www.amazon.com/Detour-Trail-Joy-V-Smith/dp/1612355706/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1364491553&sr=8-8&keywords=Joy+V.+Smith

Pretty Pink Planet
Lori, an agent of SOESFOL (Search Out and Establish Sentient Forms of Life) visits Prism, a popular tourist destination, to track down planet pirates and rescue aliens, if she can find and talk to them.
Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93615

(Pretty Pink Planet is a free ebook)

Hot Yellow Planet
In the sequel to Pretty Pink Planet, Lori and Chiing continue their adventures, meeting up with Chameleons, Ghosters, Splurts, and other aliens and humans.
Link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94029

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Yellow-Planet-ebook/dp/B005TCN9UC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318279993&sr=1-1

Hidebound

Hidebound is a SF romance (adult content) also available on Amazon Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ICFOHYAnd

And  Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/82218

 The Doorway and Other Stories

 is available on Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SV1FB2

It includes 14 SF and fantasy adventures AND

It will soon be available as paperback.

Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure
How we coped with selling a house--at last, looking for a new house, buying a new house that was a foreclosure and needed lots of work, and then remodeling it since it didn't even have a kitchen sink!
Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/71560

And  http://www.amazon.com/Remodeling-Buying-Updating-Foreclosure-ebook/dp/B005FSHP0K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1312428906&sr=1-1

November color of the month: Paprika (link)

It's a great color choice for the fall, and I like the idea of adding a few framed autumn leaves to your wall art.  And that's a fun and busy tablecloth.  Check out other ideas: http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2013/11/01/fall-2013-color-trend-paprika/?nl=HGI_110613_bloglink1_&sni_mid=99565&sni_rid=99565.324.2180881&c32={4E6771C7-C8B2-491F-8AC7-73EFF9F12E8E}

Make your home colorful and fun

The November issue of HGTV Magazine is full of fun colors and ideas, including two- and three-toned colors of painted furniture.  And when entertaining, you can print a menu from their template.  And you can paint a bottle from the inside...    Their advice columns are  helpful by advising you to hire a pro or try to do it yourself.  And telling you how bad it is when making choices, such as reheating your coffee.  (Don't do it more than once.)  And one of my favorite decorating columns is the one that shows you how much you can save by comparison shopping.  (Don't waste your money on fancy, and the Fiesta steak knife set is prettier anyway.)