The holidays are always fraught with activity. The busyness seems to take over every moment as we plan and execute a fabulous celebration and gifts for friends and family. I love the holidays and their magic. The busyness, not so much, but it’s a swift happening as we slip into the New Year and the throes of winter, so I can’t complain.
The books have been simmering for the last few weeks. I’m not in a frenzy; I’m enjoying playing with words and working slowly. I think the research for Elen has taught me to take my time, because I keep finding jewels in my reading of 18th-century books and articles. James and I are happily wrestling with characters and plot in Will Dye Another Day. It’s all very, very good.
One of my wonderful holiday gifts from my husband, Rob, is the book The Healing Garden by Juliet Blankespoor. We spied this book at our Thanksgiving visit to Longwood Gardens. You have to understand that I’ve been collecting, reading, and absorbing books on herbs since adolescence. I have a lovely library of reference books and cherish each one. So, when Rob asked if I wanted this book, I said, ‘no’ and that I have too many. He, in turn, worked with our son, James, and our friend, Celeste, to purchase the book and squirrel it away for the holiday. I am so glad he did! This book is downright amazing! I am in awe of Blankespoor and how she pulled this book together. It’s just the perfect book for herbs, how to grow, and their uses. It’s rich in information, and to top it off, the ‘cherry on top’ is that Blankespoor put together a free, online class to enhance the book. This is an herbal book of my dreams. I love opening the book to a random page and reading about the plants and their uses. I imagine this book being well-loved and my companion as I work on Elen.
We had a quiet Christmas holiday in the Brubaker household. After a few frenetic weeks, we leisurely opened lovely gifts, talked, ate, napped, read, and thoroughly enjoyed the day. We are easing into the remainder of the holiday season. On one warmish day, I had a fabulous time glassing. I have work responsibilities, a birthday to celebrate (yup, 66 years around the sun!), and another creative project I will keep quiet about for now, but it’s exciting for me.
I am looking forward to 2026 and the creative possibilities, writing, writing, writing in my happy place.
Happy New Year!
Currently reading and listening to: The Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter;
My listen with my daughter is: The Messengers of Magic by Jessica Dodge.
Reading:
The Healing Garden by Juliet Blankespoor; The Healer’s Daughter by Myriana Merkovic; and Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
