This has been a family day. Well, days is more like it, and it’s been fun. Sharing a jigsaw puzzle, good food (my son has become a great cook,) and hot apple cider while we raced to decorate a Christmas tree in record time. The tree turned out pretty well, considering the way we did it. Maybe even better than when we fuss and overthink things. My daughter-in-law, the artist in the family, wants to tweak some of the decorations though and I say go-for-it, with my blessing.

We went back to the city this afternoon with a side trip to buy Christmas presents for the teenagers in the family. The plan was to visit a games store called Across the Board Games Cafe. What an interesting concept. For an admission fee you could have a table to play games for as long as you could stay, and they had hundreds to choose from. Their cafe menu looked interesting too. By all appearances it was a popular place with a large inviting room to hang out in.

I watched as my family picked their presents. To my way of thinking the wide range of choices was mind boggling. But then I’m not into games as much as they are and my knowledge is minimal when it comes to today’s choices.

We ended up having supper at my daughter’s house. The meal was delicious and the arm wrestling was hilarious. My grand daughter (the only girl among five boys) somehow ended up in an arm wrestling contest with the cousin sitting next to her. (I was talking to her dad at the moment and missed the fun) Apparently she didn’t wait for go and took him down before he knew what was happening. The sweet and funny guy was burying his head in shame. We were all calling for a rematch but they both declined. There were several more match ups and it became apparent you could win if you knew the right techniques. She is smart and knew how to get the advantage on these guys.

A good time was had by all.

The downside, if there was one, was zero time spent with books today. Not a bad thing in my estimation. Real live people have to take first place every now and again.

So, on to books for a short while.

We have one suggestion I’m happy about. It’s from a frequent contributor to our reading lists.

Protective Custody

When a beautiful US Marshal is assigned to protect a judge, she leaves her heart unguarded in this suspenseful tale of danger, faith, and romance.

Keeping witnesses safe is all in a day’s work for deputy U.S. marshal Carly Masterson. But protecting the judge who was indirectly responsible for her mentor’s death is another story. Still, she won’t let harm come to Judge Nicholas Floyd, or the niece and nephew in his care.

Carly is determined to do the job right, and not let her emotions take over—even as her resentment gives way to an undeniable attraction. She has to admit that it feels good to be accepted by the little family. But can she let go of the past and learn to trust again before danger finds them once more?

**********************

To finish the night I will ignore the lunch dishes, enjoy the tree, and alternate for a while between the jig-saw puzzle and my current read. For as long as I can stay awake.

Happy Reading . . .

and puzzling too, if you enjoy it.