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Where on earth did summer go?
Oh! I know!
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Oh look! A giant glacier!
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Hello, friend!
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It's been a minute since you and I've had a moment together, and as I pull together this quick catch-up email, I understand why. It seems most everyone I know has had a busy, busy summer—me included! If you'll indulge me, I'll hit the highlights here then tell you about a couple of fun things going on at the moment.
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AS EVIDENCED ABOVE, Tim and cruised Alaska! It was a dream trip, needless to say, not the least of which was getting to share the joy of Tim and his sister, Colette, as they completed a lifetime competition to see which of them could visit all 50 states first. With both at a count of 49, and both lacking the same, they agreed to cross into Alaska together, thus deeming the grand competition a tie! Gary and I got to go along for the ride, quite literally, as the four of us gawked and giggled our way through the gorgeous state's remarkable inner passage. We loved every minute!
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Leaving Vancouver. AND WE'RE OFF!
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Equally as grand, we got home from the trip to be greeted at the airport by this precious surprise! Our grandbaby, sweet Posey Catherine! (Y'all, she's four months and one day old today. How can that be?)
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What a joy it's been to have Posey in our lives! We live so close by, and her parents have been most generous in sharing this sweet girl with us. She comes over often, and we read, we sing, we dance! (She especially belts out The Sound of Music. Or maybe that's just me! 😆) We spend a lot of time walking around and talking about this and that and marveling at all the things we see. She's very good at helping me remember just how beautiful and interesting the world is! 🩷🩷🩷 Oh, that precious Posey.
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DID YOU HEAR? I HAVE A BOOK DEAL!
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I've shouted about this to you before, and I can't seem to not shout about it again, I'm just so tickled! It's exciting and wonderful to be working with the folks at Turner Publishing (through their fiction imprint, Keylight Books ) as we work together to fine-tune the manuscript! There are five—count them, FIVE—rounds of editing, which when you are truly considering all aspects of the story down to every single comma—well, that takes some time and concentration and fortitude. It's the dream of a lifetime, and I'm feeling great about the progress and best of all, I believe my publishing team is genuinely excited about the novel. What a gift that is, in terms of motivation!
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Anyway, you can't believe how much is happening right now to get the novel ready for its June 10, 2025 publication date, and as soon as I get a breath, I look forward to sharing more about the process. It really is fascinating.
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ALSO!
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I'm having a big, fat Labor Day Sale in my Etsy shop! Everything in Studio CRM is marked 25% off (the biggest discount I've ever done!) and I've decided to hold that through Monday. I hope you'll take a look! Inventory is still robust and at these prices (which all include free shipping, BTW), you don't even need an excuse to treat yourself. And you might as well get a jump on that Christmas list. I mean, who doesn't love a gift of thoughtfully chosen original art?
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WHEW. Thank you for indulging me as I've hopped from topic to topic! How about the reward of some really fun recommendations below? And there's also the joy of the return of college football—and that's something to celebrate!!!
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So much love to you, my friend!
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To the Bright Edge of the World, by Eowyn Ivey
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I read this gem on our trip and it was so, so perfect in that wild Alaskan environment! Promo copy reads: In the winter of 1885, Lieutenant Colonel Allen Forrester sets out with his men on an expedition into the newly acquired territory of Alaska. Their objective: to travel up the ferocious Wolverine River, mapping the interior and gathering information on the region's potentially dangerous native tribes. With a young and newly pregnant wife at home, Forrester is anxious to complete the journey with all possible speed and return to her. But once the crew passes beyond the edge of the known world, there's no telling what awaits them.
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With gorgeous descriptions of the Alaskan wilds and a vivid cast of characters - including Forrester; his wife, Sophie; a mysterious Eyak guide; and a Native American woman who joins the expedition - To the Bright Edge of the World is an epic tale of one of America's last frontiers, combining myth, history, romance, and adventure.
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It was so good! (I also LOVED Ivey's novel, The Snow Child, which I've recommended at least a thousand times.)
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Note: The paperback cover is different from the one I've show above. They're both gorgeous so you can't go wrong, Just wanted you to know it is the right book!
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Anne Lamott is my heart, I will start by stating that right up front. And this book of thoughtful, gorgeous, life is such a mess, and yet essays—let me tell you, friends, it is a balm! Filled with hope, Anne reminds us of the good in the world, and the beauty, and that you can have agency over your own existence in spite of the political (etc) chaos, and in typical Anne fashion does it with wisdom and courage and pure, refreshing honesty. I believe this is her best book yet, and I will be listening on repeat. (I loved Somehow on audio as Anne Lamott in my ear is a wonderful thing.)
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I tend to do a lot of hosting, and I'll just tell you it's not a skill that comes naturally to me. I worry far too much about everyone's comfort, everyone's enjoyment, everyone's personal satisfaction with every small detail most of which, quite frankly, are not really that important. It's the time together that matters, I KNOW THIS, nevertheless. 🤔 I found Laura's take on the topic insightful, informative, and practical. A worthy listen.
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Make this tonight, I am not even kidding. SKIP THE FIRST SATURDAY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL* and go to the store and make this happen—it's so good you won't be sorry!
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*I'm sort of kidding about skipping football because that would be crazy but do get this recipe worked into your weekend, somehow!
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from the archives on THE DAILY GRACE
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For Mamas and Daddies Taking a Kid to College
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I feel it every August, the ache (and the surprise of the intensity of the ache) that overtakes and overwhelms the moment you drop off your beloved child at college. I'll never not remember that pain, and if this year, this happens to be you—have I got good news.
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The next round of novel edits is right up those stairs.
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(No wonder it's a joy to go to work!)
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