We're about to bring the book signing fun to a close on this Sheila book. We had some stellar fun at all the parties - food, goodies, recipes, practical holiday tips, gifts and pranks. In fact, one prank almost got a certain big brother in trouble. My oldest brother loves to crash my signing parties in disguise. At the Federal Way Barnes & Noble (in Washington) he came dressed as... well, I'm not sure, but he looked scary, like someone who would happily mug me for my last brownie. And when he entered the store, the employees were sure he was there to rob the place because not only did he look suspicious he was acting suspicious, lurking around the books shelves like a crazy stalker. And he was acting like one too, heckling me while I talked. He so didn't look like himself that it took my sister-in-law teasing, "Don't you recognize him?" for me to see past the disguise. Fortunately, all the laughter that ensued alerted the staff that he was indeed harmless. Of course, sickies that we are, everyone in my family is mildly disappointed that the police didn't come and fit him for some Jailhouse rock bracelets. Wish I'd gotten a picture of him. Instead, you'll have to settle for this pic of all the yummy breakfast goodies we had at that store.
    Speaking of goodies, the Barnes & Noble in Olympia, WA were not to be outdone. We had scones and holiday tea. Yummy! (Hmmm. All these goodies could have something to do with why the weight I thought I'd lost has found me once again.)

I had a spectacular time up in Leavenworth (Wa) signing at A Book for All Seasons. Gerhardt and I stayed at the Enzian Inn, which is a lovely place, all done up to give visitors a taste of Germany. At breakfast in the morning, diners were serenaded by an older gentleman dressed in traditional German garb who played the Alpenhorn. I loved that... all except the part where the guy climbed up on the wooden balcony railing to play. It was all I could do not to run out there and grab him by the legs so he wouldn't fall to his death. Of course, if I'd run out and grabbed him I probably would have knocked the poor old man to his death so it's probably just as well I kept my seat. 

    In addition to musical serenades, I received a special treat - a festive hat created by a lady named Renee. Let me tell, you, Renee and her family were sooo fun to visit with. They'd all come to town to enjoy some family fun time and Renee made matching hats for all of them so they could find each other easily in the crowd. Well, I raved over the hats and next thing I knew Renee was giving me hers. How cool is that?! So, here I am, pictured below with Renee and her granddaughter Jodi. Daughter Ellie kindly snapped the pic with her smart phone (I want one of those!) so we could record the moment for posterity. Ladies, that was such a highlight!
    I enjoyed talking with three budding young writers also: Mikaila and Vanessa, who are writing a book together, and Regina Rae, who has all kinds of projects going and wants to do this for a living when she hits the world of grown-ups.
    And I meet a couple of friendly ladies down from Canada who live right near Abbotsford, where "On Strike for Christmas" was filmed.
    How fun it is to meet people who love to read! A big thanks to all who came out to support me and say hi. And thanks to those of you who hadn't yet read a Sheila book but were willing to give one a try. As Thanksgiving weekend come to a close I can't help but think about how blessed I am. And one of my biggest blessings is you, dear readers. Thank you for loving books!

It's one big party at a Sheila sighting! We had so much fun yesterday at the Nine Lives of Christmas party at the Silverdale Barnes & Noble. Food, games, door prizes -a good time was had by all. After the "official" part of the party at the bookstore, we hauled everyone in attendance to Hales Ales in the mall for appetizers and more fun. As you can see by the pictures, many of us got into the spirit of the thing! A big thanks to all my friends and fans who showed up. You all made it a memorable day!

Some of our guests made a day of it, enjoying shopping an lunch before the book party. Shopping, lunch, book, signing, and finally, free food. What a great girls' day!

A few of our guests enjoying themselves... and one of them is checking out the loot in the gift basket she won in the door prize drawing.

Here's a fun game we played in honor of Ambrose the cat at one of my book signings. See how many of these famous "cats" you can guess. The answers are below but try not to peek!
1. Became famous doing cat food commercials
2. Put on his owner's shoe wear and turned into a mover and shaker
3. Ate breakfast at Tiffany's
4. Guy with a big smile, famous for his disappearing act
5. Belongs to Strawberry Shortcake
6. Is Tweety Bird's favorite feline
7. Went boating with a feathered friend
8. Solves mysteries with his human Temple Barr in Carole Nelson Douglas's mystery novels
9. Is a comic book celebrity:
10. Had only her memories left in CATS
11. Got his paws burned thanks to Tennessee Williams
12. Is big into stovepipe hats
13. Kim Novak's familiar in BELL, BOOK, AND CANDLE
14. Top musicians in Nashville are called this
15. The mama cat in Disney's THE ARISTOCATS
16. Before he was known as the King, Elvis was called this
17. A comic book star who looks a lot like Garfield
18. Greedy politicians and gluttonous felines
19. Lillian Jackson Braun's sleuthing kitty
20. Cartoon leader of a gang of alley cats
21. Literate kitty (This one is courtesy of Laura, who reminded me of this little kitty at the Olympia signing.)


Answers:
1. Morris (By the way, did you know? Morris was rescued from a Chicago shelter 20 minutes prior to being put down?)
2. Puss 'n Boots
3. Cat
4. the Cheshire Cat
5. Custard
6. Sylvester
7. the Pussycat (of owl and the pussycat fame)
8. Midnight Louie
9. Garfield
10. Grizabella
11. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
12. the Cat in the Hat
13. Pyewacket
14. Nashville Cats
15. Duchess
16. the Hillbilly Cat
17. Heathcliff
18. Fat Cats
19. Yum Yum (or CoCo)
20. Top Cat
21. Dewey the Library cat