There have been so many reasons to celebrate. Thank you to all who made my birthday last week a memorable occasion. And more exciting things have happened. First off . . . trumpets, please . . . I finished writing the next book in the Rose Harbor Inn series due out in 2014.

Our good friends, Gary and Marsha Roche, are visiting for several days. Gary, a Licensed Gettysburg Battlefield Guide, appeared on New Day Northwest yesterday talking about the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Then we played tourist on the Seattle waterfront and feasted on seafood. Yum! And today . . .and this is big . . . our local library, after undergoing two months of renovation, has reopened. I just returned from the ribbon cutting ceremony. The library celebrated with wine, women and song. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration—it was coffee, cupcakes and cheers. It was wonderful to see fellow author, Gregg Olsen, at the event as well. And Sunday is the Seahawk football game. Yup, it’s been a grand week.

I am in Las Vegas, and wow what a week it has been!  When I arrived in Vegas, I had to hit the tarmac running, as my flight had arrived late, and I had to get to my signing for the wonderful folks at the Paseo Library in Henderson.  I did just make the Carr Chat and signing on time, and it was fabulous!

It was standing room only, and the good librarians surprised me and their patrons with samples of the foods from the recipe cards that I’m giving away with the book, TWENTY WISHES.  What a treat!  My editor was at the signing, so that was very gratifying.  And Wayne is in town, too!

Today I have more signings, and tomorrow I’ll fly home to Port Orchard for Mother’s Day and three more signings before I head out again on Tuesday, bound for Baltimore, Maryland.  Keep up with me if you can!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there!