Desert view, plus GRAND Social No. 203 link party for grandparents

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Desert view

I'm in the desert with my grandsons! Woot! I've been here since late Friday night. My original departure was scheduled for Saturday afternoon but due to Winter Storm Vexo (yes, the true name), I had to change to an earlier flight and dash out of Denver before being snowed in and unable to get to the desert.

My favorite view so far? This:

brothers

There will be more to come, so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, where I'll...

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EBWW! Plus, GRAND Social No. 201 link party for grandparents

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EBWW!

I left Colorado early Thursday morning to spend three full amazing and inspirational days with hundreds of amazing and inspirational women (and one or two handfuls of men) at the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop in Dayton, Ohio, the majority of that time with this fabulous group of witty women whom I love and adore... and already miss:

Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop 2016 

As I'm writing this not long after I arrived home Sunday evening and am quite pooped — and not writing very well after flying the sometimes-not-so-friendly skies...

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No more babies, plus GRAND Social No. 181 link party for grandparents

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No more babies

At this point in time, I no longer have baby grandchildren. That truth was confirmed (again) last week when Megan texted a few photos of fun at the park.

The most recent baby, Jak, is clearly no longer a baby.

toddler boy 

Nope. Jak's a big boy. Just like his brothers, Mac and Bubby, who...

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Spooky stories, plus GRAND Social No. 178 link party for grandparents

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Spooky stories

Sheesh! Can you believe Halloween is Saturday!? Time flies at such a scary speed!

Thankfully there's still time (admittedly little) to sit with a kiddo or two and enjoy scary Halloween tales together. Scary being relative, of course. I've shared a few sorta-scary ideas in the Back Room, some to read with a child in your lap, some for bigger kids to enjoy on their own:

halloween books for kids

Click on that graphic above to get the details on each of the festive tales from Candlewick Press I had the pleasure of reviewing over the weekend. I look forward to...

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Lake Huron waves, plus GRAND Social No. 177 link party for grandparents

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Lake Huron waves

I'd like to kick off the new week with a wee bit of peace and tranquility.

Middle Island Lighthouse Michigan
View of Middle Island Lighthouse from the keeper's house

While I was in Michigan, I couldn't get enough of the peaceful sound of waves hitting the various shorelines I had the opportunity to explore. My dusk visit to Middle Island Lighthouse...

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A taste of Ireland, plus GRAND Social No. 175 link party for grandparents

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A taste of Ireland

Jim and I went to Ireland last Thursday—by way of Denver. 

Okay, we didn't get to fully experience Ireland, but we did get a taste of the heritage, culture, and cuisine thanks to an invitation to the "Jump into Ireland" roadshow in Denver, presented by Tourism Ireland.

jump into ireland

During the special evening, my husband and I were treated to Irish...

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A Brave Heart, plus GRAND Social No. 174 link party for grandparents

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A Brave Heart

A Brave Heart film

My husband and I watched an incredible documentary yesterday called A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY, courtesy a free, no-obligation screener from the filmmakers. It's the amazing, heartbreaking, inspiring...

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