a quiet, loyal friend in the shape of a book

I have just finished Isla Dewar's Dancing in a Distant Place, which was given to me by my mother and which has taken me months to finish (which is no fault of the book's - I have simply become a snail's pace reader in recent years). I think it stems from having to read in fits and spurts, fitting that most lovely of pastimes in between all the mommying, dog-owning, employment, soap-making duties which are my (mostly happy) lot in life as the thirty-something gal I am.

It was one of those books I hated to finish, and I put off reading the final two chapters as long as I could. Seriously, turning that last page was like seeing a quiet, loyal friend off on her move overseas. Mildly heartbreaking, in other words, but it's good to know Ms. Dewar has other novels floating about out there. Plus, I just like the look of this Scottswoman:

photo courtesy of http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/d/isla-dewar/

She's definitely someone with whom I'd love to sit in a Glasgow pub over a pint or two (I'm not a beer or ale drinker, but would gladly make an exception) and discuss womanhood, motherhood, writing and life. Rare for a book to move me so. Rare, but delightful. I highly recommend this one (and you can read the first pages here).

In other news, Ken wins the bar of Berry Cobbler. I think I have your address, Mr. M, but I will let you know if this is not so.

In other, other news, head on over to Maiden's blog to see a picture of Santa stealing a satellite dish (not really, but that's what it looks like to me - verifiable proof that our economy is, indeed, in the crapper - in case there were doubts).Follow @nicole_mcinnes

vegas, baby

Is it just me, or does everyone completely relate to this commercial?

Ah, well. No matter. I'm gettin' the heck outta Dodge. Time to hang with friends and family, catch a show, blow a few bucks on the slot machines. I'll be back next week, hopefully with tall tales galore.

Oh, and our Friday Soap Giveaway winner from last week is Donna B. from LA! Donna, send your address to me at NEBrackett (at) gmail (dot) com, and I'll get that bar of Falling Leaves out to you on Monday!Follow @nicole_mcinnes