Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Family Time

Fresh from a late Thanksgiving and dashing straight into Christmas Season! It's time for the December IWSG session. And I am excited to be one of the Hosts this month! My Co-hosts are: 

And the (optional) Question for December is: As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received? The absolute best gift I've gotten is my convertible dolly - my husband got it for me to cart around my book event paraphernalia & books. It's been a lifesaver! 

Looking forward to reading y'alls posts!

My post is about family. I love the Family Time and am looking forward to more!
I had a terrific visit with my one and only sister and her fantastic kids (and families) plus our folks--so nice to get together and see them all. The great thing about families is we can be ourselves. We tease each other and joke around, but we know it's all meant in fun and our family loves us, faults and all. And that's all in addition to the yummy cooking! But it's also nice to go back home to our own familiar surroundings and the way we do things. 

Hope you all are enjoying the holiday season and sharing lots of HUGS!!


Oh, and while I was out of town, my lovely writer friend Tyrean Martinson posted a fun podcast featuring moi! I was so flattered she asked and so excited to share it! Here's the LINK.


Stay warm and cozy!
Merry Christmas from Florida


30 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You are blessed to have a family like that.
Thanks for co-hosting! Merry Christmas.

Crystal Collier said...

A dolly? That's awesome. But seriously -- as I've taught a few years straight and have to cart things back and forth, I'm a little envious. LOL!

I hope this season is the BEST family time for you and that there's much laughter, peace and joy.

Natalie Aguirre said...

The dolly sounds like a really thoughtful, helpful gift. Enjoy your time with your family during the holidays. Thanks for co-hosting with me.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Thanks for co-hosting! And for the podcast shout-out. You rock! Merry Christmas!

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Family as a favorite gift--just doesn't get better, except for those crazy ones. Hmm...

PJ Colando said...

A dolly - your husband is a doll! I'm heartened to hear of your terrific family times... oh, what joy!

cleemckenzie said...

Families and good friends are the best! Thanks for co-hosting today, Tara. My best for the rest of the holiday season.

Pat Garcia said...

I agree with Lee, families and good friends are the best.
Have a lovely Christmas season and a blessed walked over into 2026.
Shalom shalom

Fundy Blue said...

Hi, Tara! You summed up so well what and why family is wonderful. What a smart and thoughtful gift from your husband! Have a Merry Christmas!

diedre Knight said...

A convertible dolly?! How wonderful! There really isn't anyplace like home with the warm embrace of family, especially for the holidays.
Loved this post!
May the season be everything your heart desires:-)

Olga Godim said...

A dolly - what a thoughtful gift.

Arlee Bird said...

When regularly moving things in and out I can see how a dolly like that would be a nice thoughtful gift with a long lasting practical use. That's my favorite kind of a gift.

Lee

Toi Thomas said...

Thank you for co-hosting this month. I love that you have a cool dolly to carry your books. I use a rolling suitcase and my husband often wears a minion badge when he helps me at events.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

We had a wonderful early Thanksgiving with my husband's father in Arkansas. (Which got me off the hook making another turkey for us on Thanksgiving.)

Victoria Marie Lees said...

You are truly blessed, Tara. Being yourself is so important in life. I LOVE the idea of a dolly/caddy to bring my books and stuff to book signings and sellings. Thanks for cohosting this month's question for IWSG.

Samantha Bryant said...

Excellent gift for the author on the go! @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act

Jemima Pett said...

I have a troller, which I inherited from another person who no longer used it. I see people with the small fold-up carts which I interpret as a dolly, and I thought about getting one... but I'm only planning another year of this, and only two of the venues really need it.
Great you saw your family over Thanksgiving, and thanks for co-hosting today :)
Jemima @jemimapett.com

Lynn La Vita said...

Dollies can be a wonderful helper and they never complain...unless they get rusty. Wonderful you can spend holiday time with family. Thanks for hosting!
https://la-vita.us/insecure-writers-support-group/

H. R. Sinclair said...

Family time is the best in all situations.

Is that a pelican with presents in the last photo? That's perfect for Florida!

Jenni said...

Family is a wonderful gift! Happy ISWG!

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

A good family is a gift to celebrate. I've got one, too--I spent TG with my kids in California, enjoying lots of sunlight as well as their company. They'll be up for Xmas in a couple of weeks, so I MUST finish my current draft before then!

J Lenni Dorner said...

Transporting books is important, so good gift choice!

Friendships with fellow authors are definitely valuable!

Don't miss an opportunity to write why you like (or dislike) a book!
Have a wonderful holiday season. ⭐

J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge

Kalpana said...

Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG and I'm so glad to hear you had a lovely Thanksgiving and are so blessed with your family.

lissa said...

That is a useful gift - I much prefer useful things verses just pretty things. It sounds like you have a great family.

Thank you for dropping by my blog. Have a lovely day.

Janet Alcorn said...

A dolly is a brilliant gift for someone who does a lot of in person writing events. Kudos to your husband!

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

Thanks to you and the others for co-hosting!

When you said your best writer's gift was a convertible dolly I almost thought you were referring to a doll that you can change its limbs and head! Lol But a cart of that sort does sound very convenient when doing conferences and readings.

I love spending holidays with family! Have a Happy Holiday Season!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I love the family time too. And we really do love to laugh and tease each other.

J.Q. Rose said...

So happy for you and your fantastic time with family. Only a writer would appreciate a portable dolly as the best gift. LOL. Thanks for co-hosting today. Clicking over to listen to your interview.

F. Stone said...

Family gatherings are special. My parents were the glue that kept me in touch with my siblings. Distance and time have altered our relationships. Aging has restricted travel as well as economics. Even so, I have memories of delicious meals, laughter and teasing. Merry Christmas J.Q. Rose :)

Patricia JL said...

Having a good cart is a must when you do book events. I got a new one a couple years ago and it's got nice big wheels and makes hauling stuff in the snow easier when I have events in the winter. LOL

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