So…my husband and I are planning a trip to the U.K. (OMG, I can't wait!) Of course, we don't have a solid date yet, so we can't do ACTUAL planning, like booking hotels and flights, but we can figure out where we want to go and stay. We can play around with how we're going to travel. We can figure out how much we want to spend.

We just have to get past the planning stage without divorcing.

Mainly, we have to decide where to splurge and where to be a little more frugal. Nice hotel or just a place to sleep? Fly coach or first class? (I never book first class…OMG, are you kidding me? But if I can upgrade later for a reduced price, I do.) Travel inside the country by train, or rent a car?

The one thing I will absolutely NOT skimp on? Food. When I travel, I like to eat. Especially when I'm someplace I've never been. I eat my way through countries, wanting to sample everything I can. Used to drive me batty when I lived in England and my fellow Americans would travel and want to eat at McDonald's or Pizza Hut. Um, no. I want to taste ENGLAND. And the best places to taste England are pubs. Yum. Oh, I'll eat at an American restaurant overseas if they offer something different – a regional addition to the menu. But if that's the case, I order the thing from the menu that I can't get in the U.S., if that makes sense.

So anyway, that's why my husband and I are doing. When you travel, are there things you like to spurge or skimp on? Do you like a really nice hotel room, or do you spend so little time in them that you're fine with the basics? Do you try to sightsee where you won't have to pay outrageous tour prices? Do you prefer paid tours, or would you rather explore the countryside on your own?

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

We're home now, and the house is still a mess, with presents and packages scattered everywhere. We got some great stuff, though — lots of movies, books, food…and I even got a demon sheep (which I'll hold a contest to name!) and a Snuggie!!!

Now I'm gearing up for the New Year, which means Lore's release is coming. I'm SO excited. I'm also working on revisions for Sin Undone, and I'm loving it. I normally hate revisions, but I adore Sin's book, so revisions aren't especially painful.

Yet. I see some bumps in the road ahead, but hey, that's what eggnog is for, right?

So…did anything stand out for your Christmas holiday? Get a GREAT gift or eat or drink something especially yummy?

No matter what, hope you're happy, safe, and getting lots of reading done!

This is going to be my last post until after Christmas. We're heading out tomorrow for the in-laws' place and they don't have wireless (I seriously think we're going to set them up with that so I don't freak out every time I go there,) so I'll be out of touch for a few days.

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe holiday!

Hugs,

Larissa

I post this every year, because I just love it. Perfect way to relieve some of the stress that always comes with the holiday season! (I like to pretend I'm shaking up all the rude jerks in mall parking lots!)

Snow Globe Shakeup!

Getting this up a little late, because I accidentally time-stamped by blog post for the wrong day and just noticed!

But that doesn't change the fact that I hope all you mothers out there have a fabulous day. I'm spending mine deep in deadline hell, but my husband is cooking dinner tonight, so that gives me some extra time and is such a treat!

Hope you all got something special too, even if it's just a hug! :)

(((hugs!))) from me!

Larissa

Wow. Just…wow.

I have to say, I wasn't sure what to expect. I've attended three RWA conferences, and they are a lot of fun…and I figured RT would be similar. Uh…wow. *g* RT is definitely different!

I loved the fact that RT is packed with readers. It was AWESOME to be able to interact with people who love the same kinds of books that I do. The panels were fantastic, and the parties full of food, drink, and enthusiastic readers, authors, booksellers, and librarians…not to mention industry professionals.

I got to go all drooly fangirl over my favorite authors (OMG, Jacki Frank started reading Pleasure Unbound and loved it — how cool is THAT???) I got to meet people I'd only known over the internet (Cynthia Eden, Azteclady, Ann Aguirre, Lauren Dane, and Stella Price, just to name a few…and they are awesome.) I got to catch up with people I only ever get to see at RWA (like blog buddies I've known forever, and fellow Grand Central authors.) I got to talk to lots of bloggers like Danny Firedragon from Loves Romances and More, Jane Litte from Dear Author, as well as staff and owners from romance sites like RomanceLandiaOnline and RomanticTimes.

Oh, and I got to make an utter fool of myself (we'll not ever speak of the men's room Barry Eisler incident, and he promised he wouldn't, either.)

So anyway, I'm home and exhausted and in need of a week of sleep. But it was wonderful, and I'm hoping to go again next year.

Hope everyone had a great week!!!

In all the craziness, I forgot to say that I hope you and yours had a fantastic holiday!!! (Even if you don't celebrate, I hope you had a nice weekend that includes chocolate!)