Happy Days & a Giveaway

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News Flash: Congratulations to Margo Sue and Kay Garrett, winners of my ARCS (picked by random.org). Please check your email, ladies. I wish I had a copy for everyone!

Edith here, with lots of happy  news: two family weddings and books to give away. What’s better than that?

I took a real vacation in the first half of the month. Hugh and I traveled to one of my favorite parts of the world, New Mexico. We toured Tijeras, Santa Fe, and Taos, and gaped at the Rio Grande Gorge from the bridge six hundred and fifty six feet above it. I love the dry air and subtle shades of grays and browns in the landscape out there, and the lovely (and energy-efficient) adobe construction.

GorgeSouth

SantaFeAdobe.jpgBecause I grew up in the shadows of six-thousand foot high mountains, I’m never happier than when I see real mountains on the horizon. The Sangre de Cristo range is stunning in its beauty.

SantaFeSunset

We were at around seven thousand feet in elevation in New Mexico, and did pretty well with the altitude. But the impetus for the trip was niece Emily’s wedding in Crested Butte, Colorado. We headed north and crossed the Great Divide.

Divide

Going up another two thousand feet really took our breath away. The old mining town is in a valley literally surrounded by much higher mountains.

The aspens on the slopes had turned and the vistas gobsmacked me over and over.  Our family get-together was happy and filled with conversation and laughter.

weddingparty.jpg

I had a less than a week at home, and am now ensconced half a mile from my older son’s home in Maryland helping the couple get ready for their wedding on Saturday! I’m so very happy for Allan and his bride, Alison, who are just perfect for each other. It’s awesome having my other son in from Puerto Rico, too, and I’m excited to see my own sisters and brother at the weekend celebration.

Engaged
Alison and Allan about an hour after she said Yes in 2017.

MURDER ON CAPE COD with sticker 1.5Speaking of celebrating, I have pile of red-hot advance copies of Murder on Cape Cod burning a hole in my office floor at home. It releases December 18 in a paperback exclusive from Barnes & Noble and is available for pre-order now.

Mackenzie Almeida’s only experience with murder investigations is limited to the cozy mysteries she reads on Cape Cod with her local book group, the Cozy Capers. But when both she and her brother become suspects in a murder, Mac summons help from her Cozy Capers co-investigators and a library’s worth of tips and tricks. This is one mystery where Mac is hoping for anything but a surprise ending…

I’ll give away two copies – one to celebrate each wedding!

Readers: What’s the latest celebration you have been part of? How did you celebrate?

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Published by Edith Maxwell

Agatha Award -winning author Edith Maxwell writes the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Beyond the Page) and short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she writes the Dot and Amelia Mysteries, the Country Store Mysteries series, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, and the Cece Barton Mysteries (all from Kensington Publishing). She lives north of Boston in an antique house with her beau and cat Martin, where she writes, gardens, cooks, and wastes time on Facebook.

201 Thoughts

  1. Our latest celebration was our family reunion. Small one this year – only 75 or so people. we’ve been as large as 200! I’ve been hosting for 30 years. We provide hot dogs and hamburgers. The rest is dish to pass. Always different, always delicious!

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  2. Was in Albuquerque for my nephew’s wedding for Labor Day weekend. Really lovely out there – first visit but hopefully, not the last. Phenomenal gathering of the clans for both the bride and groom. Such a joyous time!

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  3. What a fabulous time you had! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.
    About a year ago, I traveled back to my beloved Texas to celebrate dear friends’ family events on the same weekend – the high school graduation of the youngest son, and the marriage of their daughter to a fine young man. It was lovely to reunite with my Texas community.
    Congratulations on the upcoming launch! I’ve been looking forward to reading the new Maddie Day series set on Cape Cod. 🙂

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  4. We had Friendly Families at the Meetinghouse last Thursday with potluck, balloons, and activities for our 10 visiting children (all under 10, although we had set aside the loft for teens). As Quaker in the Corner, I’m not sure what the kids did downstairs but it was reported they enjoyed themselves. This was a community event and the local UUs have asked if they could plan something jointly with us (or at least consider comparing calendars).

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  5. Crested Butte? I couldn’t believe I was reading the name . My high school drama teacher took a group of us there to Springrime in the Rockys lounge to perform 23 shows of the Melodrama
    The Drunkard. I was 18 it was 1964. A turning point in my life!

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  7. We celebrated 5 birthdays among a group of girlfriends. We had a nice dinner and just had time to sit and catch up with each other which is always fun.

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  9. The latest thing I celebrated was my birthday on the 6th. I joined a friend at the Red Lobster for lunch and she brought me a birthday cupcake.

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  11. OMG…those pics are gorgeous! I’ve always wanted to go to the Rockies (I’ve flown over them a bunch of times), and the Southwest is always on my list, even though I hate the heat.

    I celebrated my own birthday this weekend with some friends by doing a Paint Afternoon….that was a fun time. The last BIG celebration was last year for my Auntie Leona in New Hampshire. She turned 90. She’s my Grandfather’s sister, and one of the last relatives from that side of the famly. It was awesome getting caught up with the New Hampshire family (and also pre-selling my book that comes out in April!).

    Also, your son and his soon to be wife are adorable! Enjoy the wedding!!!

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  12. This was a smaller and unexpected celebration courtesy of Hurricane Florence–although my daughter’s college remained open, many of her professors (who lived in the lowland area) canceled their classes or had the students work remotely. My daughter called us from the road and said she was coming for a visit. Her younger brothers (not to mention her parents) were delighted. It was the surprise of the visit that made it seem like a celebration (complete with many days of favorite take out) that we’ll remember til the family reunion on Thanksgiving.
    Your book sounds very interesting–I always thought mystery fans would make the best detectives!

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  13. Coming up we will celebrate Greek fest….my youngest grandaunt terrific a preemie is now 2 and am anticipating with great joy her enthusiastic response to the music and dance! Such a Blessing.

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  14. The latest celebrations were my son and daughter’s birthdays. My daughter’s is in August and my son’s is in July. We had a big party for them both and we celebrated their birthdays all month long.

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  15. Two weddings and a trip to New Mexico! What adventures you have been having!
    There haven’t been any weddings for years, but there have been grandbabies!
    I am so glad this new book is out soon. Thank you for the chance to win it.

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  16. Our last celebration without a doubt was our 35th wedding anniversary. Since we are the few of our generation left in our families and the few younger ones are spread through out the country. We did our best to celebrate our big event with just the two of us. And celebrate we did! We took a trip to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. We went with the idea that this was our one shot to see some of this nations great wonders. It was a glorious celebration remembering our vows, talking about where we have been and where we are going, and enjoying each others company in some of the most glorious settings we have ever seen. I think it was added to our celebration by not having access to TV, phones and other distractions. It was heaven! We are now looking forward to the next 35 years AND another trip to where we went adding a few more spots to the list next year.

    How better to celebration than to be with the one you love escaping the outside world and admiring God’s wonderful creations!

    Your trip sounds wonderful and so glad you had a great time. With my fear of heights, that bridge would have been a challenge, but I would have held on to hubby and done it just for the views. Sounds like your celebrations are continuing. I send my wishes for your son to have a glorious wedding with many years of happy bless with God in the center of their marriage.

    Thank you for the fabulous chance to win an ARC of “Murder on Cape Cod”!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Thanks so much, Kay. What a perfect celebration you had. I admit to feeling rather panicked on the bridge and I stayed well away from the edge except for shooting a couple of pictures!

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  17. Our last celebration was my sister’s wedding, at the end of August.. We weren’t invited to the actual wedding, since they wanted it to be just the two of them and went to the JP, but we had a lovely family dinner with about 15 people afterwards and then had drinks with all their friends and co-workers on the patio of the restaurant. It was so nice. My mom and dad, who have been divorced for 20 years, got along really well, so that was nice to see. The only thing missing was my grandparents, who passed years before, but I’m sure they were watching over everything.

    So much fun to see/hear your adventures. Stay safe and have a great time!

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  18. The last thing I celebrated was the Autumn Equinox. My hubby and I did a candle ritual and talked about what we wanted to accomplish this fall. Next I will be pulling out all my fall and Halloween decorations out to decorate.

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  19. I flew up to Maryland in June for the birth of our first grandchild. Even tho I am a mother myself and worked in labor and delivery for years seeing the birth of our granddaughter was the most moving experience of my life. I am so thankful that my daughter in law wanted me to be there in the delivery room with them.

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    1. What a treat! Every birth I have witnessed has been a miraculous event (I worked as a doula and taught childbirth classes many years ago, and attended about fifteen births in those roles in addition to giving birth twice myself.) That’s something to celebrate.

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  20. The last celebration I can think of is my birthday. It was just my family but I’m not one for crowds and prefer small quiet times. My husband treated me with dinner I didn’t have to cook and my children gave me many birthday wishes. Your new book sounds as delighful as your recent trip. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  21. Thank you for this chance! My most recent celebration was a family dinner for my nephew who was turning seven! We had pizza and ice cream cake per his request. It was a fun night and one to cherish.

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  22. My daughter married her partner in August in a ceremony with just family at a local county park. Very casual and a beautiful day, and the kids enjoyed it as much or more than the adults. They went fishing in the lake and enjoyed the playground while the adults chatted and played corn hole. It was without a doubt the most relaxed wedding I have ever been to. And we are about to celebrate my younger son’s promotion (he’s in the Army) to LTC in October with the ceremony and then a party. Love your books and can’t wait to read the new one!

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    1. So you’re having a double celebration, too! I had friends in college who got married in a public park overlooking the Pacific. The couple were both barefoot and the reception was a potluck supper at the park. Very relaxed and fun.

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  23. So many blessings you are celebrating! I quite enjoyed your blog post today.
    For me, our most recent celebration was one to celebrate our neighbors and community. We had our block party last weekend. It was so much fun just sitting around the cul-de-sac and being together.
    One question about this series. Will it be released (or has it) on audio to download? This is my “vice” 😉 . I get so much done while listening to my books!

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    1. Triniti, I haven’t yet heard if this series will sell to audio. My other Maddie Day mysteries are all on audio, though, the Country Store Mysteries. Block parties are fun!

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  24. This summer we celebrated my sons graduation from high school and him leaving for the military. It was bittersweet for me. I love this cover!!!

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  25. My husband and I just returned from New Mexico. We were in Red River and Santa Fe. We also visited Taos, Madrid and drove the Enchanted Circle. I was in my happy place. I could definity see us living there.

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  26. Our last celebration was the birth of my third grandson 2.5 weeks ago. We had our own mini-celebrations (hospital after he was born, homecoming), but we’ll have his christening soon and that will be the big celebration. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  29. I recently attended my 30th college reunion for Saint Michael’s College up in Vermont. So much fun to see many I haven’t seen in a very long time! The area has changed a bit, but Vermont is still as beautiful as ever! Last month we celebrated my mom’s 80th birthday, too. It’s been a busy year – we went to Cape Cod this summer, so I’d love an advanced copy of the book!

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  30. The lastest celebration was my birthday. Just the world’s greatest hubby and I went to dinner. Nothing elaborate but everything is always oh so special with my dear hubby.

    I love your pix of New Mexico. Our daughter lives in Arizona and we drive through different parts of NM on the way there and back. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing your joys with us.

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  31. Just celebrated moving into a new home with my daughter and her family. Maybe not much of a celebration as it was work but we had a great dinner!

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  32. Our soon to be celebration will be my hubby’s birthday. He wants to see the Red Bull Air Race which just happens to be in his home state of Indiana this year. We are make a week trip out of it and visiting all the fam while we are there.

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  35. I’ve been out-of-commission for the last couple of years, (except to have immediate family in, I especially love the holiday meals), but a few years ago we re-connected with my father’s last sister and many of my cousins from that side of the family.An impromptu trip to North Carolina turned into a family reunion with cousins coming in from other states.I had not seen some of them before, and others, it had been 50 years, (except for a few phone calls and Facebook.) Extended cousins came in the following two years.I missed one, because of another family celebration.
    A cousin from my mother’s side lived nearby my father’s sister, and we saw her after several decades, She sand her family started coming up for Thanksgivings with us.She also joined us when another cousin on that side had a wedding in her family. Cousins came in that I had been phoning, but had not seen in many, many years, as well. I hope to get fully back on my feet and see a few of these people in gatherings again soon.

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  36. Celebrated September birthdays. Mine, sister in law and nephew. He went to the game and the Lions won…we needed that!

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  38. Not looking back for a celebration —even though last November had a great birthday — but forward to November 3 and the wedding of my dearest friend and her wonderful friend, lover, the about to be husband. I am blessed to be part of their lives.
    Love your trip and your weddings Edith.

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  39. This summer I was honor d to attend my best friend’s niece’s bat mitzvah — a spectacular event where a marvelous time was had by all 🙂

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  40. Our last celebration was when our nephew went away to college. The whole family and friends got together at his parents house. Tons of fun and laughter.

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  41. I love seeing all weddings, I hope you post some pics Edith. We celebrated my mother in laws and nephews birthday in a joint party Saturday, a typical weekend as my husband and I both come from large families. And in just a few weeks, we will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, I can’t believe I am even saying that, the years went by in a flash. We are having just a small dinner out with our immediate family, the kind of celebration I like, no big bash for us. I also turned 50 this year too. It’s a big year of celebration!! Much happiness to your son and his beautiful bride. Love all your series! Colleen.

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  42. We had our annual family reunion in late August and it was a wonderful celebration. These reunions were once attended by almost 100 family members but over the years they had dwindled. This year, however, there were several younger members who attended. This gave me home for the future reunions!
    Thank you for your giveaway.
    Blessings!
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. We are having our youngest daughter’s Bat Mitzvah on October 6, here on Cape Cod. We live in Sandwich and the service and reception will be in Hyannis with 95 people attending. Our 3
    older children, 2 son in law’s, 1 daughter in law, and 3 Grandbabies are staying with us!! ❤️

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  46. This year is my 50th reunion since graduating from high school here in Texas. I live in San Antonio. I was born in Florida and all my relatives on my mom’s side live there. My 2nd cousin just married her sweetheart Saturday. It was 21 years from the time he first proposed. I got married on 9/22/2001 AND she got married on 9/22/2018. Both on Saturday.

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  47. This year is my 50th reunion since graduating from high school here in Texas. I live in San Antonio. I was born in Florida and all my relatives on my mom’s side live there. My 2nd cousin just married her sweetheart Saturday. It was 21 years from the time he first proposed. I got married on 9/22/2001 AND she got married on 9/22/2018. Both on Saturday.

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  50. What a loverly time, Edith! And Crested Butte is such a special place. The wedding looked like fun and togetherness. As for the last celebration, just Handsome, my boys and my girl helped me celebrate Annual Fun Day! I had two donuts. Hugs, vb

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