The Gift of a Week

DEBORAH CROMBIE:  When Thanksgiving falls late in the calendar it seems like we are thrown headlong into the holiday melee. But this year we have a WHOLE WEEK (eight days, to be exact) between Thanksgiving and the first of December. For me, this brings a huge sigh of relief. We are still very autumnal here in north Texas, as you can see.We had unusually heavy rains in October, so we have much more color in the trees than we usually see, even so late in the season.

View across Debs' patio

And as I missed almost a month of autumn at home when I was in the UK, I'm loving having a week longer to enjoy the turning leaves and crisp golden days, to dream of soups and stews and apple pies rather than Christmas shopping.

We actually put up our Christmas lights on the day after Thanksgiving, because it was warm, and because my hubs is a stickler for tradition on that. But our tree (because we get a real one) won't go up until at least the end of the first week in December, and I am only vaguely entertaining thoughts of Christmas presents and decorating. I want to enjoy the end of autumn before it is Christmas and then winter and then the year is gone... Doesn't it seem like we are always being pushed too fast into the next season, the next holiday, without having the chance to savor the moment?

Dear Reds, what are you all doing with your extra week? I am writing writing writing madly towards the end--finally--of my book, so for me this extra week is a huge blessing.

JENN McKINLAY: Cleaning. All of my deadlines got rolled back this year, so the book that was due on Nov 1 was suddenly due Sept 1 to accomodate the book originally due Feb 1 that was moved to Nov 1. Crazy, right? Needless to say, life became a blur and my house, the frat house, is a disaster. So, I am taking this week to clean because come Dec 1, I have to start working on the book that is now due Feb 1 because I thought I should wedge in another book since I suddenly had a window of time. I need therapy!

HALLIE EPHRON: Errands. A gazillion of them, starting with taking my car in for a recall (deadly airbags). And I confess I got a head start on my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving online and a quick trip to my favorite store, Marshalls. Oh, and a trip to the mall (for exercise. Really.)

I've turned in my novel again and now I have time to focus on a short story I agreed to write when it seemed like I had all the time in the world to write it. If only I had an idea...

RHYS BOWEN: I'm afraid this week is all planned out. Monday is our wedding anniversary, Tuesday is John's birthday, Wednesday is packing up and cleaning, Thursday is driving as far as Pasadena, Friday is driving the rest of the way home to Marin, Saturday is attending a Christmas fundraiser. Life has been rather crazy for a while. We have made an offer on a house in Phoenix but just found out the inspection has turned up lots of things we don't like.. so not sure how this will go. Oh, and I'm writing my next stand-alone in my spare time! As for Christmas cards, I haven't even started yet.

LUCY BURDETTE: I love the idea of an extra week in November and I have high hopes for this time, beginning with 1000 words a day (channeling Rhys and Jenn here...) And get the decorations up, get the Christmas cards out, start packing gifts for the kids on the other side of the country. However, as I write this, I am desperately craving a nap. Maybe that would get things jump started??

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  There's an extra week? Huh. No matter..everything is all stacked up so much that I'm like--what's due TOMORROW? and that's what I do. But the last of the copy edits went in Sunday. Crossing fingers. I need to make a few new book  proposals. La de dah. I have about a week to do that. NO problem. (that was sarcastic.)  I have a book event every day but Friday!  All good, all fun, all crazy.   Book cover reveal next week. And then who knows. Holiday cards. Oh, good idea. xoxoxo But the kids were fabulous over Thanksgiving, and best turkey ever. So I am spending my "extra week" if you say so, happy!

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Writing, writing, writing. I spent days before Thanksgiving cleaning, shopping and cooking and didn't get ANY writing done, despite the fact I told my editor I'd have the ms done by the end of November. Yeah, not so much. I'm still shooting for early December, though, which means I'm delighted to have breather between Turkey day and the day when we start traditionally getting ready for Christmas - the first Sunday of Advent.

It's December 2nd this year, and although I technically don't have to do any decorating at the usual time, one thing going solo has taught me is stick to the schedule! I waited to bring the 2 cords of seasoned wood into the wood room until "after Thanksgiving," thinking I could have some help from the kids while they were around... and instead we got eight inches of snow and freezing rain the week before the holiday. Now I have two cords buried beneath a shroud of snow (don't worry, they're well-covered in tarps.) Am I going to worry about it now? Hell no. It's nothing but writing for me until next Sunday.

DEBS: Rhys, happy anniversary to you and John!!! Happy birthday to John!! And good luck with driving and your house adventures!

Hallie and Lucy, enjoy a bit of a break.

Hank, if anyone needs a few extra days, it's you, xoxo!

Jenn, your deadlines are insane!! Now, if Julia and I can just channel some Jenn, we'll get those books finished in no time...

And Julia, so nice to know that someone else is in exactly the same boat. We will row together!

Readers, are you enjoying a little lull between the Thanksgiving and Christmas madness? Tell us what you're up to this week!