Christmas in September!

Gems of Reflection

So, I know that I got behind on my Gems posts (again) by a several weeks, so I apologize for my silence here on the blog. Things have been crazy around here getting kids ready to go back to school, and there have been some other exciting/crazy/unexpected things happening that I am not quite ready to disclose on the blog just yet. No worries though, I am going to try to get caught up on the posts this week - and hopefully, there will be some good news to share in the near future.

Anyway, onto the Gems post: I don't really remember visiting the downtown area of Las Vegas much as a kid during the holiday season, but I know that if there's one thing that Vegas does big, it's the holidays. The shopping malls were always decked with the most extravagant of Christmas decorations; garland and ornaments on every rail and every banister, a large Christmas tree at the center of it all for everyone to enjoy, not to mention the beautiful display of Santa's workshop, where children would line up with anticipation to get their picture taken with him.

The Las Vegas Strip was always decorated as a wonderland of Christmas beauty as well. The trees, which line the streets of Las Vegas Boulevard, were lit up with lights and garland, and every hotel/casino showered the air with the magical sounds of Christmas music.

Now, I know that it is only September, and that Christmas is still a few months away, but it is like Christmas this week, for The Purple Lady is celebrating her third annual half-birthday over at All Things Purple, and she is hosting some awesome giveaways all week long. Today, she has a book review and giveaway for Blackmoore, the new regency romance novel by Julianne Donaldson. I am so excited about this book, and I know you will be too, so head on over and check it out.

Happy Friday. :)