
Greetings one and all! Are you in post-holiday relax mode? Or are you in high gear to get this new year started?
WordPress has set me back a peg or two while I learn to navigate the changes they have decided we need to create our blog pages. So this message will be a short one. I’m keeping my fingers crossed it works!
I hope your Christmas was merry and bright! May 2019 bring you and yours the best of health, happiness and an abundance of fine books to read.
Let’s also continue with our never-ending wish for peace on earth, goodwill to all. We live in hope!

I’m going to take some time this week to figure out these layout changes. With a 6:30 a.m. flight to Florida tomorrow, I’ll have a few hours to play around with the different options … unless there are some good inflight movies. Just kidding! I want to understand what I need to know here, so it doesn’t take me twice as long as it should to create a post.
Thanks goodness, Barb Drozdowich has put together a YouTube video going step by step through the changes for people like me!
You know how it is when you have all kinds of plans and not enough time? I was definitely in that category for the past few months! The most important thing to me then was to get all the daily posts up for our amazing South of France Memories Tour. That took me longer than it should have, but I did it! Did you take some time and enjoy the tour here? If you didn’t, I hope you will scroll back through the posts and see the fabulous experiences Deborah Bine (aka Barefoot Blogger) and I had with the sensational sixteen women on this tour.
As a result my blog did not get much attention after that, while I was finishing editing and then publishing The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes.
But it’s a new year, with a new approach here. I’ve got some fabulous guests lined up to visit with us. So let’s plan some great adventures together! Who knows where the path will lead?


Happy New Year to you, Patricia.
I feel the same about these WordPress changes. Wish they would just leave things alone!
Happy New Year to you and yours, Anneli. I agree! Why don’t they wait until we ask for change? But I have a feeling that you and I will get it all figured out before too long.
Happy New Year Pat! I will def not be thinking of you tomorrow am, lol! For the past two weeks I’ve had construction guys working on my basement starting at 8am. I’m putting in a spare bedroom, bathroom, family room and an art room. I’ve had family staying over the holidays and they have gone too. So tomorrow is a sleep in day and I’m sooooo excited! (Me and the dog!) life is good! Enjoy Florida! ????
What a busy time you’ve had, Judy! I’m sure you enjoyed that sleep-in day … a great gift to yourself! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you, Patricia.
I read The First Noel at the Villa de Violettes last wk and loved it.
Your words are music to my ears, Donna! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here. I’m working on the next book right now and your comment is the perfect inspiration.
I’m with you, Patricia. I was not at all happy with the WordPress changes when I tried to post a new page on my website yesterday. I had to search all over the place just to find out how to insert a picture in my post. Do they actually think that they improved bloggers’ experiences with these changes?
I guess these things are sent to try us, Rachele! Somehow we will figure it all out. Happy New Year!
I keep hearing that wordpress is changing things but I’ve yet to encounter anything different. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
This post looked great to me. Keep us all updated if you discover any hidden tricks.
Here’s to a fabulous 2019!
Thanks for your friendship and support. (My answers to your questions are making their way to you soon)
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt