❄️ HAPPY NEW YEAR & WELCOME TO 2026

We're going to start the new year off with this very unusual mystery object. The only hint I'll give you is . . . Andi Carter or Jem Coulter would probably never see it. Guessing game runs Tuesday, January 6 - Tuesday, January 13. Winner will be contacted by email and also announced in next month's What Am I newsletter. Open to US and APO mailing addresses only.

THE PRIZE

The winner of the What Am I game may choose between one of the large Safari horses shown: chocolate stallion (6" long), sorrel gelding (7" long), or the beige mare (5" long). OR . . . the gold and fool's gold.

GUESS HERE!

December's mystery object was an ISLAND. Caleb Haywood was the winner out of 89 correct guesses (109 total guesses). He chose the Goldtown tumbler with inserts as his prize.

A BUSY 2025

Last year was super busy. Here's a peek into my year.

I did not vendor at any homeschool conventions (finally retired from that), and I missed seeing fans and fellow vendors. Yet, the summer passed so quickly that before I knew it, homeschool convention season was over!

Kregel Publications (my publisher) released the last two books in the popular Circle C Adventures series (more than 75,000 books sold just from this one series). I feel truly blessed. Spring 2026 will see the 8-books sold as a set, which means a discounted price over buying the books individually.

I have six twin packs left if you want to buy a set. List price: $17.98. My discounted price: $12.00 + free shipping. Click the image or this link: https://circlecbooks.com/product/more-tales-other-tales-from-the-circle-c-ranch/

A NEW SERIES 👇🏼

Then . . . I took a deep breath (cuz to me it's scary to commit to such a big project) back in July and presented a book proposal for a spin-off series for middle-grade with Andi's friend, Jenny Grant, as the main character. Tentatively titled Timberland Trails (publishers like to change things). The series is set in the Pacific Northwest in 1880. I've titled the first book Trouble in Tacoma, but again, publishers like to change things. 😱 You can head on over to this link and read all about it. And . . . you can even read the first chapter! TIMBERLAND TRAILS NEW SERIES. https://circlecbooks.com/timberland/

FUN FACT: I was born and rasied in Tacoma, and this is "my mountain," Mt. Rainier. I think it will be fun to explore all my old tromping grounds, and researching to learn what Tacoma and Puget Sound were like when Jenny and her brothers romped through the woods.

For Andi fans: I would love to see one book include Andi--but that might be tricky finding a timeline that does not overlap the already very full Circle C Adventures series. I mean, where would I fit it in without repeating adventures? Jenny and Andi are together in San Francisco Smugglers, Trouble with Treasure, and the short story "Summer on the Sound" in More Tales from the Circle C Ranch. But you never know!

DINOSAURS! 🦖

My husband, Roger, and I spent much of the winter in sunny Glen Rose, Texas. (The town on the Paluxy River where all those dinosaur tracks can be seen. I assure you, they are there!) I have visited Dinosaur Valley State Park more than once. I took this picture. These tracks are just under the surface of the (verye clear) water. Seriously, how cool is that!

IN OTHER NEWS FROM 2025

My daughter and I have collaborated on raising dairy goats. Coming up this month (January 2026), we are anticipating the first of many baby goats to come (January, February, March, and April!) Yikes! Click the image to see our website!

And of course I'm still helping out (but not nearly as much as when the kids were little) with homeschooling. I mostly score test essays, but BJU online takes care of the day-to-day.

COMING UP IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER

Don't miss the upcoming newsletter. I'll be sending a couple of fun activity packs with Circle C and Goldtown mazes, coloring pages, and rainy-day fun. Download and print out, all for free!

Thanks for being a subscriber, and have a great coming year!

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