Tuesday, November 25, 2025
This week is a personal favorite of mine, as it is for many. The Holiday lights are up and are beginning the holiday dancing in the evening hours in my neighborhood. This year, many of my lights will be back and glowing—last year was a “no show” for me with the four surgeries and recovery that took up much of my physical time. Not this … by mid-May, I was back!
Caring … Giving … Gratefulness …Thanksgiving
My kitchen creates wonderful aromas that waffle through the house, enticing anyone who enters … or lives here. My home is warm and safe. And neighbors and friends drop in to ask what they can do to help me with John’s care as Alzheimer marches on within him. Or to just give me a break for a few hours.
Grateful I am to all … and to this year when I’m back in the swing of things.
It’s a time for reflection and a time for thinking forward. And a time for family—whether it’s in the heart line or bloodline.
My truthiness: my “heart sisters” are my lifeline in so many ways. Every Monday afternoon, we set time aside to be with just each other for a solid hour. It’s our time to support, to ponder what’s happening in each of our worlds and the worlds around us, and to always laugh with glee.
This year, it’s an acknowledgment and awareness of my storytelling skills with the publication of my third historical novel that I co-authored with Brian Barnes—The Secret Rise Book 3 has sold well this year and we are deep into the finishing touches on Book 4 … The Secret Awakening. The debut of Cooking with Judith was fun and acceptance a wahoo. And I’m thrilled to share that each of the books has earned four book awards so far.
To my deep surprise, I was honored to be named an Author Laureate by the American Book Fest.
It’s now a time for “downtime.” And a time for acknowledging to myself, and sometimes aloud, some of the awesomeness that I’ve experienced during the year. Delighting in an outrageous laugh-out-loud happening; an amazing author insight that one of my clients has encountered; savoring an event that was wonderful that I attended; a new movie or TV show that I enjoyed and streamed through, or a wonderful book surprise that I opened and fell into until the last page was turned.
And of course, a reflection of all the author gatherings I’ve hosted throughout the year including potluck gatherings with my entire street one Friday each month. Who can beat that?
One of my downtimes every Thanksgiving AM is creating something in the side food line, watch the Macy’s Parade from the kitchen and when it’s time for Santa to finally debut at the end, I just sit down with a hot mug of tea and take it all in. And then there’s the dog show … I don’t own a dog now … but there is something about prancing pooches that amuses me that I love and makes me stop for an hour and just watch and enjoy.
A PERFECT Holiday Side Dish …
My Easy Peasy Slow-Cooker Creamed Corn
watch and enjoy. Creamy Corn is a huge pot of taste bud comfort and easy peasy. Expect seconds from your crowd when you serve. Perfect for large groups, holidays. I like to leave it in the crock pot so it stays warm until the last spoonful is taken. Always a hit—yummers!
Serves 8 – 12
- 32 – 48 ounces frozen corn – mix white and yellow, use frozen (not canned or fresh)
- 8 – 12 ounces cream cheese cut into 1? cubes
- 1/2 – 1 C heavy cream
- 1/2 – 1 C butter
- 2 – 3 T sugar
- 1/2 – 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 -1/2 tsp salt
- 1 /2 C parmesan cheese
- Adds … chives – cut green onions close to serving
Putting It All Together
Combine all ingredients in the crock-pot and cook on low for 4 hours. Stir to combine and make sure the cream cheese has completely melted into the sauce. And I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love—working with and helping authors.
Yup, I’m grateful indeed. Even with all the unexpected hiccups last year and as this one comes to an end, it’s a Happy Dance for me that my body is rested and healed. How about you?
Happy Thanksgiving week to everyone. Wishing you much joy is we enter the final month of the year,
P.S. Did you notice … I didn’t mention shopping, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday!
Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. In 2025, she was named Author Laureate by the American Book Fest.
Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 48 books including Cooking with Judith, Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Historical fiction novels include The Secret Journey, The Secret Hamlet, and The Secret Rise. Collectively, her books have earned over 60 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.
Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE. The AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Marketing podcast is ranked in the TOP 10 podcasts for book marketing by Mashable and Feedspot.
Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her..
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