2010 was one of the best years of my life. My dream of being a published author came true. Here’s how it happened.

1. In January, Carina Press accepted one of my manuscripts for publication. Sooo thrilling to know I was going to be published at last.

2. I got the most amazing cover, which was designed by Frauke at Croco Designs. I’m sure that cover alone sold a lot of copies.

3. Liz Bass became my editor and I’m so happy to be working with her on the Allegra Fairweather series.

4. In June Allegra Fairweather: Paranormal Investigator was released. Even now I find it hard to express how it felt to have a book for sale.

5. In October the second Allegra Fairweather book was accepted for publication.

Wishing everyone a brilliant 2011 in which all your dreams come true.

S ummer weather – this year rain is predicted but it should at least be warm.

A ngels, tinsel, golden balls and other sparkly decorations.

N oshing – at this time of year you can be a guts without the guilt.

T he music – carols are great but I do prefer the modern Christmas songs.

A nd spending time with family and friends.

No matter how you chose to spend the holiday season may you have a rollicking great time!

Reached page 138 this week. Not too bad considering that the universe is constantly reminding me there is life outside the manuscript. I don’t expect to get much more done until after Christmas. But who knows? I’ve said that before and had a bumper writing week.

On the plotting front, it’s all coming together nicely. Things are starting to make sense, which is always a good thing.

Every year, on the Saturday before Christmas, the city of Sydney holds a concert of Christmas Carols in the Domain. (The Domain is an area of open ground not too far from the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.) Since tomorrow is the day of the concert, I got to thinking about my favourite Christmas songs.

1) My Grown-Up Christmas List written by David Foster and Linda Thompson. Originally sung by Natalie Cole and David Foster in 1990. I love this gorgeous song.

2) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin (although one site credits it to Hugh Grant. Hmm) originally sung by Judy Garland in the movie “Meet Me in St Louis” in the 1940s.

3) All I Want For Christmas is You written by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff. Originally recorded by Mariah Carey in 1994.

4) Silent Night, an Austrian carol written by Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber, and first performed about 1818.

5) Jingle Bell Rock written by Joe Beal and Jim Boothe. First released by Bobby Helms 1957.

So there you have it. And Saturday night, I’ll be switching on the Christmas lights, turning on the telly, pouring myself a glass of Christmas cheer and singing along.

It’s been very hot in Sydney and the plants are looking droopy and thirsty. But in major earth-shattering news, there ‘s a tiny cucumber on the vine! With any luck it’ll be big enough to harvest for Christmas lunch. Yep, I lead truly exciting life. Just call me a thrill-seeker! Yeah baby.

Didn’t put on any pages this week. Well I did but then I deleted two characters losing all their scenes so the page count went backwards. But the manuscript is better for the cuts.

I’m getting to the stage where it’s all starting to come together. Hopefully no more floundering around trying to work out who does what to whom. Smooth sailing from here on. Hmm. Well I can always hope.

Christmases is Australia can be hot hot hot! So it’s out with the baked food and in with the salads and BBQ. Five dishes on the menu this year.

1. Chicken skewers (store bought) and steak – cooked by The Bloke on the BBQ.

2. Greek salad (homemade). One of The Bloke’s favourites.

3. Tabbouli (homemade). One of my favourites.

4. Tasty cheese and crackers.

5. Slivers of cold watermelon and rockmelon, strawberries and blueberries.

I’m not doing much in the garden today – it’s too darn hot!

Harvested the first beans – looks like it’ll be a bumper crop. The rockmelon vines have flowers. I’ve never had much success with rockmelons but maybe this will be their year. Still harvesting carrots, parsnips, shallots and herbs. Need to get stakes for the tomato plants.

In the flower garden only the cosmos and petunias are thriving. There are still a couple of of salmon and white poppies – lovely.

Early last week the words were coming thick and fast. Towards the end of the week the flood of words turned to trickle. Have reached page 120. Good to be in triple digits at last.

Wow December already! In honour of the holiday season this week’s Friday Five is my Wish List for gifts.

1. Calorie free chocolate. (Well, I can dream, can’t I?)

2. A toned body without exercising. (Uh-oh more dreaming.)

3. A cure for wrinkles. (Tell me honestly, you’d like a smooth complexion in your stocking, wouldn’t you?)

4. A hot and sweaty weekend with the movie star of my choice. (Oh my. I’m getting hot and sweaty just thinking about it.)

And what was that other thing? Number five on my list? I know there was something. Oh yeah.

5. An end to war, illness, hunger and poverty. (Forget about the first four gifts, I’ll just take number five thanks.)