Season’s greetings, beloved readers! We wish you and yours the happiest of happy holiday seasons and a bright New Year. We’ll see you in January – the 4th, to be exact – but thought we’d celebrate the end of a year by revisiting photos from each Chick’s early beginnings – including our newest Chicklet in the nest, Jen!
Leslie Karst
Ellen Byron
Lisa Q. Mathews
Vickie Fee
Cynthia Kuhn
Kathleen Valenti
Becky Clark
Jennifer J. Chow
Readers, any plans for the holidays? Let us know below!
Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe to Chicks on the Case and never miss a post. Just click the button on the top right side of this page and let the fun begin!
Chicks on the Case 
Love this…you were all adorable Chicklets!
No big plans for the holidays here. Most of Ontario and across the river in Gatineau, Quebec is either in COVID lockdown or will be starting on Christmas Day for the next month. Ottawa is the outlier for Canada…our COVID cases declined sharply from October and we are stable. So Ottawans are allowed to celebrate with a few people from outside the household and go shopping, but I won’t do so.
It’s Dec 18 and we have NO SNOW! Ottawa has expanded our already vast trail network for the winter. Both the snowshoers (me) and x-country skiiers are eager to get out there. Outdoor winter activities are a great way to keep safe during COVID and embrace the long, cold winter. We may even have a rare GREEN X’MAS (ugh).
So if I could ask Sanra (and Mother Nature) for one wish, I would want a nice dumping of snow this week and cold enough temperatures to make it not melt away.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Every winter I get the itch to start snowshoeing, but we either don’t get enough snow when I have time to do it, or we have too much and then I don’t wanna. One of these years ….
Hope your holidays are enjoyable, Grace. I know you’re so ready to get to traveling again!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Becky,
I can understand how the winter weather varies from year to year in CO.
Ottawa is usually more consistently cold, snowy/icy. Normally 8/10 Christmas are white historically. I have lived here since 2014 and I depend on the snowy weather to keep me sane and not hibernate all winter long, lol.
Toronto has 2/10 White X’mases historically. Just a 6-hour drive away but quite different winter weather.
And YES, I AM LONGING TO TRAVEL. My planned trips to Sacramento (Bouchercon 2020) and Albuquerque (LCC2021) were cancelled. I am signed up for NOLA 2021 (Bouchercon) but who knows whether the US population will be mostly vaccinated by that time? And a warm winter getaway is still in my dreams…
LikeLiked by 4 people
Fingers crossed!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Grace, I always love your travel photos. I miss them. But since you live in Ottawa and I’m in SoCal, seeing your photos on your home turf feels like I’m looking at vacay pix. Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ellen,
I can’t seem to be able to reply directly below your comment but I hope you see this.
Thank you, I know that you and other SoCal friends like seeing my travel and home winter photos. When we finally get a big snowstorm and have a nice snowy landscape, I will post it on my FB feed for sure!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I, too, love seeing all your photos, Grace! (And being here in Hawai’i, I get extra-fun out of reading about winter in Ottawa!) But of course my favs are always your photos of FOOD!
Happy holidays to you, ma cherie!
LikeLiked by 4 people
More snow pics, please, Grace! I do miss the beauty of fresh snow falling (I got to enjoy it in upstate NY for undergrad).
LikeLiked by 3 people
Leslie,
Of course I will continue to post more of my home cooking/bakingon my FB feed. It’s going to be a long winter and I won’t be going out to eat very often.
And sure, you can enjoy the Ottawa cold and snow/ice (when it finally comes) from afar. In turn, I will continue to gawk and feel the warm breezes from Hawaii.
Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jennifer,
I did realize there were so many snow-deprived Chicks here, lol.
The storm photos and outdoor winter activities (hiking, snowshoeing) will be on my FB feed so you will have to add me as a friend to see them.
Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, I have a very festive and fresh, 2-ft.-plus dump of snow to send your way from NH, Grace! Snow for all my friends! Happy holidays to you!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Lisa, we were just out of range of that big Nor’easter. I saw the impressive amounts of snow on the news throughout the NE USA. Some friends told me they got heavy, wet snow (PA) while others got light, fluffy snow that is easier to shovel (CT). Hope you got the latter type!
Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Have a wonderful holiday, Grace!! (So glad to hear that your numbers have declined.) (And I love your pics too!)
Hope you get out to snowshoe very soon!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad to hear you are enjoying my pics, Cynthia. The 7-day forecast now hints we may get a White Christmas (2 cm/1 inch) but so it will look a bit more festive but certainly not enough snow to go snowshoeing.
Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These pictures are adorable! Happy holidays, everyone!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Same to you, Marla!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Have the best holiday possible, Marla!
LikeLiked by 2 people
A very Happy Holidays to you, Marla!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy holidays to you also, Marla!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy holidays, Marla!! Hope it’s wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Holidays and thank you for the joy your posts gave us all year! They’ve been a bright spot in a dark time and are truly appreciated.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Aw, Ruth, that’s so sweet to hear! Our readers are the bright spot for us!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ruth, that means a ton to us. Honestly. Atta girls like that keep us going. Happy holidays! xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
That brings us joy, Ruth. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We love hanging out with you, Ruth! Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, thanks, Ruth — and happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, you got me. *wipes tear* < true story
Thank you so much, Ruth and hope your holidays are fantastic!
LikeLike
Happy Holidays to all of you as well! I love the pictures! You were all adorable!!! Our Christmas will be quiet with just the 2 of us. We will only see each family for a short time as they drop off and pick up their gifts. We will not be having the big family gathering with 12 people stuffed around the dining room table. I will miss the annual grand children group photo, but maybe I can photo shop one. Our oldest grand daughter is 15 and will be helping my husband pick out a tree tomorrow. She is home schooled and has not been near anyone. We will all be masked as she helps us decorate it. That is the ONLY tradition we will be observing this year. Next year we will have a grand affair!
Wishing you all a safe and Happy Holiday! I will miss reading the blog with my morning coffee, but you all deserve a break. Stay safe and well!
Carol
LikeLiked by 5 people
It will be different, for sure, but I bet your holiday will be enjoyable in its own way, Carol, because you’ll make it special!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Carol, it still sounds like a lovely time. And as an oldest granddaughter myself, I can tell you that time spent solo with either of my grandmothers (I never knew my grandfathers) was precious to me. I know your fifteen-year-old will feel the same way. May you have happy, healthy holidays.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m thinking we should all PhotoShop fun (and weird) photos for the holiday season this year! A grand way to say GOODBYE to year 2020.
Merry Christmas to you, Carol!
LikeLiked by 3 people
So glad you can still do the Christmas tree decorating! Although it’s different this year, hope you have a lovely time!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy Holidays to you and yours also, Carol!! Your plans sound lovely–and look out next year for double-celebration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and happy holidays! (I love this > “Next year we will have a grand affair.” Also clinging to that future vision.) Looking forward to coming back in January to coffee with you again! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
What adorable little chicks you all were! No special plans here, just hoping for my annual quiet week of vacation between Christmas and New Year’s.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Oh, Liz, I ADORE that week. Everything seems so calm and quiet. It’s when I reflect on the past year and plan the next. So many possibilities! Hope your holidays are lovely!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’d be looking forward to that too except that I have… JURY DUTY!! Yup. Originally I scheduled it for Thanksgiving, knowing that would be a slow week. Tried to get the location changed. Didn’t happen, but they did change the dates – to worse ones! I changed to the Christmas week, so fingers crossed my strategy works this time because I tried it once before and it didn’t. I got called in but luckily didn’t get on a jury.
Oops, long story. I hope you enjoy your quiet week, Liz!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Jury duty = story ideas!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy holidays, Liz! Hope you have a relaxing Christmas vacay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
El, just mention you’re a crime writer and blog at Chicks on the Case. You’ll be out of there mindblowingly fast!
LikeLike
My hubby got a jury duty notice for Christmastime–and he just postponed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t we all need a vacation? Enjoy yours, Liz!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Maybe we should all do house exchanges, lol!
LikeLike
All things merry and happy backatcha, Liz! Love that week also. Usually there’s a party at the end of it, but this year I’ll settle for a fancy (takeout) dinner!
LikeLiked by 3 people
That sounds like a wonderful week, Liz! Hope that you have a great time and happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy holidays, ladies! Thank you for making 2020 more merry and bright. Here’s to our wishes coming true in 2021!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Back atcha, JC! But that was a fairly low bar, to make 2020 a bit merrier. Pretty sure dog farts would have made 2020 better. See you on the flip side!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just remember, Becky, dog farts are always a letter alternative to cat puke my kitty Maria likes to leave me from time to time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve gotta agree!
LikeLiked by 1 person
J.C., looking forward to your 2021 post for us. Thank YOU for being such a great blog pal. Here’s to the new year.
But first, I have to take a break and LOL about Becky’s dog farts analogy.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Agreed, J.C.! Happy Holidays to you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hear, hear, J.C.! A very happy holiday to you and yours as well. Thanks for hanging out with us here on Chicks–and we’re all aboard for 2021!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, J.C., and cheers to wishes coming true for everyone!! Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy holidays! Such fun cards. Have a great couple of weeks and see you in 21!
LikeLiked by 4 people
See you in the New Year, Mark!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I read that as “New York” at first, Jen! oops.
LikeLike
Merry Christmas, Mark! Thanks for hanging out with us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers and happy holidays to you, too, Mark! We love having you join us, and all you do for authors and readers. (And your jokes.) Here’s to ’21!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mark! Get some rest and we’ll see you in 2021!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you have a wonderful holiday, Mark!
LikeLike
So much cuteness! Wish you all health, happiness, and great writing mojo in 2021! xo Shari
LikeLiked by 3 people
Happy holidays, Shari! Thanks so much and am wishing the same for you and all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And cheers to you, too, Shari! I’m ready for all of those things, for sure–wishing them back to you. xo
LikeLike
Thank you, Shari! The same well wishes to you!
LikeLike
Hugs and best holiday wishes all around! ❤️🎄🌟
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happiest of holidays, everyone! xoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
These are great pictures. I swear Ellen’s is an exact replica of mine!
Christmas is my mojo. I’ve been doing Christmas stuff all month, and I won’t stop til Boxing Day!
I totally enjoy reading this blog. It’s the only one i follow consistently. The chicks have held my hand through some tough times this year, and I truly love all of you for it!
I hope everyone has a great Christmas!
LikeLiked by 6 people
We love you, Hestia! Thanks for being such a Chicks pal. Merry Christmas! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Hestia, we feel the same way about you! We love you SO much!! Merry Christmas, my dear! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Chicks are in your corner, Hestia! And despite having a lot on your plate, you rocked NaNo! We’re so proud of you. Merry Christmas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Hestia gets the NaNo Winner Prize!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Hestia. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
LikeLike
Love and hugs and Christmas wishes to you, Hestia! xoxo
LikeLike
Thank you and love > happy *month* of Christmas, Hestia! And I concur with the NaNo Prize going to YOU!
LikeLike
Hestia, thanks for all of your generosity! Here’s hoping that 2021 goes easy on you! oxox
LikeLike
Happy Holidays!
Love your beginnings photos.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Thanks, Dru! The Chicks were always pretty cute, lol!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And so very well-behaved.
LikeLike
Thank you, Dru! And now we want to see the Baby Dru Ann! Happy holidays to you, my dear!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dru! Have a lovely holiday season!
LikeLike
Happy holidays to you, too, Ms. Dru! I love these photos also. If only we’d all known each other sooner. I’m not sure any of us have changed that much, lol.
LikeLike
Happy holidays, Dru!! ❤
LikeLike
Thank you, Dru, and hope you have a wonderful holiday!!
LikeLike
Hope your holidays are lovely, Dru, and 2021 is good to you! oxox
LikeLike
So glad you like the pix. LOVE you, Dru!
LikeLiked by 2 people
From adorable kids to blood-letting (albeit tastefully) adults! Wishing you much bookish success in 2021.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you, Pam, and oh, same to you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Love it, Pam! Nothing like tasteful blood-letting. Happy holidays to you, and may 2021 be…better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, Pam, you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I come from a big family… I was raised on blood-letting! Have a great holiday, Pam! oxox
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pam! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and all the best in 2021!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Pam!! Becky and I will blame the transformation on being dragged to visit Evil Santa. Hope you have a warm and wonderful continued holiday season–and looking forward to “seeing” you in 2021!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m planning to spend plenty of time with coffee, cookies and COZIES as we celebrate this Christmas! All your pictures are just precious! Wishing all of us a very Happy and HEALTHY 2021! Cheers Chicks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Coffee, cookies, and cozies! Sign me UP!!
Thanks, Victoria! I hope your holidays are lovely and stress-free!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds so wonderful!! Happy holidays, Victoria!
LikeLiked by 1 person