With the holidays right around the corner, my thoughts turn to celebrating with family and friends and gift-giving and receiving. Last year I asked each of my family members to give me the gift of time (“The Gift of Time” and “The Gift of Time Part 2“). Boy did they come through. What a year of adventures and memories it’s been!

 

Kristin and her niece CalliIn February, my niece-to-be (who’s now officially my niece–Yahoo!) took me to Zócalo‘s in Milwaukee where we drank cocktails and ate pizza outside while snug in a cozy dome.

Zolaco outdoor space

We discussed wedding plans and I told her all about her fiance (sorry Benjamin).

 

 

Kristin's daughter Caitlin playing Tapestry

 

 

Two days later, my daughter Caitlin treated me to a game day. We played Tapestry (pictured), Terraforming Mars, and Crew.

Lunch - homemade soup and saladWe stopped just long enough to eat. We had so much fun we had game days in April, May, June, July, and September, too.

 

 

 

Jessica and Kristin in front of a modern painting

 

 

In April, my daughter Jessica and I spent an artsy day exploring the Chasen Museum of Art and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and then hit Porto Bella for pasta.

 

Top of the MMoCA

 

 

Jessica looking at paintings

We thought four hours of museum touring would be enough — it wasn’t even close!

 

 

 

Kristin with her brother-in-law outside the Brewers stadium

On May 18th, my brother-in-law Jay and I went to Dugout 54 in Milwaukee for beers and burgers then hopped on the shuttle to Miller Park (I know it’s now called American Family Field, but for me it’ll always be Miller Park).

 

Inside Milwaukee Brewers StadiumThere we cheered as the Brewers beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 in extra innings.

 

 

Kristin and her niece Jamie at the Milwaukee Symphony

On June 4th I went to the Milwaukee Symphony with my niece Jamie for a Beatles tribute. My favorite part was when the audience of Baby Boomers got up and danced.


Kristin and her niece playing Tapestry
The next day we’d planned to put our cameras to work and photograph downtown Milwaukee, but it rained, making it a perfect day to play board games (did I mention my family loves to play games?).

 

 

Elver Park

 

Also in June, my son-in-law Sean took me disc golfing. Of course I’d thrown a Frisbee as a kid, but I discovered throwing a disc is an entirely different thing.

Kristin and her son-in-law

 

 

Even though it was one of the hottest days of the year (88+ degrees), we completed all of Elver Park’s beautiful course. Boy, was I sore the next day.

 

 

 

Kristin with her nephew Benjamin

 

In August, my nephew Benjamin and I had planned to kayak down the Milwaukee River, but the weather was iffy on the 21st, so we met at the J. Henry & Sons Bourbon Tasting Room & Farm in Dane, Wisconsin instead.

Bourbon Old Fashioned from J. Henry'sWe took a tour of their amazing facilities while sipping the best Old Fashioned I’ve ever had. Afterward, we hung out on the UW-Madison Memorial Terrace.

 

 

Golden Retriever Ramona at Prairie Moraine Park

 

 

Kristin's mom with RamonaEven my grandpuppy, Ramona, got into the act and spent a day with me in August. We hiked Prairie Moraine Dog Park in Verona and had McDonald’s French fries with Great Grandma.

 

 

 

I’m still waiting on my sister to take me to her favorite museum in Milwaukee. But I’m going to ask for the gift of time for Christmas again this year, so maybe we’ll do a girls’ weekend away? Sounds like a plan to me. Can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring!

 

What’s happening for the rest of 2022:

The Cover of The Devil Particle

I’ve revised the first eight chapters and a final scene of The Devil Particle and have sent them to my editor, Tim Storm. I’m happy with the revisions. I hope Tim is, too. If he is, I’ll make another pass through the book and then send it on its way to a copyeditor.

Meanwhile, my cover designer, Patrick Knowles, and I are getting close to finalizing the cover for The Vessel – Book Two in The Devil Particle Series. Stay tuned for a cover reveal!

 

 

December’s Writer’s Book Club:Cover of Red Rising with horizontal lettering and red wing

Cover of The Midnight Library

Cover of Humankind: A Hopeful HistoryNext month, I’ll revisit ten of my favorite books just in time for the holidays!

 

 

 

 

 

Kristin Oakley's headshot

Subscribe!

Hello! I'm award-winning thriller writer, Kristin A. Oakley. Sign up for my newsletter and I will send you the prequel to The Devil Particle Series.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Share This