Hi everyone! Hope you had a great holiday weekend and are recovering from turkey overload and any retail frenzy you might have indulged in. I did make my deadline (yay!) and enjoyed my holiday visiting my son in Steamboat Springs (scroll down to previous Thanksgiving Day post for picture!)

I’m happy to be home and already back at work, but first: Big Easy? Brother, why oh why did you think a 4 hour penalty was better than continuing to work on what was a four letter work scramble (since you had the F?) So while it was all kinds of douchey for Team Shut Up Dan to pull the stunt they did, Team Globetrotter clearly sealed their own doom. Doesn’t lighten my dislike for the brothers, but they have no one to blame, ultimately, but themeselves. Boo. And you could see how much Phil hated Philiminating them. I’m glad they made it as far as they did. And while Erika can be whiny, I have to say Brian’s enthusiasm for them coming in third was fun to see. As to who I want to win? Well, let’s just say I hope it’s not Team Shut Up Dan. Feels to me that Meghan & Cheyne have this one in the bag. Wouldn’t mind Erika/Brian being up there. Mostly I’d just dearly love to see Team Bro get horribly and thoroughly roasted. A Team Guido finish would be nice, please.

On to Free Stuff Friday! Just drop an email to me at donna@donnakauffman.com with I Can’t Believe I Ate The Whole Thing in the subject line. I’ll draw one name from the entry pile on Friday. Winner gets a free book from my website bookshelf. Good luck!

Tune in tomorrow for a sneak peek at the cover and back copy for the first book in my new Scot series, Some Like It Scot, coming out end of May!

In the meantime…what did you think of the Raaaaace? Who do you want to win? Oh, and how did you feel about Kelly making the final 3 on DWTS? Were you okay with Donny winning? Did you feel Mya got gypped? For me, I thought it ended exactly as it should have. The final placements were fine with me, overall. This coming week we have new partnerships on SYTYCD, more Russell the Evil Immunity Idol Finder on Survivor, and the first part of the Top Chef finale. Yay! It’s good to be back. Now? DISH!!

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Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all the Blog Babes out there!

I did make my deadline! Yay! So there is another Hot Scot coming your way next spring. Look for the cover art and back cover copy to be posted here next week. Free Stuff Friday returns next week, as does the Morning After Commentary (aka the MAC!) Thanks for your patience while I was crushed under this last deadline. But I’m back!

As I write this, I am out here in the balmy 18 degree temps of Steamboat Springs, Colorado to visit my son and his very adorable girlfriend and get to enjoy the holiday with family. I hope you are all able to connect with and enjoy family and friends today, too!

I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your continued support over the years. It means a great deal to me. I love hearing from you all - those who have been with me since the beginning (eighteen years and close to fifty books ago!!) and those new to my books. You’ve all been so great with your notes and letters. I love hearing from you and getting your feedback. Keep spreading the word to the masses, you guys - you are the absolute bestest! (And if you’re feeling particularly happy from all that turkey & pumpkin pie drop in on Amazon or B&N and shout it from the rooftops - every good review helps keep the books out there! Don’t let the grinches win! Blog babes, unite! ) Thank you for all the love & support ~ you guys rock!

I truly hope you enjoy everything that’s coming in the new year. I am thankful for each and every one of you.

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So, I am sliding rapidly into that seventh level place known as Deadline Hell. Said deadline being the day before Thanksgiving and two days after I take a plane (okay, two planes) out into the middle of the Colorado Rockies. I was thinking I could juggle all of it, watch all my blog shows, stuff, write up some pithy and witty MAC to go with, oh yeah, and create and teach multiple craft classes this week as well. Sadly, I have been forced to confront the fact that I am not, in fact Superwoman, and that I have no actual super powers. I am not happy about this. (Does this mean I have to give back the cool cape and hot boots?)

I am going to abdicate the blog MAC throne for a little while, but will post when I am able, probably share a few gorgeous pictures from out west, and, you never know, possibly toss in a snarky comment now and again, just because I’m sure I’ll need to at some point.

I shall return for certain on December 1st, refreshed from being deadline roadkill, and full of…turkey. (Hey, I heard that!) There will be free stuff to giveaway and MAC to be written. I hope you all find your way back after a lovely holiday break.

In the meantime, I would like to share a famous video clip that I stumbled across a few days ago and have found endlessly entertaining when my imaginary friends all threaten to revolt at once and prevent me from ever getting this book completed. Enjoy — and I dare you to even try this at home. It’s a workout. (I know this, because yes…I tried. )

How many do you recognize? How many can you do? How many will you admit you can do? DISH!
The Evolution of Dance

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am thankful for each and every one of you. Thank you for making what I do such a pleasure and for giving me someone to share my stories with. I couldn’t do it without you!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Yeah. Not so much anymore. Because that? Was gratifying. Again. And in so many ways.

I’m still not entirely sure how it is that a season of Survivor could have me so disaffected, where even at the final ten, I can still say I don’t have any particular allegiance to any individual player, yet has been able to produce two of the most satisfying episodes ever, back to back. Crazy.

And yet…

So, okay, Evil Russell is a total troll (say, as opposed to Good Garden Gnome Kevin on Top Chef) and, you know, he did find that idol under a bridge..just sayin. But man you gotta give the guy props for finding not one, but two individual immunity idols, without getting a single clue to either one. Amazing. And? He’s actually used both of them exactly how they should have been played. Sure, the first time no one voted for him, but he was in such a critical spot there, he had no other choice. It was the right move. And again last night…man was it gratifying to see the smug faces of each and every Galu member as his name kept getting read…and discarded. Vote, after vote, after vote. I even enjoyed Erik’s pleasure over the stabbing, despite the fact that Erik is a total tool who I’m happy to see out of the game. (And whose subsequent interviews proves hasn’t learned a damn thing about why he might not have been such a beloved member of his tribe. Sheesh with these people.)

Also, Natalie? I can’t kill the eensy little field mouse that has decided my house is a lot more fun than being outside in non stop rain for what feels like centuries of time now. Even starving? I don’t know that I could have done it. Much less scoop the carcass into anything and carry it. In anything. Yikes. And wow. Good on you. Perhaps if I have to root for someone, it would be her. If only she looked slightly less ridiculously awesome in her bikini…

So, it was perhaps slightly anticlimactic that it was Kelly who was sent out of the game, because stupid Russell wasted a few precious seconds gloating over getting the final bag in the immunity challenge..which was the very two seconds Laura needed to beat his smug ass. The ONE person they need to get out of there, and they most definitely do. Did you see her do that damn puzzle? Unreal. And while I might not have any super faves this season, oh, I have folks I’d like to see gone. Namely Laura, and, as much as I want to like Dave Spacey Ball, he needs to head out the door too. And Dave? Always listen to the rocket scientist. There is a reason he is one. Dave’s utter shock was as much if not more fun to watch than Laura’s scowl and Erik’s dropped jaw. Of course her, “oh, he’s just unleashed all kinds of hell now” comment regarding Russell’s play of the idol kind of cracked me up. For two reasons. 1, um, Laura…exactly what was he supposed to do? Defer to you so you can win and stop playing the game himself? What’s wrong with you? And 2, if the situations were reversed, you’d pray you were smart enough to get one idol, much less, two…and you damn well know you’d have done the same or worse given the chance. So, yeah. HA. I hope she goes next. Then it’s whoever can pull it out, as far as I’m concerned. I’d hate for Monica or Dave to be in the final, and I would have said the same for Russell, except he is playing the ultimate hell out of this game and it’s damn hard not to respect that at this point, so while he wouldn’t be my favorite finalist ever, he’d deserve to be there. Don’t think any of the sleepers should be there, although voting Kelly out removed one of them. So, we’ll see…but boy, it’s not boring any more!

And over on Top Chef? Yeah, Robin finally exits. Though, once again, she honestly didn’t have the worst dish (which is all that has saved her, time and time again. That one person did worse than she did.) In this case? It was, very gratifyingly, Eli who choked. And I’d have LOVED to have seen him go before her. Don’t get me wrong, Robin is hard to love and harder to root for - she’s not good. But the guys have been so damn condescending to her the entire time, it didn’t bother me seeing their smug behinds get booted, one at a time, while she was still in it. That said, I hope Eli goes next and Jennifer manages to rally. Not holding out much hope for the latter. And Mike V? Bite me. Wow, with the lack of respect for Kevin’s food. I hated - HATED - that he won the challenge. Bluarg. You know by now it’s going to be a Kevin-Volt Bros finale and no one else deserves to be there anyway, but it better be Kevin or Bryan standing at the end. A) because either one of them would deserve it, and B) because either of them winning would provide the most angst to Mike. Win win, really.

Now? It’s time for Free Stuff to be given away!! Yay! Our winner this week of a free book from my website bookshelf is? Carolyn W!!! Woo hoo! Just email me with a few title selections (in case I’m out of your first choice) and I will get that out in the mail to you.

Thanks everyone for playing ~ tune in next week for another round of Free Stuff Friday, some Amazing Race MAC, and general fun and frivolity! Right now? Who do you think is outta there next on Survivor? Do you have any favorites in this cast of misfits? What about Top Chef? Are you rooting for the Garden Gnome of Goodness? Or the hot Volt Bro? Enquiring minds want to know….enquiring minds want you to DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Okay, so it was in about eight hours ago, but I never got around to posting it. This is what deadline hell does to a person.

So, last night on So You Think You Can Dance, there were no real surprises. Disappointments maybe. The bottom three couples were Peter/Pauline, Ryan/Ellenore and Kevin/Karen. Only the latter was any real kind of a surprise, but we all knew Mollee/Nathan weren’t going to end up there. More surprising was the absolute dressing down Nigel gave to Nathan (live tv, millions watching, only a little humbling.) But I can’t say it bothered me, mostly because he was absolutely right. I don’t think those two are capable of pushing each other to any new heights, and said so opening night..so this is right in keeping with my views. It was an ouch to see him knocked a notch or ten in front of viewing America, but if that’s what it takes to make him work a little harder at this, then I’m good with it. It’s a tough industry, better he gets that into his head now. Then Nigel took everyone else to task for their lame solos and saying how disappointed he is that season 6 isn’t living up to #5 at all.

Now, a lot of season 5 cast was in the audience performance night, so maybe he was just making up with them a little for all the “wow, you guys are SO much better than season 5′ers” he’s been doing with this year’s cast. But, to be honest, I think he was just telling it like it is. I was, and am, very impressed with the talent selection this year, but it’s not panning out as brilliantly as I’d anticipated, and I think Nigel feels (clearly, and rightfully) the same way. Which is frustrating for him and for the viewers.

I will say that I’m not so sure it should be put all on the dancer’s though. The pairings haven’t generated as much chemistry as they could - which, I get they can’t always know that, it’s a crap shoot, but that’s still part of this. And the choreography, in some cases, has just been lackluster bordering on bizarre. I’m excited to see fresh blood in terms of new choreographers, and maybe it still goes to pairing, but I’m hopeful we have a better confluence of these seemingly disparate variants as the season continues. (There, my Lil C impression is done.)

Right now? It’s time for you to enter this week’s contest. Winner is announced here tomorrow morning, so HURRY! See Monday’s post for details. And then you can come right back here and DISH! (Speaking of dishes…not done with Top Chef, yet….more MAC on that tomorrow…)

So, who are you loving? Who would you send home? Do you wish we could vote for individuals right from the start and keep the couples moving about more to get better fits? (Assuming if the fit is good, neither will end up in the bottom and stay together?) I would love that! Channing has definitely benefited from being paired with Victor and I hope they stick around for awhile. Who else would you change up if you could? (Ryan and Karen together? That could be interesting….not to mention a bit tense for Ashleigh…. And yet…

At the end, there were no surprises, when Pauline and

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So…apparently between last week and this on SYTYCD, Cat Deeley was assimilated by the Borg. If her hair and reptilian dress are anything to go by…

We get to vote this week, we get to vote this week! Yay!

16 are left, 8 performances…so lets get to it.

First up: Kevin & Karen get the Hustle. I think they did a pretty good job with some difficult partnering work. Clearly that’s still a huge learning curve for Hip Hop Kevin, but he hung in there. And, for once, Karen didn’t have to pulse all over the floor. Or Kevin, for that matter. Makes her a bit easier to take, I find. Judges loved em. Not surprised.

Ashleigh and Jakob get a Jazz Routine with Mandy Moore. And a cane. I like props okay, but sometimes I wish the choreographers would lighten up a bit with that. It’s distracting more often than not as you sit there and worry they’re going to screw the props part up, and you don’t really get to enjoy the dance. I more enjoy the stage props (like the door with Twitch and Katie last season, or the bed/park bench/executive meeting table) than I do the hand held variety. So they have Serious Costumes and are dancing to Relax, which I never get tired of (no, I’m not being sarcastic) - and while it was dynamic and well performed, it left me just a little underwhelmed and I’m not entirely sure why. Partly, maybe due to lack of chemistry between them (though separately they’re great) and partly, I think because the dynamism of the choreo didn’t match that all powerful killer bassline. Judges loved em. More than me, but they were good.

Peter & Pauline get the kiss of death quick step. This doesn’t bode well, given they’re probably in jeopardy this week anyway. It’s a cute premise, cute song to match, and I think they handled a relatively high level of foot action and sustained it for a long (long) time. I’m not sure how Pauline kept up with what looked like a galloping Peter, but for one of the toughest dance forms on this show, they acquitted themselves nicely. Still, it was quite “gallop-y” so I’m not sure how they’ll stack up comparatively. Judges agree, pretty much.

Legacy & Kathryn get Broadway (from Andy Blakenssnkjdhskuyroueghjlasbrlej) and she’s all adorable MaryAnn from Gilligan’s Island and Legacy’s all Rat Pack. It was cute and adorable and I think they performed it fine, but agree also with Adam that Kathryn should have vamped it more. All in all, I enjoyed it.

Aside: Adam gives such great critique that is both helpful to the dancer, but also educates the viewer. Mary is basically just screamingly insane. And Nigel is the wrap-it-up guy. So, it’s all about Adam for me.

Next up (yay!) Channing and Victor. I have high hopes for this combo. They get a Stacy Tookey contemp routine - which is both their styles, so they better rock this. Clearly, Victor is of big enough stature to really frame her far more beautifully, but also lend her the strength to partner her solidly. And I thought they did a beautiful job, first week out the box. I think they’re back in it. Judges agree. Except Nigel - shut up, Nigel.

Ryan and Ellenore are up, and wow, they get hip hop from Lil C. I’m so glad to see him doing choreo this season. This should be..really interesting with this pair! Ellenore did well, Ryan, all things considered, did pretty good. It was all mirror-side by side dancing. Would have liked to see the choreo have them work with each other at least part of the time. That lost a bit of pop for me, but they did pull it off.

Mollee and Nathan get…sigh…salsa. Why does the show hate me? What did I do to you, show? And yeah, see? Horrifyingly bad. The tweens will keep them in, but I won’t be joining them. Yikes. Judges unanimously agree. And Nathan? Way to prove every argument I have about why you’re too young to be on the show.

Yay, Russell and Noelle get the pimp spot tonight. (And you know, shame on you. You trash the guy two weeks running, then, when we can vote? You pimp him out. Naughty, naughty!) But for his sake, I’m happy he gets the lasting impression spot. Now don’t blow it! They get afro-jazz. This should be…hmmm. Because Noelle? Only one part of an African princess. Although I will say, he’ll have the afro and she’ll have the jazz, so who knows….. Russell nails it…Noelle tries. (Totally unbiased opinion of course…) Adam? I heart you huge. (”It’s like a list of one.” I’m totally stealing that.) And Nigel? Hunh? Call him a star of this season and yet…bottom 4 in week 1. But no, we’re not staging this show. No. Not a bit. Uh uh.

And then? We voted. But now? We DISH! Who’d ya love? Who made you scratch your head? And how many of you would love it if all the tweens phone lines suddenly went down all at the same time? Who is in danger do you think? Could be interesting! We find out tonight!

Oh, right. Michael Buble sang and some ridiculously amazing couple danced, Dance Center returned, Susan Boyle surfaced, and everybody except Aaron & Karinamade the semi-finals on DWTS! Because all is finally right with the world.

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So, yeah. I watched football instead of dancing. It was definitely a lot more gratifying. (Now that? Is how you play a second half of football.) I skimmed DWTS afterward but other than Kelly’s lovely ballroom dance, none of it really made me want to slow down and watch minute by minute. Okay, Donny’s Adam Ant costume had me for a minute or two. Wish they’d done the lighting they used at the end for the whole routine. The effect was much more entertaining. Otherwise it was nice. You know. Nice. I don’t know what it is about this season…zzzz. Tonight they have Susan Boyle singing and hopefully Aaron leaving. I will likely skim again…

However, tonight on So You Think You Can Dance? Skim-free. Really looking forward to it. Will be interesting to see how Chan does with her new hunky partner, Victor. I hope they get something with lots of lifts. And hoping Russell keeps the charm coming now that we can vote. Interested to see stuff by new choreographers. And we get a results show this week, which means group routine. (Pssssst, use Wade, show!) Fun times!

Don’t forget to enter this week’s contest. Details in Mondays’ blog post!

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We’ll get to the MAC (Morning After Commentary, for those who have asked…) on the RAAAAAACE in a minute. First, I wanted to thank everyone who made the signing yesterday at Turn the Page Bookstore in Boonsboro MD totally INSANE! 300 readers came out for the signing - the 1-3pm signing time stretched out to past 5:30. Cah-razy! But your support is so appreciated! I hope you all had a good time and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Okay, so, on Amazing Race, the Globetrotters are still having a great time. (They should have named their gnome the Harlem Gnometrotter…) Flight Time scored a great birthday with a first place finish for their team. Hard not enjoy a team who never quibbles and always has a great time.

Megan and Cheyne…sure, she whined. A lot. She can be annoying. A lot. And yes, he was the Bestest Boyfriend Evah…you know, after she did the extreme drop ride and (was the only woman who) unrolled a million heavy hay bales because he was being passive aggressive and playing “I can’t hear you” for most of the leg. So, I’m glad they have each other. Saves the rest of us.

Erika and Brian - still enjoying this team. Sure, she can be a princess, but she does at least own that. She is supportive of her man, as he is of her. I still think they make a really good couple and a good pair of racers.

Sam and Dan - you know, I essentially haven’t liked this team since Leg One. But tonight, Sam screaming at Dan for most of the haybale challenge made me realize something. It’s Sam I can’t stand. Dan, for the most part, seems to just, ahem, roll along. I’m glad Sam, finally, realized he was being an ass. Also glad Brian was instrumental in getting him to realize his obnoxiousness.

Pinky and the Brain - aka Matt & Gary: Love these guys the way I love the Globetrotters. Good racers, good team work, and nice to see some honest respect and love happening between father and son. They seem to be having the time of their lives. And I was happy to see Matt’s respect for his father continue to grow as he watched him continue to shove those heavy bales around long after the other teams had checked in to the pitstop. So I was exceedingly happy, could have, in fact, only been happier if this had been the Zev Elim leg, to find out that it was a non-elimination game and they’re still in the race! Yay!

So, while the brothers, or one of them anyway, are close to being on my last nerve and I could do without them winning, pretty much the rest of the field, at least, has proven to be good racers and decent to their partners. It will be an entertaining and enjoyable run to the finish this season!

And now? Time to announce this week’s Free Stuff Friday contest! Send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “I totally want this” in the subject line. I’ll draw a name from the entry pile and announce the winner right here on Friday. Winning Blog Babe gets a signed book of his/her choice from my website bookshelf, mailed right to their door. So…what are you waiting for? Enter already.

Then? DISH! Who’s your favorite team left racing? Who needs to go home next? Who wants a gnome for their garden? Or to send to Kevin on Top Chef?

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Hey, whaddya know. Merge these two Zzzzzz tribes and this season of Survivor starts to get all interesting like. I love blindsides, but this one was particularly satisfying. (And did you know there was a guy named Brett playing this game? And some blonde named Kelly? News to me.)

So, Russell has now become rather a figure of some amusement, watching him scramble like the rat he is, trying to stay alive. But most entertaining was how everyone was angling to get someone out. And everyone was in on some scheme. Except, of course, Shambo, who was entirely clueless. Again.

In the end, King Erik of the all powerful former tribe of Galu, sat in tribal council and went on and on (and on and on and on) dictating and synopsizing his views on the relative worthlessness of each and every former Foa Foa tribe member, particularly picking on Jaison as being totally worthless…and quite smugly condemning them for even thinking they had a chance of survival in an 8 to 4 merge. Yeah, which made it particularly satisfying when they blindsided his arrogant, junior varsity playing ass. And furthermore, I wish I’d been sitting anywhere in his vicinity last night as he watched the show and realized that the one person responsible for starting that ball rolling? Yep, that poor, useless Jaison. Karma, she is quite bitchy my friend.

Oh, and did you know there was a guy named John playing this game? And he’s got some pretty pass-the-umbrella-drink gorgeous eyes? For a rocket scientist. I know! Me, either!

So, possibly the most entertaining this show has been in some time. I was actually feeling my heart kick up a notch as those names were read off, thinking, don’t screw this up! Man, it was so gratifying when they got to that fifth reading of Erik’s name…one more than there are former Foa’s Foa’s sitting there. And Erik’s face went, hunh? HA! And also - I don’t think Russell was unwise to go ahead and play his idol. How many folks haven’t and were sent home? (Um….Erik?) Besides, with everyone knowing he had it, it was pretty much useless anyway. I doubt, given the previews showing him in danger, that he actually is. And as he’s become this kind of comical caricature of himself now, I am glad that’s probably true. Not really rooting for anyone, but there are some additional players I won’t mind seeing getting the boot.

Project Runway remains waiting for me to watch, so possibly more MAC on that next week.

Right now it’s time to announce the winner of this week’s Free Stuff Friday drawing. The lucky Blog Babe? Is Yvonne! Just send me an email with your address and I’ll get your advance copy of my February book, Here Comes Trouble, out in the mail to you.

And a reminder of the big doin’s tomorrow. I’ll be in Boonsboro, Md from 1 - 3pm at Turn the Page Bookstore, signing copies of my two October Christmas anthology releases, along with copies of my brand, spankin new release, A Great Kisser. Hope to see some Blog Babes there. And if you can’t make it, but think signed books from me, or you know, a certain redhead (aka Nora Roberts) you can head over to their website and join the virtual signing. You pick the books you want, we sign em, and they ship them to ya after the event is over! I know there are some stockings that need stuffing here before too long, so it’s something to think about!

I hope everyone has a spectacular weekend! But, in the meantime? DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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I adore Top Chef’s Fabio, but that? Was an annoying snoozefest. Please retire Ilan and Marcel permanently from ever being in front of my eyes again. Carla can stay. But hey, at least I got a bunch of other stuff done instead!

Tonight we have tribes merging and final four fashionista’s chosen. I would think that automatically means a more interesting evening…but then I remember who is actually on those shows this season. Yeah, I’m not so certain of that as it turns out…

Don’t forget to enter this week’s Free Stuff Friday giveaway! See Monday’s post for details!

So, what are you reading? I just started Nora’s Bed of Roses. Deep sigh. I love a good comfort read and this totally fills the bill!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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