Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Christmas Party 2020 – Invite a pet with guests Robbie Cheadle, Sue Vincent, Aurora Jean, Ann Chiappetta, and D.G. Kaye

Welcome to the Smorgasbord Christmas Party, with the focus on the fur members of the family who also love this time of year, over this weekend and next I will be sharing the photographs of some much loved pets, and of course a little promo for their human companions.

I have prepared some treats that hopefully my guests both two-legged and four-legged will enjoy.. Joining  yesterday’s guests are some delightful felines and canines and their humans.

My first guest today is Robbie Cheadle who has invited along her cat Push-Push.. who may not be as big a fan of Robbie’s baking we we all are.

I thought Push-Push might like to help me with my giant gingerbread project this year. I offered her a piece of the cut off gingerbread [I always back first and then cut out, so the shapes don’t lose their form during the cooking process]. Sadly, gingerbread did not seem to appeal to her, so she isn’t offering to be my helper. I have the feeling she’ll be a lot keener on helping to carve the turkey on the big day.

A selection of books by Robbie and Michael Cheadle and as Roberta Eaton Cheadle.

About Robbie Cheadle

Robbie, short for Roberta, is an author with five published children’s picture books in the Sir Chocolate books series for children aged 2 to 9 years old (co-authored with her son, Michael Cheadle), one published middle grade book in the Silly Willy series and one published preteen/young adult fictionalised biography about her mother’s life as a young girl growing up in an English town in Suffolk during World War II called While the Bombs Fell (co-authored with her mother, Elsie Hancy Eaton). All of Robbie’s children’s book are written under Robbie Cheadle and are published by TSL Publications.

Robbie has recently branched into adult horror and supernatural writing and, in order to clearly differential her children’s books from her adult writing, these will be published under Roberta Eaton Cheadle. Robbie has two short stories in the horror/supernatural genre included in Dark Visions, a collection of 34 short stories by 27 different authors and edited by award winning author, Dan Alatorre. These short stories are published under Robbie Cheadle.

Read the reviews and Buy the books :Amazon US – And:Amazon UK – Follow Robbie  : Goodreads – blog: Robbie’s Inspiration- Twitter: @bakeandwrite

Something now for cat owners who wish to protect their Christmas tree this year.. thanks to  Cole and Marmalade

My next guest needs no introduction.. it is The Small Black Dog herself… Ani author of numerous popular books. Today she has brought along her human, Sue Vincent as Ani has been banned from driving!  A story for another time.

Ani is currently hosting a massive all star Advent Party over on her blog and you will find some wonderful guests and their humans Advent 2020 – Who Wants to Come and Play

A small selection of  books by Sue Vincent and Ani

Sue Vincent is a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and Director of The Silent Eye. She has been immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintains a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lives in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there some years ago due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She has a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. She is currently owned by a small dog who also writes at S.C. Vincent

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – and:Amazon US – Blog: S.C. Vincent – Goodreads:Sue Vincent  – Twitter:@SCVincent

I know that Ani is partial to cheese so better get in there and help yourself before she sniffs it out.

My next guest is Aurora Jean Alexander whose beautiful black cat Tjara is extremely festive..and

This a picture that I took a few years back when I took my new addition to the cat-herd to my mother’s house first time. My Mom had a mini-Christmas tree on her table and Tjara, of course, was fascinated by the ‘shiny balls’ and was sitting next to the tree for a moment, just long enough for me to take the picture.

Books by A.J. Alexander

I’m a fantasy author working on a paranormal romance series. The first book of ‘The Council Of Twelve’ series, ‘Soul Taker’ was published December 15, 2018.

I have written short stories and poetry in the past. Some of my poems can be read on my blog ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest.

My rare free time I’m spending in extreme reading, excessive pool swimming and playing monster-monopoly. My strongest support system are my sister, most of my family, my friends and my three cats.

Read the reviews and buy the books:  Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Website: Aurora Jean Alexander – Twitter: @AuroraJean_A

More shenanigans from Cole and Marmalade as they get ready for Christmas courtesy of their long suffering human Cole and Marmalade 

And now Ann Chiappetta joins us with her wonderful fur family Bailey and May

Yellow lab Bailey and shepherd mix May (and me behind them). Bailey is the dog on the cover of my memoir, Follow Your Dog, 7 years old bred and trained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind in NY. May was adopted last June from our local Humane Society and just turned 2. They are best friends and love to play tug and mouth wars.

Books by Ann Chiappetta

About Ann Chiappetta

Ann is an artist and often refers to her love of words as a natural compensation after losing her vision in 1993. Once a designer of acrylic displays and furniture, Ann trained her creative senses to flow over from the visual to the literary arts. Years later, she has become a poet and author, honing her talent in various mediums, including web content for nonprofits, regular bylines for online literary publications, poetry, anthologies and guest editing in online literary journals, just to name a few projects of which she
has contributed.

Ann possesses a master of science in Marriage and family therapy from Iona College and an undergraduate degree from the College of New Rochelle, both located in Westchester County, New York. She is currently employed as a readjustment and trauma counselor for combat veterans and their families. A guide dog handler and advocate, Ann volunteers her time representing people with visual impairments and guide dog users on various National, State and local boards of directors. A consultant and guest presenter, Ann visits schools promoting awareness and equality for people with disabilities. She is the 2015 recipient of the WDOM Spirit of Independence award.

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK –  Blog: Thought Wheel – Twitter: @anniedungarees

And last but certainly not least.. D.G.Kaye who so badly wanted to join the party she went out and borrowed a cat, not just any cat but Tequila Cat!

Are we surprised!!  We know how much she loves her Margaritas.. as I do. Debby brought me a gift which I am off install immediately so we can all enjoy a cocktail.. Sorry four-legged guests this is just for us hoomans.

Books by D.G. Kaye

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK    Blog: D.G. Writes – Goodreads: D.G. Kaye on Goodreads –  Twitter: @pokercubster

Debby Gies is a Canadian nonfiction/memoir author who writes under the pen name of D.G. Kaye. She was born, raised, and resides in Toronto, Canada. Kaye writes about her life experiences, matters of the heart and women’s issues.

D.G. writes to inspire others. Her writing encompasses stories taken from events she encountered in her own life, and she shares the lessons taken from them. Her sunny outlook on life developed from learning to overcome challenges in her life, and finding the upside from those situations, while practicing gratitude for all the positives.

When Kaye isn’t writing intimate memoirs, she brings her natural sense of humor into her other works. She loves to laugh and self- medicate with a daily dose of humor.
I love to tell stories that have lessons in them, and hope to empower others by sharing my own experiences. I write raw and honest about my own experiences, hoping through my writing, that others can relate and find that there is always a choice to move from a negative space, and look for the positive.

 

Thank you for joining us today. Have a wonderful Christmas and I shall be around from time to time with the odd post or two over the holidays if you are around.. stay safe.