OfficialDanielleSteel

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....I saw some friends, enjoyed the pretty decorations,saw my publishers and enjoyed Paris pre-Christmas, now some travel, and Christmas with all my children, the best of both worlds, friends and family. I hope these holidays are looking bright for you!!! #daniellesteel

We’re very lucky in our family. Santa stops by on Christmas eve every year, on his rounds, to visit us during our family Christmas eve dinner. Rudolph stays on the roof with the other reindeer. And Santa shows up as we have dessert, and we take turns sitting on his lap, and tell him what we hope he’ll bring us. Some items have been discontinued, and there are long factory delays for things like boyfriends, girlfriends, Ferraris, and unusual live pets, but on the whole, he’s been pretty good to us. No one is too big, or too grown up to sit on his lap. And one year, he showed up with Mrs. Claus as a surprise. I think she joined him for a fashion check to see what we were wearing. Usually he comes alone, and then takes off with a Ho Ho Ho to fly around the world in his sleigh. I’m not sure what I’m going to ask him for this year....I’m still working on my list!!! Santa’s visit is one of our traditions that I love best. #daniellesteel

There is definitely a child in me. I love teddy bears and just bought a 6 foot red teddy bear as part of our Christmas decor—it’s gorgeous!!! And while Christmas shopping recently, I saw this dog in the window, and bought him too. (It was a bit of a struggle because he’s almost as big as I am, and was heavy to carry!!) He and the giant red teddy bear look adorable together. And in Paris I have white teddy bears as part of my christmas decorations....always a child at heart!! (when I worked on the streets of San Francisco, on a street outreach team serving the unhoused population, we gave out teddy bears one Christmas, along with the supplies we brought them, and everybody loved them. After that, we gave them out as a regular feature along with the practical supplies....no one ever said no to a teddy bear. It always touched my heart) #daniellesteel

I took a break from work for a quick trip to New York for the weekend to visit two of my daughters. We hung out as we always do, catching up and enjoying each others’ company, and we did some Christmas shopping. We always have a good time, and we went out to dinner at a noisy but delicious Italian restaurant we love. New York is always fun at this time of year. #daniellesteel

I had a fun time picking Christmas trees with my youngest daughter Zara, and a friend of hers. We always buy our trees from the Guardsmen, a charitable organization that sells Christmas trees every year, and use the proceeds to send inner city kids to camp in the summer. They work hard and have beautiful trees. We have 5 Christmas trees in our house every year, some as tall as 15 feet, and even a little tiny one. And picking them is a major event. The Guardsmen are all volunteers, and the atmosphere is fun and festive. We pick our trees every year the day after Thanksgiving. It’s one of our traditions, and one I love!!! #daniellesteel

My overjammed, overcrammed desk in my SF office, with my original Olympia typewriter, Ollie. My desk is full of things my kids have made or given me, the walls covered with their art as kids, and my early book covers. This and my Paris office are where I spend all my time. #daniellesteel

It’s fun to decorate the table for the thanksgiving meal. I love doing holiday tables, and to use the decorations we’ve collected over the years. And it’s nice to set a formal table to set the mood of the day. My favorite part of the thanksgiving meal is the stuffing and the sweet potatoes with marshmallows melted on top!!! #daniellesteel

Home for the holidays. Home sweet home. It’s always wonderful to be with my children, though a small group this year with only two of my children, the others with their in laws. I love the spirit of thanksgiving, a time to be grateful for all our blessings, and to welcome a few friends in our midst. “Gratitude can turn a meal into a feast, a stranger into a friend.” I love having a day to remind us of our blessings, and the people we love. I love the Bible phrase “God places the solitary in families”. It’s a wonderful time to be with family and friends. #daniellesteel

Minnie, Lili and Blue exhausted at the hotel, after travelling to New York for the weekend.. They’re great travellers, but it wore them out. I’m still busy, getting organized for the holidays. It’s such a busy time of year!!! #daniellesteel

Exciting day!!! My new hardcover came out today, Trial by Fire, about a story that takes place during the fierce wildfires in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in California a few years ago. Part of it is about the heroic efforts that were made to save the animals fleeing the fire, everything from racoons to horses and cows that were on the loose, starving and some injured. Someone I know saw a family of foxes crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to safety in the city. There is an animal rescue center in the book, and all the adventures and heroic acts that took place during the fires!! I hope you enjoy it!!! #daniellesteel

Staying close to Mom!! I’m busy working on a book, which Minnie, Lili and Blue always love, they can keep an eye on me at all times, and they love sitting on my little red office couch, as close as they can get to me. Minnie and Blue climb onto my lap, Lili lies next to me, and they keep a close eye on me day or night. They sleep (and snore!!!) while I’m working and sometimes Minnie stretches out in the doorway to my office, so she’ll know if I try to escape!!! #daniellesteel

So happy to be wrapping up a new book, I had a wonderful evening and dinner with my friend Michael Coste, to celebrate my new hardcover Trial by Fire, coming out in less than 2 weeks, before Thanksgiving!!! (in time to include it as Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers!!)I have been working ridiculously hard, so it was a joy to get out, and see Michael and people again!!! We always laugh a lot at our dinners together. Seeing him gave me a burst of energy to put the finishing touches on the book I’ve just written and enjoy the holidays. Another book and another fun evening with Michael!!! #daniellesteel @michaelcostefr