I’ve been thinking lately about gifts.
Not the kind tied up with ribbons (though I’m certainly not opposed to those), but the kind that linger long after the day is over.
I had one of those gifts this week.
I took two of my grands out for pizza and a trip to our local bookstore, and I may have had as much fun as they did.
First, let’s talk about the pizza. Absolutely delicious. The kind where conversation stretches between bites, everyone reaches for one more slice, and you lose track of time.
Then came the bookstore.
You know that wonderful hush of a bookstore? The rustle of pages, the promise in every aisle, the sense that adventure is waiting on the next shelf?
Heaven.
My grandson found a new sci-fi series to dive into and walked out looking like he’d just uncovered a treasure.
My granddaughter surprised me. She didn’t choose a book at all. She picked out a stuffed animal.
And honestly? I loved that.
Because sometimes joy doesn’t arrive in the form we expect.
And then, something caught my eye. A stuffed border collie. Naturally, I thought of Tango.
For a long moment, I considered buying it to sit beside me while I write… a little furry muse to keep me company.
I resisted.
For now.
(Though I make no promises.)
Driving home, I realized something simple but important: Spending time is often a much better gift than sending one.
Pizza shared over laughter.
Wandering bookstore aisles together.
Talking about stories.
Discovering what catches a child’s imagination felt richer than anything I could have wrapped.
And maybe that’s one reason I love writing mysteries set around food and friendship. So many of life’s best moments happen around tables… or in bookstores.
The mystery this week wasn’t whodunit.
It was how a simple afternoon turned into one of those memory-making days I’ll hold onto for a long time.
And I hope my grandkids will, too.
Maybe especially the part where Grandma almost adopted a plush border collie.
Now for this week’s note from your favorite Small-Town Detective Dog (from the Cooking Club Murder Mysteries). Thank you for letting me know you enjoy these!
Tango here with my Detective Tip of the Week about gift giving…
If you want someone to feel loved…
Don’t just bring treats.
Bring yourself.
Go for the walk.
Read the story.
Share the pizza crust.
(And if a stuffed border collie happens to come home with you next time… I fully support that decision.)
Sniff out adventure together.
—Detective Tango 🐾
Until next time, may your week hold good books, warm pizza, and people worth lingering with.
Happy sleuthing,
💙 Emmie
P.S. I’m still thinking about that stuffed border collie. If one appears in a future newsletter photo… you’ll know what happened.
What’s a favorite experience you’ve shared with a grandchild, child, or someone you love?
Leave a comment about anything, even just to say “hi”—I truly love hearing from you!
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