Winner! And a hint of what's to come.

You people really enjoy scavenger hunts, don't you? I was blown away by the amazing response -- thank you! (True fact: I get an email every time someone comments here. And I have a Pavlovian response to emails -- every time my phone shows a new message, I get a little thrill. This many comments made me feel like I was attached to a generator or something. MADE MY WEEKEND.)

So, the fine folks at random.org informed me that the winning comment was...Erin! Who said:

"I've actually never done a scavenger hunt before, this is pretty fun, thanks for this!"

To which I say: Congratulations, Erin! I sent you an email about your prize package, and I am going to screw my courage to the sticking place and brave the post office at the end of this week. You all know how I feel about the post office, but for you...I will suck it up and go.

Now it's December -- which means that we are gearing up for Christmas as well as the oldest girl's birthday. And here's the thing about the holidays: I don't need gifts. We have already established that I am the luckiest girl on the planet. Gifts are superfluous for me.

But...GIVING gifts? That's my favorite part. I love choosing the perfect gift for people. Choosing the wrapping paper. Wrapping the presents. Arranging them. Watching people open them. Watching people (especially my kids) ENJOY them. I have already bought a catapult and a ukelele and while I'm sure by mid-January, I will be smiting my forehead and wondering how I could have been so foolish, right now I am ridiculously pleased.

And this year, I have gifts for you, too. There'll be more details soon, but I'll have chances for you to win some really wonderful books, swag, and other delightful things.

(But no catapults. That's for the middle kid.)

Thanks again for participating in the YA Scavenger Hunt, guys! If you didn't get to see Colin's deleted scene before it was taken down, rest assured I'll be posting it again soon.