MERRY CHRISTMAS

 Oh yea OH YEA!  We are down to the 60's at night, with a high of 80.  That made the perfect day to go wandering around the countryside spending money.  What could be better!!

My watch pup kept a close eye on me for the first hour as I whipped through my morning computer routine.  Not so much actually since he was sound asleep.  If only I could sleep so good!!

Same here ... Kitters sleeping soundly on the table outside the window.  Her hearing is excellent though ... she jumps up every time she hears the slightest noise ... and paws the window.  FEED ME!!

I was pretty tired from too much action and too much food, but company had a cloth map of New Zealand she wanted to adhere to heavy poster board and frame.  So off we went to Michaels a couple of towns over.  I missed the turnoff, which ended up being an adventure.

The road was completely blocked with a vendor fair.  It took a bit to find a place to park ... I mean really, who would not stop to wander the street when they saw this!  I was more interested in the FOOD!  Cookies, brownies and the longest line I've ever seen (it was halfway down the block) for MATCHA.  It's finely ground tea leaves made into a drink.  

Originally from Japan, it appeared so were the sellers, as they used a weird little paintbrush looking thing to stir it into dust before making it into a drink.  It was definitely the drink of choice for the young crowd.

I of course went for the macadamia nut white chocolate homemade brownies sealed in a neat little plastic pouch.  The kid who made them was VERY young, but then I guess all kids are very young compared to us old fogies!!

This sweetheart wanted a bite of my cookie, which I was more than happy to share.  Her dad said cookies were her favorite.  Talk about a well mannered puppy ... she was a doll!!

In a flash, I zoomed in on this table.  Sourdough bread.  I mean really, I can barely make even ONE loaf, and this nice gal had about 6 left to sell.  They open at 8:00 ... it was 9:30 ... and most everyone was sold out.  Luckily I got this loaf ... for a pricey $10.00.  Hey ... it's good to support the local crafters and entrepreneurs.  Okay, I bought TWO loaves.

That's when I found out they do this every Saturday until the end of October.  I'll be BACK!!!  The other end of town has the same street closed for the Farmers Market, so maybe next time I'll go that direction instead.  What a GREAT town this is, supporting this kind of event.

Now loaded down, we headed back to the truck on our original mission.  We found Michaels and were able to get the cloth map set up for framing for less than half the cost she originally thought.  Not only that, but he said it would be ready that evening.  WOW ... that's service!

Then we were off to Hobby Lobby.  Why, I've no idea, but it's a HUGE store with amazing stuff, so why not.  Right in the door, we spotted this.  Now when was the last time you saw a FALL Christmas tree.

I have to admit, the quality of things in this store was much better than Michaels, even if the price is higher.  All I was looking for was patriotic fabric, of which there was none because ... well, we're basically PAST Thanksgiving and on to Christmas!

We discussed at great length how we had NO ROOM to store anything and NO INITIATIVE to decorate any more because then you had to take it all down and store it once again in closets already stuffed to the gills!  I mean really ... for such a big house, I can barely get the closet doors shut as it is.

Somehow, this came home with me.  He's got a platter full of cookies and all the parts to make more, not to mention he was on sale.  

I've had my eye on this Frosty hat for a couple of weeks now.  It might make a cute Door Opening Halloween costume!!  Also on sale.  Ok, truthfully, everything in the STORE was on sale.  You know how that goes.  

Back home with a pile of goodies, we hit the fridge and drug out the last of our shrimp scampi for dinner.  I'm finding that to be the secret to having company.  Take them out to dinner so you have leftovers for two days.  No cooking required.

It turned out to be a great day, full of fun and food.  That blondie brownie is going to taste WONDERFUL for breakfast.  For now however, it's back to hanging cameras and cleaning out closets to make room for new treasures!!