This post definitely reads like a 2nd grader’s “what I did on my summer vacation” essay, but I’m still publishing it to attempt to keep SOME blogging momentum. Sorry, y’all.
Well, I filled up all of my shelves at the gift shop this weekend. I’ll be adding more, but I wanted to go ahead and put something on every shelf.
(Thanks to Laura’s post about Picasa on Hollaback Health, I now know how to make super-quick collages!) Hopefully people will start getting in the shopping holiday spirit soon and go BUY MY STUFF.
I made an amazing dinner on Friday night, if I do say so myself…
Pecan pomegranate-encrusted salmon, similar to this recipe, butternut squash fries dipped in yellow mustard + maple syrup mixed together, and brussels sprouts made from this recipe.
On Saturday, a lot of local businesses had their holiday open houses, so Mom and I got all gussied up and went out. First, we had lunch at a little sandwich place, Doza Rizen, where I had a turkey panini:
Next, we stopped at a friend’s art gallery and brought home a couple ornaments and some art:
…before heading out to Cupcake to try a pumpkin cupcake for the first time (we split a pumpkin and a black bottom):
Then we swung by Hallmark to pick out our annual Christmas ornaments. I walked up and down the display, scrutinizing every ornament they had, and I was so frustrated I wasn’t finding THE perfect ornament. Then, I saw IT:
Yes, it lights up. It even plays the “Hallelujah” chorus! I reminded myself of the scene where Clark finds THE tree. (boo for disabling embedding)
Finally, we checked out Big Lots for the first time. This place is a little scary, but they’ve got some hidden gems. Like this baby for 3 bucks:
I like to have happy stuff on the TV in the background while I’m working, and I’ve definitely “watched” this Martha Stewart Christmas DVD twice already. I wish she didn’t act like such a frigid bitch nowadays…I miss the old Martha.
Also, on Sunday, I attended the Kirkin’ of the Tartans service at church, and I’m pleased to say I was not smited upon entry. Especially because I was wearing my new Old Navy coat.
I don’t actually own anything made from my family’s tartan, so I improvised:
Google –> right-click-save –> print –> trim –> pin
Oooh, one more nerdy thing! I tried out this tutorial for shaped bokeh, and here are the first fruits of my effort:
See how the flames are star-shaped? I can’t wait to perfect this and try it out once we have CHRISTMAS LIGHTS up!
Are you getting in the holiday spirit yet? I’ve been watching Christmas movies and have started dabbling in Christmas music, but it just doesn’t feel like the holiday season yet!