Kate Collins's Blog, page 284
December 6, 2011
Who Are Youse Guys?
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
I'm a bit of a snoop (go figure), therefore I'd really like to know who the heck you really are? That's why I'm conducting this poll on behalf of all the Cozy Chicks.
Come out from behind your trench coats and identify yourselves! I promise I won't stalk you.
Note: If your identity isn't listed (which I think might be a little scary), the comment section is the place to be.
Who the Hay Are You?
I'm a bit of a snoop (go figure), therefore I'd really like to know who the heck you really are? That's why I'm conducting this poll on behalf of all the Cozy Chicks.
Come out from behind your trench coats and identify yourselves! I promise I won't stalk you.
Note: If your identity isn't listed (which I think might be a little scary), the comment section is the place to be.
Who the Hay Are You?
December 5, 2011
Holiday Baking, Music, and More
by Maggie Sefton
The Holidays are definitely here, folks. We're shopping for gifts, decorating our houses (well, I'm not because I'll spend Christmas in Texas with daughters Serena, Melissa, and Maria), and the weather is cooperating by sending lots of cold and snow. In Colorado's case, lots of snow. We just had two snowstorms in three days, each depositing about six inches of fresh Colorado powder. The High Country got way more, of course, and they're deliriously happy because that means our ski resorts have even MORE snow and are filling up with happy skiers. All is well. I'll buy a fresh evergreen wreath to adorn my front door and call it good. Every three years most of my daughters choose to return "home" to Colorado for Christmas, and that's when I haul out boxes and boxes of cherished decorations. On the other years, I get to travel to their houses and help them decorate. :)
But what really signals the holiday season for me is when I start buying ingredients for my family's bel
oved holiday goodies and start cooking! I always start by pulling out all the favorite CDs of Christmas music to accompany my culinary efforts. Those songs and each singer's particular renedition of each are engraved in my memory because I've listened to them for so many years. One of our family's faves is a 2-disc set of Christmas Music by Time-Warner. It's ages old, and I pray it doesn't suddenly give out. (Note to Maggie: Record CD to digital file over the holidays, just in case). One of my daughters actually ordered a more recent version of the set but it was different! It didn't include all our favorites!
This weekend, I started with my Gingersnap recipe. I included it in the five recipes at the end of the 6th Kelly Flynn Knitting Mystery, FLEECE NAVIDAD. I purposely had more recipes in that book because of the holiday setting. I "gave" the recipe to Kelly's beloved (and departed) Aunt Helen. I had Kelly find Aunt Helen's recipe and learn to make it (the only thing Kelly has ever cooked. :) Her friends, aka The Gang, absolutely love the gingersnaps, so Kelly contributes the cookies whenever there's an occasion to do so. Otherwise, if Kelly can't nuke it, it ain't happening.
I always double that recipe because I send Holiday Goodies to all my daughters. Daughter Christine and family get a double/triple package. Not only are there Gingersnaps, but I also include my Chocolate Mint Fudge, and an assortment of the following: Pumpkin Nut Bread, Cranberry Orange Nut Bread, Chocolate Pecan Rum Balls, Toffee Bars, and various other recipes I've made over the years. Lots and lots of yummy things to choose from. Sometimes, I've made pinwheels, other times sugar cookies with colored icing, 7 Layer Bars. . .and many many more. Later in December, I promise I'll post these two recipes while I'm off enjoying the holidays with my daughters in Texas.
On Sunday, I started making the first two pans of fudge. I will make many more pans
of fudge, believe me. I also send Holiday Goodies to several out of town friends who are like family, plus I give them as gifts to my close neighbors and friends here in town. So. . .you can see that's a LOT of Holiday Cooking. But, I enjoy it all. The familiar carols and music and the wonderful scents and flavors that rise from the mixing bowls and the oven. It's all part of this wonderful Holiday Season for me. What are some of your favorite holiday activities? Do you cook or bake? Or do you make gifts? Share with us. [image error]
The Holidays are definitely here, folks. We're shopping for gifts, decorating our houses (well, I'm not because I'll spend Christmas in Texas with daughters Serena, Melissa, and Maria), and the weather is cooperating by sending lots of cold and snow. In Colorado's case, lots of snow. We just had two snowstorms in three days, each depositing about six inches of fresh Colorado powder. The High Country got way more, of course, and they're deliriously happy because that means our ski resorts have even MORE snow and are filling up with happy skiers. All is well. I'll buy a fresh evergreen wreath to adorn my front door and call it good. Every three years most of my daughters choose to return "home" to Colorado for Christmas, and that's when I haul out boxes and boxes of cherished decorations. On the other years, I get to travel to their houses and help them decorate. :)
But what really signals the holiday season for me is when I start buying ingredients for my family's bel
oved holiday goodies and start cooking! I always start by pulling out all the favorite CDs of Christmas music to accompany my culinary efforts. Those songs and each singer's particular renedition of each are engraved in my memory because I've listened to them for so many years. One of our family's faves is a 2-disc set of Christmas Music by Time-Warner. It's ages old, and I pray it doesn't suddenly give out. (Note to Maggie: Record CD to digital file over the holidays, just in case). One of my daughters actually ordered a more recent version of the set but it was different! It didn't include all our favorites! This weekend, I started with my Gingersnap recipe. I included it in the five recipes at the end of the 6th Kelly Flynn Knitting Mystery, FLEECE NAVIDAD. I purposely had more recipes in that book because of the holiday setting. I "gave" the recipe to Kelly's beloved (and departed) Aunt Helen. I had Kelly find Aunt Helen's recipe and learn to make it (the only thing Kelly has ever cooked. :) Her friends, aka The Gang, absolutely love the gingersnaps, so Kelly contributes the cookies whenever there's an occasion to do so. Otherwise, if Kelly can't nuke it, it ain't happening.
I always double that recipe because I send Holiday Goodies to all my daughters. Daughter Christine and family get a double/triple package. Not only are there Gingersnaps, but I also include my Chocolate Mint Fudge, and an assortment of the following: Pumpkin Nut Bread, Cranberry Orange Nut Bread, Chocolate Pecan Rum Balls, Toffee Bars, and various other recipes I've made over the years. Lots and lots of yummy things to choose from. Sometimes, I've made pinwheels, other times sugar cookies with colored icing, 7 Layer Bars. . .and many many more. Later in December, I promise I'll post these two recipes while I'm off enjoying the holidays with my daughters in Texas.
On Sunday, I started making the first two pans of fudge. I will make many more pans
of fudge, believe me. I also send Holiday Goodies to several out of town friends who are like family, plus I give them as gifts to my close neighbors and friends here in town. So. . .you can see that's a LOT of Holiday Cooking. But, I enjoy it all. The familiar carols and music and the wonderful scents and flavors that rise from the mixing bowls and the oven. It's all part of this wonderful Holiday Season for me. What are some of your favorite holiday activities? Do you cook or bake? Or do you make gifts? Share with us. [image error]
December 4, 2011
The Goliath Named Comcast
by Kate CollinsThink back to all those childhood fairy tales that had giantsin them. Were the giants ever good guys? "Hello, Comcast? I have a question about my statement,namely, why isn't it being sent to my home address. See, it used to go to myhusband's office, but I had to switch it a few months back, and obviouslysomeone on your end didn't change it in the system. Can you help me? You can? You'vetaken care of it already? How easy was that! Thank you, have a great day." Just kidding. Onlything real about that conversation is the problem. For the first time ever, I got a collection notice! ApparentlyI wasn't paying my bill, because apparentlyit wasn't coming to my home address because APPARENTLY, when I called a fewmonths ago to clear up the problem, they didn't fix it. So who paid a penalty?Me.So then I tried to correct the address problem. First Icalled Comcast's 800 number, then I sat through an endless selection of menuitems, laboriously inputted the account information, phone number, address,etc., and was finally redirected to what was promised as an agent who couldhelp me. Click. Dead. This happened three times on Monday and twice on Tuesday. Whenit happened again on Wednesday, I gave up, logged onto the 'net, and went tothe Comcast support site. First I tried the live chat help. Inputted the infoall over again and waited. The little spinner just kept on spinning….. for halfan hour. I tried again. Same thing. So I tried the link for email support. It tookme back to the live chat page.Talk about frustrating! I wanted to beat my head against awall. I couldn't reach a person on the phone and I couldn't even send anyone anemail. At that point, I was ready to cancel my Comcast subscription entirely.And then, suddenly, on the third try, the live chat went through and a verynice person named Marnella (at least I assume it was a person) asked the rightquestions, got my info, and fixed the problem. Fingers crossed.Comcast is a behemoth. It is simply too big to care aboutits individual customers. Had I selected the menu option to cancel my account,I have a feeling I would have reached a person immediately.
Maybe next time, I'll try that. And then I really willcancel, because I've had it.Have you had similar experiences with a Goliath in yourneighborhood? Slingshots, anyone?[image error]
December 3, 2011
The Painters Are Here! The Painters Are Here!
by Leann
We have lived in our current home for 21 years. In that time we have replaced many things--expensive things. Like air conditioning units and the roof. But as for the aesthetics? Only the wood floor my husband put down in the dining room was really just to make the indoors prettier. Probably because I am the only one who cares about "prettier." I did get some wallpaper border upstairs and in the utility room when I asked for them as "gifts." But until this week, we had the same old paint and the same old worn-out carpet.
After our visit to South Carolina, my husband finally decided all his friends were retired, so why wasn't he? He came home and went back to work thinking all the time, "I could be fishing right now." He called a painting contractor and now half the house is a beautiful, soothing, eggshell white. The rest will be done next week. They will also paint the bathroom vanity cabinets upstairs and down--something I've wanted to do for years. I went to Lowe's and the carpeting installer is coming Monday to measure. We have needed new carpet for six or seven years now. The thought of draining the water bed, however, has been the deterrent (excuse, maybe?) and I haven't been well enough to do something like that on my own. Saturday, the water bed was drained! (It took a whopping 4 hours. Now how hard was that?)
Will this be one of the best Christmases ever for me? You betcha. But the biggest reason isn't just all this fixing that needed to be done for years. The best reason is my two granddaughters will be here--not to mention my kids. They won't recognize the old place! (YAY!!!!) How about you? What are some of the best gifts you ever received?[image error]
We have lived in our current home for 21 years. In that time we have replaced many things--expensive things. Like air conditioning units and the roof. But as for the aesthetics? Only the wood floor my husband put down in the dining room was really just to make the indoors prettier. Probably because I am the only one who cares about "prettier." I did get some wallpaper border upstairs and in the utility room when I asked for them as "gifts." But until this week, we had the same old paint and the same old worn-out carpet.
After our visit to South Carolina, my husband finally decided all his friends were retired, so why wasn't he? He came home and went back to work thinking all the time, "I could be fishing right now." He called a painting contractor and now half the house is a beautiful, soothing, eggshell white. The rest will be done next week. They will also paint the bathroom vanity cabinets upstairs and down--something I've wanted to do for years. I went to Lowe's and the carpeting installer is coming Monday to measure. We have needed new carpet for six or seven years now. The thought of draining the water bed, however, has been the deterrent (excuse, maybe?) and I haven't been well enough to do something like that on my own. Saturday, the water bed was drained! (It took a whopping 4 hours. Now how hard was that?)
Will this be one of the best Christmases ever for me? You betcha. But the biggest reason isn't just all this fixing that needed to be done for years. The best reason is my two granddaughters will be here--not to mention my kids. They won't recognize the old place! (YAY!!!!) How about you? What are some of the best gifts you ever received?[image error]
December 2, 2011
Your Favorite Book For Christmas . . .
by Lorna Barrett / Lorraine Bartlett / L.L. Bartlett
When writing a mystery, it's best not to introduce too many coincidences in your storyline. It's just not plausible, right?
The other day, USA Today ran a story on authors and the favorite book they ever received for Christmas. The top picture was of author Chris Bohjalian holding up a copy of "The Joyous Season" by Patrick Dennis.
Holy coincidence, Batman--I'm reading that exact book now!
Mind you, this book was originally published in 1964. I first read it while in high school. I think I must have read that book about 40 times over the past 30 years (and 25 of them were during my four years in high school). Yet another comfort read. And yet I hadn't picked it up in at least 20 years. For some reason, I reached for it the other night. And then came the USA Today article.
Mr. Bohjalian received it as a Christmas git when he was in sixth grade. He described it as a "hilarious and underappreciated 1965 tale of one Manhattan family's near-implosion--and Mom and Dad's near-divorce--in the holiday season. It's narrated by the family's acerbic, insightful and precocious 10-year-old son, Kerry (which he tells us, 'is short for Kerrington, for cripes sakes'). Imagine Holden Caulfied with a sense of humor."
I will admit there are things that date it, but if you can overlook that (example: people who smoke all the time, which they did in 1964), it's still quite a funny book. And when it comes to discussing divorce, the situations portrayed are just as contemporary as they are today.
Other authors mentioned their favorite Christmas book gifts:
Janet Evanovich: The Black Stallion (she still has it)
Dean Koontz: The Wind in the Willows
James Patterson: Ulysses
Patricia Cornwell: How The Grinch Stole Christmas
I've received MANY books for Christmas and I reread a lot of them over and over again. But the one that stands out in my mind is a Merriam-Webster dictionary I received in 1971. I asked for it because when I'd watch Star Trek reruns, I didn't always know what they were talking about. When I heard a new word, I wrote it down and wanted to look it up.
I still have that dictionary (and many more by now), and it's still my favorite.
What favorite book did you receive for Christmas?
When writing a mystery, it's best not to introduce too many coincidences in your storyline. It's just not plausible, right?
The other day, USA Today ran a story on authors and the favorite book they ever received for Christmas. The top picture was of author Chris Bohjalian holding up a copy of "The Joyous Season" by Patrick Dennis.Holy coincidence, Batman--I'm reading that exact book now!
Mind you, this book was originally published in 1964. I first read it while in high school. I think I must have read that book about 40 times over the past 30 years (and 25 of them were during my four years in high school). Yet another comfort read. And yet I hadn't picked it up in at least 20 years. For some reason, I reached for it the other night. And then came the USA Today article.
Mr. Bohjalian received it as a Christmas git when he was in sixth grade. He described it as a "hilarious and underappreciated 1965 tale of one Manhattan family's near-implosion--and Mom and Dad's near-divorce--in the holiday season. It's narrated by the family's acerbic, insightful and precocious 10-year-old son, Kerry (which he tells us, 'is short for Kerrington, for cripes sakes'). Imagine Holden Caulfied with a sense of humor."
I will admit there are things that date it, but if you can overlook that (example: people who smoke all the time, which they did in 1964), it's still quite a funny book. And when it comes to discussing divorce, the situations portrayed are just as contemporary as they are today.
Other authors mentioned their favorite Christmas book gifts:Janet Evanovich: The Black Stallion (she still has it)
Dean Koontz: The Wind in the Willows
James Patterson: Ulysses
Patricia Cornwell: How The Grinch Stole Christmas
I've received MANY books for Christmas and I reread a lot of them over and over again. But the one that stands out in my mind is a Merriam-Webster dictionary I received in 1971. I asked for it because when I'd watch Star Trek reruns, I didn't always know what they were talking about. When I heard a new word, I wrote it down and wanted to look it up.
I still have that dictionary (and many more by now), and it's still my favorite.
What favorite book did you receive for Christmas?
Getting to Know Nina Quinn
by Heather Webber / Heather Blake
Years and years and years ago (it was a lot of years), I was in the middle of a contract for three historical romances when I had the idea for a mystery.
Back then, I had no idea how many genres of mystery there were—I'd never even heard the term "cozy mystery." All I knew was that I had a story to tell. About a woman who lived in a small Ohio town and solved crime. She was sassy and sarcastic and had a crazy family, crazier neighbors, and employees with rap sheets.
Nina Quinn was born.
From the time I wrote the first draft of what became A Hoe Lot of Trouble, Nina changed a bit (her career mostly), but her core stayed the same. She was still a strong, nosy, independent, fiercely loving and loyal woman.
I found an agent, and within a few weeks I had a contract for the series of cozy mysteries (who knew that's what I was writing?). There were five books (A Hoe Lot of Trouble, Trouble in Spades [which was nominated for an Agatha Award for best novel], Digging up Trouble, Trouble in Bloom, and Weeding out Trouble.) Round about the fourth book, word came that my publisher was discontinuing its cozy paperback line. I knew how hard it was to move a series to another publisher, so the decision was made to wrap up the series and move on. (This is where Lucy Valentine was born.)
However, I've missed Nina. Missed telling about all the trouble she gets into. Missed her nutty family. Missed her merry band of troublemakers. But now, thanks to the explosion of e-books, I've had the chance to bring her (and the whole colorful cast of characters) back.
Trouble under the Tree, the sixth book in the Nina series, hit cyber shelves this week (Amazon, BN.com, Smashwords), and I can't tell you how happy I am. I loved writing this book, and I hope that shows in the story. I'm so excited that Nina—and I—get another opportunity to share her adventures with all of you.
Is there a series that you'd really love to see make a comeback?
Years and years and years ago (it was a lot of years), I was in the middle of a contract for three historical romances when I had the idea for a mystery.
Back then, I had no idea how many genres of mystery there were—I'd never even heard the term "cozy mystery." All I knew was that I had a story to tell. About a woman who lived in a small Ohio town and solved crime. She was sassy and sarcastic and had a crazy family, crazier neighbors, and employees with rap sheets.
Nina Quinn was born.
From the time I wrote the first draft of what became A Hoe Lot of Trouble, Nina changed a bit (her career mostly), but her core stayed the same. She was still a strong, nosy, independent, fiercely loving and loyal woman.I found an agent, and within a few weeks I had a contract for the series of cozy mysteries (who knew that's what I was writing?). There were five books (A Hoe Lot of Trouble, Trouble in Spades [which was nominated for an Agatha Award for best novel], Digging up Trouble, Trouble in Bloom, and Weeding out Trouble.) Round about the fourth book, word came that my publisher was discontinuing its cozy paperback line. I knew how hard it was to move a series to another publisher, so the decision was made to wrap up the series and move on. (This is where Lucy Valentine was born.)
However, I've missed Nina. Missed telling about all the trouble she gets into. Missed her nutty family. Missed her merry band of troublemakers. But now, thanks to the explosion of e-books, I've had the chance to bring her (and the whole colorful cast of characters) back.
Trouble under the Tree, the sixth book in the Nina series, hit cyber shelves this week (Amazon, BN.com, Smashwords), and I can't tell you how happy I am. I loved writing this book, and I hope that shows in the story. I'm so excited that Nina—and I—get another opportunity to share her adventures with all of you.
Is there a series that you'd really love to see make a comeback?
November 30, 2011
by Lucy ArlingtonHOLIDAY GIFT! I have extra ARCs (Advance...
by Lucy ArlingtonHOLIDAY GIFT! I have extra ARCs (Advance Reading Copies) of Buried in a Book (to be released February 7th) and would like to offer them to you as a gift. If you'd like a copy and are willing to post a review on BN.com. Amazon.com, Goodreads, Facebook, or your own blog, send me an email at lucyarlington@gmail.com with your address. I will send a book to the first ten emails I receive.
December is my favorite month for baking. It is the one time that I have an excuse to make a huge selection of rich and delicious cookies that I wouldn't make at any other time of year. In fact, our Christmas cookie platter is a highlight of my family's December indulgences. What better choice of recipe to share with you this month than one of my favorite holiday cookies.
When I first made this Raspberry Pinwheel cookie about twenty-five years ago, my mother fell in love with it and subsequently looked forward to me bringing her a batch every year after. She died three years ago, and still, every time I roll out the dough for this cookie she's there in the kitchen with me.
This cookie is also my daughter's favorite among all the ones that I bake. Today, with this post, I honor the three generations of women who love the same cookie – to my mother from her daughter, and to my daughter from her mother.
Do you have a favorite holiday cookie?
Raspberry Pinwheels
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup raspberry jam
½ cup shredded coconut
¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
1. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir well to blend.
2. Cream butter, sugar, egg and vanilla together thoroughly.
3. Mix dry ingredients with creamed mixture.
4. Roll dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper to a 12 x 9-inch rectangle.
5. Combine jam, coconut and walnuts. Spread evenly over dough to within ½ inch of edges.
6. Roll up tightly, jellyroll fashion, starting from long side. Gently press edge to seal.
7. Wrap in waxed paper and chill overnight.
8. Cut into ¼-inch thick slices and place on greased baking sheets.
9. Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes or until golden.
Makes about 40 cookies.
November 29, 2011
5 Gift Ideas for Book Lovers
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
Cozy Chicks blog readers have a lot in common – we appreciate the simple things in
life, we love tales with a touch of romance, we don't want our murder mysteries too grizzly, and we're all busy. But we know the importance of making time for reading. It's in our blood. And we tend to gravitate toward other readers.
So for that book lover on your list, here are a few gift ideas.
Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Book Light - Pink
Book Lover's 2012 Calendar (Page a Day Calendar)
Hog Wild Peeramid Bookrest Pillow- Solid Gold
Book Lust to Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and Dreamers
My Bibliofile: A Reading Journal for Book Lovers
I can't offer you a review of any of these fun gifts, because they're all on my wishlist. My 'plot' is to direct certain family/friends to this post and hope they get a 'clue'.
What book related present is on your list?
Cozy Chicks blog readers have a lot in common – we appreciate the simple things inlife, we love tales with a touch of romance, we don't want our murder mysteries too grizzly, and we're all busy. But we know the importance of making time for reading. It's in our blood. And we tend to gravitate toward other readers. So for that book lover on your list, here are a few gift ideas.
Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Book Light - Pink
Book Lover's 2012 Calendar (Page a Day Calendar)
Hog Wild Peeramid Bookrest Pillow- Solid Gold
Book Lust to Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and Dreamers
My Bibliofile: A Reading Journal for Book Lovers
I can't offer you a review of any of these fun gifts, because they're all on my wishlist. My 'plot' is to direct certain family/friends to this post and hope they get a 'clue'.
What book related present is on your list?
November 28, 2011
Post Thanksgiving Shopping
by Maggie Sefton
I'm back from a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with three of my four daughters---a few short days of cooking and enjoying yummy holiday recipes, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade with HUGE floating balloon characters, and strolling about in New York City's fantastic upper 60s temps and sunshine. It was perfect weather. BTW. . .the huge Kermit the Frog was my favorite balloon character as he came leisurely floating by.
Since I had reserved my flights a scant three weeks before the holiday, I had to curtail my time in NYC in order to find an affordable flight. So, I returned home late Friday night. However, that afforded me the opportunity to participate in a new "holiday ritual" ----- Holiday gift shopping for family and friends the weekend following Turkey Day. In previous years, I've found VERY good discounts in all the stores and saved a bundle of money on the family items on my shopping list. And this year was no exception.
I'm shopping for all ages and both sexes and in all sorts of categories. Actually, I enjoy that kind of shopping because you don't get bored plus it's more of a challenge. I found great discounts on toddler clothes, Junior clothes for girls, sports items, dressy sweaters, guy's dress pants, earrings, kitchen items like Calphalon cookware, Bathroom towel sets, even a specific request for an alarm clock with large red numbers. (I found it at Bed Bath & Beyond). And, I found some specially decorated chocolates for my mother. She specifically requested chocolate. :)
Maybe I'm weird, but I actually enjoy shopping for the holidays----but I do it my
way. No getting up at the crack of dawn or staying up till midnight to attack a stores in the midst of a mob. Those videos of people stepping on each other are really scary. No, no. . .I head out in the mid-morning with my list in hand and hit one specifc store at a time. And I take coffee breaks and treat myself to one of those yummy holiday lattes, like the Pumpkin Spice Latte or the Peppermint Mocha. I've learned to make them "skinnier" so I don't feel so guilty.
I finished the weekend with almost all of the items on my list except a couple of gift cards and the items I need to order online. All in all, a very successful shopping excursion. And---I wasn't anywhere near a mob. Did any of you shop this past weekend? In the stores or online? Did you camp outside a store, waiting for a special item? Tell us.
I'm back from a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with three of my four daughters---a few short days of cooking and enjoying yummy holiday recipes, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade with HUGE floating balloon characters, and strolling about in New York City's fantastic upper 60s temps and sunshine. It was perfect weather. BTW. . .the huge Kermit the Frog was my favorite balloon character as he came leisurely floating by.Since I had reserved my flights a scant three weeks before the holiday, I had to curtail my time in NYC in order to find an affordable flight. So, I returned home late Friday night. However, that afforded me the opportunity to participate in a new "holiday ritual" ----- Holiday gift shopping for family and friends the weekend following Turkey Day. In previous years, I've found VERY good discounts in all the stores and saved a bundle of money on the family items on my shopping list. And this year was no exception.
I'm shopping for all ages and both sexes and in all sorts of categories. Actually, I enjoy that kind of shopping because you don't get bored plus it's more of a challenge. I found great discounts on toddler clothes, Junior clothes for girls, sports items, dressy sweaters, guy's dress pants, earrings, kitchen items like Calphalon cookware, Bathroom towel sets, even a specific request for an alarm clock with large red numbers. (I found it at Bed Bath & Beyond). And, I found some specially decorated chocolates for my mother. She specifically requested chocolate. :)
Maybe I'm weird, but I actually enjoy shopping for the holidays----but I do it my
way. No getting up at the crack of dawn or staying up till midnight to attack a stores in the midst of a mob. Those videos of people stepping on each other are really scary. No, no. . .I head out in the mid-morning with my list in hand and hit one specifc store at a time. And I take coffee breaks and treat myself to one of those yummy holiday lattes, like the Pumpkin Spice Latte or the Peppermint Mocha. I've learned to make them "skinnier" so I don't feel so guilty. I finished the weekend with almost all of the items on my list except a couple of gift cards and the items I need to order online. All in all, a very successful shopping excursion. And---I wasn't anywhere near a mob. Did any of you shop this past weekend? In the stores or online? Did you camp outside a store, waiting for a special item? Tell us.
November 27, 2011
Knocked for a Loop
by Kate CollinsI've been knocked for a loop with a respiratory virus, but luckily, I made it through my Thanksgiving Day dinner with the help of my family. Now I've just got to let this run it's course.
In the meantime, I hope you will help me by sharing a humorous or touching holiday story from this past weekend or any past Thanksgiving. I will look forward to reading them and smiling.
See you next Monday. Good health to you all.
