Last night, as the results of the election became a reality, Jeff, my mom and I sat in utter silence. Each of us did our own thing on our laptops with FOX news on in the background. Not a one of us really had much to say.
That somber mood continued through to this morning when we opted not to watch the news. No sense in pouring salt into the wound. For anybody who might wonder, that is also why I closed comments on last night’s post; I was too depressed to deal with any gloating.
The sun came up this morning, though, to another beautiful day in Southern Arizona. I’ve spent the day trying to pull myself from a post-election funk. And I figured that I’d pull out a post that will surely help lift my spirits.
It’s my Christmas favorite things list!
Yes, I too am annoyed with the Christmas trees that have popped up in the aisles of my grocery store. And the holiday-tune infused QVC commercials that aired today while we were watching GAC (avoiding the news remember?).
But….
I don’t know about you. Maybe I’m only speaking for myself when I say that I’m in holiday shopping mode. There really is no time like the present, though, to give you all some great ideas that will surely help stuff those stockings and fill the space underneath that hopefully-yet-to-be-chopped-down tree.
So without further ado:
Technically, this is an Envirosax reusable sack {38.00 for a set of 5}. But if you ask me, it’s more like a fashion statement. Now, personally, I use boring old black canvas bags with the grocery store logo splayed across the front of them. But if I had these, I’d feel like the Posh spice of eco-friendliness each time I whipped them out for use. They come in a variety of bold designs but this is my personal fave.
You’re going to both love and hate me for this. You’re welcome and I’m sorry. These are melt-in-your-mouth southern pecan pralines [starting at $26} that come straight from an honest to goodness old-fashioned candy kitchen in Savannah. I’ve been there myself and I can assure you that if you are a fan of pecans, or pralines, or really any form of sweet, buttery goodness you will, undoubtedly, fall in love with these. There isn’t a single thing about them that can be considered good for you, but the folks in Savannah love them and considering what a happy, charming bunch of folk they are how could they possibly be bad?
This is the Beautiful Faces calendar {$15}. It’s a must-buy for me year after year. It’s filled with truly beautiful images of children and teens who have Down syndrome. It makes a lovely gift for anyone and everyone who has been touched by someone with Down syndrome.
Aren’t these charming? I think so. These dish towels {$18} feature hand-embroidered detail. Order whichever of the fifty states you hold most near and dear to your heart. I loved them so much when I first saw them that I bought one for both my grandmother and Jeff’s grandmother for Mother’s Day.
This is the coolest thing since the photo book. It comes from Flip Clips {starting at $9}. It’s a way higher speed version of those little flip books our needle-nosed art teachers forced us to make while they sipped away at a cup of coffee and did a little flipping of their own (through the pages of a geeky romance novel no doubt). Oh, didn’t you have an art teacher like that? No? My bad. Anyway, what a perfect gift this makes for a geographically removed grandparent who misses out on the fun day-to-day experiences of a little one. The latest Karate achievement? A hip-hop version of the Macarena? You name it, Flip Clips can put it into action. Just upload a 15 second digital clip and they’ll turn it into a book. How cute is that?
See there? I feel better already.
I’m going to hold off on the remainder of my list for now. But don’t worry. I have plenty more suggestions where these came from.
Happy shopping.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
i love those bags, i just started using the reusable grocery store kind-i’m sort of slow like that.
i might sort of hate you for the southern pecan pralines and here is a cute little story you should read, http://lacasadeturley.blogspot.com/2008/11/sweetness.html.
I agree about the Christmas stuff too, i went in search of a Thanksgiving tablecloth…apparently retail stores no longer participate in Thanksgiving.
I don’t even like pecans, and I still think those pralines look divine.
And those dish towels…I love them! My Grandma would go crazy over them.
Have you tried Savannah Candy Kitchen’s praline bear claws??? Absolutely delicious!! Thank you for the reminder!!
Glad you’re out of your funk pretty much.
I’m trying to keep myself in check this Christmas season, and with posts like this, it makes it hard to calm down. I get WAY excited when the idea of Christmas shopping enters my mind. :) It’s like I have a legitimate reason to shop or something.
I love the little flip book! Thanks for the suggestions.
I got those Envirosax last year for Christmas (at my request) and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. They come in a little pouch and you can fit all 5 of them in your purse.
Mmmmmm…pralines from the Candy Kitchen. Superb. And I’m one of those “happy, charming bunch of folk” from Savannah, so your readers can take my word for it. =)
Love the list….I, too, use the grocery store logo bags, but those are so trendy and stylish…I’ll also have to check out that calendar. My mom taught children with Down Syndrome for over 15 years. She has always said they have the sweetest souls! Thanks for the ideas.
Hi, Darcie
And thanks for providing a place to come to where I don’t see WOOOO HOOOO in the comments section re: the election. I’m amazed you had people gloating at you about it. I tried politely posting one doubtful comment on a victory-celebration blog, but it was just ignored by other commenters essentially on a crack high.
I share all your misgivings. I like to think that future historians will say the nation proved strong enough and productive enough to shake off the effects of having succumbed to this little, little man. (I live in his backyard and I can tell you, having watched his first victory speech after winning the Senate four years ago, and then watching him Tuesday night, it was the same speech. It always ends up being about an old woman who lived to see the end of racism. Watch his inaugural address and see if she shows up again.)
In the meantime, yes, we now have in my opinion the first anti-American American president. Let’s hope his believers figure this out. I should think the arrival of their first tax bills should help clarify matters.
And … WOOO HOOOO! love the pecan cookies!
Hello Darcie!
Missed you in Dallas Girl.
I am with ya. I get it. I feel your pain.
It took me a little over 36 hours to get my voice back.
Trust in Him. I believe we are like the Jews under the rule of Pharoah. And what came of that situation? Only God’s glory, that’ what.
We will keep each other lifted up. You are not alone in your thoughts and mistrust. We are 56, 286,386 strong…
Ooooh, fun! I love reading your suggestions! Keep ‘em coming!
As Lincoln said …: “We are not enemies, but friends… though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.”
“…while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: yes, we can…”
Darcie,
I have felt the same way you felt. I can’t seem to shake it and it’s been almost a week.
I loved the post below this one as well. Great thoughts and words.
And what better way to make a woman happy but by shopping! Great finds!
And the Llama post! Too funny!
I hear ya on the whole election coverage thing! Maybe I should have scheduled a nice root canal for that time instead – it would have been much more pleasant.