The Telltale Sign that Christmas is Coming

November 29, 2013 by still a dreamer

At my house, it’s the appearance of my favorite Dollar Store Christmas plates and German Christmas mugs. I find them so simple and festive that I can’t help but get in the holiday mood when having coffee or serving up something good to eat, like a slice of yesterday’s Thanksgiving apple pie. Yum.

How much better is a cozy moment with good food on some pretty dishes than being jostled endlessly while competing with swarms of shoppers on Black Friday? I leave the shopping marathons to others and content myself with oner tasks. It was rather unsettling, to say the least, to find that a number of stores out this way had decided to one-up their competitors who traditionally opened their doors at 4 a.m. Friday morning – by opening theirs at 7 or 8 p.m. ON Thanksgiving. People, people, is it really all about money?

So snuggle up with your loved ones, your yummy leftovers, a good book – whatever inspires you – and protest. That’s right – stay home and actually enjoy some holiday time. Spend a few moments in gratitude and leave the shopping olympics for someone else. Feels so much better, doesn’t it?

My apple pie cooling in anticipation of Thanksgiving.

Posted in food, Holidays, Home Stuff, Inspiration, Life, Reflections | Tagged Black Friday, Christmas, Christmas mug, Dollar Store Plate, Gratitude, Shopping, Thanksgiving | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on November 29, 2013 at 5:51 pm home, garden, life

I am totally with you Jeanne. Brown Thursday is just that…dirty retailing! Before we know it, there will be Green/Black Friday in July!
As I ran errands and pie delivery today, I was amazed to see clear roads and approachable stores in which to do routine weekly shopping. Yet I am confidant farther north, the giant malls were jammed. What is wrong with this country???

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- on November 29, 2013 at 6:04 pm still a dreamer
  
  It’s very disheartening to say the least. Happily, some of us still enjoy what are meant to be holidays.
  
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on December 3, 2013 at 4:36 am aleafinspringtime

I can’t think of a better way to spend the holidays – snuggle up, cosy down, a thick wedge of glorious apple pie and a good book! You nailed it Jeanne! That pie looks divine. I know you’ll be doing all right this season! Hugs, Sharon

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- on December 3, 2013 at 10:36 am still a dreamer
  
  Thanks, Sharon. How wonderful it would be if you were able to sit here and share it with me! I’ll send you a big slice through the ether .. enjoy! 🙂
  Jeanne
  
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on January 15, 2014 at 1:10 pm 47whitebuffalo

I would love a very large slice of your apple pie. Seriously. That looks damn good, Jeanne. May I ask how you’re preparing your pie’s apples?
As for the Money issue–it looks absolutely insane. Is this what mainstream culture is all about? If you watch the small screen during any holiday season it sure seems so. Adverstising is everywhere–I recall when it was barely anywhere on the internet–until the retailers realized that’s where more and more people where some free time.

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- on January 15, 2014 at 2:01 pm still a dreamer
  
  Thanks! That’s actually a vegan apple pie, too, and the first crust I made with Earth Balance (sticks) vs. butter. But I did make it a bit too thick, as you can see, using a different recipe – the ratio of “butter” to flour was off a bit. These were Granny Smith apples, pared, cored, sliced fairly thin and tossed with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Super simple.
  The commercialism of all holidays has just gotten disgusting, Christmas being the worst, and almost impossible to avoid. But I keep trying! 🙂
  
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