Quickie-Blog

I don't have a lot to write about today, and I should be packing, but I figured I'd take a little break for some random thoughts.

Note to Business Owners:

Do not advertise on digital billboards. Worst invention ever created. I can't tell you how many times lately I have been interested in something on a billboard, only to have it change before I get a chance to read the whole damn thing. I sat at a red light and watched one of those digital billboards change about 8 times with totally different ads every time. I don't know how much it costs to advertise on one of them, but it's not worth it if you really want to get your info across to drivers. This is one of those times when technology is not that big of a deal.

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We had a great weekend - nay, I'd say it was epic, on par with last weekend, which was even better in a lot of ways. Last weekend the BF and I had a romantic, no-special-occasion-whatsoever (unless you count Halloween, and we don't) dinner at Ro' Chez. We are picky about where we go out to eat, but I had a feeling (based on a recommendation from K. and her man) that we would not be disappointed. It was divine. A 5-course meal, just-right portions and served with just enough time to savor each course. Chef Roache changes the menu every week, but it seems there is always a Cajun influence. Everything we ate was lovely - we even got lucky and had a bonus course at the beginning of the meal: walnut-encrusted goat cheese with pears, brie, a balsamic reduction and crouton. The chef told us he got the goat cheese from the farmer's market, and so I just had to go get some for myself this weekend. We were not disappointed. Ryal's Goat Cheese is based in Tylertown, and they have several varieties of goat cheese, including feta. I went with the basic chevre, though, because I'm a purist. I had it with some pears and dried fruit, and Oh. My. Goat. totally delicious. Please go support these people at the Farmer's Market on the fairgrounds. Even if you don't like goat cheese - go buy me some. I love that our farmer's market is finally growing (thanks in part to the recent merge with the Belhaven Market) - I hope one day it will be as big and awesome as the one I went to in Portland.

I'm getting mentally geared up for my big move. I have cleared out a lot of junk, gotten old clothes together for Goodwill, and packed a box or two. But I think next weekend will mark the beginning of the Big Packing Ordeal. I am literally counting the days until I am out of here (22!) - especially after having to call the cops on my neighbors last night for fighting and generally disturbing the peace. I went for a walk/run in Belhaven this afternoon with my friend A., and let me tell you, it was so peaceful. I am so looking forward to this next chapter in my life!

And that's about it. I need to go be productive with the next couple of hours (What is up with it getting dark so early, yet it's so warm? Totally messing me up.) I will be driving right into the hurricane this week it seems, but hopefully I'll be back to blog another day next week.

Local Honey

So I took the JFP's challenge to spend at least $100 this Christmas shopping season. That very shirt up there you can get from my good buddy Darren Schwindamann at this site. There are so many cool gifts just waiting to be snatched up around this city, you really don't have to go to the mall! The people are so much more willing to help you and glad to see you in the locally owned shops.

I went over the $100 limit I am sure, and here are some of the great things I came away with:

I got this book for my niece, she can learn her colors from Van Gogh and Matisse!

Some Audubon notecards for xBF's mom, she owns several Audubon prints and is a big fan.

I had to get this magnet for myself. It's from William Dunlap's exhibit about what dogs dream, and that dog reminds me of Sally for some reason.

I got all of the above (plus a couple of things I can't show right now in case the recipients see this!) at the Mississippi Museum of Art gift shop. It's my new favorite store in town.

From there, I wandered over to Rainbow Co-op, where I grabbed some Vegan-ase to use in the crab dip I'm making for a party tomorrow where a friend of mine is allergic to eggs. Then I went over to Brent's drug store, where I found a lot of really cute Christmas decorations, but I don't even have room for a tree this year and I am picky about getting ornaments for other people, so I just window-shopped there.

I had to have lunch, so I got a chicken salad sandwich at Broad Street, and while I was in Banner Hall I went upstairs to Lemuria Books. I love love love Lemuria, but it is a bit overwhelming when you walk in because it is SO full of books. Thankfully the staff are so very friendly and helpful. I found these two books for my mom and dad:

The one on the left is for my dad, because he has gotten into gardening and being "green." The one on the right is for my mom who loves to read. It's a collection of stories about growing up here and is illustrated by Wyatt Waters (and this copy is signed by him too!)

Overall I spent about $150 today. But I'd say about 90% of my Christmas shopping is done! And I feel really good about what I found and the fact that my money went right back into the local economy. I am going to try really hard to buy the rest of my gifts locally as well. I challenge y'all to do the same, even if you don't live here, buy local wherever you are!