While I don't start decking the halls till Thanksgiving, my official start to the holiday season is the annual Northville greens market, which I always attend with my friend, Jan, like THIS LAST VISIT in 2019.)
We missed it last year for Covid reasons, but this year we ventured out to do our traditional day -- the market, shopping at our favorite store (Gardenviews), lunch at a favorite restaurant and then a stop at Trader Joe's!
And everything was different. It neither better nor worse. Just different.
Rather than being held in the cute little town square, as it has been for as long as we've attended, the market moved to a large lot on the edge of town. And rather than being simply greens, you could also get cookies or breads or lots of apples. Not bad. But not the same.
I loved the wreaths and soon you'll see the one I bought on my front door. I got a plain one, which I'll dress up with pine cones and berries.
The booth it came from also had these cute little reindeer pots. I didn't get one -- but I would have liked to!
Then it was off to Gardenviews. Gardenviews was more or less the same -- an absolutely gorgeous store that does Christmas well.
But for whatever reason, it felt different this year. I suppose it's because I usually find so many things I want, it's difficult to control myself.
I'll admit, I did have a little trouble leaving one of these fellows behind. But they were a bit pricey and the last thing I need is another Christmas thing!
While I did buy one little gift, and saw some charming things, I left feeling a bit deflated.
You know that feeling, don't you? It's wonderful. But it just isn't you? Well, it just wasn't me.
I didn't take any photos from lunch but when we went to Guernsey, our favorite restaurant, for their fabulous broasted chicken, we were in for a big shock. Not only had they expanded, but it had gone from an almost diner-like place to a more upscale grill with a full bar, new booths (and not as many, I think) and very bright colors. And broasted chicken was NOT on the menu anymore. Nothing was bad. It was just different. (And kudos to any restaurant that could actually expand after nearly two years of Covid challenges!)
At least Trader Joe's was comfortably the same!
All that said, we had a wonderful time, doing something we truly enjoy -- a tradition for many years. That was followed by a delicious dinner at Mark and Jan's, accompanied by wonderful conversation.
Good friends, good shopping, a good day.
Even if part of it was different. But then, maybe I'm different too -- not buying just to buy something or because it was just so cute. Maybe it's just change.
(And speaking of change, I heard on the news today that after the first of the year, Dollar Tree is raising prices to everything is $1.25. Which is still a ridiculously good deal. But a far higher percentage uptick than our temporary inflation rates.)
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52 comments:
I know just how you feel 'that deflated feeling' I think it's because buying things that are perfect and made for us takes all the pleasure and creativity away from us. I get so much more pleasure from finding a vintage bauble in a charity shop or decorating my own wreath than I ever can buying the perfect specimen in a shop and I think that's what you are finding too - sometimes your own effort can even turn out better (and nobody else has one like it, either!). Happy Thanksgiving.
I love that red Christmas tree!!! Wow! That red just strikes you between the eyes, doesn't it?
It sounds like some of the charm is gone from the market and the restaurant. I think I am different now too, a year of not doing anything has made me reevaluate how much stuff I need in my life. On Dollar Tree, they have been at just $1 for 30 years, and have stopped carrying things because of price increases from the supplier. A quarter is an easy increment albeit a high percentage for one increase, but understandable given the circumstances. I hope it will stay there for another 30 years.
Your photos spark joy. Have fun decking the halls.
I am glad you got to go do your traditional shopping and lunch day. I am sorry you felt it was different. I love the Mark Roberts Christmas Fairy with the packages on his head. I think I have that one!
After two long years of Covid, I appreciate being free to get out again in the world, and I bet you do, too! What a lovely time you had.
I love that tree idea with the bows. I think I'll do ours that way for a change.
I noticed most of our Dollar Stores now carry Merch that is far more than a Dollar, but still a bargain... tho' they still carry their 99 cent Merch too. They seem to know we'll not enter and just spend a mere Dollar, Right? *LOL* Glad you got out and experienced some Christmas Enchantment at the Shops. Things are very different now and after almost 2 Years of Lockdown due to the Pandemic, perhaps we all are now too. Hope your Thanksgiving was Memorable in all the best of ways. Now that Thanksgiving is a Wrap I can now get into a Christmas Spirit.
Wonderful decorations, I know how you love Christmas and really fill the halls! Have fun, have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie
Jeanie, that shop is calling my name. I would love to browse in there. I am noticing all the Christmas goodies, and I love that red peppermint tree. Trader Joe's is such a good place to shop for the holidays. I really miss having one close by. It sounds like you had a fun time with a friend shopping and having lunch together. I know what you mean about trying to control yourself while shopping. There are so many cute things, but then I ask myself, do I really want it? I'm pretty picky these days as to what comes home with me. Those gingerbread houses are so delightful. I'm glad you got a wreath, and would love to see it when decorated. : )
~Sheri
*I know how much you like the felties. Did you bring one home?
I don't like change. My friend and I went to our favourite garden centre last week. I didn't inted to buy anthing but I bought some plants!
P.S. I Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.
When Kate was young, we went all out for Christmas (and every holiday). Downsizing my snow globe collection, my Village and most of my ornaments (Mr. Ralph took the wrong box to Goodwill ... so my favorites are now just memories)
Now we barely have a square inch of space and the kidults do it all! I just get to enjoy!
I think I reached the same point a while back, of finding that the cute things in shopping Meccas just don't make me want to buy them. And the time in lockdown made me even less so.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
You'll be busy for a few weeks.
Jeanie, even if things didn’t feel the same, you were out and about with a friend, and kept a tradition alive. I wish I had a Trader Joe’s without having to drive 60 miles to the nearest one. Enjoy your weekend!
So glad you were able to venture out this year. Such lovely things to purchase. Janice
The past several years have been incredibly hard, and we have all been changed as a result. Although the normal we remember may be gone, every gesture we make toward re-establishing connection is a step toward creating a new, healthy, happy normal. So glad you were able to get to the market, so glad you were able to spend time with friends... keep taking those baby steps!
Things are different, indeed. We are also different when it comes to buying things. Age, Covid, Climate Change, Terrorism, tell us we have to reduce and minimize, so that we can take better care of ourselves.
Hi Jeanie, I noted that one of your photos has the word "Believe" in big, block letters. It's interesting to me because I've seen that word at least 3 times in the last day. I'm now wondering is there a message for me, lol. My word for the year was 'completion'. At least that's how I remember it and I've been beavering away this year trying to complete so many things. I'm glad you had an outing with a friend and were able to dine and visit and carry on your Christmas tradition. I think the last 2 years have many people accustomed to not buying so many things but it is still nice to see some cheery Christmas decor. Enjoy the decorating coming up. xx
Wonderful decorations...sets the mood for the season!
Many things are different this year. It's incredible how much our lives changed due to covid. As you say, it's neither good nor bad, just different.
Hello Jeanie,
I am glad you had a day out with your friend. After the last year or so just meeting up with friends and family feels good. Your little guy is a cute ornament. I have cut back decorating and buying decorations. We have a few restaurants here that serve the delicious broasted chicken. I am sorry to hear about the changes. Take care, enjoy your weekend!
I hate change when it’s something I love unless it knocks my socks off!
Jeanie, I think we are all a little different after Covid, anxiously wanting to feel that Christmas feeling we get. Your day sounds lovely, going out with a friend for a day of shopping and lunch. The greens market sounds like it was so much fun when held at the town square, a big parking lot and it's just not the same. The shop looks like a fun place to get lost in a Christmas fantasy. I went to one of my favorites shops last week. Beautiful but just felt different. Here's hoping we'll find that special holiday spirit again........
I can also appreciate the fact you got to shop with your friend, but weren't tempted by the items you really didn't need. Being in lockdown for so long has made me realize I don't NEED anything except groceries and necessities. I DID like the Noel and the red tree, but would never buy either. I applaud your constraint, dear Jeanie.
I forgot to mention that my friend Sharon told me at least a month ago that Dollar Tree was raising their prices, but had no idea to what and when. Thanks for letting me know,
Things change, that's life and for sure after Covid, so many things have changed...at least you got to do your traditional day with your friend and do fun things like eating, talking and shopping!
Jenna
Jeanie, I so often wonder, "Why do things change?" Now, that remark shows my age for certain. However, you enjoyed your day and that made it great.
Wishing you and Rick the best holiday season!
I haven't seen broasted chicken on a menu in so long. I used to love it and had a place similar to yours that it was always their special. Thanks for the good memory.
Love all your photos. Put me in the mood to thing Christmas decor.
Oh, my goodness. Broasted chicken. It doesn't exist down here, but in Iowa it was really the thing. Sometimes we'd get so hungry for it Dad would tell Mom not to cook -- we were going up to the Cardinal Cafe for broasted chicken. I miss that, Maid-Rites, and deep fried pork tenderloin sandwiches.
With no discretionary income, I'd not have had much fun on your little trip, but no matter -- I have everything I need for making the season bright, which I'll do one of these days. Tomorrow's the first day of Advent! I can hardly believe it.
I am not quite sure what "broasted" means but it sounds delicious. You have had a busy time, Jeanie, running around getting ready for the festivities about to come. I think it's always a bit of a letdown when a place changes, and is no longer what we have known and loved, but I am sure the business owners did it for the best reasons for their success. I wish them well!
So much has changed in the last two years! How can it be dollar tree if things cost a dollar and a quarter! I look forward to seeing your wreath and other holiday decorations.
I would be so temted to make anagrams out of "believe" and "Noel". I am a bad Christmas elf. Anyway, good for you- getting out there in the world to see what there is to see, It is so icky here I will not go into town at all!
I think it's inevitable that things have changed this past year or so ...
So pleased you were able to get out and about though, and I enjoyed seeing your photographs.
I wrote a few more Christmas Cards today and I have bought some presents, so I have made a start to the season.
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
I'm glad you had a great day, despite things being different. I think it's a combination of them changing things and you changing, but either way I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy that sense of familiarity, even if you did enjoy the day itself.
Lovely. Christmas decor. I went shopping shopping and found most stores were totally disorganized. I did hear about the dollar store raising their prices. Broasted chicken is a favorite hard to find.
I think living with pandemic for so long we have either inflated our memories of pre-pandemic or people have taken the opportunity to change things when they were closed down or less busy. The world isn't the same, is it? Not bad, but different. And we are different too. It's hard to go back to what it was even if you want to. I'm glad at least Trader Joe's was the same. I went there last week and spent too much money. But it was fun. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Hugs-Erika
A nice day spent with friends is always good for the soul! I know that feeling of being disappointed when things are not how you envision it or remember it. I think we are so tired of everything having to 'change' because of what we've been through the last couple of years, and when you are looking forward to something and it just isn't the same, you can't help but feel let down. The Christmas decorations in the shop are wonderful. Love the gingerbread houses. I have to be selective in what I bring home now, too. The house is stuffed full! haha! Hope the rest of your weekend is relaxing. x K
Oh, I love the red Christmas tree!
Yes, times sure have changed a lot - great you could go back a bit to a new normalty and had a good day! :-)
I love all your decorations. They are so beautiful.
Traditions are wonderful aren't they? I'm glad you have a bud to share such a fun tradition with.
I love Trader Joe's. Have you ever picked up their bath bombs? A definite thumbs up. Along with their pumpkin waffle mix:)
Take special care.
Oh wow! I love the Christmas tree and the decorative items are just amazing!
Wonderful and Lovely Post dear! xoxo
Allurerage
Thetrendybride
Sometimes we want-- need -- certain things to stay the same, especially when we're looking forward to getting back to things we used to do before Covid. And, oh yes, I do know that feeling well, about looking forward to finding treasures in a favorite store, but not finding anything. But, glad the most important thing of all didn't change - having a great day with a friend, doing what you love!
Jeanie,
Glad that you got out and about a bit... Yes, lots of things are different but I think a lot of the changes are for the good...More open space, moved to not so congested areas...A lot of restaurants have taken their chicken dishes off their menu's because of the shortage...Some just state that and it is the reason for the price increase. But as our son Joey says, if I have to pay more for what I want then so be it...I had to chuckle when you mentioned feeling deflated because the things in the shop was not you...I have felt that way since the early 90's because my Victorian style went out of style around that time...But I will not change it because i love it...Thanks so much for stopping by!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Life is all about change, but when you are away for a while, it can be jarring to see changes in everything. Still it sounds like a fun day. Love real greenery.
A good day with a good friend is always welcome! I know you're busy decorating, Jeanie. I must get my puny effort in gear.
Sounds like a good outing even though so much has changed. I'm happy for businesses that were able to expand. Dollar Tree raised prices, rewarded their CEO, and left their in-store workers at minimum wage -or so I've heard. Them that has gets :(
I hadn't heard that about the Dollar Store.
It is different somehow. I am wondering if it is because we haven't been out shopping much for so long that we realize we sometimes can get along without some things. Those Santas would definitely be tempting.
It is hard when things we are used to change. Add in the changes we have gone through and it can leave you with a deflated feeling. I feel like the shine has worn off of alot of things for many of us. Probably because the last nearly 2 years has really worn us down :(
I really need to get some greenery! Maybe I will try Eastern Market this weekend, if I am feeling brave.
It sounds like you had a good day out, even though things had changed. I think we are all finding that these days. That even returning to "normal" is not the same as it was. In a way, we are all starting over!
Jeanie, I know those feelings so well. Sometimes I wonder when it happens to me is it the place that has changed or is it just me? It is not a contented feeling and I guess I am just not a person of change. So much is different now and there is still much that we can't do the same as before. I really wonder if that will ever go back? As with everything though, the human spirit can come out on top, so we just have to try and have faith. I really wanted to congratulate you on your feature at Love Your Creativity but as usual you make me think about things and that is a good thing..Happy Holidays and I look forward to seeing that beautiful wreath on your door..xxoJudy
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