Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Late as usual

We're back from the States, and what a surreal experience American Thanksgiving is. I felt all disoriented, with Christmas decorations and turkey and whatnot, and it not even December. Never mind Black Friday, which we observed curiously...in sum, lots of people, long lineups, mediocre deals. Maybe I went to the wrong stores but I don't think 50% off is worth getting out of bed at whatever ungodly hour some of these people turned up. I was hoping for bins full of $15 iPods but they were nowhere to be found. I was also wondering whether I'd see someone get trampled to death, which is not unheard of on Black Friday, but on the whole the crowd seemed orderly enough. And people in Puyallup are very friendly - they chat to you in line-ups.

It was so great to see my family though, and to hang out with everybody for a few days. Much fun was had by all, and so was much beer and rich food. Plus, I got to meet another blogger, my brother's friend KingJaymz. He and his wife came from Portland for Thanksgiving and it turns out QueenJaymz is what is known as a Dark Horse - doesn't say much, except "ante up" and "high flush" and "Shannon, if you're out of chips you can have some of mine." My butt still hurts from the (metaphorical) spanking I got from her.



Thanks, everyone, for your comments on my last post and for pointing out that I missed a few holidays in my "holidays" definition - it was very WASP of me to leave them out. I will amend all my, um, "holiday" cards to read "Merry Chrismukkahkwanzaadanstice"*.


We got home last night, and I spent an hour putting together this Advent calendar I bought last year at Munro's. I had put it away and forgotten about it for a year, and even though it was a couple of days late I was compelled to see it completed. It's a little punch-out paper Weihnachtsmarkt where the numbered trees and buildings open so you can put treats inside. Excuse the blurry photo. It seemed fine while I was taking it...




And the hat and mitten Advent calendar would be finished except I lost a hat or two. They'll turn up as soon as I bind off their replacements, I know.




I finished the Cross-Country Chullo and will provide pictures once it is blocked. It was a fun little knit, didn't take long and turned out nicely.


Amy and Mark, I had a great time at your house. Thank you so much for your hospitality and, Amy, thanks for contributing two mittens to the cause.



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* "Chrismukkahkwanzaadanstice" - Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Solstice. I'm sure I'm still forgetting some.

8 comments:

Ames said...

I love the picture of the hats and mitts. That is a cool photo.

You are very welcome. I am glad you came.

Next visit: Lost Party.

Gwen said...

Oooh, if you find the original little hats, donate them to me. I'm going to try to make one for next year.

LOVE the Weinachtsmarkt calendar. You have such nice taste, and such lovely things! Well done.

Ames said...

Whoa! There for a second it almost sounded like Gwen said she was considering picking up the needles again.

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a good trip. I always find it odd when one of these interNorthAmerican differences crops up, since I think of us as being so similar. Nope. Two different countries after all.

Jodi said...

Your Advent calendar is going to be marvelous!

Yeah, Black Friday has its upsides and downsides. I was glad to pass on the deals this year.

Annalea said...

Thanksgiving seems surreal to me anymore, too. Time was, there was a period of real Fall festivities. Autumn-inspired decorations, turkeys and horns-of-plenty, the works. Now it's straight from Halloween to Christmas. Sigh.

I'm just the curmudgeon with all of the ruddy, rust, nut brown and golden yellows festooning my house while everyone else has black and orange. ;o)

I'm glad you had a nice time, and that you're home safe. Have a good weekend!

KingJaymz said...

Black Friday didn't have the punch that is has in past years, here (but, seriously, $15 iPods?). It may be the state of the economy, but, when you can get a new HDTV for 50%, it is a grand deal. It's usually at places like Shopko, K-Mart, and lower-class joints you find the amazing deals.

I'm a "One big deal" guy. If I need some big ticket item, I find the best deal, go out early and buy it, and then scurry home as quickly as possible. Affluenza expressed in any culture is sickening, and Black Friday is just that to me.

It was great to get to hang out with you guys. As similar as we are, we are so different, too. It's fun to find those differences out, peculiar or otherwise. You have a beautiful family, and a great husband.

Thanks again for the beer. That was really quite special to me.

Tabatha said...

I am with Ames, I love the photo of the hats and mitts.

In our little James Bay newspaper there was a banner that read "Have a Super Solstice". It made us giggle. I picture Solstice running around with a red cape.