It's here!

My favorite day of the year! Tonight I drove around the 'hood around 8pm. Already a line that went beyond the corner of Best Buy. Straight across Circuit City. Six people camped out in front of Staples. Staples! Yes folks, Black Friday 2007 Has Begun! And now to bed go I, in order to wake up at an ungodly hour and join my fellow shopaholics who love a bargain especially when it's one for which they've waited nine hours in pitch darkness. Happy shopping and see you on one line or the other!

Dutch Treat

One of my favorite shopping destinations is the Pennsylvania Dutch Country Farmers Market in Flemington. When I announce to the family that I am going there they know that we will be eating very very well on my return. There's a variety of dedicated permanent stalls within the space including cheeses, candies and nuts, seafood, baked goods, produce, arts & crafts, handcrafted furniture, a butcher (we love their broasted chicken with sides of whipped sweet potato, creamed spinach and scalloped apple dessert) and a snacks concession where you buy freshly-made pretzels that put the commercial ones to shame (and in spring-summer they sell delicious spearminty meadow tea). Normally open just Thursday thru Saturday, there are special Thanksgiving week hours: Tuesday 10-5, Wednesday 9-6, Friday 9-7 and Saturday 8-3. The Market is located at 19 Commerce Street just behind the Shop-Rite on Route 202.And did I mention those pretzels?!

Meow

Just got word that the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter has a lot of cats and kittens waiting for homes. If you're looking for a new best friend, be it feline or canine (they also have a variety of extremely nice dogs, from purebreeds to Heinz varieties!), stop in at the Shelter, located at 100 Commons Way in Bridgewater (just up the road from Bridgewater Commons Mall). Open Tuesday thru Saturday (closed Sundays and Mondays); phone is 908-725-0308 and at SRAS.mail@verizon.net

Brrrrrrrr

For prices that are really cool...the new Five Below store just opened up at the Somerville Circle shopping center on 202 in Raritan (same block of stores as Petco, Staples and Panera). Reminds me of the old 69 Cent Shop (boy am I dating myself!) where nothing was priced higher than 69 cents. In this case, every item is priced Five Below (get it?!) I couldn't resist a pair of black ballet flats for that amount (also came in pink and olive). Quel bargain!

Knit Wit

Few sounds are so instantly soothing as the click-click of knitting needles. Frankly, the only problem I ever found was that many knitting stores have an air of, shall we say not the friendliest atmosphere and leave it at that? Well, found the exception and wouldn't you know it is on the street I raved about some time back?! 41 South Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge is home to Down Cellar. You won't find attitude here but you will find a slew of distinctive yarns, notions and accessories cozily displayed among cupboards and vintage treasures. The perfect rainy day store! Classes and workshops in all fiber arts (what better time than winter for learning a craft like knitting, crocheting, rug hooking and the like?) Friendly approachable staff, great step by step support for novices and longtime knitters alike. Time to finish that sweater you started 12 years ago!