Re gifting

Once again thank you Wildsnowflake for writing, "You're right... "mom and pop stores" are the perfect place to get gifts that aren't at the bigbox places. Plus you actually get customer service, a rarity in mall stores. Other cute stores are Weeping Willow in Warren, Heidi's Cottage in Dunellen, and the Brass Lantern in Metuchen. I also love the downtowns of Somerville, Cranford and Red Bank. Used to like Westfield, but it's turned into another Bridgewater Commons!"

I am familiar with Weeping Willow but now of course will have to try the other places wsnowflake mentioned. These downtowns remind me of my childhood shopping streets, where every block had on its sidewalk either a riding pony or a gumball machine (for a penny...a penny!!)

"Please sir may I have some more"*

Happy New Year!

Some entries ago I made reference to More than Meals, a meals assembly service located in downtown Martinsville. Andy Potter wrote that "More than Meals is one of ~1500 of these 'meal assembly kitchens' across the country. If you are outside of NJ, you can search for similar kitchens in your area at www.mealassembly.net." Truly a godsend for people who can honestly claim "juggler" as their secondary occupation!

*take out that scratched up old LP (LP? what's that?!) of the cast recording of Oliver! and listen to the opening words