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

Gift Where

Needless to say shopping season is in high heat. Tired of department store sameness? This is where the burgs and villes we all drive through to get from route this to route that absolutely shine. The small stores. Call them "mom and pops"..."boutiques"..."shop(pes)", the off-the-beaten track gems of customer service and uncommon goods. Like The Back Porch. You really have to search for it as it is, literally, at the back of a group of stores (including my favorite pizzeria, Joe's) located in Martinsville on Washington Valley Road. During a recent stop-by I saw things like handblown glass pendants...best-selling Kobo candles in a variety of delightfully subtle scents..."Walligraphy" (clever wall art of words and phrases)...and a lot more beautifully displayed in this cozy setting, holiday and hostess gifts so distinctive you'll wish you were on the receiving end! Look for their signpost out on the street. The Back Porch fronts the block's very commodious parking lot.

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!