Christmas Green & Red (food and Black Friday memory)

Posted on by Prior...

JNW’s color this week is PINE, and I so I thought I would share some green with a holiday feel.

hodge podge xmas ornaments
A few ornaments.

 

Part 1: Green food photos:

spirulinna
This is Spirulina from Hawaii. For a short while I was adding it to a morning smoothie, but because it tastes like “feet” – I just can’t seem to enjoy this nutrient dense, green vitamin rich supplement. spirulina

 

 

brussel sprouts
These brussel sprouts, with a nice green, are from Trader Joe’s (for pennies) -they reminded me of the holiday stalk of sprouts in a vase over at Likeitiz – mmm.Screen Shot 2014-12-05 at 5.30.02 PM

 

burger at burger bach
In the evening on Black Friday, we took my older son, and his lady friend, to Burger Bach.  The green side salads were just as fresh as last time – and we had the same waitress as on our last visit (Blake)-  but no video was made. The background photo behind the chili burger is a scarf my step-daughter gave me for Christmas 8 years ago (when she and her mom had a small business selling their homemade scarves).
c and j at burger bach
It is pretty cool to double-date with your son – so I am linking this to Kan’s week 19 Joy is…
kerrygold butter
We tried this Kerrygold butter last week – we thought it tasted “okay” but we will stick to our regular butter. kerrygold butter 2
red and green post - priorhouse seaweed 1
I love snacking on GREEN seaweed crisps.  The texture made me think of Narami’s shell post this week – HEREred and green post - priorhouse seaweed 2

 

Part 2

Black Friday Memory 

TC Conner tagged me for “holiday touring” (HERE) -So to answer his questions about Groundhog day, first, we do not do anything on that holiday and second, we have never had groundhogs in the garden (thankfully).

To answer his third question:  If you could live one day over and over again, what day would you choose, and why?

Well TC, after thinking about that question, I came up with a handful of days – It was fun to think about (and I also recalled some days I would never ever want to live over again).

Anyhow, the day I would not mind living over again would be this fun “Black Friday” shopping day with my mom and my sis back in 2000. (Side note, I hate shopping on Black Friday, because as much as I like a good deal – it is not worth it to fight such crowds.)

We had just moved to the east coast and so venturing out to spend all day shopping with my mom and lil’ sis was more about together time. So with our small clutches and comfy shoes, we met at the crack of dawn to “do this thing.”  We bought gift sets and clothes (notice the red vests in photo below) and my sister crossed off a big ol’ list of things to get.  Some stores gave out a gift as we entered, and one store gave out chocolate bars (not bad quality either) with coupons inside the wrappers – and two of ours had 50% off any item. There was an excitement and buzz in the air that seemed pleasant and fun. We went to the mall, hit up a warehouse store, and snacked along the way. I still have some things I bought that day – like the wooden blocks that make a marble run, and a porcelain soap dish that came in a gift pack.

We ended the day with dinner out together while chit chatting about this and that.  I then drove home with my goodies and they headed back to their town to unload there. Falling in the door that night  – the hubs and boys were fast asleep – and in hindsight I see that it was one of those days I would gladly live again.  

boys at xmas
My boys wearing some fun holiday outfits I bought for them on a Black Friday sale. The little girl is our friend, Shannon, from San Jose.

 

When my youngest son asked to go Black Friday shopping this year, we took him to a few stores mid-morning, but there was not much going on!  I think it is because nowadays Black Friday shopping starts the night before – or at 3 a.m. -and so there was a lackluster feel with no fun buzz. My son did buy his girlfriend a heart necklace (and we found two books for my step-daughter), but we quickly headed back home to enjoy turkey leftovers. It was nothing like the Black Friday in 2000 with my mom and my sis…

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xmas pics on the piano 2
Paula’s theme this week is “young” and as this post winds down, I wanted to share our Christmas picture from 2000 (left). It is nothing fancy, but I chose that October snapshot with seaweed on the shoreline because it was exactly what life felt like that year –  the raw beach (after landlocked CO) my nieces (who I had missed so much), and my very young boys (in their momma’s arms).

 

If you have some time to check out a few other Black Friday reads, Sherri Matthews mentioned the ubiquitous cheap televisions that people stampede to buy (HERE- http://sherrimatthewsblog.com/2014/12/01/a-merciful-interview-bite-size-memoir/), Sir Spaniard CP wrote a cool little poem about Black Friday (HERE), and Jill Carattini wrote a faith based post about “Enough” (HERE).

 

Lastly, it is not a Black Friday special, but doggie owners might want to peek at Terrierman’s post about Home Depot’s current “deal of the week” on dog food (HERE).

~~~

Thanks for reading/skimming –  have a great day. 🙂

67 thoughts on “Christmas Green & Red (food and Black Friday memory)”

    1. oh that is cool – and you may have liked mine even more because I had uncured bacon on the one I picked that night – and I said I would not eat pork, but this seemed a bit on the healthy chemical free side… ha!~

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      2. exactly…. ha!

        oh… and here is a shot with the uncured bacon on top (I mean – just because you have me drooling now too – thanks a lot!)

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  2. I like these green food, Yvette 🙂 Brussel sprouts look pretty, great bread! You’re right Black Friday is not like 2000, online shopping probably made some impact. Happy weekend. 🙂

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    1. Amy – I think you are so right about the online shopping that is done. Also, a few stores had black friday deals that “ran all weekend” and so maybe that was it. Have a nice night Amy

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  3. Love this post! Great textures captured, but even greater stories! I particularly loved the bit about the double date with your son, so lovely 🙂 And all the FOOD, yum! (Except for the bit about feet. And the seaweed. I haven’t made peace with seaweeds just yet, though I’m open to working on it.)

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    1. Thanks Narami – and the double date was not planned – they were on that side of town (saw a movie) and we wanted something besides turkey…. and regarding the seaweeds – the crispy sheets from trader Joe’s are amazing -not like feet (lol) and I think you would like that typeof seaweed snack… 🙂 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Eeek the first two green food made me lose my appetite. 😊 oh well, I like the So What attitude answer on healthy eating elitist questions. 😀 The “taste like feet” reminds me of a Thanksgiving FRIENDS episode.

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    1. Sorry if you lost your appetite amigo – and I am not that familiar with friends, but in the 90’s I knew some people that had some of the lines from episodes memorized. And seriously, I can enjoy a lot of healthy foods, but that is one thing I can’t enjoy….and thanks for dropping by Rommel …

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  5. That bacon burger looks deelish! I could eat one right now!

    I’ve heard news reports about Black Friday starting to be less popular these days, some say it might not happen next year. I do most of my shopping online, I’d guess cyber Monday might replace Black Friday.

    I wish groundhogs would stay out of my garden! You’re lucky!

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    1. well cyber Monday was pretty cool – and I ordered some online vitamins and got a great deal off – so woo hop (but no spirulina).
      Also, have you hear do giving Tuesday – well I guess after the shop, shop, shopping, folks can give to their favorite charity or ministry – or to anyone that is on their heart – so that is kind of fun –
      and I am glad you do not have ground hogs – and thanks again or tagging “moi” – ❤

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      2. dude, I thought I read somewhere TC from Kentucky – maybe I am again mixing you up with someone (like the guy that wrote about the garden center experience last spring) – lol

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  6. I know we’re supposed to “eat our greens”, but I would draw the line at greens that taste like feet! Give me brussels any day! and the burger…yum! The chocolate bars with vouchers, sounds like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the golden tickets, what fun! Enjoy the rest of your Christmas shopping! 🙂

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    1. Ha very funny – and we must not forget that if we eat the meat of grass fed animals we can get the benefit of greens that way – which is why the corn fed beef is lacking vitamins….
      and thanks for your comment – the chocolate bars were completely a blast – and we went in a few entrances – like little kids! – and now that same store gives out mini ornaments – (and two of those are in the piano photo above – the little micky and minnie mouse). Have a great day Katie

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  10. I take Spirulina tablets every morning. Not quite sure why though. They don’t taste like anything, as I don’t chew them. 😀 I don’t really fancy seaweed crisps and I think the chilli burger would be way too hot for me. I would need to drink a gallon of water. 😯 Love your sweet Christmas photo. 🙂

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    1. Hi S – well I think the reason you take the spirulina is because it is supposed to be a natural multivitamin –
      And funny you should mention the tabs because many can’t digesting them… And the old adage goes “we are not what we eat, but what we absorb” –

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  12. Yvette wow now that is a post! Anything that tastes like feet likely should be avoided. Sounds awful. Trader Joes is a store I love when we visit the US but you can believe there is not a single one in Canada!? Sounds like interesting times at your house with ‘friends’. Lastly wonderful memories of your shopping time with your Mom and little ones. Wishing you a happy weekend!

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    1. yeah, and to be honest Sue- I do not even know what feet would taste like – but I imagine some stinky feet would taste like that = ha! but not all feet of course…. lol

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  15. I agree about that spiralina Y, I remember having a health kick back in the 80’s and trying to convince myself that something that tasted so bad must be good for you. I gagged my way through the tin I bought, it was expensive and I was loath to throw it out. But your comment about the smelly feet brought back that memory.
    Black Friday shopping has infiltrated over to Oz this year though not too successfully as most Aussies had no idea what it was all about, but just another American gimmick to get us to spend more. I stay well away from all sales, probably miss some good bargains, but what I don’t see I can probably live with out…

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    1. funny how we “think” about health foods that way… and glad I am not the only one 🙂
      and interesting to hear that Black Friday did not catch on over there –

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  16. Santa and sprouts! That’s it- you’ve got me singing Christmas carols 🙂
    Love that photo of the mantelpiece with the snow domes. Does anybody, anywhere actually like Black Friday? Only if you don’t shop! 🙂

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    1. haha – I like how you call it the scarf burger! lol – and when I do make a smoothie – I just add some kale for the greens – they blend nicely and taste good (to me at least) – 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  19. What a wonderfully entertaining post this is Y. I love your shared memory of 2000 and how you describe your feelings and memories of your shopping day with your Mom and li’l sis, and all the detail in how much the day meant to you. Also the way you tie in your family photo of that same year and how everything in it defined just how you felt at that time having just moved. I can relate to so much of this as you know. There are certain days that will always remain in our hearts not only for the part they play in the pattern of our lives but for the people we get to share them with. Thanks so much for linking to me and BTW, I love brussel sprouts, They are standard fare for Christmas Day lunch here but the shops are full of them during the winter so I eat them all the time. I love the little red vests your boys are wearing too, so, so,sweet. Oh you give me so many memories of my own mon amie…seems we do that to one another 🙂 I hope you are having a good week…see you soon 😀 ❤ ❤ ❤

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    1. Thanks Sherri – and you are right we totally do that…. spark our shared memories and stories – and I am so grateful. I did not realize that brussel sprouts were so holiday-ish – and would you believe I only had fresh ones recently – they were not served while growing up (but lots of cabbage with things like pigs in the blanket…) and then in the 90’s I used to buy the small packs of frozen – and while still good – the fresh are amazing — steamed and then I tired them baked – okay, hope you have a great rest of the week and thanks for your lovely words. ❤

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  23. (EN) I’m not very good at lying,sorry 😦 …very long post for me( for me only maybe)dear Y…but really interesting. I take too spirulina and I think the same of you about food and shopping…thanks for sharing all this, yours is not a usual blah blah blah 🙂 Have a nice day
    (IT)Non sono molto brava a mentire,scusa:-( …post molto lungo per me( soltanto per me forse)cara Y….but relly interesting.Uso anch’io la spirulina e penso lo stesso riguardo al cibo e allo shopping…grazie per la condivisione,il tuo non è il solito bla bla bla 🙂 Buona giornata

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    1. Hi Forthemo – glad the spirulina works for you.

      Regarding post lengths – I am sure we both know everyone defines “long” differently…

      I actually have set up my posts so that some readers can “skim and go” -they can peruse and catch the highlights, which is why I set this one up as part 1 and part 2 – and also why I added text under the images – catering to those who need or want to skim and go… (or they can bookmark and come back later if something caught their attention)-

      The good news about blogging is that each blogger makes it their own – some bloggers share a single image, 1500 words+, a short poem, or offer a bunch of links or challenges – there are just so many options! 🙂
      now I am not sure how many blogs you host, but the one you tag lined “a blog for a while”- well it seems it is intentionally kept “simple” with one or two sentences and then you give a video – and well, some people might say that is too short…. but I say it is neither too short nor too long – it is “forthemo’s style right now for that specific blog” 🙂

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      1. (EN) I read” skim and go”. I didn’t mean offend your work and I agree that there are different and several points of view.
        My point of view is : if I truly like something( your blog now), I try to say what I like but also what not.If you do that to me, I can learn what you really appreciate and what not.
        My comment was a” oh my God Y, I like you so much and I haven’t time enough to read what you wrote”
        Have a nice day 🙂
        ….Thanks for the time spent to clarify with me 🙂

        (IT)Ho letto” sfoglia e vai”. Non intendevo offendere il tuo lavoro e concordo che ci sono diversi e parecchi punti di vista.
        Il mio punto di vista è: se veramente mi piace qualcosa( il tuo blog ora),cerco di dire cosa mi piace e anche cosa no.Se fai questo a me, posso imparare cosa apprezzi davvero e cosa no.
        Il mio commento era un” o mio dio Y, mi piaci cosí tanto e non tempo a sufficienza per leggere quello che hai scritto”
        Buona giornata 🙂
        ….Grazie per il tempo speso a chiarire con me 🙂

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      2. well I got that my friend from the original comment ❤ – and no worries – and actually appreciate you taking the time to visit and/or leave a like or a note 🙂

        and while on the topic of long – well if you get a chance –

        check out the lady of the cakes post about her 6 blogging pet peeves, where one of them is
        "War-And-Peace-length posts" and she goes on to say….

        "If the WP Reader says 2,000+ words, count me out. To be honest, for anything over 1,300, I have to be seriously into the blogger and/or the topic."
        ha!
        Her other pet peeves here:
        https://ladyofthecakes.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/my-five-admittedly-eccentric-blogging-pet-peeves/

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  24. That green Hawaiian powder is no match for Burger Bach, what a name by the way, but the burger looked…..hummmm!
    Double dating with mom….I can´t imagine that ever have happened to me. Although it sure would have been interesting for sure. You´re a cool mama!

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    1. Thanks so much CP4 – that was super nice to read – and I like how you rhymed the comment – the Burger Bach (batch) with the match – but we also realized their pieces went up (about 25% per burger) since our visit last month – and so that was the only disappointing part – but still a place that will stay on our list. TTYS

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  25. I will go for burger and brussel sprouts…I am not sure about spirulina, don’t know the taste but from your picture, I have to say the color looks great – so green and healthy!
    Hope you are having a wonderful weekend Yvette! Best wishes!

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    1. Indah, I love talking food with you – seriously – and the color is actually amazing – there is a blue to the green when it is in the glass – but it is not very tasty in the powder – and the tablets I could not take until I got my stomach acid built back up (TMI) anyhow, have a great day 🙂

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