It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

I've officially started Christmas shopping.  I think by this time last year I was almost done with the shopping.  It took a week of listening to Christmas music to finally get me in the spirit to go amongst the throngs of people.  About the only thing I accomplished was one gift purchased and adding what seemed like dozens of things to my wish list.  It had been a long time since Brent and I had wandered stores aimlessly.  A few intriguing things....

The Barnes and Noble Nook Color E Reader - this just came out like a week or so ago.  It's not likely to be on sale for a while but when it drops in price I think I'll be open to the idea of an e-reader.  Maybe by then our local library will expand their ebook selections.  It functions like an iPhone with a touch screen and fingertip zooming capabilities.  But unlike the oversized iPhone...the iPad, the Nook Color is more affordable.

I think what's most intriguing about e-readers is that it would kill a lot of the magazine clutter piles that accumulate through the year.  And there is a Lifetime Library online that holds all of the books and magazines in your collection.


Another thing that had me intrigued was the Soda Stream soda maker.  I don't drink soda regularly but this had me thinking of the delicious cherry soda I had at Clinton's Soda Fountain in Independence, Missouri.  It's essentially the same theory, adding flavored syrup to soda water, which is created by carbonating water.  The Soda Stream is the box store $100 gift of the season.

When Brent and I were wandering through The Cupboard in Ft. Fun and passed the Soda Stream.  Then an employee walked by with a push cart with about 20 of them stocked high.  I think the components for making old fashioned soda could be arranged for cheaper.  HUGE bottles of syrup are available at Sam's Club for $6, which is what the small bottles of flavor cost for the Soda Stream.  The website claims a bottle makes 33 cans worth of soda.  It's a good deal in comparison to the $5 12-packs at the grocery store but the make simpler and homemade voice inside of me says I could do it even cheaper.  We shall see.  Like I said, I'm intrigued.

In other Holly Jolly news, I've purchased supplies to make a wreath.  This will be an interesting crafty for me.  I wouldn't say I have any decorative skills.  Every once in awhile I have a brilliant idea but for the most part, I'm no Martha Stewart.  I'll take pictures of my final product.  I'm hoping for it to have some personal flair.  I'm ready to get to decorating for Christmas but need to throttle back until my next weekend.

For now, I'm content with baking for the evening.  Making one of my favorites...pumpkin white chocolate chip bars.  I've also got ham in the crock pot!!