Running around with the holiday events. Made out like a fat rat. Had Christmas morning in NC, but in NY now to visit the rest of the relatives and whatnot. The past week has also brought about some EXTREME thrift shop scores. We really need to further investigate the Raleigh-Durham thrift store situation – yuppyville Cary is apparently NOT a thrift store capital, but I’m sure neighboring cities will have a lot to offer!
Speaking of yuppyville… you know you’re a yuppy when your local McDonalds has a McCafe (a similar McCafe is now on Harrison Ave in addition to this one in Raleigh). Apparently we are a pilot area for this new concept. It is very weird. Ours is an addition to the regular McD’s… but is divided off by a little screen-type thing. There are Starbucks-style penant lights. And pastries. And frozen coffee drinks. And leather couches. It’s like a genericized Starbucks. All I can say is that it’s just not right to be eating a Big Mac while on a leather couch. The McDonalds site has nothing about them… it’s like they’re keeping the idea a secret for now. We shall see.
Oh, and to shed the holiday pounds, I’m looking forward to my membership at O2 Fitness in the new year! Hot.
For now, it’s back to the sweets and excessively large meals. I can deal 
Yay for the holidays!
Today I was rejected by the Red Cross (aka vampires) for donating blood.
I’m at risk for malaria.
For a trip I took almost a year ago.
I still did, however, still get the free Chick-fil-a coupon.
Yay!
I promise, Oak and I do more than just watch food tv, though it may seem to be the case here. Over the weekend we visited Guglhupf Bakery and Patisserie, which was mentioned on the Food network for its Christmas Stollen.
We weren’t excited about the stollen so much but for their large variety of artisan breads.
After a very confusing drive (in this area of Durham there is Chapel Hill Rd, Chapel Hill Blvd. and Chapel Hill St. Can we say CONFUSING????), we found this little bakery nestled in the back of a building with a hairdresser and an upscale home furnishings store. There was a serious amount of construction going on – Guglhupf will soon be hosting its own cafe! Ding.
We were chose a parmesean pepper loaf that was delicious! Oak chose some savory rolls with spinach and feta, and some multigrain rolls. 
He was very disappointed that they were all out of cheesy pretzels. Don’t worry hon, we’ll be going back.
I went for sweet rather than savory. I enjoyed a linzer cookie with some coffee and took a chocolate mount for later consumption. Jum Jum!
Shira, now I feel like I can taste all those things you’re making at school instead of drooling over the pictures on your website. Yahoo!
The tree is up. Holiday shopping begun. Christmas are in the air.
On an unrelated note, we are now obsessed with the food network. If Oak gets to have a secret affair with Rachel Ray, I get one with Jamie Oliver. (Let’s face it, he’s the man of choice on this channel – I mean Emeril? Wolfgang Puck? come on.) Anne and I always wondered why Jamie never invited us to his pah-ties. Only a matter of time Anne, only a matter of time. I think a trip to England is a must to accomplish this. haha.
After some research, we find that Jamie and Rachel are both happily married. Tragic overture!
The only bad stuff about this damn channel is that it makes you want to eat stuff. Lots of it.
Oh my gosh, microbeading is so hot (scroll to the bottom of the page!).
I’m definitely beading up something cool in the near future.
This photograph illustrates where I went for lunch today.
They sold a wide variety of all-beef weiners. Sausages. Coney Island Hot dogs. Kosher style Franks.
Or, if you’re afraid of the sexual innuendos, or just intolerant of the wonderful world of mystery meat, they had hamburgers. But really, what’s the fun in that?
You can’t go to It’s a Weiner, order a hamburger, then curiously ask your friend, “Gosh darn it, what is this thing I’m eating called again?”
Their response just won’t be as funny.
Amazing, huh? I really know how to rattle on and on forever, eh?
So, back to the old grind. I had lots of fun shopping in NY, even if it was just at the standard discount stores My mom and I also had the standard Denny’s, perfect NY goodies (doesn’t compare to Waffle House! I’m not sure I can say which is better… they are in two different leagues).
So, Martha Stewart’s line at Kmart has the by far, hottest holiday decor for sale. Unlike Walmart and Tar-jay, Martha has ditched the cheesy Santas for classy, modern decor. I got garland and ornaments to match the living room!
Now, it’s just time to actually decorate. And actually do holiday shopping. Sometime soon
