As I was driving to Rochester one day to buy crafting ribbon, I was taking count of how many of my quick stop shops had closed – JoAnn’s south, gone. Shopko, nope. Kmart, long gone. WalMart – too crazy, just can’t do it. So, this means that my shopping from now on has to be very thought out and well planned to know what I need and where I can get it. With many of my quick stops on the south end of town now closed, it means that even on a random Tuesday night my favorite craft supply stores now feel like a Day after Thanksgiving crazy sale day. Simple math – less stores, more people at the stores still open. Seriously though, I walked into a store last night and their eight registers were full with five or so people waiting in each line! I kept whispering to myself that it was OK, it meant that all of those people would be long gone before I had to check out and the lines might be smaller. Of course, reality whispered back and said “the line is only shorter when you’re at the front of it… so hurry up and shop!”
The changes in the shopping world over the past two years can be easily noticed by taking a quick look at all of the empty buildings and closed stores in this area. Why? I am guessing that the convenience of using an app to buy most everything and have it delivered at your door in two to four days has made a significant impact. And, to confess, I shop Amazon way too often with the reason of not wanting to set out shopping after a long day of work and for the simple convenience. So, how do we continue to support our local retailers and small business owners? I am looking for that magic answers but have started, for example, trying to figure out which small town shops are open evenings or weekends and try to support them. The other way to support business owners has been the flurry of online parties – yes, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and so many more are available for fun shopping and supporting those business owners. Trying not to preach, just trying to support all of those great people with great products.
Oh yes, the merry path to Christmas shopping will look different to most of us this year as we are asked to pick up at the door, distance within the stores, and for some it might mean a sad loss to the big shopping trips with friends as we try to stay safe and wait for a sensational 2021 to show up. Yes friends, I am predicting (hoping) for a vaccine that has all of us back to fun-in-the-sun socializing by summer of 2021. Maybe if we all hope together, a bit like the Who’s from Who-ville, and keep sanitizing, masking, and social distancing, we will be back hugging and gathering together again soon. Sending you best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!
Quick Crab Dip for the holidays
1 package cream cheese
16 oz sour cream
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1-2 Tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning
Pepper to taste
Mix first four ingredients and then add:
• Crab meat – I use chopped imitation crab meat –
2 packages because I like it crabby!
• Chopped chives
You can refrigerate until ready to serve OR, my favorite is to put this dip in an oven-safe container with shredded
parmesan on top and bake until hot.
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