Christmas shopping

Today
is my Christmas
shopping day!

I last went 

to Lebanon

on my 

Blue Sky Century.

The sky is blue

and the wind gusts
today in November...

...as I return to

The Friendly City.

Spoiler Alert!

If you're my sister Cally

read no farther

or you'll spoil 

your Christmas surprise!

Back I go

to the Stained Glass

workshop.

Diana is retiring

after 24 years

of selling...

...the most

beautiful 

stained glass.

Each pane

of rich color

embedded

in classic designs.

I love

being able 

to see her work 

in progress.

And I love

the intense colors

of her window work.

But here 

in the corner

I find Cally's lamp.

A wonderful 

warm

light

for the corner

of her new sunroom.

I have 

a new philosophy 

this year.

I want to buy gifts

where I can see the faces
of the people

who made them.

Diana has helped me

with Sister Cal.

Now I'm on a roll.

I stop at the corner

gift shop.

Hand made wreaths.

Pretty, but I like

a more natural look.

Soy candles.

the kind made 

from the soybeans 

of Indiana.

Not paraffin made

from the oilfields of Iraq.

Bought surprises there.

Shhhh.

Can't tell you though.

On to Becky's market.

I loved her

home grown

apples

this September.

Now she is busy

making 

Christmas wreaths

with her sister Diane.

Her daughter's 

snowman

watches them.

These are more

my kinds 

of wreaths.

One more stop.

On my way home

I pass Nature's Karma.

I can't see 

my gift makers 

here.

They are 

from Africa

India

Honduras

Places

where women 

need our help.

They make beauty

from unlikely sources.

Our thrown away 

magazines....

newspapers...

circuit boards.

I love this basket

made from

discarded

industrial wire.

I love
the beadwork
on this clutch purse!

But I tell

Nigelle

I need to buy

this incredibly soft scarf.

Hand woven, 

of course.

Okay, one more stop.

Whole Foods next door.

Organic snack

for the drive home.

Oh! 

I wish Chris and Norma

were bringing 

the kids to Indiana

in time

for gingerbread houses!

Flowers

for Beth's 

surprise 

birthday party 

tonight.

And home 

to make plans

for the best Christmas ever!