As I sit here in my snow bound office, scrambling to finish my last-minute holiday shopping it occures to me you might be in the same position; the days are clicking by, the hours counting down, the season slipping by.
I know many a Christmas miracle can be had through the portal of online shopping – but my heart is heavy as it is for the many brick-and-mortar businesses for whom this ice-clad shopping season is already a 4th quarter disaster. I’m trying to keep what little economic stimulus I have to contribute in my (frozen)neighborhood. The result has been some resourceful gift gathering and a wonderful exercise in flexible thinking.
Our little West Seattle hamlet has really grown up over the past 10 years and the pickings are anything but slim! As I skid along the skating-rink sidewalks I’m discovering lots of little shops I don’t usually frequent along with my usual favorites. All the same, I think I might have a hard time passing off a block of cheese from Husky Deli (however delicious and a West Seattle institution since 1933!) to my very artistic little 5 year old niece. I could probably get by with a selection of handmade chocolates and pastries from Bakery Nouveau, and goodness – those of us in the know would be more than happy to recieve a loaf of their amazing walnut sourdough bread. It would be perfect with our traditional Christmas cheese fondue!
Our little hometown mainstreet is all about good food. I wonder how I can stuff a stocking with the absolutly transformational, molten macaroni and cheese from West 5; or a round of holiday libations from any number of our small dining establishments- the seasonal infused cocktails at Shadowland are delicious!
But then I got to thinking…all this cheese, chocolate, bread and cocktails can be hard a body. Why not give the gift of time and my own good company? The following is an excerpt from my December column for Angie’s List Magazine:
If you€™re an expert gardener, consider offering a coaching session to someone who may just be learning their maple from their mulch. Pass along your particular expertise to a beginner by giving a gift certificate promising a days€™ work spent weeding, pruning or generally tidying up. Such a gift will be warmly welcomed by anyone with more landscape than leisure time to maintain it.
More hands €” the only tool a gardener never misplaces €” and good company make even the most onerous garden chores a breeze. Arrive with a springtime load of compost, help spread it around and you€™ll be a horticultural hero!
To read the entire article follow this link – Out in the Yard. You’ll find all sorts of (granted, obvious) ideas from gift certificates to the local nursery, to a membership in a horticultural organization or regional publication that will open the doors to an entire year of gardening adventure and the opportunity to meet with like-minded geeks who don’t care if you want to spend all of 2009 discussing the garden losses from the “Great Winter Freeze of 2008, ” I’m afraid we’ll have much to commiserate about together.
Just about now, anybody in our area – gardener or not – would welcome a visit to the local conservatory, where the day is always tropical. Even the Zoo has an indoor desert and tropical rainforest to offer a bone-warming and soothing respite from the hectic holiday scene.
Me, well I’m already sort of the go-to-gal for all things horticultural in my expanded family and circle of friends; it’s sort of like having a doctor in the family, but less lucrative. I can’t really get away with spinning my expertise as a gift! So as the snow begins to fall – AGAIN – this day-before-the-day-before Christmas I’ve decided to surprise my circle with an adventure in the coming weeks to tour Theo Chocolates! Theo is the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the United States – and it’s in our own backyard!!! Tours are reasonably priced, informative and feature lots of tasting!!! Of course I’m banking on no-one reading my blog or it won’t be much of a surprise now will it? Things are hectic enough what with the snow and ice, let alone last minute shopping – I think I’m pretty safe here. But, dontcha know, once this ice thaws it’s back to the gym for me!!!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I do feel bad for all of your in the PNW who aren’t used to all this snow, and it comes at a bad time, as if there is a good time for such a snow.
By the way, we have a nice, organic chocolate factory in my city, too, Endangered Species Chocolate. (http://www.chocolatebar.com/index.asp) I wonder if they offer tours?
Hi Lorene, just found you, have to add you to Blotanical favs ASAP! Hope you survived the snow, it sure was wacky! I did have to give up on some Xmas shopping, and when I ordered anything online it never made it in time. You are lucky to live close to Husky Deli, I love their ice cream.
Also loved Fremont Gardens, definitely spent some $$ there and was very sorry when you closed.
On another note, I’m trying to see if anyone’s interested in a Seattle garden bloggers’ meet-up at some point in the near future. If you might be, I invite you to stop by my blog and leave a comment. Who knows, maybe we could become a new “clan”!
Cheers and Happy New Year, – Karen
http://greenwalks.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/seattle-area-garden-bloggers-meet-up/