A Christmas visit with my friend Kathy

Thankfully I had much of this post put together before I got sick.  And instead of feeling better, I'm feeling even worse than when I got home Sunday night.  As a result, I've cancelled my cookie making session with my friend Sally, my luncheon date with my dear friend Billie, and my Christmas plans.  I'm NOT going to allow anyone to get sick because of me.  Staying in a warm bed under the covers sounds like the best Christmas gift I could give myself.

But this post is not about me, but about my dear friend Kathy who visited last week when we exchanged Christmas gifts.

Here she's caught me off guard as she enters with a big box of goodies.

A few days before, she had hosted a party for a group of ladies at her house who were from her church , and she brought some of the goodies she made for the party, including this mint cup she made.  She admitted this was the easiest of all the things she made for this annual event.  Kathy has a tendency to go all out when she hosts something.

She attended a craft fair and picked me up a few things that honored my final alma mater.

If we ever get a new mascot, that wheat shock will be a thing of the past.

She even picked me up some gift tags, although I have no idea what I'll use them with.

After she had showered me with many small items, I gave her both her gifts, which were not terribly imaginative.  She's showing the gift card she would use that day at Mrs. O'Leary's and she's holding the gift certificate for the restaurant next door where we would eventually have lunch.

I was glad we went when we did, or I might have missed Joanie the owner of the store who was preparing to leave when we got there.  Speaking of Mrs. O'Leary's,

this is true sensory overload.  There's no way you can take all this in the first time you visit.  Be sure to keep your wallet/checkbook/credit card in your purse, though.  This is a very high end place to shop, just like many small businesses that offer one of a kind items.

While we were there, we saw two women who teach classes, kitting products.  One was teaching the scrapbook inspired Christmas book (similar to ones my friend Annette makes), very much like the one she taught last year, while the other was in a different room preparing beads and such for Santos dolls they will soon be making.  If you are unsure what a Santos doll is, it has a lovely serene regular head and body, but a caged bottom.  This site, going out of business on January 1, 2015, shows some of their collection from the past.  

Once Kathy had spent as much time as she wanted at Mrs. O'Leary's, we went to Public at the Brickyard.  Joanie's husband owns it, so we were sure we knew who decorated the place.

I found their menu on the internet, but most everything had been changed, including the sandwiches we ordered.  We started with an appetizer of sweet potato fries laced with garlic and rosemary, then Kathy had the grilled cheese.  There were four cheeses stuffed into thick sliced brioche.  Kathy's side was tomato bisque.  I had a delicious brie, with tomato marmalade, pesto, and sliced pears on grilled ciabatta.  It was out of this world.  I only wish I could force myself to eat like this every day.  My side was beans and rice.  The meal was 27.00 before tax and tip, but it was well worth it.  After all, I don't get to take Kathy to lunch very often, and certainly not at Christmas.  I admit, I got a little carried away with the photos, but after all, it's nearly Christmas.  In fact, it's Christmas eve eve.

So Kathy asked me if I wanted to go shopping elsewhere, but all I wanted to do was take photos of a few statues I saw on my way to Mrs. O'Leary's on Small Business Saturday.
After all, by now it was late afternoon and the sun was starting to set. I knew Kathy would have to fight it going home.  I wanted her to be safe.  We can shop somewhere else next year.

I leave you with a photo of all the things I bought.  The two pigment inks were $1.00 (US), the reindeer was reduced from $10.50 (US) to $5.25 (US), the entire bag of unknown stamps was $1.95 (US), and the pan pastels were $3.00 (US) each.  These were the only colors left, so I could see why they were reduced.  As an aside, I got six animals (Stampin' Up) for $1.99 (US) at the thrift store, so that reindeer is golden (or like gold) to me (grin).

I was tired of using my plastic palette knife, so invested in this one for $4.95 (US).  The fru frues will be used in my 7-Continent altered book or on my scrappy journal covers.  They were $0.50 (US) to $2.00 (US).

I hope you enjoyed my time out and about with my friend Kathy.  We had a wonderful time, and it really only happens once a year.  Thanks for the visit.  I greatly appreciate it.  And as soon as I get better, I'll be around to catch up on what I've missed.  But for now, my brain addled body is returning to bed.

Please remember, you do not have to add the word verification numbers.  It's Google's not so nice way of saying Merry Christmas.  Just hit publish and your comment will immediately appear.