Well Christmas is upon us. The good, the bad, and the ugly happening out there this time of year. Sometimes people get to wrapped up in self and consumerism. Cheryl and I aren't that big into Christmas other than seeing family. When we get presents to give they are usually small but there is a thought behind them. It's not just buying for the sake of buying something. There's usually a story to tell.

So we went out looking to knock as many off the christmas list as possible so as not to keep stringing the shopping along. We shopped small to no avail. Not finding what we wanted we headed to World Market ne Cost Plus. On Saturday afternoon everyone was out and World Market was packed. So packed we drove by and kept on driving for a while. Eventually circling back with the lot maybe 2/3 full. So it was on like donkey kong.

Cheryl had to get stuff for coworkers and family. Me I was grabbing for Cheryl's sister. The pressure to get her coworkers good stuff got to Cheryl. We powered through the freakout and got the first meaningful gift. Knocking one off made the process easier and soon we were finding the goods and grabbing good stuff. End of the expedition we were mostly finished with the recipient list. Some minor things to grab but a certain specialness behind all the purchases.

After the shopping meltdown it was time to chill and remember the spirit of Christmas. So it was decided that we were to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas after looking at Christmas Lights. We got an early peak at the Fab 40's Christmas lights(still a work in progress), grabbed a Papa Murphys Pizza and entertained ourselves with Charlie Brown and company. I recommend you do the same and come down from holiday shopping.

Besides sleeping in one of our favorite weekend morning rituals is to go to get coffee. Chocolate Fish is an old friend of ours. We loved the downtown location by the Crocker and miss that space being open on weekends when Government employees aren't around.

Chocolate Fish added a Folsom BLVD East Sac location and that's where we headed. On a plus note they don't have wifi so as to force conversations.

Damn good Mocha!

It was the last official Pops in the Park in East Sacramento and we had to go. I said had to go because my wife's friend live right around the corner so we all had to rep her hood. You know it's so much easier going to a community event when you have a driveway to park in and a bathroom and a refrigerator you can sneak off to.

Good times were had at Glenn Hall Park for the second year in a row. Thank you Karen and all of River Park for the Hospitality.

This week I'm thinking a bit of relaxing with public displays.

Pops in the Park is a music series in East Sac that moves to different parks each of the 4 weeks. This Saturday night it's in Bertha Henschel Park for the John Skinner Band. They play wedding and events and know 1000's of songs according to their website. Anything from jazz to latin to country to swing and big band. basically a party band with a horn section to get you moving.

Think about  great evening of music(dancing is up to you) an bringing a blanket to lay out and snuggle up on or a couple of fold up chairs next to one another. Food vendors and a Beer and Wine Garden well help lubricate the evening. But, bring sunscreen before you become a painful lobster that kills the mood Sunday Morning.