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Sunday, November 9, 2025

Shopping report

Last weekend I told you it was shopping weekend! As I said then, my sisters and I go on a Christmas shopping trip every year in the beginning of November.  We've been doing this for at least 30 years.  When our kids were little the packages were bigger with purchases like Fisher Price toys.  As they got older the packages got smaller and now with the ability to shop online we don't spend as much time in the stores.  However, we've always enjoyed this time together and it's good to get lots done before the Christmas rush begins so we want to keep it up.
We shop in our own area so if anything needs to be returned, it's easy.
I have two sisters; Terri and Cheri. This year Terri was in Hawaii so it was just Cheri and I shopping.

(On a side notes, several of you asked about our rhyming names; Mari, Terri, Cheri.  Yes, they do rhyme.  However, our parents didn't set out to do that.  Our real names are Maribeth, Terri and Cheryl.  We also have a brother named Duane, so he really doesn't rhyme!)

We started off visiting several stores that were closest to us, and then it was time for lunch.



We stopped at Panera's for salads.  We both got out our notebooks and updated our lists with what we had purchased.




Then we headed off to stores that were a little further away.  This year the stores all seemed very busy, like lots of people were shopping early.





We stopped for supper shortly before 5.  We split a lasagna and enjoyed it!

We had a few more stops to make and then it was time to head to the hotel.  By this time, we were tired with sore legs!




Here's the back of my car at the hotel - quite a few bags!


We checked into the hotel and those lists came back out.  So did our computers where we ordered the things we were getting online.


The next morning we went to a big craft show and then to a town about 45 minutes from us.  It's always a fun place to visit, especially this time of year, plus it has some really great shops.



There's a dam near the downtown area that is always a beautiful spot.




In November and December this cute little train runs on the weekend.





A charming town - reminds me of a Hallmark movie!


By 1:30 we were back home, unloading the car and getting everything put away.  Soon it'll be time to wrap things.  I think I have all my shopping done!

33 comments:

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Mari! What a wonderful and fun weekend with your sister! I love that you are all so close. Yes, it is good to have Christmas shopping done. Thanks for the email you sent me last week. I appreciate your kind words! Have a good week.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Dear Mari, you and Cheri both look great! I love the hardwood floors in that store! Your lasagna looks great! Your photos are beautiful and I love the train! Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Your last photo with the little train and fall trees is stunning! Like a fairy tale town. You two look alike. The stores here have been unusually busy as well. And now I know the rhyming mystery!

Chatty Crone said...

You are so blessed to have a sister to do all this fun with. I am happy for you.

Susan said...

Hi Mari, that nice how you have a shopping tradition with your sisters. I haven't seen my family since August. We will meet up at a baby shower next Sunday. Your salads look good. I like Panera. Have a great week!

Tampereen Mummu said...

I love to see photos of your country, thank you for sharing.

Prims By The Water said...

You shopping trip was a success once again. Good food, fun and sisterly love. Which town were you in? Janice

Catherine said...

You did a good job! And it’s nice for you to be with one of your sisters.

Joyful in His Presence said...

It looks like a fun time, as well as a wonderful tradition. We have three more small gifts to purchase and we will be finished with our shopping as well. I'm hoping to do the wrapping this week and start writing out our Christmas cards.

Linda said...

Such a great trip, Mari. Wondering, are you getting any of that snow? Wishing you a lovely day my friend.

Miss Merry said...

Your sister's shopping trip sound like so much fun! What a great tradition! I love that your names rhyme accidentally.

Sadia Jabeen said...

How lovely! 🎄✨ That town truly sounds like something straight out of a Hallmark movie — cozy, festive, and full of charm. It must’ve felt so nice to get everything done and head home to relax. Now comes the fun part — wrapping gifts and soaking in that holiday spirit! 🎁💖
nanajee.com
For flights and hotel search

MadSnapper n Beau said...

I know the 3rd sister missed being there with you, and I would love to do this if I had a sister.. you are blessed to have your sisters..

Martha said...

What a fun weekend! It's great that you have your shopping done. I usually do all my shopping online these days and my goal is to have everything ordered before Halloween - I made it again this year. That little town definitely looks like something out of a Hallmark movie, it's so cute! Thanks for sharing your shopping weekend with us. Have a great week!

photowannabe said...

Wow !!!! You amaze me...your shopping is all done... you go girl!!!
What a fun time you had with your sister. Love that you had a plan and got so many things done in a short amount of time.
That town really does look like a Hallmark movie. Love the cute little train.
Sue

Lori said...

What a fun weekend and your shopping is done. I love cute Hallmark towns, especially this time of year.

acorn hollow said...

What fun you had! I envy your relationship with your sisters. I have 2 but we have no relationship at all. We are so very different.
Cathy

Jenni R said...

Hi Mari, it's been awhile so you may not remember me, but you and I used to comment to each other back when I had a blog, I used to "date" my grandchildren before yours were born! :) My grandchildren are all between 16-23 years of age now, so most of our dates are over now! But...I wanted to comment that I used to go on a shopping trip out of town too, very fun to do! I also took all my wrapping paper, bows, etc. and we would put on a Christmas movie in the hotel and wrap all our gifts there so we brought everything home in finished form!

HappyK said...

So nice that you all get together each year and go shopping together.
Great that you have all your shopping done. We don't really buy any Christmas gifts. I usually just make a little something or bake.

Terri D said...

I am always amazed at how organized you are with your shopping! I know how good it feels to be finished with the shopping. I don't do that much shopping anymore. I do miss it. My biggest holiday project is to get my cards done and in the mail. Thanks for sharing the fun with us! Those shops look amazing! Merry Christmas!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, that looks like such a fun time together! What a wonderful tradition! It's too bad your other sister couldn't be with you, but I guess a trip to Hawaii is pretty special too! I love that you actually go and stay in a hotel and get lots of shopping and visiting done. That little town with the little train looks like such a neat place! Thank you for sharing this with us. That would really be such a fun time. I might even enjoy shopping more if I could do something like that! LOL.

Lowcarb team member said...

Sounds a very successful trip and well done on getting all your shopping done.
I do like that cute little train :)

All the best Jan

Michelle said...

This is a wonderful tradition with your sisters. I have become a terrible shopper as I age. I do a lot online.

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

This tradition is so awesome! Quality time with your sisters and so productive too. I've been ahead the game this year too - always a wonderful feeling. I love that your names happen to rhyme. I think thats so cute. :)

Mocha said...

Gorgeous! Sounds like a fun day you had. I think that going shopping in person is a tradition that needs to be brought back. Human connection shouldn't be so rare nowadays.

Nicole Orriëns said...

You're so smart to do your Christmas shopping in time. I don't like the rush at the last moment. And such a lovely tradition you have with your sisters, to do you christmas shopping together.

The Happy Whisk said...

As soon as I saw the apples I knew where you were eating. LOVE that little train that rides through and how cool that you girls do this each year. Very, very fun. Hope your other sister gets to join in next year. Bonus points that you're done with gift buying. So nice to have that done and dusted.

Jeanette said...

How fun! I am envious of you having your shopping done already! I can't think past Thanksgiving for the moment! What little town were you talking about?

Great-Granny Grandma said...

Love that little train. Can people ride on it?

Cathy said...

I love your traditions with your sister(s). You girls have Christmas shopping down to an art!

Kim said...

You are so good! My girls haven't even given me a list yet this year. It was so much easier when Santa brought the gifts. Those lists were sent to him in August!! Haha! I was wondering about your names just about the time you popped up to explain. So funny! Glad you had fun!

Jenny the Pirate said...

You got it done! Yay! I am almost there, gaining ground every day. I am determined to have the tree up and everything wrapped by Thanksgiving, so that I can enjoy the shortish Christmas season by making treats to give to neighbors and friends, and just being calm. That little town with the train is so precious! My little grandsons would love that! You and Cheri know how to take care of business and have a good time too! xoxo 🏴‍☠️

Jean said...

What a fun thing to do with a sister! I love your tradition! I must say I remember pictures of a much fuller car, hahaha!