Well, it's crunch time for those of you who celebrate Christmas (confidential to Josh - next year, we are totally with you at Hunan House) and are, like me, procrastinating shoppers. Yikes. I did brave Easton the other day (and I do mean brave) to push my way through the perfume dealers and the slow shoppers who won't get out of your way. Hopefully I remembered to get everything I need because there's no way you are getting me back there before February.
Don't worry, I did buy lots of handmade things for the holidays, having recently begun shopping with Etsy (more on that later). What a fabulous website that is.
For those of you who look forward to my weekly events listing, this might be my last listing until after the New Year, with the assumption that events will be sparse over the next few weeks. If I am wrong, I will continue to post. We'll see how it goes. As always, if you have an event you'd like to see listed, please leave it in the comments or send me an email.
- First up, a repost from an earlier event - In Monet's Garden: the Lure of Giverny at the Columbus Museum of Art. I finally had the chance to see this exhibit, and visit the museum for the first time in years, and it was really interesting. The exhibit features a few works by Monet, and then lots of works which were inspired by those works. It's interesting to see how the interpretations changed over time. Take advantage of having something cool in the city, folks. The exhibit lasts through January 20th.
- One cool thing about attending the WOSU Social Media Cafe events has been being in COSI after it's closed. I am sure the security guard thought I was nuts but doesn't everyone have to stand next to the giant pendulum until a ball is knocked out? I do. And who could resist walking past the harp with no strings just to see if it was still on (it was). All of that to say, I love COSI, even if I have a special place in my heart for old COSI. And you should go. Especially this time of year when maybe there aren't so many field trips. Right now you can learn the Science of the Season at their holiday exhibit.
- If you're looking for something different to do this New Year's, how about celebrating it with Shadowbox? The Shindig will feature a dinner buffet, champagne toast at midnight, and lots of music by their house band, Billwho? There will also be a cash bar. This is one of the less expensive New Year's events I've seen advertised, at $60 a person.
- Can anyone explain to me the lure of going out on New Year's Eve? Perhaps I'm just so bitter and wizened after so many years in the service industry, which have included working about all New Year's Eves for more years than I'd care to list, but my ideal New Year's includes cuddling with Husband on the sofa with some champagne, in my jammies, and watching the ball drop while we mercilessly make fun of Ryan Seacrest. I wouldn't have to be around people who only go out once a year, I wouldn't have to deal with all of the drunk drivers on the streets, I wouldn't have to pay $300 for dinner - ah, it sounds perfect to me. Well, we can all dream. I will, of course, be working. Hooray.
- Okay, on with the events. It's still Wildlights at the Zoo: bundle up and take the kids! Or that girl you've had your eye on. I promise, it's a good first date.
- In additional holiday light news, the Alum Creek park Fantasy of Lights continues this weekend: the 1 1/2 mile drive takes you through all sorts of displays and over a million lights.
- This week at Whole Foods, the Friday night 5 at 5 tasting features great gift wines. For $5, you get a punch card for 5 tastes of wine. For $15, you can attend the VIP tasting in the cooking school and get even more wines. Visit their schedule for more information.
- This week at Sur la Table, you can learn Braising and Roasting tomorrow (12/20) at 6:30pm for $65, and Saturday morning, you can take the kids to the Disney Ratatouille Cooking class at 10:30am for $45.