Sampling works.

I went into the new Williams-Sonoma during my lunch break to see if there was anything new since I worked there two Christmases ago. While there wasn't much new merchandise, they were sampling some of their usual holiday fare, including the pecan pumpkin dessert squares, which are utterly divine. Perhaps because I went shopping before I grabbed lunch, I dove right into the impulse buy and have absolutely no regrets. So, if you like pumpkin and dessert, I will make a shameless plug for you to buy the pumpkin butter that goes into the recipe and have yourself a happy little fall treat.

the odd couple

When I was at lunch today, there was a married couple sitting next to my friend and me. The man really intrigued me, as he was sporting a Marlboro Man "lite" look - rumpled plaid flannel shirt with a pack of cigarettes in the pocket, old jeans, boots, huge scruffy beard and '80s style glasses with plastic covers on the corners. And throughout my lunch hour, this man sat with lady-like posture, with one leg crossed over the other, and he was knitting what appeared to be a dainty white mitten. His work was beautiful, and he knitted diligently while his wife talked to every other table around. Perhaps I'm too stuck in gender roles, but this whole scenario just seemed entirely out of place.

The end.