Weekly iPhone Roundup - Holiday Edition {11.19 - 11.25}

 It's that time of the week again. This week is a smidge different, it's still photos from my phone, but it's mainly holiday related. I mean, I don't guess that makes things too different, but I guess some of this would get a dedicated post. Maybe... I don't know where I'm going with this.

We went to the tree farm earlier today and normally when we go to a tree farm I take my camera, but there was something SO off with today that I didn't even bother. I'm glad I didn't, because there were like 4-5 people there and they all worked there. It was a kind of smaller place to begin with, so bringing my camera would've made things hell awkward. They were very, very nice, don't get me wrong, but it felt like they were watching our every move. Not thinking we were going to steal, but wanting us to buy something. 

My aunt and uncle also went, but they rode in a separate vehicle this time. Well there were some very beautiful water lanterns for sale for the staggering price of $53! Probably 90% of their stuff was grossly overpriced, so I wasn't jumping at the opportunity to buy anything. Well my uncle locked onto the lanterns and was asking my aunt if she liked them and, of course, she did. We he ended up asking the lady how much they were and if they had more in the back, which they did. Then out of nowhere he shouts, "We'll take it!" Um...  excuse me? He didn't even ask my aunt if she wanted to get it, he just went for it.

Well my aunt was very obviously irritated at his $60 purchase. LaVaughn and I were equally shocked and surprised at the audacity. A little back story on my uncle real quick: he's been off work for like 8 weeks with his knee. He's gonna end up having a knee replacement, but his insurance isn't paying him as much as he would normally be making, so things are tight for them. I know this, LaVaughn knows this and my aunt damn sure knows it. So you can see where her anger comes from. 

This was kind of the mindset of the whole day, just a lot of irritation and uncomfortable situations.

And to top the tree farm experience off, their trees were like so ridiculously tiny and carried a price tag that weighed more than the tree. We headed to Lowes after, which was a total bust. Thankfully Menards saved the day and we were able to find a 7 1/2ft tree for the same price as the micro trees from the tree farm.

Black Friday shopping was also a bust. I wanted to get this stupid little vacuum for like $20, but Farmington Walmart was out, as was Desoto's. I also wanted to get the $10 J-Lab ear buds, but they were sold out as well. We did, however, make out with 6 of the $1 wax melts and an awesome Blackstone set for my aunt and uncle. I take that back, we also got the 4 pack of mini cookers that Walmart had. Still... total suckfest. I also missed out on the 65in TV that Walmart had that I wanted to get my aunt and uncle for Christmas. Now I'm gonna have to swallow my pride and try to find a decently priced one that doesn't make me want to puke.

I guess I'll stop there. I hope your holiday week was less eventful, unless it was the good kind of eventful, of course. 

This is my moms youngest dog, Hyde. He came on a drive with my and my step dad, Jeff, to pick up some Chinese food.

He was very anxious after his papa left.

But he still wanted to cuddle me.

A pretty little golden tree from Dollar Tree.

I think this was from Tuesday, this is when we got the inflatable ornaments hung up. 

Messy Thanksgiving prep.

The coconut cream pie I made.

First time making these pumpkin bars. It's from a very old recipe... I also hate that it's sideways.

This is the iced pumpkin bars. They were So delicious!

Here are some of the Christmas trees from Bollinger Farms.

They were pretty, but they're like yard decor, not really big or full enough for Christmas Trees.

They had some very pretty wreaths.

They were crazy priced though, like $30-$50.

This is the only picture I took inside because it was kinda awkward and very quiet.

Here's the Bollinger Farms sign.

And here's the $60 church water lantern. It's beautiful, but not worth the price.

Beck's Tree Farm - 2016 Edition

We made it to our favorite tree farm on opening day this year. Surprisingly, the farm wasn't as busy as one would imagine it to be. Much busier than last year, but it was like 30 degrees last year and we were the only other people there aside from one couple that was leaving. It could be that they didn't have as many trees to choose from this year. But like I said, it's opening day and Black Friday, so I'm sure a lot of people were out shopping.

we browsed through a couple trees before LaVaughn and I my uncle found a really nice looking "fluffy" tree. My uncle kept commenting on how different it looked and how soft it was. He even picked it up to see how it looked. It really was pretty and tall, man that tree was tall. And full! It was so full that you couldn't see just how crooked the base of it was.

One of the employees finally made his was over to another couple next to us and my uncle was finally able to ask him what kind of tree it was. "A white pine!" he shouted. My uncle then began to ask him all about it. My aunt and I were reluctant to jump on the first nice looking tree, especially one that had such flimsy branches.

Since both my uncle and LaVaughn loved it so, we decided on it without further hesitation.

The inside of the small building where you paid for the tree had been completely gutted. This was one of the highlights last year as they had dozens of decorations and ornaments inside to choose from. They also had free coffee and hot cocoa, along with popcorn and a wood stove. They had none of that this year, which was a big disappointment.

We made it to Walmart shortly after to brave the Black Friday crowds, or what was left of them. LaVaughn and I went last night when Black "Friday" was in full swing. Aside from being more crowded than usual, it wasn't too bad. We left there with a gift for Shawna, the girl I work with, and something that my uncle wanted me to pick up for my aunt.

I made the mistake of riding in the backseat of my aunt and uncle's truck today. I paid for it too, I'm actually still paying for it. I get so, so sick when I'm in the backseat of vehicles. It's only gotten worse since I got older. Oh well, it's over and done now, no need to complain.

We were all too tired to decorate the tree tonight, so that will come tomorrow... AFTER I get home from work. Fun, fun.

Here are a fraction (24) of the nearly 70 pictures that I took today. Hope you enjoy!

The drive there:

The welcome sign:

(kinda crappy, but I was in the backseat)

They had this last year as well, I believe.

Pretty nice selection.

Others, not so much.

Have to have a portrait, of course.

I made him laugh right before this. :)

These are the White Pine trees.

See that tall one? That's the one they were after.

Personally, I like these.

Also a fair bit of people there today.

The employee -- slightly odd man.

Look how wide this thing it!

And tall! My uncle stands at 6'!

This guy could not get a good grip.

And he wouldn't even let my uncle help.

So off he went.

Surprisingly enough, they had pumpkins! They even had their own pumpkin field.

Packaging our tree:

This is one of my favorite things.

Love pictures like this.

I think I got one like this last year too.

That's all, folks! Hope you enjoyed our tree farm adventures this year. :)

Thanksgiving prep plus Black (Thursday) Friday deals!

We've been in full swing Thanksgiving Day prep since Monday, but hardcore today. The bread has been made, cake, pies, pumpkin rolls, cauliflower salad, potato dishes -- basically everything! We're also shifting all of the Christmas decorations around in the garage for Friday. It's our tradition, like many others, to get our tree the day after Thanksgiving.

We're also in Black Friday prep mode. We have everything written down for tomorrow after dinner, even though I know we'll forget the list or not even bother with it if we do remember. There are some amazing deals this year that I hope and pray we can get our hands on.

We go for the movies and games 70% of the time, but there are several other things that we want to get people. Our Christmas list is small this year in the way of people. Our family has disbanded over the years and changed. Aside from my sister, there are 3 other people that I care about buying for and being around -- my aunt, uncle and Shawna, the girl I work with. She doesn't have it easy and really needs something there that can care for her. Such a sweet girl, she shouldn't have to live the way she does.

That's for another time, I suppose.

I guess I need to stop blogging and finish cooking. Not too much time left to prep. I won't have time to blog tomorrow and there's a good chance I won't blog Friday due to more shopping and the tree farm. So until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe, have fun and most importantly, be thankful...

Cauliflower salad in the works!

I love how clean and festive the kitchen looked before we cooked again, lol.

Gotta have pumpkin rolls on Thanksgiving, and before. :)

The Walking Dead Mid Season Finale! Plus our COMPLETED Christmas Tree!

Just finished the mid-season finale of The Walking Dead!! Omg, it was SO awesome! They're following the comics fairly well, which is awesome. Even MORE awesome comic stuff is yet to come -- I'm hoping Jessie's story line plays in. And we all know Negan is coming, who is being portrayed by my man, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I cannot wait!!

We went to town earlier and grabbed some garland for the tree, plus what we needed for the cabinets. I have to say, everything turned out really awesome, I' proud of us. Of course there are loads of pictures at the bottom that showcases just how beautiful everything is.

While we were in town we decided to grab some stuff for the glider to make their new diet with. I found this online a couple months back, but we never got what we needed to make it. Well surprisingly enough, we found 98% of everything that we needed! And so far it's a HUGE hit!

Speaking of the ratties, we ordered a bunch of stuff for them on Black Friday from around the web. We should get it all in the next few days, I can't wait!

I guess that's all for now. It's late and I have quite a few thing to take care of for tomorrow. Until then...

Love & Peace

-Megan

Our new rat diet:

Christmas decorations around the house:

The Christmas tree:

All the presents we wrapped last night -- for 5 hours:

That is such a suggestive santa hat.

More decorations from my phone:

A glimpse of the rats diet:

And now my current favorite picture of our Xmas tree.