Gosh, this week has gone by fast - too fast in fact!

If you want a break from the hustle & bustle of the holiday season, be sure to visit Fireside Books & Gifts tomorrow, as Nancy and Guy Winker will be reading their book "Abigail Ann & the Santa Claus Plan". This book is also highlighted in the December issue of "Our State" magazine. Enjoy a great afternoon Pajama Party with the kids, complete with storytime, snack and a fun make-a-snowflake craft project! Perfect activity for a cold day. 1:00-3:00 pm

If you're looking for a small, unique gift for your secret pal, office gift exchange or stocking stuffer, stop by the Gift Shop at Spindale Drug and check out the great selection of ornaments that can be personalized while you wait!

The Graham Cash store in downtown Forest City is running a 3 Day Sale which concludes tomorrow, with 25% -30% many selected items as well as Lee and Levis jeans for $19.99. They also offer free layaway & gift wrapping on purchases over $10. You may want to check the Daily Courier for an additional coupon for 25% which appeared in the last several days!

Here are some GREEN ideas for hosting a party-

*Buy drinks in bigger bottles rather than small ones. One large bottle generates less waste than several smaller ones.

*Check out Farmers Fresh Market at http://www.farmersfreshmarket.org/. Local produce supports small suppliers and the community while minimizing your carbon footprint. They are still offering items such as honey, jam, jellies, eggs, potatoes and various types of lettuce and tomatoes. Even a few varieties of apples still available.

*Buy your fruits and vegetables loose and skip all that wasteful plastic packaging. Make sure any packaging is made from recycled materials.

*Cook a fresh, organic turkey or ham.

*Use the right-sized pan for anything you cook; boil vegetables in just the amount of water they need. This all saves on energy and helps our planet.

* Don't forget to put your vegetable peelings from your parties or holiday dinners in your home compost bin. If you have a garden, consider an indoor worm (ugh!) ranch to break down the vegetable food waste into rich nutrients for the soil. (That idea is even worse than having an ant farm).

* Switch to cloth napkins - collect varied ones at thrift stores and garage sales. Tie one at each place setting with raffia, and insert a cinnamon stick, dried flowers or eve a spring of fresh boxwood or rosemary. This also adds a very elegant touch to your holiday table. Just love cloth napkins!

What a gorgeous day! As promised, here are some of the happenings going on around Rutherford County this weekend!

* Beginning tomorrow evening thru Sunday, Dec. 6th, you can catch the Rutherford County Community Theater production of "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" at the Union Mills Learning Center. Nightly presentations on Friday and Saturday evenings will begin at 7:30 pm, with the Sunday matinee at 2:30 pm.

*The ECA Holiday Sampler IX "A Cup of Christmas Tea", held at the Co-operative Extention Office, will be this Saturday, Dec. 5th from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. Join them for great ideas on holiday decorating with beads, sample holiday treats and learn how to make a great pot of tea! Admission is $10; call 287-6020 for more information.

* Annual holiday festivities in downtown Forest City kick off Friday night with hayrides, carriage rides on Saturday night, visits with Santa at the Santa House, Santa Paws pet pictures and the return of the Holiday Craft Show all located on Main Street!

*The Spindale-Rutherfordton Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 5 beginning at 3:30 pm on E. Main Street in Spindale and continuing at 5:00 pm on Main Street in downtown Rutherfordton. Come out and enjoy this annual event!

In addition to the above highlighted events, be sure to check the community calendar and Rutherford Info for various home tours and Christmas caroling activities going on in the various communitities. There is truly something for everyone during this festive season!

Just a little "green" item to pass along

I ran across a great recycling effort going on involving old blue jeans! Bonded Logic is a business who makes insulation out of old denim. You can send your old, used jeans to:

Fair Indigo Denim Drive
c/o Green Jeans Insulation Inc.
1109 W. Milwaukee Street
Stoughton, WI 53589

What a great way to help our planet! So, if you get new jeans for Christmas, pack up those old ones and send them to Wisconsin to be used in insulation!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and a successful shopping experience on Black Friday! There were some great sales going on locally, and even though I didn't get started until 11:00 Friday morning, I still was able to put a big dent in my shopping list and saved a bunch at the same time!

Be sure to check the sales fliers that are in the newspaper almost daily now. Many are offering additional savings with percent-off coupons, early bird specials, etc. I, myself, have found great bargains by heading directly to the clearance racks. Don't overlook "seasonal" items as many finds such as short sleeved blouses or shirts can easily be used during the winter season under sweaters or jackets! Just yesterday I stopped by Burke's Outlet and found on their clearance rack, stationed outside their entrance, a men's black leather belt for $7.99 with 70% off, as well as a wide selection of purses ranging from soft leather shoulder bags to cute crocheted purses for 50% off the listed price.

Besides shopping for holiday gifts, most of us are now in the midst of holiday decorating. Keeping with the "Green Christmas" tips mentioned in the last several blogs, today's topic will feature trees and wreaths -

• Always buy real. Although artificial trees and wreaths are reusable, the fact is that both are petroleum-based and are not biodegradable. If you get a fresh, natural tree or wreath, it can be recycled later.

• If at all possible, buy a potted or balled Christmas tree (the roots are still attached). After the holidays, you can replant the tree in your yard or donate it to your town for replanting.

• If you prefer a fresh cut tree, purchase one grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers at an organic tree farm. We are so fortunate to live in an area where we can find so any tree farms within a short driving distance.

• After the holidays, be sure to take your tree to the recycling centers where it can be turned into mulch. To learn more about this process, contact SWEEP at http://www.sweeprecycles.com/.

• Many local tree stands, as well as churches and non-profit organizations, are selling wreaths and trees, some of which are already decorated and ready to hang. You not only get something beautiful, but you know your hard-earned dollars are staying local and supporting a good cause.

• If you're really crafty and have the time, you can make your own wreath from cuttings from the plants and trees in your own yard! The nandina and holly bushes have beautiful berry-laden branches this time of year.

Tomorrow I'll highlight the numerous holiday events going on this weekend in Rutherford County. Enjoy your day!