#2,147 Downtown Open House.

I’ve been going to the downtown Christmas open house for as long as I can remember. It’s the busiest day of the year for our downtown shop owners who go all out decorating their windows for Christmas, giving out delicious snacks and hot cider and welcoming the whole town to see their holiday wares.

This is one of those Laurel traditions where you’ll see everyone you’ve ever known, right up there with Day in the Park and Pancake Day. If ever there were a time Laurel felt like Stars Hollow, this is it.

Santa, if you’re reading, I wouldn’t be sad to find a Mason Cash bowl under the tree. They use them on Downton Abbey. Aren’t they lovely?!

This is the first year Southern Antiques has had a ‘Laurel’ department! Everything in this room is made for Laurel by locals. There’s beautiful stuff by Adam Trest, Mandy Buchanan and Shauna Stockstill. And also, they had roasted pecans for the taking. YUM.

Upstairs I found my dear old friend, Hope, and her fair trade apparel shop. We don’t see each other as much as we used to, but every time we do it’s like no time has passed. It’s good to have old friends who know you very well and forgive your absences.

A stop by the butcher shop for fresh hickory bacon…

And a rainy walk home with my umbrella, past the inn next door and the town’s prettiest and oldest ginkgo tree.

Big let me use the umbrella while he implemented the “walking fast” method.

And then supper at Cracker Barrel! The perfect day!

Best of all, today’s highs were in the 50s and drizzling rain that means David Gray music all day and night. Mmmmmm… I was made for cold weather. I’m in my flannel PJs now, so I think I’ll go lay by the fire and get back to my book.

P.S.– Here is your daily lumberjack reminder… He’s now leading by 1,600+ votes! Ahhhhh! This thing is over Tuesday at midnight so I will stop pestering you after tomorrow. I promise. If you haven’t voted today and would like to help, just click here and scroll down to the checkbox by Ben’s picture. You are the best!