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<\/a>It’s 30 degrees out and there’s a light dusting of snow all around.\u00a0 People have decorated their houses with colorful fairy lights. The stores are packed with shoppers trying to find that perfect gift.\u00a0 Which reminds me, I have not done anything to get into the holiday mood.\u00a0 Tonight\u00a0 is going to be a special night in Mineral Point.\u00a0 The town is going to have a Candlelight Shopping<\/a><\/em> event which I urge you to attend if you want to find a truly unique gift for a loved one and to have a delightful shopping experience.\u00a0 Two years ago Keith and I went and it was just wonderful.\u00a0 Imagine at twilight,\u00a0 paper lanterns lining the sidewalks, the street lights adorned with evergreen wreaths and giant red velvet bows, music in the air, and shop windows showing off their one of a kind items.\u00a0 To top it off how about a gentle flurry of snow and some warm chestnuts roasted on an open fire to pacify your hunger before dinner at one of the local restaurants?\u00a0 Experience the small town charm tonight.\u00a0 Saturday, December 5 from 5-9 PM.<\/p>\n Here are some gift ideas:\u00a0 Just a few of my favorite things.<\/p>\n 1. Kickapoo Coffee<\/a> – $12 for 12 oz.\u00a0 The only coffee I will drink now.\u00a0 It’s the best.\u00a0 They have also just won Roast Magazine’s<\/em> Roaster of the Year award.\u00a0 Keith and I will be visiting their factory in Viroqua soon.<\/p>\n 2. Scarf from Global View<\/a> – $9.\u00a0 Global View is such a neat place.\u00a0 They are secluded among the picturesque hills just outside the town of Spring Green.\u00a0 The shop is full of Southeast Asian tapestries and other decorative arts.\u00a0 My favorite thing to do there is to look through their fabulous collection of hand-painted\u00a0 silk and linen scarves.<\/p>\n 3. Decorative Pie plate from Aaron Weaver (purchase at the Mineral Point Farmers Market or contact Aaron at\u00a0 aweaver@mail.com<\/em>) – $25.\u00a0 Wood Salt Fired Stoneware Pottery.\u00a0 Mr. Weaver makes other items such as vases, plates, and mugs.\u00a0 I plan to buy more items and perhaps take a pottery class from him this winter.<\/p>\n 4. Songbird Necklace from Rymi Studios<\/a> (in Illinois) – $18.\u00a0 This 18 k gold plated necklace with a Swarovski crystal was custom made for me by my friend Rymi.\u00a0 She has very whimsical pieces that I just adore.<\/p>\n 5. Goat Milk Soap from Lacey’s Lathers<\/strong><\/a> (also Mineral Point Farmer’s Market) – $2 a bar.\u00a0 These are my favorite soaps.\u00a0 They are made from goats milk from Claire’s own goats.\u00a0 The are gentle and come in a variety of scents such as orange, lavender, vanilla, and sandalwood.\u00a0 In addition she also sells solid lotion bars that are just perfectly creamy.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0 Uplands Cheese<\/strong><\/a> Pleasant Ridge Reserve – $26 a pound or $180 for a 10 pound wheel.\u00a0 It’s really good.\u00a0 Made from the best cow’s milk in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0 Hook’s Cheese<\/strong><\/a> 15 year old cheddar.\u00a0 $35.95 a pound.\u00a0 It’s a new product debuting this weekend.\u00a0 It’s America’s oldest cheddar.\u00a0 Read more<\/a> about it on The Wisconsin State Journal’s website.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0 Rural Route 1 Popcorn<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 Their 2 gallon can of “Merry Christmas” popcorn is $28.95 each.\u00a0 What’s a holiday without a tin of popcorn?<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0 Wollersheim Winery<\/strong><\/a> Ice Wine.\u00a0 $47.\u00a0 Perfect for or with dessert.<\/p>\n![\"kickapoocoffee\"](\"http:\/\/driftlessappetite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/kickapoocoffee.jpg\" "\\"kickapoocoffee\\"")
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