After a roasted red pepper hummus sandwich and a side of carrot sticks with salsa for lunch this afternoon,

we were off with some friends to the local garden center for some holiday fun.

Lots of decorations to check out -

and painted plywood to stick our heads through.

We enjoyed a gigantic train display.

The adults appreciated the finer details of the model, like dirty old men and their posters.

Bums being picked up by the cops.

Guys drinking on the job.

After train spotting, it was time to move on.

There were rides to ride after all! And rides to just watch too, apparently.

Maxine chose to watch, Ava chose to ride.

One likes to bounce.

One likes to hold still.

But we finally found a ride that was Maxine approved. Mama approved too thanks to the lack of sketchy characters standing around the train scene. Although a reindeer decorating a Christmas tree seems a little sketchy, but we’ll let it slide this time.

A fun day out, but I’m afraid the day after Thanksgiving is not complete without a meal full of leftovers.

Leftovers of vegetarian stuffing and sweet potato casserole were freshened up with some steamed broccoli and cauliflower and a little sage seasoned, sauteed tofu.

Plus a small piece of apple pie!

The leftovers are gone, the last piece of pie has been eaten. Thanksgiving is officially over. Who wants a sexy lady poster for Christmas? I’m making my list and checking it twice! I already know you’re naughty, but I’m nice – Mama Claus is shopping around!

• Whensday?
• The Reasons I Had Kids
• Rest Day

First the first time in my entire life, I got up early on the day after Thanksgiving to hit up a Black Friday sale. An email from the running store I shop at had some offers that were just too good to pass up.

Well what do you know, I just so happen to be in the market for new running sneakers. Sale sneaks? A group run? Free food? I’ll be there!

The store was packed at 7:30 when I got there and after a half hour trying on sale shoes and elbowing my way through the crowd to the sales line, I got through checkout just in time to leave with the running pack at 8:00.

I convinced my running friend Shawn to come out and run too, and it was right about this moment that he yelled from across the parking lot “Stop taking pictures and let’s GO!” OK, OK I’m coming!

We did 5 hilly miles through the neighborhood streets around the store and were back in 40 minutes to hit up the free food stash.

I let Shawn have my share of waffles and sausages and I snagged a banana.

To be enjoyed with the PB&J Larabar I’d brought along with me knowing I was going pass on the waffle breakfast offer. Damn straight I’m taking my $.20 banana though – thanks.

Eaten while sportin’ my new 40% off New Balance sneaks after their maiden voyage.

Sale shoes, free food and 5 miler? Black Friday isn’t so scary – piece of cake! fruit!

• When the Garmin Strikes Midnight
• Turn It Up
• Stay at Home