The Great Escape

Urban Chickens get a taste of country livin'...

We built a temp "hotel" for the girls while out of town...

Vacation time for us!

My friend John has a way with hens and calls them "Miss"

With my Brother, George, and his budding pack gone (to Oregon visiting family) for Thanksgiving and a flock of our own to care for here, we decided to make a dash for the Sierras and escape the holiday madness last Thursday. With Dad, Mom, Justin, Mark, Donna, David, Josh, Clinton and I all staying at one of our favorite casinos in Reno NV it was quite a family gathering for us. My Auntie Judith and her brood joined us the next day. For us, getting everyone together can be a challenge and over the years we've adapted by finding places that can accomodate our large bunch so we can be together. The upside; no one has to slave over a hot stove during the holidays and we get to spend our precious time having FUN! Here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving get away! (We don't just farm you know.) 

Ice Skating!

Dance Dance...

Gelato

mmm.. Pistachio

Thrift Shopping!

Best Vietnamese Food Ever.

Mom and I

Thankful that we are all together <3

All partied out.

LOVE seeing things like this. "Turn off all lights when leaving"

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving is what's known as Black Friday. It is the biggest shopping day for Americans and refers to the term, being in the black (turning a profit). Well, it's scary to think what chaos the massive deals some big box stores have driven people to. Last year at a Long Island Walmart, an employee was trampled to death as people burst through the doors in a frenzy to get the most out of there money. Police that came to his aid and even a pregnant woman were also inured in the madness! Is it a coincidence that the Black Friday sounds so ominous? 

Well, maybe there is a way to save money and avoid being crushed by a mob... The day after Thanksgiving Justin and I ventured out of our rooms after spying several thrift stores and pawn shops the day before and stumbled upon a darling little shop called Junkee Recycled Clothing. I made out like a bandit finding treasures that Walmart goers could only dream of (maybe) and saved money in process. To me there's nothing quite like finding unique and vintage clothes for cheap.

The funny thing was, after we got back to the hotel, I switched on the Reno local news and they did a short piece about how some people are avoiding the holiday shopping rush by patronizing thrift stores! It gets better, Junkee Recycled Clothes was one of the featured local shops and guess who was shown shopping there??? Me and Justin got such a laugh out of seeing ourselves on TV (even if it was local news) and it was nice to see television promoting something a little less commercial and a bit more sensible for once. 

Hoping that everyone is having a great holiday season and finding good ways to save money this year!

How do I look?