OC MARKETPLACE!

It's Christmas time and a couple of the kids will be coming in to spend Christmas with us. Josh and his family, and David and Sarah arrive Friday, December 23rd. I am so excited that they are coming, and the weather is predicted to be in the 70's. That will be a warm welcome to Josh, Ashleigh, Chamberlain and Siri leaving the cold Utah weather. And we will have so much fun walking Scooter around the lake, feeding the ducks, coy fish and turtles off my deck, in fact, Chamberlain called yesterday to give me a run down of the things he wants to do when he gets here. One of those things was most likely prompted by his parents. That is to head on over to the Newport Beach / Costa Mesa area where the OC Fairgrounds holds the OC Marketplace, or as we refer to it as the Swap Meet. 

When you hear the words Swap Meet you may think of the casual and unorganized flea markets out there. However, if your thinking goes in this direction, erase that and replace it with a vision of outdoor markets that feature everything from gourmet foods, high end handbags (Beverly Hills Bag Lady) to designer furniture and 14k gold jewelry. They offer everything from handmade, artsy wear to top quality boutiques. It is a shoppers paradise where one can spend $10 for a pair (2) of sunglasses to going into a hidden van and pick up a real Fendi handbag. And it's so much fun. In fact, spending a day there wandering, snacking and shopping is highlighted with fun areas of play for the kids, live music, and rows and rows of shopping delights for all ages, sizes and tastes.


I've always loved going to the OC Marketplace at holiday time. I've picked up beautiful hand sculpted Nativity scenes, children's clothing for the grand kids, and in the past I would always go there to pick up t-shirts of every kind for the cousins. In fact, the cousins could pretty much count on receiving a t-shirt from aunt Sandi and uncle Kenneth. How can you pass up t-shirts that are priced 3 for $10? T-shirts at the OC Marketplace can be name branded (Quick Silver), sports team supported (like the Angels or Lakers), to (my personal favorite) "Someone in California Loves Me." Maybe David should get a couple of those for Sarah...no?  I can hear David now saying, "sure mom," then roll his eyes.


I haven't purchased those t-shirts from OC Marketplace for years, but the memories are still there. And this coming Saturday we'll take full advantage of those last minute swap meet gift "deals" with Santa Clause watches, handmade ornaments, a baby quilt, and maybe...just maybe, a couple of t-shirts for my sixteen (16) fabulous grand kids that read "Somebody In California Loves Me," and save them for 2012 birthday gifts. :-)