On the Market.

If you’re like my husband you’re having a heck of time stuffing your significant other’s stocking. My husband has such difficulty I usually end of filling my own. Don’t be like my husband. Be smart and slip a bar of Spiced Cranberry Soap into your honey’s stocking. And if there’s still room left, why not throw in a bottle of matching lotion as well? The Spiced Cranberry is a luscious blend of cranberry and white spices and has been a big hit this holiday season. Swing by the Roanoke City Market and pick up as many soaps as you like for just $4 each when you buy at least three. You can find me on the Market from Tuesday, December 18th until Sunday, December 23rd for your last minute shopping needs.

A headless Santa made an appearance Friday night as vendors for Dickens of a Christmas set up for the evening. Santa later gained his head and visitors were able to enjoy the Christmas Parade that made its way down Campbell Avenue.

Of course, there was more to see than just the parade. There was a fire eater and a sword swallower who gained a large following.

There was also a man on stilts making balloon hats and swords for children.

And street actors straight from Scrooge.

You could also find fresh kettle corn and potato chips.

Along with delicious butter cream fudge in the most delectable flavors from Gifts Ahoy located in Bridgewater Plaza at Smith Mountain Lake. (They ship! (540) 721-5303.)

This coming Friday, December 21st, is the last night for Dickens so be sure to swing by for your last minute shopping, a Pet Costume Contest, and a holiday movie. Events begin at 6pm and run until 10pm.

I was browsing today and came across some wonderful eco-friendly shopping bags. They come in sets of two for just $10 and will hold the equivalent of three to five plastic, shopping bags. Each bag comes with a random saying and you get to choose your color. These would be perfect for all your shopping needs both on the Roanoke City Market and beyond. You can purchase them here.

Looking for something to create from all those Farmer’s Market apples and pecans? Here are a few recipes to make your tummy sing.

Apple Pecan Salad
Baked Apples Stuffed with Dried Fruit and Pecans
Fruit and Pecan Stuffing
Sauteed Apple, Carrot, and Onion Slaw with Pecans
Upside-Down Apple Pecan Pie
Apple, Pecan and Blue Cheese Spread

There was a great turnout at Dicken’s last Friday, and this Friday will be even better as we have the Christmas Parade to look forward to. There will also be a sword swallower and a fire eater this week. And of course, there’s also plenty of food and shopping.

I set up beside a really nice lady Friday who spins her own yarn from llama wool. Not only will she let you try your hand at spinning some yarn yourself, but she has an amazing selection of fun dolls, bags, ornaments (above,) and llamas made from her own hand spun wool for sale.

Jerry Brockette of Moon Dogie also returned to the Roanoke City Market for Dicken’s with his hand painted signs, cinnamon-scented beeswax ornaments, and dog biscuits. You’ll also find Jerry on the Farmer’s Market during the day through Christmas.

Saturday brought some beautiful pottery to the Market. Jayn Avery had a nice selection of her hand built tea pots (right) for sale along with tea cups, platters, soap dishes, planters, vases, and other beautiful items. All of Jayn’s work is impressed with lace designs and are completely functional.

Saturday you could also find Sherry Tuccairone on the Market with her stoneware pottery which included mugs, decorative dishes (below,) vases, and pots with lids.

For your tree there were these fun mitten ornaments (above) along with an assortment of wool wine cozies - great for gift giving or just dressing up the table.

And of course we can’t forget the farmers who were offering not only wreaths and swags, but delicious apples, oranges, and pecans as well.

Mark Woods, I noticed today, was selling seasonal, decorative containers filled with Donna’s Homemade Peanut Butter Balls. Each colorful container contains about 30 pieces that you can enjoy now, or freeze for later. At just $12 I couldn’t resist bringing home some for myself! They’re very good!

There were also some wonderful, embroidered towels for sale on the Roanoke City Market today. A new vendor from Maryland (recently relocated) tells me he’ll be on hand Thursdays through Saturdays selling these lovely hand towels. Most are just $6 each. I bought one today for my mom’s gift basket that pictured the Nativity. There are also winter scenes, Santas, sayings, and even dog bone towels with fun phrases like “Bones Dias” and “Bone Jour.”

Inside the shops I noticed that Blue Ribbon Boutique offered some great gifts as well. I especially liked this bird feeder (right) that was for sale. Their Chamomile Marigold Herbal Bath also caught my eye as it’d make a nice addition to gift baskets or as a stocking stuffer. Several herbal scent combinations were available.

Should you still be looking for Christmas decor I recommend peeking inside the Gift Niche. They currently are offering a wide selection of collectibles, Christmas tree ornaments, and even Santa figurines.

My favorite figurines were these little, ceramic children (below.)

I found, however, that I like the ornaments best at Calhoun & Kipp where they offered ornaments that were both whimsical - like this fat, charming elephant -

and just darn cute.

They also offered a great selection of fun wine glasses as well as “evening wear” for your favorite Chardonnay.

December 8th be sure to catch Dust Galaxy w/ Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation over at 202 Market. Grammy winners, Thievery Corporation, is headlining. They are performing songs from their newest cd titled Versions, on which they cover songs from Norah Jones, the Doors, Sarah McLachlan, and original tracks as well. Their songs have also been featured on the soundtracks for Garden State and Vanilla Sky. (Thanks, Kaitie, for the tip. ) This will be a sell out show so get your tickets early. Order by phone by calling (540) 343-6644. The show starts at 9pm. Make reservations early to enjoy a great dinner beforehand.

The Roanoke City Market building should be the star of the downtown market area. Unfortunately, it’s been falling apart for quite sometime. The bathrooms are in horrendous condition and the third floor isn’t being used at all. Talk among members of DRI suggested they’d like to see this building once again with a complete top to bottom renovation that offers retail space on the bottom floor, food merchants on the second with balconies for outdoor dining, and a banquet hall on the third floor. Now there’s talk of the City selling off the property. (Read the article.) So what do you think should be done? Should the City renovate or sell?

There was a sound like thunder outside my window. I look, and what do I see? A reminder of that old movie where the birds attack a small town. Hundreds of birds swooping up and down to the water that’s settled on the pool cover from the recent rains. What was the name of that movie, anyway?