Mars in Suburbia

Tim had married a beautiful woman far above his station in almost every way. Sure, Diana was attractive, but she was also intelligent, capable and powerful. Tim was a little mousey, but he was creative and smart. More importantly, he was just a good guy. Tim thought he was marrying a goddess and only found out that it was literally true on their wedding day.

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Salem Holiday Market 2019 Preview: Santiam Soap Co. (J-D17)

The Salem Holiday Market 2019 will feature 250 vendors in two different buildings! There are door prizes to be given away, carols to be sung, and Santa might even make an appearance! Maybe, he’ll give his elves a break and pick up some amazing handmade items! Even if Santa isn’t delivering to your house, you can still get gifts from some amazing local talents and businesses. Jessy and Vinnie Rolfness od Santiam Soap Co. took time out of the holiday preparations to answer some of our questions about their participation in the market.

How many years have you been attending the Salem Holiday Market? This will be our second year as vendors at the Salem Holiday Market, but we have been in attendance for many years as shoppers!

What are you bringing to 2019’s Market? We will have both our hand-crafted artisan soap (including our holiday collection!) and highly scented soy wax melts. 

What’s new at your booth? We have an exciting new line of soy wax melts as well as a new design of our infamous Unicorn Breath soap!

What’s your favorite thing about Salem Holiday Market? We love the environment of the Salem Holiday Market. Walking down the red carpet with the live music playing and Christmas wreaths above. It really gets us in the holiday spirit!

What’s the best advice you have for people coming to the Salem Holiday Market? Take your time when you’re browsing and do a full walk through before purchasing anything! It is inevitable that you’ll miss a few booths when you’re wandering through and, who knows, that could be the one with the perfect gift! 

What is your website address? www.santiamsoap.com

Penguinate.com will be at the market as well (J13). Make sure you get your discount coupon for entry and drop by to see us.

Salem Holiday Market: Preview Just One Week to Go!

With the Salem Holiday Market 2019 ready to kick-off in just about a week, you may be wondering what to expect. The Market will be filled with Christmas and holiday cheer as carolers and other groups perform daily. There will be several activities available in both halls with a focus on children in the Columbia Hall where the there is a kids’ activity center, pet adoptions and a huge model train setup.

As one of the vendors in the Jackman Long Hall this year, White Picket Fence Caramels (Booth J-F) will be there for their third year! Erica Wade says that she loves how welcoming the visitors and vendors at the market and suggests that shoppers look at everything at the market before making a purchase. White Picket Fence Caramels will be bringing their handmade, soft caramels.

The Salem Holiday Market 2019 runs Dec. 12 with a special night benefiting Chemeketa Community College’s Student Relief Fund. Many vendors will have specials for that evening. At the Penguinate booth (J13), the first 100 people to come by will get a code for a free 2020 calendar download. (No purchase necessary; offer valid until supply of codes runs out.) Saturday, bring a canned food item and get a discount on entry. You can also get a discount on entry by printing these coupons and bringing them with you.

New Zealand: Devonport Brings Victorian Seaside, Shopping, and Creativity Together

A ferry ride to Devonport comes with the Auckland Explorer Bus Tour. We were able to use our ticket on the day after we had done the hop on, hop off experience. Devonport is a small suburb of Auckland that is full of quaint shops and cafes. If you like shopping and eating, this is the place to go.

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New Zealand: Dunedin’s Hungry Hobos Goes Easy on the Wallet without Sacrificing Flavor or Fun

When we arrived in Dunedin, we were hungry. Usually, we have to look at a few restaurants for food options and cost before we can agree on a place.  We didn’t have to even discuss where we were going to eat in Dunedin. On just the sign alone, we were both in agreement: Hungry Hobos was the place we should go. And their toasties were just the right salve for our hunger.

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‘Frozen 2’ Builds on its Predecessor while Exploring Creativity and Revealing Human Nature

“Frozen 2” is one of those rare sequels that is better than the original. The team, somehow, remained true to the source material, created characters that are like real people, and explored several levels of story depth, including creativity and what people are really like. I loved “Frozen” so much that my roommates in Malta got me Olaf themed gifts for Christmas.  I’m not saying I planned our entire New Zealand trip around the release of “Frozen 2,” so I could see it in English, but… In case I need to say it, spoilers after the trailer.

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