So the holidays have been keeping us busy...

...but we'll be back, we promise. We just need a few days out of dodge to let '09 sink in and we'll be on the keys with lots of posts in no time. Until then, send in your stories and photos of how you rang in the Twenty-O-Nine Kensington style. Embarrassing, post-champaign photos are appreciated, but not required.

Happy New Year, Kensington.

Happy Holidays

Whichever of the many available holidays you observe, not the least of which is Festivus, may we wish you a peaceful and happy one. No matter how you celebrate the season, or even if you don't celebrate it at all, you can probably still appreciate this clip, which sums it all up pretty perfectly.



From the good folks at the Kensington Blog, Happy Festivus.

Remembrance of Turkey Days past

Happy Thanksgiving, Kensingtonians. Watch out for that tryptophan.

Santa Event at Hamilton Dog House!

Santa is coming to the Hamilton Dog House on East 3rd and Ft. Hamilton Parkway on December 22 from 12 pm - 3pm. Please bring your pets and/or children for a photo with Santa!! Photos will be $5.00 and all proceeds will go to benefit NYAnimal Rescue There will be refreshments for pets and owners alike.

Kensington Gift Guide

1. Get a portrait of you, the family or the dog by one of our local photographers. donje photography or Rebecca Wilde.

2. Buy a Tot Stop T-shirt from local resident Jessica who started the company.

3. Try a hey punkin! onsie or t-shirt from local Mom and business creator Heather. She even has an East 4th collection based on Kensington!

4. Get a gift certificate from Nail's Plus on Church Ave.

5. Buy some yummy and delicious stocking stuffers at Dan's Select Meats

6. Buy a work of art from one of the local artists... What about Adam Welch or Maggie Tobin? We totally dig their work. (Check out the blog roll for other local artists)

7. Buy Kesington neighbor san.drine's single for a pal.

8. Buy Anya Ulnich's book Petropolis for anyone! (It was on our must read list before we knew she lived in Kensington).

9. Stop by Estelle (on Fort Hamilton) for artisan goods and knick knacks.

10. Buy the dog or cat a treat at Hamilton Dog House (on Fort Hamilton) or It's a Dog's World located on Coney Island Ave.

11. Check out this interesting jewelry from local designer Kari Beth

12. Take someone to race slot cars at Buzz-A-Rama. Need info? Try askperri AT aol DOT com Perri is better known as Buzz.

Got more to add? Put it in comments and we'll updat the list next week!

Kensington Holiday Gift Guide

We're compiling our first annual Kensington Holiday Gift Guide. We need info on you and your wears if you live in Kensington and sell somewhere else, have a store in Kensington, are part of a special show and are resident of Kensington or just want to send us local ideas or a link to a local. We think you get the picture... send 'em today b/c the gift guide is coming this week! K(B)

Local Spots for a Tree

If you're like us and get into the holiday season there are a few places in these parts to get a tree as well as some trimmings. We highly recommend Shannon Florist at 3380 Fort Hamilton Pkwy and not only bought our tree their last year but used them for our wedding. Shannon Florist is a family run business that has been in the neighborhood for many many years. We also like the florist on Caton Ave at E7th St. In years past they have used the lot across the street to store and sell Christmas trees. Currently they have many winter plants on display as well as poinsettia.