Unusual C&D Traffic

To take a break from the Christmas chat....

Last night at work, I looked out the front door and saw a very long boat docked at our town dock. It looked odd..I wasn't sure what it was or where it was from. About an hour later 4 chilly guests walked inside. They looked cold and like they had come from a boat. I asked it they had been on that boat that just docked. They said yes...which sparked this interesting post. They are crew from the ferry, Freedom. They have just passed through the Panama Canal, crossed the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys on their way from San Francisco to New York City. Freedom worked with other ferry's taking tourists to Alcatraz Island. In January, it will carry visitors to Ellis Island. The ferry holds 450 passengers. You can read the New York Times article here.
Ed Jerbic, the captain, has been sleeping behind the pilot seat in a tent partially covered and NOT insulated. He was freezing and decided to treat himself to a night in our cottage next to the restaurant. My staff enjoyed meeting the 5 person crew and hearing about their voyage. Ed has put together a blog...it is really interesting and has fascinating photos.

Burberry and Flannel?

For Christmas, I got my mom a Burberry purse. She opened it and right away my makeup wearing,doll loving, purse loving 3 year old niece, Aislyn grabbed it and slung it over her shoulder. She looked at it and carried it around the house, put all of her toy keys and baby doll bottles in it then went to bed with it. For all of you Burberry lovers...before you gasp one more time...it is a fake. That night I found it in her bed, so I took it out and put in near the tree. The next morning 6am or so...my sister wakes me and says where is mom's purse? Aislyn is crying and holding her new baby and asking for the purse. I found it and gave it to her. We sat in bed and I talked to her about the purse. She opened it and told me to look in at the "trash" or crumpled up paper to keep it's shape. Then I told her it was Gram's purse and she said she wanted one. Next trip to the flea market will include a Burberry for Aislyn. Only 3 and already expensive taste!

Go Tell It On The Mountain

During my trip to TN, I was able to attend Landen's Christmas Program at his school. His class sang Go Tell It On The Mountain and a poem about the candy cane. He did such a great job and knew all of the words. Landen is the one in the bow time below the angel.

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.

Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.

Refrain

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.

Refrain

After the program we went to his classroom and he showed me around. I saw his cubby, all of his neat Christmas projects and I got to meet his homecoming queen. WHAT?? Homecoming queen in pre-K???? You got it...Landen is the Pre-K Homecoming King and Kailee is the Pre-K Homecoming Queen. His school has a king and queen for each grade for the Homecoming Basketball Game. They will make their debut in mid January. What a cute king and queen!!!

Cocoa in A Jar

While I was visiting TN, I helped my sister make some teacher gifts for my nephew and niece. I decided to have Landen help me make Cocoa in a Jar. An idea that I got from Posie Gets Cozy. They are easy and fun to make...the perfect project for a 4 year old. He had a great time doing it. It kept his attention and kept him up way past his bedtime, which I paid for the next day! Something that a "spoiling aunt" always forgets...3 and 4 year olds need naps and bedtimes!!!!

Here's a photo of my helper in his apron!

Christmas in Ridgeside

The week before I Christmas I flew to my mom's home in Chattanooga, Tennessee for a visit. I was also a recruit to help with her neighborhood Luminarie and Open House Night. Her neighborhood, Ridgeside, has a 60 year old tradition of placing luminaries in front of each home, lining all of the streets. They light them from 6-9pm on the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas. It is truly beautiful. People come in carloads to tour the neighborhood. Longtime residents told me that many years ago the cars lined up to drive through the neighborhood.
On the first night, a few homes are open to tour and enjoy fellowship and snacks for all of the neighbors. My mom's home was one of them. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I was glad I could help. Click here to see a video of the sights in Ridgeside this Christmas.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Aren't we all this time of year. Ok..I admit. I haven't been posting. I am sorry. This week I was in Chattanooga, TN with my mom, sister, nephew and niece. We had a wonderful time and I will post photos TONIGHT....I promise, Ginger. My shopping is finished, the decorations are all up. I haven't baked anything...but I have made some really cute cocoa jars, which I will post about later. That's about it...the pneumonia really kept me down, I didn't rest as much as I needed...so it lasted a little longer. Those are all of my excuses. Check out the site later. You can also view a video of our tree that Jeffrey made here.
Happy Holidays!!!!!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

I am finally feeling better. Sunday I started to turn around...so I started some Christmas decorating and made a wreath. I had a lot of loose greens my mom used while she was here and I cut up some pine and holly and VOILA!