Sunday, December 4, 2011

Getting in the spirit

The rowing team had great fun last night being in the parade of boats.  We aren't "official" registrants, but enjoy the cheers that we get as we row past the spectators with lights on the oars and along the gunnels.  We had two full gigs full of crew and each boat towed a dinghy with a lit Christmas tree.
The rowing gig is almost ready for the parade

In the parade, rowing and towing the dinghy with tree. Green and red lights were on the oars. 
We had a great view of the boats as they passed by
All the boats and the Christmas carols are getting me in the spirit.  We have decided this year to not give gifts to each other, but to give a few things to relatives and friends.  We make pepper jelly each year in green and red.  So we will be giving some jars of that to some friends.  I think that it will be good to concentrate on the reason for the season.  We are hoping for a peaceful and joyful holiday. That's really all we want.

We did put some decorations up and have our tree.  The smell of a fir tree in the house is wonderful.  I hope that you are enjoying the day.  It is beautiful here--nearly 70 degrees.
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19 comments:

  1. Brian MillerDecember 4, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    nice..we used to go to the port in Tampa and watch the boat parade...lots of fun...

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  2. atomic mommaDecember 4, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Hi there Syd. Your post cheered me up. I hope your wife's father is improving.

    My husband and I stopped exchanging gifts for holidays and birthdays years ago and we don't miss it! We make a special meal together to celebrate instead and I just love it.

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  3. LouDecember 4, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    I love boat parades! There are some great ones on Lake Michigan on the 4th of July, and for other occasions. People get so creative. Love the lights on the oars!

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  4. NanceDecember 4, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    Greetings from the Redneck Riveria. Spotted you at Termites of Sin and always glad to meet like-minded folks in this All-Sphincters Red state.

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  5. happygirlDecember 4, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    I love a boat parade. Yours looks so festive. Reminds me of Christmases in Ft. Lauderdale with my mil and the boat parade on the intercoastal. :)

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  6. Ms. MoonDecember 4, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    New header? Love.
    Lights on oars? Yeah. That too.

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  7. AnonymousDecember 4, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    We were near 70 today as well in our parts. I love cold weather but not high furnace bills. I will take 70 in December any day of the week :)

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  8. Pittsburgh GuyDecember 4, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Went to a gifts of the program meeting yesterday. That is what you are talking about as to the true spirit of the season. You can do little things to make others feel better: rowing a decorated tree in a boat, giving homemade jelly, decorating slogans with candy canes and ribbons, holding a door for a person carrying packages etc

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  9. Enchanted OakDecember 5, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    The rhythm of your life sounds familiar.... a serving of hard frost, some pain, a cup of laughter, a little cooking ...

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  10. ShadowDecember 5, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    look beauuuutiful! i like what you're doing for christmas. i think as we get older, the meaning of christmas becomes more important than all the hype the world at large tries to force on us...

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  11. ScottFDecember 5, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    nice Syd, I remember you sharing about this during previous years... It's fun to see how various regions celebrate Christmas.

    I too love the smell of a fresh cut tree in the house. This year we went back to the old artificial since we'll be traveling quite a bit around Christmas.

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  12. the walking manDecember 5, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Syd don't hope just do. Forgo that which takes you from the places you don't want to be during the next month and be in the places you do.

    Is rowing one of those hard?

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  13. Mary ChristineDecember 5, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    I miss living near water. The boats alit are beautiful.

    It's 7º here.

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  14. Di-GitDecember 5, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Like the sight of lights on boats .
    We have a parade here which I seem to miss every year.
    Glad you posted some photos.

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  15. GinnieDecember 5, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    what a great way to get in the spirit. I envy you !! Also I love the idea of giving a home made item ... that's how we always did it and we looked forward to those goodies yearly.

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  16. drybottomgirlDecember 5, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Awesome pictures! It's 28 degrees here with snow. Love what you said and hope you are doing well!

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  17. SmittyDecember 5, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Ah yes, 70 here too. I enjoyed smelling the bluish berries on the juniper today. Letting the season creep up on me, no decorations in our house yet. No tree. Enjoying others lights and keeping the exposure to "festivity" to a minimum. I am just glad for the sanity that I did NOT have this time last year...

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  18. An Irish Friend of BillDecember 6, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    :) nice pics..
    envy the temperature.. 41 f 5 degrees C here.. chilly..

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  19. Simply MeDecember 7, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    I've never seen a boat parade before... how fun!

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