Tree lightings and a Christmas Tea

 I have been feeling a bit blue these past few weeks as I have been really missing my daughter.  This will be the first time in her entire life that she has not been a part of our Christmas celebrations. However, the reason for the season has not changed, and I have some lovely friends who have been helping me get into the spirit of the holidays.

My husband and I went down to the cove park in town to attend the local Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony last weekend. It was fun to see our little town all decked out in its Christmas finery.  The community band was playing, children were busy writing letters to Santa, and free cups of hot chocolate were being passed around while we waited for the tree to light up.

It felt almost magical looking out over the lake at night.   

 

Our local town museum was open.  So we stepped inside to see the old turn of the 20th century mill house all decorated for the season.

 

We were so busy looking around inside the house that we missed the actual tree light ceremony, lol!! When we stepped back outside there it was, our city tree marking the beginning of our town's Christmas celebrations. 

Walking back to our car we spied this home all decked out like Babes in Toyland. I was a huge Annette Funicello fan as a child.

 

Three days after that lively celebration, I was invited to an amazing Victorian Tea given by one of my bible study friends. My friend is of Norwegian descent and her entire home was a refection of her love of her cultural heritage and more importantly her love of God. 

 

 

She put the Afternoon Tea served at the Royal Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia to shame with her gorgeous table settings and delicious menu of tasty treats, all of which she made herself.  There aren't enough words to describe all her wonderful flavor combinations.

 

It was such a lovely presentation.  It felt like we were transported to another place and time.  I couldn't have imagined a more delightfully charming and delectable way to begin the Christmas season. I returned home with a heart full of appreciation to have been given the opportunity to celebrate, not just good food, but also the company of wonderful friends.

 

As this Advent/Christmas Season continues to unfold may each of you be blessed with your own opportunities to share special times with those who are near and dear to you.

 

Adieu!

 

 

 

 

A summer Festival

I don't know what its like in other places but around here summertime means summer festivals and whether it's The Tulip Festival, The Apple Blossom Festival or The Strawberry Festival, nearly every community does something that celebrates what is special about where they live.  Our festival is meant to celebrate and showcase our beautiful lake community.  Over the 37 years that we have lived in our town I don't remember ever missing our festival and we have watched it grow and change just as our community has grown and changed.

Most years we have celebrated under bright sunny skies but ironically, this year we had cloudy skies and the first rain we have seen in the past ten weeks of unusually high temperatures and drought.  That meant we didn't have the usual crowds.  Even so, the locals came out all weekend to celebrate and support our community.  Here is a little taste of the weekend.
 

Two contestants  for the Proud Pet Show

The annual book sale

The carnival comes to town.

 

Elephant Ears and Sweet Kettle Corn

Exotic Frozen Fruit Smoothies

Blowing giant bubbles

free carriage rides

  ~

 There are always two parades, the children's parade on Friday night and then our small town "Grand" Parade on Saturday.  Come and see.

After spending the morning cooking and serving at the annual Fireman's Pancake Breakfast, our local heroes jump into one of the firetrucks to lead off the parade. 

Next,comes our military veterans and honor guard.
 

Representing the schools are the high school band and cheerleaders. 

Do you believe in Big Foot?

  The local churches always take part in the parade.





Of course, once the parades are over some of the most popular spots to head for are the food booths on the street and in the food court.

Our church youth group and volunteers run this booth every year to help support their youth activities and summer camp.  The Investigator and I both helped out for several hours. The corn dogs are delicious and a great favorite with everyone.  

As we walk past this booth we remember many former years as volunteers making snow cones and spinning cotton candy when our boys were in Boy Scouts.

After savoring several tasty treats we leave the street fair behind to walk over the hill and down to the cove.  Here we can listen to bands playing as we look out over the water. 

 

 As we are walking out onto the city dock, and listening to the music we can see more storm clouds coming in.  It's only early afternoon but the sky is getting pretty dark. That's ok.  We need the rain.

The clouds and rain may have kept the crowds away but it has still been a great weekend to enjoy celebrating with our neighbors and friends and after all, isn't that what it's all about?