Author: Nichole S.

Head to the Lights

Posted on by Nichole S.

I’m reaching out to the world’s greatest FOBs for some help!

My boys have been getting a kick out of watching The Great Christmas Light Fight on TV.  Now they want to go see some “epic” Christmas lights, but I’ve yet to find a fabulous neighborhood.

I have such fond memories of driving around East Gloucester and off of Grapevine Road to see the lights when I was younger and I’d like my boys to do the same.  We’re willing to drive 30 minutes or so if it’ll be worth it, so if you have any suggestions, fire away!

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

The Great Christmas Light Fight

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Commencing Countdown, Major Sean

Posted on by Nichole S.

That was my little tribute to Major Tom…in case you missed it.  Bygones.

I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Curtis Family…Sean, Erin, Lydia, Brityn, and baby Henry for the excellent public service announcement they are kind enough to bestow upon the town of Rockport during the holiday season.

While, ahem ahem, it was a bit later than usual this year…it did not disappoint once finally arriving. Contrary to disappointing, actually, it is new and improved and really quite fantastic!

You see, the Curtis family has been helping to spread the holiday joy in the children of Rockport….and pure panic in the hearts of the grown-ups…for the past several years.

Formally, a giant snowman helped to count down the days, hours, minutes…and even seconds…until Christmas.  After taking an unfortunate tumble, the large cold one was placed on the DL (that’s the disabled list).  And, yes, I’m talking to you….the one who thought the World Series Trophy on our Christmas Card several years ago was a menorah.  (see below)

At any rate, with Frosty down and out, an even better (in my opinion) countdown clock has taken his place!  My boys get such joy out of seeing it each afternoon on the way home from school/work!  It is pretty awesome…even if it does cause me some major anxiety.

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Can You Ever Have Too Much Fun? More weekend picks!

Posted on by Nichole S.

While actually writing my Thursday “Weekend Picks” post is not difficult, narrowing down the choices and trying to be mindful enough to find activities that appeal to different likes/tastes/hobbies can be.  That having been said, I won’t sleep tonight if I don’t add a few more activities to this week’s list!

The most near and dear is the fantastic Middle Street Walk!  Hopefully you’ve already read about its awesomeness in other posts here on GMG, but just incase you haven’t…. you should!  As Joey says, “It’s insane”  (and he means that in a good way).

Check it all out here!  It is really a not-to-be-missed day here in town!!! If you’re not in the holiday spirit yet…this is just the medicine!

Middle Street Walk website is here too

 

Also, The Gallows Hill Theatre in Salem is playing “A Very Grinchy Holiday Special”.  How awesome does this look!  Again, the Schraffts will be doing this for sure!    Gallows Hill Theatre

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In addition, a friend of GMG was kind enough to remind me that Smolak Farms is always a great bet!  Thanks so much, Erin!  We’ve been there several times…and Finn’s class just had a pumpkin picking field trip there in October.  It is truly a great spot.  This month, in particular, they are offering great activities.  Cookie making on Tuesdays and Fridays, Tea with Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s Workshop (meet and greet, craft making, and more!) are highlights.  Be sure to check out their website and mark your calendars.  Next week, for example, they are offering a great Gingerbread House Workshop!

Smolak Farms

 

Nichole’s Family Picks of the Weekend 12/13 and 12/14

Posted on by Nichole S.

You might have to act quick for a couple of these so don’t delay!

Pick #1

Debbie and Friends at The Cabot in Beverly.  Saturday, December 13th at 10:30

A live Debbie and Friends show is fun for the whole family. The boston-based band plays a varierty of pop/rock styles, and the songs are interactive and engaging. Puppets and cartoons are part of every show.

Winner of more than 20 National Awards, including CBS Boston’s “Best Local Children’s Musician”, and a “Nickelodeon Parents Pick Award”, Debbie and Friends also performed on the 2011 Grammy Winner for “Best Children’s Album”.

Debbie and Friends are wonderful with children as well as being accomplished musicians. All work on the staff or faculty of Berklee College of Music.

This fun concert at The Cabot will be perfect for children ages 1-9 and their parents and grandparents, and will feature some seasonal tunes to help everyone celebrate the holidays.

 

You can hurry up and purchase tickets here 

 

Picke #2

The 35th Annual Candlelight Stroll at Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth

How Norman Rockwell does this sound?  The Schraffts will be there this weekend or next for sure!  Just saying.

35th Annual Candlelight Stroll in the “Holiday Capital of North America”

For December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 2014

 

Stroll through life in a simpler time as 350 years of American history, winter traditions, and holiday celebrations unfolds around you in New Hampshire’s oldest waterfront neighborhood.

  • Historic houses from four centuries with decorations hand-crafted from natural materials
  • Hundreds of wood and glass candle boxes lighting the lanes and landscape
  • Live music and holiday entertainment for all ages
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides
  • Holiday decoration demonstrations
  • Traditional barrel making demonstrations
  • 18th century holiday hearth cooking
  • Tinsmith demonstrations
  • NEW! Ice skating on Puddle Dock Pond opening Dec 12.

 

You can get tickets at the door, but it is wise to book in advance.  There was a Living Social coupon for admission, but it just expired.  Keep an eye out for a new one though!!

Find out more here

Pick #3

Free!!

Assembly Row in Somerville is pretty fantastic, but maybe shopping in the midst of holiday mayhem isn’t for you.  Who could fault you for that?  How does a free movie in their rather plush theater sound though?

This Saturday, AND NEXT, they are offering free holiday movies on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE basis.  This week is Home Alone and next week is Elf!

Tickets are available in the lobby beginning at 9:00 a.m. for the movies that begin at 9:30.

And, while there, you could also bop over to the Legoland Discovery Center…which also happens to be at Assembly Row. My boys both LOVED it there and can’t wait to go back. Might I add, that they’re really not Lego Fanatics, but they had a blast there nonetheless.  Advanced ticket purchases are recommended there too!

Free Holiday Movies

12/6, 12/13, 12/20 9:30am AMC Assembly Row 12

Join Assembly Row as we treat you and your family to a free big screen showing of The Polar Express this Saturday at AMC Assembly Row 12.
Tickets will be distributed in the lobby of AMC on the first floor starting at 9AM. The show will begin at 9:30AM. Space is limited to one theater and tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. One ticket per person.

Movies Coming Up!
Saturday December 13th: Home Alone
Saturday December 20: Elf

Learn more about Assembly Row here 

Check out LegoLand Discovery Center here

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When Do You Tune in to the Holiday Tunes?

Posted on by Nichole S.

Ok, so Christmas is just two weeks from tomorrow.  So, yesterday I scanned through the radio stations on the way home from work/school to find some holiday music.  Now the real test will be, can we keep it up until Christmas?

I like to hear the festive music while out and about doing errands and at holiday events, but not so much day in and day out for two solid weeks…or, heaven forbid, longer.  We’ll probably end up listening to “real” music on the way to school and holiday music on the way home.  About one week out we’ll probably go hard core and Jingle Bell Rock ourselves to exhaustion while Decking the Halls, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, and Ho Hoing the Mistletoe.

So, I ask you…  When do you start cranking the Christmas Tunes?

And, as a thanks for taking the holiday song poll….please enjoy one of my favorites!

Not on Any List of Tourist Destinations

Posted on by Nichole S.

So, you may know by now that I live in Rockport….but, I’m not FROM Rockport.

I lived in Middleton until I was about 12 and then moved to Hamilton.  Both of my parents are from Gloucester and I moved there right after college graduation. After meeting my husband I moved to Rockport, his hometown, back in 2000. So, looong story short, I’ve lived in Rockport for 14 years now, but again…I’m not FROM Rockport.

That being said, I can usually hold my own.  After 14 years I’ve finally learned the names of most streets (kind of), I know not to take a left down Broadway from South Street on Sundays because it is closed during church services, I know that if you want a cranberry walnut muffin to die for you go to Helmut’s, if the kids are jonesing for a shaved ice you go to Hula Moon, and if you’re planning on a long day at one of the local beaches you’d better plan around the tide…because some of our favorite beaches all but disappear at high tide.

I’ve learned a lot, I’ve met tons of truly kind and fantastic people, and…probably because of my local hero loving young boys…I can greet the harbor masters and police officers by name.

A couple of years ago I wrote how a bunch of the community came together to help celebrate Thatcher’s 5th birthday.  It was incredibly heart warming and perfect and to this day I tear up at how special that day was for him.

All of that having been said, there is one part of Rockport that, I have to admit, still intimidates me a bit.

The Dump.  Well, see right there…that’s part of the problem.  It is not actually called the Dump.  It is the Transfer Station….and rightfully so.  Back in Middleton we went to the Dump (in our giant wood paneled station wagon with no carseats)…and I remember it clearly, but it was before recycling, and it was truly just piles of trash.  I am certain that it is no longer like that now. In Hamilton, we put our trash out for pick up.  No trips to the dump necessary.

Now, in Rockport, my husband typically does the, as I call them, “dump runs.” He doesn’t necessarily appreciate the fact that I call them that and has explained that, in no uncertain terms, if I feel that it is simply a dump, then I am not necessarily worthy of making the trips.  Awww, shucks.

So, for YEARS, I had never actually taken a trip to the transfer station.

My husband had come home forever with random “treasures” from the swap shop….much to my dismay.  The swap shop alone began to spark my interest. Not because I was necessarily in love with anything that he brought home, but because I started to grow intrigued by the vision of the “Land of Misfit Toys” that he loved to visit.

Don’t tell my husband, but I actually found myself having “dump run” envy.  It didn’t help that my boys would also come home singing the praises of the dump. I started to feel a little left out.  The only girl in the house and all….and the only one not worthy of the weekly pilgrimage to the mysterious place at the end of the driveway on Nugent Stretch.  “What is down there?”, I started to wonder.

So, finally, I was allowed to tag along….

And I’ve been meaning to do a blog post about it ever since.

This place is not for the faint of heart and it is truly a fine oiled machine.  This place is the Disney World of recyclers, the Tour de France of the obsessive compulsive, and the Super Bowl of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” While you’re not going to find it on a list of tourist destinations, it is truly a sight to behold.  I’m also a bit smitten that it has an area for “Scrap Fishing Gear” as that kind of screams “Good job making a life for yourself in this quaint little town by the sea” if you ask me.

So, if like me, you have never had the opportunity to witness the wonder of the transfer station….here’s a peek inside.  Behold.

Santa Gets Salty in Rockport

Posted on by Nichole S.

Even the rain couldn’t dampen the anticipation on T Wharf in Rockport yesterday afternoon as the crowd eagerly awaited the arrival of the one and only Santa!

It is truly a one-of-a-kind kind of day in a one-of-a-kind kind of town!

Please excuse my shoddy videography.  As you can imagine, I was filming with one hand, taking photos with the other, and trying to make sure the boys didn’t do belly flops into Rockport Harbor.  Intentionally or by accident.

Give Blood

Posted on by Nichole S.

If you have a second, come by the Rockport police station and donate blood! I was just confirming Santa’s rainy arrival, but figured I’d do it while here! They close at 2:00!!!!

Everyone Poops

Posted on by Nichole S.

Hmmm.  See now, I always thought the concern was too much excess during the holidays.  Maybe the saying is, too much excretion during the holidays.

After all, Everyone Poops, right?

Even the snowmen and the reindeer, I suppose.

I’ve been known to go a bit overboard during the holidays.  Jingle our Elf  on the Shelf has gotten into a fair share of late night mayhem, carrot peels have been scattered by reindeer with poor at best eating etiquette, Santa’s cookies have been crumbled and dipped into his mug of milk for that “eaten on the run” kind of effect, letters to Santa have been “mailed”, videos from the Portable North Pole have been delivered, and reindeer food has been sprinkled on the lawn. Special reindeer bells have even been wrapped in boxes just like those that appear in the Polar Express and placed far back under the tree for the boys to find last.

Lies, deception, and holiday fun at its best.  All of that having been said, however, you won’t find me throwing around snowman or reindeer poop anytime soon….or feeding it to the kids.

“Ho! Ho! Ho!  Sorry the reindeer just had to go ”

I’ll be singing this all week now.

“Dumpity, Dump, Dump,

Dumpity, Dump, Dump,

Look at Frosty go”

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Nichole’s “Family Picks of the Weekend” for December 6th and 7th

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1

This event has already received some press here on GMG and I’ve had my eye on it for a couple of weeks.  

The Beauport Princess will welcome Santa aboard on Saturday (twice)!

Reserve ASAP for the evening Santa Cruise to enjoy cocoa, cookies, a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, partying with some elves, and of course schmoozing with the big guy Himself!  The afternoon cruise has already sold out, so if you’re interested in sailing with Santa, book now for the 6:00-7:30 pm trip.

Beauport Princess

Pick #2

Because we call Rockport home, we’ve yet to miss Santa’s arrival into Rockport Harbor.  Each year it is a big day in our household and I’m guessing that, years from now, it’ll be one of those days that our boys treasure from their book of childhood memories.

Santa is scheduled to arrive on Rockport’s T-Wharf at 3:45….by lobster boat, of course.  Santa is always escorted into the harbor by the Rockport Harbor Masters, as well as, the Coast Guard.  You can never be too safe when it comes to the Big Guy after all.

Once disembarking the boat and climbing the ladder up towards Motif #1, Santa will hitch a ride on one of Rockport’s Forest Fire Trucks to Dock Square for some caroling and the lighting of Rockport’s Christmas Tree.  The tree lighting ceremony is scheduled to get under way at 4:00 p.m.

Dressing warmly and packing a thermos are never bad ideas 😉

Read more here

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Pick #3

In my humble opinion, you can NEVER go wrong with a trip to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary….and this weekend is no exception!

Saturday’s programing includes “Gifts from Nature” for 4-12 year olds @ 10:00 a.m. and “Map and Compass Treasure Hunt” @ 2:00 p.m. for ages 7 and up!

On Sunday, from 1:30-3:00, you can join a “Sense of Wonder Walk: Nuts about Squirrels” for ages 3 and up!  Come on….how can you resist that?

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Program Catalog 

Pick #4

Get your laugh on!  The Improv Asylum in Boston’s North End will be home to “No Rest for the Wicked Funny” again this year.  The event is 24 straight hours of comedy to benefit Globe Santa.  While 23 hours of the event is not child friendly (and, really, who would want it to be!!!), the 10:00 a.m time slot on Saturday, December 6th is!

“Family Time! Children 13 and under can improvise with The 24 hour cast for some family friendly fun. (Kids get in free)”

So, if you have a child who loves the limelight or who is outgoing and funny, this may be just the ticket to let them shine!  And…it is for a great charity.

You can read more about the entire event here

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Live blogging: Savour Wine and Cheese

Posted on by Nichole S.

Savoring the moment at Savour Wine and Cheese for Ladies’ Night! Yum!! Never miss at this place!

A Late Morning Game of Musical Lights

Posted on by Nichole S.

A quick Sunday morning game of Musical Lights ended like this….

Five homies + four light fixtures = one bird on a pole.

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Santa Parade

Posted on by Nichole S.

Ho Ho Ho, Don’t forget to go!

Don’t forget that the Gloucester Santa parade begins today at 3:00! The route begins at the State Fish Pier and ends at Kent Circle on the boulevard for the annual tree lighting. The tree is expected be lit between 4:30-5:00. I’ve heard differing reports so I’m covering my bases.

Christmas Tree. Check.

Posted on by Nichole S.

Another successful search for the most perfect of trees is in the books.  Cheers again to the Bertolon Family and Beverly Tree Farm for opening their doors, helping us to create lasting memories, and raising money for The Cabot Performing Arts Center.

Beverly Tree Farm

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Thankful

Posted on by Nichole S.

You all know me well enough by now to know that I’d love to wax poetically about how much I have to be thankful for this year, but I’ll spare you that and simply wish you all the most perfect of Thanksgivings…whatever that may be to each of you.

This year my little family unit has taken to the mountains of New Hampshire.  We were a bit snowed in and lost electricity, but order was restored just before the Macy’s Day Parade began..so it’s all good.

In this very moment I am thankful that my husband has shuffled the boys off to the indoor pool and that I have a moment to reflect on how good life is (while trying, challenging, and even hard at times) and to watch the parade (a giant guilty pleasure of mine…that no one else in the family appreciates), take in this gorgeous view, and drink a hot cup of coffee in its entirety before it gets cold. And, yes, Joey….there is some Baileys in that mug.

The rest of our day will consist of a nice hike in the woods, building a snowman for the wildlife to remember us by after we head home, some more time in the pool, a meal in the tavern, and then our annual Thanksgiving night viewing of The Polar Express with cocoa and popcorn. Perfect…for us.

Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you all!  May this day find you all warmed by what makes you feel Thankful.

With Love From The Schraffts

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Nichole’s Family Picks of the Weekend 11/29 + 11/30

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1

So, I’m cheating here a bit with this post because my 1st pick is actually a few weeks from now.  Originally, I was going to post about the Parent/Child Cupcake making class that is taking place at Eurostoves on Saturday 11/29, BUT it is sold out….which made me think that some things I may want to recommend in the future may need to be written about ahead of time so that interested readers don’t get shut out!  I’ll try to keep that in mind.

You’re in luck, however, because the “Parent/Child Cupcake Crazy” is also being offered on December 26th.  So book now….and turn it into a great little gift to put under the tree!  A fantastic little date day for you and yours (or a niece, nephew, grandchild, etc) all wrapped up with a bow.  Annnnd, no need for the recipient of your awesome gift to be patient, because just when the Christmas buzz is about to wear off, you get to hop in the car and keep the fun going!

Check out Eurostoves here

Pick #2

If I’m to be honest, I haven’t been here yet, but I’ve been meaning to go and this weekend’s Annual Holiday Bazaar in the “magical shop in the forest” sounds pretty perfect to me.  I love the sound of the nature-inspired gifts, but strolling through craft tables can get boring for kids, let’s be honest.  The Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine, (just over an hour away….so not too bad!) eliminates that by giving the kiddos an opportunity to meet the owl, hawk, falcon, and more who call the center home! And, this weekend’s events will also include winter book readings.

“Environmental Fairy Tales Come Alive! We will have readings of “A Christmas Owl” and “A Winter Solstice Celebration” at 1pm and 2pm. Gather under our educational pavilion, enjoy hot cocoa and cider, listen to these great tales, and meet some of the animals from the book!”

Stop for some lunch and hot cocoa in Newburyport on the way home to break up the drive and you’ve made a whole day of it!

Check out the Center for Wildlife here!

Pick #3

One of our favorite holiday traditions!!  For the record, traditions are really important to my little family unit.  Because I say so.  Kidding.  In all seriousness, creating traditions and being sure to do them each year so that our boys would hopefully learn to love and cherish them, was really important to me.  So, we have several traditions that we don’t mess with….and hopefully never will.  One of those is cutting down our Christmas Tree.  In November of 2010, the Bertolon family opened the Beverly Tree Farm.  Since then, countless families have marked their calendars to make the annual pilgrimage to their gorgeous property to find the one.  The one perfect tree that speaks to them!

We have gone every year since.  I’m not going to lie, the trees could easily be considered expensive. However, you’re not just paying for a tree.  You’re paying for hot cider, cocoa, homemade Christmas cookies, a roaring fire, and an incredibly kind and friendly family run business.  You’re paying for holiday memories in the making.  When they first opened it was possible to tag the tree of your dreams and then go back and get it later. When that was an option, we got two times the tradition for the price of one!  We would go, find our tree, decorate it at the farm, have some holiday yummies, sit by the fire, and then head home….Christmas carols blaring! Then, we’d head back the following week, search for our masterpiece, and cut her down. We’d eat some more yummies, sit by the fire for a bit longer, strap it onto the car….and head home once again.

Tagging it for later pick-up is no longer an option.  One of the reasons for that is that the tree farm is so phenomenal that they now sell out of trees in just two short weekends.  They open the day after Thanksgiving and stay open just this weekend and next weekend.  That’s it.  Still, even without the tagging, it is totally worth it.

A very important fact to know is that the Bertolon family uses proceeds to cover operating costs and then gives every other penny to charity.  A couple of years ago a large recipient was Hospice of the North Shore….last year, they were able to give $25,000 to Direct Relief to assist Philippine victims recovering from Super Typhoon Haiyan.  In all, over the past few years, they have given an incredibly $85,000 to selected charities.  This year’s charity is The Cabot….as in The Cabot Performing Arts Center in Beverly.

So, be sure to check out the Beverly Tree Farm here!

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