My View of Life on the Dock
I had a really fun cookie swap with friends last night. I opted for more decorating and less baking and made these cute little trees. Simple chocolate covered strawberries on an oreo base with some decorations make for cute little Christmas treats.
I saw this craft beer advent calendar at Lighthouse Liquors in Beverly….unfortunately it was already well into December. Next year I’m in. https://craftadventbox.com/
Be sure to swing by Engel & Volkers tomorrow between 11:00-2:00 for some holiday fun! Both the Gloucester shop on Main Street and the Beverly Farms shop at 723 Hale Street will be hosting cupcake decorating and ornament painting! While enjoying the activities and beautiful holiday window displays be sure to mail your letter to Santa! A little elf told me that you just may receive a letter back straight from the North Pole. Ho, Ho, Ho.
While we all know that Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree is the best, I enjoy seeing other towns’ versions as well. I spent part of last weekend enjoying “Christmas in Edgartown” down Martha’s Vineyard. Here is their Lobster Trap Tree.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I would love for Gloucester to have an outdoor skating rink each winter. I spent some time up at MarketStreet for a school event last night and everyone enjoyed the rink so much.
The Grinch visited Cape Ann Youth Hockey’s next generation of hockey players during the Learn-to-Skate program this past weekend…..and, no doubt, his heart grew three sizes that day. The Learn-to-Skate program is pretty special….thanks to some really fantastic volunteers. Each year a dedicated group of coaches take to the ice to help the area’s newest skaters gain confidence, develop skill…..and have fun! Much thanks to Kristin Michel for sending along these photos from Dawn Enos….and for her unwavering commitment to Cape Ann Youth Hockey and Learn-to-Skate.
Main Street looks beautiful this time of year. Thank you to all of the businesses who decorate to help spread joy and make shopping local so much fun.
Thank you to the Beauport Hotel for hosting a beautiful Deck the Halls event last night. Click to see more photos. Carolers, cocktails, decorations, delicious hors d’oeuvres, seasons greetings and Santa…. it was impossible to not head home feeling jolly.
If you are feeling sad that you missed it, plan on heading to the Beauport next Wednesday for their “Jingle Bar” Pop-Up Cocktail & Piano Bar from 5-9. “Gather with friends in the lobby to enjoy a festive pop-up bar. Enjoy bubbles, holiday-themed cocktails, and live piano entertainment”…..surrounded by gorgeous holiday decor.
The Beauport Hotel is beautiful any month of the year, but there is something extra magical about the hotel during the holidays. Tonight is the perfect chance to see that for yourself. I assure you….if you are not yet in the holiday spirit…a trip to the Beauport Hotel will transport you immediately.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the holiday magic is back at Beauport! Join us on December 7th from 5PM-8PM for our annual Deck the Halls event! Enter into our lobby, transformed into a holiday wonderland! Revel in our lavish holiday trees and decor, sip seasonal cocktails by the fire, and enjoy a hot chocolate bar, carolers, complimentary sweet treats and more, plus a visit from Santa! Bring an unwrapped new toy, book, or gift for our “Pack the Bus” toy drive! Dinner reservations are recommended at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar, and fresh holiday gift collections are available at Beauport Boutique.**A Note To Guests** – We will be practicing health and safety precautions and controlling capacity to ensure an enjoyable experience for all guests.
A loss at the end of a tournament usually stings for a few minutes. This photo was taken during one of those moments. While I snapped it quickly….while juggling my coffee and my mittens and fumbling for my hotel key, I kind of treasure it because it speaks volumes about Finn and his childhood. That little left hand has dragged a hockey bag in and out of 100s of rinks….in so many states…and two countries. Those sticks in his right hand mean the world to him. He picks out sticks like an adult shops for a car…..and they become an extension of his body. There’s always one in his hand. The pompom hat on his head and the “Finn #21” on his arm will no doubt be how I picture him years from now when he’s all grown up (sigh) and I reflect on his childhood. Finn often needs a moment right after a game….this is that moment. While I love this photo, it does not, however, speak to the friendships, the laughs, and the memories that were just made…the milkshake out the nose moments, the knee hockey, the team dinners, the pranks…. Those mean just as much to Finn…..they are just as much of his uniform and gear….and while not visible….he carries those in and out of rinks just as sacredly. Fortunately, both the players and the parents are able to rebound quickly from the loss when they take pause to remember all that hockey adds to their lives. I’m so lucky for how hockey has enriched our lives. Finn got in the car this morning to head to school and said, “I miss Waterville already.” Me too, buddy.
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My 12 year old, Finn, is not only quite the fisherman, but he also loves to cook what he catches. This time of year he’s not fishing …or catching… much, so he asked if we could buy some fish for him to cook last night. I was in a bit of a rush to meet a friend to head to the Bruins game so I asked Finn to call Turner’s Seafood Market to both see what time they closed and to see what types of fish they had available….to get his master chef wheels turning. I realize he’s 12 and not 5, but still…..listening to the mature conversation he had on the phone with whomever answered the other end was pretty awesome. He hung up and was totally giddy about how many choices he had. “They have so much fish! I can’t decide…I’ve narrowed it down to 3…maybe 4….well, 5. I don’t know! Maybe the local haddock, or they have haddock from Iceland, or the salmon would be awesome. Maybe the yellow fin….or the swordfish. I don’t know.” Shortly thereafter we arrived and he ran in. He was browsing the display when the gentleman said, “Can I help you?” to me. I told him, “Not me. I’m going to the Bruins game. This guy is in charge of dinner tonight. It’s totally up to him.” The conversation that ensued was perfection. They discussed fish, the couple of people in line behind Finn got a little involved, the Turner’s employee asked if dinner would just be for Finn….or if he was having company…. Finn answered that his grandmother was coming over, he might bring some to his grandfather tomorrow….but that his brother probably wouldn’t eat much after high school hockey tryouts. I let Finn choose two types of fish and he settled on the local haddock (with some extra for his lunchbox today) and a substantial piece of salmon. I paid (we’ll work on that once he gets a job), he thanked the guy, said goodbye to the other patrons, and we headed home.
I’ve been told dinner was delicious. I’m looking forward to it later tonight. Much thanks to Turner’s Seafood for helping Finn, treating him like the little adult he wanted to be in that moment, and for the delicious fish. Good stuff. Growing up salty.
You’ve heard of Old Souls….I’ll call these swimmers at Niles Beach Cold Souls.
The Gloucester Education Foundation took time during Thanksgiving to thank and highlight some of its recent donors….such as Warren Waugh (and furry friends Willy + Jilly) of Lyon-Waugh Auto Group. They have made incredibly generous donations to Gloucester High School’s Auto Tech program annually for the past several years. Those donations have been instrumental in growing the program in many positive ways. It’s a good time for us to also express our thanks to GEF. The Gloucester Education Foundation is a wonderful asset to the school system. If you haven’t checked out their website and some of the important work they do, you should do so now. While browsing their site, be sure to take a look at some of the other donors who help support the GEF in very important ways.
The Gloucester Education Foundation drives innovation, encourages creativity, expands student opportunities and empowers educators to strengthen teaching and learning in the Gloucester Public School District.
Jim Douglass recently sent me this photo. While I don’t recognize too many faces (please write in if you do!) I immediately got a good laugh at the absence of face shields, masks, or cages…..and the seemingly black eye/broken nose on the player in the front row second from the left. Old school hockey for sure. Their chin straps also look like our modern days masks.
I recently saw this pie chart (lol) photo……of people’s favorite pies according to some totally random study out west somewhere. So, let’s do our own GMG version. Take the poll below and tell us your favorite pie to enjoy on Thanksgiving.
I love catching glimpses of City Hall from all around town.
Does anyone have one of these? I wonder if they’re cute for a few small items….or completely useless? This may be the toughest year yet to think of things that my two boys (now 14 and 12) need/want for the holidays. I’m all about experiences and tickets and quick trips, but I also want some boxes under the tree. This is, in fact, the first Christmas in my house where there will be no Santa (sigh…yay…sigh…not sure how I really feel about that….but more on that in another post) so gift giving will look very different. Both boys have, at one point or another, said that having a small refrigerator in their rooms would be “cool”, but I’m not about to do that. I’m definitely not in the market for keeping them holed up in their boy caves unnecessarily with a stocked fridge (also, look for a post on the logic of “Fridge” vs. “Refrigerator) but, these little ones hold a few waters, seltzers, sodas and some tiny snacks. Maybe just cute enough for a little gift? Anyone?
Catching splashes is like a sport when living on the coast.
College hockey. You’ve heard me say how amazing minor league baseball games and parks are for families and now I’m going to say the same thing about college hockey. While, sure, we all love to go to the Red Sox and the Bruins….or the Celtics (or any other professional level team)…… minor leagues and college are where it’s at if you want your child to experience the game and the enthusiasm a bit more personally. Thanks to one of his coaches and a wonderful connection with Billy Riley, Jr (UMass Lowell Legend with a 20+ year coaching career and some Championship seasons on his resume) Finn and a few teammates had the amazing opportunity to skate with the team, stand on the blue line during the National Anthem, sit on the bench, and have a meet-and-great post game with the entire team at the UMass Lowell vs. Boston College game at the Tsongas Center. My boys have also had the opportunity to play games at the TD Garden before and during Bruins games, but they player interaction couldn’t compare. It was so special for these kids to have the chance to chat with college level players, get their autographs, meet their parents, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder (well, ok….shoulder to waist maybe) on the line with them. It is something that they definitely will remember for years to come and I’m super thankful that my PeeWee had the chance to hang with some really phenomenal skaters who are in the midst of making their dreams come true. Good stuff.
