Author: Nichole S.

I love this little Christmas Tree in Manchester Harbor.

While I’ve never done a great job of photographing the actual full moon, the moonlight over the harbor the other night was really pretty.

Our friends Lynne and Phil Scannell are off on some pretty big adventures….which have taken them to Hawaii. Check out the Jeep….”Entering Gloucester.”

Gnomebody (ok, nobody) knows exactly what will speak to you while shopping local. I went into Audrey’s Flower Shop for some ornaments and, after paying and heading towards the door, saw this gnome that I simply couldn’t leave behind. I’m not sure I’ll have the heart to pack him away after Christmas. He might have to hang around all year long.

Check out Audrey’s here: https://www.audreysflorist.com/

Not only are they open, but have you seen their Featured Menu Speciality Flavors!? Mandarin Cocoa, Christmas Cookie, Canewich, Frozen Hot Cocoa, Candy Cane Cookie….and, now, Pain Killer….as in Mile Marker One’s delicious Pain Killer cocktail! And, don’t get me started on those ice cream sandwiches!

Check out Holy Cow’s website HERE… https://www.holycowicecreamcafe.com/

The photo below was taken from Mile Marker One’s Instagram Page.

Check out Mile Marker One Here: https://capeannmarina.com/dining/

This beautiful statue gets me every time….but, especially on blustery freezing cold days.

The family who lives at 3 Arthur Street in Danvers is at it again. For the past several years they have been decorating like crazy to raise money for Children’s Hospital. If you haven’t taken a ride by yet you should. The lights are open for viewing until New Year’s. Monday -Saturday 4:30-10:00 and Sundays from 4:30-9:00. They have a donation box available to collect money for Children’s Hospital.

See their Facebook page for more information HERE: https://www.facebook.com/danvers.christmaslights

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‘Tis the season of seeing lots of photos of our beloved Lobster Trap Tree, but when something is this special, it is worth sharing a few times. Because, anyone can have a regular Christmas Tree….

It was an extra foggy weekend on Cape Ann. Many of the several times that I found myself driving over the bridge I could not see the river at all.

I took this photo exactly one year ago today. Lots has changed. What hasn’t changed is how beautiful our community is and how blessed we are to live here.

Someone anonymous wrote this on social media and I saw it shared…

T’was a month before Christmas,

And all through the town,

People wore masks,

That covered their frown.

The frown had begun

Way back in the Spring,

When a global pandemic

Changed everything.

They called it corona,

But unlike the beer,

It didn’t bring good times,

It didn’t bring cheer.

Airplanes were grounded,

Travel was banned.

Borders were closed

Across air, sea and land.

As the world entered lockdown

To flatten the curve,

The economy halted,

And folks lost their nerve.

From March to July

We rode the first wave,

People stayed home,

They tried to behave.

When summer emerged

The lockdown was lifted.

But away from caution,

Many folks drifted.

Now it’s November

And cases are spiking,

Wave two has arrived,

Much to our disliking.

It’s true that this year

Has had sadness a plenty,

We’ll never forget

The year 2020.

And just ‘round the corner –

The holiday season,

But why be merry?

Is there even one reason?

To decorate the house

And put up the tree,

Who will see it,

No one but me.

But outside my window

The snow gently falls,

And I think to myself,

Let’s deck the halls!

So, I gather the ribbon,

The garland and bows,

As I play those old carols,

My happiness grows.

Christmas is not cancelled

And neither is hope.

If we lean on each other,

I know we can cope.

I know we can cope Keep it going!

After doing a bit of shopping on Ladies Night last Thursday we stopped at Tonno for a bit to eat, some drinks, and to purchase some of their gift packaged cocktails. This delicious charcuterie was exactly what we needed!

We took a trip to Marshall’s Farm Stand to pick out a Christmas Tree yesterday. We quickly found several trees to make a Top 5 list and then with the help of a Marshall, Jason I believe, we chose the right one. It’s our first Christmas in a new home and we had the perfect spot in mind (photos to come later this week). Our tree fits perfectly and we couldn’t be happier. Thank you, Marshall’s!

Not necessarily a great photo….but, a great message nonetheless.

I received this wonderful box of turtles not too long ago and wanted to remind you all to make a plan to stop in Turtle Alley for some of your own holiday shopping.

Check out their website here: https://turtlealley.com/

While shopping at Bass Pro Shops over the weekend down at Patriot Place, we took a quick walk on the Cranberry Bog Nature Trail. Since the boys were really little a day at Bass Pro Shops has been the perfect day trip. They have always loved spending hours browsing the store’s giant inventory, watching the fish and turtles, playing the shooting game, climbing on the ATVs, and picking out fishing lures, toys, and treats. The Blue Fin lounge (temporarily closed due to COVID) has been a favorite little lunch spot…located right inside the store with lovely outdoor seating as well…it has always been a perfect spot for a quick lunch before heading home. The Nature Trail is located directly behind Bass Pro Shops and is a quick, pretty walk to take while visiting.

I took a trip down to do some shopping at Finn’s favorite store at Patriot Place. After some time at Bass Pro Shops I wanted to go to the ProShop at Gillette and I happened to be right outside the stadium gates at 1:00. While the pregame festivities inside the stadium may have sounded like a typical game day (minus the thousands of rowdy fans)…nothing else seemed right. As they played the hype music, introduced the starting lineup, and then sang the National Anthem…..there were maybe six people in sight. As I shopped some more, it was so strange to know that a Patriots home game was taking place right there and, if you didn’t know it was game day, you could have totally missed it. Sigh.

These photos were taken at 12:50…..for a 1:00 start. And, see the video below.

Well, I guess if ever there was a time to intentionally break tradition it is 2020. Unintentionally, we had a smaller Thanksgiving gathering than normal and we will NOT be cutting down our tree today….as we have for 10 years in a row….on the day after Thanksgiving at the Beverly Tree Farm. They have made the decision not to open this year. Normally, on Thanksgiving night, for as long as I can remember, we hunker down and watch the Polar Express with blankets, hot cocoa, and popcorn. At 13.5 and 11.5 years old, the boys decided that it might be time for a new movie. So, in keeping with 2020 new tradition of, in fact, breaking tradition, we scrolled through Netflix and found a new option.

We assumed our favorite positions on respective couches and found “The Christmas Chronicles.” It was really cute….and I won’t be surprised if 364 days from now we’re watching it again.

“The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.”

Thanks to Tonno for giving us all the best idea for a holiday gift this season. You can now swing by for dinner and drinks and pick up a bottle of one of their delicious cocktails. Pictured here are their Espresso Martini and their Barrel Aged Negroni. More details coming soon, but head to Tonno to learn more. Happy Holidays!

I couldn’t find a photo of the Emmy Rose in my collection, but I hope that I have one. My thoughts and prayers are with the crew and their loved ones. Peace of mind, heart, and body.