I decorated our condo, and it didn't take nearly as long as it has the last few years in Plano!
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| Our tabletop tree |
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| No mantel, so we had to hang the stockings somewhere |
I also wrapped some lighted garland around the balcony railing. The garland had colored bulb covers. More than once, I saw a hummingbird pecking at the red light bulbs!
My parents flew in on December 19th, and I spent a couple of days showing them all the "high spots": KMart, CostULess, PriceSmart, and the shopping areas of Havensight and Yacht Haven Grande. Interestingly, my mom enjoyed all that a little more than my dad :) He did enjoy seeing all the yachts that were moored at Yacht Haven and also the cruise ship passengers with their "white legs and brand new sneakers." They both enjoyed sitting on our balcony and watching all the boats. In fact, they completely understand why I sometimes feel I don't get anything done in a day - there's just so much to watch between the hummingbirds and iguanas and the boats of all shapes, types, and capacities!
Parker joined us on the 22nd, and the sight-seeing continued. (Unfortunately, Bob had to work long hours through the 23rd.) We went to two different scenic overlooks which were near each other, but which faced opposite directions. First, we looked over the downtown & harbor area:
My dad had recently read a book on Sir Frances Drake, and he kept telling us things he'd read, so it was only natural that we got a picture of him sitting at Drake's Seat:
Drake's Seat overlooks Magen's Bay, and a local fellow hangs around there with his goat, Madonna. He offers to let the tourists, who arrive in droves in the safari taxies, take pictures with her - and hopes for a tip.
We went to the Christmas Eve Festival of Lessons & Carols at the St. Thomas Reformed Church. The music began at 6:30, and the church was full long before the service officially started at 7. We all enjoyed the service, which alternated between choir and solo pieces, short messages or meditations, and congregational caroling. Of course, it included a candle-lit "Silent Night" and ended with "Joy to the World".
We didn't have any tamales, but that was the only item missing from our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of chili and pinto beans, accompanied by chili con queso & chips. We even watched "It's a Wonderful Life"!
And, Parker got to open her traditional Christmas Eve gift of new pj's. Still don't know when we'll be ending this one ...
We chose not to attend the Challenge of the Carols on Christmas morning, but only because it started at 6:00 a.m. Instead, we slept in just a bit later than that, then dug into our stockings & opened our gifts.
After enjoying breakfast casserole and fruit salad, Bob & Parker went to the beach, and the rest of us relaxed a bit before starting dinner. Again, we had our usual: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes & gravy, peas, fruit salad and rolls - followed by apple and cherry pies. There was no going hungry!
We did more sight-seeing, shopping, and even reuniting with old friends before Parker left on the 27th and my parents left on the 29th, so I'll be posting more soon.
Hope everyone reading had a wonderful Christmas, too!
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