4th of July

Our very first Lanesville 4th of July was a blast! We had a 4K race in the morning, a parade at 6 o'clock and an awesome bonfire with fireworks at 9 o'clock. The parade was more like a Halloween procession in July. Everyone was dressed up in the craziest outfits! Neighbors:Babies:

Dogs:

Even Santa made an appearance!

The parade was complete with its own "band" of drummers and kazoo players:
Tambourines:
And of course bagpipes!
After the parade, we all gathered in the streets and sang patriotic songs. Despite the fact that no one knew the words, we all sang as loudly as we could!
Later that night, after a very yummy barbecue, we all went down to Lanes Cove for the bonfire and the fireworks. Here's the 3 story pile of pallets that was built earlier in the week:

Did you notice the piano at the very top?

Right at 9pm it was set aflame!

The fire just got bigger and bigger! They even had to move the flag because it nearly caught on fire. We were standing across the Cove from the fire and we could still feel the heat. It was huge!

The fire together with the fireworks was an amazing sight:

The fire burned all night, until there was nothing, but a small pile of wood quietly burning. The smell was wonderful! I love the smell of a wood fire.The next morning, all that was left was embers and the steel frame of a piano! I don't think I've ever had a better 4th of July!

St. Peter's Fiesta

This past weekend was the St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester. It was so much fun! Kurt and I got on the carnival rides, listened to live music, and ate fried dough. It was great. We also went to the beach games on Sunday, where we saw the above woman's VERY elaborate hat. And this one:
The detail on these hats was amazing. Everyone was hovered around them just looking at all the little scenes:

The beach games included seine boat races and the greasy pole contest. The boat races have 12 men per boat. They row out 1/2 a mile, grab a flag, then row back to shore (the boats are the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria). The first boat back wins. It was really neat to watch. Those men wanted to win so badly they looked like they were rowing for their lives!

The greasy pole competition was even more interesting. Above you see the greasy pole as it looked from the beach where we were standing. Do you see all the boats anchored just behind the pole? Everyone with a boat (or kayak) got to have a much closer look!
The greasy pole contestants came around on a boat before getting up on the platform for the competition. They were all dressed in some sort of costume: spider man, iron man, poodle skirt and wig, you name it! After getting up on the platform, they each got to walk (or try to walk) across once to practice. Then it was the real deal. Whoever made it across the pole and grabs the flag first wins! There was only one guy who walked across and touched the flag during his practice go. And he was the one who then won the competition!

Very lucky! I'm told that the person who touches the flag during the practice walk isn't always the one to win the competition. Someone else might beat you to it.After the winner fell into the water with the flag, the others jumped in to swim with him to shore. They lifted him onto their shoulders and brought him up onto the beach where everyone cheered!
We really had a good time! This weekend is the 4th of July celebration in Lanesville, our little community in Gloucester. We can't wait. We are told it's quite a riot with a parade, bon fire, BBQ, and race. Stay tuned for pictures!!

Breakfast al fresco

Saturday was so nice and warm outside we got to have breakfast in the patio. It was so wonderful! There's nothing better than sipping your coffee with the warm summer sun on your face. This weekend was really beautiful. We spent most of our time outside, just enjoying the weather. Sandra Bullock is filming her new movie "The Proposal" in Rockport, MA, which is just up the road from our house. We road our bikes over there and although we didn't see anyone famous, we noticed that they changed all the building facades and they put up these totem poles in the central square. The town is made to look like Sitka, Alaska. Here's an article on the movie. My in-laws also have a famous person filming a movie in their town Columbus, Wisconsin. But who do they get? Johnny Depp!!! Awww man!!! Hardly fair!! :P

Spring is finally here!!!

Spring is slow to come here in Massachusetts. After living in DC, where it's in the 60s and 70s by February at times, it feels like spring will never get to Gloucester! But we had a gorgeous weekend and the flowers are blooming. Kurt and I spent most of the weekend working in the garden at home, and in our community garden plot, and had a blast. Here are a few pictures of our new blooms.

This one is a passionflower. I watered this plant all winter, but thought for sure I was watering a dead plant. But not only did we have one flower on the plant this weekend, we had two! Aren't they beautiful???

We have a couple hyacinth coming up in the garden, along with tulips and a bush that's full of these little white bells. Anyone know what they're called?

Isn't that the most beautiful purply blue you've ever seen? Only nature can make something that breathtaking!

Lanes Cove

This is the cove near my house. Isn't it beautiful? We can see it from our second floor windows. When you are out there, you hear nothing, but the ocean's waves crashing against the rocks. It's so relaxing and peaceful. It's a great place to go for a picnic in the summer and, if you can brave the cold water, to go for a swim. But I like to just go and listen to the waves.

Treat for the neighbors

I found these recipes online for different types of cocoas in a jar. I thought it would be a great idea to make some up for the neighbors as a New Year's treat. We chose the mocha hot cocoa and they turned out so pretty. Kurt whipped up (literally! in like 5 minutes - the man is insane when it comes to designing something!) these awesome two-sided tags for them that fold and fit perfectly under the lid ring. The other side says "Happy New Year from Kurt and Jenny! Thanks for welcoming us into town." Cute, huh?We never actually tried the mixes ourselves, we just kind of chose one that sounded good, so our neighbors will either love us or hate us for them! :)