Christmas Lights and Gingerbread

Earlier this year given a couple of free tickets to go see a holiday light display in Stanwood, WA.  The large display of over one million lights is called "The Lights of Christmas," and runs during select days in December.

I decided to invite my friend, Melissa.  She lives in Marysville, which is on the way to Stanford, so she was the perfect choice.  I also hadn't seen her in a long time, so it was nice to be able to see her again.  We originally planned to go to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, to see their holiday lights, but changed our plans, as my friend was unable to travel my direction.

My parents were in town for the holiday weekend, so they came as well.  The weather was nice for the display, but it was very cold.  I am really glad I brought gloves and a warm coat.  There were places to sit and beverages and cookies available for purchase indoors, and various places outdoors. I got some steamed hot cocoa and a cute polar bear cookie (shown above), it was very tasty. 

Fire pits were also available outdoors for people who want to remain outside. 

Hey Diddle Diddle: Created by Weber Thompson. Chef David Mestl.

After seeing all the holiday lights, my family and I went to dinner.  On the way home, we stopped by the Shereton in Seattle.  I heard for years about a large display of gingerbread houses they do every year, and I really wanted to see it this year.

I Saw A Ship A-Sailing: Created by 4D Architects, Inc. Chef Jay Sardeson. 

The gingerbread display was quite spectacular.  There were six gingerbread entries total.  All of them impressive.  One display had a large tree, made with sugar, that looked like turquoise shards of glass.  It had lights and spun in the center of it's village.

Detail of:  London Bridge is Falling Down: 

Created by MulvannyG2 Architecture. Chef Joleen Anderson.

Another, was inspired by the nursery rhyme, "Hickory, Dickory Dock."  It had what appeared to be Swiss Cheese with mice peeping in and out the holes.  A Krazy Kat figure was spinning at the top of that display.

Detail of Hickory Dickory Dock: Created by Master Builders Association of King and 

Snohomish Counties & Gelotte Hommas Architecture. Chef Jay Sardeson. 

I was in awe when I saw the gingerbread boat, rocking back and forth.  It was very impressive, and may have been my favorite.

Detail of:  I Saw A Ship A-Sailing: Created by 4D Architects, Inc. Chef Jay Sardeson. 

There was a large, upside-down shoe, that various creatures lived in - that was really fun.

Detail of:  There Was an Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe: Created by DLR Group. Chef Armstrong.

Another favorite of mine, had a cow jumping over the moon of the village.  There was also a dish and spoon running off together, a cat playing fiddle, a dog laughing, and lots of other details.  It was totally beautiful.

Detail of:  Hey Diddle Diddle: Created by Weber Thompson. Chef David Mestl.

There was so much detail put into every display, they were obviously a ton of work to get together.  I looked over and over at each display, trying to take it all in.  I did not even notice, until I got home, that one of the displays had a Loch Ness Monster as part of it!  So, that was an unexpected delight.

Detail of:  Jack and the Beanstalk: Created by Callison. Chef Lee Baldyga

Overall, it was a very fun evening.  I was happy to share it with my friend and my family.

 Today is the last day for "The Lights of Christmas," but you can go see the gingerbread houses another displays at the Sheraton until January 5, 2014.  Wishing you again happy holiday season! 

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Merry Christmas to all my readers, friends, and family!  May you have a happy and peaceful holiday season.

Waiting for Santa by jackie-s-eyeslikeacat

Last Year's Ugly Christmas Sweater, This Year's Winner!

Last year I bought an ugly Christmas sweater from a Goodwill.  I was trying to win a contest at Christmas Party for one of the places I worked at.  I embellished it with tinsel, some bows, and some unusual ornaments, but I did not win that year.  That was okay, I still had fun, and the winner was quite the site to see that year.  I kept my sweater around, however, because I thought it might still come in handy someday.  See the process here.

I have since left the one work place, but my other job, that I continue to work at, decided to have an Ugly Sweater contest this year.  

I had to make a few repairs to last year's sweater, but other than that, it was good to go!  So, Wednesday we wore our sweaters, Thursday we had a delicious potluck and voted, and Friday I learned that I won!  I had my choice of 3 Seahawks items.  Two were shirts.  There was a dark blue one, and a bright green one.  There was also some sort of bag, I think.  I choose the dark blue shirt.  It goes nicely with a Seahawks hat I bought myself, because I thought it was cool.  Now, that I have those items, plus a Jack-In-The-Box Seahawks Antenna Ball for my route car, that my friend Marsha gave me for my birthday - I guess I really should watch some of the games?  It is kind of hard, since I cancelled my cable sometime last year.  I don't really miss my cable, either.  

I have been incredibly busy the past couple of weeks.  I was taken off the Seattle Route, which I truly loved, to do a new route.  I was chosen because they felt they could trust me and I am reliable, so that is good.  I really miss seeing Seattle every day though.  I feel homesick for it.  I have been putting in some long hours with the new route as well.  Trying to find places I have never been to in the dark has been challenging, even with my TomTom.  It has only been a couple of weeks, but I think I am finally figuring things out, and learning how to drive the route more effectively.  Perhaps, I will even have new things to blog about!

I can still go to Seattle, on my days off, when I have some free time.  Luckily, I live fairly close by.  I really hope to see The Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton before it leaves this year.  I have never done that.  I also have a couple of free tickets to see some light festival somewhere up North, where I have never gone.  I am not sure when I am going to do that, but with free tickets, I don't want them to go to waste.

I cannot believe how quick Christmas is coming this year.  I looked on my calendar and realized it is this Wednesday!  I still have much to do.  Hope you all are having a happy holiday season, wherever you are at, and whatever reason you are celebrating at this time of year.