It's a Jolly Lobster Trap Christmas (Tree)

 

The Lobster Trap Christmas Tree in Stonington, CT

One of my goals for this holiday season was to visit places I hadn't been before during this time of year. I will return to old favorites -- Rockefeller Center, the Metropolitan Museum and window shopping on Madison Avenue -- but I was/am eager for some new sights. I started my "New Sights Tour" with my visit to the Bronx Zoo last month and adding a place that I love in the summer, but haven't visited in the winter, Stonington, CT.

I love the small towns of New England, and especially those in Connecticut, where I grew up. I'm not able to choose a favorite town -- there are so many lovely ones -- but Stonington, in the corner of the state on the Rhode Island border, is definitely near the top. My cousins live a quick car ride away and during a visit last weekend, they suggested we visit the Lobster Trap Christmas Tree. Despite the cold, I was an immediate yes. 

Inside the tree, a pyramid of lobster traps and lights. 

That's me in boots, hat, hood, scarf  and down coat.

I knew nothing about  the existence of lobster trap Christmas trees, but after a little research found that the first one began in Gloucester, MA in 2001 and now there are lobster trap trees all along the New  England coast. 

The tree is a display for 460 buoys, all hand painted

Here are a few facts on our tree. In addition to the 460 buoys (an anchored float used as a navigation mark) the tree is made of 460 lobster traps. Forty of the buoys were created by the children of Stonington and twenty-two are devoted to the commercial fishermen of the area. The tree is a popular site for wedding proposals. There were three in 2021, the first year the tree was built and fourteen last year. My bet is that there will be twenty proposals this year. What's your thought?

I loved looking at the buoys and was fascinated by the different styles and themes. A major goal of the tree -- besides a wonderful community focus -- is to encourage the artists of the area. Cheers to the town of Stonington for creating this beautiful new holiday tradition. 

A salute to the 250th anniversary of the Navy

Thanks, Stonington!

I'm back in New York after my Connecticut weekend. For a quick forty eight hour visit, we managed to include a lot of fun. Lunch with cousins, a visit to our favorite doughnut store, a walk with the pups, seeing the lights at Olde Mistick Village -- hope to do a post of this in the next few days -- and a tour of a senior community. The last activity is just "fact  finding." 

As  ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy!

Beautiful Vermont Pink Saturday

The view from my friends' house in Stowe

This Pink Saturday we're going to leave New York and go to another picture perfect holiday setting, Vermont. I had the wonderful fortune to visit my dear college friend K. and family in Stowe, Vermont. My last post shared my flight delay in the airport in Burlington on my return trip. Fortunately it was a short delay and I was home that evening. The last few days have been more hectic than I anticipated. I realize that every year this week is busy, very busy. It's been happy busy, but there are packages to wrap and mail, and cards to write. My dining room table is covered with cards, wrapping and all the accoutrements of the season -- tape, tags and ribbon.  

The Community Church in the center of Stowe.

The town is lovely and picture perfect.  It was a great visit and I loved exploring "downtown" Stowe. I did a little gift shopping, made a visit to the library, and sampled fabulous coffee.

 

I fell in love with The Country Store on Main and stopped there both days I was exploring Stowe. I picked up several gifts for events in January and wish I could just move in to this lovely and cheerful place. I don't need one more dish, but there were a few serving pieces that are still calling my name.  

I especially enjoyed my visit to the Library and the Festival of the Trees. This is the Library's own creation for the Festival and the ornaments are made from pages of books. The Helen Day Art Center on the second floor of the library building is a wonderful gallery. If I had an inch of wall space left in my apartment I know I would have purchased several pieces.

 

This beautiful house graces Main Street. The decorations are so simple, but so lovely. I love the bright lights of New York and the glitter and glow, but I also love the greenery and red ribbons of New England. And yes, the sky was really so beautifully blue.

 One task I didn't get to was choosing the name of the winner for the "Winter Sky" giveaway. I am remiss, but I will get to it tomorrow and post it with a few more Vermont pictures.

As ever, thanks so much for visiting. Take good care and enjoy the ribbons, the wrapping and time with those you love.