Boynton/Delray Holiday Boat Parade

Boynton Beach Inlet, Boynton Beach FL
Start of Parade  6:30pm

Tonight we went to the 42nd annual Boynton/Delray Holiday Boat Parade--a truly unique annual holiday event.  A stream of more than a dozen boats of all sizes, strung up and decked out in bright and festive holiday lights and decor, all traveling from the Boynton Beach Inlet to the C-15 Canal in DelrayBeach.

We brought Brewster and watched the hour-long parade from the end of Promenade Park in Boynton Beach for prime viewing close to the Marina.  (Tip: if your dog is sensitive to sounds--you may want to leave 'em at home, or make sure you hold on to them tight--Brewster wasn't the happiest when some of the boats' horns sounded!)
So many different types of watercraft came floating down the canal--large boats lined with elegant twinkling white lights, crazy multi-colored lights, tiny little decorated boats.  One boat came floating down the canal with their passengers rocking out to Gangnam Style.  Definitely a fun little experience!

Happy Holidays!

Delray Beach's 100-ft Christmas Tree

Old School Square, Delray Beach FL
Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7:15pm

The holiday season is officially in full swing, so I am on the hunt for festive activities and events for Brian and I to do since this is our first Christmas together.

Tonight we went to Delray Beach's 20th anniversary of their 100-ft Christmas Tree-lighting ceremony.  What a show!  I've never seen such a sky-high Christmas Tree before in my life--the tallest and most perfectly cone-shaped tree, with red ornament bulbs, and a giant star on top.

With the sound of the final countdown to the tree-lighting--5...4...3...2...1--thousands of beautiful bright lights illuminated the Christmas tree.  As an added treat, the lighting of the tree was celebrated by an absolutely stunning fireworks display, with fireworks shooting from both the tree-topper and in the background.

Afterward, we walked down Atlantic Avenue to check out the street festival, taking in the smell of cinnamon-sugar roasted nuts, the sounds of local bands playing, and even a local artist carving out an ice sculpture! What an amazing way to kick off the holiday season.  I love this time of the year!

Lavender Picking at Lockwood Lavender Farm

1682 West Lake Road, Skaneateles, NY13152
Open Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm, May thru early Summer

Having grown up in Upstate New York, I've been apple picking, blueberry picking, strawberry picking--you name it.  Now added to my list--lavender picking at Lockwood Lavender Farm!  What a fun experience--and wonderful-smelling one at that!  The scent of fragrant lavender of all kinds fills the air--white lavender, English lavender, Long-stemmed lavender...

If you decide to pick a bouquet of lavender, you are given a small cardboard card with a circle cut in the middle about an inch in diameter, along with a pair of scissors and a rubber band.  You can cut any of the lavender available for picking, and can cut as much as you can fit into the circle.  One bunch of lavender is $5, which will give you A LOT of lavender.  While you're at it, take a moment to look across the fields, the purple covered ground is just a breathtaking site.

Check out Lockwood Farm's website for ways to use your lavender, such as incorporating edible lavender in with your cooking, drying your lavender, and using it for crafting purposes.  Happy picking!

Tip:  Those that are allergic to bees may want to steer clear of the actual fields and have someone cut the lavender for you--the fields are buzzing with these little stingers.