I'm excited to start out our series about Holidays in the Pacific NW with the lovely Leslie from the beautiful and insightful Trouverlesoleil blog. I hope you will enjoy her post as much I did - she has a wonderful holiday season ahead of her!
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Hi Barbara!
Thanks so much for inviting me to participate in your
holidays in the Pacific Northwest series.
Seattle truly sparkles during the holidays! Our city
is the perfect size and easily accessible .. so there's lots of opportunity to
visit and take advantage of all the festivities.
We begin the season with the Macy's Day Parade held the day
after Thanksgiving. It's an EARLY morning, but worth it once we get
there. A hot coffee, cider, or cocoa in hand, dressed in boots and warm
gloves and coats, we watch the parade.. rain or shine.
http://www.seattlecarriages.com/seattlechristmas.html |
After the parade we usually dine at one of our favorite
eateries such as PlacePigalle.
This day marks our first official holiday shopping
day, so off we go.
www.westlakecenter.com |
The day ends with the tree lighting ceremony downtown.
Pomander Balls: I have been making these at the start of the
season since I was a child. The natural citrus and clove fragrance is one
that I never tire of. I place the
oranges and cloves in a couple of bowls and family and
friends gradually create designs.
Pacific Northwest Ballet company does a wonderful production
of the Nutcracker. This is a wonderful family tradition or holiday girls
day. We usually have a lunch at one of our favorite restaurants and then attend
a later matinee.
Theater is amazing here in Seattle. Charles Dickens,
A Christmas Carol at the ACT theater downtown is a must see if you are here
over the holidays. This is performed in the round so there isn't a bad
seat in the house.
What's the holidays without caroling, right?! The
Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling competition features over 40
caroling teams that sing their hearts out to raise money for Seattle's Senior
Center and Food Bank. Dress warm and eat a hearty meal before hand!
Who doesn't like a fancy Gingerbread House?! The Sheraton Hotel in Seattle has an amazing display of
Gingerbread House's. Due to the chaos of the season, we've typically save
this event for week between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
I look forward to the sense of calm that sets in during the
season. My favorite moments are always the quiet, reflective ones spent
with family and friends. This is a wonderful time to just BE...
Wishing you a peaceful season.
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Pretty magical, right?
I think I'm going to have to see that gingerbread display for sure. And, Leslie, we are going to the Nutcracker too - maybe we can meet there if it hits the same day! Wouldn't that be a nice coincidence??!!! :)
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful holiday traditions Leslie and Happy Holidays!
I think I'm going to have to see that gingerbread display for sure. And, Leslie, we are going to the Nutcracker too - maybe we can meet there if it hits the same day! Wouldn't that be a nice coincidence??!!! :)
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful holiday traditions Leslie and Happy Holidays!
9 comments:
Nice to see the holiday spirit alive and well in the Pacific Northwest! So many wonderful things to do and partake in. Was only in Seattle once many many years ago, think I am due for a trip back especially since so many of my favorite bloggers live there!!
Well done ladies:)
It looks like a fun way to kick off the holidays...
I love Seattle and it looks like you've found a way to take full advantage of everything! Thanks for sharing your traditions, Leslie.
Wow! That certainly looks like some major celebrations. Always great to find out about how the festive season looks in other parts of the world. xo
There is so much to do in Seattle - amazing parade and I would love to see the gingerbread houses not to mention The Nutcracker. I had ballet lessons until I was seventeen so I love to go to the ballet but haven't seen The Nutcracker for a few years now. Friends and family creating designs in the pomander balls is such a lovely idea too.
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
Loved the virtual tour/sampler!!! Looks like there are several activities you could turn in to traditions!!!
Cheers,
John
Beautiful...Leslie is a lovely woman, I enjoy her blog very much!! Love these traditions too :) I miss the Macy's Parade being here in the UK, it was my favourite :) Super post xx
Love Leslies blog and how fun all these festivities are! I had no idea all this went on in Seattle!
Thanks for having me Barbara!
xx
leslie
www.trouverlesoleil.blogspot.com
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