12/18/2013 First We Need Energy.... Dining At Preveza
We dine before we take the trip to Naples.
Our neighborhood Mediterranean dining location
We knew it would be a great evening becuase after golf,
we had a sky with clouds containing silver linings
In Summary....
Now The Details....
Over the teeth and
through the gums,
Look out tonsils... here is comes!
Brian tells us of Christmas in London
Jan confirms it... and it is cold and dreary this time of year
Ah ha... Saganaki is being served....
Flaming cheese... The proper way to warm you up
Did You Know? - Saganaki (Greek σαγανάκι) refers to various Greek dishes prepared in a small frying pan, itself called a saganaki, the best-known being an appetizer of fried cheese.
The word saganaki is a diminutive of sagani, a frying pan with two handles, which comes from the Turkish word sahan 'copper dish', itself borrowed from Arabic صحن (ṣaḥn).
Greg sings to the Saganaki... In Japanese??
More Saganaki on its way
Saganaki is really a Danish dish... Tonight only!
Did You Know? - Lucia Night Is A Danish Tradition - According to the Catholic Church Lucia is the saint of light (lux = light in Latin). She is celebrated on the night between the 12th and the 13th of December, especially in schools, retirement homes, hospitals and other institutions all over Denmark, with small girl processions and traditional singing.
Legend has it that Lucia, in order to keep her hands free, wore a wreath with candles on her head so that she could (illegally) feed the poor Christians on the hide in the catacombs of ancient Rome.
Selections for dinner have been made
More Saganaki on its way....
Bring it right here.... The Saganaki Kids
Bob looks up "Saganaki" to see if it is Danish
Yeah! Irene joined us for dinner!
Bob pops up to grab the wine bottle ... Before it disappears
Little hat... Big _____?
Our matching outfits courtesy of Diane Porter....
We have been wearing these for years and years
Greg and Irene
Bob got all of us.... But where is Bob??
We must be singing
The toast.... To Family, Friendship, and Paul's Birthday
Greg also provides a nice toast for the evening festivities
"Careful... Do not burn yourself"
Gosh... If there were 69 on this the whole thing would melt
Sue got Paul some mistletoe for Christmas...
Flower likes it
"All gone!"
Fun Fun Fun
OK... Time to head out and exercise
Nick, all of a sudden, came to a screeching halt.... Wonder why???
Ah ha.... We now know why! Fiona and Lisa!
Walking In A Winter Wonderland (Nat King Cole & Perry Como)
Dick Smith, a native of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, was reportedly inspired to write the song after seeing Honesdale's Central Park covered in snow. Smith had written the lyrics while in the West Mountain Sanitarium, being treated for tuberculosis, better known then as consumption. The West Mountain Sanitarium is located off N. Sekol Ave. in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The original recording was by Richard Himber and his Hotel Ritz-Carlton Orchestra on RCA Bluebird in 1934. At the end of a recording session with time to spare, it was suggested that this new tune be tried with an arrangement provided by the publisher. This excellent "studio" orchestra included many great New York studio musicians including the legendary Artie Shaw. The biggest chart hit at the time of introduction was Guy Lombardo's orchestra, a top ten hit.
We Has Arrived At Naples
In Summary
The Devil Is In The Details
Decorated to the hilt!
To the fountain to meet up with everyone
Where do we go??? Around in circles
Charlotte meets Tiffany and Kyle
at the fountain!
We all know how to do this!
Bob and Sue... A pair to draw too!
Remember - Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home. ~Carol Nelson
Carri introduced us to the "Naples Walk" years and years ago
Brian and Jan know how to dress for the cold
Scarves and bright colors
What is a jumper?
Did You Know? - A Jumper in England refers to a long-sleeved pullover that is a sweater that is donned by pulling it over your head.
The proof.... We are on Naples Lane and ready to walk....
A dare-devil must have decorated this one....
Snowmen and palm trees... Must be California
Brought to us directly from London
ENGLAND silly.... Not NEW ENGLAND!
Across the stream houses even play music
We met new Jewish friends and their house was beautifully decorated
Sue met the baby doggie....
Yeah Mazel Turk!!
A very happy Hanukkah
Plain and simple
Oops
Something fishy here
You guys are going on the naughty list unless you provide milk and cookies
A beautiful manger
Did You Know? - A manger, or trough, is a feeder that is made of carved stone, wood, or metal construction and is used to hold food for animals (as in a stable). Mangers are mostly used in livestock raising. They are also used to feed wild animals, e.g., in nature reserves. The word comes from the French manger (meaning "to eat"), from Latin manducare (meaning "to chew").
A manger is also a Christian symbol, associated with nativity scenes where Mary, forced by necessity to stay in a stable instead of an inn, placed the baby Jesus in a manger.
Kyle and Tiffany making magic wherever they go!
Up and down the stairs
Beautiful wreaths were everywhere
Did You Know? - A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring.
In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, mainly as Christmas decorations to celebrate the birth of Christ. They are also used in ceremonial events in many cultures around the globe. Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them. They are usually made from evergreens and symbolize strength, as evergreens last even throughout the harshest winters. Bay laurel may also be used, and these wreaths are known as laurel wreath.
The flash worked well to light up the white flowers
Wonder what the light bill is
The boat was really moving... OK... So was the camera!
Charlotte takes in the lights
LED illumination in Viborg, Denmark
Strings and strings of lights adorn this home
Did You Know? - Christmas lights are lights used for decoration around Christmas. The custom goes back to the use of candles to decorate the Christmas tree in upper-class homes in 18th-century Germany. Christmas trees displayed publicly and illuminated with electric lights became popular in the early 20th century.
By the mid-20th century, it became customary to display strings of electric lights as along streets and on buildings Christmas decorations detached from the Christmas tree itself. In the United States, it became popular to outline private homes with such Christmas lights in tract housing beginning in the 1960s. By the late 20th century, the custom had also been adopted in non-western countries, notably in Japan.
These puppies are big... Used to belong to the Jolly Green Giant
Did You Know? - Christmas lights (also called twinkle lights, holiday lights, and mini lights in the United States and fairy lights in the UK), that are strands of electric lights used to decorate homes, public/commercial buildings and Christmas trees during the Christmas season are amongst the most recognized form of Christmas lighting.
Christmas lights come in a dazzling array of configurations and colors. The small "midget" bulbs commonly known as fairy lights are also called Italian lights in some parts of the U.S., such as Chicago.
The types of lamps used in Christmas lighting also vary considerably, reflecting the diversity of modern lighting technology in general. Common lamp types are incandescent light bulbs and now light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are being increasingly encouraged as being more energy efficient. Less common are neon lamp sets[citation needed]. Fluorescent lamp sets were produced for a limited time by Sylvania in the mid-1940s.
Just us....
Enjoying an evening out with family and friends....
Tiffany assisted in finding Robin and Nick who got lost...
She fiddled withthe phone and they showed up.... Tele-Transportation?
Wild animals on the lawn should be feared
It was nice out this evening.... The water made interesting reflections
Beary Christmas.....
Neat icicles... They actually dripped (electronically)
Frosty and Santa watch all the visitors
Guess who was here???? Leah! What a pleasant surprise
The palm trees get into the act
Great scarves....
Robin has returned safe and sound....
Sue was bundled up and stayed toasty all evening....
Lights everywhere
A different kind of happy face
Pals at work
Did they miss anywhere????
Just hanging around
The Grinch
Did You Know? - The Grinch is a fictional character created by Dr. Seuss. He first appeared as the antihero of the 1957 children's book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
The devious, anti-holiday spirit of the character has led to the term Grinch, or an Ardi in Eastern Europe. coming to refer to a person opposed to Christmas time celebrations or to someone with a coarse, greedy attitude. In fact, a document in the live-action film (the Book of Who) stated that "The term Grinchy shall apply when Christmas spirit is in short supply".
The Grinch has since become an icon of the winter holidays, despite the character's hatred of the season, and has appeared on various forms of memorabilia such as Christmas ornaments, plush dolls, Halloween costumes, and various clothing items.
Tiffany and Robin coordinate
Our group was asked to sing but we decided against it....
We could get time fore too much noise
Interesting colors
Stop
Now that there is a stocking
Courtesy of Ian Bailey MSU
Creator In Chief - Jupiter Media Group
Time to head for home....
Gathering for the parting pictures
Paul set up the picture for the nice lady who took the shots
We make a nice looking group....
OK... Home to a Christmas movie
Sue, Paul, Robin, and Mr. Nick
"Ah Grandma... In front of everyone????"
Dressed for Alaska
Charlotte is ready for golf....
"I hope it does not rain tomorrow"
I love California....
"Blimy mate...."
Watering the grass at night before a rain storm???
The moon was almost full
Sound: Walking In A Winter Wonderland (Elvis Presley)
Singer-songwriter Johnny Mercer took the song to #4 in Billboard's airplay chart in 1946. The same season, Perry Como hit the retail top ten. Como would record a new version for his 1959 Christmas album.
Due to its seasonal theme, "Winter Wonderland" is often regarded as a Christmas song in the Northern Hemisphere, although the holiday itself is never mentioned in the lyrics. There is a mention of "sleigh-bells" several times, implying that this song refers to the Christmas period. In the Swedish language lyrics, Vår vackra vita vintervärld, the word tomtar is mentioned.