Ending and Starting A Year At The Beach

The next couple of weeks will be a good kind of crazy for me.  I'm wondering where 2015 went and, also, sort of happy that it's going away (some years are like that, right?).  I do intend to end it on a higher note than it started and part of my plan includes saying good-bye to 2015 at the beach.

I'm sort of looking for a nicer place to dine on New Years Eve.  Last year, we went to Bethany Blues and had a great meal, but it was a bit too casual for something so momentous as the last day of the year.  I suggested Ruth's Chris in West OC to my husband, but he felt that might be a bit too fancy  ($$$) for us right after Christmas.  We will probably go to Antipasti or Touch of Italy in Ocean City.  Both restaurants offer great food without stuffy atmospheres or prices.  No matter where we end up, I'm looking forward to spending a fun evening with my family, then heading home to put my fat pants on,

We will be sure to be home by midnight to catch the fireworks in Northside Park (which we can see from our front yard).  If the weather is warm enough, maybe we can walk to the park to take part in the festivities there, which include live entertainment, the Winterfest light display, and hot chocolate.

There are a couple of "plunges" scheduled for January 1, 2016.  You can do the Penguin Swim in Ocean City to benefit Atlantic General Hospital or head north to do the Dewey Dunk to benefit ..nevermind...don't do the Dewey Dunk 'cause it's probably gonna suck.

The best thing about starting a new year for me is that I am that much closer to warmer weather and sitting on the sand again. I look forward to 2016 and all of the new adventures it will bring.  I am resolving to take a longer moment before I act or speak, to curse less (same damn resolution every year), to take better care of myself, to read more books, and to try more new things.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Bitches.  See ya' next year!  Peace!

Sun, Surf, and Santa

For some reason - maybe it's El Nino or, perhaps, we're just lucky - Winter does not want to come to the Mid-Atlantic region this year.  I have to admit that it's sort of preventing me from fully getting in to the holiday spirit, but I also think that it's awesome that I don't have to warm my car up before work every morning.

I've been heading to my beach house every other week since October.  This weekend was supposed to be an "off" week, but then I saw that it's supposed to be 62 degrees and sunny in Ocean City this Saturday.  Hmmm.......

Last weekend was as lovely as I thought it would be.  We did some shopping on Rehoboth Avenue, had a wonderful lunch at Cilantro, and did another tour of Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City.  While strolling down the boards in Rehoboth, we noticed that Santa was available to take requests from the kiddies with no line at all.

The house of the lonely Santa (photo credit: my daughter's FB page) 

Even though Christmas is just around the corner, you can sense that things are winding down in the resort towns.  Some restaurants are out of certain food and drink items, and some are closed for the season.  Many businesses have signs up to let people know when they will be closing for the season (almost all right after Christmas).  As festive as the beach towns look, you do get a lonely feeling when you pull in to town at night and you're the only person sitting at a stoplight on
Coastal Highway.  It's not unusual to see one balcony decorated with lights and garland in a building with nearly 100 condo units (actually - I find that kind of cool).  

I decorated my beach house living room with a teeny tiny tree. Since the weather is so warm, I needed some reminder that Christmas is on the way.  I will be back at the beach before Christmas day (either this weekend or next - or both) to finish up some shopping and enjoy being as far away from the weekend traffic on Concord Pike as possible.

Go to the beach.  It's warm and it's beautiful.  

This Saturday from 8-11 AM, you can have breakfast with Santa at the Dewey Beach Lions Club.  There is a small admission fee and they ask that everyone bring a non-perishable food item.

Head to Bethany Beach at 6 PM on Saturday to join the Mariners Praise Band for carols around the tree on the boardwalk.

Beautful Bethany Beach 

There is still plenty to do and see by the sea before Winter decides to finally show up.  Enjoy the holiday season with a little less hustle and almost no bustle.

She Sells Sea Shells (and purses, socks, and candles)

It's time to start shopping.  Christmas is a mere three weeks away (which is totally unbelievable to me).  As much as I hate to admit it, outlet shopping is really one of the easiest ways to get it done.  I will probably find myself hitting the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach and Lewes this coming weekend to help cross a few items off of my Christmas gift list.  I'm also planning to stroll along Rehoboth Avenue with my awesome daughter to find some unique gifts for our loved ones.

Rehoboth Bandstand Decorated for the holidays

It will feel good to get back to the beach this weekend for some shopping fun and relaxation.  The beach weather is looking good (sunny and in the 50s), so conditions should be just about perfect for walking outside while carrying lot and lots of shopping bags!

There are sooooo many holiday events going on in all of the beach towns this weekend.  Here are just a few:  

On Saturday afternoon in Ocean City, the OC Christmas Parade will march down Coastal Highway between Old Landing Rd (by Gold Coast Mall) and 120th St..  It will feature high school bands and floats and is sure to help put everyone in the holiday spirit (and stall traffic on Coastal!).  

OCMD Christmas Parade

If you're still not feeling Christmas-y, there are two performances of The Nutcracker at the OC Performing Arts Center (at the Convention Center).  Show times are at 2 PM and 7 PM.  Tickets are $15 and are available at Ticketmaster or through the Convention Center.  

On the boardwalk in OC, you can catch a ride with Santa on a horse-drawn sleigh for $10.  Rides continue through 12/27 on Saturdays and Sundays from 10-4.

Lewes, DE is hosting a Christmas Parade at 5 PM on Saturday 12/5 followed by a tree lighting and caroling in Zwaanendael Park.

On Sunday, 12/6 at 5 PM head to Northside Park in OC for the Winterfest of Lights Jingle Bell 5K.  Registration is from 3:30 - 4:30 at the Abbey Burger Bistro on 126th St.  Registration fee is $28 and all participants are encouraged to dress "in the holiday spirit".

I,for one, prefer shopping next to the ocean to walking around a hot and crowded mall (ugh). Even if you only find something for yourself (like Kilwins fudge), the pretty lights and decorations in the beach towns will put you in the mood for the holidays.