Sunday in the Park with Spreckels

December 21, 2009 @ 7:24 am | Filed under: , , , ,

One of the many treasures of Balboa Park is the Spreckels Pipe Organ—the world’s largest outdoor musical instrument. San Diego employs a civic organist and offers free organ concerts on many Sunday afternoons throughout the year. I’ve been wanting to attend one ever since we moved here, and yesterday we happened to think of it just in time to catch the Christmas concert and community sing-along. The timing was perfect; my mother was visiting for the weekend. (She comes out for my birthday every year, which is the best possible present.)

We wore our new Christmas hats that my sister Merry made for us.

organ

It was really too warm for them, but we were full of Christmas spirit.

elvesatpark

As were the many doggies who attended the concert along with enthusiastic carol-singers.

dog

It was all very merry and bright.

gigglers

Possibly a little too bright.

toobright

Our all potential Christmas card photos turned out to be outtakes. That’s okay because I’ve already abandoned hope on sending out Christmas cards this year anyway.

group

The best part was when the organist invited audience members to join her onstage for the carol-singing. We didn’t know we’d get to be part of the concert! Beanie, Jane, and I were eager to sing. The rest of the gang watched from the back of the amphitheater.

We thought of our snowed-under East Coast friends when we sang White Christmas.

palmgirl

(Out here it’s a white T-shirt Christmas.)

The best part was the final song—an enthusiastic and somewhat ad-libbed rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. It is still ringing in my ears.

Methinks we have ourselves a new holiday tradition.

lbaby

Thanks for the hats, sis!


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Comments

9 Reponses | Comments Feed
  1. Margaret in Minnesota says:

    What’s wrong with outtakes? Print ’em up! Ship ’em out!

    (We’ve written many an “Epiphany edition” newsletter. Too many, probably. ;-))

  2. Jennifer says:

    That sounds like so much fun! I love all the photos in your adorable hats! What a beautiful family!

  3. Penny in VT says:

    What do you do every morning? Take cute pills? Seriously, those hats put you all over the top!

    Sweet sweet times indeed 🙂

  4. sarah says:

    You are all one big confection of cuteness. I’m sure people can’t help but smile when they see you all.

    And how lovely for a family to be out having fun together.

  5. Mary Ellen Barrett says:

    Lissa you are beautiful. I say send the photos and who cares if anyone is looking at the camera.

    You have a lovely family. Merry Christmas dear.

  6. Yvonne says:

    Oh those hats. You guys look absolutely clausy. I must put them on my wish list for next year. I have a 13 year old who will be quite happy to make them (I hope).

  7. Karen Edmisten says:

    “Christmas card photos turned out to be outtakes. That’s okay because I’ve already abandoned hope on sending out Christmas cards this year anyway.”

    Me, too. We’ll be uncommunicative together.

    Love the hats!

    Merry Christmas!

  8. Jenny says:

    ADORABLE hats. Your sister had the right idea. 🙂

    Jen