Sunday in the Park with Spreckels
December 21, 2009 @ 7:24 am | Filed under: Advent & Christmas, California landmarks, Family Adventures, Holidays, Photos
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.
It was really too warm for them, but we were full of Christmas spirit.
As were the many doggies who attended the concert along with enthusiastic carol-singers.
It was all very merry and bright.
Possibly a little too bright.
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.
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.
(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.
Thanks for the hats, sis!
Bee art by
At 8:41 am
Margaret in Minnesota said:
What’s wrong with outtakes? Print ‘em up! Ship ‘em out!
(We’ve written many an “Epiphany edition” newsletter. Too many, probably.
)
At 9:18 am
Jennifer said:
That sounds like so much fun! I love all the photos in your adorable hats! What a beautiful family!
At 10:37 am
Penny in VT said:
What do you do every morning? Take cute pills? Seriously, those hats put you all over the top!
Sweet sweet times indeed
At 11:01 am
sarah said:
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.
At 5:36 pm
Mary Ellen Barrett said:
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.
At 9:11 pm
Yvonne said:
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).
At 6:22 am
Karen Edmisten said:
“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!
At 12:26 am
Jenny said:
ADORABLE hats. Your sister had the right idea.
Jen
At 2:21 pm Almost Ready for KidlitCon — Here in the Bonny Glen said:
[...] or twice in the four years since we moved here—oh I know, I bet I wore it last December to that terrific singalong at the organ pavilion in Balboa Park. Huh, nope. Just looked at the pictures and it must have been a warmish day. Rose is in short [...]