Autumn 2011

Autumn is here, for real. Halloween has come and gone (yay candy!), and now it's dark when I leave work in the evening. Thank goodness for my new key chain flashlight, since I can't see our doorknob without it!



Today was quite lovely, but we've have several cold days and a whole lotta rain. Even some snow here in Belmont (much more to the west).

How's autumn treating you?

{cell phone photo; 27 October 2011}

Leif + Alyssa's Wedding

On Saturday, our friends, Leif + Alyssa, got married. Eric and Leif have known each other since first grade, and Eric was one of his groomsmen.

The ceremony was held outdoors at the Harvard Historical Society. Just before the ceremony started, we felt a few drops of rain. But the weather cooperated, and everything went as planned. The bride was stunning in her lace dress, and the groom couldn't have looked more pleased. It's always such a pleasure watching our friends say "I do."

Afterwards we all went to Wedgewood Pines Country Club for dinner and dancing. I didn't take many pictures because first I was too busy eating and then I was too busy dancing. We definitely had a great time!

Grand Illumination In Oak Bluffs - August 18

Last Wednesday Eric and I went to the Grand Illumination (I'll explain) in Oak Bluffs. We got there early and went to dinner at Giordano's (Eric used to be a bar tender there, and we're pretty sure we got moved to the front of the line!). Oak Bluffs was packed, so it was a good thing we planned ahead. After dinner, we headed to the Campground to wait for the festivities to begin. On our way over we witnessed a stunning Vineyard sunset.

It was getting pretty dark by the time we got to the Tabernacle, and the band was just beginning to play. They played a million patriotic songs, so it felt a little like the 4th of July. 

The music actually went on for much longer than we anticipated, and it started to rain a little bit. But we held our ground because we didn't want to miss the Grand Illumination! Okay, so what is this Grand Illumination business? Well, all the owners if the gingerbread cottages (the cute little houses I've written about before) at the campground decorate with lanterns. And then, when it's time, they all light them at once! Yeah, it's pretty much just as awesome as it sounds! I'd never been before, so it was a real to-do.

Once the houses are all lit up, masses up people walk around snapping pictures and oohing + ahhing. It's really quite a darling tradition.

It rained on and off, so we took cover inside the Tabernacle for a bit. There were lanterns lining the edge of the entire thing, and they were so pretty up close and from a distance.

We ventured outside again, when the rain slowed. Some people went beyond their porches, and decorated the lawns with lanterns and candles inside paper bags (though the rain prevented most candles from being lit). 

This little boy was just about the most adorable thing. I only saw him for a split second, and I can't believe I got this picture. His dad was carrying him and when he saw this huge lantern in a tree, he reached out to touch it. My heart was melting. 

Eventually the rain starting coming down a little too hard, and we made a mad dash for the car. It was such a beautiful night! 

P.S. I didn't even have a tripod!