A Very Mickey Breakfast

Posted on December 23, 2015December 23, 2015 by Dusty Roads

Friday morning we were up bright and early. Joe had breakfast reservations for us at Trattoria on the Boardwalk.

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Joe had eggs but rounded out his breakfast with a Mickey Waffle.

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I decided to try the caramel apple pancake . I thought it would be similar to the Big apple pancake they have a Bickfords or like I make at home with apple slices through the pancake batter but I was wrong. These were a short stack of pancakes covered in hot cinnamon apples and caramel sauce. Real good but oh so sweet.

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I had hesitated about ordering a Mickey Waffle as I was afraid it would be too many carbs but I was glad for it as it cut the sweetness of the pancakes. Besides, calories don’t count on vacation, right?

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It was fun breakfast.

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After we ate we wandered through the Boardwalk shops and lobbies checking out those decorations and taking pictures.

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I think the elaborate chandelier was the best.

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Our plan was to spend the morning that way and then go to the Orlando Eye. Joe had coupons for combo tickets, buy a ticket for all 3 attractions, Madam Tussaud’s, Sealife and The Eye and get a 2nd ticket free. We did it online and it worked so soon it was time to head to downtown Orlando.

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What are you doing for next year?

Posted on December 17, 2015December 17, 2015 by Dusty Roads

Between work and trying to bring you all up to date on the Florida trip I’ve been preparing my annual Christmas Cards. All of my cards are hand made and I use my original photos. Each year I try to top the card I used from the previous year.

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Last night we had our Team Celebration and I handed out the cards for the team members. I was thrilled that they were a hit. I can’t share it here yet as I haven’t mailed all of the others. I’ll share on Christmas Day 🙂

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Anyway they wanted to know what I would do for next year.

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Part of the reason for a Florida trip this December was to check out the decorations at Disney. I got lots of pics. These are just a sample of the contenders that I shot my first day in Florida before I even got to the Disney Parks.

2013 Taunton Green

Posted on December 24, 2013December 24, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Christmas is almost here and I still hadn’t found time to take pictures of the Taunton Green. I started photographing The Green 3 years ago in 2010. I know that isn’t that long but I didn’t have the camera before that! 🙂 Now I consider it a tradition and as I explained in my last post about the lighting of the Green, this year is special. It’s the 100th year.

So with the clock ticking I braved the rain, yes rain and headed to the Green. It’s about 38 degrees and raining off and on. It’s rained all day, sometimes quite hard. It’s seemed to be tapering off since I headed out. Northern New England got an ice storm and snow so I guess I should be counting my blessings.

I covered the camera with a plastic baggie with a hole cut for the lens but found it hard to see through the viewfinder. I decided to gamble and take the baggie off. I kept it handy incase the rain started again.

Remember the big round things that were being built? Turns out they were layers of a cake.

There’s the Christmas City banner along with Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays and lots of trees.

We have a Nativity Scene and Elves and lots and lots of lights.

The rain started again so I’m wrapping up the shoot. I hope you enjoy this peak at the Green 2013.

Around Taunton

Posted on December 22, 2013December 22, 2013 by Dusty Roads

I’ve been working the day shift the last couple of days. Instead of my usual 12-9 I’ve been moved to 9-6. On Friday it was because the Holiday Party was taking place and even if I’d wanted to skip it, everyone else was going so I wouldn’t have been able to get anything done. It was quite the turnout. On Saturday my other weekend warrior took the day off to get some last minute holiday stuff done so I agreed to cover early. That makes sense from a business stand point so requests that come in overnight get handled quickly.

So I actually got an evening to go check out Christmas lights. There was a lot of traffic so it was hard to stop and really enjoy them. 2 houses in particular stood out. I couldn’t find a place to park for the first one but I’m going to check out the area in daylight to see if I can find a place. The other was near a parking lot. SO here is decorated house # 2 from Taunton, MA.

100 Years of Lights

Posted on December 8, 2013December 8, 2013 by Dusty Roads

My adopted city of Taunton, MA is known as the Christmas City. Every year the city goes all out with a light display.

The Annual Lighting of the Green and Lights On Festival is traditionally held the Friday following the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Lighting of the Green has happened in the center of Taunton for 100 years, and we hope this tradition will survive 100 more. This year’s Lighting of the Green will be focused on 100 years of family memories, and it’s sure to offer something for the whole family.

Originally the Green was decorated to draw shoppers to the downtown area. Over the years people from all over New England came to see the Decorated Center of Taunton.

This has continued even with other major light shows in the area such as the lights at LaSalette Shrine and Edaville Railroad.

In the beginning it was just Christmas trees. Over the years it evolved to displays, some of which were motorized and moved.

One of the factors that contributed to Taunton’s reputation as the Christmas City is that prior to 1951, there was no Route 24. That meant that all the people who were traveling between Boston and Fall River would have to go through downtown Taunton when using routes 140, 44 and 138.

The 1948 display was the first to feature an illuminated sign that reads, “THE CHRISTMAS CITY,” and during that year WBZ-TV first came on the air and broadcast the lighting of the Taunton Green.

I’ve only lived in Taunton since 2006 but have embraced the city and it’s traditions. Unlike many of the other places I’ve lived, this doesn’t feel like a “stop along the way”. I feel a pride of place that I haven’t experienced except in my original hometown in New York.

Because of my work schedule I have never had a chance to attend the Lighting of the Green Ceremony and even though I have the day off this year, I will miss it again as I have a previous commitment to a friend. But missing the festivities is really a small price as the Green will be decorated and lit throughout the Christmas Season. I will have my chance to enjoy the lights and take my photos as I have in years past and I promise you’ll see them right here.