Holidays at the OBX

After a successful inaugural Christmas at the Beach in 2020, we decided to repeat the experience for 2022 though with a southern twist (Happy Sol in Nags Head vs Pineapple House in Duck) and the absence of one of our revelers (Adrienne couldn't make it). And while the days leading up to the adventure were a bit stressful (John was hospitalized due to low oxygen levels related to his mitral valve) and leaving DC was complicated (Don had offered to be the initial proctor for Owen's driving lessons but we needed to get Owen's actual permit before we left town, which involved two trips to the DMV – who knew the under 18 crowd needed a birth certificate for a permit – which delayed our departure and resulted in our hitting bad weather and even worse traffic). Once we got there all was well, albeit cold due to arctic blast and bomb cyclone which forced us all to stay indoors and just eat and drink...

We settled in Thursday night, making pizzas and enjoying cocktails, and then the next morning we decorated a tree and readied ourselves for the sequel 2020's LARP Clue, "A Christmas Kracker Killing Mystery." While we were down one horse breeder, Felice Navidad, and one business woman, Rita List, Allen and I doubled up for Buster Kracker's posthumous holiday celebration where we (or at least some of us) ascertained that Phil Stockins (aka Danny) had murdered the father of his fiance, Ava Kracker (aka Sharon) via arsenic poisoning because he and her mother, Paula Kracker (aka Nancy) didn't approve of the match while the rest of us - wine merchant, Angel Shyre (Nora); conductor, Frank Incenses (Owen); Actress, Candy Cane (Katherine); Retired MI6 operative Robin Redbreast (Don); Veterinarian, Evan Song (John); Merchant Navy Captain/Illegitimate Heir, Si Lentnite (Allen); and wedding planner, Dee Coration (Elaine) - provided red herrings and colorful commentary.

For Christmas Eve, Allen, Nora and I prepared an homage to our Tuscan summer adventure while Mom Mom and Nora also prepared the Christmas cake. Christmas Day began with a bagel extravaganza in the morning followed by a beef tenderloin feast that evening, all thanks to Nancy and Danny at which point Katherine finally allowed us to open some presents.

 

Once the official holiday celebrations were over and the arctic blast had moved on, we were able to venture outside for a few activies. Don took Owen driving (including a highway) and he and Geoffrey took Nora flying (although technically, Nora took them). We had an outing to the Bodie Island Lighthouse and the bird sanctuary on Pea Island, a separate outing to Jockey's Ridge, and a sundry of games and activities including bridge, shuffleboard, puzzling, pool (Owen discovered 9 ball), marbles, hot-tubbing, bocce ball, corn hole, various movie watch parties (particularly, Maverick and Glass Onion), a polar bear plunge, and of course, long walks on the beach, as well as a meet up with the Violas who had just arrived to celebrate NYE week at OBX.

The next morning we headed back to DC where we unpacked, opened even more presents, and settled in to face 2023 and start planning for XMas 2024...

(To see all of our OBX pictures, click here.)

One Cello Playing

In addition to preparing for their own holiday concert, Duke Ellington's Orchestra was asked to accompany the vocal music department's Peace on Earth concert this week. The two night affair (and multiple late night practices) featured the entire orchestra for Gloria, Because this Child was Born, and Do You Hear What I Hear? with the strings and winds in the pit and the brass on close circuit tv (due to space limitations). But for us, the best part of the show was the freshman women's choir which was only accompanied by piano and a solo cello. For the Friday night performance, Owen joined them onstage in a really beautiful version of Winter Branches (Charlie, his stand-mate, took over the duties for Saturday night). We don't often get to see Owen in the spotlight, so it was really exciting to see him shine and watch his friends and strangers congratulating him afterwards.

 

A Long December...

It's been a crazy December for Noa, as they navigate applying to high schools while finishing all their end of year activities. On Friday we had a family interview for Georgetown Day, Saturday Noa had DCYOP's final rehearsal before the concert followed by Burke's open house, and then on Sunday we dropped Noa off at sound check for the DCYOP concert so that Allen and I could attend Maret's open house before joining Mom Mom and Grandpa Don for the concert.

After a few days reprieve we had Noa's Sheridan concert, which included Noa accompanying the rest of their class on the viola in Ain't No Mountain High Enough and them singing the Peace the Whole Word Over song with the honor choir, after which they were dismissed for Winter Break, which for Nora will involve their Sidwell math assessment, their Maret interview, and finishing up a few more private school applications before they start working on their Duke Ellington one...

 

Steeped in Tradition

 

Jacqui returned in December for our seventh annual holiday tea party (which is particularly impressive given we managed to continue the tradition during the Pandemic). We got a little nostalgic remembering Nora's early tea outings where they enjoyed hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies and spent much of the time reading. And while Nora still has book with them wherever they go, now they're more partial to a green tea blend of bergamot, kiwi, peach, and violet blossoms, the quiche and chicken salad sandwiches, scones, and conversing on the topics that one discusses at high tea.

It was kind of a crazy weekend. After a flurry of activity on Friday (specifically Nora's recital), a bevy or things on Saturday (Nora's DCYOP rehearsal followed by bread-breaking and dinner at the Telfair-Cha's -- which included the IKEA trans shark and a moose) and a morning of Meeting on Sunday (which included making sandwiches for the unhoused per Grate Patrol), we were finally able to get dressed up and enjoy a lovely afternoon tea including a lot of mini-sandwiches (and some trading), clotted cream and scones, strawberries and cream, and a bunch of fancy desserts we couldn't entirely decipher. 

It was a lovely afternoon and an incredibly rich and filling experience, so after Jacqui had a last glass of champagne, we headed home and crashed. Until next year...

(To see all of the pictures, click here.)

Soloing

Noa's recital was originally scheduled for the same day as one of their Macbeth performances, but their teacher, Mr. Enrique, also had a conflict so the date was moved to the first Friday after Thanksgiving break, which meant that Jacqui was able to attend in addition to Mom Mom and the rest of us. The venue was a little tight as I don't think anyone realized exactly how many students Mr. Enrique has and how many fans those students have. But it meant that we actually got to see Noa perform the Allegro for Telleman's Viola Concerto No. 1. Enjoy!