Hello, V C! Sunday, 12/5/21

 

Victorian Christmas has been a Nevada City tradition since 1978, and this year our picturesque downtown will once again transform into a Christmas Card come to life.  And it'll be especially dear in 2021 since COVID closures effectively shut down Victorian Christmas last year.  This annual family festivity would be held on two Wednesday evenings and three Sunday afternoons -- Victorian Christmas was back!

We were excited!  It was decided that we would have brunch first.  Nine of us:  Jimmy and me, Nannie and Bubba, Matt and Jen and Evie, and Alice and Tom (Jen's parents), would meet at Diego's in Grass Valley at 11:30.  We were fortunate to be seated in their back room, which we had all to ourselves.  Perfect.  After eating, Evie suggested we play charades ... with her directing each of us what we were supposed to act out.  Like I said, being alone in the back room was ideal!  We had a grand time, and the food was delicious. 

Looks like Nannie has borrowed Evie's reindeer antlers! 😊

Wonderful tile mural in the background.

Evie playing with one of her ponies.

They ordered panqueque's, one chicken and one steak.  Their faces say it all: "Look at the size of these things!  How am I supposed to eat THIS?"  Rightly so, they were huge.  We enjoyed the leftovers the next evening!

Our waitress was busy, but we were fine where we were.  She's distributing "go" boxes to Nannie and Bubba.  Nannie and Evie are cooking up something mischievous behind Bubba's back.  I think Jen is practicing her charade animal.  What a loverly bunch/brunch.

We knew parking would be at a premium for VC, so we didn't attempt it.  A shuttle ran from the city center to a dropoff near the heart of downtown.  It was only five bucks, but worth it not to drive in circles looking for a place to park.  The return was free.  Wandering carolers entertain visitors.

Victorian Christmas features music and food/drink and vendors selling handmade items, and the stores along Broad Street remain open for business, and so on.  Nannie and Jimmy stand in front of the hot cider vendor.  Masks were optional.  We started with masks, but they went by the wayside at some point.  

Icelandic Elves are certainly an added decoration to the street.

These four children were singing a Christmas carol when Evie walked up.  She (and I) stood and listened, mesmerized by the kids and their song.  When it was over, we clapped our hands and added a dollar to their hat.

Jimmy and I figured it would be crowded today, and it was, and good for Nevada City!  We bought a couple of things, and I hope others did, too.  Not only fun, but great for the local economy.  Of course, look at the weather -- warm/ish and sunny, who could ask for more?

Oooh, the man in the red suit!  Evie was game ... till it was our turn and then she wasn't sure about getting too close to this guy!  This Santa was full of personality; he was just right for the job.  Evie was too shy to tell him what she wanted, till he asked if she wanted toys.  Then she shouted out, "PONIES."  We sat for a bit and then were joined by the rest of our crew, or at least some of 'em.

Jimmy and Bubba are missing.  I think Tom is pointing at one of them, telling them to join the picture.  Looks like Evie is ready to bolt.  L-R:  Jen, Matt, Tom, Alice, Nannie, and me and Evie and Santa in the bottom row (as if you didn't know). 

Jimmy and I stuck together, but we kept losing others.  No wonder in this crowd.  Nannie and I posed with the Christmas tree, et al.  As much as we saw and heard today, we still missed lots, like the extensive collection of Dickens Village collectible town models, and the highland dancers and the magic show, and more, but you simply can't see everything.

This little miss stood in line for 45 minutes when she found out the Balloon Man was making animals for children.  (God bless her parents who stood with her!)  She wanted a unicorn.  Balloon man (with his wife, above) is granting her wish.

She stood, rapt and concentrated, as her unicorn took shape.  In the last picture, right, Balloon Man shows her the unicorn.  Total joy!

Here 'tis, little girl.

Jimmy and Bubba, meanwhile, stopped for a coffee in Kosmos Space Cafe.  By now, we were pretty much done and ready to return home (via the shuttle to our cars).  Late afternoon, and the sun was lying low in the sky, temperature falling.  Time to leave.

Look at my unicorn, Dad!  Her joy was palpable.

We rounded up everyone.  Nannie and Bubba bade goodbye to Matt and Jen and Evie.  Hope to see you again soon!  And we made our way to join the line for the shuttle.  I bought a bag of caramel corn and we waited and ate at the same time.  Win-win!  We made it home just as darkness descended.

Monday was our laid-back day.  Maybe a load or two of laundry.  A brownies-and-coffee visit from our dear across-the-street neighbors, which is always fun.  We had homemade tamales to eat for dinner, thanks to Alice; she knows a special place to buy them.  A change in the weather was coming and today was cloudier, cooler.  Anyway, it was time to pack the suitcase; tomorrow (Tuesday) we'd take Nannie and Bubba to the airport.

What a wonderful visit!  Soooo happy you guys came to spend the week (really and truly!).  Look how the weather cooperated for once -- you missed the cold and wet completely.   I repeat what you said to Matt and Jen and Evie:  Hope to see you soon!  Much love (miss you).  Merry Christmas!