It’s beginning to look a lot like…
With all the snow we’ve had in the Hudson Valley over the last few days, it’s hard not to feel festive. Around here it’s not normal to have snow piling up this early in December, but it certainly is pretty, especially with all the holiday decorations and lights. And as December 25th approaches, family members ask me the same question they do every year. “What do you want for Christmas?”
It’s a silly question, really, because every year my answer is the same.
Boat parts.
Simple, right? It’s easy. If it serves some purpose on the boat, then it’s the perfect gift for me. And it doesn’t even have to be a true ‘boat’ part — though if Santa wants to leave a diesel generator beneath the tree I wouldn’t complain — but anything chosen specifically for the boat is just fine with me. For example, a few years ago my daughter gave me the most beautiful and elegant set of Melamine plates, each with an intricate pattern that resembled a fine white doily on a black background. Hey… Annabel Lee might not be afloat just yet, but at least we can dine in style.
When my husband traveled to Amsterdam, I insisted he not return with any silly touristy souvenirs. But when he returned bearing various bronze trimmings for the cabin from Andries de Jong, a chandlery dating back to 1787, I was delighted. He felt they’d fit right in aboard the boat, which makes sense, considering the cabin already contained many of their products to begin with.
And it goes both ways. When I don’t know what to give my husband, once again it’s boat parts to the rescue. Such as the Emergency Rum Locker sign. It’s vital everything in the boat be clearly marked, be it life jackets or critical medications.
So what (other than a generator) would I like to find awaiting me on Christmas morning? I’m not even going to touch upon newer electronics to replace our now 35 year old original equipment. I’ll cross that bridge once she’s afloat. Newer stuff will always be coming out, and what is leading edge today will come down in price as bleeding edge technology eclipses the current options. I’d like all new canvas, but that will have to wait, again, till she’s afloat and the mast up. Solar panels are high on my wish list, but again, that’s another ‘once she’s afloat’ and everything else is done issues. New upholstery… that’d be nice, but not pressing. But there is one particular item I’ve lusted for even back when I was sailing Myra Lee, and it would fit even nicer aboard Annabel Lee.
Quite simply, all I want for Christmas is a Sardine.
Yes, a Sardine.
How lovely is that? How cozy would it be on a chilly night to fire that up? They’re made by Navigator Stove Works, and the Sardine has a glass panel option, so you can watch the dancing flames and glowing embers within. And I have a sturdy vintage tea kettle that would look perfect, sitting on top. Unfortunately the wait for these charming stoves, according to their site, ranges from four months to a year, depending on which model and options you choose. So I suppose I should place my order now, and that should put me on schedule for a splash this spring.
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