Hi Shipmates,
Hope you enjoyed a happy December. This is how the North End Shipyard looks today as we get our first snow storm.
While it's blustery outside we're making our lists and ordering supplies for spring outfitting. All of our crew have winter jobs so we want to be ready to start right in when they return. Both Ben and Sean plan to return in 2016, their third season aboard. Having crew with experience makes outfitting and sailing go so much more smoothly.
Capt. Doug and Capt. Linda have been working on all of those projects they dream up while sailing. Here's Capt. Doug in his manlift having torn everything off down to the insulation on the face of the house. This was mid November.
and now here it is mid December with red cedar clapboards in place.
Added to this project are a few spontaneous ones that no one could plan on, like this.
We visited daughter Rachel and her husband for Thanksgiving and Doug noticed that the garden archway was beyond repair. Instantly he offered to fix it for them. Luckily, he has the tools, workshop and skills needed to build a new one. Turned out to be much bigger than we realized. It's all painted now and ready to be delivered to Quincy!
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We enjoyed this wonderful gingerbread dessert with our Christmas dinner. It was tasty and refreshingly different.
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/4 c. brown sugar
Add 1 c. sour milk and mix well
(To make sour milk add 1 T. vinegar to 1 c. milk.)
1 t. baking soda
3/4 t. cinnamon
1 1/2 t. ginger
1/2 t. nutmeg
3/4 t. salt
Add 2 c. flour and beat well.
Pour batter into greased 8" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until done.
Slice into 9 squares. Slice each piece horizontally and fill with 2 T. applesauce. Top with whipped cream. Yummy!
We're looking forward to a great 2016.
