Ireland

Ireland

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas Eve

After we finished discharging our load of black oil at a dock in Port Arthur, TX, we noticed the Santa Tracker on CNN showing Santa coming from the West. So we did what any Santa believing merchant seaman would do. We called for an assist tug to help us maneuver this big old barge off the dock. Our intentions? Head West and meet Santa half way.



We hooked up the tow gear to the barge and maneuvered in front of it and got underway for the Houston, TX area, hoping to arrive at an anchorage there before midnight.





I thought this would be a good time to make some cookies. You have to leave cookies out for Santa, right?
What I mean by "make cookies" is to go to my room and retrieve the cookies I brought with me from home.




I "made them" look good on our decorative serving platter.
I bet you didn't think our big masculine tugboat had a decorative serving tray.
Ohhhh, we do!



I've been known to catch a episode or two of "Top Chef", so I know the importance of plating.

FYI: It's not a good idea to gently place meticulously wrapped cookies in your checked bag at the airport.
Let's me just say the baggage handlers aren't real careful.

Yes, there were casualties.

9 comments:

Melinda Owens said...

You old, softie, you. Hope you had a very, merry Christmas.

Jerral Miles said...

I wouldn't mind coming with Santa to pick up the cookies and candy... The "plating" is just right.

By the way, all your photographs of boats and water are also just right.
Jerral

Marilyn Miller said...

Beautifully plated and looks oh so good.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

That first photo is awesome - the colors and subjects perfect!

As for the cookies, you're right on - presentation! And, what a nice guy.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

And Mark.. have you heard of Patch.com ? Go to it, click on your area, and join. Be one of their freelance writers, it's very easy and I think it's an important wave of the future by AOL.

Sueann said...

I bet Santa left you something extra for leaving him all those goodies??!!
Hugs
SueAnn

beth said...

wow....that first picture is amazing !!!

and the cookie platter is perfect.....and yes, you're right....after many episodes of top chef/chopped/iron chef etc. platting is very important and i give you an At for a job well done !!!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Awesome pictures and the cookies look yummy! Hope you and your crew had a great Christmas. Have a great last week of the year!

Vicky said...

Loved seeing the photos of the boat! The colors in the first one really pop. Yes, its all in the plating and um, airport baggage handling, :)