”TO THE SEA…TO THE SAILORS OF OLD…TO THE SEA!
It always has been intended that a proper christening and the accompanying ceremony ensures good fortune to the lady and her crew throughout the life of the vessel.
Please join us for the (virtual) christening of our New Haven rowing dory. Champagne and hors d’ouvres will be served.
My tugboat man spent his six weeks home (between surf sessions) restoring a neglected and dilapidated vessel who just needed a little love to sparkle and shine.
(Don’t we all…)
This New Haven rowing dory benefited from a much needed facelift. He sanded and sanded and sanded every day, patched holes, went to Home Depot–alone, thank goodness–and constructed new railings (or whatever they’re called.) And varnished.
Why yellow? Hubs chose the color because it’s one of his favorites (it’s our kitchen color, too) and because he says it’s an appropriate choice for this type of boat. He saved the best part for me; declaring that every girl should have a boat named after her…
What’s her name? Here’s a hint…
The makeover is complete…THE FINAL REVEAL!
We took her out for a splash–a sea trial–in the lagoon that’s about three blocks from our house. I won’t even try to pretend that I did any rowing, but I did pack a nice lunch. He insisted that I remove the little mermaid (look closely and you’ll see that she’s wearing pearls, too) but if I find a really cool figurehead in an antique shop, he’ll mount it on the prow.
(I’m laughing–I said mount–I’m really never gonna grow up!)
Here I am in an appropriately nautical outfit: Joe’s skinny jeans, striped shirt from Banana Republic, and a cashmere/silk sweater from Barney’s. I took off my Captain mandated life vest for the pic. Check out my nautical Hello Kitty hat 
and the string of pearls. I’ll be the first to say it–hair’s gone a bit frizzy, oh well, everything can’t be perfect all the time. I used a new conditioner from Chi–one I won’t be using again, that’s for sure. Ignore the hair, those are Chanel sunglasses, beeyotches!
Our lagoon and a very weird sky…
My wonderful captain rowed us to a secluded beach for our romantic picnic. I’ll NEVER tell where it is!
The seagull who ran off with part of our lunch.
My hero! He didn’t dress for the part like I did, but then, he did all the work, and I just had to sit there and look pretty.
A white egret in the marsh
Raccoon prints!
Coyote prints!
At sundown we invited our neighbors over for a christening party.
I found Princesa champagne! Very appropriate, no?
Hi, wish you all could have joined us!
We read this as everyone gathered around (and yes, I made everyone follow the script, raise their glasses, and toast ME!)
“For thousands of years, we have gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us and we have called them by name. These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them “she.” To them we toast, and ask to celebrate Princess Rosebud.” “TO THE SAILORS OF OLD…TO PRINCESS ROSEBUD!”
Everybody takes a sip.
“The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We ask that this vessel be given the strength to carry on. She is strong and will keep out the pressures of the sea.” Again the glasses are raised, and the assemblage shouts, “TO THE SEA…TO THE SAILORS OF OLD…TO THE SEA!”
Everybody takes another sip.
“Today we come to name this lady, Princess Rosebud, and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for her family. We ask the sailors of old and the mood of the sea to accept Princess Rosebud as her name, to help her through her passages, and allow her to return with her crew safely. ” Again with the raising of the glasses, “TO THE SEA…TO THE SAILORS BEFORE US…TO PRINCESS ROSEBUD!”
A last, long sip by all.
Finally, we sprinkled a few drops of champagne over the bow to appease King Neptune, and laid a branch of green leaves on the deck to ensure safe returns.
And thus ends another day in the life of Princess Rosebud.
That was fun! ~May your winds be swift, your skies be fair~
Thank you! I found one seashell only, but one is better than none, right?
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 9:24 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
WHAT?! That’s hard to believe. They don’t have dumpsters full of seashells on the West Coast like the do on the East?
By the way this is JG.
WHAT?! That’s hard to believe. They don’t have dumpsters full of seashells on the West Coast like the do on the East?
By the way this is JG. (My comment may have duplicated, I’m not sure though)
HI JG! Yeah, I got the other comment too. Nope, no dumpsters here. Don’t get me started on that day that I didn’t bring them ALL home!
A beautiful naming ceremony for a beautiful little boat!
Wish all y’all could have joined us. It would have been a great party–
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 9:30 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
What a beautiful little vessel! That tugboat captain of yours is a talented man. And prepared to mount a mermaid… (By the way, you look fabulous, darling, frizzy hair and all!)
Ha ha, you said mount too! Thanks for the compliment-curly hair has a life of its own, I’ve given up trying to tame the wild mane!
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 9:39 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Love this post. Great idea to record the early life of your new old boat. Many happy voyages :0)
Wow, he did a amazing job on the boat. Love the before and after. Looks like a wonderful day befitting a seashell queen!
He’s got one of his degrees in nautical engineering, I’m glad he can put his skills to good use! A seashell queen< love it!!!
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 11:08 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Wherever it is you live, the photos took me back to happier times before I lived in the LA cesspool. Absolutely beautiful!
I live a bit south of you! I picked the prettiest part for pics, there’s ugly here too.
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 11:25 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
First off, this is the cutest blog post I have ever read. Also, you are the cutest. Period.
What a fab boat! I am a big fan. Your photos are simply smashing!
OMG you have so cheered my spirits! Thank you thank you!! If you knew how old I was, you’d really know how I love being called cute. fur realz. hugs to you! I do live the life of a princess, altho my bank account disagrees!
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 11:46 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Cute indeed. Boat looks awesome– and you have a little piece of Connecticut in California now.. we are connected
Where you at, chicka? He’s in New Haven, if you haven’t yet gotten sick of me bragging about my angel boy.
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 12:18 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
ahh I never get sick of a wife bragging about her man. He is New Haven? I am about 45 minutes from there. Northwest Corner of the state– Litchfield
Ha ha, not my tugboat man. It’s my son who’s a Yale prof. His dissertation was on Goethe, Stifter, and Benjamin, if you ever want a little light reading!!! I have friends who live near that private school that all the kennedys went to in CT but I can’t remember the name. Litchfield sounds beautiful.
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 12:25 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
oooh well then if you ever visit…
Funny you will regret this! I might be coming back that way in May.
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 12:44 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
haa laughing oh crapola
who’s stubborn NOW?
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 12:46 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I am more stubborn woman.. seriously
doubt it.
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 12:49 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
I love this! I’m going to cry! I do so miss being on boats.How I wish I had been there.I think th place is lovely ….(and btw,NICE! I like a nice back on a man!!!!!Hubba Hubby!)
I’ll tell him you said that!
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 5:08 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
(Oh, yeah, and you look adorable , too…I just appreciate female beauty differently…and I bet you’re glad!)
No worries
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 5:10 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Love, love, love some more. You look fab in that sailor outfit BTW. And I absolutely adore your hair.
Oh, you like FRIZZ? My son calls it a Jew-fro. Lovely child even from afar. But I do thank you! I try to always dress properly for every occasion. Learned that from my mommy.
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 5:28 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Curly lovely hair like yours is only meant for someone as free-spirited as you.
Thank you! If I give the impression that I’m free spirited, then I’m a better writer than I think I am. Or actor. Hmm, I’ll have to think about that one.:)
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 7:48 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
This was a wonderful post! I love your look! Love the Princess Rosebud too!! Absolutely perfect
Thank you so much, even hubs liked it as he read it a zillion miles away! I wonder what a Princess Rosebud cupcake would taste like??
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 6:22 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Yummy!!! I bet you could come up with something incredible. Possibly a bright yellow icing!!
Oh yes! With a red-edged pink rose and just a sprinkle of pink hawaiian salt to represent the sea. How does that sound?
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 6:29 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
Perfect!!
On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 6:37 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
You too my dear!
Yellow is a happy color, so good choice. And you look absolutely adorable! I don’t think I’ve seen a picture of you until now. Cute nautical outfit too.
You are sweet! I pop up every now and again!
On Wed, Feb 6, 2013 at 7:43 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
That’s a beautiful boat! And love all your nautical outfits! I love nautical anything and are you wearing uggs? So comfy right!?! Awesome post!
Faux uggs cos I just couldn’t see wearing a real dead sheepy on my feet, not very vegetarian of me, ya know?
On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 10:38 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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