On Martha’s Vineyard, bringing in the new millennium
We learned long ago that going out on New Year’s Eve was just something we didn’t want to do. Everything was overpriced and you always ran the risk of drunk drivers on the road. So we stayed in with friends and cooked. When David was a baby, I had a few couples over and cooked a nice meal myself (yes, I had one nice meal that I could cook). Veal marsala was my company meal du jour.
This was 1985. We were still in our beautiful condo on Beacon Street in the Back Bay. When David woke up, I could tend to him, everyone could play with him for a while, I could get him back to sleep. He was 4 months old. We moved out the following May.
When David went to nursery school, we met Warren and Marsha, who have two daughters close in age to our children, seen in the Featured photo. We became and remain the best of friends.
Twenty three years ago this month, we purchased our home on Martha’s Vineyard. It came fully furnished (not to our taste, but still…). It was December 30 and we stayed through the new year. We awoke on December 31 to snowfall in the antique village of Edgartown. It was breathtakingly beautiful. We took our children out to a nice meal that evening.
12/31/96, Lambert’s Cove Country Inn
There were fireworks over Vineyard Haven harbor late at night; we pulled our car into the berm backwards so we could stay warm and still see the display. It was a wonderful way to ring in the new year.
The following year, and for many years to come we were joined on Martha’s Vineyard by our friends the Greens, the friends we made through the nursery school connection. The Featured photo is 1999. Marsha is a wonderful cook and, even better, really enjoys it, just as we enjoy the delicious food she prepares. Here are the children before the meal with New Year’s “crackers”, sort of a British thing to pull apart noise-makers.
Jeffrey LOVED the tenderloin Marsha always prepared and eagerly anticipated it. Unfortunately, by the time the meal was served this year, he was stricken with a fever and nausea and was put to bed. He missed the meal with a 24-hour bug, hence he is missing from the main photo (but not their beautiful dog Lovey, who had been a champion show dog. When she was done in the ring, she was put up for sale and a more loving companion we never saw. She even got along with our cat). One year, I had the flu and we canceled our trip to the Vineyard. Marsha prepared the meal at her home (a few minutes from ours) and I sipped on some broth while the others feasted.
As the kids grew up and went off to college, they didn’t want to be isolated on Martha’s Vineyard while home for the holidays, indeed, they usually had their own plans, but we continue to go over to the Green’s for Marsha’s delicious cooking. Sometimes she will invite another couple, sometimes it is just the four of us. I bring the champagne. We eat at a leisurely pace, finish in time to watch the ball drop, then drive the few minutes back to our house. It isn’t far enough to have to drive on any major roads and we are not apt to run into any crazy drivers. It wouldn’t be New Years without Marsha’s great cooking and enjoying their company.
Betsy PfauRetired from software sales long ago, two grown children. Theater major in college. Singer still, arts lover, involved in art museums locally (Greater Boston area). Originally from Detroit area.
On behalf of all of us who prefer to stay at, or close to, home for New Year’s Eve, thank you for this, Betsy! You have nicely described your family’s NYE traditions over the years, and they sound delightfully cozy and delicious — and safe, in all respects. I’m also impressed that you actually still stay up late enough to watch the ball drop at midnight. And, as always, great pictures to accompany your story.
Happy New Year!
Thank you, John. Yes, we prefer to be in someone’s home to being in a restaurant. And we have turned into night owls; we frequently stay up and watch some of Colbert each night, so making it to midnight is not a big deal for us. Staying awake during the day can be more difficult!
Happy New Year to you to too!
I think we both came to the same conclusion about the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Betsy (see my story). No matter where you are, the best way to ring in the new year is with friends. Wishing you a happy New Year!
Thank you, Laurie. I agree!
Sounds like a nice tradition you have developed with the Greens. You are very lucky to have found such a close friendship with people who live nearby. This year, with your kids both at home, will you still get together with them?
My chicks will be back in their home nests by Tuesday (weather permitting), so we will once again be with the Greens. Vicki leaves tomorrow, David and Anna on Monday…sigh. It’s been great having everyone home.
As always Betsy you have such a command of memories and always find the photos!
Read my comment to Laurie about how we’ve been spending New Year’s Eve the last dozen or so years – we too gave up the overpriced restaurants and the hoopla!
Happy, healthy 2020 to you and yours!
xox Dana
Thanks, Dana. Laurie hasn’t yet posted your comment, but I look forward to seeing it.
Nice memories and photos — though I missed seeing you in them! Your story definitely helps us picture how you will be spending this evening. A happy and healthy new year to all of you. ❤️
Thanks, John. Happy and healthy new year to you and Patti too. Clearly, I was taking most of the photos, but I am in one, the one taken 23 years ago today, when we bought the Vineyard house and went out to Lambert’s Cove Inn with the kids.