They never did make it to Victoria…

Do you remember the old Diorama at Knott’s Berry Farm? The one where a family is crossing the plains, in a covered wagon, and the little girl says to her mother, “Momma, I’m hungry.” I know Dear, just go to sleep,” her mother replies. Then the narrator in his deep booming voice comes on to say…”They never did make it that night.” Well, that’s how I felt about Victoria…we never did make it to the Inner Harbor, even though we made it to the island.

We had a little bit of a problem with our GPS that kept sending us round and round and round in circles. Our plan was to meet up with some old friends, who had relocated to the island several years before, after we had visited Hatley Castle for my garden fix.
The day was so hot and I had dressed for cooler weather...much cooler. OI was it hot! So hot that we only stayed a very short while at the castle. After a brisk walk through the rose garden I found myself heading back to the parking lot striping off layers of clothing as I went. First the boots next the stockings, then  I dropped my petticoat on the pavement, and if I could’ve  taken off my sweater, I would have, but I didn’t for fear of frightening the Canadian geese.

We stood there by the car waiting in the sweltering heat, until our friends finally arrived.

Did you know Victoria has traffic jams? Neither did we! So, instead of heading into the traffic we went straight to our friend’s house that over looks the sea. Such a beautiful sight to wake up to each and every day.
We had such a delightful time and were taken such good care of that I would have been perfectly happy to spend the rest of my holiday visiting with them, however we had a room waiting for us in Vancouver and a concert to attend. Oh yes, a concert, which was part of the reason we were there in the first place.

You see, when I originally decided to take this little Holiday, I thought it would be fun to plan it around an event. And that event just happened to be a Loreena McKennitt concert that I THOUGHT was on Vancouver Island. But as it turned out it was on the mainland. So at the very last minute all of our arrangements had to be changed.

The original plan was to fly into SeaTac Sunday morning, rent a car, hop on the Ferry, and spend four days at a lovely Inn on the island. The concert wasn’t until Tuesday evening so we’d have plenty of time for sight-seeing and visiting with our friends while we were there. In the planning…after I booked our flight and hotel…I decided to print out an itinerary and map out all the locations so we would know distances and how best to spend our time. The concert was to be held in the Queen Victoria Theater that I thought must be located behind the government buildings along the Inner Harbor. As the map route came into view my panic rose as I realized the concert was 3 hours and a ferry ride away from our hotel…Nooooo!

In a panic, I quickly picked up the phone, and started canceling reservations to make new ones closer to the concert hall. What a pickle I found myself in! I certainly wasn’t looking forward to telling the hubby about my huge blunder and how everything had to be cancelled as well as re-arranged.
So our four days on the island turned into one, we added another Ferry ride and booked a hotel on the mainland.

We ended up spending Monday night at our friends house and a quiet Tuesday morning visiting before driving to the ferry terminal and heading to Vancouver.
And so our journey continued…

On a Holiday…

August 11, Twenty-thirteen,

hubby and I decided to set out on a long awaited adventure. One that I have been dreaming about for several years. A little Holiday that would allow us to soar high above the clouds, quietly glide through picturesque islands, swathed in mornings misty fog, then safely land on distant shores…hubby’s homeland…Canada! I don’t know why, but this country has stolen a piece of my heart. After years of living in the Big City, I’ve decided I’m not a Big City girl. I much prefer the wild spaces where the mountains reach the sands that tumble into the sea.

There’s something to be said about the openness of the sea and the calming effect it has on ones soul…at least on mine. These past few years, I’ve felt a certain restless of heart, that seems only to be tamed by the raging sea. I am both at home and at peace, while reminded of the smallness of who I am and the immensity of the God that I love…and Who first loved me.

(Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.  And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.  I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.)

We had been here a few years before and I was captivated by its rugged natural beauty. Something we rarely see in a city made of concrete and steel.

(These images are from our Ferry ride starting in Anacortes, WA and ending in Sydney B.C.)

We sailed into Friday Harbor Monday morning…

and I was sad to see that this beautiful Victorian had been torn down and replaced with shops. I guess progress continues its march across the landscape, even in town’s that appear not to be touched by time.

We continued on our journey until we came to our destination…Sydney B.C.

along the road we passed many many signs as we drove into Victoria…which we never saw. But that’s a tale for another day.

The Vintage Marketplace

Have you heard of the Vintage Marketplace? It’s held once every three months in a small town called Rainbow somewhere in between Temecula and Escondido, and is hosted by two very talented women, Christie Repasy and Rita Reade. 


This is my sweet friend, Janet, who decided to join me at the last minute. Just as we were getting ready to leave the blue sky disappeared while thunder clouds started rolling & rumbling followed by lightning bolts. It was kind of fun and exciting in a strange sort of way.
My hubby was on his Saturday morning bike ride, with some buddies from church, when it started pouring down rain. So they hid under an overpass for 20 minutes until it stopped. When they finally reached Seal Beach they were pelted by hail. Weird weather we’re having.
Sorry for my little bunny trail…now, back to the market place.


 The very first thing I saw, as we rounded the first row of booths, was this old pair of Tony Lama boots…chocolate brown with wing tips and buck stitching. It was like seeing a dear friend for the first time in 30 years. How I LONGED to wrap my arms around them and twirl and dance like I did many many years ago!! Maybe even give them a kiss or two, but I was afraid people would think me odd.  You see I owned an identical pair back in 1976 when I was in the 8th grade.  Each day after I wore them I’d give them a nice little buff with a soft cloth and place them in their special spot in the closet. How I loved those boots and how I miss them now!!!! This pair of boots represents some of my most cherished childhood memories. Summer days spent on the racetrack in Prescott Arizona. Mucking horse stalls. Climbing the fence on the backside to watch the horses do their morning workout and just spending the weekend with my mom.
I stood their staring at them for the longest time thinking they had to be the very pair I once owned. A woman suggested I try them on and so I did, but I was unable to get my heel in. If you wear boots you probably know what I’m talking about. The point where your toes are in but there’s that last tug before your heel drops down. I felt just like one of Cinderella’s ugly step-sisters trying to force her foot into the delicate glass slipper. Now that I’m writing I think I could have tried a little harder and maybe, just maybe, I would have been able to get them on, however my shoulder was causing me too much pain and the idea of having to wrestle the beloved things off my feet were just too much for me at that very moment.  I’m still convinced that they are the very pair of boots I once owned, size six with the same marking where a horse once stepped on my foot.
I wore a size six up until about ten years ago when my toes, not so politely, informed me that they would prefer NOT to be smashed into such a tight shoe. Alright enough about the boots. Beside, my heart is breaking at the thought of leaving them behind…sigh.

Had I been able to squeeze my heels into those gorgeous boots I would have bought this lovely pink gown to wear with them. Wouldn't that have made a lovely ensemble? Yes, I believe it would…double sigh.
This was the sweetest display…all white with burlap and silver jewelry.

The tents were all so gorgeously decorated. One even had a Tutu dangling from the cross bars and a swing behind it ready for afternoon tea. I think this was Rita’s tent…I  had to borrow her sock to try on the boots so I’ve decided the next time I go to one of these lovely events I’ll take along a pair of my own, just in case ;-O.

I loved the expression of this solemn angel as she watched the shoppers moving about.

There were so many lovely displays filled with trinkets and treasures and
the day turned out to be perfect with a cool breeze and white puffy clouds.
In my next post I’m going to show you the sweetest little gem of a trailer all dressed up with a tin ceiling and Victorian Gingerbread…It was so delicious I thought I was going to swoon and faint from it all.
Until next time, I hope you all have a great day
xoxo

Hello all you Mad Tea partiers!
Welcome to my little corner of Bloglandia...
I hope you enjoy your stay and come back again…real soon…AND I hope I remember to come back real soon too. Anywho, this wonderful event is hosted by the ever Delightful, Whimsical, Enchanted creature Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist. Be sure to stop by her blog (If you haven’t already) to find the list of other Mad Tea Parties going on in cyberspace.

Now onto my tale…

I awoke this morning like any other day.
Prepared my coffee and pulled open the shade. But what a strange sight did I see…there were strange goings on beneath my tree.

 So I grabbed my binoculars to get a closer peek. Surely my eyes were deceiving me. “That’s odd. Those signs weren’t there when I went to bed.” Funny how sleeplessness can mess with your head.

  So I slipped on my slippers and ran out the back door hoping to glimpse something more.

 There was this sign with nary a clue of where I should go…or what I should do.

 So I decided to follow this one.

 It led me beneath the arch of my tree where two tables had been set, apparently for tea, but where were the guests and where was the food?
Me thinks this hostess a little rude, for setting up tea beneath my tree without even thinking of inviting me.
Being groggy from my sleepless night I decided to find a place to rest my head.

  when suddenly from beneath the table appeared a pest of a guest, “there goes my rest.” So I threw her ball till she grew weary of play then she curled up at my feet to dream of her day. Finally I could get some sleep.

When I awoke beneath the shade of my tree there was sugared toast, fruit and faerie rose tea…if only I hadsomeone to share it with me.

 Now this is a curious thing to be sure!
Drink me? Do I dare? Would you? Would you? 

Eat me? Hmm…it looks like a chocolate delight.

 Well, OK, maybe I’ll have one little bite.

 So I took a bite and as soon as I did my world became blurry, distorted, and dim. I felt like I was shrinking as small as can be. Soon I would be no bigger then a leaf dangling from my tree.

 But something stirred somewhere inside, it was my trusty little puppy at my side. You see, I had been caught in a dream all the time, where nothing makes sense, and not everything rhymes.
Ok. Now be on your way to our Fanciful friendling @ a Fanciful Twist.

A Most Excellent Order!

Have you ever dreamed of being royalty and living in a grand manor house in the heart of the English country side? I know I have! And while I'll most likely never be able to live that dream, I can live it here as an "Honorary Noble of the Most Excellent Order of the Blog Empire." My lovely friend, The Duchess of Rose Tree Cottage, has bestowed this most excellent award on me and several other wonderful bloggers, and I am ever so honored to accept...Thank you, Duchess! You are such a Dear Noble Woman!!!

If you haven't been over to visit the Duchess please stop by her blog... she always serves tea at half past Four. Hurry along now and don't be late!

Warmth

This is where I've been the past several days.
Curled up beneath the warmth of a beloved blanket
that a dear friend made for me.

It's softness and warmth provided a certain comfort to keep the chill away.

As I lay there wrapped in it's warmth on a cold chilly day
I was reminded of another Friend
who is always just a stones toss away.
No matter how dark my Gethsemane may be
He is just up the path
making intersession for me.

Dreamy little Lollipops

Hello and how are you all doing? It’s been crazy busy here at Brambleberry Cottage what with Thanksgiving just a few days away and family coming to stay from out of town. I still haven’t done all my grocery shopping or cottage cleaning, but I did start my Christmas decorating.

I found these darling little sugary confections at Target and bought every one of them. Then I went to the Target across from work and bought more, although they only had four…but I still need more ;-).

I decided that since my family was going to be here for Thanksgiving I’d decorate for Christmas. Does that make sense to you? Funny, it does to me too!

And since my Kitchen is pink and green I thought I’d do a pink, green, and silver theme and I’m really loving the way it’s turning out. Hubby refers to it as my ongoing, ever changing, science project.

On Saturday my friend Janet and I set up a Tea Table at our local museum for the “Josephine and Jane Austin Tea” that was held there. Of the two of us Janet is definitely the more organized and always wants to know the “how’s and why’s of what we do.” Me? I just want to have fun!

And as you can see we did just that!!

The Gingerbread cookies look delicious don’t they? Janet and I were often amused whenever anyone would ask if they could take one to eat, and just in case you can’t tell, they’re plastic tree ornaments…

however, there were the most delicious Napoleon desserts provided by a catering company called Champagne. Such gooey sweetness that both of us ate two.

After our tea adventure we headed back to our homes and I spent the rest of the evening with Hubby and my darling little pups.

Well, I'm thinking that I probably won't be around for the next few days... more likely not until after Thanksgiving... so I thought I'd wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving filled with lots of love, laughter, and THANKFULNESS!!!