Thursday, August 25, 2011

CINDERELLA.....PART DEUX, and the giving up of the slipper

if you haven't read part 1, go down a post, you must!!!

Life itself, is the Most Wonderful Fairy Tale
Hans Christian Anderson


Here is the end of my fairy tale vacation
Claudie, spraying us all with a bit of fairy dust before heading out for our day.


Even the river was sparkling that day, like it should in a fairy tale.



I totally must put up a photo of Julie (Miss Juliet) who did the majority of our picture taking
it is what she does
takes classes and everything
I LOVE how she dresses so funky, she was my fashionista




One more photo from our day in Montreal
They give horse drawn carriage rides and all the girls wanted a photo on the carriage
PINK is Claudies Signature color (kinda like the movie Steel Magnolia)
I took a pass on it............HECK, I ride in horse drawn carriages
all . the. time.
horses and cowboys..........It's what I do. 
but not in a dress, and um, not pink



Julie was the only single gal of the bunch.  So it was only appropriate that she get her photo taken with the waiters from the restaurant, remember in my last post
the ones who Loved us and ended up giving each of us a rose
ahhhhhh





Here we are doing what girls ALWAYS need to do
potty
waiting in line

CC, Miss Bee, me, Claudie



Claudies sweet hubby, our personal chef the duration of most of this trip
set up an OUTSIDE MOVIE NIGHT
yup....we all grabbed a blanky, and watched a movie outside in her yard
it was like a drive in  theatre.......without the necking
well.........I didn't really check on Claudie and her hubby


We watched Gregory Peck (swooon) and Audrey Hepburn
in ROMAN VACATION
A Classic Black and White movie


Next day......we went to what is known as 1000 Islands
Part of it is in New York State.........holy freaking Big Apple (without actually being in the Big Apple)
I made it into New York State
It was an awesome place to see, as people would actually BUY an island, just a small one most of them, and build a cabin, house, whatever as their SUMMER HOME
What???... a summer home
we are talking some serious cash here
instead of 3 car garages, they had 3 boat garages as the only way to access them is by boat
It is on the Saint Lawrence River
This photo is what is called the smallest International Bridge in the world
on one side of the Bridge (where the house is) is Canada
and the other side is USA

(I wonder if the owner needs a passport to cross his bridge)



Seriously, it was amazing to see all these places built on , well, 1000 Islands............

Here is Julie and Claudie mapping out our plans for the day
or thinking.....crap, we better delete This photo


We crossed into New York State on a Ferry Boat.  We wanted to see Boldt Castle
It was amazing
Just Like a Fairy Tale
maybe like the one Cinderella visited
built in the early 1900's



Yes, it was built on an Island.  Mr. Boldt, being the Prince Charming he was in his day, built this for his wife who he Adored
but she died
(like in a classic fairy story eh)
before he had it finished, so he walked away never to return
It started to deteriorate, and NY State has been restoring it
here is a picture of one of the parlors



Like I said, he was super duper in love with his wife
and had many many things in the house built with Hearts around it
He EVEN had part of the island cut away to be somewhat in the shape of a heart

So here is me and Claudie, doing our Heart thing
in honor of their love
cause WHERE would we be without love

I wonder if I can convince Mr. Gorgeous to build me a corral in the shape of a heart??



After a full day of the Castle, we headed back on the Ferry Boat.  CC was a little pooped


Unfortunately I have NO pictures of our Italian Night that Chef Randy had waiting for us when we got back. When we got back to Claudies, he had Dean Martin music playing outside for us
and fixed us a HUGE dinner
It was, well, manufique (or however you spell it)
He spent all day preparing it for us

(I think he is in love with Claudie)

He made the bread that we dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar
while sipping the vino....and listening to Dean-o
then served up the Eggplant Parmesean
then the chicken/pasta dish
with Tiramisu for dessert

Randy (and her son Colt) were just like Gus-Gus from the
movie Cinderella.  I adore them.

Next day....into our nations capital .....Ottawa
our capital building
once again, kinda like Montreal, it had amazing architecture


We took a drive down a street known as Embassy Street.
well.....I might have made that up
cause I don't remember the name of the street but it is where all the Embassy buildings are
from other countries

see this one of Kuwait
it was pretty cool to see them
I didn't say anything terroristic as we drove by....I tried not to make eye-contact
that's what they say to do ya know


We were actually on our way to see Claudie's moms cousin
who is a Nun
by the name of Sister Lauriette
Claudie said she had been excited to think of meeting us
so we drove to the place where she lives
and took a little tour around while we waited for her

We went into the chapel area, and Miss Bee took a seat in the confessional booth
Claudie went in and told her
"Miss Bee, we just don't have that kind of time right now to listen to all your transgressions"
tee,hee......sorry Miss Bee, couldn't resist



 I think Claudie was feeling a little bad about that
so she and Julie decided to "tap into" their spiritual side
Um....Julie. are you trying not to snicker??


Finally, we hooked up with Sister Lauriette
she is 90 years old and is very witty
I loved how she referred to all of us by where we came from
when addressing us, she'd say "so....Wendy from Calgary"
or "Jeanne from North Carolina"
it was very sweet
sometimes she'd have to pause as she is French speaking
and of course she'd talk to us in English


remember the autograph books I told you about in Part 1
well, we all took our books to her so she could write in them

Claudie had previously told her about the passing of my son
and I was very moved
to tears
by what she wrote in my book




She just made us laugh
filled us with joy that day
which goes to show
you don't need to wave a magic wand to find beautiful people in your lives

CC enjoying one of her stories


 Back to Claudies
not only is she a lover of people
but she loves animals, and rescues dogs
she has SEVEN of them at her house



As is what happens in all fairy tales
there comes an ending
on our last day there, we all put on our penoirs she bought for us
and played, just like little girls do, in dress up

 which goes to show
we don't really need to ever Grow old
cause like I said in the first post, we ranged in ages from 72 to 50


 I thought I'd grab Julies camera and see if I could "capture a moment"

We had Jeanne pose as the actress Marlene Dietrich
famous from the 1930's
which was hysterical actually
She was even holding a piece of the DRIFTWOOD I brought
for each of them to smoke
Oh yeah, I had to  bring a little country to the castle
they thought I'd lost my mind, and that maybe I'd smoked a few to many pieces of wood in my day


And so it Ends

Thanks Claudie for being my Fairy Godmother
Now the time has come when the clock has to strike midnight
I have to return to my own Prince Charming

It was fun to squeeze my bunioned foot into that glass slipper for a week

And as I dust my own Rustic Castle, and hear the coyotes and the hawks call
perhaps
somewhere there'll be an echo of
Bibbity Boppity Boo



 I hope there is a fairy tale awaiting all of you someday

36 comments:

mCat said...

Oh, I have loved every single minute of this! And the note from the nun? Priceless - you will treasure these memories forever!

Lucky Princess you!

Becky Andrews said...

This sounds amazing. I think every woman needs this experience. I think the journey sounds amazing and I also think you are an incredible writer, my friend!

Tina said...

What a wonderful time you all had! Seeing all your pictures makes me want to visit Canada someday . . . and it's never been on my list before. Beautiful!

Andi Kate, Children's Author said...

That trip looked so fulfilling! I loved to read every bit. I haven't been in bloggyland for a long time, and it was fun to have your adventure to read as one of the first in a long time--very inspiring!

DB Stewart said...

You (and all your peeps) just make me smile. Thank you Wendy.

CB said...

That last picture is seriously fantastic - It looks like a scene out of a movie!!

Thank you Wendy for taking us on your fairytale trip with you. It truly was magical - what a time you all had.

You were pampered like you deserve and had some GREAT Girly time!!

Just awesome - all of it!

Pedaling said...

I've never seen such a trip...Wow.
Beautiful, wonderful ladies.
So happy for you. So very happy.
Love to you!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ahhh Wendy dear.....thank you, thank you for your POETIC comment that just came in right before I was to post my next post. But I think I will wait. Clair de Lune is so special to me, and I hope that the emotion in THE BEAUTY YOU SEE will remind you that LOVE CONQUERS ALLLLLLLLLLLL! I am so blessed to see how you all enjoyed your time together. I always feel a bit sad that I was not there, but I MUST REMEMBER the joy of having been invited. YOU ALL LOOK SO FABULOUS and I can only imagine the fun and laughter and silliness and memories that were made there. YOU ARE SO KIND TO COME VISIT ME!!!! I start school on Monday and this summer was one FANTASTIC journey. I went NOWHERE. I stayed home to listen to my heart. It was what I needed all along.

Peace and perfect love to you, Anita

corrie said...

I LOVE that last picture. It is amazing. So much fun. Friends like that are so so special. You're a lucky lady.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Oh my heck Wendy from Calgary! I love this so much.
You all are the most beautiful women I've ever read about!
I love that you had this moment to be together and enjoy so much fun. I think that you probably were a bunch of gigglers.
I can't believe all the beautiful places you went and the fun!

I love the nighties.
I love that you had a chef.
I love that you were with them.


So cute!
Way to NOT grow up!

Claudia said...

HEy sweet darlin -- Please dig in and come join us in Ashville.

I want so much to sit and chat with you... Then after we become "thight" LOL then you will have to feel you NEED to meet up with me when you visit Utah.

Love every moment of your post. So happy I get to stay and read all about the Summer Beezies!!

Hugs GF
Claudia

Deborah aka Miss Bee said...

Oh, my darling Wendy!!! I could hear your so sweet voice saying each word of this awesome post. I could see using your hands to gesture as you told this fairytale to all of Blogland. Lol! I love the way you ad lib (?) when you don't know for sure know the correct thing to say. I'm thinking I should copy each of our posts to put in my book. OH! It's Roman Holiday...giggle!

Love you and love this amazing post!

xoxoxo

Julie Harward said...

OK...I am totally confused...doesn't this blog belong to Claudie too? I went to her blog one day to say hi and comment on all this fun and in her profile it lists this blog as hers also along with her other one? Confused here need some clarification please! ;D

" Hit It......." said...

I loved this post. I truly wanted to be there with you gals. I love the note from the "Sister" as well; it is priceless.

I think that this was a great adventure that you will never forget. Can I go next time?

The Gathering Place said...

It looks like you had a pretty adventurous vacation. I'm glad you got to see so many interesting things and places.

Melanie Jacobson said...

What a beautiful note she left you.

jeanne said...

Hi Wendy, it is way past bedtime but I wanted to see your post. Believe it or not I finally finished unpacking tonight. Sigh! Company and more company but we had fun.

Your post is awesome and I love the story you told. The photos are great and I really wanted a pic of the movie for my Weds. post. Can I steal this one? The best part is reliving the fun through your post once again. I can never think of Canada again without remembering our week together with the sweetest blogging friends ever. Oh, and the driftwood thingy. HA! Too funny.
Love you and miss you,
Jeanne xoxoxo.

Kristina P. said...

I LOVE that last picture! You guys know how to rock!

Barbaloot said...

What beautiful pictures and fun things and great times! I absolutely adore Gregory Peck---now I must watch my own outdoor movie with him in it:)

Unknown said...

This has been the funnest ride! I have loved seeing the photos of your trip...truly spectacular.
I'm so glad you were able to do something so light and fun. You so deserved it.

C'est moi Claudette said...

My dear BGF
You have captured your Part Deux with so much love. I knew you would. I would re-live our week in a heart beat ( I LOVE that pic of u and me at Bolt's Castle).
Actually I love them all so much.
It's hard to believe that you thought you were in a fairy tale, but I'm glad I could wave my magic for all of you. I think Randy added some sparkle to all of our days too.
Watching all our video's again makes my heart sing. I laugh out loud, and the dogs look at me like I've lost it. So glad I did the "FLIP".
Now get that sweet little cabin ready girly style would ya? You never know who might show up at your doorstep... cinderella perhaps?
LOVE YOU SO MUCH SISTA #6
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hearts Turned said...

Oh how fabulous, Wendy!!! Loved reading both of these posts--definitely a fairy tale--wish I'd been there with you!!!

Thanks for sharing all those wonderful moments & wonderful women (and men!)...off to spritz myself with fairy dust...

Julie

tammy said...

Wow! What an amazing trip. You girls really know how to play. And I just told Luvpilot I will now be needing my own island for our summer house.

Julie said...

Gus Gus made me laugh out loud. You so hit that one right on. They are so cute together. Practically joined at the hip. I love reading everyones elses perspective about our adventure. It's always interesting to me how we see the world so differently and yet so the same.
We are just unstoppable! Sister was so insightful when she said you bring such joy to others through such a difficult time. It's truly your gift.
That bridge in 1000 islands is like standing between 2 worlds. That's where we all were and it is such a great place to be.

Smooch !
Love from Girl #1

Linda said...

Wendy, I have never seen such a group of beautiful women, every single one of you!

What an incredible time you all had...and your hostess, so inspiring, gorgeous, talented, caring, giving, and just down right AMAZING!

This absolutely was the trip of a lifetime and I can see why you felt like Cinderella! Thank you for taking us along with you and sharing all the fun!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

What a perfectly wonderful trip...fun all around! I loved it all. And by the way...Julie looks pretty fashionista herself! ♥

Melinda said...

I know I said this last time but seriously you are all so gorgeous! Just seriously beautiful women all around! That last picture just captures it, I'm so glad you got to have this fairy tale! You are just so lovely, I love ya!

Mimi Sue said...

So, so fun! Glad you had a little getaway. Mimi

Chris said...

Wonderful! Glad to see you back.

Connie said...

What hd you ladies been drinking in that lost photo? Actually, it all looks like so much fun!
It's good you could have your true princess self be pampered for that time.
You look beautiful!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Wendy darlin'!!!!!!

May our dream reunion happen again, and this time, with me there!!!!

YOUR WORDS ARE A BALM TO MY HEART SWEET WENDY! I want to be a writer. Teeeheeee....I giggle because I feel like a fourth grader when they say, "When I grow up I want to be..." but SHEESH! IT'S TRUE! Thank you for acknowledging my writing in the most flattering way anyone could compliment a writer: that their writing SPEAKS to their heart.

I did not know from where that quote came of Sandra Bullock, but I LOVE IT....it spoke to ME....LIVING IN THE NOW with the past as a part of us, the future as a goal. Well sweet thang, I gotta get going here; I had such a rich and relaxing summer that now I have to get up earlier to be able to do my morning routine and get to school. PEACE AND MUCH LOVE TO YOU MY FRIEND, Anita

springrose said...

I think it is so sweat that her hubby went along with the whole girls vacation at her house and everything he did for it all! What a great man, as well as all of the others that were willing to live with out their Cinderella's for the time they were at the ball! What fun. Makes me want to do something with my friends, both bloggy and personal!!

June said...

Oh I am so stinkin' jealous Wendy. Yeah, I get jealous...not often, only when someone gets to do something so awesome as living in a fairytale!
You girls had more fun than should have been legal!
I am so happy for you, that you got to go and have such a great time dear friend!
sending love,

Megan (Best of Fates) said...

Looks like a fabulous day - I'm quite envious of Julie, I always want to be quirky fashionable but sadly I always just end up looking like a weirdo!

Annesphamily said...

Oh My Goodness! what a blast you all had! I would have loved to meet that nun Sister Lauriette! I grew up in Catholic school k to 11 and have many more fond memories than horror stories about Catholic school! I came here from Jeanne's. She is a doll and I love knowing her. I am excited to get to know you too! Love and Hugs Anne

C'est moi Claudette said...

(I think he is in love with Claudie)

I needed to read that tiny small print, lol....

LOVE LOVE LOVE this post and you

xoxoxox
xoxox
xo
xox
oxo