My dear friend Kelly invited Reece and I to celebrate her Birthday
and New Years weekend with her and her husband cozied up in a
cabin on the beautiful coasts of Vancouver Island. First we drove up
to Washington to meet up with K & C, and then we continued up to
Port Angeles to stay the night and catch the early ferry to Victoria
BC the next morning. In Port Angeles we enjoyed a tasty italian
dinner at an overly-"Twilighted" restaurant and then a showing of
the Sherlock Holmes film (intense). The next day we watched the sun
rise over the water and cost as we headed over to Vancouver Island.
Once in Victoria we stopped into the Empress Hotel for some brunch.
Surrounded by cherry wood molding, silk upholstery, and shimmering
chandeliers we enjoyed raspberry filled brioche french toast and eggs
Benedict washed down with fresh squeezed orange juice and hot
chocolate. Then a quick walk through the town and then off on the
road again for 4 more hours of driving to the small town of Ucluelet.
To break up the long drive we stopped off at an overgrown forest.
It was so mystical. Green was everywhere, moss hanging from
branches or blanketing the forest bed. I loved loved it. Its was
so deliciously lush.
That night after we had settled into our cabin, I crept out while all
were sleeping to put together a festive table and surprise decorations
for our upcoming celebrations. While drivingI had folded all the
sections for two large origami balls that I put together to look like the
new years ball in New York.
There were gold presents, white lights, candles on
glass candle sticks, champagne flutes filled with layered white candies,
homemade gold and silver party hats, noise makers, and streamers.
I had also made multiple tissue puff balls that I hung from the ceiling.
I just love this sort of thing....
I have a hard time withholding an idea once it pops
into my mind.
Our New Years Eve was spent getting a fabulous dinner cooked by a
very chic chef. Tuna tartar, filet mignon with a reduction sauce,
duck with blackberry compote, begets with olive topenade, and
cinnamon bread pudding. Then a tournament played on the wii.
I baked a cake and frosted it here and there during the night.
At midnight we toasted to our new year and made merry with our
festive party favors.
The fog had rolled in over our view of the marina which added
to all the golden decor and ambiance.
Then we sang to Kelly, opened presents, and dove into the
birthday cake that I had made. Kelly We love you so so much
We hope that this birthday becomes a loving memory.
