We had dinner at a lovely restaurant at Tinhorn Creek. This winery is perched way up on the west side of the valley. We were outside overlooking the valley, which filled with twinkling lights as it grew dark. Photos are pathetic, as it was so dark… but the food was delicious.
Bright and early, we packed up and headed to the Okanagan Valley to visit wineries. The four hour drive from Vancouver flew by, through beautiful mountain scenery… first rai. forest, then into the dry landscape of the interior. We focussed on the southern part of the valley, at the US border. Susan and Don have a trailer there, and we “camped” by the lake.
First stop was at NK’MIP winery, which is a large, older winery/vineyard owned by the Osoyoos band. The lunch was delicious, the wine good, and the view fabulous.
We visited one more winery by car, then went to the trailer. It is located on at Lariana winery right on the US border. We tasted there, had a barrel tasting, and went out to try the grapes. Then we walked to another one, next door for more tasting. I had to learn to spit, or I would have been rolling down the hill.
The view from the trailer is lovely, seen here as the setting sun is reflected on the lake. This faces east, and the Canada US border is in the centre of the first photo. The second is to the South, and is the US.
On Sunday we drove to Squamish for lunch. The highway hugs the mountain along Howe Sound and the scenery is spectacular. The world saw the landscape during the 2010 winter Olympics. This is the road to Whistler, and was improved in preparation for those Olympics.
Earlier this year, the Sea to Sky Gondola opened at Squamish. The ride up the mountain took 9 minutes, and the views at the top were wonderful. I really wished that I had the good camera with me. The iPad results are not so good, but here is a flavour.
And, yes, I did walk across the suspension bridge. Still terrified of heights, but had to master this!
We were so lucky with weather. Sunday was the clearest day of the trip.
Glen participates in many kinds of fundraisers. Last year he offered a 5 course dinner as a raffle prize to raise money for a BC Ride for Cancer… he also rode his bike a long way in that one. Janet won the raffle, and we all came to Vancouver to be the dinner guests. Worth the trip!
The photos loaded out of order. We started with the seared scallop, followed by the soup. Then the salad. The main was fresh halibut, with mild Thai sauce. The roasted honey pear salad was my favourite; well, maybe the scallop in Concord grape reduction… actually it was all delicious to eat, and gorgeous to look at. And served with good, good wine.
Josette made the dessert. The creme brûlée was perfect.
My apologies to quilt fans… I really lost the plot on the quilt show. It was busy, busy, busy at the booth, and in the days following.
And now, here I am in Vancouver, having an eat and drink vacation with Paul’s family. I flew out with his mother last Thursday, to join his sisters and spouses for a week of relaxation… and food.
We had lunch at Susan’s, where I found one of my first self designed quilts hanging.
Tom was just in Europe, and brought delicious and elegant macarons from Paris.
Josette and Don went to a formal event on Friday night. It was fun to photograph them on the red carpet, aka Josette’s freshly painted front step.
Huge storms passed through last night, and still dark and stormy when I left home at 6:30 a.m. to take over from our security guard. I am now perched in the smaller of our two quilt halls, waiting for others to arrive. I took a few photos of my quilts that are in this hall. First are my ribbon winners from last show.
Next are a few that I have in this year’s exhibition. The hall with the others is still dark, so those quilts will get photographed later.
Friends with Flourish, inspired by Kathy Wylie and Michele Hill, is hanging next to one of my “children” . This one is Olga’s version of the small embroidered quilt I designed a few years ago to teach surface embroidery in my guild. There are quite a few of my kids hanging in the show… each looks so different depending on colour and fabric choice. Fun!
We expect another busy day, maybe rainy, but thankfully cooler. Yesterday the humidex reached 40 degrees. Ugh! But it didn’t stop the quilt show fans from viewing and shopping.
The Penguin patterns, by Wenche at Northern Quilts have sold out. Cute little penguins! Fun day, very hot. hottest day of all this summer: not sure if I am so tired from heat or the busy day, but way too tired to write more. Here is the booth, before the show opened. Up early tomorrow to relieve the security guard at seven…
Buckhorn Area Quilt Guild is extremely fortunately to be part of the Buckhorn community. We hold the show at the local community centre, a fabulous space that hosts art shows, craft shows and many other events, as well as sports activities. Buckhorn is tiny, and the centre is not funded by public money. Over the years community volunteers have raised funds and done lots of physical work to create a unique space.
Our show is in the main building, but the vendors and the food court are in the huts outside, in a gorgeous garden setting. Shopping and eating lunch from the tea room is a treat here, even when it rains! The centre of the garden has a big picnic shelter, so all is well.
And for my Aussie, UK, and US friends, see how beautifully our Canadian flag looks in the garden with the read geraniums. A flag hangs from each building when a festival is happening. Just like at Helen’s house!
There are big doors in the sunflower mural that will open tomorrow as entrance to the quilt show. I must remember to grab a photo of that… a very colourful start to the show.
What a fun morning. Cyndy, Pat and I worked on booth set up. We haven’t done this before, and it is a work in progress. Here is how I left it at 2:00 p.m. Cyndy is heading back now to do more, then we will tweek it tomorrow morning. I will try to take after photos!
From the Heart Quilt Shop is almost ready to launch!
Yesterday we put up racks, and sheeted the walls. Today we sorted quilts, and started hanging them. Work? Maybe. Fun? Definitely.
Tomorrow the vendors move into our unique space at Buckhorn Community Centre. I will try to grab a few photos, as I help Cyndy with set up for From the Heart Quilt Shop booth. And Friday, the show opens. Hope you can make it. If not stay tuned. I am doing the crack-of-dawn shift Saturday morning to relieve the over night security, and hope to photograph some highlights without viewers in the scene.
Penny's Passage 