Surprise Bridal Shower at the Office!

My colleague Shannon duped me into walking into the conference this afternoon to show her the ethernet connection spot, and to my surprise my colleagues had it all decorated with a lovely buffet meal.

"Surprise!!" they all yelled.

I was shocked!!

I received a naughty little outfit for my future husband to enjoy (blush! blush!) and a very thoughtful keepsake filled with a generous monatery gift for us to put to use as bride & groom.

Thank you all very much for your thoughtfulness, kindness & generousity... I'll let you know if Drummond likes the outfit, but I will not post those photos on the blog!!

BTW - can't wait until this weekend when my hair will finally get cut & styled for the wedding -whew! The bride will undergo a BIG transformation when my bangs get cut finally & my glasses come off!!!!

Putting our Stamp on the Invitations

As you may or may not have noticed, the wedding invitation was hand-stamped by the bride. The Tree stamp was purchased in a specialty store in Boston with good friend Shannon.

Special thanks go to Betsy & Gene for all their expertise, generosity and kindness with designing & printing the invitation with us!

Making a Weekend Out of the Event

The Quebec Eastern Townships is one of the prettiest places in Canada. Reminiscent of the rolling hills of Scotland & Ireland, immigrant Celts found themselves establishing farms in this historic area of the 'new world'.

We hope that you will take time to enjoy the lovely countryside and some of the wonderful local fair; the bride's roots.

The Best of Bissell Road presents: Clos du Roc Noir Vineyard

The bride spent all the summers of her youth on Bissell road, a continuation of the scenic Brown's Hill drive. The bride is all grown up now and the wine of Bissell road is ripe for enjoyment. Stop by this quaint vineyard to sample a glass of vine, purchase a bottle or two (14-16$ each) and take in local art work at the upstairs gallery.

For more information and directions please visit their website: http://www.closdurocnoir.com/

Bleu Lavande:Lavender Fields on the end of Bissell Road

Turn left when you reach the end of Bissell Road and you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful blue lavender flowers. Guided tours of "Bleu Lavande" will take you around the farm and into the fields. There is a gorgeous boutique where you will find all sorts of lavender products, lavender inspired crafts & arts (candles, quilts, afghans, etc.). You can even buy the plants!

For more information, check out their website: http://www.bleulavande.ca/site/eng/informations.html

The Piggery Theatre Presents!

A trip to the Piggery Theatre is a summer staple in the Townships! On Friday August 10th, the Piggery will be hosting a fundraising Golf Tournament & comedian Victor J. Hanson will take the stage in the evening.

Make your reservations today: 819-842-2431 or www.piggery.com/Welcome.htm

Eastern Townships makes the Guinness Book of World Records!:

Coaticook Gorge

Do you like nature? Adventure? Good family fun? Then why not visit the breathtaking Coaticook Gorge, were the World's longest suspended pedestrian bridge (169 metres/554 feet) will take you across a natural wonder.

While there, be sure to hike the extensive nature trails, visit the historic round barn & gardens and taste famous Coaticook Icecream! (The bride grew up on this icecream... the pistachio is her favourite!)

For more information, check out the website: http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Archives/Outings/coaticook.html

Visiting Stanstead: Colby-Curtis Museum

A Carrollcroft 1859 heritage building houses the Colby-Curtis Museum in downtown Stanstead. Enjoy the historic home, heritage collections, Victorian garden, boutique & authentic tea room any summer day between the hours of 10h00-17h00.

For more information, please visit this website: http://www.townshipsheritage.com/Eng/Org/Museums/M_colby-curtis.html

There is so much to do in the immediate area of the Wedding: antique shopping in North Hatley, kayaking on the Tomifobia River, fishing in lake Massawippi, cylcing on the transCanada trail, berry picking outside of Magog, sailing in Georgeville, golfing at Dufferin Heights and So Much More!!!

We sincerely hope that you will feel to home where the Holt's have raised families for generations.

Accommodations

Here are some suggestions for accommodations in & around the wedding location:

Inns:
Auberge Ayer's Cliff 1087 Main Street, 819-838-4277 (5 minutes from wedding - not a fancy place)

Auberge Hatley (15 mintues) 325 Virgin North-Hatley, 819-842-4363

Auberge Ripplecove (5 minutes) 700 rue Ripplecove, Ayer's Cliff 1-800-668-4296 (The bride & groom will be staying here!)

Le Moulin de North Hatley (15 minutes) 225 Mill, 819-842-2380

Auberge la Raveaudiere (15 mintues) 11 ch de Hatley Centre, 819-842-2451

Auberge la Rose des Vents (15 mintues) 312 ch de la Riviere, 819-842-4530

Auberge le St-Amant, (15 minutes) 3 Minton Hill, 819-842-1211

Auberge a la Gloire du Matin (10 minutes), 6091 North, 819-572-9390


B&Bs:

Turner House, (10 minutes), 51 Main, 819-838-5250

Belle Plaisance (10 minutes), 140 ch Hatley Centre, 819-842-4395

Mrs. Lauzier B&B, Kingscroft (10 minutes), 819-838-4433

Cornemuse B&B (5 minutes), 1044 Massawippi, 819-842-1573

Gite Casablanca B&B (5 mintues). 985 Massawippi, 819-842-1604

La Canardiere B&B (15 minutes), 400 ch de la Riviere, 819-842-2279

La Chocolatiere d'Hatley (10 minutes), 819-842-1604

Le Cachet B&B, 3105 Capelton, (15 mintues). 819-842-4994

Le Chat Botte, (15 minutes) 550 ch de la Riviere, 819-842-4626

Lili Morgane, (15 mintues), 4215 ch Magog, 819-842-4208

Serendipity B&B, (15 mintutes). 819-842-2970

Tapioca B&B, (15 minutes), 680 Sherbrooke, 819-842-2743

Trillium B&B, (15 minutes), 4320 ch Magog, 819-842-4646

Villa Massawippi, (15 minutes), 361 Hovey, 819-842-1689



Hotels:

Le Coeur d'Or, (15 minutes), 85 School, 819-842-4363

Maison Equilibre Sante, (10 minutes), 124 ch Hatley Centre, 819-842-4662

Manoir le Tricorne (10 minutes), 50 Gosselin, 819-842-4522



Camping:

Please note that the reception takes place at a historic hall surrounded by farmer's fields. If you wish to bring your tent, or just your sleeping bag & mattress (to sleep in the Hall), you can camp-out on-site!!

Travel Safely, and please bare in mind that there are no taxis in the country - so designate your driver ahead of time or bring your sleeping bag!

Meet the Bridal Party

Choosing my bridesmaids was a no-brainer, 4 best friends from 4 different places & times in my life... so easy? But how could I declare a maid of honour, as they are each sincerely MY BEST FRIEND.

Let's meet these amazing women:

Emily Wallace

We met when we were wee little girls in St-Lambert... was it through church or ballet? Didn't matter, Emily had an EasyBake Oven and a horse; we were destined to be friends for life.

She now lives in Saskatoon working for Environment Canada doing research on insects (I had no doubts this is what she would end up doing, she used my grad hosery to collect insects out of lake water). She and her boyfriend Phil are flying in for the big day! Woohoo!

Cindy Keet Johnson

Cindy & I met when I knocked on her farmhouse door (the new cottager) when I was 8 and introduced myself & asked if I could brush her horses. I quickly managed to sneak my way into the Keet family, helping with farm chores, participating in 4H events, fairs, July 1st parties... the list is endless.

I was Cindy's maid of honour and am so delighted to have her stand for me. I just pray that she will not add to the toast by way of getting even for mine at her nuptials! hahaha She will be traveling from Dalmeny Saskatchewan with her husband Paul & 3 children for the event.

Jennifer McKeogh Proctor

Jenn & I first met while working at Cedarome, although our lives had been interconnected for years in St-Lambert. We quickly became best friends and spent many fantastic times together... and helped get each other through the rough times too!

I was maid of honour at Jenn's wedding. She will be travelling from Richmond Virginia for the big day, leaving her husband Sam & the two boys at home.

Kasia Biniecki

Kasia & I met at the Liberal Arts College at Concordia University and have been swapping music, books & copies of Sex in the City ever since! We have been there for each other through the years, and even though we didn't share our childhood and teenage years together, it has always felt like we have known each other for our whole lives! She has been adopted into the Holt family. Maybe Rev. Moffat could baptize her a Holt at the wedding?

Being the only bridesmaid within a day's drive of the bride and wedding location (she lives in the greater Montreal area), alot of responsibility has fallen on dear Kasia - and here when she is taking on an overloaded MBA course schedule! She is wonderwoman! Kasia has been there for me organizing an amazing bridal shower, coming to the bridal shows, going to the florist... the dress fittings!

The next time that you see these ladies, they will be walking down the aisle and standing by my side as I make my vowes to Drummond!

Shopping for Daphne's FlowerGirl Dress

Mom, Kasia & I took Daphne (3 yrs 1/2) and her little sister Riley (1 yr 1/2) shopping at Place Angrignon a few weeks ago.

Daphne is a real little princess, and was sure to want the shiny froo froo flowergirl dress that I didn't... we were all a bit uneasy at the prospect of princess Daphne falling in love with a dress that I would not want (I wanted a simple little country/Laura Ashley style dress) and having to disappoint her.

Thanks be to God - it was a delight experience and the very first simple little dress that I found she fell in love with!

Now, I can't possibly publish photos of the flowergirl in her dress on the blog... but here are some photos of Mom with the girls on our big outing!!! Enjoy!!!