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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Summer Holiday

What's It Wednesday #37

As you know I love vintage and antique items as well as old architecture. My fascination for historical relics dates back to when I was a little girl. So of course any artifact that fit this description made my summer holiday even more special.

Key West water fountain
I am basically intrigued by human creativity and innovation. I consider myself a voyeur of human history. While strolling through the historical district of Key West, and drooling over the Victorian, Bahamian, and New England blend of architecture (known as Key West style), I ran across this darling water fountain.

Fort Jefferson, The Dry Tortugas
After nosing around Key West we took the Yankee Freedom ferry about 70 miles west of Key West to the Dry Tortugas for a three day adventure. Fort Jefferson is absolutely my favorite fort. This is actually a side of the fort that has not been repaired and it's my favorite side. I loved walking around the moat and imagining the brave men (soldiers), women, and children who braved the heat, disease and war time uncertainty in order to protect our country. 

Fort Jefferson lighthouse
This lighthouse has an octagonal shaped tower. It is located on top of the fort and dates back to 1826 and is constructed of iron broiler plates. It is a very special place for a dear friend of mine. This is where her husband proposed to her at the top of the lighthouse. The view of sunsets and sunrises are exceptional from this vantage point. 

Whenever I am on Garden Key, which is where the fort is located in the Dry Tortugas, I place my hand on the 19th century graffiti making a connection to the artists. Apparently very bored soldiers carved their names in the masonry. 

Historic Building, Loggerhead Key
Loggerhead Key, in the Dry Tortugas, was a magical place. This historic building points in the direction of one of the most spectacular places I have ever snorkeled, a reef tract called Little Africa. This structure has also seen its share of hurricanes and yet it still stands proudly.

Chinaberry Hill, Tacoma Washington A luxury Victorian B & B
After dealing with weeks in the South Florida scorching heat it was time to head west, northwest that is to Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. This Victorian B & B holds a very special place in my heart. 11 years ago, on July 17th, I woke up in the carriage house to depart for Victoria, B.C. Canada. That is the day I met my husband. A year later to the day we got married. So it was the perfect place for us to wake up on July 17, 2012 and make our way to Victoria, B.C. in celebration of our 10th wedding anniversary and 11 anniversary together.

This 1889 grand Victorian Inn is owned and operated by the Cecil and Yarrow Wayman. I have always felt that they were the inspiration for me meeting my husband on that fateful day. Throughout their home are the most amazing Victorian touches. So you know I was in hog heaven.

Yarrow and Cecil are masters of using antiques in unique and creative ways.




In their elegant dining room sits this gorgeous computing scale. Now you know I must find me one so I can place snacks on it. Hmmmmm, not a bad idea to place snacks in my great-grandmother's mixer. What do you think? Stay tuned.



The light fixtures throughout the main house and the carriage house (where we stayed) are just gorgeous.

Cecil is known for his fabulous breakfast and charming personality. He truly is a wonderful host. Every morning we were delighted by incredible music from the early 20th century and a delicious meal. I would stare at this amazing built-in each and every morning in total awe.

This charming fireplace was one of many throughout the home.

This clock is just stunning and added elegance to the dining room.
Old books always add a wonderful touch to any room. These books on the window sill are silently beckoning guest to read them. 

On July 17th we woke up in the carriage house of Chinaberry Hill and headed to Victoria, British Colombia, Canada, just as I had done 11 years ago. We entered the Fairmont Empress hotel and you all know I thought I had died and gone to heaven. This place is a Victorian lovers dream palace. A week was not long enough for me to drool over the amazing Victorian decor and the Colonial-Indian style of the Bengal lounge. This was the best summer holiday ever. 

What was your favorite summer holiday memory?

xoxoxo
Paula


Thank you all for participating in our "What's It Wednesday" Linky Party!


Don’t forget to grab a feature button:

Ivy and Elephants



 Thank you all for all that you do to inspire others!
 I know I am inspired each and every week by each and every one of 
you. 

Here are this week's fabulous features.


Visit the fantastic artistry of beautiful copper moulds at  Silber + Rosen


This beautiful transformation of an old fern stand is a must see at Forever Decorating
This copycat came out better than the inspiration at
Shabby Sweet Cottage 
For the love of blue and whites at Designs by Pinky
This Tiffany inspired chair once resided on a street curb. Check out this beautiful transformation at De Tout, De Rien
Poppy has a wonderful way with sweet lavender at
With a Dash of Color

54 comments:

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Great features, everything is beautiful. Thank you for hosting and having me. Lots of hugs,
FABBY

Blessed Serendipity said...

What a charming B & B. Happy anniversary to you and your love. Thanks for hosting another What's it Wed party.

xo,
Danielle

Karen said...

What a beautiful vacation.Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I'm so thrilled to be featured, thanks so much! Happy anniversary and thanks for hosting.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

OMG!!!! Thanks so much for "featuring" me! I am so honored...and surprised!!!! XO, Pinky

Auro @ Add that Xtra in the Ordinary said...

Oh what a beautiful place this is for a vacation,your love for the vintage and the eye for identifying them,must say is remarkable.Thanks for the lovely features and for hosting the party dear.
cheers
Auro.

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

Thank you for hosting :) Happy Anniversary!! We also celebrated 10 years as married in July, but the 20th (11 years together, on the same date) I love the rustic scale. I'd fill it with lots of goodies :D ~Pernilla

Heirloom treasures said...

Happy Anniversary Paula. Such a romantic story and lovely to be able to relive it.xx

Natasha in Oz said...

Wow, what an amazing holiday! I love all those antiques you photographed!

Thanks for having me today. Have a great Wednesday.

Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Every post you write is an adventure with great pictures and ideas and surprises and happy visions. Thanks you so much for hosting, and thank you for such great posts.
Joy

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Beautiful posts, and lovely features. Thanks for hosting.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Congratulations on your anniversary, Paula! What a lovely place to spend your special time.

Thanks so much for hosting this lovely party!

CAS

Boxwood Cottage said...

Thank you for your sweet comments on my last posts Pattie!

Looks as if you are enjoying a good time! Love that old scale!
Happy anniversary Paula!

Wishing you both more great Summer days!

Carola xoxo~

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Thank you for sharing your vacation. The Empress Hotel is so elegant..Thanks for hosting this week..Happy Tuesday..Judy

Barbe @ Beez Rental Designs said...

I really love the way you add so much info in your beautiful posts. Thanks so much for sharing!
Barbe

Rose Jesky said...

Thank you for hosting.

Curtains in My Tree said...

what a wonderful trip through key West I never did make it that far down in Florida

and I have been Northwest to Seattle and going to Portland Oregon in November this year,
mY favorite vacation spot is Savannah Georgia then second Portland Oregon

I want to add Europe to third but that nots going to happen I'm sure unless I meet my knight in shinning antique armour LOL
That place you stayed is wonderful , like back in time wonderful

The French Hutch said...

Thanks for the tour down in the Keys. I've got to get down there. My son and his family just returned from a vacation there. Love the photos and what great features this week. Thanks for hosting.

~Emily
the French Hutch

La Vie Quotidienne said...

What an amazing vacation. So many wonderful things to see and do. Thanks for taking us along.

Anne said...

What a beautiful trip! We were in Key West last summer.We have family there.So nice and relaxing to visit!
Thank you for hosting!
xx
Anne

Cottage and Broome said...

I love the story how you met your husband, magical. Happy Anniversary. As a child we would go to northern MIchigan for week every summer, it was all special tome. Now all these years later, we have a cottage up north and everyday we spend there it is a wonderful day. Please stop by and see our beach walk. Hope you had a wonderful time on your trip, I would love to visit there. Thanks for hosting, Laura

foreverdecorating said...

Thanks for the feature shout-out! Love your blog.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

This sounds like a wonderful vacation. I don't know how you stood the HEAT in Fl.!!! I was at the same hotel for our HS senior class trip!!! The Fairmont!!!! Just gorgeous but I am sure I woudl APPRECIATE it AOT more now. Hope to go back one day. XO, Pinky PS, thanks again for the feature!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be playig again next week:):)

The Charm of Home said...

Oh, my goodness! What a wonderful trip! Show some pictures of that Colonial-Indian style lounge! I love that look!! Thanks for hosting!
Sherry

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Thanks so much for hosting!!

I would have thought I died and went to heaven!! The B&B looks wonderful and that hotel must have been drop dead gorgeous! I hope you will be sharing more pics of it with us!

Last summer , for our anniversary, Joe and I stayed for 2 nights in the Stegmaier Mansion. Even though it is 10 minutes down the road from us, it was a thrill to sleep in the bed that Jimmy Carter and his wife sis when they visited our area. The Stegmaier has been featured twice in Victorian Homes magazines.
I will email you with the link to that post because I know you would love this mansion..

Hugs,
Debbie

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

Thank you for hosting! Wishing you gals a grand week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Denise @ secondtimearoundfinds said...

Enjoyed the trip down memory lane, love you blog, glad I found it and linked up. Thanks for hosting.
Denise

Denise @ secondtimearoundfinds said...

Enjoyed the trip down memory lane, love you blog, glad I found it and linked up. Thanks for hosting.
Denise

Unknown said...

Wow Paula, Happy Anniversary! Hope you have many,many more of them to celebrate. Maybe you will do the same trip 10 yrs from now! That would be cool. What a lovely trip and the pictures are awesome along with how the trip meant to you! Again, Congratulations!

Candy said...

I've just found your blog and lovin it. So, I'm now a follower and I've linked up to your party.....and put a link back on my post. THANKS SO MUCH FOR HOSTING. 8-)

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Paula! What a wonderful, beautiful anniversary vacation! Great pictures and nice B&B and Hotel! Thanks for sharing! Gina

Anonymous said...

I love reading about yall's travels wish I could travel more,I do love it,thanks for sharing,the photo's are fantastic...wish I was packing a suit case right now.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful vacation! Thanks for sharing the gorgeous photos. Thanks for hosting another great party, too! HUGS

must love junk said...

Thanks for your sweet comment! I just linked up :)
Susan

Beth said...

What an amazing place to visit! I almost feel like I was there - but just wishing I was.

Thank you for the invitation to WIW & now I'm all linked up! :D

Raquel said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog! What beautiful things on your link party! Thanks for hosting!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the invite. I am honoured to have been asked.
Thanks for hosting. Luved your post!!
Congratulations Paula.
Cheers,
Gee

Palomasea said...

Oh, Paula...Congratulations and thank you for sharing your very special celebration! So romantic :)
These would be ideal places to vacation...all of them.
Wishes for a beautiful weekend,
xoxo,
- Irina

Sarah @ 20 State said...

Thank you for the invite! I'm really enjoying your blog!

Simply Simplisticated said...

Thank you so much for inviting me to join in all your fun here! have a wonderful weekend and thanks for hosting!

Becca @ The Sassy Penguin said...

Thanks for inviting me to join the party! The vacation photos were beautiful.

New Follower :)

Jo Coastal Home Love said...

Hi Paula :) Thanks for popping over to check out my little blog! So happy you did, I have just linked up to your party, thanks so much! Jo x

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Hi Paula and Patti,
thank you so much for taking me on tour. It was really interesting and yes, I also put my hands on historical equipment to get in touch with the old times. Whow, you featured my copper smith post, thank you so much for that. You will love my new post, too.
Hugs and greetings, Johanna

Leovi said...

Yes, very nice pictures, excellent framing and beautiful colors, I like.

sashkonela said...

Dear Paula and Patti,

thnaks so much for your kind words and the invite. Looking forward to our future correspondations and exchange of creative ideas.

Aleksandra

Highpoint Circle said...

Thanks for stopping by and inviting me to your party!! I've enjoyed myself with my return visit and will be back again soon.

Diane said...

Thank you for the lovely comments about my french transfers and inviting me to your WIW party.You have a unique blog and I will enjoy visiting. Also, thanks for following me and I am following you as well! Diane

Debbie said...

Hi Paula, thanks for inviting me to join your party and I look forward to many more.

TheMoonAndMe said...

Thanks for the party invite! :)
Kelly

Diann said...

Gorgeous inspiration in this post! Everything is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing at TTF. Have a fantastic weekend!

Laura said...

I appreciate you stopping by my blog and leaving a sweet comment! Thanks for hosting this party:)

Nici @ Posed Perfection said...

Thank you so much for inviting me to your party. I loved the beautiful picture and the stories of this post. I really appreciate the sweet comments you left me at posedperfection.blogspot.com. I am your newest follower. I hope you will stop by for a visit sometime and click on my "Follow Me" button to add Posed Perfection to your GFC. Have a blessed weekend.
~Nici

Tiffany Interiors, LLC said...

Oh, my dear I am in love with this post! Beautiful antique furnishings and such a beautiful place to visit! Your newest follower!

Kathy said...

Paula, what glorious places you've shared with us! How very romantic to have such a gorgeous B & B as the memorable starting place in your meeting your husband - The hotel in Victoria B C looks enchanting! I do appreciate you taking us along and sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

What an awesome vacation!! Hope you had a wonderfully blessed anniversary.

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Gratitude is the Memory of the Heart ~ French Proverb ~ We are so grateful that you stopped by ~ Please visit again soon! ~ Much Love, Patricia and Paula