Summer is drawing to a close. I can feel it in the air. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it’s hot outside. Today it’s going to push over that ninety mark, I can feel it. But it’s the subtle things. The later sunrise, the cooler mornings. The crisp feel in the air layered with the scent of the ripening grapes and apples that waft through our basin in the late summer and will accumulate to a heady punch by September. Fall is coming folks. I can feel it.
We have had a lucky summer. With layoffs looming at hubby’s work, we’ve been tucking away some savings where we could, but we couldn’t resist the call of the mountains and snuck away for a few camping trips and a day trip to Spokane. This past weekend we were fortunate enough to be able to attend the wedding of two very amazing people, Dylan and Melissa.
How can I even begin to describe the beauty of this event to you. We knew it would be special, for the people that were wedding are two very special people. We’ve known Dylan almost as long as we’ve known each other, and although we don’t know his bride as well, we feel like we do, because of the person she is, warm, inviting and instantly your friend. Amazing people, did I mention that? So of course their wedding brought together an amazing (yes I’m going to keep using that word, it was AMAZING, get it?) gathering of eclectic persons, ourselves and our Wee One included. We knew a few, but most were unfamiliar faces, until the evening was over, at which time we all felt like old chums.
The day took us just north of Seattle to the Everett/Snohomish area where we happily checked into the Inn at Port Gardener after spending the morning wandering through the art festival that was set up along the marina the Inn is nestled in. Our room was charming (and cool) and we all agreed we would stay there again, although next time we would bring our own pillows.
A quick drive out of Everett and into the beautiful countryside over the Highway 2 Bridge led us to the Chapel at Swan’s Trail. I knew places like Swan’s Trail existed, but I assumed they were only used for movies or as decorations on Christmas Cards. It was a beautiful setting and although the temperature outside was hot, we helped ourselves to a parasol and some lavender lemonade and when the ceremony started I was so captivated by the blend of multicultural traditions that I soon forgot the heat. (The Wee One was not so lucky, she wiggled and squiggled on the grass the whole time, but all and all did pretty good considered.)
The dinner tables were laid with more flowers than a farmer’s market stall and the food was homey and beautifully presented. Besides a wedding cake, guests had been asked to provide desserts and a sugary buffet was set up inside the chapel that reminded me of the dessert feast laid out by Horace in Graeme Base’s The Eleventh Hour.
The Bride and Groom were glowing with their love for each other and the guests were treated to a fun, relaxing delicious evening filled with wonderful company, delightful music (accordion in band=good), and enough laughter to send the new couple happily into their new wedded life.
Bountiful Words, Beautiful World 