May 10th & Weekend Recap!

A toast on Friday afternoon before dinner and Chapters

I am thrilled to report that The Chapters book presentation and event on Friday night in my home town of Burlington Ontario was a great success thanks to the wonderful support of family, friends, and the community. I'd again like to thank my special guest of honour and friend, Laurie Holmes, for travelling from Colorado and many hours (including a jittery border crossing with "Mohammed") to join the festivities.
     With a capacity crowd for our limited space inside the store, the evening consisted of a brief introduction of the conception of Golden Goddesses, readings, a very fun and engaging Q&A, followed by a reception during the signing. Our long time friend and right arm, Ron Parry, did a great job filming the presentation and also snapped photos (to be posted in the near future).
     I would also like to thank my beautiful niece, Lindy (and her mother-in-law, Barb, for providing the gluten-free chocolate cakes), for baking the most delicious cupcakes I've ever tasted, all decked out in pink and purple icing for the ladies in the room. Afterwards, a few friends and family joined us back at the house to relax with beverages where the intimate group had an opportunity to chat with Laurie and get caught up with one another. Definitely an extraordinary night! We couldn't have pulled it off without my amazing husband and best friend, Hud. (Thanks for ensuring that there were plenty of chairs at the store in addition to the other details you took care of! You should be their official events coordinator.) Love you. xo

Laurie tip-toes through the tulips, Niagara-on-the-Lake

     To add a few of the weekend's highlights, on Saturday, Hud, Ron (RP), Laurie and I cruised down the highway (RP provided the wheels) to spend the day in picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls, and had a fabulous time. The weather cooperated and we were able to appreciate the beauty of the day and breathtaking scenery (and shared lots of laughs -- who could forget the dog who played dead and the ride with manure?!) before returning to the house in the evening (we even introduced Laurie to our "shed") for a nightcap before retiring. On Sunday, we enjoyed a memorable "girls" lunch (with great conversation) complete with lobster and white wine, and topped off by delicate raspberry sorbet at Paradiso, one of the local eating establishments in downtown Burlington. 
     We weren't so lucky in the weather department that day, but it didn't deter us from BBQ-ing (we ate inside) a few steaks, with our son Corey joining us for dinner -- A very gracious gesture on Corey's part considering there was a very significant Leafs game on that night! A dark chocolate cake was served for the birthday girl, Laurie, a few days ahead of her landmark day tomorrow on May 15th. (You certainly wouldn't know it.) It was a whirlwind weekend but one that we won't soon forget. You are sparkling friend with a good heart, Ms. Laurie Rose Holmes. ♥