Christmas at Hycroft

While half of Canada watched the Grey Cup game yesterday afternoon, we as a Rendezvous group headed to downtown Vancouver for the annual Christmas open-house at Hycroft Mansion.

Hycroft is a magnificent Edwardian mansion, originally built for Alexander McCrae who was a leading businessman and politician in the beginning of the twentieth century. Construction began in 1909 and the home took two years to complete and quickly became the hub of social life in Vancouver. In 1942 the McCrae's gave the home to the Canadian government and it became a hospital for war veterans until 1960. At that time it was purchased by the University of British Columbia Women's Club and has been restored and maintained by them. It is used for for receptions and private parties throughout the year, but only open to the public for the annual Christmas open-house. What a great old house!

Let me give you a peak...

I just love all the ornate detail and fancy moldings!

The dining room was all ready for us...

I think the cooks were watching the Grey Cup game though!

Every room had it's own tree...

...and most also had their own fireplace.

No, it wasn't snowing in Vancouver, but I had to throw in one picture from last year...it does sometimes snow out here in November.

What a lovely place to visit...and get inspired!  And it helps to be in good company.  

Amaizing Campfire Night

Fall has arrived and the corn fields are disappearing as the crops are being cut for winter feed for the cattle. But there's one bumper crop that will be standing until the end of October. Last night we as a Rendezvous group decided to go get lost in the corn in our local corn maze. They have record high corn stalks this year...about twelve feet tall throughout.

We soon figured out that it was all about knowing the answers to the clues we were given...and since we were a little 'clueless' we decided that if we just followed the path most travelled we would eventually find our way out. And we would have...

... except that the darkness came so much sooner than we expected! I think John (the owner) actually thought we might still be there on October 31st when they cut the corn, so he came to our rescue with his flashlight!



It was such a beautiful night and the corn field was a great place to enjoy it!

John and Rascal joined us at the campfire where we roasted smores and enjoyed each other's company under the starry sky. What a great way to enjoy a clear, crisp autumn evening!