Victoria July - August 2009

Throughout the cold, gray days of winter, I secretly dream of walking on the beach, the sand warm beneath my feet and shorebirds wheeling overhead. I am sustained by envisioning the summer to come. And when July arrives, I can be found relaxing with friends at one of my favorite ocean-side rental cottages. A typical day at the beach begins when I pack a bag with sunscreen, an old blanket, and a couple of books, then grab an umbrella and a small cooler filled with bottled water before heading to the shore. For this summer’s jaunt, I’m taking a few copies of my recently published book, Honey, It’s All in the Shoes. I think my friends will enjoy reading the essays I’ve put together that detail how past events have shaped…

Inspired by a sincere love for cooking and gardening, Sheryl Lozier and her husband, Marshall, refurbished their family property with greenhouses and a flourishing herb garden. “Opening the farm was our opportunity to create something on the land we love and to connect with the community,” explains Sheryl, whose favorite part of the day is walking in the garden. Located in Flinn Springs, California, just thirty minutes from San Diego, Summers Past Farms specializes in fresh herbal soaps and other bath products. Since her childhood, Judy Stanley has had a passion for herbs. In 2002, that adoration resulted in a partnership with beekeeper Greg Kiefer that is now known as Hay Hollow Farm & Nursery in Folsom, Louisiana. On 10 acres, the duo grows culinary herbs and perennials and tends honeybees…

BEACHSIDE ENTERTAINING Learn how to create this beautiful tablescape, as well as other simple yet elegant ideas for hosting a perfect summer soiree. From sparkling tableware to fine linens and seaside-inspired accessories, we’ll show you how to make the most of your summer. DIY DECOUPAGE Inspired by the charming wares of a Nantucket artist, we’ll show you how to create your own decoupage piece. CANNING PEACHES The next-best thing to ripe peaches eaten at the height of summer is getting to sample the fruit in winter months. Learn how to preserve the delectable flavor of this ephemeral summer time fruit. ON THE WEB Look for this symbol throughout the magazine for more online information. OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE MOUNT This fabled estate is a longtime favorite of the readers and editors of Victoria. Come along as we remember…

The tropical splendor of Key West leaves nothing to be desired. As an artist, I have found inspiration without having to search for it. Creativity is everywhere—in the architecture, the vegetation, the food, and the attitude of the people. In Key West there is an abandon that is exhilarating. Every moment is celebrated here. From sunrise to sunset, life has its own tempo. Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and President Harry S. Truman all discovered the secrets of the magic that exists in Key West—as have I. LANDI GATES Staten Island, New York I love, love, love Cape May, New Jersey! Of course, I adore the huge, heavenly Victorian “grand ladies” (historic homes), the seafood, the ocean, the lighthouses, etc. However, the most impressive attraction that beckons me every time I visit is…

Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition Parksville, British Columbia, Canada | August 7–30 Visitors arrive from all over the world to marvel at the unbelievable feats of artistry and engineering produced at the Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition in Parksville, British Columbia. The building of the sand creations takes place throughout a three-day period, at the end of which prizes ranging from $300 to $7,300 are awarded to the winning teams and individuals. The masterpieces are on display for an additional three weeks. The celebration also features a variety of other family-friendly activities, including beach volleyball and croquet tournaments; Kidfest, with entertainment and a children’s sand castle event; and an exciting fireworks display. For more information, visit parksvillebeachfest.ca. Admirers of Jane Austen and her literature will want to mark their calendars to attend the 2nd…

“There was just enough heat to enhance the value of the breeze, and just enough wind to keep the whole sea in motion, to make the waves come bounding to the shore, foaming and sparkling,as if wild with glee.” —Anne Brontë“As I gaze upon the sea! All the old romantic legends, all my dreams, come back to me.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow"Gather a shell…And listen at its lips: they sigh…The echo of the whole sea's speech." —Dante Gabriel Rossetti…