This next day of my 57th birthday celebration is a gift I wouldn’t trade for all the millions of dollars enjoyed by Brad and Angelina. Because it was planned with love. With care. And with a true desire to give unselfishly to the man my wife loves. Me. Now if that isn’t priceless, what is?

So let’s see what surprise I had in store for me.

If you're ever in Puyallup, Washington looking to be spoiled by a Victorian flavor, you should definitely stay at the Tayberry Victorian Cottage B&B.

Our Room with a View.

The Balcony Room ~ our haven for the weekend.

Our view, reminiscent of my trip to Italy. Patty is something else!

And we had our own private bath to get private in.

On the way to the B&B we stopped at a market and picked up a few things for dinner.

A delectable light dinner enjoyed on our balcony.

A yummy dessert that was almost too pretty to disturb. The key word here is 'almost'!

A moment to rest after dinner and reflect.

A VERY happy guy at 57.

The rest of the evening was filled with even more loving surprises planned exquisitely by my dear wife which included a dip in hot tub on the outside deck, watching movies as we cuddled together, with the culmination of a very peaceful slumber in our Victorian bed.

I awoke early the next morning to a sound that has always been a treat to my ears.

After freshening up we walked downstairs to meet the 2 elves that worked behind the scenes to make my 57th birthday quite a day to remember.

These are Terry and Vicki Chissus, owners of the Tayberry Cottage, extraordinary Chefs and absolutely the most fun to talk with!

It was time to indulge in the Breakfast part of our Bed and Breakfast, and were we ever glad we did!

We began with fresh blueberries over vanilla yogurt, then continued engorging on a French Puffcake with fresh strawberries, sausage, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee.

As we were leaving I had just one more thing to do before departing.

It’s a must to stay at the Tayberry when you’re in Western Washington so just click on Tayberry Victorian Cottage B&B to make reservations or give Terri and Vicki a call at toll-free 1.888.781.3324. Tell them Rich and Patty sent you!

My never-ending birthday keeps on going, but to where?

Going along for the ride my surprise destination was a most exquisite 10-acre garden located in Lakewood, Washington. Patty knows I have a love for gardens and Mother Nature and this place was just a short ride from our house and I had never seen it over the last 23 years.

The creative genius of these gardens was created by Eulalie Wagner from 1934 – 1991. Her dream ~ “As we become more and more city creatures, living in man-made surroundings, perhaps gardens will become even more precious to us, letting us remember that we began in the garden.”

Eulalie Wagner was a tireless woman bringing her dream into reality over 50 years.

We kept walking and I had to capture this creepy feeling I had strolling through this next section of trees. Something about it made wonder if I were going to be grabbed!

Don't you get an spooky feeling looking into these trees?

We came around a bend and saw a tree rightfully crowned, “The Empress.”

We walked through the house, which was not the focal point of the gardens, and found ourselves on their back patio.

The outside dining patio is canopied by decades-old wisteria. So beautiful.

Walk with us to smell the freshness of this gorgeous backyard.

I'm always fascinated by the talent of the gardener's scissors, far better than what Edward Scissorhands could do!

The wonderful Quatrefoil Pool. Quite a design.

My wife is happily hugging another man. Should I be jealous?

The path continued further on as I stopped to observed stalwart softness.

Look at the strength and size of this tree. Yet so gentle in its presentation.

Exactly what I was feeling.

I love the coloration of this family of leaves. Don't you?

And what would Mother Nature be without her enchanting sounds?

Love at first sight and at 19 years later.

So I thought the day was over. But I’d forgotten who the planner was!

We’re now headed for Japan!

And I need to find out if Bamboo is native to Japan. Is it?

As the day comes to a close, I can’t be coy.

My weekend celebration of my 57th year has been the greatest surprise I have ever lived.

But that is due in whole to the greatest surprise that I wake up to every day. My Queen, my Beauty, my Love, Patty.

We started by time-traveling to the 16th Century to see how life was in a Renaissance Castle. Care to join us?

Asphalt and power lines soon to be a thing of the present as we venture into the past.

Our first step through the Castle walls were frighteningly halted by a ferocious fire breathing dragon!

Fortunately it was only a baby dragon.

It was such a jolt into the far past of the 16th century. To get into the spirit we decided to get some spirit into us. We consulted the local wenches serving at the pub.

Let’s listen to the sounds of a Renaissance pub.

Man and Maiden soon to feel quite fair at the Faire.

An example of a town maiden and her protector.

Gallant, chivalrous and ready to defend a damsel in distress.

Young maidens that handmade their own outfits.

Leaving the local Pub I pause to boast pride in my Kingdom.

And what is a Renaissance Man’s Kingdom without his Queendom? Why nothing, of course!

The power behind every Kingdom is the Queendom.

The outfits of that time were marvelous to behold.

Even the little ones were dressed in style.

I was soon shocked to discover that Starbucks did not create the Latte. But rather it all started way back in the times of the Renaissance.

A taste of Renaissance crafts.

Handmade crafts that bedazzled your eyes.

No Renaissance Man or Woman could be without their sword.

And my dream finally came true on my 57th year. To see a real Fairy.

And for that secret side of you, perhaps something wicked will do.

As we continued through the marketplace we came upon another Regal Lady and her Swordsman.

Some people just went all out with their realistic outfits. It made the event so much more enjoyable.

No lions, tigers or bears, but plenty of fairies, pixies and pickles??!!

Another Sweet Fairy

And the Pixies.

These Pixies are slightly larger than I had previously imagined but the truth is always divulged when you venture into the past.

And of course . . .

Pickle Anyone?

Then a strange sound came across the land. I ran, leaving my Queen behind, to see if what I was hearing was real.

Upon my return I found my Queen looking at me in a very private way (blush).

[Now don't blame the videographer (my Queen) for the unusual shoot.
After all, that sexy Renaissance man got her all befuddled! ]

After we both recovered from that moment, we collected ourselves to watch a demonstration of “The Duel.”

Never thought I’d see this animal in the 16th century.

A little treat for the children in your lives, Mom and Dad.

The Jester entertains us all.

Time for a feast, don’t you think?

Feasting on the King's Fowl and the Jester's Ears. 'Twas divine!

With a taste of Renaissance in my tummy and mind, it was time to go back to the 21st century.

Returning to the Present

One more swoosh and I'm back to the future.

And the greatest part of time travel is ~ look who gets to come back to the future with me.

Beauty. My Queen.

And behind that gorgeous mask . . .

Beauty unmasked. My Wife.

So this is how I celebrated my 57th year in the 16th century. Little did I know that Patty had many more surprises in store for me in the 21st century. My birthday was only beginning!

Come back and see the rest of the story . . .

]]> http://www.nurturemybody.com/blog/a-fair-to-remember/feed/ 0 http://www.nurturemybody.com/blog/butterflies-are-free/ http://www.nurturemybody.com/blog/butterflies-are-free/#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:28:56 +0000 Rich Arnold http://www.nurturemybody.com/blog/?p=1537 Too busy to see what’s happening in our garden during work hours? Never!

Except when . . .

What? You mean you’ve never played leap-goat? Well, it’s time you learned.