THE FESTIVAL OF TREES

TODAY I ENJOYED MY ANNUAL VISIT TO THE FESTIVAL OF TREES FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON .  THIS EVENT IS ALWAYS FOR A GOOD CAUSE AND THIS YEAR THE MONEY WILL BE GOING TO HELP DEVELOP INNOVATIVE WAYS TO SECURE PROSTHETIC LIMBS SO THAT THEY DON’T HURT FOR THE WEARER. 

MY FRIEND, KAREN, HAS VOLUNTEERED FOR THE FESTIVAL FOR YEARS AND IT IS SHE WHO ALWAYS INVITES ME TO SIT AT HER TABLE. THIS YEAR WAS VERY SPECIAL FOR HER IN ANOTHER WAY AS TODAY WAS ALSO HER BIRTHDAY.  I HAD PURCHASED A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING FROM MY SISTER, PAULA, AND DECIDED TO GIVE IT TO KAREN FOR HER GIFT THIS YEAR.  SO IT WAS ESPECIALLY NICE THAT I HAD INVITED THE ARTIST TO ENJOY THE EVENT TOO ( AS WELL AS MY DEAR FRIEND, LOUISE , WHO NEEDED A PICK ME UP ( WITH SOME TOUGH STUFF GOING ON IN HER FAMILY AT THIS TIME.) 

AS ALWAYS , UPON ENTERING THE HALL WE WERE GREETED WITH MODELS.  THE THEME SEEMED TO BE ” BOOKS ” BUT I WAS LATER TOLD THAT IT WAS ” ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ” .  THE GIRLS WERE DRESSED IN AMAZING “BOOK PAGES GOWNS” THOUGH AND THERE WERE ALSO DISPLAYS ENTERED BY JUNIOR HIGH CHILDREN WHO MADE ART OUT OF DISCARDED BOOKS.  THE ART WAS VARIED AND VERY DETAILED; REALLY FUN TO LOOK AT. 

WE WERE OFFERED CHAMPAGNE AS WE STOOD IN LINE TO HAVE OUR PHOTO TAKEN. WOO HOO ! 

THE LUNCH ITSELF WAS GOOD, OLD FASHIONED COMFORT FOOD : MEATLOAF AND MASHED POTATOES !  THERE WERE OPTIONS OF WINE, COFFEE, TEA , AND DESSERT TOO ( TIRAMISU ) AND WE EACH RECEIVED A WEE BAG OF BUSINESS CARDS OFFERING DISCOUNTS AT THE VARIOUS ASSOCIATED STORES. 

THE FASHION SHOW IS ALWAYS FUN AND THE MODELS ARE JUST LOCAL FOLKS- SOME T.V. OR RADIO CELEBRITIES- BUT MOSTLY JUST REGULAR VOLUNTEERS.

 MY FAVOURITE THIS YEAR WAS A FAMILY OF A DAD AND HIS SMALL BOYS.  THE ( 5?) YEAR OLD STARTED OFF VERY STILL AND NERVOUS LOOKING BUT WHEN HE GOT A GRAND CHEER ON THE CATWALK HE BECAME MORE AND MORE ANIMATED AS THE SHOW CONTINUED. BY THE END HE WAS DANCING TO THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC WITH ARMS OUTSTRETCHED …JUST SOAKING UP THE LOVE …HA HA.

ARTHUR MURRAY DANCE STUDIO OFFERED A LOVELY LITTLE DANCE SHOW AT THE HALF WAY POINT TOO.

AFTER OUR LUNCHEON WE ALL HEADED DOWNSTAIRS ( THE ESCALATORS WEREN’T WORKING …UGH!) FOR THE FESTIVAL OF TREES ITSELF. 

BEAUTIFUL AS ALWAYS WITH TOO MUCH TO TAKE IN ( FROM THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE ENTRIES TO THE KIDS’ SHOP , CANDY SHOP  TO MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AND MUCH MUCH MORE) WE WALKED AROUND AND ENJOYED IT ALL. 

IT’S A WELL RUN EVENT FOR A GOOD CAUSE.  I’M GLAD I COULD ATTEND ONCE AGAIN WITH GOOD FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT MY SIDE.