End of Summer

  As island kids are sitting back in class, I hope they are looking back on their summer memories with fondness as we are.  We had quite a busy summer at Fleur de Lys and TC Millwork.  In June the millshop moved into a brand new space, a bright and lofty building we made our own with Caribbean classic louvered windows and giant mahogany doors.   In July the villa welcomed a large British family, long time dear friends of island neighbors, who enjoyed a splendid four weeks on holiday.  One of their two young boys learned to swim during their stay so many hours were spent both in the pool, and in the ocean, splashing about with his new skill.  Snorkel masks and fins were soon added to the new swimmer and a whole new world of fish and sea creature wonderment was opened.  There was curiosity on land as well.  This incredibly vibrant lizard paid a brief villa visit, just long enough for the family to take several fantastic photos.

Image courtesy of N.G.

In August we had the pleasure of having a group of ladies from Colorado and Oklahoma stay at the villa.  This fun, all-girl group was up for anything.  Their to do list included home made breakfasts, snorkeling within Princess Alexandra National Park, stylish dinners out, and the infamous glow worm cruise!  Here they are in action at the O'Soleil restaurant at the Somerset and enjoying the glow worm cruise under a full moon.

Images courtesy of Tammy Millington

" . . . our stay at your gorgeous villa. It was the perfect spot for us to relax - I hope to return someday!"

-Patti

We hope to have you return again too, thank you for your stay ladies!

Summer Bash at the Youth Center

All images by PepperKeyStacie

Last Saturday the Edward C. Gartland Youth Center hosted their Summer Bash celebration.  The kids are due back to school this week so this was a great time for the kids to have some fun before it's back to the books.  As you can read from the posters above, there were loads of activities for the kids to participate in.  I had the great fortune of asssisting with the Limbo contest and was I ever impressed, especially with our three top finalists. 

From top to bottom left to right:
Basketball competition, jamming to the tunes of the dj, Director Nikita giving a helping hand to her daughter under the limbo, preparing for the talent competition, volunteer Taylor Drotman and one of the star limboers getting his strategy down, and the Bean Bag Toss with director Roxann looking on.

  The ECGYC is always looking for volunteers, if you have some spare time to teach a class, monitor the computer lab, tutor, or have ideas of your on how you can help, please contact here.

Au Revoir Caicos Cafe

Image courtesy of Where When How

  Today will be the final day to experience one of the flagships of Providenciales dining.  Restaurateur couple Daphne and Pierik Marizou end their over decade long legacy of serving fine French and Caribbean cuisine.  Caicos Cafe will be greatly missed by residents and travelers alike.  I am certain I speak for Turks and Caicos when I express our sincerest gratitude to the Marizou family for so many wonderful meals and memories. 

Image courtesy of Justine Marizou on Facebook

Elegant Wedding

Image courtesy of Phototerra

Spending time in Quebec every year we often meet Canadians who love the Caribbean, and with so many Canadians living on the island it furthers the fact that Turks and Caicos is an ideal location for Canadians to visit, whether it be for a week or a lifetime.  We decided it was high time we share  Fleur de Lys with the wedding community in Canada and were honored that the gorgeous publication, Elegant Wedding was interested in featuring our story on their blog. 

For Canadian couples wishing to host their wedding in paradise but who may have reservations about choosing a destination location, set your minds at ease.  With West Jet's direct flights from Toronto, getting here is a breeze.  Prefer to fly from Montreal?  Delta has a great deal on tickets with one easy layover in Atlanta.  Although the country is a British territory,  they use American currency, so now is a perfect time to get great value on your vacation dollar and you can even convert your cash at home.  

Old Home Days

All images by PepperKey Stacie

On a road trip through New Brunswick, not long after traveling east across the province to the coast passing fewer than a half dozen cars in three hours, we suddenly hit traffic.  Bumber to bumper cars, some of them decorated in parade style, all of them full of cheerful people who were in celebration mode.  Rows and rows of colorful flags draped across the small town two lane highway, repeated every few hundred yards.   As our road trip came to a slow crawl we had ample opportunity to look around; most of the houses lining the road were adorned with the same strands of colorful flags, the kind that you often hang to draw attention to an open house.  As we inched closer to what I later discovered was the town of Tabusintac, many of the houses boasted family reunion signs and crowds of people picnicing on the front lawns.  Several people were perched on their front porches, or reclining in their lawn chairs, waving at all the traffic go by.  Were we somehow mixed into the parade?  What exactly was going on?  The entire town was having a family reunion?  We passed what looked to be a fairgound with tents set up, old cars parked in the front, and a big sign reading "Old Home Days."  I so wanted to be part of the fun; maybe we should stop and pretend we are long lost cousins? 
  After googling the phrase I desperately regret not stopping.  Check out the schedule!  Country market, salmon supper, quilt show, Durty Nelly Dance, antique car show, Thirsty Rangers Welcome Home, corn boil, pancake breakfast, Wheel of Farmer, Mackerel Fishing Derby, Old Fashioned Kitchen Party, Genealogy Fair, and a raft race.  I could have stayed the whole week!  On Family Day alone I could have had a delightful day of pony rides, pie eating, tug of war, visiting the petting zoo, shopping at the craft sale, then taking a spin on a wagon.  Every little town needs an "Old Home Days."

Images of New Brunswick

Holiday in Quebec

  Pepper & Pikey has been M.I.A. due to a holiday in Quebec.  We spent time with our families, took a few road trips, ate fresh produce and home cooked meals daily, and enjoyed refreshingly cool Canadian nights.  A few highlights of our trip included Quebec City, the capital of Quebec, one of the oldest cities in North America.  Quebec comes from the Algonquin word Kebec for "where the river narrows."  It's first fort was erected in 1535 and the cities fortified walls, built some time after, were declared a World Heritage Sight in 1985.  We happened to make it to the lively old city twice, the second visit during the New France Festival. 

All images by PepperKey Stacie

Another highlight was discovering the Circuit du Paysan.  This is a road tripper's dream route; every stop there's something delightful to eat, drink, see, or experience.  The gourmet stops include bakeries, cheese makers, fruit and vegetable farms, breweries, delicatessens, cideries, wine vineyards, and apple orchards.  For the culture cravers there are craftsmen and artisan workshops, galleries, and boutiques, antique stores, and marked historical buildings and churches dotted on nearly every road.  For the active road tripper there are national parks and hiking trails as well.  One could spend a week discovering all the many attractions, unfortunately we only had a day so we chose wisely and look forward to revisiting again. 

Le Lavandou

Charcuterie Frick Inc.

Les Tresors de L'ile

Les Fraises Louis Hebert

Paint it Pink

All photos courtesy Graham Warner

Long before we built Fleur de Lys Villa, we lived in a cozy little beach side rental in Thompson's Cove.  The rustic property consisted of a two story duplex and a much larger main house with traditional Caribbean wrap around porches.  We inhabited the upstairs studio when new tenants moved into the main house.  Graham and Dionne Warner were a friendly couple from Saskatchewan who quickly invited us over for dinner.  Over that meal we got to know our new neighbors and had lots of laughs thanks to their fantastic humor. We listened intently as Graham shared their love story and talked about how useful knowing the 5 love languages is in any relationship.  When we heard Dionne's story, a touching account of surviving breast, brain, and liver cancers, clearly it was a miracle to be sitting next to this woman.   Dionne is a shining example of when life throws you lemons, you make lemonade.  Through her every adversity she puts on a smile.  Late last year we received the disheartening news that Dionne had yet another battle with cancer to win, not only did she put that beautiful smile back on, she once again put glowing smiles on everyone around her. 

Dionne bringing the warmth of Turks and Caicos to her hospital

Hospitals are not well known for being "fun" places to go.  In fact, most people dread walking through hospital doors even when entering as a visitor versus a patient. Dionne and Graham decided they were going to make it fun and cheerful to go for chemotherapy and testing, and make it a good time for everyone else too; doctors, nurses, friends, family, other patients, innocent bystanders:)  Graham has been sharing e-mails since late last year, documenting their creative and catchy themes and Dionne's progress. 

Dionne in her "Ho, ho, ho" suit last December and with her father bringing their Jamaican heritage to the theme party

I personally loved the Mexico theme in honor of their personal chef Mariana

One June 11th Dionne walked in the Canadian Cancer's Relay for Life, where hundreds of supporters showed up to support other survivors, current fighters, and those that were honored in memory.

Dionne and Graham were able to make a trip to Provo for Easter so Dionne could fulfill her wishes to have sand beneath her toes and sunshine on her face.  Pictured here with fellow island buddies, I mean bunnies!

Dionne has been a huge inspiration to me and probably anyone who meets her.  She tirelessly crusades for cancer causes, only resting when her treatments literally knock her out like in the above photo.  Please join Dionne's "angel network" and help her fight this nasty opponent called cancer.  This week is paint it pink canada week, calling on everyone to think pink today and enter Avon's make, create, or do something in pink  contest.

I rallied my art students at the ECG Youth Center to create a special statement in pink to honor Dionne and her words to live and fight cancer by; DETERMINATION, LOVE, COURAGE, FAITH, HAPPINESS, HOPE, and STRENGTH.  Keep fighting the good fight Dionne!