ALA PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES

Okay.....Catey got jipped. That is the only way to put it. She is a great kid and very special to us......but she definitely got JIPPED!

We are big on tradition in our house. We have several traditions that are unique to the us. Turning 13 is a celebration that is a rite of passage for our girls. It includes tea and then a hop over to the mall to get their ears pierced.

I sure am glad that we had such a phenomenal 16th birthday celebration for Catey at the very posh Melting Pot in Colorado Springs, because after Jocelyn's birthday celebration today.....I realize that Catey got totally jipped on her 13th.

We had just moved to Colorado a couple of months before Catey turned 13. After a search of places to have tea, which, by the way, Colorado Springs is sorely, sorely lacking, I found Glen Eyrie. Glen Eyrie is an astounding castle situated on some of the most fabulous real estate in the state of Colorado. The house and the grounds are owned by the Navigators and they run lovely tours and even a bed an breakfast in the castle. Their tea offering, however, is a bit sad. They have plain tables, with boring, plain, white table cloths, and plain banquet chairs, with waitresses who pour your tea and move on to the next table. Glen Eyrie is lovely, and the people are courteous, but the tea time is nothing special.

Today, Joss and I drove ALL THE WAY out to Canon City. I know, I know.....an hour and a half for.....Canon City?? Actually, we went for a magic show. We didn't know it was a magic show when I made reservations at The Canon City Queen Anne....but that is exactly what it was!

When I think of some of the most beautiful cities in Colorado, Canon City is not at the top of the list. As a matter of fact, before today, Canon City only rated a drive through town on the way home from Dolores. And, while it is WAY prettier than, say, Gallop, New Mexico....it just never really caught my eye before.

All that changed today, when we pulled into the Historic District of Canon City to have tea at the Canon City Queen Anne.

The streets surrounding the Queen Anne have some stunning houses. Not houses, really.....mansions. Like at Disneyland! BIG mansions with lovely columns, and stone lions and St. Francis statues and fountains. On every corner, there is a beautiful stone church. The flower gardens are lovely and even the weather vanes are pretty. But none of that is the greatest treasure in Canon City.


I found the Canon City Queen Anne online. It looked like the perfect place to have tea. But the magic that happens once you step inside the Queen is what I hadn't counted on!

The home and tea business are owned by Al and Linda Ballard. You will not meet more gracious hosts. They truly seemed delighted to have us in their parlor. They were especially attentive to Jocelyn, knowing it was her birthday. They gave us a charming table by the window where we could look at the rest of the alluring Historic District while we enjoyed our tea. All the rooms have a little different theme. We were in the front parlor with lace table cloths, Queen Anne couches and chairs and a fabulous fireplace. We were next to the Tuscany Room and just down the hall from a gorgeous dining room and country tea room. Can I just tell you that I even loved the bathrooms at the Queen Anne?! The tea, an amazing Butterscotch Toffee, was so delicious. The scones were ABSOLUTELY scrumptious. Every other delicacy they served us just got better and better! It was wonderful! In fact, the ONLY thing Jocelyn and I thought would be a nice addition was a harpist for the holidays (and Joss is ready for the job!!).

As good as the tea was....the true magic of the Canon City Queen Anne, lies in its owners, Al and Linda (read their story here). They are hosts who take the art of service to a new level. They were warm and friendly, making sure that we were well satisfied. They would come by and chat with inviting smiles and caring hearts. Voila! They made us feel like REAL princesses.

I know the drive may seem long.....but everything, everything, EVERYTHING, about the Canon City Queen Anne is worth it! Most of all, the Ballards!

After our pampering at tea, Jocelyn and I headed back to the Springs. We hit the mall and headed over to get Joss' ears pierced. Catey was not sure she wanted her ears pierced way back when. She came around just before her 13th birthday. Jocelyn, on the other hand, has been buying and stockpiling earrings for herself for MONTHS now! She was eager to head in. The Ear Lady was such a pro, that she pierced Jocelyn's first ear without either me or Joss being ready!! Joss hardly even knew what she did.....and I missed the photo op! The next time, I made her slow down so I could get pictures! And now Baby #2 has sweet daisy earrings in her ears and is a big girl. Ta Da!

So the last magic act today, is a hard one for me to swallow. It is a vanishing act. Somewhere, my peanut.....my little 6 lb, 3 oz. girl who would sit on my lap until she couldn't make herself fit anymore.....disappeared. In her place is a fabulous, hip and happening teenager! A beautiful, artistic, musical and precious young woman.

Abra Cadabra............

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com