Cheese plate? I don't think so!!
Since we first moved to Barrie, back in 2004, we were drawn to participate in the annual 'Homes for the Holidays' event, exquisitely organized by the May Court Club of Barrie. This weekend-long event usually occurs towards the end of November and features 6 homes which have been staged by local sponsors, home owners, florists, and decorators. Each year, the 'Homes for the Holidays' tour raises thousands of dollars for local charities, families, and individuals. The homes selected each year vary in size, style, and location. Patrons get to visit each home in any order, and are treated to a lovely scone baked on site, together with butter, strawberry jam, and tea or coffee. This year, the venue for the 'Tea Room' was the Lion's Gate Banquet Hall on Blake Street.
Normally, we leave the tea room experience to the end. This year, however, as we were heading back to Elliot Lake, after visiting friends and family in Southern Ontario, we went straight to the tea room, and visited the two homes in town before viewing the ones just outside of Barrie, and a little further north in Oro-Medonte.
The homes ranged from being over 100 years old, to recently built, and the decorations served well in planting the Christmas spirit firmly in our hearts as we start off our annual season of movie-watching, CD listening, and card-writing etc. We had missed last year's event, but timed our visit to coincide with this year's occasion.
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| Beauty - in town! |
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| Near Snow Valley |
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| Near Snow Valley |
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| Beautiful Farmhouse in Oro-Medonte |
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| Terrific view of Kempenfelt Bay |
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| Eco-friendly home |
So..... what's this got to do with cheese plates?
Well, as some of you may know, I have a slight hearing issue which results, not so much in being unable to hear, but in mis-hearing what is said - something to which some of my recent students may attest!!
When I went into the May Court Club store to purchase the booklets (which act as tickets), I asked if the routine was the same - that it had to be presented at the first venue. When the wonderful woman at the desk replied, I could have sworn that she said, 'You have to present a cheese plate!'
My first reaction was to think, 'That's new!'.... and I thought that maybe they were encouraging contributions so that visitors could have a nibble as well as view the interior of these beautiful homes.
In astonishment, I asked if this was just at the first venue, or whether it was for every venue, thinking that 6 cheese plates would add considerably to the cost of the event! When she repeated that it was to be presented at every venue where they would check off the box for every home, I realized my mistake. She had really said, 'You have to present (the ticket) at EACH PLACE!' Now, maybe you can't hear the similarity between 'each place' and 'cheese plate', but when you have a hearing issue where the consonants can be confused, you can see clearly how the misunderstanding could have occurred!!
It was with relish that I shared my error with the two women in the store and we all saw the funny side of it and enjoyed the moment of humour. You can imagine my joy when I realized that I had a new funny story to share!!
I can thoroughly recommend this annual house tour. It is extremely well-organized, and the volunteers are exceptional in their desire to furnish information about the homes, as well as outstanding in making each person feel important and looked after.
If you have never been to this event, watch out for it next year. We will, for sure - with or without cheese plates!
Courtesy of: http://www.cheeseplate.org/cheese-plate-design/
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