Thanksgiving: Celebrating life's milestones

On (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend, our son Etienne and his sweetheart Tash became engaged, to everyone's delight.

Etienne planned the moment carefully, choosing to propose at her mother's country house. 

He prepared a thermos of hot chocolate, invited Tash for a walk, led her to the end of the dock, and asked the classic question-with-a-ring. 

He chose a vintage Art Deco three-stone sapphire:



We met for a shopping expedition a week before; associate Francine and owner Jeff of Daisy Antiques in Montréal had an enchanting collection. His budget went much farther, and buying vintage reflected the couple's values.



Toward evening, revelers blew conch shells, a family tradition, as the sun dropped toward the lake and magnificent fall colours blazed behind them.

Etienne's brother Jules, a butcher, made the boar-and-pork charcuterie served for hors d'oeuvre.

He's also a pro oyster shucker, so shucked Choice Harbour oysters with Tash's youngest brother, while wearing what Canadians call "The Kenora Dinner Jacket", double flannel plaid, Blue Jays cap optional.


The engagement was not the only celebration. Tash's middle brother blew out his birthday candles and her niece, four months, made her first visit to the country, with her mother:


Sapphires are pretty; babies are precious!


 




Comments

Susan said…
Congratulations to your son and best wishes to the lovely bride to be. What a wonderful Thanksgiving to celebrate!
Tash said…
Awwww, what a fantastic weekend!! Thank you, my wonderful mother-in-law-to-be :) xo
Kristien62 said…
Such a lot to celebrate and be thankful for, Duchesse! My youngest son also became engaged three weeks ago with a wedding planned for next October. And I was convinced that he would hold out forever! He is engaged to a lovely Toronto lass and we are thrilled. Aren't we truly blessed?
materfamilias said…
What wonderful news! And what a beautiful place, warm celebration, and delightful people to announce it into. Your family is blessed with this gorgeous new bride. Congratulations to your son!
Madame Là-bas said…
Congratulations to your son and his lovely fiancée. What a marvellousThanksgiving.
Your thanksgiving sounds just perfect.
The food looks amazing and how exciting that your son proposed with that gorgeous vintage ring.
Congratulations!
Lorrie said…
Congratulations to Etienne and Tash. So many wonderful things to celebrate on Thanksgiving!
Anonymous said…
This all makes me a little teary, I must admit, as I suspect we may be hearing similar news in the near future. There is something about the sight of our young adults taking that step that is so touchingly beautiful. Ah, family happiness!

C.
LPC said…
Congratulations! So exciting! Beautiful couple, wonderful news.
Félicitations à Étienne et Tash, et à vous tous.

Enjoy this utterly splendid day! 24° and sunny!!!
Mardel said…
Congratulations to the lovely couple! And what a beautiful weekend it appears to have been.
Leslie said…
Love the engagement ring! Excellent choice for the beautiful bride-to-be.
Francie Newcomb said…
Congratulations, this is such happy news!
What a beautiful family.
Francie
Anonymous said…
Congratualtions! A beautiful wonderful family holiday...
Cathy W
frugalscholar said…
They look so happy! (Great ring too)
KSL said…
Congratulations. I love the ring, beautiful choice. They're a great looking couple and since I love plaid, I can see I'll be wearing the Kenora Dinner Jacket ensemble often!
Dr. V.O. said…
Congratulations to Etienne dear Duchesse, and many warm wishes to your new family member Tash -- so lovely and talented! What a lovely and memorable event, and I love the vintage ring -- chic and ecologically considerate.

I just bought a plaid shirt for fall, having not worn plaid since I was 5 years old this is quite a change of pace. Love the Kenora dinner jacket, kind of like our Texas tuxedo...
Anonymous said…
Lovely post!!
Eleanorjane said…
Awww... so sweet! Best of luck to the happy couple. Sounds like a lovely family celebration all 'round.

A pretty ring your son chose, too!
Unknown said…
Thrilled that my daughter Tash is engaged to be married with Etienne; this will make the MILs legally bound too ;-)
Seriously, it really was a memorable Thanksgiving!
Unknown said…
What a beautiful ring, and what a lovely family! Such an evocative post. The sapphires to match the couple's eyes. The double flannel!
Unknown said…
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