Last weekend I hit a major milestone birthday – well, according to our government that is! I turned 65, which is the traditional “age of retirement” still, here in Canada.
Woohoo! I can look forward to my Old Age Security cheque every month now, starting in August. It’s not near enough for a person to actually live on, but it will be something for those of us who no longer garner a paycheque. When I retired from my career officially at age 60, I opted to take my Canada Pension Plan (a benefit available to all Canadians who have paid into the plan during their working lives) early because of a few good reasons – the main one being that my early CPP plus my existing survivor benefit (for being a widow of a working Canadian) meant I was pretty close to my maximum payout already, so why not?! And I have not regretted for one minute my decision to retire early!
My daughter had made plans to treat me to High Tea at the Empress, in Victoria, on my actual birthdate so I had a girly splurge at the local mall the day before – purchasing a new silk top, a new lipstick at the MAC counter, and some new jewellery. Happy birthday to ME, LOL!
Because the hotel knew it was my birthday, I was given some very special gifts including a sachet of their Empress blend tea (to take home), a delicious glass of bubbly, AND a pot of very premium tea – all on the house! The tea (regularly $18 a pot, on top of the cost of the High Tea itself) was absolutely wonderful – beautifully fragrant and a delight on the tongue – so of course I headed to the Fairmont Store right afterwards to source some to take home. Imagine my shock when I found out it was $99 for 2 ounces of Madame Butterfly!
Luckily (?) I can get over a shock quite quickly and easily 😉 so in the true spirit of YOLO: YES – I bought the damn tea! I reasoned it was the equivalent of buying a very fine bottle of wine or spirits, so out came the credit card. I also purchased the other blend we selected for our high tea – Lady Londonderry (at $18.95, a veritable steal…).
As if I wasn’t spoiled enough already, my good friend and fellow blogger Donna wanted to treat me to a day at Butchart Gardens including THEIR high tea! Who am I to say no to two high teas only 3 days apart?!
After that delicious meal, Donna and I valiantly tried to walk some of it off around the gardens.
In comparing the two teas, they were equivalent in terms of quality of ingredients in my opinion. The Butchart Gardens tea tray seemed to give you more in terms of quantity as well as cost – the Empress high tea cost was almost double per person – but in the wise words of our waiter, Shane: Yes, but you had to pay to get into the Gardens in order to eat here…
The Empress provides a different sort of ambience – including a piano player tinkling away throughout our tea, and a gorgeous view of the Victoria Harbour and Parliament buildings…as well as the history of that grand hotel itself. Meanwhile the Gardens provided spectacular vistas and blooms everywhere you looked while enjoying their tea and later walking their paths. I couldn’t choose just one over the other, and luckily I didn’t have to!
If you are ever on the island (and celebrating a special occasion…or not!), I can highly recommend either of these venues. After all, YOLO!!!
And if you can’t find anyone to treat you, there’s always this wisdom from the Parks and Rec crew:
Rock on,
The WB
Happy Birthday to a very dear friend. I was honoured to be able to celebrate with you. What better way to celebrate than High Tea and a walk through a beautiful garden with an even more beautiful friend! <3
Thank you very much, Donna 💕 You made it a very special day for me, indeed!
Now that looks like an absolutely perfect way to celebrate a birthday. High teas, shopping, a dear friend and gardens.
Jealous over those fabulous teas!
😊
They sure were fabulous! Thanks, Rivergirl 💕
Congratulations and Happy Birthday 🎉🎁🎂
Thank you very much, Sheree 💕
Two perfect places to celebrate a special occasion. Happy birthday, Deb!
Thank you very much, Jane 💕
Happy Birthday! 💐🎂 What wonderful celebrations.
Thank you very much, Bobi 💕
I am so jealous of your high tea selections and, of course, of the experiences. I’m glad you bought the $99 tea. You only turn 65 once and it really is a special birthday when those retirement checks start coming. After looking it up online and seeing how it’s grown just three weeks per year high in the Fujian Mountains of China, I can see why it’s pricey. Did find a deal where you can get it for $79 if you subscribe which I won’t be doing. I’m not much of a tea drinker. It’s kind of how I know when I’m sick—when I crave it–or just need some a comforting reminder of my mom.
I’m really glad I overcame my “sticker shock” and bought the tea too. For the reasons you mentioned! I never thought to look it up online, huh! Thank you, Jean 💕
Happy Birthday and what a wonderful way to celebrate!
Thank you very much, Barbara 💕
Happy, happy birthday! Congratulations on the pension check. My husband refers to his Canadian pension as “beer money.” Tea money sounds more like it!
“Tea money” – I like the sound of that! 😁 Thank you very much, Tracey 💕
You look wonderful and the food looks amazing but you forgot to include at least one picture of Bowser!
Hehehe! There will be plenty of Bowser coming your way in tomorrow’s post, never fear 😉. Thank you very much, Karen 💕
Wonderful celebrations for a special occasion. Happy birthday, Deb!
Thank you very much, Natalie 💕
Happy Birthday, and glad you enjoyed that teas! Now that you mentioned it, you’re almost the same age as my Dad right now.
Cool! I hope your dad feels as good as I do, at this age! Thank you very much, Monch 💕
Welcome, Deb! 😊 He sure does, actually — while he’s not yet retired, I noticed that he hit the brakes when it comes to his law practice.
Happy Birthday!! I’m glad you spoiled yourself at the mall and during both high teas! Each one looks lovely in their own way 🎉😍
They were, indeed! Thank you very much, Sharon 💕
Good for you for treating yourself to the tea. I’m not so sure I’d be sharing it at bookclub at that price. Just sayin’. Draw a bath, light some candles, play some nice background music and sip away… Happy Birthday. Sixty-five looks very good on you.
Hehehe! You make a good point, Suzanne. However, now my book club knows about the tea so I can’t renege 🤣. Thank you very much 💕
Happy birthday! It sounds wonderful!
Thank you very much, Kate 💕 It was.
What absolutely stellar celebrations you had! Both high teas look interesting, but alas, I don’t drink tea, but it turns out that would save me a bucket of money!
Right?! Who knew tea could be that rare and expensive??? 🤣 Thanks, Bernie 💕
I had zero idea!
Many happies Deb! I love an afternoon tea, and birthdays are best celebrated that way in my (clearly not so humble) opinion 🙂 So glad you decided to indulge yourself with some extra special tea. I rarely drink these days (although a glass of bubbly will generally tempt me) so I also splurge on good tea instead.
I am rarely drinking these days too (and my upcoming WOYP post will be talking about alcohol-free alternatives I am loving!). Thank you very much, Debs 💕
What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday! Those gardens are absolutely stunning. Happy birthday! 😘❤️
Happy Birthday! Your afternoon tea looks perfect. The gardens, lovely, too.
Thank you, Ally 💕 It was a very fine birthday 😁.
Happy belated birthday my dear friend! I LOVE that you were doubly celebrated—it was much deserved. The High Tea at both places looks so fun and of course, with the best company.
I agree with you: the splurge on the Tea is like buying a fine bottle of wine, but without any of the bad stuff. (alcohol) So why not enjoy it?
The gardens are lovely, and SO are you! Cheers to your sixty fifth year. XOXO
Thank you very much, Suz 💕
Happy belated! I’d say you were treated royally on both occasions! – Marty
Thank you, Marty 💕Agreed!
Gigantic wishes for your (what I hope is) continuing celebration 💕❣️
Thank you very much, Del 💕 Everyday should be a celebration of life, she says but sometimes forgets to do 😉.
Hi Deb – I saw this a while ago … and eventually realised I needed to/must comment (and not drool!) – how lucky having a birthday in August … and then getting two tea treats -they both look very tempting. That birthday top looks gorgeous, as too the necklace – then the tea goodies … lucky book club to enjoy anon. Butchart Gardens – a great place to spend some time …and wander around slowly working tea off! It’s a gorgeous place to visit … I have happy memories of visits there. Delightful to see your gorgeous daughter and then to see you with Donna … great choices – and that table overlooking the private garden. Cheers Hilary