Innholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2025 i Victoria

There is something inherently magical about a summer idyll. Whether respite is found on sun-drenched shores or in the pages of a cherished volume, there is sublime serenity in the gentle unfolding of quiet moments. This sentiment is poignantly expressed by Anne Shirley in Anne of Avonlea: “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.” The Anne of Green Gables series by authorLucy Maud Montgomery inspires several features in our July/August issue. Sample fruit-filled recipesplucked from the books on page 35, savor the vast offerings of Prince Edward Island on pages 23 and 61, and survey romantic fashions inspired by…

Decorative black wrought iron gates stand between the pair of carved stone pillars framing the final approach to Highclere Castle. Each morning in summer, the gates are unlocked, and one of them is pinned back to welcome our visitors. July and August are the main general admission months. This is holiday time and, hopefully, despite being England, there may even be some sunshine. The drive stretching out in front is the perfect width for a carriage and horses, and the approach is carefully angled so that perspectives of the façade are enhanced, making for a more interesting arrival story. This is a contrast to the traditional, direct approach to the front of a stately home that feels more formal. Highclere is not one of those houses with a tall imposing…

An estate brimming with history and heart, Highclere Castle is by no means a static place. Rather, this monument nestled in the English countryside is thriving and vibrant, both with regular visits to tour the castle itself and a wide range of unique experiences on its welcoming grounds. This year, the main attraction is A Weekend to Remember, a reenactment event hosted in early September to honor the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War II. Those in attendance can expect to come across visages of living history, adorned in period costume and replicating stories of the past. Live music and swing dancing, as well as croquet and other lawn games, offer amusement for families, while those fascinated by details of the past may find their interest piqued by…

A quilt is more than a mere bedcovering. It is a painting made from fabric, a carefully woven story, a memory of a celebratory occasion or of the hands who lovingly gave it form. Though it might not last forever, one of these textile treasures may be cherished in so many ways: neatly folded and placed in an antique cupboard, invitingly draped across a cottage bed, or even proudly hung on a wall to display its glory to full effect. In the past, these textiles were made due to necessity more than as art, with scraps of whatever fabric was on hand being turned into a functional covering for warmth. Today, when cozy throws are affordable and readily available, quilting has become a pastime that is primarily practiced by those…

We left behind the hop fields, apple orchards, and scorching high-desert heat of eastern Washington State, as my grandparents’ Class C motor home rattled westward toward the Pacific Ocean. To pass the time, my younger brother and I alternated between playing games of Go Fish at the tiny table and clambering up to the bed above the cab to watch our serpentine journey progress through the evergreens of White Pass. “We all knew my grandparents liked to travel … but we hadn’t fully known just how far ‘the road’ had extended.” How much longer would it take before we reached that magical place of sand and seagulls? We couldn’t wait to play with those plastic buckets and unopened kites locked away in the outside storage compartments of the RV. We…

Visit our website to read this issue’s online stories and to find more of the content you love. Take a closer look at some of our favorite July/August features: Postcards from PEI Discover the vast and varied charms of Prince Edward Island, a maritime province of Canada that was once home to author Lucy Maud Montgomery. A Taste of Avonlea Turning to perennially popular series Anne of Green Gables, we present a delectable collection of raspberry recipes certain to tempt Anne Shirley. Summer Reading Peruse our to-be-read stack for new releases and familiar favorites from esteemed contributors to the magazine, alongside beloved titles from the library of Victoria. Patchwork of Thoughts Among our curated selection of quotations, find sentimental reflections on quilting, a timeless and treasured artform comprising stitches of…

As the sun’s golden rays crest the northern edge of Alabama, Mark Ardin pauses on the front porch of Little Elk Cottage, steaming cup of coffee in hand. A century ago, the morning’s stillness might have been interrupted by several short blasts of a train’s whistle announcing its departure from a nearby depot. Today, all is quiet, allowing Mark time to soak in the historic charm of the restful retreat. Established in 1922, the quaint domicile—with its distinctive pyramidal-style roof—originally sheltered employees of a railway line connecting the small community of Capshaw, Alabama, to Fayetteville, Tennessee. “It cost $1,200 to build,” says Leslie Chittam, who along with Mark, operates Hartlex Antique Gallery in Huntsville. “My great-great-grandfather had a lumber company, and I have the receipts from when the house was…

Although I adore preparing food for friends and family, and do so often, my signature dish is not fancy or labor-intensive. It is simply a Caesar salad. When I was young, my parents, who were also avid home chefs, set me to the task of preparing the salad dressing. They had a specific recipe, written out on a food-stained card, and I followed it religiously. Our Caesar salads were legendary. Today, I follow the same recipe, now engraved in my brain, and my three daughters have always clamored for it. Guests and extended family also rave about the simple but tasty salad we prepare. One by one, my girls are setting up their own lives and kitchens, and when they leave the nest, I present them with a copy of…

“‘THAT’S AWFULLY NICE RASPBERRY CORDIAL, ANNE,’ SHE SAID. ‘I DIDN’T KNOW RASPBERRY CORDIAL WAS SO NICE.’”—L. M. Montgomery SEE RECIPE INDEX, PAGE 89, FOR RECIPE INFORMATION.…

LADY-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 15–16: Alongside the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, The Right Honorable Countess of Carnarvon stewards the legacy of her husband’s ancestral home, Highclere Castle. An esteemed author and public speaker, The Countess of Carnarvon’s books include Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, At Home at Highclere, and The Earl and the Pharaoh. Read more of her writings at ladycarnarvon.com and explore the offerings of Highclere Castle at highclerecastle.co.uk. CHAPTERS IN THE SUN Page 19: At Home in Mitford; A Light in the Window; and These High, Green Hills by Jan Karon, amazon.com. Page 20: A Great Marriage by Frances Mayes, francesmayesbooks.com. At Home at Highclere: Entertaining at the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon, highclerecastleshop.co.uk. No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister, ericabauermeister.com. The Star That Always Stays and…