The Mennonite Girls had a very busy Saturday with 6 Canadians traveling across the border from Canada to the U.S.A. Saturday morning. 6 Canadians plus 1 American traveling across the line to Canada Saturday afternoon and 1 American traveling back to the U.S.A. Saturday evening. Did you follow that?
First stop was at the Bellingham, Washington Barnes and Noble store. I drove north from the Seattle area to join my Canadian friends who traveled south across the border. It was a nice relaxed time of signing books and talking to old friends and new friends. One of our bloggy friends who we had never met face to face, Debora from(Whatsovever Things Are Lovely), stopped by and we had a great time chatting about blogs and adventures we’d like to have in the future. A dear friend of mine from our former church who lives in the Bellingham area stopped by to have her book signed. Such a fun surprise to see her. Kathy had 2 elderly relatives stop by. They were so sweet and it was so much fun listening to them.
Debora is standing with me behind the girls. In the lower photos in the mosaic are Kathy’s relatives and my friend Cindy.
After our time at Barnes and Noble we decided to stop at the Olive Garden in Bellingham and have some lunch before we all headed across the border to Canada. We had the all you can eat soup and salad. What a great deal for a good meal. Next stop Ten Thousand Villages in Vancouver, Canada.
This and the next mosaic are a combination of both of our book signing stops. The employees at both venues were wonderful. The new friends we met that have enjoyed cooking the recipes in our book were very encouraging. We were blessed to hear stories of courage and success in coming to a new country and thriving. We also heard of goals in the future that were an inspiration.
In this mosaic the top photo is from Ten Thousand Villages on Commercial in Vancouver and the bottom two are from Barnes and Noble in Bellingham.
While we were busy out here in the West our two Prairie Girls were signing books at the Henderson Ten Thousand Villages.
It was a full wonderful day of fun and fellowship.
The girls dropped me off at my car in Canada at a little after 7 P.M. I headed for the border and had one of my best border crossings ever. I stopped at the booth and handed the U.S. Border Agent my passport. He asked me the typical questions. When he asked me why I was in Canada I said I was at a book signing at Ten Thousand Villages. He asked me if I was an author. I told him I was one of 10. He asked me what the name of the book was. I told him Mennonite Girls Can Cook. He smiled real big and said, my wife follows you girls and has made a lot of good stuff. He then patted his Kevlar vest and said he’s put on some weight. I smiled and said, me, too. Ha! He said wait until I tell my wife…
I’m joining with Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
I am continuing to have a problem posting comments on some blogger blogs. I’ve been working down the line on Mosaic Monday links and there are several that will not accept my comments. If you don’t see a comment from ellen b. that is probably why…so sorry.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
You appear to have had a wonderful day! Good for you! Now have a wonderful week!
This is fun! I knew that the the border officers will ask so many questions, not withstanding the long lines.
Congratulations to your book!
WONDERFUL!!!!
Isn’t that just great about the guard and his wife knowing your book! Such a fun story. I love it that you girls wear your aprons to the signings. They are so cute, and you, too, in them.
We don’t have a TTV here in Portland, but we sure have Barnes and Nobles.
What a fun day it was! I love your border crossing story for a happy ending.
I hope my comment won’t end up in your spam. .as it seems to be doing in some blogs. 🙂
We just love you Ellen. You are such a great friend and team mate. Thanks so much for coming all the way up to Canada. It is great to think we can do that across the borders ..and such friendly ones at that.
That was fun to read, Ellen – what a day you had! I love the humanity of the border guard!
that is soo awesome!!
Now, I’m ANXIOUSLY awaiting your ( all of your) arrival in Dallas!!! Come on! I want a signed book!!
🙂
Great post. What a great weekend you had. I follow too and try the recipes. All look good to me. V
Oh that encounter with the border crossing guard made me grin. You gals are definitely getting famous! And how helpful it will be with such crossings, too.
Another great post with lots of wonderful photos. Yes, it was very easy to follow!
Another day of enjoying friendships and it’s always wonderful when people thank us for our work, but the biggest blessing is when they share life and inspire us through their contributions to life also. I loved your border experience.
YAY! A book signing in your home country! What a great day!
Ellen it was so mcuh fun to meet up with you in this way and spend the day together. What a blessing! I really appreciate you!
You really had a full day! Glad things went well and that you enjoyed your friends. Great story about the border crossing guard! 🙂
It would be fun if you came my way for a book signing! :v)
This is awesome, Ellen! I love that little celebrity snippet at the end of your post – just how cool is that?
It was so nice to finally meet you and the other ladies in person. Glad you had a fun day, even if it was very long. This fix for your blogger comment problem may be too simple, but I’ve found that if, when I sign in to my blog, and I check the remember me box, I can’t leave comments on other blogs. So if you do have that box checked, try un-checking it.
Congrats on your book tour, Ellen. It sounds like in addition to being “famous” with border guards you all get along well. I have put your book on my Christmas wish list. Although I am impatient so will probably buy it before then! I hope this week you have a nice time of recuperation from your touring.
Love you girls in the aprons!! God’s blessing on you all and this wonderful project!
Oh Ellen B, it looks like you are on the adventure of a life time. How fun for you all traveling about. Hope your drives are safe and filled with laughter.
xoxo cori g.
I’ve enjoyed seeing your photos of the two book signings, Ellen. It looks like you all had a nice time both sides of the border.
I’ve also had trouble leaving comments on a few blogs. I think because they changed or updated their blog editor and there is a conflict.