Victoria – October 01, 2019

13 Victoria October 2019

READER-TO-READER

I was fourteen when I purchased my very

fi rst Victoria magazine. As I turned each page, I was struck

with the thought, this is me. I kept every issue and totally

immersed myself in each feature, dreaming that one day I

would live in the neighborhood adjacent to my childhood

home and create a Victoria world of my very own. Last

year, I fi nally purchased a house in that area and threw

myself into renovation and decorating.

Recently, as I sat with a cup of coffee, wondering why

I had been so driven, I realized that thirty-eight years

later, I have created that Victoria world I had always

imagined, where each piece honors beloved people and

experiences. The living room walls

are the color of Great-Aunt Mary’s

home. Interiors showcase my mother’s

love of beautiful china, along with

my grandmother’s moulding and my

grandfather’s mirror.

In her absence, I still hear Mother

say, “You have the unique ability to

take things no one would dare put

together and make them look like they

were made for each other.” Well, she

was right! I think of my home as a

year-round fl ower garden, with all my

favorite pieces wrapped up and tied with a Victoria bow.

Thank you. Your magazine helped me recognize myself

in your pages and inspired me to collect the treasures

my most admired relatives and I shared a passion for. I

am still putting the fi nishing touches on my home, but it

is wonderful to have you back, continuing to entice me

with new ideas!

TRACY PARKS

Toledo, Ohio

My love of Victoria began thirty years ago.

A dear friend shared it with me, and we fell instantly in

love with the magazine. I escape with each issue and read

We are always pleased to receive letters from those who feel a kinship with

Victoria. Whether the magazine emboldens their pursuit of bliss,

encourages romantic sojourns, or reminds them of a prized heritage, readers

share special connections to our pages.

Inspired by Victoria

it from cover to cover. I may not be in Europe or have the

exquisite home and décor shown, but I love the romantic

style so much. If I could, I would live that exact way!

LENORE FROOM

Las Vegas, Nevada

I have been a Victoria subscriber from the

beginning. Each year’s issues are saved and bundled.

I recently was inspired by another reader who wrote

elegantly, describing her love of beautiful dishes, table set-

tings, Scandinavian décor, and a variety of arrangements.

It was uncanny how we loved the

same things. We connected and

have been corresponding for the

last year. It is always fun to fi nd a

new friend.

Victoria has also inspired

traveling experiences, taking us

to Victoria, Canada, for tea at

the Empress Hotel, and visiting

Paris, Tuscany, and the Christmas

Markets of Europe. Because of

your articles, I have amassed

collections of Nicholas Mosse,

Belleek, French Quimper, queensware, and Royal Doulton.

Victoria has broadened my horizons and given me three

decades of joyful reading.

BEVERLY BUCHOLTZ

Hartford, Wisconsin

I have read Victoria since the fi rst issue and

have tried many recipes in your beautifully designed

pages. In the July/August 2017 issue, I came across a

dessert almost exactly like the one my mother made

back in the 1960s when I was a teenager and we would

visit relatives. “No kids in the kitchen” was the rule at

Grandfather’s house because Mother had eight sisters-

“I“Ithinkthinkofofmymyhomehomeasasaa

year-roundyear-roundflowerflowergarden,garden,

withwithallallmymyfavoritefavorite

piecespieceswrappedwrappedupupandand

tiedtied withwithaaVictoriaVictoria bow.”bow.”

—Tracy Parks