Live To Tell.
In the words of Madonna in “Live To Tell”… “I have a tale to tell…”
This is my favorite Madonna song and it somehow even surpassed my “Like a Virgin” karaoke obsession of my college years. You see, these tales I have to tell? They always get out eventually, and if they haven’t, they will. I love this song because of that time I went to Canada when I was 16 while I was suffering from situational anxiety and depression, and I beat them both back with a huge stick and I felt..superhuman. I got home from my trip, and I was never the same. I was taller and skinnier. I smiled all of the time. I started getting straight A’s. I was high on life, and nothing else, at least daily. I felt like I had a tale to tell.
I still do. I bet we all do.
The moral of the story is: Try Canada – you’ll like it.
Or rather: Try life – you’ll like it.
Three weeks ago, we went to the glorious King Richard’s Faire, and that’s where this story begins. It’s a tale of kings and queens, princess coronations, giant heads, drunken knights, fairy tales, time travel, and more. Cassidy was “The Doctor.” (10th) Scarlet was Rapunzel. Des was “The Doctor.” (11th) I was a princess. I knew I picked a great gown because Scarlet gave me a huge thumbs up. So did several knights, a jester, and a faun, and I got an approving wink or three from a saucy street performer.
King Richard knew all about “Doctor Who”, and he told us that time travel didn’t work in his realm. I begged to differ.
Our tale included pirates ships..
..and the pirate ships included sonic screwdrivers on board.
Then we waited for a special princess ceremony.
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There were interesting people to see in the meantime.
(That woman on the left looks like she’s checking out the half-hidden cow’s udder.)
Princesses.
This one came out for the princess coronation ceremony and without missing a beat, said, “Ladies, Gentlemen…Doctor.” And she did a bit of a curtsy at Cassidy’s feet. That was a big win for us sci-fi geeks everywhere. Cassidy couldn’t walk two feet without people recognizing his costume and asking to take his picture.
He volunteered to show the crowd how a prince should bow:
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(I think the queen was looking at his butt…)
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(…but trying to pretend she wasn’t. I’m onto you, Queen.)
These guys? They have no trouble getting ladies, or men.. (whatever the object/subject of their fancies)
(Castle Secrets)
(I had a million captions for this one, but kept them all to myself..)
Many good tales have battles, and people gathering to watch.
This guy was our knight in the joust. You can bet we screamed our heads off for him. He lost.
He looks like the kind of guy you’d want to invite over for dinner..and drinks. Lots of drinks.
Our tale included strange and wonderful displays of tenderness and affection, and friendship.
That cop? Real. Everyone else stayed in character. When an older man had a health issue and required a stretcher, the staff was more than professional about helping him and clearing the area so the EMTs could get him through, but they did it in character.
(I didn’t take pictures of that)
I did take pictures of the strange beasts..
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Looks are a bit deceiving. This guy scared a lot of people:
I was witness to when he finally took off his costume. He was just a kid! And his mom had made that costume. I gave her huge compliments and she was so happy.
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Scarlet went on a man-powered ride called “The Hurlinator.”
She rode with three older boys who made it their mission to spin the fastest. She did not hurl.
She was a bit dizzy, but ready to go into battle.
(She broke the sonic screwdriver on this “ride”)
Then she got to choose her very own crown. I was told not to take photos of this event. Luckily, I had already stolen three:
This is what Des thought about most of it:
All day, we searched for Snow White. We had been told she was an avid “Doctor Who” fan. When we had nearly given up, and people had steered us in various wrong directions, I caught a telltale glimpse of blue, red and gold. She was eating, on a minor break, but she saw us and without breaking character at all, shouted, “The Doctor!”
So this happened..
..and this, which was pretty special.
This happened too. I have no idea about any of it.
Before we left, Cassidy and Scarlet snuck on the stage of some royal presentation.
You know who Snow White is waving at, right?
And then our tale ended, for now. There was ice cream at the end. We were in line behind this guy.
You can be who you want to be at the faire. There’s a bit of a gray area, though..
From the ordinary to the extraordinary – we all blended together. Whether you’re in plain clothes – khaki shorts, socks with sandals, beer bellied, or whether you’re one of the staffed actors in full dress. Whether you’re a visitor in costume or a paid staff member in plain clothes – it was all there. We were all trying for a bit of an extraordinary adventure on a late summer’s day.
And you know what? I hope everyone there, and everyone everywhere, finds that bit of extraordinary adventure.
“I know where beauty lives
I’ve seen it once, I know the warm she gives
The light that you could never see
It shines inside, you can’t take that from me” — Madonna
I LOVE this!! I love renaissance/medieval/fantasy faires!! And this one looked like a great one where fun was had by all. The fact that your family is so into all of this, together…well, you don't see much of that anymore. Oh and The Doctor, well he might just have been the hit of the faire! Was your Princess costume caught on any images??
No, can you believe it? It wasn’t really a costume – just a long sundress that looked a bit medieval. I’m the worst at handing my camera over. Sigh.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!! Oh my… I feel like I have captured every single magical moment of this beautiful day with your precious family!!! I love that song too… especially those lyrics you mentioned. And some of your captions totally CRACKED me up!!! 😉
Why, thank you! I rather enjoyed the captions of what was a very “colorful” day.
Magical! But I want to see your dress!!
Oh, Nancy. Sigh. I need to wear it today and have someone take a photo of it and then I’ll Photoshop myself in there.
What fun! I haven't been to a Rennaisance Fair in ages… But that will be a really fun thing to do with my kids in a couple of years.
I hadn’t done it since high school, I think. There was a great one (still is, I bet) in Tuxedo, NY that was somewhat near my childhood home.
Wow so beautiful, great photos, all is really like a story 🙂
Thank you! That’s how I planned it!
That's so cool!!! You have the best adventures!
Thank you! We so try. It was a Groupon, but a bit of a hike!
Awesome! I would feel so out of place in regular clothes. I think I would have to be dressed up!!
I agree! There was a really nice mix so you could really blend in, no matter how you were dressed.
This looks like such a good time! I've never been to a Renaissance Festival, but I've always wanted to go to one. They look like they're amazingly fun. And I absolutely love how everyone got a kick out of Cassidy's Doctor Who costume.
I used to go to one in New York state every now and then. It was just as wacky as this one, but it’s certainly something else doing it as a mom this time.
I love that Madonna song and have always, too. And the day looked so wonderful and seriously right out of a fairy tale. One thing, I wanted to see you and your dress. I know you were the photographer here, but still was so missing you! 🙂
Sigh. I know. I may Photoshop myself in!
I love that you love that Madonna song! I think it was used in a Sharon Stone crime drama movie or something, but I still like to think it's about magic.
WOW!!! What a glorious day! Your photos are absolutely amazing! You really captured so many little moments so perfectly! I’m not at all surprised that Cassidy was such a hit. He looks like the PERFECT Doctor! Scarlet is Rapunzel come to life. I’m just impressed with all the costumes there! Fantastic!! –Lisa
Thank you! It was so serious..that you almost had to laugh at how seriously people were taking themselves. I simply loved it.
So much fun! I feel like I was there, living it through your photos. My boys LOVED all of them (especially the big headed purple guy who turned out to be a kid?) and asked to see all the pictures several times. Just amazing!
Aw, I'm so glad your boys loved the photos! The scary costume was the one below it – that was just a kid! I think the purple head was a paid staffer..one would think…
We can't get to our Renaissance fair this year, and my daughter is so bummed. I may show her this post, but it might make her even more bummed to miss it. I, however, loved going to the fair vicariously through your photos and commentary. And I have to get a pair of ears like that guy in the ice cream line!
hahaha, you made me laugh out loud. You should get them. They make a huge statement. Sorry about you missing your fair!
This reminds me of the Renaissance Festival we used to go on as a school field trip. Love all of the pics, but I wish there were some of you!! I'm sure you were turning every head in your dress!
haha..nah. I mean, there were lots of head turners that day. I forgot to mention that on the day we went, it was a cleavage contest! I sorely, sorely lost. Even if I shelled out $100 for a corset, I would have sorely lost.
Laughing, you know I'm a sista with you in the IBTC. We could have pooled our money and bought funnel cakes instead!
Which would have been a much worthier endeavor!
Incredible pictures – makes me think we need to get in gear and head over to the Renaissance Festival in Kansas City (I think we have a few weeks left!).
Ooh, yes! I used to always wonder why they're only in the fall but now I really get it. Those costumes are heavy and hot!
Oh my goodness what fun! Looks like you guys had an awesome time…and what amazing photos!!
Thank you! It was so much fun. As much fun as it looks…and maybe more.
Oh my goodness, I simply have no words for how fabulous this post is! It is fantastic! Love the photos & love the story 🙂
Thank you! I really enjoyed writing it. On a Sunday night, of course.
These are so amazing Tamara! I really like that first photo with the camera, so creative. This mystical day looked amazing. My question is: How long does it take you to put these photos on the blog?
The actual putting of photos on the blog? For something this big, a good half hour. And that’s just the copying and pasting and captioning. The actual editing of photos can take hours or days. I didn’t use all of mine – there were plenty more that didn’t make the cut.
Oh wow! Quite the adventure! Once again, AMAZING PICS. You capture so much and are able to tell the story properly. Let me know when you author a book so I can tell everyone! You are so awesome!
Thank you! I’m part of a book coming out on Amazon soon, so stay tuned! As for my own book with just me as the author…sigh…soon. Maybe when the little one starts preschool!
Looks like so much fun and Cassidy looks like he’s in his element! Wish you had a photo of you in your costume as well.
Oh, I so know it! I totally spaced on handing my camera over. I’m getting better about it lately..
This looks like so much fun! I love how everyone got into their characters and the variety of people gathering to have an adventure. I’ll bet The Doctor was wishing he had finally calibrated his sonic screwdriver for wood at one point, though. 🙂
haha! Totally true. Look at you, throwing out the great trivia.
Wow, how you manage to tell a story with your pictures amazes me… this is wonderful!!
Thank you! It's one of my favorite posts to do – storytelling with photos.
This is so adorable. When you finally got to Des I was cracking up! I kept thinking what is he doing in the midst of all of this. I love the adventure that Scarlet gets to experience through it all. Very lovely pictures. I hope my kiddies will want to experience something fun like this one day. 🙂
I'm sure they will! I can't wait until Des actually has more fun. He just needs to be more comfortable walking in public. He's a very late bloomer with that.
Love that Scarlett had on her princess costume! She looked so happy the whole time and your husband seems like such a fun dad. Glad you had an extraordinary adventure!
He is a fun dad! Sometimes I really feel like the lame one.
I think these are my favorite photo captions ever from any blog post of yours I've ever read. For you it was Canada – for me it was Israel for the summer when I was 17. I almost didn't come home. I think everyone should go to either Canada or Israel. We'd have a nation of taller skinnier kids with good grades. xo
That makes me happy! I didn't know if the captions were a bit weak at first, but they seemed to go over well with you and you're my favorite lots of things.
Power to Canada and Israel, always.
This looks like the best day ever!!! What an awesome day to remember forever! You need to get in the pictures though, girl! What a nice little plug for Canada too:) Love that place!
Oh, you know I love Canada and everyone in it! (and every food in it)
I actually really love renaissance fair(e)s. Which is so out of character of me but I think I really have always wanted to be a princess who had two knights fighting for her favor. Maybe. I’ll never tell. (LOVE that first shot!)
That sounds nice, actually! And thank you! I’m heading to your blog because I got a haircut on Saturday morning and it was pretty powerful..
OMG, how much fun!!! I wish we had something as fun as that around here. How cute was it that Des slept thru most of that? You always capture the best pictures, but the hubby shackled and the queen checking out his booty (no pun intended) was pretty funny!
haha, thanks. I loved captioning these perhaps as much as I loved taking the photos.
I would absolutely LOVE it there! Looks like so much fun!!
I think we’re going to yet another one next week. We’re nuts!
how awesome! I've been wanting to go to the ren faire here but haven't gotten there yet. this one looked like a ton of fun.
This was only my second one. The first was when we lived in Jersey and it was in Tuxedo, NY. I recommend both!
Oh what a fun adventure for all of you. Well, I suppose everyone except Des! We have a huge Renaissance fair in Maryland, but having been there once, I'm not sure it's all that kid friendly. I do love seeing all these fair pictures though…so much fun!
I can’t remember the one in NY being as kid friendly as this one, but it might have been. It wasn’t on my radar then. It rocked, though!
It's quite obvious that you all had fun with lots of adventure. The quality of your photos is amazing. It almost make me feel like I was there as well. Is there an affordable model of camera that you suggest could still produce fairly high quality images?
I don't know much about Nikon, but I've heard it's comparable to Canon. I love Canon. You can start with a Rebel – older models are more affordable on Amazon or B&H.
ARGH! What’s wrong with me? You just showed me this captivating movie that I was completely riveted by, and I feel so happy and happy and happy and yet, I’m a little teary? I suppose that is, again, just one more expression of the special magic that you manage to weave, Tamara Camera Dear. Love. Love hard.
I'm so happy. I'm teary just reading this, and reading your tweet.
This is so fantastic, I just loved all of the character pictures. And I love that the queen was checking out his rear end LOL I am not sure who had more fun here daddy or daughter! I need to get to Canada one day.
Yes, Canada! I know – I cracked up looking over the photos. She was totally in character and a really nice queen at all times.
Such wonderful story telling with your photos. I get the impression that Cassidy loves being a dad because he's gets to be a big kid. I need to watch Doctor Who. I feel like I can't be a real geek until I see it. And adorable Des. It takes a lot of energy to be that cute. He needs his handsome sleep.
Absolutely fabulous photos. What fun!
Why, thank you!
Oh how I wish I was there with you all. Those photos were amazing and that tale was told splendidly. I busted out laughing at what Des thought of it all. Those costumes were simply divine. Can I say I wish I was there with you all again? 🙂 LOVED IT!!
I wish you two were here too! We'd have such a blast. There's another one coming up soon…
It's 5:30 in the morning and I have to pee but the cat is laying on me. Then I saw the pic and read what you said about the lady trying to see what's under that water satchel. Not good! Not good!
What a wonderful event!I think it is so fun how everyone was into Dr. Who.
Happy Tuesday!
My husband and I were just talking about how we would like to go to King Richard's Faire one day. Looks like you all had a lot of fun!
I think you're right about Cassidy – big chance to be a kid over and over again. It's wonderful.
haha, oh no! Hope you got up to pee.
Happy Tuesday to you as well!
I think you'd have a blast! If not this fall, next fall!
This is amazing. I love when the extraordinary and the ordinary come together. It is magic. And I want to see you dress too. And hear more about Canada. Scarlett and Snow White hugging? Makes my heart melt.
I know! I can't get over it. She was a great Snow White. A Doctor Who fan princess? The best.
You capture the best moments, I felt like I was there with you guys! I am not much into sci-fi so I was a little lost BUT it still looked like a fun faire 🙂 I loved the Cinderella hugging Scarlet pic, so precious!
haha, I hear ya. There wasn't too much to know except that plenty of nerds there recognized Cassidy's costume.
Oh HOW FUN! You always have the most magical adventures, and I'm glad you capture them so beautifully so that we can share them.
Thank you! I love sharing them.
Such amazing and fun photos Tamara! I love medieval/renaissance type festivals. I LOL at the lady on the left..yep I followed her eye to the half hidden cow udder. You are too funny! I guess Canada does make things better…I guess I'll have to try it then 🙂
I just love the expression on her face so much. It seems to say, "Hey! Loooook at that udder."
I went to the King Richard's Faire about 10 years ago. It was fun!
Great pictures 🙂
Cool! My husband always wanted to go because his family has a house in Cape Cod, and he had never been there until last month. Blew my mind.
i've always wanted to go to a renaissance faire. i need to do this and your pictures have totally inspired me. what fun!
I bet they have some awesome ones out west!
What an an amazing and beautiful adventure!!
Thank you! We'll be attending another one soon.
And <3. Because you.
We went to a Renaissance Faire once and it was wonderful! I loved looking back at your pictures! It brought back the memory of a fun day!
Yeah, they are wacky things! I know people who go every weekend in the fall. I could not handle that.
If anyone wants to come to Canada, I’ll give you a good rate since our basement is vacant. You have to love dogs and we are not liable for any Lego accidents.
I think I want to marry your husband for a day. How hilarious.
And the cow udder…what a shot!
I really want to go to one of these if they ever come to my area. The people watching must have been awesome.
That sounds like me. I like basements and dogs and I even like Lego accidents!
The people watching was out of this world..literally. Easiest place for us insane people to masquerade as sane people.
WOW! Love your pictures…you're very talented!! Looks like you all had a blast! Visiting from Britton's "Face Five Friday"! Have a wonderful weekend!
Excellent photography. I feel like I went on a little trip. I was there for a minute. Looks like fun. My favorite pictures were the tigers “naturally” playing their role.
I went to a Renaissance Faire once with my dad and some of his friends. We were one of those NOT in costume. I’d like to do something like this again wearing a costume; it looks more fun that way!