tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91233917706050206232024-03-19T05:58:27.472-07:00Design Guy University™Welcome to Design Guy University. The online blog to compliment the online website of Design Guy University.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-28566678389441788092012-02-20T19:27:00.000-08:002012-02-20T19:28:04.563-08:00Cabinets of CuriosityI've been unpacking personal treasures, items hidden away in storage. They recently have hit the light of day after several years of being stored due to changes in my life. Why the sudden reveal? My friend Mary was doing some redecorating. I always coveted two of her display cabinets partly because I loved the items she stored in them, but also because I longed to have an opportunity to store my treasures like she did... and like my mother and grandmother. I sensed the day would come that I'd have these cabinets and sure enough they arrived... empty... but hungry to be filled with someone else's history.<br /><br />So, like a modern-day archeologist, I dug around in my boxes, unwrapping objects one by one, brushing away dust and revealing my past. Some items from travel, some just inspiration, some being examples of nature preserved, others being gifts from friends and some being relics belonging to relatives long past. I was finally able to have my own cabinet of curiosities. More accurately, two of them.<br /><br />What you may not know is that the term 'cabinet' originally meant an entire room. So the curio cabinets we know of originated from something much larger.<br /><br />From Wikipedia: <span style="font-style: italic; ">"A cabinet of curiosities was an encyclopedic collection in Renaissance Europe of types of objects whose categorical boundaries were yet to be defined. They were also known by various names such as Cabinet of Wonder, and in German Kunstkammer ('art-room') or Wunderkammer ('wonder-room'). Modern terminology would categorize the objects included as belonging to natural history (sometimes faked), geology, ethnography, archaeology, religious or historical relics, works of art (including cabinet paintings) and antiquities. 'The Kunstkammer was regarded as a microcosm or theater of the world, and a memory theater. The Kunstkammer conveyed symbolically the patron's control of the world through its indoor, microscopic reproduction.' Of Charles I of England's collection, Peter Thomas has succinctly stated, 'The Kunstkabinett itself was a form of propaganda'..."</span><br /><br />So without further ado, welcome to my visual theatre... my cabinets of curiosity...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6fpOj2eCQSfZA5dbgmezoVsBn-ge_EA6ZW9V3yyEANF84cRWGuzjRJVj-z-KcXzoamRGX_6B75U8Hy1cRSqqzqXuALYc8WqmJ8DZcWJ_2K8t9UGu0Bu-qHNcnb6YDTBUYNyAFp2JXaNm/s1600/IMG_2416.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6fpOj2eCQSfZA5dbgmezoVsBn-ge_EA6ZW9V3yyEANF84cRWGuzjRJVj-z-KcXzoamRGX_6B75U8Hy1cRSqqzqXuALYc8WqmJ8DZcWJ_2K8t9UGu0Bu-qHNcnb6YDTBUYNyAFp2JXaNm/s400/IMG_2416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711416141874528978" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DBbxMQIsNt5pJL7xnpo89xhZExLavvOWgv6nCyJbchxcMVSBxN_bg2rwcfE71t9ir-cyQhm6VX-pjYdc-yDMvBf4rEOaRtTsYakg_HHJsxRAn16Tlqtu6hfPrjEgeM29rZjANXZ91E-Y/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DBbxMQIsNt5pJL7xnpo89xhZExLavvOWgv6nCyJbchxcMVSBxN_bg2rwcfE71t9ir-cyQhm6VX-pjYdc-yDMvBf4rEOaRtTsYakg_HHJsxRAn16Tlqtu6hfPrjEgeM29rZjANXZ91E-Y/s400/IMG_2420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711417164525614594" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iZbvkPUbskEWHA0NFj_e9r9Bjs9JskQElhGwZNHh6KvPyu4xAKy7PucVS5sdDFuFmDXISTvXGww6oAfRqJU43Wkh6rgHch1K8GBoqSijxf6lXoL3dzCMaXYG8NnFaQ2W7BZ1aI1FoBXp/s1600/IMG_2421.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iZbvkPUbskEWHA0NFj_e9r9Bjs9JskQElhGwZNHh6KvPyu4xAKy7PucVS5sdDFuFmDXISTvXGww6oAfRqJU43Wkh6rgHch1K8GBoqSijxf6lXoL3dzCMaXYG8NnFaQ2W7BZ1aI1FoBXp/s400/IMG_2421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711416739120499874" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAggFKe1MWlo9JRM6F0dcO_8GRPKCfMo8-t2rdhkkSRjirN91iI1yKkTI63_dVDsH2cKcinrjdrhkU1JdGyKp7eNo0TqidpuED_xaq3qoceyjLdKcWz1U4ZQwHWCzr9uSuJM4hUTalmbzD/s1600/IMG_2431.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAggFKe1MWlo9JRM6F0dcO_8GRPKCfMo8-t2rdhkkSRjirN91iI1yKkTI63_dVDsH2cKcinrjdrhkU1JdGyKp7eNo0TqidpuED_xaq3qoceyjLdKcWz1U4ZQwHWCzr9uSuJM4hUTalmbzD/s400/IMG_2431.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711416145505327778" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwK0G3RDhHKZcDesmP-MfSwJp9HiztBj62M4PYmFfLKFdZMQYJ82xOrfOq2HjJchGcJYMM9Kx2dsZcTnrRWf7mhqYs9KTw1M750QvCzCTP_C6_ThHK2MDW0dWsWuTQZr4OsvY9nKw6ovx/s1600/IMG_2430.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwK0G3RDhHKZcDesmP-MfSwJp9HiztBj62M4PYmFfLKFdZMQYJ82xOrfOq2HjJchGcJYMM9Kx2dsZcTnrRWf7mhqYs9KTw1M750QvCzCTP_C6_ThHK2MDW0dWsWuTQZr4OsvY9nKw6ovx/s400/IMG_2430.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711420221911767266" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkB70kxcCHxFFPweJYvnPsJLrQ55ZRwVdTHSS8UVPu58wCJjLi2YvjpFXsSZ__wTrsSHxHHYC83nWn0oqP54wbvQFa6MJ7PSHl6lTOOgq041jYqudxra9oMzz7beYr1mWYK3_NI7vcAVP/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkB70kxcCHxFFPweJYvnPsJLrQ55ZRwVdTHSS8UVPu58wCJjLi2YvjpFXsSZ__wTrsSHxHHYC83nWn0oqP54wbvQFa6MJ7PSHl6lTOOgq041jYqudxra9oMzz7beYr1mWYK3_NI7vcAVP/s400/IMG_2426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711416161032622226" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrq4iYxEtX8EGJZbdh8nnR5KZYufs0ONuZxCkiUjRvnlLOxwZ8ZGCEncNZdHmDKHLP3H8SfEQjTNCvtNhBR6N-gqZkzlCYBWolOVVHCsOgu5GJm4rqyeCY2Hi9c8lkLOUO1X-pkmViEsN/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrq4iYxEtX8EGJZbdh8nnR5KZYufs0ONuZxCkiUjRvnlLOxwZ8ZGCEncNZdHmDKHLP3H8SfEQjTNCvtNhBR6N-gqZkzlCYBWolOVVHCsOgu5GJm4rqyeCY2Hi9c8lkLOUO1X-pkmViEsN/s400/IMG_2434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711418163033392610" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-74507613332954896422012-01-22T10:30:00.000-08:002012-01-22T11:44:19.148-08:00In with the New.<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG5jlUg5aVK8Vh2fGAAb07lLQoTVT5VoukfZ4VcPWncl-umGT7LY-5ceb5WF-BWi8CBlGCBxDDj2v72YrM4axAyVj-4Z-raZpbEvLIvBFjVL-bpRDTAZ65M7xIjcCKlpkZXeWPolKW4JM/s1600/feature2_12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG5jlUg5aVK8Vh2fGAAb07lLQoTVT5VoukfZ4VcPWncl-umGT7LY-5ceb5WF-BWi8CBlGCBxDDj2v72YrM4axAyVj-4Z-raZpbEvLIvBFjVL-bpRDTAZ65M7xIjcCKlpkZXeWPolKW4JM/s320/feature2_12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700536282084077138" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Chinese Dragon watch from Swiss watchmaker Jaquet Droz.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;" class="body">I always wanted to ride a dragon myself, so I decided to do this for a year in my imagination.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">—Cornelia Funke, <span style="font-style: italic;">German illustrator.</span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Chinese New Year (or Spring Festival as it's translated) is based on the first day of the first month of Chinese lunisolar calendar. It's filled with tradition... at least 15 days of them... filled with food, passing of red envelopes of money to small gifts. So as my gift to you, an assembly of dragons I personally love.<br /><br />Happy New Year and a year of luck and good fortune to all of you.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-UT0faZ7Ow8zGuZZjtS6rK3XW3faH6vHbLqqO-BxlqMWjBld69tD69yFj2a5gaq_WN4USG6HhKjlolk1ZtAb0ktpmVo-ZF581cT02AKCDnnfKIaq_35F4yBdzZs3d17PK6DUm6o13y5U/s1600/16428-005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-UT0faZ7Ow8zGuZZjtS6rK3XW3faH6vHbLqqO-BxlqMWjBld69tD69yFj2a5gaq_WN4USG6HhKjlolk1ZtAb0ktpmVo-ZF581cT02AKCDnnfKIaq_35F4yBdzZs3d17PK6DUm6o13y5U/s320/16428-005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700536265733638866" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Scalamandre's Chi'en Dragon in Lacquer Red, Green On Taupe.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_eL_o2R5baS2hVCD5kMvESpdPCfWpMp8EUY2GJhWXfHKasMlNO-Utpco4iYBOd88qmvU3pgRF0OKtH6JH1lRIXFS3pik5wOo75prsHCsxVwypHObVhrCeorrd94gmofgrWfwNTWbBQA4/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-22+at+12.48.27+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_eL_o2R5baS2hVCD5kMvESpdPCfWpMp8EUY2GJhWXfHKasMlNO-Utpco4iYBOd88qmvU3pgRF0OKtH6JH1lRIXFS3pik5wOo75prsHCsxVwypHObVhrCeorrd94gmofgrWfwNTWbBQA4/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-22+at+12.48.27+PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700538471111906322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Chiang Mai Dragon</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">, from F.Schumacher, was derived from<br />a 1920's Art Deco era block print.<br />[wallcovering shown in Alabaster colorway]</span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-FqTR0j28w1Lsv2ZsRB5eywxWcOzukxH3HZDqW2V1iIo-XscfPhkCKOpEwRWCL5sKkHAzDFELZCRUal4QFTaA6tas0OGV0jukRJu_FgJkKuNRES9zbBGhbhYO5qL410WF_TDVKKTOFxG/s1600/THG-DAUM-DRAGON-JADE2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-FqTR0j28w1Lsv2ZsRB5eywxWcOzukxH3HZDqW2V1iIo-XscfPhkCKOpEwRWCL5sKkHAzDFELZCRUal4QFTaA6tas0OGV0jukRJu_FgJkKuNRES9zbBGhbhYO5qL410WF_TDVKKTOFxG/s400/THG-DAUM-DRAGON-JADE2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700540188452841826" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9jMxuGaBfp3jokcv3j-XZYpZBolz84VGmqbuwTK6oo7Qen2MDxaA8e6NhIlN7BQDBKvlgqC4Aw2Yp5w6WIIRy8YJ0zml_bapOz8wRCkH2mFxTLgyDWNcTfRnxV0g6ET66g1GJss_I_aT/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-22+at+1.03.39+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9jMxuGaBfp3jokcv3j-XZYpZBolz84VGmqbuwTK6oo7Qen2MDxaA8e6NhIlN7BQDBKvlgqC4Aw2Yp5w6WIIRy8YJ0zml_bapOz8wRCkH2mFxTLgyDWNcTfRnxV0g6ET66g1GJss_I_aT/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-22+at+1.03.39+PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700536276985089058" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">THG's bath fixtures featuring Daum glass dragon accents.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCvVPbedf3aei6TLGIF-SykZBOujzV2bMFtE0tJbTXfwwZt3MD_H0yLSHnqcTFlKzQRKXGvGxnMN3cwRNgdMK0fgm8VqPcCF0uRLWBJl1fFjkTgGqMGF2EPzkOTqR5rphLPFc0TCUAELZ/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-22+at+12.58.17+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCvVPbedf3aei6TLGIF-SykZBOujzV2bMFtE0tJbTXfwwZt3MD_H0yLSHnqcTFlKzQRKXGvGxnMN3cwRNgdMK0fgm8VqPcCF0uRLWBJl1fFjkTgGqMGF2EPzkOTqR5rphLPFc0TCUAELZ/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-22+at+12.58.17+PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700536265802898994" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">From Gumps, a painted chinese dragon pillow.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cwvTtXHfbbGS4XN-jRQlV2Clf-HTppamQP0TSKTHTBe42Bz_E5yqkNmrnkJmqaX0rNVv-enKYZZwyEnfECsiEho2TE6MD5rCLH6jg0f8xrl-z5HGyFcBuDsVcIQwGMbR8YMyUFbGk973/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-22+at+1.35.48+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cwvTtXHfbbGS4XN-jRQlV2Clf-HTppamQP0TSKTHTBe42Bz_E5yqkNmrnkJmqaX0rNVv-enKYZZwyEnfECsiEho2TE6MD5rCLH6jg0f8xrl-z5HGyFcBuDsVcIQwGMbR8YMyUFbGk973/s400/Screen+shot+2012-01-22+at+1.35.48+PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700543579616078098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >A quick look at a Chinese vase ornamented with a dragon.<br />Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PKGiBdN4l8">here</a> to see the video featuring Gibson Antiques.<br />[video from www.valuemystuff.com - youtube.com]<br /></span></div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-37324768425230154422012-01-07T18:37:00.000-08:002012-01-07T21:27:23.277-08:00The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9gwzIJFp4vZsc07_KM2nf8qHWGVoc5QV_ka5s0QTDywvDrKzYwU3jdiMcRkmqh_J4ezBOELmdztOstV4JnWZ3qOw7-5IyA6WWJm7f2I_8B7UPT1_9EJvdy30b3XuJ5zjwXosmmfIXfni/s1600/678823-500x375.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9gwzIJFp4vZsc07_KM2nf8qHWGVoc5QV_ka5s0QTDywvDrKzYwU3jdiMcRkmqh_J4ezBOELmdztOstV4JnWZ3qOw7-5IyA6WWJm7f2I_8B7UPT1_9EJvdy30b3XuJ5zjwXosmmfIXfni/s320/678823-500x375.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695105057666004322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Yxtaholms Castle. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span">Last night I saw the movie <b><i>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</i></b> and was startled when I recognized the castle that was home to the movie's Vanger family. I</span><span class="Apple-style-span">n Stockholm for a wedding a few years ago with my friend Johan, we drove about an hour (or a little more) outside the city as he wanted to show me the property. In the movie, it was just as I had remembered... elegant, serene.</span><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby-hSn8n81WvV7a5hsX4w4IHWue5YGxiruAJnOSFubTEe7i5IRp5oKLNuz_y0fB1hXsvAujfXIShs_C4fcZOX0GN16PlbEJ65Zqh37DfjbWNaBl6jMjRyG6J1ZW2cQMSIe4P6HOmNQa57/s1600/800px-Yxtaholm_slott_2007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby-hSn8n81WvV7a5hsX4w4IHWue5YGxiruAJnOSFubTEe7i5IRp5oKLNuz_y0fB1hXsvAujfXIShs_C4fcZOX0GN16PlbEJ65Zqh37DfjbWNaBl6jMjRyG6J1ZW2cQMSIe4P6HOmNQa57/s320/800px-Yxtaholm_slott_2007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695105059951938674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">One of the outbuildings considered to be a 'wing' of the castle.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">There's another on the other side and</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">another </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">building behind these two structures.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtVNPpz83M-gM3VZBfbjcEXOJLY4r38deGgqlWdC82QkmIEetWN5Y62rpx49QLmYmf6GQYdpPILRO54ED7XSqPlyQrzR89eH99EZm034dykn7FFt9nMa0a3Bkv1OC-HGdjKPi-0lu2CJc/s1600/386x420px_old_castle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtVNPpz83M-gM3VZBfbjcEXOJLY4r38deGgqlWdC82QkmIEetWN5Y62rpx49QLmYmf6GQYdpPILRO54ED7XSqPlyQrzR89eH99EZm034dykn7FFt9nMa0a3Bkv1OC-HGdjKPi-0lu2CJc/s320/386x420px_old_castle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695105053491394994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">A historic aerial view of the island. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Located on an island (just like the movie) in Sörmland, </span>Yxtaholms Castle, the wings and the stables <span class="Apple-style-span">were built in 1753 by Baron Gustaf N. Clodt. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">To give historic perspective, this was the </span>same year of the establishment of the Swedish Academy of Letters, History, and Antiquities as Sweden. Sweden was also under Parliamentary rule as it wasn't until nearly 20 years later in 1772 Gustav III of Sweden staged a coup d'état, becoming almost an absolute monarch. In the United States, the French and Indian War began in 1754. In 1756, the Seven Year War in Europe. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At that time the primary influence in Swedish culture was Carl Linnaeus, the Father of Taxonomy, who actually came up with the systematic way of classifying plants. Here in St. Louis, the oldest surviving greenhouse in the United States west of the Mississippi, and housed in the <i>Missouri Botanical Garden</i>, is dedicated to Carl Linnaeus and is called <i>Linneaus House</i> or <i>The Linnean</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LyrKk3-mFO1trZrdR9IfPgziyM1v-ZPamrCjIkHlLfN-n2oC_75y03yjdT9i-flnfMitaScuLCtVG3QNXQQy0gGzRP6X9Vkk7iN8zfumA_VREogL4YZFf2K1VeioYdsWvOwEq5vQJ16O/s320/Vykort+Yxtaholm%252C+f%25C3%25B6rlag+Emil+Lilliestr%25C3%25B6m%252C+postst%25C3%25A4mplat+1908.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695104713039223442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>The façade of the castle in 1908. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisor7pfNh5pS_rghkcQ3Td-0xeGfmArjOSicskBKct_-n3HDgH3O_qmeZ41IsXvcW6mFWg2uRuM1vyOhhi8WKdgn4wAN78sC3mp8j7bUX6w8a1RYGeXC5FGqa278P6skj_wRZk6m-YSmOk/s1600/Vykort+Yxtaholm%252C+S%25C3%25B6dermanland%252C+Calegi+No+2956%252C+1920-talet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisor7pfNh5pS_rghkcQ3Td-0xeGfmArjOSicskBKct_-n3HDgH3O_qmeZ41IsXvcW6mFWg2uRuM1vyOhhi8WKdgn4wAN78sC3mp8j7bUX6w8a1RYGeXC5FGqa278P6skj_wRZk6m-YSmOk/s320/Vykort+Yxtaholm%252C+S%25C3%25B6dermanland%252C+Calegi+No+2956%252C+1920-talet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695104717661516706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>Façade of the building in 1920. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><i>A reworking of the garden is apparent by the </i></span><i>removal</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><i>of the sculpture that appears </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><i>in the previous photo. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nxOyHnC5tFacNqETkA2KKxc-Q-tw4vjpxPQnB5DjshsQxEEi-b9tjsdOVpej9cwOL9Bopb6mTz6ph52m16_7OkKZSm6hUlv58vgwvxKgJtlLVZNlbmeLgbevHIkh7DXgTfEvi_3APGUg/s1600/Vykort+Yxtaholm+%25283+bilds+f%25C3%25A4rg%2529%252C+foto+K+Abrahamson+04-1023%252C+Ultraf%25C3%25B6rlaget.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nxOyHnC5tFacNqETkA2KKxc-Q-tw4vjpxPQnB5DjshsQxEEi-b9tjsdOVpej9cwOL9Bopb6mTz6ph52m16_7OkKZSm6hUlv58vgwvxKgJtlLVZNlbmeLgbevHIkh7DXgTfEvi_3APGUg/s320/Vykort+Yxtaholm+%25283+bilds+f%25C3%25A4rg%2529%252C+foto+K+Abrahamson+04-1023%252C+Ultraf%25C3%25B6rlaget.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695104714389621954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>A vintage postcard. The stables are on the right</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>with a foot bridge in the foreground. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVFViU8XKq0ninQnmA-__5W4W0PKgIdJQUgMGWaVd0tb5pvRqSJ-rTr60DokMy3Cu7wLQnKcxX79ksuIAQ4XoyqTXybmTn_nrflVWzadYfCS2DG1-c_QPmqibxEsoEwavnu0RSsuxDouD/s1600/Vykort+Flygfoto+%25C3%25B6ver+Yxtaholm%252C+Flen%252C+foto+K+Abrahamson+04-1022%252C+Ultraf%25C3%25B6rlaget.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVFViU8XKq0ninQnmA-__5W4W0PKgIdJQUgMGWaVd0tb5pvRqSJ-rTr60DokMy3Cu7wLQnKcxX79ksuIAQ4XoyqTXybmTn_nrflVWzadYfCS2DG1-c_QPmqibxEsoEwavnu0RSsuxDouD/s320/Vykort+Flygfoto+%25C3%25B6ver+Yxtaholm%252C+Flen%252C+foto+K+Abrahamson+04-1022%252C+Ultraf%25C3%25B6rlaget.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695104710335189586" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm_w3ZgINN0CWBZhGPOLULYpwibfVqTgEbkv0xd3xZ-o_nujQh0pVhip0HTWFFZgTVRzSTZkbW1_y9FuU7grsxOTzsLo8btvozJr3eVKTHPjvi30oIUDRykYWPZhzQllWOc21pE6qEBN5/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-07+at+9.25.53+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm_w3ZgINN0CWBZhGPOLULYpwibfVqTgEbkv0xd3xZ-o_nujQh0pVhip0HTWFFZgTVRzSTZkbW1_y9FuU7grsxOTzsLo8btvozJr3eVKTHPjvi30oIUDRykYWPZhzQllWOc21pE6qEBN5/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-07+at+9.25.53+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695097414442207538" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The stables now the conference center. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I would live there in a minute.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUzQVhlM6lreLhug_mnQhbIZz5yHPNexr2xdjsT9E38kn022O4y94kceMHxPDD9_zu9CPkXzyQVX7wcl6ABgX-s0zsz7HGX6Iq7VWDBDRGbIWbm-pzrYAgoJ43Mai1zt0e7yHOOH7uqlW/s1600/yxtaholms_slott_81e7ad_yxtaholmsslott1_-_liten.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUzQVhlM6lreLhug_mnQhbIZz5yHPNexr2xdjsT9E38kn022O4y94kceMHxPDD9_zu9CPkXzyQVX7wcl6ABgX-s0zsz7HGX6Iq7VWDBDRGbIWbm-pzrYAgoJ43Mai1zt0e7yHOOH7uqlW/s320/yxtaholms_slott_81e7ad_yxtaholmsslott1_-_liten.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695096951233593042" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Since the 18th century the castle has been owned by multiple families and is now owned by female Polish millionaire Iwona de Jong who bought the property for $35M in 2010. Although run as a hotel since the 1940s, it's been updated and run as a hotel and conference center (the conference center now located in the large stable building). It has 79 rooms and is about an hour and a half drive from Stockholm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You'll love it if you visit. I certainly did.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5k7OnQsjBHr27RLhL2Qr_TcvHeEhXQPZ6Ney4liTd8ZR5xTU9z63Z9Ey6_idJYrhMsegsurlCqJ8ecP_fFeMyy1Hzgrx4KCdokPU0Z5HZ4zMIRVPJkrBOAah1x3INQqMODD954uiRTrl/s1600/386px_slott.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJ5POsl9BxthyY_3m-3eaVw_1glxuAsh53y2bkMvFyq2B1H07_hVIF4AOiIbSP4hYoJYkr-At3YTBFw2o2aJ5P6NXdrpAUumptKUvA6CdvvhbHOe8TIg19dF1hHUurY0j_hgopppETf0d/s1600/845948-500x402.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJ5POsl9BxthyY_3m-3eaVw_1glxuAsh53y2bkMvFyq2B1H07_hVIF4AOiIbSP4hYoJYkr-At3YTBFw2o2aJ5P6NXdrpAUumptKUvA6CdvvhbHOe8TIg19dF1hHUurY0j_hgopppETf0d/s320/845948-500x402.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695096447884103826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:85%;"><i>A current guest room with a kakelugn stove. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYI_FLjj_y0ZoFGRgUmehuiGUOXMdnPK7TD4pwIQ0tuljvzxVh9V_5eUeNx5hDYKyiG_b1ZJaOt6slZu8jupTpuyEysxGk2yAiEEAoJfhJsGg_ZBy4MIl8Q6e5daPiUGq4XqKRweqYpvWz/s1600/phpzvqjms.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYI_FLjj_y0ZoFGRgUmehuiGUOXMdnPK7TD4pwIQ0tuljvzxVh9V_5eUeNx5hDYKyiG_b1ZJaOt6slZu8jupTpuyEysxGk2yAiEEAoJfhJsGg_ZBy4MIl8Q6e5daPiUGq4XqKRweqYpvWz/s320/phpzvqjms.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695096449309967746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>A lovely modern bath. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMRQuvjiQlcbGmwIgqTzMykCMtyE9wTQZmtzgyc-fWcaky361DJELj0vNQdWwncyln0XE7tTc4FRMo-SJWbQYXtY72xP3suhsyBJGM5JRIIVuKMB-nHuqd6c2ZTlpAcTbyekNA0aTmyG-/s1600/yxtaholms_slott_9651cf_yxtaholmsslott_sommar-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMRQuvjiQlcbGmwIgqTzMykCMtyE9wTQZmtzgyc-fWcaky361DJELj0vNQdWwncyln0XE7tTc4FRMo-SJWbQYXtY72xP3suhsyBJGM5JRIIVuKMB-nHuqd6c2ZTlpAcTbyekNA0aTmyG-/s320/yxtaholms_slott_9651cf_yxtaholmsslott_sommar-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695096445170341890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:85%;"><i>Boating anyone? </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XfQB48Gyi6b47_NgbPiF3cAbUpNPkLOJbyo8sK05C2G1Dt2hMEtG10SS1WU6DsRItGlp36hBc69LBjtvtC5N_B0ji5ApK7Nrk663je2xa-lnHBE16Ykx1zMK10GG7-txB4IZMh5shsR5/s1600/yxtaholms_slott_c2969c_phpb7rxbk.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XfQB48Gyi6b47_NgbPiF3cAbUpNPkLOJbyo8sK05C2G1Dt2hMEtG10SS1WU6DsRItGlp36hBc69LBjtvtC5N_B0ji5ApK7Nrk663je2xa-lnHBE16Ykx1zMK10GG7-txB4IZMh5shsR5/s320/yxtaholms_slott_c2969c_phpb7rxbk.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695096441522076418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:85%;"><i>Dining room set with Swedish Rococo-style chairs. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-7746983139520141032011-12-31T17:57:00.000-08:002011-12-31T18:07:37.237-08:00Annus Recentissimus - 2012<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NBzm2NPikC4TbAIubfytL8AgT8IjGmyQnYZ0PVi5cJTWkX5UoW8bsfx1BoE0Slq8shNzkG0keN7loCmS3b0ub_7Lnsg1rs1ze3GHtycdN28SzovsE2K5_uC1RragtJYaALn-7X3RvbNF/s1600/Champagne+NYE%25281%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NBzm2NPikC4TbAIubfytL8AgT8IjGmyQnYZ0PVi5cJTWkX5UoW8bsfx1BoE0Slq8shNzkG0keN7loCmS3b0ub_7Lnsg1rs1ze3GHtycdN28SzovsE2K5_uC1RragtJYaALn-7X3RvbNF/s320/Champagne+NYE%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692477666831026114" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"May your days be painted in gold. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May your life be filled with diamonds. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May the stars shine bright on your world. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May you have a fun-filled year.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Happy New Year."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">-Written and given to me by a friend.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><b>A brand new year...may 2012 be one to remember!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><b>-Scott</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-11074386034029784422011-12-25T18:57:00.000-08:002011-12-25T19:21:21.284-08:00Images of the Season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-v-GT6AGSkmJgJJdsFUSVspPQK-Nas8Ug_RvXTyP_i-72b40c6TsYU2J0khURw1dd3k3tMFTrTBfyeOhdPu7UA6TXh_e0qB_z_9JiYAdXd_y93jrDR9qcnua_i6WMj1Nos6CIw9yPqYi/s1600/4ed0139978b0a.image.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-v-GT6AGSkmJgJJdsFUSVspPQK-Nas8Ug_RvXTyP_i-72b40c6TsYU2J0khURw1dd3k3tMFTrTBfyeOhdPu7UA6TXh_e0qB_z_9JiYAdXd_y93jrDR9qcnua_i6WMj1Nos6CIw9yPqYi/s320/4ed0139978b0a.image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690271105030165698" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">A place setting I created for FEAST magazine.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">[photo by Michael Jacobs]</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div></div>With the holiday season upon us I wanted to thank all of you for reading my blog. Below are some images taken from events surrounding my holiday season I wanted to share. May all of you find peace, joy and love in the new year.<div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div>Scott</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31SKfAaotg5B_cbOTSOs6tRMCiFqXCDtDRXIrzbi6u4V5k8J1V_Rq5GOIAmflUlGQTWyKZQLnBCxU5PtpbyfAqPBjA87Tga2UAeJUT39ejOY5GZ8SdLPo32P6LZGQkX0I_y2YbC9FIJP5/s1600/Old+Courthouse%252C+Saint+Louis%252C+Missouri+-+Christmas+tree+in+rotunda.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31SKfAaotg5B_cbOTSOs6tRMCiFqXCDtDRXIrzbi6u4V5k8J1V_Rq5GOIAmflUlGQTWyKZQLnBCxU5PtpbyfAqPBjA87Tga2UAeJUT39ejOY5GZ8SdLPo32P6LZGQkX0I_y2YbC9FIJP5/s320/Old+Courthouse%252C+Saint+Louis%252C+Missouri+-+Christmas+tree+in+rotunda.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690268485141465570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">The tree at the Old Courthouse, downtown St. Louis.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fy1Q57glRUvTzGx9Kbmna9iTLGTjPtkoZIITgCjBSiNEKjhNorvfkNQvBYFNVHYN6YSPsKuRykcUFaH-uWIYz7wAbKsEJ_-jTGnm-G5Ee0BYZco7wBKML9ZbL2O9fY5Oqiyfd5msUe0D/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-27+at+10.58.00+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fy1Q57glRUvTzGx9Kbmna9iTLGTjPtkoZIITgCjBSiNEKjhNorvfkNQvBYFNVHYN6YSPsKuRykcUFaH-uWIYz7wAbKsEJ_-jTGnm-G5Ee0BYZco7wBKML9ZbL2O9fY5Oqiyfd5msUe0D/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-27+at+10.58.00+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690266941571924978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">I was featured this month in Feast Magazine.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">The take-out containers are made from </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Japanese wrapping paper.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">[photo by Michael Jacobs]</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CW2apx_rNJCfR1F_W4SEapGHapkLVft5hSo6UD9yhx9HTkL-EjSLQ6z3RpnDwqYrW7Tv4jJhMoeppsyxXEMaTStypcKEDan91OvarJxn4mPXP3wBlkqqOE2xUxFXE7hwJSpD4UqqxFFF/s1600/4ed014278a206.image.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CW2apx_rNJCfR1F_W4SEapGHapkLVft5hSo6UD9yhx9HTkL-EjSLQ6z3RpnDwqYrW7Tv4jJhMoeppsyxXEMaTStypcKEDan91OvarJxn4mPXP3wBlkqqOE2xUxFXE7hwJSpD4UqqxFFF/s320/4ed014278a206.image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690268481077983074" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Waterford and Limoges.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">[photo by Michael Jacobs]</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5lSc6S40XOqVgxBKHQsNhv5PG4YFyrFK1Vsw1K9tLbMvFW5gf-ddnWzy670snAMUitAzy9XUDwvjNpJ6aeB2peXLEUDwuBtwVbHrpGEH3lVvYW7-2qRsJ2T1dBiTZXh2HsQzJpqUAuRg/s1600/4ed0140572bd4.image.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5lSc6S40XOqVgxBKHQsNhv5PG4YFyrFK1Vsw1K9tLbMvFW5gf-ddnWzy670snAMUitAzy9XUDwvjNpJ6aeB2peXLEUDwuBtwVbHrpGEH3lVvYW7-2qRsJ2T1dBiTZXh2HsQzJpqUAuRg/s320/4ed0140572bd4.image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690268484460941922" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>I love candles on a table at Christmas.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">[photo by Michael Jacobs]</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt5ILipk_RCjm5vtIFppRQ8DFNy8aYX7BxXuOu8la4fwM9_K0F4Ww0xQrBXg6EU0Sg7A3tIZgcc_F4LolZzht3AUyF_B_82RJTe18F9a0-l7xPzejjGSrD3ADjeEJQswtkmsk-PPD2VZE/s1600/380863_10150995892335596_644210595_21652078_494404081_n.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOt5ILipk_RCjm5vtIFppRQ8DFNy8aYX7BxXuOu8la4fwM9_K0F4Ww0xQrBXg6EU0Sg7A3tIZgcc_F4LolZzht3AUyF_B_82RJTe18F9a0-l7xPzejjGSrD3ADjeEJQswtkmsk-PPD2VZE/s320/380863_10150995892335596_644210595_21652078_494404081_n.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690266941016911890" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>An arrangement I made for a client.</i></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi915CZpMA8_c0br-1YVoJkrqIZ3JNJTgW9rZcBuWYMmiSVBSEoBilZOfASKeMNHxKVJ1zJm5HNw0Ka48KbIoheoh_nXWpIEuMsVBGXbLjja2JBhIzzLXa3iqg35t390S0cRYYEDpCunGZi/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-12-20+at+1.44.12+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi915CZpMA8_c0br-1YVoJkrqIZ3JNJTgW9rZcBuWYMmiSVBSEoBilZOfASKeMNHxKVJ1zJm5HNw0Ka48KbIoheoh_nXWpIEuMsVBGXbLjja2JBhIzzLXa3iqg35t390S0cRYYEDpCunGZi/s320/Screen+shot+2011-12-20+at+1.44.12+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690266934871652018" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>It's not just Christmas we should honor...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>This lovely Menorah elegantly celebrates Chanukah.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-3c080D5ChLUV-rfoQfSHp2cts_-jenXMcfbMLGKT6wzcr0yiRRUEoCAUrOXbcsCZ_0oOKcgCj4nNEKXfT_90K_FN-a21rAnPq7itfJ0W0cqum9kTjbL0J03wHEM5cVlOsMJnt7mOfUA/s1600/tjaden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-3c080D5ChLUV-rfoQfSHp2cts_-jenXMcfbMLGKT6wzcr0yiRRUEoCAUrOXbcsCZ_0oOKcgCj4nNEKXfT_90K_FN-a21rAnPq7itfJ0W0cqum9kTjbL0J03wHEM5cVlOsMJnt7mOfUA/s320/tjaden.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690266928782274914" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>This boxwood wreath I assembled for my own door this year.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMc_EBhaxbUmjr_O7ZEbnuoy8X_aj5V1lIaDISnQo4JBntGb6qjMMkeEru6pj1lUwPtD5jMVEhrIDxlxFKqxNghzFL3s8zLjgMmhOG42PEQ7IOKwU0CnhBABuGW7bisxpY3JP-xl73km0/s1600/378907_10150995890480596_644210595_21652069_62086041_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMc_EBhaxbUmjr_O7ZEbnuoy8X_aj5V1lIaDISnQo4JBntGb6qjMMkeEru6pj1lUwPtD5jMVEhrIDxlxFKqxNghzFL3s8zLjgMmhOG42PEQ7IOKwU0CnhBABuGW7bisxpY3JP-xl73km0/s320/378907_10150995890480596_644210595_21652069_62086041_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690266925396876274" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>A very personal mantle for a client. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>A lot of new things to learn, teach and show in 2012 and Design Guy University... I can hardly wait!! Stay tuned! </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-77694912801724432522011-11-27T12:17:00.000-08:002011-11-27T13:41:44.832-08:00My Favorite Things<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5LGYw9yt_w0bmh9154Jaz2YsQ16pKx5y4LdbiJr8WHecbJjZckdhPA2zxWNQ_WEW1KVSIQ96O5FBiaY_4GlvQUbIk5EiZBCQFYNc2_A9E2C3BRNCB-kt-RQWYG3lMtsmRmRoFtIbuPwB/s320/MyFavouriteThings.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679787920133101026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 149px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div>Since 1965 the song <b><i>My Favorite Things</i></b> from the<b><i> Sound of Music</i></b> has dominated the holiday music line up along with countless lists compiled by editors, hollywood stars and the likes of Oprah. So following suit with what might be a cliché during the holidays, I'm sharing my favorite things. (no, the audience will not receive the gifts at the end of the blog). <div><br /></div><div>Cliché or not... here are my favorite things this year:</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwI8IDP1UdjRh6FD-Ins5bSRgwTQAwqai_eFKKoicpObGDIP9LIGPl9SMMpUZeKAelhP_mSPAprlnsA_gwLPFRee18tpv2AjkZ63IcMppLHVEn85Rx5bBl9iIXy4kbRTzyu_tsqTJEujZ/s320/cyclorama-book-for-review-1024x776.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679787663329554658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1. <b><i>Cyclopedia. A Complete History of the Bicycle</i></b> with a forward written by fashion designer Paul Smith: You will love this book filled with interesting factoids about the bicycle. Its expertly designed and curiously, the the play on names is appropriate. 'Cyclopaedia' was the name of what was the precursor to the Encyclopedia. [please buy from your local bookstore].</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiooxrdGiXz4H0QXRwiOyNqYjj2lrEwqiigiJdhQbsHhVC7Qzh1fcRbR5k_lYGDXd3d-IMaoJbNr3HyWVgFYOqmRIzsXxfS4Uiw0fc0IcLHBkdMr3kLJ_g8vvYoo_7uNHC_anFj6AMVAQ/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-27+at+3.32.13+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679792021311819058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>2. <a href="http://www.eduardogarza.com/">Eduardo Garza's lucite boxes</a>. </b>I just love his accessories. This one is a black lucite box with Amethyst and gold accent. His new collection incorporates real skeletons dipped in gold.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5vKoOQdS5oYIJzXsfxPMWq5PI40qixFMBnowQCj_eNpB7dbvjzOqnzoaKq9MOv5y_LCdvcRMxxzvzm9XWKH7NglbVlsZ_MTTex3ZYEnNLjiTp2sA7XjTjMy6lo2u6sI-BGyTifqQF0do/s320/Moshe_Safdies_Crystal_Bridges_Museum_of_American_Art_-_Model_02.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679787658486533106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>3. <a href="http://crystalbridges.org/">Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art</a>.</b> Founded by Alice Walton, it opened this year on 11-11-11. A series of 8 buildings connected together via bridges over the creek beds original to the site. Among it's holdings of American Treasures: J.Howard Miller's painting: <b>We can do it</b> (commonly referred to as Rosie the Riveter) and Charles Wilson's Peale's portrait of <b>George Washington</b>, c<i> 1780-82.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCPHBSggvVwbFIojHYs3IYkm3_nBWOIv939BTK-gO1gjt1tgTS6dyyjAi95kipdkyFd8_jPZDus8E8XTL5pghybZSoH-OfnP7KjdQQQr_Y4ANdi_8-PtryngLkjgo5qc7gSyLIWVmHs6Y/s320/product_thumb.php.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679790584034993474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><b>4. Missoni fabric. </b>NOT THE ONES FROM TARGET, this is from Missoni Home in Italy. Perfect look for all year round.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdErcohr65ztYkLhMbriYH2kqKHjFtwv7_TQPLYiIeR5runeBO_MSEOUtFgXDOWdIgtkbRDn_4U_gFEmsTVh5pwecFVagHTK1GiX-TJVUVVQz4Vld8uzmCsiLGo4dI98SGpeP1bNk1bNFm/s320/41gfVfkfwrL.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679787658735321778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><b>5. Preserved boxwood rings.</b> Used for everything from table settings to adoring mirrors and doors, these rings are perfect for every occasion. Because they're preserved you can keep them year round. Available in all sorts of sizes, you can tie them to a large kraft bag for that perfect holiday gift.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI3Y7Pqd6Wl5AzaPn6_PPzbAM22r18AdK38DtZn-5NIMad8bvR4YIEbWxtwqbP29Q7NcJrlfaLQKnB0e8mOeCBtptIGwKrzlUS9ZT3P-cMH0dYEUzwsW2BLiH1g4w69lsZy2E0NDNt-5C/s320/mgp_ks-279-metalballscandlesmall-krm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679787916720513378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><b>6. <a href="http://www.kimseybert.com/detail.htm?Home_Decor=&params=7,0">Small Kota votive</a></b> by my friend Kim Siebert. New for the season, these votives are so festive and fun. The line also includes a larger candle holder, wine coaster, picture frames, and a set of bowls. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB10KFSvPiiTV5Ftj8E4yi2CV1M4e7HMODda4eWIgEMf8Mtcof_o_TTEho8fq6FWxqz-03guPIZg5Vfr8N68aEzp_MuZH82enNPfO4T43oa8rvj4minULXO4Azi3plI6BsFLZ9-V34od87/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-27+at+3.13.55+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679787668648390978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 110px; " /></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>7. <a href="http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model?class=CL&model=CL600C">Mercedes CL600 in Pladium Silver metallic, black interior.</a> </b>I collected Matchbox cars while growing up and would dream of the new ones Santa would bring on Christmas day. Now that I'm all grown up, I need to get a much larger stocking in hopes that this one would appear this year.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9WLvMqJqqCV4-WCmObDO49RdkiRWAir8KiBxQtxQ4QdD3qDOzKI4TG_cV7OtxAJIVfwxewwVe0psrlaVbJ6FY_BlavwUWPWD8pmWvRiRc_h3vFROQkD4vDlTeA1P0xaNQYqmYSGxkqge/s320/EPBE191-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679793112839990850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><b>8. <a href="http://shop.priscillawoolworth.com/polar-bear-eraser-p/epbe191.htm">Polar Bear Big Eraser</a>. </b> How could you not 'bear' to give this gift for the holidays.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqxcIDjQkAp0Fv5rkVLcFFDSVHXpYEqTudYMzrcpjuOUvdWAd4dnJBHsSce4fObasfsONiHinChoKZ5aswsXfAjkXMmxn36-xj2mcFR7yzNcrSDNAXW7kt70LCXMzRpnDjmSmQq17fbLX/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-27+at+3.04.53+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679787919434574354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 183px; " /></span></div><div><b>9. Converse Tennis Shoes.</b> Classic. Any guy would love these... this year they're available in Christmas plaid.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXoHELUXnxkKf_KUvXJ7br9kr5CtDuWNYFJ50_PTC87qO_OFumW_inpSSAP2oFgiEWcqbuHAS-ISmyXOSvVGGLXMljrVUi3XCAhyphenhyphenWkJ0wvoawuSDUagVE8MHs5QjKTc0P6FHR77uRVN3n/s320/647156p.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679787652753274018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>10. <b><a href="http://www.brookstone.com/oversized-towel-warmer?bkiid=SearchResults%7CCategoryProductList%7C647156p">Brookstone oversized towel warmer.</a> </b>It easily accommodates oversized towels or a robe or blanket. You just plug it into a normal outlet. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-49597608708725097622011-11-11T06:43:00.000-08:002011-11-11T20:03:24.934-08:00Initial Impressions<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j0PK7QrE8uQ9rtwYA1TF6vksb31X484CLQV6ZN-w1VwUlkU2d2KyEVC7ljlfocK9IcdBBh7FAtknDYGDftgmzKkAxE5aR1btWnsrxuw7NA5lhA7a8T7hY6wLkC3r1UyHwqGrExk11iwX/s1600/Phoebe%255B3%255D.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BfFp1ESEVTuGI_Elsov7-kLvxscJ23ukZSehMqXadGSUS4flkSzc-uzr_bLKmPzw-fx2LAZJs5ipkWZ-6KYn0dIQeA9eQpPlddH6Gbt0RwrkiXk_byLv1F8mIR68EPDnbS5COT48bRhQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.40.15+AM.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Monograms. When I was growing up my grandparents had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">monogrammed</span> everything. Napkins, silverware... even the glasses had the engraved <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">KFA</span> (my mother's parents Kenneth and Freda Adams)... and when you went to the cabinet for a drink (back then it was milk) I wanted one of those glasses and one of those linen napkins that matched, just like the adults. My other grandparents opted for the single letter T on antique linen from 100 years ago and the single letter on the silverware. Although you see the single initials popular today on napkins or on doormats (easy automation of non-custom details) you don't see elaborate, custom monograms very often... or if you do, they're pretty standard and not very wonderful.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I was tooling around online a few years ago and I located and met Caroline Brackenridge of <a href="http://www.monograminc.com/">Monogram Inc</a>.... she does amazing work. I reconnected with her recently and we talked about her creativity, her business and about Phoebe...her dog.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wrRYuj3kEjuhU5ND55MayDgkUZcrdzS3IU49PNaCJe3yLoXkcD1ZZSh8XyUw8KyVQpVJYwTTjWPIOPyXdW8M5siGWA8FtBQ9JLlJIDTf9cZTXzEQ-MnbsKSo2dNJjQ_TZZy0IabW8Vc5/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.50.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wrRYuj3kEjuhU5ND55MayDgkUZcrdzS3IU49PNaCJe3yLoXkcD1ZZSh8XyUw8KyVQpVJYwTTjWPIOPyXdW8M5siGWA8FtBQ9JLlJIDTf9cZTXzEQ-MnbsKSo2dNJjQ_TZZy0IabW8Vc5/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.50.43+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><b><br /></b><br /><b>Where did you grow up and where do you live now?</b></div><div><div></div><div><i>I grew up in Long Island, Vermont and Bermuda. I moved into NYC and worked various jobs: Town & Country Magazine, Grey Advertising, as a studio manager/assistant to a fashion photographer, and eventually for the largest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">commercial</span> film production company in NY as a production manager for many years. I currently live in NYC with my Bernese Mountain dog, Phoebe.</i><br /><i></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-weight: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j0PK7QrE8uQ9rtwYA1TF6vksb31X484CLQV6ZN-w1VwUlkU2d2KyEVC7ljlfocK9IcdBBh7FAtknDYGDftgmzKkAxE5aR1btWnsrxuw7NA5lhA7a8T7hY6wLkC3r1UyHwqGrExk11iwX/s320/Phoebe%255B3%255D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673785628016776866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>Phoebe.</i></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>How did decide to start your monogram business?</b></div></div><div></div><div><i>I was on vacation in the Caribbean. We were staying in a house where they had the most beautiful hand embroidered antique linens. It <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">occurred</span> to me that no one was doing this anymore and it might be time to take advantage of bringing this beautiful craft back to life again in a more modern way. When I returned home I did some research to find that there actually wasn't anyone out there that did this anymore. So I collaborated with some embroidery companies, found linen suppliers and taught myself how to draw in this very strange and precise kind of way. I quit the film business eventually and devoted myself to creating beautiful monograms that were representative of the heirlooms that I have always admired. Hand embroidery, or hand-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">guided</span> embroidery were the only methods back in the day, but modern technology has given us the opportunity to digitize the monogram for the embroidery machine. This enables us to re-size according to the project and it comes out the same every time. We can change colors for different <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">environments</span>, etc.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><i></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yyo2pipIWksC-J_hKGs6-dZA4w7le69XA_oDCzRVUXqybvvmsDedrqCSV7wAAoAvdxAlc-jIww0qhvTKgP1P8hjlv4958pLFHQFN8_iJuvQ4P_KvrnJufa5QlDpKBQCMSyXKj3WTDO65/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.38.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yyo2pipIWksC-J_hKGs6-dZA4w7le69XA_oDCzRVUXqybvvmsDedrqCSV7wAAoAvdxAlc-jIww0qhvTKgP1P8hjlv4958pLFHQFN8_iJuvQ4P_KvrnJufa5QlDpKBQCMSyXKj3WTDO65/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.38.08+AM.png" width="320" /></a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>Click on photo above to enlarge. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>You just don't do monograms, you also do heraldic crests and create other art… what are some of your favorite examples.</b></div></div><div></div><div><i>I like to take a client's crest and combine it with their initials underneath. There is a great deal of elegance in this and the combination creates a nice balance. Sometimes a client will have an obsession with their dog or something else in their life that is important. I love the challenge of developing the something that represents their love of life.</i><br /><i></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh40WhhvO_lhxOfNqGbC2YUawTjgLWJKIzosK5NYCvv-wpfoeJYEwFuhkZJFfLT4U7rKgql1zP1tN6LOSWQE0osEkmfq3DX1I3rYxoqMUx53LBUFjqxMHywdnCMEgdtO7ax5FK48JmeG7/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.38.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh40WhhvO_lhxOfNqGbC2YUawTjgLWJKIzosK5NYCvv-wpfoeJYEwFuhkZJFfLT4U7rKgql1zP1tN6LOSWQE0osEkmfq3DX1I3rYxoqMUx53LBUFjqxMHywdnCMEgdtO7ax5FK48JmeG7/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.38.56+AM.png" width="320" /></a></i></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-size:small;"><i>Click on photo above to enlarge. </i></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></i></div><div></div><div><b>Say that I would want a personal monogram, what would be some questions you'd ask me as part of the interview to draw up the design? </b></div><div></div><div><i>I ask my clients to go onto my website. If there is anything there that appeals to them, this will give me a place to start. If a client wants to incorporate another element whether it be their favorite flower or something else then I try to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">accomodate</span> that request. I draw up some preliminary drawings. We discuss these and I make the necessary revisions. The customer then decides to move on to embroidery on linens or camera ready artwork for stationery. All jobs are a new challenge and love creating a design that is very personal to the customer.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDmUnVUSsVhjh0Al91DF8B0VKJSr0hoZHagUh9t0TFGn9s4jexyuNJhBFMEMc-AVRZRr0OCtEvo8nZZnzGHktTrSImLA3KYYriSB6ACqFq6Apc52l9KW7vMZAEqz52KTXjxWln0QxgMaQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.39.22+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDmUnVUSsVhjh0Al91DF8B0VKJSr0hoZHagUh9t0TFGn9s4jexyuNJhBFMEMc-AVRZRr0OCtEvo8nZZnzGHktTrSImLA3KYYriSB6ACqFq6Apc52l9KW7vMZAEqz52KTXjxWln0QxgMaQ/s320/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.39.22+AM.png" width="320" /></a></i></i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>Click on photo above to enlarge. </i></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div></div><div><b>What haven't you done that you'd love to do?</b></div><div></div><div><i>To spend hours and hours in bookstores in Europe looking for inspiration. Everything inspires me, but I am always hungry for more and usually have a camera with me.</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></i><br /><b>Knowing that you have your monograms applied expertly to everything from linen to crystal ( I heard your engraver is retired from Tiffany&Co.), what would you say is the most unusual application of your monograms to date?</b></div><div></div><div><i>Most of my clients are traditional. They prefer beautiful linens, stationery and sometimes engraving on silver or etching on glass. I continue to work with the best artisans in the business and we are all proud of our work. If I don't do the actual work for them, then I really don't know how the client intends on using it. Hopefully the monogram will not be over-used <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">and</span> always in good taste.</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHjMs63_YbLu51zpYiAOF2NULC02C94a0RzUVMMvSYPI50uT2NmoBtrPxu61qhp04KHCvnj69xavU0iIwRAYnJvR22GQWuvaUILswoNb4Oh9HaBmya59T0BIDxiTww_upoQFFBRr8gWW0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.49.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHjMs63_YbLu51zpYiAOF2NULC02C94a0RzUVMMvSYPI50uT2NmoBtrPxu61qhp04KHCvnj69xavU0iIwRAYnJvR22GQWuvaUILswoNb4Oh9HaBmya59T0BIDxiTww_upoQFFBRr8gWW0/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.49.58+AM.png" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>Click on photos to enlarge. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbzXdYls-k772mCgGUAesVNQ5MMS_q7_cWV4Z-mOHuCS2Kzp2zXvpwNLpVHzxHKBmzmKzSynBFSdRdUWVicLEFNsJXdokoKQCkG535v7VjKUqrZ6zIC97KvabfOZyDB80ENwakBKoCgZG/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.39.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbzXdYls-k772mCgGUAesVNQ5MMS_q7_cWV4Z-mOHuCS2Kzp2zXvpwNLpVHzxHKBmzmKzSynBFSdRdUWVicLEFNsJXdokoKQCkG535v7VjKUqrZ6zIC97KvabfOZyDB80ENwakBKoCgZG/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-11+at+10.39.58+AM.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?</b></div><div></div><div><i>I am thankful everyday. When my feet hit the ground every morning I consider it a great day! I'm also thankful for my friends & family and especially my 94-year-old mother who is in good health.</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-63258488023151191722011-11-08T07:16:00.000-08:002011-11-08T07:54:25.989-08:00Duke of Duquette: Hutton Wilkinson<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ9qLc3YmEZyJnnjAwRBeryDnWjiVAB6dYCGY8pPUADQ2RsJ5-9ILWuB3c8cnxZ0k_k_j0uHK-AuyGspWtipQP5foxhqOXgIKorfUZlBEbDFgCLmjl3pQEiwT9WRaK-ppeFSqxYMVbPeo/s400/41605_377927491307_3128429_n.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672650651366368866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 299px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hutton Wilkinson, the "Duke" of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Duquette</span></i></div><div><div><div><br />This past week I spent some time with my friend Hutton Wilkinson. Name sound familiar? Well if you watch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HSN</span> he has a lot of jewelry and home decor items but what you don't know is that he's owner of the brand Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Duquette</span>, an interior design firm, brand of high-end fabric and furniture and also fine jewelry. <div><br /></div><div>Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Duquette</span> was an interior design icon of the 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> century. Hutton joined Tony when he was 17 years old as an intern. After years of working together, then apart, they became business partners and when Tony passed in the 90s, Hutton became owner of the brand expanding into textiles and other items. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hutton and I had dinner at <a href="http://www.eatatfranco.com/">Franco</a>, drinks out and I visited him at SAKS Fifth Avenue earlier on in the week where he was showing his new line of fine jewelry and signing his new book. (see below). </div><div><br /></div><div>Below are some images from the Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Duquette</span> brand and I hope you enjoy... ! </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVna_od3-0b4tj6LNAOfm9Wg4F0YKaT396IHAW5fV5BHsgiCYP4847mSc8PnvKWRMMa7_ICdUQCEPndlr-BrndPrBKWAyKxCl4IGEGhuDJUgo8FdtE6PnOInaaCCp88kSJhXaYzGN3eVgR/s1600/Tastemaker_tips_Tony+Duquette_img01-1.jpeg" style="font-style: normal; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVna_od3-0b4tj6LNAOfm9Wg4F0YKaT396IHAW5fV5BHsgiCYP4847mSc8PnvKWRMMa7_ICdUQCEPndlr-BrndPrBKWAyKxCl4IGEGhuDJUgo8FdtE6PnOInaaCCp88kSJhXaYzGN3eVgR/s400/Tastemaker_tips_Tony+Duquette_img01-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672650651572934626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Duquette</span></span></div></i></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mfdH5dvuHraV5gMWyKDMBxkdCOKIT6vLNCy2YWwrazgCVoTevuY1oaBQvitcJEcWgQCcvkNiOceaW1WrdFc9-yvXPo8lfq5AjPj6K5GcHuqDAG5KVIcRfIi-Ghn0JEQEyuxoFllzx6_L/s1600/Tastemaker_tips_Tony+Duquette_img08.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n5rUlooZT-zeWbmdEM1uqEvf49gEkBRsmr2G35ZyT5WnQJ-G88UEMXnU9bI09VLQgCagbZttKfI9FmdcybscwQmQXyM8l9qTgJ_Jyzn7tVyHix2f3plt_dnaia2XJfdBnmU2LX-7tEGk/s1600/Tastemaker_tips_Tony+Duquette_img02.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n5rUlooZT-zeWbmdEM1uqEvf49gEkBRsmr2G35ZyT5WnQJ-G88UEMXnU9bI09VLQgCagbZttKfI9FmdcybscwQmQXyM8l9qTgJ_Jyzn7tVyHix2f3plt_dnaia2XJfdBnmU2LX-7tEGk/s400/Tastemaker_tips_Tony+Duquette_img02.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672650660329000290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Bullock's Department Store, ca 1935</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3UGVjAJ6GpzbKn8k3yJ3e-sgSp8hxNIHEYMgLQ6s55QZQfdaBAuPjM6IxoisVa4BCjNN84FKsQ_xtOUtn4KMrm2DDR2-tWhk39FNdzDPmMVETZz_NSsLWy4AGDpGPxbb42MKjzTv2Eiu/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.38.06+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3UGVjAJ6GpzbKn8k3yJ3e-sgSp8hxNIHEYMgLQ6s55QZQfdaBAuPjM6IxoisVa4BCjNN84FKsQ_xtOUtn4KMrm2DDR2-tWhk39FNdzDPmMVETZz_NSsLWy4AGDpGPxbb42MKjzTv2Eiu/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.38.06+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672650067254413138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">What people don't realize is that Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Duquette</span> decorated the Chase Park Plaza.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">All that remains are the conference rooms and the lobby of the older building,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">The Chase Residences</span>. </i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0D8-nzLV6fCPxW-fRszb8-SnGBRtX9F_vD3bXTJRGAHmLMAhjLOCwGutlDR5nNUlkAQGNP1Es99oULqyeyIoYmLJnZwqQ0a6g3eS4PyGPNM2-hEOd3gpSgdLFZ11mkgDTH0VMydmLYSpS/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.29.20+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672648602518835154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 398px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">One of the gorgeous pieces Hutton designed for the fine jewelry line</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">available through SAKS Fifth Avenue.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpb0RWuiRs0_ErspbUNZzUQl2KWCVwojIwYibQOPZh65zHYsefrAPEsdBUVpt6XLJD9OablCXRZH2jyXEeip87yNBlC4Zi40wH_StXJVG0HQU3G7TcrzjPxa2uf1UBVxeEmB2JSwUKCLb/s1600/Tony-Duquette-Hutton-Wilkinson-jewelry-pr.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpb0RWuiRs0_ErspbUNZzUQl2KWCVwojIwYibQOPZh65zHYsefrAPEsdBUVpt6XLJD9OablCXRZH2jyXEeip87yNBlC4Zi40wH_StXJVG0HQU3G7TcrzjPxa2uf1UBVxeEmB2JSwUKCLb/s400/Tony-Duquette-Hutton-Wilkinson-jewelry-pr.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672648616377326210" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Christmas is coming.. so buy not one but 10 of these books to give to your friends.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Available at your local bookseller or at Amazon.com </span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6Qw5n43ysHFEoy1iLGrVWF5LG4CDbKLqMdgZVnoPqwxjg-XJpn9udi1XFVwZYP6lHtgQYfjrHsLm3dqwMsQVLBN3wo94sdh8l26RknKqy_AFKSz6KCI1xvsCBfvz0RHQdYquVHA-3EkG/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.28.53+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6Qw5n43ysHFEoy1iLGrVWF5LG4CDbKLqMdgZVnoPqwxjg-XJpn9udi1XFVwZYP6lHtgQYfjrHsLm3dqwMsQVLBN3wo94sdh8l26RknKqy_AFKSz6KCI1xvsCBfvz0RHQdYquVHA-3EkG/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.28.53+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672648614322464722" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><i>Interior of Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Duquette's</span> personal residence still in tact and part of the estate in L.A. </i></span></div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhWqfLEXQhCGJqPVFOWl68UxPx-4qHEdt6UGRg6kTSmuYMqleVOb2c4TaVkR45OPEckqOHb3HHi2fCd51IYNyqbobLYllz0ugiZFKVMmBfcqBnY8Q_8y8cLU04_KHUIwcMC7MawMl0hCr/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.26.42+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhWqfLEXQhCGJqPVFOWl68UxPx-4qHEdt6UGRg6kTSmuYMqleVOb2c4TaVkR45OPEckqOHb3HHi2fCd51IYNyqbobLYllz0ugiZFKVMmBfcqBnY8Q_8y8cLU04_KHUIwcMC7MawMl0hCr/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+9.26.42+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672648607572264274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Gorgeous malachite rug designed by Hutton for Tony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Duquette</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; ">.</div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-38551991808113889572011-08-12T11:57:00.000-07:002011-08-13T12:26:50.905-07:00Woolworth-Wise<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU2SS-quf0Qgh3NovDaHz8QJso48NN9Y0ECJVBp13ZNY5eUTKEVUh89V2IUA4Cjotpso4aZXcsysBe-bugJG8k-s22g2Ap8Zl6kt8x8X6HRxj3WTe3vf42AdOo6CA2fiMZSR9bgqI_h4t/s1600/france.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2Sy05nkP_gYRSW_kHk96AwDM0sWbYBUmopyQu9u82J9Lhtph3eT3RHg-UpVesaVsTNSQDPdkfhXMaHwNZsxeY7LppKaVMJfIo4e2t0rTNjenEXIQZk-1WEzvAiEc4YsdpdAO7hQavssc/s1600/pw.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2Sy05nkP_gYRSW_kHk96AwDM0sWbYBUmopyQu9u82J9Lhtph3eT3RHg-UpVesaVsTNSQDPdkfhXMaHwNZsxeY7LppKaVMJfIo4e2t0rTNjenEXIQZk-1WEzvAiEc4YsdpdAO7hQavssc/s400/pw.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640416398439051506" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Priscilla Woolworth, a candid moment.</span></i></div><div>
<br /></div><div>As a designer I'm constantly coming across websites to help not only design <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">a person's </span>environment, but also maintain and make that environment more nurturing. In my own life I'm taking steps to take care of myself in terms of food, nutrition and taking an active step in my small footprint to make sure I'm acting in a responsible way. </div><div><b>
<br /></b></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>I spoke with <b>Priscilla Woolworth</b> a few weeks ago. Her website <a href="http://www.priscillawoolworth.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">priscillawoolworth</span>.com</span></a> has so many great things you can use for your home to create a balanced and conscience lifestyle... I particularly love her <a href="http://www.blog.priscillawoolworth.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">blog</span></a> where she shares her thoughts on seed collecting [something I did myself with my grandparents growing up on the farm]. Here's some things we discussed... and after reading, you'll fall in love with her just like I did.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b><i>Knowing that you spent the summers in Maine with your Grandmother… what were some traditional things you’d do each year that you’d look forward to?</i></b></div><div><b><i>
<br /></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRaGwlGeZ2lyV2zLciqTBo_sORVw4BVZQ9iwrgLNz3fd1GS3c3POQbENx1kZ0PgDEQE78An-C54vObSjrH6F1_2tEZkzNhJhD3iswLhJUM4P8t-pcaJLZ12uRMHaZGJKYgG8kjbbbljZH/s400/rtfarms-kapnick-strawberries-peas-thumb-590x442-43349.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640417189494350898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>I'd look forward to the Sunday lunch feast at her house. It was amazing! When I was younger: digging with a pitchfork in her rhubarb patch for worms and going fishing off one of her docks, and sitting in the middle of her vegetable garden eating her peas and strawberries. Playing Capture the Flag at night was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">rigeure</span> and everyone had to play; it was so much fun. Drives to the Maine coast for fresh steamed lobster at an authentic lobster shack, visiting Jamie Wyeth on his island, Union Antiques fair in August, and twice a week runs to the local farmer's market.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><div><b><i>If you and I were to go to a farmer’s market near your house and I gave you a bag to do my shopping what would you fill it with for the week … and what would you avoid? </i></b></div><div><b><i>
<br /></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoUI_ccYzcjeGbW_xuXVyKInpftwIL3SnQTJF7mzXL6AQ3A4bBHQdPcJEEIirWvryPTT0cZ2W6GwgE12Sw3g5EPpuJRURZI6BnYZQewxQc4OP50_GiXdZiwAqdZqoSLvgOf74d7AeoBAJ/s400/portabella.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640419508348361730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px; " /></span></i></b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I would fill it with fresh farm eggs, organically grown fruit and vegetables in season and a bag of fresh mushrooms. I would avoid buying conventionally grown produce as much as I could and any produce not grown locally.</div><div>
<br /></div><div> </div><div><b><i>What inspired in life to influence the development of your website that has both an almanac and an online store? </i></b></div><div><b><i>
<br /></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttbvY1XxMVovMVJ_wqG2B8zbszr9woU9V2302AJXumCiSu24BlzLzVqEGpLXRetoPxweE5ulSpUYv6QV5AmT9a_vClkxmF9TDkNUZRwijCynzDkdmi-AX9gVKc2rs0FcSv2Bgsfs6hx0K/s400/nasa1R3107_1000x1000.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640420271316877890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Recently released photo from NASA of Earth.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div>Being a concerned citizen of the world, I wanted to do something to be part of the movement of change. A store on the Internet is an effective way of reaching many people beyond your own city and the almanac is the platform I use to share information on how to make changes to our lifestyle. The store provides the products that help make those changes possible and the almanac provides curated information about what is going on out in the world that is positive and inspiring.</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div><b><i>What are some of your favorite memories of growing up in France? </i></b></div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU2SS-quf0Qgh3NovDaHz8QJso48NN9Y0ECJVBp13ZNY5eUTKEVUh89V2IUA4Cjotpso4aZXcsysBe-bugJG8k-s22g2Ap8Zl6kt8x8X6HRxj3WTe3vf42AdOo6CA2fiMZSR9bgqI_h4t/s400/france.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640421862242326370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">St.Paul <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Vence</span>. </span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div> I had a magical childhood in the south of France. I was very lucky because I lived in this wonderful old Villa in Cannes, with many rooms to play hide and seek. I also spent a lot of time at my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">granparents's</span> house which was at the foot of St.Paul <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Vence</span>. They had a huge fig tree I used to sit in and read the latest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Tintin</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Asterix</span> and when I needed a break, I would walk up to the village and slide all the way down the hillside to a ravine at the bottom. I remember finding the sweetest peaches on a tree and bringing them back for my grandmother. She is still talking about those peaches! Eating Pan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Bagnats</span> on a picnic on an outing in the hills outside Cannes, picking cherries from trees by the sides of the roads, spying on Picasso in his garden in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Mougins</span> while I was on a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">playdate</span>, and going to the farmer's market with my grandfather.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><div><b><i>Knowing that you’re all about GREEN, what is one misconception that people have about going green and how do you dispel that thought? </i></b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>It's much easier to make changes in your lifestyle than I thought it was going to be. Over the past 10 years, I have made changes gradually which have become the norm for me, rather than doing everything at once.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b><i>You have what I would call a creative lab at your house where you create and test things out for sale on your website. What are you testing or working on right now? </i></b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Since we are all polluting our houses with all manner of detritus we bring in, I am testing out a sticky doormat that pulls all the dirt off from the bottom of your shoes before you walk in the house. I also have some non-toxic shampoo and non-toxic lipstick that I am trying out. I test everything out before I carry it in my store or recommend it. I want to make sure it's worth your while and besides, I am my own best customer! I wouldn't sell anything I wouldn't use myself.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><b><i>If you could give your girls one piece of advice to give to their children, what would it be?</i></b></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Only buy what you really need. Make that choice wisely because everything we buy impacts the world. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Good advice, don't you think? Next time: some ideas for the upcoming <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Showhouse</span> in St. Louis I thought you might enjoy.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-50879254241854524322011-07-15T21:45:00.000-07:002011-07-15T22:54:51.761-07:00Perfectly Pruned Plot... Part 2, the Gardens of Parkwood Estate<div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvJNi547XaEobTi93E5Za6hHp0eP_SIflMfzMJybCGOjUskOj7WiCxT1zq3ljIbP4bnHwLrUVKVOS0sNEXbfLB0D0b6wR9r4iBoJYrtq-wzcnaKDEefZha0qwNWFmMbztbiJ1nYyxiaUO/s400/2011-06-24+15.08.26.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629811237231364178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This base to an old garden armillary (the armillary part missing) was dated 10 years before Parkwood gardens. Adorned with Mr. McLaughlin's monogram, one could only assume the family brought this with them from their previous house. I noticed it while strolling the grounds.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">In the last post, I showed the interior spaces of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Parkwood</span> Estate and now ... Part 2.. the gardens one of the few remaining grand garden designs in tact by Harries & Hall, Dunington-Grubb and John Lyle.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">I've seen the gardens of royal palaces, the lovely estates of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Winterthur</span>, Vanderbilt (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ashville</span>) and ones at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cheekwood</span>. All have a story, all have a personality. I have never seen a garden like the one at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Parkwood</span>... there's an art deco surprise at the end... so look through all the photos. <div><br /></div><div>I'll post these photos with a bit of commentary... but photos speak a thousand words... don't you think?</div><div><br /></div></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIUjPU9cbjRNeql_ELbJvXX2lYeQLOZ6BWxCF41jbQzE7amHCVIADcAj0U6OSmUzhy2YqUDCsOkMDtnRIWSLCmUDM08pKBO3wsc8ncb0cfWxNbVLa3i1tM-Ksh3a8u02KIlkThFZJWrIo/s400/2011-06-24+12.55.50.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629809441050057010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>To the right of the entry of the house was this arbor with a 1930s statue at the end. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAQCHCu05SviPjK7WQvR9md2wruUitLNZRJCu00OxbNvFMERBFZtA9Np3KI6eEjFShrOvezs3P-tvxB6fG5Gsol-u4RIH1tU70QewsoxfhybA8223LV3qelaMM3KutXLCXWJdRwRBQsZO/s400/2011-06-24+12.56.12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629809453797544866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutYNVf4u7DFqw8IYreKbTVamxP1K90BzJiOd4J-54Z12SHQin7kpWur2U1giVewlLAyusv93keFYK8sR4ux34KRuYKumHNaoo4H9dXXgOGByDP65tjjvpuucwwMD2nGsFVq-N2KAah3va/s1600/2011-06-24+15.00.13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutYNVf4u7DFqw8IYreKbTVamxP1K90BzJiOd4J-54Z12SHQin7kpWur2U1giVewlLAyusv93keFYK8sR4ux34KRuYKumHNaoo4H9dXXgOGByDP65tjjvpuucwwMD2nGsFVq-N2KAah3va/s400/2011-06-24+15.00.13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629814367036294738" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Some of the more interesting trees along the walk... </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCD6OMcEBW-7SpvA6LEsUaZRR4-rB5KiBj5vJW8dnuttx_i4kccdvJpA22nkvUkOWOPgxWE9lzPNCptryJIVhX8tN2mP-qEnH0BXPS-Hwm2zVGVXcmPOcRrrh8VY8xesDqqA68IDeq8BO/s1600/2011-06-24+14.55.08.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCD6OMcEBW-7SpvA6LEsUaZRR4-rB5KiBj5vJW8dnuttx_i4kccdvJpA22nkvUkOWOPgxWE9lzPNCptryJIVhX8tN2mP-qEnH0BXPS-Hwm2zVGVXcmPOcRrrh8VY8xesDqqA68IDeq8BO/s400/2011-06-24+14.55.08.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629814353113585154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DQwtp8v9sGOLyXNl2I_Gex11Hq4oP1CIMfx3cZqUNM3-sBBkLNWqMyXI-uysDLpPQf-w0wE6MbWdN_1PdZ0KL-zFgOoUDRrr37juKAkA5vJXURFGOLAtc6PMPP9mwNCMvxkFd23IyTJ4/s1600/2011-06-24+15.03.03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DQwtp8v9sGOLyXNl2I_Gex11Hq4oP1CIMfx3cZqUNM3-sBBkLNWqMyXI-uysDLpPQf-w0wE6MbWdN_1PdZ0KL-zFgOoUDRrr37juKAkA5vJXURFGOLAtc6PMPP9mwNCMvxkFd23IyTJ4/s400/2011-06-24+15.03.03.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629813797717198434" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>This window led from the dining room out to the gardens. Most rooms on the lower level led to the outdoors.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXPOR0WYTMFmWwqycop-G-XXwuRNP2T_6bABUnmMv7KwL5zR_ViSfs8-t_Moy_yfy2XZs5cBX5bVa_FVGOymNOxX0fiV6jZ0-ZYx0g4rIYH4X6uG9bkPUv4Qgt5ejuYuIPEsvG_E9JSru/s1600/2011-06-24+15.01.08.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXPOR0WYTMFmWwqycop-G-XXwuRNP2T_6bABUnmMv7KwL5zR_ViSfs8-t_Moy_yfy2XZs5cBX5bVa_FVGOymNOxX0fiV6jZ0-ZYx0g4rIYH4X6uG9bkPUv4Qgt5ejuYuIPEsvG_E9JSru/s400/2011-06-24+15.01.08.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629813787940246994" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>This ancient plant was pruned to allow visitors up the stairs and onto the terrace.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDgHveqcXl3BAzJPe3IvZt3LPjBQkBGQVMbb8NfUJNtd5rjk5lzaAD8JbX5sDzchUjyelNL6XMNQWws9kRl3u6bWGhdX8Fg8bRXQ4u-M9o6ppast4AYytkt30iiXBtJZ3IXUobR_LO48e/s1600/2011-06-24+13.24.47.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDgHveqcXl3BAzJPe3IvZt3LPjBQkBGQVMbb8NfUJNtd5rjk5lzaAD8JbX5sDzchUjyelNL6XMNQWws9kRl3u6bWGhdX8Fg8bRXQ4u-M9o6ppast4AYytkt30iiXBtJZ3IXUobR_LO48e/s400/2011-06-24+13.24.47.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629813777233435490" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>A spectacular shot of one of the statues in the Venetian Garden, Sam McLaughlin's private garden which could only be accessed or seen from his personal office. Rarely would visitors or even his family be allowed in this sanctuary. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwYDaIhM3kVNmUyXZ_GxBzrCeSufwso_wr-gZgyH1DTItRCswCGOkxHnvNz9tUniTNZTmiJhtSg9CxkS_pZ7LQHheEA91gKaKg1mkx9zf-Fmbf1ct7bOVhosEUwMrI4JOFBrIHcN7iZH7/s1600/2011-06-24+13.19.03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwYDaIhM3kVNmUyXZ_GxBzrCeSufwso_wr-gZgyH1DTItRCswCGOkxHnvNz9tUniTNZTmiJhtSg9CxkS_pZ7LQHheEA91gKaKg1mkx9zf-Fmbf1ct7bOVhosEUwMrI4JOFBrIHcN7iZH7/s400/2011-06-24+13.19.03.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629813770710272866" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Another view of the Venetian Garden.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP64lH51BfTNLEmbIN73SVAQ2Y59wVK7tS0wI0XnO3k9lSmzSqeqVIzTVNWK3G67OSe1pNcFGzPcGw23WwvAMqxwFxV3l2zMtxAGWglC5u0ePQ5_DWRFMl4kaEKu83VwmHdWGjSfAotfj/s1600/2011-06-24+14.54.39.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP64lH51BfTNLEmbIN73SVAQ2Y59wVK7tS0wI0XnO3k9lSmzSqeqVIzTVNWK3G67OSe1pNcFGzPcGw23WwvAMqxwFxV3l2zMtxAGWglC5u0ePQ5_DWRFMl4kaEKu83VwmHdWGjSfAotfj/s400/2011-06-24+14.54.39.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629812447935961554" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Strolling, I shot this view of the back of the house. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIByP7iFVSiq7jqimMqoO83f-osGwTON7BnuQA5_YgC7Y2rDHTV6ecuXHVFNI-ZPXJmPc72zrVM2r0xGKXYOzVIfinj5JoRErIDIl9AsWn5DAXLft4gea_hHPHgRvJ5WCD3AfRgRhhMGfV/s1600/2011-06-24+13.14.57.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIByP7iFVSiq7jqimMqoO83f-osGwTON7BnuQA5_YgC7Y2rDHTV6ecuXHVFNI-ZPXJmPc72zrVM2r0xGKXYOzVIfinj5JoRErIDIl9AsWn5DAXLft4gea_hHPHgRvJ5WCD3AfRgRhhMGfV/s400/2011-06-24+13.14.57.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629812432485715682" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of many rose gardens, this one was near what was the vegetable and herb garden and also the white garden.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc7XPJzvh5MQkWesAbm0CXy8RJ9GaTRsE6gjJmWjj0e-5xURgS0Xb1Qid9vRVxINL21qGhLwni1Ff72P5XoumWd_KvChIZZ1yZzdGQAlDhyphenhyphendIP4Jfcl1Dur0REARiamhhjhkN_BkF4K3E/s1600/2011-06-24+15.15.04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc7XPJzvh5MQkWesAbm0CXy8RJ9GaTRsE6gjJmWjj0e-5xURgS0Xb1Qid9vRVxINL21qGhLwni1Ff72P5XoumWd_KvChIZZ1yZzdGQAlDhyphenhyphendIP4Jfcl1Dur0REARiamhhjhkN_BkF4K3E/s400/2011-06-24+15.15.04.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629812424284353202" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Are these not amazing?</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx5FmsaGCxkHxUnqebhVrfCtO8HdFYkBOePkX4MuW-ijRAEhVzd7IYf5WHVVpL0fExi75JU077WqXzuz0xyy3krGFbpLbt2meJCDFU1_42M2NYEPA6Jh0jt2dgc6B8WNmdy29XyaX-Qrv/s1600/2011-06-24+15.16.17.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx5FmsaGCxkHxUnqebhVrfCtO8HdFYkBOePkX4MuW-ijRAEhVzd7IYf5WHVVpL0fExi75JU077WqXzuz0xyy3krGFbpLbt2meJCDFU1_42M2NYEPA6Jh0jt2dgc6B8WNmdy29XyaX-Qrv/s400/2011-06-24+15.16.17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629812402744303266" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At the end of the official tour, I climbed up onto a support and took this photo looking into the Venetian garden through the guarded and enclosed lattice work, sticking the camera precariously almost dropping it. It was worth it.</span></i></span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8IE2qVHklEBQDtDA_s8kMx3gao2_chxsSxaRs2wqiNvxCz2VDXoWpJD1kHvcMTOYPK07-tDx2de42CwjZgXRk35qVWzdfmiLGasTUj8WMWH5ZGCVylxA5Nuq1ETPfgt0-04PQSL0Z3ji/s1600/2011-06-24+13.11.06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSvhnY7LEeJCoXOQ5fxR8sV5LEYJCHwqSvTjixzAECvykjTVNanIHo9a6Aoq_HFtWuVRpyDbzOBLDt-_T6eb0teC69qSCCknaqu1VPbGvQD2MDiKFJmshCMsNNJ-OlIR57xF_XlutcsGC/s1600/2011-06-24+15.05.46.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSvhnY7LEeJCoXOQ5fxR8sV5LEYJCHwqSvTjixzAECvykjTVNanIHo9a6Aoq_HFtWuVRpyDbzOBLDt-_T6eb0teC69qSCCknaqu1VPbGvQD2MDiKFJmshCMsNNJ-OlIR57xF_XlutcsGC/s400/2011-06-24+15.05.46.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629811211775360914" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Like hallways in a house, a garden has to have a vista or a destination. Placing this pavilion at the end of a path makes the pedestrian want to go forward. A painting or sculpture at the end of a long hallway has the same effect. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uv8AxVFuREwnDo5TG2qKVXjxmBShB7wYkMQhka5BrbCMzT7qyP5RKLGZrZhAJ6CjdnuULzC0fTM3yZnry3_cVz15sFmb4Vkf9l53KNQj5WgrkqWriM5i10DPo8dSUI1w0ObY9Xwt13A5/s1600/2011-06-24+13.01.19.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uv8AxVFuREwnDo5TG2qKVXjxmBShB7wYkMQhka5BrbCMzT7qyP5RKLGZrZhAJ6CjdnuULzC0fTM3yZnry3_cVz15sFmb4Vkf9l53KNQj5WgrkqWriM5i10DPo8dSUI1w0ObY9Xwt13A5/s400/2011-06-24+13.01.19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629810298156350738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyCkUKLReOYnDuskW4QiQuq9tR-DWY8Gqlsmx3d8OTSX7-S82jasSg10C0IcdIaR7hVxTm-zHEfpuIjfDkx-N-4YtAMZoZN0GJwgYqS0jRzI_EVwR5iQPFn1dVV5F4rqKttV5fOUXAFSl/s1600/2011-06-24+13.03.46.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyCkUKLReOYnDuskW4QiQuq9tR-DWY8Gqlsmx3d8OTSX7-S82jasSg10C0IcdIaR7hVxTm-zHEfpuIjfDkx-N-4YtAMZoZN0GJwgYqS0jRzI_EVwR5iQPFn1dVV5F4rqKttV5fOUXAFSl/s400/2011-06-24+13.03.46.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629810290261886242" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Sunken Garden now used for parties and weddings. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4Du5Pp4y_4Raa_pho3LUKIu9QG9O2aQF7uWcGeyuSc-AKayjRUyXPVHOzsOJg0A5yGs7b9FW5zsTWcIrvMP3lYkk3AGfwaRE65mq_wnfMC0Sn4xwHhwETk03rg2bgam4BkJuhGwiJg0P/s1600/2011-06-24+13.06.06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4Du5Pp4y_4Raa_pho3LUKIu9QG9O2aQF7uWcGeyuSc-AKayjRUyXPVHOzsOJg0A5yGs7b9FW5zsTWcIrvMP3lYkk3AGfwaRE65mq_wnfMC0Sn4xwHhwETk03rg2bgam4BkJuhGwiJg0P/s400/2011-06-24+13.06.06.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629810280695768178" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was the children's tea house. The children would go and, with the help of a servant, learn the proper way of drinking tea and outdoor entertaining. Behind and attached is a gardner's storage shed. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJk1oUsFLpFznNcR5SatZ5A5Fhdh_HtYRPdogZ7j3XMu3YDqPppw7cV2X6Z_Zv4ILG-vPcs_mUIPzHDVEQCzdpmat5wP45k35qKa3vK-Oh00DicvQL8iDC4QfKdwufn26Pca5YemW1e7-/s1600/2011-06-24+13.03.09.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJk1oUsFLpFznNcR5SatZ5A5Fhdh_HtYRPdogZ7j3XMu3YDqPppw7cV2X6Z_Zv4ILG-vPcs_mUIPzHDVEQCzdpmat5wP45k35qKa3vK-Oh00DicvQL8iDC4QfKdwufn26Pca5YemW1e7-/s400/2011-06-24+13.03.09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629810272654131106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkP5hWRwQi9HBhM-uLVkUBh_nHymGObGwPPerVuwOEgr-pdL9NB8xxecE20AXaBXqYjtbzRfZ9zoJSMkgy3p-nRPzKmknh6x-rbg4jIn3pcX83ISdxNRa5XKX8sfb4X-hiJxbtxQ1GIP0/s1600/2011-06-24+13.02.54.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkP5hWRwQi9HBhM-uLVkUBh_nHymGObGwPPerVuwOEgr-pdL9NB8xxecE20AXaBXqYjtbzRfZ9zoJSMkgy3p-nRPzKmknh6x-rbg4jIn3pcX83ISdxNRa5XKX8sfb4X-hiJxbtxQ1GIP0/s400/2011-06-24+13.02.54.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629810263261123714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPVDtSMTwfhNAZr6wBY0_AyWnSt3Mn8J4XI37C1ZXckoJlwTtMbbt7_S_KBRVQWECm_qUUHeq_ymdDq4QK2RNWr5acd3cpn7yBx1alkT0tUBJmA1L40sxMCocC9BCwajncSTyUQKQ52f5/s1600/2011-06-24+13.01.53.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPVDtSMTwfhNAZr6wBY0_AyWnSt3Mn8J4XI37C1ZXckoJlwTtMbbt7_S_KBRVQWECm_qUUHeq_ymdDq4QK2RNWr5acd3cpn7yBx1alkT0tUBJmA1L40sxMCocC9BCwajncSTyUQKQ52f5/s400/2011-06-24+13.01.53.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629809473432623010" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A drink and a book (or my iPad) please. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGBKr4q-MWoPFcqXCAeFWvpqw8iNyN5wcq9r8D-YATZRQhLZ94oE4vQ7ME4TJuJLRS2rJR-wGpMucovMSu7k9M7KasKx1Pls8wLnNmW2CZmjZe1Xa4UDm_YM3Gfb30KSC5OC8yhFCOu-c/s1600/2011-06-24+12.59.13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGBKr4q-MWoPFcqXCAeFWvpqw8iNyN5wcq9r8D-YATZRQhLZ94oE4vQ7ME4TJuJLRS2rJR-wGpMucovMSu7k9M7KasKx1Pls8wLnNmW2CZmjZe1Xa4UDm_YM3Gfb30KSC5OC8yhFCOu-c/s400/2011-06-24+12.59.13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629809463916018578" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Amazing no matter where you are on the property. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua9wXNo4fa7eNdPi2jA6NgO0KzlOQNOdAMbym4qXF8SIntkdnkeoXy-SMkk-pjovpFvFTifbwMSAF9eK-P1_TELn8pTg0acIGVlckgHpXfSg1JNhIqGVL3xeprdj5aW3u2Vq2W8ehwi1e/s1600/2011-06-24+13.07.35.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua9wXNo4fa7eNdPi2jA6NgO0KzlOQNOdAMbym4qXF8SIntkdnkeoXy-SMkk-pjovpFvFTifbwMSAF9eK-P1_TELn8pTg0acIGVlckgHpXfSg1JNhIqGVL3xeprdj5aW3u2Vq2W8ehwi1e/s400/2011-06-24+13.07.35.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629811221059981186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We walked and then came upon a surprise. Designed and built by John Lyle (the same one who added at the same time, the Art Deco bedroom for Sam McLaughlin in the previous post)</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5u2SLKixMFbaIYOJSqoUL03wgWVVkeeiEVwT7hOiFAZXvC0MbVKBul_DI5a0s2jyXerEOGqhtSWifmN4yA6WNq68p6RNCdOG6r21qBzgQQSDWggTWglwignIkT-qAjepByzSGQ8eciRc/s1600/2011-06-24+14.45.29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5u2SLKixMFbaIYOJSqoUL03wgWVVkeeiEVwT7hOiFAZXvC0MbVKBul_DI5a0s2jyXerEOGqhtSWifmN4yA6WNq68p6RNCdOG6r21qBzgQQSDWggTWglwignIkT-qAjepByzSGQ8eciRc/s400/2011-06-24+14.45.29.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629814375875351506" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A pair of these urns flanked the pool house where we had lunch. What a way to enjoy a nosh looking over the reflecting pond. So relaxing. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></i></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMw4x3-PMKm6zlbnVfIexYFCoHVoKKKrRo4JVIdz9ma7nkEQTeS0m8ez6JV0fsr4ryreNGRzvtr4lfMdYXTZbO3tyI2G6kxNTsdITyStaImEG-XmjHs1h0fgYyuY3CR_jYI4pTqBiALmx/s400/2011-06-24+13.34.47.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629813806409517586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8IE2qVHklEBQDtDA_s8kMx3gao2_chxsSxaRs2wqiNvxCz2VDXoWpJD1kHvcMTOYPK07-tDx2de42CwjZgXRk35qVWzdfmiLGasTUj8WMWH5ZGCVylxA5Nuq1ETPfgt0-04PQSL0Z3ji/s1600/2011-06-24+13.11.06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8IE2qVHklEBQDtDA_s8kMx3gao2_chxsSxaRs2wqiNvxCz2VDXoWpJD1kHvcMTOYPK07-tDx2de42CwjZgXRk35qVWzdfmiLGasTUj8WMWH5ZGCVylxA5Nuq1ETPfgt0-04PQSL0Z3ji/s400/2011-06-24+13.11.06.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629811247586576658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Although deco in design, Sam McLauglin wanted to celebrate Canada so art deco inspired Canadian Geese were integrated into the wall fountain at the far side of the reflecting pool where Poseidon himself is making sure the garden is nourished with water. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><br /></i></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTvACuwdJ0FzeI8tFsr-ct3w9emKhUq5jvJsdN59ZDneJL92tmvRDngdCH7eegdjVWlouN4frJjbJ4zycvngQx1x3cNAVeGgyAdwxps8HC9mpwi00b8Rff9d1XCpBUqtlem0vbVzGBbH3/s1600/2011-06-24+13.10.32.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTvACuwdJ0FzeI8tFsr-ct3w9emKhUq5jvJsdN59ZDneJL92tmvRDngdCH7eegdjVWlouN4frJjbJ4zycvngQx1x3cNAVeGgyAdwxps8HC9mpwi00b8Rff9d1XCpBUqtlem0vbVzGBbH3/s400/2011-06-24+13.10.32.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629811230246294994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-58310443321153379182011-07-10T18:05:00.000-07:002011-07-15T23:02:39.345-07:00Oshawa Gem: Parkwood Estate, Part 1<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBeaybIv8Emg0S9g0FMYOzT6RXCn6wgtAFrSTPtlMNamTjyRdf-ziKa4IMZ3jjnC8dTQsEniYjF9S3DpL5sf3fvfFOPryFr0WKbfEvWT-m-8X6HLW52efMFqowguc3L3mTPVpsXg-ClCT/s1600/10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgXwpWMCP0BwhjYZit46Z_-DbpNvmZTqAQDrMYhNQzRNdFrzSDKLSjbiBq1CPOJPopRC9nzv1g9Zkjq1hmp7Y-0A5auis36D9RlyabRq1BNOUAxLmpWdhKpuR2ilMNihHJNjjH9LYcYHl/s1600/parkwood-estate.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgXwpWMCP0BwhjYZit46Z_-DbpNvmZTqAQDrMYhNQzRNdFrzSDKLSjbiBq1CPOJPopRC9nzv1g9Zkjq1hmp7Y-0A5auis36D9RlyabRq1BNOUAxLmpWdhKpuR2ilMNihHJNjjH9LYcYHl/s400/parkwood-estate.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627908564062885170" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgXwpWMCP0BwhjYZit46Z_-DbpNvmZTqAQDrMYhNQzRNdFrzSDKLSjbiBq1CPOJPopRC9nzv1g9Zkjq1hmp7Y-0A5auis36D9RlyabRq1BNOUAxLmpWdhKpuR2ilMNihHJNjjH9LYcYHl/s1600/parkwood-estate.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Parkwood Estate is located about an hour and a half drive from Toronto in the town of Oshawa. I'm breaking this post into two parts: <b>1. The House and 2. The Gardens.</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">R. Samuel McLaughlin was Chairman of the Board of General Motors(GM)-Canada and V.P. of GM worldwide. Parkwood was the family home of the McLaughlins (Sam, Adelaide and their 5 daughters) from 1917 until 1972. The 55-room house is one of the few surviving homes from the early 20th century and contains the majority of it's original interiors less some paintings that were donated to museums and some few minor bedrooms converted over to staff offices and storage. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Designed by the Toronto architectural firm of Darling and Pearson, Parkwood cost over $100,000 and the family employed 40 staff members to maintain the house and property.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll take you for a quick tour so please enjoy... I certainly did. Can I please go back now and move in?</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNlUuaG2X4kOZkT7CwKBqMsjlU27CYYYTpw2ajpWo87nlgXuRFNyMF9o63h5woOIMCuuzhzIGhlZfzWgUKbwzWtB8A6fR112cm5tLMMEtK5sCPx57Bk_dMfAFrngpWl6ODPvjXArdUUiq/s1600/4b.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfxXVOls6I9Kbg3cXI0TscP95SV3wBq8YDZtcrk87iAxoZ0vNr5KTh1K3XWvIa8l62Gd4l9ytOS3Zbl_PvYirJ-9sTlOxwieVuUlxZC9BInbuazhPl_Vs8UDZ22y4DUj8xvR-0qC7qDnA/s1600/4a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRSWGlv6-B6VPf1LujDgwWTXRQMVbmKO6kXUeqkZVOqNNVZmCQpiNQjB5kqD5gQ69ctnhfWb35V6aB6tdqY-6t82doIWarNmdwrPE79NZ6qEs5j_Z-M_bp_r9Exeec0Z_ThtfGlIn7T6V/s1600/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRSWGlv6-B6VPf1LujDgwWTXRQMVbmKO6kXUeqkZVOqNNVZmCQpiNQjB5kqD5gQ69ctnhfWb35V6aB6tdqY-6t82doIWarNmdwrPE79NZ6qEs5j_Z-M_bp_r9Exeec0Z_ThtfGlIn7T6V/s400/2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627906989371054834" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">The Billiard Room's woodwork is enhanced by the McLaughlin coat of arms. </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">The room is dominated by a large snooker table.</span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uwosTwstr1-3yIVk7mSv44QHhBKxXNbMc5W8f-ojknO-A_07ElUBZsu5S9Nx4rBrjoS7FWs4fXSvKVqAdfYO1XrRoO974R5NSx1Z2YIthF-k8rabJxG8SYJgdMevszCh_RD8brHrWP8D/s1600/1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uwosTwstr1-3yIVk7mSv44QHhBKxXNbMc5W8f-ojknO-A_07ElUBZsu5S9Nx4rBrjoS7FWs4fXSvKVqAdfYO1XrRoO974R5NSx1Z2YIthF-k8rabJxG8SYJgdMevszCh_RD8brHrWP8D/s1600/1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uwosTwstr1-3yIVk7mSv44QHhBKxXNbMc5W8f-ojknO-A_07ElUBZsu5S9Nx4rBrjoS7FWs4fXSvKVqAdfYO1XrRoO974R5NSx1Z2YIthF-k8rabJxG8SYJgdMevszCh_RD8brHrWP8D/s400/1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627906982961661506" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZX9yjYnRbUfNWlA72Yz8HjEZKQSFjFjR1KuLrO_ULAtH2v7GDK31briVsu0pxKFndJJjX6CMZgvYQ5y51vOSjiFWDVd-kajb7zaIomLxmZSWe9XzZajoo3Ll_vc8jG4NM0kTI7qkOrX4/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.10.19+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904932413853666" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"> A sequence of upper-wall murals in the billiard room are based upon the McLaughlin family recreational activities, painted by well known Canadian artist Frederick S. Challener. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> A portrait of Admiral Sir George Pocock, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, resides in the library... one of three paintings by Reynolds the family owned. (not shown)</span></i></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovP-F7sbTX2qlawX_c64FdlZN96bKFSRTpYJeA6sBUAz1ARs-6wvoCZqN2GkgvLGPQQpXdyQKqlw9VWJAbucwycxyVTfVWWkZxRF6I50ybS9XqWaNHY7fFpK_l0fcS80HKcuOwybh9ELi/s1600/5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIyQ1w1tsGWnqpXkLrYCpnRLwR2PQSnsL3FUDCUWU1nTwIQHumdwNgJstDlTmVYjeAlaHNZAeiInjozmoplnVzHbNqEhc9HTPRmROsbd54DOf3wYwGaqeTiGzf1vCoJ8PAxJ9gARx570c/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.09.42+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIyQ1w1tsGWnqpXkLrYCpnRLwR2PQSnsL3FUDCUWU1nTwIQHumdwNgJstDlTmVYjeAlaHNZAeiInjozmoplnVzHbNqEhc9HTPRmROsbd54DOf3wYwGaqeTiGzf1vCoJ8PAxJ9gARx570c/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.09.42+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627905061585336050" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The piano, bought at Eaton's was brought to the house. Thought to not be </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">'quite right'... it was shipped to Italy for painted ornamentation.</span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ev1A02viSCJsuJn3sPjLUDifCQ3TH1l6tBTneZzIfAA5QpvFRLFcyqs9LnhUcQ05X-7T9Eyf6DId3MP-dCawmOahSL_hDO3LthxbgYfAeQWqSx1LgMQPGU5K_J9SAUu366W_pGuxIoIL/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.09.52+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroC6o_SAeOeFrg_sX0AxltsA0F5L80dHwmCwKLjTtx3PkxGwDK4HDsAQbKT5XVVU2MosJGHYUe84wyX1IVzdESyp9PO3SxeX5W-0xI5Q-JftmMQOXYd-J7Ek89oEJqAYf87IHH2_PbLPt/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.09.47+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904922434429938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A room addition, the loggia was added onto and this sunny living room was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">added for an additional entertaining spaces.</span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJ43Fo-Nz1D8JRXiQn3hRDpvu7a-YNS55ORPvVYvgKQIS1sUKvzzJ6HnNxs_svBtX84j1Gl1pWU2RYrbm_X7MzYaEsOsm_NppvdxL1PpHCzJaqDWSl-CAeLuCqRaE6oQXZenI0GEspT2S/s400/3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627906993794936210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZX9yjYnRbUfNWlA72Yz8HjEZKQSFjFjR1KuLrO_ULAtH2v7GDK31briVsu0pxKFndJJjX6CMZgvYQ5y51vOSjiFWDVd-kajb7zaIomLxmZSWe9XzZajoo3Ll_vc8jG4NM0kTI7qkOrX4/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.10.19+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZX9yjYnRbUfNWlA72Yz8HjEZKQSFjFjR1KuLrO_ULAtH2v7GDK31briVsu0pxKFndJJjX6CMZgvYQ5y51vOSjiFWDVd-kajb7zaIomLxmZSWe9XzZajoo3Ll_vc8jG4NM0kTI7qkOrX4/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.10.19+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZX9yjYnRbUfNWlA72Yz8HjEZKQSFjFjR1KuLrO_ULAtH2v7GDK31briVsu0pxKFndJJjX6CMZgvYQ5y51vOSjiFWDVd-kajb7zaIomLxmZSWe9XzZajoo3Ll_vc8jG4NM0kTI7qkOrX4/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.10.19+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Note the parrots painted in the ornamentation of the ceiling. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Each bird is different... reinforcing attention to detail.</span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ev1A02viSCJsuJn3sPjLUDifCQ3TH1l6tBTneZzIfAA5QpvFRLFcyqs9LnhUcQ05X-7T9Eyf6DId3MP-dCawmOahSL_hDO3LthxbgYfAeQWqSx1LgMQPGU5K_J9SAUu366W_pGuxIoIL/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.09.52+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ev1A02viSCJsuJn3sPjLUDifCQ3TH1l6tBTneZzIfAA5QpvFRLFcyqs9LnhUcQ05X-7T9Eyf6DId3MP-dCawmOahSL_hDO3LthxbgYfAeQWqSx1LgMQPGU5K_J9SAUu366W_pGuxIoIL/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.09.52+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ev1A02viSCJsuJn3sPjLUDifCQ3TH1l6tBTneZzIfAA5QpvFRLFcyqs9LnhUcQ05X-7T9Eyf6DId3MP-dCawmOahSL_hDO3LthxbgYfAeQWqSx1LgMQPGU5K_J9SAUu366W_pGuxIoIL/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.09.52+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904940389734562" /> </a><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The arched loggia used to be the outdoor area.. the room addition was added only about 10 years after the house was built.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBeaybIv8Emg0S9g0FMYOzT6RXCn6wgtAFrSTPtlMNamTjyRdf-ziKa4IMZ3jjnC8dTQsEniYjF9S3DpL5sf3fvfFOPryFr0WKbfEvWT-m-8X6HLW52efMFqowguc3L3mTPVpsXg-ClCT/s400/10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627912127533241170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></span></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></i></span></span></span></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZX9yjYnRbUfNWlA72Yz8HjEZKQSFjFjR1KuLrO_ULAtH2v7GDK31briVsu0pxKFndJJjX6CMZgvYQ5y51vOSjiFWDVd-kajb7zaIomLxmZSWe9XzZajoo3Ll_vc8jG4NM0kTI7qkOrX4/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.10.19+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The back of the house shows the addition onto the loggia.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj4YYMcLWiBMk0kLDkg72YGgxRX1hnASQTwtPQcLDyKvo4cPLMHYF4mDiS37mx8mWO0dfdD7oWxwMc8hhdIsQmjhrveKVoYWFsAvADAGjJJqUy53j2GgB13xqqTijWLADRgHZ6JJ8bpTl/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.10.13+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904952943791202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 251px; " /></span><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Three panels entitled The Enchanted Wood appears on the wall in the side hall. Painted by Canadian artist, </span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><i><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><i><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Frederick S. Challener. </span></div></i></i></div></i></i></div></i></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgQ_JzN7gYSlzhyS3MyUN9iDq5IBo1Gv9CIgnt9ZNFDYc-Wx1UupdKU5VrLk3dh1hqgwxTWvURFc4-dbvznWA6KYxlUJomJZsadomMsl70TCTYId6c3EPFa9A_fT_a2Yy1vrg28wAvrRc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.10.23+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgQ_JzN7gYSlzhyS3MyUN9iDq5IBo1Gv9CIgnt9ZNFDYc-Wx1UupdKU5VrLk3dh1hqgwxTWvURFc4-dbvznWA6KYxlUJomJZsadomMsl70TCTYId6c3EPFa9A_fT_a2Yy1vrg28wAvrRc/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.10.23+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627904913607226674" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Care for a game of bowling? This entertainment wing included a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> family sitting room and greenhouse area (to the right of where this photo was taken). </span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This bowling alley integrated an early version of an automatic pin-setter for both five and ten pin bowling.</span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the distance you can see the office area of Sam McLaughlin. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you were standing where this photo was taken, behind you would </span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">walk to the indoor pool and locker rooms</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfxXVOls6I9Kbg3cXI0TscP95SV3wBq8YDZtcrk87iAxoZ0vNr5KTh1K3XWvIa8l62Gd4l9ytOS3Zbl_PvYirJ-9sTlOxwieVuUlxZC9BInbuazhPl_Vs8UDZ22y4DUj8xvR-0qC7qDnA/s1600/4a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfxXVOls6I9Kbg3cXI0TscP95SV3wBq8YDZtcrk87iAxoZ0vNr5KTh1K3XWvIa8l62Gd4l9ytOS3Zbl_PvYirJ-9sTlOxwieVuUlxZC9BInbuazhPl_Vs8UDZ22y4DUj8xvR-0qC7qDnA/s1600/4a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfxXVOls6I9Kbg3cXI0TscP95SV3wBq8YDZtcrk87iAxoZ0vNr5KTh1K3XWvIa8l62Gd4l9ytOS3Zbl_PvYirJ-9sTlOxwieVuUlxZC9BInbuazhPl_Vs8UDZ22y4DUj8xvR-0qC7qDnA/s1600/4a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfxXVOls6I9Kbg3cXI0TscP95SV3wBq8YDZtcrk87iAxoZ0vNr5KTh1K3XWvIa8l62Gd4l9ytOS3Zbl_PvYirJ-9sTlOxwieVuUlxZC9BInbuazhPl_Vs8UDZ22y4DUj8xvR-0qC7qDnA/s400/4a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627906995203343922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The walls of the Dining Room were adorned with portraits of his 5 daughters. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of his daughters was a painter and was influenced by the Group of Seven, </span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a group of well-known Canadian painters in the 20th Century.</span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Below, the painting 'After the Bath', 1889 by Paul Peel acquired eventually by Sam McLaughlin. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This painting catapulted the Canadian artist to fame after winning </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a bronze medal for the painting in the Paris Salon of 1890. </span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The original painting is now in the Art Gallery of Ontario. A copy is here in its original place.</span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></i></span></div></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNlUuaG2X4kOZkT7CwKBqMsjlU27CYYYTpw2ajpWo87nlgXuRFNyMF9o63h5woOIMCuuzhzIGhlZfzWgUKbwzWtB8A6fR112cm5tLMMEtK5sCPx57Bk_dMfAFrngpWl6ODPvjXArdUUiq/s400/4b.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627907006503760914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7lgzh1y-I_u5ot9lXC4u8u4Qan7TEOx87hlRPRO04qWyphq37uvKUMUbB7iPGQWJx4s1mLVhZ4GOrAmxpBRAeSZ6zQqPDAqRbfnpYg6-5ayBSxnocqjN4ZMfmbcGmCLY7AMMQfzmaGWi/s400/622.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627907647886781410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Bedroom designed by John Lyle (note: he also designed the Novia Scotia Bank Building which is now part of the Parliment Library complex.)</span></i></div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovP-F7sbTX2qlawX_c64FdlZN96bKFSRTpYJeA6sBUAz1ARs-6wvoCZqN2GkgvLGPQQpXdyQKqlw9VWJAbucwycxyVTfVWWkZxRF6I50ybS9XqWaNHY7fFpK_l0fcS80HKcuOwybh9ELi/s400/5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627906674140272706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div>In the next posting... I'll share the gardens.. you won't want to miss it. I've never seen anything like it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-29135965480697359022011-07-02T17:46:00.000-07:002011-07-02T18:40:19.872-07:00America (and Canada) the Beautiful<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">With Independence Day, July 4th, and Canada Day (celebrating not the independence of Canda but the unification of four of the provinces in the 1800s), July 1, I thought I'd celebrate both countries with this post. </div><div><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwKRKHGlCCXSKZHFgi7dazNc_OEUY6dFNlquAC2CCEgU1ubQwaVjiv5e4EwHMYo541iSRcBppf3J2_GTMoO83VONiB1aKqwoRNS9hZ62x2oKtjfjyhl9tydWNq9MsNVEbbmuP32_TU_mi/s1600/2011-06-25+11.08.51.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfFIxuUgKwLK1kUabXmwHIGtXJfqzYvQG1UjfLKpO_DYCMiYx8L60ipS62jcxJLLwRO5_21r2fQIuuryWImBZmcZDgB2Vg85vb3NcTmfdpSTSQwYJgeTttera6gPAWxrQ0s0q2gA4dLw2/s400/2011-06-25+11.20.31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624921821303564594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Last week while in Canada, I visited Niagra Falls. Nestled between the border of the province of Ontario and the State of New York, Niagra Falls is beyond words. Majestic, powerful, and yet peaceful. The photos are mine in the posting less the vintage photo and the paintings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">What's unusual about this natural outlet from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario? The color. What makes the color so green/vibrant? Erosion. From the Niagra Falls Canadian website: "An estimated 60 tons of dissolved minerals are swept over Niagara Falls every minute. The colour comes from the dissolved salts and "rock flour", very finely ground rock, picked up primarily from the limestone bed but probably also from the shales and sandstones under the limestone cap at the Falls." The color that most closely resembles it to my memory is Jade when I visited the mines in Alaska. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkBq_GKeSHP7BPhCkmQlsk_2a4Dn_jwBlt7n9gD3CoRR2_uPS1kV1xRS5m3pELTzkmTmT5A5wH2avK9Ve-k7NszjnUmStuJ_EhiBCafN58uV5l03TwjCWHdMG3-kI1l0xDR3_Ya6fU7-W/s1600/2011-06-25+11.23.29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkBq_GKeSHP7BPhCkmQlsk_2a4Dn_jwBlt7n9gD3CoRR2_uPS1kV1xRS5m3pELTzkmTmT5A5wH2avK9Ve-k7NszjnUmStuJ_EhiBCafN58uV5l03TwjCWHdMG3-kI1l0xDR3_Ya6fU7-W/s400/2011-06-25+11.23.29.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624921829411895314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>This is the Maiden of the Mist, a boat that one can take for an up-close view. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>I was amazed when I saw the boat up close and then noticed</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>how it dwarfed when near the falls.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGVlv3jSqDqVKCEWtYSV63gqpPHegN2mTNpbY6gDZ6MhQ-oMZglDDWJ2wgfTFBOc3fboL8tH3XQtIYagAVY9JyywQGk2eA6zSsO1G6md0noVEW__cioPLLX26kJ2JXQlvla6Nw125f8dx/s1600/2011-06-25+11.19.28.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGVlv3jSqDqVKCEWtYSV63gqpPHegN2mTNpbY6gDZ6MhQ-oMZglDDWJ2wgfTFBOc3fboL8tH3XQtIYagAVY9JyywQGk2eA6zSsO1G6md0noVEW__cioPLLX26kJ2JXQlvla6Nw125f8dx/s400/2011-06-25+11.19.28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624921816146491346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The day I visited, the day was slightly overcast with some rain. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The advantage is that on overcast days, colors seem to be true. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The water at the bottom of this photo is exactly</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>the color green described above.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj4487PhKUH9OrfTZQ3GqqNcKhKIcyHUUe7rB0zROelUpPiCIyZ-DMv4FTq1iVESTLl6-r7b7H9FSLdKQHpjBC8dbka1a3R6aFcKWc3k9sy3rTwEguLroM9ln_ZJLx6WJE7g8YKlnio0A/s1600/2011-06-25+11.11.14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj4487PhKUH9OrfTZQ3GqqNcKhKIcyHUUe7rB0zROelUpPiCIyZ-DMv4FTq1iVESTLl6-r7b7H9FSLdKQHpjBC8dbka1a3R6aFcKWc3k9sy3rTwEguLroM9ln_ZJLx6WJE7g8YKlnio0A/s400/2011-06-25+11.11.14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624921810126371794" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Overcast, the mist is created by both the rain that day plus the </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">water leaping over the falls. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZfTXdPZV-Vsqph54HffRooUbqzH6xSW6Z7GALDe6jh50YtG4HLIjEN1LJq_53w33MCDaXW5STYQi9is1T-wuWvzwOK48wvdKik9FkySAe-wM9TOpA2e5cXm4v2DvratjafSfYUX6SO9x/s1600/800px-A_General_View_of_the_Falls_of_Niagara%252C_1820%252C_by_Alvan_Fisher_-_SAAM_-_DSC00862.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZfTXdPZV-Vsqph54HffRooUbqzH6xSW6Z7GALDe6jh50YtG4HLIjEN1LJq_53w33MCDaXW5STYQi9is1T-wuWvzwOK48wvdKik9FkySAe-wM9TOpA2e5cXm4v2DvratjafSfYUX6SO9x/s1600/800px-A_General_View_of_the_Falls_of_Niagara%252C_1820%252C_by_Alvan_Fisher_-_SAAM_-_DSC00862.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZfTXdPZV-Vsqph54HffRooUbqzH6xSW6Z7GALDe6jh50YtG4HLIjEN1LJq_53w33MCDaXW5STYQi9is1T-wuWvzwOK48wvdKik9FkySAe-wM9TOpA2e5cXm4v2DvratjafSfYUX6SO9x/s400/800px-A_General_View_of_the_Falls_of_Niagara%252C_1820%252C_by_Alvan_Fisher_-_SAAM_-_DSC00862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624928147884774274" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px; " /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Alvan Fisher</span> - A General View of the Falls of Niagara,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> 1820</span></span></i></span></div></i><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b> The Smithsonian Institution</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn87l3avFKjjshb2sMg2yK8UUF0cj8yYAapQtxasicl0YE2HdixZVttQRgEALrVypKPuotqVSY3rxNtlyG2NvJ2yRsI12SLBAGFDrDrbYct8wBaJYd9fadEc7zu8sIYon4uY8xqnBuh2o/s1600/768px-Distant_View_of_Niagara_Falls_1830_Thomas_Cole.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn87l3avFKjjshb2sMg2yK8UUF0cj8yYAapQtxasicl0YE2HdixZVttQRgEALrVypKPuotqVSY3rxNtlyG2NvJ2yRsI12SLBAGFDrDrbYct8wBaJYd9fadEc7zu8sIYon4uY8xqnBuh2o/s400/768px-Distant_View_of_Niagara_Falls_1830_Thomas_Cole.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624928142678926114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px; " /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn87l3avFKjjshb2sMg2yK8UUF0cj8yYAapQtxasicl0YE2HdixZVttQRgEALrVypKPuotqVSY3rxNtlyG2NvJ2yRsI12SLBAGFDrDrbYct8wBaJYd9fadEc7zu8sIYon4uY8xqnBuh2o/s1600/768px-Distant_View_of_Niagara_Falls_1830_Thomas_Cole.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn1hWsPZaYmJt1lEhBVYP-iqKiTgFYrZO4aqtTsdEY0QEbeCIhTo59nrmF1IDVWD2UGP43heDvmkMPAtHfPlCEB_ptZbrm-qhPWafyjzOSqSC7Jyr35tjazepmX7jMQWpbVSJ9Fm4Nsup/s1600/niagara4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Thomas Cole -</span> Distant View of Niagara Falls, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1830</span> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Art Institute of Chicago</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn1hWsPZaYmJt1lEhBVYP-iqKiTgFYrZO4aqtTsdEY0QEbeCIhTo59nrmF1IDVWD2UGP43heDvmkMPAtHfPlCEB_ptZbrm-qhPWafyjzOSqSC7Jyr35tjazepmX7jMQWpbVSJ9Fm4Nsup/s1600/niagara4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn1hWsPZaYmJt1lEhBVYP-iqKiTgFYrZO4aqtTsdEY0QEbeCIhTo59nrmF1IDVWD2UGP43heDvmkMPAtHfPlCEB_ptZbrm-qhPWafyjzOSqSC7Jyr35tjazepmX7jMQWpbVSJ9Fm4Nsup/s400/niagara4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624922982839835618" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This photo is from 1911-12, when the falls froze over. Sometimes when</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">it was solid (which wasn't often) </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">restaurants would serve tea or lunch</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and actually have tables out on the ice. </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The only time the falls shut</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">completely down due to ice was in 1841. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-23635014483969160582011-06-20T15:41:00.001-07:002011-06-20T15:42:55.665-07:00Tomorrow... Toronto<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48C6nf2VKCaZbuYAkSLiJWnJlmgSh2h8N3sJkkPV6Zx4huZmRwAsTihf5UfW1ogLIoDNIy19KxPAkDgetLljSUUcERB44llHNDwiQMFLWG7hFhpuPLu4L7uwRatpV90Xw-RD8Det_FG_1/s1600/Toronto-Canada-001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48C6nf2VKCaZbuYAkSLiJWnJlmgSh2h8N3sJkkPV6Zx4huZmRwAsTihf5UfW1ogLIoDNIy19KxPAkDgetLljSUUcERB44llHNDwiQMFLWG7hFhpuPLu4L7uwRatpV90Xw-RD8Det_FG_1/s400/Toronto-Canada-001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620436142694199058" /></a><br />Part business part R&R, I'm leaving for Toronto. Can hardly wait to share what I see and what I learn while there. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-76213786201579384672011-04-28T10:25:00.001-07:002011-04-28T21:40:25.699-07:00Royal Reminiscing...<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVtJcReDqg3GBaHVfVNglsyD0an7AgRXwK6L07GYoW13sXbt7bB7AbdVd2kioGOqP7lax1_oPHnP3J0ykh8ydBDucg7hRhwf5Xr4R05WvtSyb6qykFKtiNtIe3giUy9zIYSapQkNji_vq/s1600/catherineoxenberg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVtJcReDqg3GBaHVfVNglsyD0an7AgRXwK6L07GYoW13sXbt7bB7AbdVd2kioGOqP7lax1_oPHnP3J0ykh8ydBDucg7hRhwf5Xr4R05WvtSyb6qykFKtiNtIe3giUy9zIYSapQkNji_vq/s400/catherineoxenberg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600511283976638706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Catherine Oxenberg</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div>With husband, actor Casper Van Dien, acting as messenger last night, I asked Catherine if I could share her current blog entry... Casper responded "She says she would be thrilled... but just give her one more hour...she is editing it right now." So naturally, I agreed.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Besides being a talented actress and director, Catherine Oxenberg is the daughter of Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia. With the Royal Wedding happening, I wanted to share her blog entry with you as you'll realize immediately with her writing, she's this down-to-earth, real person. I just love her... and you will too.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Shhh... a secret she doesn't know... her grandfather, Prince Paul of Yugoslavia is one of my heroes. The National Museum of Serbia has one of the most revered collections of French paintings with over 250 works having been from the Prince Paul's personal collection. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Like to leave a message on Catherine's blog? Please click <a href="http://catherineoxenberg.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/my-almost-royal-wedding/">here</a>.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>She'd love to hear from you but also you should read her past and future entries.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Thanks, Catherine!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>-------------------------------------------------</div><div>
<br /></div><div>My Almost Royal Wedding -</div><div><i>Catherine Oxenberg</i></div><div>
<br /></div><div><div><div><i>"The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (William is my 3rd cousin) is fast approaching and I am reminded of the day, 31 years ago, when I almost became William’s aunt and Princess Diana’s sister-in-law -</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Flash back to the night of July 27, 1981 – right before the wedding of William’s parents, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. I arrived at Buckingham Palace with my mother, H.R.H Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, to attend a ball in honor of the royal couple. I still remember my dress – It was a knee length, ruby-red taffeta dress, layered ruffles, with a bustier and gold and black swirls – Signature 80’s! Actually, the length was a point of contention, as my mother and I tugged down on the dress to ensure that my knees were covered – but then discovered, to our dismay, that the top became too risqué!</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>I had never seen such opulence in all my life – Buckingham Palace had been transformed into a royal fantasyland. We were handed a map upon arrival, presumably to prevent us from getting lost in the palatial labyrinth. There were 3 ballrooms, each playing a different style of music – jazz, classical and pop – so that every generation could shimmy to their preferred tempo. Most of the guests danced until the wee hours, and the buffet, which spanned the length of an entire stateroom, morphed from dinner into breakfast.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Every royal imaginable was in attendance. My mother had instructed me since i was little, that as the daughter of a princess, the protocol, according to my standing in the royal pecking order, was that I had only to curtsey to kings and queens – not to princes or princesses. The fewer the better! I hated curtseying and always felt as if I was going to lose my balance. The only royal I made sure to give a wide berth to was Princess Grace of Monaco – she had given me, Prince Andrew and her son, Prince Albert, a stern lecture earlier that night, at a pre-ball dinner held at Claridges’ Hotel, chastising us for our appalling manners – she had caught us throwing bread rolls at each other during dinner. Food fights were a bad habit amongst young members of the upper crust! I must admit that I had enlisted Prince Charles to throw giant Dublin prawns on another occasion!</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Prince Charles is my mother’s 2nd cousin, and they maintain a close friendship. Just to give you an idea how convoluted royal lineages are – Charles’ great-grandfather, King George of Greece was my great-great grandfather. Queen Alexandra of England was my great-great-great aunt and Charles’ great-great grandmother. Charles’ father, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh was my grandmother, H.R.H Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark’s 1st cousin, and, King George VI’s (Charles’ grandfather) younger brother Georgie, the Duke of Kent (both brothers had the same name – confusing?!) was married to my grandmother’s sister, Princess Marina – are you still with me?!! but I had never met Lady Diana before.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Charles took me by the hand and brought me over to meet her. She was standing alone, in the corner of the ‘pop’ ballroom – Duran Duran was blaring over the sound system– probably a first for that room! I will always remember the giant disco ball spinning drunkenly from the middle of the ceiling, in lieu of a chandelier. The strobe lights magnified the iridescent shimmer of her clingy, sequined gown. She was statuesque and I had never seen any royal dress with that kind of slinky style! Diana and I shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, but she seemed nervous and distracted. Her eyes betrayed something that surprised me – this was not the look of a princess convinced her future held a fairytale ending.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Later that evening, I stepped out onto the balcony – the famous balcony that we always see the Queen waving from – with Prince Andrew – I neglected to mention that Prince Andrew had been courting me, filling my hotel room at Claridges’ with boxes of dozens of bouquets of long stemmed roses.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>It was a beautiful evening, and from our vantage point, we could see the hundreds of thousands of jubilant well-wishers, celebrating this historic event. Andrew gently took my hand in his and gazed into my eyes.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Why hadn’t I anticipated this? I don’t know, but he caught me completely by surprise. And whenever I’m nervous, or caught off guard, I resort to giggling and/or glib humor. I flipped his hand over and started reading his palm. I told him he had long life, a good heart, and absolutely no brains whatsoever. He laughed whole-heartedly, and undeterred, he proceeded to propose to me.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>“Would you be interested in marrying me or would you prefer to be an actress?”</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Without hesitation, I said to him, “quite honestly Andrew, I’d really rather prefer to be an actress.”</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>I was 18 years old at the time, 3 months younger than Diana to the day. I had just graduated from high school and had decided to defer for a year from Harvard University to pursue acting and modeling in NYC.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Prince Andrew didn’t seem too distraught by my refusal, in fact, he seemed to sympathize, and we danced on into the early morning. He continued to correspond with me after that, once sending me a letter written on toilet paper while he was stationed in The Falkland Islands. I have been asked, “why toilet paper?” And I guess the answer might have to do with where he was inspired to write to me from! (joke!) I felt sorry for anyone who had to use that paper for that which it was intended for – It looked more like parchment paper and was probably better suited for writing than wiping anyways!</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Exactly a year later, I was in NYC pursuing my dream. My 2nd audition happened to be for the role of Princess Diana in the CBS TV movie, “The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana”. The producers weren’t aware of my relationship to the British royal family, but my look was similar and I had a great British accent. As unskilled and relatively untrained as I was, I miraculously gave a great audition, and I remember the precise moment that the reading came alive. I could see out of the corner of my eye, the producer and the casting director looking at each other with the expression of “we’ve found her.” I got a call almost immediately after the audition telling me that I had the offer. It was my first acting role and I was ecstatic.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>However, the thrill of success dissipated, when my mother told me that she was extremely anxious that I would be ostracized by my royal cousins. I received a severe reprimand in the form of a letter, from the King of Greece, who felt that it was disrespectful for me to impersonate Diana. Panic set in. My mother kindly called Prince Charles and told him that I had been hired to play his wife. His gracious response was, “well, they are going to make the film anyway, at least she can bring dignity to the role.” I was so relieved. It was as close to a blessing as I could have hoped for.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>Accepting this first role as an actress signaled a major crossroad in my life and closed the doors on palace life. And it would eventually strike me as ironic, that if I wasn’t going to be a princess, I would be impersonating one on screen! And more than once!</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>As I looked back at that moment over the years, I was always shocked that my response was so immediate. Granted, I knew how hard life in the royal fish bowl was – as did Andrew- which is why he gallantly gave me an out – but why didn’t I even take a minute to mull over his proposal?</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>It took me years to uncover a deeper, darker explanation – I had been molested as a child by a royal prince. That made so much sense – of course I would react like that! The last thing in the world I would want – would be to marry a prince, after all, the belief embedded in my subconscious was that a prince = perpetrator.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>As I peeled away the layers of my psyche, I was amazed to discover how certain childhood events would have so much power in shaping life-changing decisions that I would make as an adult.</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>It took my current husband to point out another reason I should not have married Andrew – we were 2nd cousins – even if it was once removed! A fact that escaped both me and cousin Andrew!</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>And truth be told, I did end up marrying a prince – one that came with a loincloth rather than a crown!</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i>This evening was indelibly etched in my memory forever. Not only was it a historic event for 100′s of millions around the world, but for me personally, it held some rather extraordinary details which would be hard for anyone to forget."</i></div></div></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><div>To see Catherine's blog directly, please click <a href="http://catherineoxenberg.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/my-almost-royal-wedding/">here</a>.</div><div>
<br /></div></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-24493350176106553352011-04-27T20:53:00.000-07:002011-04-27T21:52:57.318-07:00Good Things Come in Small Royal Packages...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHhZMzF3Trx5yY1zsKCI9nYuBlbBohLkry06JAkx11aqRbm8EFIYblNAMJoMuDfNzS4Vvb7KRVePu4GEiUFNNlwp0JY_10AXMJRPdi9SRi2f34J2gU6jhWXmifShVB9Fq4waLU0pYBLeR/s400/kewfromriver.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600485855323865602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px; " /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzxbDXG1AV0fO8xBSPXLpxUn-gJix2q9_V_1MfVoHW-HfbNafRxz3vtpjdVJzwa-odxV8CD458pLr6K64GWS6mrLdTd_2dbcQXG36-5eGNHj_kdgbH_e7Z7Dr4M45O7UijcB8UShww-4M/s1600/royallock.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span>In St. Louis we laugh about the local news reporters as they always have to make some connection to St. Louis with any sort of major news item no matter how shaky or insignificant the relationship is. However, as my friends gasp, I'm going to do the same in this entry... </div><div><br /></div><div>I live six blocks from the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) which was founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw. What people don't realize is that Mr. Shaw worked directly with the director and other botanists at the Kew Gardens in England to help create his vision known now as the MBG. Ranked in order, the Kew and our MBG is #1 and #2 in the world... So naturally I feel St. Louis has such a connection with Kew Gardens and owe it's founders thanks for our treasure here.<div><br /></div><div>If you don't know <a href="http://www.kew.org/">Kew Gardens</a> it holds the largest collection of plants in the world and is noted as the single most important botanical collection known. But what might be missed is a little known treasure on it's grounds, the Kew Palace.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although there were four structures known as the Kew Place, the one that we know of today was actually built in 1631 for Samuel Fortrey, a French-born Flemish merchant and then later acquired by the royal family. It's the last remaining structure of a complex of buildings that made up the royal compound. It later was the place that Queen Charlotte died unexpectedly after leaving Buckingham palace going there for a rest not feeling well. The house was set up for public display during the end of Queen Victoria's reign as she wanted it to look just as her grandmother had left it... </div><div><br /></div><div>The smallest of all the Royal Palaces of England, I thought I'd share it's Dutch architecture and refined details with you. (the Palace went through a major renovation in 2005-6).</div><div><br /></div><div>For further reading, here are two fact sheets from the Royal Historic Palaces website:</div><div>Interior furnishings of Kew click<a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/Resources/Kew%20Palace%20Interior%20Furnishings.pdf"> here</a>. History of Kew Palace click <a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/Resources/Kew%20Palace%20History.pdf">here.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Please enjoy as I did while researching this wonderful, intimate place which was the favorite home of King George III and Queen Charlotte and their family.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzxbDXG1AV0fO8xBSPXLpxUn-gJix2q9_V_1MfVoHW-HfbNafRxz3vtpjdVJzwa-odxV8CD458pLr6K64GWS6mrLdTd_2dbcQXG36-5eGNHj_kdgbH_e7Z7Dr4M45O7UijcB8UShww-4M/s1600/royallock.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzxbDXG1AV0fO8xBSPXLpxUn-gJix2q9_V_1MfVoHW-HfbNafRxz3vtpjdVJzwa-odxV8CD458pLr6K64GWS6mrLdTd_2dbcQXG36-5eGNHj_kdgbH_e7Z7Dr4M45O7UijcB8UShww-4M/s400/royallock.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600486015038082898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 178px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>18th c. brass door locks. It bears the Royal cipher of </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Frederick, the Prince of Wales.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dxKrhJLuzvGnVTy8uTfmtxW2IsiIUQz7mEzmpynjhluCYZ9-943GOvHbro7iXMg25WB99ZZQbV8YPPo3hR7qCucdvsf4D5kyOVA9kVTTGrvJlvbucmWapVMUCs6bMQG0vbOrkAyaIUHn/s1600/livingroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dxKrhJLuzvGnVTy8uTfmtxW2IsiIUQz7mEzmpynjhluCYZ9-943GOvHbro7iXMg25WB99ZZQbV8YPPo3hR7qCucdvsf4D5kyOVA9kVTTGrvJlvbucmWapVMUCs6bMQG0vbOrkAyaIUHn/s400/livingroom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600485718371352258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 323px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Drawing room.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgah47thpRhsGn-3GmfSG1wt2-bddWsMosJ8bJaDDm7IRBVOHSuBsZVgvjDcVJ78RGd2yk-Wj__bDWVSf07NpyjQ0-tvkfNW8YG9fI6spawKD-Y_ahQVQMAfRLZMer5v3uL0_GOzUK1GZs3/s1600/kinggeorge3library.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgah47thpRhsGn-3GmfSG1wt2-bddWsMosJ8bJaDDm7IRBVOHSuBsZVgvjDcVJ78RGd2yk-Wj__bDWVSf07NpyjQ0-tvkfNW8YG9fI6spawKD-Y_ahQVQMAfRLZMer5v3uL0_GOzUK1GZs3/s400/kinggeorge3library.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600485523464008690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>George III library.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2pqjDZDdiwWaV80qCrZrrFEmGxaTO8GMJgoHpLoWfZT1fqXxUQHjw-V0tryc54wHY-PZejEoCDpgGDPp3J3iM1G5Tf6Xy8GHDloX1Pbqi_Y_wyns4NwV9IrloeQkdnlOO3NoyU-iMoDe/s1600/Kew_Palace_from_Thomas_Dugdale%2527s_Curiosities_of_Great_Britain_%25281735%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2pqjDZDdiwWaV80qCrZrrFEmGxaTO8GMJgoHpLoWfZT1fqXxUQHjw-V0tryc54wHY-PZejEoCDpgGDPp3J3iM1G5Tf6Xy8GHDloX1Pbqi_Y_wyns4NwV9IrloeQkdnlOO3NoyU-iMoDe/s400/Kew_Palace_from_Thomas_Dugdale%2527s_Curiosities_of_Great_Britain_%25281735%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600485521580872002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 258px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Engraving showing the Kew Palace from the Thames River.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLdnhOf2DxQ30ZWNkOADd5ZBnXNIMRj4d0VKHTtcMxrjU_DqBCwqHByBxxMVqWMcxuxbtgmuFSRK15C4UHUrOWTU4SoCKnAPXPFbefb0mUgw3iJVQuKiSHS1Lw5_a3m3U5v2M6zRG5tVi/s1600/ceilingqueensbedroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLdnhOf2DxQ30ZWNkOADd5ZBnXNIMRj4d0VKHTtcMxrjU_DqBCwqHByBxxMVqWMcxuxbtgmuFSRK15C4UHUrOWTU4SoCKnAPXPFbefb0mUgw3iJVQuKiSHS1Lw5_a3m3U5v2M6zRG5tVi/s400/ceilingqueensbedroom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600485513123586594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 160px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>The plaster ceilings were restored in 2005. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvrSMomux4SK_pSWM1s_NS8x5X2NkOw0KKIhQ2DbV4iU2dq5kVAkJ2WRWCWPYETg-Fd84TGwkFD6Lsm5XbiZQfVtNx6Qcna3hGPeaRhHaLcJwDcjzaaGOY9DiD8XVMqYw9NvWVnEbuceL/s1600/queensbedroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvrSMomux4SK_pSWM1s_NS8x5X2NkOw0KKIhQ2DbV4iU2dq5kVAkJ2WRWCWPYETg-Fd84TGwkFD6Lsm5XbiZQfVtNx6Qcna3hGPeaRhHaLcJwDcjzaaGOY9DiD8XVMqYw9NvWVnEbuceL/s400/queensbedroom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600485509792409698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 400px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Vintage photograph showing interior.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zwWemRh1B_l0JiN97MPZyf8reM3ZU5_N15bo8wuE2oiQySuIVBR0lVpz4-Q3YvMp2_q5Wl15pJX6acxs7D76VK52y3i65HHUp7iP9G1DOBnmxQxfn89GMzoKlIY37pcamb1mlQ4h6RPz/s400/Screen+shot+2011-04-27+at+11.37.24+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600489073741400578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px; " /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Queen Charlotte's bedroom.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></i></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRa4O7twMEhdVIqOGwb0FpaXAF-nCktAm4XCC6iifYWtyv1sXnLQcPSvub0-1n8Pm6plGPWB-hl5Ocqv12HuklGPY57QqZJdVmYtKNfWN_i0A_ZzRlU6mwE5rT0kYogHKAlG_VidxqjKy/s400/Screen+shot+2011-04-27+at+11.33.16+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600488308149302402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Imagine playing on this period harpsichord.</i></span></div></span></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-45811960855378974062011-04-26T18:18:00.000-07:002011-04-26T18:29:38.404-07:00Royal Appointment...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6L3o7t3KUnnZAOkg96eMBz4t5JYbuVmBdrgK3pQqNUMxNdzCdlbeAxvH3JnedQdX2rdugcESoSDxY-qZfrjRlywDx0aJKl3QA7OhVmO_yZJLyO4WGr2z42BkaO5PeYA02PPUdm75Nl1r/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-26+at+8.24.58+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6L3o7t3KUnnZAOkg96eMBz4t5JYbuVmBdrgK3pQqNUMxNdzCdlbeAxvH3JnedQdX2rdugcESoSDxY-qZfrjRlywDx0aJKl3QA7OhVmO_yZJLyO4WGr2z42BkaO5PeYA02PPUdm75Nl1r/s400/Screen+shot+2011-04-26+at+8.24.58+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600068339041434098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Me and Earl Spencer.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>Union Jack bunting, wedding souveniers donning the portraits of the lucky couple, tabloid explosions... It’s not a secret that we’re approaching another Royal Wedding. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I thought it fitting to create a few postings associated with the Royal Couple. </div><div><br /></div><div>Althorp was the childhood home of Princess Diana and the current Earl Spencer. It sits on 14,000 acres of beautiful countryside in Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Norfolk. </div><div><br /></div><div>The interiors show a 500-year compilation of art, furniture and case goods that are now being reproduced by the manufacturer Theodore Alexander. (the proceeds go to the renovation and maintenance of the home.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DJlxz0woL85z3u22qr2vCJnxVjA15LQLux53IMmN0Uf5DQbwcc1MEdfXMgSxdAQkQUS0U9qiv5mpYgep_b4M9_VQuAa5Zxr4owqsfZ1aDSKGac2KROUP0M4jI83oHOHFoAmRO8CyzVzz/s1600/Althorp+entrance+with+gates.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DJlxz0woL85z3u22qr2vCJnxVjA15LQLux53IMmN0Uf5DQbwcc1MEdfXMgSxdAQkQUS0U9qiv5mpYgep_b4M9_VQuAa5Zxr4owqsfZ1aDSKGac2KROUP0M4jI83oHOHFoAmRO8CyzVzz/s400/Althorp+entrance+with+gates.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067594209936258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 212px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Althorp entrance.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_udJjHGKyad934Fci-bg3kLg04rz74hyKKmubW3z4WHkt5uVFKMpg6iIR8n_65nNVvu9WS0AR-2Iy5oVrJmUkziH0IZbOzIHSU6dEJkuG6z99vFpEtxvljyxMOURiOgZ0CzdkW4k7ycsd/s1600/althorp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_udJjHGKyad934Fci-bg3kLg04rz74hyKKmubW3z4WHkt5uVFKMpg6iIR8n_65nNVvu9WS0AR-2Iy5oVrJmUkziH0IZbOzIHSU6dEJkuG6z99vFpEtxvljyxMOURiOgZ0CzdkW4k7ycsd/s400/althorp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067589713546210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Drawing Room.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8lCHL02CUJVPrbMa3rtqbMfxBcU_OUaWiunOrO0GHNteTGxTGTHxBIki1ARgCVegN4MWP7D7Oo5It66kvCmrbSH3ah8P2mxEBe6Mt0FY0-KiUEh4IasXas3DR0iQgR6ZSi1ihLWTMWcU/s1600/18.+althorp+state+dining+room.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8lCHL02CUJVPrbMa3rtqbMfxBcU_OUaWiunOrO0GHNteTGxTGTHxBIki1ARgCVegN4MWP7D7Oo5It66kvCmrbSH3ah8P2mxEBe6Mt0FY0-KiUEh4IasXas3DR0iQgR6ZSi1ihLWTMWcU/s400/18.+althorp+state+dining+room.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067585449905922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Dining Room.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoIglKQM773GI89kjSScJUFvFdiM3TNjOmQrj2mD4rhmJMh6WMQ2AP5lyWXMoIovIaOzPdwJyy6QSKSm4HLOi-5oSG2WusM0bLbsp2ei7fouhyphenhyphenbFL7o-8fHlqst19rttze1ULWAA91wAD/s1600/31.+althorp+king+william+bedroom+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoIglKQM773GI89kjSScJUFvFdiM3TNjOmQrj2mD4rhmJMh6WMQ2AP5lyWXMoIovIaOzPdwJyy6QSKSm4HLOi-5oSG2WusM0bLbsp2ei7fouhyphenhyphenbFL7o-8fHlqst19rttze1ULWAA91wAD/s400/31.+althorp+king+william+bedroom+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067587360113570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 376px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>King William Bedroom.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejV57Cfzz_wEMaTsHh1ls1RCiHKNOeHHAKCU4cT5hh402YPG6aL3hIg25u0YzBfu10G8OO8LyH3iVPpUa8R45WrXB8yvvlANDuNJYq9dYOERJ7PPkVYxgLWd9ty-98QsJhtixwoRkrykD/s1600/19.+althorp+great+room.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejV57Cfzz_wEMaTsHh1ls1RCiHKNOeHHAKCU4cT5hh402YPG6aL3hIg25u0YzBfu10G8OO8LyH3iVPpUa8R45WrXB8yvvlANDuNJYq9dYOERJ7PPkVYxgLWd9ty-98QsJhtixwoRkrykD/s400/19.+althorp+great+room.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067387445814594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Great Room.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RZcEk-rmrAUdI48vrNeEYct47eE-ximJXEdv1jTVAb2Ud90uLsFpTPmr9i-Gi8Ve4UdVQ589L1cFIAetjnq3evt3Hskv1ep1CLlomXLKNZspmy-BjI2FL2uMqplKU_wK22fNG7MSkMy9/s1600/27.+althorp+saloon.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RZcEk-rmrAUdI48vrNeEYct47eE-ximJXEdv1jTVAb2Ud90uLsFpTPmr9i-Gi8Ve4UdVQ589L1cFIAetjnq3evt3Hskv1ep1CLlomXLKNZspmy-BjI2FL2uMqplKU_wK22fNG7MSkMy9/s400/27.+althorp+saloon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067377423963986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Saloon.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKJh7UShnrNx55K-6KLBTsyEQz9RsG9D7iFJuAdSILvw4n0QeeX4zdliMO1fRxdB4sRRqXL_r8hIbePoemyvVhNIWt9DdOzHfZpoqZDwQNuCmDzlEfMwvjoE7sVCHDgrNwH7VuwOrp8Kk/s1600/33.+althorp+oak+bedroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKJh7UShnrNx55K-6KLBTsyEQz9RsG9D7iFJuAdSILvw4n0QeeX4zdliMO1fRxdB4sRRqXL_r8hIbePoemyvVhNIWt9DdOzHfZpoqZDwQNuCmDzlEfMwvjoE7sVCHDgrNwH7VuwOrp8Kk/s400/33.+althorp+oak+bedroom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067364689290738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Oak Bedroom.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtHmiXi6yfAhLXIQOBCau6XqENW_TlE4Kdy2N3WkGKDvSLdUgTa9L3K33iga4As8kskDUbCHpqY3vRdajjcoIgDUhvCz4XC8R__V1IHhMbabn9p_c6NO90anjcB2IDjjiX586fOAGCjZM/s1600/11.+althorp+library+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtHmiXi6yfAhLXIQOBCau6XqENW_TlE4Kdy2N3WkGKDvSLdUgTa9L3K33iga4As8kskDUbCHpqY3vRdajjcoIgDUhvCz4XC8R__V1IHhMbabn9p_c6NO90anjcB2IDjjiX586fOAGCjZM/s400/11.+althorp+library+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067360357918738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Library.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX88ZoCQVQuR-dOMIxsgbmH34BaYv0yPDvgYcLoQYfMbTkDvFJOOCay45j9MRq8Ee1stw3XhAG2g7fepVd1aR69knXTHEmXCMOVKqd4FLav5G4AB9Dxu9vCCM3FegTc7B-GBd0aGWmvbf/s1600/10.+althorp+libary.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX88ZoCQVQuR-dOMIxsgbmH34BaYv0yPDvgYcLoQYfMbTkDvFJOOCay45j9MRq8Ee1stw3XhAG2g7fepVd1aR69knXTHEmXCMOVKqd4FLav5G4AB9Dxu9vCCM3FegTc7B-GBd0aGWmvbf/s400/10.+althorp+libary.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600067355466070338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i>Alternate View of Library.</i></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i><br /></i></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-40835459409560953362011-04-11T23:25:00.001-07:002011-04-12T00:09:56.376-07:00Spring Entertaining...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3DbTF4rlEOfJFmcS7JgOV8CzioOQa6sKFHeUNr8-p-VGgUGgiZ84vdyvsyVciGoQElNqNwBUzVzk-TWEiib6qNP0W797RK6qj7LBzSbGq-wXcNDUczYPyiF-bn8K-UFEjpmXhOE_CyCV/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-12+at+2.04.10+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszLUp5IPhNa74dVf3mgDxNUK81HB_5VxXU7WdSBXUHvpPAHVIGg2rit0wrGBqeF_d9uCxsJldTKmmDtSohbVPRI_zkUbmn6DAsyAVaG7oYVJJrhmRTfRAkLbKFrVRoRz0dOIa2Bu8SCIF/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-12+at+2.03.55+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpxMY9Jjq8xBzTLJoyZ4NVATr4d4zT0XhXeEWpem0-rMu73BQ6zgvFEF9RLNno090SDZSgR_HF83R03eEK05Sig_doLeoaVr31zzs93hf2T2sBWhJBvcTPHtO8lXDYF73TjmW73EalInk/s1600/1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpxMY9Jjq8xBzTLJoyZ4NVATr4d4zT0XhXeEWpem0-rMu73BQ6zgvFEF9RLNno090SDZSgR_HF83R03eEK05Sig_doLeoaVr31zzs93hf2T2sBWhJBvcTPHtO8lXDYF73TjmW73EalInk/s400/1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594583346188668082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>© Susan Jackson Photography.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0yCmIWVMmZI6l37ZysfHSO99_Av9_kSfCopxvYuQM2oHFeR4IPg3FtPgpsFD2qWpKumfsZ8TqTxQ-z1ox29bvPJ8Y1fkwZvDS6V2VGKoSoxF-RXKUcG4Eb1q_H2LC1rveilUMpNNVs7V/s1600/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Spring is here and it brings to mind having lunch or an afternoon coffee with some of my great friends laughing and enjoying the cool weather. As I was going through some computer files in some electronic archaeological dig, I unearthed these wonderful photos my photographer friend <a href="http://www.susanjacksonphoto.com/">Susan Jackson</a> took a several years ago when we collaborated on a project. This was my first time doing food styling! Susan is just one of my favorite people and we started our own respective businesses years ago in and around the same time... so when we're together it's as if a brother and a sister are together laughing and having fun.<div><div><br /></div><div>To prove all you need is a keen eye for design, all the items you see are from <a href="http://www.goodwill.org/">Goodwill</a>. No, I'm not kidding... The most expensive item was the silver plate teapot at around $12. All the Goodwill stores were searched out, no one store had every item... it was a job! </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope this inspires you to search the back of those cabinets, flea markets and even those charity resale shops that help benefit others in need.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Please note: All photos are copyrighted, Susan Jackson Photography. </i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0yCmIWVMmZI6l37ZysfHSO99_Av9_kSfCopxvYuQM2oHFeR4IPg3FtPgpsFD2qWpKumfsZ8TqTxQ-z1ox29bvPJ8Y1fkwZvDS6V2VGKoSoxF-RXKUcG4Eb1q_H2LC1rveilUMpNNVs7V/s1600/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0yCmIWVMmZI6l37ZysfHSO99_Av9_kSfCopxvYuQM2oHFeR4IPg3FtPgpsFD2qWpKumfsZ8TqTxQ-z1ox29bvPJ8Y1fkwZvDS6V2VGKoSoxF-RXKUcG4Eb1q_H2LC1rveilUMpNNVs7V/s400/2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594583342135793298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wine glasses, silver and dinnerware.... </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">so nice.. I'm ready to eat now!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCHWjPJvUxCzK7SzIswwbRpDRPk9qS2Lredr_ec-l5PqRt6Tx_SsyIPxZQvPdRiSmanVWjePXCKBkjYT3JqULXrAMj5pQ4Wh3lb_SxePDltzKrJvJcyV29JrTufMBWWWab0ybpu8MrryD/s1600/3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCHWjPJvUxCzK7SzIswwbRpDRPk9qS2Lredr_ec-l5PqRt6Tx_SsyIPxZQvPdRiSmanVWjePXCKBkjYT3JqULXrAMj5pQ4Wh3lb_SxePDltzKrJvJcyV29JrTufMBWWWab0ybpu8MrryD/s400/3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594583337185719234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>A pressed glass bowl provides just the right look</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>for the shabby chic table and the gorgeous cut flowers. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5a__QOdhrq0d36ErRJ-gWkeK6BbnvGVLYGXAtyzEzVLoqOgLys9wsu1KS81k7eBAf7DX1rHhtm5ZXRIR9tnm8s7gAr1Lxyqj9Lm-ICV17VOdjypZINgNB24zlvbcwTY3PE8W5VwyWZ3FT/s1600/4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5a__QOdhrq0d36ErRJ-gWkeK6BbnvGVLYGXAtyzEzVLoqOgLys9wsu1KS81k7eBAf7DX1rHhtm5ZXRIR9tnm8s7gAr1Lxyqj9Lm-ICV17VOdjypZINgNB24zlvbcwTY3PE8W5VwyWZ3FT/s400/4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594583331815414514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">This is a tea party I want to go to.</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jZJJXvAWknWyVTCKATZgCQ9xE7RSrwYtqtsCqLTaxZ0VsFLquUeRmcxUbowTZM1IbeCddkizkOmh-k4JomxMpfj2mGQkARqmsF4TuSnRPckM0Tn9JX1meZHFmyJveYE9Xu1D2RxUtt94/s1600/5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jZJJXvAWknWyVTCKATZgCQ9xE7RSrwYtqtsCqLTaxZ0VsFLquUeRmcxUbowTZM1IbeCddkizkOmh-k4JomxMpfj2mGQkARqmsF4TuSnRPckM0Tn9JX1meZHFmyJveYE9Xu1D2RxUtt94/s400/5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582955393181362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">This is actually a glass candle holder.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Think outside the box, this was the right size for </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">pistachios and a little garnish of glitz. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EH3cWVqXKSBsqkh6B2a-KD8rqy4fAyDrEepfMY8ZfdC3HAYTP2nH9-B47rEbCsSmt17BiPTnE9DpwhKXsw_SpnyHwmvjUCyKpoYo1KW6sfu5z6doHPBb-KFJQJ793Om_mSpkzZLJwFHt/s1600/6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EH3cWVqXKSBsqkh6B2a-KD8rqy4fAyDrEepfMY8ZfdC3HAYTP2nH9-B47rEbCsSmt17BiPTnE9DpwhKXsw_SpnyHwmvjUCyKpoYo1KW6sfu5z6doHPBb-KFJQJ793Om_mSpkzZLJwFHt/s400/6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582952302187058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">There were no marks on this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">creamware</span>. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">But it's the perfect container for these blackberries.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DE4lyF79C6_Xv8Kpa1eqWdEObU8ya7kTIRtSSI0q1BN1CW7ON894LdZE4oLSiwcyqKM4PE-fqZnaR7rAZRQWmYQMwk5O-tq4sbPmVcExHSFhs_oEVe-626696GGx4Un1gIJQub5RvdkS/s1600/7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DE4lyF79C6_Xv8Kpa1eqWdEObU8ya7kTIRtSSI0q1BN1CW7ON894LdZE4oLSiwcyqKM4PE-fqZnaR7rAZRQWmYQMwk5O-tq4sbPmVcExHSFhs_oEVe-626696GGx4Un1gIJQub5RvdkS/s400/7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582952701331074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">This is a silver plated butter dish. The top missing, </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">it makes the perfect presentation for jam or condiments. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkHYH4-T5uOQAiho1IyMf1HufKzgLH5S150VjW1OwxTvQ4mRASXC6KXPRcXDNgsQ8xO9S1mx27XD9qhKEUYLW6lnWD1_RY0IVrDwoYeY3pXHbeNTPlF5g1PWUFeEiJmNTcotKcEie3EC2/s1600/8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkHYH4-T5uOQAiho1IyMf1HufKzgLH5S150VjW1OwxTvQ4mRASXC6KXPRcXDNgsQ8xO9S1mx27XD9qhKEUYLW6lnWD1_RY0IVrDwoYeY3pXHbeNTPlF5g1PWUFeEiJmNTcotKcEie3EC2/s400/8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582944961766754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">This silver plated chafing dish </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">was $7. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">(the word chafing comes from the Old French <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">chauffer</span>, </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">"to make warm" )</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvpCtO2EzyAo0gmLsero7c6NifA8STN-2jUCRC3g08h0OefKalJ8kb6PUW9FhfxHJCqFWyNxK68bvAkKhl0bwtZeS5qUUzmpkMbeR06KS4Sw5wnDDIF1TC8jquq9-fztycs9TXGRGO7DO/s1600/9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvpCtO2EzyAo0gmLsero7c6NifA8STN-2jUCRC3g08h0OefKalJ8kb6PUW9FhfxHJCqFWyNxK68bvAkKhl0bwtZeS5qUUzmpkMbeR06KS4Sw5wnDDIF1TC8jquq9-fztycs9TXGRGO7DO/s400/9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582940858627042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Anything but cheesy, I'm ready to fill my plate.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z0CdtVnJu86CWhOURU3NvPSO3DFnu2U70ecAOw156-bWf6j_Ue_MtsGwgrDeg3MH5ja8LMyR6KBKlx8YnccWCH_7shR0kPFrmbUkS35eTMa6S6M29wAH2Jl82LQCSv6qCVPumnmibjNV/s1600/10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z0CdtVnJu86CWhOURU3NvPSO3DFnu2U70ecAOw156-bWf6j_Ue_MtsGwgrDeg3MH5ja8LMyR6KBKlx8YnccWCH_7shR0kPFrmbUkS35eTMa6S6M29wAH2Jl82LQCSv6qCVPumnmibjNV/s400/10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582719498894722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">The lace was found on a shelf under some sweaters.</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnXRSiox8CxWtVRvUHrhcDYqRYt17JspjLhKNjnA5qr7YPar4-kQtdwb6WjSKmOPWNJtuncdg2oZZgdvsmpUXVDquLggp50Oze5ONlI-Z6zc99fnoUWS1OxNQxP8ud6Ke9kqzBMt33bq1/s1600/11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnXRSiox8CxWtVRvUHrhcDYqRYt17JspjLhKNjnA5qr7YPar4-kQtdwb6WjSKmOPWNJtuncdg2oZZgdvsmpUXVDquLggp50Oze5ONlI-Z6zc99fnoUWS1OxNQxP8ud6Ke9kqzBMt33bq1/s400/11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582716378253586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Pewter and silver DO go together. This unmatched set</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>is perfect for guests wanting a bit of a healthy nosh.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpG0nVmTvyzElcB98hbmIIPZKbX2GgvUqOAxd1ENI8DgBqRFltq7b6JO4zCm87GzhdYVo12WHhdPohHx-8P3wlARA8vRoRls_sQZyC6cuubSGGHh7-pbEiGLN8IermjVkKCGYNNSinRtd/s1600/12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpG0nVmTvyzElcB98hbmIIPZKbX2GgvUqOAxd1ENI8DgBqRFltq7b6JO4zCm87GzhdYVo12WHhdPohHx-8P3wlARA8vRoRls_sQZyC6cuubSGGHh7-pbEiGLN8IermjVkKCGYNNSinRtd/s400/12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582715309242674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Taking a 'stand' for design, this silver plate number</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">is perfect for small confections, or in this case, nuts.</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M78-R_quO2cTs-sa-qZB8C0yG45n501ZW9NMvOqTy2gckHnbJiP5Op9qjRFGkyVMTKeIDetyQFPE0RftoGJ27-eBcffjPuHZhLzICCFVRDXma0TPIOqLH92wqe-tDxPdimWFJL4yNF2T/s1600/13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M78-R_quO2cTs-sa-qZB8C0yG45n501ZW9NMvOqTy2gckHnbJiP5Op9qjRFGkyVMTKeIDetyQFPE0RftoGJ27-eBcffjPuHZhLzICCFVRDXma0TPIOqLH92wqe-tDxPdimWFJL4yNF2T/s400/13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582710336271234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">A white resin mirror makes the perfect tray for this</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">elegant silver coffee pot. One lump or two? </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">(or in this case, one packet or two?)</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRM2q7Rc5fS32Kt_OSOymp51Y_DDptuoeAOVyXCq_9ORDMrHMZNDer6SKyrOf0GreMfDkeqSjFNtp-zJJLLnhQrK_UH4fTfbo1h2rtWPL53-vgqYA77CniCyDSwl-EpgCXWscnpGAWflHA/s1600/14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRM2q7Rc5fS32Kt_OSOymp51Y_DDptuoeAOVyXCq_9ORDMrHMZNDer6SKyrOf0GreMfDkeqSjFNtp-zJJLLnhQrK_UH4fTfbo1h2rtWPL53-vgqYA77CniCyDSwl-EpgCXWscnpGAWflHA/s400/14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594582706270328578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Strawberries displayed beautifully in this pierced </i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>open work, footed container.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3DbTF4rlEOfJFmcS7JgOV8CzioOQa6sKFHeUNr8-p-VGgUGgiZ84vdyvsyVciGoQElNqNwBUzVzk-TWEiib6qNP0W797RK6qj7LBzSbGq-wXcNDUczYPyiF-bn8K-UFEjpmXhOE_CyCV/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-12+at+2.04.10+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3DbTF4rlEOfJFmcS7JgOV8CzioOQa6sKFHeUNr8-p-VGgUGgiZ84vdyvsyVciGoQElNqNwBUzVzk-TWEiib6qNP0W797RK6qj7LBzSbGq-wXcNDUczYPyiF-bn8K-UFEjpmXhOE_CyCV/s400/Screen+shot+2011-04-12+at+2.04.10+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594589627038531010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Shabby chic means nothing needs to match.</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>These two napkins don vintage broaches.</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszLUp5IPhNa74dVf3mgDxNUK81HB_5VxXU7WdSBXUHvpPAHVIGg2rit0wrGBqeF_d9uCxsJldTKmmDtSohbVPRI_zkUbmn6DAsyAVaG7oYVJJrhmRTfRAkLbKFrVRoRz0dOIa2Bu8SCIF/s400/Screen+shot+2011-04-12+at+2.03.55+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594589621773382002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszLUp5IPhNa74dVf3mgDxNUK81HB_5VxXU7WdSBXUHvpPAHVIGg2rit0wrGBqeF_d9uCxsJldTKmmDtSohbVPRI_zkUbmn6DAsyAVaG7oYVJJrhmRTfRAkLbKFrVRoRz0dOIa2Bu8SCIF/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-12+at+2.03.55+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszLUp5IPhNa74dVf3mgDxNUK81HB_5VxXU7WdSBXUHvpPAHVIGg2rit0wrGBqeF_d9uCxsJldTKmmDtSohbVPRI_zkUbmn6DAsyAVaG7oYVJJrhmRTfRAkLbKFrVRoRz0dOIa2Bu8SCIF/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-12+at+2.03.55+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszLUp5IPhNa74dVf3mgDxNUK81HB_5VxXU7WdSBXUHvpPAHVIGg2rit0wrGBqeF_d9uCxsJldTKmmDtSohbVPRI_zkUbmn6DAsyAVaG7oYVJJrhmRTfRAkLbKFrVRoRz0dOIa2Bu8SCIF/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-12+at+2.03.55+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>This couldn't 'bee' any better! </i></div></div></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-11817544758316134032011-03-21T16:32:00.000-07:002011-03-21T17:12:33.614-07:00Wallflowers<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG2YDCqvSBpmP-dQcPrjX6iFDQ5zTlogvEHbFx-N6rrKvSMP761iwurnZ1LJszFH8gEzIsjWmw_A293B8IHJiLFrY-cj67PGht-ZZX-ZsXyXXuxPpozAZC-LK4pJ-ueE4dcsgs-ZuAjN6/s1600/100_3687.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG2YDCqvSBpmP-dQcPrjX6iFDQ5zTlogvEHbFx-N6rrKvSMP761iwurnZ1LJszFH8gEzIsjWmw_A293B8IHJiLFrY-cj67PGht-ZZX-ZsXyXXuxPpozAZC-LK4pJ-ueE4dcsgs-ZuAjN6/s400/100_3687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586686238442327554" /></a></div><br />I was listening to the Wallflowers singing <b><i>All Things New Again</i></b> and I was really inspired to reflect, as we all do when Spring comes, how things are and where we're at and what has changed. I just got done moving. I have lost four friends since December. So much growth and moving on. I even felt the twinge of a Spring romance...<div><br /></div><div>I love the place I am in my life both mentally and physically and I feel great. </div><div><br /></div><div>When all this reflection was going on, I happened to be at the Missouri Botanical Garden... so here are some scenes of Spring as I saw them through my camera and a reveal of my new place (before picture) so that you can see where I am and then possibly reflect where you are.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the song goes "<i>...I'm am unpainted portrait; I am staring at a new sunset without any memories yet...</i>" [full lyrics are at the end of blog entry]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8h4WglddTEY79FQEpYgVhJuAoMU5S0qnw0OwW83cmOhcDwgfRO6lJHf6rG2JtgUtDotwflhH0sGA4FR9Sq6C89KBnNducmDdjM_GiMiBPOtIxFX6NCMYUTU4Gz-PW1A8IP7iFpG1YM9V/s1600/100_3689.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8h4WglddTEY79FQEpYgVhJuAoMU5S0qnw0OwW83cmOhcDwgfRO6lJHf6rG2JtgUtDotwflhH0sGA4FR9Sq6C89KBnNducmDdjM_GiMiBPOtIxFX6NCMYUTU4Gz-PW1A8IP7iFpG1YM9V/s400/100_3689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586685892106745346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">These pansies aren't left over from fall.. these are fairly new plantings. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOF6xkFz1ERxDS_a6TSMpEeDzXpCJm9za51fdMZyUpBgewt0F2hvu0Z5IMnQio2JblVi2L1J9EjroXUmqH6hA-C2tQmAuAKJmSjCJsUCRgkAqlVkgKn-7TjoLrC5GvXnF2HKI6wqPYx0m/s1600/100_3695.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOF6xkFz1ERxDS_a6TSMpEeDzXpCJm9za51fdMZyUpBgewt0F2hvu0Z5IMnQio2JblVi2L1J9EjroXUmqH6hA-C2tQmAuAKJmSjCJsUCRgkAqlVkgKn-7TjoLrC5GvXnF2HKI6wqPYx0m/s400/100_3695.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586685879596760194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cherry blossoms</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2rvhyupJmvdEHE_6MfzYTQZkt_Hby9h5GtCR6bHVanIXYP6s998Nx9zR63RSjdDA2KVyYnsfmdS5M7xx0slVV1gWBb0EJEIrNGOz4L8uTM9fht-tP2VRFbNqc5Kx8OxAQ0qINrclMZ_P/s1600/100_3672.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2rvhyupJmvdEHE_6MfzYTQZkt_Hby9h5GtCR6bHVanIXYP6s998Nx9zR63RSjdDA2KVyYnsfmdS5M7xx0slVV1gWBb0EJEIrNGOz4L8uTM9fht-tP2VRFbNqc5Kx8OxAQ0qINrclMZ_P/s400/100_3672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586685876071529714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You can see the forsythia springing to life</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> along with the bulb plants under the nearby tree.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbgkrbjOE1c74HUx-PB0Blf-mWewQwUnYAdfNo97BE94_RcdCIswX_2IV3za5Z8zDDoUhCjrdgAYu_SDMESEUQFW3Kzsj_vdUyvYBSk6sVjM500gXKkyycF4vmzlsQnWQuwiYOPInOVl-/s1600/100_3668.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbgkrbjOE1c74HUx-PB0Blf-mWewQwUnYAdfNo97BE94_RcdCIswX_2IV3za5Z8zDDoUhCjrdgAYu_SDMESEUQFW3Kzsj_vdUyvYBSk6sVjM500gXKkyycF4vmzlsQnWQuwiYOPInOVl-/s400/100_3668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586685876420748258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's like the flowers are singing "Spring!"</i></div><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pb7X5PjCqHQIRxig0s4PCgT4p9hpk_Lb41IHSRg-ui5JgUa66kzV-z_IIbgr_n1azZKowoGxCMMCqbDtYuU47wJwXjjmk89ET1Fl2IvoXvcUbZur2ryFbGeqs5Yccqzm3xmRMrppjhfp/s1600/100_3657.JPG"></a></i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggItMvLo7g0Q9ALE7CLXs8WLTfQ0CFlVY6TfRhng4YjyuJhqXM2ofOlSWhGmwO_SHFjMp9w50wiuWECE1LXNc_kHuCOuPQ1lGAFThsUmjjgqnlMkpuqVIFYNbCnOTd2-Ytm03NMCGWNgS8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-21+at+7.01.36+PM.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggItMvLo7g0Q9ALE7CLXs8WLTfQ0CFlVY6TfRhng4YjyuJhqXM2ofOlSWhGmwO_SHFjMp9w50wiuWECE1LXNc_kHuCOuPQ1lGAFThsUmjjgqnlMkpuqVIFYNbCnOTd2-Ytm03NMCGWNgS8/s400/Screen+shot+2011-03-21+at+7.01.36+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586689226175793010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px; " /></a><i>My new place...</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i>The architectural features are great.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii70XutzfUsqFk8HBG1TLUAJFPVEdDjzZGVjPYEIi_8VNWC_JT2ZKYVcjL5g7hJ7mO8Cfyiu8fjd15jBEkLau-Pi2563BGG1Ib4JS72i0G7oHl1jjRBcObd_ma0ZHwTuqwP08Z6iBxtkfA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-21+at+7.01.27+PM.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii70XutzfUsqFk8HBG1TLUAJFPVEdDjzZGVjPYEIi_8VNWC_JT2ZKYVcjL5g7hJ7mO8Cfyiu8fjd15jBEkLau-Pi2563BGG1Ib4JS72i0G7oHl1jjRBcObd_ma0ZHwTuqwP08Z6iBxtkfA/s400/Screen+shot+2011-03-21+at+7.01.27+PM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586689218140412690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a><i>Site of my new office where I'm typing now... </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2-uBqd0z7gkMMDVcFdwx6OFq5erHcmSx5omKBdJFLM2EsfzGZ-lmOzCLpk7Fg9lb1U70SZBap8h9thyK8Vc1Jgc3SxB2cH6AStAjNmjceWySzE-WKu4d2XkUCIVXHyPj8OJ4toLxJBFI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-21+at+7.01.15+PM.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2-uBqd0z7gkMMDVcFdwx6OFq5erHcmSx5omKBdJFLM2EsfzGZ-lmOzCLpk7Fg9lb1U70SZBap8h9thyK8Vc1Jgc3SxB2cH6AStAjNmjceWySzE-WKu4d2XkUCIVXHyPj8OJ4toLxJBFI/s400/Screen+shot+2011-03-21+at+7.01.15+PM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586689219271774466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The little details are great. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Look at the kitchen sink and cabinets.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>HAPPY SPRING!! </b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Lyrics:</i></div><div><b>The Wallflowers: All Things New Again</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>New heaven over a brand new sky</i></div><div><i>New breed of wonder on the vine</i></div><div><i>Among the living</i></div><div><i>There is new promise in this night</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>New arms to hold back the revolution</i></div><div><i>New eyes to recognize what you've become</i></div><div><i>New blood to recover</i></div><div><i>A new will to honor all God's creations</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>All things are new again</i></div><div><i>Within and without</i></div><div><i>All things are new again</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>New shepherd roaming through the tall grass</i></div><div><i>A new temple rising through the falling ash</i></div><div><i>That buries the tracks</i></div><div><i>Of millions of boots marching in packs</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Clearwater rolling thought the dam's collapse</i></div><div><i>Out to the harbor where they're sailing back</i></div><div><i>New flag on the mast</i></div><div><i>Without any secrets, without any past</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>All things are new again</i></div><div><i>Within and without</i></div><div><i>Sooner or later the ending begins</i></div><div><i>Just then it can be said that all things are new again</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>New ghost returning to the earth beneath the haze</i></div><div><i>New poets burning through the lines of every page</i></div><div><i>I'm am unpainted portrait</i></div><div><i>I am staring at a new sunset</i></div><div><i>Without any memories yet</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>All things are new again</i></div><div><i>Within and without</i></div><div><i>Sooner or later the ending begins</i></div><div><i>Just then it can be said that all things are new again</i></div><div><i>Within and without</i></div><div><i>Sooner or later every season ends</i></div><div><i>Then forever it can be said that all things are new again</i></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-86835687976765074642011-02-13T10:49:00.000-08:002011-02-13T11:49:58.885-08:00Be mine.<div style="text-align: left;">St. Valentine's Day has become a day of red hearts, red roses and spending time with and celebrating those we love. The day first became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages and was a religious holiday on the catholic calendar until 1969.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>So to celebrate this day of love in 2011, I'm sharing some of my new favorites I'd like to be mine.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Valentine's Day!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGHACjphfyqu2lZ6gTuFmStRyetVE8TlM-axrTDLoUTNek5gGVbFaRPlISRpRMhCjFKVxN5cPUY7tla6DBqrLFYzZEEU3cBrCJcZj7JLJKVhdqJiEAgyoz1ryw2iozOzr4GPpHl6bdEON/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-13+at+12.48.34+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGHACjphfyqu2lZ6gTuFmStRyetVE8TlM-axrTDLoUTNek5gGVbFaRPlISRpRMhCjFKVxN5cPUY7tla6DBqrLFYzZEEU3cBrCJcZj7JLJKVhdqJiEAgyoz1ryw2iozOzr4GPpHl6bdEON/s400/Screen+shot+2011-02-13+at+12.48.34+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573249333294863138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><b>Who wouldn't want this dragon delivering his</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><b>bouquet of flowers?</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Chiang Mai Dragon, Schumacher</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbv7FJfb5t5YcRCbPggQVVLKWp0slIRGXMRLw8mWMgs_8Xc9gH1XVr9vvbiLn_wWf9LUQSj0AVU9sXLXn5MMkVF6lc_I-4NgFjEJVwHx1SqZcIZXcwP-xq7IGHc4u9bb9Au-KcGriThVk/s400/f_20387.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573259187738714002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><b>Love never goes out of style...</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><b>The Era barstool was designed in 1859 and</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><b>is still </b></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><b>in production.</b></i></span></div></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Era Barstool, Design Within Reach</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9pLUB7xYdo1BmMATuOTgjrA-1R29mUKVOCg0Fy4ISwcauyexf-nPXtedgaWgR0vvWDkqdVG9ASLJSfYA5EQFCVI-x1tp1Zc1o6NezSA6PCO_rRhF9o8-1WIEUVBlb4G7E-uI8jq42VwW/s400/Screen+shot+2011-02-13+at+1.35.41+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573260287109023058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></i></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><b><i>[insert whistling] "Wow, what a dish."</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i>Cloisonne Vessel bowl, Ginger Bath - Toronto.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></i></span></span></i></div></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzO-HhgSz6tCG_GawA0PwRGwHcilpfGn1CFn0BENppJEd4sWqSTd1L9E3H-GcdxeANicOWetA2cTkHCw0L5MkepevJ-192VMvEUtxLkcFq364-OOedxcmwTMNmXXIYUtWZBEhEVWP3kvoa/s400/Screen+shot+2011-02-13+at+1.15.21+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573255209024058562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 395px; " /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><b>Daisies for Valentines Day? </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><i>If roses aren't your style, this wall covering might be.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Daisy in Kooky Coral, Bradbury and Bradbury.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div></span></span></i></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCbOIwt98f0CRa3sQSswk8lY1TL9PYdjhy46yOGQM4IG_8xs5mXFiH2mJ3lB4UuRZLWPsyTDmkar_GOVlrWhnwpo6ei5ivEwvFsUogbM4eDsI49v38KXc2NMDNmC9L12WWR4NKfJgGe13/s400/Screen+shot+2011-02-13+at+1.24.45+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573258357255582322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Forget that small child with the arrows.. how about Zebras?</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b></b>Zebra, Scalamandre </span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-56455666409499445452011-02-11T09:46:00.000-08:002011-02-11T10:34:38.217-08:00<div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedWc72Gu1fd6WtfK3A8omVUsoVqOCHs2aJV4jxWqtBoUf58rgGdOtehp42sbL2NaHjUULO8tqnu2-Ut8OYkU-M9W2qFNEFY_-jIvD17ZqhK72zjXLfXaYptJ0FN2XdfoX11SqyoZ7My3d/s400/Screen+shot+2011-02-11+at+11.43.32+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494934032969186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 116px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DAP9jpdyPlL1taXFA-kofRNdt7WSohZeEZRbjx1zNqJbl4P-g0yhi-7zbgZDkAOAmGnJ3e-KPORvPBeXckkny3EpwkvcfVYpgammTuEwMDoluGtGHjOu5JZ66MOjBbudEfpYuABj__2a/s1600/100_3124.JPG"></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFSaNJPxn5MoES3G3smxv1YQmNYVyYdb16Xm-xBgrndPlxg-K66Whl1nMx203Cl-epXVlhRnCj9ufxeo3sl1Mc-50l0TlWGJeLWq0koENSNx29AqKPNTVHkR4lI27hNPGZaGBHpgKwQ8T/s400/100_3125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494204146913570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 288px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DAP9jpdyPlL1taXFA-kofRNdt7WSohZeEZRbjx1zNqJbl4P-g0yhi-7zbgZDkAOAmGnJ3e-KPORvPBeXckkny3EpwkvcfVYpgammTuEwMDoluGtGHjOu5JZ66MOjBbudEfpYuABj__2a/s1600/100_3124.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DAP9jpdyPlL1taXFA-kofRNdt7WSohZeEZRbjx1zNqJbl4P-g0yhi-7zbgZDkAOAmGnJ3e-KPORvPBeXckkny3EpwkvcfVYpgammTuEwMDoluGtGHjOu5JZ66MOjBbudEfpYuABj__2a/s1600/100_3124.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DAP9jpdyPlL1taXFA-kofRNdt7WSohZeEZRbjx1zNqJbl4P-g0yhi-7zbgZDkAOAmGnJ3e-KPORvPBeXckkny3EpwkvcfVYpgammTuEwMDoluGtGHjOu5JZ66MOjBbudEfpYuABj__2a/s1600/100_3124.JPG"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The bar and area near the front lobby. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>I've been stressed out with deadlines and just freezing cold like most of the midwest... and most of my friends across the country... and thought an hour of wishing I were at this great hotel again would help cheer me up... and my readers as well. I took these pictures while there last year and pulled them off the computer this morning to share.</div><div><br /></div><div>Designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Lapidus"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Morris Lapidus</span></a> (one of his most important buildings) the <a href="http://www.fontainebleau.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Fountainbleau</span></a> opened in 1954. It's not only well known for the celebrity and wealthy guests, but also its iconic pool and luxurious appointments that have graced the big screen in such movies as Goldfinger and Scarface.</div><div><br /></div><div>With the billion dollar renovation and expansion, the hotel now boasts over 1500 rooms. The resort’s most distinguishing features include two new towers; 11 restaurants and lounges; and a 40,000-square-foot spa. </div><div><br /></div><div>So enjoy the photos and escape from the cold air if only in your mind.... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DAP9jpdyPlL1taXFA-kofRNdt7WSohZeEZRbjx1zNqJbl4P-g0yhi-7zbgZDkAOAmGnJ3e-KPORvPBeXckkny3EpwkvcfVYpgammTuEwMDoluGtGHjOu5JZ66MOjBbudEfpYuABj__2a/s1600/100_3124.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DAP9jpdyPlL1taXFA-kofRNdt7WSohZeEZRbjx1zNqJbl4P-g0yhi-7zbgZDkAOAmGnJ3e-KPORvPBeXckkny3EpwkvcfVYpgammTuEwMDoluGtGHjOu5JZ66MOjBbudEfpYuABj__2a/s400/100_3124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494191390514594" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Another seating area in the lobby. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs85wT4_0tSWfJjjP7hGYExYK0vBqKKjycnOHCOrLOh7vz6Kk7ePpDv1Tc3GDV0JLPCGLjveRbK0WxGh3XDXZbZut8hXBp-dE12Ls53yL1k1LkOp_aD1n4sdptTrKWXPdKR5ZyR1PB5Svp/s1600/100_3152.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs85wT4_0tSWfJjjP7hGYExYK0vBqKKjycnOHCOrLOh7vz6Kk7ePpDv1Tc3GDV0JLPCGLjveRbK0WxGh3XDXZbZut8hXBp-dE12Ls53yL1k1LkOp_aD1n4sdptTrKWXPdKR5ZyR1PB5Svp/s400/100_3152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572495020965289378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Isn't this a great idea. Watermelon in water... very refreshing.</i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGJ9hMWrZYuExJhlZYOGq87ywkYvi59l66_zve2_b5yUPfOlGFk6SZpaxrL3jwd9YSOpkv6BU64EmDYAZrM3Jzx4UiYm5JUbEp6dpMNtgd3ftqmV9aucprKj8uN8yfTaLK3wE0iiaNqIY/s1600/100_3156.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGJ9hMWrZYuExJhlZYOGq87ywkYvi59l66_zve2_b5yUPfOlGFk6SZpaxrL3jwd9YSOpkv6BU64EmDYAZrM3Jzx4UiYm5JUbEp6dpMNtgd3ftqmV9aucprKj8uN8yfTaLK3wE0iiaNqIY/s400/100_3156.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494824260917874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>They have an adult section away from children/pets that you can lounge and enjoy. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GdGglGZY9Ap71cJDzVpYLQCXdOpr-U_Y4Q6_FVkwQBGyLkBmbocxbzwaOCG3UnXgJdkEZGK14oWRcehKqCf7tiFwFQN-vIHaUj-WT5ddsqqIj_titE599GByV0CILSJYCWoxQS74Wxl4/s1600/100_3164.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GdGglGZY9Ap71cJDzVpYLQCXdOpr-U_Y4Q6_FVkwQBGyLkBmbocxbzwaOCG3UnXgJdkEZGK14oWRcehKqCf7tiFwFQN-vIHaUj-WT5ddsqqIj_titE599GByV0CILSJYCWoxQS74Wxl4/s400/100_3164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494816435139298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Another seating area where I saw a lot of people reading</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>using their iPads.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OtJpcMZ2hcD4d53lvQm2UiU4fhv5D8QTDy2x9pI8OWYABu-0-CTc6GQY5BhLvGYeNAWGC6NK2HkNwskm_Pl_yrHBw03snDE-erW2rpt6NZRw6qBJO16EM-l4lzt0npnI6iOSfr4_85Kw/s1600/100_3126+copy.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OtJpcMZ2hcD4d53lvQm2UiU4fhv5D8QTDy2x9pI8OWYABu-0-CTc6GQY5BhLvGYeNAWGC6NK2HkNwskm_Pl_yrHBw03snDE-erW2rpt6NZRw6qBJO16EM-l4lzt0npnI6iOSfr4_85Kw/s400/100_3126+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494213122508946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>The signature bow-tie motif of Morris Lapidus repeated throughout.</i></span></div></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhSmLLe6QMlPoIZhrQ062rIFve6jpYk45_pTpNhyphenhyphenDbZ52c1m6erhVrE8iBGeY2CSIiJv8U1Ik8-dhSEasYAHIERqaVGRPBBJA_xPD8yoKll7C9MU9BgJj9_MODJsiRnTwlNWc6qnq9-sV/s1600/100_3166.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhSmLLe6QMlPoIZhrQ062rIFve6jpYk45_pTpNhyphenhyphenDbZ52c1m6erhVrE8iBGeY2CSIiJv8U1Ik8-dhSEasYAHIERqaVGRPBBJA_xPD8yoKll7C9MU9BgJj9_MODJsiRnTwlNWc6qnq9-sV/s400/100_3166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494811383902306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>I asked and this is one of their original wall sconces</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>near the elevators. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHR4YRksPhIS_dKyaefYTiMIdfdlzb2-uPw2yTk-BVUJyO6GOTfd6_OzcnupluMM2xCGw2KArGo-zMwR9Fy4OndDLKab0q049Ymbwqf3VSLxXGLTtPbhyyxhd0cUR-0UMj4yIaBtFK3CO/s1600/100_3167.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHR4YRksPhIS_dKyaefYTiMIdfdlzb2-uPw2yTk-BVUJyO6GOTfd6_OzcnupluMM2xCGw2KArGo-zMwR9Fy4OndDLKab0q049Ymbwqf3VSLxXGLTtPbhyyxhd0cUR-0UMj4yIaBtFK3CO/s400/100_3167.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494808402687298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The detail of the terrazzo floors are amazing. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdJ4V8BPythS5lQxDDJYHw19KVUOZQgmKrSiVVAh65MkwsKwcioH3ZCwoOQDiacXoLd_9epyPBR6mXCeWEHoKN9H1dNyygadOEG0jVmxG3DiU94T1lqCp8tLjYDslqQYfDhvmID5DDbS2/s1600/postcard.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdJ4V8BPythS5lQxDDJYHw19KVUOZQgmKrSiVVAh65MkwsKwcioH3ZCwoOQDiacXoLd_9epyPBR6mXCeWEHoKN9H1dNyygadOEG0jVmxG3DiU94T1lqCp8tLjYDslqQYfDhvmID5DDbS2/s400/postcard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494804269817554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Postcard ca. 1960</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBCHS2Ng30d9wtrgRAV4M6PwRHXx30Bg1jYdSLC-FM0GmLWt56a0stbemRhKr-NKp9SSVWC0OIxRpudjmSa8WJ9DghOtktrrAQEZkuvYQv7Knr7XCUeIbTXOMQsrHj_piWcwTxXgUD0Eu/s1600/100_3147.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBCHS2Ng30d9wtrgRAV4M6PwRHXx30Bg1jYdSLC-FM0GmLWt56a0stbemRhKr-NKp9SSVWC0OIxRpudjmSa8WJ9DghOtktrrAQEZkuvYQv7Knr7XCUeIbTXOMQsrHj_piWcwTxXgUD0Eu/s400/100_3147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494505368673922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The new glass addition I love. It reflects the palm trees and also the beautiful landscaping.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNIf_49GMvySdmu2Sx9Yu4y_HuP73i86HOz5iDH5NJs8j1OIux-qSnModT6QRJY0UgDtXasjaRFisDjJsPGXmfE2Eom5gbt7WdNSZTBiPnYYnRbkDmQE42Z7GopRv091_l9AiRutCQ7TN/s1600/100_3146.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNIf_49GMvySdmu2Sx9Yu4y_HuP73i86HOz5iDH5NJs8j1OIux-qSnModT6QRJY0UgDtXasjaRFisDjJsPGXmfE2Eom5gbt7WdNSZTBiPnYYnRbkDmQE42Z7GopRv091_l9AiRutCQ7TN/s400/100_3146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494499721687010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Reserved... just for me.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiDIUPqNUKj33N-eSV523zs7-LXeEgWtkaEJBS61wbv19pnRSqgnHaQmcAr1pdWK1T7lrztPzRrioHFQX9-GUI0j_aZrsOdPZYUYmT-LiowSq1gZ1fQ7GGXVGleBrrEVGfcsE45frTbYE/s1600/100_3145.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiDIUPqNUKj33N-eSV523zs7-LXeEgWtkaEJBS61wbv19pnRSqgnHaQmcAr1pdWK1T7lrztPzRrioHFQX9-GUI0j_aZrsOdPZYUYmT-LiowSq1gZ1fQ7GGXVGleBrrEVGfcsE45frTbYE/s400/100_3145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494495995819986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Ahhh... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwF7l2-JWr4ZkKjBkGxOl7iKwQETBReLzphKsDLsh3lDtcL7oxHOx9nVbr7Tw7fBOJ8Jg2xim7_EEuJ2yarbcu4meFOLNIdGK1eMpk24VnvdfOqrYMQT6cFPF8HzvkPlZaMljHgnxtnkz/s1600/100_3138.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwF7l2-JWr4ZkKjBkGxOl7iKwQETBReLzphKsDLsh3lDtcL7oxHOx9nVbr7Tw7fBOJ8Jg2xim7_EEuJ2yarbcu4meFOLNIdGK1eMpk24VnvdfOqrYMQT6cFPF8HzvkPlZaMljHgnxtnkz/s400/100_3138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494493552104722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>I usually cannot handle commercial carpeting in hotels... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>this is acceptable.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWujp_mi8u60dejCpjxhTisWVlK0TMnPkykmy3HDwPOH-zgrWG-qE80GxSEu5BEqacs6P8sYPDxO1xhccCzN0WvtGr3GUiBWRbKiAtOn1BmFwqB7iWufo-njsGbjql_hyphenhyphenW0DXAzA0QLOZ/s1600/100_3143.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWujp_mi8u60dejCpjxhTisWVlK0TMnPkykmy3HDwPOH-zgrWG-qE80GxSEu5BEqacs6P8sYPDxO1xhccCzN0WvtGr3GUiBWRbKiAtOn1BmFwqB7iWufo-njsGbjql_hyphenhyphenW0DXAzA0QLOZ/s400/100_3143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494494038525394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Glamorous door to the Aquamarine boutique near the entrance to the pool area.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>It reminds me of homes in old movies. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdq-1AubDuTasQEJywmhLp0UW7nNvJzaT-MPaDtMLiZswbN2fjUZCY6oZXSTTtY9JCIngFnKi81_NRtb9ArSR5t2-Lmqq2BTQTk5gTEq_9S33IV-qzO4m8eakSBoqnS6mQk-HpuUBrYsW/s1600/100_3131.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdq-1AubDuTasQEJywmhLp0UW7nNvJzaT-MPaDtMLiZswbN2fjUZCY6oZXSTTtY9JCIngFnKi81_NRtb9ArSR5t2-Lmqq2BTQTk5gTEq_9S33IV-qzO4m8eakSBoqnS6mQk-HpuUBrYsW/s400/100_3131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494224977145346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Men's bathroom. You could apply this look for a</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>double vanity in your home.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>(well, less the commercial paper towel dispenser)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZpA980lJj2L05RlT6YsrXef1BvyCu1Okxs_8p9wm_CINr0b0qGetVoYyijI-nszFrP8s-f6UxVF6gA9E0rp4NB066uLyxo5k-WvPH31LI_HzSYMInIZXeGQEekLDhAi-cpCumd4mZs0g/s1600/100_3128.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZpA980lJj2L05RlT6YsrXef1BvyCu1Okxs_8p9wm_CINr0b0qGetVoYyijI-nszFrP8s-f6UxVF6gA9E0rp4NB066uLyxo5k-WvPH31LI_HzSYMInIZXeGQEekLDhAi-cpCumd4mZs0g/s400/100_3128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572494215932751618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>Unusual abstracted frosted glass partition of one of the restaurants.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>It reminds me of the trunks of a palm tree 'forest.' </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OtJpcMZ2hcD4d53lvQm2UiU4fhv5D8QTDy2x9pI8OWYABu-0-CTc6GQY5BhLvGYeNAWGC6NK2HkNwskm_Pl_yrHBw03snDE-erW2rpt6NZRw6qBJO16EM-l4lzt0npnI6iOSfr4_85Kw/s1600/100_3126+copy.jpg"><br /></a></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-18895569867045410422011-02-07T13:09:00.000-08:002011-02-07T14:08:52.246-08:00Biltmore Hotel<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gzGvTfiKIKe7-tkyLc8sXyrhfgru6cegiIBaCfHj5MRb2sQYUO27XzS6MJe571Z4UaYZLSkd1PhJ9NQWMWt6dSR6A91NRvcSUSBjI5UuMBxv_DBvntEF23mcG2CyBnuoVIU1N48b8VbK/s1600/pool3.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXjYwVZnW5TSua1RF8xf3mOIoSQeI08byQgxqIMBER93E5jCg3ZqjGDZ5qwAryv6nSc1ckEnMBjjRhrDg8oZz2KitaBjna0gxS5uFvG3hr2aJbAH-uxsuybVBew_wcR8Cb8Cfj_6dHReo/s1600/aviary.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCP7wOIAUHgFv-E6YuXbD6Ag7Mt6PM4oZBZK-H4aqmj9vKjvwMStwDYJ0FCf3qFkXaDEVaTBxd7rgCErZwxAHr_0xwrEUr_aasZvZKXkZv9ZMwnAw9ldmqAu_0B4HqYOg5fkuCrMI7oBmK/s400/sign.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571066987852946722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q4eqMvj_e9vUsrAB2BVqaLIEMs_b9y5LIaJyvfGU5mrUi_9bTkECNL1ZaBE_qVXsf1xFrkufbDl_zGEDno_i0qk0o1O-4nurGxFpkCUfE6y3B4MAyjybS8CMS1r4NnqBGoaE-a1fp2Xs/s1600/interior2.jpg"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tEBOQ6tP8geHqOkRfThnUs1TZS3dwJaztEJ-kr9J3QECsjb2xucrG4uODvnWFixRpngdEF7Ndim-_AzLGNcUhl_bpqGu4nDk6CawWy8dgEifbdWylIKpCftY6q2-Ay3fBfWf6z1Kjd09/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tEBOQ6tP8geHqOkRfThnUs1TZS3dwJaztEJ-kr9J3QECsjb2xucrG4uODvnWFixRpngdEF7Ndim-_AzLGNcUhl_bpqGu4nDk6CawWy8dgEifbdWylIKpCftY6q2-Ay3fBfWf6z1Kjd09/s400/2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571066981041721394" /></a><br />It's still cold, chilly and some cities are recovering from what was a major snowstorm in the midwest (and some other areas like Ohio, etc.) So although I've been just swamped catching up on projects and life in general, I wanted to follow through with my promise of posting some 'warm' posts of some wonderful places. <div><br /></div><div>The <a href="http://www.biltmorehotel.com/">Biltmore Hotel</a> was built in 1926 by John McEntee Bowman. The hotel, although named for the estate in Ashville, NC has no relationship to that estate, but rather the chain envokes the feeling of what living might be like in the Vanderbilt mansion. </div><div><br /></div><div>Located in Coral Gables, a community near Miami, I went there to meet a friend for lunch and I couldn't wait to pull out my camera and share the architecture and interior decoration. It served as a hospital during World War II and as a VA Hospital and campus of the University of Miami medical school until 1968. It was then bought and converted back into a hotel in 1987. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please enjoy the photos. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4nxic_pqLLueuo3fx4d1x0s9ESqyF0oPc9mLhKUXrdkvLiFTtqPS0I2qQdYtnPF1cpKcWCcRjOMHM81Ny6aNk_v9sqOwkdmVuJQPjIRft-S4CuqfadKryeqDYEOJ9ZI7-GNcbpWNAsOj/s400/1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571066984996496338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q4eqMvj_e9vUsrAB2BVqaLIEMs_b9y5LIaJyvfGU5mrUi_9bTkECNL1ZaBE_qVXsf1xFrkufbDl_zGEDno_i0qk0o1O-4nurGxFpkCUfE6y3B4MAyjybS8CMS1r4NnqBGoaE-a1fp2Xs/s1600/interior2.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The interior is definitely old-world, but has a homogenized French, English and Italian motifs... and some newer American - styled furniture.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XYfByK6-xphlMVIucJAtPQGejn-e2xoRBk08ZGuX_ewPPwe0aosvyfc1B_Nnjl_y77qrzCqH7zXbsCLlEtxRLf4-E-3Ltr83jRIIEjVReAEKgnXmcqPySKfvfPn8_Q5yR_4l6CDTIwA2/s400/ceiling.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571067317566748514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q4eqMvj_e9vUsrAB2BVqaLIEMs_b9y5LIaJyvfGU5mrUi_9bTkECNL1ZaBE_qVXsf1xFrkufbDl_zGEDno_i0qk0o1O-4nurGxFpkCUfE6y3B4MAyjybS8CMS1r4NnqBGoaE-a1fp2Xs/s1600/interior2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q4eqMvj_e9vUsrAB2BVqaLIEMs_b9y5LIaJyvfGU5mrUi_9bTkECNL1ZaBE_qVXsf1xFrkufbDl_zGEDno_i0qk0o1O-4nurGxFpkCUfE6y3B4MAyjybS8CMS1r4NnqBGoaE-a1fp2Xs/s400/interior2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571067323044580306" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">This side-staircase is so gorgeous. Completely carved some of stone and some of wood then faux-painted.</span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXjYwVZnW5TSua1RF8xf3mOIoSQeI08byQgxqIMBER93E5jCg3ZqjGDZ5qwAryv6nSc1ckEnMBjjRhrDg8oZz2KitaBjna0gxS5uFvG3hr2aJbAH-uxsuybVBew_wcR8Cb8Cfj_6dHReo/s400/aviary.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571068291323940482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Who wouldn't want to be reincarnated as a bird so you'd have to live here? The curtain is to keep sunlight out, but the convex window allows a viewer to enjoy the birds.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I tried to take a photo of the residents... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tiAyiaKbTXoNjoF_pGHT9MNhcYQhU8ZT84HdsVEz8C3y9RlrngMwk9tYjoCIeA6GFoS46qoCt_B7jTmQlvJGm1SGdXPB-vGyglZxF5Yoqsrmda319u0hu1r6JVm6LcRaIqRfjdOY9H_G/s1600/interior3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tiAyiaKbTXoNjoF_pGHT9MNhcYQhU8ZT84HdsVEz8C3y9RlrngMwk9tYjoCIeA6GFoS46qoCt_B7jTmQlvJGm1SGdXPB-vGyglZxF5Yoqsrmda319u0hu1r6JVm6LcRaIqRfjdOY9H_G/s400/interior3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571067316300784498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p4KTD5Xlrg7XyA1s8EZQYLlDcuudZN-M4uvsYdR_FSE1ZQsHnQ-8HwxS08JVzcG4o5edawJ73fkPQndaa3iTjkmgwfBS4x0AHYhV12y0cdYhLyNTRQOBciSeiW5kB7KJl4P9mY1S0WBa/s1600/ballroom.jpg"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0SEubKn8LI7WZ5Z3i2zaEb3TzVhfpOSLhV8btK8Cxqmg4dvDsmXviP-5FNszAnvz3EOrfs3sLVGukeVVElmNBC1zTChPCPsrkj6HE6Ba-hdYvltlXxXfCZUA3IXLT6NlbyPYoc-a5W_C/s400/doors.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571067310973106802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">These moorish-inspired doors open up to a grand ballroom located on the lower level.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p4KTD5Xlrg7XyA1s8EZQYLlDcuudZN-M4uvsYdR_FSE1ZQsHnQ-8HwxS08JVzcG4o5edawJ73fkPQndaa3iTjkmgwfBS4x0AHYhV12y0cdYhLyNTRQOBciSeiW5kB7KJl4P9mY1S0WBa/s1600/ballroom.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p4KTD5Xlrg7XyA1s8EZQYLlDcuudZN-M4uvsYdR_FSE1ZQsHnQ-8HwxS08JVzcG4o5edawJ73fkPQndaa3iTjkmgwfBS4x0AHYhV12y0cdYhLyNTRQOBciSeiW5kB7KJl4P9mY1S0WBa/s400/ballroom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571067311951599714" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I would love this as a studio apartment... wouldn't you? It was set up for a small, intimate wedding that was taking place later on that afternoon.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd3FHAY3QfF4Zm9TaNNk_LR9D0s515YhY_xC6yB30TfY27sonlJ3C6aqQpqUEsVn4SrAdCVsRMVuconjxAOmyoRN61ktQaBha8s476eA6Af2ys2VKS8-uAl6PEG4Ul3TrLw2sYG3DATmS/s1600/viewfromlunch.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmKpCgNXzglQZ1bVkVvrNyedwALK-1cCeKfwBMj40cpxT2ZOYaQEjmbhKomuzfrdnOZz9dOiS9yWa4J4YGGf0wybv-z-eAq_x1wBQE48VMWDOIus8iPkpFOzzltzVaiAnOpqS5HjxbCC6/s400/lunch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571066989547473842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lunch by the golf course... with a stunning view of the back façade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd3FHAY3QfF4Zm9TaNNk_LR9D0s515YhY_xC6yB30TfY27sonlJ3C6aqQpqUEsVn4SrAdCVsRMVuconjxAOmyoRN61ktQaBha8s476eA6Af2ys2VKS8-uAl6PEG4Ul3TrLw2sYG3DATmS/s1600/viewfromlunch.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd3FHAY3QfF4Zm9TaNNk_LR9D0s515YhY_xC6yB30TfY27sonlJ3C6aqQpqUEsVn4SrAdCVsRMVuconjxAOmyoRN61ktQaBha8s476eA6Af2ys2VKS8-uAl6PEG4Ul3TrLw2sYG3DATmS/s400/viewfromlunch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571066998879396946" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gzGvTfiKIKe7-tkyLc8sXyrhfgru6cegiIBaCfHj5MRb2sQYUO27XzS6MJe571Z4UaYZLSkd1PhJ9NQWMWt6dSR6A91NRvcSUSBjI5UuMBxv_DBvntEF23mcG2CyBnuoVIU1N48b8VbK/s1600/pool3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gzGvTfiKIKe7-tkyLc8sXyrhfgru6cegiIBaCfHj5MRb2sQYUO27XzS6MJe571Z4UaYZLSkd1PhJ9NQWMWt6dSR6A91NRvcSUSBjI5UuMBxv_DBvntEF23mcG2CyBnuoVIU1N48b8VbK/s400/pool3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571070248290593810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhca40DQehsW0EnRUgBMgzUyn_SwtKwrFQnlbXgSRIZOa8je1CFTBU_zKN2ahLt-805WKWKip6fIfn2NGbcWFvBvTyC3L6ImxCg8KLi-jOC3DvVNTdyEW5nr3mn4oGHNAs2JO4ZtsHPY0/s1600/pool2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhca40DQehsW0EnRUgBMgzUyn_SwtKwrFQnlbXgSRIZOa8je1CFTBU_zKN2ahLt-805WKWKip6fIfn2NGbcWFvBvTyC3L6ImxCg8KLi-jOC3DvVNTdyEW5nr3mn4oGHNAs2JO4ZtsHPY0/s400/pool2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571070246322334434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnttf9XCe6OKe3tVkE6ul4UihU-cB3RnCbOJr1zgmFWbX0_LXiBzFzRRmHXqsqlpfpZq2whywLcLP8iU6kkGbnL_J8KiTP7nWz0PRuLrsntPTJMBa5YNPKgC_ysYqYP9294jJ0tDOat02V/s1600/pool.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnttf9XCe6OKe3tVkE6ul4UihU-cB3RnCbOJr1zgmFWbX0_LXiBzFzRRmHXqsqlpfpZq2whywLcLP8iU6kkGbnL_J8KiTP7nWz0PRuLrsntPTJMBa5YNPKgC_ysYqYP9294jJ0tDOat02V/s400/pool.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571070240817035970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Care to take a dip in the pool?? </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-90147102722461651252011-01-19T18:52:00.000-08:002011-01-19T20:24:20.195-08:00DGU for the new year and the Setai Hotel<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1A90KOGRS_kp5QSnR99LhXTYjXucOWSshRJ5FraMgP0yvYjA9KmyjNpUmXR1mp0tmrskD0pC4yPwFa742tj9TevNdk9r_po3fFORe25_DOqf7oU-EaiSmE9QNitgkHtp4vQAwmDz0Zrc/s1600/Picture+1.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;">I took a lot of time thinking about Design Guy University and this blog and where it was going and what it's purpose was. And I realized that it's design inspiration with history and a lot of design factoids that they don't teach you in design school, but that you learn through experience by doing or living. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So starting this year I wanted to take you on a tour of Miami's beautiful art deco area South Beach where I stayed during the holiday and through New Years. In fact this post is a bit delayed because I'm still sorta long to be in vacation mode... but now I'm back I can share my design inspirations with you. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9SNsWFaMMZh4foeR_0MfW6eQXXkynD6XyDUQbjOY9bgRyVjb6ubIOQGjTBJ7tqYX2EoxeWtH2jK5PgPdDxsXJDKnWVN9FVHV3sMuatCdBWghwOYB2gIApy9yQbyyS53yxIR3djrKn0lt/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-01-19+at+9.44.18+PM.png"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><a href="http://www.setai.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The Setai</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">, </span>situated on Collins Drive, was a complete Oasis Christmas day when I visited this past December. I had just had a beautiful walk on the boardwalk listening to the Ocean when I felt compelled to go in and enjoy. I later went back a few days later, I'll share that in a bit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Setai hotel is comprised of two buildings: the restored old art deco building that was once the Dempsey Vanderbilt Hotel opening in 1936 and the glass tower which contains larger rooms, suites and conference areas. It's all connected as a complex which is completely hidden by both the boardwalk and Collins avenue. Inside is where the newer, Asian hotel is a visual treat for the eyes.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTiqa8d2f3RXE-IAjJdXHiuJANl5r_vMTKcTaeL43s5nTCkFLK0KMHZLZZFhwS1Yt7uqbPo2_kiGDXbn3W7ufmQ115brBvrTx0XDKNbAwPJrvbI8FtW7ihxMz2T7m3LPPnJOlt5hWFWxr/s1600/100_2915.JPG"></a><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed4uwIGXyHv6FTCiemHCc3igbMzfzqHIUOMiRGWw2JJ2rpPy2trE6GAn61bqVcIqxHycxGCjj68S3-rgi_5LRX5buaCUx25-qG0PaHkUY-74Sd74LMlC96_iswBqaSbQ05LG2j9V00SxX/s400/SETAI.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564099852224757586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The entry is large and has a short entry hall divided into four. One side is reception and concierge, the other is restaurant/bar area and entry into the courtyard reflecting pool.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYzNcOfnoYZpDsq3aLFV4zLsZit0d1oQjfccj1bZdNOPRSX8FqgLeeIgmXCNU9UiOxL9drqJmSAf5l9_gBwGqHt67npeD98lDdUWwOZ_2SYSgpyGNF5HIvyysDx6SEUGEbEmOGngBfTKT/s1600/100_2920.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYzNcOfnoYZpDsq3aLFV4zLsZit0d1oQjfccj1bZdNOPRSX8FqgLeeIgmXCNU9UiOxL9drqJmSAf5l9_gBwGqHt67npeD98lDdUWwOZ_2SYSgpyGNF5HIvyysDx6SEUGEbEmOGngBfTKT/s400/100_2920.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564100321954977906" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Couldn't you imagine this lovely floral arrangement (yes, it was real) at your home. The roses were perfect. The hurricane held an orange. They were several of these along the perimeter of the reflecting pond. Oranges represent not only good health & long life but is a symbol of wealth. (what an economic, but classy look.) The floors throughout were made of grey, antique brick that was shipped from Shanghai where at one time, coincidentally, had the largest collection of art deco buildings in the world. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jGsryd0GUOQr00hqu3_176qpYNXK9vnil8djMBxSttIPpt5kggTfQACNDdR6aiknf-twRqyXL1OjfIOL1lveSIbVhnerzfuCEFDU6Hhx2VEDljhFPxDRJfqHSXEzTHTaaxfBP2SSbx2r/s1600/100_2893.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jGsryd0GUOQr00hqu3_176qpYNXK9vnil8djMBxSttIPpt5kggTfQACNDdR6aiknf-twRqyXL1OjfIOL1lveSIbVhnerzfuCEFDU6Hhx2VEDljhFPxDRJfqHSXEzTHTaaxfBP2SSbx2r/s400/100_2893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564100311630832306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jGsryd0GUOQr00hqu3_176qpYNXK9vnil8djMBxSttIPpt5kggTfQACNDdR6aiknf-twRqyXL1OjfIOL1lveSIbVhnerzfuCEFDU6Hhx2VEDljhFPxDRJfqHSXEzTHTaaxfBP2SSbx2r/s1600/100_2893.JPG"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">The courtyard outside was one large relecting pond. This was not a pool for swimming or wading, but for meditation and relaxation. Four statues were placed in each of the four corners, each an interpretaion of a calligraphy stamp that a scholar would sign a scroll or document. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06wNUWIgFV96avLUcug4y7NwoJi8fi-KKnpC7ssYGiA5QBc6GK4CU6l23ZDWbqg5ddd5mTBVCKBBikcZAo_TybjHNJJUKdyfYr_HLz0DgJ9lkXuu-L-QsGfdnC8lJqeLcNcJU_9eV6XKh/s400/100_2896.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564100316284026690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 384px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Because I was there at the holidays, they had a lovely tree, which was kinda weird being that we were in an Asian hotel. But as you can see it was tasteful. Now why did I go back later on in the week? Look under the tree.... </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jGsryd0GUOQr00hqu3_176qpYNXK9vnil8djMBxSttIPpt5kggTfQACNDdR6aiknf-twRqyXL1OjfIOL1lveSIbVhnerzfuCEFDU6Hhx2VEDljhFPxDRJfqHSXEzTHTaaxfBP2SSbx2r/s1600/100_2893.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jGsryd0GUOQr00hqu3_176qpYNXK9vnil8djMBxSttIPpt5kggTfQACNDdR6aiknf-twRqyXL1OjfIOL1lveSIbVhnerzfuCEFDU6Hhx2VEDljhFPxDRJfqHSXEzTHTaaxfBP2SSbx2r/s1600/100_2893.JPG"></a></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTiqa8d2f3RXE-IAjJdXHiuJANl5r_vMTKcTaeL43s5nTCkFLK0KMHZLZZFhwS1Yt7uqbPo2_kiGDXbn3W7ufmQ115brBvrTx0XDKNbAwPJrvbI8FtW7ihxMz2T7m3LPPnJOlt5hWFWxr/s400/100_2915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564100578278388562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Flanking the entrance were two boutiques. One, the uncompromising store of </span><a href="http://www.asprey.co.uk/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Asprey </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(the purple packages under the tree) and also Graff Diamonds. So I picked up a few things at the Asprey store saving myself a trip to New York or London. Then I went across the hall to talk to the manager of </span><a href="http://www.graffdiamonds.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Graff</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> diamonds where he showed me some great cufflinks and we discussed Graff's craftsmanship and he was great to talk about his collection of colored gems and diamonds on display.... one being an eight carat peridot ring from Africa the other....</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">...some pink sapphire butterfly jewelry that would have looked good on my niece.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">So when you travel, go into hotels and spaces even at places you're not staying. Have coffee, a drink, or just walk through. and learn, enjoy, absorb.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">Enjoy the rest of the photos. the last three photos at the end are from the hotel's website where you can see the luxurious accomodations. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNCoLLNlT568JL454jnyRPOu1ld8P5qhoNOb85Q7ilDvWEOLVp6UpqcQfPDVHi9qWsNrglRqTDP_KjwjL_nRfXcFDS2gNuXBrz7cgMdsgSctb7IpLxsBH-9oQn0rytkU78vCDR_nNcAwr/s1600/100_2918.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNCoLLNlT568JL454jnyRPOu1ld8P5qhoNOb85Q7ilDvWEOLVp6UpqcQfPDVHi9qWsNrglRqTDP_KjwjL_nRfXcFDS2gNuXBrz7cgMdsgSctb7IpLxsBH-9oQn0rytkU78vCDR_nNcAwr/s400/100_2918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564100312677977698" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xsXhTIlPSfMquPyJP08Jbpx88jFf8QUAx8n7jsqUIsXB7B_BDuqwpj42BZ-JoUpTtvSMCuyagLkYECobV5QYHPgDAP6txvXhNhKQWoPUK9OHHgSbCfiDMxNQGaqGn3jLUblIYLKSNQ7I/s400/asprey.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564115106738776802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 296px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshaGdfJaUeQoOsusC8JNeTlh2JuwuNCLqY5n9kZMhNx4eyMyvVVUPVF0j5SnWWkLIQfza4EBXZVpZPFQc7PWrqraMW0SsLTCd2WrTrIvuz9R8OtcIWX2csWGYsoNgTLDGTh010vaGdmoN/s400/graff_logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564115683084763522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 128px; " /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9SNsWFaMMZh4foeR_0MfW6eQXXkynD6XyDUQbjOY9bgRyVjb6ubIOQGjTBJ7tqYX2EoxeWtH2jK5PgPdDxsXJDKnWVN9FVHV3sMuatCdBWghwOYB2gIApy9yQbyyS53yxIR3djrKn0lt/s400/Screen+shot+2011-01-19+at+9.44.18+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564110107009016562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 343px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:16px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1A90KOGRS_kp5QSnR99LhXTYjXucOWSshRJ5FraMgP0yvYjA9KmyjNpUmXR1mp0tmrskD0pC4yPwFa742tj9TevNdk9r_po3fFORe25_DOqf7oU-EaiSmE9QNitgkHtp4vQAwmDz0Zrc/s1600/Picture+1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1A90KOGRS_kp5QSnR99LhXTYjXucOWSshRJ5FraMgP0yvYjA9KmyjNpUmXR1mp0tmrskD0pC4yPwFa742tj9TevNdk9r_po3fFORe25_DOqf7oU-EaiSmE9QNitgkHtp4vQAwmDz0Zrc/s400/Picture+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564114482247466066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAGLNVARsOn6d7m7Z9zJKUznS0Uu_gG17od4pwraPIbrqgTPXxlqC5JkVLyR89OJ-u4rKrWdW-a3SeyFJ22I2_jZYlcpKmXiwFyDGfbQ8kNRQsMxzaqpYaWpE10iJumnWY8maL3QLgmFa/s1600/Picture+1-2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAGLNVARsOn6d7m7Z9zJKUznS0Uu_gG17od4pwraPIbrqgTPXxlqC5JkVLyR89OJ-u4rKrWdW-a3SeyFJ22I2_jZYlcpKmXiwFyDGfbQ8kNRQsMxzaqpYaWpE10iJumnWY8maL3QLgmFa/s400/Picture+1-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564114476479827362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwxCoE3EHGCiYj69TjFSL3cjquIUsYVinQIT01lznjfHXQJL6LORTWYzxjVvcqXTkIhbvK1OFFDeSo0XaDlDqCle1Pw8oh5kB3UFx1Oc4e4oOrGlNadnp72EQDoy0xi0drkcm27lRvrPp/s1600/Picture+1-1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwxCoE3EHGCiYj69TjFSL3cjquIUsYVinQIT01lznjfHXQJL6LORTWYzxjVvcqXTkIhbvK1OFFDeSo0XaDlDqCle1Pw8oh5kB3UFx1Oc4e4oOrGlNadnp72EQDoy0xi0drkcm27lRvrPp/s400/Picture+1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564114464726313330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px; " /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size:17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-54136135267025528042011-01-03T18:46:00.001-08:002011-01-03T19:56:03.798-08:00Happy New Year !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHz4sLtVjGtcGFy8EsNmKftIhdFC6uzInYC8Ix5ekOuSr5r2uOMUfOykNgpkQLnNx8XgQUyutcYKELIlrhmJfE0jLWr4tpQDqo4LKPP5h18QPe6WSbrXf5mxhHSRHIau5qi_wyFMJmZzC/s1600/100B3540.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHz4sLtVjGtcGFy8EsNmKftIhdFC6uzInYC8Ix5ekOuSr5r2uOMUfOykNgpkQLnNx8XgQUyutcYKELIlrhmJfE0jLWr4tpQDqo4LKPP5h18QPe6WSbrXf5mxhHSRHIau5qi_wyFMJmZzC/s400/100B3540.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558174500215926930" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJEiXcoCbgn4r0GF_YUH7XvnC-4Noc6ZuKcbZYgjDiUBJ4fJJPzMwBbOZv7x5Oyl_oFwOq_wPfhJelQqovYCRrvmVwczqvgEqfj8DfpHfiRnk9i2xzmEncuu6jNZMR_XEsIqHr8xHxN0k/s1600/100_3430.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhShmFUQnPebPUlj3qqCrZI-md1j75k4xQtVclntaSEmD-O67nRF_HhMSrf6YzqLPWuh1wEoC7HzJxjSNZ2zDWeEQ-rEmk2tXqFlgNYCu5Tk1Dk_addogHSAVN2eeOG6ddujXGnsc4bGW/s1600/100_3427.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhShmFUQnPebPUlj3qqCrZI-md1j75k4xQtVclntaSEmD-O67nRF_HhMSrf6YzqLPWuh1wEoC7HzJxjSNZ2zDWeEQ-rEmk2tXqFlgNYCu5Tk1Dk_addogHSAVN2eeOG6ddujXGnsc4bGW/s400/100_3427.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558171389364940226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>This is a photo taken as the Orange reached the top. </i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Cheers, whistling ensued... wonderful!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJEiXcoCbgn4r0GF_YUH7XvnC-4Noc6ZuKcbZYgjDiUBJ4fJJPzMwBbOZv7x5Oyl_oFwOq_wPfhJelQqovYCRrvmVwczqvgEqfj8DfpHfiRnk9i2xzmEncuu6jNZMR_XEsIqHr8xHxN0k/s400/100_3430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558172904435932850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Fireworks over Biscayne Bay at midnight.</i></div></div></span></span></i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>I'm a little tardy in my New Year's wishes for my readers, but I've just returned from Miami Florida where I really rested and recharged. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQXk6lS7Wvf6H5KKvbvJWwyve-UJh8PDzkx1Y50nNTDuibPdNIGRzdRBJqTZRZV2iw9UZVh7jD_H-QP8pAZtqjL43AwVQwcmOZytmjlq02UHVSNm_olQWr3FZ31ZimpBRTjmx7pNQ4Tv-/s1600/100B3532.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQXk6lS7Wvf6H5KKvbvJWwyve-UJh8PDzkx1Y50nNTDuibPdNIGRzdRBJqTZRZV2iw9UZVh7jD_H-QP8pAZtqjL43AwVQwcmOZytmjlq02UHVSNm_olQWr3FZ31ZimpBRTjmx7pNQ4Tv-/s400/100B3532.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558159459389824866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The beach near where I was staying on New Years Day.</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>But with that I also was really inspired by design. Everything is designed. The sidewalks, the buildings even the clothing.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupa3tedfuAq_2TVtJtJQgoGeEOKXIYv1NcyJdTgJTPHQfWlNuKjN6CdKa4_nhm9chPX0l_W0PEdvdOt3CZVXPNAUC4T45UHOSIXuCHI6DZsw8Yf0f-L23JtN3UyKYy-iNkOSBG0OtWeFC/s400/100_3493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558160440321743122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>Friends I met while there...</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></span></span></div><div>In the next several weeks I'll share my experiences and I know you'll be inspired too. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ1zORwm4bgxCP2WTGjW-tPaD5sCb3O4lRoXNCKJuGKyBIiyej_Bkf2Qytsq1AWAxD1M5nOIb8wLORoAtLWVNMxdNu86XLYmHz3Jl3DS_qg_ka4cDega4z3IAuTUfeKev61sUv_xcBuvp/s400/100B3481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558159559539942754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>My boutique hotel as taken from a lounge chair </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>by the pool.</i></span></div></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-83460149217766597352010-12-23T14:53:00.000-08:002010-12-23T16:56:53.021-08:00An Ornament of Friendship<div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mv148r0kaGb4RRmNisx0rmIHC7GZFqRGDH3bdNd-qysSUQYCTm6Cfr1sboL2xP9ViUKjFX0-ocCcWztjBlZ3rfq23O7a_ws7UQ-Le_X9pIhYvyyrZY8inX9GuOrpzjRleS0Xc2WaQb-n/s1600/64415_159550297398089_100000293595468_441213_3348497_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Mv148r0kaGb4RRmNisx0rmIHC7GZFqRGDH3bdNd-qysSUQYCTm6Cfr1sboL2xP9ViUKjFX0-ocCcWztjBlZ3rfq23O7a_ws7UQ-Le_X9pIhYvyyrZY8inX9GuOrpzjRleS0Xc2WaQb-n/s400/64415_159550297398089_100000293595468_441213_3348497_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553010157636458450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div>A few months ago, I met <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Christopher Radko</span></b>. I've learned a lot about him through our conversations, but also through his crisp descriptions and observations he writes about in the Huffington Post. I don't think he realizes I share a similar opinion of snow which you'll see below and knows exactly what he's talking about as I grew up on a farm. When asked to help me out with this Christmas Eve/Day blog entry I think Christopher feared all I wanted to talk about was Christmas ornaments (he sold the company that bears his name in 2005). I assured him that there was a lot more to talk about during the winter holiday season ... he agreed to help.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); "><i>Q: In your Huffington Post articles you have this great description of fall that I really enjoyed reading. What do you love about winter?</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>For winter, I love the going within time... Time to recharge my batteries and prepare for the new year's cycle of spring... The shorter days give me time at home to catch up on projects, repairs, renovations and such, and also to cozy up to a good book with a glass of red wine...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>[note, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christopher-radko/looking-for-christmas_b_795410.html">click here</a> to check out Christopher's article at the Huffington Post's website]</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8I4AEJghEyV1VMTXuoS-hC-lc_BXfIDHSoYRGFuzmDeyjwJyVyAA57jklLEAy2cFAGtjvoNhPXjP_4hlGi0csi6cGH0hlYaovN9ah13gTpJzBn_80unCZz_zW1kXZR0sGJIhGbLzoKqW/s400/red-wine.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553013006202874290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Q: Does your border collie like winter?</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Kyla, my ace border collie, who came to me as a thank you from the NYC FireDepartment after I had created a commemorative ornament for them after 911, loves all seasons. She loves the snow and digging in snow drifts to try to find the frisbee I just tossed... I love snow too, for the quiet it brings... but neither of us like shoveling...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoIKJc-a_O8VCu5VKI9a4ejdPCrTGUjE39a6X-jMuPavke4S28bIQJdHO5dd7GlKutFWAOLMIvDFqj-1I2hc37D41zEU41a1v8F7l3EKZXSpRrEE5efisxk7GE_sAdOqHBUQCgVkkKIPC/s400/dog-frisbee.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553019572840004930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xg9icwQdIgtDdQixWqNW5DekfWAYHOOEaiVKrT3eHDgB6BBpfZQRrPaCFwRoj259BdTDQIoKYCqh3K1gcmbL_aSifCGZPzW1kPKgoYnogzIIbxCkUaGWITtoEPcinSl4MbCvTw3UTa2N/s400/247_FDNY_patch_lpffa_page_4c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553013511870681186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 293px; " /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition growing up?</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite tradition has to do with incorporating traditions from other cultures and from my ancestors into the basic American ones.. so 7 courses of fish on Christmas Eve, poppy seed and barley stew on Christmas Day, carols in French, Polish, and German... things like that, along side Rudolph and Frosty...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLt_7E28SoendPjTOL1F9L_A2k8wa0ZSn1q3ikAWOqMLA7YcnuIPO7nY7hx80KWh84nmScEZMwdREbGSyl6pxxn_6JfCMuO3QAXnl5ETIddofhbzqDmWVi6zju3Rdgya6AUCNH6pYTxWOY/s400/FD1216_Wildfire_fish_trio_12-16-09_4UGOVEE.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553017327916981794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Traditional, seven-fish-course Christmas Eve fish dinner</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">La Vigilia di Natale, or Vigil of the Holy Night, when only fish and no meat is consumed.</span></b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gOb6E88f1JSfZhq4Ee6G-xngGBflfQNs-Vn8eJdG0kCs784FcvIbzbUO4sVGAk1vIQ2FdgWur40UAfyqXheZ4uMaJu7HgMiPRH-KezmU5m1282IjovSNw6xFKtFmM5HgHHSC0heWjV7-/s400/SF18-3754.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553018454043536674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Poppy seed and barley stew.</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><i>Q: When entertaining for the holidays, what do you do to make the time special?</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>For any holiday entertaining, I think a welcoming enthusiasm is key. Good drinks help, so do great decorations and food, but if your heart is not in it, it's just not as much fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNOzdx5yCFj-pOKMnZZBLlCIVcellEogCEcjgBQXEbtTAubFFc0sIv6XE4UhZorCNrHPnbCaZXPmA0zoqhsxZRxvrnA7Ibu1tL52lBj_lPgIVFOFESAZBG1qr9_ff6QOuQ9IPzzuR8_6N/s400/news-cocktail-224442.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553019139348924962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">To all my readers of Design Guy University™, thank you for a wonderful 2010. I'm off to a warmer climate for a few weeks but will return by visiting Chicago in mid-January meeting a friend from Toronto and some fellow designers in the windy city. I'll also preparing for a new set of my Design Guy University classes in the Spring and Summer in other U.S. cities (more later). I already know 2011 will be fantastic.</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, and to all a Happy New Year!</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Best,</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Scott</span></i></div></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9123391770605020623.post-14233297265467016302010-12-20T22:41:00.001-08:002010-12-21T21:15:16.854-08:00Merry Christmas y'all... Southern Style<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyIo-jmMkxdSBTNjPL7WVsT3yRfNgCH_bST7_kj7O6UVxF7aSaUwzO4Xlq1i6AkqnJo3P9x39bwV2IXYNcfls-iV1zUmsU0zmJvLBH0mF0A5kze-rChPPgVhm-BNd4g5HN3FnGzLBmK2c/s1600/514bz5u27PL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXjp1OPd_gZs2mRq66f3ncRmnkwSzYjPl2072HEYufe_SAA7I2lKlYOd0ObXC1-45ejsXA_36WTbyKdfIsknvQNmm7fGyBs33WmSiLTLIhs9gm42lX-atugJkPiK7vwzYaUa8_5T8lHF_/s1600/Ben-South_bio_image.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXjp1OPd_gZs2mRq66f3ncRmnkwSzYjPl2072HEYufe_SAA7I2lKlYOd0ObXC1-45ejsXA_36WTbyKdfIsknvQNmm7fGyBs33WmSiLTLIhs9gm42lX-atugJkPiK7vwzYaUa8_5T8lHF_/s400/Ben-South_bio_image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553024958044814178" /></a></div><br /><div>Christmas in the south can be a lot of fun. Be prepared with a lot of food, drink and a lot of laughs and good times. <a href="http://www.bensouth.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Ben South</span></a> is nothing short of charming, smart and fun. Ben and I share a birthday, March 29<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>. He's a great friend and I just get inspired reading his southern ramblings about life, design, and anything else he writes... and it leaves me usually laughing my tail off. I couldn't think of a better time than the holidays than you introduce y'all to 'em.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><i>Q: What do you like about the winter and the holiday season?</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Southerners are sensualists. We didn't have Puritans down here, praise the Lord, so we eat more, drink more, dance more, anything that's pleasurable, Southerners do it more...Southern cooking really is some of the best in the world. On one groaning <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">huntboard</span>, you'll find African fried techniques, French sauces, British vegetable traditions added to great, garden bounty. Once the intense, Southern summer is over, the winter is a wonderful time for baked goods and heavier spices. </div><div><br /></div><div>Southern houses have the smell of pine logs in the fireplace and... the sounds of a Southern season include hearty laughter, Elvis singing "Blue Christmas," and Brenda Lee "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rockin</span>' Around the Christmas Tree."</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-W4L7v2bMGShyHACRAG5T1ENuTajQXE6UTk2RF0sYXb6mUXL9iJrZ7M2CtyWo1T1bAlKSjM6dqrgjd5UX70g7Cw0pkGLiFyDCsPbFXV1tV8JnbAt7Who2pod6-YI37U0msECthG1V_ov/s400/Unknown.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553363865677181906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 225px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><i>Q: What don't you like about this season?</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Blase', perfunctory, obligatory shopping like you've got a gun to your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hayyud</span>. I like handmade gifts, thoughtfulness-on-steroids, imagination and tradition. Every year, amongst other gifts, my mother gives my more outdoorsy, younger brother a subscription to "Garden and Gun," this century's finest, Southern magazine and I get "The New Yorker." Please don't out me on my Yankee reading preference. To warm me after I was divorced a few years back, my siblings gave me gift certificates for soups and other comfort foods. Such thoughtful and nurturing gifts are hugely appreciated in the bleak midwinter. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyIo-jmMkxdSBTNjPL7WVsT3yRfNgCH_bST7_kj7O6UVxF7aSaUwzO4Xlq1i6AkqnJo3P9x39bwV2IXYNcfls-iV1zUmsU0zmJvLBH0mF0A5kze-rChPPgVhm-BNd4g5HN3FnGzLBmK2c/s400/514bz5u27PL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553367342196645122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><i>Q: How does one decorate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Southernness</span> chic and fun?</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>First rule, it's gotta be clean. I grew up in the cleanest house in Alabama. Shining the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">silvuh</span> is very much a Southern holiday tradition. We rub it til the copper is coming through. It's probably the most aerobic exercise I take on all year and it's fueled by eggnog, or more likely "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">nognog</span>" and mama's fruitcake cookies... So, clean it and then green it. The actual decorating involves lots of evergreens and natural elements from the farm and sentimental family things saved from many decades. One Christmas decorating "No No," I do not like to have sacred things and pop culture Christmas in the same room. It seems sorta schizophrenic. I feel the same way about a Christmas music CD that has some mash up of "Frosty the Snowman" with "O Come All Ye Faithful." And, honestly, even though I grew up on a farm and we had hogs and horses, I don't like Christmas carols that involve livestock. "Away In A Manger?" No, thank you.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCD7u3L1OKcTl1LW0XY2Qykehy8vYNX-3MuPWG0zLH7K_8NRLEA4WJt9yIRy-6RKj-XDv8mX7XxolKIBvZFWdlrxJX6BMziwMZbDG_Pfrqx3aoIWJENho-1cfEyYRXEOK6_Q7rYEupTHf/s400/silver-green-m.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553367913521500402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Antique silver with greenery (from Southern Living)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">Q: What inspires you design-wise during the holidays?</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The wit of Simon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Doonan's</span> windows at Barneys. Some huge, visual wonderment by Preston Bailey. Seeing a long-married couple holding hands around a shared mug of cider. The timeless <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">table-scapes</span> of my friend, Patrick Dunne, at his shop, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lucullus</span>, in the French Quarter. The shiny, happy, sunniness of Angela Byrd's shop, Nest, in Little Rock. The historically inspired <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">googaws</span> at the great gift shop at the Atlanta History Center. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK1tnCzYURkY_JTIuFKP_SCpFqlgG8pUBvk9sYbhCuym6O9Zjq4WKOoe1HtZVfBdddKO6RnKxno2NF6VbnV27jyFZ_W2NjB7Ywy-qrTEG3wfTHAA0mEC0HXGuDHL8hnf3hpS4JdKwNO7S/s400/Christmas%252Bwindow%252Bdisplay%252BBarneys%252BNew%252BYork%252B23wYRPzPSr3l.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553369174446543218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of Barney's window displays in NYC</span></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com