CHS Needlework Exhibit Part 2

Here's the rest of the enchanting needlework exhibit at the Connecticut Historical Society. Above is a charming sampler by Lydia Church. What a needleworker she was! I love the black border, and the naive figures.

Look at her parasol!

And look at these flowers, just sweet little bundles of thread.

Here's another favorite. It was made by Frederic William Tuttle, a man's name if you will notice. It also says, " made in the 45th year of our nation's independence".

Here are 2 remarkable embroidered pictorial scenes. I like the lady blowing the flute to the cows in the lake. Do they like music?

This is another embroidered picture. It shows the three stages of life, the baby in the cradle, the woman embroidering, and the coffin. I wish you could have seen all the delicate stitches, and I love the harmony of the colors.

 I will finish with these magnificent bed hangings. Look at the detail of the parrot. Just breath taking. Boy, I could take these right home!

Anyhow, I recommend you find the time to check out this great exhibit at the Connecticut Historical Society, www.chs.org

Williamsburg visit Monday afternoon

Here are the pics from our afternoon at Colonial Williamsburg. Sadly, it gets dark early these days, so not too many pics turned out. Above, the market gardener is taking a break from planting fava beans.

 

You know, I think the gardens are my favorite part of Williamsburg.

 

Here are some of the Christmas decorations that were up already, but what I liked best was the "chicken ladder" up on the roof.

 

Here is the back of the Governor's Palace with its exquisite topiary.

Here is a view of the maze from the mount at the rear of the gardens.

Here is the view from the gardens out to the canal which runs along side.

Here is the working kitchen in the Governor's Palace. Look at the clock jack, and you should have seen the table full of food produced on their hearth.

Here is a part of the hallway with some of the hundreds of sabers and muskets the Governor had on display. The rebels certainly put them to good use after he ran out.

Here is the gilded pressed leather which is on the walls in one of the formal rooms.

Here is a small room downstairs where a gentleman can freshen up his wig's powder during the ball.

 

Here is one of the formal downstairs rooms at the palace, with a great delft garniture and fresh flowers, but as you can see its just too darn dark to see anymore.

We finished off the day listening to a wonderful fiddler playing for St. Andrew's day, some shopping (of course!) at the Williamsburg shops, a live Celtic group at the Barnes and Noble, and the best food around, at Paul's Deli, great Greek food, good beer, and friendly service. What a day!

Williamsburg trip Thursday

Boy, did we have fun this weekend. We went down to Williamsburg, VA, and did the Holiday Antiques show, but what was really fun was our trip to Colonial Williamsburg. I guess I has forgotten how wonderful it is. Yes, if I were doing it today, I'd choose to do some things differently, but hey, its the largest living history museum in the world, and that's got to be pretty impressive! Anyhow, I'm going to show you some pics of some of my favorite bits. There is just so darn much, its hard to know where to start.

 

Well, here is where we started, with a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner at the historic Williamsburg Inn. All the trimmings, and then some. Note to self, don't wait til dark to take pictures!

 

Here is one of my favorite rooms, all real antiques, and look at that set of chairs, and the crystal chandelier, and the wonderful rug on the table. Here's a hint, if you go to Williamsburg, and you should, late in the year, go early in the day, as they don't have artificial light, and well, its too dark to see much in the afternoon.

 

Here is Mary the wigmaker, who actually makes wigs, just a fun visit. Did you know the wigmaker would shave your head so your wig would sit properly? Ladies, you too!

 

Here are thelates styles in ladies wigs for the 1740s. Also, see the nice barber bowls, and wig curlers.

 

I liked this humble building, as the overhang looks like a good idea for keeping my firewood dry. Maybe we could add one onto the little barn this year? Hint, hint!

 

OK, now this is not so grand, but what a great look! If we could just add some good hinges, and a cool lock, my basement doors would look a whole lot better.

  

I can't rave enough about all the beautiful gardens at Williamsburg. Here is the market gardener at work, they are planting fava beans for harvest in April.

 

My friend Karen pointed out how cleverly they used black willow for fencing here.

This finishes up Thursday afternoon. The evening I can't show you, but we went to an absolutely sublime organ concert in the 18th C Bruton church, with just the best performance of JS Bach absolutely ringing the rafters. What a great end to a great day!