Category Archives: Washington D.C.

Hillwood Estate Museum

Here we are at the letter H in Jenny’s Alphabe-Thursday weekly meme and I have so much to share from Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington D.C. that I’m posting early.

Welcome to the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post – the legendary heiress, pioneering businesswoman, diplomat, philanthropist, and distinguished collector.

This is Marjorie and her daughter Dina Merrill. Dina was born to Mrs. Post and her 2nd husband Edward F. Hutton. Dina Merrill became a successful actress.

What drew me most to visit Hillwood was reading about Mrs. Post’s collection of Russian Imperial art which was her lifelong passion. Her third husband was United States Ambassador to Russia, Joseph E. Davies. Marjorie and the Ambassador lived in Russia in 1937 and 1938. She has one of the finest collections in the world. The largest portrait gracing the stairway is of Catherine the Great who reigned from 1762-1796.

Czar Alexander

Czar Nicholas II

A centuries-old Russian custom continues today as hosts welcome their guests with a loaf of bread on a round plate with a cellar of salt placed on top. Platters and cellars that were once used by nobility—some of which are currently on view at Hillwood—were often elaborately made of gilded silver and enamel.

Another symbol of Russia is the double-headed eagle inlaid in the center of this floor. This imperial coat of arms sets the tone for the imperial Russian glass and porcelain that fills the room.

Next time I’ll show the amazing collection of Icons and liturgical pieces from the Russian Orthodox church that Mrs. Post treasured. She also has some beautiful Faberge creations. She acquired these in the 1930’s. I’m so grateful to people like Mrs. Post who had the passion and resources to put such an extensive collection together and than to open up her home and collections to the public.

My post about the Gardens at Hillwood are here.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Hillwood Gardens

 

Marjorie Merriweather Post intended visitors to Hillwood to delight in the treasures found inside as well as outside the Mansion.

 

 

From 1955 to 1957, during renovations carried out after Mrs. Post purchased the estate, elements of the existing landscape were incorporated into garden “rooms” that featured a variety of historical styles.

 

 

The formal garden is designed to transport you to a small formal garden of the eighteenth century. Standing on the terrace you  face the terra-cotta sculpture of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt.

 

 

Fanciful creatures, such as the marble sphinxes, the figures with the head and torso of a woman and the legs of a lion on the balustrade, and the lead cherub riding sea animals in the central pool, lend the garden a sense of whimsy and joy reminiscent of objects in Mrs. Post’s French collection.

 

 

The next photo shows the view of the formal garden from Mrs. Post’s bedroom.

 

As you walk past the statue of Diana you enter the Rose Garden.

In 1956 Mrs. Post hired Perry Wheeler, who had assisted with the design of the White House rose garden, to adapt this garden to her taste. Each bed was planted with a single variety of summer-blooming floribunda rose and the brick paving.

 

Boxwood was planted to complete the circle started by the pergola.

 

Mrs. Post chose this site to house her ashes in the base of the pink granite monument crowned with an antique urn of deep purple porphyry.  Mrs. Post died at Hillwood. In her final act of philanthropy, she opened her estate as a museum of her timeless collections. This truly is an amazing gift to the public!

 

 

 

The wood and brick pergola, with its climbing roses and white wisteria that bloom in the spring were part of Willard Gebhart’s original design prior to Perry Wheeler’s additions in 1956.

 

 

Four of these statues represent the four seasons. The little guy on the bottom right was on a post on the friendship walk leading to the Four Seasons Overlook.

 

 

 

Looking back towards the rose garden from the putting green.

 

 

 

This is looking down towards the Japanese style garden which I’ll post at a later date.

 

Past the stone lion is the lunar lawn, named for it’s crescent shape.

 

 

There are still many wonderful aspects of Mrs. Post’s outdoor property to show but this post is getting long and I’ll stop here with some lovely Peonies that were growing in the cutting garden.

If you ever visit Washington D.C. I highly recommend a visit to Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens. The history and treasures and beauty are worth the trip.

ht: Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens brochure.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Julia Child’s Kitchen

 

From the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Julia Child’s Kitchen, 2001.

“In it we receive our friends, we cook and dine, we teach and experiment. It is certainly the most loved and most used room in the house.” ~ Julia Child.

Just a friendly reminder that my cookbook giveaway ends this evening at 6:00 Pacific Time.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

By Gum by Golly…

*** If you are looking for my cookbook GIVEAWAY click here.

 

We are on the letter G! It’s time to share your choices and link up with our hostess and teacher Jenny for Alphabe-Thursday.

My choice for G is a Guinness in Georgetown.

A really good bartender is hard to find. I think we discovered the best bartender East of the Cascades on our recent trip to Washington D.C. There are plenty that will mix up a drink for you or pour you a beer and plop it in front of you with hardly a smile but then there’s the rare one who has panache. Someone who adds style and good conversation to his art.

 

We were on the Tour Trolley going through Georgetown when our guide directed our attention to Martin’s Tavern. We knew we’d be jumping off the trolley and strolling back to the Tavern because of it’s historical significance or because we really wanted a beer, you decide. We sat at the bar instead of a table and we were so pleased we did.

 

As luck would have it we got to meet Damon the bartender this afternoon.

 

Not only was he a great bartender but he was a good sport and posed for a photo for my blog.

 

I ordered a Guinness and look what I got…A Guinness, but not just any Guinness on draught. Take a closer look y’all and check out the head on my Guinness. Do you see what I see? Do you see the genuine Irish Shamrock?

 

I was so thirsty I almost missed it but Dear pointed it out to me and then I didn’t want to drink it but I just wanted to enjoy it. Did I tell you I’m very visual? This was the very first time a Guinness was served to me with the bartender taking the added time to design a Shamrock on it’s head.

Thank you Damon! We are sincere in saying you are one of the best bartenders we have ever chatted with. You made our Georgetown experience at Billy Martin’s very memorable! You really impressed Dear because of your classic knowledge of spirits and beer and especially the fact that you know what a Martini isn’t.

Now for you history buffs who might not enjoy booze, here’s some interesting history associated with Billy Martin’s!

There are several tables at Martin’s that boast being a president’s favorite, from Harry Truman to George W. Bush.

Booth #1 “The Rumble Seat”;

After mass at Holy Trinity in the 1950’s JFK sat in this booth reading the paper and having brunch on Sundays.

Booth #3 – The Kennedy Booth – a.k.a. The Proposal Booth

JFK and Jackie frequently dined in Booth #3. On Wednesday, June 24, 1953, having returned from covering the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth for the Washington Times Herald, Jacqueline Bouvier accepted John Kennedy’s proposal of marriage. The next day customers and staff excitedly talked about “that nice young Kennedy senator” proposing to his girlfriend the night before in their booth. Since that day, Booth #3 is known as “the proposal booth”.

Booth #6 – The Truman Booth

Harry Truman, his wife Bess and daughter Margaret sat here for many dinners when Margaret was a student at George Washington University in 1942 and he was a senator from Missouri. Margaret Truman wrote 14 mystery novels set in Washington D.C. and many of her novels included Martin’s Tavern. Murder in Georgetown, pg. 58 -“She seemed anxious to comply and they arranged to meet at seven at Martin’s Tavern.”

 

If you find yourself in Georgetown make sure and visit Billy Martin’s Tavern and say hi to Damon for us!

Here’s another G you shouldn’t miss…I’m having a Giveaway on my blog. Enter to win our MGCC cookbook with all the girls signatures!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Washington National Cathedral ~ Some Details…

The Cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, is amazing and has so many wonderful architectural details.

 

 

 

A crucifixion scene is high overhead on the rood beam (“rood” is an old word meaning cross or crucifix).

 

The sculpture on the Canterbury Pulpit depicts people and scenes relating to the translation of the Bible into English. Stones for the pulpit came from Canterbury Cathedral in England.

 

At the east end of the Cathedral nave is the HIGH ALTAR. One hundred and ten figures of men and women exemplifying the highest ideals of Christianity surround the central figure of Christ in Majesty, completing the iconographic story with the redemption of humankind through Jesus Christ.

 

 

There were several beautiful ornate iron gates throughout the Cathedral.

 

 

16th-Century tapestries tell the story of David and Goliath. There were several of these tapestries in St. Mary’s Chapel.

 

 

 

In the lower level (crypt) of the Cathedral are several chapels with new Testament imagery.

 

I’m pretty sure this is from the Bethlehem Chapel. The Cathedral’s foundation stone was placed on this site under what later became the altar of the Bethlehem Chapel. In 1912 this became the first part of the Cathedral to be completed, and a service has been held here every day since.

 

 

This is from the Chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea. The mural tells the story of Jesus’ entombment following the crucifixion. This chapel and the Resurrection Chapel are primarily built in the Romanesque (or Norman) style of architecture featuring rounded arches and a heavier “feel” than the Gothic architecture. The use of this style here imitates the medieval custom of building a Gothic Cathedral over the crypt of an earlier, Romanesque one.

 

The Resurrection Chapel is decorated with colorful mosaics, portraying the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection.

 

Behind this iron gate is Helen Keller’s tomb

 

 

The tiny chapel of the Good Shepherd

 

 

 

While in the Crypt Dear and I were on a quest to find a special little nook. Several years ago we purchased a beautiful painting by our friend Patty Forte Linna that hangs in our living room. This next photo is our painting by Patty.

 

Patty was inspired to paint this from her visit to the Washington National Cathedral and seeing this special little area in the Crypt.  Dear spotted the area and pulled me aside to show me. This next photo was Patty’s inspiration.

 

Here they are side by side…

 

If you ever get the chance to visit Washington D.C. do not miss this beautiful Cathedral.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Korean War Memorial

Because it’s Memorial Day Weekend and we were just in Washington D.C. I wanted to share some of the great War Memorials we visited. On Monday I have a post about Arlington National Cemetery and today I’m sharing photos from the Korean War Memorial during the day and at night. The interesting thing we learned from our Trolley Tour Guide is that Korean American visitors and visitors from Korea leave wreaths everyday at the Memorial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the Warrior Returns

When the warrior returns, from the battle afar,
To the home and the country he nobly defended,
O! Warm be the welcome to gladden his ear,
And loud be the joy that his perils are ended:
In the full tide of song let his fame roll along,
To the feast-flowing board let us gratefully throng,
Where, mixed with the olive, the laurel shall wave,
And form a bright wreath for the brows of the brave.

~ Francis Scott Key

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Bishop’s Garden ~ Washington National Cathedral

Thank you for your care and concern about my procedure Friday morning. Everything is just fine and I won’t need that procedure for another 7 years! We went out for a nice dinner and all is well. Hope your weekend is off to a good start…

Continuing with my posts from our time in Washington D.C.  I’m breaking down the posts so you don’t get photo overload. The grounds of the Cathedral, called the “Close” are comprised of fifty-seven acres, which include the Cathedral, three schools, the offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and St. Alban’s church.  The grounds also include the Bishop’s Garden.

 

The Bishop’s Garden is modeled on a medieval walled garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Equestrian Statue of George Washington sits at the base of the Pilgrim Steps. From here, the Pilgrim Way winds through the 5 acre Olmsted Woods.

 

This is a side door to St. Alban’s.

Washington D.C. has so much to take in and enjoy. You can never see it all in one trip. I’d suggest you choose one major site a day and do it justice. You could add in a smaller site but beware of overload. Space your day out with a good sit down meal, too.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Outside the Washington National Cathedral

 

This cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, had its beginning in 1893. The foundation stone was laid in 1907 in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt, and the Cathedral was completed in 1990 – 83 years later – when the “final finial” was placed in the presence of President George H.W. Bush.

 

Built of Indiana limestone, the Cathedral is the sixth largest in the world. Its design is unique and not copied from any earlier building. The building is shaped like a cross, with a long nave – a tenth of a mile- and two shorter transepts.

 

 

 

The Cathedral’s architectural style is Gothic, characterized by great height and the use of pointed arches, boss stones, ribbed vaulting,  large windows, and flying buttresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When visiting these wonderful historical sites there’s always something you miss or at least I miss. I tend to learn more about the site when I finally get ready to post about it on my blog. Although I did notice these Gargoyles, I totally missed the fact that Darth Vader was one of the Gargoyles on the Cathedral! Here’s an explanation.

In the 1980s, while the west towers were under construction, Washington National Cathedral held a decorative sculpture competition for children. Word of the competition was spread nationwide through National Geographic World Magazine. The third-place winner was Christopher Rader, with his drawing of that fearful villain, Darth Vader. The fierce head was sculpted by Jay Hall Carpenter, carved by Patrick J. Plunkett, and placed high upon the northwest tower of the Cathedral.

You would need binoculars to see it so I don’t feel too bad about totally missing it!

My thoughts and prayers are with the people in the areas of our country hit by devastating tornadoes and other weather related tragedies. Praying that God would sustain them while they work to recover.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Stained Glass ~ Washington National Cathedral

Get ready for photo overload. I have so many photos to share from our trip to Washington D.C. that I’ll have to break my posts down to different aspects of each spot I visited. The Washington National Cathedral was amazing to visit. Today I’ll share the Windows for you for Ruby Tuesday with Mary at Work of the Poet.

 

This is the Space Window which holds a piece of moon rock brought back by the crew of Apollo XI.

 

 

One theme, told moving from the west to east, is the story of redemption through faith. Beginning at the west facade and west rose window with the story of creation, this theme continues through the clerestory windows, and ends with the sculpture of Christ in Majesty at the high altar.

 

 

 

 

Christ in Majesty at the high altar.

 

This series of 3 photos shows 6 of the 12 disciples of Jesus.

 

 

 

I’ll be posting more photos of the Washington National Cathedral in the next couple of days.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Last Night in D.C.

This photo is from last night. We took a moonlight monument tour in Washington D.C.

Tonight is also our last night in D.C. We’ll be back in Washington state tomorrow morning.

 

It’s been wonderful to be in our nation’s Capitol but I’m looking forward to being back in our other Washington.

Woohoo! My brother Leonard is in Baltimore for a business trip and he’s going to drive for an hour to come and meet up with us! What a fun turn of events. Leonard lives in Dallas with his family and we don’t often get to see each other. A very nice way to cap off our trip to D.C.

Blessings…

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.