Monday, May 24, 2010

An Americana Visual Feast (Old Sturbridge Village part 2)




When we went to Old Sturbridge Village (a living museum), last week, I was definitely on the tired side and didn't have much of an ability for conversation (if you can believe that). I've been multiple times before; so, I just enjoyed the visual feast. This time around, I particularly enjoyed the house full of antique glass. There was everything from medicine bottles to salt dishes to knobs on display.

Here, "taste" this.....


 





 





 





 





 





 





 


By the way, please, does anyone know the name of this bush? I want one!


 


Remember, my camera was (and still is) being very uncooperative? If you zoom in, you'll be able to see these flowers a bit better.


 




The boys and I, also, had fun in the "armory".


 





 


     Strangely, our whole family are fans of "Master and Commander". My husband, dad and I have read all twenty books and, all of us love the movie. (We cover the boys' eyes at a few parts.) The strange part is, that the English were the "enemy" for us Americans. Confiscating our goods and people and pressing them to their own use wasn't so very nice of those British! Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin and the  HMS Surprise (HMS= His Majesty's Ship)  are our heroes, though. It's brought up some wonderful discussions about how everyone thinks that their side is the right side in a war.


 




The school house.


 


It brought out what I know to be my sons' true natures...



One is silly and lazy! (Tsk! Sleeping in class! Actually, this son's problem is always reading in class!)
  

 


One son is defiant and definitely a back row kind of kid. (But, handsome as the devil - Uh, oh!)

Take off that hat!

 

And, my youngest son is an angel! (Thank you, God!)




Yes! It was a gorgeously homemade, hand spun, family kind of day!


 




I still have just a few more wonderful photos of the farm to share with you sometime next week, if I may. I have a pretty darn funny story to share with it, too! (Maybe, I'll talk about something else for a little bit, first ~ maybe, we'll see how it goes ~ gardening season for us Vermonters is finally beginning.)



Till next time,

Katy Noelle



 



16 comments:

  1. What a delightful time, you had, Katy, and I loved seeing everything from the photos of the glass to the boys and your account of their behavior! LOL! Looking forward to your next installment...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  2. You will never know for real what the first photo has done to me! Those hands, old and "useful" have reminded me so much of my grandmother's... it's funny, I have a post "on the making" about old, gnarled hands. Their importance perhaps is enhanced by my own memories. We are kindred spirits, we have said before, but after seeing this photo... well, I'm teary eyed...thank you my friend...Hugs...

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  3. Hi Katy.
    I think that bush is a mock orange - did it smell really sweet? That's so funny about the boys in class!
    Jess

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  4. Oh, I loved her apron! A girl can never have too many aprons is my credo :)

    I'm curious about the bush too. I'll have to check back and see what the other guesses are. And I'm a little jealous about your gardening weather--apparently we're going to have a late late late summer here in Nevada. Sigh.

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  5. Oh Katy, so much for curtailing my commenting, but I knew I wouldn't be able to stay away for long from your wonderful posts !!

    I love the sense of history here - the old glass, the armoury and the rich wood of the church pews. The photo of the lady with her knitting is superb!

    I think the shrub is a mock orange too - the fragrance is particularly strong in the evenings - a lovely plant.

    Jeanne
    xox

    PS Thank you for your sweet comment yesterday. I do wonder if any other blogger friends have this dilemma ... spending too much time at the computer as opposed to getting out there and just 'being' ... I knew you would understand ... it's getting that balance just right isn't it? ...
    x

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  6. I always love it to visit such a historic place ; to make a trip back in time....
    Nice to see the pics!
    And Yes sometimes I know I shouldn't visit so much blogs, but everytime I find a new nice one...
    greetings from Fleur from Holland

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  7. Hi Katy Noelle,

    Just read both your post. It sounds like you had a great day together! The museum looks both interesting and lovely with all the old houses, the trees and plants (don't know the name) & the interiors. I think it looks a bit like the Dutch open air museum in Enkhuizen or Arnhem.

    Love the pictures of your boys and your sister? Especially the one with their faces and that of your father popping out of the painting :-).

    Your remark about the trimming of hats made me smile too. I believe that Jane and her sister Cassandra even corresponded about it!! Strange, in Holland we don't wear hats anymore. I can remember that both my grandfathers and grandmothers wore hats. My father still wears them, but he is an exception. I only wear my straw hat in the garden, when it's hot. I love it though. Hopefully it will become fashionable again!

    You asked about our allotment. As we live in an appartment close to the city center we don't have a garden. Although we do have two balconies and a roof garden, I missed it for a long time. When the girls were younger we had a subscription to the zoo (we live next to it)and considered this our garden. Three years ago we rented this plot from the municipality of Rotterdam. We bought the house and the greenhouse on it from the owner. We are on a complex with more than 250 allotment gardens. It's such fun. There are all kinds of people with different backgrounds and different gardens. Unfortunately the municipality is closing down gardens to make room for houses, whereas the demand from families living in appartments in town is growing. We are safe now, but I don't know for how long. I realise this, so I cherish every moment :-)!

    It doesn't matter about my age :-). I think you are younger though. I am already 46! Well...you know my secret know!!!

    Happy tuesday!

    Lieve groet, Madelief

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  8. Katy Noelle ~ I loved seeing your photos and reading of your trip to Old Sturbridge Village. I had visited there YEARS ago; and your posting has certainly inspired me to go back! How wonderful for your boys to have this opportunity to "experience" history.
    Cassandra ♥

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  9. Katy, I like this post even more than part 1 of your visit.
    The picture of the glass pitcher (2nd pic) is such an unusual piece.
    I'm sure it would be so interesting just to peruse around the place, even if too tired to talk! ;-)

    I love Master and Commander too! What a great story...although I must admit I have not read the books.

    Thanks for taking us on this little trip.

    Nancy

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  10. Hello dear Katy! I left an award for you over at my blog. If you have had this one before or don't have time to do it (you are always such a busy gal...) not to worry! I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog!

    Lovely photos ~ looks like it was a wonderful family outing!

    Have a terrific evening Katy!
    xo Catherine

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  11. Still smiling here behind my laptop, Katy Noelle. Love your writing style! Lovely pictures of the old lady.
    Wishing you a merry happy wonderful Wednesday! xx

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  12. Great photos! Looks like a fun place for the kids to visit...mine would love it!!! And I love those old bottles you showed!

    Happy Memorial Day weekend!!

    Hugs ~

    :) T

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  13. It is so pleasant to have a "walk in the past". How interesting this visit was, especially for the kids, isn't it ? Seems you have had a good time.

    Thank you very much for your recent comments and compliments. They are very appreciated.
    Have a nice weekend.

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  14. This visit was very interesting, i wish i could go there ! catherine

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  15. This is definitely a visual feast. I love to take my daughter to places like that. They're so important.
    Thank you for visiting my Show & Tell -
    You should have seen us today! I was like a kid in a candy store - I could read my daughter's mind - Mom, you're really going to get all that?
    Well..she got a few things too :)
    Kathy

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  16. Hi, dear Katy-
    oh- such wonderful clothes. I think in the past, they made clothes with love :-)
    And the glasses- so beautiful- I like that so much!
    Many hugs from Ines!

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