The Winchester Mystery House

Around nine years ago, I visited California for the very first time. We headed up to San Francisco and as you can see, it was a very cloudy day. Despite the weather, I still had to get a shot of the "Painted Ladies."



Don't worry...this isn't a "vacation" post. :) We did it all during the 2-3 days we were there. We walked across "the" bridge, visited Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square...pigged out on yummy chocolate.




It's really breezy on the Golden Gate bridge. Wasn't I styling in my RL houndstooth jacket? (LOL) Ok, not the greatest look for me...but I've always had this thing for houndstooth jackets.




Took the tour of Alcatraz...




Got the t-shirt...



My first trolley ride...




We visited Yosemite and the great Sequoias. Words can not describe. Awe, just pure awe!




Wonder how many people have had their picture taken in this spot? Hard to explain what it's like to walk among these majestic giants...but I'm pretty sure I know how an ant feels now.




Now we get to what this post is really about. :)

A few weeks before I took this trip, I was watching HGTV and they were talking about this crazy, crazy house in San Jose. I couldn't believe it when we were zooming up the interstate and I saw a sign for it. What? How often do you watch something on HGTV and then get to experience it in real life? I had to go. Have you ever been to the Winchester Mystery House?




You know how sometimes you hear about a place, then you go and it turns out it's really not worth the trip? Turns out to be all hype? Well, the Winchester Mystery House is totally worth the trip! I'd love to go back and do the "flashlight tour."

This house was originally built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the founder of Winchester Repeating Arms.



It all started with two awful tragedies. First Sarah lost her only child, Annie, just a few weeks after her birth. Then, a few short years later, her husband, William Winchester died. As you might imagine, she was inconsolable.




She eventually sought the advice of a spiritual medium who told her the tragedies in her life were caused by all the folks who had lost their lives at the hand of a Winchester rifle. She told Sarah she needed to move way out west, build a home, and never stop building it. No kidding. Weird, huh? The spiritual medium told Sarah as long as she kept building and adding to her home, the bad spirits would stay away and she would be safe. Sarah apparently took this advice to heart.

She bought an 8 room farmhouse in 1884 and added room after room after room...for 38 years. At her death, the 8 room farmhouse had become 160 rooms! She employed 13 carpenters full time and they labored day and night.

I remember seeing lots of beautiful stained glass and gorgeous moldings. Sarah must have really loved daisies because a lot of the stained glass depicted daisies, as did much of the beautiful molding. A lot of the stained glass was Tiffany and she hired some of the most amazing artisans to create the moldings and woodwork throughout the home.




One of the shocking things I heard on the tour was that the house consumed the barn on the property. They just built and built and built...and when they reached the barn, it was absorbed right into the home. The day we took the tour, they had many of the doors and windows Sarah had purchased for future additions stored in this room we were told was once the barn.

Some stats: The house is 24,000 square feet and contains 160 rooms, 40 bedrooms, 13 baths, 6 kitchens, 10,000 windows, 2,000 stairs, 47 fireplaces and 17 chimneys.





Before the huge earthquake in 1906 , it stood 7 stories high. Today, it is 4 stories.




There are many, many wild stories about this home...you get to hear all of them on the tour. There was no master plan. There are doorways that oddly open to the outside like the one below...do you see it in the pic?




There are doors that when opened, have nothing but a blank wall on the other side. Some stairways lead nowhere. It's been said, Sarah created the crazy stairways and the trick doors to fool the spirits.




The Winchester Mystery House is said to be one of the top 10 most haunted places in America. I read this evening at the Winchester Mystery House website, they are getting ready to shoot a movie about this house. I don't plan to go see it because it's supposed to be scary...and I don't like scary movies.




Here's a video with some additional information...



Visit the Winchester Mystery House website to learn more about the home and the upcoming movie.

A Whimsical Table Setting with Le Ballon by Villeroy & Boch... Welcome to the 101st Tablescape Thursday!

67. What is that number? That's how many knock-down gorgeous tablescapes I have visited so far, from our 100th Tablescape Thursday celebration last week. :) As you can see, I'm still have quite a few more to go...and I WILL visit each lovely link. If I haven't been by your blog yet, I'm coming!

Unfortunately, some folks are not using permalinks...big no-no...so that's making it extra hard for me (and others) to find the tablescape post. When I click on a link that isn't a permalink, I will sometimes find myself looking at the current post that's about something non-tablescape related.

If you are one of the folks who isn't linking a permalink when joining a blog party, but instead, you're linking your general blog address...I must caution you that most readers are not going to take the time to scroll and scroll to find your tablescape post. Instead, most readers will most likely exit from you blog...frustrated that they clicked looking for a tablescape and the link was no good.

So, please, please, please use your post's permalink, not your general blog address. If you don't know what a permalink is or how to get it, please click on the Tablescape Thursday link just under my header pic, and you'll find the directions there. Fortunately, most of you are using permalinks...thank you for that! :)


Tablescape Thursday:

Well, it's been a long time since we took a trip out of the country...I think it's time! Cornelia has invited us back to her beautiful home in Switzerland and after a lovely night's rest, she is spoiling us with breakfast on the balcony.



Spoiling us, indeed! Would you just look at our view! WOW!




Cornelia didn't want us to get overheated, so she's extended the awning just for us. Now, while you sip your orange juice...or is that a Mimosa...I'll let Cornelia fill us in on the beautiful tablescape she's created.




Cornelia told me, "The China is "Le Ballon" from Villeroy & Boch. It was made in the 80's and has been discontinued.




"The set consists of 6 different patterns on the plates: Cologne, Copenhagen, Luxembourg, Venice, London and New York.




"It shows pictures by Jean Mercier. He was a French Artist born 1899.




"He is best known for his decor of the grand ballroom of the MS FRANCE.




(Inside the bowl)



"There is another design of Paris on the cake plate.




"The mugs, oval pickle dish, the cups, the bowls, the coffeepot, the teapot, the square cake platter, the creamer and covered sugar box all have different designs.






"The sterling silver flatware is by Jezler; the pattern is called, Centenaire.




"The stemware is vintage crystal.




"The champagne glasses are from the former German Democratic Republic. The pattern is called, Maria Theresia.




"The tablecloth is custom made by Solenzara of Hamburg/Germany. The fabric is French, showing Montgolfiers.







"The vase is silver by Jezler. They flowers are from my garden (Rhododendron). The underplate is German silver.




"The garden furniture is by FEROB/France."




Cornelia, thank you so much for sharing the origin/history of the wonderful china you've used to create this beautiful table setting.




Not only was the tablescape wonderful, but the views from your balcony are just stunning!




Looking forward to viewing your beautiful tablescapes!



Please Read:
If you are participating in Tablescape Thursday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name. Then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top, into the "url" box for the picture linky. You'll also need to put your e-mail address in, but don't worry, it will not be visible to anyone.

You may see a red X once you enter your link. No one else can see the red X, it's just there in case you make a little mistake and need to delete your link and re-enter it.

I'd love for you to use the Tablescape Thursday logo button in your post. To do that, just copy and paste it to your computer and upload it to your post as you would any photo. Or, just grab the html code posted on the sidebar under the TT button.

Please, link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful tablescapes posted for this Tablescape Thursday, thus increasing visits for all participating.

Please, do not add your link below, until your tablescape post is actually published to your blog.

Please, don't add your post name/blog name in ALL CAPS...it tends to create big spaces between the rows of links. Thanks!

Monograms on Sterling Flatware...Great Idea or Huge Mistake? Welcome to the 80th Metamorphosis Monday!

The last few days my bottom has been glued to the dragonfly and floral covered slipper chair in my dressing area/office. :) I've been visiting all the wonderful tablescapes linked for TT.




I am determined to visit and leave a comment on every single one...all 117! :) I have a handy dandy list beside me with all the participants numbers and I'm skipping all around...that's the way my brain works. (LOL) It may take me two weeks, but sooner or later, if you posted a tablescape, I'll be by.

Thanks again for joining in for our 100th Tablescape Thursday! I'm looking forward to visiting each and every one of you! And thank you so much to each visitor who left a comment...I read each one and cherish your sweet thoughts. :)


Monograms on Sterling Flatware...Great Idea or Huge Mistake? Contemplating a "Before and After"

I just love monogrammed silver. I suppose I could attribute this
obsession
great affection to having been "raised" here in the south where I've read monogramming has long been a standing tradition. But actually, I've never known anyone who had monogrammed silver, or if they did I don't remember seeing it.






So, though I'm not sure why I love the look so much, I just know that I do. Are there things you are drawn to, but you aren't sure why?




Today, while viewing so many beautiful tablecapes, my mind wandered back to 1978, when as a bride-to-be my husband and I selected our sterling flatware, a Towle pattern named, King Richard.




In 1978, we found ourselves betwixt and between. We were caught in that period when folks were still registering a sterling pattern once they became engaged, but it was becoming rarer and rarer to actually receive sterling "anything" as a gift. Apparently, silver prices had really shot up while formal entertaining was becoming much less common.

By the way, who was it that decided we can only use our sterling for formal entertaining anyway? Boo, hiss on that idea. This, my friends, is not a dress rehearsal. If you have sterling flatware, get it out and use it.  Daily use will only make it more beautiful and speed up that lovely process called, patina. But I digress.




When we chose our sterling flatware, I fully planned to have it engraved with our last initial one day. Over the last 30 years, as I have gradually collected additional pieces, I've never gotten around to having it done. As I sat viewing the pics I took for the 100th TT, I found myself staring at that large, oval spot where I had long pictured an "H" monogram in beautiful script.




Now, that I'm older, and when forced to be, a bit wiser, I find I am reluctant to have it monogrammed. Why? Because...

ehow online says:
"Monogrammed silverware is worth significantly less than a set that has not been monogrammed. Patterns also affect the value, depending on their popularity."

About.com online says:
"Monograms -- Many collectors view old, elaborate monograms as a lost art form and historically important. It does not detract from the desirability or value of a piece when a monogram is present. Most pieces, however, are even more valuable without a monogram. As you become more familiar with silver, you will be able to detect monogram removal. Monogram removal can damage a piece of silver and significantly reduce its value."

And, an eBay Guide I found online said: "Monograms are the bane of an eBay sterling flatware collector's existence it sometimes seems. Extensive experience on eBay shows that a monogram on a piece of flatware cuts its value about in half, though there are so many sellers who learn this the hard way."

And, finally...another eBay guide said: "A monogram on sterling flatware reduces it's value by 25-35%."

See my dilemma? One part of me says, monogram it...it will be passed down to my son one day, so the monogram will still work. And, who knows, maybe he will have a son one day and it will be passed on down to him. :)

But, the practical side of me says, No, don't do it...don't hurt the value of the flatware. Usually, my practical side wins out, so I will most likely not monogram it. I am guessing it would be very expensive to have it monogrammed, anyway. Seems silly to pay someone money to reduce the value of an object, doesn't it? ~~~sigh~~~ Do you sometimes wish you weren't practical?

Guess I'll just stick to monogrammed napkin rings...




...and monogrammed linens. No regret there...just pure enjoyment! :)



So, I want to know...where do you stand on monograms? Is your flatware monogrammed? Would you have it monogrammed? Would you buy flatware with a monogram that didn't match your last name?



Metamorphosis Monday:
If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday: Please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top, into the "url" box for the picture linky. You'll also need to put your e-mail address in, but don't worry, it will not be visible to anyone.

I'd love it if you would include the MM button in your post, to make it easy for others to find you MM post. To do that, just copy and paste the Met Monday button to your computer or grab the html code from underneath the MM logo on my sidebar.

Please include a link in your MM post back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch. Why is this important? When you include a link back to BNOTP, it ensures your regular readers/visitors will find the other awesome "Before and Afters" linked for this Metamorphosis Monday. If everyone links back, this maximizes the opportunity for visits for all who participate. I don't like having to delete links, I truly don't. But it isn't fair to the other participants who do link back, if I allow some to participate and not link back, showing they do not care if their fellow participants get visits or not. I hope you understand why I will have to delete your link if you do not link back to the MM party...just trying to make it fair for all who participate and maximize visits for all who participate.

Please do not add your link below, until your MM post is actually published to your blog. Please DO NOT type in all caps...it spreads the links waaaay out. Thanks! :-)

Let's try something fun today! Please visit the person who linked before you and after you...that way everyone will get some visits. Hope you'll visit more, of course. :-)

Take the Tour: a Greek Revival Home Built in 1840

Hi Everyone!

A Huge Thank-you to all who participated in the 100th Tablescape Thursday...and that includes those who visited and viewed the linked tablescapes, as well as those who created and linked a tablescape to the party post. It takes both viewers and participants to make any party a success.

The comments you left for me were much appreciated and meant more than words can say. Blogging and creating posts each week is work...the most fun work I've ever done. :) I love it and if you'll keep visiting, I'll keep working hard to create posts that will hopefully entertain and make you smile.


Poll Results:
Thanks so much for taking time recently to vote in the poll I had posted on my sidebar. The results are in and 82% of you love the BIG pics I post here at BNOTP; 7% don't really care if they are big or small and 10% would rather see smaller pics. Since 90% of you either like BIG pics or don't have a problem with the large pics, I will continue to include large pics in the post you see here at BNOTP.

By the way, I think I finally found out why large horizontal pics are occasionally cut off on the right side for some readers. Apparently, it has to do with the age of the browser you are using. If you haven't updated your browser in the last few years, you will most likely not see a small portion of the right side of the larger pics. As folks upgrade their browsers or buy newer computers, this problem should correct itself.


Historic Home Tour:

A few months ago I had the privilege of touring a number of beautiful historic homes in Rome, Georgia. The tour was part of the spring ramble with The Georgia Trust. One of the homes we toured was this Greek Revival style home. It sits on 8 acres and was used as a hospital during the War Between the States. I bet this house has some great ghost stories attached to it.


The next three photos are pics I took while on the tour...




The view looking down the walkway from the front porch. I love the old English boxwoods that line the walk.




This house truly has a presence, doesn't it?




As it turns out, this home is actually available to purchase. A few nights ago I found additional pics online at Hardy Realty .


I'm sharing them here with you...your own personal historic home tour. At the end of this post, you'll find links to several sites where you may view historic homes available for purchase to your hearts content. I frequent these sites often since I have a serious love for the old homes.




The Entry...note the pretty damask wallpaper.




The parlor...




Kitchen...I love that it has a fireplace.




Beautiful dining room...




This room looks so cozy. I'm guessing this would be called the den or t.v. room.




The home has three bedrooms...here are two:







This house has 3 full baths and 1 half bath...



My favorite room in the house...the sunroom...




6 car garage...




A cabin on the property makes an excellent guest cottage.



You'll find a previous post about this historic home tour in Rome, Georgia, HERE.


Great websites to see historic homes available for purchase...or just to get your historic home fix:

Old Houses.com

United Country Real Estate

Historic Properties

Antique Properties, Inc.

Historic Home Tours.com

My Old House Online