Saturday, September 15, 2012

This Week's Blog Post!

Halloween is Coming!
I posted a few Halloween lanyards this week!
It is early but I wanted to get a jump on it since the weeks seem to fly by and Halloween will feel like it arrived too quickly! This witch is my favorite and she has purple hair! Available at Miss Val's Creations.
 
The Wentworth Coolidge Mansion
The Wentworth Coolidge Mansion was built in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the mid 1700s by British Royal Governor, Benning Wentworth.
In the 1800s the home was owned by J. Templeman Coolidge III who had a presence in the art world, not only as an artist but also as a trustee of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
It became a destination for many in the artist world including notables such as John Singer Sargent and Isabella Stewart Gardner.
Massive anchor used as a sculpture!
The Coolidge family gifted the estate to the State of New Hampshire in 1954. Today the home is open for tours (which we did not do since it was approximately 1000 degrees when we were there and the home is not equipped with air conditioning).

On the grounds is the Coolidge Center for the Arts.
This is the Grotto which was created by a group of local artists.
It is a whimsical gathering place composed of repurposed trash.
Instruments have been created from trash! 
This was a great stop on a day when Jim and I got in the car and drove up the coast with no plan. We saw a sign and found this little treasure which neither of us had heard of!

We also stopped at Creek Farm a little further up the coast in Maine. This is owned by Cornell University and is used for marine studies.
I do not know the history of this place since there was no one around to talk to. However I am in love with this gigantic lions. I should have stood next to one to show their size!!!! The scupltures are very weathered which makes them look so cool.

As always, thank you for stopping by. I also enjoy reading everyone's comments! Have a great week! ~Val

18 comments:

  1. what a fun lanyard this week! halloween is always a big event at our house :)

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  2. Hi Val, love your halloween lanyard (purple is my fav color) Love the witch.

    This mansion is beautiful...love your road trips, always very inspiring. Have a great, creative week.

    Ruth

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  3. That is such a cool lanyard -- that witch bead is spookily adorable! And wow -- beautiful mansion.

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  4. Lovely lanyard! Love the lions! They are quite common in Europe.

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  5. That mansion looks like from a movie...you know where they chase people all over the dark inside! lol! It's very nice though. You have such nice road trips ;)

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    1. LOL! Old houses are scary inside. There are always secret doors and other oddities we do not have in modern homes!

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  6. Wow, I want to come on a road trip with you and Jim! Love everything! Love the Grotto!! So cool!! And, speaking of cool, love your witch lanyard!!!

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  7. Oh my goodness. Is it Halloween time already? You know time is really flying by! Love the mansion you visited. Great outings!

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  8. It must be really fun to just hop in the car with no destination in mind. That's what I love about road trips, you can stop when ever you want and make those fun little discoveries. Sounds like a lovely day! Fun lanyard. You are so right about how fast the weeks go by this time of year.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  9. Hi Val!

    you visit so many amazing places! I can't believe it is still so hot at your end. It is quite chilly over here with lots of rain!
    I love tours of stately homes - I probably would gone inside despite the heat ;-)
    Have a great week ahead!
    Duni

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  10. Oh my goodness Val, I LOVE the Grotto. What fun this must have been to photograph.
    The mansion is pretty amazing too. I'll be the inside is beautiful.

    Never thought about theme lanyards, and what a great idea!

    I hope you've had a wonderful beginning to your week!
    xo.

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  11. Love the witch piece:) And oh my...gorgeous Mansion!

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  12. You guys really do find some interesting places! Love the witch :)

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  13. You always go on such fun little trips! That home is beautiful and the lions are awesome!

    Good idea to get a head start on Halloween items...it will be here before we know it!

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  14. Lovely lanyard! I love meeting interesting places on your blog!!
    Have a nice day!

    Besos, desde EspaƱa, Marcela♥

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  15. That mansion is gorgeous! You got some great pictures. I can't wait for Halloween! :)

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  16. so cute with the green face XD and that place looks amazing!!

    www.meryswardrobe.blogspot.com

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  17. I love purple hair and the silver pieces on your lanyard are so striking! You really visit some fascinating places, I love the giant lions too.

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Thank you for stopping by! I love reading visitor comments! ~Val