Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Embassy of Haiti
Obviously things were very busy at the Embassy of Haiti. There were alot of cars in the drive way and then out in front people were erecting a little shrine. It was humbling to say the least to be here at this time. 
The "Anderson House" and it's Story
This house is located in Washington D.C. in the affluent area known as Dupont Circle. It's exact location is 2118 Massachusetts Avenue and was built in 1905. This area has some amazing old homes but which now are mostly known as the "Embassy Row" homes.
Larz Anderson was the son of Nicholas Longworth Anderson and Elizabeth Coles Kilgour Anderson. He was born in Paris in 1866 while his wealthy parents were on one of their frequent visits to Europe. Larz attended Harvard College and while he was there he was a member of the Hasty Pudding Club, the A.D. Club, the Institute of 1770, Alpha Delta Phi, and Delta Kappa Epsilon. After graduating in 1888, he set out on a year and a half grand tour that included his first visit to Japan. When he returned to the U.S., Anderson briefly attended Harvard Law School before being called into diplomatic service in 1891.
By the time his wife Isabel was five years old she had inherited $17million from her grandfather William Fletcher Weld, making her the wealthiest woman in the world.
As you can probably tell.........when wealth marries wealth .....it's gonna be good.
No children were ever born of this union for unknown reasons. Larzs also loved "touring cars" and I understand there is a museum in Brookline Mass. He was also very involved in the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and that is where they are both buried. Larz passed in 1937 and Isabel in 1948. Isabel gave this residence to the Society of the Cincinnati. Anderson House now serves as the society's national headquarters and museum.
Larz Anderson was the son of Nicholas Longworth Anderson and Elizabeth Coles Kilgour Anderson. He was born in Paris in 1866 while his wealthy parents were on one of their frequent visits to Europe. Larz attended Harvard College and while he was there he was a member of the Hasty Pudding Club, the A.D. Club, the Institute of 1770, Alpha Delta Phi, and Delta Kappa Epsilon. After graduating in 1888, he set out on a year and a half grand tour that included his first visit to Japan. When he returned to the U.S., Anderson briefly attended Harvard Law School before being called into diplomatic service in 1891.
By the time his wife Isabel was five years old she had inherited $17million from her grandfather William Fletcher Weld, making her the wealthiest woman in the world.
As you can probably tell.........when wealth marries wealth .....it's gonna be good.
No children were ever born of this union for unknown reasons. Larzs also loved "touring cars" and I understand there is a museum in Brookline Mass. He was also very involved in the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and that is where they are both buried. Larz passed in 1937 and Isabel in 1948. Isabel gave this residence to the Society of the Cincinnati. Anderson House now serves as the society's national headquarters and museum.
Anderson House located at 2118 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington D.C. in the Dupont Circle area. Now known as Embassy Row.
Lars Anderson III and Isabel Weld Perkins. In 1896, Perkins was a 20yr old debutante on a world tour. She made a stop in Rome and met Larz Anderson, a young Harvard-educated diplomat from an affluent and prestigious Cincinnati family. They were married in boston a year later.
A writer for the Boston Globe sums up Isabel and her marriage by saying:
...these Andersons? they were idle rich, born to money and accustomed to privilege--but they were interesting people who left us something. Isabel did what rich young women did back then...she "came out," summered in Newport, "springed" in New Hampshire, wintered in Boston, partied aplenty. She met Larz; he was smitten; they were married. He did the diplomatic thing; she wrote books and plays. They split their time between Washington D.C. and Brookline Mass.
The Great Ballroom
This room was amazing. As you can tell this was very elegantly decorated and has such a great atmosphere. I can just imagine all the royalty and the whos who that dined and danced in this room.
Notice the staircase that is at the left. This staircase is really on the "very narrow side" and actually the main entrance to this room is at the bottom right and left looking in from the photo. No one could really have made a grand entrance down these narrow stairs which makes me wonder if this staircase would have been mostly for the entrance of Larz and Isabel .........
On the bottom floor in the middle in the back is the main kitchen and our guide was so cute that she would bump the door so we could peak in. It appears to still be dressed in the period but there must be some updates as officials do stay there from time to time. At the top of the balcony in the middle is where the music was made. There would have been room for about 8 to 10 musicians at a setting.
The Morning Room
This is my favorite room in the house and it was probably Isabel's as well. I could just envision myself waking, going down the grand stairway and seating myself in one of these lovely chairs and waiting on my morning tea and muffin to be ushered in by my well dress servants.
This room is right off of the grand ball room and through the french doors you have a birdseye view of the swimming pool. There was a wonderful photo of what it would have looked like when the Anderson's lived here and it was full of plants and flowers.
This room is right off of the grand ball room and through the french doors you have a birdseye view of the swimming pool. There was a wonderful photo of what it would have looked like when the Anderson's lived here and it was full of plants and flowers.
Grand Stairway and One Huge Painting
After the Anderson's finished the house they then indeed needed to furnish it! So off they went to Europe to see what they could aquire.
Larz and Isabel evidently saw this painting on their travels and knew that they had just the right wall to hang it on. It was Huuuuuuuuuuge. I wish I knew the exact dimensions but you can probably tell it's great size by the size of the two little stools sitting under it! The photos are all in the same area but different views.
Larz and Isabel evidently saw this painting on their travels and knew that they had just the right wall to hang it on. It was Huuuuuuuuuuge. I wish I knew the exact dimensions but you can probably tell it's great size by the size of the two little stools sitting under it! The photos are all in the same area but different views.
Hutch Located in the Upstairs Great Hall
This amazing piece is located in the great hall on the second floor. It is spectacular. I was just entranced and drawn to the beautiful little cherub faces near the top of it. Such sweet and delicate little features on them!! This suit is one that Larz designed for himself as he held a number of diplomatic posts, including a short stint as U.S. Ambassador to Japan throughout his lifetime.
Our tour director stated that he was what they would call a "Dandy". He sure did like to look the part and dress up.
Our tour director stated that he was what they would call a "Dandy". He sure did like to look the part and dress up.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tradition..........That's what it's all about!
Ever since the girls were little I have been enjoying making them holiday pillowcases. I make them for every holiday and sometimes for those "special occasions".
I have since carried this on for the grandkidos.
This week I made the Valentine's ones and I will be putting them in the mail tomorrow. They always look forward to the packages from "Nana".
Sunday, January 17, 2010
AVATAR
Yesterday my wonderful friend Cassy and I went to see Avatar. First let me say this:It was amazing! Absolutely Amazing! Seriously.......It was much more than what I had expected. I think it was because we saw it in 3D. This film has been released in traditional 2D, as well as 3-D, Real D, 3D, Dolby 3D, and IMAX 3D format. Did you even know all these formats even existed? Cassy said we have to see it in 3D, so we traveled into St. George and picked the Pineview theatre. We thought we had gotten there in plenty of time but after we paid for our tickets (and received our very cool glasses), popcorn and milk duds the only seats left were DOWN front.....It really was still great and I'm telling you 3-D is the only way to see this movie.
However.........I was a little disappointed with some of the language. It is rated PG 13 and there were a ton of small children in attendance. I just couldn't believe the swearing in a couple of places. I thought, how do you explain those words to your kids? And you know......once you hear something..... it's just out there now. It's just too darn bad that Hollywood thinks that their movies won't sell without the profanity. Use your good judgement.....
Saturday, January 16, 2010
D.C. Here We Come Again!
I swear my mother and I will find any excuse possible to get to Washington D.C. !!
It is definitely our favorite place to visit and if you love "American History" then it can be your town too.
We are heading there this coming week to see the Terra Cotta Warrior Exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. It appears it will be raining most of the time that we are there but..........since I love the rain and own and umbrella "it's all good". We plan to see a few other things such as visiting the Woodrow Wilson home and going to the textile museum. Just when you think you've seen all there is, new places of interest pop up. My high school bud David Wilson says the textile museum is a must......WHO KNEW???
It is definitely our favorite place to visit and if you love "American History" then it can be your town too.
We are heading there this coming week to see the Terra Cotta Warrior Exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. It appears it will be raining most of the time that we are there but..........since I love the rain and own and umbrella "it's all good". We plan to see a few other things such as visiting the Woodrow Wilson home and going to the textile museum. Just when you think you've seen all there is, new places of interest pop up. My high school bud David Wilson says the textile museum is a must......WHO KNEW???
Friday, January 15, 2010
Matthew...........Called To Serve!
Well...........Matthew received his mission call. Everyone gathered round last night as the envelope was opened. He will be serving in the Ft. Worth Texas Mission and will be leaving for the MTC in March. We are so very excited for him. He will be a wonderful missionary and he will now follow in his brother Paul's footsteps.
Not to worry Maty...............I think you can pack the shades!!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Grandchildren...God's Greatest Blessing
Every day as I bow my head in prayer, I thank the Lord for the blessing of my grandchildren. My life would really be incomplete if it were not...for them. I am grateful that each and every grandchild has loving, patient and kind parents. We are still expanding our family with a set of twin baby girls due in early May.
Yes.........It is a wonderful life full of great blessings and happiness!!
Yes.........It is a wonderful life full of great blessings and happiness!!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Inglewood Park Cemetery
All of the following photos of Inglewood Cemetery were taken by Lisa Burks. Please visit her page at: www.flickr.com/photos/lisaburks. I so...........wish I were closer to go on these outings.
What a great cemetery!!!
What a great cemetery!!!
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