I Can Be a Little Showy

It's hard for me to define my decorating style . I guess maybe it's Estate Sale Chic. I do know I am a bit showy.

This crystally lamp on the dining room mantel has a lot of bling to it. The lamp is small so the bling is tolerable.

The base of the blingy lamp is very decorative. I like the base as much as the crystal tendrils.

Here's the entire lamp. I bought it from an antique store and I thought it just needed a new bulb. It actually needed work on the plug. My Dad was able to fix it so it wasn't a major problem.

Here's a close-up of the front of the mantel. I've mentioned before that it needs a paint job.  Looks like someone had tried to distress it and they did a poor job.

The vintage frame is also ornate and a little shabby. Just how I like it.

On my nightstand, there is a lamp with a marble base. It's topped by a fraying lampshade that has beading on it, I believe it is from the 1940's. The little telephone table turned nightstand was a $10 yard sale find. it is chippy chic. Someday I might make it a little less shabby/chippy.

And let's not forget the little nightlight with the feather trim that stands proud above my caffeination station. Many nights it is the only illumination in my kitchen.

Hope you enjoyed the mini house tour. I'm happy to say not a single cat photobombed any of my photos. That has to be a first!

Spring Bucket List

This photo was taken in 2010. It reminds me of England but I actually took this shot next door to my favorite breakfast spot, Aroma Café in Reading, Massachusetts.  Anyway I think it is perfect for a post about Spring.

Each season I put pen to paper and make a list of things I want to do that season. I never complete everything on the list but it's fun to dream. If I don't complete my list I don't beat myself up. I just keep it in mind for the future.

So here it is, in no particular order, my 2014 Spring Bucket List:

1. Visit the new Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston. With more than 30 food trucks and a fantastically artistic new carousel I need to check it out!

2.  Daytrip to Exeter, New Hampshire. The always fabulous Art n Tiques shop and a german iced coffee are calling to me.

3. An afternoon in Nantasket. I want to photograph the carousel at Paragon Park, play skeeball in the arcade, and eat lunch at Strawberry Fair in Norwell. Have you ever had strawberry butter? One word, Divine.

4.  Attend and photograph the Bedford Polecapping Ceremony in April. I previously blogged about this event here. It is really something to see historical reenactments. I am so lucky to live in an area where so much of our country's history took place.

5.  Attend a camera show and an antiques show in Wakefield. It's great when towns so close to my hometown have cool events.

6. Investigate antique stores in Cambridge, specifically European Country Antiques . Oh yeah, they had me at "Browse our collection of English, French and Irish Antique Country Furnishings."

7. Daytrip to Providence and a visit to The Duck and Bunny A Snuggery.

Hmm, looks like a lot of eating in my future and I am planning on dieting this Spring. Oh well, everything in moderation, right?

Memories of Ireland

In 1996 my Dad and I took a trip to Ireland. My Dad had turned 70 that year. He said, "I want to see Ireland before I croak". 

My Mom and sister stayed home. Dad and I took the grand tour. Galway, Dublin, Ring of Kerry, Belfast.  We stayed in a wonderful B&B and made friends with our tour group. Dad was excited to golf in Ireland and I met a longtime Irish pen pal.

Dad has travelled back to Ireland since that trip. Maybe I will go back sometime too. I have fond memories of the Emerald Isle.

Wishing everyone a Happy St Patrick's Day!

7 Wonders of the World

The new seven wonders of the world have been chosen , namely the Great Wall of China , Petra Jordan , Mezico Itza Pyramid , Colosseum of Rome , the statue of Christ Redeemer Brazil , India Taj Mahal , Machu Picchu and Peru . Determination of the seven wonders of the world is the choice of the 100 million people around the world via the internet sites and short messages ( SMS ) mobile phone held by the Swiss Foundation .
Here are the seven wonders of the world :
1 . Great Wall of China VS Buton Fort Kraton Wolio

This wall was built for the defense of the Chinese dynasty of Mongol attacks . Great Wall of China is the longest building ever built by humans . In strategic places through which the Great Wall of China there are many fortress defenses . Basically the Great Wall of China is a bastion compiled and put together from a collection of forts smaller that had been there before.

• Kraton Fortress Wolio Buton

The fort is located in the city of Bau - Bau , Buton sultanate former region of Southeast Sulawesi province . This fort has a long wall that surrounds the original indigenous village of Buton . The extent of approximately 22 acres and has received the title as the largest fortress in Indonesia from MURI .
MURI also still gives hope to clinch the title ' International ' because Buton fortress palace predicted would add a row of ' wonder of the world ' that is, as the largest fort in the world . Its strategic location was on top of the hill is amazing .
2 . Petra VS Goa elephant

• Petra Jordan

Petra is a city founded by chiseling stone walls located in Jordan . In this place made ​​of man-made caves carved on the stone walls of the building resembles . At the main gate of Petra there is the famous city of Petra , which is " The Treasury " . The Treasury in the form of the building with large pillars are directly sculpted and carved on the rocky hill .

• Goa Gajah Bali

Goa Gajah is an artificial cave carved in the rocks rock hard rock section . Created by punching holes in the rocks hard as a hermitage which is equipped with a sacred bathing place ( Petirtaan ) . The surface of the front side of the cave filled with ornate carvings . At the mouth of the cave are carved giant hideous face with big round eyes . The mouth of the cave is described as a giant mouth . This is one of the buildings in the world as an artificial cave that is carved in hard rock cliffs . Goa Gajah is located in Gianyar , Bali .
3 . Chichén Itzá  VS Borobudur

• Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá is a Mayan archaeological heritage site located in Yucatán , Mexico . There are Kukulcan Pyramid is a temple that resembles the shape of pyramid building . Temple of Kukulkan in the form of stepped pyramid , with terraces . On each side of the rectangular pyramid are the stairs to the top. In contrast to the architecture of the Egyptian pyramids , Mayan pyramid is not a pyramid -shaped cone , because at its peak there is a flat area that is used for their rituals .

• Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia, which is located in Central Java . Earlier, I likened the building of Borobudur with pyramid building because it is a glimpse of the shape of the building is similar to a pyramid . Also exist in the form of pyramid building Chichen Itza . Borobudur is another version of the pyramid . Borobudur pyramid kepunden staircase will not be found in the region and any country . Borobudur although not included in the seven wonders of the new world but in fact Borobudur deserves to be called as one of the wonders of the world .
4 . Colosseum VS Bung Karno Stadium

• Colosseum

The original name is Flavian Amphitheatre this building , is building an elliptical amphitheater in the center of Rome , Italy . The largest building in the Roman era is able to accommodate 50,000 spectators , is used as gladiatorial contests and public performances . Colloseum is a state occasions stadium at that time . Many modern football stadium that mimic the shape of the Colosseum .

• Bung Karno Main Stadium

5 . Statue of Christ Redeemer Statue VS Garuda Wisnu Kencana

• Statue of Christ the Redeemer

Statue of Christ the Redeemer is located at the summit of Mount Corcovado . This statue is a statue of Jesus Christ with the largest Art Deco architectural style .

• Garuda Wisnu Kencana

Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue Unggasan located in Bukit , Jimbaran , Bali . This statue is planned to be made ​​into a giant statue of Lord Vishnu who is riding his mount , Garuda . Now some parts of the sculpture has been finished and has become one of the amazing attractions on the island of Bali . The statue of Lord Vishnu is planned to be the tallest monument in the world and is targeted to be one of the wonders of the world .
6 . Taj Mahal VS Mosque Baiturrahman

• Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal , the consort of the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan , who died at a young age . Islamic berasitektur magnificent building located in Agra , India is diarsiteki by Isa Khan , made ​​of white marble and surrounded by a beautiful garden .

• Aceh Baiturrahman Mosque

Baiturrahman Mosque is a mosque located in Banda Aceh . This mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Indonesia . Park in the eastern part designed to bring the feel of the Taj Mahal in it . This is reinforced by a square -shaped pond with a fountain in the middle. When the waves struck the city of Banda Aceh , the mosque survived . The mosque is also a place of refuge from the people of Banda Aceh tsunami sweep . This includes the grandest mosque mosque in Southeast Asia .

7 . Machu Picchu VS Ratu Boko

• Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the Inca ruins of an ancient city located in the region of the Andes , Peru . Machu Picchu was built by the ancient Incan style with walls of polished stone . The main building is Intihuatana , the Temple of the Sun , and Three Window Room . These places are known as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu .

• Ratu Boko

Ratu Boko or Ratu Boko Temple is also called is the archeological ruins on a hill , Ratu Boko , Sewu Mountains . In the ruins of the former there are Boko gate , Paseban space , pool , pavilion , Pringgitan , women's quarters , and two niche cave to meditate . This extensive site reaches 250,000 square meters . Ratu Boko is the only biggest classic period settlement site found in Java .

My take on photography

As a Board Member of the local Chamber of Commerce, I am supposed to volunteer my time.  Some of our Board Members work on the finance committee or conduct membership drives. I photograph events for the Chamber.

Yesterday, there was a ribbon cutting, ho hum! Not the most exciting thing to photograph. Usually a handful of people show up, all related to the new business owner. I am sure it is momentous for them and of course I am happy they are starting a new venture but, for me, it's basically photographing a lineup.

I got everyone assembled on the front steps. This is a yoga studio and inside was not really an option once I saw the number of people to be in the photo. I took the traditional photo. I always take several shots at pretty much the same angle. People blink, move, talk and everyone needs to look good in a photo for the newspaper. For example, someone has her eyes closed in the first row in the photo above.

Next, the woman has opened her eyes, I can see the new business owner looks good, the Mayor is in the shot, oops the little girl in purple looks angry.

I notice I can't see everyone. I ask people to move. Some do, some don't. It's Friday afternoon, I want to go home and they want to party I'm sure.

Yay, the little girl has moved. Now the scissors are closed. We probably want them to be open.

Oh great, now I notice the woman in the back has sun rays coming out of her head.

Oh, I decide to back onto the street so I  can use my zoom. I close in but not enough and the bush to the right is bothering me. Well, that can be cropped.

The Mayor decided to speak. I love to hear the Mayor speak. He has a way with words and he is inspiring. He is down to earth and genuine and completely supportive of his City's businesses and of the Chamber.

I decided to keep snapping as he was speaking. I was watching everyone listen to his speech about Joy, the business owner. It was really inspiring. Joy has built quite the business in Melrose. She runs a boot camp in Melrose and now a yoga and wellness studio. She is a true entrepreneur.

Some people are still aware of the camera and others are not. Interesting. Maybe I will get the shot I really want.

Joy, the blonde wearing gray, is surrounded by the people who care about her most and they are here to support her in her new business. She was beaming. She photographed well in every shot. Her happiness was shining through.

I zoom in closer, hoping to get a few nice candids. People are not focused on the camera, this is good

And there it is. The happy business owner, the applause by the crowd, the movement of the hands. Proud mama in the blue on the left, lady in the back with a fantastic expression of happiness on her face and the sweet smile of the woman in black holding the ribbon.  Yes, some people are not totally visible but this shot is the money shot. This is the shot that captures the joy of a business opening. This is the shot I envisioned. Snap, I got it!

7 Keajaiban Dunia

Tujuh keajaiban dunia yang baru telah terpilih, yaitu Tembok besar China, Petra Yordan, Pyramid Itza Mezico, Colosseum Roma, patung Kristus penebus Brasil, Taj Mahal India, dan Machu Picchu Peru. Penetapan tujuh keajaiban dunia tersebut merupakan pilihan dari 100 juta orang di seluruh dunia lewat situs internet dan pesan singkat (SMS) telepon seluler yang diadakan oleh Swiss Foundation.

Sekarang mari kita coba memirip-miripkan bentuk tujuh keajaiban dunia yang baru dengan tujuh bangunan di Indonesia yang dianggap mirip dengan 7 bangunan tersebut untuk menunjukkan bahwa bangunan di Indonesia tidak kalah indah dengan bangunan kejaiban dunia bahkan ada di antara bangunan di Indonesia itu yang juga layak dijadikan sebagai keajaiban dunia.

Berikut tujuh keajaiban dunia  :

1. Tembok Besar China VS Benteng Kraton Wolio Buton

• Tembok Besar China

Tembok ini dibangun untuk pertahanan Dinasti China dari serangan Mongol. Tembok Besar China merupakan bangunan terpanjang yang pernah dibuat oleh manusia. Di tempat-tempat strategis yang dilalui Tembok Besar China terdapat banyak benteng pertahanan. Pada dasarnya Tembok Besar China adalah sebuah benteng yang disusun dan disatukan dari sekumpulan benteng-benteng yang lebih kecil yang memang sudah ada sebelumnya.

• Benteng Kraton Wolio Buton

Benteng ini terletak di Kota Bau-Bau, wilayah eks kesultanan Buton provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara. Benteng ini memiliki tembok panjang yang mengelilingi perkampungan adat asli Buton. Luasnya kurang lebih 22 hektar dan telah mendapat predikat sebagai benteng terluas di Indonesia dari MURI.

MURI juga masih memberikan harapan untuk meraih predikat ‘Internasional’ sebab benteng Keraton Buton diprediksi bakal menambah deretan ‘keajaiban dunia’ yakni sebagai benteng terluas di dunia. Letaknya yang strategis berada di atas bukit sangat menakjubkan.

2. Petra VS Goa gajah

• Petra Yordan

Petra merupakan Kota yang didirikan dengan memahat dinding batu yang terletak di Jordania. Di tempat ini dibuat goa-goa buatan manusia yang dipahat pada dinding batu menyerupai bangunan. Di Petra terdapat gerbang utama kota Petra yang terkenal, yakni “The Treasury”. The Treasury berupa bangunan dengan pilar-pilar besar yang langsung dipahat dan diukir pada bukit berbatu cadas.

• Goa Gajah Bali

Goa Gajah merupakan goa buatan yang dipahatkan dalam bagian tebing batu padas keras. Dibuat dengan cara melubangi bukit batu keras sebagai tempat pertapaan yang dilengkapi dengan tempat pemandian suci (Petirtaan). Permukaan sisi depan goa dipenuhi hiasan pahatan. Pada mulut goa itu terdapat pahatan muka raksasa yang menyeramkan dengan kedua matanya bulat besar. Mulut goa digambarkan sebagai mulut dari raksasa. Ini merupakan salah satu bangunan di dunia sebagai goa buatan yang dipahat dalam tebing batu keras. Goa Gajah terletak di Gianyar, Bali.

3. Chichén Itzá VS Candi Borobudur

• Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá adalah suatu Situs peninggalan arkeologi suku Maya yang terletak di Yucatán, Mexico. Disitu terdapat Piramida Kukulcan yang merupakan kuil yang menyerupai dengan bentuk bangunan piramid. Kuil Kukulkan berupa piramid bertangga, dengan teras-teras. Di setiap sisi piramid segi empat itu terdapat anak tangga menuju puncak. Berbeda dengan bentuk arsitektur Piramida Mesir, piramida bangsa Maya bukanlah merupakan piramida berbentuk kerucut, karena pada puncaknya terdapat sebuah bidang datar yang digunakan sebagai tempat ritual mereka.

• Candi Borobudur

Borobudur merupakan candi Budha terbesar di Indonesia yang terletak di Jawa Tengah. Sebelumnya, saya memiripkan bangunan Borobudur dengan bangunan piramid karena memang sekilas bentuk bangunan ini mirip dengan piramid. Bentuk piramid juga ada pada bangunan Chichen Itza. Candi Borobudur merupakan versi lain bangunan piramida. Piramida Borobudur berupa kepunden berundak yang tidak akan ditemukan di daerah dan negara manapun. Candi Borobudur walaupun tidak dimasukkan dalam tujuh keajaiban dunia baru tapi sebenarnya Borobudur pantas disebut sebagai salah satu keajaiban dunia.

4. Colosseum VS Stadion Gelora Bung Karno

• Colosseum

Nama asli bangunan ini adalah Flavian Amphiteatre, adalah bangunan teater terbuka berbentuk elips di pusat kota Roma, Italia. Bangunan terbesar di jaman Romawi ini mampu menampung 50.000 penonton, digunakan sebagai kontes gladiator dan pertunjukan kepada publik. Colloseum merupakan sebuah stadion acara-acara kenegaraan pada saat itu. Stadion sepakbola modern banyak yang meniru bentuk Colosseum.

Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno

5. Patung Kristus penebus VS Patung Garuda Wisnu kencana

• Patung Kristus Penebus Dosa

Patung Kristus Penebus terletak di puncak Gunung Corcovado. Patung ini merupakan patung Yesus Kristus dengan gaya arsitektur Art Deco terbesar.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana

Patung Garuda Wisnu Kencana berlokasi di Bukit Unggasan, Jimbaran, Bali. Rencananya patung ini akan dibuat menjadi patung berukuran raksasa Dewa Wisnu yang sedang menunggangi tunggangannya, Garuda. Kini beberapa bagian patung telah jadi dan telah menjadi salah satu objek wisata yang menakjubkan di Pulau Bali. Patung Dewa Wisnu ini direncanakan menjadi monumen tertinggi di dunia serta ditargetkan untuk menjadi salah satu keajaiban dunia.

6. Taj Mahal VS Mesjid Baiturrahman

• Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal adalah makam Mumtaz Mahal, permaisuri raja Mughal Shah Jehan yang meninggal di usia muda. Bangunan megah berasitektur Islam yang terletak di Agra, India ini diarsiteki oleh Isa Khan, dibuat dari marmer putih dan dikelilingi taman yang cantik.

• Mesjid Baiturrahman Aceh

Mesjid Baiturrahman adalah mesjid yang terletak di Banda Aceh. Mesjid ini merupakan salah satu masjid yang terindah di Indonesia. Taman di bagian Timur didesain dengan menghadirkan nuansa Taj Mahal di dalamnya. Hal ini diperkuat dengan kolam berbentuk persegi dengan air mancur di tengahnya. Ketika gelombang tsunami menyapu kota Banda Aceh, mesjid ini selamat. Masjid ini juga menjadi tempat rakyat Banda Aceh berlindung dari sapuan tsunami. Mesjid ini termasuk mesjid termegah di Asia Tenggara.

7. Machu Picchu VS Situs Ratu Boko

• Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu adalah reruntuhan kota kuno Inca yang terletak di wilayah pegunungan Andes, Peru. Machu Picchu dibangun dengan gaya Inka kuno dengan batu tembok berpelitur. Bangunan utamanya adalah Intihuatana, Kuil Matahari, dan Ruangan Tiga Jendela. Tempat-tempat ini disebut sebagai Distrik Sakral dari Machu Picchu.

• Situs Ratu Boko

 

Situs Ratu Boko atau disebut juga Candi Ratu Boko adalah reruntuhan kepurbakalaan di atas bukit Ratu Boko, Pegunungan Sewu. Di dalam reruntuhan Ratu Boko ini terdapat bekas gapura, ruang Paseban, kolam, Pendopo, Pringgitan, keputren, dan dua ceruk gua untuk bermeditasi. Luas situs ini mencapai 250.000 meter persegi. Situs Ratu Boko adalah satu-satunya situs pemukiman masa klasik terbesar yang ditemukan di Jawa.

10 Wonders of the World

10 Wonders of the World Outside Your Knowledge :

• 1. Dome of the Rock

Israel turns out to have been discovered in one of the wonders of the world , . Wonders that can be called The Rock ( Dome of the Rock ) . The stone is Stepping Stones Prophet Muhammad which is evidence of the greatness of Allah SWT . The stone is located in the middle of the Rock Mosque Al- Qubbah ( Dome of the Rock ) , and measuring approximately 13.8 x 17 meters , the rock as if suspended in the air .

 

• 2. Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is a monument located in Agra , India . Built on the desire Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan , son of Jahangir , as a mausoleum for his Persian wife , Arjumand Banu Begum , also known as Mumtaz - ul- Zamani or Mumtaz Mahal . Its construction spent 23 years ( 1630-1653 ) and is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture .

• 3. Borobudur

Borobudur is the name of a Buddhist temple located at Borobudur , Magelang , Central Java . The location of the temple is approximately 100 km southwest of Semarang and 40 km northwest of Yogyakarta . This temple was founded by the Mahayana Buddhists around the year 800 AD during the early reign of the Sailendra dynasty . In ethnic Chinese , this temple is also called婆罗 浮屠(Pinyin : Luo pó fú TU) in Mandarin .

• 4. Pyramid

Pyramid or the pyramid is the construction of buildings that have been used long ago by the ancient Egyptians and Mayans , used as a tomb kings in past, as well as places of worship ( cult ) .
Great Wall of China or the Great Wall of China , also known in China by the name of Great Wall Along the 10,000 Li ¹ is the longest building ever built by humans , is located in the People's Republic of China .

• 5. Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa ( Italian : Torre pendente di Pisa or abbreviated Torre di Pisa ) is the campanile , or bell tower of a cathedral in Pisa , Italy . Tower of Pisa is actually made ​​to stand vertically like a bell tower in general , but began leaning shortly after construction began in August 1173 . It is situated behind the cathedral and is the third building Campo dei Miracoli ( field of the rainbow ) the city of Pisa .

• 6. Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat ( or Angkor Vat ) ( Khmer : អង្គរវត្ត ) , is a temple situated in Cambodia and is considered as one of the wonders of the world . It was built by King Suryavarman II in the mid 12th century . Angkor Wat temple construction took 30 years . Angkor Wat located at Angkor plain building that is also filled with beautiful temples - beautiful , but Angkor Wat is the most famous temple in the Angkor plain . King Suryavarman II, builder of Angkor Wat according to Hindu belief that putting the mountain Meru as the center of the world and is home to Hindu deities , with the central tower of Angkor Wat is the highest tower in the main tower and is built Angkor Wat .

As the fabled Mount Meru , the temples of Angkor Wat is surrounded by a wall and a canal that represents the ocean and the mountains that surround the world . The main entrance to the Angkor Wat half a kilometer along the fringe of the holders hand decorated and flanked by a man-made sea recognized as Barays . The entrance to the temple of Angkor Wat through the gate , representing jambatan rainbow that connects between the natural world to the realm of the gods .

Angkor Wat is located in a good state compared with other temples on the plain of Angkor Angkor Wat has been exchanged due to be used in Buddhist temples and Buddhist beliefs quest when replacing the Hindu belief in Angkor in the 13th century . Temples of Angkor never colonized by Siam in 1431 .

• 7. Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá ( pronounced / i ː tʃi tʃɛn tsɑ ː ː / ), [ 1 ] is a world Mayan civilization in Mexico in 800 BC century . Pyramid of Kukulcan at the complex historic site is believed to be the center of political and economic activity Mayan civilization located on the Yucatan Peninsula ( now Mexican territory ) . Itza merupkan central point such as a building complex Kukulcan Pyramid , the Temple of Chac Mool , and building the Thousand Pillars.

• 8. Statue of Christ

Christ Redeemer Statue , Brazil : Height 38 feet at the peak of Corcovado Mountain . Created in pieces in France in 1926 and shipped to Brazil . A railway to bring it to the top of the mountain as high as 714 meters .

• 9. Lake Three Colors

The lake is known by the world as one of the nine wonders of the world . Lakes located in three colors Kelimutu , Flores , NTT . There were three adjacent lakes but with different colors . The crater lake is Tiwu Ata Polo ( red lake ) , Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Fai ( green lake ) and Ata Tiwu Mbupu ( lake blue ) . Lake Flores is the only lake in the world where the water is subject to change at any time , from red to dark green and then red hearts , dark green becoming light green , dark brown to blue sky . This natural phenomenon is a miracle.

• 10. Mount TrashIt is the biggest mountain of trash in the world.

Description: The 10 Wonders of the World Outside Your Knowledge Rating : 4.5 Reviewers : Isrul - 

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