First, we changed simply as an act of obedience.  When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper with His disciples, He did so with bread and wine. It was wine that He and the disciples drank when they pulled the cup to their lips.  So, wine was the beverage He prescribed in observance of the Supper.  Wine ought to be the beverage we consume.

But what is the difference between wine and grape juice?  Or, to put the question another way, isn’t grape juice simply wine without the alcohol?  The answer is no. Wine and grape juice are not the same, regardless of alcohol content.  In other words, non-alcoholic wine is not the same thing as grape juice.  We did use non-alcoholic wine in our observance, but it was not grape juice.  Indeed, the shivers and quakes from some contorted faces affirmed for me the reality asserted here that wine—even non-alcoholic wine—is not the same as grape juice.  No one ever puckered up as though they had sucked on a green persimmon after drinking grape juice, but several lips were so puckered after drinking the wine.  Some of our congregation had never tasted wine before, and they were shocked by its bitterness.  No such shock ever followed a swallow of grape juice because the 2 substances remain quite distinct.  Jesus used the one (wine) but not the other.  The Bible knows of the possibility of drinking grape juice (see Genesis 40:11), but grape juice is never called wine.  Jesus used wine.

Wine and grape juice are 2 distinct substances; this is why we needed to change from grape juice to wine.  Jesus prescribed the one to be used but not the other.  Tea and coffee are each water-based drinks.  Probably 90% of these beverages is water.  Yet, neither beverage is water, and neither beverage is the same as the other.  Obviously, coffee is far superior to tea.  The two are not the same, and neither is grape juice and wine the same.  Jesus prescribed wine, not grape juice.  I don’t think it matters that they both originate from the same fruit any more than it matters that coffee and tea are each made up primarily of water.  They are not the same.  We should use the one Jesus used.

So, the question may arise (which it did), “Why use non-alcoholic wine if Jesus used alcoholic wine?”  This, I believe is a very good question.  I did not directly answer this question for the congregation because I believe it is a worthwhile conversation for us to have.  Should we use good wine containing alcohol?  Indeed, should we use the very best wine at the Lord’s Supper, especially if we consider the forward look of the Supper to the final wedding feast (Isaiah 25:6; Revelation 19:7-9; cf. Mark 14:25; 1 Corinthians 11:26)?  Questions concerning alcoholic content and wine quality are questions of “degree” related to the “wineness” of the wine.  The question we answered yesterday was a question of kind (of substance).  There is a distinction between grape juice and wine that is substantial.  The distinction between the characteristics of the wine is not substantial.  In each case, the substance is still wine.  It is important, I think, to use wine. It is not as important to use a particular wine, although I certainly understand the case for using alcoholic wine such as Jesus used.  We chose rather to take advantage of the technology available today which can make wine from grapes and then extract most of the alcohol back out of it.  Even without the alcohol, it is still wine, as the faces in the crowd made plain.

I will answer the second question in my next blog post.  Until then, you may want to hear the sermon  concerning wine. It should be available some time today, by clicking here.

Each of the six mansions has its own holiday theme and its own style of decoration. Here at Cedar Grove mansion, decorations are a little muted perhaps because it was run by a Quaker household but visitors still might be able to pick up some of its 18th century decorating ideas.

Justina Barrett is Museum Educator of American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and she says each house will tell a story:

“We also have the story of Lydia Pullney Thompson who got married at this time.  So a lot of people got married at the holiday times because they had vacation, they were not farming.  They had time to celebrate.  So you will see, George Washington got married at this time, Thomas Jefferson got married over the holidays.”

You can tour on your own or take a trolley. Go to www.fairmountpark.org.

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio

JK: Can you provide readers with a little background on who you are, why you care about sustainability and what you’re doing?

We continue our high school football playoff coverage with a return appearance by Grady High student and Southerner newspaper staffer Mason Gepp, who was spot-on in his preview of the Grady-Cedar Grove game. Here Gepp previews the Grady-Gilmer game:

ALSO: Check out Summit sports editor Drew Underdwood’s preview of tonight’s Mays High-Clarke Central playoff game in Athens here.

UPDATE: Grady won 48-0! Scoreboard.

The Grady High Grey Knights look to continue their playoff run when they host Gilmer High’s Bobcats tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Grady Stadium in the first round of the state playoffs in football. The Knights are coming off last week’s explosive ground-game win over the Cedar Grove Saints. The Bobcats are looking to upset Grady’s high-powered play on both sides of the ball. The region 7B-AAA (and third-ranked) Bobcats have a record of 5-5 with a 3-2 region record. Both records pale in comparison to the region champion 5B-AAA Grey Knights’ 9-1 record, including an undefeated 6-0 record in region play. (The most impressive win came from a 7-6 upset over last season’s region champion, the St. Pius X Golden Lions.)

Grady’s effective and highly powerful play (on offense and defense) has helped the team outscore its opponents 396-89, averaging an impressive 39.6 points per game. The offense, led by quarterback Treveon Albert, wide receiver/safety Damian Swann and running backs Marcus Caffey and Hoderick Lowe, has been a powerful, driving force behind Grady’s efficiency with the football.

The Gilmer Bobcats’ statistics place them as the underdog in this playoff matchup. The Bobcats have scored half as many points this season (171) and have allowed twice as many points (192) as the Knights. The Bobcats average 17.1 points per game, which averages about 20 points less than their opposition.

The success in Grady’s season has come from effective coaching and play calling from Grady’s coaching staff. Grady head football coach Ronnie Millen has been able to balance of the running and passing games. But it’s the running game that’s been the game-changer this season; Division 1 prospects Damian Swann and Marcus Caffey, who could possibly go as a package deal to the University of Georgia, have been the driving force behind the Knights’ success. Swann was named to the Army All-American football team last month, while Caffey has gained increasing interest from colleges after having an explosive season thus far.

With such high stakes in the first playoff game this season, expect each coach to use his most effective players and offensive and defensive styles. Come Friday night, we will find out whether or not the Knights will have defended their playoff run as Wesley Tankersley and his Gilmer Bobcats attempt to pull out an upset.

Next up: Mays-Clarke Central!

Friday’s win was huge for Grady, which won its first regional championship since 2006. As the AJC reported, Grady Coach Ronnie Millen knew the team would have its hands full with Cedar Grove:

Millen said he and his staff were definitely concerned about limiting Saints sophomore quarterback Jonathan McCrary and his crew of receivers, led by Vincent Dallas. The Knights’ defense responded by holding Cedar Grove (6-4) to 164 yards passing, while picking off three of McCrary’s passes — one of which was returned 35 yards for a touchdown by junior safety Quintavious Knight early in the fourth quarter, pushing Grady’s lead to 17-0. Grady also sacked McCrary four times.

It didn’t hurt to have Grady running backs Marcus Caffey and Roderick Holden combine for 220 yards rushing!

The AJC also noted that this is the first season Region 5-AAA had a “play-in” game, which Mays didn’t have to sweat being in Region 6-AAAA. The Raiders simply finished out the season with their 54-0 thumping of Chamblee. Thanks again to Grady High student and Southerner staffer Mason Gepp for his spot-on preview of the Cedar Grove game.

(Editor’s note: We were filled with so much anticipation over Grady High‘s regional clash with Cedar Grove tonight that we asked a sportswriter from the national-award-winning Southerner newspaper, Mason Gepp, to give us a sneak preview of the game. Here’s Gepp’s take on the game, and the keys to victory.) 

UPDATE: Grady won the game 17-6! Check out the AJC story here. Check out 11Alive’s preview here.

For the Region 5B-AAA champion Grady Grey Knights, this season’s in-playoff game is a rematch of last year’s dual against the Cedar Grove Saints. This second playoff matchup is shaping up to be an offensively driven test for both teams as they play at Grady Stadium tonight at 8 pm.

Last season the Knights were able to topple the Saints in a 27-20 victory. This year, both teams have enjoyed impressive seasons with winning records and strong play on both offense and defense. The Knights, however, seem to enjoy an advantage in this matchup based on their electrifying offensive play this season. The Knights have outscored their opponents 379-83 – averaging 42.1 points per game. The leadership of collegiate prospects Damian Swann (wide receiver-defensive back) and Marcus Caffey (running back) has catapulted this year’s team to scoring more than 50 points in four of the team’s nine games – leaving the Knights with an 8-1 record. (There’s even talk of Caffey and Swann joining up as a package deal to play for the University of Georgia, according to the AJC.)

Cedar Grove has worked toward a successful season, though their record of 6-3 doesn’t match that of Grady. While they have outscored their opponents 279-158, the Saints have allowed almost twice as many points per game as the Knights – giving up 17.6 points compared to Grady’s 9.2.

The Saints’ offensive output (31 points per game), while impressive, pales compared to Grady. And while stats can never predict the outcome to a game, especially a game of this caliber, Grady’s star-studded lineup on both sides of the ball in addition to their statistical advantage make the Knights a favorite.

Grady head coach Ronnie Millen has utilized a balanced offense consisting of a strong passing game led by senior quarterback Treveon Albert and Swann, an AJC Super 11 pick. And with a ground game that has been dominated by Caffey, as well as the secondary running back, Hoderick Lowe, the Knights have been able to dominate their opponents. The running game was most notable in the Knights’ 7-6 win over their region rival, St. Pius X two weeks ago when Caffey ran for a 70-yard, game-winning touchdown. Albert has passed for 17 touchdowns, Lowe has rushed for 11 touchdowns, Caffey has rushed for 10 touchdowns and Swann has caught 10 touchdown passes.

Last year’s matchup between these two playoff rivals ended victoriously for the Knights. And while Grady is preparing to best the Saints to make it to the playoffs for the second year in a row, you can be sure that the Saint’s will be prepared. Expect both teams to put their stars on the field come Friday night, as an offensive matchup will decide the playoff fate of both teams.

Thank you for painting such a grim outlook with your article. Fortunately you are wrong. We are not “washed up” and continue to have discussions with various City officials regarding our fate. We may, at the end of the day, lose our fight but it won’t be any day soon.

The spokesperson that you spoke to is just towing the company line. I hope you will cover us when and if the Mayor puts a stop to Benepe’s insanity.

But how far will the Grovers go? In a story in today’s paper, the Times says that residents are considering a lawsuit, and may even simply refuse to leave. Kinda reminds the Real Estate Desk of what happened in Gaza a few years ago. And who could forget how that turned out?

mchaban@archpaper.com

Which is, come to think of it, exactly what I was doing one year ago (admittedly, on a smaller scale).

I also took lots of practice photos of the things we found in the old house:

We also brought home strawberries from Anathoth, where we worked for a few hours in the morning. These have already been made into a pie, but were fun to photograph (and pick. and eat. strawberries are basically lots of fun.)

I just realized that this post is basically a haul video of this past weekend. My apologies.

Based on old letters (one from Country Gentleman Magazine– which I would totally read if it existed today, instead thinking about a subscription to Garden & Gun), this house belonged to Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Albright.

We went in.

It was well-guarded by thorns.

We found this sign,

and this bedroom (note the wasp-nest-draped light fixture!).

there was also a side building.

In which we found, among other things, this beautifully-carved couch. It sort of reminds me of swedish-style embellishments, or the anthropologie logo.

strange things, in either case.

We went out auf dem Land again today, and went walking on some friends’ land, looking for an old house on their property. We found this barn, among other things.

The grapevines, with their heart-shaped leaves, are equally lovely.

and to look up! the light, the bare ribs & rafters!

and the questions: who hung those stalks of something up to dry, and why, and what are they (flowers)? whose was this barn, and how did they use it (tobacco?), and why did they leave it, and when? who else has seen it and called it beautiful?

I am in love with this building & the light inside it.

I am so lucky to have seen this; we are so lucky to have this.

_____________________________________________________

*images of upside-down ships always make me laugh, because of the part in the Antigone, where Haemon is convincing his father to yield, and illustrates: “the man who stretches his sail tight and does not slacken it at all, he sails the remainder of his voyage beneath his boat, with the decks uppermost.”

Now comes this new generation of plastics that does biodegrade, and some of them even can go into a compost pile.

I’ve seen the product labels for a couple years, but I didn’t really take it seriously.  Someone told me, they’re made out of corn.  Yeah, corn and what else?

Compostable cups, fork, and other containers with the Cedar Grove seal.

It turns out, those corn-based plastics do in fact degrade into compost, according to the local experts at Cedar Grove Composting.  That’s the company that takes the yard waste from a million or so customers in King and Snohomish counties.  In the Seattle area, Cedar Grove has defined the category of composting, taking our leaves, branches, and clippings and selling it all back to us as bags of compost.  They also take all of our table scraps, from residences and many businesses.

Cedar Grove runs its own tests — by simply putting a so-called degradable plastic item into the compost pile, and checking to see if it turns into dirt.  “If it degrades and disappears then we approve it,” says vice president Jerry Bartlett.  Companies pay hundreds of dollars to get their products tested.

More than 400 plastic cups, forks, plates, and other items passed the test and do in fact turn to dirt.  Bartlett tells me they leave no visible residue, although no chemical testing is done at the end of the cycle.  On the other hand, 75% of the so-called “biodegradable” plastics submitted for testing do NOT turn into dirt. These are banned from the compost pile.

How does it work?  Through heat, mostly.  These industrial-scale compost piles get up to 170F degrees.  (If you put one of those compostable spoons in a bowl of hot chowder by the way, don’t leave it sitting in too long — the heat will start melting it.)

Apparently, many other new plastics are still made of traditional petro-chemical plastic, with additives that speed up the decomposition.  What might normally take 1,000 years, now takes 20 years.  But, Treehugger reports there are concerns that these actually may do more harm than good, by leaving tiny residual particles of plastic that then can enter the ecosystem.

So, if it says “compostable,” it’s probably made from corn or another plant-starch.

My story on KPLU has a few more details and links.

and, best for last:

Waking up at 7 turned into waking up at 8; we had to stop for coffee and biscuits; time was there for the spending, however.

First stop, paying a visit to the ladies:

who are the chickens of Zac’s parents. They had lain 7 eggs; one on the floor of the coop because there was no more room in the nests. We also got to feed them.

All the while, Zac was re-lining the fishing poles:

so that we could go fishing.

When we got to the farm, we were met by the Baby Goats:

There is also a rooster that lives in the barn; this rooster is tiny & scrawny & mean as as snake. I don’t know if he has a name, but in my mind he is (uncreatively) named Napoleon.

We left the barn and walked down to the lake.

Whereupon we discovered we had neither worms nor crickets– so back to the barn to dig some up by a pile of old logs. We got plenty of earthworms and two fat grubs. The earthworms would later make a break for freedom:

But, back to the pond.

Zac launches the boat, we all get in and begin to live out nearly every un-serious fishing stereotype (minus the beer and sandwiches). We are not these men, but more in this vein, or this one.

Reading:

Catching insubstantial fish & making silly faces at them:

(I somehow make this exact face in 1 out of every 10 candid photographs.)

(I am less ugly in this one)

Sleeping:

and saying stupid-sounding, but completely true & very heartfelt things like, “Friends are nice. This is nice.”

Perfect Day. Absolutely Perfect.

Strong buyer interest has resulted in a quickly dwindling inventory of homes at the exclusive new community, according to its developer Garden Homes. However, some of the best housing opportunities remain, including two fully-customized residences that boast expanded living spaces included in the purchase price.

Found among the customized homes is the final Devonshire design available at the community. Impressively priced at $1.145 million, the upgraded, 4,513 square-foot residence features four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, library/study, conservatory, four-car garage and a grand master bedroom suite with a sitting room.

A 5,094-square-foot The Windsor design has also been fully customized and boasts a luxurious interior layout complete with upgraded with “his and hers’ private double master bath with multiple adjoining closets and private sitting room. This “Quick Delivery” home is priced at $1.4 million.

“We’ve certainly saved the best for last,” says Community Sales Manager Barbara Duncan. “By purchasing either the customized Devonshire or Windsor homes, a lucky buyer will not only be residing in one of our most popular designs, they’ll also receive an incredible amount of home for their money.”

Homebuyers looking to enjoy the exclusive lifestyle offered to the residents of Park Ridge Estates sooner rather than later, will be pleased to know that one fully upgraded Bentley is also currently available for “Quick Delivery” with occupancy dates as soon as 30-to-60 days after signing a contract. This outstanding home is situated in a private cul-de-sac location and is priced at $1.375 million.

Exclusive to our ‘Quick Delivery’ homes is a variety of high-end appointments including gourmet kitchens with Viking® appliances, granite countertops, upgraded cabinetry, top-of-the-line Kohler® fixtures and marble throughout the master bathrooms. Each home has also been professionally landscaped and features paver driveways and walkways.

Overall, Park Ridge Estates offers spectacular four and five-bedrooms residences ranging in size from 3,959 to 5,858 square feet of luxury living space and boast sophisticated appointments including dramatic two-story entry foyers, 9’ ceilings and hardwood floors on the main level, wood-burning fireplaces, decorator wall-to-wall carpeting, gourmet eat-in-kitchens equipped with designer appliances, granite countertops and dual ovens.

Each residence offers a luxury laden master bedroom with oversized walk-in closets, whirlpool tubs, dual sink vanities, designer fixtures and faucets and cultured marble countertops.

In addition, each home comes standard with three-car garages, decks or patios, sunrooms, studies and bonus exercise or guest rooms.
Bordering the towns of Little Falls, Montclair, Verona and North Caldwell, residents of Park Ridge Estates also have access to an abundance of business, recreation, shopping and dining areas.

“Cedar Grove is the quintessential small town with a variety of fine restaurants, antique shops and local boutiques,” says Ms. Duncan. “National retailers can also be found up-and-down the Route 46 corridor and the nearby Willowbrook Mall.”

Centrally located, Park Ridge Estatesis convenient for commuters maintaining a close proximity to major highways including Routes 3, 23, 46 and 80. The community is also only five minutes from a New Jersey Transit rail station and a mere 14 miles from the Lincoln Tunnel.
For more information on Park Ridge Estates’ available homes, please call the sales office at (973) 227-3019 or visit the Garden Homes website at www.GardenHomes.com.

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Photo:  CB Radio – The Original Social Media -  Cedar Grove, Tennessee

www.photosbydk.com

Photo by Marguerite Wynter

I spent several years living in Cedar Grove. The local village is nestled between the upscale communities of Hodges Bay and Crosbies. If you are heading to or from the airport you might miss the village but inside the heart and soul of the Antiguan people is felt in the churches, rum shops and corner stoops. The tennis and ball court is a gathering spot of the kids. There is a shop that used to be called Joe’s where I still buy my Ting or Ribena for Maggie. Up the hill was Miss George’s where I bought bread and listened to local gossip and chat.  The corner church had lovely gospel music on Sat. nights. On the side near Miss George’s  is Judgement City, a stone stoop where local men gather to chat and gossip and pass judgment on those who have been scorned, who have committed an infraction or who simply need to be set straight by the local brethren. Many a quarrel have been witnessed at Judgement City. Up the hill is a rum shop and restaurant where locals and tourists gather.  It is a sleepy village most days. Sadly the still night is woken by the pathetic cries of dogs tied to their 24/7 prisons in tiny yards. Animal welfare is not in the forefront of concerns in much of Antigua.  Beyond the village lies the Caribbean blue where many locals still fish and enjoy a sea bath.

23 years ago I was living on Antigua in Cedar Grove. Each Sunday I would walk about 3 miles to Blue Waters. It was my exercise and my bliss. There was a little beach to the right of the grass jetty where I would sit for hours and read. I knew the manager and his wife and often had brunch poolside. A few years later I was married at the former gazebo that faced what we called Sheffler’s Beach. It was a magical spot. We had a small reception at the bar to celebrate. Through the years I went back many times once after a hurricane when the hotel was derelict. My daughter and I were guests there twice. We loved the property very much. Over the years I have recommend and referred many guests to Blue Waters. To me it is the quintessential Caribbean property. Two weeks back Marguerite my Antiguan daughter visited the property. Enjoy her photo essay. To book your vacation escape to Blue Waters email me at ann@antiguacaribbean.com.

Blue Waters Hotel

Photos Courtesy of Marguerite Wynter of Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations

http://www.antiguacaribbean.com

And here’s a link to Pastor Kevin’s message: Believe (Cedar Grove)

What am I believing God for? Are they real? Concrete? Practical?
It doesn’t have to be something that only happens at New Years.

new ReUsies styles

The other day I took my kids skiing and when we got home I was telling my husband about the number of people who wear helmets skiing now.  It seems that kids are just about 100% in helmets and adults (like me) that grew up wearing only hats are about 50%/50% hats to helmets.  I was mentioning that once our generation is through the pipeline I bet everyone will be in helmets now since that was how they are being raised.  At that point my 5-year-old said “just like when we are grown up there won’t be garbage anymore because now  kids compost and recycle”.  Keep in mind this comment came on the heels of attending the compost training at his big sister’s school – nonetheless we can always hope. 

Cedar Grove Composting (http://www.cedar-grove.com/) came out and did a training of the students at Lafayette Elementary in Seattle yesterday.  The students, on the Green Team, will go back to their classroom and teach their peers about what to throw in the new bins that will be showing up in their cafeteria next week.  The woman who did the training had a great teaching tool from Seattle Public Utilities, an on-line game the kids could play  -  the kids loved it (although you might want to mute the music!)

http://web1.seattle.gov/spu/recyclingIQgame/

I decided I would buy them because I really like Cher’s and I keep finding outfits they’d match. Plus, I keep watching Jessica from WhatIWore‘s awesome outfits with her black booties and I realized I was missing out on a big part of shoe life!

Anyway, I guess they don’t sell the black leather style in stores anymore, so I got my pair off ebay. Man I love ebay. Anyway, I can’t wait to get them. I assume they won’t be here until sometime in the middle of next week.

THIS POST HAS BEEN ADDED TO OVER SEVERAL DAYS TO COVER FOUR OF THE PARK HOMES.  IT’S NOW COMPLETE.

In 1985 an excellent three part video series was released entitled “The Treasure Houses of Britain.” This entertaining and informative series presented the history, architecture, furnishings, art pieces and decor of some of the great houses of Britain from as early as the 15th century.  While not as famous as the British houses, the Delaware Valley enjoys seven of its own “treasure houses” from the 18th and early 19th century, all conveniently located within Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.  There are, of course, other fine 18th-19th C. homes in the area but the Fairmount Park group is special for its concentration and location.  They benefit as well from their association with the Philadelphia Art Museum, particularly as to their furnishings. 

These homes were built along the Schuykill River by wealthy Philadelphians as show cases for their wealth but also as retreats from the city’s summer heat and the threat of yellow fever.   They are decorated for the holidays as a part of the annual Holiday Tours program and I went through five of them last Saturday.  The holiday program continues through the 13th but they can be visited at other times of the year as well.  It is a well worthwhile trip.

The house above, left, is Mount Pleasant, built in the early 1760′s by Captain John McPherson, and once described by John Adams as “the most elegant seat in Pennsylvania.”  It is certainly a magnificent example of Georgian or Palladian architecture with its external and internal balances of architectural features.  Note the Palladian window in the lower right picture.

In the 1984 TV series about George Washington which featured Barry Bostwick, Mt. Pleasant was seen as Washington’s headquarters in…Boston.   Artistic license.  It was also owned at one time by Benedict Arnold.

Here are two views taken inside.  The punch bowl looks to be a piece of very finely decorated Chinese Export Porcelain.

Above is Lemon Hill.  Even the house names are fun and evocative: Lemon Hill, Cedar Grove, Sweet Briar, Strawberry Mansion, Woodford, Mount Pleasant.  The Lemon Hill house dates from 1800 on land that had been owned by the Revolutionary War financier, Robert Morris.  The view above is that facing the river and is not as impressive as the front which greets one on arrival.  Nevertheless, note the symmetry, the dual stairway to the door, the fan light over the door, and the Palladian window on the second floor. 

Here are two scenes inside of Lemon Hill.  On the left is the second floor passage,  referred to as the Palladian Hall for the window that permits so much light into the second floor.

Below are three scenes inside Woodford, once the scene of Tory gaiety during the British Occupation of Philadelphia.  An early Georgian style house dating from the late 1750′s, it was built by William Coleman, said to be a close friend of Benjamin Franklin.  It didn’t really arrive at Middle Georgian status until the second floor addition in 1772.  The furnishings are the property of the Naomi Wood Foundation which leased Woodford from the Park in the 20′s, to restore it to display her collection.  What stands out in the left picture below is the handsome desk and book case with its open bonnet pediment and finial, and the tea table to the right.  In the right picture we see a seasonally welcoming table with a five level, glass epergne centerpiece and handsome side chairs (two versions of shield backs.)  Against the wall center is a wine chest; on the left, a sideboard with a knife chest (right) and a Federal style urn executed in silver.  The bottom picture is of a magnificent mantle, featuring dentil moulding and exquisite carving, with a beautiful garniture set.  Although one cannot see the carving in the open pediment I suspect it’s probably a Phoenix bird, typical for such carvings before the revolution.

The picture below is of Sweetbriar Mansion, another name with which to conjure.  This house was built in 1797 by Samuel Breck, a Philadelphia merchant.  In contrast with most of the other homes in the Park, Sweetbriar was used as a year-round residence.  We hear complaints about the commute into Center City.  Imagine what it was like on horseback in 1797.

Here are two of the rooms within Sweetbriar.  The one on the left is known as the Etruscan Room.  Note the fine Federal mantle, the small cranberry-colored fire screen (to prevent the heat from melting a lady’s facial wax) , and the tea table in the foreground.  On the right, another attractive tea table with a decorative piece of onions and lemons. 

Finis

While I continue to pull my hair out and develop stress wrinkles, here’s today’s outfit. Thanks to my sister for giving me the awesome skirt!