Hillwood Estate Jewelry

Last week we went to Hillwood Estates - one of the homes of Marjorie Merriweather Post. We were there five years ago to see the Pret a Papier exhibit, which was lovely. The paper dresses ourshown the mansion, the gardens, and everything in between. While listening to Pandora radio a while back, there was an ad played about the jewelry display at Hillwood Estate, so that was another reason to visit - aside from the delightful autumn weather. After watching the introductory movie about Marjorie Merriweather Post's life, we decided to take a guided tour through the gardens and the mansion. It was all very interesting, but quite detailed. We tend to like to observe things quickly and then move on at our own pace. Without the paper dresses on display, things seemed quite dreary and rather sad to us - especially with all the curtains drawn. After the house tour was concluded, we walked back through the gardens to the adirondack house where the jewels were on display. Everywhere we looked there were armed security staff. Inside were several pieces in the collection that were not only outlandish, but definitely came from another point in time. I'm not much of a jewelry person anyway. The diamond and turquoise studded tiaras, emerald brooch, and all other precious stone earrings, pins, and what not were interesting. I found the whimsical pieces most pleasing - the birds, rabbits, and ballerinas. But it was stuffy and pretentious and dark inside. I found the real beauty in the gardens and the flowers and the surrounding views from the hill top. I guess we just aren't in to museums that much anymore, but I suppose we never were. 

Guardian Angel on the Mall

My husband takes morning walks on the Mall. He starts by dropping me off at the Library, then continues up First Street to the Capitol. He then heads toward the Washington Monument, turns back past the Capitol up the big hill to the Supreme Court, and then home. Every once in a while he finds some interesting things. Most often there are pennies or dimes scattered around. A couple times it was cold hard cash...even a twenty dollar bill!  But most recently something was gleaming in the sunlight and caught his attention. It was a tiny angel pin filled with diamonds. I'm certain it is worth at least a few million. The cheap clasp on the back gives its true value away. I don't recall him being so "lucky" walking about the shores of Lake Michigan. I like the way he kiddingly tries to pass it off as a valuable piece. But I know somewhere out there is a little girl completely heartbroken at her loss.