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There is a free show at the Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, Massachusetts that features very real-looking animated "musicians" who, at this time of year, sing holiday music.
They play instruments, too, and seem to look out at the audience.
One'd swear they were real, living people but they aren't!
They are totally animated.
They smile and seem to mouth the words to the songs they sing.
My little three-year-old grandson called them singing "robots."
Such fun!
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANIMATED CHARACTERS IN PERSON?
On a recent mini-vacation to Rockport, Massachusetts, we made a side trip to the nearby, picturesque town of Gloucester.
There, we experienced one of the most fascinating tours of a lifetime, namely, a jaunt through Hammond Castle Museum.
Construction on this true gem began in 1926 by John Hays Hammond, Jr.
An incredible tidbit is that the castle was a bridal present for his wife, Irene.
Imagine getting a castle as a bridal gift!
The Hammonds moved into the castle three years after construction began, according to literature distributed at the museum.
It opened as a museum in 1930.
Mr. Hammond, who was born in San Francisco in 1888, was just a boy when his family moved to England in 1898.
It was there that Hammond "fell in love with castles and life in earlier times," according to the information sheet.
So the seed for his interest in one day building his own castle had been planted early in life.
Mr. Hammond was quite the inventor, with more than 800 inventions to his credit!
Some of them included "synchronization of motion pictures, radio dynamic controls, and the dynamic amplifier (today's stereo)."
He also worked on the "radio control of boats."
The photo below is what is seen behind the castle!
Anyone who loves all things medieval would thoroughly enjoy Hammond Castle Museum.
I loved the sculptures, the nooks and crannies, the elegance and courtyards. What a place! Wowsers.
It made for an extremely fascinating afternoon.
I was so glad it was too overcast for the beach in Rockport because we would have missed this self-guided castle tour.
Guess what?
We'll show you more photos of the inside of the castle in an upcoming post so, if interested, stay tuned!
HAVE YOU EVER TOURED A CASTLE?
Colored glass as art can be quite spectacular to see.
I've always loved stained glass pieces.
My earliest recollections of glass as art come from stained glass windows in church.
The Penrose Victorian Inn in Haydenville, Massachusetts, has some breathtaking glass pieces currently hanging inside the inn.
In warmer weather, they are moved to the outside gazebo where guests are treated to luscious breakfasts.
Innkeepers Nancy Zimmer and her husband, Dick, own and run the Penrose.
Several of the glass pieces the innkeepers purchased at the Brimfield Flea Market.
If you missed a previous posts on the Penrose Victorian Inn and are interested in catching up, you can find them here and here.
From time to time, Writing Straight from the Heart will have additional posts on this charming New England Inn so, if you like reading that type of post, where you get close-up look at an inn, keep checking back!
DO YOU HAVE ANY STAINED GLASS IN YOUR OWN HOME, TOWNHOUSE OR APARTMENT? WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS TYPE OF ART PIECE?
The above sign, found at the entrance to a restaurant we will tell you about, brings food for thought for diners.
Whenever I am indecisive, I'll think of it!
I found it to be a bit humorous, too, and it's good to have a hardy laugh every day!
After lots of walking along the Bridge of Flowers and over to the glacier potholes in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, it was time for lunch.
Almost everyone we asked suggested we go to West End Pub.
Located to the left of the Bridge of Flowers, it was easy to find and very populated.
We had to wait for a table and that's when I found the sign!
Now that we have enjoyed their delicious offerings, I understand why it was so highly recommended.
I had a bowl of lip-smacking chowder, a salad with peanut lime dressing, and a piece of foccaccia bread.
Because it was a very hot day, for a drink I ordered a glass of cold Berkshire ale.
Everything got an A+.
Considering I'm a very discerning diner, three A+ ratings are over the top.
If you ever travel to Shelburne Falls, add West End Pub to your itinerary.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHEON DRINK?
One of the most incredible floral attractions in the western New England town of Shelburne Falls is a bridge of flowers.
It even has its own website which you can explore here.
It's maintained entirely by volunteers and draws hundreds of tourists every summer.
The flowers are truly beautiful.
The bridge goes between Shelburne Falls and Buckland, Massachusetts.
What a unique attraction!
Please enjoy looking at these many flower photos as much as I enjoyed taking them for you.
If the truth be told, this is just a fraction of the photos I snapped of the Bridge of Flowers this summer!
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF AN ENTIRE BRIDGE OF FLOWERS? ISN'T IT A GREAT CONCEPT?
The above scene is most likely different from one you might see in the heart of Manhattan, Denver or Los Angeles.
While there would be lots of cars and houses, boats docked in the harbor might be hard to find.
The photo was taken this summer in Rockport, Massachusetts. It's a very pretty town with tons of charm.
While walking along the shop-lined streets, there was a shady repose. The following fountain in a side yard offered a cool respite from the heat.
Wouldn't you just love to open those doors and take a peek at the back yard?
WHICH DO YOU PREFER----BIG CITY? SMALL TOWN? DESERT? SEASIDE?
Displays of colorful summer flowers are gifts of warm weather.
Rockport, Masssachusetts, a delightful seaside town, has umpteen dozens of flower displays lining main walkways, front yards and side streets.
Oh my goodness! A person who loves photography would go crazy there.
I qualify.
During a recent one night stay in Rockport, it was almost impossible to keep my camera from clicking.
Such loveliness! Such total and incredible visual delight!
It is enough to fill one's heart to the brim with gratitude for the gifts of nature and the immense gift of sight, all from the Heavenly Father. What a generous parent He is!
Wow, wow, wow. Hope readers of this blog will enjoy the never-ending photos of Rockport's blooms.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT VISITING NEW PLACES?
