So, we're going for a little drive today. The temperatures are freezing, but the skies are blue, and you'll be fine if you bundle up. Besides, my car has heated seats which, as far as I'm concerned, are the greatest advancement in automotive technology in... well, in forever.
Our first stop is the USGA Golf Museum (above) or the Golf House, as it's known around here. Despite having lived down the road since well before it's inception in the 70's, I've never before visited, and I know nothing about golf. But isn't the main building gorgeous? It was one of the finest estates in the area, and used to be home to former Secretary of State Cyrus Vance.
I'll have to actually go inside someday and learn about golf. :)
Next stop is my favorite park, called Natirar. This was also the site of a former estate. It once belonged to New York socialite Kate Macy Ladd. After her death, the house was used as a convalescent home for women, and was later sold to the King of Morocco.
How's that for hoighty-toighty? ;)
The house (shown here) has since been acquired by a group of investors including Sir Richard Branson. It is being developed as a luxury restaurant, spa and cooking school. The land, however, has been donated to the county park system and is open to all. It is one of my favorite places to walk, and to take pictures. :)
A few minutes away we will stop at my favorite thrift store, housed in the basement of this beautiful little church in Gladstone, NJ. I've been cleaning out our guest room, which has really gotten to be more of a junk room, and I've got to deliver some donations. But the little church is so lovely against the blue sky that I just have to snap a picture or two. :)
Of course, you can't just donate and not go in to browse. Or at least I can't. (Those words sound vaguely familiar. I think I've written them before.)
Oh, what do I spy?! Aren't these gorgeous? Be still my heart! And actually, the individual plates are marked at $6. apiece. So that's really just $24., right?
I hope you enjoyed our little jaunt. I'm thinking soup will be on the menu soon, and these beauties will be showing up in my next Tablescape Thursday post. :)
Have a beautiful day, dear bloggers!
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Dear Mary,
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice ride. That church is lovely
My question is did you buy the transfer
dishes? I bet you find great buys.
Have a fun winter.
yvonne
Yes Yvonne, I bought them! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, that was a lovely little journey. I love the Church, I always love visiting them. Jackie
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious day!
ReplyDeleteLove going on road trips...I should really make an effort to do more...when it's SO cold we tend to stay indoors.
Have a lovely day.
Char
Thank you for the lovely road trip. I saved on gas and had a nice little adventure! Love the little church.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed our walk today, it felt more like a stroll actually, with plenty of stops along the way to look at the view.
ReplyDeleteThose transferware plants are lovely, I'm not surprised that they went home with you.
Maggie
What caught my eye in this post was that your blue and white transferware bowls have a little church in the center, very like the previous photo of the beautiful little white church against the blue sky.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! Send me some soup - I'm freezing. B : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us along on your drive...lovely! I have to admit when I first had a car with heated seats I thought 'what silly extravagance', of course it was August! It's been ten years and I will never own a car without them now!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Mary. Your new bowls are very lovely. Also love all your great pictures! And Eva singing in the background is a peaceful way to start the day. Thanks for sharing! Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYour drive was delightful! Very pretty countryside where you are. The bowls are a treat! Glad you bought them. (I'd have scolded you if you didn't!) I can't imagine how fun having a thrift shop in the heart of horsey Gladstone must be...oh, sigh and swoon!
ReplyDeleteGreat drive. Such a beautiful church and I love your new bowls. Looking forward to that tablescape :)
ReplyDeleteWarm wishes & Blessings!
Gail
What a beautiful, lovely jaunt! Thanks for taking us along!
ReplyDeleteOh-oh, I knew it right away that you'd not get out of there even-Steven. Ha! Could you not set up some sort of trade?
ReplyDeleteMary! what fun to take a ride with you....I wasn't cold at all..must have been those seats.
ReplyDeleteMy mother grew up in Ridgewood, NJ, and I remember traveling (as a child) to her parents home. I love the scenery. smiles.
Thank you for taking me along on this wonderful outing. It is so beautiful there.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I love your new purchase. What kind of soup is on the menu?
those plates are gorgeous! i haven't been antiquing in a while - maybe this weekend! (fingers crossed)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ride, Mary.
ReplyDeleteYes Mary a nice ride and some great pictures. I might go find some new bowls for soup tonight just for the fun of it. My daughter has the seat warmers. I always have her drive, in the winter, when we are going together. Blessings
ReplyDeleteQMM
What a good time I had with you. Thanks for the tour. Taking in the sites and browsing antique shops--perfect way to spend a cold day. Think I'll heat up some soup too. It's a frigid 24 degrees here in Northwest Florida.
ReplyDeleteoh i want to go antiquing with you!!! but i loved the road trip!!! where are we going next time?
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful ride. Can't wait to see what you do with your new purchase!
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
Hi Mary:
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tour! My post today is about Comfort Food--what we all need in this insanely cold weather! And thanks for the heated car seat! Haha! Made all the difference!
Thanks, everyone! Glad you enjoyed the trip.
ReplyDeleteBeverly, I think I'll be making a soup of mini fresh ravioli, spinach, garlic, and hot red pepper flakes. I have no idea what to call it. :)
A Life in Focus Photography -- Maybe next time we'll go to Washington's Headquarters in Morristown, NJ. Beautiful colonial mansion/museum. :)
I'm with you...heated seats are great!!! What a beautiful area to go for a ride. Ahhh, so the rich and "famous" hang out up there?!!! Well, they will keep everything pretty. I was out today scouting around at different places, and found flower pots at goodwill. (Thinking spring). Of course, my craft room still needs work, sigh....why is it so much more fun to add stuff then take away?
ReplyDeleteLovely drive Mary and heated seats sure are a necessity as our bodies become more delicate. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the beautify around you. One such as I will probably never make it up to see these areas, and love seeing it through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh...that was so nice!
ReplyDeleteYou live in an absolutely beautiful region. I have never been to the East of the States, but I'll put it on my list now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing those wonderful pictures.
Karin
Oh, what a lucky find! The bowls are so pretty. And what a pretty church that is. Looking forward to your tablescape with the new bowls. Rosie
ReplyDeletethat was fun. i'd go on a trip with you anytime...heated seats or not!
ReplyDeletexo,
Carole
I like going for drives. Some day I am going to come and visit Natirar. With you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day. Love that old church.
ReplyDelete-Trish