Tim came home for a short visit yesterday and the three of us met up with my mom in one of our favorite hang-out towns - Evanston. I've talked before about shopping at one of my favorite stores - Secret Treasures - and have featured the things I've found there, including my vintage kitchen cart. This time, I brought in some things that I wanted to sell. Their buying policy is that they buy right then and there (except on weekends when they're super busy) and give you 50% of their selling price. They didn't buy everything I took in, but I did end up with a tidy little sum which I will add to my new laptop fund. After shopping at Secret Treasures (even Tim found some cool stuff ~ retro drinking glasses, ashtrays, pipes and a pipe stand ~ he said he's going to have a 1950's party), we all went out to lunch and just enjoyed each other's company. Mom went home after that, but me, Brian and Tim were just getting started.
Next stop was the Charles G. Dawes mansion right by Lake Michigan. I had forgotten my "good" camera, so these are just photos from my phone. Tim, being the professional photographer, took a lot of photos on our day trip, so I'm sure he got some stunning photos.
This house is supposed to be an example of the Chateauesque type of architecture. Isn't it beautiful? Charles Dawes was the VP to Calvin Coolidge, General during WW1, and Ambassador to Great Britain. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925. This house is now owned by Northwestern University (Dawes left it to them) and is used by the Evanston Historical Society.
Being fascinated with beautiful houses, I couldn't resist getting a photo of the house next door, too.
Next stop on our tour was the Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, IL. Growing up in the Chicago area, Brian and I have both been here several times before. Tim had been here once before too, but it was when he was little. Such a beautiful, interesting place to not only photograph, but to visit, too. Even though we're not of the Baha'i faith, I find their beliefs and philosophies very interesting. And the history and architecture of this temple is absolutely fascinating. You can read about it here.
One of the gardens...wouldn't this be a perfect spot for a wedding? Heck, I wanted to roll out my yoga mat. Or, start a game of croquet.
Photos of the interior of the temple aren't allowed, but I was able to take this photo out the back door of the temple. I loved this view with a glimpse of Lake Michigan in the background.
You didn't think I came home from Secret Treasures empty-handed, did you? I found this 1938 "Modern Home Cook Book" in perfect condition for just $3. (The other two vintage cookbooks were found on different shopping trips to Goodwill.) Looking through this cookbook is interesting in itself...seeing what they cooked and ate back in the late '30's. Definitely not dishes you'd want to eat today...Cream of Lettuce Soup; a lot of kidney, veal, quail and rabbit dishes (OK, so maybe some people still eat this stuff...not me!); Milk Toast; Pineapple Cream...even a section of recipes "For the Sick".
The only other thing I bought was the glass dairy bottle in the middle. You can't see it in the photo, but the bottle has raised letters that say "Bowman Dairy Company".
It was so good to see my boy again and have such an awesome start to the weekend.
Hopefully, more family fun with my aunt tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, too.
I'm so glad you had a good time with your family. The house and the temple are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
That does sound like a great day! Happy Saturday, Tammy
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie, I love that you get out and explore your state . . . there is so much to see that most people walk and drive right past. You really don't have to take a vacation to a far off land, to enjoy time with those you love. You are an inspiration:)
ReplyDeleteI think you took beautiful pictures both of buildings and gardens.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like such a fun way to spend time with your son. I loooove old houses and taking photos of them. I think yours came out well. I enjoy walking around old places like that and thinking about the lives of the people who lived there. I grew up in an area on the Hudson River in NY where a lot of famous wealthy people had mansions - Vanderbilts, Roosevelts, Astors, etc. It's hard to imagine living in such splendor. My favorite parts were always the gardens, they really went all out in their gardening. I hope the rest of your weekend is great!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had such a fun day with family! The houses and temple are just beautiful. I always wonder what it would be like to have lived in a home like that. So much gorgeous detail? Gardens are so perfect!
ReplyDeleteJudy
I know how much you love Evanston-so glad you had a family outing there. Beautiful pictures and it looks like you had a "good weather" day. Sounds like Tim is going to have a Mad Men party! I used to leaf through old cookbooks and yep, lot's of game meats and tasteless sort of dishes. Then again, you had to cook with what was local, they didn't have supermarkets with things shipped in from Shanghai!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting the planting done little by little and doing yard cleanup at the same time. I used to like to have all the dirty work done and then plant but I'm learning you have to buy those plants early and get them going. The work can follow.
I haven't watched Elsie yet...MC's mom watches her three says a week when she's at work. They really love their time with her and bring her almost everywhere they go. Plus, they have a strict 7:00 p.m. bedtime so that doesn't leave a lot of time for visiting.
It's supposed to be beautiful tomorrow. I hope to get a post up and then get outside for more work! :)
Jane x
What a great time you guys had. I enjoyed the photos of these lovely mansions and that garden....just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGlad you all had a great time! Haven't been to either place, but since my DIL lives in Madison the next time coming back we night stop. I've heard about the temple and would like to visit. The grounds are so pretty too! Today is beautiful and wish I was outside, but hurt my back and not feeling well
ReplyDeleteDuring my high school days, my group of friends would gather on Baha'i Temple steps and grounds and spend long, lovely summer afternoons playing acoustic guitars and singing. We never saw anyone and no one ever chased us away. Of course, we were very respectful of the property and often went inside to read the inscription written on the ceilings. Thank you for the memory. ~Ginene
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ReplyDeleteHi Melanie :)
ReplyDeleteThat Dawes home is gorgeous! So is the one next to it and the temple.
Great finds too. I love old cookbooks and actually use quite a few of them, but there's some recipes that just aren't going to happen LOL
xo