I was laying in bed last night and couldn’t see the moon – but could tell where it was hiding!
Moon was hiding
But peeking out.
It didn’t feel like Tuesday since I didn’t work. I kept thinking it was Saturday! I did some small household chores after breakfast, one of which was to TRY and change the battery on another string of solar light. One of the screws was stuck and I tried every Phillips Head and knife and alum wrench in the house and it wouldn’t budge. Right when I gave up my cousin called and needed to drop something off. So I happily handled that for him then drug him up the steps and had him work on the little solar block. He did it! He got it open and changed the battery and now we’ll see if it works after dark. He advised not to put that screw back in. And the lights I worked on last night worked so that was a plus!
Lantern solar lights working.
Bright and beautiful
Pinky Winky with lights.
While we were working outside I noticed that the crazy robin was trying to build a nest on the porch light again. Since it was just in the ‘foundation’ stage I was able to dismantle it and clean everything up.
After I folded the laundry I headed to Palmer’s Farm Stand. I really wanted a tomato! I got half a dozen ears of corn (had a few for lunch) and three tomatoes, which I will have (one) for supper.
But after Palmer’s I got gas in the Jeep, and my friend Mike (and owner) laughed at the two ducks on the dash. Normally not my thing, but it seemed appropriate! I dropped off a flyer at R.A.V.E (Fleatique) for the Singer Sewing Machine (antique) and walked around. I had just walked in the door at home when a dealer called me and wanted to come get it! So he and his helper came out and got it and now I have more room downstairs. I have a few other things I’d like to rearrange but not quite ready for that yet!
The blanket chest takes up so much less space than the sewing machine.
Where the blanket chest was.
I keep putting off pulling the weeds from the bottom left of the hill – but the weather was comfy so I went out for about an hour. Filled a black trash bag STUFFED full. So I felt good about accomplishing something. I just walked inside and took off my garden clothes and it POURED down rain! That was good timing. So now, I’ll take you back to Altoona and the last of day two at the Baker Mansion.
Once we left the Fort, we headed back into downtown Altoona for the Blair Mansion. The drive down, again, was through forest and farm land and corn fields. Beautiful! Kathy’s request for lunch was Chick Fil-A so we hunted one down and enjoyed a leisurely lunch there before heading to the mansion. There was a short informative video in the gift shop explaining the family and the history before we went through the house.
Lunch!
The mansion was built in the mid-1800’s and was very elaborate. The rooms and the furnishings were beautiful. The family entered by the side door, business associates entered through the back doors, and formal guests through the front. At that time, there were acres of gardens, which our docent compared to Longwood Gardens!
Baker Mansion – back/business entrance
Kelly outside the Mansion
Front entrance and most formal
Front of mansion
Kathy and Kelly in one of the smaller gardens
The authentically recreated horseshoe shaped garden.
It was a beautiful big home!
Music and game room
Men’s parlor
Women’s Parlor
Dining room – the glass plates are authentic Centennial and bi-centennial plates
Mrs. Baker fed her dog at the table – literally!
There was a sword hidden in the walking stick.
I think my favorite rooms/items were the huge wooden desk in Elias Baker’s office. It was amazing. Another favorite was the kitchen and the event space in the basement. They, too, host Victorian teas, and I got a few interesting ideas from that docent.
BEAUTIFUL desk and book case.
Docent in the kitchen and dining space
Kitchen cooking space
Laundress
The event space – they dressed up the tables by putting vintage handkerchiefs under plastic on the tables
Vintage and family dresses.
Event space.
We kept seeing the name LOGAN all over the area – and found a portrait of Chief John Logan, a prominent Cayuga/Oneida leader in the Blair County area and a great influence. Since my grandson’s name is Logan we wondered about the connection.
Replica of the Logan House – Most high-class motel and restaurant in Altoona.
Chief John Logan
We spent a good while at the Mansion and had several excellent docents sharing information.
Period wedding gown.
Sewing room
Hetty Baker’s bedroom – best view in the house.
When we left there, we drove about two blocks down to see the building that held the original company store for the Baker’s workers on property. Also, the furnace that melted down the iron and created the products that we sold or used in their homes and offices. We headed out from there over the mountain and were home a little before 6pm. It was a great trip with lots of family fun and adventures. Where will we go next?
The back of the company store and the furnace
I loved the stone wall and gate outside the Company Store
The old Company Store building is now a Women’s Club
The original furnace.
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS?
TOMORROW July 29th is:
National Chicken Wing Day; National Lipstick day; National Lasagna Day; International Tiger Day; Rain Day.
We need rain regularly so that’s ok. I haven’t had Lasagna in well over a year! Mary always makes sure I have the right lipstick. Not a fan of chicken wings. God bless!
On this day in History: 1933 First singing telegram delivered to Rudy Vallée in New York City
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