This was the weekend of Baltimore’s annual Book Festival, and after having the worst weather for the past several years, the event was finally graced with what can only be called perfect weather. Sunny, crystal clear and 70’s.
I had started the day in the auction rooms, where I bid on a number of items, but only won three lots.
I love Wedgwood Jasperware and was lucky enough to win a massive lot of it, 
Of course, I couldn’t steer away from the blue & white china, and picked up a couple of platters and plates.
Here are a few of them stacked on a huge silverplate platter that I spray-painted black after it had lost its plate. It will be a perfect piece for serving Halloween cupcakes!
After I unpacked all of my treasures, I headed downtown to the Book Festival to meet my friend, author Mary Kay Andrews who was in town to give a book talk. She’s got a new book coming out in a few weeks which revisits her hilarious characters, Bebe and Weezie. The book is called Christmas Bliss and it’s coming out on October 15th. 
Mary Kay and I went to see local author, Laura Lippman interview John Searles on his newest book, Help for the Haunted. 
After that, we headed over to check out the George Peabody Library at the Peabody Conservatory. It’s really one of the most stunning buildings in Baltimore.
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It was fun to watch Mary Kay’s jaw drop when we entered the room. And I love that it smells like old books, too!
In addition to the library, which can be rented out for events, the Peabody has a full schedule of performances throughout the year.
All in all, it was a great weekend!
How was yours?
We went today to the Book Fair. Caught a couple of bands, and picked up a few books. Highlight was dinner at Halmands. Delicious Afghani meals.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
The Helmand is great. You know that the owner's brother is the President of Afghanistan, don't you?
DeleteThat truly is an amazing building. The atrium is reminscent of that in the Hongkong Bank building, designed by Norman Foster -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/hongkong-and-shanghai-bank-headquarters/gallery/ View image gallery pictures 3&5. I wonder if Ld Foster was inspired by your library. I used to work in the bank building, and as my desk overlooked the harbour on the 32nd floor, it had rathe stunning views, which were a great distraction to boring banking!
Have you seen pix of the Lloyds of London building? They have the same open interior. Amazing!
DeleteYes, indeed. They are similar, and created by Foster's rival Richard Rogers. Not sure who "inspired" whom. HSBC was completed in 1985 and Lloyds in 1986. The former begun in 1983 and costing USD780m, the latter started in 1978 and costing GBP75m.
DeleteWow that library is impressive! Lucky you to have gotten that bath of amazing stuff! love the green and pinks. I heard Laura Lipman speak here and she was a great character and is married to David Simon right?
ReplyDeleteLaura is married to David Simon!
DeleteHi Meg---had a great week-end, but it can't compare to yours!! I LOVE the Wedgwood lot!! You are right, those pieces would make perfect gifts. Blessings for the week. xoxo
ReplyDeleteMary
I bid on a few other Wedgwood lots, but the head of the DC Wedgwood Society was the other bidder.
DeleteSuch a pity that I missed the book fair... We took our son to a small resort one hour north driving from Sao Paulo. My son had opportunity to see banana trees, coffee bushes, and cotton trees, passion fruits, and many more tropical fruits and vegetables. His favorite part: the swimming pools. Mine: a few stolen moments of bliss and silence! Did you see the comment I posted on your post regarding The Proms? Marin Aslop moved to RP over the summer! She is my neighbor across the street, just a few blocks north from you!
ReplyDeleteIt was lots of fun! Perfect weather for once. How cool about Marin! Let's get together when you get back.
DeleteA tea cream is set upon my return, then. I will drop an email. PS: I was just reading some of your older posts, and discovered you are one of my best friends, Zoe, neighbor! How the world is small!
DeleteHow funny! I LOVE Zoe! She's a great neighbour!
DeleteThis weekend the milk of human kindness flowed as a lost phone by my daughter was found by a good Samaritan willing to take time and effort to return it . The finder responded to our text with a call, which allowed us to meet this generous young man to get the smart phone. Before the battery ran out, we retrieved a couple of contact numbers of her friends and thru social media, face book we were able to let our daughter know, if not for the actions of a a kind 21-year-old man, she would not she have her phone back. This young man restored my faith in the younger generation that some will put the golden rule into action. Also, this event It made me aware that we all need a back up file of phone numbers written down in a safe place unless your important phone numbers are committed to memory or i guess on your computer please consider this a public service announcement.....love your post meg fishbowl hit.
ReplyDeleteOh that all sounds amazing (can't wait to see what wedgwood you put up on etsy!). We spent most of our time back and forth to Merriefield getting new plants for the garden. At least we had perfect weather for it! And being stuck in a car in route 66 traffic when filled with 3 dozen rosemary and lavender plants is really a great stress relief!
ReplyDeleteI am not planting anything! I have a black thumb. xo
DeleteFriday morning our floor guys said, "Well, of course, you can't walk on your floors for 36 hours!" I had to spin into overdrive to find us hotels, grab clothes while I could still walk on the floors and get out the door. We ended up having a lovely time. We spent Friday in town like a tourist, then went to Kansas City and stayed (and ate and drank) on the Plaza. We used a new product (Rubiomonocoat) that turned our quarter-sawn white oak floors into things of beauty without sealing it over like a bowling alley!
ReplyDeleteI hate super-varnished floors. They don't look real. Can't wait to see pix of the floors.
DeleteI didn't know you knew Mary Kay Andrews! My sister gave me one of her books as a gift, but I confess that I never read it (I don't put much faith in my sister's taste in books). Now I'm going to have to dig that book out and give it a shot.
ReplyDeletewhat a weekend you had, Meg + my sun. was spent at clients home celebrating her son's b'day + had a grand time + that library is amazing. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
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