CREATIVITY UNLEASHED in the BERKSHIRES

Other than basking in the sun at Tanglewood on a Sunday afternoon, we also got to visit two places we really wanted to go to in the Berkshires. I absolutely have to share my enthusiasm for The Mount, Edith Wharton's Estate and the Norman Rockwell Museum. If you visit the Berkshires you have to make time for these two extraordinary places full of beauty and artistic expression.

Freedom from Want (1943) 1 of the Four Freedoms

We started at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, where just the ride out there is worth it, let alone the largest collection of Rockwell paintings inside.

The Problem We All Live With (1963)

As a former print reporter, I appreciate Rockwell's paintings as social commentary for the era he lived in, that speak so eloquently, through imagery, of our America. He so wonderfully captured what the zeitgeist of the nation was during World War II and going into the 70s. He not only chose powerful scenes to capture, such as, The Problem We All Live With (1963) to The Four Freedoms (1943), and The Golden Rule (1961),

The Golden Rule (1961) Also found in the
United Nations Building as a mosaic on the 3rd floor

but the way he painted the people's expressions in his art was as if you could see their thoughts, or at least imagine your own — ones that transcend time. The museum's free guided tours are so informative and descriptive of the collection and the artist — the guide we had was wonderful. I very much enjoyed learning about the story behind the Four Freedoms, and how Rockwell painted those after being inspired from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's State of the Union Address in 1941, and how they were published in The Saturday Evening Post to rally the country during war.

May we be rocking away in these when we're old & gray.

After we left The Norman Rockwell Museum we drove to Main Street in Stockbridge to do some window shopping at the country stores, and take a break on the rocking chairs at The Red Lion Inn. Main Street in Stockbridge is like a blast from the past -- you may just be stepping into the 50s, and if you go to the Red Lion Inn you may just be stepping into the 1850s. The Inn from 1773 has hosted six U.S. presidents.

Entering the Estate

 We reached the Mount, the spectacular gardens and estate of the American Author, Edith Wharton. It is one of the most beautiful walks on a pathway through the forest, lined with grand pines, ferns and mossy patches.  After learning Wharton's story as the first woman awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, first woman to receive an honorary degree from Yale, a humanitarian volunteering in World War I, a free thinker, and her classical philosophy of simplicity for home design, I fell in love with her. I happily purchased three of her books at the Mount's bookstore including The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence because I was told 100% of the proceeds goes towards the restoration of the estate. I just started reading Wharton's autobiography, A Background Glance.  After touring the estate and admiring Wharton as a human being, I have now become a member, which not only helps preserve her memory as one of America's great female authors and supports the estate, but you also receive great perks like free visits throughout the year, invitations to special events and a discount to the bookstore. 

Dining Room

Foyer

Enjoying lunch & wine on the terrace overlooking
the gardens. Live music & lectures are also
offered on the terrace. 

Charles at the fountain in the gardens

Tanglewood: 1 Year Wedding Anniversary

The Forest walking towards Edith Wharton's Estate, The Mount

I don't mean to start this beautiful celebratory piece on the macabre side, but after visiting Lenox this past weekend for our one year wedding anniversary, I now know where I want my ashes to be released (not the exact spot, but I sure do know it's in the Berkshires). You might be asking why start this blog post with the image of death, but for me it more validates that this anniversary trip returning to the place Charles and I got married only validated that we chose right, not only in life and love but yes, even in death.

We chose right to be husband and wife, we chose right to stay together for 9 years going strong, we chose right in choosing each other to complement the other, and we chose right for Lenox. Our decision to get married in the Berkshires ultimately came down to who we are individually and as a couple, our interests and values and who we want to be moving forward together in our union. The Berkshires are a splendid respite to the daily chaos, a natural setting filled with culture, arts and peace.

We started our anniversary weekend at Tanglewood. We arrived a little late, but we made up for it staying past the wee hours being the last ones to leave the grassy field. When we arrived the lawn was filled with picnic-goers enjoying the classical music from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. My God, it was something unearthly to be in this majestic heaven of greens and blues -- these bright colors from nature while listening to the most glorious music. Everyone was silent and at ease. We were amongst people taking a few moments listening to music as to quiet the mind. I was so moved by the scene I found myself in moments of tears behind my sunglasses. Tears of joy that I needed nor wanted anything other than to be right there... right then... with the man I love. It was a moment of gratitude.

This was much too planned to be our picnic. Sure is nice though

We decided to take off last minute from the city so we didn't do too much planning, yet our quick picnic was just enough. We brought a sheet for the grass with some colorful placemats for a little decor since another blog I read went in depth about what to bring for the true "Tanglewood lawn" experience. It said to bring candelabras, a floral arrangement, fine china and glassware -- and everything to be in white and pink. I think that was more for the evening lawn concerts if that happens at all any longer, and either way we didn't get it together in time for that, but I did bring two wine glasses and our wedding napkins as a memento. We stopped in town

August 27, 2011 feels like yesterday

at Nejaime's Wine Cellars for some fantastic cheeses, olives with herbes de provence, smoked duck, grapeleaves, crackers and realllly good dark chocolate with sea salt.

When the music was done we stayed on... it was too special on our grassy spot to leave just then.

Not a soul in sight but us & the squirrels.

So we read The Sunday Times and drank more wine. Even a ladybug stopped by to visit. We went into the world renowned acoustic pavilion or more widely known as the "Shed,"

and admired the sound quality as if our loud echoes were like those coming from a deep canyon. Charles made a great comparison about this great institution that was also celebrating an anniversary, its 75th. He said this is like Fenway, two great Massachusetts landmarks made with the highest quality and full of talent and history.



Wines we brought perfect for a sunny afternoon: Bogle Riesling & Nautique Esprit de Blanc

Definitely check out the New York State blend of 6% Pinot Grigio, 88% Chardonnay and 6% Riesling -- the Nautique Esprit de Blanc -- great quality, fresh & crisp, and the price is right

Last ones walking to the car at 7PM. There's a wonderful order to Tanglewood, yet in that order is freedom & respect. We easily came and went with no guards or strict rules. No one is forced to leave or sit anywhere
specific. People bring wine & beer -- yet there is no littering at all and everything was controlled & fine.

      

What a spectacular tree. The trees throughout the Berkshires
are phenomenal. Each has its own personality, with a story to bear. 

Thanks Mom! Thank you for giving us such a special first anniversary that meant so much to us.