The Christmas message goes straight to our searching hearts and tells us that Christ alone can bring us lasting peace – peace with God, peace among people and nations, peace within our hearts. - Billy Graham
photo: ‘Snowy Day On Mt. Hood, Oregon’
photographer: Janis Miglavs
So far I’ve shown you some of the magnificent Pittock Mansion and its Christmas decor here. Now, let’s go on into the formal dining room.
I think the first words I said as I walked into this elegant room were something like, ‘Oh, I want a dining room like this’! It seemed as though we were invited guests and had just been summoned to dine. Everything was decorated with such precision and beauty. Each place was set with care. (And you know – I’m partial to holly - because I live on Holly Street)!
At the end of the table a Christmas message waited and on the floor below the chair. . .
Someone left their shoes!
The mantel was brightly lit and festive.
Trees and greenery everywhere.
The radiator cover under the front window was filled with fun.
But wait till you see what’s ahead in the Butler’s Pantry!
Creative elves. . .
And nutcrackers. Look at this gorgeous wood countertop.
The Butler’s Pantry opens right into the gorgeous, white-tiled kitchen.
Imagine looking out the window as you are busy at the work table – downtown Portland and the Willamette River below and the mountains beyond!
I love this gorgeous stove!
The kitchen showed signs of work in progress. . .
But it was obvious the elves weren’t all working!
There was a lot of playing and frolicking going on. A little sledding here. . .
And an elfish ‘snow’ angel here.
A pantry is across the hall from the kitchen.
In the refrigerator room next to the pantry there was evidence of mischief!
Elf mischief!
The sign says -
Just beyond the kitchen and pantry area, you step through the door into another world. The breakfast room! A cozy, quiet place – away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house. On the table waits a gingerbread replica of the Mansion.
Across from the breakfast table a built-in china cabinet holds houses of all kinds.
Then through the door we arrive back in the Grand Hall.
Our next part of the tour will take us up the Grand Staircase to the bedrooms above where the elegance and beauty continues. Please join me again for more of the tour of this gorgeous, century-old mansion.
Yesterday I gave you a glimpse of the wonderful mansion my dear mother, my cousin and I toured last Friday. The Pittock Mansion sits high above the city of Portland, Oregon with a view that captures the imagination. On a clear day you have a fantastic view of five mountains in the Cascade Mountain Range. The twenty-two room mansion was the home of Oregon pioneers, Henry and Georgiana Pittock from nineteen-fourteen to nineteen-nineteen.
When we arrived the doors to the mansion had just opened. We stood in a short line outside in the portico and visited with others who shared our excitement to see this beauty all decked out for the holidays. The holiday theme this year is ‘Tinsel, Trees and Traditions: One Hundred Fifty Years of Christmas’.
We entered through a side door off the portico, walked through a tiny room that may have been a coat room, and then right into the Grand Hall. During the holiday season the Hall is decorated with evergreen garlands, poinsettias and miles and miles of red ribbon and bows.
Many hours of work by volunteers turned this fantastic, old home into a place of holiday magic and beauty!
Near the entrance, just off the Grand Hall, the Sitting Room was filled with holiday treasures galore.
Ornate carved hardwood mantels and paneling fill the house and a touch of the holidays greeted us as we began our self-guided tour. Volunteers stood nearby ready to answer our questions and give information or assist the guests.
Big chandeliers provide light throughout the mansion. The one in the sitting room caught my eye. Look at the ceiling – it’s breathtaking!
This house was designed with many progressive innovations – among them the indirect lighting in many of the rooms. I love the huge windows - most provide breathtaking views of Portland and the Willamette and Columbia Rivers below.
Would you be surprised if I say that the instruments are my favorite part of the Music Room? I can only imagine what it must be like to sit here and play Henry and Georgiana’s eighteen-eighty-seven Steinway grand piano!
The decorations above the double French doors on each side of the Music Room are perfect!
A few minutes after we left the room we heard sweet holiday music. I left my dear mother and my cousin and returned to the Music Room to find a young lady gracefully playing Mr. Pittock’s piano. As we walked through the main floor of the mansion her beautiful holiday music added something special to our time together in this lovely home.
Beside the Music Room is another circular room with an entrance from the west porch. This one almost took our breath away - it seemed as if we had suddenly been transported to a world of fantasy and magic!
Such fun! It made me smile!
And then ahead. . .oh, what was ahead? Beauty and whimsy and more amazing rooms filled with holiday cheer and fun. Our tour will continue soon. Please join me again – I’m sure you won’t regret it!
You can read more about the Pittock family and their marvelous home here.
I’m so busy these days I can hardly keep up with myself! Overcommitted myself a bit, I did! But, in the middle of all the ministry commitments I also scheduled some fun things with my family. Just before I head out the door to go to my chaplain ministry today I want to give you a sneak peek of the tour my dear mother, my cousin and I did last Friday morning.
(The first picture above shows the back door - wait till you see the front!)
Sing praises to the LORD. . .
tell the nations what He has done.
Psalm 9:11
You have Christmas every day. Your gift bears, not toys and books, but God Himself!
His work: on the cross and in the resurrection. As a result, your sin brings no guilt, and the grave brings no fear.
His energy: it’s not up to you. You can do all things through Christ, who gives you strength.
His lordship: He is in charge of you and looks out for you.
His love: what can separate you from it?
Who could imagine such gifts? Who could imagine not opening them?
from ‘Come Thirsty’
written by Max Lucado
When I first entered the world of blog I didn’t have any idea how dear my new far-away friends would become in my life. I had no idea of the treasured place each of you would have in my heart, and it still amazes me that we are such kindred spirits, even though we may never meet in person. Such is the bond I feel with my blog friend, Dawn, of Four Fifty-Three a.m. I read her blog daily and I’m always amazed by the beautiful creations from her heart and hands. I admire the simplicity of her blog and the way it touches my heart – and I love her Daybook entries. It’s almost as if I’m right there with her. So often I long to do that – be right there with her so I can sit and chat and watch her work. Recently Dawn had a give-away and I won!! I could hardly believe it when I read her announcement. And then the package arrived! That was just the beginning - even her handwriting is artistic and I was excited. I couldn’t wait to open it to see what was inside.
I found sweets and a beautiful card – and a dear little package.
