I have always wanted to go to Newport, RI at Christmas time, 
and every year I miss the opportunity. So this year I scheduled a trip for the first weekend in December, back in the beginning of November! It was an easy going trip (not typical – I usually have every second planned, but not this time, I needed the break – We drove up Friday toured and strolled and returned Sunday.
Newport Preservation Society added Christmas decorations to the Marble House, Breakers and the Elms. Delightful feather trees and wrapped gifts in bedrooms, trees and poinsettias everywhere – even giant poinsettia balls hung from the ceilings, mantels were dressed, tables topped, kitchens filled with garland and oranges. We declined the head set audio tours - they are wonderful go at your own pace and full of information; however, I enjoyed a primarily visual only tour of the Marble House and Elms – amazing how different details emerge. I enjoyed the new family tour option at the Breakers – playful and entertaining – it was nice to tour the house with a child’s perspective (well done preservation society, I hope children are using and enjoying it). An unusual treat there were a few rooms where we could photograph the Christmas display. I was delighted to photograph inside!
Breaker’s Main Gate decked with two huge wreaths.
The grand ballroom was filled with trees and a single red chair for Santa Claus. The Breaker’s first floor veranda offered eggnog, cider and cookies
Marble House’s gothic room – which is an absolute masterpiece in gothic revival style – featured a photographable tree – the tree was in every shot – I attempted every angle possible. The tree was magnificent,I loved the careful attention to gothic details in the ornaments, a quiet, elegant medieval flare to the Christmas Decorations. After all, the gothic arch is my favorite arch, with ogee a close second! 
The Elem’s Mantels were amazing, snow cover topiary trees, sticks, cardinals all nestled in with the mantel statue. 
and a grand poinsettia tree was the focal point of the room.
Magnificent! What a treat to see these homes at Christmas! Newport was a Christmas buzz, tree lightings, shops elaborately decorated, and Santa comes to the Warf by way of boat!
I have found the time 11:11 is almost magical and continually appearing, it happens to follow me where and when ever I am– 11:11 – it plays peek-a-boo of sorts and usually I find it right at the right moment – but today I lay in wait to pay tribute - As this is the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year, at exactly 11:11, I tribute with this post an Ode to Eleven, Eleven, Eleven at Eleven, Eleven. Enjoy the findings. 
you are, then you are experiencing the strange 11:11 phenomenon. It is one that defies all logic. Everyday, millions of people are mysteriously propelled to look at the time at exactly 11 minutes past the hour. And the numbers show up wherever they go. It's sneaked up to you silently, without warning. Just like it always does. There's simply no escape. The harder you try to get away, the more relentlessly it pursues you. It stares you in the face, plain and square: The Number 11. 
These 11:11 Wake-Up Calls on your digital clocks, mobile phones, VCR’s and microwaves are the "trademark" prompts of a group of just 1,111 fun-loving Spirit Guardians, or Angels, and the 11:11 prompt is their way of using our innate ability for pattern recognition to let us know that they are here. 
Romantic, Tragic. Bravo, Bellisimo, Cheers to Baltimore Opera! I was fortunate to attend the opening night as a guest with friends Amy and Phil (Phil is in the Orchestra). While opera is not for everyone, it is delightful, albeit lengthy, but truly a delicious pageantry - a feast for the eyes, ears, and heart. Music and tale come to life with amazing arias and enchanting costumes all set on the backdrop of an amazing elaborate and decadent stage, visually sweeping you away to another place and time. 
“Grand Opera is undeniably back in Baltimore and as a city and arts community we are better off for it. The gorgeous sets, beautiful singing, talented musicians, and stage direction was a reward for all of the hard work it takes behind the scenes to make opera happen. The enthusiasm is still there both on stage and in the audience. This is no longer an opera company taking gratuitous risks to appease some mythical “public” but a company that is relying on its strengths to bring high quality performances to Baltimore. I can think of no better way to rebuild opera’s presence here than to strive for excellence and value in each facet of the company. That is why I join the audience from opening night in saying “bravo” to Lyric Opera Baltimore.” Quotation and Baltimore Photo Credits: 
Alexandre Dumas, fils. Sung in Italian with English surtitles (thank you!) Verdi’s immortal telling of the story of the Lady of the Camellias is an opera lovers’ dream, full of passion, sacrifice, love, death, and redemption. The glamorous courtesan Violetta has finally found real love in the embrace of Alfredo. She must give him up for the sake of honor, and unknowing, he heartlessly denounces her in a scene of public humiliation. They reunite on her death bed and she passes into eternity knowing that she at last knew true love. STARRING: 
ACT III. In Violetta's bedroom six months later, Dr. Grenvil tells Annina her mistress has not long to live: tuberculosis has claimed her. Alone, Violetta rereads a letter from Germont saying the Baron was only wounded in his duel with Alfredo, who knows all and is on his way to beg her pardon. But Violetta senses it is too late ("Addio del passato"). Paris is celebrating Mardi Gras and, after revelers pass outside, Annina rushes in to announce Alfredo. The lovers ecstatically plan to leave Paris forever ("Parigi, o cara"). Germont enters with the doctor before Violetta is seized with a last resurgence of strength. Feeling life return, she staggers and falls dead at her lover's feet.
This is where the locals go to get their fresh goods like fruits, vegetables and meats. Much better prices than the regular grocery store, there’s also the link to local culture – sellers tell you which fruits are ripe – describe an unusual fruit or vegetable and tell you how they prepare it. Beautiful Market, sights, sounds,the bustle of shoppers, and smells – fruity floral with wafts of durian, and dead fish and meat – sometimes a little pungent. People going about their business, and me- the tourist, photographing the experience! Jen and Jeff hadn’t taken photos of the wet market yet – I guess that would be like me taking photos in an American market – but then I realized, I do just that at home too – I love the look of fruits and vegetables piled on top of each other – raw beauty. My market purchase: a bag of green tomatoes… I was so excited - yum! I had fried green tomatoes in March, in Singapore! Mmmm!
ornate Sri Mariamman Temple. It was amazingly intricate and unique, I had never seen anything like this before. I had to go in, we were in time for visiting hours, and could hear the music beyond the walls where the main shrine was. Ethne (3) and I took our shoes off, as was required for entrance (huge pile of shoes at the door) and walked around, enjoyed the interesting sights, sounds and smells – burning incense and offerings at the shrines. There as a fee for bringing in a camera so we just walked around. Emma, Jen & Jeff waited for us outside. Beautiful, and a little creepy – some of the statues were not ones you’d want to meet up with in a dark alley. I did take a few photos of the entrance, perimeter and through the wall openings of the compound.
