Arts and Crofts

Above, Arts and Crafts. Below, Arts and Crofts.

This past summer, on our annual summer vacation to California, we were able to visit the Gamble House in Pasadena, California. This home was built in 1908 by the architects Greene and Greene and is arguably the best example of the Arts and Crafts, or the Craftsman style of architecture. I think I am safe in saying that touring this beautiful home (and yes, it's "those" Gambles, as in Proctor and Gamble and Ivory soap) was an item on Mike's "bucket list" (You know, the things you want to do before you "kick the bucket"?). When Mike builds our dream home, you can bet he will use this home as inspiration. It will be beautiful.

I can't even tell you how many pictures he took just of the outside. They wouldn't let him take any interior shots, so we had to buy a book. That was probably a good thing, since we may have run out of room on our camera's memory card, and we had a few days of photo-worthy vacationing left.

Unfortunately, some of the tour's enchantment was quite lost on me. Don't get me wrong, I love good design. I love old houses, with their history and charm. But, one can only appreciate antique treasures (translation: "valuable and very breakable") so much with a fidgety, curious three year old and a grouchy 8 month old. Docents don't appreciate young children on hour-long historical tours. Young children don't appreciate being on hour-long historical tours. We made it out undamaged (us and the house) and I know it was a memorable event for Mike.

Love is experiencing new things together, and appreciating what inspires your better half.