I've never known much about the city of Baltimore aside from recent news, so when my partner's job took him there this past August, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to explore.  After spending several hours wandering the streets, photographing architecture, and getting know the hotel employees it was easy to see where the nickname came from.  I'm already looking forward to another trip so that I can spend more time exploring the charming Mount Vernon and Federal Hill neighborhoods.

On the North Shore of Long Island, tucked away from the busy beaches and malls, and wannabe Kardashians, sits this dreamy sanctuary.  The property is full of greenhouses, gardens and one of the original Long Island mansions, that easily puts any modern Long Island mansion to shame.  The property is now a State Park and the house is open for viewing.  I would live here.  Yup.  It's pretty spectacular.  And if you like flowers.....lots of flowers.  Flowers for days.  Since moving here in the early spring we've made two visits, and I'm ready for another.  These are just a few of my photos from the Coe house, gardens, and greenhouse....

A new-found obsession.....here are some favorites from the first few packs:

1) MMoCa, Madison, WI  2) My front yard, Madison, WI  3) The Arboretum, Madison, WI   4,5,6)  Crosswinds Marsh, Wayne County, Michigan

My intrigue with the world of historic and forgotten things has led me to some seriously interesting places.  It's been several months since I've entered an abandoned building, and while I miss it, I'm content with the healthy status of my lungs.  Going through old photos, I found some good ones from this set, taken near Pittsburgh last May.  This  abandoned china factory.....full of abandoned pieces of china....ranks pretty high when it comes to interesting places.  I think the state of awe that I was in kept me from taking as many photos as I should have.  Thousands upon thousands of dishes and molds, and lots of lovely light....