Vacation Part 1 !

We are back from our trip, and I have so much to write about. It was such a great trip so I thought I would highlight some of my favorite stops and my FAVORITE stop is always The House of Seven Gables. Although I had been to this house many times, I would not think of visiting Salem and not stopping here. We took the tour (again) not only because it was the first time for the kids visiting it, but because we always learn a little fact we didn't know. There is always something new to learn. For example, did you know that the expression "sleep tight" comes from the colonial method of tightening the ropes in the bed that held the straw mattress? They used a big "key" type item and they would tighten it before bedtime, hence the expression "sleep tight." Well, this trip we learned that the expression "it costs an arm and a leg" came from the days when people would have a portrait painted. In the 1700 and 1800's you will many times see just a head/neck shot with just the shoulders. That's because it cost more to have your whole body painted into a portrait. It was quite expensive. It cost an arm and a leg! Those little tidbits just are so cool

Anyway, the House of Seven Gables is a wonderful house. Nathaniel Hawthorne, who wrote the books The House of Seven Gables and the Scarlet Letter, was a cousin of the relatives who built it and lived there and the house inspired him so much he wrote about it. He lived there briefly. He actually was born several blocks away and in 1958 they moved his birthplace to the grounds of the Seven Gables. His house is the burgundy one in my photos.

To be at The House of Seven Gables is so special; it gives you a real feel for Salem. I love the home's prim look and the fact that it has a secret staircase. We spent our whole second morning here. I hope you like my photos. AND the other bonus was, a black cat named Lucky visited with us right on the side street of the Gables. A black cat greeting you at your favorite house~~~I'm in heaven! Oh, and inthe book The House of Seven Gables, there is a character named Hepzibah. I think that's a great name for a cat! MORE TO COME!