MIKELL'S HIDDEN TREASURES
  • New Website Link and Free e-book and Newsletter Sign Up
  • Contact

Light City Baltimore was spectacular!!!

3/28/2016

 
Picture
These are just a few samples from Light City Baltimore, the first International Light Festival. The winds were strong, temperatures low, yet the crowds came out by the thousands to see the sights. We decided to wait for the crowds to clear after the parade to take photographs, but an hour later people just keeping pouring past. Spirits and energy were high! It warmed my heart to see so much love and joy for the city!

. . . since 1782! The Lexington Market!

3/27/2016

 
Picture
​Visiting the Lexington Market has been on my wish list since I moved to Baltimore and I finally made it! What a delightful experience! The sounds of the steel drum band added rhythm and beat as moved from stand to stand. There were oranges, lemons, limes, grapes and strawberries in vibrant jewel tones.fish and shell fish in iridescent white, silver and pinks. Scrumptious cupcakes, pineapple upside down cake, cinnamon rolls, and breads of every size and shape, color and texture. Something for everyone and the prices were fantastic! We would have stayed longer but we had too much to carry!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Historical Herbal Candy Journal Page

3/24/2016

 
Picture
What a marvelously creative unexpected combination - history and candy!
​Mycala recently brought me the most delightful package of candy from True Treats, a store in Fredericksburg, MD that sells historical candy! Their slogan is "History never tasted so sweet!"  They have selections that the Native American Indians used, Civil War Candy, the Industrial Revolution, and much more. 
Love the concept of using candy to add another dimension to history! It's almost too pretty to eat. Some is more a novelty than a delicious treat, but others are scrumptious! All are a fascinating part of our history and a wonderful way to step back in time!

A Winning Combination!

3/19/2016

 
Mission BBQ in Camden combines their support of Veterans with a fantastic menu and a museum like atmosphere! It is a chain so you can find it in places other than Baltimore. They contribute to organizations that support Veterans, first responders and the Wounded Warriors Project. Bonus - the food is delicious and reasonably priced and the staff is friendly.
​
Picture
Picture

Baltimore's Irish and the Building of the First Railroad

3/18/2016

 
Picture
Inside the dome of Baltimore's City Hall, listed as one of the most beautiful City Halls in North America
Picture
Picture
Today i attended the fourth of a series of lectures, It's More Than History, in City Hall in Baltimore. Luke F. McCusker, the Managing Director of the Irish Railroad Workers' Museum, delivered the presentation.
Picture
It's More Than History March Lecture Series
IN 1827 Baltimore was America’s third largest city and had enjoyed dominating the East Coast's shipping and transportation for decades. But the city domination was slipping -- what was city leadership to do? Build the nation's first railroad! Why were the Irish the right workforce to make this crazy plan work in a city dominated by African American labor?
​McCusker explained this and more as he shared an overview of the key historical figures, the Irish immigration, the challenges of this new population in our country, and the reasons for the shift from travel by canals to the construction of the railroad. 


Seeking the Sacred

3/18/2016

 
​"Only people who are willing to put all they've got on the line  
. . . make a difference."
 
~ Perry Noble
​

Yesterday I turned in two course proposals for the fall. One was a repeat of my course on Herbs, and another is on seeking the sacred in everyday life - not a new concept, but one that needs to be repeated.  

Workshop description: Our world is filled with beauty and wonder but we often miss the miracles as we are bombarded with fear based, negative messages. What we put our attention on increases, yet too often we focus on illness, not health: fear, not joy. This course will include readings and video clips from some of the world’s most innovative thinkers, past and present. There will be exercises for self reflection, and techniques for finding daily treasures.

Last night I started to have second thoughts. Maybe another topic would be more valuable. Today several messages crossed my path validating the need to speak if there are words that are helpful, even it we feel we are taking a risk by sharing an opinion that may not be understood or embraced. 
​
And this from a friend - 
"I think your class sounds absolutely amazing! And you have been waiting for something to pop up for you in regards to direction....perhaps this is your purpose? Is to teach wellness and give people a compass for happiness? It is dearly needed in this world! Mikell I honestly believe that people no longer know how to actually feel happiness or have a compass for well being. They have become so immersed in the world they don't even recognize the horrible level of negativity they are exposed to on a daily basis!!! These are much needed skills!"
~ Carrie Faden
​
Carrie's observation that some of us don't remember what health or happiness feel like rings true. Someone very dear to me has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He has trouble breathing and a cough that sounds painful. His energy is depleted and he walks slowly with a cane. Yet he keeps reassuring me that he "feels fine." It reminds me of the story about the frog who is thrown into a pot of water and it is slowly brought to a boil. It happens so gradually that he doesn't realize things are changing and he is in danger. If he had been thrown in at a rapid boil, he would have jumped out immediately. 

Being aware of how we want to feel, and comparing it to how we are feeling, can guide us to making better choices. We can begin by asking questions. 

How many times a day do we stop and consider out blessings?
Do we spend more time in the present, or are we living with the fear of the future or regrets of the past?
Do we actively use our senses? (for example, do we gulp down fast food instead of preparing and savoring quality meals with a variety of colors and textures)
Do we realize the power and impact that words have on us? Do we carefully chose the words we use? (firing off Instantaneous e-mail response instead of thoughtfully composed letters)
Do we spend time in nature and value the lessons she teaches? 
Are relationships deep and meaningful or are we paying more attention to our screens than the person across the table?

Walter's Art Gallery

3/12/2016

 
Picture
We spent yesterday in the exquisite Walter's Art Museum in Mount Vernon, Baltimore, MD. It was originally a private collection of William Thompson Walters, born May 23, 1819, from Liverpool, PA. Walters moved to Baltimore at the age of 21, made his fortune and married Ellen when he was 26. He and his wife had 3 children but one died in childhood. Henry, born in 1848, and Jennie in 1853, survived. Walter began collecting art with his wife in the summer of 1861 in Paris, then traveled through out France, to Italy Switzerland and England. Ellen died of pneumonia when she was forty years old in 1862 and William continued collecting with even more intensity to attempt to dissuade his grief.  After the war, in 1865 he and his children returned to Baltimore. His son eventually became involved in his father's art collection and carried on after his death. 

Their collection of 22,000 works of art from 55 centuries of art formed the basis of the collection and today the collection contains over 35,000 works of art including an expansive Egyptian collection, china, Faberge eggs, illuminated journals, French Impressionist paintings, bronze statues and so much more! 
Picture
​

Insights From a Child

Their are endless opportunities to learn and enjoy for all ages as evidenced by this young person's observation in a "What have you discovered?" journal encouraging comments.
Picture


"I learned that Greeks were always nude or wearing a tablecloth."

Baltimore Tour

3/6/2016

 
Spent the day with the ultimate Baltimore tour guide discovering more about this phenomenal town! This is very brief overview of the day!

Google Search Discovery!

3/5/2016

 
Worth sharing -the scrolling options on Google. The "I'm feeling lucky" option has a scroll bar for - "I'm feeling puzzled, I'm feeling trendy, I'm feeling playful" and more! I chose "I'm feeling wonderful" and it led me to a World Wonders Site. On the upper left I chose Art Projects and it led me to a wonderful (appropriate, right?) gallery of art! I could get lost all day in this Google treasure! Oh, there's one for "I'm feeling playful" too! Off to play!
    Picture
    Welcome!! I’m Mikell (pronounced Michael). If you love spicing up your life with herbs, recipes, decorating and crafts, symbolism and rituals like I do, I hope you’ll sign up for  my newsletter and free Enhancing Your Life with Herbs e-book!

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Collecting Firsts
    Fashion And Fabrics
    Herbs
    Holidays
    Inspiration
    Legends
    Lessons From Nature
    Maps
    Quotes
    Recipes
    Vintage

    Mikell 

    Mikell is a writer, artist and professional treasure hunter, finding the greatest treasures in the wonderful people who enter her life!

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012

    RSS Feed

  • New Website Link and Free e-book and Newsletter Sign Up
  • Contact