Terracotta Army - Legacy of The First Emperor of China

We've had so much rain that everything is well watered and happy to go into Spring!  I must admit that I am solar powered and really look forward to days in the sunshine.  In the meantime we have found ways to enjoy these last days of winter.  Look what I found growing outside of our south facing windows!  It thrills my heart to pick the blooms that have been beaten down by the rain and bring them inside to cheer us!

Yesterday we visited the Terracotta Army exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.

Our eldest grandson, Samuel

  It was a fun day to acquire a little culture and escape another rainy day.  I'm sure you have read about this amazing archaeological find in China.  We were honored to view the items that are on loan from the Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum of the People's Republic of China.  This exhibit has been in Richmond since November and will be leaving in a couple of weeks.

This exhibit tells the story of Ying Zheng's death in 210 BC.  They believed (like other civilizations)  that they needed certain items to accompany them into the afterlife.

 8,000 life size clay soldiers, horses and chariots formed into battle formations were in his burial mausoleum.  Also many weapons and other items.

He declared himself First Emperor of Qin, or Qin Shihuang (chin shu-hwong).  Many advances were realized during his eleven years as emperor.  His reign has shaped the history of China for 2,000 years.

The life size terracotta figures are quite detailed in their dress and armor.  Some weigh as much as 400 pounds.

The artistry of the ancient Chinese craftsmen is amazing.

This Mausoleum was discovered by farmers outside of Xi'an in 1974.  I remember Grayden mentioning the article about this in National Geographic many years ago.

  Grayden and Samuel and I found this exhibit fascinating!  Only 20 percent of the buried figures have been excavated.  This large mausoleum measures approximately 38 square miles.  The Emperor's tomb mound remains undisturbed.

Beyond Colonial Williamsburg

Staying for a week in Williamsburg allows us to explore beyond the Colonial area.  Williamsburg offers great shopping outlets.  I have friends and family that just take a trip there to do their Christmas shopping.  There is also the large Yankee Candle Store.  We always enjoy visiting this spot to stock up on our candles.  It is another one of Yankee Candle's Flagship stores.  Their candles have become so expensive that I only buy them now when I have one of their buy two, get two free coupons.  There are many other things in their store that are fun to enjoy.  We bought one new mail wrap for our mailbox.  If you are not familiar, they attach to your mailbox with a magnet to allow a change of season look.

  We also bought a new bird bath to replace the one the tree surgeons broke last year.  It's glass, so I hope I haven't made a mistake.  Storing it inside for winter will be imperative.

My very favorite place to visit is the Antique Mall!  I have shown you photos from here in the past.  Sometimes it's just a walk down memory lane and sometimes I find something that just has to come home with me.  Grayden knew that so he gifted me these goodies on Valentine's.

Walking around the Antique Mall we encountered many beautiful items.  I'm sure you will see something you would love to have!

I had never seen Matthew Rice's Williamsburg dinnerware before.  He is married to Emma Bridgewater.  I'm sure you are familiar with the beautiful pottery they make in England.  We have been to their pottery in Stoke-On-Trent and I am quite smitten with her mugs.  There is no more room on my shelf to buy anymore!

There are rows and rows of different antiques.

There are so many beautiful coverlets and quilts today!

These antique Valentines were exquisite.

This spool cabinet made my heart sigh.  Such a wonderful cabinet to keep all of your threads.

Pewter and tole painted trays were abundant and lovely.

Let's have some tea and cake.  We can wash and dry our cups and saucers with these adorable tea towels.  By the way the cake is no calorie--I have no idea what it's made of!

A fine collection of Madame Alexander dolls were displayed in one booth.

Are you ready to check out your purchases?  I think it's time to leave.  I hope you enjoyed! ♥

Valentine's Week in Colonial Williamsburg

Grayden and I enjoy getting away to celebrate the love we share.  Valentine's day and our anniversary will find us most years going to one of our favorite places.  One place we have enjoyed our whole marriage is a trip to Colonial Willamsburg.  

It can be a fun place to go for the day or for the week.  This year we enjoyed a week in Williamsburg.  The weather was quite rainy and cloudy, but we still enjoyed ourselves.  Walking down the Duke of Gloucester Street is always enjoyable no matter the season.

I'm so thankful my knee managed to cooperate as we made our way down the street.

Tidewater Virginia is a little further along in the gardening season than we are and is so thrilling to see.  Spring is definitely on its way!

The Governor's Palace Green is certainly looking promising as the "green" is living up to its name.

The sun is beginning to peek out so we may need to stop in Mary Dickinson's shop and buy a hat.

I'm thankful we have no business to attend at the courthouse.

We never tire seeing the homes in Colonial Williamsburg.  They all are so charming.  If you've read this blog for very long you know we love it here.  I can't help but photograph everything we see.

If you have a Valentine to post we can go inside and send it on its way.

At the end of the street is the Capitol building.  The colonist moved their capitol from Jamestown to Williamburg - originally named Middle Plantation. 

Can you spot the daffodils blooming on the south bank?

The tiny yellow blossoms of hope are coming, my friends!  Our's are peeking up through the earth, but have a ways to bloom.

Let's head back up the street and get a little lunch.

During this winter season the only tavern open was Josiah Chowning's.

Inside we found a nice table and a funny tavern wench--sorry that's what they were called!  We enjoyed a soup trio of corn chowder, Brunswick stew and peanut soup.  Peanut soup is a wonderfully rich, delicious soup that is a favorite of my family's.  Our daughter makes it on occasion.

After lunch we continued our walk.  

Coming to Colonial Williamsburg is always a step back in time for us.  It doesn't matter how many visits we make here we always enjoy ourselves.  I'll share another post about another favorite place we like to visit when we come here.  Well, I do and Grayden always indulges me.  ♥