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Cranberry glass: A Thanksgiving Victorian staple

Cranberries are a familiar sight at the Thanksgiving table. Cranberry glass? Maybe not so much. Pinkish-red glass with a yellowish tone was part of the Victorian era vogue for colored glass. Cranberry glass was made into decorative art glass pieces, like this centerpiece with multiple flared flutes and applied leafy trim, which sold for $250 at World Auction Gallery. This glass color was first made about the time of the Civil War; coincidentally, about the time Thanksgiving became the annual holiday we observe today. Cranberries, a native plant of North America, were a well-established ...

Off the Shelf

As this is the weekend before Thanksgiving, it behooves me to ponder upon and yes write about that superb principle that boosts your mental health – gratitude. In past years when touching on the subject, I’ve written about gratitude in times of trial and appreciating the bitter with the sweet. This year, I have been reflecting on the value of experience. I touched on this subject several years ago when discussing the importance of tangible connections in a digital world. Today, however, I would like to focus on being grateful for the experiences we’ve been given. Hindsight is a ...

Majolica renowned for brilliant colors, shape

Majolica, the famous tin-glazed earthenware pottery, gets its name from Majorca (Mallorca), the Mediterranean island off the east coast of Spain. Tin-glazed pottery was brought to Spain by the Moors and spread to Italy as early as the 14th century, then to the rest of Europe. By the 1800s, majolica was a phenomenon in Europe. Potteries throughout the continent were making pieces with brilliantly colored glazes, often with realistically molded flowers, plants, and animals. Collectors seek these 19th-century ceramics by celebrated makers like Wedgwood and Minton in England or ...

2025 National Book Awards finalist

According to the National Book Award website “The National Book Awards were established in 1950 to celebrate the best American writing in fiction, nonfiction and poetry.” Since 1989, the Awards have been overseen by the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate the best literature published in the United States, expand its audience, and ensure books have a prominent place in our culture. The winners will be revealed November 19. Here are some of the finalists: Fiction category “The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)” ...

Drums one of Civil War’s rarest artifacts

Collectors seek out military antiques to preserve veterans’ stories and honor historic heroes. Civil War drums are some of the rarest of these antiques, and they convey powerful imagery along with their historical importance. A Civil War-era drum that sold for $2,783 at Donley Auctions was previously displayed in a museum. Still in excellent condition, it features bold blue trim and is decorated with a painted eagle and shield, as well as all 13 stars representing the Union. These drums were usually painted with patriotic images; eagles were, of course, one of the most popular ...

Meal Prep for the Win

Meal prep is a popular trend these days. We’ve all been there: it’s 6 pm, everyone is tired and hungry, and there is no meal in sight. Do you resort to pizza or something that might not be very healthy? Meal Prep can be your secret weapon to less mealtime stress, eating better, and saving money. If you are just getting started with meal prepping, or are looking for some new ideas and recipes, here are some books to check out. Just the pictures alone will inspire you to add these meals to your week. First up is Damn Delicious Meal Prep: 115 Easy Recipes for Low-Calorie, ...