Author: Kathleen

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Stylish Favorites 2.16.14

IMG_2227Winter has taken its proverbial toll on the majority of us who live In the United States. We have been snowed upon with a bit of ice and freezing rain thrown into the mix not once but quite a few times this season.  But, as we look forward to warmer weather there are a few hidden treasures to be found in the frigid cold to make even this harsh winter bearable.

IMG_1317{The Dying Gaul: An ancient Roman Masterpiece from the first or second century AD}

National Gallery of Art {Washington DC}
Just before the Winter Storm Pax pushed two rounds of heavy freezing rain, sleet and snow across our region, I popped into the National Gallery of Art primarily to see two exhibitions: Heaven and Earth: Art of the Byzantium and The Dying Gaul before each left the gallery in March. The Dying Gaul is an ancient Roman masterpiece from the Capitoline Museum in Rome, which will be returning on March 16, 2014 and the pieces from the Art of Byzantium will be returning to various Greek collections on March 2, 2014. I was able to capture a shot of the Dying Gaul, which was created in the first or second century AD and is one of the most renowned works from antiquity. This exhibition marks the first time this piece has left Italy since Napoleon’s armies took the sculpture to Paris in 1797 and where it was on display at the Louvre until 1816.

IMG_2380{Winter White Sangria}
Ford’s Fish Shack {Ashburn}
As always it is a true treat to meet up with the girls for a bite to eat and to sip some classy drink. This was Ford’s Fish Shacks version of a “Winter White Sangria” made with a splash of peach Schnapps, Triple Sec and loaded with fresh fruit…. and was so absolutely delicious, I ordered two!!!
IMG_2382 IMG_2459{Collard greens with a few seasonings of neck-bones and ham-hocks along with the beginning of hamburger soup}

Home Cooking
As we were constantly getting hit with freezing rain and sleet, the worry over the electricity going out was upper most in our minds. So, I was off to the kitchen to cook and get hot food into thermal containers just in case the power went out!!

Stay warm stylishly,
K

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Petra {Nabataean Kingdom}

P1010257{The Treasury at Petra}

Petra is truly an incredible land tucked away in a remote valley basin in southwest Jordan within the Shara Mountains. About three hours from Amman and 50 miles from the Dead Sean, this once capital city of the Nabataean kingdom is a natural fortification with its position at the junction of trade routes, which allowed for rapid cultural and economic development. From about the first century before common era through the first century of modern times, Petra controlled most of the region’s caravan routes from Arabia and Asia toward the Mediterranean Sea.The Nabataean Arabs dominated the region and controlled the international highways of this ancient world form many years.

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Our entry into this distant city was during the cold month of December, and I remember dressing warmly, covering my head with a shawl as the wind whipped up while trekking the Siq. Walking on a modern gravel path, which we shared with horses, camels and donkeys lead us through a lunar landscape of soaring cliffs into the heart of the mountain. The gorge is very high and narrow with enough light to pick up the earthy tones of rich browns and beige’s of the rocks with a quaint touch of pink. As thousands of years of wind and water have gently eroded the sandstone walls, you find as you walk a gorgeous kaleidoscope of colors are constantly revealed.

P1010294 P1010306P1010286The Treasury is a local name for a seemingly inexplicable monument. According to our guide it was not a Nabataean name and this culture may have used this most famous facade for an entirely different purpose. But, just when you think you cannot walk another step the gorge walls narrow, framing a classical architectural facade, chiseled out of the sheer rock face. To walk such a lengthy distance, and then see Jordan’s flagship monument dominating a once thought fabled ancient city is an extraordinary experience.

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{Me in front of The Treasury or khaznat al Faroun}

The final component and most alluring way to experience Petra’s magic is with the guided night tour, where you walk the Siq by candlelight back to “The Treasury” for storytelling and traditional music. Hot tea was served in huge quantities as the temperature dropped drastically once the sun went down. But, watching the stars shine brightly under this ancient land, while listening to the rhythmic music, sipping hot sage and cardamom tea made the trek to this mystical country extremely inviting!

Explore stylishly,
K