A day at The Huntington

Last week, The Brother and I headed over to The Huntington Library, Art Museums, and Botanical Gardens. It's too much to do in one day, but we covered most of it. We made it to the Chinese and Japanese gardens, the Library, and European art gallery. We did miss the American art gallery, which is a bummer because they have a Hopper and my favorite statue, Zenobia in Chains, and I was hoping to see them again. Next time.

The Huntington also has one of my favorite gift shops. It's where I got my Marie Antoinette salt and pepper shakers, in fact, they're still carrying this item. This time around I got a really pretty Ramen bowl and these socks:

The Great Catsby. LOL.

Some more pics from The Huntington:

 

Serious money = your own chapel, complete with stained-glass windows.

 The Chinese Garden:

The Japanese Garden:

 

The Huntington Library is about to get a whole lot funnier

Now here's something I didn't expect to see in an email from The Huntington:

That's right - from the interview:

I was so impressed by the air-conditioned efficiency of the sliding shelves and the variety of writers it contained that I wondered aloud of the library would like to have my stuff. Amazingly, they would, and so was born what they will one day call The Eric Idle Archive, which is really far too posh a name for a bunch of old junk in a lock-up in Studio City.

The eventual collection will include Python and Spamalot scripts, personal letters, notes, recordings, and photos. And I will be all over that.

I was just at The Huntington gift shop (aka Heaven) yesterday. In the future, I'll keep my eyes peeled for Idle. I never thought of The Huntington as a celebrity spotting place (and I don't usually care about celebrities anyway) but as a longtime Python fan, it would be a kick to see him there.

Behind the waterfall

Behind the waterfall in the Chinese Garden at The Huntington in San Marino:

They have an ongoing Wednesday program of Music in the Chinese Garden. It's very soothing. The Huntington is also greatly expanding the Chinese Garden. The expansion is well underway and the new buildings (built in the Chinese style) are gorgeous.

If you have not been to The Huntington, you really need to go. In addition to the amazing library and art galleries, the grounds are beautiful and peaceful. And their gift shop is to die for.

The latest addition to my salt & pepper shakers collection

This one may or may not work for some people, but my Mom and I thought it was hysterical and I had to buy it. I got it at the always wonderful Huntington Store on what turned out to be my last shopping trip with Mom in February, before she passed away in early March. I give you Marie Antoinette salt and pepper shakers:

Just like this shark, a magnet holds the two pieces in place. Kind of sick, I know, but creative as hell.

Shakespeare rocks!!!

Mom and I hit the Huntington Store the other day and I spotted these:

Star Wars and rock songs, Shakespeare-style!!!

The Huntington Store (at The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens) is a weird and wonderful place. Bonus, you can shop at the bookstore and dine at their awesome food court (about the swankiest food court you'll ever see) without having to purchase admission.

However, I do recommend checking out The Huntington's library, art collections and gardens. It's absolutely mind-boggling.