Gifts of Grandeur: Queen Mary's Fabergé Column, 1900

Column and Frame
Fabergé, 1900
Presented to Mary of Teck
by Queen Elizabeth,
The Queen Mother, 1946.
The Royal Collection

Everyone wants to make a good impression on her mother-in-law. Sometimes, that’s not an easy task. Sometimes, it’s downright daunting. Consider, if you will, if your mother-in-law is the Queen Consort and the wife of King George V. That was the situation Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon found herself in when she married “Bertie,” also known as The Duke of York (also the future King George VI).


The woman who would later be called, “The Queen Mother” wasn’t as meek and quiet as she appeared in public and was, in reality, quite sharp and savvy. She knew that Queen Mary had a great passion for jewels and art and they bonded over their mutual attraction to the work of Fabergé.

On May 26, 1946, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother presented her mother-in-law, Queen Mary (the then-Queen Mother) with this magnificent Fabergé creation from 1901. The object of Nephrite, two-colour gold, guilloché enamel, rose diamonds, mother-of-pearl features a delicately carved green column which supports an elaborate frame of diamonds.

This remarkable piece was the perfect addition to Mary of Teck’s existing collection of Fabergé and was rumored to have been one of her favorites. Though part of the Royal Collection, this frame and stand still appears to be on display within the State rooms at Buckingham Palace.

What a great way to make a good impression.

Person of the Week: Astrud Gilberto

Astrud Gilberto

Known as the “Queen of Bossa Nova,” for over forty years, Astrud Gilberto’s music has delighted fans of pop and jazz music. Her musical sound is infused with the flavor of her home country of Brazil. When most people think of Miss Gilberto, their initial thought was her first international hit, “The Girl from Ipanema.” With this light, soothing song, Gilberto solidified her permanent place in the pantheon of popular music greats.


With dozens of top-selling albums to her credit, Gilberto toured for many years. At a point in 1982, her own son, Marcelo, joined her band, working as a bassist and, later, as a co-producer on his mother’s albums. Not only as Gilberto collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, she’s also influenced generations of musicians who continue to look to her work for inspiration.

In addition to her magical music, Gilberto also dedicates herself to a variety of causes. She has performed in benefits to raise money for AIDS research, and is a passionate supporter of animal rights.

For all of her many contributions, Astrud Gilberto is our “Person of the Week.” Enjoy these two clips. The first is her famous hit, “The Girl from Ipanema.” The other is a contemporary remix of her song, “The Gentle Rain,” which shows how deeply her influence on music continues. Pardon the obnoxious “Gossip Girl” logo. This was the only clip of this great song that I could find.

Painting of the Day: Rossetti’s “Two Mothers,” 1850-1865

The Two Mothers
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
1850-1865
Sudley House, Liverpool

This painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti began as a much larger work. Rossetti’s original plan with the canvas was to show a scene of an aristocratically-draped woman reading a book of Italian poetry. For unknown reasons, Rossetti progressively cut down the canvas, retaining only the bust of the female figure.


The painting lay untouched for several years until it was revisited by the Pre-Raphaelite genius who was inspired to transform the scene into an allegorical image of motherhood and piety.

Rossetti added the figure of the child and, later, painted a statuette of the Virgin Mary in front of them. Re-titling the painting, “The Two Mothers,” Rossetti was finally pleased with his work. The changes in his painting style are quite obvious when one compares the image of the woman with those of the child and the sculpture.

This painting, like many of those of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, finds inspiration in poetry. The theme of family piety came to Rossetti after reading the works of Robert Browning.

Treat of the Week: A Blackberry Jammy Cake

Who doesn’t like jam? One of my favorites is blackberry jam. It’s the perfect amount sweetness and natural fruit flavor and, actually, is a wonderful accompaniment to both sweets and savories. So, then, combining blackberry jam with a spice pound cake is a glorious marriage.


And, that’s what we have here. From my mother’s collection of recipes, we have this joyous Jammy Cake. A light, moist spice pound cake has been baked with a swirl of blackberry jam. Already beautiful from its cathedral-inspired Bundt pan, the cake is further adorned with a wonderful glaze and colored sugar crystals.

This glittering confection is a treat from the inside out. The surprise layer of blackberry jam is enough to brighten even the cloudiest day.  My mother's recipe makes enough batter to also make two miniature Jammy Cakes.  These tasty twins are just as delicious as their full-sized counterpart.  You can use your favorite spice cake recipe or do an online search to find your own beautiful marriage of jam and spice. 

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 234

Marjani winced as she swallowed the liquid, but was surprised to find that it was as sweet as sugar water and didn’t burn as she had expected. When the syrup hit her bubbling stomach, the fire within her was immediately quieted. She withdrew the bottle from her lips and handed it back to Marie Laveau who grinned.


“Better, Woman?” Marie chirped.

“Yes.” Marjani answered clearly. She rose from the cruel cot upon which she’d been lying and hurried away from Marie.

“Leavin’ already?” Marie laughed.

“I got things for to do.” Marjani said over her shoulder.

“Ain’t you even gonna thank me?” Marie chuckled.

Marjani paused. “Thank you for takin’ away the sufferin’ you done gave me? You’re more of a fool than I thought.”

“I’m done with you, Marie.” Marjani said. “You and all your pain.” With that, Marjani ran from the room.

Marie Laveau put the empty bottle back into her apron and grinned. “Your time with me only just begun, Woman.” She muttered to herself. “This is just the beginnin’.”

Meanwhile, at their borrowed shanty, Charles again urged Barbara to come with him. His pleas were interrupted by the moans of his brother, Giovanni who was suddenly becoming aware of what was going on around him.

“Carlo?” Giovanni groaned. “Seize that woman. She struck me.” He reached up to his forehead and withdrew his hand upon realizing that it was coated in blood.

“I shudder to think what you did to her to make her strike you.” Charles spat.

“I did nothing,” Giovanni protested weakly. “I only tried to make her my friend.”

“Your friend?” Barbara roared. She turned to Charles. “Hold me, Charles, lest I finish what I started with this devil.”

Charles put his arm around Barbara’s waist.

“You embrace the woman who so viciously attacked me?” Giovanni bellowed theatrically.

“She’s done to you what you’ve done to dozens of men. Only she’s not done it as well because you’re still drawing breath.”

“I’m hurt, Brother.” Giovanni whimpered. “I need your aid.”

“You need nothing.” Charles responded.

“Come with me,” Charles whispered into Barbara’s ear.

“And, leave him?” Barbara replied softly. “Leave him to cause more pain and take more lives.”

“We can have a life.” Charles responded. “We can have anything you want—together.”

“Not my son.” Barbara said loudly. “Not my own brother.”

“We can start anew.” Charles held her tightly.

Giovanni tried to rise, but fell backward again, moaning wildly.

“Yes, I’ll go with you.” Barbara nodded.

He pulled her toward the door of the shanty.

“You’ll leave me here?” Giovanni barked. “With my blood spilt? Your own brother?”

“You’re not my brother. Not any longer! You’re nothing to me.”

With that, Barbara and Charles fled the shack.

Giovanni groaned. “If I’m nothing to you,” he moaned to himself, ‘you’re just another man. Now, I have nothing to prevent me from seeking my revenge.”

At that very moment, within the carriage outside of Edward Cage’s Royal Street mansion, Robert whispered to Adrienne.

“Are you quite all right?”

“I think so,” Adrienne panted.

“Did he hurt you?” Robert asked.

“Short of bruised arm, he did nothing.” Adrienne said quietly.

They both glanced out of the door of the carriage and watched as Mr. Punch lowered his eyes and snarled at Ulrika.

“We don’t need your interference, you ginger hobgoblin!” Mr. Punch spat. “You’re not welcome here with your talk of deals and diamonds.”

“I can make this right for all of you and still help you get your revenge on Iolanthe.” Urlrika frowned as Iolanthe’s son gurgled in her arms.

“Ulrika, please,” Edward Cage begged. “Go away. My son is just there in that carriage. I’m so close to having him returned to me. Stop stalling with your talk of Iolanthe. No one cares about her presently.”

“His Grace does.” Ulrika argued. “She killed his mother. Mr. Halifax cares, too. Think, Mr. Halifax, of all the atrocities that your dear wife suffered at Iolanthe’s hand. Don’t you want her to pay for them?”

“You confuse me, you do.” Mr. Punch said. “Hours ago you and Iolanthe were as thick as thieves. I thought you’d set aside your differences and banded together. Now, you speak of revenge against her?”

“Sometimes, Lunatic,” Ulrika smiled. “We form allegiances to get us closer to what we really want. Did you really think that I would break bread with ‘The Elegant Ogress’ without a greater goal in mind?”

“Enough of this!” Edward spat, lumbering toward the carriage. “I’m going to take my son back.”

As Robert saw Edward approaching he handed Barbara’s son to Adrienne and climbed from the carriage.

“Ah,” Edward Cage shook his head. “The other one. Do you think you can stop me?”

“Yes.” Robert nodded as he climbed atop the carriage, into the driver’s bench. Grabbing the reins, he yelled for the horses to run, and they did. Inside, Adrienne braced herself as the carriage lurched forward.

“Damn it!” Edward shouted, running after the carriage.

“It looks as if you’ll need me more than ever now,” Ulrika laughed.



Did you miss Chapters 1-233? If so, you can read them here.

Goal for the Day: Rise Above the Weather

As storms and violent weather beat down on much of the United States, it’s easy to get caught up in the atmospheric gloom which surrounds us. Around here, the last couple of days have been gray, wet and dismal. While I rather like the Addams Family style weather that’s hanging over my house, many of us find that bad weather affects us in negative ways.


Today, if you’re caught in the middle of a storm, remember that once you’re inside, you can create your own environment. You don’t need to let the bad weather bring you down. The sun can shine around you if you let it. Turn on your lights, put on some cheerful music and remember that in your own environment, you control the atmosphere.

Object of the Day: An Antique Child’s Diamond Ring

This tiny ring was made in the mid Nineteenth Century to be worn by a child. Set in fourteen karat gold, a small European-cut diamond rises proudly on an elegant Belcher Setting. A Belcher Setting holds the diamond in a series of exaggerated and prominent prongs which are styled as a continuation of the shanks of the ring. Belcher settings elevate the stone from the ring and allow for light to pass into the diamond from the underside as well as the top.


While children’s jewelry has fallen slightly out of vogue in recent decades, our Victorian forebears often presented children with jewelry which mimicked the look of the pieces worn by ladies and gentlemen of good standing. Children’s wardrobes were often scaled down copies of popular fashions, allowing youngsters to learn how to carry themselves with dignity.

This wee ring is adorned with an organic pattern on the shanks and looks very much like the sort of ring worn by a well-heeled gentleman of the era.